Chapter 591: Can't Help Him!!
The next morning.
Harry and the others were ready to leave by the Knight Bus, escorted by Lupin and Tonks.
He tried to avoid eye contact with Black, thinking that if he did so, he could ignore the melancholy in his eyes.
But he failed.
He met Black's gaze.
Black hesitated for a moment, then still pulled a small package out from inside his coat.
Looking down, he whispered, "If Snape bullies you, or bullies Darren, open it."
"That way I'll know. Put this away properly, don't let anyone else find out."
"And don't let Darren know either. I doubt he'd approve of me giving you this—it might affect your studies."
"And he doesn't like people tattling…"
Black paused, then leaned closer and whispered into Harry's ear, "Darren has probably been bullied by Snape for an entire semester. You must keep a closer eye on him."
"He was in really bad shape. Yesterday, during the meeting, Dumbledore checked his Occlumency. He said Darren hasn't had proper rest for a long time. Except for that one time when you sent him to the hospital wing, he's almost always suffered from insomnia and nightmares."
Harry's heart clenched.
How could he not know about Darren's condition? He knew—but there was nothing he could do to improve it.
He looked at Black and quickly asked, "So… Dumbledore can't help him either?"
"Yes. Even Dumbledore can't help him," Black said. "And Snape has said a lot of sarcastic, cutting things."
"I suspect Darren's nightmares are partly caused by him."
"But if Snape is bullying Darren, shouldn't Dumbledore be able to see it?"
"Oh no, Harry. Snape is extremely skilled at Occlumency."
"He's also studied memory extensively. We've always suspected he can hide parts of his memories from others."
"Maybe he's using that method on Darren."
"I never thought he truly turned to our side. He just fooled Dumbledore!"
Black spoke with clear bitterness.
Harry's stomach churned.
He believed it.
He even felt that Darren must have suffered countless grievances under Snape. Darren had told him as much.
Darren had said that Snape spoke badly about him and Dumbledore, making him deeply uncomfortable.
But at the time, Harry hadn't cared at all.
Wasn't Snape badmouthing people a common thing?
He never once thought about how vicious those words might be when directed at Darren.
He nodded uncomfortably and said that he would definitely watch Darren more closely next semester.
He wanted to ask something else, but Mrs. Weasley's voice rang out—the Knight Bus had arrived.
"Children, hurry up and get on! Quickly, don't delay!"
Mr. Weasley loaded all the suitcases.
Lupin grabbed Harry and pushed him toward the bus. Harry paid special attention to Darren.
Darren was being pulled along by Tonks.
Tonks lowered her head and said something to him. Darren showed a guilty expression, and Harry immediately pricked up his ears.
He quietly moved closer and heard Tonks say, "Severus isn't like that either. I think you might be mistaken—and Dumbledore is at school!"
"Don't be afraid."
Afraid?
Darren was afraid?
Harry felt even angrier.
What Darren was afraid of must have been something truly terrifying.
How could they not take it seriously?
Did they really think they cared enough about Darren?
Before he could react further, Lupin dragged him onto the bus.
He didn't notice at all that Tonks winked at Darren, then kissed him on the cheek and whispered, "Harry believes it."
The DA meeting on the first day back after Christmas was clearly impossible.
Harry had to go to Snape's office to fix the "potion," and Darren was summoned by Dumbledore to "discuss something."
Six o'clock in the evening.
Darren arrived outside Dumbledore's office.
When the two ugly stone gargoyles saw him, they stepped aside.
"Please come in. Headmaster Dumbledore has informed us of your visit."
"Thank you," Darren said with a smile.
Dumbledore's office was lively.
The many portraits of former headmasters were chatting noisily.
The moment they saw Darren enter, they burst out together, "See? Just as I said—Darren, who can't even act properly, nearly drove Dumbledore mad!"
Phineas laughed loudly.
Darren really wanted to smash a portrait.
Him—unable to act?
He had top-tier acting skills, all right!
But he couldn't say that.
He could only put on an embarrassed, guilty expression and say, "I'm sorry. I really did make Headmaster Dumbledore collapse. I didn't expect myself to be so… so infuriating."
[Ding, Father +100]
"No, Darren," Dumbledore said with a smile. "On the contrary, I'm very glad to learn that you can't act."
"That proves you are the most upright wizard—something no one else can compare to."
Darren hurriedly showed an embarrassed smile.
"How could I be upright? I've felt jealousy, I've withdrawn, I even wanted to run away with my brother before…"
[Ding, Holy Father value +100]
Dumbledore shook his head.
"It is precisely because you feel pain and fear that you prove yourself to be an upright wizard, Darren."
"Everyone feels this way. Everyone endures."
"When I saw members of the Order of the Phoenix get hurt, I was also struggling. I also questioned whether I should continue."
"But you must overcome it."
"Darren, overcoming these difficulties and fears will only make you greater."
"And I—I can't say that I'm better than you."
Dumbledore praised him earnestly.
But when he noticed that Darren still looked unconvinced, he could only shake his head helplessly.
This child was good in every way, except that he lacked confidence.
It must have been the years of bullying and scolding in the orphanage that shaped his inferiority.
Of course, Dumbledore had no intention of correcting that now—it wasn't something that could be fixed overnight.
He returned to the main topic.
Growing serious, he looked at Darren and said, "Now then, my child, today I think we'll once again attempt Occlumency. Focus on blocking me and sealing your memories… ."
[Ding, sensing that the host is being subjected to Legilimency. Should the memories be falsified?]