Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 210 Visiting the Patient
Hogsmeade Station.

Steam billowed from the chimney atop the train engine, and the boiler hissed as it released pressure. The hunting ground guard stood a few meters from the tracks, gesturing for the young wizards to line up and board. Occasionally, a student or friend would get separated and wander around the platform looking for them. The guard would grab them by the back of the collar, lift them up, and put them into the carriage.

Professor Kettleburn was also leaving on this bus, saying it was a farewell to Hogwarts and a goodbye to his decades-long teaching career. Other professors came to see him off, the old headmaster was there, and even Snape came, standing expressionlessly to the side, looking very unwilling.

However, a few minutes earlier, Melvin had seen the farewell gift he had given the old professor: a bottle of Dream Sleep Potion with no side effects, specially concocted by the Potions Master, the kind that was priceless and unavailable.

"Don't worry, my old bones aren't so old that I can't move."

"I'm just worried about your old bones. There aren't many left, so don't keep going near the fire dragon's mouth."

"Hahaha……"

Hagrid glanced over several times, quickening his pace to carry the little wizard over so he could say a proper goodbye. Melvin and the others weren't in a hurry, chatting casually.

Wizards live much longer than Muggles, have the Floo Network and Apparition, and it's much easier for them to visit friends and family. Most importantly, Professor Kettleburn has settled in Hogsmeade, which is just a short walk away, so they can always go to the Three Broomsticks for a drink on weekends and have plenty of time to get together.

A sound of footsteps approached; it was a group of people.

Melvin turned to look. The group of students, about the same height as adult wizards, were in the seventh year of the Muggle Advanced Studies program. They had changed out of their standard wizard robes and were wearing clothes of different colors and styles. The witches had also changed into skirts, which swayed as they walked.

The clothes were those of an adult wizard, but there was still a hint of childishness in his eyes and brows.

"Professor Levent, we're off!" The one who greeted us was from Gryffindor, named Reginald.

"Aren't you getting on the bus? At this point, you'll have to share a compartment with other people."

"Let's give it our all, it's the last time anyway."

A girl from Hufflepuff waved her hand dismissively, "The professor always said he'd give us exciting and interesting lectures, but he always just got started and then never followed up. Now that we've graduated, all that historical perspective, logic, social cognition and stuff is gone."

“Leaving school doesn’t mean you’ll stop learning.” Melvin smiled too. “Your future is even more exciting, and you’ll have to explore it yourselves.”

"Blah blah blah, blah blah blah..." The girl mimicked his tone, but her expression was full of disgust. "The professor doesn't preach in class, but he always preaches after class. Let's not talk about that. We came to the professor to thank you!"

"what?"

“Because of the Muggle Studies class, we’ve found suitable jobs!” The girl spoke to him from outside the carriage, tilting her head slightly, with wisps of steam rising behind her. “The Prophet’s Newspaper is expanding, and the Nott family is getting involved in the Shadow Mirror industry. They need a group of wizards who are familiar with Muggles. The salaries are generous, the kind of generous that pure-blood families offer.”

Regard nodded emphatically: "We are all just average students, and we probably only have our Muggle Studies certificates to show for it. We have to thank you, Professor, for getting this job."

The students behind also expressed their gratitude. Not all of them benefited from the mirror. Some of them were Muggle students who originally planned to stay in the wizarding world to do odd jobs like shop assistants. However, after being inspired by Melvin, they gained a new understanding of technology and decided to return to Muggle society.

Some students haven't made any plans yet and intend to decide after their graduation trip.

"..."

Melvin listened quietly as they discussed their future plans, offering his blessings and even suggesting trips to Romania and North America. However, he didn't provide any specific advice on career choices or life directions.

"Whoosh..."

The melodious whistle of the train drifted into the sky as the express train headed towards the fields. Like the future of these graduates, much more scenery awaits them to discover.

……

After the farewell to the express train, Hogwarts did not immediately quiet down. The noisy students chasing and fighting in the corridors were gone. The wizards in the oil paintings gathered together to hold a party, and the noise increased a lot. The ghosts drifted around more recklessly, making plans to visit relatives and friends in other places.

Myrtle, a crybaby, had no friends. She cried and yelled in a high-pitched voice to vent her emotions, saying that Nick, who was almost headless, was going to visit his widow friend in Kent.

Apart from a few professors who had nowhere else to go, the school only had administrators and hunting ground guards on duty during the summer vacation. The professors had also packed their bags and were discussing the travel routes they had planned last year.

