Hogwarts: I Obtained the Paternal System

Although there were only two young masters left now, the Galleons Master James had left behind were far too few.

When she had gone there a few days ago, she had nearly cried.

Were her two poor young masters really going to live such impoverished lives?

"Peeves, did I order too much? I'm sorry. I was thinking that there are so many people who have been good to me, and I haven't given them gifts yet.

"This is the first time I've tasted such delicious cake. I want Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape... to try some too.

"And Peeves, I don't know who you are, but you must be a very important elder to me.

"Although people sometimes say I'm silly, you've been so good to me that I can't ignore your kindness.

"I'm sorry, Peeves. Forgive me for accepting your kindness so shamelessly."

Darren lowered his head, and his eyes reddened.

He seemed to be holding back his tears with all his might, just so the House-elf before him would not overthink things.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Paternal Points +100.]

Darren accepted the Paternal Points in confusion.

Something was off.

The last time he had been alone with Dumbledore, he had often received 25 Paternal Points.

At the time, he had assumed it was because Dumbledore had been the only person around, so he had received only 25 Paternal Points.

But now, with only Peeves beside him, he should have received 25 as well. Instead, he had gotten 100.

Could it be that the amount of Paternal Points gained was not based on the number of people, but on how deeply he moved someone?

Had his words moved Peeves so much that he received this many?

That was very possible.

Darren fell into thought.

Then he sneered inwardly at Dumbledore.

That old man looked deeply moved on the surface, but while he had indeed been touched, it had only been superficial.

Clearly, the old man was hard-hearted. Or perhaps Darren had not yet found what truly moved him?

Darren mentally expressed his contempt for Dumbledore.

He despised that old man!

In a moment, he would add a Dungbomb to Dumbledore's cake!

Of course, even though he had countless wicked ideas in his heart, he still looked like that little boy pretending to be strong.

Peeves was deeply moved by the sight.

"Sniff!"

Peeves sniffed hard, then pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Oh, Young Master Darren is far too kind. Peeves is only a House-elf with one foot in the grave, yet Young Master still remembered to buy Peeves cake. Peeves is truly so moved..."

Peeves spoke as she cried.

She felt that she had not actually been all that kind to Young Master Darren. She had merely come to take care of him as her old master had instructed.

Yet Darren had remembered to buy her cake, even if he had used the money she had taken out.

Young Master Darren had even said that she was good to him, like an elder...

Sob, sob, sob.

Peeves felt that even if she died right now, she would have no regrets.

Darren truly had not expected a House-elf's crying to be so overwhelming.

He had thought the original novel's depiction of House-elves was somewhat distorted. Peeves was clearly very clean, very polite, and had a personality of her own.

But...

Watching Peeves cry like a fountain of tears now, Darren felt goosebumps rising all over his body.

"D-Don't cry..."

Darren stammered out a sincere comfort.

Please stop crying. If she kept crying, he really would not be able to keep acting.

Peeves, if you keep this up, I won't dare collect Paternal Points from you in the future!

PS: Slytherin House 14, Gryffindor 12, everything else unchanged.

Chapter 18: Meeting Griphook

After finally soothing Peeves, Darren remembered Hermione and Mundungus.

"Young Master is truly so kind, remembering that Muggle man and his daughter."

Peeves could not help sighing. She pressed the recording device at her waist and continued, "Peeves sent the man called Mundungus to Mr. Dumbledore's office. Mr. Dumbledore said he was very grateful to Young Master and that he would handle the matter properly.

"Of course he will. If not for Young Master, a terrible case of Muggles being attacked would have happened here. Thanks to Young Master's righteous intervention, this disaster was avoided."

Peeves looked at Darren with worship in her eyes, her large eyes practically sparkling.

Darren looked away with slight guilt.

Well...

If he had not gotten involved, this accident probably would never have happened.

"Ahem, it's not as exaggerated as you say. I only made a tiny contribution.

"And it looked like a misunderstanding. If I hadn't appeared, things might have turned out better..."

But Peeves clearly did not see it that way.

She proudly raised her hand and cried dramatically, "No, this was definitely a murder case!

"My young master is the kindest child in the world. He stopped a riot, and he's even so humble. He could even apply for the World Peace Prize!"

"D-Don't say that..."

As Darren saw the gazes around them drawn over by Peeves, he felt so embarrassed that he wished he could dig out a Hogwarts with his toes.

He felt that House-elves were simply his natural nemesis.

Peeves clearly did not get what Darren was thinking.

She was still immersed in her praise for her young master.

"Young Master Darren, you are the greatest young wizard in the world. When you grow up, you will become a second Dumbledore!"

"..."

Darren silently covered his face and moved a little farther away from the House-elf who was laying it on so thick.

If I have sinned, then let Merlin punish me!

"Alright, Peeves. I need to buy a wand. Help me send all these cakes back first..."

Darren sighed helplessly.

Forget it, forget it. He did not want to know what came next.

He was afraid he would die of embarrassment in Diagon Alley today.

Peeves happily followed him, took the cakes from Darren's hands, and vanished on the spot after Apparating.

Although she reappeared the very next second, Darren still let out a huge sigh of relief.

At least Peeves had calmed down now.

"Young Master, before buying a wand, we may need to withdraw some money. Peeves has spent everything she brought out."

Peeves said guiltily.

There were not many Galleons at the Potter family's old residence. All that remained were some property deeds and a shampoo formula.

If they wanted Galleons, they would need to establish a factory themselves.

Or rent out those plots of land.

But Peeves had not thought of that before. Peeves was so useless.

Peeves raised her hand, intending to punish herself, but Darren swiftly stopped her.

"Alright, Peeves, you've already done very well. I don't understand anything, and I'll need your help in the future, so don't imitate other House-elves and punish yourself!"

That would make him, this paternal saint, seem a little too fake.

Saving others outside while letting his own House-elf punish herself at home.

His persona would collapse!