Chapter 540 Prefect!!
Ron became Gryffindor's male prefect, and Hermione became Gryffindor's female prefect.
Because of this, Mrs. Weasley prepared a huge feast to celebrate them. Darren noticed that Harry inevitably looked a little downcast.
After all, both of his best friends had become prefects, while he was still just an ordinary student. Fortunately, Darren was the same—he wasn't a prefect either—and that gave Harry some comfort.
What Darren didn't tell him was that he had also received a letter of intent from Slytherin, asking whether he was willing to serve as a prefect. If he signed it, the position would be confirmed. He didn't think it was necessary.
Being a prefect meant handling a pile of tedious responsibilities. On top of that, as a Slytherin who frequently spent time with Gryffindors, becoming a prefect would be a serious test of Slytherin's collective nerves.
Although Salazar Slytherin hadn't shown himself since promising to pass on alchemical knowledge, Darren was still worried that the old ancestor might suddenly "rise from the grave" one day.
Pointing at his prefect badge and shouting about rule-breaking—well, that was possible. Or maybe Salazar would be delighted. Who knew.
After all, the Chamber of Secrets was located beneath Gryffindor Tower. Of course.
These were all minor concerns.
If Darren truly wanted to be a prefect, even Merlin himself wouldn't be able to stop it. But for four hundred and fifty-three years, he hadn't wanted to be one—why would he suddenly change his mind now?
So he didn't sign the letter.
Snape approached Mrs. Weasley once during the celebratory dinner for Ron's prefect appointment.
Darren declined politely, saying that his head still hadn't fully recovered since his battle with Voldemort.
That explanation clearly unsettled Snape, and he didn't bring up the prefect matter again. Darren suspected that Snape was now more concerned about whether Darren might suffer long-term aftereffects.
Mrs. Weasley didn't notice Snape's worry at all. She was overjoyed.
Darren guessed this was probably the happiest moment Mrs. Weasley had experienced all summer.
After all, the entire summer holiday had been filled with bad news—there hadn't been a single truly joyful event.
Darren sighed inwardly, feeling slightly guilty.
He really had frightened everyone badly. Maybe he should behave more honestly for a while and stop provoking them just for the sake of earning Father points.
"What are you thinking about?"
It was Moody's voice.
Darren turned his head and said with a sigh, "It's rare to see Mrs. Weasley this happy. There have been too few things this summer that could make her smile."
[Ding, Father +100]
"That's normal," Moody said calmly. "We're on the front lines. Life and death are always close at hand.
Even you are constantly facing death. Everyone has to learn to accept it. Come, let me show you something."
Moody pulled out a large photograph. It showed a group of people gathered together, smiling, waving at Darren, or raising their glasses in a toast.
"This is Edgar Bones. This is Marlene McKinnon… She died two weeks after this photo was taken, killed by Death Eaters.
These are the Longbottoms. Bellatrix tortured them into madness before we arrived."
Dumbledore never wanted you or Harry to join the Order of the Phoenix—especially you. He wanted you to stay out of it entirely.
I didn't agree. He's old. Those who come after must step forward sooner or later. Especially since Harry is Voldemort's primary target, you're bound to be dragged in as well.
It's better for you to have some control within the Order, so you can protect Harry more effectively. But I admit, I underestimated things.
When I saw you brought back in that condition, I remembered that you're still just a child, and that we involved you too early.
If you had died that day, every one of us would have been miserable—and filled with guilt.
Because we were the ones who gave you the address. We were supposed to go there first. We wanted to help you overcome that mission.
Instead, it turned out to be Voldemort, and you nearly died.
After that, Molly stopped opposing your involvement in the Order. She thought that waiting was better. And none of us objected.
Moody let out a long breath, as if he had been holding these words in for a long time.
"Darren, live well. Survive so that someone remembers you.
Look at the people in this photograph. How many of them are remembered now?
If you die, years later, only Harry might occasionally think of you."
By this point, Darren realized this wasn't just reminiscing—it was counseling. Clearly, they were starting to think Luna's methods were unreliable and were preparing to intervene themselves.
Darren felt his head spinning.
In the end, he nodded vaguely, found an excuse, and slipped away.
Mainly because Mrs. Weasley asked Moody to check a small cabinet upstairs with his magical eye. They hadn't dared to open it while cleaning.
"Oh, it's a boggart," Moody said. "A fairly strong one. Be careful when you deal with it."
"Good. Then while we have time, I'll take care of it myself," Mrs. Weasley said cheerfully. "Better than letting the children open it and get frightened."
She laughed, took a glass of wine, and headed upstairs.
Soon after, Darren heard her crying.
He immediately put on an alert expression and rushed upstairs.
The moment he arrived, he saw a body lying on the floor.
All right.
Moody had been right—it was a boggart.
What was shameful was that it had transformed into Darren.
Mrs. Weasley was crying uncontrollably.
"Don't be afraid, Mrs. Weasley, I'm here!"
[Ding, Father +100]
Darren said calmly.
He helped Mrs. Weasley out of the room.
"Don't worry. I'm not dead yet."
[Ding, Father +100]
He repeated firmly.
Mrs. Weasley gradually calmed down, likely because she was now farther away from the boggart.
"Darren, I've embarrassed myself in front of you. I'll go back up and deal with it…"
"Don't. I'll find someone else."
Darren sighed.
"I'll do it."
Remus Lupin walked in from outside. He had heard their conversation.
But when he looked at Darren, his eyes were filled with sadness.
"Darren, have you developed any new fears?"
Darren fell silent for a long time.
What was he supposed to say?
He had already decided not to刺激 trouble them during this period. He was afraid they might actually break down.
Mrs. Weasley began sobbing again.
"Everyone is born only to move toward death… I'm so scared.
Percy has broken with us too… I don't even know how many of us will be left in the end.
Darren is constantly getting hurt—I can't bear it anymore. And if Arthur and I die, who will take care of Ginny?
And Darren… he doesn't even have any money of his own. The two of them would starve to death…"
Darren was completely speechless.
Thinking of the ending in the original timeline, he had nothing to say.
Fortunately, Lupin dealt with the boggart. He came back, looking helpless, and said, "At the very least, Darren nearly killed Voldemort by himself.
If we add ourselves to that, maybe we really could kill him.
He's not as powerful as he was last time, and we still have Dumbledore.
Dumbledore and Darren together… maybe they really can kill him. Voldemort must be afraid of a combination like that."