The Weasley boys woke up te again, having stayed up until 3 a.m. pying video games.

  After brunch, they learhey’d be going to a shopping mall for a leisurely walk, with the main goal of visiting a bookstore to pick up some books for Percy.

  Ron looked surprised. “Never knew you were ied in Muggle books.”

  “I just thought we might find something iing,” Percy replied, raising his eyebrows.

  Fred and Gee, however, were more curious about the cept of a shoppire.

  “Brent Cross Shoppire,” Scarlet expined as she drafted a list. “There are lots of shops there, and you’ll be heading to Dillons Booksellers – it's the biggest bookstore in the area. I know William had po take you all to a nearby bookstore, but it would be a shame not to show you some of the more famous spots. I’ll e along with you, but I’ll o leave you for a bit as I have some things to take care of. Oh, by the way, could I ask a favour?”

  “Of course! Just say it and we’ll do it!” Fred said proudly, g his chest.

  “Here’s a list,” Scarlet said, handing over her newly drafted paper. “I want to get some gifts for the children at the orphanage for Christmas day, but I’m afraid I won’t have time to gather everything myself. Could you pick them up for me? William, Meiko, and Hawk will go with you, and they’ll hahe payment.”

  Perced over the list. “Sure, you’ve written down all the details. We should be able to get everything.”

  “Great, I’m ting on you.” Scarlet smiled. “And if you’re unsure about something and William or the others ’t e up with a suggestio Ron make the final decision.”

  Ron jumped. “Me? But why?”

  “I have a feeling your taste might suit them,” Scarlet said with a shrug. “That should cover everything before we head to the van...”

  “Where’s Kyle?” Percy asked.

  “He’s still sleeping. He got an urgent call from Hong Kong and w all st night,” Scarlet replied, gng at Percy, “Time zone difference - it’s daytime in Hong Kong when it’s midnight here in Engnd.”

  Perodded, appreciating that Scarlet was always feeding him bits of information, knowing he was eager to learn more about the world beyond the British wizarding world. He took it upon himself to look after his brothers ohey arrived at the shoppire.

  The shoppire was massive, decked out with all sorts of Christmas decorations dangling from every er. The dispys in the shop windows caught their attention, showing products that stretched beyond their imagination. It was amazing, though the agic gave it a slightly strange feel, in their opinion.

  Scarlet was an excellent guide, expining everything they were curious about as they made their way to the bookstore. After showing them how to find the books they need, she waved goodbye, telling them they’d meet again for di a fast-food ter.

  Ron watched her retreating figure and sighed, impressed. “Blimey, businesswomen really are busy every day, even during the holidays. I ’t imagine myself doing that.”

  “What do you imagine yourself doing?” Fred asked.

  “Quidditch, I suppose?” Gee teased.

  Ron ched his fist, “Just wait until I get a new broomstick! Then I’ll show you my skills!”

  As the Weasley brothers tinued joking and teasing each other, Scarlet hopped into a cab and headed for an old red-brick department store in London. The sign read Purge & Dowse Ltd., and in the window stood a mannequin that, from what she knew, was the entry point to St. Mungo’s.

  She waited outside, the abaore. It was dusty and old, with outdated fashion dispys. The store was far from the main road, making it unlikely anyone would vehere – an ideal setting for a se in a film about a drug deal or a criminal hideout.

  “Hi, Scarlet.” Neville arrived, and following behind him was an elderly dy, whom Scarlet reised as his grandmother.

  Scarlet straightened and greeted them. “Hi, Neville. Hello, Mrs. Longbottom, a pleasure to meet you.”

  Mrs. Longbottom gave Scarlet a quice-over before saying, “Pleasure to meet you too. Neville’s learned a great deal from you, and I appreciate that.”

  “Neville’s been very helpful as well,” Scarlet replied with a smile. “I believe he’ll sh iure - he just needs more practice.”

