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Darren's words finally made Harry and the others laugh.
"How could that happen?" Ron said. "No professor would ever expel a student who excels in every subject."
"When your results were sent out," Hermione added, "Dumbledore also attached a note from all the professors saying you were exempt from sumr howork."
Darren finally let out a long sigh of relief.
If he had been told to make up howork now, he would have gone straight to Snape to settle accounts.
Letting him sleep for nearly a month—where was his conscience?
But since there was no need to make anything up, Darren relaxed completely and smiled.
"Since Darren's back," Mrs. Weasley said cheerfully, "we'll go to Diagon Alley tomorrow to buy everything."
"Originally, I planned to do the shopping for you myself, but now that Darren's here, your safety is guaranteed."
Ron and the others cheered.
Early the next morning, a Ministry car was already waiting outside.
Ron climbed in happily.
"Brilliant! Dad can send us in a Ministry car again."
"Don't get used to it," Mr. Weasley said, clapping his hands.
"This car was assigned to Harry and Darren by the Ministry. Even the driver is an Auror."
Tonks greeted them at the door.
Harry burst out laughing.
"What's wrong with being here?"
Tonks scowled at him, then turned to Darren.
Harry and Ron both held their breath.
They knew Tonks liked Darren, and she had said more than once that when Darren woke up, she would make things clear.
They thought she was finally going to say it now.
Tonks took several deep breaths.
Then she blurted out nervously,
"Quick, get in the car—Ron, they're letting out a big cut!"
The words ca out wrong, and her face instantly turned red.
"You can't even say it properly," Fleur's voice rang out.
Harry and Ron's hearts jumped again.
Fleur would definitely dare to say it.
And she did.
"Darren," Fleur said openly, "I like you. I think you can feel it. I like you."
Darren froze.
Then he shook his head gently, a trace of guilt on his face.
"I know," he said softly.
"I'm not stupid. I know there are many girls who like ."
"But right now… I really can't think about those things."
"Especially after almost dying this ti. I don't think I should be in a relationship."
"So I'm sorry. Thank you for liking ."
Harry's mouth fell open.
He hadn't expected Darren to handle it so calmly—or so decisively.
Wasn't Darren supposed to be emotionally clueless?
Then Harry suddenly realised—
"Oh. He figured it out."
"Darren's very smart," Hermione said coldly, glaring at Harry.
"Ever since that incident, he's realised how many girls like him."
"He avoids people more now. He's not as indiscriminately nice to everyone as before."
"Of course, if soone really needs help, he'll still step in."
Harry understood then.
Darren had grown up—quietly, without anyone noticing.
Fleur laughed lightly.
"No need to apologise. I was too direct."
"If you ever want to be in a relationship, I don't mind."
"And if you had to choose two girls, I—"
"Don't say nonsense," Mrs. Weasley snapped angrily.
"Darren is a good boy. Don't lead him astray."
Fleur pouted.
Then she suddenly leaned forward, hugged Darren, and kissed him on the cheek.
"Bye~"
Harry shuddered violently.
For so reason, Dudley's face flashed through his mind.
The ntal image nearly killed him.
As Darren climbed into the car, Harry stared at him in a daze.
"Brother?" Darren asked, confused.
Harry snapped back to reality.
He pretended nothing was wrong, but then noticed sothing startling—
Darren was a little taller than him now.
And even more handso.
His features were sharp and brilliant, like soone born under the spotlight.
Those erald-green eyes looked as though they could hold soone captive without trying.
Even Harry had to admit it.
Darren had inherited all the best traits of their parents—perfectly.
"You've really grown up," Harry muttered.
And strangely, he suddenly felt old.
Watching Darren being pursued felt oddly similar to how Mrs. Weasley looked at Ginny—
A mix of worry and protectiveness.
As if afraid Darren would be tricked by soone.
"If you choose soone in the future," Harry said carefully,
"you should be… a bit cautious."
"Huh?" Darren blinked.
"I'm not choosing anyone for now."
"I know," Harry said.
"You want to wait until Voldemort is defeated. But… you could at least experience what it feels like."
"You don't have to decide everything right away."
"But if I die," Darren replied quietly,
"wouldn't the girl involved be devastated?"
"I don't want to delay soone's life just to comfort myself."
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding…]
Darren smiled gently.
No one tried to persuade him after that.
They all knew—this was just who he was.
Tonks didn't speak again either.
She could only hope that when the war ended, everyone would still be alive.
"Arrived," she finally said.
Darren looked outside.
Hagrid was waiting there in his heavy coat, waving enthusiastically.
"Oh, Darren! You're finally awake. I almost thought sothing had happened to you."
Hagrid hugged Darren tightly—more like lifting a child than hugging a student.
Even though Darren was tall now, he still looked small next to Hagrid.
"Alright, Hagrid," Mrs. Weasley said cautiously, glancing around.
"We shouldn't stay outside too long."
Hagrid shrugged, greeted everyone again, and led them toward Diagon Alley.
As they passed the Leaky Cauldron, Tom looked hopeful.
"Oh—no drinking today," Hagrid said cheerfully.
"Mission day. Goodbye!"
He patted Darren and Harry proudly on the shoulders and lifted his chin at Tom.
"Alright then," Tom sighed.
"Next ti."
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