"What if Mabel takes Felix Felicis?" Wade asked. "Wouldn't that help either?"
Lupin and Steven exchanged glances, sighing simultaneously.
"Wade," Lupin said gently, his tone affectionate and tolerant. "An Obscurus resides within Mabel. If she drinks Felix Felicis, it's as if the Obscurus drinks it too—Potions can't distinguish who they're meant to serve."
Steven offered reassurance. "Don't worry, even though Mr. Scamander just arrived, he actually received Dumbledore's letter months ago and has been preparing. He's sure to succeed."
He was comforting Wade, but also himself.
Even thick walls and sturdy doors couldn't completely block the Magical Power fluctuations. Outside, the three of them occasionally heard whistling winds, saw exceptionally bright flashes of light, and sometimes heard crackling sounds like popping beans, making them uneasy.
After quite some time, there was a sudden clatter from inside, followed by Madam Pomfrey's startled cry: "How could this happen?!"
Lupin immediately stood up, but then hesitated at the door, worried that going in would disrupt their treatment.
Wade also went to the door, tapping lightly. "Professor, what happened inside? Do you need our help?"
Moments later, the door suddenly opened.
Wade and the other two cautiously stepped inside. Dumbledore sat in an armchair, his glasses removed, pinching the bridge of his nose, looking silent and weary.
Mr. Scamander was at the table, sifting through various documents he had compiled, muttering to himself, his brows tightly furrowed.
Only Madam Pomfrey remained by Mabel's side, waving her Wand. Beams of healing Spell light fell upon Mabel, like stones sinking into the sea, producing no visible effect.
And Mabel, who had been able to talk and laugh just moments ago, now lay on the bed, pale, her eyes tightly closed, unconscious.
"Did the treatment… fail?" Lupin asked, his face paling, his voice trembling.
During this time, he had been Mabel's guardian. Through their constant companionship, he had come to regard this strong yet unfortunate girl as family. Seeing her lying on the bed, her life hanging in the balance, his heart clenched.
"I… I'm so sorry." Mr. Scamander looked at him, then shifted his gaze, saying reluctantly, "The separation failed… and her condition is rapidly worsening."
"How could… how could this happen?"
Lupin asked in disbelief, his eyes pleadingly turning to Dumbledore.
Madam Pomfrey put down her Wand and sighed. "It started very successfully. The Obscurus was almost separated from her, but…"
Dumbledore put on his glasses, his blue eyes looking through the lenses at the unconscious girl.
He asked, "Remus, did you discuss with Mabel why she wanted to separate from the Obscurus?"
Lupin was puzzled. "Of course."
"How did Mabel react then?" Dumbledore asked.
"React? Of course she agreed…" Lupin trailed off mid-sentence. He thought for a long while before saying, "She hesitated for a long time, and then she said… she'd follow our arrangements."
To Lupin and the others, there was no reason for Mabel not to agree to separate such a dangerous Dark Magic creature as an Obscurus, allowing her soul to become whole and pure again.
An Obscurus not only devoured the host's life and soul, but also turned Mabel into a wanted criminal by the Ministry of Magic, forcing her to hide everywhere. If caught by accident, she could be executed.
Moreover, if this thing went out of control, it would cause immense destruction to its surroundings and harm many innocent people.
Mabel was a kind child. After Lupin clearly explained the consequences to her, she naturally agreed and showed no resistance afterward.
Only the night before, Mabel had tossed and turned for a long time, unable to sleep. In the morning, she told Lupin, "Remus, if I die, can you help me look after Hailey? It doesn't have to be much trouble, just occasionally check on her."
Lupin naturally agreed, then comforted her: "Dumbledore said before that if the separation isn't going well, we'll temporarily stop and continue when we find a more suitable method. Don't worry, the worst outcome is that when you wake up, everything will still be the same as it is now."
Lupin briefly recounted their previous conversation, then asked, "Could the reason for the failure be… Mabel was very resistant? She was too scared, so the separation failed?"
"That's likely it," Dumbledore said slowly. "Her soul and the Obscurus are intertwined. If she doesn't want to, no one can separate them—forcing it would only kill Mabel as well."
"But now, the separation Magic has intensified the Obscurus. We've suppressed it to prevent an outburst, but it… its consumption rate has sped up," Mr. Scamander said guiltily, his gaunt face etched with unease.
Lupin said nothing. He walked to the bedside, seeing the girl's face as pale as white paper, her lips devoid of color.
It had only been an hour since he last saw her, but the child, who had been fine before, was visibly declining to a critical state.
He had no energy to blame Dumbledore or Mr. Scamander, because he knew that if it were him, he couldn't have done any better.
Lupin only blamed himself for why he persuaded Mabel to accept the Magic of separating the Obscurus… He wanted this child to live openly in the world, but he overlooked the dangers involved.
