Professor Cecily was silent for a moment and didn't continue with the topic.
"Let's get down to business first." She looked at Dumbledore and said, "I suspect someone is making a magic potion that can affect werewolf transformations, and the one we encountered today was likely intentionally released at St Mungo's.
I don't know why they did it, perhaps to test its efficacy or to cause panic.
But in any case, such behavior is undoubtedly a desecration of St Mungo's, and I will find out who did it."
"Do you need help?" Dumbledore said, "I happen to know a werewolf friend."
"Thank you for your offer, but no, I have some connections with a werewolf clan." Professor Cecily mused, "Having them is enough."
The coldness in Professor Cecily's eyes was evident; whoever dared to mess with St Mungo's like this had already crossed her line.
Luckily, nothing happened today; otherwise, St Mungo's reputation would have been severely damaged.
She needed others to know that pharmacists also have tempers.
It was unclear whether it was intentional, but during the conversation, neither of them mentioned the Ministry of Magic.
Dumbledore, having been declined, didn't insist further.
A werewolf clan... indeed, one more or less wouldn't make much difference.
"And one last thing, regarding the matter of compensation."
Kael unconsciously leaned forward slightly... He had been waiting for this.
"I'm very sorry that due to our oversight you were placed in such danger. St Mungo's will take full responsibility for this."
Professor Cecily thought for a moment and said, "A thousand Galleons, this is our compensation to you, and we hope you can forgive our mistake."
"Additionally, because you stopped the werewolf's attack and preserved St Mungo's reputation, we will reward you with another two thousand Galleons."
Three thousand Galleons in total?
Kael raised an eyebrow. Honestly, it was a bit less than he had expected.
No exaggeration, those few seconds when he encountered the werewolf were more dangerous than facing Oren in the Forbidden Forest.
From wielding his wand to casting the first Softening Charm, it was just about a second, and any slight mistake might have led to him being bitten.
In such a life-threatening situation, only compensating three thousand Galleons didn't seem much.
But considering that the other party knew Dumbledore and had just spoken on his behalf... three thousand it is, after all, Dumbledore's face must be respected.
Besides, Kael was also somewhat shy.
The other party had spoken so sincerely, and he was embarrassed to open his mouth and ask for the remaining nine hundred ninety-seven thousand Galleons.
Kael nodded and just as he was about to agree, he heard Professor Cecily continue.
"Also, the Merlin Order Medal!"
"What..." Kael was momentarily taken aback, thinking he had misheard.
"The Merlin Order Medal." Professor Cecily repeated, smiling, "I will personally nominate you, though I can't guarantee whether it'll be second class or third."
This was her true compensation... or perhaps a gesture of gratitude.
In her view, compared to St Mungo's reputation, the lives of the patients were far more important.
On the entire second floor, there were about fifty patients lying in beds; if a werewolf had barged in, they would have had no means of resistance.
Kael could be said to have indirectly saved the lives of fifty wizards; such an act absolutely deserved a Merlin Order Medal.
However, his age... Professor Cecily frowned.
Kael was too young, not even twelve years old. If he were a bit older, even just an adult, there would be no problem awarding him a second-class medal.
But now she could only do her best to strive for it.
Professor Cecily looked at Kael and asked, "How about it, are you satisfied?"
"Of course, I'm very satisfied." Kael smiled, "But... can I exchange the Galleons for something else?"
"Oh, what do you want to exchange it for?"
"The equivalent in magic potions." Kael blurted out, "If possible, I would like them to be made by you, any kind."
This answer surprised Professor Cecily, and she instinctively asked, "Why do you want to exchange for magic potions?"
"Because I like Potion Class." Without thinking, Kael said, "Having a master's work by my side allows me to constantly understand my shortcomings."
"Pfft..."
Beside him, Dumbledore, who was sipping his tea, suddenly choked a little, almost dropping his cup.
He wiped his wet beard, "Sorry, the tea is a bit hot."
Kael acted as if he hadn't seen it, maintaining his composure and continuing, "And I also have a bit of personal interest; the value of a Potion Master's work is certainly much higher than the corresponding Galleons."
"...Alright."
Professor Cecily agreed almost without hesitation, "I will make the potions needed for all seven years of study one by one.
But I'm not sure about their value. It might be much less than three thousand Galleons. Are you certain?"
"Yes, I'm sure." Kael nodded repeatedly.
He had come up with the idea spontaneously, thinking of exchanging the Galleons for magic potions.
Mainly because he didn't lack Galleons, even with an extra three thousand, they would just sit in Gringotts collecting dust.
He might as well trade for something else.
From what Dumbledore implied earlier, this Dean's skill in magic potions seemed to surpass even Slughorn's.
An opportunity like this, to possess works by a Potion Master, was indeed rare.
After they finished discussing, they all left the tearoom's private compartment.
The people from the Ministry of Magic were still downstairs, and they had come to help, so as the Dean of St Mungo's, Cecily couldn't ignore them for too long.
Moreover, in the werewolf's original ward on the second floor, two people were injured, although fortunately neither was bitten, she still needed to check on them.
As they went up to the fifth floor, Kael saw the round-faced boy again.
He was still holding the lunch box at the staircase corner, but this time he had someone behind him, seemingly his grandmother judging by her age.
She was wearing a long dress, holding a big red handbag, with a hat on her head featuring a vulture specimen.
A round-faced boy at St Mungo's, along with an old lady with a vulture hat... Kael roughly knew who they were.
"Speak, Neville!"
Seeing Kael and his group, Lady Augusta gave the boy a gentle push from behind.
The boy clumsily set the lunch box aside and nervously approached Kael, saying, "Th-thank you for saving me... I-I was just too scared earlier, I apologize."
"It's okay, I understand." Kael looked at him and asked, "What's your name?"
"Neville, Neville Longbottom."