Black robes, a small wand in each person's hand. Thomas scrutinized the two individuals; these features clearly indicated they were from the wizarding world. However, judging by Eileen's expression, the newcomers didn't seem to be friends.
The younger man among them walked towards Thomas and the others, seemingly intending to check on Severus's condition.
Seeing Eileen's extremely distraught face, Thomas hugged his younger brother and vigilantly asked, "What do you want to do?"
Looking at the face similar to the unconscious child, Benjamin offered a comforting smile, trying to appear more approachable: "Hey, don't be scared. My name is Benjamin Taylor, and I work for the Ministry of Magic."
Thinking that young wizards in the Muggle World might never have heard of the Ministry of Magic, he added, "It's the wizard government agency. I just want to check on your brother. He seems to have just experienced a magical outburst."
Thomas looked at Eileen, who hesitated before nodding. After all, she wasn't a professional doctor, and Ministry of Magic personnel were indeed more experienced in such matters.
Thomas moved aside, indicating that Benjamin could examine him, but he didn't let go of his brother's body. Who knew what methods these elusive wizards might use?
A smile spread across Benjamin's face; he was truly a child.
He didn't insist that Thomas let go. Instead, he raised his wand and began to chant. The tip of the brown, intricately patterned wand began to flicker with a faint silver light under the dim yellow lamp.
As the spell was chanted, a warm and pure energy began to gather around Benjamin, eventually transforming into a dazzling yet not harsh white light that slowly enveloped Severus.
Thomas, holding Severus tightly, could clearly feel the energy fluctuations emanating from the white light. However, this energy not only brought no sense of threat but instead made him feel exceptionally warm and comfortable, very similar to a Wood Element Ability. Was it a healing spell?
Thomas became even more curious about the abilities of wizards. Could he only go to Hogwarts at age 11? He really couldn't wait.
Moody also noticed Thomas, a sharp and brave child. Unfortunately, he had already become a Squib due to his mother's dereliction of duty. His eyes darkened, and he sternly questioned Eileen: "Your other son also experienced a severe magical outburst and displayed magic in front of an influential Muggle. This is a serious incident!"
Father Andrew was stunned by everything happening before him. It wasn't until Moody's voice boomed like a bell that he heard, "Muggle" was truly an unpleasant term. He looked around: one, two, three, four, five wizards. So: "Excuse me, does 'Muggle' refer to me?"
Moody had no desire to waste words with him. The hierarchy of disdain for Muggles existed in the hearts of most Wizards; it was just that they weren't as extreme as Lord Voldemort.
"Obliviate!" Moody waved his wand, and a white light flew towards Andrew, so fast that the old man hadn't even reacted before the light touched his body.
At this moment, the cross on Andrew's chest also glowed, and that magical power was blocked as if by an invisible barrier, ultimately dissipating into the air. He had actually resisted Moody's "Obliviate."
But the exquisite silver-white cross immediately became covered in black rust, indicating that it had lost its effect.
"Oh." This came from Benjamin, who, although checking the young wizard, had actually been secretly observing his superior's actions. Could Muggles also have alchemical products that could resist magic?
Andrew breathed a sigh of relief while also being very surprised. His cross actually had the ability to resist magic? It seemed the stories in books about the Church and wizards were all true!
A deeper shadow flickered in Moody's profound eyes. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth: "You are from the Muggle Church."
Wizards' attitude towards Muggles was very complex, mostly a condescending disdain, believing that these magic-less people were very weak.
But towards the Muggle Church, wizards were filled with hostility. After all, although the "witch hunt incident" had passed for a thousand years, even young wizards who never listened to History of Magic grew up hearing the stories of Hogwarts' founding.
The "witch hunt incident," like an indelible shadow, was a scar that lay across the hearts of all wizards.
He clenched his wand, but ultimately did not cast any spell. As an Auror, he could not violate the legal principles of the Wizarding World. Just like now, he could no longer cast any magic on Andrew, and Andrew, as a member of the Church, already knew of the existence of wizards.
Benjamin broke the silent air: "Fortunately, the stabilizer was taken in time, and this young wizard's magical core has not suffered irreversible damage, but he has severe malnutrition and multiple old injuries. It is recommended that he receive treatment at St Mungo's for a period of time."
Thomas reached out tenderly, gently stroking his brother's pale and thin little face. Multiple old injuries... A surge of hatred for Tobias rose within him.
Upon hearing this, Moody no longer paid attention to Andrew; out of sight, out of mind. He turned to Eileen and said in a deep voice, "Prince, you know the rules. Now, let's go to St Mungo's together."
Eileen looked at Moody pleadingly: "My husband won't agree. If he comes back and doesn't see us, he'll go mad. Mr. Moody, you know my potion skill. I am perfectly capable of stabilizing Severus's magic myself."
Thomas listened to Eileen's words, feeling incredibly incredulous.
It was clear that these two Ministry of Magic employees wanted to take Severus to a Wizarding hospital for treatment, but Eileen actually wanted to stop them.
And the reason for preventing her unconscious, physically weak underage son from going to the hospital was actually fear that her alcoholic and abusive husband would get angry? Was he seeing a live example of someone blinded by love?
He suddenly felt that Eileen was the one who needed to go to the hospital the most in this family; she really should get her head treated properly!
Moody, considering Eileen's mental state, suppressed his anger, his voice even deeper: "This young wizard has suffered long-term abuse. He must go to St Mungo's for treatment and injury assessment!"
Eileen suddenly erupted, shouting, "You have no right to take my child! We were living perfectly well in the Muggle World. Why does the Ministry of Magic have to disturb our lives? If it weren't for you, things wouldn't have turned out this way!" If they hadn't suddenly appeared at the scene of Thomas's magical outburst last time, Tobias might not have discovered their Wizarding identity.
"..." Thomas: This home is unbearable!
Moody was also shocked by her sophistry. He angrily rebuked, "Look at yourself now! You are a wizard, Eileen Prince! Do you want to watch your other son also become a Squib?"
Eileen's heart was filled with conflict. Of course, she felt for Severus, but her love for Tobias, or rather, her fear, had long since become deeply ingrained over the years.
"I'll go to the hospital with Severus." A tender yet firm child's voice rang out. While Eileen was lost in her own thoughts, Thomas had already stood beside Moody, and Benjamin was holding the unconscious Severus in his arms.
He wasn't a real child, after all. Since Eileen couldn't decide, then he would decide.
"Mom, I won't let anything happen to Severus." Eileen looked into Thomas's bottomless black eyes and suddenly felt a chill. This child... seemed truly possessed by a demon, just as Tobias had said...