Harry returns from Hogwarts Legacy

Chapter 360 How Great Can Motherly Love Be?
Ron, who had just received a hard knock on the head, was noticeably more obedient. Hermione smiled smugly at Ron, clearly pleased to have found a powerful backer.

“We’re here,” Mrs. Weasley said. “The fifth floor, where the Longbottoms live… I haven’t visited Frank and Alice in over half a year. Ah, what brave and fearless people they are…”

She shook her head and sighed as she spoke.

Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom are both Aurors and members of the Order of the Phoenix. They have escaped from Voldemort on several occasions.

Unfortunately, after Lily's ancient spell killed Voldemort, the Death Eaters, driven mad by Bellatrix's magic, captured Frank and Alice, attempting to force them to reveal Voldemort's whereabouts.

However, the Longbottoms remained steadfast and, even while tormented by the Cruciatus Curse, did not reveal any information to the Death Eaters, eventually driving them to madness.

They stopped in front of a ward, and Mr. Weasley said from behind, “This is their ward—a long-stay ward, specifically for spells that cause permanent damage… Of course, as you can see, St. Mungo’s Hospital is helpless against it.”

“Alright, Arthur,” Mrs. Weasley turned and glared at her husband. “Stop talking nonsense, we’re going inside—”

When they opened the door, they saw a sallow-faced, gloomy-looking wizard lying on the opposite bed, staring at the ceiling and talking to himself, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

Two beds away was a woman with a hairy face, who looked like a chimpanzee that hadn't fully evolved.

Two beds at the other end of the ward were surrounded by floral curtains, providing some privacy for patients and visitors.

Upon seeing people enter, the hairy woman barked twice at them.

“Oh, Agnes.” Mrs. Weasley stepped forward and embraced the woman. “Happy holidays—though it’s a bit late, did you receive my Christmas present?”

Agnes barked twice more to confirm.

"Looks like you received it," Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. "We're still going to visit Alice and Frank."

Agnes barked twice merrily.

Cassandra nudged Harry with her elbow.

Harry turned his head in confusion, only to find Cassandra whispering in his ear.

“I think the Godfather and she should have some common ground.”

Harry didn't say anything; he knew it would be impolite to laugh now, so he gave Cassandra a warning glance.

Noticing her boyfriend's gaze, Cassandra stuck out her tongue adorably, trying to get away with it.

Oh, what a damn contrast!

Just then, the floral curtain at the other end of the ward was pulled open, and an old witch wearing a green robe and a worm-eaten fox fur came out. She wore a pointed hat, which was prominently decorated with a specimen of a vulture.

She has a very strong presence, a completely upgraded version of Professor McGonagall's aura, the kind that exudes power at first glance.

Behind her followed a chubby little boy with a round face.

It's Neville.

"Neville," Harry called out.

Neville's eyes lit up, and he walked over to greet Harry: "Oh, Harry—what brings you here?"

“Mrs. Weasley said she was bringing us to visit your parents… well, so here we are. You’re a good friend of ours, and we should have come sooner,” Harry said, shaking Neville’s hand.

At this moment, Mrs. Longbottom also came over and asked kindly, "Is he your friend, Neville, my little darling?"

“Yes, Grandma,” Neville said, turning to his grandmother, “these are my best friends—”

“Oh, right,” his grandmother looked Harry up and down, then extended a withered, eagle-claw-like hand for him to shake. “Yes, yes, of course I know who you are… Neville thinks highly of you, and of course, I also want to thank you. You gave my little darling confidence and helped him become an excellent wizard.”

“It is my duty, Mrs. Longbottom,” Harry said politely, nodding to Mrs. Longbottom.

Mrs. Longbottom seemed to like Harry very much, patting his hands repeatedly with a kind look in her eyes.

At that moment, the Weasleys also walked over from the other side.

“Hello, Mrs. Longbottom,” the two greeted Neville’s grandmother.

