Dumbledore paused when he saw Gerald, his blue eyes brightening slightly behind his Half-moon Spectacles, then beckoned him over.
"Mr. Green, you have surprised me again. I never expected someone so young to recognize that the pocket watch was cursed. I hardly believed Black when he told me."
"Headmaster, it was only a guess. I didn't expect to be right," Gerald said, pretending to be surprised. "As you know, my family suffers from a Bloodline Curse, so I'm rather sensitive to curses. I read a few books in the Restricted Section, but I never thought they would actually come in handy."
Dumbledore smiled faintly and did not press him further.
Perhaps he believed him, perhaps he did not, but that hardly mattered.
Gerald had told the truth. He really had read those books.
Telling the truth made his story watertight.
"Has my teacher's curse been lifted, then? Will it have any effect on his health?" Gerald took the opportunity to change the subject.
"The curse itself wasn't complicated, merely extremely well hidden. It was a slow-draining Object Curse that gradually sapped its holder's vitality over several years. I have lifted the curse on Remus, but the damage to his body has already been done. The prolonged loss of vitality will leave him physically weakened for some time. He will need Madam Pomfrey's potions and a further period of rest to recover fully."
"That's good, then." Gerald visibly relaxed.
Gerald went back into the ward and chatted with Lupin for a little longer. Once he had confirmed that Lupin really was in good spirits, he left the Hospital Wing with Cedric.
As they stepped out of the Hospital Wing, the cold February wind blew into their faces. Cedric tugged his scarf higher, then suddenly said with a somewhat rueful air, "I