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Chapter 435 – Can't Be Like This!!
"Albus, do you know what you're doing?"
Professor McGonagall said in shock.
She understood very well what Dumbledore was asking for—Darren's memory of that night.
Extracting a memory meant forcing Darren to relive every moment of what happened.
She was afraid Darren would collapse.
However, she was worrying too much.
Darren was stunned at first—
but not because Dumbledore wanted the memory.
Rather, he was confused about why now.
From the moment he woke up, Darren had been expecting Dumbledore to ask for a memory.
After all, several Death Eaters had died that night.
Important figures. Heads of families.
And Dumbledore had never questioned him about it until now.
So it made sense.
"Minerva, this cannot be avoided," Dumbledore said quietly.
"I've discovered something over this period of time."
"I need Darren's memory to confirm it."
He turned to Darren.
"Will you help me?"
"Of course, Headmaster Dumbledore."
"I will."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Darren answered without the slightest hesitation.
A trace of pain appeared on Dumbledore's face.
But he still raised his wand.
Then he took out a small glass bottle and said,
"Recite this incantation, think about that night… and draw the memory from your temple."
Darren nodded and repeated the spell.
Then the system voice rang out.
[Ding, detected memory extraction. Would you like to consume Thousand Holy Father Value to fabricate memory?]
Darren hesitated.
That much… just like that?
It hurt.
But he clenched his teeth.
[Use it.]
The moment he made the choice, a silver-white thread slowly emerged from the tip of his wand.
His complexion grew pale.
His body began to tremble.
"Albus, this isn't right!"
Professor McGonagall cried out anxiously.
Even Dumbledore hesitated.
Darren shook his head and forced a smile.
"I'm fine… I really am..."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
More Holy Father value arrived.
Still not enough—
But Darren wasn't worried.
Because he knew Dumbledore would insist on entering the memory with him.
Dumbledore would want to see the truth with his own eyes.
And Darren had already prepared for that.
Professor McGonagall exclaimed angrily,
"No, Albus! Stop! Darren's physician clearly said his magic is unstable!"
Dumbledore's voice turned firm.
"Minerva, this has to be done."
"If I want to find who was involved that night… I must see it."
"Don't you want to know?"
"Don't you want justice for Darren?"
Professor McGonagall shook her head.
"I would rather never know if it spares him from facing this nightmare again!"
At that moment, Moody snarled,
"If I go in, I might recognize someone."
"I dealt with Death Eaters for years—"
"If I had been there, I could've named a few already!"
Professor McGonagall went silent.
Then she said sharply,
"Then I'm going too."
"If something happens to Darren, I'll take him to the infirmary myself."
Dumbledore nodded slowly.
"I agree."
Then he stood up and poured the extracted memory into the Pensieve.
He looked at Darren carefully.
"If you can't endure it, tell me immediately."
"I'm starting."
Darren nodded weakly.
Then, before stepping forward, he whispered,
"Professor… if something happens to me, please send me to the infirmary quietly."
"And don't tell my brother."
"He'll worry."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Once again, the value filled.
Darren couldn't help smirking inside.
As expected…
Barty Crouch Jr. really cared about him.
Almost too much.
Which made it suspicious.
Voldemort had likely instructed him to protect Darren.
After all, Voldemort planned far ahead.
Maybe he even believed that Darren was destined for something greater.
In the original timeline, Barty Crouch Jr. was kissed by a Dementor.
A dead man walking.
Being kind to Darren was the least he could do.
Darren sighed inwardly—
then stepped into the Pensieve.
Instantly, the scene changed.
He stood next to his past self.
The moment he was captured.
Bound.
Magic sealed.
Weak.
The fabricated memory looked frighteningly real.
Pain twisted across his face.
Fear in every step.
"Darren?"
Dumbledore appeared beside him.
He placed a hand on his shoulder.
Darren forced a smile.
"…I'm okay, Headmaster."
Dumbledore hesitated.
He wasn't certain that what he was doing was right.
Yet, he longed for answers.
If he found those men—
maybe he could give Darren justice.
But when he looked at Darren's pale expression…
regret filled his heart.
Should he tear open this wound?
Or let the past stay buried?
He no longer knew.
He only remembered this method after multiple family heads disappeared.
Only Darren's memory would show the truth.
Only Darren could fill in the gaps.
Yet…
As he watched Darren tremble beside the Pensieve, the regret only grew.
Perhaps—
Some scars were better left untouched.
Perhaps—
It would be better to wait for the Death Eaters to expose themselves.
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