Darren didn't answer the question for some time. He stared into James' eyes furiously. James in turn couldn't believe what he just heard. He couldn't believe that the boy he befriended on the Hogwarts Express could be behind such madness. As James began to lose hope, Darren smiled for the first time in weeks. After seeing James' horrified look from the revelation, he laughed. It was a cold, high pitched laugh; one that did not show any warmth or kindness at all.
"It took you all this long to figure it out?" Darren boasted. "You lot really are pathetic."
"Darren why?" James pleaded. "Why did you do this?"
"Why do you think?" Darren snapped back. "The Traitor of Gryffindor was your idea after all."
"What?" James gasped.
"Do you not remember what happened that day?" asked Darren cruelly. "Pius gave me an after lesson detention for not being able to do the spell properly. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the hang of it."
"No difference to now then" snarked Aoiffe.
"You want to know why I trashed this place?" Darren sounded more unhinged the more he spoke. "Because I was pissed off with Pius, and I wanted to let him know. I waited 'till he went for dinner, then I destroyed this room, including that book he valued so much."
"I gave you an alibi" James realised.
"You had so much trust in someone you only knew for two weeks" Darren sneered. "I couldn't have possibly done it, because I was friends with Potter after all. Thicknesse knew exactly what happened, but you defended me; from the good of your naïve, idiotic heart."
"And that's when you came up with the Traitor of Gryffindor" James realised.
"No; that's when you came up with the Traitor of Gryffindor" Darren corrected him. "Let me remind you what actually happened that night. It was you who came up with the name Gryffindor Traitor."
"And Sebastian then made it Traitor of Gryffindor" James remembered.
"It caused so much attention, that people quickly forgot the other thing I did that night" Darren sneered. "Jackson Lestrange, it was I who wrote to Gringotts saying that you were related to Bellatrix."
"You?" Jackson gasped. "But why would you do that?"
"You annoyed me" Darren spat. "We're both muggle-borns, yet you get all the praise. I get treated like a wierdo for not getting anything, but all the teachers love you. Still, I noticed you did get bullied a lot; so I thought I'd give them more reason to hate you. And what would make people hate you more than being the person to block dear little orphan Lupin out of his money."
"You…" Jackson swore at Darren using the most foul words he knew. "I remember now; the next day was quiditch practise, and McLaren had a word with you in private. You told us that she wanted to know about your abs; but she knew that you were the Traitor of Gryffindor even then, didn't she."
"Yes, McLaren did work that out a lot quicker than anyone else" Darren sniggered. "I didn't plan on doing anything else to you guys; but McLaren really convinced me."
"How?" demanded Jackson.
"By telling me how much fun it would be to watch all of you suffer" Darren cackled. "And she was right. She told me what to do, and I did it. From posting up the letters she wrote, to snapping your broom in half. I did all the grunt work. The look on your face James when your unwrapped your broken Nimbus was hysterical."
"Was it funny when I was in the Hospital Wing for weeks?" Bella demanded. "Was it funny when you saw me in so much pain?"
"Yes" Darren replied darkly. "Originally McLaren wanted to poison your cousin, but I persuaded her that poisoning you would be more entertaining. You certainly screamed harder than Sebastian would have."
"You're a monster" Aoiffe squealed.
"And all those points you lost Gryffindor" Nigel Thomas pointed out. "Don't you feel bad that…"
"Of course I don't" Darren remarked. "So what if we won the House Cup; it's not like I earned any points. Why would I want us to win a trophy that I had no input?"
Before James could confront Darren any further, Violet returned with Professor Longbottom. James had never seen him so angry.
"So you finally confessed to being the Traitor of Gryffindor" said Longbottom. "Since you and McLaren were both responsible, you can have detention every day for the rest of the year too. James, detention in my office after dinner."
"Why James?" demanded Bella. "All of this was Darren's fault; James had nothing to do with it."
