Chapter 27

"Severus..."

Dumbledore interrupted Snape, leaning back against his chair with a weary expression, and sighed softly:

"I know you must find it inconceivable, but I think you should understand.

Any theory has the potential to spark a war; the wizarding world cannot withstand a third upheaval."

Equality of life?

If Darren were to consciously promote this concept, then house-elves, goblins... all other beings oppressed by wizards would rally around him.

It is possible that the riots he incites could be even more severe than those of Voldemort or Grindelwald.

"So, Darren, why do you promote the equality of life?"

Dumbledore sat up straight, waiting for Darren's answer.

Darren felt a bit of a headache.

Why did he promote it?

Naturally, it was because the system made him do it.

That thing, the system, would make him say anything as long as it detected an opportunity to be useful.

What could he do?

Fine, he admitted that later on, it became more about his own ideas; after all, he had too many Saint Father points.

They had blinded his eyes.

But could he say that?

No.

So he could only reply in a dazed tone:

"Because life is inherently equal. Pachi is a house-elf, but he is still so kind.

I heard outside that all Slytherins are bad wizards, but I discovered that Professor Snape is a good person.

Although Miss Greengrass of Slytherin has different views than mine, she still kindly took me to St. Mungo's.

Mr. Malfoy is a bit annoying, but that's just a childish temper.

Therefore, life is equal; it does not become unequal just because of who someone is."

Darren said straightforwardly.

And he used the Slytherins he knew and Pachi as examples.

[Ding, Saint Father points +100]

[Ding, Saint Father points +20]

Two Saint Father point notifications rang out.

Darren knew this meant Dumbledore and Snape had each contributed once.

So...

When he met with Snape and Dumbledore before, perhaps Dumbledore hadn't contributed many Saint Father points, and they were all from Snape?

Damn, this old schemer!

Dumbledore naturally did not know Darren's thoughts; he simply let out a light sigh of relief, his tone carrying a hint of cheerfulness.

"It seems our little Mr. Darren will always be so kind and lovely."

"Hmph!"

Snape snorted a single word through his nose.

"Alright, alright, next question: Darren, will you fight Harry for the position of head of the Potter family?"

What the hell?

Why would he fight for that?

A position as the head of a fallen family—he really didn't care for it!

"I won't fight for it."

He said without hesitation.

Snape slammed his fist onto Dumbledore's desk, looking at Dumbledore with displeasure and shouting:

"Don't tell me you're about to push them into a drama over fighting for family property now?"

"No, no, no, Severus. Aside from some monetary assets, the Potter family no longer has anything of great value.

There is only one thing left, a treasure that even moves me, but I need to ensure it reaches Harry."

Dumbledore sighed gently.

Darren conservatively guessed it was the Invisibility Cloak.

Looking at Snape's still-angry face, Dumbledore hesitated for a moment before continuing to explain:

"Little Darren's business in Diagon Alley made many people aware that Harry Potter has an extra brother.

Many of them are Harry's fans, and others have grown up listening to Harry's stories since they were children.

When they learned Harry had a brother, their first reaction was that Darren was going to seize Harry's property.

We all know Darren is a kind child, but they do not.

They will only think Darren is grandstanding to overshadow Harry's fame and inherit the Potter family.

Because of a secret I cannot yet reveal, I must ensure Harry becomes the heir to the Potter family before I can give him that item.

So I promised them that only Harry would inherit the Potter family, even though the Potter family only appeared because of Darren."

Dumbledore felt a slight headache.

He never expected that after the news of Darren being Harry's brother spread, this would be the reaction of the majority.

He really hadn't thought of that before.

To think that he, the great white wizard, had used Veritaserum to ask a child such a question—Dumbledore felt a bit ashamed.

"A bunch of meddlesome idiots!"

Snape commented.

Dumbledore sighed and said nothing.

A few minutes of silence followed. Just as Darren thought the questioning would end this way, Dumbledore suddenly asked:

"Darren, are you jealous of Harry?"

"Dumbledore, why are you asking this? What are you suspecting?"

Snape questioned Dumbledore.

"Severus, be quiet. Actually, even you are worried that Darren is jealous of Harry, aren't you?"

"I'm just worried that the two little cubs she died to protect will end up as enemies!"

"I am the same, Severus."

"..."

Oh, this?

It seemed this question was indeed valid.

If asked about Darren's own thoughts, he certainly wasn't jealous; he had the system, didn't consider this place his home, and didn't view these people as family.

He held more of a "playing a game" mindset.

Who would be sad because the protagonist in a game is treated well?

But if the original owner were here, he would probably be very sad, right?

Harry Potter has fame and so many people caring for him.

Yet he died in that orphanage.

Even if the original owner hadn't died in that orphanage and had come here.

Without a system, he could only be himself.

Then he would see Dumbledore's suspicious gaze, Snape's complex bad temper, and the wary eyes of many people.

He wouldn't even have a phoenix egg, nor the only house-elf who recognized him.

Living such days, the original owner might have grown into a great villain, right?

So, answering Dumbledore's question couldn't be done by directly and one-sidedly stating his own thoughts.

It would be too unrealistic.

He still had to combine the original owner's feelings to display his Saint Father radiance.

