Chapter 211: Source of Confidence
Chapter 211: Source of Confidence
Chapter 211: Source of Confidence
After a long while, Felix emerged from the Mind Chamber.
From the outside, it seemed as though he had been standing in a daze for several minutes. However, Madam Longbottom held her breath, her lips trembling as she asked, “How did it go… I saw Frank suddenly freeze.”
Felix pinched the bridge of his nose and sat down on a nearby chair, looking somewhat tired. “A massive undertaking, but,” he broke into a bright smile, “I have a way to treat them.”
Madam Longbottom let out a stifled scream, clamping her hand over her mouth. Her eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and she took a few steps back, sitting down on the bed. “Is it true, Professor Heap? Mr. Heap, I hope—oh, I don’t want to ask for too much, just that they can remember something…”
“No, no, ma’am. I had a plan before I came, so it’s either completely hopeless, or theoretically, they can be fully cured.”
Felix spoke with a light tone. “I know this might sound arrogant, but my biggest concern was dealing with a fragmented soul. If that were the case, even with the guidance I received from a master of magic, the chances of their recovery would be slim. However, fortunately, the worst-case scenario hasn’t happened. I just need to piece together a puzzle, and perhaps harness some emotional power…”
Madam Longbottom calmed down and said cautiously, “Could you explain your treatment approach? After all, Frank and Alice were given a death sentence by the most authoritative healers at St. Mungo’s…”
She had initially intended to keep this to herself and pretend to trust Felix completely, allowing herself to remain hopeful for a few more months. But as a strong-willed witch who had sent her own son and daughter-in-law to war, she had her own principles.
“Of course, please don’t resist.” Felix snapped his fingers again, pulling her into the Mind Chamber.
After a moment, she said with renewed vigor, “This is the Mind Chamber, a powerful Memory Magic? It’s a miracle, I already believe you can do it. I need to find Melanie…”
“Oh, please don’t do that just yet, ma’am. I don’t want too many people to know about this until it’s successful, do I? Not everyone will be open to an outsider’s intervention.” Felix gently persuaded her.
“You’re right, Mr. Heap.” Madam Longbottom seriously considered his advice. She didn’t want to complicate matters or invite interference from St. Mungo’s, but she planned to consult Dumbledore.
This wasn’t about trust; as the founder of the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore had a right to know. Besides, he could help fill in the gaps.
“Mr. Heap, how long do you think it will take to see results?”
“I can spare a morning each week. Honestly, I’m willing to spend more time on this. It’s a fascinating challenge, and if successful, my Mind Chamber magic might reach an incredible level…”
Felix’s voice trailed off. He had always believed that the Room of Requirement was Ravenclaw’s ‘Mind Chamber,’ and he had been thinking about how to bring it to reality.
On the night he obtained the Runic Script orb and performed the Restoration and Enlargement Charm, he had touched upon this realm, pulling out thousands of Runic Symbols from the Mind Chamber. However, he had never been able to replicate that special state.
Now, he saw hope once again.
Felix told Madam Longbottom, “I can’t guarantee a specific timeline, but I think, at the latest, by Christmas, they should be able to recognize their family.”
“I’m looking forward to it, Mr. Heap. This might be the best Christmas gift I’ll ever receive.”
“I don’t want to dampen your spirits, ma’am, but let’s maintain a cautious optimism to avoid disappointment.”
“Is that your motto, to always be vigilant? I think of a friend who also has a pessimistic view of the future.”
“No, I just prefer to shape the future with my own hands.”
…
As they walked out of St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, the two discussed the idea of artificially creating a magic surge. Felix hadn’t fully thought it through but provided some general ideas.
“My approach might hurt Neville’s feelings, so I need your approval,” Felix said, feeling a bit evil but saying it anyway.
"If I didn't know you a bit, I would have thought... And, aren't you worried that Neville will misunderstand you?" she couldn't help but ask.
Felix shrugged. "I'll ask for his forgiveness afterward, and let him judge me as he will."
Madam Longbottom looked at him with a complex expression. "I might never understand a Slytherin's thoughts, even someone as good as you. According to what you said, if it's successful, that boy will unlock greater talents, at least not falling too far behind others..."
She added, "And you might have to bear a lifetime of misunderstanding, Mr. Heap. That boy is more stubborn than you think."
Felix calmly reminded her, "Madam, I'm not trying to proclaim my innocence. In fact, I'm discussing with you how to harm a child to the greatest extent, even if it's just temporary."
"I am his grandmother, and I have my reasons for doing this. But you... If others find out, how will they see you? Some will fiercely condemn you. I know those boring people."
"Yes, yes", Felix said softly. "But I won't stop just because I'm worried about what others think."
At his invitation, he and Madam Longbottom used Apparition to reach the edge of the Forbidden Forest. They then walked into the castle together.
She looked around the castle with nostalgia. "When I was a student, I once tripped on this spiral staircase, and... I remember there was an ugly, giant stone gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office."
They soon arrived at the "ugly, giant stone gargoyle" she mentioned. Felix extended his wand, and a silver beam of light passed through the stone gargoyle's gap and disappeared. After a moment, the silver beam returned, transforming into a silver-white Swift.
It landed on Felix's shoulder, head held high, and chirped, "Iced Lemonade."
The stone gargoyle suddenly came to life, spinning to reveal the spiral staircase inside.
"Let's go, Dumbledore is waiting for us", Felix said.
Pushing open a gleaming oak door, Dumbledore was smiling at them, standing up from his chair. "Mrs. Longbottom, your arrival is unexpected."
Madam Longbottom pursed her lips. "Dumbledore, I need your wisdom." She began recounting what they had discussed.
Dumbledore listened quietly, occasionally showing surprise, but he didn't interrupt her. After she finished, he smiled and said, "So, I will soon be meeting two old friends?"
"Regarding the artificial magic surge..." He frowned, looking at Felix. "I warned you. Any research into magic itself can lead to extremely dangerous consequences."
"I agreed to it", Madam Longbottom insisted. "Neville, if he knew, would make the same choice. But we can't tell him in advance."
Dumbledore fell silent, then after a long moment, he said, "I respect your choice. Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive. From my perspective, your approach isn't highly dangerous, although it might..." He looked at Felix and asked a similar question, "Aren't you afraid of being misunderstood, Felix?"
Felix replied calmly, "This will benefit everyone, and it benefits me the most, so I don't mind pushing it forward."
Dumbledore muttered something under his breath, then said, "Felix, stay behind. We'll discuss this in more detail. As for Mrs. Longbottom, you..."
"I'll go find Neville", she said decisively. "I'll take him to get a new wand—through Minerva's fireplace, quick in and quick out."
The door behind them closed.
Dumbledore's expression became serious. He stared at Felix and said in a low voice, "Are you sure about the treatment for the Longbottoms? To be honest, after the tragedy, I've tried multiple times to mend their shattered memories, but the Longbottoms' condition is too severe. I was completely at a loss."
Felix chuckled softly, "Headmaster Dumbledore, I once received the selfless help of Lady Rowena Ravenclaw..."
For him, besides the Mind Chamber magic, there was one thing he hadn't revealed to Madam Longbottom: the memory nodes, or soul nodes, inherited from Rowena Ravenclaw.
This was his greatest source of confidence.
(End of Chapter)
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