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Chapter 701 Dumbledore's Testament!!
The banquet was about to begin.
Lupin and the others were already seated.
Although they had received news that Voldemort might attack with the Death Eaters, no one looked particularly nervous.
The Ministry of Magic had surrounded the Burrow with Aurors. Their intention was clear: if the Death Eaters came, they would confront them head-on. The Order of the Phoenix, used to fighting and wearing down the enemy, would not be helpless.
Once the Death Eaters appeared, all non-combatants would immediately leave using Portkeys.
Most of everyone's luggage had already been moved to Grimmauld Place over the past few days.
"Let's begin! No need to wait for Arthur anymore!"
Mrs. Weasley said with a smile.
Before she could finish speaking, a rat-shaped Patronus rushed straight onto the table.
In Mr. Weasley's voice, it announced:
"The Minister is coming. Everyone, get ready!"
"I'm leaving first!"
Lupin stood up immediately and vanished.
The next second, Scrimgeour appeared inside the Burrow.
His expression was solemn.
He looked at Darren, Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
"Children," he said, "find me a quiet place. I need to speak with you about Dumbledore."
Sirius and Mrs. Weasley exchanged glances.
Their eyes were filled with distrust.
But no one acted rashly.
Because Darren hadn't asked them to intervene.
Darren led Harry and the others into an empty room.
He looked at Scrimgeour calmly.
"Minister, are you here to tell us something Headmaster Dumbledore left behind?"
"It concerns Dumbledore's will," Scrimgeour said. "I need to speak with you alone."
Darren laughed softly.
"Then I think I have the right to say something first.
Headmaster Dumbledore told me personally that his property would be left to me. But after his death, I received nothing at all."
Scrimgeour's expression darkened.
"The Ministry of Magic has authority in these matters."
"I'm sorry," Darren replied lightly, "but the Ministry only has authority over Dark Magic items. It has no right to withhold someone's inheritance.
And you're only here now because the legal thirty-one-day holding period has expired.
If you still refuse to release it, that would be a violation of wizarding law by the Minister himself—which would be quite ironic."
Darren's smile carried a sharp edge.
Internally, he thanked Hermione.
All of this inheritance law knowledge came straight from the ever-thorough Miss Granger.
Hermione lifted her chin slightly, clearly pleased.
Scrimgeour's face grew even more unpleasant.
His gaze shifted away from Darren and landed on Ron instead.
"Ron Weasley," he asked, "did you have a close relationship with Dumbledore?"
"No—"
Ron started to answer, but Hermione stomped hard on his foot.
"Headmaster Dumbledore liked Ron very much," Darren said smoothly.
"He often said Ron was one of his proudest students."
Scrimgeour's expression worsened.
He glanced down at the parchment.
"In his will, Dumbledore left his Deluminator to Ron Weasley."
He took it out and handed it over.
Ron accepted it, looking completely bewildered.
"What do you think Dumbledore gave you the Deluminator for?" Scrimgeour pressed.
Ron stared at it, hesitating.
"If I say 'to turn off lights,' I don't think you'll believe me."
But that really was the truth.
Who knew what Dumbledore had been thinking?
Scrimgeour could only turn to Hermione.
"Dumbledore left you The Tales of Beedle the Bard."
Hermione took the book.
Tears slid down her cheeks.
"Do you know why he gave you this book?" Scrimgeour asked sharply.
"Or did you have some special method of contacting him?"
Hermione let out a cold laugh.
"How do you imagine that I—a student—could have some secret channel to Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Scrimgeour looked increasingly frustrated.
He turned back to the will.
"Next is Harry Potter.
Dumbledore intended to leave the Sword of Gryffindor to Harry."
"Then where is the sword?"
Darren stared straight at Scrimgeour.
Scrimgeour paused.
Finally, he said, "The Sword of Gryffindor belongs to Hogwarts. It was not Dumbledore's personal property, so it cannot be transferred."
Harry exchanged a look with Ron.
Scrimgeour continued,
"However, if you are willing to tell me what Dumbledore intended you to use it for, I might reconsider."
"Maybe he wanted us to kill Voldemort with it," Harry said sarcastically.
Scrimgeour shot him a cold look.
Then he continued reading.
"The final inheritance is for Darren."
He lifted his head.
"Dumbledore left you all property under his name.
This includes one hundred thousand Galleons in Gringotts, and his house in Godric's Hollow.
Additionally, he intended to leave you his wand.
However, during the funeral, the wand was buried with him, so it cannot be given to you."
There was no real apology in Scrimgeour's tone.
Darren frowned.
"Is there a written note attached to that part of the will?" he asked suddenly.
"Yes," Scrimgeour replied. "Would you care to explain it?"
Darren fell silent.
Scrimgeour lowered his head and read aloud:
"When you reach the end, Darren, come and discuss it with me."
"But… he's dead," Ron said in disbelief.
Darren shook his head calmly.
"Headmaster Dumbledore is dead.
But his portrait still hangs in the headmaster's office.
Minister, if you want answers, you can go there—provided he's willing to speak with you."
Scrimgeour's expression turned sour.
"The headmaster's office is sealed. We cannot enter it. This is lawless!"
Darren nearly laughed.
It would be strange if the headmaster's office did allow outsiders in.
Especially when Dumbledore hadn't truly left yet.
He simply hadn't stepped out of his portrait.
Darren only wondered how Dumbledore had managed to keep Professor McGonagall in the dark.
After all, Scrimgeour had spoken with her in the headmaster's office at the end of last term.
How had Dumbledore convinced everyone—so completely—that he was truly gone?