Mrs. Longbottom's face stiffened, her expression filled with disbelief.
Her mouth fell slightly open. Her gaze darted between Will's young face and Neville's red-rimmed eyes, as though she had heard something impossible.
"Treat... treat them?" She still could not believe it and waved a hand. "Mr. Behrens, I know you're a genius. Neville speaks of you often.
But... but the best Healers at St. Mungo's said Frank and Alice have lost their minds completely. They said nothing could be done... How could they possibly be cured?"
At that, Mrs. Longbottom sighed deeply and covered her face with one hand. The truth was, she wanted her son and daughter-in-law to recover more than anything.
For over a decade, she had watched the son and daughter-in-law she had once been so proud of sit in that little ward like two rag dolls, unable even to recognize their own child.
No one wanted them to get better more than she did, but every new hope had ended in disappointment.
Will looked at the old woman struggling to maintain her composure, his eyes gentle. "Mrs. Longbottom, I'm not saying this to comfort you, and I'm not making empty boasts.
I've done some research into damage to the soul and memory. When I asked you about Neville last time, it was part of that research, and I've since made some progress.
The Healers at St. Mungo's may be helpless because they're still trying to treat them with conventional potions and healing charms. Forgive me for saying so, but they don't understand the nature of these injuries at all."
"I have methods that differ from traditional magic. I can't promise success, but I'm willing to do everything I can."
Hope entered Mrs. Longbottom's voice. "Mr. Behrens... you really have a way?"
For more than a decade,