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Chapter 37 — Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
The last day of August finally arrived.
Darren had finished buying every schoolbook and magical supply listed on his Hogwarts letter — even a few extra "study aids" that looked suspiciously like contraband potions ingredients.
Patsy had wanted to buy him a pet as well, but Darren firmly refused.
He already had a hairless turkey back home — a creature that ate like a dragon and acted like a grumpy house-elf. That was quite enough responsibility for one lifetime.
He hadn't gained any major new rewards today, but his talents had improved. Two points in general magic, two in Herbology affinity, and one in Divination.
He opened his system panel with satisfaction.
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[Character Panel]
Name: Darren Potter
Talent Points: 7
Potions Talent: 18
Innovation Ability: 20
Dark Magic Talent: 9
Transfiguration Talent: 6
Divination Talent: 3
Spell Talent: 7
Animal Affinity: 3
Plant Affinity: 6
Items: Ruyi Wand, Phoenix Carol
Abilities: Divine Occlumency, Montague's Theft Skill, Eidetic Memory, Controlled Obscurus Silence, Parseltongue Mastery
Titles: "A Wand That Cannot Be Lost"
Bloodlines: Voldemort's Lineage, Snape's Lineage
Character Favorability: Kassandra Greengrass — 50
Father Value: 1310
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Darren grinned.
Those stats were genius-level.
He bet even Hermione wouldn't outshine him now.
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Finally, it was September 1st.
At half past ten, Patsy escorted him to King's Cross Station. Darren's eyes flicked toward the massive clock — just enough time before the train left at eleven.
He knew perfectly well that Dumbledore wanted him to "accidentally" meet Harry here, so that his twin brother could persuade him into Gryffindor.
That old man really didn't want him in Slytherin.
Darren was half-convinced there were Dumbledore's "eyeliners" (spies) hidden in the crowd, watching to see which direction he walked.
He rolled his eyes.
But the moment he stepped out into the crowd, a bright, polite smile spread across his face — the perfect picture of excitement and innocence.
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[Ding! Holy Father System has detected a moral encounter nearby. New mission generated:]
> Walk over to the Weasley family. When their youngest daughter, Ginny, falls, help her up.
Offer her a candy, and walk away before she finishes thanking you.
[Mission Reward: Title — "Little Loli's Nemesis." (Increases likability from girls under 16 by 30%.]
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Darren blinked.
"…Seriously, System? Not exactly a saintly reward."
Still, he tapped [Accept Mission].
Not because of the reward, of course.
Purely out of kindness!
He looked around — and sure enough, a cluster of bright red hair stood out among the Muggles.
The Weasleys.
He unconsciously reached up to pat his own hair.
To be fair, he didn't look that different from them — except for the stubborn tuft that always stuck up from the top of his head.
He'd tried combing it down, pressing it flat, even cutting it. It just grew back, standing upright like a proud banner.
He'd even asked Professor McGonagall for help once. She had laughed for a solid minute before saying, "That's from James, dear. It's hereditary. You'll never get rid of it."
So now, Darren simply sighed and smoothed it down again — pretending it stayed.
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He wandered toward the Weasleys, pretending to be lost and waiting for someone.
And then —
"Ah! Mum, I fell!"
A little cry rang out near his feet.
Darren turned just in time to see a small red-haired girl — Ginny Weasley — sitting on the ground, eyes brimming with tears. Her hand was scraped and red.
"Ginny!" called a woman's voice.
So it was her.
Darren knelt immediately, helping the girl up and dusting off her robes with gentle hands.
"Shh… it's alright." He fished a candy out of his pocket and smiled. "When I was little and fell down, they told me a sweet always helped."
Ginny sniffled. "Did someone give you candy too?"
He shook his head, feigning sadness. "No… no one did."
Her lip quivered. She clutched the candy tightly, tears forgotten.
Before she could thank him, Darren smiled, gave a small nod, and walked away.
[Ding! Mission Complete — Title Earned: "Little Loli's Nemesis."]
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A few moments later, Ron came running up.
"Ginny! Where'd you get that candy?"
"From a boy with hair like ours," she said through a mouthful of sugar. "He was really nice."
Ron frowned. "Mum doesn't buy us sweets like that…"
Ginny only smiled dreamily. "He had a nice smile."
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Meanwhile, Darren had hidden behind a pillar, waiting.
According to the original timeline, Harry should appear soon — lost, confused, and on the verge of panic.
Perfect time for another "Holy Father" scene.
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[Ding! Holy Father System detected another event.]
> When Harry Potter appears lost and unable to find the platform, approach him kindly.
Ask, "Are you going to Hogwarts?"
Lead him through the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, without revealing your identity.
[Reward for Completion: Title — "Voice of Heaven." Accept?]
[Accept!]
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Harry Potter was still reeling from everything that had happened.
He — a wizard? Attending a school of magic called Hogwarts? It all sounded like a dream.
And somewhere in that dream, he'd been told he had a twin brother — Darren Potter.
They supposedly looked exactly alike.
Would they really?
And why hadn't Darren lived with the Dursleys too?
Harry didn't know. But he was sure he'd find out once they met.
First, though, he needed to get to Hogwarts.
Uncle Vernon had dropped him off at King's Cross with a grunt and a "Good luck finding that nonsense platform."
Now Harry was standing between Platforms Nine and Ten — but there was no Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Just solid brick.
He asked a nearby policeman, but the man only gave him a suspicious look and walked away muttering about "jokers and schoolboys."
Harry's throat went dry. He checked the ticket again. 9¾.
It wasn't a prank. Was it?
He glanced at Hedwig's cage — the snowy owl blinked at him with mild disdain.
Time was ticking closer to eleven. Panic was setting in.
He couldn't miss the train. He couldn't go back to the Dursleys.
And then —
A gentle voice said behind him, "Excuse me, are you a student at Hogwarts? You've been looking around for quite a while."
Harry turned — and froze.
The boy standing there looked just like him.
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