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Chapter 246 — Dumbledore's Double Standard!!
Seeing that Rozier had finally calmed down, Darren prepared to leave.
But Rozier stopped him again.
"Wait… how are the shares supposed to be divided? We can't just take advantage of you for nothing…"
Her tone was hesitant, uncomfortable.
"No, I don't want anything,"
Darren said, shaking his head, wearing that familiar gentle, self-sacrificing expression.
"As long as you can walk the right path from now on, and don't fall into those thoughts again—that's enough."
Of course, what he was actually thinking was:
Is she seriously going to say she won't give me anything?
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[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
—!!!
Darren froze internally.
So many people?
Weren't there only three?
Well, yes, three people gave him value earlier—but that didn't mean there were only three in hiding.
Still… were all these people insane?
How many were Saints, and how many were Dumbledore's?
He had always suspected Dumbledore was deliberately allowing the Saints to linger in Britain, waiting to see what they'd do.
But he never expected this many were here.
Don't they feel cramped?
Luckily, his god-tier acting saved him.
He didn't let a single thought show on his face.
Instead, he kept his soft, Holy Father smile.
"The shares… you should keep them," Rozier said after struggling with herself.
"Just use them to pay us a salary. Those of us who… want a home again…"
Darren went silent.
Rozier noticed he looked like he wanted to refuse, but when she mentioned the idea of giving her people a home, he finally spoke.
"I know… you are the last Dark Lord's subordinates. If I take you in, I'll probably be arrested and dragged to Azkaban."
He paused, lowering his voice.
"But after thinking over and over… I believe everyone deserves a chance to change.
Maybe the people you hurt need a lifetime to heal.
And if I let you go, you might be cornered and lash out again.
So the only thing I can do at this point… is report this to Headmaster Dumbledore."
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[Ding, Father +80]
[Ding, Father +80]
Only two notifications this time.
Those must be Dumbledore's watchers.
As he spoke, Darren felt a ripple of magic in the air—some Saints clearly couldn't sit still.
But he pretended to notice nothing, sighed lightly, and continued:
"I can't defeat you."
He said it honestly.
Rozier blinked, stunned.
Seeing her expression, Darren added softly, "Yes… I can't defeat you. So I can't hand you over to Headmaster Dumbledore. I have to give you a home."
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[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Obviously the Saints were dumping points on him.
Without reacting, Darren continued:
"I'll build a place where you can stay—one we can maintain together.
And if one day you do something terrible…
then I will kill you myself, and pay for that choice with my life.
I don't say that lightly.
So please… don't disappoint me.
If all the shares are placed in my hands, then I'll use them to build a home for you."
---
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Darren listened to the flood of Holy Father points and smiled inwardly.
Outwardly, his expression remained solemn.
He turned and bowed deeply to Rozier.
"I hope you don't let me down," he said sincerely.
Everything he was doing—covering up their crimes, protecting them from both the Ministry and the Saints—was just so they could live quietly.
Even if he had to commit crimes to make it happen.
Rozier's eyes reddened.
She covered her face.
They finally… had a home again.
"Thank you," she whispered from behind her hands.
Darren smiled gently.
"Next time don't knock me out," he added.
"You can just write to me…
And—what about Lezi?"
He was clearly worried about his cat.
"Oh, she's fine," Rozier said with a rare smile.
"She's basking in the sun."
Darren finally returned to Hogwarts and immediately went to find Dumbledore.
If he had accepted the Saints' allegiance and Dumbledore had seen it—well, he needed to report it anyway.
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"Headmaster, I was thinking… letting them wander outside is too dangerous. They might cause bigger problems.
If we keep them close, you can observe them too.
Headmaster, could you… perhaps be more tolerant of them? I already promised—"
Dumbledore laughed.
It was a very warm, gentle laugh.
Leaning back in his chair, he said:
"Darren… do you know what kind of decision you've made?"
"I do, Headmaster," Darren replied quietly.
"I know exactly what I'm taking on.
If they do something horrible, I'll accept responsibility—even with my life—"
"No, no, no, my boy," Dumbledore interrupted.
"Child… the moment I learned your identity—
Ha, not your Potter identity…"
He laughed again.
"Of course I can't tell you the details yet. But Darren, you always make me feel… that one day, you will become a truly great man."
His tone was sincere.
Darren felt the sincerity—but also wanted to roll his eyes.
Boy.
That tone… Dumbledore definitely knew about his Grindelwald bloodline.
And honestly?
Dumbledore was SUCH a double-standard dog.
Before, when Darren did things far less dramatic, Dumbledore suspected ulterior motives.
But now, after he literally took in the former Dark Lord's subordinates?
Dumbledore was overflowing with praise.
Unbelievable.
The old lover's child really is different.
As for Grindelwald…
That old fox worked fast, didn't he?
He must have told Dumbledore the moment he discovered Darren's identity.
Probably also his earlier thoughts—like using soul fragment to revive Ariana.
And Dumbledore just forgave him?
Dumbledore… remember your dead sister!
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