Chapter 33 – Questions in Dumbledore's Office
Darren had no idea what Paggie was thinking; the elf's little hopes about inheriting the Potter legacy sounded ridiculous to him. He had a system—what else did he need? If he wanted a house-elf by his side forever, he could ask Harry later, or he could buy one. Problem solved.
Paggie, oblivious to his practical thoughts, escorted him to the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office. The statue stepped aside on its hinge and the spiral staircase revealed itself. Darren climbed briskly, trying to steady his heartbeat.
"Ah, you came," Dumbledore said, smiling in his gentle way. "Severus and I were just asking when you might arrive. Would you like a glass of iced lemon, black tea… butterbeer? No beer for children, of course."
"Lemon juice, please," Darren said, scratching his head shyly.
Dumbledore tapped the table and pointed to a small heap of wriggling cockroaches that had somehow found their way onto a saucer. "Would you like to try these?" he asked with a grin.
Darren blinked, then caught one and, on a dare to himself, shoved it in his mouth. It burst oddly and left him with a disgusting aftertaste. He set the cup down and lifted the lemon juice.
[Ding, system detection: the lemon juice contains a mild sedative. It will induce unconsciousness within one minute unless the host spends 100 Father Points to stay awake.]
The words pinged in his head. Of course—Dumbledore was suspicious. The old man had been watching him in Diagon Alley; he'd expected to be questioned. Darren almost laughed at himself for being surprised. He downed the glass in one swallow.
His hands trembled as sleepiness crept in. He didn't want to be at the mercy of anyone's tests, and he didn't want to spill any pre-crossing names if his control slipped. He keyed the command.
[Use 100 Father Points to resist the sedative.]
[Ding, use successful.]
The fog in his mind thinned; he could still feel the potion working in his veins, but he could think clearly enough to listen. He couldn't fully control his body yet, but his voice and answers would be his.
Dumbledore and Snape spoke softly, as if unaware they had an eavesdropper.
"Severus, why do you think I must keep watching the child?" Dumbledore asked. "He is Harry's brother, we found him. I only want to ensure that Harry's future isn't jeopardized by any surprise."
Darren's stomach tightened. Harry's future. The old man's concern was large and blunt as a knife.
Snape's reply was dry and cold. "Dumbledore, with all due respect, you and your kindness… you wrap everything in sentiment. This boy has had a harsh life. I smell trouble. If you let him near Harry without a proper watch, you risk complicating everything."
Dumbledore's voice went soft. "I know your worry, Severus. But Harry is my concern as well. If I can control how this child grows—if I can guide him now—then there's less room for disaster later. He was lost as an infant; we don't know how those years shaped him. Memory can't substitute for careful upbringing."
Snape snorted. "That's a convenient excuse. It might be the first and last time I accept this, but mark me: I don'ttrust you. I don't like what you are scheming ."
Darren swallowed. He concentrated on keeping his voice steady when Dumbledore looked his way and asked the simple questions that always preceded the hard ones.
"What's your name?" Dumbledore asked.
"Darren Porter," he answered, careful.
Dumbledore asked a few other small, prodding questions to make sure the boy could speak coherently. Then he tilted his head as if weighing the answer more than the words.
"You told people in Diagon Alley that life is equal," Dumbledore said. "Where did that idea come from? What do you mean by it?"
Darren blinked, momentarily thrown. He thought the question harmless—wasn't equality of life exactly the kind of thing Dumbledore preached? It was almost political correctness at its purest in his mind. Still, saying it aloud to the Headmaster felt different. He tried to form a reply that sounded honest.
"Yes," Darren began, "I think people are equal. It's why you shouldn't bully or look down on anyone. You treat others with kindness — that's the point."
Snape's mouth twisted. "Dumbledore, when did 'equality of life' become an excuse to make you suspicious? Have we gone soft?"
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