Hogwarts: A little lion in the skin of the Eagle School

Hearing John's words, Harry looked up at him.

I think what he said makes a lot of sense.

If I could learn the art of brain shutting, perhaps I could lock that half-open door in my mind.

To prevent Voldemort from getting in.

Professor Dumbledore really wasn't lying to me; he told me I could ask John for help if I encountered any difficulties.

There was no pressure or indulgence; the key to the problem was stated directly and succinctly.

That hit the nail on the head.

Harry's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he wanted to say something, and he let out a soft breath.

"I understand, John."

"Thank you...really."

Harry looked up and smiled slightly, a forced smile, but at least it gave off a glimmer of light.

The two stood side by side by the window and finally started chatting about some trivial things.

They were no longer so depressed, but chatted and laughed about their Christmas plans.

I was quite surprised to hear that John's family was able to spend Christmas Eve with Hermione's family.

These two are developing their relationship way too fast.

So this is how family dinners start?

So Harry couldn't help but put his arm around John's shoulder and get very close to ask him what had happened.

Just then, Hermione and Ginny found them together.

Ginny was just telling Hermione about Harry's terrible condition these past few days and explaining what she knew, hoping Hermione could give her some advice.

Although the information was incomplete, I got the general idea.

Hermione then suggested that Ginny use her own experience as an example to comfort Harry.

After all, Ginny was truly possessed by Voldemort when she was in second grade.

That Horcrux diary.

However, they were too late.

As soon as they came out, they saw Harry, who had regained some of his energy, whispering to John with his arm around his shoulder.

For some reason, both of them blushed and smiled in a soft, sweet way.

Their close and intimate manner immediately startled both girls.

It was as if they were a couple.

Ginny looked at Hermione with an expression that seemed to ask, "How did your man steal my man away?"

Hermione also looked at Ginny, as if to say, "How did your man manage to steal my man away?"

......

"Hermione, this is a hospital, isn't this a bit inappropriate..."

John looked at Hermione, who was clinging tightly to his arm, and said somewhat speechlessly.

Hermione's fingertips were still tugged at the woolen edge of his sleeve. Upon hearing this, she loosened her grip but didn't let go.

Looking down into the corridor not far away, Ginny and Harry were talking about something.

Harry smiled with relief and gratitude.

Ginny clearly succeeded in calming Harry's fear of being possessed.

He did not exhibit the symptoms that Voldemort had when he possessed Ginny.

Just then.

An acquaintance came up from the first floor.

"Huh? John Hermione, what are you all doing here?"

The newcomer was Neville, followed by a spirited old woman.

He was probably quite a figure when he was young.

"Nawi?"

The two were also taken aback when they saw Neville.

I never expected to run into him here.

"Oh right, this is my grandma. Grandma, these two are my friends from school."

Neville was taken aback when he saw them, but he quickly introduced them to each other.

Grandma Neville nodded to them in a friendly manner.

"Senior Neville, what brings you here...?"

John asked hesitantly, wondering if Neville's family member was sick and hospitalized.

"Uh, I...I came here..."

Upon hearing John's question, Neville stammered for a moment, looking embarrassed to say it.

However, his grandmother behind him spoke up.

"We've come to visit Neville's parents."

Nawi's parents?

They're all in the hospital?

Upon hearing this, not only John but also Hermione was taken aback, as it was the first time they had ever heard of Neville's parents.

"Oh...I see. Okay, are your aunt and uncle...alright?"

John nodded, then subconsciously asked with concern.

Judging from Neville and his grandmother's expressions, they seemed quite used to it, so it shouldn't be a big problem.

only...

"They've all been in long-term care... ever since I can remember," Neville said dejectedly, as if he could no longer hide the truth.

"Well..."

These words were spoken.

John choked on his words, his smile freezing on his face.

I've lived in a long-term ward since I can remember.

What this means is self-evident.

"I'm...I'm sorry, senior, I..."

"No, it's nothing, John. It's something I kept from my family."

Neville shook his head, interrupting John's apology.

At this point, Grandma Neville spoke up, somewhat surprised.

"Navie, haven't you told your friends about your parents?"

"No..." Neville's voice was very soft.

Grandma sighed as she looked at Neville.

There was both heartache and words of advice.

"Nawi, your parents were heroes. They were harmed by Death Eaters while protecting civilians."

"You should be proud of them; there's no need to hide it from your friends."

Upon hearing this, John and Hermione understood what was going on.

It's likely that Neville's parents were injured by Death Eaters during Voldemort's reign, suffering incurable damage and living in St. Mungo's for a long time.

That's why they acted as if it were nothing out of the ordinary when the two of them came to visit.

Afterwards, John and Hermione followed Neville and his grandmother to the long-term ward of the Curse Damage Department on the fifth floor.

This place is inhabited by patients who have suffered permanent damage from a curse.

There was an old man who was acting strangely and mentally unstable, sitting on the bed in a daze.

Beside him sat a plant that didn't look very friendly.

There was also a handsome blond guy with blue eyes, who was mentally unstable and was grinning foolishly, signing something he didn't know how to do.

Hermione was clearly taken aback when she saw him, but didn't say anything.

Instead, they followed Grandma Neville to the deepest part of the ward.

There were two hospital beds, one occupied by a middle-aged man and the other by a middle-aged woman.

They were not mentally unstable like the two outside.

Instead, it was lifeless and gloomy, exuding a sense of decay.

His eyes were vacant, like glass beads whose focus had been removed.

Even when he saw Neville arrive, he didn't react much.

Seeing this, John and Hermione held their breath in unison, feeling a silent pang of sorrow for Neville.

Neville would greet his parents as usual, even if he didn't receive a response.

Then I started tidying up my parents' bedside table and putting freshly picked silver bellflower branches into a glass bottle.

Grandma Neville stood beside John and Hermione, silently watching Neville.

"I've heard Neville mention you, Miss Granger. Neville said you've helped him a lot, and I'm very grateful to you."

"And Mr. Merrick, Neville said you are a trustworthy partner. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope you can continue to be friends with Neville."

Grandma Neville nodded slightly to the two of them, her gaze gentle, and her tone sincere.

"You flatter me, madam. It's Senior Neville who's the one who's helped us a lot."

"To be honest, half of my grades in Herbalism class were thanks to Neville's notes."

John shook his head and forced a smile.

Grandma Neville smiled slightly, then looked at her son and daughter-in-law lying on the bed again and sighed softly.

"They were tortured repeatedly for three days and three nights by Voldemort's henchman, Bellatrix Lestrange, using the Crucifixion Curse, until they completely lost their minds."

"Even after more than a decade of treatment, their mental health cannot be completely restored."

The Heart-Piercing Curse.

Although John never actually experienced it.

However, when another soul within him took the burden for him, the wailing that came from the depths of that soul was unbearable for him.

I dare not imagine what kind of terrifying pain I would experience if I had to endure it for three days and three nights.

Along with the bitterness, an unparalleled anger welled up in my throat.

This was the first time he had seen it so directly.

I felt the trauma that Voldemort inflicted on the world back then.

Even his henchmen committed such horrific atrocities.

No wonder Ryan's mother was so insistent that Ryan stay away from her.

No wonder Voldemort is feared by everyone.

"Voldemort must die."

John's voice was very soft, but it startled Grandma Neville.

She didn't reply, but simply patted John's shoulder gently.

Hermione tightened her grip on John's hand.

Past wounds cannot be healed, but they can give us the strength to move forward.