novelzi Chapter 123 - Hope for The LongBottoms
Chapter 123 - Hope for The LongBottoms
Alice, sitting by the window, glanced briefly at the newcomers before turning back to count the people walking by on the street below. Her gaze was vacant, detached. Merriam gave Augusta and Alex a sympathetic nod before stepping out to give them some privacy.Augusta walked up to Frank, taking his hand in hers. "Frank, you need to eat less sugar. Too much isn't good for you," she said softly, her voice filled with both love and heartbreak. She checked his clothes and bedding, meticulously ensuring everything was in order. The nurses clearly did their job well, but Augusta couldn't help herself; it was a mother's instinct.
Alex sat beside Alice, trying to engage her. "Alice, it's Alex. Do you remember me?" he asked gently, but she didn't respond, her attention still fixed on the window. Frank, meanwhile, clutched his candy, his focus entirely on the treat.
After a few moments, Alex turned to Augusta. "Mrs. Longbottom, I'd like to ask for your permission to do something."
Augusta looked up from adjusting Frank's blanket. "Why are you being so formal? Just say what's on your mind."
"I'd like to check their memories," Alex said carefully. "I know it might not help right now, but I want to see if there's something—anything—that could lead to a solution."
Augusta sighed heavily. "Alex, I know you mean well, but when it first happened, Dumbledore himself tried. If he couldn't help, what chance do you have? I don't want you wasting your energy on false hope."
"I understand," Alex replied earnestly. "But I'm still young, and just because I can't do something now doesn't mean I won't be able to in the future. And…" He hesitated, his voice softening. "I promised Neville I'd bring his parents back to him someday."
Augusta's stern expression softened. She studied Alex for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Give it a try. Maybe… maybe you'll find something everyone else missed."
Alex nodded gratefully and approached Frank. "Frank, it's Alex. I'm going to try something. It might feel a little strange, but I promise I'll be gentle."
He placed his hands lightly on Frank's temples and closed his eyes, focusing his thoughts. As soon as Alex ended the Legilimency spell, he sat back, drenched in sweat. Controlling his magical vision to delve into the depths of Frank's mind had been far more exhausting than he anticipated. The deeper he explored, the more frequent the memory fragments became, like drifting flotsam in an ocean of thought.
Within this boundless space, where directions held no meaning, Alex followed the memory fragments as though chasing a distant lighthouse. He moved steadily toward the areas where fragments clustered more densely. After what felt like an eternity of
The next day, Alex approached Augusta with a proposition. "I need to visit Diagon Alley for supplies. I'll head back to the house afterward."
Augusta nodded. "Be careful, and don't overdo it."
Taking Muggle transportation to the Leaky Cauldron, Alex was greeted by the familiar sight of its weathered wooden sign swaying gently in the breeze. Inside, the air was filled with the warm hum of conversation. Behind the bar, the ever-reliable Tom was polishing a glass, just as Alex had last seen him three years ago. "Boss, a butterbeer, please," Alex called out casually as he approached the counter.
Tom's head shot up at the familiar voice, and his face split into a wide grin. "Well, well! If it isn't Alex! You've got some nerve showing up after all these years, you rascal. Three years! Where've you been hiding?"