The next morning, Charlie followed Neville to his home.
The Longbottom residence sat on the outskirts of London, a grand Victorian manor covered in ivy. The three-story estate exuded a sense of history, though it was clearly well cared for.
The Longbottoms, as a pure-blood family, were clearly well-off.
"Gran, Charlie's here," Neville called nervously as he pushed open the heavy oak doors.
On the way there, he had told Charlie his grandmother's name, Augusta Longbottom.
Lady Augusta stepped out from the sitting room.
She wore a dark green robe with a fox-fur stole and, most notably, a bizarre hat topped with a stuffed eagle.
Now that was a statement piece.
Charlie blinked, doing his best to keep a straight face.
"Good morning, Lady Augusta." He bowed politely.
"Good lad, come in," she said with a kind smile, completely different from the strict image Neville had painted.
"Neville always talks about you, says you've helped him a great deal."
She led Charlie into the dining room, where the table was covered with an exquisite spread of French cuisine.
Roast foie gras, onion soup, boeuf bourguignon, and a glittering array of desserts.
Whoever said Britain was a culinary wasteland clearly never met a wealthy wizarding family with a fondness for imported chefs.
"This looks amazing," Charlie said with genuine admiration.
"I'm glad you think so," Augusta smiled, gesturing for him to sit.
"You've done so much for Neville. I've been meaning to thank you personally."
Neville sat nearby, fidgeting nervously.
"Speaking of Neville…" Augusta began, ladling soup into a bowl while shaking her head, "This child's been clumsy since birth. His magical talent was so questionable we nearly thought he was a Squib."
Neville's face turned beet red. He looked like he wanted to crawl under the table. Gran, must you air all the dirty laundry?
"Gran…" he murmured in protest.
"I'm only stating facts," she said matter-of-factly.
"If it weren't for you, Charlie, who knows how badly he might've fallen behind?"
Charlie set down his spoon and replied earnestly.
"Lady Augusta, you're being too modest. Neville's progress is the result of his own hard work."
"He's not inferior to anyone. All he needed was a little confidence."
"Look at him now, he's doing wonderfully."
Augusta blinked, then smiled so widely her eyes nearly vanished into wrinkles.
"What a charming young man," she said, patting Charlie's hand warmly.
What elder didn't love hearing someone praise their grandchild?
Now that's emotional intelligence.
Neville shot Charlie a grateful look, his heart brimming with warmth.
At that moment, a loud thud came from the window, a clumsy owl had slammed into the glass.
"Oh, you foolish bird," Augusta muttered, rising to open the window. She removed a letter tied to the owl's leg as it sat dazed on the sill.
She tore open the envelope, scanned its contents, and her expression immediately soured.
"What's wrong, Gran?" Neville asked, worried.
She glanced between Charlie and Neville, hesitating for a moment.
"Charlie, I'm terribly sorry, but I must excuse myself."
"Something urgent has come up."
She grabbed her handbag and hurried toward the door.
"Neville, look after Charlie. If you two get tired, feel free to stay the night, the house is large enough."
And with that, she vanished through the door in a rush.
The room fell quiet, save for the crackling of the fireplace.
Neville stared after her, anxiety written all over his face.
"What happened?" Charlie asked, putting down his utensils.
Neville was silent for a while before answering softly.
"It's probably something to do with my parents."
"Your parents?"
"They were tortured into madness by Death Eaters using the Cruciatus Curse," Neville said quietly, his voice tinged with pain.
"They're at St. Mungo's now. The Healers said their souls were damaged."
"Whenever their condition worsens, Gran drops everything and rushes there."
"It's fine," Neville added, shaking his head with a forced smile. "I'm used to it."
Charlie suddenly thought of something.
The Vital Restoration Elixir he had been brewing for months, designed specifically to treat soul-related trauma.
He hadn't tested it yet. Not exactly easy to wound your own soul just for trial and error.
But here were two perfect candidates.
It was worth trying. If it worked, it could be life-changing for the Longbottoms.
"Neville." Charlie stood. "I want to see your parents."
Neville froze. "Huh? But… I don't think visitors are allowed."
"Maybe I can help."
"Really? You'd do that, Charlie?" Neville's eyes sparkled with hope.
He trusted Charlie almost blindly.
If Charlie said he could, then he could.
They used the Floo Network to travel to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
From the outside, it looked like a decrepit department store, but to the wizarding world, it was the most prestigious magical hospital in Britain.
Inside, the lobby was spacious and filled with the scent of disinfecting potions. Healers in lime-green robes bustled about.
"Fifth floor. Spell Damage Ward," Neville murmured.
They took the magical lift up.
The hallway was quiet, lined with notice boards and safety posters.
"Room 49." Neville stopped outside a door.
Charlie could already hear Augusta's voice from within, speaking with a Healer.
Neville gently pushed open the door.
Inside were two beds, one occupied by a round-faced man, the other by a woman with a kind expression.
But both of their eyes were vacant, unfocused.
Augusta sat at the bedside, her eyes red.
"Neville?" she frowned when she saw him. "Why are you here? And you brought a guest?"
"That's terribly inappropriate."
"Lady Augusta, I asked Neville to bring me," Charlie said, stepping forward.
"I wanted to see his parents… and maybe help."
She gave a weary smile.
"Child, even St. Mungo's finest Healers have no answer for this."
"It's been over a decade, no sign of improvement."
"I know your heart's in the right place, but you're just a student. What can you do?"
"Still, thank you for caring."
On the bed, Frank Longbottom suddenly broke into unsettling giggles. The sound was chilling.
Neville's eyes immediately turned red.
The Healer beside them shook his head. "Ma'am, I must warn you, the patient's condition has worsened today. Please prepare yourself…"
Charlie quietly observed both patients.
The soul damage caused by the Cruciatus Curse was indeed severe.
But if there were ever a time to test the Vital Restoration Elixir, this was it.
No downside, and if it worked, it might just save them.
"Lady Augusta," Charlie said firmly.
"I believe I have a way to treat them."
<><>---------------------------------------
200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
35 Advanced Chapters on p(a)treon
p(a)treon.com/Aaltairr
Add to Collection!
🚨 TL/N 💥
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
💥> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed