Neville's parents are in the long-term ward at St. Mungo's, a place for wizards whose minds have been permanently damaged by magic. This, ironically, is where the original Gilderoy Lockhart ended up.
When Lockhart walked into the ward with Neville's uncle, his expression was quite peculiar as he looked around. Besides the Longbottoms, there was a sallow-faced wizard muttering on a bed, and a witch with distinct dog-like features on her face. Long dog fur and barking sounds when she spoke.
Seeing his curiosity, Witch Naomi quietly explained, "They say it's because of illegally using Animagus. You know, this advanced Transfiguration can only turn a wizard into an ordinary animal, but some people get too greedy and want to transform into more powerful magical creatures."
"Such wizards end up becoming neither human nor beast, unable to return to their original form."
"Naomi!" a plump Healer snapped in a low voice, "Who gave you permission to discuss my patients' conditions so freely in my ward!"
The Healer in charge of this ward was a witch who exuded a unique, kindly aura. Even her scolding sounded more like a mother protecting the patients in her ward.
"Madam Strout," Naomi said, sticking out her tongue a bit apologetically, her expression a little awkward.
"What if you used Polyjuice Potion?" a voice suddenly interjected, drawing both their gazes.
It was Lockhart, stroking his chin, curiously examining the witch with magical creature features. "If you brew Polyjuice Potion with her own hair from before, could she temporarily turn back to her original self?"
The two Healers were stunned, looking at each other. "You can do that?"
Lockhart shrugged. "Even if it's just for a moment, right? Polyjuice Potion doesn't last long, but I imagine this patient would be thrilled to be briefly herself again, for some important moments."
Madam Strout, the Healer, softened her expression, looking sadly at the dog-headed witch. "Yes, Agnes's son is graduating from Durmstrang Institute, and I hear he has a lovely girlfriend and plans to get married after graduation. If she could just be there to bless the children..."
"Polyjuice Potion won't work!" A deep, stern voice abruptly cut through the tender moment.
This unwelcome interruption, as you might expect, came from none other than Snape. He was curious why Lockhart was there, but he quickly focused on his expertise. As an excellent Potions Master, he couldn't stand by and watch people misuse potions and cause accidents.
"Polyjuice Potion is only for human transformation; non-humans are not permitted to use it. It will only cause more dreadful problems."
His gaze was stern as he looked at the three of them. "While we sometimes, out of tolerance and care, might acknowledge certain individuals as 'human,' in academic terms, non-humans are non-humans. Wizards with magical creature blood must be especially cautious when using potions only permitted for humans."
"Especially certain half-blood wizards with magical creature ancestry, they cannot be considered human in such cases!"
The logic seemed sound.
However, Lockhart didn't agree. He had his own point of view.
"Severus, at least one thing I'm clear on: wizards with Veela mixed blood can use Polyjuice Potion."
In the original stories, the Order of the Phoenix used six people disguised as Harry Potter with Polyjuice Potion to confuse the Death Eaters during Harry's transfer from Privet Drive for safety. One of them was Fleur Delacour, who has Veela blood.
Veela belong to the elf family of magical creatures, alongside house-elves, Cornish pixies, gnomes (garden pixies), and various magical creatures with "fairy" in their names. However, Veela are more human-like in form and are alluring.
But this allure isn't always a good thing; it indicates characteristics of dark magical creatures, and many dark creatures are known for their ability to charm men. Many wizards can't resist Veela, which has led to many wizards with Veela blood in the wizarding world today.
Snape's brow furrowed as he pondered. "Perhaps it's because of repeated interbreeding with wizards after the initial Veela mix, leading to a certain dilution of the magical creature bloodline."
"Regardless!" His expression was utterly serious. "To my knowledge, half-giants, half-goblins, half-centaurs, half-werecats..."
He listed over a dozen types of half-bloods. "Even after multiple generations of interbreeding, they are not recognized as human in academic terms. All potions that are only for human use cannot be used on them."
This is a harsh reality. No matter how much society or political movements classify these individuals as human, in academic circles, confusion cannot be tolerated. A single mistake in using a potion or spell could lead to terrible disaster.
"I am more inclined to believe that Veela half-blood wizards can use Polyjuice Potion, or rather, can be directly classified as 'human,' because they look exactly like humans. The only difference is in their magical bloodline."
