Chapter 522 – Respect Darren!!
There was still one day left before the holidays.
Dobby suddenly appeared in front of Darren.
He was holding a whole stack of photo albums.
Carefully, he placed them on Darren's table.
Back in Darren's second year, Dobby had once received a gift for Darren from Professor Snape.
But at that time, Dobby had wanted Darren and Harry not to return to school if they couldn't receive their gifts, so he had destroyed them.
Some time ago, Dobby found those damaged gifts again and repaired them one by one.
Dobby hoped that Mr. Darren Potter would be happy, and now that summer vacation was coming, it was time for Darren to smile again.
Dobby opened the large album.
Only then did Darren realize that it was filled entirely with photos of Lily.
In every picture, she was smiling and waving at him in different scenes.
There were also several photos of Lily and James holding Harry, as if they were proudly showing him to Darren.
Darren felt that if the original Darren had seen these things, he would definitely have cried.
So he hugged Dobby tightly.
"Thank you… thank you, Dobby. I really love it."
---
In the afternoon, they went to visit Hagrid before the holidays officially began.
Hagrid looked startled when he saw Darren and the others.
"Darren, are you alright?"
"Very good. I'm good. Really good."
Darren smiled.
But no one believed him.
Everyone thought he should have been more broken, more devastated.
After all, he had always been fierce and intense in the past, but this time he seemed unusually calm.
At first, Darren tried to explain.
But no matter how he explained, they all thought he was forcing a smile.
In the end, Darren simply gave up explaining.
He changed the topic.
"Hagrid, did Headmaster Dumbledore say what you and Madame Maxime are supposed to do?"
Hagrid exchanged a look with Harry that clearly said just as expected.
They obviously thought Darren was deliberately diverting the conversation.
"Dumbledore asked us to go… no, I can't say more," Hagrid said awkwardly.
"You're not a first-year anymore, and I'm not who I was in first year either!"
Darren shrugged.
Even if they didn't tell him, he already knew.
He even knew what they would bring back later.
He also knew about Lupin, Fred, Tonks… he knew all of their deaths.
"Darren?" Hagrid raised his voice.
Darren looked at him in confusion.
"…He also said that you didn't—forget it," Hagrid waved his hand.
"Hagrid just wants to ask what you'd like to drink."
"A glass of water, thank you."
Darren took the cup and let out a soft sigh.
Sure enough, it would take time.
Even he was finding it harder to stay completely detached…
---
That evening, Darren packed his luggage early.
Then he followed Kassandra to attend the final banquet of fourth year.
The Great Hall was decorated entirely in black.
This time, there were no green or red decorations—only black drapes everywhere.
Was it because of Mr. Diggory's death?
Or because of Voldemort's return?
Darren took his seat.
Kassandra, sitting beside him, stared at him intently, as if afraid that if she blinked, he would disappear.
"Students," Dumbledore said,
"another year has passed. Whether you are willing to accept it or not, Voldemort has returned.
"He killed Mr. Diggory, killed Bertha Jorkins, killed several Muggles, and killed a Death Eater.
"The Ministry of Magic denies this, but I believe all of you have seen what happened.
"I believe you have already made your own judgments.
"Now, I must mention two students.
"One is Harry Potter, and the other is Darren Potter.
"These two students showed extraordinary courage, unyielding will, and fearless determination.
"They brought Mr. Diggory's body back.
"And they returned alive.
"So, my first toast—to Harry!"
Darren raised his glass.
There was wine on his table.
It was obvious that Dumbledore had specifically allowed it.
So he drank it all.
Of course, many Slytherin students did not stand.
They did not acknowledge Harry's achievement.
To them, Harry's "achievement" was merely holding Voldemort off for a short time with his wand.
That seemed insignificant in their eyes.
And, of course, they were no longer on the same side as Harry.
Dumbledore didn't care.
He raised his second glass.
"My second toast—to Darren!"
Darren drank it all again.
When he set the glass down, he noticed tears rolling down many people's faces.
They looked as if he were about to die.
Darren felt extremely embarrassed.
---
Soon after, they boarded the train home.
Once inside a compartment, Ron said angrily,
"My mum went to Dumbledore and asked if you could stay at our house this summer.
"She said she wanted to comfort you—especially Darren. She's really worried about you.
"But Dumbledore refused. He said Harry has to stay with the Dursleys, and Darren will stay at Mr. Flamel's place.
"This is really too much! Can't you decide for yourselves where to live?
"Especially when Darren hasn't even recovered yet!"
Darren smiled helplessly.
"I'm already fine. Really. Completely fine."
He emphasized it again.
Ron nodded absentmindedly.
"Yeah, yeah, you're completely fine. So… I guess we'll see you next term."
---
On the train…
Hermione picked up a copy of the Daily Prophet.
Seeing Darren's worried look, she smiled gently.
"Don't worry. There's nothing bad written about you or Harry this time.
"And I don't think she'll have a chance to write any gossip for quite a while."
As she spoke, Hermione took a small bottle out of her bag.
Inside it was a beetle.
Darren glanced at it curiously.
"An Animagus? Rita Skeeter?"
"Oh, Darren, I knew I couldn't hide it from you," Hermione said.
"When you were hospitalized in the school infirmary and feeling awful, I saw this thing on the window and caught her."
"But—"
Darren was about to say something about mercy.
Hermione quickly pressed a finger to his lips.
"Don't always be so kind. I don't want to tolerate her writing things that try to drive a wedge between you and Harry anymore."
Darren felt powerless to resist her.
So he closed his mouth.
Hermione looked extremely pleased.
"I told her that when we get back to London, I'll let her go.
"But I threatened her—no defamatory articles for a whole year. She had no choice but to agree."
"Oh? Miss Granger seems quite happy.
"Perhaps you've captured a royal reporter for Dumbledore.
"That way, Harry Potter can once again be praised as a student of outstanding character and learning."
The compartment door slid open.
Malfoy stood there, with Crabbe and Goyle behind him.
All three wore mocking expressions on their faces…