At Hogwarts' Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey was carefully tending to several students who had been hospitalized with injuries.
After bringing a blanket and some Pepperup Potion to a younger Gryffindor student, she suddenly heard footsteps outside the door.
When she turned around—
"Oh, Headmaster… good morning, Professor Dumbledore!"
Madam Pomfrey exclaimed in surprise.
"Good morning, Poppy," said Albus Dumbledore, who had just entered the Hospital Wing. He gave her a nod as he spoke. "Could you take a look at this girl's condition?"
Only then did Madam Pomfrey notice that Professor Dumbledore was carrying an unconscious girl, a fifth- or sixth-year student.
"My goodness… this looks terrible!" Madam Pomfrey quickly took the girl from him, and together they carried her into an inner ward of the Hospital Wing.
They laid the girl onto the hospital bed, and Professor Dumbledore thoughtfully pulled the blanket up around her.
...
Madam Pomfrey hurriedly rummaged through a cabinet, pulling out a Sneakoscope, a Dark Magic detector, a stethoscope, and various other instruments.
She conducted an extremely thorough examination of the girl's "injuries."
Albus Dumbledore waited patiently at the side, occasionally glancing at the mirror and making an effort to keep his expression suitably grave.
"Merlin's beard… what on earth has this poor girl been through…"
Madam Pomfrey said in disbelief when she finally looked up. "She's weak… terribly weak. It's as if she hasn't eaten or rested for months… as though she's just been dragged back from the brink of death…"
"But aside from the extreme weakness, she's healthy, isn't she?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
As expected of Professor Dumbledore—he saw through the situation at once. Madam Pomfrey thought to herself as she quickly nodded.
"Yes, and that's the most astonishing part… other than her weakness, her body is perfectly healthy. There isn't the slightest problem."
After a moment of consideration, Madam Pomfrey shot Dumbledore a suspicious glance. "Headmaster, did you do something to her?"
"Indeed," Albus Dumbledore replied solemnly. "Miss Greengrass was afflicted by a very dreadful Dark Magic curse. I've just helped her remove it."
"If it was a curse, then that would explain everything," Madam Pomfrey said thoughtfully, nodding.
"Then… how long will it take for her body to fully recover?" Dumbledore asked.
"She'll need rest—prolonged rest," Madam Pomfrey said as she counted on her fingers. "At the very least, several months, possibly even longer, before she completely recovers from the 'damage' caused by the curse. If someone could come by regularly to look after her, it would be very beneficial."
"I think that can be easily arranged," Albus Dumbledore said with a nod. He glanced out of the ward, as though he had noticed something.
Striding outside, he raised a hand and called out, "Creevey, wait a moment!"
Colin Creevey of Gryffindor stopped short. A few hours earlier, he had gotten into a fight with a Slytherin student and been struck by a jinx, which was why he had been treated in the Hospital Wing. Now, however, he was perfectly fine, and with Madam Pomfrey's approval, he was just about to leave.
"P-Professor Dumbledore!"
Colin Creevey squeaked, both excited and nervous.
"Could I trouble you to find Miss Daphne Greengrass of Slytherin?" Albus Dumbledore said seriously. "Ask her to come to the Hospital Wing."
"Daphne Greengrass of Slytherin, right… Professor Dumbledore, I guarantee I'll get it done!" The moment he finished speaking, Colin Creevey bolted out of the Hospital Wing at full speed.
Professor Dumbledore actually remembered my name… Colin Creevey thought happily as he ran.
...
Daphne Greengrass arrived at the Hospital Wing, curiosity written all over her face.
"Hello, Professor Dumbledore…" When she spotted Headmaster Albus Dumbledore standing by the window and gazing outside, she hurried over. "Is something wrong?"
Her voice was very soft. Ever since that incident in the Headmaster's Office a few weeks ago, she couldn't help feeling awkward whenever she saw Dumbledore.
"Miss Greengrass, is it…? It's nothing serious. Come with me," Albus Dumbledore said calmly, not even turning to look at her.
Following the Headmaster, Daphne entered a private ward with a particularly pleasant atmosphere—one that was usually reserved for ill professors.
Her curiosity only deepened, but when she caught sight of the girl lying on the hospital bed—
"Astoria!" she cried out, rushing forward and dropping to her knees beside the bed.
Her sister lay there, unconscious.
"What's wrong with her…?" Daphne called anxiously. "Professor Dumbledore, what happened to her… could it be—"
"Don't panic, D—er, Miss Greengrass," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "Miss Astoria Greengrass is perfectly healthy now—healthier than she has ever been before."
"I don't understand…" Daphne froze, then her expression abruptly changed. "Wait… do you mean the curse on Astoria has already been lifted?"
"I believe so," Dumbledore said calmly, nodding.
"Oh, thank goodness…" Daphne clasped her hands to her chest, her face filled with relief. "So… my sister won't die young, will she…"
"Of course not. Once her body recovers, she'll be no different from any normal girl," Dumbledore said with a smile. "That's why I asked you to come. I hope you'll visit the Hospital Wing regularly to look after her. Madam Pomfrey just told me she'll need someone to care for her during this time."
"I will, Professor Dumbledore… I'll come every single day!" Tears of emotion shimmered in Daphne's eyes. "Until Astoria has fully recovered… I swear it!"
"That's excellent," Dumbledore said, nodding with a smile.
"Professor Dumbledore… was it you who cured her?"
Just as Dumbledore turned to leave, Daphne's voice suddenly called out from behind him.
"I did make a small, rather insignificant contribution—though not entirely," Dumbledore began.
"It was Jon who saved her, wasn't it?" Daphne said suddenly. "Jon Hart?"
"That's right," Dumbledore replied without objection.
"Then, Professor… may I ask— is Jon still at the school?" Daphne asked softly.