William is not a master of emotions.
So, the advice he could give Hagrid was to apologize to Madam Maxime and have a good talk with her, after all, it's best for someone who has become the headmaster of a magic school not to have his Half-Blood Giant identity exposed—of course, as for whether Maxime would accept Hagrid's apology, William couldn't be sure, because as just mentioned—
William is not a master of emotions.
After instructing Hagrid on some precautions for taking care of Sagros and Incarlos, William left the cellar of the hut.
But he didn't return to the castle; instead, he headed straight for the Forbidden Forest. With a rustle, William's figure disappeared under the pale gray canopy of trees.
...
"...You cannot become, become..."
The woman's shrill voice dragged on for a long time, until it sounded like a sharp trailing note. The boy in the black robe finally breathed a sigh of relief.
His gaze swept around, in the quiet woods, several corpses of Black Wizards were hung in disarray on the twisted roots around. Then, he looked up, his gaze softened as he looked toward the nearby small town where lights flickered in the twilight—
"Dong—Dong—Dong—"
The church bells rang out melodiously in the evening, the low and dull sound seemed to pierce the boundary between illusion and reality—the chaotic and oppressive scene before the boy's eyes was blurred, shattered like a reflection on water disturbed by a stone, and finally turned into St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries—
The fifth floor, in that familiar ward in the Curse Damage Department, enveloped in warm yellow light.
The smell of herbology mixed with the fragrance of fireworks from the Muggle street that pierced through the magic barrier, and a hint of a scent that reassured him..."Mom." Looking at the round-faced witch above with a gentle expression, and meeting that loving gaze for a moment, Neville sat up awkwardly—
This boy, who hadn't experienced much motherly love since childhood, was still prone to getting flustered in this mode of interaction.
"Thank, thank you, Neville."
Frank Longbottom's voice was much clearer than the first time he recovered consciousness after treatment. Although it still carried a hint of weak tremor and sluggishness, the gaze that was striving to suppress excitement and was full of relief melted the clouds of exhaustion in Neville's heart like the warm winter sun.
"It's alright, I'm not tired."
Neville shook his head, and Alice Longbottom beside him gently wiped the sweat from the boy's forehead. The woman no longer had the vacant gaze and muttered disordered syllables as when William first saw her. Her gaze at Neville was gentle and affectionate—"Rest for a bit." The woman spoke softly.
"I'm really not tired."
Like wanting to prove himself, Neville suddenly stood up and walked to the small table beside his parents' bed, pouring each of them a glass of water.
"Ah, I thought there was a share for me..."
Sitting on the other side of the hospital bed, William maintained a reaching posture and sighed with a face of "grievance".
Neville was startled by this remark and hurriedly tried to explain but was waved off by William, "Just kidding." He shook the ballpoint pen in his hand and turned to look at the short, chubby balding man standing behind him, Hippocrates Smethwyck, the Longbottoms' healer.
"Mr. Longbottom, Mrs. Longbottom?"
Smethwyck nodded, pushing the half-moon glasses up his nose. His voice was deep and gentle, "Now, how do you feel? Any headaches, or feelings of dizziness, nausea, or vomiting?"
As he routinely asked, he carefully observed the two people lying half-upright on the hospital bed.
"Much, much better, Sme...thwyck."
Alice nodded, appearing much livelier now compared to when she first regained consciousness and was still somewhat quiet. The years of aftereffects still made her stutter a bit when speaking, "It's just, my head is still... a bit... heavy." The woman frowned and thought for a moment, finding a suitable adjective was a big "project" for her.
"But it's not uncomfortable."
Frank nodded as well, adding to his wife's statement. He raised his hand and patted Neville's shoulder, signaling the boy to relax a little.
This scene made the boy's eyes feel slightly warm.
"Very good..."
Smethwyck nodded, his quill pen swiftly writing in his notebook, "This is a very big improvement—for the entire magic realm, Mr. Richard, successfully treating two wizards driven mad by the Crucio charm, this study might even be enough for you to receive the Merlin Order First Class Medal—"
"Ah, actually, I already have two of those—"
"?"
"So, that's not the focus, Smethwyck." William shook his head, signaling the healer not to pay attention to those things that are essentially useless. "This treatment method cannot be widely applied. Now the crucial thing is, it takes time for their mentally chaotic worlds to gradually heal—"
Smethwyck nodded, only the respect in his eyes when looking at William did not diminish in the slightest, "Yes, William—may I call you that? This method, though... unconventional, is incredibly effective. Even if it can't be widely applied, it still provides a case for the study of long-term mental damage."