"I lied the night this room got wrecked, in order to give Darren an alibi" replied James. "Please don't argue Bella; I deserve it."
The Transfiguration exam was postponed until the next week. James and Darren were placed in separate detentions. Darren was forced to help McLaren clean all of Hogwarts' windows without the use of magic. James on the other hand was merely tasked with helping Professor Longbottom plant some of his seeds for his future classes. James couldn't help but wonder whether Longbottom deliberately made his detention easy, knowing full well that realising that his friend was a traitor had made him feel more bad about lying than any detention.
"I say that about does it" announced Longbottom. "I'll take you back to Gryffindor Tower. I'm sure the rest of the Gryffindors want to know the full story about Darren."
"There's more?" gasped James.
"Believe me James; you spent almost a year with Crawford, but you have only just begun to understand what he was like" replied Longbottom.
James tried to fathom what Professor Longbottom had told him as they walked back together. It had only just occurred to him that Benedict Falcon must have worked out that Darren was the Traitor of Gryffindor too. But Benedict never talked to Darren much; certainly not as much as he did. How did Benedict work it all out. When Longbottom spoke the password, and the Fat Lady opened up, James ran towards Benedict. He was already being pestered by numerous students, who were all gathered around him.
"James is back now" said Tulip.
"Well noticed" Sebastian muttered.
"I promised everyone here that I wouldn't explain how I deduced Darren Crawford was the Traitor of Gryffindor until you have returned from your detention" said Benedict. "You spent a lot of time with Crawford; I thought it was only right that you were the first to know."
"Are you going to be listening too Professor?" asked Aoiffe.
"Yes" replied Longbottom seriously. "Benedict only know part of the story."
"I will start by telling you how I came to suspect Crawford" began Benedict. "As someone who adores muggle detective fiction, there were a few skills I picked up; one of which being able to detect contradictions. Quite early on in the year, I believe Darren Crawford compared himself to you Professor."
"He said that he was also living on his own with his grandparents" remembered James.
"That is indeed correct" Longbottom confirmed.
"Where's the contradiction in that?" asked Bella.
"The contradiction lies in December" answered Benedict. "I overheard Crawford mention that he had a younger brother. Specifically, a younger brother who his parents always side with."
James remembered this conversation as well. Now he heard them both repeated back to back, the contradiction Benedict was on about became obvious.
"Is this true?" asked Jackson.
"Yes" replied Longbottom. "Darren Crawford does indeed have a younger brother who lives with his parents."
"Then why does Darren live on his own with his grandparents?" asked James.
"I could only think of one explanation" replied Benedict. "And unfortunately, I was correct."
He reached out into his bag, and gave James a newspaper. He could tell immediately that it was a muggle newspaper, as the picture wasn't moving. Future Football Legend Forever Crippled read the headline. The photograph on the front page pictured a boy in a wheelchair who looked like a slightly younger Darren with a terribly bruised face, and his right leg amputated.
"Michael Crawford was destined to become a footballing legend ever since he started playing the game as a four year old." James read the paper aloud. "Both he and his brother Darren were natural talents, and have been involved in talks with many high profile clubs' development program."
"Darren said as much" muttered Nigel. "I remember him talking about it."
"Whilst Darren's skill was undeniable, his brother was in a different league entirely. When being assessed by Manchester United, the club agreed to put Michael into their program, where he was expected to eventually join the club's youth team."
"Benedict; you said you knew what the Traitor of Gryffindor did to Michael" said Sebastian. "What did Darren do to him?"
"Whilst Michael's parents were ecstatic that their son was on his way to become a professional footballer, his brother was considerably less" James continued. "Two nights after Michael's dream came true, Darren assaulted him in the streets outside his home. Michael Crawford suffered many broken bones from this alone, but at some point during the attack, the lorry parked next to him began to move on its own."
"Oh my god" Bella gasped. "Darren said the first time he used magic was when he made a lorry move a few metres."
