With a whack on the head, Ron became noticeably more compliant, and Hermione gave Ron a smug smile, clearly proud to have support backing her.
"We're here," said Mrs. Weasley, "Fifth floor, this is where the Longbottoms live... I haven't visited Frank and Alice for more than half a year now, ah, what brave and fearless people they are..."
As she spoke these words, she shook her head and sighed.
Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom were Aurors, and they were also members of the Phoenix Society, having escaped from Voldemort's clutches multiple times.
But unfortunately, after Lily's Ancient Magic Spell killed Voldemort, the frenzied Bellatrix and other Death Eaters captured Frank and Alice, attempting to extract Voldemort's whereabouts.
However, the Longbottoms remained resolute and unyielding. Even under the torment of the Drilling Curse, they revealed no information to the Death Eaters, resulting in them being tortured to insanity by those crazed Death Eaters.
They stopped at a hospital room door, and Mr. Weasley said from behind, "This is their room — it's a permanent residence ward, specifically for those curses that cause permanent damage... Of course, as you can see, Saint Mangos Magic Hospital is helpless against it."
"That's enough, Arthur." Mrs. Weasley turned back to glare at her husband, "No nonsense, we're going inside now —"
Upon opening the door, they saw a gray-faced, worried-looking wizard lying on the opposite bed, staring at the ceiling, muttering to himself, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
Two beds away was a woman with a face full of hair, looking as if she hadn't completely evolved from a chimpanzee.
The two beds on the other side of the ward were surrounded by floral curtains, providing some privacy for the patients and visitors.
Seeing people come in, the hairy-faced woman barked twice at everyone.
"Oh, Agnes." Mrs. Weasley walked up and hugged the woman, "Happy holidays to you—though it's a bit late, did you receive my Christmas gift?"
Agnes barked twice again, indicating confirmation.
"Looks like you got it." Mrs. Weasley said with a cheerful smile, "We still need to visit Alice and Frank."
Agnes barked happily twice.
Cassandra nudged Harry with her elbow.
Harry turned his head in confusion, only to find Cassandra already whispering in his ear.
"I think your godfather would have some common language with her."
Harry said nothing, knowing it would be impolite to laugh now, so he gave Cassandra a warning glance.
Noticing her little boyfriend's gaze, Cassandra playfully stuck out her tongue, trying to get away with it by being cute.
Oh, damn that contrast!
Just then, the floral curtain at the end of the ward was pulled open, and out walked an elderly witch wearing a green robe, draped in a moth-eaten fox fur. She wore a pointed hat adorned with a vulture specimen on top.
Her presence was strong, like a more intense version of Professor McGonagall's aura, clearly showing dominance.
Behind her, a plump little boy with a round face followed.
It was Neville.
"Neville." Harry called.
Neville's eyes lit up, and he approached to greet Harry, "Oh, Harry—how come you're here?"
"Mrs. Weasley said she would take us to visit your parents... um, so here we are. You're our good friend, we should have come sooner." Harry said, shaking Neville's hand.
At this moment, Mrs. Longbottom also came over, kindly asking, "Are these your friends, Neville, dear?"
"Yes, Grandma." Neville turned back to his grandmother and said, "These are my best friends—"
"Ah, right," his grandmother looked carefully at Harry, extending a dry, claw-like hand to shake, "Yes, yes, of course I know who you are... Neville speaks highly of you, naturally, I must thank you, for you've given my dear a sense of confidence and have made him an excellent wizard."
"It's what I should do, Mrs. Longbottom." Harry nodded graciously to Mrs. Longbottom.
Mrs. Longbottom seemed very fond of Harry, patting his hand continuously, her gaze full of warmth.
By this time, the Weasleys also came over.
"Hello, Mrs. Longbottom." The two greeted Neville's grandmother.
"Arthur, Molly." Mrs. Longbottom seemed somewhat pleased, "It's nice to see you both."
She then looked over to Ron and Ginny, and the Weasley Twins, saying to the Weasleys, "These children, are they all Weasley's children?"
"Yes, ma'am." Arthur said.
"Good kids, I've heard Neville mention them." Mrs. Longbottom nodded, "They've helped Neville quite a bit at school, I'm very grateful for everything they've done for Neville."
"It's nothing, ma'am." Ron said, somewhat flattered.
Mrs. Longbottom gave Ron a kind smile, then looked over to Cassandra.
"And this... is she a child of the Malfoy family?" Mrs. Longbottom furrowed her brows, "It does look like a Malfoy, but I don't recall the Malfoys having a daughter of this age?"
"I am indeed a Malfoy, Mrs. Longbottom," Cassandra smiled politely, "However, my situation is somewhat complicated."
Mrs. Longbottom didn't intend to delve into this matter, as the matters of her son and daughter-in-law troubled her too much to focus on any gossip.
She nodded politely to Cassandra, and then looked towards Hermione again.