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Chapter 676 Rumor-mongering!!
"A lot of people saw it that day, and now they're spreading rumors that Darren was captured by the Death Eaters and only came back after a life-and-death struggle."
It was Hermione's voice.
"He really did look like that. Who would have thought he was just drunk…"
That was Ron's voice.
"I heard he even ran to Dumbledore's office. Did he forget everything after getting drunk?"
That was Harry's voice.
Darren finally opened his eyes.
He rubbed his forehead and said, "No, I got Professor Slughorn's memory. In order to get him to talk, I drank with Professor Slughorn and Hagrid until I was nearly delirious.
Fortunately, I still remembered to go to Dumbledore's office, so I didn't delay anything!"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Darren's words made Harry and the others feel extremely uncomfortable.
It was because they hadn't thought of a solution that Darren had to keep drinking with Hagrid and Slughorn, drinking to that state, yet still forcing himself to remember to deliver the memory.
"It's fine. I sometimes drink a little too. I just don't handle alcohol very well. Don't talk about me—by the way, brother, why are you in the hospital wing too?"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Harry looked embarrassed.
Hermione helped explain.
"Harry was knocked off his broom by McLaggen." She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.
Just then Ginny came in from outside.
There was also a smile in her eyes.
"At least we won in the end. McLaggen was dealt with by us. Darren, are you feeling better now?"
Ginny sat beside him, looking at him with concern.
Her eyes gradually grew moist, and her face quietly turned red.
Darren wanted to laugh, but held it back.
He could only ask worriedly, "Ginny, are you not feeling well? Why is your face so red?"
Ginny quickly shook her head.
Under Ron's disgusted gaze, she lowered her head and kissed Darren lightly on the forehead.
"No, but you… when will you ever stop making people worry?"
"I'm sorry…"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…］
He said softly.
But everyone present had reddened eyes.
---
The next day.
Darren was discharged together with Harry and Ron.
Madam Pomfrey joked about them, saying they really were three brothers, even leaving the hospital wing on the same day.
After being discharged, Darren noticed that many people looked at him cautiously again, as if afraid of hurting his already fragile nerves.
"They were spreading rumors before that you were taken by the Death Eaters…
Later, I don't know who started it, but another rumor spread that you were captured by Voldemort… They even said you fought him.
They claimed Voldemort killed several Muggles to threaten you, and although you struggled back in the end, your mind was severely tortured."
Harry was dumbfounded by these ridiculous stories.
Darren accepted it calmly.
"It's fine. Everyone means well. They're just people who care about me. Even if their looks are strange, I don't blame them."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Holy Father +100]
[Ding…］
After all, just saying a few words could earn Father points.
Being praised by others as having grown up really did seem like a way to lie down and gain rewards.
"Darren!"
Luna's voice.
Darren turned around.
He saw Luna holding a roll of parchment.
"Here, this is for you and Harry!"
She said with a smile.
Harry and Ron breathed a sigh of relief.
Harry untied the parchment and said appreciatively, "Luckily, Luna, you're not like those people who suspect Darren was captured by Voldemort."
"Of course I wouldn't suspect that. I met Darren outside the castle that day. I could smell the alcohol on him—something like Scottish whisky.
I tried to hold him, but the students rushing out stopped me from reaching him."
She skipped away.
Ron smiled at her back.
"I didn't expect that girl to be so amazing. She could tell what kind of alcohol Darren drank just by the smell."
Harry and Hermione both turned to look at him.
Their expressions were indescribable.
But it was fine.
Harry glanced weakly at Hermione, as if he had been caught cheating, and hurriedly changed the subject.
"Darren, this is Dumbledore's invitation—tonight. He must want us to see that memory this time!"
---
Eight o'clock in the evening.
Harry and Darren sat in front of Dumbledore on time.
Dumbledore looked at Darren and smiled helplessly.
"Oh, Darren, you really frightened many professors and students last time… They were terribly worried about you…"
"I'm sorry."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Darren showed a guilty expression again.
Dumbledore was both amused and exasperated.
He shook his head and smiled bitterly. "I'm not asking you to apologize, child. I know why you did it.
It's just that you must take care of yourself as well. When you were drunk, rumors spread everywhere.
Thinking about those people imagining you being captured and the terrible scenes that followed—I, an old man, nearly had my heart stop.
Please don't make my heart rise and fall like that again, all right?"
Darren looked even more ashamed.
"I'm sorry."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Dumbledore was speechless.
He shook his head and sighed.
He knew very well.
The child in front of him was not Harry.
This child was so obedient that he couldn't bear to scold him further.
"Well then, Harry, I must criticize you. You contributed nothing to the homework I assigned.
Harry, you should know this was meant to keep you alive, yet you…"
Harry felt so guilty he barely dared to raise his head.
"I forgot."
"Yes, you forgot. You do have many things on your mind every day—spying on Professor Snape and Malfoy, worrying about Ron. I can understand."
Dumbledore said kindly.
But Harry lowered his head even more.
Darren wanted to speak up and play his usual Father role.
But Dumbledore stopped him.
"Oh, Darren, don't speak. Harry needs to hear this…
He must understand that we've done so much to help him defeat Voldemort, yet he forgot."
Harry almost buried his head under the table.
"I'm sorry, Headmaster."