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Chapter 329: Dumbledore's Doubts!!
Darren's words stunned Trelawney.
She truly had seen deathly shadows surrounding him, and she had also glimpsed terrifying power.
It was just that…
Why wasn't this boy afraid?
Why did he speak as if life and death meant nothing to him?
For a moment, Trelawney felt dazed.
Because Darren hadn't reacted the way she expected, and after he helped her back up, she suddenly lost the motivation to frighten anyone else.
Until, of course, her eyes landed on Harry.
"Ah—you have mortal enemies—"
She screamed on instinct.
Before she could continue, Hermione's impatient voice cut in:
"Yes, everyone knows who Harry's and Darren's enemies are, so stop saying that. It would be stranger if they didn't have enemies!"
Trelawney turned sharply to look at Hermione, clearly displeased.
"I see that your aura does not resonate with mine at all. We are not destined to walk the same path!"
"That's perfect," Hermione replied coolly. "Maybe I can find a better one."
...
After the Divination class ended,
Darren and Hermione slipped away ahead of everyone else.
Together, they activated the golden Time-Turner.
The world around them began to spin and flow backwards.
They reappeared on a stone step.
Then they heard their own laughter echoing nearby.
Startled, they quickly ducked away into hiding.
Darren noticed that his system was still functioning normally.
"Darren, hurry, go into the classroom, the professor's here."
Arithmancy was taught by Professor Vector.
Unlike Trelawney's mysterious and theatrical style, Professor Vector was gentle and rational.
"Arithmancy is the study of numbers as they relate to one's character and destiny…"
"It can predict general trends of the future…"
"It is also known as the mysticism of mathematics…"
"Arithmancy follows fixed laws and requires precise calculations…"
To demonstrate, Professor Vector used a series of complex formulas to calculate what Darren's afternoon would look like.
"Oh child, according to my results, something will happen to you this afternoon.
And it involves someone you care deeply about.
This event will affect you greatly—I hope you can change it if possible.
But generally, divinations do not change easily.
Perhaps this will help you understand that truth."
Darren's face turned pale.
He said anxiously,
"I'm really scared… I just hope everyone will be safe, even if it means trading my life for theirs."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...]
Because of Professor Vector's words,
Darren attended Professor McGonagall's class in a daze.
When she Transfigured the table into a moving cat, she realized Darren hadn't reacted at all.
Usually, his eyes would light up in delight.
She asked helplessly,
"Darren, is my class really that boring?"
But after she spoken, she realized that Darren hadn't just ignored her—he seemed shaken by something deep inside.
"Darren? Darren?"
"Huh? I—I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall… I spaced out, I'm sorry…"
He replied distractedly.
As soon as he spoke, the fear and worry on his face became even more obvious.
Professor McGonagall frowned deeply.
She turned to the others, her tone sharp.
"What was your previous class? How did Darren end up like this?"
"The previous class was Professor Trelawney's," Kassandra said nervously.
"She said that Potter has ominous signs and many enemies…"
Before she could finish, Hermione raised her hand.
"Actually—it was Professor Vector too. She said something would happen to the people Darren cares about this afternoon.
Darren's been saying he'd rather die than let anyone get hurt…"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...]
Professor McGonagall froze.
She never believed Trelawney's predictions.
In her eyes, Trelawney was nothing but a fraud.
But Professor Vector was different.
Arithmancy followed logic. It had precision.
McGonagall herself had studied Arithmancy. She understood how accurate it could be.
When numbers pointed somewhere…
They were usually right.
No wonder Darren was so shaken.
In fact, even she started to worry.
Something would happen.
Someone Darren cared about would be affected…
Could it be the Death Eaters again?
Who were they targeting this time?
Professor McGonagall found it impossible to continue teaching in peace.
After giving Darren a few soft words of comfort, she rushed through the rest of the lesson and hurried straight to the Headmaster's office.
Dumbledore was reading documents when she burst in.
"Mi—"
"I'm sorry, Albus, but it's Darren—Darren he—"
Bang!
Dumbledore leapt to his feet, his face turning pale.
"What happened? Has Darren disappeared? Is he hurt? Just now I—"
"No, no, Albus. Darren is fine."
Professor McGonagall said quickly.
Dumbledore froze.
Then slowly sat back down.
He gave a small, tired laugh.
"Forgive me, Minerva… I overreacted. Please, go on."
"During Trelawney's class, she predicted Darren had many mortal enemies and terrible omens.
Later, in Arithmancy, Professor Vector also foresaw that something would happen this afternoon to someone Darren cares about—and that it would have serious consequences.
If it were Trelawney, I wouldn't believe a word.
But Vector… you know how reliable she is."
Professor McGonagall said quietly.
Dumbledore frowned deeply.
After a long moment of thought, he said:
"You're right to take this seriously.
This afternoon—you keep an eye on Darren.
As for Harry… no—Severus will watch Harry.
I'll also inform the other professors to be on alert."
His eyes darkened.
Would they really dare to act inside the school again?
He had failed to notice the Death Eaters last time.
If they moved again now—and he still failed…
Then there was Black.
Was he truly a traitor?
If he were loyal to Tom, how had he endured twelve years in Azkaban?
But if he wasn't a traitor…
Then what had really happened?
Why would Black walk into Azkaban willingly?
Back then, he vaguely suspected something was wrong.
But James and Black had stood before him, openly declaring Black to be the Secret-Keeper.
Then James was killed.
Every thread pointed to Black.
Even when Black's final actions felt strange, Dumbledore convinced himself to ignore it.
Now that he reconsidered everything…
There were flaws everywhere.
Of course…
It could all have been Tom's scheme.
But Black…
A descendant of an ancient dark family.
Dumbledore could not yet place absolute trust in him.
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