Lockhart didn't agree with Snape's dilution theory. No matter how much something is diluted, different is still different. In Muggle genetics, pigs and humans share up to 98% genetic similarity, yet a tiny difference means vastly different outcomes.
He patted his chest. "Their bodies, made of flesh and blood, display standard human characteristics. The differentiating magical bloodline resides in the soul, existing as a magical force, only manifesting when magical power erupts."
"The clearest evidence is that werewolves, when not transformed – that is, when the lycanthropic bloodline isn't manifesting – their bodies appear human, and they can use Polyjuice Potion at that time."
During the incident with the seven Harry Potters, when everyone returned, Lupin explicitly stated that Hagrid wasn't human and couldn't have used Polyjuice Potion, yet he himself had to be checked by Kingsley to confirm he hadn't used it.
These conclusions partly stemmed from Lockhart's memories of his previous life, partly from Voldemort's book, The Unquenchable Flame of Life, Lyall Lupin's research on werewolves, and Lockhart's own understanding of 'mind, subconscious, body, and thought.'
Lockhart gestured toward the dog-headed witch on the bed. "Clearly, due to a cursed problem, she's showing magical creature characteristics. If we can suppress this magic that highlights her magical bloodline, we could restore her human body. And Polyjuice Potion made from her own hair materials could just reverse this magical change."
Evidently, his proposed treatment wasn't merely based on the original function of Polyjuice Potion.
"That's just your speculation." After deep thought, Snape didn't outright deny it, but he didn't fully endorse the approach either. "I still reserve my suspicion that it could lead to more problems."
Madam Strout, the Healer in charge of the ward, looked conflicted, unsure who to listen to. Both were undoubtedly academic giants, yet neither could convince the other.
"This is a long-term ward," Lockhart shrugged. "They might stay like this their entire lives. Perhaps there's a moment in their life when they'd be willing to take a risk? Magic is inherently mysterious and dangerous; no one can guarantee everything."
He was merely offering a patient who might have no hope for life a chance to take a risk. Whether they wanted to try, and whether it would bring salvation or death, was not for him to decide.
It was clear that the dog-headed witch's problem wasn't merely cosmetic. Even though she sat up in bed listening to their conversation, her eyes were blank and muddled, as if she understood nothing, like the simple, clear gaze of a puppy. This was why she was a long-term resident of the hospital. Her bodily consciousness was profoundly influenced by her magical creature bloodline.
Long-term ward...
A brutally cruel phrase, as if all hope had been extinguished.
Neville's grandmother, Augusta Longbottom, who had been listening to their discussion, covered her mouth to stifle a sob, her eyes filled with sorrow and despair.
Neville's uncle, Algie, sighed and gently patted his mother's back in comfort.
Lockhart evidently sensed the intense sorrow. He glanced at them and gestured to Neville's parents' bed. "Any discoveries on your end, Severus?"
Snape nodded gravely. "Their minds are extremely chaotic, with only their subconscious driving their bodies, but the subconscious isn't enough to make their bodies perform complete actions, leading to their current state."
"So, restoring their mental faculties is key. My treatment plan involves using certain potions to put their bodies into a state of complete suspended animation, then using a Time-Turner to guide their consciousness into the past, reliving their life experiences..."
He frowned. "But this would undoubtedly bring more unforeseen complications, whether it's the mismatch between consciousness and body after independent repair, or the dangers of time travel. None of it is easy."
"And, I cannot guarantee success."
Lockhart was astonished. "Doesn't the Cruciatus Curse affect the soul?"
"The widely accepted academic theory is that it does; the three Unforgivable Curses all target the soul." Snape shook his head. "But actually, no, I don't agree with that. Wizards killed by the Killing Curse can be clearly observed entering the veil, their souls intact and unharmed. The Cruciatus Curse is evidently the same."
Lockhart understood, recalling the knowledge and experience of the Imperius Curse he had 'learned' from Tom. He confirmed that the Imperius Curse also affected the mind. The mind of the body, not the subconscious of the soul. This was clearly a fascinating and complex field.
Lockhart's expression shifted. He gently drew his wand and looked at Madam Strout, Neville's parents' Healer, and the family members, Augusta and Algie. "I'd like to try something. Don't worry, there's no danger at all, but I need your permission."
Madam Strout didn't express an opinion, simply turning to look at the family.
"Even a glimmer of hope!" Grandmother Augusta clutched Uncle Algie's arm tightly, making him wince.
Algie nodded. "I trust you."