At Longbottom Manor, Will finished examining Frank and Alice and found them in even better condition than he had expected.
He smiled gently. "You're both doing well. But as I said, it'll be at least another month before you can use magic."
They thanked him over and over. Anyone could see how delighted they were.
Neville and the elder Mrs. Longbottom were overjoyed too.
Mrs. Longbottom gripped Will's arm tightly. "Mr. Behrens, the Longbottom family will never forget what you've done for us."
Neville was at a loss. He simply didn't know how to repay such kindness. Will was like the sun in his world.
Will only smiled. The Longbottom family was already repaying him.
[Someone feels immense gratitude toward you. Charisma Experience +3] [Someone feels immense gratitude toward you. Charisma Experience +2] [Someone feels immense gratitude toward you. Charisma Experience +1]
It felt good to help people who remembered a kindness.
A few minutes later, Will politely declined their invitation to dinner. Holding a small crystal ball, he said, "Sorry, I really do have things to take care of today. It'll have to be another time."
They couldn't press him to stay. Instead, they all walked him to the door and watched him disappear by Apparition.
Frank patted his son on the back with a sigh. "Neville, you've made a good friend. A capable one, too."
Neville nodded without speaking. He just stared at the spot where Will had vanished, lost in thought.
At the foot of an unnamed low hill somewhere in England stood a Muggle village.
It looked like something out of a fairy tale. The sun shone over lush green grass, and despite the summer heat elsewhere, the air here was cool.
Every house was built in an old-fashioned British style, as