The mage

St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries~~ Early morning of November 1st, 1981

Albus Dumbledore and his entourage, not forgetting the valorous feline still proud of its recent victory, had Apparated to a Muggle Street endowed with a magical charm that allowed witches and wizards to Apparate freely to specific locations, unnoticed. They found themselves opposite a dilapidated red-brick store named Purge and Dowse Ltd, an establishment that hardly seemed inviting. The display windows showcased a few mannequins with awry wigs and outfits that looked like they were from a bygone era, decades past. Large signs reading "CLOSED FOR RENOVATION" covered each door, deterring any potential visitors.

The group, dressed in attire that might raise eyebrows in the current era, approached one of the display window mannequins.

"We're here for a medical appointment with Mrs. Strout", announced the elderly wizard, addressing the mannequin.

Fortunately, no Muggles were around to witness the extraordinary scene as the mannequin came to life, nodding its head and gesturing for the wizards to enter. Pleased, the group stepped through the glass, revealing hidden doors that were invisible to the uninitiated.

Crossing the threshold, they were immediately enveloped by the bustling yet orderly chaos of the ground floor. The entrance hall, with its gleaming tiled floor, echoed with the hurried footsteps of numerous healers donned in green robes, each embroidered with the hospital's distinctive emblem: a crossed wand and bone.

An expansive waiting area unfolded before them, filled with rows of high-backed wooden benches reminiscent of church pews, and time-worn wooden chairs scattered around, paired with low tables holding an assortment of books, magazines, and newspapers such as Witch Weekly and The Daily Prophet. The calm and welcoming atmosphere was accentuated by the white and green walls adorned with health advisories, portraits of venerable healers, and an array of potted plants and medicinal herbs, adding a comforting touch of greenery to the space.

Sirius Black watched with a mix of curiosity and surprise as a couple of parents looked bewilderedly at their child, whose right arm had inexplicably transformed into an elephant's trunk. He surmised it to be the result of accidental magic, a hallmark of youthful innocence, given the boy appeared to be around four or five years old. Surrounding them, other witches, and wizards each bore their own peculiar afflictions: a comically twisted nose, a hiccup causing sporadic skin colour changes, and even an elderly man with ears that had morphed into kale leaves.

The group made their way through the waiting area towards the reception desk, nestled between two grand archways leading to the stairs and lifts that wound their way to the upper floors. The reception, with its dark, worn wooden counter, stood out against the pristine walls, tinged with the hospital's signature green hues. Behind the desk, a middle-aged witch with glasses perched on the tip of her nose and grey hair framing her kindly face awaited them.

"Welcome to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries reception. What brings you to us today?" she inquired, scanning the diverse group.

"We've informed Mrs. Strout of our arrival; she should be expecting us in the Bonham Room," Dumbledore replied with a calming smile. "Could we go there, please?"

The receptionist cast a respectful glance at the esteemed principal before consulting a thick tome, a compendium of all medical staff annotations and requests, each connected to their individual miniature versions. Lifting her wand, which had been resting peacefully on the desk, she flicked it, causing the pages to flutter rapidly before coming to a stop.

"You may proceed, gentlemen," she confirmed after verifying Dumbledore's statement. "I recommend using the lift; it will take you directly to the room."

"Thank you," Dumbledore expressed his gratitude with a smile.

Thus, the party headed towards the left archway, leading them to a grand hallway. Here stood a monumental staircase, with a lift promising a more direct route to their right. To the left of the stairs, a door stood out, proudly marked: Material Accidents Department. Fortunately empty, the lift accommodated the group, albeit snugly for Hagrid, who had to stoop slightly, indicating the space wasn't designed for beings of his size. Sirius offered a small smile at this scene, then his gaze softened as he looked at the child he was carrying, his smile tinged with melancholy. Feeling Hagrid's discomfort, the Potter's cat shifted from his welcoming arms to perch on Dumbledore's shoulder, who looked at the feline with a hint of amusement before selecting the fourth floor.

The lift's ascent was accompanied by a gentle melody reminiscent of the lifts in the Ministry of Magic. Shortly after, a feminine voice announced: "Fourth floor, Spell Damage." The gates opened with a discreet "ding."

