---
Ron spit out a mouthful of pumpkin juice and pointed angrily at the twins.
Then he introduced Darren to Charlie and Bill.
Neither of them had t Darren before.
Charlie was exactly as described in books—
A dragon handler with rough hands and a strong build.
Bill, on the other hand, was completely different from Percy.
He was brilliant, but not rule-obsessed.
His long hair was tied back, his ears were full of earrings, and his clothes looked like they belonged at a rock concert.
Standing beside Darren, they looked like they ca from two completely different worlds.
Then there was Percy.
Percy was delighted to see Darren.
He shook Darren's hand solemnly and announced that he had begun work at the Ministry of Magic as an intern.
Full employnt was "only a matter of ti."
Finally, Ginny and Hermione ran in from outside.
The mont they saw Darren, both of them scread—
Then charged forward and hugged him at the sa ti.
"Oh, Darren! We knew you were coming!"
"How was your sumr?!"
"I heard studying with Nicolas Flal is exhausting!"
"And that he's very strict—lots of students get scolded by him!"
Hermione asked anxiously.
Darren shook his head quickly.
"No, teacher is very kind. He often took out to play."
"And I also stayed at Headmaster Dumbledore's house this sumr."
"We even t—"
He paused.
"Well… Headmaster Dumbledore told not to say. Sorry…"
"But overall, I had a wonderful sumr."
He sounded apologetic.
But strangely—
He didn't gain much "Holy Father value."
Because they simply did not believe him.
Deep down, they were convinced Darren had suffered all sumr.
Maybe Flal had been strict.
Maybe Dumbledore had personally trained him.
And everyone knew—
Dumbledore might seem easy-going now, but he used to be terrifyingly strict.
So, Darren must be lying to reassure them.
Darren complained in his heart.
Outwardly, he continued smiling sincerely.
---
Then ca the real noise.
Mrs. Weasley discovered the twins' magical joke products.
And instantly launched into a lecture.
Ron grabbed Darren and Harry and dragged them upstairs.
They planned to rest.
But rest was impossible.
Because Ron's room had five beds.
They were shoved in with Fred and George.
Darren instantly missed his giant room at Flal's.
And Dumbledore's peaceful cottage.
Not to ntion—
The owl.
Ron's owl.
Ginny had nad it Pigwidgeon.
Ron claid to hate it.
Yet it sat proudly at the end of his bed.
Percy ca storming in, utterly disgusted.
"Ron, get that owl out! I have work to do! I can't write with that thing screaming!"
Ron had no choice.
He released Pigwidgeon.
Percy slamd his door shut behind him.
Ron sighed.
"Percy is a work addict. He works under Mr. Crouch now."
"If Dad hadn't dragged him ho, he'd probably still be sleeping in the Ministry."
Downstairs, Mrs. Weasley's angry voice could still be heard.
She was lecturing Fred and George about illegal magical inventions.
Threatening to throw everything away.
Ron whispered awkwardly:
"They failed their O.W.L.s… Mum was furious."
"She wanted them to join the Ministry like Dad."
"But they want to open a joke shop."
"They made loads of prank items this sumr, and Mum found them."
"They argue almost daily."
---
The boys chatted until evening.
Then Mrs. Weasley ca upstairs.
"Dinner's ready!"
Two tables were filled with food.
So much that they seed ready to collapse under the weight.
Everyone talked animatedly about Quidditch.
Harry and Hermione clearly didn't fit in.
Then—
Sirius was ntioned.
"By the way," Ron's brother said,
"Sirius wrote to us a few days ago."
"He said your scar hurt again, Harry."
"He told Dumbledore and Professor Lupin. They're watching out for you now."
Harry froze.
The food in his mouth lost all taste.
In that mont—
He wanted to go back in ti.
And tear up that letter.
Sirius.
That big-mouthed man.
He told everyone.
Even Darren knew.
Harry burned with frustration.
But he couldn't explain it.
Finally, he muttered through his teeth:
"Sirius is such a big mouth."
Darren laughed.
Then, seriously, he said:
"But Brother, this is important."
"You told your scar hurts when Voldemort is close."
"That probably ans… he's returning."
"But don't worry."
"I'm ready."
"I'll stand by your side anyti."
"We'll face this together."
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding...… ]
Holy Father value surged.
But so did panic.
Mrs. Weasley, who had been listening quietly, imdiately turned pale.
"You two must be careful at school this year."
"Watch everything you say and do."
"And Darren—if anyone calls you outside at night, you do not go."
"I can't bear for anything to happen to either of you."
Her eyes were red.
Darren panicked.
"I'm sorry for worrying you… really, it's just a guess."
"We all know Voldemort is weak."
"He must be hiding sowhere."
"And I'm strong enough now. As long as he doesn't co himself—or send an army—I'll be fine."
"And even if sothing really happens…"
"Please don't be sad."
"As my brother's little brother—"
"I've already lived a wonderful life."
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding...… ]
---
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