Chapter 132: A Day at St. Mungo's

Professor McGonagall did not leave with Dumbledore; instead, she stayed behind to look after Eda. She was still uneasy about those Aurors with ulterior motives.

McGonagall worried that if she weren't present, Eda might end up in conflict with them and give them something to use against her.

However, this concern turned out to be unnecessary. The Aurors never showed up, and Eda, under the effects of a Calming Draught, had fallen asleep early.

The main effect of a Calming Draught was to soothe the nerves, helping those who had suffered a fright, emotional trauma, or mental breakdown regain their composure. The healer believed that Eda had just been through a terrifying ordeal and might experience anxiety, insomnia, or nightmares. To ease her tense nerves, they had given her the potion before bed.

Though the hospital bed was far from comfortable, with both the potion and Professor McGonagall's presence, Eda still had a good night's sleep. There were no mutterings in her sleep, as the healer had feared, nor were there any nightmares—just a deep, dreamless slumber until morning.

By Sunday morning, a little past eight, Eda would normally already be seated in the Great Hall. But today, after a night of undisturbed rest, she had only just woken up.

"Fuua~"

Stretching lazily on the hospital bed with her eyes still closed, she finally opened them to find Professor McGonagall sitting at her bedside. The sunlight streaming through the window was warm and gentle—it was another beautiful day.

Professor McGonagall was reading that day's issue of The Daily Prophet, which had reported on the wizarding battle that had taken place in Little Whinging the previous day. Apart from listing the names of the deceased, the article revealed few other details and, naturally, made no mention of Eda's name.

Twice now, Eda had nearly made it into The Daily Prophet, only to be overlooked both times.

She couldn't tell whether she was destined to cross paths with the newspaper or if they were simply fated never to be. Perhaps "a destined but missed connection" was the most fitting description.

The two of them had a simple breakfast. Eda still didn't like eating dry, bland bread in the morning—she wanted porridge, and even more than that, she wanted to go back to Hogwarts.

However, she didn't voice her craving for porridge to Professor McGonagall, fearing that McGonagall might retort with something like: What porridge? Shut up and eat or I'll MAKE YOU a porridge.

Not long after Eda swallowed her last bite of bread, the Ministry of Magic officials arrived to question her.

This time, it wasn't Hart (according to Dumbledore, Hart had been disciplined), but instead, a wizard and a witch whom Eda had never seen before.

The witch's name was Amelia Bones. She had a broad frame, a square jaw, neatly trimmed gray hair, and wore a monocle.

It seemed she was acquainted with Professor McGonagall, as the two formidable women exchanged a few personal words, apparently about someone named Susan.

The wizard did not introduce himself. He was very tall (which Eda envied), bald (which seemed fitting for his stressful background), and had dark skin. One of his ears was adorned with a golden earring, making him quite memorable. His voice was deep and slow, carrying a calming quality, and he seemed like someone easy to get along with.

It was clear that Amelia Bones was the one in charge, but she only asked a few basic questions, simply gathering some details about what had happened. Then, just like that, the questioning was over.

Yes, it ended just that abruptly.

The entire process took no more than half an hour. The two of them felt more like they were just going through the motions, and Eda couldn't help but suspect that Madam Bones didn't actually care what she said.

In short, the incident in Little Whinging had come to a satisfactory conclusion. Eda didn't have to further her studies in Azkaban and could return to Hogwarts to continue her education at any time—provided Professor McGonagall allowed her to. 

After the ridiculously short questioning session ended, Eda was led by a healer to undergo a check-up and have her bandages changed, while Professor McGonagall went to see off Amelia Bones and the remarkably charismatic wizard. 

When Eda stepped out of the treatment room with fresh bandages, she happened to see Professor McGonagall returning after saying farewell to her guests. McGonagall was standing in front of a hospital ward, engaged in conversation with an intimidating-looking witch. 

The witch appeared quite elderly. She was dressed in a green robe, carrying a large red handbag, and wore a pointed hat adorned with a vulture specimen.

Eda had to admit—she could not appreciate this particular sense of fashion. 

"Come here, Eda," Professor McGonagall beckoned her over. "Eda, this is Madam Augusta Longbottom." 

"Good day, Madam Longbottom. I'm Esmeralda Twist, a student of Professor McGonagall," Eda introduced herself proactively. "I've heard Professor McGonagall mention you often." 

"I doubt it was anything good." Madam Longbottom said, extending her hand in a dignified manner for a handshake.

"..."

"It's quite rare for Minerva to show such favoritism toward a student—she must be very fond of you." 

"I'm just keeping an eye on her, making sure she doesn't stir up any more trouble when I'm not looking," McGonagall said. "If she could give me a little less to worry about, I'd be thanking Merlin." 

"Neville, it's time to go," Madam Longbottom called into the ward. 

A moment later, a round-faced boy emerged from the room. He stood beside Madam Longbottom, his head lowered, staring at his toes as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.

"Very soon, Neville will be attending Hogwarts as well. He's a good child," Madam Longbottom said, casting a stern look at Neville. "But he lacks his father's talent. Frank and Alice were both exceptionally gifted wizards." 

"He's still young. I'm sure young Mr. Longbottom will grow up to be just like Frank—an esteemed wizard," Professor McGonagall reassured her. 

Madam Longbottom sighed. "I hope so. The reputation of the Longbottom family rests on Neville's shoulders… Well then, we should be going." 

She pulled on a pair of long green gloves that matched her robes perfectly, then took Neville's hand and led him away from the 4th floor. As the grandmother and grandson departed, Eda heard a sigh escape from Professor McGonagall. 

"Professor, what's wrong?" Eda asked. 

"It's just.. sigh.. Frank and Alice—Neville's parents—were Aurors, highly respected in the wizarding world," McGonagall explained. "But after the fall of You-Know-Who, the two of them were tortured into madness by Death Eaters." 

Falling on the eve of victory was tragic. Even worse was falling on the night of victory itself. That was the fate of Frank and Alice Longbottom—honorable heroes who now lived in a state far worse than death. 

If Eda had to choose, she would rather die than live like that. It would take even more courage to keep going. 

That afternoon, Mrs. Weasley stormed into the hospital room with her usual vigor. She barely acknowledged Professor McGonagall before marching straight up to Eda.

Without hesitation, she started inspecting Eda from head to toe, turning her this way and that—her actions almost identical to what McGonagall had done the previous day, as if they had been trained by the same master.

Of course, Mrs. Weasley wasn't alone—she had two little followers trailing behind her.

Ron and Ginny, likely intimidated by Professor McGonagall's imposing presence, sat quietly at the corner of the bed, acting as if they were invisible.

"In September, Ron will be going to Hogwarts too. He might just end up in Gryffindor," Eda said to Professor McGonagall.

McGonagall glanced at Ron's unmistakable Weasley-red hair and said, "Hogwarts welcomes you, child. I'm quite fond of your brothers—Bill, Charlie, and Percy. They were all excellent Gryffindors."

Hearing this, Eda had the urge to ask: Professor, did you forget someone? You even mentioned Bill, who has already graduated, but you completely skipped over the two who are still at school?

"Fred and George are quite remarkable as well… if only they were more focused on their studies," McGonagall added, noticing Eda's pointed look.

Those Weasley twins were undeniably intelligent, but their heads were filled with nothing but mischief and pranks, leaving McGonagall both fond and exasperated in equal measure.

Fred, George, I really tried my best. But if your grades are any worse than last year's, your backsides are as good as doomed. Silently, Eda thought to herself. 

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