Chapter 1362
But Mrs. Weasley loved this necklace very much.
"It must have cost a lot of money, right?"
"It didn't. I had Pachi find the large gemstones, and then I made it one by one. I thought you would like this style of necklace, Ma'am."
Mrs. Weasley blushed and looked at Mr. Weasley.
Mr. Weasley's face turned red too.
Darren suspected they had found some indescribable use for the large gemstones, but he didn't dare think about it too closely.
Just as he was about to say something saintly, he saw Mrs. Weasley's face turn pale and panicked.
"Arthur, Arthur, is it Percy? Is it right? Has Percy come back?"
Yes, Percy had come back.
He had brought the Minister, Rufus Scrimgeour, with him.
After an awkward silence.
Percy called out awkwardly: "Mom, Merry Christmas."
Mrs. Weasley burst into tears.
Fred and George looked at him vigilantly.
"What are you back for?"
Percy didn't say a word.
Rufus leaned on his cane and laughed.
"We were on business nearby, and Percy wanted to come back to see you... You should have a good reunion with him; I won't disturb you."
There was no problem with these words from Rufus for now.
Mrs. Weasley became excited.
However, Rufus's next sentence made the atmosphere tense.
He looked at Harry and Darren and said: "I need someone to accompany me for a walk in the garden. Are you two young men willing to keep me company?"
Refusing a sitting Minister was, of course, inappropriate.
Harry and Darren both agreed.
But it was obvious that everyone knew everything Rufus had just said was an excuse.
The idea that Percy wanted to come back was entirely Rufus wanting to come find Harry and Darren.
Lupin was about to stand up.
But Darren pressed down on his shoulder.
"It's fine."
He and Harry walked out.
Rufus followed them out.
It was as if he hadn't noticed at all that everyone here, including the gnomes in the entire house, did not welcome him.
Rufus stood in the garden.
A silence followed.
Then he looked at Darren and Harry.
"I have wanted to see you both for a long time, but Dumbledore blocked me... There was a rumor at the time that Harry was the 'Chosen One'."
"Back then, I was thinking, if I let you, Harry, publicly state that the Ministry of Magic is trustworthy, you would surely lead everyone to win this battle, and the situation in the magical world would definitely be much better."
Harry didn't say a word.
Rufus didn't mind.
He continued to look at Darren.
"I know you, Darren. You are almost the strongest person below Dumbledore and the Dark Lord."
"Don't deny it. I checked your strength crystal ball; in your second year, you were already far beyond us."
"I heard your dream is to be an Auror. I think you could come to the Ministry of Magic now. What do you think?"
Darren opened his mouth; he was about to refuse.
Harry suddenly said angrily: "I know what you're thinking. You just want Darren to go and risk his life for you. You know he's simple and easy to fool."
"In reality, you would just send him to face the Dark Lord, wouldn't you?"
"You want him to die, and then say, 'He was willing to do it himself,' instead of 'It was because of you'!"
Rufus frowned.
"Harry, I'm not that extreme..."
"Not? Do you think there's any difference between you and Fudge? He left me with scars, and he told me not to tell lies."
"What about you? You arrested Stan Shunpike. You knew full well he wasn't a Death Eater, and you knew he wasn't under the Imperius Curse, but you didn't care. You only wanted your political achievements!"
"People like you—I will absolutely not let Darren go and risk his life for you. Even if he agreed, it would be useless!"
"If he agreed, I would threaten him with myself..."
Rufus was amused by his childishness.
"Sounds like..."
Darren interrupted him.
He raised Harry's hand.
He let Rufus look at the words on the back of Harry's hand.
I must not tell lies.
"If you are a righteous person, then why didn't you speak up last year?"
"Yes, I told others I wanted to be an Auror, but I am not willing to be an Auror for the Ministry of Magic. I am only willing to be an Auror for the righteous!"
【Ding, Saintly Value +100】
【Ding, Saintly Value +100】
【Ding, Saintly Value +100】
【Ding...】
The smile on Rufus's face froze.
He looked at Darren.
He gradually became serious.
"It seems you are determined not to work for me?"
"Yes, just as my brother said, if you don't show me the changes in the Ministry of Magic, then we will not help you!"
【Ding, Saintly Value +100】
【Ding, Saintly Value +100】
【Ding, Saintly Value +100】
【Ding...】
"It seems Dumbledore has brainwashed you quite well!"
Rufus mocked.
While Harry was hesitating, Darren sneered: "That's right, brainwashed very well. We are Dumbledore's people through and through!"
【Ding, Saintly Value +100】
【Ding, Saintly Value +100】
【Ding, Saintly Value +100】
【Ding...】
652
End of Chapter