“Arthur, Molly,” Mrs. Longbottom said, looking rather pleased. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She then looked at Ron and Ginny, as well as the Weasley twins, and said to the Weasleys, "These children are all your Weasley children, aren't they?"

“Yes, madam,” Arthur said.

“They are all good children, I’ve heard Neville talk about them.” Mrs. Longbottom nodded and said, “They have helped Neville a lot at school, and I am very grateful for everything they have done for Neville.”

“It’s nothing, madam.” Ron was somewhat flattered.

Mrs. Longbottom smiled kindly at Ron, then looked at Cassandra.

"This...is a Malfoy child?" Mrs. Longbottom frowned. "She does look like a Malfoy, but I don't recall the Malfoys having a daughter this age?"

“I am indeed a Malfoy, Mrs. Longbottom,” Cassandra said with a polite smile. “However, my situation is somewhat complicated.”

Mrs. Longbottom didn't intend to delve into this matter; her son and daughter-in-law's affairs were troubling her, leaving her no time for gossip.

She nodded politely to Cassandra and then looked at Hermione again.

"You must be Hermione, Hermione Granger, right?"

Hermione seemed surprised to hear Mrs. Longbottom know her name, but she still shook hands with her.

“Yes, Neville told me about you—you helped him through some tough times, didn’t you? He’s a good kid,”

As she said this, she looked down Neville's pointed nose with a stern, scrutinizing gaze, "but he doesn't have his father's talent, I must say..."

She pointed her head toward the two beds inside, and the vulture on her hat trembled frighteningly.

“What?” Ron asked in surprise, “Is that your father over there, Neville?”

"What?" Mrs. Longbottom demanded sharply. "Haven't you told your friends about your parents, Neville?"

“He did,” Harry quickly chimed in. He could tell that Neville, though much more cheerful now, still couldn’t quite hold his head high in front of his grandmother. “Neville once told me about Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom’s heroic deeds in fighting Voldemort… I know that Mr. Longbottom thwarted Voldemort’s plots many times. He was a hero—in Neville’s eyes, he was a hero Neville was very proud of.”

"Is that so?" Mrs. Longbottom's expression softened, though her tone remained serious.

Harry's words gave Neville a bit of courage.

“Yes, Grandma,” Neville said, looking up. “I did say that to Harry.” Mrs. Longbottom smiled, her deep crow’s feet deepening.

She reached out and patted Neville on the shoulder with satisfaction.

“You should indeed be proud, Neville, proud! They sacrificed their health and sanity to fight Voldemort; they are heroes of the wizarding world!”

“At the end of last term,” Harry began, “we caught Barty Crouch Jr. and gave him a Dementor kiss.”

He knew that Barty Crouch Jr. was among those involved in tormenting the Longbottoms.

“Very good, I’ve heard about it.” Neville’s grandmother said seriously, “You are a very talented wizard, very talented, even Voldemort, that freak, can’t compare to you… I believe in Dumbledore, and I believe you can absolutely become his successor!”

Cassandra, standing next to her, had a rather strange expression.

Dumbledore's successor?

Isn't Dumbledore Harry's successor?

She glanced at Augusta, and though the man's face was aged, Cassandra seemed to see a shadow of an old friend in him—

Calidora Black is her cousin, and the former darling of the Black family.

Could it be... that this old woman is a descendant of Kalidora?

Over there, Harry and the others were still drinking Augusta and chatting.

“They are Aurors, highly respected in the wizarding world.” Mrs. Longbottom glanced at the bed and continued, “Very talented, both of them… I—oh, Alice, what’s up?”

Neville's mother, dressed in her pajamas, walked slowly and unsteadily towards them.

She no longer had the round, happy face that Dumbledore had shown Harry in the earliest group photo of the Order of the Phoenix. Her face was now thin and haggard, her eyes were unusually large, and her hair was white, messy, and dry.

She seemed unwilling or unable to speak, but she timidly gestured towards Neville, clutching something in her hand.

