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Chapter 341: Choose One of the Two!!
Lupin's words stunned Darren.
What?
Lupin could even influence Dumbledore's decision?
It had only been a few days since he returned to Hogwarts!
Could it be because Lupin, as his godfather, had spoken to Dumbledore privately?
But Darren immediately realized something.
It was probably because of what had happened on the train.
His behavior then must have convinced Dumbledore that he had already "let go."
No one expected that it had affected him this deeply.
…So that's how it was.
Darren sighed silently in his heart.
On the surface, however, he looked slightly embarrassed.
He spoke guiltily,
"I'm sorry, Professor… for worrying you and Headmaster Dumbledore…"
"In fact, I'm really fine, I just… it's just a little…"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...]
His voice finally trailed off.
His eyes reddened.
This was normal.
To a little Holy Father—
How could nine human lives be forgotten so easily?
Lupin's expression grew solemn.
He understood.
This child had never forgotten.
Always acting cheerful in front of others…
But for someone as kind and soft-hearted as Darren, this kind of thing would torment him for a lifetime.
Still—
Lupin didn't say that.
After a moment's silence, he sighed.
"It seems that you haven't walked out of it, Darren."
"Perhaps after class, you can ask Headmaster Dumbledore to extract those memories for you…"
"No."
Darren looked up sharply.
"I won't remove those memories, Professor."
He met Lupin's gaze seriously.
Seeing Lupin's surprise—and the startled expressions of the other students—Darren hesitated for a moment before finally speaking in a low voice:
"Nine students died…"
"If I had been stronger back then, maybe they wouldn't have…"
"It's because I was too weak."
"I can't just forget something like that."
"I want to keep those memories."
"I want to remember forever… what consequences my weakness caused."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...]
"Darren, you didn't do this!"
"They weren't killed by you, they were killed by Death Eaters!"
"If you remove the memory, you won't suffer like this every day…"
"Since last year… your smile has become rarer and rarer…"
"Darren…"
Both Slytherins and Gryffindors couldn't help speaking up.
They all felt that Darren would be happier if that memory were removed.
To them, those events already felt distant.
After all, they weren't the ones who killed anyone.
They had saved six people.
That was already extraordinary.
If there was any regret—
It was only betrayal.
But Darren was different.
He blamed everything on himself.
That burden was far too heavy.
No matter how much they tried to persuade him, it didn't work.
Darren thanked them sincerely.
But still refused.
Firmly.
Because if that memory disappeared…
How would he farm Holy Father value in the future?
If he forgot—
Would he still look pitiful?
Without tragedy, where would the sympathy come from?
And no tragic past—
How would he move the girls' hearts?
Darren's resolve was unshakable.
Lupin felt helpless.
After hesitating, he finally decided to begin class first.
The topic of removing the memory could be discussed later.
So he turned the discussion back to the boggart.
"I believe Headmaster Dumbledore will discuss this further with Darren."
"For now, let's focus on today's lesson."
"My purpose is not only for Darren to face the boggart…"
"I want all of you to face it."
"This creature is extremely common."
"And it will be part of your final exams."
"So—who can tell me…"
"What form does a boggart take?"
"What kind of creature is it?"
Hermione shot her hand up.
"A boggart…" she answered,
"Can sense the fear in a person's heart…"
"Excellent."
Lupin nodded.
Then he turned to Darren.
"So, Darren—how do we repel a boggart?"
Darren answered immediately,
"What drives it away is laughter."
"And the spell is—Riddikulus."
"Very good. Ten points to Slytherin."
"Darren…"
"I hope you can do this today."
"Break the fear in your heart."
"Break the cowardice in your heart."
"I believe you can do it."
Darren looked up in disbelief.
What?
Break his fear?
If he conquered it now—
How would he continue acting miserable later?
This was disastrous for his Holy Father business!
But his expression betrayed none of this.
The others misunderstood completely.
They thought Darren feared seeing something unbearable.
They thought today might tear open wounds he wasn't ready to face.
"Darren."
"This is unavoidable."
"You must either face it…"
"Or allow your memory to be removed."
Lupin spoke firmly.
There was no room for negotiation in his tone.
If Darren didn't confront the boggart—
They might actually take the memory by force.
After all, as a Holy Father—
Darren never guarded himself against professors.
His heart sank.
Was he really going to lose a powerful pity-topic just like that?
[Ding, sensing that there is a scene being constructed for Holy Father interaction—temporary mission released:
Agree to the experiment.
Allow the boggart to reveal parts of the past.
Appear relieved in everyone's eyes.
Successfully repel the boggart.]
[Ding, reward: Black Pot Card ×1
Would the host like to accept?]
Black pot card?
A cauldron?
Darren's interest was instantly triggered.
He clicked Accept.
Then he put on a hesitant, reluctant expression and slowly nodded.
The distress on his face was painfully real.
Several girls' eyes instantly reddened.
Some were already crying.
More students looked at him anxiously.
Darren sighed inwardly.
From today on—
This tragic memory could no longer be used to farm Holy Father value.
What a loss.
Does Dumbledore's conscience really not hurt at all?
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