allendalepharm Chapter 179 Even if it's just a sliver of hope!
Chapter 179 Even if it's just a sliver of hope!
Chapter 179 Even a glimmer of hope!
Neville's parents were in a long-term ward at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries, where wizards with permanent brain damage from spells were also staying.
This is the final resting place of the original Gilderoy Lockhart.
When Lockhart followed Neville's uncle into the room, he looked at the room with a strange expression.
Besides the Longbottoms, there was also a sallow-faced male wizard lying on the bed, muttering incoherently.
And a witch with a face resembling a dog's head.
It has long dog hair and speaks with a barking sound.
Seeing his curiosity, the witch Naomi whispered, "It's said to be because of the illegal use of Animagus. You know, this advanced shapeshifting magic can only turn wizards into ordinary animals, but there are always some people who are too greedy and want to become more powerful magical creatures."
"Such wizards will eventually turn themselves into something neither human nor ghost, and will never be able to return to their original form."
"Naomi!" a chubby therapist hissed angrily from the side. "Who gave you permission to discuss my patients' conditions in my ward?!"
The therapist in charge of this ward was a witch who had a uniquely kind demeanor. Even when she was yelling, she seemed more like a "mother" protecting her patients.
"Ms. Straw." Naomi stuck out her tongue a little shyly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"What if we use a compound decoction?" A voice suddenly rang out from the side, drawing the two women's attention.
It was Lockhart. He stroked his chin, curiously examining the witch who possessed magical creature-like features. "If I brew a polymorph potion using my old hair, can I temporarily revert to my original self?"
The two therapists were stunned, exchanging a glance. "You can do that?"
Lockhart shrugged. "Even if it's only temporary, right? Compound decoctions don't last long."
But I think this patient would probably be very happy to revert to their original self, even if only briefly, for certain important moments.
The healer, Ms. Straw, softened her expression, looking at the dog-headed witch with a touch of sadness. "Yes,"
Agnes's son is graduating from Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He's reportedly found a great girlfriend and plans to get married upon graduation, even if it's just to be there to offer his blessings to the children.
"Compound decoctions won't work!" A deep and stern voice abruptly interrupted the warm atmosphere.
This spoilsport is, without a doubt, Snape.
He was somewhat curious that Lockhart would be here, but he focused on his profession. As an excellent potion expert, he couldn't allow himself to watch others use potions haphazardly and cause accidents.
"Compound decoctions can only be used on humans to transform; they are not permitted to be used on non-humans, as they would only cause more terrible problems."
He looked sternly at the three people in front of him, "Although sometimes we may accept the 'human' identity of some people out of tolerance and care, in the academic field, non-human is non-human. Wizards with magical creature blood mixed in are not human. They must pay special attention to this when using potions that are only allowed to be used by humans."
"Especially some hybrid wizards with magical creature bloodlines, they cannot be recognized as human at this time!"
The logic seems correct.
But Lockhart disagreed; he had his own perspective.
"Severus, at least one thing I'm very clear about is that wizards who are half-Veer magical creatures can use Polyjuice Potion."
In the original story, the Order of the Phoenix moved Harry Potter from Privet Drive for safety. Six people drank Polyjuice Potion and disguised themselves as Harry to confuse the Death Eaters who were pursuing them. One of them was Fleur Delacour, who had Veela blood.
Veela belong to the genus *Elf* in magical creatures, along with house-elves, Cornish elves, and others.
Goblins (garden sprites) and various magical creatures bearing the name of "fairy," but Veela are more like normal human figures and are full of allure.
But this allure is not a good thing; it indicates that it possesses characteristics of a dark magic creature, many of which are known for their ability to seduce men.
Many male wizards are unable to resist Veela, which has resulted in the wizarding world having too many wizards with Veela blood to this day.
Snape frowned, lost in thought. "Perhaps it's because of the multiple crossbreedings with wizards after his crossbreeding with the Veela, that the magical bloodline has become somewhat diluted."
"In any case!" His expression was so serious. "As far as I know, there are giant hybrids, fairy hybrids, centaur hybrids, cat-leopard hybrids—"
He listed more than a dozen types of hybrids, "Even if they have been hybridized multiple times, they are not recognized as human in the academic field, and all the magic potions that can only be used by humans cannot be used on them."
This is a harsh reality: no matter how much social consciousness or political demands classify these people as human beings, they cannot be confused in the academic field. If the wrong medicine or curse is used carelessly, it will lead to terrible disasters.
"I'm more inclined to believe that the reason Veela half-human wizards can use Polyjuice Potion, or can be directly classified as 'human,' is because they look exactly like humans, the only difference being their magical bloodline."
