Chapter 714: Heading to the Hospital Wing
Chapter 714: Heading to the Hospital Wing
This journey awarded Liam 55 Deviation Points, which wasn't a lot in terms of quantity. After all, even though they had altered a significant amount of the plot, the world's tier wasn't very high, so the maximum points they could obtain were limited.
However, this trip was extremely worthwhile for Liam. Not only did he relax and enjoy himself, but he also gained something crucial—a personal Arcane Tower. For a caster, having or not having an Arcane Tower was the difference between two entirely different levels of power.
After returning to his Manor, Liam and Hermione summoned their Wings and Apparated to the area above the Atlantic off the west coast of Ireland, where they had previously set an ambush to pursue and kill Lucius Malfoy.
"There's no one around", they confirmed after flying around separately and ensuring that no one was in the sky above the sea. After all, this place was far from human settlements and shipping routes, so it was unlikely anyone would choose to come here.
"If no one's around, we can summon our Sky Castle now", Hermione said. Liam nodded in agreement and opened a Portal, summoning the floating city that was currently in stealth mode.
"No matter how many times I see it, this castle is always breathtaking", Hermione said softly as she flew above the castle, gazing down at the floating wonder. As one of the castle's Masters, Hermione could see it even when it was in stealth mode. "I believe this castle will bring unprecedented changes to this place."
"Alright, stop daydreaming", Liam waved his hand, beckoning Hermione to land with him by the fountain in the castle's central atrium. He then spoke to the sky, "Sky City, head to our Manor's location, at an altitude of 800 meters."
"Understood", a mechanical voice echoed around them, and the ground gently trembled as the entire Sky Castle began to fly toward their Manor in Northern England.
"How long will this take?" Hermione turned to Liam, watching the clouds streaming past overhead. "The castle doesn't seem to be moving very fast, at least not as fast as during the tests."
"Of course, it's much slower", Liam replied, looking up at the sky. "If it moved at high speed, the castle's stealth would be compromised. That's why I'm not using the castle's Dimensional Leap. I want to surprise the Dark Lord and his followers with this castle, and if they discover it early, the effect might not be as good."
"Of course, we don't need to follow the castle all the way back", Liam explained, noticing Hermione's slightly disappointed expression. "We can Apparate back directly. The intelligent System on this castle will ensure it flies safely back to our Manor."
"That's great", Hermione perked up. "Let's head back quickly. We need to deliver a batch of Elixirs to Hogsmeade Magical Hospital this noon and help check on Neville's parents. By the way, do you think we can cure Neville's parents now?"
"It's hard to say", Liam thought for a moment. "We don't know the full extent of the Longbottoms' condition, but the fact that the emergency soul-nourishing Elixirs have had a significant effect suggests that even if we can't fully heal them, we should be able to greatly improve their condition and help them regain normal self-care abilities."
"That would be wonderful", Hermione nodded. "By the way, when are we going to visit the person who secretly gave us that book?"
"Tonight", Liam decided quickly. "After dinner, we'll go. It's a perfect time to surprise them during Christmas when they're least expecting it."
"You said 'them,' not 'him'?" Hermione picked up on the subtle difference in Liam's words. "Does that mean this time it involves multiple people?"
"Yes, I suspect that the letter we received was a collective effort, possibly even from a family", Liam nodded. "While I was bored during the construction of the Sky Castle, I compared the handwriting on the book and the letter. The writing was from two different people, but the ink indicates that both were written within a three-day period."
"You have a point", Hermione said, lifting her hand to touch her chin. "After all, the Dark Lord's secret contact is a serious act of betrayal. If there were any companions involved, it would likely only be family members who could be trusted."
After confirming that the castle's Artificial Intelligence was functioning properly, the two of them Apparated back to the Manor. They spent the rest of the time until lunch in the Laboratory, preparing various Elixirs related to the soul.
By two o'clock in the afternoon, they finally emerged from the Laboratory, exhausted. By then, their dimension had already stored over thirty different Elixirs specifically targeting the soul, all adjusted based on data from people who had been tortured with the Cruciatus Curse. They hoped these Elixirs would help heal the Longbottoms' long-term injuries.
After a quick lunch, the two of them Apparated to Hogsmeade. Upon entering the town, Liam noticed that it was unusually quiet, with only a few people hurrying along the streets. After all, it was Christmas, a day for family reunions, much like the Lunar New Year in the Orient. Most people were at home with their loved ones.
Hogsmeade had received a heavy snowfall the previous night, and despite the clear skies today, the ground was still covered in thick snow. Liam and Hermione held hands as they walked down the main road toward Hogsmeade Magical Hospital, leaving a trail of footprints behind them.
Hogsmeade Magical Hospital, located between the Post Office and the Three Broomsticks Inn, was a newly built three-story building that looked like a concave shape from the air. In the middle of the building, a small Garden had been constructed, surrounded by a few benches.
"This is more like a Hospital Wing", Hermione said, looking at the Garden and the benches. "I always thought St. Mungo's felt too oppressive, with all the wards indoors. It's not very conducive to recovery."
"It's hard to create a Hospital Wing with a Garden in the middle of London", Liam replied. "Besides, most Wizard injuries can be treated quickly, so there aren't many patients who need long-term hospitalization."
As they discussed Wizard medical practices, they entered the Magical Hospital Wing. Molly, who was already showing, was waiting for them in the foyer.
"Does the Magical World not have maternity leave?" Hermione asked, noticing that Molly was not as agile as before. "I think you should be resting, not working."
"Wizards do have maternity leave, and the benefits for expecting parents are often better than in the Muggle world. But this place is short-staffed, and I can't abandon these patients", Molly said with a maternal smile. "After all, my job is different from Lupin's wife's. Even while pregnant, I can still work. In fact, Lupin's wife is currently in the Hospital Wing, assisting in the treatment of Wizards who have been injured by spells. You know, Aurors receive specialized training for such tasks."
As they spoke, they passed through the security checkpoint in the foyer and took the lift up to the wards for patients requiring long-term hospitalization.
As they walked, Liam noticed that the entire Hospital Wing was designed more like a Muggle hospital. Seeing Liam and Hermione's curious glances, Molly explained, "It looks this way because most of the Healers who come here are Muggle-born or Half-bloods. They design the Hospital Wing according to their own habits."
"That's fine; I think it's great", Hermione said, smiling at Liam. Liam knew she was pleased to see the status of Muggle-born Wizards genuinely improving, proving that their efforts had truly paid off.
(End of Chapter)
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