"You don't need to read anymore" told Longbottom. "Darren Crawford was jealous that his younger brother was on his way to become a better footballer than he would ever be, so he took out all of his rage on him."
"Was Michael under the lorry when Darren moved it?" asked James worryingly.
"Yes" Longbottom said reluctantly. "And just so you know, that was purely an accident on Darren's part. He was just as shocked when it happened."
"Is Michael ok?" asked James.
"He's ok in the sense that he's alive" replied Longbottom. "But he's been crippled to the point that he will never be able to walk again."
"That…" Patricia used an ugly swear word.
"I'll forgive you for your language this once Patricia" Longbottom warned.
"How did he make it here?" demanded Bella. "He should be punished for doing that to his own brother."
"He was" explained Benedict. "The muggles didn't know why the lorry suddenly reversed, but they were able to charge him for the assault."
"Darren was sentenced to spending six months in Manchester's youth detainment facility" Longbottom elaborated. "It was the first time I ever had to tell anyone that they were a wizard whilst they were in prison."
"Darren Crawford was a criminal" James summarised.
"It also the most likely reason as to how Silverstone McLaren worked out who the Traitor of Gryffindor was before anyone else" added Benedict. "She spends a lot of time in the muggle sports world, so it's not inconceivable that she had heard of this event before the Sorting Ceremony."
"If that was the case, she probably knew who she was dealing with the moment Darren's name was called" agreed Patricia. "When the Transfiguration classroom was trashed, she saw right through James' fake alibi."
"Damn it" shouted Jackson. "Why didn't you tell us that we were all sharing a classroom with someone who beat up his own brother?"
"I wanted to give him a chance" replied Longbottom. "For everything bad Darren did, when I visited him for the first time, he seemed genuinely remorseful for what he did to Michael."
"Six months behind bars would do that" remarked Jackson.
"Darren was in a terrible time in his life" Longbottom continued. "He was banned from playing football professionally, he was refused by every single secondary school he applied for, his own parents didn't want him back, and even his grandparents weren't thrilled to see him again. He ruined his reputation in the muggle world; I hoped he would start afresh in the wizarding one."
"And now he ruined his second chance too" said Bella.
"I don't blame any of you for disliking Darren now" said Longbottom. "But I warn you, please do not provoke him. Just try and ignore him as much as you can."
Professor Longbottom then wished everyone goodnight, then left the common room. James was left stunned at the revelations. He had been friends with Darren for months, and all this time, he was hanging out with someone who crippled his own brother for being better than him at football. Not long afterwards, Darren returned back. He was tired and sweaty from his detention, but he grinned from ear to ear when he saw everyone's reaction to him.
"Told everyone Benedict?" he asked smugly.
"Yes" Benedict replied through gritted teeth. "Frankly, you and McLaren are lucky not to be expelled."
"Well too bad" taunted Darren. "You're stuck with me for another six years."
"You little brat" snarled Cameron Corner.
He pulled up his sleeve, and advanced on Darren. James though that Corner was going to lose his cool, but before he could even try and attack him, Darren jabbed his wand into Corner's right eye. Corner wailed in pain, and collapsed onto the floor, covering his eye with his hands.
"Don't be such a brat Corner" smirked Darren.
"How dare you" said Patricia threateningly.
"Patricia no" warned Victoire.
Patricia charged at Darren trying to punch him, but Darren easily avoided her attacks, and retaliated by kicking her in the legs. Once Patricia was brought down, he began kicking her head.
"Funny how a twelve year old can be so much better at fighting than beaters" he cackled maniacally. "I suppose six months in prison did have its uses."
"Petrificus Totalus" roared Benedict.
Darren suddenly stood still with his arms and legs straight, before falling to the ground silently.
"My eye" cried Corner.
"Professor Longbottom warned us not to provoke him" said Benedict.
"I'll take Corner and Patricia to the Hospital Wing" Victoire Weasley announced. "James and Jackson; help Crawford into bed. With a bit of luck, he'll be asleep by the time the spell wears out."
