Chapter 558: What Dumbledore Wants to Do!!
All day on Sunday.
Harry and Ron were both making up their homework.
Hermione forbade them from copying her work, and she also didn't allow them to copy Darren's. It was hard to say whether she was taking revenge or not.
But Hermione said it was for Harry and Ron's own good.
So they could better pass their Ordinary Wizarding Level exams. Darren, of course, believed her.
Harry and Ron wrote until they felt dizzy. Darren either caught up on sleep or watched anime.
By nightfall, Hermione took out some needlework and thread. She was planning to knit hats for the house-elves again.
Darren immediately jumped to his feet.
He said he was going to Snape's to get himself locked in detention.
Even though Snape hadn't asked him to come on Sunday.
But the moment Hermione looked like she might rope him into knitting hats together, Darren suddenly felt that practicing his "acting skills" with Snape was far more interesting.
At the very least, he could enjoy watching Snape look like he wanted to explode, yet couldn't.
Just as he was about to leave—
Pigwidgeon swooped in, carrying a letter for Ron.
It was from Percy.
Percy, just like in the original timeline, had broken with the Weasley family. He believed they were out of step with the Ministry of Magic—and that they were wrong. Darren stayed to watch the drama unfold.
Ron became visibly agitated and hurriedly opened the envelope.
Disgust was written all over his face. In truth, everyone knew he still hoped Percy would write something conciliatory.
But after finishing the letter, Ron threw it away.
"I knew he was that kind of person! I'll never read his letters again!"
Ron shouted angrily.
Harry, curious, picked up the discarded letter.
He asked Ron if he could read it. Ron said yes.
If Harry hadn't been angry, he might even have laughed.
---
Dear Ron,
Despite my busy schedule, I learned that you have become the male prefect of Gryffindor.
I could not be happier.
Because you were always close to Fred and George, I once worried you might turn out like them. I never expected you to follow the same path I once walked.
I am very proud of you.
However, when I inquired about you from Ms. Umbridge, I was shocked to learn that you are still associating with Harry Potter.
As we all know, Harry Potter's era has passed. He is no longer the savior worshipped by the masses.
I believe it would be best for you to distance yourself from him. The Daily Prophet reports that his mental state is unstable… Perhaps you could instead grow closer to Darren.
Although Darren and Harry are twin brothers, they are clearly very different people.
Darren's abilities are widely recognized. Even if he is not as powerful as the legends suggest, he still possesses numerous patents and remarkable talents.
This ensures that even if Harry Potter falls, Darren will not be implicated.
Therefore, you should deepen your relationship with him—or persuade him to stay away from Harry Potter. There is still time.
I also wish to inform you that the Ministry of Magic will continue to weaken Dumbledore's authority. You must follow Lady Umbridge's lead.
I firmly believe that the position of Head Boy will one day be yours! Please relay this advice to Darren as well.
Do not oppose Ms. Umbridge. The power behind her is the Ministry of Magic.
Though Darren is highly capable, if he wishes to enter politics in the future, he must maintain good relationships with everyone.
This is my most sincere concern for him as a friend.
With love,
Percy
---
Harry finished reading the letter.
He looked up at Darren and Ron.
"If you both think that cutting ties with me would be better, then you can—"
Before he could finish, Darren kicked the sofa Harry was sitting on.
Harry nearly fell off.
"If you say something like that again, I'll cut ties with you right now!"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Holy Father value +100]
Darren's expression was furious.
He turned as if to leave. Harry hurriedly grabbed him.
"You know I didn't mean it like that. I'm just afraid you'll be dragged down by me… If cutting ties with me lets you live more easily at this school, I don't mind."
Harry spoke firmly.
Darren fell silent for a moment, then kicked the sofa again.
"If breaking ties with you is such a good idea, then I might as well stop studying altogether and go back to the Muggle world!"
"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll go wandering with Sirius tomorrow. School isn't interesting anyway!"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
"I'm kidding, Darren! I was wrong!"
Harry clutched him tightly.
"Don't go. If you leave, I really won't have anyone left."
Harry lowered his head and turned his face away.
He didn't want Darren to see his weakness.
"Brother… I'm not leaving. And I don't want to break ties with you. Haven't you and I already had enough of that back in third year?"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Harry nodded vigorously.
Then the two of them burst out laughing together.
Seeing that they weren't actually fighting, Ron finally tore Percy's letter to shreds and sneered.
"We're not breaking ties with Harry. We just want to make Percy furious!"
Harry laughed awkwardly.
Hermione didn't smile.
She carefully pieced together the torn letter and read it again.
Finally, she said coldly,
"The Ministry of Magic really intends to interfere with Hogwarts. Dumbledore's authority is going to be gradually stripped away."
"I don't understand what Dumbledore is planning. If he simply spoke up, Fudge wouldn't dare act like this. Why is he letting Fudge run rampant?"
Her words made Harry uncomfortable.
He remembered Dumbledore's recent actions and felt anger rise again.
"Who knows what he's planning? Maybe they have more important things to do. What are we, anyway?"
"Brother!"
Darren stopped Harry sharply.
Softly, he said, "Don't doubt him. Dumbledore definitely loves you."
"He's trying to find a way to keep all of us alive. Every move he makes has deep meaning. Let's not disrupt his plans."
"If even we don't trust him, then who will?"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding… ]
"Yes. Darren is right. You have to trust Dumbledore!"
Sirius Black's voice rang out.
Darren turned toward the fireplace.
Within the flames, Sirius Black's head gradually emerged…