Wizet and Luna left the ward, intending to have a cup of hot tea in the tearoom and relax for a while, when they ran into Hecate Graves, who had just come out of the Janus Thickey Ward.
Galen Claudius and Daedalus Wellesley were with her, and they seemed to be discussing something.
"Mr. Lovegood, we've confirmed it all!" Her tone was somewhat excited. "Just as you said..."
"The marks on Frank and Alice weren't merely wrinkles. There really are wounds caused by the Cruciatus Curse."
"I never expected it either..." Galen Claudius said with emotion. "That possible 'symbiotic' phenomenon among magical creatures would actually appear in the Longbottoms."
"I bear some responsibility too." Daedalus Wellesley sighed. "The Longbottoms' excessive aging..."
"I saw it in other patients during my examinations and treatment as well. I never imagined those wrinkles were more than wrinkles—that they could actually be scars from the Cruciatus Curse."
"Daedalus, you mustn't blame yourself!" Hecate Graves hurriedly said. "As the head of the Spell Damage Department, I failed to recognize it. I should be the one bearing the primary responsibility!"
"I think it's because this situation is so rare..." Wizet said. "Without Voldemort and the Death Eaters, none of this should have happened!"
Upon hearing Wizet say Voldemort's name aloud, the three department heads all stiffened, their discomfort plain to see.
This was a common reaction among English wizards. Most English wizards had an excessively intense reaction that outsiders found difficult to understand whenever someone spoke Voldemort's name directly.
Hecate Graves was more concerned about the Longbottoms, so she recovered quickly and nodded in agreement. "Yes! None of this should have happened!"
"Now that we understand this and have identified Frank and Alice's special condition, I believe that if we push a little harder, we'll find the