Hogwarts: I Obtained the Paternal System

Because Darren was the first person in history to receive Merlin's Level 11 Medal at such a young age, his portrait was kept in storage at the Ministry of Magic.

If he had died, the portrait would have come alive. But clearly, it had shown no reaction. He might still be alive.

It was just unknown where he had fallen after passing through that Veil."

Hermione's words only earned Ron's agreement.

He wanted to tell Harry the news.

But Luna, Ginny, and even Neville disagreed.

"He should be punished. He was far too reckless... Besides, Darren still hasn't come back... It's already been a week.

The holidays are about to begin... Even if we tell him Darren isn't dead, he might not believe it.

Actually, I don't quite believe it either... I feel like Dumbledore was only trying to comfort me.

He knew that if he said Darren was dead, I would want to jump through that Veil too."

Ginny said vaguely.

Ron wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing. He pretended he had not heard her.

"If Darren doesn't return soon, the other students will start getting suspicious.

Many of them think Darren should be in the Hospital Wing or St. Mungo's, like us...

Yesterday, Madam Pomfrey asked me whether Darren was at St. Mungo's.

I said I didn't know... I saw her crying. She's worried..."

The ward fell silent.

Harry sat by the lake, his cup filled with juice.

He held a book and copied Darren's habit of reading it. Every now and then, he would look up at the opposite shore.

He still remembered how, in their third year, Darren had cast a Patronus Charm there. That Azure Dragon had driven away hundreds of Obscurus.

He did not know whether he wanted to