Chapter 524 – Double Coupon!!
During the first half of Darren's summer vacation, Nicolas Flamel took him to visit many psychological counselors.
All of them seemed to believe that something was seriously wrong with his mental state.
They thought he was suppressing pain, unable to sleep night after night.
Regarding this—
Darren felt that his collection of anime books was definitely to blame.
He had been reading those nonstop.
To appear "normal," he cast a Refreshing Charm on himself every morning.
Then one day, a house-elf discovered it.
The matter was reported directly to Nicolas and Mrs. Perenelle Flamel.
As a result, Darren became a key protection target.
Every day, they suspected that he hadn't slept at night and was using magic in the morning just so they wouldn't worry.
In reality, Darren really wasn't sleeping at all.
He had no desire to sleep.
During the day, he pretended to be deeply interested in alchemy, studying diligently—
and then stayed up all night reading anyway.
But at least this behavior couldn't be discovered in front of others.
After visiting many more counselors, Nicolas finally received a conclusion: Darren was mentally healthy.
Which somehow made them even more uneasy.
They suspected that he had simply become too good at disguising himself.
Darren could only reluctantly give up his anime-reading habit.
At least after confirming that he could now sleep normally, Nicolas and the others gradually relaxed.
However, they still wrote to Dumbledore, asking for his opinion.
Naturally, Dumbledore invited Darren over.
So, in the latter half of the first month of summer vacation, Darren stayed at Dumbledore's residence.
Dumbledore and Grindelwald were often absent.
They advised him to go out more.
Darren completely gave up anime and once again went traveling in the countryside.
As always, he was warmly welcomed there.
Miss Soryu also introduced him to several new magical creatures.
Darren was not excluded there at all.
On his birthday, he even received a piece of auspicious rui from a Mr. Qilin.
It was said that merely possessing this auspicious rui could grant him perfect luck for a period of time.
Of course, when Darren revealed the Holy Father's light and asked Mr. Qilin whether the auspicious rui could be given to his brother, he gained a large amount of Holy Father value.
Unfortunately, this item could not be transferred.
This made Darren feel much more relieved.
He was afraid that if Mr. Qilin said it could be transferred, his heart would genuinely ache.
The auspicious rui from Mr. Qilin was extremely effective.
During this period, the Holy Father value Darren gained had doubled.
For others, it was simply good fortune.
For him, it was a double coupon.
So Darren was especially happy there.
Until news about Harry arrived.
It was evening when Darren returned to Dumbledore's residence.
While Dumbledore and Grindelwald were dining with him, Mr. Weasley sent urgent news.
Dumbledore said:
"When I was at the Ministry, I heard them say that Harry is going to have his wand snapped for using magic in front of Muggles. Come quickly!"
—Arthur Weasley.
Then, more owls arrived.
Dumbledore waved his wand.
The letters tied to the owls' legs flew into his hand.
He tapped the air again with his wand.
All the letters read themselves aloud.
Sure enough, every single one concerned Harry using magic in front of Muggles.
"Headmaster Dumbledore… I'm going to my brother. I'll leave right now… He needs me."
Darren stood up immediately.
His face was pale and grim.
He had clearly imagined the punishment Harry would face.
"Even if it's the last time, I will not let them snap my brother's wand."
[Ding, Holy Father value +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Darren clenched his fists tightly.
Dumbledore and Grindelwald exchanged a glance.
Then Dumbledore nodded.
He had Fawkes deliver a message.
After that, he extended his palm, signaling Darren to take his hand.
"Now, I'll take you to a location. After that, you'll go with them to pick up Harry.
I'll have the house-elves send you your belongings."
Dumbledore waved his wand again.
In Darren's mind, the image of 12 Grimmauld Place appeared.
"I'm going to find my brother first."
Darren looked at Dumbledore firmly.
Dumbledore met his gaze, his expression extremely serious.
"No. It's dangerous there. I don't feel at ease letting you go alone—"
"It's precisely because it's dangerous that I have to go.
I'm going to use magic there as well. If the Ministry wants to expel me, then expel me too—why not?
Why is it that my brother always has to suffer these injustices?
Back in second year, it clearly wasn't him, but no one stood up for him.
I could have helped him. I missed that chance.
This time, I will not abandon him again!"
[Ding, Holy Father value +140]
[Ding, Father +160]
Darren raised his wand.
He looked as if he was about to leave immediately.
Dumbledore grabbed his shoulder.
In an instant, Darren found that he could no longer move—only his eyes could.
"Be good. When we arrive, I'll release the spell.
I promise you—Harry will not be expelled."
Dumbledore's voice softened.
But the spell remained.
Clearly, he was worried Darren would rush off to Harry without hesitation.
Darren could have used Holy Father value to break Dumbledore's spell.
But he felt it wasn't appropriate.
It would be very hard to explain.
So he could only look at Grindelwald with hopeful eyes, silently asking for support.
He was even prepared to say more words to gain Holy Father value—
after all, today was the final day of the double Holy Father value bonus.
After today, everything would return to normal.
But Grindelwald clearly did not approve of him going to Harry.
His expression was even sterner than Dumbledore's.
He said almost angrily,
"What are you going there for? To die alongside the savior? Or to be expelled together with him?"
Darren looked at him in disbelief.
He couldn't believe Grindelwald would say something like that.
"That's enough, Gellert. Harry is Darren's brother!"
Dumbledore glared at Grindelwald.
Grindelwald clenched his wand and stood up.
"I don't understand, Albus.
This child should never be involved in something like this.
We should send him away from here.
Since what was in his head is gone—
He shouldn't stay in such a dangerous place like Hogwarts anymore.
Don't you see? He almost died!"
"Gellert… we can't stop Darren.
Unless you kill him—no matter where you send him, he'll come back."
Dumbledore said softly, sadly.
"So I'm just supposed to watch him die?
No. I won't allow it."
Grindelwald walked toward Dumbledore.
He nearly pressed his presence down on him.
Lowering his voice, he said,
"What if… the footsteps of the saints reach this place?"
Dumbledore lifted his eyelids.
"What if… then I will indulge you."
Grindelwald froze in place…