He had been too optimistic.
Lupin slowly sat down, not daring to touch the girl, who was as fragile as porcelain. His cold fingers trembled slightly.
Wade watched this scene, gently touching the stone necklace in his pocket. Suddenly, he felt a sense of "destiny."
"Wade, it's time to use those gold powders," Dumbledore said. "Let's temporarily halt Mabel's time, stabilize her condition, and then we'll try other methods."
"I've brought the gold powders."
Wade took out a crystal vial and placed it on the table. The golden powder inside looked very similar to the contents of a Time-Turner's hourglass, shining brightly even in the dim light.
"Also, Professor, I want to try to persuade Mabel to let go of the Obscurus."
"How will you persuade her?" Dumbledore asked calmly. "As you can see, she's unconscious now. Whatever you say, she won't hear."
"I know. I mean… go into her Mental World to talk."
Wade took out the stone necklace again, quickly explained its function, and then said, "Actually, having Hailey do it might be the most effective, but she's a Muggle. I'm worried she won't be able to withstand the effects of this Magic."
"You don't have to worry about that. Whether Muggle or Wizard, souls are equally resilient. Besides, Mabel's condition is worsening rapidly. She can't endure repeated attempts."
Dumbledore took the necklace and examined it, then unplugged the crystal vial. With a gentle flick of his slender fingers, the gold powder inside evenly coated Mabel's skin.
Almost instantly, the Werewolf, with his acute hearing, noticed the girl's breathing and heartbeat had slowed to an almost imperceptible level.
"This way, we'll buy ourselves more time," Dumbledore said, looking at Wade and Remus. "Remus, Wade, go find Hailey and explain the situation to her. Try to persuade her to help."
"Understood." The two immediately set off.
"Um..." Steven stood at the doorway, fidgeting. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Of course there is." Dumbledore twirled the stone necklace in his hand, looking at the big man's innocent eyes. "Steven, may I observe your Mental World?"
"Huh?" Steven was confused.
"I want to test the effect of this necklace first," Dumbledore explained. "I don't see any traces of Dark Magic on it, but to verify its safety, one must personally enter that so-called Mental World to truly ascertain it."
To enter Mabel's Mental World and persuade her to let go of the Obscurus she clung to so tightly, it had to be someone she deeply trusted.
No one felt comfortable letting a young girl like Hailey bear such a heavy responsibility alone. If she got lost in Mabel's Mental World, it wouldn't be saving someone, but harming them.
Someone had to accompany her.
Although Lupin had spent more time with Mabel, Dumbledore believed Wade would be more persuasive in this regard.
Because to Mabel, Lupin was a "guardian," a "trustworthy elder," but Wade was a "friend through thick and thin." He had saved Mabel, and Mabel had also tried to save him. The weight of that bond was different.
Wade had safely left his own Mental World, but if he and Hailey entered Mabel's Mental World, could their safety be assured as well?
Would the Obscurus existing within Mabel's Mental World attack them?
If they were attacked in that world, could they be pulled out in time?
All these questions needed to be confirmed through experimentation.
Among those present, Steven's experience was the simplest. If anything in his Mental World were to attack outsiders, it would be the easiest to escape.
Steven didn't think too much; he just recalled some embarrassing moments from his past, feeling a bit awkward.
But remembering this was to save someone, Steven hesitated for a moment before agreeing, asking, "What do I need to do?"
"Sit down and give me your hand," Dumbledore said.
He wrapped the necklace around their wrists like handcuffs, then looked at Mr. Scamander and said, "Observe carefully. If something goes wrong, awaken us immediately."
Mr. Scamander nodded seriously.
Dumbledore recited the Spell Wade had just told them. Steven was still curiously observing the runes on the stone when the Spell finished. His head immediately slumped to the side, and he fell asleep.
Dumbledore, beside him, also drooped his head, breathing evenly.
Mr. Scamander watched for a while, then got up and set various protective Spells around the room before sitting back down opposite the two, quietly observing them.
Madam Pomfrey stood guard by Mabel's side, occasionally administering a Potion to her, then looking at the two sleeping figures, her brow furrowed with worry.
...
Dumbledore stood on a pebble path, his eyebrows raised in surprise as he looked at the suddenly changed surroundings.
Steven, beside him, was also curiously looking around, exclaiming, "This is my Mental World?"
Unlike Wade's description of an endless corridor, Steven's Mental World was actually a garden. On closer inspection, it even resembled the garden at Murray Manor.
The difference was that the trees here were hung with fist-sized crystals, and the flowerbeds bore large and small crystal ball fruits. At first glance, it was dazzling yet very peaceful.
