---
Chapter 465 Celebrating Slytherin!!
"When something happened to you, Darren, Dumbledore was so angry that everyone thought the Hungarian Horntail had done something wrong and they were preparing to execute it."
"Of course, I don't think that's a problem," Ron added. "Because that dragon betrayed you. I've never seen such a disgusting dragon. That's what Charlie said too. They were furious and grabbed the Horntail and scolded it for ages, but it didn't listen at all. It just lay there sleeping like everything was fine—well, fine for a dragon!"
Darren was stunned.
Good grief… they actually tried scolding a dragon.
And they think the dragon understood them…
Meanwhile, Dumbledore actually wanted to kill it?
Isn't that a bit like… punishing the donkey after it's done all the hard work?
As the little Holy Father, Darren obviously couldn't stay silent.
"That Hungarian Horntail wasn't killed, right?" he asked anxiously. "I don't think it was wrong at all. I took its egg. A mother protecting her egg—how can that be wrong?"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
"Oh, Darren, you're always like this. I knew you'd say that… but don't you think the Horntail went too far?" Hermione said helplessly.
Darren insisted.
"I'm not hurt, am I?"
"But you were poisoned!"
"I think the poison rubbed onto me because I used too much force… I shouldn't have been that rough. She's a mother dragon after all… I scolded her for so long. Thinking about it now, I feel a bit guilty."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Harry let out a long sigh.
"Fine, you always talk like that. But I still think you should've taught it a lesson and not let it off so easily."
"So it's alive?" Darren asked in surprise.
"Of course," Harry said helplessly. "You have to decide what happens to it. But a lot of people think the Horntail should be executed."
They talked for a while, eventually mentioning Karkaroff.
Ron had already heard from Harry that Karkaroff was a Death Eater.
He also learned that Karkaroff was probably the one who put Harry's name into the Goblet of Fire.
Naturally, Cedric had cast Darren's name in, probably because Karkaroff influenced everything.
Ron was furious.
"So that's it—he had a reason to do it, he had enough time, he was a judge! He could've snuck Harry's name in at night. Maybe he wanted to please the Death Eaters or You-Know-Who. He probably wanted both you and Harry dead during the dragon task! Everyone knows how easily people can die there.
But he didn't expect you to be so brilliant, Darren—you helped Harry, and you were so strong it ruined his plans. When he rated Harry, he was so angry he only gave him a seven while everyone else gave ten.
He kept claiming Harry wasn't perfect. But after you completed the task flawlessly, he couldn't say anything. He had to give ten points in the end and stormed off without any grace. It was hilarious!"
Darren forced a laugh to match Ron.
Internally, he complained.
Karkaroff wasn't trying to kill them with the score. He was part of Voldemort's plan to take them out of Hogwarts.
But Darren obviously couldn't say that now.
At Hermione's urging, they returned to Hogwarts for dinner.
The victory of Darren and Harry was the highlight of the school.
Colorful banners hung from every corner.
The entire castle radiated excitement.
When Darren and Harry entered, the entire Great Hall fell silent—then erupted into thunderous cheers.
Even the Slytherins roared louder than anyone.
They already knew Darren was strong, but after seeing him punch a dragon, everything changed.
Even the professors were clapping proudly.
Snape actually drank a glass of wine with a smug expression.
He didn't even glare at Harry this time.
Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students didn't attend the celebration, but no one cared.
The entire wizarding world had already seen Darren punching a dragon on the front page of the Daily Prophet.
The Slytherin table was the loudest.
Gone was the gloom from earlier.
Now they were screaming louder than Gryffindor.
Dumbledore watched proudly.
"Oh, children, it's time to eat. And go to bed early. I think our champions are tired."
The words somewhat calmed everyone.
Darren enjoyed his dinner.
But when he entered the Slytherin common room, the students surrounded him instantly.
Darren braced himself, expecting criticism for his recklessness.
But no one cared.
Instead, they dragged him inside, cheering, shoving butterbeer into his hands, and demanding he show them the golden egg so they could analyze it.
Even Malfoy looked helpless.
"Your recklessness isn't new," he said. "This time you were only poisoned. Honestly, we feel lucky."
---