Lockhart disagreed with Snape's theory of blood dilution. No matter how much dilution there is, differences are still differences. In the field of Muggle genetics, pigs and humans can have up to 98% genetic similarity. Even a tiny difference can lead to vastly different results.
He patted his chest. "The body, a body made of flesh and blood, exhibits standard human characteristics. The distinguishing magical bloodline resides in the soul, existing as magical power, and only manifests when magical power is unleashed."
"The most obvious evidence is that when werewolves are not in human form, that is, when the wolfsbane bloodline is not manifested, their bodies are in human form, and they can use compound decoctions at this time."
In the same incident involving the seven Harry Potters, when everyone returned, Lupin stated that Hagrid was not human and could not be a Polyjuice Potion in disguise, but he himself had to undergo Kingsley's examination to confirm that he had not used Polyjuice Potion.
These conclusions are partly derived from Lockhart's memories of his past life, partly from Voldemort's book "The Eternal Flame," Lyle Lupin's research on werewolves, and partly from Lockhart's own understanding of "mind, subconscious, body, and thought."
Lockhart gestured to the dog-headed witch on the hospital bed. "It's obvious that she has developed some magical creature characteristics due to a spell. As long as we suppress this magical power that reveals her magical bloodline, we can restore her to a human body. The compound potion made from her own body material, hair, can precisely reverse this change in magical power."
Clearly, he did not simply draw conclusions about treatment plans based on the original effects of compound decoctions.
"That's just your guess." After some thought, Snape didn't deny it, but he didn't entirely agree with the idea either. "I still suspect that this will cause her more problems."
The therapist in charge of the ward, Ms. Straw, seemed conflicted, unsure of whose opinion to follow. Both were undoubtedly academic giants, yet neither could convince the other.
"This is a long-term care ward," Lockhart shrugged. "They might stay like this for the rest of their lives, or maybe at some point in their lives they'll be willing to take the risk. Magic is inherently full of mystery and danger; no one can guarantee anything."
He was simply offering this patient, who might have no hope for the rest of his life, a risky possibility. Whether he was willing to try, and whether the attempt would bring salvation or death, was not something he could control.
That dog-headed witch was clearly more than just someone with an appearance problem. Even though she sat up in bed to listen to their conversation, her eyes were blank and she seemed not to understand anything. She had the foolish, clear look of a puppy, which was the reason she stayed in the hospital for so long.
The body's mind was greatly influenced by the bloodline of magical creatures.
Long-term hospital stay
An extremely cruel word, as if all hope were extinguished because of it.
Neville's grandmother, Augusta Longbottom, who was listening to their discussion, covered her mouth to keep herself from choking out a sound, her eyes filled with sorrow and despair.
Neville's uncle, Algi, sighed and gently patted his mother's back to comfort her.
Lockhart clearly sensed the intense grief, glanced at them warily, and gestured to Snape towards Neville's parents' beds. "Have you found anything over there?"
Snape nodded gravely. "Their thinking is extremely chaotic, with only the subconscious driving the body. But the subconscious is not enough to drive the body to make a complete behavioral expression, which is why they are in their current state."
"Therefore, reshaping their thinking abilities is key. My treatment plan involves using some magical potions to put their bodies into a state of complete quiescence, and then using a time converter to guide their consciousness into the past, allowing them to relive their life's journey—"
His brow furrowed. "But this will undoubtedly bring more unexpected events. Whether it's the incompatibility between the consciousness and the body due to the consciousness leaving the body to repair itself, or the danger of time-consuming adventures, it's not an easy thing."
"Moreover, I cannot guarantee that this will succeed."
Lockhart was stunned. "The Crucifixion Curse doesn't affect the soul?"
"The generally accepted theory in academia is that the three Unforgivable Curses all target the soul," Snape shook his head. "But that's not actually the case. I don't agree with that. Wizards killed by the Killing Curse can be clearly observed to have their souls intact and unharmed as they enter the Void. The Cruciatus Curse is obviously the same."
Lockhart understood, recalling the knowledge and experience of the Imperius Curse he had "learned" from Tom, and confirmed that the Imperius Curse actually affected the mind.
The mind of the body, not the subconscious of the soul.
This is clearly an extremely fascinating and complex field.
Lockhart's expression shifted, and he gently drew his wand, looking at Neville's parents' healer, Ms. Straw, as well as their grandmother, Augusta, and uncle, Algi. "I want to give it a try. Don't worry, there's no danger at all, but I think I need your permission."
Therapist Ms. Straw did not comment, but simply turned to look at the family members.
"Even if it's just a sliver of hope!" Grandmother Augusta gripped Uncle Algi's arm so tightly it hurt.
Algi nodded. "I trust you."