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Chapter 204: Harry's Face
Darren had been read to by Paige for a long while.
As he was about to awkwardly retreat to his dorm room, Paige finally spoke seriously.
"Little Master Darren… Paige forgot something. Harry, Little Master Harry, asked to see you… He's still waiting outside!"
Ah, that explained it. Paige had completely forgotten. Darren silently complained about her unreliability, but quickly said, "Then I'll go now. I can't keep my brother waiting."
[Ding, Father +100]
"Little Master Darren is always so kind!" Paige squealed.
Darren covered his face, about to tell her to stop, but then remembered something. He pulled two documents from his dormitory cupboard:
A special potion formula that could prevent a werewolf transformation if taken within a month of a bite.
A treatise on how Squibs could become wizards.
These were rewards from the system.
"Paige, find someone to verify these and help me publish them," Darren instructed.
"Oh my! Paige knew that the little master would become a great person! If anyone knew the great things he did even before nearly dying, they would regret it!" Paige said in admiration.
"I don't need anyone to regret it. I do this because I can, not for thanks," Darren said.
[Ding, Father +100]
"Little Master Darren is truly the master Paige loves the most! I will do it immediately!"
Bang! Paige's excited phantom vanished.
Darren sighed. House-elves were impossible—they always embarrassed him. He flopped onto his futon and fell asleep almost immediately.
He had no idea how long he slept. When he woke, a loud noise startled him. Standing over him was a figure in black robes: Snape.
Darren blinked. This was his dormitory—why was Snape here?
"Potter's looking for you!" Snape said simply, then hurried away, restoring the dorm door behind him with a flick of his wand.
Darren twitched his mouth. No way—this guy actually broke into his room? No wonder Snape had looked a little embarrassed.
Wait… Potter? Darren's mind clicked. He meant Harry!
Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Darren rushed out to the lounge. By now, dusk had fallen.
"Brother, I'm sorry… I overslept. I forgot… I'm sorry…"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
In addition to the three Father values from Harry, Darren received a flood of smaller contributions from those around, obviously noticing his presence.
"Did you oversleep… or were you afraid to come see me?" Harry asked, his voice firm, though concern lingered in his eyes.
Darren opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by Hermione.
"Darren! You're alright! That's amazing!" She hugged him tightly.
"Alright, Hermione, out of the way," Ron said, stepping forward. "I'm going to hug Darren too! We were so scared you might be dead… Luckily, you survived!"
Darren thanked them quickly, though Harry's gaze returned, sharp and serious.
"Darren, why did you go to trial? Why did Fudge say you admitted… everything?" Harry asked, pointing his wand at him fiercely.
Ron and Hermione blocked him, looking torn, then pleaded, "Harry, don't say that! Darren didn't mean it!"
[Ding, temporary Holy Father system task released: walk to Harry, pale-faced, place wand on own chest, and say:]
"Brother, you can do whatever you want… death at the hands of anyone is the same… anyway, it's all the same…"
[Ding, upon mission completion: acquire Harry's Patron Saint. Host, will you pick it up?]
Harry's Patron Saint? Darren hesitated, but clicked to accept.
He approached Harry, face growing pale, a stark contrast to the ruddy look he'd worn moments earlier. He hadn't truly forgotten the past. Harry's suspicion was justified.
He remembered Madame Pomfrey's advice: Darren needed to confront his trauma.
Only by doing so could his memory remain intact—otherwise, Dumbledore might have been forced to erase it. Darren was about to do exactly that.
He placed the tip of Harry's wand against his own chest.
"Darren!" Harry cried in shock.
This was serious—more serious than Madame Pomfrey had described. Could he really do it? Why did everyone believe he could? Even Dumbledore trusted only Darren to handle this.
Darren's task was clear: confront the trauma fully, even if it meant facing it alone, because leaving it unprocessed could leave his heart dead forever.
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