A Brief Respite After the Battle

Eli and the others stayed at St Mungo's until daylight. After a night of rest, Ginny and Harry were informed by the Healers that they could return to school following careful treatment.

Harry could be discharged directly, while Ginny was merely transferred to the Hospital Wing for further treatment. Still, she had regained consciousness.

At St Mungo's, they also ran into Neville's grandmother.

She was an eccentric old lady, with a red handbag hanging loosely from her arm. The sight of her outfit immediately made Eli and Harry think of Neville's Boggart.

Ever since seeing that scene, Eli and Harry had always associated the elderly Mrs Longbottom with Snape.

The old lady recognized Eli and Harry at once. Excited, she grabbed them both and began talking nonstop. "I saw you in the papers before, and Neville talks about you two all the time. It's such an honor to meet you here."

Mrs Longbottom seemed entirely unaware of how inappropriate that sounded. What was so good about meeting someone in a hospital?

Of course, the old lady meant no harm.

"Neville told me all about it. You've always been helping him, haven't you? Thank you so much!"

Eli and Harry exchanged glances, both embarrassed by the enthusiastic old lady.

"It was only what we should have done."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the old lady had to deliver food to her son and daughter-in-law, so she did not continue chatting with them.

On the stairs, they encountered someone unexpected.

"Would you like my autograph, beautiful lady?" came a flamboyant voice.

"Get lost," came the nurse's gentle yet polite reply.

"Oh, thank you. What an honor."

Eli and Harry looked over. Who else could it have been but Gilderoy Lockhart? He was performing a textbook bow.

Seeing Lockhart's crazed appearance, Eli