Chapter 485: I Disagree!!
It wasn't only Darren who reacted that way.
Harry was terrified as well.
He jumped to his feet, clearly intending to follow Darren.
But Ron and Hermione stopped them both.
"It's fine. At most, Dumbledore will give us detention for helping you," Hermione said calmly.
"We've already had plenty of detentions anyway. Darren, don't be afraid."
Ron added shamelessly, "Exactly. And it's not just us helping Harry—Professor Moody helped too!
You forgot? He even got gillyweed from Krum. If you ask me, that practically counts as robbery!"
He burst out laughing.
Hermione didn't argue with him.
The two of them followed Fred and George out.
Only Darren and Harry were left in the common room.
Darren waited for a moment, then spoke as if he couldn't hold back anymore.
"Brother… I'll go take a look quietly. Just to see what's going on…"
"I'll go too!" Harry immediately stood up.
"No," Darren said firmly. "You stay and rest. I'll just check on Hermione and Ron, then come straight back.
If everything's fine, I'll bring them back quickly."
[Ding, Father value +100]
Harry had no choice.
He couldn't refuse Darren.
He could only nod anxiously.
---
When Darren left the Gryffindor common room, his expression was full of worry and fear.
He hurried toward Professor McGonagall's office.
The door wasn't closed.
Before he even reached it, he heard voices inside.
"That's settled. You are all the champions' most treasured people, their greatest attachments. Now drink this Sleeping Draught and remain underwater, waiting for the champions to find you."
A voice trembled. "But… if they don't find us, will we die?"
"I'm sorry, Professor. I really didn't mean to eavesdrop—I know it's wrong—but you can't do this.
This absolutely cannot be done.
If some champions fail to find their treasures, those people will drown. I disagree. I won't allow this.
If that's the case, then let me drink the potion instead. Let them come find me.
It doesn't matter if I die anyway!"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…]
Darren's words instantly earned a massive surge of Holy Father value.
The people inside the office clearly hadn't expected him to appear at all.
Yet his words deeply moved everyone present.
"Darren, what nonsense are you talking about?" Professor McGonagall said angrily.
"Why would your life not matter?"
"You are an outstanding student. You are a Triwizard champion. How could you be unimportant?"
Darren's eyes slowly reddened.
He looked frightened—yet more than that, desperate.
"But no matter how important my life is, it's not more important than theirs!
They can't lose their lives just because of a competition!
I can't accept this, and I don't believe the other champions could either.
I think any one of us would rather die than let the people we care about die!"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…]
Hermione's face flushed bright red.
So did several others.
They were all deeply moved—so moved that for a moment, none of them could even explain.
Just as Darren raised his wand, as if preparing to rescue the students on the spot, Dumbledore finally spoke.
He looked helpless.
He walked over to Darren and smiled gently.
"Oh, Darren… you really are something.
I shouldn't have let you see this, and I certainly shouldn't have explained it in front of you.
This is part of the Triwizard Tournament's tradition, and explaining it to you is technically a violation.
But…"
He sighed lightly. "I don't think there's a referee here who'd want to argue with you.
To be honest, I suspect you might tear this place apart."
He glanced back at the others, as if asking for confirmation.
Ludo Bagman wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Dumbledore, you'd better tell him. If he punches me, I might not live to see tomorrow."
The others nodded vigorously.
Dumbledore turned back to Darren.
"Oh, Darren. While it's true that the champions must retrieve their 'treasures,' how could we possibly let anyone die?
Even if a champion fails to find them, the merfolk will send them safely back to shore.
We've prepared special enchantments—between life and death.
They'll sleep peacefully underwater the entire time, with no danger at all.
They'll only wake when the champion touches them, or when they're brought back to the surface.
Do you understand now, child?
We're not some evil organization, and we're not trying to kill anyone.
This is simply to make the competition more intense.
Just like we told you earlier—your Hermione will be underwater.
If you don't find her within an hour, it seems like she'll drown, pushing you to do your best.
The same applies to the other champions.
That's how the task works."
Dumbledore finished speaking.
Darren's face flushed crimson.
He lowered his head, filled with guilt.
"I… Headmaster… I was wrong. Professor, I…"
He hesitated, then said nervously, "This means I've already affected the fairness of the competition, right?
Since I know the truth now… should I withdraw?
It's all my fault. I was too reckless…"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…]
"Oh, silly child," Dumbledore said kindly.
"Have you forgotten the Memory Charm?
Come here. Don't resist. I'll remove this memory so everything remains fair.
And we'll be sure to close the office door properly next time we discuss something like this."
Darren stepped forward without hesitation.
"Please erase my memory quickly. I really… I'm so sorry, everyone.
I remember the professor was discussing something important—it was all my fault. I was far too reckless."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Holy Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…]
"Oh, you child… always so kind. There's truly no helping it.
Very well. Come here."
Dumbledore raised his wand.