Chapter 530 – Harry, What's Wrong With You?!
Very scared.
The child said he was scared.
The moment those words came out, it wasn't just Mrs. Weasley whose eyes turned red. Even Moody turned his head away, unable to keep looking.
From the orphanage to the wizarding world, even when he was seriously injured, Darren had always been able to smile and tell them it was nothing.
But now, he was saying he was scared.
He wanted to leave with Harry.
Or maybe… he just wanted to leave everything behind.
"Ma'am, I'm really tired," Darren said softly.
"In the past four years, I thought I could protect my brother. I thought I could face anything alone, handle any danger by myself.
"But when I saw my brother being pointed at with Voldemort's wand, I finally understood—I couldn't do anything. I didn't even have the strength to push him away and let him escape.
"I was weak. Stupid. Reckless. I couldn't do anything at all. Completely useless.
"I could only stand there and watch Cedric's father die…"
[Ding, Holy Father value +200]
[Ding, Holy Father value +200]
[Ding, Holy Father value +200]
[Ding… ]
Darren fell silent.
He stood there, unmoving, as if his soul had stalled somewhere in that memory.
After a long while, he continued in a hollow voice,
"Just tell me where Voldemort is."
"I'll go find him. Maybe I can kill him. Then everyone can finally live properly."
[Ding, Holy Father value +200]
[Ding, Holy Father value +200]
[Ding, Holy Father value +200]
[Ding… ]
"Do you really think, with your strength, you can die together with him?"
Snape's mocking voice cut in.
It sounded deliberately provocative.
But Darren didn't react with anger at all.
Instead, he looked straight at Snape and said quietly, as if finally deciding to settle everything,
"No matter what, just let me die. At least then there'll be no more pain. No more trouble. I'm exhausted.
"You all know it. I can't sleep. Every single day. I don't want to pretend anymore.
"I'd rather die than live like this. Let me take my brother away. Or let me kill Voldemort."
[Ding, Holy Father value +200]
[Ding, Holy Father value +200]
[Ding, Holy Father value +200]
[Ding… ]
Darren pulled out his wand and took a step back.
Then he gave a short, broken laugh.
"You can't stop me. You can't beat me."
"Yes—Harry, what's wrong with you?!"
Snape suddenly shouted.
Darren instinctively turned toward Harry.
Only then did he realize that everyone present had already raised their wands—every single one of them pointed at him.
"Stupefy!"
Darren glanced at the time.
Exactly twelve o'clock.
[Ding, do you wish to spend 5,000 Holy Father value to解除 the magic?]
Five thousand?
Why not just rob him outright?
Darren was furious. He had worked himself half to death farming Holy Father value, using every trick he had.
And now the system wanted five thousand just to counter a Stunning Spell?
But there was no choice.
If he didn't deal with this properly, these people would never let go of the idea that he was unstable.
[System, use it.]
At the same time, dazzling lights flashed through the room.
Darren sighed.
Honestly, these people were still too slow.
Even with the system deducting Holy Father value mid-cast, their spells still arrived first.
He closed his eyes and collapsed to the floor.
"It scared me to death," Tonks said, wiping away tears.
"I really thought he was going to rush out—or that Severus would push him over the edge."
She hurried forward and helped lift Darren.
"I told you long ago," Snape sneered,
"He's too soft-hearted."
Harry felt awkward, but still stiffly said, "Thank you."
Snape froze for a moment, then curled his lips in disgust.
"The great Harry Potter saying thank you? How laughable."
Harry clenched his fists.
But for Darren's sake, he endured it.
He asked anxiously, "We can't keep doing this forever, can we? Darren will wake up eventually. We can't keep him unconscious all the time."
"That's exactly what I was thinking earlier," Dumbledore said calmly.
"At first, I considered Obliviation—but it's unrealistic. Too many people have already seen the memory of that night.
"Removing memories wouldn't work either. It would only make him more vigilant.
"So I thought of a final approach. I must say, my mind was quite active."
He smiled faintly.
"Harry, your hearing is tomorrow. If Darren wakes up and sees you cleared and unharmed, perhaps he'll feel better.
"And if that still doesn't work… then we let him rest until school starts.
"A psychiatrist will arrive by then. I believe she can help Darren fully accept everything."
Psychiatrist?
She?
Darren was confused even in his half-conscious state.
Nicolas Flamel had already taken him to see countless psychological masters. And why wait until school started?
But Dumbledore said nothing more, keeping everything hidden.
Darren finally gave up struggling.
This time, he truly slept.
Though he suspected that while he was out, someone had quietly cast another Stunning Spell on him.
Because when he woke again, Harry had already returned from the hearing.
Harry excitedly shoved the notice of innocence in front of Darren's face.
Darren pretended to smile and accepted it.
He never mentioned leaving again.
He was afraid Dumbledore would really make him sleep until school started.
He was curious about that psychiatrist—but not curious enough to stay unconscious for weeks.
Because Darren didn't bring it up, Harry didn't either.
It was as if nothing had happened.
Except—
Everyone became extremely wary of him.
Whenever Darren moved, someone immediately watched him.
When he stood up to go to the bathroom, several people nearly panicked, thinking he was about to charge off to fight Voldemort.
Darren also noticed new magic placed at the front door.
Judging by the effect, it was probably something like:
Darren + Dog: Forbidden
Darren + Death Eater: Forbidden
He was speechless.
Honestly, giving him a potion and erasing everything might have been less exhausting for everyone.
But outwardly, he could only pretend to be calm and continue walking around the house.
Then—
He saw a portrait.
The portrait of Mrs. Black.
At some point, the curtains had been blown open.
And suddenly, a shrill scream rang out—
"WHO ARE YOU?! You filthy, vicious Mudblood! How dare you step into my house?! Get out! Get out at once!"