This level was markedly different from the reception area. A lengthy corridor stretched out before them, its white and green walls adorned with portraits of renowned healers and healers. Several doors dotted their path, one of which, at the end of the right-hand corridor, led to the famous Room 49, also known as the Janus Thickey Ward.

Directly opposite the lift, a majestic wooden door bore the inscription: Room No. 50 – Bonham Room. A witch in green and white attire awaited them, the white collar of her robe enhanced by a prominent golden button connected by a matching chain. Her radiant white skin, delicate pink lips, and emerald eyes contrasted with her light brown hair framing her face. This was Miriam Strout, the head of this department.

As they stepped out of the lift to approach her, Miriam regarded them with curiosity, unaware of the purpose of their visit. An eyebrow raised at the sight of the cat perched on Dumbledore's shoulder.

"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore, I received your Patronus, which seemed urgent," she greeted. "Are you aware you have a cat on your shoulder? I must remind you that unless it's a patient, animals are not permitted here."

"Good evening, Miriam, and please excuse Minnie's presence," he responded, reaching out to affectionately stroke the named cat.

"Minnie?" exclaimed Sirius, stifling a laugh. "Don't tell me that..."

He paused, struggling to contain his mirth. He had not been to Godric's Hollow since the Potters had gone into hiding, communicating only through letters with James and Lily, and the cat's name had never come up.

"Let's just say Minerva was not exactly... pleased, shall we say, to learn the name given to the cat who, according to James, shares her temperament," Albus explained with a smile. "I assume an exception might be made once the reason for our visit is disclosed?"

"Very well," sighed Miriam, hiding a smile at the anecdote. "I've summoned two colleagues who are waiting for us in the room. Please, come in..."

She opened the door, inviting them to enter. The room revealed itself to be a large chamber with a single bed placed under a window at the centre of the opposite wall. Unlike other rooms, this one featured only one window despite its considerable size. Only one portrait decorated the walls, that of Mungo Bonham, healer, and founder of the hospital. Aside from his, no other portraits or paintings adorned the space. A dresser, topped with several potions, stood in one corner.

However, the most striking feature was the floor and the invisible enchantments. The central marble had given way to white stone, engraved with a large circle surrounded by countless runes, decipherable only by those proficient in ancient runes. Here and there, hidden runes could be discerned by the more observant, ingeniously embedded and filled with a colourless liquid, blending into their surroundings to remain concealed.

It was in the centre of this room that two other healers awaited them.

One was tall, blonde, and elderly, looking weary with blue eyes behind square glasses, giving him a stern appearance. Any reader of The Daily Prophet would recognize him as Professor Helbert Spleen, known for answering medical queries in the daily troubles column. He was also a healing teacher at the hospital and occasionally taught at Hogwarts when enough students showed interest in the specialty.

Standing alongside him was another man, equally imposing but markedly different in appearance with his chocolate-hued skin and hazelnut eyes, which seemed even larger behind thick glasses. A hat, adorned with the hospital's emblem, cleverly covered the area where his hair should have been, lost years ago in a tragic incident involving magical fire set by a Death Eater. Eustace Burke harboured a deep-seated aversion to Death Eaters, and it was well-known that whenever a suspected Death Eater was brought into the hospital for treatment, Eustace would find a way to pass the patient off to a colleague, convinced he couldn't fulfil his healer's oath towards such individuals.

The two wizards watched the group intently, curious about the urgency that had disturbed their rest. Poor Helbert, who appeared to have been rudely awakened from a brief slumber, probably shortened by his duty to answer the ceaseless inquiries of anxious witches and wizards in The Daily Prophet.

"Albus Dumbledore, I had a feeling you were behind my interrupted sleep," Helbert exclaimed, a broad smile lighting up his tired face. "I hope this is worth it; you know how much I need my rest, especially these days when questions are flying in from all sides..."

Sirius watched the wizard mutter before averting his gaze under his stern look. The healer had recognized him. A shiver of embarrassment ran through Sirius, perhaps regretting the multitude of questions he had previously asked him.

"And if it isn't Mr. BLACK himself," the healer said sarcastically. "Do you have more questions about lubrication charms? Or how to treat a purulent boil under the armpit? Or maybe about the risks of mastur..."

"Helbert!" Eustace interrupted, a smirk playing on his lips. "I think he gets the point."

