Chapter 209: Lady Longbottom


    Back in his office, beneath the starry Hogwarts sky, the atmosphere was unusually serene. The Forbidden Forest in the distance appeared even darker than the night itself. Felix Harp, meticulously observing the eight-eyed Acromant within therge ss enclosure, recorded thetest data.


    "Wizard, when do you intend to release me?" The Acromant''s coarse voice sounded.


    "Soon, once the experiment is concluded," Felix replied absentmindedly.


    ...


    After the routine teaching day of the following Friday, the second weekend since the start of term arrived. Felix Harp, attired neatly, arrived punctually in the vige of Hogsmeade.


    He deliberately passed by the main entrance of the school and, nking the wrought-iron gates, encountered a Dementor''s presence.


    The creature was even more sinister than he had imagined. It exuded an icy chill that caused his body to involuntarily stiffen and his mood to sour as he approached.


    As Felix deliberately cast a Patronus charm in his mind, the Dementor''s influence waned, and the hooded figures in their tattered cloaks seemed to lose interest in him.


    Yet, his aversion to these creatures only intensified, apanied by a strong urge to destroy them.


    Pushing open the door of Madame Puddifoot''s Tea Shop, Felix Harp entered the ce that Hogwarts students whimsically dubbed the ''Romantic Destination.'' To some extent, there was an air of vague beauty about the ce.


    The interior was misty, with itsyout winding and confined. Every ornament was adorned with slightly gaudyce trimmings.


    Felix wasn''t particrly fond of this decorative style, but he had to admit that the proprietor had created a suitable atmosphere.


    Apart from a few young wizard couples, he noticed a few solitary patrons enjoying their tea, which eased his tension. Approaching the counter, he spotted a smiling, plump middle-aged witch.


    "Madame Puddifoot?"


    "It''s me, dear. What can I get you?" Madame Puddifoot said, her hair arranged in a ck bun.


    "Could you check the reservation information for me? Augusta Longbottom, 10 o''clock."


    Madame Puddifoot lowered her head, perusing the records only she could decipher. "Indeed, that''s correct. She told me herself. Ten o''clock in the morning, at the window-side alcove, you''re fifteen minutes early."


    "I know. Start with a cup of coffee, please. And which specific spot?"


    "Right to your left, along the aisle. Next to that small round table, there''s ace bow menu."


    Felix Harp took his seat and gazed at the dim window. His index finger tapped against it, causing a palm-sized area to frost over, revealing a clear view outside.


    He contemted his thoughts in silence, reflecting on his conversation with Lupin on Thursday night. Unexpectedly, he had stumbled upon the trail of Harry and the others, prompting him to lead Lupin into recounting stories of the original Order.


    ''Who knows if Harry can endure this truth? Yet, brutal reality is better thanforting lies. Whether he falters or rises, it''s his choice alone, and he can''t me anyone else.''


    After around seven or eight minutes, he saw an elderly woman with arge red handbag appear at the street corner.


    She entered the establishment and immediately inquired aloud if Puddifoot was here yet. Madame Puddifoot pointed to his location and said a few words. Subsequently, the elderly woman strode over with purpose.


    Felix Harp stood up and shook her hand, "Greetings, Lady Longbottom."


    "Hello to you too, Professor Harp. We''ve met during the summer." Lady Longbottom extended her withered, talon-like hand. Afterward, she removed her tall hat adorned with the emblem of an ancient beast, setting it along with her red handbag aside before taking a seat across from him.


    Madame Puddifoot brought over a cup of tea, "Just as you prefer it, Lady Longbottom."


    "Oh, Puddifoot, you''re always so considerate." Lady Longbottom remarked, looking at the coffee in front of Felix. She suggested, "The ck tea here is quite nice, I quite enjoy it. You should give it a try."


    "There''ll be a chance, madam," Felix replied.


    After exchanging pleasantries, the two delved into the main topic. Felix said, "Madam, you should have received my letters. Neville''s wand seems to be an inheritance from his father, and it doesn''t seem to suit him."


    Lady Longbottom stirred the dark, rich tea with a small spoon. "You''re right, dear."


    Felix paused and tentatively said, "Perhaps I''m not familiar with the Longbottom family''s traditions, but maybe..."


    "No perhaps about it," Lady Longbottom firmly pressed her lips together. "It''s Neville''s choice."


    That slow-reacting, timid round-faced boy? Felix found that a bit hard to believe.


    He looked at her calmly, maintaining silentposure.


    Lady Longbottom thought for a moment, "It''s not a shameful matter. My son and daughter-inw were tortured into madness by Voldemort''s followers. They''ve been residing at St. Mungo''s for years. Neville grew up with me, and before he started school, I used to take him to visit his parents at St. Mungo''s every other week..."


    "Wait, you mean his parents are still alive?"


    "Of course!" Lady Longbottom proudly dered. "They were tortured by four Death Eater scum, subjected to the Cruciatus Curse... Few can survive that, but they are strong, Frank and Alice. I must say, they are strong!"


    Her voice boomed, attracting a few curious nces.


    "The Cruciatus Curse..." Felix repeated softly.


    "That''s the curse, one of the Unforgivable Curses, that can make you wish for death," Lady Longbottom exined. "Frank and Alice are the bravest people I''ve ever known. They didn''t give in to a single word. I''m proud of them. It''s just a bit regretful... Voldemort is already dead, yet I still remember Frank saying he''d celebrate the victory."


    She lifted her teacup to shield her face.


    After two or three minutes, sheposed herself. Aside from slightly reddened eyes, her expression grew even prouder. "We''ve strayed from the point, wasted your time, Professor Harp."


    "It''s nothing. I admire those with unwavering determination," Felix said.


    "Thank you. Where were we? The wand? Oh, right, the wand."


    "Probably when Neville was about four or five years old. He returned from the hospital, ransacked the ce, and found his father''s wand. I had hidden it away. Its core is unicorn hair, particrly loyal."


    "I thought it was a passing phase, so I allowed it. But he clung to it ever since. When it was time to buy a wand before school, he refused, insisting on using his father''s wand."


    "Did you not try to persuade him, madam?"


    "I did try. This child is usually quite timid, but he''s particrly stubborn about this. Besides, before school started, he managed to perform a simple spell with that wand. Considering his previous performance, it was almost a miracle... So I agreed."


    Felix pondered and suggested, "Perhaps you could get another wand, just as a backup."


    Lady Longbottom''s expression turned stern, "I don''t think changing wands would help him much. His report card from this summer has made me ashamed! He hasn''t inherited his parents'' talent at all. I even thought he might be a Squib until he identally disyed magical ability due to an incident."


    Felix said gently, "But, as you said, he wasn''t a prodigy to begin with. Even slight influences can bring about significant changes, let alone a wand?"


    He retrieved a stack of parchment from his ring. "These are Neville''s performances in spellcasting sses, recorded by himself. The data on there is unexpectedly honest, and it''s given me a clearer understanding of his situation."


    "From the data, it seems that Neville takes three to five times longer than an average person to learn a spell. It''s hard to say if the wand has anything to do with it..."


    Lady Longbottom carefully examined it, flipping through page after page. Alongside Neville''s handwriting, there were markings andments from another person. After a while, she looked up, "You''ve convinced me, Professor Harp. Neville''s fortunate to have met you. Truly."


    Felix shrugged, "I''m also curious about his performance with a new wand. Also, Lady Longbottom, I have an unfavorable request..."


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