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Chapter 406: I Will Kill Him!!
In the end, Lupin still didn't accept Darren's offer.
Now that his identity was known to so many, he couldn't allow Darren to be dragged into discrimination because of him.
So he left.
With only a single suitcase.
Hermione, Ron, and Harry went with him to say goodbye.
Darren stayed behind alone in the office, pretending to be too sad to watch the farewell.
"Darren… parting is something everyone must face again and again."
"I believe there will be a day every year when you understand that sentence more deeply."
Dumbledore walked in, smiling gently.
Darren looked at him.
He tried to force a painful smile.
As if to say he was fine.
But Dumbledore looked even more helpless.
"All right, Darren. If you don't want to smile… then don't."
"I'm sorry, Headmaster Dumbledore…"
"I just can't accept it."
"Remus left right after everyone found out he was a werewolf. For a long time, he won't be able to find work."
"No one wants him anymore. I can't even imagine how he'll live."
"The first time I met him on the train, his robe was patched and his face was yellow and thin…"
"He finally became better after working at the school for a while—"
"And now he's been driven out…"
"I'm really worried."
[Ding, Father value +100]
Darren rubbed his eyes.
He looked heartbreakingly sad.
"Understandable," Dumbledore said softly.
"You're not just sad about parting—you're worried about his future."
"Darren… has anyone ever told you?"
"You're very warm-hearted."
Darren immediately showed an embarrassed look.
Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he said:
"Headmaster Dumbledore… could I arrange for Remus to work for the Roziers?"
"I mean… if he can't find a job, I can give him one."
"But could you tell him that you found it for him?"
"If he knew it was from me, he wouldn't accept it."
"After all… he's my godfather. He likes to pretend he's all-powerful in front of me…"
[Ding, Father value +100]
"That's a good idea," Dumbledore laughed.
"But I have one condition. If you agree, I will help."
Darren nodded immediately.
Without hesitation.
He only cared about Lupin living better.
"It's very simple," Dumbledore said.
"During the summer holidays, I want you to live at my place for a while."
"As a guest, of course."
He winked.
"There's someone who wishes to meet you."
"After all… you've accepted one of his old subordinates."
Darren froze.
"…Yes. Grindelwald."
"That's right. But don't worry."
"Nurmengard could never hold him now."
"Darren…"
"I think he regretted many things later."
"And he wants to meet you."
"To see the child who accepted his followers—"
"To see what kind of person you are."
Dumbledore's voice was gentle.
Darren complained silently in his heart.
Tsk.
So it's you two ex-husbands wanting to meet the kid.
Before I accepted Rozier, you didn't even think about inviting me as a guest. Now suddenly I'm family?
Is he afraid you'll be unhappy because someone else has a 'child' now?
No children for decades, and suddenly one of you has one?
Even if it's an accident, wouldn't that sting a little?
So he probably never dared to ask you before.
And now he knows I carry your bloodline…
Of course you're both excited.
Family of three, huh?
Darren nodded obediently on the surface.
"I understand. I'll go."
Dumbledore looked deeply satisfied.
He was about to say something comforting—
When Darren suddenly spoke again, his voice heavy.
"Headmaster Dumbledore… even though Sirius escaped last night and I'm relieved…"
"I let Peter go…"
"I couldn't go with Sirius and make sure he was safe."
"I think…"
"I killed Sirius."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Darren's eyes turned red.
But—
He suddenly noticed Harry standing at the doorway.
Harry had clearly just arrived.
He must have only heard this last part.
That explained the sudden Holy Father points.
Dumbledore smiled.
As if he hadn't noticed Darren's pain.
"Child, do you know something about fate?"
"You can't predict the next second."
"You can't avoid everything."
"All you can do… is face it."
"Darren, adults must pay the price for their own choices."
"Like Sirius."
"That night, he didn't explain himself."
"He didn't tell me everything."
"That's why he ended up with prison."
"And accusations that can't be washed away."
"That's because he felt guilty…"
"Yes," Dumbledore nodded.
"He did."
"But guilt doesn't erase mistakes."
"I can't condemn him."
"I might have done something just as reckless in his place."
"But wrong is wrong."
"And consequences must be borne."
"Last night, if he had killed Peter Pettigrew—"
"Would his name have been cleared?"
"No."
"The Ministry would never accept an innocent man holding a corpse as proof."
"And because Lupin would've helped him kill someone…"
"He wouldn't have been the only one sent to Azkaban."
"So, child…"
"By sparing Peter Pettigrew—"
"You saved both of them."
"You didn't make the wrong choice."
Darren looked a little better.
But he still said guiltily:
"I must have caused you trouble too…"
"I even did something to Minister Fudge."
"I should've been thrown into Azkaban."
Dumbledore smiled slightly.
"Darren, adults bear responsibility."
"But children do not."
"You're still a child."
"And besides—there has never been a more irritating minister than him."
"Honestly?"
"I might have gone further than you did."
"I might've wanted his life."
His voice was cold.
Then he saw Darren's worried eyes.
And immediately changed his tone.
"…Just kidding."
"Don't worry, my boy."