  Mrs. Longbottom didn’t respond, but her stern, wrinkled face seemed pleased. She pointed her wand at the mannequin by the door and said, “Augusta Longbottom, Neville Longbottom, and Scarlet Smith, visiting Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom.”

  The mannequin’s eyes slid open, and its mouth gaped wide before stepping aside to reveal arance for them to pass through.

  Mrs. Longbottom led the way, and they soon arrived at a reception area where bustling people were waiting for their o be called. Despite a whimsical touch here and there, the pce had the look and feel of a normal hospital. The healers even wore uniforms simir to those in ordinary hospitals, which gave Scarlet a clearer idea of how things operated at St. Mungo’s.

  She helped the two young wizards register at the ter, collect visitor badges, and then headed toward the Janus Thickey Ward – an area specifically for long-term residents who had suffered severe spell damage.

  Mrs. Longbottom walked straight into the ward, while Neville hesitated at the entrance. His lips tightened, and his eyes seemed to focus on nothing in particur, staring bnkly at the floor. Perhaps he was lost in thought, or maybe his mind had simply gone quiet.

  “Neville?” Scarlet asked softly.

  Neville sighed, “I’m fine, Scarlet. I just...I don’t remember anything about them.”

  “I know, it must be a strange feeling,” Scarlet said, giving his shoulder a ge. “Let’s go in, and you introduce me to your parents. Then, I’ll need you to show me around this pce.”

  That was her official reason for being there – gathering inspiration for her novel. But she couldn’t deny that she was also hoping to spot any clues that might help her track down the dark wizard, either through side characters or ued side quests. Given Neville’s background, he had the potential to bee a protagonist in his ht.

  Does that mean he was ected to Harry somehow? What made him different? Why was a side character given such a simir situation to Harry’s? Scarlet mused ohoughts, but soon raised her head when she heard Mrs. Longbottom calling for Neville.

  They ehe ward, which was brightly lit and cheerful. Colourful aper adorhe walls, and various magical artifacts added to the lively atmosphere. Several patients were sitting up in bed, chatting and ughing. At the far end of the ward, they spotted Mrs. Longbottom, seated beside a bed where a frail-looking woman with kind eyes and thinning hair was sitting. o her was a man with a vat expression, staring bnkly ahead.

  Neville walked slowly toward his parents, taking a seat beside the bed after Mrs. Longbottom stood up.

  “Hello, mum,” he said quietly, gently taking his mother’s hand. She smiled at him, but her eyes were distant, as though she couldn’t quite pce who he was. Neville then turo his father, sitting oher side of the bed. “Hello, dad.”

  His father gave no sign that he had heard or uood, but Neville took his hand and squeezed it gently.

  Scarlet stood silently in front of the Longbottoms as they spoke softly. Based on the versation, this seemed to be Neville’s first time visiting his parents. If she was right, it was because Neville hadn’t beeally strong enough to face this situation befaining fidence while assisting her. She could still vividly recall how he had been a cry-baby during their train jouro Hogwarts.

  Perhaps Mrs. Longbottom had been pleased when she saw her, not just because she was Neville’s friend, but because she had helped him in growing braver.

  Scarlet gnced around the ward, and her keen eyes with the magic granted by the Queen quickly picked up on unusual details. Pns began to form in her mind just as Neville called her over to introdug her to his parents.

  Scarlet greeted them politely, though, as expected, they didn’t respond.

  After a moment, Neville excused himself to show her around St. Mungo’s. Before he left, his mum handed him a dy er, which he smiled at and tucked into his pocket. He gave both his parents a hug, then led Scarlet out of the ward.

  Ohey were outside, Neville let out a long exhale and gri Scarlet. “That weer than I thought.”

  “You thought you’d burst into tears or colpse?” Scarlet asked as she walked beside him.

  “Yeah,” Neville admitted. “I’ve always known they were here at St. Mungo’s, but Gran never brought me...And holy, I couldn’t picture how I’d ha. But, well, here I am, and it’s fine.”

