Lorne still has a good impression of Neville.
Who could refuse a student who never causes trouble outside of class, is obedient, and understands things quickly? Lorne even considered making Neville a moral paragon of Gryffindor, so that Harry and his gang of troublemakers could learn a thing or two. True courage isn't about sneaking out of Hogwarts at night, but about daring to stand up in the face of danger.
As for Professor Snape's comments that he was slow-witted and didn't pay attention in class, and Lorne not teaching, what does that have to do with him?
So he warmly welcomed Neville and even specially arranged a hot pot dinner.
" Director Lorne, it's a pity I couldn't be there to offer my congratulations on opening your shop," Neville said sincerely. "My grandmother and I are very grateful for everything you've done at the school, and you're always welcome to visit the Longbottom family."
" Lorne was incredibly busy when the shop opened," Sains chuckled. "Even if you came, you probably wouldn't have had a chance to offer your blessings."
Harry showed Neville around the shop, with Dobby acting as a perfect straight man. Quirrell and Sains did what they liked after closing time, occasionally cracking a joke.
Neville envied the lively atmosphere; usually, it was just him and his grandmother at home.
When it was time to part, Lorne decided to personally take Neville home.
Knock knock, Lorne knocked on the door.
The person who pushed open the door was a sprightly old man, dressed in a neatly tailored black shaman's robe, with his silver-gray hair combed meticulously.
" Mrs Longbottom," Lorne greeted politely, "I'm Lorne Myles, here to take Neville home."
"Please come in, Director Lorne," Augusta made way for him, " Neville often speaks of you, saying you are a very dedicated and good teacher, and we are all very grateful—would you like a cup of hot mead?"
Lorne waved his hand. " Neville is also a smart student."
Augusta wore a knowing smile, " Neville's mind is a bit rigid, I know that. You taught him confidence and how to face challenges, and thanks to the Magic Mobile Phone you rewarded him with, I can see more smiles on this child's face."
" The Longbottom family has had a difficult life. Neville's parents are both in poor condition, and he is my only hope. I'm so glad he had such a good teacher. If you need anything, the Longbottom family will do everything in its power to help."
Augusta never makes empty promises; she herself serves as a jury judge in Wizengamot, participating in trials and proctoring O.W.L. examinations. The Auror department also gives her some face because of her son and daughter-in-law.
The Longbottom family does not engage in politics or power struggles; they are respected solely for their courage, sacrifice, and integrity.
Lorne didn't reply; he was thinking. He seemed to have a solution regarding Neville's parents' illness.
The Soul-Healing Potion saved Quirrell back then.
The Longbottoms were driven insane by the Death Eaters' Cruciatus Curse, and their current mental instability stems from their inability to repair their souls. Since the Soul-Healing Potion can cure Quirrell, who was possessed by Voldemort, treating the Longbottoms should not be a problem.
It's just a matter of time.
It used to take him several months to make a single Soul-Healing Potion, and that was when he wasn't too busy. Now, with the release date fast approaching, and with updates to several games, development of new games, and the expansion of various businesses... he simply can't find the time.
Moreover, regarding raw materials, he had previously asked Hagrid, and the unicorns in the Forbidden Forest had disappeared without a trace after being attacked, so he had no way to collect unicorn saliva.
Lorne didn't want to give people unrealistic hopes, so he didn't mention it, but instead replied, "I am very grateful for your kindness."
In fact, Lorne needed the Longbottom family's help. Lucius would certainly not let his targeting of him go unpunished. Lorne was not afraid of business tactics; what he feared was that Lucius would use some Ministry of Magic regulations to restrict him.
"You work in Wizengamot, so you must be very familiar with the regulations of the Ministry of Magic. I would like to ask if there are any regulations that can force a shop to close, or what knowledge is necessary to run a shop?"
When it came to professional knowledge, Augusta's smile faded slightly. She told Lorne about many precedents of shops being shut down, and Lorne listened attentively, taking notes and nodding frequently.
"If you have any legal questions, feel free to contact me," Augusta said, seeing Lorne to the door. "Hopefully, we won't meet in Wizengamot."
Lorne nodded goodbye.
Back at the shop, Lorne first sent a message to Hagrid, hoping he could search for more unicorns or keep an eye out for supplies on the black market—though it was unlikely, as no other Potions besides Lorne's required unicorn Potions.
Then, he told Quirrell about the licenses Augusta had helped him compile, repeatedly urging him to apply at the Ministry of Magic as soon as possible, so as not to leave any loopholes for his competitors.
The in-store savings feature that Draco had proposed to him required a very complicated eligibility process. He couldn't just deposit the Galleon his customers gave him into Gringotts, where they charged a percentage of the management fees. Lorne didn't need Galleon, but he couldn't do a losing business either.
The business requires a commercial financial institution license, approval from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, review by the Goblin Liaison Office, compliance with International Statute of Secrecy, and the qualification to draft contracts, among other things. Lorne felt that he should refrain from this business until he had a dedicated legal advisor in the shop.
Lorne decided not to work overtime to meet deadlines that night. He took out his dusty old book, " Dark Magic Defense Charms and Potions Related to the Soul."
The Soul-Healing Potion can repair a broken soul, and for the Longbottoms, it is undoubtedly a life-saving miracle drug, but the several months required to make it... Lorne is temporarily unable to spare the time.
Lorne called Quirrell to his room.
" Quirrell, I've always wanted to ask," Lorne said directly, "How did you feel after you drank the potion I gave you?"
After a moment's thought, Quirrell replied, "It's a feeling I've never experienced before. After Voldemort's soul left my body, my own soul felt like a puppet without support. I could feel how incomplete it was, not enough to sustain me any longer."
"That Potions worked like a rope tied to a puppet, pulling it up to make it stand up. I intended to wait for the Potions to take effect, but suddenly found that Potions blocked halfway through its action. I needed to use my consciousness to guide the Potions to work—this is certainly not your problem; Potions related to the soul are inherently full of uncertainty."
Lorne was ashamed; it really was his fault.
He had no talent for Potions; his methods of handling herbs and inputting magic were mediocre at best. He was already grateful that the Potions even worked.
It seems there's something wrong with the Potions he made; at least it won't work on the Longbottoms —their souls are so damaged they've completely lost their self-awareness, and Lorne is worried that even if he makes the Potions, it won't be able to save them.
However, there's still plenty of time, Lorne decided to study Professor Snape's Potions Class properly next semester.
"I understand," Lorne nodded and smiled. "Go and get some rest, Quirrell. The first anniversary celebration is coming up soon, we're all going to be incredibly busy."
Quirrell didn't know why Lorne suddenly asked about the Potions from back then, but he would always be grateful for Lorne's help.
"That's nothing," Quirrell stood up, his eyes resolute. "I'd even go through fire and water for you."