On his way back to his office upstairs, Melvin bumped into Dumbledore and asked, seemingly casually:
"Melvin, what are your plans for summer vacation?"

"Um……"

Melvin narrowed his eyes slightly. He had spotted him on the previous platform, as if he had been waiting there for a while. He carefully said, "I'm planning to visit some former colleagues in Paris."

"When to set off?"

“Next week…” Melvin slowed his tone, observing Dumbledore’s expression, and decisively changed his words, “No, tomorrow, I’ll leave tomorrow.”

Dumbledore smiled like an old fox: "That's great, you'll have plenty of time to accompany me to St. Mungo's."

……

Melvin stood on the bustling street, looked up at the sign of TaoTao Co., Ltd., and turned to look at the passersby.

Influenced by the magic, they subconsciously ignored the shop. Occasionally, when they noticed the two people standing at the door, they would look up at the signboard with surprise and uncertainty, then walk several hundred meters in a daze, completely forgetting the memory.

Dumbledore leaned closer to the shop window and spoke to the old-fashioned plastic mannequin: "Hello, we've come to visit Frank Longbottom, Alice Longbottom."

The plastic mannequin's stiff joints twisted, nodding and waving, a layer of magic quietly covering the shop window glass.

The glass still looked like the same glass, but the interior space was now open to them. Melvin followed the old headmaster into the display case. There was no obstruction as he passed through the glass; he only felt a cool, magical sensation.

The room inside was a crowded waiting room. A sign for the information desk hung on the front desk, and patients were sitting on chairs against the wall. It was similar to a Muggle community hospital, except that their symptoms looked a little horrifying. Facial features were flying off, some were missing limbs, and others had extra limbs. But that was nothing compared to the wizards who had limbs and facial features of other species on their bodies.

The wall behind was covered with warnings and notices:

"After brewing the medicine, thoroughly clean the crucible to prevent the potion from turning into poison."

"Don't use antidotes indiscriminately; potion makers are not healers."

Melvin had used the principal's privileged passage last time he came, which led directly to the fireplace in his room on the fifth floor. This time, he took the normal passage like the other wizards, and found it quite novel to walk around and look around.

“Mrs. Augusta Longbottom has arrived and is waiting for you in her closed ward.” The portrait of Dalys DeWente smiles at them. “I’ve already inquired; Dean Spring is out, so no one will disturb you.” This witch was a dutiful woman, having served as hospital director and school principal in life, and continuing to uphold her duties even in death.

"The potions produced by the Golden Cup are very special, and they are remarkably effective in treating the aftereffects of Dark Magic damage. Dean Spring told me that Frank and Alice's first phase of treatment was very successful..."

Dumbledore walked ahead, making his way to the closed ward on the fifth floor. Looking at the nameplate engraved with the name Janus Sitch, he tapped lightly on the stone door with his wand.

The stone gate opened with a loud bang.

An old witch stood by the door, dressed in a dark green robe and a pointed, wide-brimmed wizard's robe adorned with vulture specimens. She was covered in a worm-eaten fox pelt, her skin withered and thin. Compared to the last time we met, her tightly furrowed brows had relaxed, and there was a hint of a smile in her eyes.

"Are they alright, Augusta?"

“The healer says there’s a good chance. Thank you for your concern, Headmaster Dumbledore, and you too… Professor Levent.” Madam Longbottom bowed and turned behind her. “Neville, my little darling, come out and say hello to the professor?”

Melvin then noticed Neville standing behind him.

She had changed into a casual robe, and there were traces of crying on her slightly chubby face. She was clutching a candy wrapper in her hand, and she felt a little embarrassed because the principal and professors saw her looking so weak.

"Principal, teach...professor."

"The express train arrived so early?" Melvin pretended not to see the tear stains on his face. "I thought it wouldn't arrive in London until evening."

“Neville didn’t take the express train,” Mrs. Longbottom explained. “He went to Hogsmeade after leaving school, and his Uncle Agil picked him up directly and took him home. I brought him to the hospital. Neville just told his mother about what happened at school, and I also told him about the treatment plan. I’m really grateful for your care…”

This kind of situation is the most troublesome to deal with.

Melvin sighed: "Let's see the patient first. You said the treatment was going smoothly, but you still specifically asked me and the principal to come over. There must be some trouble."

