"Mrs. Longbottom... no, I'll call you Alice." Audrey rested her chin on her hand and looked ahead with her, as though making casual conversation. "Why do you keep hiding here instead of going out?"
"There... there are bad people."
She immediately curled up a little, looking around in fear.
"No, there aren't."
Audrey said, "The bad people have all been driven away."
"..."
Mrs. Longbottom stayed curled up in silence for quite some time before whispering, "I'm waiting... for the messenger."
The messenger again?
Audrey was thoroughly puzzled. If only Edward had come with me. Unfortunately, there's only a tiny bit of the Mental Terror Candle left. I have to keep it on hand, just in case.
"Um, do you still remember Neville?"
She nodded hurriedly. "I do! My son... Neville."
"Neville misses you very much."
"I... miss him too."
"Then you can go out and see him."
"I... I..." she mumbled. "I have to wait for the messenger."
Audrey frowned slightly. "Can only the messenger take you out?"
"I... don't know."
She shook her head, then soon nodded hesitantly. "The messenger... can make me... stop, stop suffering."
Audrey used Soothing on her several more times. "But you aren't suffering now."
Mrs. Longbottom froze for a moment and murmured, "I'm... not suffering? It seems... you're right."
"So you don't need to wait for the messenger anymore, do you?" Audrey said gently. "Come out with me. Once you're outside, you'll be able to see your son Neville and your husband."
"I... I..."
A hint of temptation appeared on her face.
Audrey stood and held out her hand.
"Come on, Alice. Leave this place with me."
"Don't be afraid. No one here can hurt you, and you don't need the messenger to take you back. Leave with me, and you'll be able