"I should hope so," the blond healer retorted, casting a dark look at Sirius.

The other wizards merely smiled at Sirius Black's sheepish expression and flushed cheeks. He was known for asking the healer embarrassing questions, most of them related to his many romantic escapades. Despite his engagement to Amelia Bones, or his love for Remus Lupin, it had never stopped him from having flings with various witches, a few wizards, and even a goblin. "Ah, Brinok and that spinning top..." he thought nostalgically.

"Professor, why are we here, specifically in this room?" Miriam asked, turning to the elderly man.

"Sirius?" Dumbledore said, extending his arms towards the child whom the wizard handed over. "May I count on your discretion, in accordance with your oaths?"

"Absolutely," Eustace assured, while the other two healers nodded. "You know we're bound by medical confidentiality, unless explicitly authorized by the patient or their guardian."

"That didn't stop you from..." Sirius began indignantly.

"Your questions were published in The Daily Prophet, for everyone to see..." Helbert interrupted with a disapproving look, silencing Sirius who swallowed hard. "By asking those questions, you agreed to make them public."

"That explanation satisfies me," Albus intervened, easing the tension. "Without beating around the bush, be informed that a press conference is scheduled for later today to announce Voldemort's defeat by our young Harry, who is the reason for our visit."

With curious and delighted looks, the healers listened as Dumbledore unveiled the events of the past few hours and the discovery made with Elton Elderberry. With Sirius's consent, they quickly cast a diagnostic spell on Harry, producing a small parchment in mid-air. The three healers then exchanged looks, stepping aside for a brief discussion, holding the diagnostic parchment.

Eustace, Miriam, and Helbert, now secluded, began to deliberate on their course of action. They scrutinized the parchment, which detailed the various afflictions plaguing the child, paying particular attention to the annotations in red:

Date: 31/10/1981 – 20H27 – Sacrificial magical protection – effects: unknown – multiple sources: Lily Jane Potter / James Fleamont Potter

Date: 31/10/1981 – 20H26 – Killing Curse – effect: rebounded to caster – source: Tom Marvolo Riddle

Date: 31/10/1981 – 20H27 – Fragmented soul parasite – effect: isolated by sacrificial magical protection – source: Tom Marvolo Riddle

"This shed new light on the moniker 'You-Know-Who'," Eustace remarked, shaking his head. "Riddle is hardly a name of magical origin; he must have used an alias."

"Tom Riddle?" Helbert pondered. "It's been ages since I heard that name. We were at Hogwarts at the same time, but he was in Slytherin, so our paths rarely crossed. I've always preferred the company of my fellow Ravenclaws, you know."

Miriam and Eustace were taken aback to learn that he had attended Hogwarts alongside Voldemort. However, their focus quickly shifted back to the matter at hand.

"The most intriguing aspect is this protection with unknown effects," Miriam highlighted. "Normally, the diagnosis wouldn't display such uncertainty."

"What if the spell is adaptive?" suggested Helbert. "This is the first time we're encountering such a situation, to my knowledge. And it appears there was a dual sacrifice. I have some expertise in this area, and I can speculate on the potential consequences of such an act."

"I wasn't aware that was one of your areas of expertise," Eustace expressed his surprise.

"Well, now you know," the elder smiled. "I'm not a professor for nothing, and my curiosity knows no bounds. Although it is speculative, the child might have enhanced resistance to most spells and poisons. The protection is meant to shield him, so he will be protected. Fortunately, because if it were a barrier, the child would be immune to all spells, poisons, and potions, making it impossible to administer any magical treatment."

"Are there other potential effects of this protection?" Miriam inquired, captivated.

"Indeed, Miriam, and it's likely the case here," confirmed Helbert. "The spell must do more than just protect, otherwise, the effects wouldn't be unknown. It is highly probable that the child will benefit from some kind of magical enhancement, a boost, if you will. Improved memory? Greater ease with spells? Likely increased power, and perhaps even an exceptionally robust constitution."

"Fascinating, but I'm more concerned about this parasite," interjected Eustace, pointing to the last entry. "It seems this so-called 'Horcrux' is indeed isolated from the child."

"Indeed," agreed Miriam. "Nevertheless, using a blade seems prudent. Any ideas?"

