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Darren, unaware of Snape's thoughts, also contemplated Harry Potter at this moment.
The revelation that the renowned protagonist Harry Potter was his brother came as an unexpected twist in his life.
Simultaneously, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for the original owner.
Considering Harry Potter, born to parents who were present for only a year before their demise, Lily sacrificed herself with a blood curse to rebound Voldemort to death.
As long as Harry believed that Petunia was his home, Voldemort couldn't harm him.
Harry was born with a name, a status, and even though Petunia was less than ideal later on, she provided him with three meals a day – a luxury the original owner often lacked, frequently going hungry for two or three days.
While Harry Potter soared to fame in the wizarding world, the original owner met a tragic end in this small welfare house. Darren couldn't help but feel a wave of misery.
He then glanced up at Snape. Although unsure if Snape had encountered Harry Potter, many later fanfictions depicted him with a special connection to Harry.
Did he have a crush on Harry? Darren chuckled internally, redirecting his thoughts.
"Professor Snape, I read the letter; I have a brother, Harry Potter. Can I meet him?"
The protagonist – he hadn't seen the protagonist yet!
"You'll meet him after school starts," Snape replied, emotionless and hollow.
Disappointed, Darren nodded.
On another note, Snape's dedication was commendable, always maintaining a closed-off demeanor. Was Snape truly exceptional, akin to Lily? Did Snape have no way to conceal himself in front of Darren?
Contemplating this, Darren grew even more curious about what he looked like now.
The original owner had red hair and green eyes, but due to injuries, malnutrition, and the orphanage's neglect, his appearance suffered.
Sloppy and unkempt, with yellowish skin and deep eye sockets.
Back then, Darren despised his looks. After crossing over, he diligently improved his physical condition, but he hadn't looked in the mirror for a few days.
With the Holy Father aura from the system, he believed his appearance would have improved, but he wasn't certain to what extent.
Regrettably, he couldn't express his desire to go back and check in the mirror. Instead, he stood curiously next to Snape, resisting the urge to peek.
"If you're idle, you can use those hands that always think of doing stupid things to clean up your things!" Snape sarcastically remarked upon noticing Darren's curiosity.
Why was Kenley so important? Did Darren need to stand in the doorway waiting? Snape considered it more sensible to pack up and rest when there was time.
The traces of the head injury from a few days ago still lingered; wouldn't it be better to stay in St. Mungo's or the school hospital for a few days before the school year began?
Darren couldn't fathom Snape's mental activity behind the seemingly empty eyes, and he responded to Snape's suggestion to pack his things.
"Good, Professor!" Darren nodded vigorously, walking cheerfully toward his room.
Leaving Snape behind, silently reminiscing about Lily.
...
Darren's room was modest and clean. Although the original owner wasn't fond of cleaning, being an adult led to occasional whims of tidying up.
Moreover, there wasn't much to clean in this room – just a small bed, a small cupboard, and a shabby set of tables and chairs. When visitors came, a tablecloth would be used to cover the table, brightening the room a bit.
Darren didn't mind the simplicity; he opened the cupboard, taking out a mirror fragment. It was a piece that Mrs. Linda had broken and given to the children.
Unconcerned, Darren wiped it clean and held it up to his face.
He marveled at the reflection, understanding why Snape had missed him. This face looked exceptionally appealing, blending childlike cuteness with the promise of imminent maturity.
"The system is awesome!" Darren praised it, placing the mirror back in its spot. He hadn't intended to take it away – it could evoke pity from others in the future.
However, other items were meant to be taken.
Not because he intended to use them later, but to elicit sympathy. It was immoral to discard all of the original owner's possessions, but it was consistent with his current Holy Father persona.
Darren sighed and took out his other patched outfit, a pair of small panties with a large hole, two biscuits on the verge of molding, and a pencil that hadn't been used much. He also found a pen that Mrs. Linda used to make them write.
While Darren felt a pang of self-pity, he couldn't help but consider the positive impact of the system on his current situation. He had the fortune to escape the welfare home, a dubious prospect had he not encountered the system.
"Oh, dear child, have you finished packing up your things?" Dumbledore's voice sounded behind Darren as he turned around.
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