Chapter 772: Sorry, I Want Him Alive!!
Chapter 772: Sorry, I Want Him Alive!!
Hermione's words left the entire office stunned.
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Harry hesitated.
"…Darren probably wouldn't agree to this, right?"
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Knowing Darren—
he would rather die than drag those girls into something like this.
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"Yeah," Ron muttered, a little awkwardly, "feels like he'd be furious."
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"Or maybe he'd be happy?"
Mr. Weasley said under his breath.
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After all… waking up to find himself with that many wives—
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"Hiss—!"
He didn't get to finish.
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Mrs. Weasley pinched him hard.
So hard that Mr. Weasley nearly jumped.
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He only had one thought—
That was brutal.
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"Enough!"
Mrs. Weasley snapped, wiping tears from her eyes.
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"You lot think this is something good, but for Darren, it'll be unbearable!"
"Poor child…"
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Her voice softened.
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"But it's necessary."
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"He's still a child."
"He deserves to live… to have a fuller life."
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When she had seen Darren's body—
it had felt like a bolt from the blue.
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Between Harry and Darren—
she had always favored Darren more.
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And when she realized Darren had chosen to die for Harry—
she had nearly collapsed on the spot.
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Now—
even if this method felt wrong—
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as long as he could live—
she would accept it.
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"Alright," Kingsley said, stepping forward with a faint smile.
"Let's vote."
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"If you agree with this method, raise your hand."
"If more than half agree, we'll go with it."
"If not—we find another way."
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He raised his hand first.
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Even he knew—
this might be the only workable solution.
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Hermione raised hers immediately.
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Then Ginny.
Luna.
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Mr. Weasley followed quickly.
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One by one—
hands went up.
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In the end—
only Harry hadn't.
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Everyone looked at him.
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After a long hesitation—
he slowly raised his hand too.
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"…I'm just worried," he said quietly, "that when Darren wakes up… he'll blame me."
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He swallowed.
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"But… Darren's kind."
"He probably wouldn't…"
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Even as he said it—
he wasn't convinced.
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Hermione snorted.
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"What, you'd rather he keep going?"
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Harry shook his head immediately.
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"No."
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He didn't want Darren to die.
Didn't want him to keep walking down that path.
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He wanted him back.
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Even if this method made Darren uncomfortable—
even if it forced him—
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it would at least keep him alive.
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Because Harry knew something now—
with painful clarity—
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Darren had truly wanted to die.
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And part of that—
was because of him.
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The distance.
The hesitation.
The way he couldn't accept that bloodline fast enough.
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Darren must have seen it.
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Harry clenched his fists.
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Maybe—
just maybe—
if he'd had more time—
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If he hadn't only learned the truth yesterday—
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He could have accepted it.
Adjusted.
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Before Darren ever noticed.
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But now—
it was too late.
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Darren had already chosen.
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And Harry refused to accept that ending.
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He took a breath.
His voice steadier now.
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"No."
"I don't want him to keep going."
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"He has to come back."
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"I'll go find Dumbledore."
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Then he turned to Hermione.
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"And you—tell the girls."
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"They have to be willing."
"Don't force anyone."
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His voice softened.
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"…Darren wouldn't want that."
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Hermione nodded.
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She stood up.
Walked over to Darren.
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Gently—
she leaned down and kissed his forehead.
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"Don't be stupid," she whispered.
"Wait for me."
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"I'm bringing you back."
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"Even if you end up hating me…"
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She straightened.
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Ginny, Luna, and the others followed.
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One by one—
they stepped forward.
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Each of them kissed Darren quietly.
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Then they turned to Harry.
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"We're going too."
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"I hope he wakes up soon."
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And then—
they left.
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The office fell quieter.
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Only the adult wizards remained.
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They began discussing—
how Dumbledore might actually bring Darren back.
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Because bringing back the dead—
was never simple.
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Even in the wizarding world.
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More importantly—
if the person himself didn't want to return—
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then it was nearly impossible.
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Harry stood there—
listening.
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His chest tightened.
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He knew—
if they followed normal methods—
they would fail.
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Because Darren didn't want to live.
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And if Dumbledore had only been saying it casually—
if there was no real way to save him—
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Then everything…
would collapse again.
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Darren had taken all his joy with him.
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And if he didn't come back—
Harry knew—
he would never truly be happy again.
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"Harry."
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Dumbledore's voice broke through his thoughts.
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"I hear from Severus that you've found a method?"
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Harry turned quickly.
Nodded.
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"Yes."
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"We're planning to use a marriage contract…"
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He explained Hermione's idea from beginning to end.
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As he spoke—
Dumbledore's eyes grew brighter.
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By the end—
he couldn't help but laugh.
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"Well…"
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"I must say—Miss Granger is quite the genius."
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He shook his head, still smiling.
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"Darren will definitely be furious."
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"He's always been so well-behaved."
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"The only time he ever acted recklessly… was when he went to face Voldemort alone."
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"And now…"
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"He may end up doing something truly historic."
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"Marrying half the castle, perhaps."
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Harry didn't smile.
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"…I think he'll be uncomfortable."
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"Yes," Dumbledore said softly. "Very."
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"But he'll live."
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"That's what matters."
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"He carries Voldemort's blood."
"He thinks too much."
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"And in the end—
he'll always choose destruction."
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Dumbledore's gaze turned gentle.
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"But if his life is tied to others…"
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"He'll stay alive."
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"If only to protect them."
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Harry lowered his head.
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"…Won't he be tired?"
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Dumbledore closed his eyes.
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For a moment—
he didn't answer.
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Then—
quietly—
firmly—
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"Harry… forgive me."
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"I want to be selfish."
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"I want him to live."
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"Even if he hates me for it."
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"I still want him to live."
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His voice grew softer.
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"I'm an old man."
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"I don't want to watch him walk that path so early…"
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Harry opened his mouth—
but the words didn't come out.
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Because when he looked up—
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he saw it.
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Dumbledore standing beside Darren.
Looking at him.
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And tears—
slipping silently down his face—
disappearing into his long beard.
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"Forgive me… child…"
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"I can't bear to see you leave before me like this…"
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"Lying here… without life…"
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"…I'm sorry."