  Scarlet teased, “So, how are you going to show me around if this is your first time here?”

  Neville raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been here a few times. You know, when children ’t haheir magic, acts happen. I’ve beeed here, and sometimes to visit other kids who were hurt. Just not to see my parents in this ward.”

  “Alright, then,” Scarlet nodded. “Show me around.”

  Each floor had differements. There were no needles in sight; instead, wands and potions were used to treat patients. Neville didn’t take her inside any of the wards, but they peeked in at the entrances, giving Scarlet a glimpse of the magical treatment in a. It was an eye-opening experience for her, and it gave her a clearer idea of how to struct a medical tre in her novel. Neville seemed gd that this trip had helped her with her book.

  They returo Neville’s parent’s ward, where Mrs. Longbottom was still sitting with them. Neville thought it was time to say goodbye and was about to wish Scarlet a merry Christmas when he froze upon hearing her say, “Actually, I may have a pn to heal your parents.”

  It took him a moment to process her words, and he couldn’t help but grab Scarlet’s hand, “You--what did you just say?”

  “As you’ve probably noticed, I study a magic, specialising ih and soul research,” Scarlet whispered. “I see the cracks in your parents’ souls.”

  And in fact, on you too. she thought, though she didn’t mention it. When she had looked more closely at Neville’s soul, she noticed subtle fractures. It was so subtle that she had hought to i his soul before. Perhaps this expined why his memory was so poor - he’d likely beeedly subjected to spells that dulled the pain and suffering of losing his parents.

  Scarlet g Mrs. Longbottom, atg them with her usual stern expression. She couldn’t tell what the old witch was thinking, but she khis was someo to be uimated.

  “If those cracks be healed, does that mean my parents...” Neville gasped, looking at her with a mix of disbelief, hope and desperation.

  “But it’ll take time - years, maybe even decades,” Scarlet said. “And I’ve never e across any records of such cases in my studies, so I’d o research thhly. But rest assured, there is a ce.”

  “How?” Neville asked, his voice low and urgent as he tried to keep the versation discreet, assuming this was a secret form of magic. “Tell me, Scarlet! I’ll give you anything, anything!”

  “You don’t have to,” Scarlet replied, thinking for a moment. “Just be prepared to gather what’s needed for the ritual. I think this is my responsibility somehow, so I’ll ha.”

  After all, the Queen prefers souls to arrive in the Shadowy Land whole - not cracked and shattered intments. That said, I’ll o deal with the dark wizard somehow, eventually, even though I wasn’t part of the inal storyline, Scarlet mused.

  Neville looked puzzled by Scarlet’s words about being responsible for his parents, but before he could ask, she lifted her head a Mrs. Longbottom’s gaze. The old witch had clearly overheard their versation and was now weighing whether Scarlet could be trusted.

  “Grandma.” Neville said notig his grandmother approag. He stepped aside, giving them space.

  “Not even the best Healers have cimed they heal my son and his wife,” Mrs. Longbottom said, her eyes fixed on Scarlet. “How you be certain your ritual will work?”

  “Because the magic bestowed upon me es from Queen Scáthach, ruler of the Shadowy Land - the warrior maiden who draws the liween life ah and stands guard at the gate to the shadowy realm,” Scarlet expined calmly. She wasn’t sure if Mrs. Longbottom had ever heard of the Queen, so she added, “You firm it with Professor Dumbledore. I’ve already informed him about this, and he’s aware.”

  The caution in Mrs. Longbottom’s eyes faded, repced by a glimmer of hope, “I will certainly speak with Dumbledore. Now, please...enlighten me about this ritual you say heal my son and his wife.”

  Scarlet briefly outlihe rituals she had learned from the runic stone gifted by the Queen and from her previous life. “It will require some preparatio’s find a more private pce where we discuss the details.”

  ption shone in the old witch’s eyes. “As you wish.”