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Chapter 137 — Title of Alchemist!
Ron waved excitedly from the flying car.
When Harry blurted "How did you even get here?" Ron made a helpless face.
"You and Darren never replied! I sent invitation letters—loads of them. Then Dad gets home and tells me the Ministry warned you for using magic."
Ron huffed.
"Yesterday Darren wrote me asking if Dad could help get the warning revoked. He swore you didn't use any magic, and he'd testify for you."
Ron shrugged. "But Dad said the Ministry would only listen if the actual house-elf came forward. And it has to be right after the incident, or the Ministry assumes you did it. So… mate, you're just unlucky."
Ron gave him the most sympathetic look he could manage.
Harry sighed. "Yeah… I feel that."
Still, he couldn't help staring at the turquoise car hovering outside his window.
"This—what is this?"
"My dad modified it. You know… we can't use magic outside school." Ron grinned, patting the backseat. Then his eyes lit up. "Where's Darren? I wanted him to see this!"
"He's still sleeping. I thought maybe it was something else so I didn't wake him."
"Then go wake him! Pack your things! We're going now!"
"Going… where?"
"Harry, why do you think I flew a car to your window?" Ron said, exasperated. "You didn't get my letters, so I'm inviting you and Darren in person. Come stay with us!"
Harry felt his chest loosen—really loosen—for the first time in days.
He'd been miserable at the Dursleys'. They weren't as horrible as they used to be, but after tasting kindness for a whole year, the old tension felt unbearable.
"I'll go wake Darren! And pack!"
Harry stuffed his and Darren's clothes into their trunks, piled their school things on top, shoved everything at Ron through the window, and bolted to Darren's room.
"Darren! Wake up, we can go to Ron's house!"
Darren blinked blearily, then spotted Ron floating outside.
"Oh—Brother, we can't leave without telling Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. We should inform them how long we'll be away and where Ron lives. And waking them at this hour isn't polite—they worked hard today and must be asleep."
[Ding, Father +10]
[Ding, Father +20]
[Ding, Father +10]
Ron and Harry exchanged identical blank stares.
"Darren," Harry said carefully, "maybe… we don't tell them. We can just sneak away."
Part of him felt the Dursleys would celebrate if he vanished.
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[Ding — Temporary Task Triggered]
Task: Walk to Harry, sigh softly, and say:
"Brother, have you forgotten what Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon did before? They still like you. And aren't you coming back later? We have no other relatives… and before, you were really happy here."
Reward: Title: Alchemist Wizard
Accept?
[Accept]
---
Darren stepped toward Harry, eyes gentle, and delivered the lines perfectly.
"Brother, since I came here, you and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon have been getting closer. You were happier. They were shocked by that Ministry warning—they're scared you'll be expelled. They're angry because they think you hid on the roof again… but they were worried."
Harry looked away.
He didn't believe the Dursleys were worried about his schooling.
They'd love for him to be expelled.
But he did believe Darren believed it.
And that alone kept Harry quiet.
Darren sighed, gaze full of quiet disappointment.
"Brother, even if we skipped telling them today, we still have to come back next summer. You know that."
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[Ding — Reward Granted]
Congratulations! You have earned the Title: Alchemist Wizard
Alchemist Wizard (Title Effect):
Alchemy Talent +50
Gain Alchemy Innovation Talent
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Darren's eyes lit up.
The reward thrilled him—but he forced himself to focus on Harry.
Harry finally exhaled in defeat.
"Right… right. We do have to come back."
He rubbed his face. "Fine. I'll go tell them. No one can say no to you anyway."
He sounded resigned but not angry.
Mostly just tired.
And hoping—quietly—that the Dursleys wouldn't explode the moment he stepped into their room.
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