Permanent Spell Damage Ward, St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Madam Augusta Longbottom and Neville were gathered with a noisy pack of Gryffindor lions around a four-poster bed draped in a sky-blue silk coverlet. The divine emblem representing Ravenclaw hung on the wall in the center of the room.
Neville's father, Frank Longbottom, lay on the hospital bed, fast asleep. The large window let the sunset fall across his withered, sallow cheeks, making them look a little rosier. Because he had only just taken Potions, not even this much noise woke him.
"Healer Miriam Strout transferred here to work. Alice and Frank were used to her care, so we moved over as well," Augusta sighed. "Their condition hasn't improved, but at least this environment is much more comfortable. It's close to Hogwarts, too, so it's convenient for Neville to visit..." As she spoke, she pulled on long red gloves. "All right, children, hurry along and enjoy the Halloween Eve festivities. You should be heading back to school to gather... I still have to go home and dress up the house a little more. I noticed Minerva arranging skeleton Quidditch players over the roof of her new house..."
Neville, who had asked Hagrid for a huge pumpkin and was wearing it as clothing, did not dare say a word. Earlier, when he had been choosing courses, Professor McGonagall had written to explain why she wanted Neville to take Charms Class and had sarcastically mentioned that his grandmother had failed that subject. Since then, his grandmother had been somewhat competitive with this old friend from her school days.
Still, the scene before them made the Gryffindors much quieter than usual. They silently got to their feet and were seen to the ward door by Madam Longbottom.
Harry, who had dressed