---
Except, of course, for Mrs. Weasley's smothering affection.
Naturally, Harry and Ron looked stunned.
"You still call Malfoy's dad Mr. Malfoy?" Ron blurted. "After everything? Did you forget he tried to get you expelled?"
Last year, Lucius Malfoy had stord into Hogwarts after Darren knocked Draco flat in a duel. He and Narcissa cornered Dumbledore, demanding Darren be expelled.
But once he learned Darren was Harry's younger brother, he suddenly "reconsidered," forced Draco to apologize, and pretended it had all been a misunderstanding.
The Malfoys even lost their influence on the Hogwarts Board of Governors because of it.
However, rumor said Lucius spent all sumr gathering signatures from the other governors. By the start of term, he had recovered his voting power—hence why he had the confidence to barge into Hogwarts again.
It was also said that Dumbledore threw him out personally, which explained Draco's renewed arrogance these days.
But all of that was beside the point.
Ron and Harry simply could not believe Darren was still using honorifics.
"Why shouldn't I call him sir?" Darren asked mildly. "It's polite. And although Mr. Malfoy was very angry and wanted expelled… he only said that to scare so I'd apologize."
He scratched his cheek, guilty.
"It was who got worked up and insisted on dropping out. Sorry, brother. I didn't consider how that would affect you at the ti…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding...]
Harry groaned. "Of course you didn't consider my feelings. You can be as reckless as and Ron put together. Next ti don't go shouting about dropping out. But if you ever do…"
He straightened his shoulders nobly.
"…then you tell them you're dropping out with your brother. We're brothers. I'm not letting you quit school alone."
Ron snorted. "As if anyone would dare fire either of you!"
He waved the day's Daily Prophet. Darren's face took up nearly the entire front page.
Darren Porter, Hogwarts' rising star, awarded the First Class Order of rlin.
Even Lockhart's grand teaching announcent had been shoved aside by Darren's headline.
Many readers debated whether Darren's achievent signaled the "return of the Potter family."
So of Harry's more obsessive fans claid Darren must have succeeded thanks to Harry's help.
Anyone with a brain ignored those people entirely.
Harry had nearly gone to buy Paggie's Sobering Solution to send to those fans, but Darren stopped him.
"Let them talk, brother. I don't mind. And if you'd wanted the invention, I would've given it to you. But you never want that kind of attention. You keep your own heart clean. I should be thanking you for setting an example."
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding...]
Mrs. Weasley wiped her eyes dramatically.
"Oh, if only my boys could love each other the way Darren and Harry do, I could die happy."
"No, Mum," Fred declared solemnly, "in order to keep you alive, we're deliberately going to behave the opposite of them."
"Absolutely, Mum," George agreed. "We'll be as disappointing as necessary. Also—ow! Mum! You said hitting people isn't right—you literally scolded Dad and Malfoy for fighting!"
Their bickering carried them all the way to the Leaky Cauldron, where the chaos finally settled.
Everyone needed to send their new school supplies ho.
The Grangers needed to head back to the Muggle world.
Mr. Weasley very nearly asked what a Muggle bus station looked like, but one glance at Mrs. Weasley's expression made him snap his mouth shut.
Just like that, Darren's sumr holiday was over.
Mrs. Weasley cooked an enormous feast for their final night, complete with a cake so rich it nearly put them all to sleep at the table.
On his way upstairs, Darren noticed Ginny hovering anxiously, as if she wanted to confess sothing. The mont he approached, she panicked and ran off.
He suspected it was about the diary—Lucius had slipped it into her cauldron just like in the original tiline.
But since Ginny didn't tell him, he had no choice but to act ignorant and let events proceed naturally.
Even if she had told him, he would've pretended not to know.
Still… a small part of him felt uneasy about letting it unfold.
The next morning, everyone woke early to finish packing. Mrs. Weasley herded them in and out of the car several tis before they finally settled in.
But just as Mr. Weasley was about to drive off, he slamd on the brakes.
Two very ancient—almost impossibly ancient—figures were approaching.
When Mr. Weasley recognized them, his jaw dropped.
"That's Mr. Flal and his wife! What in rlin's na are they doing here?"
Harry, Ron, and the twins all stared at Darren.
Everyone knew the Flals had taken an interest in him.
"Hello, everyone," the elderly man called warmly. "We're looking for Darren. Darren Potter…"
His gaze moved across the rows of redheads, trying to spot the right one.
"Hello—I'm Darren. Darren Potter."
Darren stepped out, nervous, green eyes uncertain.
He knew why Nicolas Flal had co… and wasn't sure how he felt about it.
"Oh, don't be nervous, child," Flal said kindly. "We're here to take you with us."
He glanced at Mr. Weasley.
"We'll bring him to Hogwarts ourselves. You all go on ahead. No need to worry."
Flal smiled—but his presence was still majestic enough to make Mr. Weasley nod repeatedly and assure him they wouldn't cause any trouble for Nicolas Flal.
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