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Chapter 707: I Don't Believe It!!
Harry and the others listened in confusion.
At first, they thought Lupin was talking about Darren.
But when Lupin shouted, they immediately realized something was wrong.
How could Darren inherit Lupin's werewolf traits?
Darren had nothing to do with him in that way. What was Lupin talking about?
Lupin roared for a while.
Seeing that Harry and the others remained silent, he seemed to realize he had misspoken.
He quickly changed the subject, trying another way to persuade them to take him along.
"Look at this newspaper! Darren has been hiding the situation because he doesn't want you to feel too much pressure…
But this is unavoidable. Sooner or later, you'll know.
And when you do, you'll understand how important it is to have an adult wizard traveling with you."
Harry and the others exchanged glances.
Then they opened the Daily Prophet.
A large photograph of Harry filled the front page.
The headline read: Tracing the Cause of Albus Dumbledore's Death
Harry pushed the newspaper aside.
He already knew what it would say.
He had rushed out of the tower that night—so the blame had fallen on him.
As for why Darren wasn't mentioned, it was probably because of his strength.
Or perhaps because the earlier reports had described Darren collapsing in grief in front of Dumbledore's body.
The Ministry of Magic had avoided attacking him directly and had instead made Harry the public target.
"Earlier, they searched the Burrow two or three times trying to track you down," Lupin continued.
"Fortunately, only Arthur was there. He works for the Ministry, and they didn't want to be too blatant.
Besides, the Weasleys are pure-blood. Right now, the Ministry is trying to win over pure-blood families, so they didn't dare go too far.
After that, they raided Tonks' house. They used the Cruciatus Curse to force them to reveal your location.
They're still alive… for now."
Harry and the others took a sharp breath.
They could hardly imagine what Darren's expression would be when he heard this.
He was always so kind.
And yet, cruel truths kept piling up around him.
"Darren told us back then that as long as we were alive, there was hope…
He even said that if we were captured, we could give them his location.
He said it wouldn't matter if he died…"
"How could he think like that?!"
Harry slammed the table.
Lupin gave a bitter laugh.
"That's exactly why I want to go with you.
I can't watch him keep sacrificing himself like this anymore.
I just have… I only have him!"
Harry and the others fell silent.
They couldn't agree to let Lupin join them.
Even if it was Lupin, they couldn't let a fifth person know their mission.
Just then, Darren's voice came from behind them.
His arrival spared them from having to refuse Lupin themselves.
Darren looked at Lupin for a moment, then said helplessly,
"I've already told you. I won't add you to the team.
Even if you're an adult wizard, we cannot tell anyone what we're searching for."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
"You don't understand, I—"
Darren cut him off, clearly unwilling to let him explain.
"I know you're worried about me. But I still can't agree.
Like I said before, if you want, you can go and find a partner.
I can research potions so your future children won't inherit the werewolf condition—"
"I don't want that!"
Lupin said angrily.
He paced back and forth, as if struggling to say something.
But after glancing at Harry, he finally turned and left in frustration.
Harry and the others watched him go and let out quiet sighs of relief.
"Fortunately, he didn't keep pushing," Hermione said softly.
Darren looked at Lupin's retreating figure.
Then he spoke quietly.
"I know he's worried… and he must be feeling lost right now. But the wizarding world has changed."
"They've issued a decree. All Muggle-born witches and wizards are accused of stealing magic.
They're being ordered to register with the Muggle-Born Registration Commission.
They must name at least one pure-blood relative.
If they can't… they'll be arrested and studied.
Studied to see how they 'stole' their magic…"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Darren's voice trembled.
He tried to hide his pain, but failed.
Finally, he buried his head against Hermione's shoulder.
"Hermione… if they ever come after you, say you're related to my father's family.
I'll swear you're my cousin."
Hermione smiled gently and stroked his hair.
"It's alright. We're already traveling with the most wanted wizard in Britain—Harry Potter. I'm not afraid of this."
Darren nodded.
He tried to smile, but his eyes reddened again.
"They've also made Hogwarts attendance mandatory for all young wizards.
Muggle-born students who go there now…
They may never come back."
"No!"
Hermione gasped in horror.
But the reality was exactly that.
Harry trembled with anger.
He watched Darren holding Hermione for comfort.
For a moment, he wanted to hold someone too.
But when he turned, he saw Ron calmly flipping through the newspaper.
"You're not angry?" Harry asked.
Ron nodded.
"Of course I am. But… look at this."
He held up the paper.
It was Rita Skeeter's article about Dumbledore.
At the top was a family photograph.
Dumbledore's father—a handsome man.
Then his mother.
Then Dumbledore, his brother Aberforth…
And their little sister, Ariana, still an infant.
Harry remembered what Bathilda Bagshot had said.
That the family had kept Ariana hidden.
That no one even knew she existed until after her death.
That Aberforth had broken Dumbledore's nose at her funeral.
Harry placed the newspaper in front of Darren.
Darren glanced at it—then tore it to pieces.
He said hoarsely,
"Brother… I don't believe it.
I don't believe he was that kind of person.
I won't believe it… unless he stands in front of me and tells me himself!"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]