Saying this, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, "This is groundbreaking."
After speaking, the healer turned back to look at the Longbottom couple, who were already leaning against each other, then glanced at Neville, "So, the question now is, are you ready... to be discharged?"
This was William's suggestion, given that the two of them no longer needed caretakers.
And at that moment, everyone's gaze subconsciously turned to Neville.
The boy's body was notably tense, and he turned his head to look at his parents' faces, showing some exhaustion yet peacefulness, a hint of expectancy for the future, but he also glanced at the healer's eyes, which clearly contained thoughts not spoken. The boy was somewhat conflicted—
Of course, he longed to take his parents home, to a house no longer just him, his grandmother, and Trevor.
But, the boy unconsciously rubbed the corner of his clothes.
"Senior?"
William, who was casually scribbling on a board, raised his head in confusion upon hearing the voice, huh? There's something for me?
"Senior."
This time Neville's voice was a bit louder and clearer, "I... I'm very grateful for everything you've done! Truly! Without you, I can't even imagine my mom and dad recovering like this..." He glanced at his parents once more, eyes filled with deep gratitude, "But... but I think perhaps it's better for them to stay in the hospital for a while longer, is that alright?"
"Uh..."
Whether they stay or go... William blinked, he merely offered a suggestion, and they should decide for themselves...
Why does it feel like I'm holding a knife to force you all to reunite at home...
But Neville seemed worried William might misunderstand, hurriedly added, "It's definitely not because I don't trust your opinion, it's just like Healer Smethwyck said, my parents are incredibly rare cases—if St Mungo's Hospital can observe and record some of their situation, perhaps it could help... alleviate other similar cases?"
"Yes—"
Smethwyck promptly nodded, clearly, that was his thought, but he couldn't say it outright since all the treatment was solely conducted by William, and he was just an occasional observer recording some notes. Now, although he was keen on the 'results' of William's research, this was something he couldn't directly voice—
Even though his ambition had no selfish intent.
Thus, this short and chubby middle-aged wizard also widened his eyes looking at William, his gaze full of hope.
"..."
William felt he had inadvertently been put in the role of a villain.
"I still think it can't just... Of course, senior, I'm not trying to morally coerce you, after all, my parents were healed thanks to you, if..."
"Hey, hey, hey, I'm not pointing my wand at you—"
William interrupted Neville's persuasion, "Let them go home and recuperate—that's just a suggestion! A suggestion, do you understand the definition of these words? You're a good kid, Neville." As he spoke, William couldn't help but pat the boy's head, "Let's do it this way."
He turned to look at the healer, the old man seemed somewhat agitated at this moment, "Of course! Of course!" Smethwyck nodded repeatedly, "Rest assured, Mr. Richard, all the successes and records I will first hand over for you to review..."
"No need, I'm quite busy—"
With everything settled, Neville felt the weight on his mind finally lifted, the boy somewhat sheepishly smiled at William, then went to his parents' bedside to softly reassure them, and the couple naturally supported their son's idea.
William then discussed with Smethwyck some follow-up issues and details regarding the magic potion.
Time was almost up, and seeing the sun slanting in the west out the window, William bid farewell to Neville and the Longbottom couple, watching Neville's straight-backed silhouette, Frank and Alice exchanged glances, seeing in each other's eyes a gleam full of hope.
There was no elevator at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, so the two proceeded along the corridor towards the stairs, but before they got far, Neville's steps instinctively halted.
He unconsciously looked towards the ward at his side—the door was open, and he could see a thin figure sitting by the bed, gazing blankly at the corridor bustling with people. The boy's formerly dark short hair had grown quite a bit, the somewhat sullen hooked nose seemed to have lost its luster, his shoulders slumped, the whole person shrouded in a suffocating despondency.
Viktor Krum.
A strong surge of sympathy overcame Neville, who then continued to follow after William, hesitantly looking at the latter and softly asked, "Senior—Mr. Krum... in his current state..." Neville carefully chose his words, having seen his parents tortured by the Crucio curse, Krum's situation seemed even more complex, "What's happened to him?"
William also halted his steps at this time, his gaze equally fixated on that lonely figure, seemingly isolated from the world.