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Chapter 438 – Malnutrition?!!
Madam Pomfrey forced a helpless smile.
"What else could it have been but nightmares? You were simply exhausted and fainted in Headmaster Dumbledore's office.
I've told you long ago you must rest properly, but you never listen… fortunately, you're fine now."
Her voice was calm, but worry flickered briefly in her eyes.
When Dumbledore brought Darren in, she had been terrified.
At that time, he had seemed completely broken—out of control, conscious of nothing except the urge to kill himself.
That was one of the reasons she had agreed to erase his memories.
Those memories could have killed him.
Darren, of course, knew she was lying.
But he showed nothing.
After all, according to them, his memories were already gone.
The single tear he shed earlier had been his final attempt to farm Holy Father points.
A pity.
That method clearly would not work again.
Still, he tilted his head and gave an embarrassed smile, pretending to be lost in thought.
Madam Pomfrey's fingers tightened slightly.
She feared the spell might have failed.
Darren, on the other hand, sighed inwardly.
He actually wished it hadn't succeeded.
But since Dumbledore himself had acted, how could it fail?
Three thousand Holy Father points had already been deducted.
In his mind, a fabricated memory now existed:
He had been sitting quietly in Dumbledore's office while Dumbledore spoke with Professors McGonagall and Moody.
Then he stood up—and suddenly blacked out.
Even his inner thoughts had been rewritten.
Dumbledore truly lived up to his reputation as a master of memory magic.
Far superior to Snape.
"Huh?" Darren said suddenly. "So I actually fainted in Headmaster Dumbledore's office? No wonder I felt so awful… turns out that's what happened."
He then tried to sit up.
"I must've frightened the Headmaster. I should go apologize."
Before he could move, Harry and the others gently pressed him back down.
Their expressions were unusually serious.
They clearly did not want him anywhere near Dumbledore's office again.
Darren looked confused.
Harry hesitated, then fell silent.
He didn't know what Darren had experienced—but if Dumbledore had gone as far as erasing memories, the truth must be unbearable.
If Darren remembered again, it would only hurt him.
So Harry forced a calm tone.
"Darren still needs to rest. Why would Professor call him now? Why don't I go instead?"
"You?" Madam Pomfrey nearly blurted out, What could you possibly do?
But she swallowed her words.
Harry already mistrusted Dumbledore.
If she stopped him now, the boy would only become more suspicious.
And to be honest—even she had doubts.
Fortunately, she had known Dumbledore for many years and believed in his character.
Just as she was considering an answer, a familiar voice drifted in from outside.
"Oh, boys—did I interrupt something important?
I was in my office and had a feeling Darren might wake up, so I came at once."
Dumbledore entered calmly.
"Headmaster Dumbledore!" Darren immediately spoke.
"I'm so sorry to trouble you… I clearly didn't take care of myself…"
[Ding! Holy Father Value +60]
[Ding! Holy Father Value +80]
[Ding! Holy Father Value +100]
The points flooded in.
Darren almost forgot what he was about to say.
Fortunately, Dumbledore rescued him from his own acting.
"Silly boy. Not only are you exhausted—you're also severely malnourished.
Several professors have reported that you've barely eaten proper meals for a long time. Is that true?"
Malnourished?
Darren was stunned.
He hadn't told the system to make him malnourished.
Then he understood.
Dumbledore was deliberately frightening him.
Not because he was already malnourished—but because if this continued, he would be.
This was an intervention.
A threat disguised as concern.
Darren sighed inwardly.
You lot serve steak for breakfast and call it healthy...
But outwardly, he stubbornly lifted his chin.
"But the house-elves don't receive wages, and they have no benefits at all.
They work so much for nothing…"
He played the role perfectly—half righteous, half stubborn.
[Ding! Father Value +100]
[Ding! Father Value +100]
[Ding! Father Value +100]
Dumbledore sighed deeply.
"Oh, child… what you don't understand is that house-elves love to work.
When you refuse to eat their food, they blame themselves.
Some of them even punish themselves."
His voice softened.
"I've heard they burn their hands in ovens… even strike their own ears with hot irons… all to 'atone' in their own way."
Darren stiffened and forced a troubled expression.
But he still hesitated.
"If I don't fight for them… then who will?
I know you must think I'm using this to gain sympathy…
But I only want them to live like normal beings.
I've always believed life is equal.
I never thought something like this would exist inside Hogwarts…
I'm sorry for causing you trouble, Headmaster… but I can't pretend I don't see it anymore.
If starving myself means you and the board finally take this seriously…
Then I'm willing to go hungry."
[Ding! Holy Father Value +80]
[Ding! Holy Father Value +90]
[Ding! Father Value +100]
The room fell silent.
Even Dumbledore's eyes reddened.
He removed his glasses and rubbed them briefly.
Then he sighed.
"You win."
"I've already raised this issue with the board again. They said it requires discussion—but I doubt anyone will oppose it.
No one wishes to disappoint two children of such integrity."
He looked at Darren gently.
"But while the board debates, I hope you will at least fulfill the house-elves' wish…
And eat their meals properly.
Will you promise me that?"
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