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Chapter 365: Extremely Ominous!!
Darren's words left everyone at the table with reddened eyes. No one cried outright, but their hearts felt unbearably heavy.
This child…
How could he be so kind?
He himself had not bought new clothes in a long time.
He even hesitated to spend a few Galleons on cake.
Yet he gave all his money away.
And for that reason of all reasons…
Dumbledore removed his glasses and quietly wiped his eyes.
"Perhaps," he sighed, "we should show more care to people like the Longbottoms… and thank them for what they have given."
"Instead of letting things end this way, we should find a solution for their treatment. I will speak with Minister Fudge."
"Child, you make me feel ashamed. I never even thought this far…"
His voice was full of guilt.
Darren, inwardly, understood.
Dumbledore was competent in almost everything.
But when it came to money… he simply didn't think about it.
Perhaps because he himself lacked nothing, he unconsciously believed others were the same.
Harry had been sent away without a single Galleon of support.
No pensions were ever discussed.
Even when the Longbottoms were in St. Mungo's, Dumbledore had not taken any real financial action.
Whether he ignored it… or simply assumed it would resolve itself…
Of course.
As the Little Holy Father, Darren wore the appropriate expression.
"I'm sorry, Headmaster… I caused you trouble. I thought…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
"You thought this would quietly pass," Dumbledore interrupted with a gentle smile,
"and no one would ever know what you did?"
"Just like when you secretly donated before?"
Darren froze.
His face flushed red.
He clearly hadn't expected Dumbledore to know about that.
This made Dumbledore laugh softly.
"I didn't notice at first either," he admitted. "But Augusta wrote to me."
"She wanted to thank you many times. I refused on your behalf."
"Because I know you don't care about praise."
Darren pouted inwardly.
Why wouldn't he care?
Gratitude gave Father Value.
Grandma Neville personally thanking him would have been fantastic.
And Dumbledore had refused it?!
He sighed internally.
Forget it. There would be opportunities later.
On the surface, Darren looked at Dumbledore with sincerity.
"Thank you… I just hoped they would never know."
"I don't want them to feel they owe me anything."
"The Longbottoms are heroes. This is something they deserved."
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
Dumbledore sighed helplessly.
"Child… stop. You embarrass me."
"I don't think as deeply as you do… and I'm supposed to be the adult."
"Headmaster, I—"
Darren tried to explain.
Instead, Dumbledore placed an ice cream into his hand.
"Eat first," he chuckled. "Try that flavor."
Darren obediently took a bite.
His eyes lit up instantly.
Dumbledore laughed.
Then he turned to Harry.
"Harry, I think you should pay more attention to Darren."
"I know Gryffindors are bold and straightforward, but that also makes you overlook small things."
"For example… you didn't notice that Darren has been wearing the same robe all winter."
"He hasn't bought new ones."
"He hasn't even bought his favorite cakes… or his Muggle books."
His voice grew heavy.
Harry felt a knot in his stomach.
He had never thought about any of it.
He nodded silently.
This struck even Dumbledore himself.
In truth… he hadn't noticed either.
He only began to understand after Paige mentioned it.
Darren had stopped spending on himself.
He had been saving.
Perhaps, Dumbledore realized, Darren had already been planning this donation.
Years ago, Darren had learned the medical fund for the Longbottoms would only last three years.
So he saved.
To give them more time.
To buy hope.
Dumbledore suddenly felt that his understanding of love…
Was shallow compared to a child's.
Darren felt embarrassed listening to all this.
His clothes weren't new, yes…
But he had many identical sets.
Warm and comfortable.
As for cakes?
He used to eat one daily.
He was just tired of them recently.
And Muggle books?
He had bought an entire box before term and had the system deliver them.
Yet here they were, imagining tragic poverty.
Unbelievable.
Still.
The Little Holy Father could not allow sympathy to disappear.
"I… I did buy clothes before…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
That was enough.
Everyone only felt more sorrow.
Did this child think buying a single robe was good to himself?
How could he be this gentle?
And then—
Professor Trelawney swept in dramatically.
She wore a green robe decorated with small metal discs.
She looked like a very large, floating dragonfly.
"Headmaster!" she cried, her eyes wide.
"I foresaw this gathering in my crystal ball!"
"I followed the call of destiny here!"
She gasped.
"Good heavens…"
"Thirteen people at one table!"
"This is death's number!"
"Ominous!"
"Extremely ominous!"
"Whoever stands up first after the meal…"
"…will surely die!"
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