He sighed in his heart.

He spoke in a dazed tone:

"When I first learned the truth, I was a little jealous of my brother.

My brother at least lived with Mom and Dad for a year, while I never even saw them.

I've been back for so long, and I don't even have a photo of them.

Back at the orphanage, the teachers always said children like us were unloved by their parents.

I thought for a long time: why didn't Mom and Dad like me? Was it because I wasn't well-behaved?

So I learned not to disturb others, to do my own things, to help others more, and to make myself well-behaved.

But still, no one came to find me.

I wondered again if it was because of the power inside me that made them think I was a monster, so they didn't come for me?

So I suppressed that power and acted like the most ordinary child.

I waited and waited, and finally, Mr. Dumbledore and Professor Snape appeared.

They brought the news of Mom and Dad's death, and their faces were full of suspicion and caution.

Especially when I mentioned wanting to see my brother, they both refused me; they were probably afraid I would hurt him, right?

I was a bit sad, a bit jealous, but after learning about my brother's deeds, I couldn't be jealous anymore.

My brother's lightning-shaped scar is called a medal of honor, but it is also proof that he almost died.

I shouldn't be jealous of the treatment he enjoys now; he saved the wizarding world, he is everyone's great hero, and he is my brother!

Also, Mom and Dad didn't come to find me not because they didn't love me, but because they couldn't.

As for you, Mr. Dumbledore and Professor Snape, being wary of me is only right; after all, my appearance is so strange, and it looks like I might hurt my brother.

So I was thinking, if I went to Slytherin and stayed further away from my brother, would it be better?

And I could also keep an eye on all the children in Slytherin with personality problems to prevent them from bullying my brother."

[Ding, Saint Father points +100]

[Ding, Saint Father points +50]

Two more notifications.

Darren excitedly accepted the Saint Father points.

This time was very good.

Clearly, the other two in the office were quite moved.

But that was also the result of his hard work.

After blowing so much about his psychological journey, his mouth was dry.

And these words clearly dispelled much of Dumbledore's suspicion.

"Jealousy always sounds unpleasant, but the generosity and tolerance that follow jealousy are what make people feel greatness, right, Severus?"

Dumbledore asked with a sigh.

Snape snorted and asked with some hesitation:

"You aren't really going to let this child go to Slytherin, are you? It's full of Dark wizards.

Besides, Harry Potter's brother entering Slytherin—this matter could probably make the Dark Lord laugh for a whole year."

"Why not?"

Dumbledore waved his wand, refilled Darren's cup with lemon juice, pushed it toward him, and smiled softly:

"Severus, you should give Darren the chance to choose freely. Slytherin isn't full of bad wizards; take you, for example, isn't that right?"

"That's different!"

Snape's eyes gradually became hollow.

Dumbledore shook his head, his eyes, which seemed to see through everything, revealing a smile.

"It's the same, Severus. No one can guarantee they won't go astray.

But as long as he returns to justice, regardless of the reason, he is no longer a purely bad person, is he?

Oh, the half-hour is up, lovely little Darren should wake up. Severus, I don't think you'd want little Darren to know what he experienced today.

Unless you want to always be seen by him as Professor Snape, who is full of suspicion and caution, and who uses unscrupulous means for Harry Potter."

Dumbledore said jokingly.

Snape snorted.

"I don't care what his stupid, gullible head thinks of me!"

Snape said sarcastically while carefully pointing his wand at Darren's head and whispering, "Obliviate."

[Ding, does the host wish to spend 100 Saint Father points to negate Obliviate?]

Damn!

[Negate!]

This is too much. After such a Veritaserum plot, he only earned 70 Saint Father points in total.

It wasted his great acting skills.

[Negation successful]

Following the system's prompt.

Darren's mind gained some other memories.

It was that after he entered Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore asked how his life had been these past few days.

Was there anything uncomfortable?

In the memory, they were chatting happily.

Just now, they had talked about Mundungus.

"Um, Professor Dumbledore, that matter with Mr. Mundungus must have been a misunderstanding.

I thought he looked gloomy, a bit like the Death Eaters they talk about, which is why I went up to help that Muggle gentleman..."

Darren lowered his head shyly and took a sip from the lemon juice cup.

Dumbledore laughed heartily.

"No, no, no, my child, I believe you gave Mundungus a profound lesson.

Letting him know he cannot underestimate anyone... he will be fine, I promise, my child."

Darren's smile became even happier.

However, as if remembering something, he said: "Sir, I wanted to apologize to you as soon as I came in, but for some reason, I forgot."

Darren said suddenly. Dumbledore was startled, then looked away with a guilty conscience.

"It's like this, because, because I... I was afraid Mr. Dumbledore had something for me and I didn't arrive in time, so... so I let Pachi eavesdrop on your conversation. I'm sorry!"

Darren said stutteringly.

Dumbledore felt a bit helpless; this child was so bad at lying.

But of course, he couldn't expose the child, lest he cover his face in shame.

"I forgive your mistake, child. I don't care about these things. Without my permission, no one will hear my conversation."

"Mm-hmm, that's good. Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Dumbledore!"

Darren was all smiles.

He thought to himself, as expected.

This old schemer was just testing him!