Harry felt a lump in his throat.

“Another one?” Mrs. Longbottom said wearily, as if she were already used to this. “Very well, Alice, very well—Neville, take it, whatever it is…”

Neville had already reached out his hand, and his mother tossed him a piece of Blow-a-Bubble Super Bubble Gum wrapper.

“Very good, dear.” Neville’s grandmother patted her on the shoulder, feigning happiness.

But Neville said softly but firmly, "Thank you, Mom."

Seeing Neville's expression, Alice smiled.

She couldn't speak, but she still reached out and rubbed her hands against Neville's chubby face, then staggered back, humming a song as she went.

Neville clutched the candy wrapper, sniffed, and lowered his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“Buddy,” Harry stepped forward, put his hand on Neville’s shoulder, and said, “There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I just saw a mother’s overwhelming love—even after being tormented by the Crucifixion Curse… she still didn’t forget her love for her son. What a great motherly love… just like my mother.”

He wasn't just offering empty words of comfort to Neville; he genuinely thought of Lily.

How great can a mother's love be!
“Good boy,” Neville’s grandmother said, praising Harry with her head held high. “Good boy, Neville! Did you hear what Harry said? You have nothing to be ashamed of! Your father and mother are heroes! Even though they are somewhat mentally unstable now, it cannot erase their contributions to the wizarding world! You should be proud of your parents!”

“Yes, Grandma!” Neville looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, but his expression was resolute.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Harry.” Neville’s grandmother nodded approvingly at Harry. “I’m so glad Neville has friends like you—you’re both true Gryffindors!”

“Gryffindor, courage is supreme!” Ron whispered.

“Yes, courage!” Neville’s grandmother nodded. “Even in the darkest days, do not lose your courage!”

After exchanging a few more words, Harry tentatively asked, "Mrs. Longbottom, has St. Mungo's Hospital been unable to find a solution?"

Neville's grandmother shook her head and sighed, "No, this is permanent damage caused by the Unforgivable Curse. I know the medical staff did their best, but this is the damage caused by the Unforgivable Curse..."

Harry looked up and glanced at Cassandra.

Neville's grandmother noticed Harry's gaze and looked at the two teenagers with some suspicion.

“I understand, Mrs. Longbottom,” Harry nodded, a preliminary plan forming in his mind.

If you have any questions, ask Lemaître.

With a master alchemist at home, who else can I ask this question if not him?

Ask Dumbledore?
Just kidding, if Dumbledore had a way, would Frank and Alice have been lying in bed for so long?

Having made up his mind, Harry decided he should try it out on a few dark wizards first.

Frank or Alice definitely can't be the ones to test drugs; we should choose a few dark wizards instead.

What? You're saying the Dark Wizard doesn't have symptoms like the Longbottoms?

It's simple, why not just make one now?
They stayed in the ward for a while, then Mrs. Longbottom stood up.

“It’s getting late,” she said, putting on her long green gloves. “I think I should go home now. It was nice to see you all—especially you, Harry.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Longbottom,” Harry nodded politely in return.

They walked out of the ward together, and Neville and Mrs. Longbottom went downstairs and got into the carriage.

As Neville boarded the carriage, he didn't forget to look back at Harry and the others, and even reached out to say goodbye.

Mrs. Longbottom was very happy to see her grandson so cheerful now.

She now truly believes that Neville is lucky to have Harry and the others as friends.

Hermione had tears in her eyes the whole time, and she only dared to start wiping away her tears after the Longbottoms left.

“Oh my god… Navei…”

"What's wrong with you?" Ron asked suspiciously. "Why are you only asking now..."

“I’ve been holding it in,” Hermione sobbed. “I was afraid of bringing up painful memories for them, so I kept holding it in… I knew Neville’s situation, I knew what his parents went through… but only when I saw it with my own eyes could I feel that… that sadness, that pain… Oh God…”

(End of this chapter)