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Chapter 16 – The Potter House-Elf
The boy turned his head slightly, lips parting as if he wanted to say something, but no words came.
His big green eyes shimmered with unease.
He must have been terrified just now, Hermione thought.
Yet even after facing down a grown wizard, his expression held no trace of fear — only that same quiet strength and kindness that had stunned her since the moment he stepped forward.
How could someone so young be so selfless?
If there hadn't been a crowd between them — people still scolding Mungdus and clearing the street — she would've run straight to Darren to comfort him.
Such a gentle boy, she decided, deserved to be protected.
For the next seven years, she would make sure no one ever bullied him.
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[Ding! The Holy Father System has detected a chance to perform.]
Temporary Mission: Step forward, plead gently for mercy, and ask everyone not to hurt Mungdus anymore.
Reward: Memory ability of Hermione Granger.
Accept mission?
Accept.
Hermione Granger?
So she really was here?
Darren's curiosity sparked.
Was she the movie version — all soft curls and clever eyes — or the one from the books?
He tried to look around subtly, but with the crowd still thick, he couldn't twist his head like a fool searching for her.
No matter. He had a mission to complete.
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He jogged toward Mungdus, who was still groaning on the ground, and spoke hesitantly, his tone full of embarrassment.
"Um… I'm sorry, but I think I heard him say he knows Professor Dumbledore. Maybe he really was joking with me? We shouldn't just judge him so harshly. Could we let Professor Dumbledore handle it?"
He looked up with wide, trusting eyes — all innocence and sincerity.
The effect was immediate.
The crowd's anger softened. His pale face, so earnest and polite, melted even the hardest hearts.
People glanced at Darren, then at the beaten wizard, and their fists suddenly felt too heavy to raise again.
Mungdus might've been a scoundrel, sure — always stealing, always lying — but bullying a kid like this in front of that child felt… wrong.
"If young Mr. Darren insists," came a deep, gentle voice, "then I can take this man to Professor Dumbledore myself."
The speaker stepped forward — a small, wrinkled figure with large eyes and a kind smile.
A house-elf.
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Darren blinked. "Uh… and who are you?"
The elf bowed deeply. "Paggie, sir. A servant of the Potter family."
Darren froze.
A Potter family house-elf?
For a moment, wild thoughts ran through his mind.
Was this elf mistaking him for someone else?
Or had it somehow survived all these years?
Still, the creature's tone carried such genuine affection that Darren's confusion faded. He simply nodded, eyes warm with trust — the kind of look that made anyone want to protect him.
Paggie's old heart melted.
Yes. This was truly the young master he had sworn to find.
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Long ago, before James and Lily Potter died, Paggie had stayed behind in the family's ancestral home — too old to follow them to Godric's Hollow.
When the family fell, the house was sealed, and no one, not even Harry, knew how to reach it again.
But a few days ago, the portrait of the first Lady Potter in that old house had sensed a faint trace of phoenix magic — a power once carried only by the family's strongest bloodline.
She had sent Paggie to investigate.
That trail had led him here, to this gentle boy standing beneath the sun — smiling at strangers and pleading mercy for a man who'd just threatened him.
The resemblance was uncanny.
Kind. Brave. Selfless.
Just like the first patriarch of the Potter line.
Yes, this was no mistake.
Darren Potter was the true heir of the family's spirit.
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Quietly, Paggie pressed the small enchanted device at his waist — a silver recorder linked to the old Potter manor.
Through it, the portraits of his ancestors could see everything he saw.
He would make sure they witnessed this moment — their descendant's light shining brighter than ever.
As the signal flickered, Paggie looked at Darren again, heart full of pride.
Such a kind child, he thought. He must have suffered so much to become this gentle.
Don't worry, little master. Paggie will protect you — no matter what.
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