Chapter 46: End-of-Term Trivialities
Chapter 46: End-of-Term Trivialities
After everyone had settled in, Madam Pomfrey first approached Liam's bed to examine him, as he appeared to be the most seriously injured.
After casting a spell on Liam, Madam Pomfrey sighed in frustration, "I don't understand why the headmaster keeps so many dangerous things in the school. Now students like you are getting hurt. Liam, you have two broken ribs, two hairline fractures, and a bruised lung. That's not a minor injury."
"But you can fix me, right?" Liam asked Madam Pomfrey with a slight pleading tone.
"Of course, your injuries are all external. They'll be healed by morning. You'll just need to stay the night here." She cast another spell to stabilize Liam's ribs and then handed him a hospital gown. "But honestly, for your age, your first-aid skills are impressive. You prevented more serious damage. Can I ask where you learned them?"
"Well, you can see I'm Chinese. My grandfather used to sell medicinal soups in London's Chinatown and knew some Traditional Chinese Medicine. I learned it from him."
"Ah, I see. When I was at St. Mungo's, I heard some healers say that many traditional Muggle treatments in the Far East were taught to them by local wizards. It's a wonderful place, where wizards and ordinary people have lived harmoniously together for thousands of years." Madam Pomfrey then brought over a large bottle labeled Skele-Gro.
She poured a cup and handed it to Liam. Liam drank it in one go, feeling a sensation like a flame burning from his mouth down to his stomach, accompanied by a strange taste. It felt similar to a stronger version of Huoxiang Zhengqi Water.
After Liam finished the potion, Madam Pomfrey said, "I could actually mend your bones with magic in a second, but that would drain your body. In your current state, taking the potion is better for you. You'll need to stay in the Hospital Wing for the night."
With that, Madam Pomfrey went to tend to Ron. Soon, Professor Dumbledore used his wand to guide a floating stretcher over, on which lay Harry Potter.
"Professor, is Harry okay?" Liam and the others asked Professor Dumbledore. Dumbledore assured them not to worry, explaining that Harry had only sustained some magical injuries and would be fine after resting in bed for a while.
After hearing this, Liam said goodbye to Hermione, who was heading back to the dormitory. He then chatted with Ron, who also needed to stay overnight for observation due to Madam Pomfrey's concern about a possible concussion. They wished each other a good night and Liam soon fell asleep.
The next morning, Liam checked on Harry, who was still unconscious in the bed next to him. After a brief prayer for Harry's recovery, Liam left the hospital wing with Ron.
The following days were relatively uneventful, but the last Quidditch match was noteworthy. Gryffindor, lacking a reserve Seeker, suffered a crushing defeat against Ravenclaw. However, the team didn't seem too disheartened, as they had given their best.
Every noon, Liam and his two friends would visit the Hospital Wing to check on Harry's condition. On the third day after their adventure, the day before the end-of-term feast, they went to the Hospital Wing to ask Madam Pomfrey. This time, Harry had finally woken up.
Madam Pomfrey graciously allowed them five minutes to talk. They approached Harry’s bed and saw him half-sitting, leaning against the pillows.
“Harry, are you feeling any better now?” Liam asked, holding back Hermione, who was eager to hug Harry.
“Much better, I should be able to leave the hospital wing this afternoon,” Harry replied with a smile.
“Oh, Harry, we thought you were going to—Dumbledore was so worried—” “The whole school is talking about it,” Ron said. “What exactly happened?”
Sometimes the truth is stranger than the rumors. Harry recounted everything in detail: Quirrell, the Mirror of Erised, the Philosopher's Stone, and Voldemort. Liam and the others listened intently, gasping in tension at the thrilling parts, and Hermione let out a scream when Harry described the face under Quirrell’s turban.
“It seems that person is back, and we can’t let our guard down,” Liam concluded. The others nodded in agreement.
“So, the Philosopher's Stone is gone?” Ron asked finally. “Is Nicolas Flamel going to die?” “That’s what I said, but Dumbledore thinks—what did he say? ‘To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.’”
“I told you he’s a bit off his rocker,” Ron said. He was shocked to see his hero become so incomprehensible.
“No, I don’t think so. It’s just that we’re too young to understand,” Liam said. Then he turned to Hermione: “Remember the story of Marpessa in Greek mythology?”
Hermione slapped her forehead. “Yes, the legend says she gave up immortality because she believed she needed human sorrow as a mortal. I don’t understand it, but I know that immortality isn’t always a good thing.”
Harry and Ron looked bewildered. To cover the awkward moment, Ron quickly changed the subject and started recounting what they had done while Harry was facing the final challenge.
“Do you think Dumbledore intended for you to do this?” Ron asked finally. “He gave you your father’s Invisibility Cloak and guided you to do that?”
“Oh,” Hermione couldn’t help but say, “if he really did—well, that’s terrifying—Harry could have been killed.”
Liam disagreed. “I think Dumbledore was just trying to guide and train Harry, but he didn’t expect that person to infiltrate in such a way. After all, the headmaster is a powerful wizard, but he’s not a god, and he can’t know everything.”
“I agree with Liam,” Harry said. “I think Dumbledore knew what we were doing and kept guiding us, teaching us a lot behind the scenes. He believes I’ve grown enough to face Voldemort, no longer a naive child.”
“So, Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of this century,” Liam said. “But right now, you need to get better quickly because the end-of-term feast is tomorrow. I’ve heard from the older students that it’s one of the most lavish feasts at Hogwarts, and you can’t miss it.”
At that moment, Madam Pomfrey burst in.
“You’ve been here for almost fifteen minutes. Out, now,” she said firmly.
Liam and the others had to say goodbye to Harry and leave the Hospital Wing.
(End of Chapter)
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