Chapter 392: Don't Lie to Me, Okay?!!
Sirius finally couldn't hold it in anymore and growled in fury.
Harry noticed Darren frown instinctively.
Clearly, in his eyes, Sirius looked far too much like an outright killer.
If what had happened earlier hadn't occurred, and if Lupin hadn't spoken for Black, Darren would probably have already taken action against Sirius.
"Wait, Sirius—wait until I explain to Darren properly!" Lupin said urgently. "Darren doesn't know yet, and how can you kill someone in front of him?!"
Sirius calmed down slightly at those words.
He looked at Darren, guilt clearly written in his eyes.
Finally, he took off the necklace hanging from his neck and handed it to Darren.
"I'm sorry…"
Darren looked down at the necklace in his hand.
His fingers tightened around it.
Gryffindor…
So they were people like this.
This one necklace alone had ruined him completely.
"When I changed back from animal form, I forgot to take it off… and it ended up like this…" Sirius said quietly.
Darren snorted.
"This only enhances animal transformation. It doesn't make you an Animagus."
[Ding, Holy Father value +60]
[Ding, Father value +70]
[Ding, Holy Father value +60]
[Ding...…]
Even though Darren's tone was still a little sharp, the killing intent was gone.
Harry couldn't help letting out a helpless laugh.
It hadn't been long at all…
And Darren had already stopped wanting to kill Sirius.
If a little more time passed, he might even start thinking Sirius was a good person.
Everyone's attention soon returned to Lupin.
Lupin reached his hand out toward Ron.
"Ron… give Scabbers to me."
But Ron still hesitated.
"It's really just a rat… what if you kill him by experimenting on him?"
And Sirius had been locked in Azkaban for so many years—how could he possibly know Scabbers was Peter Pettigrew?
That part didn't make sense at all.
Ron's suspicion was completely reasonable.
Even Lupin couldn't help glancing at Sirius.
"Well…"
Sirius pulled out a newspaper from inside his robes.
It was the same one with the photo of Ron and his family during their trip to Egypt.
A rat lay sound asleep on Ron's shoulder in the photo.
"Ron… will you give me Scabbers?"
Darren spoke before Ron could answer.
His expression was serious.
And it was clear—
He already somewhat believed Sirius.
Harry and the others felt uneasy.
Darren was too gentle.
Too easy to deceive.
Would he really be able to protect himself in the future?
But no one could bring themselves to say anything to him.
In the end, Ron reluctantly handed Scabbers to Darren.
"Ron, don't worry," Darren said softly.
"Many spells are used on animals. I won't let them hurt him.
And if they can't give me a convincing explanation, I won't allow anything to happen.
Also… if Scabbers really is Peter, then with me here, he won't escape. Right, Professor Lupin?"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Holy Father value +80]
[Ding, Father value +70]
[Ding...…]
Darren looked at Lupin calmly.
Lupin rubbed his hands together, both nervous and hopeful.
"If you're willing… you can call me Remus…
I'm your godfather."
Darren froze.
Lupin became even more flustered at his silence.
"I know, I'm a werewolf… it must make you uncomfortable.
You don't have to force yourself. Really, it's fine if you don't want to— I don't mind…"
"Really?" Darren asked in surprise.
Lupin smiled.
"Really."
"Thank you."
Darren spoke sincerely.
"Thank you for being willing to acknowledge me… I always trouble others.
Reckless… stubborn… troublesome…
But thank you… for being willing to be my godfather."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...…]
For a moment, no one could speak.
Because something important had been accepted.
"Darren… thank you for being my godson," Lupin said quietly.
"I didn't dare tell you before because of who I am.
I'm not saying this to make you listen to me.
I just want you to know… I've never meant you any harm.
And I truly hope you'll listen to the truth about what happened back then."
Darren nodded obediently.
Remus began to tell the story.
About himself.
About Sirius.
About Peter.
About James.
He spoke of misunderstandings, betrayal, and regret.
Harry and the others listened, stunned.
Darren nearly bored himself to sleep.
…Not because it was uninteresting.
He already knew most of it.
As the little Holy Father, how could he not know?
Of course he believed it.
So in the end—
Darren extended Scabbers toward Lupin.
"Ron," Darren said quietly, "let me do this.
I know it's cruel to you.
But if this is about the truth from all those years ago…
I have to know.
If Scabbers is only an ordinary rat…
Then I will punish myself and avenge him."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...…]
"Oh—no, no, it's not that serious!" Ron hurriedly shook his head.
"Remus said he knows what he's doing…"
"Yes, Darren," Lupin assured him.
"If he's really just a rat, it won't hurt him at all."
Darren's fingers trembled slightly.
For a moment, Harry thought he might pull his hand back.
But instead—
Darren handed Scabbers over.
"Don't lie to me…"
He looked straight at Lupin.
"Remus… I've already lost my dad.
I don't want to lose you too."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...…]
His eyes reddened.
"I've warned myself countless times not to trust people so easily.
But you…
Remus, I believe you.
So please…
Don't lie to me, okay?"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding...…]
Lupin understood what that trust meant.
If they ran now—
Darren would collapse completely.
"Don't worry, Darren," Lupin said firmly.
"It will be over soon.
Come on, Sirius…
Let me force him out."
"Yes," Sirius said softly.
"Darren… I won't betray your trust.
Alright.
Three…
Two…
One…"
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