A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 211: Source of Confidence

Chapter 211: Source of Confidence

After a considerable time, Felix Harp emerged from the Room of Thought.

To onlookers, it appeared as though he had been lost in thought for just over ten minutes, but Lady Longbottom held her breath, her lips trembling as she inquired, "How did it go... I saw Frank suddenly go completely still."

Felix Harp rubbed his temples, sitting somewhat wearily in a nearby chair. "It's a colossal undertaking, but well, I've found a way to heal," he said, his smile radiant.

Lady Longbottom let out a suppressed shriek. She covered her mouth tightly, her eyes welling up with mist. She took a few steps back and sat on the bed. "Is it true, Professor Harp? Mr. Harp, I hope—oh, I don't want to ask for too much, just if they could remember something..."

"No, no, my dear lady. I came prepared with a plan before I arrived. So, it's either helpless or theoretically entirely curable."

Felix spoke with a relaxed tone. "Though it might sound immodest to say so, what worried me the most was having to deal with shattered souls. If it were indeed the case, even with the guidance I once received from a great wizard, the chances of their recovery would be slim.

But luckily, the worst-case scenario didn't come to pass. I just need to assemble a puzzle, possibly with the aid of some emotional power..."

Lady Longbottom composed herself. She spoke cautiously, "May I understand your treatment concept? After all, Frank and Alice have already been sentenced to the Kiss of Dementor by St. Mungo's most authoritative healers..."

She had initially intended to keep these thoughts to herself, to appear as if she wholly trusted Felix Harp. This way, she could spend the next few months with hopeful anticipation. However, being a strong-willed witch who had sent her own son and daughter-in-law into battle, she had her convictions.

"Of course, and please do not resist," Felix said, again employing a persuasive snap of his fingers, drawing her into the Room of Thought.

After a moment, she suddenly looked rejuvenated. "This is the Room of Thought, a powerful memory magic? It's a marvel. I already believe you can do it. I need to find Merilyn..."

"Oh, please refrain from doing that for now, Madam. I don't want too many people to know about this yet. It hasn't succeeded yet, has it? Not everyone will accept the guidance of an outsider." Felix Harp gently cajoled.

"You're right, Mr. Harp." Lady Longbottom seriously considered his suggestion. She didn't want unnecessary complications, avoiding interference from St. Mungo's. However, she planned to consult with Dumbledore.

It had less to do with trust and more with Dumbledore's role as a founder of the Order of the Phoenix, having the right to know. Moreover, he could assist in any potential gaps.

"Mr. Harp, in your estimation, how long will it take to see results?"

"I can spare a morning every week. Honestly, I'd be willing to devote more time. It's a fascinating subject. Perhaps once successful, my Room of Thought magic will reach an incredible level..."

Felix's voice gradually faded, nearly inaudible. He had always believed that the Room of Requirement was Ravenclaw's 'Room of Thought,' so he had been considering how to manifest it in reality.

On the night he had restored the Shrinking Charm and acquired the runic orb, he had touched a fragment of this realm—from the Room of Thought, he had extracted thousands of runic symbols, but reproducing that unique state had proved elusive.

Now, he saw hope anew.

Felix turned to Lady Longbottom and said, "I cannot promise a precise timeline, but I believe, at the latest, around Christmas time, they should recognize their family."

"I'm looking forward to it, Mr. Harp. This might be the best Christmas gift I've ever received."

"I don't mean to dampen the spirits, Madam. But we'd better maintain cautious optimism to avoid any unforeseen setbacks."

"Isn't that your motto, to remain vigilant at all times? It reminds me of a friend, someone quite pessimistic about the future."

"No, I just prefer to have a hand in shaping the future myself."

...

As they walked out of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, the two of them discussed the matter of creating artificial magical outbursts. Felix Harp hadn't yet fully thought it through, but he offered some general ideas.

"My approach might hurt Nawi's feelings, so I need your approval," Felix said, feeling somewhat sinister, yet he spoke his mind.

"If I didn't have some understanding of you, I'd think... Besides, aren't you worried about Nawi misunderstanding you?" She couldn't help but ask.

Felix shrugged. "I'll ask for his forgiveness afterward. I don't care how he judges me."

Lady Longbottom gazed at him with mixed emotions. "I might never understand a Slytherin's mindset, even a good one like you. According to your words, if successful, that child might awaken even greater talents, at least not being too far behind others..."

She added, "And you might bear a lifetime of misunderstanding, Mr. Harp. That child is more stubborn than you might imagine."

Felix calmly reminded her, "Madam, I don't mean to parade my innocence. In fact, I'm consulting with you on how best to harm a child, even if only temporarily."

"I am his grandmother, and I have my reasons, but you... What if others find out? Some would vehemently criticize you; I know those tedious folks."

"Yes, yes," Felix murmured softly. "But I won't let the judgments of others hold me back."

Upon his invitation, he and Lady Longbottom used Apparition to arrive at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. They made their way into the castle.

She looked nostalgically at everything within the castle. "I got stuck on this revolving staircase during my school days, and... I remember that ugly giant stone monster outside Dumbledore's office."

They soon arrived at what she referred to as the "ugly giant stone monster." Felix Harp extended his wand, and a silvery beam of light passed through the gap in the stone creature, disappearing. After a moment, the silvery beam returned, transforming into a silver-white swallow.

It landed on Felix's shoulder, held its head high, and emitted a crisp voice, "Iced lemon juice."

The stone creature suddenly came to life, rotating to clear the way, revealing the spiral staircase within.

"Let's go, Dumbledore is waiting for us," Felix said.

They pushed open a gleaming oak door, and Dumbledore was smiling as he looked at them. He stood up from his chair. "Lady Longbottom, your presence surprises me."

Lady Longbottom pursed her lips. "Dumbledore, I need to tap into your wisdom." She began to narrate what they had discussed.

Dumbledore listened in silence, occasionally showing a look of surprise, but he didn't attempt to interrupt her. He remained quiet until she finished, then smiled and said, "So, I'll be able to see two old friends soon?"

"As for artificially inducing magical outbursts..." he frowned, looking at Felix. "I've reminded you that any research into magic itself could result in extremely dangerous consequences."

"It's with my agreement," Lady Longbottom insisted. "Nawi, that child—I believe he would make the same choice if he knew. It's just that we cannot inform him in advance."

Dumbledore fell into silence. After a while, he sighed and said, "I respect your choice. Perhaps I'm overly cautious. From my perspective, what you're doing isn't excessively risky, even though it might..."

He looked at Felix and asked a similar question, "Aren't you afraid of being misunderstood, Felix?"

Felix spoke calmly, "This benefits everyone, and it particularly benefits me. So, I don't mind pushing it forward despite the opinions of others."

Behind them, the door closed.

Dumbledore's expression grew serious as he stared at Felix. He said in a low voice, "Are you confident about treating the Longbottoms? Frankly, after the tragedy, I've tried multiple times to mend their shattered memories, but their situation is dire. I've been utterly helpless."

Felix chuckled softly, "Headmaster Dumbledore, I've received selfless assistance from Lady Rowena Ravenclaw..."

For him, apart from the Room of Thought magic, there was something he hadn't disclosed to Lady Longbottom—a memory node inherited from Lady Ravenclaw herself, or one might say, a soul node.

This was his greatest source of confidence.

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