Chapter 520 – Professor, Be Careful!!
When Darren woke up again, he was roused by the noise around him.
"Keep it down. You've already woken Harry—are you planning to wake Darren too?"
"What on earth is going on? Isn't everything already over?"
There were several voices overlapping.
Among them was Professor McGonagall's unmistakable tone.
She shouted angrily, "Why—why did you bring Dementors into the school?!"
"I don't see anything wrong with that! Everyone knows what happened today. It's only reasonable that I made such preparations!"
That was Fudge's voice.
"But that Dementor—how could it kiss Barty Crouch Jr.? If Dumbledore knew about this—"
"A kiss is a kiss. I don't see why you need to come to me about it," Fudge said irritably.
Then the ward door was pushed open.
"Where's Dumbledore? I heard he's here!"
Fudge asked loudly.
"No, he's not here. Minister, leave at once. Don't disturb the patient's rest!"
The female healer said angrily.
Fudge ignored her.
He scanned the ward and soon spotted Harry.
He walked over to him.
"Listen, Harry, I think I need to make something clear to you.
"What you experienced tonight was not the resurrection of that mysterious man. It was the work of a group of Death Eaters.
"They're deliberately spreading panic… and smearing certain highly respectable pure-blood wizards.
"Take Lucius Malfoy, for example—he was resting peacefully at home and never left his house.
"So this was nothing more than Death Eaters torturing you!
"We'll capture them soon and give you justice."
Harry had just woken up and was still dazed, but he still retorted angrily,
"That was Voldemort! You don't even dare to say his name!"
Fudge's face twisted with anger.
Before he could explode, the ward door opened again.
Dumbledore stepped inside.
With unprecedented seriousness, he said, "If even Voldemort standing before you wouldn't convince you that he has returned, then what would you believe?"
"Unless he personally appears right in front of me!"
Fudge replied without hesitation.
Then he turned to Dumbledore and said, "I think you, Dumbledore, should tell everyone this is all fake—just a bunch of Death Eaters!"
"Impossible. I won't lie to anyone. And, Fudge, if you insist on this…
"Then from this moment on, we go our separate ways. You know my position has always been to eliminate him."
"Dumbledore!"
Fudge glared at him.
"And what about Darren? Have you even asked Darren?"
"There's no need to ask him. He's exactly as the projection said. It's you—you, Dumbledore—who trained Harry Potter.
"Hmph. In any case, I don't think Hogwarts can be allowed to continue like this.
"I think Rita Skeeter is right. A headmaster like you will only lead a child like Darren astray!"
With that, Fudge stormed toward the door.
Halfway there, he suddenly turned back and threw a bag of gold Galleons at Harry.
"This is the Triwizard Tournament prize money.
"No need to tell me who the winner is—you and the Darren brothers can decide that yourselves!"
Then he hurried out of the ward.
Dumbledore turned to Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes, no problem," Mrs. Weasley said, her voice trembling.
"Then have Arthur start contacting those in the Ministry who are willing to stand against Voldemort together…"
Bill put on his hat.
"I'll go—I'll inform Dad!"
Dumbledore nodded.
Then he clapped his hands.
A large black dog walked in.
"Now, it's time for everyone to properly meet."
Harry's eyes lit up as the dog transformed into Sirius Black.
"I think it's time for everyone to shake hands and make peace."
Snape narrowed his eyes.
He watched Sirius raise his wand. Sirius Black raised his own wand without backing down.
They looked ready to fight on the spot.
"That's enough. You don't want to wake Darren now, do you?"
Dumbledore said sharply.
Sirius and Snape glanced toward Darren at the same time.
They lowered their wands—but neither showed the slightest concession.
"Even if it's just for show, the two of you will shake hands now," Dumbledore ordered.
Both Black and Snape wore grim expressions, but they quietly shook hands.
"Even if Wormtail appears again in a projection, the Ministry still refuses to acknowledge Sirius Black's innocence.
"Sirius, you must continue hiding," Dumbledore said with a frown.
Black shook his head.
"I know exactly what kind of person he is."
Dumbledore nodded.
Then he turned to Professor McGonagall.
"Minerva, go inform Hagrid. I want him in my office as soon as possible. It would be even better if Madame Maxime could come as well."
Professor McGonagall nodded and left.
Dumbledore then looked at Sirius.
"Sirius, contact Remus. Mundungus… and the others."
Sirius nodded.
He shook Harry's hand, then transformed back into a black dog.
He gently rubbed against Darren, then immediately opened the door and left.
Darren opened his eyes, as if just awakened.
"Darren, are you alright?"
Mrs. Weasley hurried over and carefully lifted him up.
He shook his head slightly and smiled.
"I won't die. I'm much stronger now than before."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Parent +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding… ]
Mrs. Weasley's eyes reddened instantly.
She wiped her tears without turning around, forcing a smile.
"Yes… very strong. You came back alive from his hands, child. I'm proud of you…"
She tried to sound cheerful, but her voice broke again and again. Darren gently patted her back.
Mrs. Weasley finally burst into loud sobs.
"Why… why did this happen to you?"
She hugged Darren tightly.
He softly comforted her.
It took a long time before she finally calmed down.
During that time, Dumbledore and Snape watched silently, their expressions grave.
When Mrs. Weasley stopped crying, Snape turned to Dumbledore.
"I have to go back. If I don't, I'm afraid he might—"
"Professor!"
Darren interrupted him.
He looked at Snape nervously.
"Professor, I heard Headmaster Dumbledore say you're a double agent… Please be careful!"
[Ding, Parent +100]
"Hmph. You'd better focus on staying alive yourself… Hmph!"
Under Darren's gaze, Snape finally nodded, snorting softly.
He opened the ward door and left.
Darren watched Snape's retreating figure, worry lingering in his eyes.
The plot had changed slightly.
He could only hope Voldemort wouldn't become too cruel to Snape.