A group of people walked toward the hospital bed. There were several potted plants on the bedside table. The last time they came, both patients were fast asleep. Today, they finally saw them awake.

The couple looked somewhat better. Frank's swelling had subsided a bit; although he was still pale, he seemed more energetic. Alice's cheeks had filled out a little, her gray hair had thinned slightly, and her eyes, no longer vacant, had become more lively, especially when she saw Neville.

It was just a minor change, but the two people were completely different.

"The treatment plan is indeed progressing smoothly," Madam Longbottom said softly. "The potion is dispelling the remaining dark magic in their bodies. They no longer have nightmares, sleep soundly at night, and their appetite during the day has returned to normal. Dean Spring said that at the current pace, they can be discharged in the fall."

The two patients stared at her moving lips. They couldn't understand what she was saying, but they found it amusing that her constantly opening and closing lips looked like two worms. They huddled together and laughed foolishly.

"But... there is still no sign that their memories have returned."

As Mrs. Longbottom listened to their laughter, her eyes were filled with complex emotions, and she felt a pang of sadness. "For two demented patients who have lost their minds, it would be good enough if they could recover to a normal state, but I still hope that they can regain their memories and return to being the Alice and Frank they used to be... I know it's greedy, but I still hope... I hope you can help them."

Neville threw himself into the witch's arms, soaking a patch of her white hospital gown.

The witch, bewildered and panicked, patted his back to comfort him and took out candy wrappers of other colors from her pocket, stuffing them into his hand. Frank, who was nearby, also came over, frantically trying to comfort him.

The ward was so quiet that only the boy's suppressed sobs could be heard. This time, Mrs. Longbottom, who cared about her reputation, did not stop him, allowing the family's most vulnerable side to be exposed to outsiders.

After all that fuss, the family of three snuggled together and fell into a deep sleep.

Melvin followed Dumbledore, watching him perform several magical checks with impressive skill. This was the advantage of being older; he had a wider range of knowledge, and the healing magic of an ordinary healer might not be as good as that of the old headmaster.

“The disordered magic has been restored, and the wizard’s magic will nourish his body. Perhaps he won’t have to wait until autumn; he can be discharged at the end of summer vacation.” Dumbledore laid them down and beckoned for blankets to cover them.

Melvin glanced at the old witch standing guard by the bedside and asked in a low voice, "What about regaining your memories?"

"It's up to you to help me regain my memories."

"?"

Melvin was stunned; he had no idea he possessed this ability.

Dumbledore said slowly, "This is damage caused by dark magic, and it is also a side effect of dark magic. Of course, we should consult an expert in dark magic. Fortunately, we happen to know a master of dark magic."

"You mean Vol... Tom?"

Melvin realized what was happening and pondered for a moment. "I can find an opportunity to bring this up with him, but obtaining the treatment plan will take time, and there may not be any results in the short term."

“Take your time.” Dumbledore paused, his deep blue eyes unfathomable. “More than a decade has passed. Although they are anxious, they are also patient enough to continue waiting.”

……

Melvin left the ward alone in the end, while the old headmaster stayed behind to talk with Madam Longbottom, instructing her to continue waiting without revealing any information about Horcruxes or Voldemort.

Before the stone gate closed, Melvin saw the old headmaster's mysterious expression and wondered if the headmaster had misunderstood something, thinking that he was good at deception, especially at gaining the trust of Horcruxes.

"..."

Melvin was in a delicate mood.

He didn't leave immediately. He walked down the corridor to the next ward and found the door half-open and unlocked. He went straight in.

This is a multi-person ward. Upon entering the room, you can see a male wizard with a gloomy face sitting on the edge of the bed, contemplating life and sighing frequently. He doesn't pay attention to people passing by. Two beds away, there is a female wizard with long hair on her face. She buries her head in the pillow when she hears footsteps.

Further inside was Lockhart's hospital bed, surrounded by his photos, all bearing his signature bright smile.

"Mr. Levent!"

The therapist, who was examining him, looked up. Melanie Straw smiled broadly, her smile as bright as the honeysuckle in her hair, and began to chatter on and on. "You've come to visit Gilderoy? Luckily, you gave him the medicine. His condition has improved rapidly. He can already remember things from the last two days. Although his memory hasn't fully returned, he can already write his signature and even remember some simple magic spells."

Melvin turned to look at Lockhart, who raised his head, narrowed his blue eyes, and grinned, revealing a set of big white teeth.

(End of this chapter)