Happy new year everyone ✨️
Wishing your family a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year filled with love and joy
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Chapter 556 — Don't Tell Dumbledore!!
Harry lowered his voice and told them everything that had happened in Umbridge's office.
Hermione and Ron both widened their eyes.
And just as they were still in shock, Darren's gentle voice sounded.
"Brother, do you think Umbridge might be like Professor Quirrell in first year—possessed by Voldemort?"
Harry and the others were startled.
"Why are you awake?"
They had deliberately waited for Darren to drink and fall asleep. And yet, he was awake now.
"I slept for a bit and then woke up," Darren said helplessly. "I just… happened to hear what you were saying."
He had pretended to be drunk so he could stay quietly next to Hermione.
But then Harry and Ron had come over, and he had kept pretending to be out cold. Now it felt a bit pointless. Harry felt slightly guilty.
He thought they must have woken Darren.
But what Darren said was exactly what Harry himself had been thinking. He really did feel it was possible.
However, Darren shook his head.
"Unlikely. Back then, Voldemort didn't have a body, which is why he had to possess Professor Quirrell.
"Now that he already has a body, there's no reason for him to possess Umbridge.
"At most, I think Voldemort might have used something like a soul-control method on her, to better manipulate what's happening in the school."
Darren spoke calmly.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded instinctively.
But Darren continued, offering another possibility.
"It doesn't necessarily mean Umbridge herself is being controlled. Sometimes, even when Voldemort is far away from you, your scar still hurts.
"I think it might be something Voldemort was thinking at that moment… or something related to the two of us, that triggered it."
Harry froze.
He hadn't considered that.
But it was a possibility.
"So," Hermione said softly, "Harry, I think you should tell Dumbledore about this. Tell him your scar is hurting again."
Harry fell silent.
In just two days, this was already the second person telling him to inform Dumbledore.
But Dumbledore's attitude lately…
"No," Darren said suddenly. "Don't tell Dumbledore. Tell Sirius instead.
"Let Sirius tell Dumbledore. At least that way, Sirius can feel involved.
"Otherwise he's stuck there alone all the time. It's too boring—and I'm afraid he'll push himself too hard."
"But… Moody said there are a lot of people outside now…" Hermione said hesitantly.
Darren waved his hand.
"Whether it's dangerous outside or not, Sirius is trapped inside that house.
"He thinks he's an adult and doesn't want Luna to help him either.
"I'm worried about him. I'm afraid he'll do something impulsive—like I would.
"So it's better to give him something to do. Let him know we need him. That way, he'll be fine."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
"Oh, Darren… I agree with you," Hermione said. "It's just… are you still uncomfortable?"
Darren hesitated.
He wanted to say he was fine.
But thinking about these days—forcing himself to hold a quill to write homework, the dark circles under his eyes—if he said he was fine, they would only worry more.
So he hesitated and said honestly, "A little. There are things weighing on my mind, and I'm unwilling… and unable… to accept Luna's help right now.
"But once this is settled, I can accept her help again.
"With Luna helping, I'd feel much better. I'd be able to sleep easily for a few nights.
"It's not like now…"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
He forced a small, awkward smile.
Harry understood immediately.
Their eyes reddened.
There was a long silence.
Finally, Hermione stepped forward and hugged him.
"I believe in you. And I believe that one day, you'll be able to accept Luna's help again."
"Yes, I believe it too!"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
The next morning.
With Darren's help, Harry finished writing a letter to Sirius Black. They revised it again and again before finally taking it to the owlery.
Cho Chang was there sending a letter. When she saw Darren, her eyes lit up, though she nodded politely.
"Darren… you're here to send a letter too?"
Only then did she notice Harry and Ron behind him, and Hermione standing nearby. She had completely ignored them earlier.
"Yes," Darren said with a smile. "You're sending one too?"
He handed Harry's letter to Hedwig.
They watched as Cho gracefully tied her letter to an owl's leg.
"I know… people always misunderstand you," Cho said softly. "But I don't. I never have.
"I just… don't know how to comfort you.
"If—if you need it, maybe I could help you more. After all… after all, we're already in fifth year…"
She spoke shyly, trying to sound composed.
Darren felt like his eyes were about to light up.
But—
There were too many people here.
And Hermione's presence was… intense.
So he pretended not to understand and said, "Thank you. You're very kind. But I'm really fine. It's just school, isn't it?"
"Ah—"
Cho said awkwardly, rubbing her feet against the floor. She didn't dare look at Hermione.
"I—I'll go first. If you… if you still need anything…"
She ran off.
Darren turned back to Hermione and found her expression slightly terrifying.
"Hermione?" he asked, confused.
"It's just a fly," Hermione said through clenched teeth. "Annoying."
Darren nodded seriously.
He even leaned over to look around her.
"I don't see it. It probably flew away."
"Yes," Hermione snapped. "Very fast."
Then she grabbed Darren and dragged him outside.
Staying there made her chest feel tight. She felt like she wanted to hit someone.
Finally, she couldn't hold it in anymore.
"If you really can't take it," Hermione blurted out, "you can come to me! I can comfort you too!"
Darren felt warmth rush through his entire body. Fortunately, he steadied himself.
Tilting his head, he asked sincerely, "Don't you already comfort me all the time? And what does comfort have to do with not being able to take it?"
"N-no—forget it! Go!"
Hermione's face flushed bright red.