Hogwarts' Golden Glory

On Saturday, Kane Malfoy and Neville stood together in front of the St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries.

"Kane, are you confident?"

Neville Longbottom stood beside him, his round face filled with unease.

"My grandma and uncles might be... a bit difficult to talk to."

Kane turned his head, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Navie, I will keep my promise to you."

The two walked through the hospital lobby and took the magic elevator to the fifth floor—the silver lettering of "Department of Spell Damage" shimmered on the elevator doors.

Neville had been to that ward at the end of the corridor countless times, but today, his heart was pounding more violently than ever before.

He came here before with disappointment and longing, but now he is filled with hope.

Pushing open the door, the scene inside the ward came into view.

Frank and Alice Longbottom sat side by side in chairs by the window, staring blankly out the window.

They were wearing the same hospital gowns, their faces haggard yet serene, as if frozen in time on that terrible night.

There were three other people in the ward—Neville's grandmother, Augusta Longbottom.

She was still wearing the same dark green robe she wore when she took Neville back to school, along with the hat with the eagle specimen on it, and her expression was stern.

Beside him was a middle-aged male wizard, Algi, Nawi's uncle.

"Malfoy?" Uncle Algi stood up from his chair. "So it was you, little wizard, who had the solution!"

The other person's words were clearly sarcastic.

After all, a first-year wizard actually claimed to have a way to cure the insane Frank couple!

If the other party hadn't mentioned that Professor Dumbledore would also be coming today, he would never have come here.

Kane ignored the other party.

Neville's uncle actually cares a lot about Neville's parents.

In their family's eyes, Neville's parents were heroes, and they naturally wanted Neville to become a hero as well.

So when Neville was a child, no one could see each other's magical talent.

He was the one least willing to give up.

In order to force Neville to reveal his magical abilities.

He deliberately pushed Neville into the Black Lake, nearly drowning him.

And so, through countless unexpected events, Neville still hadn't revealed his magic.

Fortunately, he succeeded in the end.

That time, he hung Neville upside down from the window, but he lost his grip and Neville fell straight down.

Neville successfully demonstrated his magic, proving he was not a Squib.

This made the whole family very happy at the time, and it was the one he bought as a gift for Neville.

Seeing that Kane was ignoring him.

Algi took a few steps closer and looked down at Kane.

"Young man, I don't care what your purpose is, but my brother's situation is not something you can joke about. Even the best healers at St. Mungo's are helpless. Who do you think you are?"

Neville's face turned bright red.

"Uncle, Kane is different! Even Professor Snape acknowledges his talent in Potions! He—"

"Enough!" Algi interrupted sharply.

"Neville, you're so naive. What can an eleven-year-old do? The Malfoy family is suddenly being so nice to you, haven't you thought about why?"

"You should know who made your parents the way they are!"

Kane finally spoke, his voice low and calm. "Mr. Longbottom, I understand your concerns. But please allow me to say that family cannot define a person. If you give me a chance, I only need ten minutes."

"absurd!"

Algi drew his wand. "I suggest you leave now, boy. While I can still maintain my manners."

Neville watched in horror, but to everyone's surprise, he stood in front of Kane.

"No!"

Neville's voice trembled, but was unusually resolute.

"I hired Kane! I've seen his methods before. If... if you kick him out, you're giving up Mom and Dad's last chance!"

Augusta looked at her grandson in shock, seemingly noticing for the first time the boy who had always been timid.

But her expression quickly returned to its stern tone. "Neville, stand aside. This is not your business."

She now also feels something is wrong, a Malfoy child.

Why would he suddenly become so close to Neville?

"No, Grandma." Neville's eyes glistened with tears, but he still didn't move an inch.

"I'm not that Neville who always forgot things and couldn't do anything right anymore. Kane believed in me, taught me potions, and he's one of the smartest and kindest people I've ever met. If you won't even let him try, then... then I will never forgive you!"

Neville's voice echoed in the ward, carrying an unprecedented firmness and courage.

He stood before Kane, his small body trembling slightly, yet he remained as immovable as a wall.

This is his belief!

Even though others always laugh at him for being a coward!

But he can stand in front of his friends to protect them!

Although Algi was somewhat shocked by Neville's courage, he still intended to kick Kane out.

So he pointed his wand at Neville, trying to make him leave.

"Get out of the way, Neville, or you'll regret it!"

Just then, a faint noise came from the window.

Alice Longbottom's previously vacant eyes suddenly flickered upon hearing Neville's name.

She slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on Neville.

Over the years, she had no idea who that person was, nor could she remember who they were.

But she always felt a sense of closeness to the other person.

"don't want..."

Alice's lips trembled, uttering indistinct syllables.

Frank Longbottom seemed to sense something as well.

He unconsciously turned towards his wife, a hint of confusion flashing in his blank gaze.

"Mother?"

Neville turned around abruptly, his voice still trembling with a hint of a sob.

I don't know if she was scared or if she cried because she heard her mother's voice.

He had never heard his mother speak—his parents had lived in that cursed, recurring nightmare since he could remember.

Alice's movements became increasingly violent.

She awkwardly stood up from the chair.

He staggered forward a step.

Her eyes remained fixed on Neville.

"Hurt...you..." she stammered, her chapped lips trembling, "Don't...hurt..."

Augusta gasped, and the cane in her hand clattered to the ground.

"Merlin..."

Algi froze on the spot, his wand hanging down, his anger replaced by shock.

Alice took another step forward, her frail body swaying unsteadily.

She raised her arm in a protective gesture—just like any mother would instinctively want to shield her child in the face of danger.

"That boy..." she mumbled, her gaze passing over Neville and landing on Algi's wand, "No... don't..."

Neville's tears finally broke free.

He staggered toward his mother, but dared not get too close, for fear of disturbing this miraculous moment.

"Mom...it's me, Neville..."