The two walked through the garden for a while, discovering that the crystal balls were filled with fragments of Steven's memories from childhood to adulthood, and they were completely random.
On the same tree, some held memories of his infancy, learning to babble, others contained memories of him studying at school, and still others were of him caring for various Magical creatures.
Whenever Steven touched a crystal ball, that particular memory would be vividly recalled. He saw some of the silly things he had done as a child and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Dumbledore's gaze left a crystal ball from Steven's infancy, and he looked at him gently. After a moment, he said, "Steven, try to be hostile towards me."
"Huh?... Oh!" Steven remembered their purpose was for an experiment. He widened his eyes, looking at Dumbledore, trying hard to imagine him as the person he disliked most.
Suddenly, a wind swept through the garden.
The crystal balls clinked together, the sound growing more urgent. Dumbledore surveyed his surroundings, and then, uncontrollably, he swayed!
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the previous room. Mr. Scamander, who was in front of him, anxiously asked, "How do you feel?"
"I was expelled," Dumbledore said, closing his eyes for a moment. "But there's no harm done."
"Sorry, Professor Dumbledore." Steven also woke up. He scratched his head and said, "I don't know how I did it... Was the experiment a success?"
Dumbledore thought for a moment, deciding it couldn't be considered a success.
Steven's Mental World was too harmonious. Even his hostility towards others seemed to have little effect. Such an attack could clearly not be compared to a truly existing Obscurus.
"I think we need to verify it again," Dumbledore said. "Have Remus and Wade returned?"
Just as he spoke, the sound of a door opening came from outside. Hailey, wrapped in a small Cloak, appeared at the doorway, her voice trembling slightly as she asked, "Where's Mabel?"
...
The necklace was wrapped around Dumbledore's and Lupin's wrists again. Lupin unconsciously shifted his body, as if the chair beneath him had suddenly turned into a porcupine.
"Sorry, Remus," Dumbledore said suddenly before casting the Spell.
Lupin paused, then chuckled, "This is for Mabel. I'm happy to help."
Moments later, both fell into a deep sleep.
"This is my Mental World?"
Lupin looked around, a little surprised.
It was a maze, with paths crisscrossing everywhere. Lupin stood at a crossroads, unsure which way to go.
Dumbledore wasn't by his side; he had probably gone to another part of the maze.
Then, Lupin noticed the maze walls were lined with mirrors of various sizes. He walked closer casually and saw himself at different stages of his life reflected in them.
He walked through the maze for a while, then suddenly stopped.
In a mirror with greenish-bronze rust, Lupin saw his younger self lying in bed. His mother leaned over, blew out a candle, and kissed his forehead.
"Good night, Remus," she said, smiling.
"Good night," the child in bed whispered.
His mother left the room, lamp in hand. Outside the window, a dark shadow flashed by quickly. Immediately after, a rough, hideous face pressed against the window, a cruel smile on its lips. It opened its mouth, revealing sharp teeth.
Lupin suddenly understood which memory this was and couldn't help but shout, "No... no!"
He lunged forward, his hand touching the mirror, and fell right in. But the Werewolf smashed through the window and passed through his body without resistance, grabbing the screaming, terrified boy on the bed and biting down on his neck!
"Die!"
Lupin instinctively cast a Spell. He didn't notice that he had fallen out of the mirror, nor did he realize that the Werewolf Greyback had also appeared in the maze corridor.
The light from the Spell shot towards "Greyback." The entire maze seemed to tremble, and an immense oppressive force surged towards "Greyback" like a tsunami, making his figure vanish instantly from where he stood.
Lupin's hands and feet trembled, and he gasped for breath. Before he could react further, the maze world before his eyes suddenly shattered.
He woke up, his whole body shaking violently.
"Relax, Remus, relax." Dumbledore pressed his shoulder, saying apologetically, "That's all in the past. You're safe now."
Lupin gulped for air, looking up at Dumbledore. His bewildered eyes gradually cleared.
"...It's you?"
"It's me." Dumbledore nodded. Seeing Lupin's Magical Power, which had been on the verge of erupting, slowly calm down, he finally let go and repeated, "I'm very sorry."
Only then did Lupin understand why Dumbledore had apologized in advance—
It wasn't because he would see Lupin's deeply buried past memories, but because Dumbledore had planned to transform into "Greyback" before entering, to test whether the Mental World would harm souls it identified as enemies.
Lupin sat in the chair, his emotions unsettled for a long time. He wanted to curse, but didn't know what to say.
He touched his neck, his gaze dimming.
-----------
Machine Translation by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Read ***+ original & fanfic translations in English, Español, Português, Deutsch, Français, or Русский
Or Translate for free at : https:// randomtranslator.com/translate
Join our Discord: https:// discord.com/invite/XXUR9nkjwa
-----------