Chapter 559: You Are Different from Your Father!!
"Why are you here?"
Harry stared at Sirius in shock. Darren also glanced at Sirius, equally startled.
Then Darren raised his wand, and magic spread out, covering the entire common room.
"If anyone comes close, I'll know."
Darren said calmly.
Then he looked at Sirius and asked, "What's going on? Is there news from Dumbledore?"
"Yes." Sirius spoke solemnly.
"Dumbledore sent word. He said that since he has returned, Harry's scar hurting constantly is inevitable."
"As for whether Umbridge is being controlled or not, we're not completely sure."
"But we can be certain of one thing—she is not a Death Eater."
"Is she really that bad even without being a Death Eater?"
Harry blurted out.
Sirius gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"There aren't only good people and bad people in this world."
"But she's forbidden us from using our wands!" Hermione said indignantly.
"That's right," Sirius replied. "Because the Ministry of Magic is afraid you'll fight back with magic. They think it's best if you don't even understand Dark Magic."
Sirius snorted lightly.
Harry and the others were furious.
But there was nothing they could do.
"Oh, right," Sirius added, "there's nothing about Dumbledore in tomorrow's Daily Prophet. Not even about Percy's letter."
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "Even though I can move around with Darren's help, I can't get more internal information."
There was frustration on his face.
"What about Hagrid?" Harry asked again. "Still no news?"
Sirius shook his head.
"He should be back soon. Madame Maxime has already returned."
"But there was a disagreement between them. I don't know how he's doing now—but he's definitely not dead."
Sirius's words made Harry exchange a worried look with the others.
"All right," Sirius said, changing the subject, "don't think about it too much. When are you going to Hogsmeade? I plan to go this time as well. The necklace Darren gave me lets me change my condition."
"No!"
Harry rejected him immediately.
"They're trying to lure you out. I heard Malfoy bragging before—his father wants to catch a black dog."
"I think they've already figured out your Animagus form."
"They might be waiting for you in Hogsmeade!"
"All right, all right," Sirius sighed, clearly disappointed. "But you really are starting to resemble—"
Harry said anxiously, "I'm just worried you'll get sent back to Azkaban again."
Sirius froze.
After a moment of silence, he said quietly, "Harry… you're not like your father. If it were James, he would definitely say—"
Darren cut him off.
"My brother is not my father. If you keep looking at him as my father, don't you think that's unfair to him?"
"My brother is still a child. He's not a replacement for anyone."
"He worries about you because you're someone close to him. The way he thinks isn't the same as you and my dad."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Darren spoke seriously.
Sirius's expression darkened slightly, but there was deep thought in his eyes.
"Then… goodbye."
His head vanished from the flames.
Darren withdrew the magic barrier around the room. He looked at Harry, his expression bitter.
"Sirius is starting to become depressed. He's beginning to rely on you more and more—as if you were his anchor."
"He's forgetting that he's your godfather. Instead of being someone you can depend on, he wants to depend on you."
"When will he grow up?"
"And if I were gone one day… how would the two of you live?"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Holy Father value +100]
"Oh, Darren, don't say that!"
Harry snapped angrily.
"How could you die? With your strength, as long as you don't run into Voldemort, no one can kill you!"
Hermione nodded firmly in agreement.
Darren finally seemed to relax a little.
He rubbed his forehead and said softly, "I haven't been resting well lately. That's why I keep thinking nonsense."
"You're right. I'll do my best to stay with you."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
They had assumed that Percy's so-called reform proposal would be buried somewhere deep in the Daily Prophet.
But when Hermione got her hands on the paper, she sucked in a sharp breath.
Because Percy's reform was right there—on the very front page, under a massive headline.
THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC SEEKS EDUCATIONAL REFORM
DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED AS SENIOR UNDERSECRETARY AND HIGH INQUISITOR
Hermione read aloud:
"During a meeting last night, the Ministry of Magic passed a new bill granting it unprecedented authority over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Throughout the long history of magical education, countless parents have expressed concern over the quality of teaching at Hogwarts—especially the Defense Against the Dark Arts course."
Percy Weasley, assistant to the Minister, was quoted as saying indignantly:
"Dumbledore has always appointed professors at random. This time, he couldn't even find a proper instructor."
"That is why the Minister recommended Ms. Umbridge. In just a short time at the school, she has achieved remarkable results."
"She has earned praise and affection from the students."
Percy said cheerfully.
Lucius Malfoy, forty-one, was quoted speaking in his own manor, expressing concern over Dumbledore's condition.
"Over the years, Dumbledore has allowed werewolves, former Aurors like Mad-Eye Moody, and even various suspicious individuals to enter Hogwarts as professors."
"This has caused many students to suffer."
"As a parent, I often ask myself—can my child truly learn in such an environment?"
"Perhaps," he added, "what worries me even more is whether my child can be safe."
"Nicolas Flamel, elder of the Wizengamot, has voiced opposition to Ms. Umbridge's appointment as Senior High Inquisitor."
"He believes that under Dumbledore's leadership, the children have been doing very well."
However, the author noted that the 'children' Mr. Flamel referred to likely meant his student—Darren Potter.
Darren Potter's life at Hogwarts was described as notoriously painful.
"Because of Dumbledore's so-called 'training,' Darren Potter has repeatedly fallen into mental disarray and even shown masochistic tendencies—all of which are the direct result of Dumbledore's actions."
These were the exact words of a young lady who wished to remain anonymous for her own safety.
"Clearly, Dumbledore has deliberately concealed Darren Potter's condition."
"Most likely to prevent Wizengamot elder Mr. Flamel from discovering the extent of the suffering his student endured."
"For the sake of these unfortunate parents and children, a Senior High Inquisitor is absolutely necessary!"