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Chapter 639 – Darren's Reputation!!
Harry frowned as he looked at Dumbledore.
He hated—just a little—the way Dumbledore used Darren to tempt this old man.
Darren was gone, yet his name, his reputation, was still being used like this.
He noticed that the old man's expression had grown visibly hesitant, as if he had just discovered some priceless treasure.
So Darren really was the bait.
Harry thought bitterly—if this old man went to Hogwarts and discovered that Darren wasn't there, that he had died… would he be furious?
But Harry said nothing.
He had promised to help Dumbledore.
At the moment, Dumbledore was speaking with the old man again.
"With your talent and reputation," Dumbledore said calmly,
"you would be a prime target for the Death Eaters."
"That's exactly why I've been hiding in the countryside all year," the old man replied quickly.
"No one knows where I am."
"But doesn't that seem rather harsh," Dumbledore said gently,
"for an old man who wishes to enjoy his later years? If you returned to Hogwarts—"
"No!" the old man interrupted sharply.
"After Umbridge was expelled, I heard terrible rumors—how Hogwarts treated its professors, and how you—"
He shuddered.
"If I ran into those horse-people again and called them bastards to their faces, I don't think anyone could stop me from dying on the spot!"
Dumbledore sighed helplessly.
The old man looked deeply shaken.
"That foolish woman!"
Harry almost laughed.
A smile appeared briefly on his face—but quickly faded.
At that moment, Dumbledore stood up.
"I'll use the bathroom."
He left.
The old man rose from his seat.
"My name is Horace Slughorn," he said.
"And I believe I know why Dumbledore brought you here."
"You resemble your father," he continued thoughtfully.
"But your eyes are like your mother's."
"I remember her well—one of the most gifted students I ever taught."
"Fiery red hair, turquoise eyes. A rare beauty."
"How I wished she had been in my House… but no, she was Gryffindor. Never polite enough."
"Which House are you from?" he asked.
Harry looked at him.
"Slytherin," Slughorn said proudly.
"I was Head of House back then."
Harry spoke softly, almost absentmindedly.
"Darren looks very much like our mother too. Fiery red hair. Turquoise eyes. His potions are excellent…"
"He was sorted into Slytherin."
Darren was good at everything.
It was only the place that hadn't been kind to him.
Slytherin had never allowed him an easy life.
"Really?" Slughorn's eyes lit up.
He quickly pretended to be reserved.
"I'm not favoring him because he's in Slytherin," he said.
"I'm simply curious. I appreciate talented students."
"Look at these gifts," he added, gesturing around.
"They were all given to me by former students. Every year."
"Can they still find you now?" Harry asked quietly.
Slughorn's expression darkened.
"But if I return to Hogwarts," Slughorn muttered,
"wouldn't that mean openly joining the Order of the Phoenix?"
"You're overthinking it," Harry replied.
"Many Hogwarts professors never joined the Order."
"And the Dark Lord fears Dumbledore more than anyone, doesn't he?"
Slughorn paced back and forth, clearly wavering.
"Yes… yes… hiding forever isn't a solution."
"The Dark Lord was most wary of Dumbledore…"
"There are still many great wizards left."
"And Darren Potter is exceptionally strong, he—"
At that moment, Dumbledore returned.
"Horace," he said warmly,
"Harry and I must be going. It's very late, and the boy needs rest."
"You're leaving?" Slughorn blurted out.
Dumbledore smiled.
"The matter seems settled. We won't trouble you further."
He took Harry by the arm and turned to go.
Suddenly, Slughorn grabbed them.
"I'll do it," he said hurriedly.
"I'll do it! You win, Dumbledore!"
"If Darren Potter isn't as outstanding as you claim, I'll regret this for the rest of my life—absolutely!"
Dumbledore laughed.
"Don't worry. I'll see you on September first."
They left.
After walking some distance, Harry finally spoke.
"Why did you have to use Darren to persuade him?" he asked quietly.
"You… you know that Darren has—"
He couldn't finish.
Tears filled his eyes.
Dumbledore looked at him for a long time before speaking softly.
"Harry, I told you—your temper has improved."
"And more importantly, we were telling the truth."
"Darren has been found. He's at St. Mungo's."
"His injuries are serious, but after being missing for over a month, he returned safely."
"This happened the very day I sent you that letter."
"If you had asked me then," Dumbledore said gently,
"I would have told you—he's still alive."
When Harry arrived at the Burrow, it felt as if he had been reborn.
A huge smile spread across his face.
The grief that had weighed on him for over a month vanished in an instant.
He lifted Lezi and kissed it hard on the head.
"Eat properly," he said with mock sternness.
"If Darren finds out I let you starve and lose weight, he'll be heartbroken!"
Dumbledore laughed.
But just as Harry was about to step inside the Burrow, Dumbledore stopped him.
"Harry, there are a few things I must tell you."
"First—about Darren."
"In the future, I hope you'll listen to him more."
"Everything he does is for your sake."
Harry nodded vigorously.
"Second—the prophecy."
"You should share it with Ron and Hermione."
"Something this important shouldn't be hidden. They've always been worried about you."
"I know," Harry whispered.
Still, a trace of resentment lingered.
Darren was alive—yet no one had told him.
They had watched him grieve in silence for over a month.
Dumbledore smiled faintly.
"They likely wanted to teach you a lesson," he said.
"Darren protects you too well."
"And Remus tried to explain more than once—but you wouldn't listen."
"They thought you understood."
"After all, with Darren missing, it was natural for you to be in turmoil."
Harry lowered his head.
"Third," Dumbledore continued,
"after term begins, I want you to study in my office—with Darren."
"I won't need to study with Snape?" Harry blurted out.
"So I won't have to take Potions again? With my grades, I probably wouldn't qualify anyway—"
Dumbledore corrected him firmly.
"That is Professor Snape."
"You'll receive your results tomorrow. We'll discuss it then."
Harry nodded.
"And finally," Dumbledore said seriously,
"while staying here, the Burrow will be under heavy surveillance—letters, Floo Network, everything."
"This place has the strongest protection the Ministry can provide."
"But that also means inconvenience for everyone."
"So while you're here, don't take risks."
"You also may not visit Darren for the time being."
"What?" Harry protested sharply.
"Why? On what grounds?"
"Darren is my brother!"
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