Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 265 Another Patient

Herbert Spring, a contracted health columnist for the Daily Prophet and a renowned healer in the magical world, stood smiling at the bottom of the courtyard steps.

Behind him stood a towering wizard statue, made of corrosion-resistant and weather-resistant granite, which shimmered faintly in the moonlight. Similar things could be found in the old houses of pure-blood wizards, statues or portraits of their ancestors, with their life stories and achievements engraved in small characters on the base. The man behind him, Longbottom, had once been a healer at St. Mungo's.

"Professor Levent doesn't go inside to enjoy the wine, but comes out for some fresh air and a stroll?" Mr. Spring said with a smile.

Melvin looked up in surprise and saw a faint reflection on the bald patch on the therapist's head: "Mr. Spring, what are you doing here?"

Mr. Spring, the vice-director of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Arts, smoothed his sparse hair, trying to cover the bald patch: "The Longbottom family is very hospitable, but our hospital is only there to provide care and support. At least in my opinion, we therapists are not of much help in curing them and cannot accept the same level of gratitude they show as Mr. Levent."

“I don’t think so. Thirteen years of meticulous care laid a solid foundation for the treatment,” Melvin said with a slight smile, responding politely and considerately.

Mr. Spring did not continue the argument, but walked over to Melvin and took a walk with him in the courtyard: "As a healer, I face all kinds of magical injuries every day. Wizards' magic will protect them on its own, and many injuries can be healed with simple treatment. But for injuries like Frank's and Alice's, their own magic is ineffective, and we healers are powerless to help. We can only wait for a miracle to happen."

"From the perspective of Muggle doctors, the incurability of diseases is the norm in this world, and the best doctor is one's own immune system."

Melvin chatted casually, unsure why the vice-dean had approached him, but that didn't stop him from exchanging pleasantries and inquiring about the hospital operating model in the wizarding world.

“We can learn from the ideas of Muggles, but the pursuit of doctors and therapists is to save more patients and reduce the suffering in the world.”

“Admirable.” Melvin nodded with a smile. “That’s why we respect healers and St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Injuries.”

“That’s right. Since St. Mungo’s was founded, many wizards have generously donated. The fountain of the Magic Brothers is located in the hall of the Ministry of Magic, and everyone who passes by can see it. Every year we receive donations from wizards all over Britain.” Spring said solemnly.

Melvin paused for a moment, then suddenly understood the vice president's purpose.

Because of Frank and Alice, Lucius has maintained his relationship with the Longbottom family for decades, trying to win over the Auror community and donating a large sum of money to St. Mungo's every year, both to care for the two in the closed ward and for research on the Cruciatus Curse.

Melvin paused for a moment, then said, "Mr. Spring, do you want to ask about Mr. Malfoy?"

"The Daily Prophet has revealed some news: the current situation of the Magic Mirror Club, the actions of the Malfoy and Nott families, and that Professor Levent is Mr. Malfoy's business partner, is that right?" Spring said tactfully, his eyes darting towards Melvin's, the young professor's black pupils deeper than the night.

"What do you mean?" Melvin asked softly.

"St. Mungo's research and treatment over the past decade has been ineffective. Mr. Levent, you cured Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom, and you are also the founder of the Magic Mirror Club. So I would like to ask you to ask Mr. Malfoy whether there will be any more annual donations in the future. St. Mungo needs to adjust some of its business strategies based on this."

“This is a matter between St. Mungo’s and Malfoy’s. Dean Spring should ask him himself. However…” Before the old wizard could even show his disappointment, Melvin added, “The Magic Mirror Club will donate a sum of money every year for research on the treatment of magical injuries.”

Spring smoothed his bald patch and a genuine smile spread across his face. The nearly 100-year-old wizard's face was full of wrinkles when he smiled, completely lacking the imposing presence he had when he consulted patients in the closed ward.

“The salaries of healers at St. Mungo’s are not very high. The hospital’s expenses are mainly used for medical supplies and research on healing magic. Some projects are even funded by the healers themselves. The Magic Mirror Club is willing to provide assistance.”

Melvin calmly said, "Magical accidents and dark wizards cannot be completely eradicated. Everyone is at risk of getting hurt. Helping St. Mungo is helping yourself."

Spring ran his fingers through his bald patch and said with great interest, “Yes, that’s it. Professor Levent’s perspective is quite novel, like Muggle science that points to the essence of things.”

“Dean Spring, this is only our second meeting... I still prefer to see you leading and directing the ward.”

Melvin suppressed a laugh. "Also, there's something else I need your help with."

Spring's smile froze. He worried that Melvin, like those greedy purebloods, would try to interfere with St. Mungo's operations after donating money, attempting to extract profits from the hospital's patients.

"I would like to know about Gilderoy Lockhart's condition."

Spring breathed a sigh of relief: "After Frank and Alice recovered, we also used the special potion you provided, Professor. The brain damage caused by the Forgetfulness Charm improved rapidly, and he even regained his language, writing, and some magical abilities. However, his lost memories were not fully restored. His current mental state is close to that of a young wizard before he entered school. He has self-awareness disorder and is still in a closed ward. I judge that he may regain some self-awareness through newspapers and books, but he is unwilling to accept the identity of that cunning and despicable fraudster."

He glanced at the professor discreetly. Frank and Alice's memories were found by the professor in front of him, and treating Lockhart, whose condition was milder, shouldn't be a problem.

“Lockhart loved to show off during his student days and craved cheers and applause. He stole other people’s experiences to publish books in order to enjoy this vanity. When he suddenly learned that he was a despised criminal, he could not accept it.”

Spring remained silent. He was merely a healer for St. Mungo's, and regardless of the patient's identity, healing and saving lives was his duty. As for the patient's identity and the punishment they deserved, that was a matter for the Aurors of the Ministry of Magic to consider.

“Wesengamour has collected evidence of his crimes and reviewed the relevant legal provisions, and is just waiting to bring him to court for sentencing. However, due to his illness, he has not been able to go to trial.”

Melvin said in a low voice, "Actually, a life sentence for Azkaban cannot atone for his past mistakes. I hope he can make substantial compensation to the victims, but all his illegal gains have already been confiscated by the Ministry of Magic."

Spring hesitated for a moment: "You mean, let Lockhart... be discharged and make money?"

Melvin nodded slightly: "I happen to have a job that suits him."

(End of this chapter)