"Alright, Darren, don't worry. We're absolutely sure.
"You and Harry here drink the remaining potion. When you wake up again, your injuries should be completely healed."
Dumbledore spoke seriously.
Darren glanced at the potion beside him.
This wasn't sothing Snape had prepared.
And the taste… was terrifying.
The last ti he had been sent to St. Mungo's, he had barely managed a few mouthfuls before he simply couldn't go on.
That was why he had pretended to struggle and insisted on waiting for Harry—he truly didn't want to drink it.
He would much rather have soone cast a Stunning Spell on him.
So he leaned back weakly and said softly,
"Headmaster, I don't want to sleep… I'm a little scared when I fall asleep. I'm afraid I won't be able to wake up again…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding… ]
Dumbledore froze.
He fell silent for a long mont.
Finally, he walked to Darren's side and said hoarsely,
"Then… I'll have to use another thod. Stupefy."
Darren imdiately collapsed into Mrs. Weasley's arms.
Dumbledore then turned his gaze to Harry.
Harry hesitated, took a sip of the potion, and looked back at Dumbledore.
Without speaking, his expression clearly said:
I'm afraid I won't wake up either. Do you believe or not?
Harry felt that he would also rather be knocked out by a spell than drink this thing.
But Dumbledore clearly didn't believe him.
He probably thought Harry was just trying to be clever.
With tears but no sobs, Harry forced himself to pour the potion down.
He felt that the potion at St. Mungo's tasted even worse than anything Madam Pomfrey had ever made.
As drowsiness overtook him, Harry vaguely saw Dumbledore carefully pull a quilt over Darren.
For a brief mont, Dumbledore's eyes seed a little red.
Harry thought he must be mistaken.
Because when Dumbledore straightened up again, there was nothing unusual about him.
He walked out solemnly.
---
Darren was discharged on the fourth day.
Mr. Diggory's funeral was about to be held.
Naturally, he couldn't stay in St. Mungo's and skip such an important occasion.
That was impossible.
As a "little Holy Father," how could he miss such an opportunity?
So he went.
Before attending Mr. Diggory's funeral, Darren thought he might face reproach from Cedric and his mother.
But that didn't happen.
They were gentle.
And grateful.
They thanked Darren for bringing Mr. Diggory's body back.
"But I didn't save him… If I hadn't been so reckless, if I hadn't been under the effect of that potion, I might have been able to save him.
"But I couldn't do anything. I just watched as he killed Mr. Diggory…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding… ]
Darren tilted his head upward at a forty-five-degree angle, wearing a sorrowful expression.
Many people around him showed deep distress on his behalf.
"That's not true. If you hadn't participated in the Triwizard Tournant, none of you would have been transported there."
Cedric said guiltily.
He looked at Darren's body.
He had seen how close Darren had been to death, blood soaking his robes.
If he hadn't helped pass along that note encouraging Darren to sign up for the Tournant, perhaps Darren would never have gone through any of this.
"It's not like that. I should thank you…
"If you hadn't let take part in the Triwizard Tournant, my brother might truly have been killed by Voldemort.
"The only thing that makes feel grief and guilt… is Mr. Diggory. I didn't do anything for him…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding… ]
Once again, Darren received a surge of Holy Father points.
But he believed in following things through properly.
So he pulled a bag of gold Galleons from his pocket.
This was the Triwizard Tournant prize money that Fudge had given to the winner—Harry had passed it to him.
One thousand Galleons.
He pressed it into Cedric's hands.
"Take it. You haven't started working yet… you'll need money."
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding… ]
"No, no, Darren. I have money. We still have so.
"And I've already entered the Ministry of Magic, where my father used to work.
"I… I still feel guilty toward you.
"But I know you're the kindest person. You saved his life before, and this ti…
"Maybe this was simply his fate."
Cedric pushed the Galleons back toward Darren.
Darren looked stunned.
No one thought he was pretending.
He was simply too sad.
Back in second year, when several students had nearly been killed, he had already been on the verge of collapse.
Let alone Mr. Diggory—
A gentleman who had never truly wronged him.
---
After the funeral, Harry dragged Darren to the school infirmary.
He stayed there for another two days before Madam Pomfrey finally declared him completely recovered.
Even so, when Darren left the infirmary, students from every House still looked at him with deep concern.
As if he might collapse and fall at any mont.
Darren began to wonder whether he had acted things out a bit too convincingly.
Fortunately, Hermione explained it to him.
The day after the accident, Dumbledore had warned everyone not to disturb him or Harry.
He believed everyone already knew the truth and didn't need to hear it again from Darren.
And so, he asked everyone to give Harry and Darren so personal space.
Personal space…
Darren looked at the way people stared at him and felt this was very different from personal space.
It was more like they wanted to devour him with their eyes.
During a break, Harry told Darren about the outco of Barty Crouch Jr.'s interrogation.
Darren was startled.
"He gave the potion…"
"Yes. Barty Crouch Jr. said he didn't kill you because he didn't have enough ti.
"But Dumbledore thinks he was hiding sothing—most likely protected by so kind of secrecy magic.
"After all, even under Veritaserum, he didn't say it.
"They planned to interrogate him further later, but Fudge allowed a Dentor to approach him and administer the Dentor's Kiss.
"Although it's technically acceptable—since he killed many people—it also prevented us from learning anything more from him."
Harry spoke softly.
He was afraid Darren wouldn't be able to accept it.
After all, Barty Crouch Jr. had seed quite kind to Darren.
And Darren himself had felt guilty for suspecting him earlier.
Darren gave a bitter smile.
"It's fine, brother. I'm used to it."
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding… ]
Harry's eyes reddened.
He forced a smile to match Darren's.
But that single sentence—I'm used to it—completely shattered his defenses.
Why should Darren have to be used to this?
Why was it always Darren who suffered the most?
What did Darren ever do wrong?
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