Fortunately Victoire's hope came true, and the only threat from the first years that night had come from Jackson's loud snoring. By the time James arrived for breakfast the following morning, the truth about Darren had spread across the whole school; including him knocking out Professor Thicknesse, and jabbing Cameron Corner in the eye with his wand.
"Shame Madame Pomfrey healed your eye so quick" taunted Silverstone McLaren. "You're probably one of the few people on earth who'd be more attractive with a black eye."
"She sure loves relishing being a bully" noted Jackson.
"Speaking of bullies" James replied, pointing at an argument happening further down the table.
Darren Crawford was sitting on his own the same way that Jackson had been. Two of the students who James recognised as some of Jackson's most regular bullies, were now trying to magically pull down Darren's trousers.
"You think it's funny now do you?" one of them roared. "This is actually funny."
Darren was clutching onto his trousers for his dear life when out of nowhere whilst Professor Longbottom marched down the aisle to stop the incident, one of the bullies' wands flew out of his hands. The other bully lost his concentration of the spell, allowing Darren to throw a fork at his wrist.
"I hope I broke it" sneered Darren.
"Lunchtime detention Crawford" Longbottom said sternly.
"But they were trying to charm my trousers off" Darren argued back angrily.
"Jackson Lestrange never resorted to muggle violence" Longbottom retaliated.
Nobody saw who disarmed the first bully, but when James looked towards the Ravenclaw table, he could have sworn that McLaren's wand wasn't lying on the table next to her beforehand.
"So I would've got a detention if I tried to beat up those guys" muttered Jackson. "Well at least they have someone new to pick on now."
James suddenly felt very sick on Jackson's behalf. When Jackson first started Hogwarts, he was immediately feared and picked on by the school for being possibly related to Bellatrix. Yet the person who actually went to prison for crippling his own brother went completely ignored, and remained free of suspicion.
The one benefit of Darren's actions, was that Professor Thicknesse's Transfiguration class that week actually proved surprisingly fair. Thicknesse was so angry at Darren for knocking him unconscious, that he seemed to surpass Bella for his least favourite student. In fact when she was struggling to cast the spell they were being taught, Thicknesse actually walked over and helped her.
Darren's skill level has not changed at all after his exposure. All it did was make him more snappier and angry at people who made fun of him for not being able to do the work. One day whilst they were lining up for their Herbology lesson, Darren confronted the Hufflepuff student Abraham Abraham.
"You made fun of me during our flying test" remarked Darren.
"Did I?" squeaked a now frightened Abraham.
"You said am I really a wizard, or am I just a muggle" Darren recited, whilst cracking his knuckles.
"Please, don't hurt me" Abraham begged.
Fortunately Professor Longbottom opened the door to his greenhouse before Darren could get violent again. James didn't believe that Darren would openly confront Abraham in front of a teacher, but was proven wrong half way into the lesson when Darren threw a plant pot into the back of Abraham's head.
"Bullseye" roared Darren.
Abraham was immediately sent to the hospital wing, whilst Darren was given extra detention.
"We always said that the Traitor of Gryffindor was nuts" Bella spoke to James and Jackson after class. "The way Darren's been acting confirms it."
"I can't believe I ever considered him a friend" James spat back.
"Hagrid was saying that your dad and grandad had their rivals" Jackson noted. "I guess that means that Darren's your school rival now instead of me."
James couldn't help but make the comparisons himself almost every time he meets Darren. Darren can't help but sneer and taunt him about their friendship. The only time their hostilities cease is during the night, where they share a dormitory. Shortly after Darren revealed himself, one of Jackson's old bullies spiked his evening tea with a Constant Awake potion, which led Darren to spend the whole night unable to fall asleep, and which left the bully receiving all of his arm and leg bones broken. Everyone had since ignored Darren at night, and fortunately he gave the same courtesy during that time of day at least.