Chapter 398 – He's Not a Good Guy!!
"Dumbledore, you wouldn't really believe everything Black said, would you?"
Before leaving, Snape turned back and spoke coldly.
"When he was in sixth year, he already showed signs of wanting to kill. He's not a good man… you haven't forgotten what he did to me, have you?"
"Of course, Severus," Dumbledore replied calmly. "I have an excellent memory.
I also remember that in your first two years of teaching, I added a rule to the school regulations: bullying other students is forbidden."
Snape snorted and walked out without another word.
Fudge glanced awkwardly at his pocket watch.
For reasons he couldn't explain, Dumbledore now made him uneasy.
He forced a smile and said, "Well… the timing is about right. The dementors should be arriving soon. I'll go up and have a look."
Then he left as well.
Dumbledore turned to Madam Pomfrey.
Madam Pomfrey, clearly displeased, marched back to her office.
She slammed the door against the frame, her annoyance obvious.
"All right, children," Dumbledore said gently once the room was quiet. "Now we can talk properly."
Darren immediately stepped forward.
"Headmaster, Sirius Black is innocent. My brother, Hermione, and I can all testify for him. And Professor Lupin too—Remus can prove it!"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...…］
Dumbledore's expression softened at once.
With a quiet sigh, he said, "Darren… the Ministry of Magic will not overturn a conviction based on the words of a few students.
As for Remus… you led him into the Forbidden Forest, where he will remain unconscious through the night. By the time he wakes, it will be morning.
But Sirius Black cannot wait that long. In a short while, the dementors will administer the Kiss… and that is a fate worse than death."
Darren's face drained of color.
His breathing grew unsteady, and his expression looked close to breaking.
"Headmaster… then what should I do? How do I save him? I'll do anything!
I was the one who stopped Sirius and Professor Lupin from killing Peter. I thought they'd get another chance later…
But now… I've hurt them. I…"
His voice faltered.
His eyes burned red, as if something wild was about to surge out of him.
"Calm down."
Dumbledore pressed a hand firmly against his shoulder, concern in his voice.
"Listen to me, Darren. There is still a way."
The words seemed to pull Darren back from the edge.
He grabbed Dumbledore's robe—and in that instant, activated the bloodline draw.
[Ding, sensing that the host is using the bloodline draw, now the draw begins, the draw is over, congratulations to the host for obtaining Dumbledore's bloodline.]
Dumbledore Bloodline:
Have the Phoenix bloodline and inspires instinctive reverence from unicorns.
After fusion: Magic power +100, gain recognition of unicorns.
(Automatically fused upon acquisition)
[Ding, aware that the host possesses Grindelwald's bloodline and the soul fragment of Ariana Dumbledore.]
With Dumbledore's bloodline, you may spend 50,000 Holy Father Value to fuse and obtain the title: Son of the Demon King.
(Fusion is non-traditional. Blood and soul will exist after fusion.)
Son of the Demon King:
A born king of the dark.
Dark wizards feel 100% increased oppression and instinctive fear toward the host.
White wizards gain 100% increased affinity and will subconsciously trust the host.
+50 favorability with neutral wizards.
Darren froze.
Son… of the Demon King?
Was he about to walk straight into Azkaban and become a final boss on the way?
Then he noticed the condition.
You still need to spend 50,000 Holy Father Value.
He checked his balance.
50,100.
…Great.
The system wasn't just draining him.
It was emptying him.
If he fused, he'd be left with exactly 100 Holy Father Value.
So that was it.
He'd been "too relaxed" lately, and the system decided to give him somewhere to spend his points?
Darren cursed quietly in his heart.
And still, he chose to fuse.
The instant the value vanished, a heavy warmth surged through him.
The title Son of the Demon King was confirmed.
Dumbledore's eyes widened slightly.
Not in fear.
In recognition.
It was as if he had sensed something familiar—all too familiar—within Darren.
So it was confirmed.
The past had already happened.
Darren had met Dumbledore before.
Somewhere.
Some time.
Maybe when he went back into the past.
He had wanted to see Dumbledore shocked.
That was why he'd activated the bloodline then and there.
He wanted a reaction.
But Dumbledore… had been prepared long before.
Darren hid his disappointment behind a steady expression and tugged gently at Dumbledore's sleeve.
"Headmaster… please tell me what I can do. Just tell me what chance we still have.
As long as it's possible—I'll do it."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...…］
"Ah, Darren…" Dumbledore said softly.
"The method is actually quite simple.
If you're thinking clearly, you've probably already realized it."
Dumbledore did not pull his robe back.
Instead, he leaned closer to Darren, unusually gentle.
Then, with a faint twinkle in his eye, he said:
"Time.
What we need… is more time."
Darren's eyes widened in realization.
Hermione froze for a second—and then let out a quiet breath, understanding immediately.
Harry, meanwhile, stood in the middle of the room looking more lost than ever.
Once again, he was surrounded by people who understood things too quickly.
And once again, he felt rather slow in comparison.
But at least one thing was clear.
Since Darren understood, Sirius Black had a chance.
"There is no way to clear Sirius Black's name through normal means," Dumbledore continued quietly.
"Because of what he has done…
Darren, it wasn't just something from twelve years ago.
It was also what happened this year.
He broke into Hogwarts.
He entered the Gryffindor Tower.
He stood over a student with a knife.
To the world, he does not look like an innocent man.
And now, Professor Snape claims he never saw Peter Pettigrew.
The Ministry will believe him.
They trust him more than Remus—because Remus is a werewolf, while Severus is a famed Potions Master.
Darren…" Dumbledore's voice softened.
"I once told you love is the greatest magic in the world.
But trust should never be given blindly.
Love others.
But never forget to love yourself as well."