The two men furrowed their brows, lost in thought. Finding a suitable enchanted blade wouldn't be easy. Indeed, magical blades like swords or daggers weren't rare, but few were suitable for a medical context.

"What about a goblin-forged scalpel?" suggested a deep voice, startling the healers.

They turned to find the source of the suggestion: the portrait of the hospital's founder, who had been listening to their conversation from the beginning. They tended to forget that the portrait was there to assist them.

"A goblin-forged scalpel?" repeated Miriam, thoughtful. "Yes, that rings a bell, but where to find it?"

The portrait offered a kind smile before swinging open like a door, revealing a niche in the wall. Inside lay a red case containing a slender silver blade. Miriam stepped forward to retrieve the scalpel, admiring the craftsmanship on the handle, engraved with Bonham's name.

As she stepped back, the portrait closed, and the founder's face displayed a touch of melancholy.

"This scalpel was gifted to me by the goblin king as a token of gratitude for saving his son," explained Mungo Bonham. "I'd appreciate its return after use."

"We won't fail to return it," assured Miriam, bowing respectfully.

"It seems we've found the appropriate tool," exclaimed Helbert, taking the scalpel from Miriam. "I suggest we proceed with the procedure within the possession circle, just to be safe."

"An excellent idea," agreed Eustace. "Let's get to work."

The trio approached Albus Dumbledore and his group, ready to begin the procedure. Eustace, with a flick of his wand, repositioned the bed at the centre of the circle, fitting it perfectly into the designated space.

"We've gathered all the necessary information to proceed with the procedure, Professor Dumbledore," declared Miriam. "We'll use a goblin-forged scalpel to make an incision on the young boy's forehead and carefully remove the affected skin fragment. Once done, we'll remove the child from the circle while leaving the skin fragment inside, confining the parasite. Then, it'll just be a matter of exorcising or banishing it, as needed."

"And what about Harry?" Sirius worried, eyeing the blade warily. "Will it hurt him? Are there any adverse effects? His scar is already quite pronounced; I don't want him to end up with an even worse injury."

"Rest assured, all will be well," Helbert reassured him. "We'll put young Harry to sleep before making the incision. Once the procedure is complete and the child is safe, we will apply a healing balm that will regenerate the skin in a matter of minutes, given the small size of the lesion. There should be no visible trace left."

"However, it's possible that the scar might reappear over time," Eustace admitted, accustomed to dealing with magical injuries and scars. "If that happens, it will likely be just a faint mark, a pale scar that might fade with time. It will be significantly different from the current scar, which is red and quite noticeable."

Sirius nodded, understanding that the scar might reappear. He himself had injuries that, although healed, had left marks after the initial scars vanished, serving as a visual testament to past events.

"May we stay and watch?" Dumbledore requested. "We would be reassured to witness the procedure."

"As long as you don't interfere," Miriam responded, motioning for them to keep their distance. "May I?"

She extended her arms towards Albus Dumbledore, who handed her the now awake child, looking around curiously, wondering who these people were and where his parents might be. Miriam, with a wand movement reminiscent of a crescent moon, whispered:

"Somnus," before gently placing the child on the bed. "Helbert?"

The venerable wizard approached the sleeping boy.

"We'll also numb the area, just as a precaution," he suggested, drawing his wand. "Lenio!"

He cast a pain relief spell, alleviating mild to moderate pain for a few minutes and numbing specific body parts like the forehead. Carefully, he put away his wand and approached with the scalpel in hand, ready to remove the skin marked by the scar.

Sirius, Dumbledore, and Hagrid watched the procedure with keen attention, as did Minnie, the cat perched on Albus's shoulder, who vigilantly watched over its young master. Despite the peril Harry had often unwittingly exposed it to, the cat showed unwavering affection towards him.

The extraction of the scar was completed in less than a minute. As the piece of skin was lifted, the parasitic entity within revealed itself. The magical protection surrounding Harry tightened around him, no longer isolating the soul fragment that was now no longer a threat to the young boy. Eustace acted swiftly, using his wand to move the bed, with Harry on it, back under the window. A piercing scream emanated from the scar, which began to emit black smoke. Helbert threw the piece of skin to the ground before hastily exiting the circle, followed by Miriam and Eustace. Seconds later, a smoky figure with red eyes screamed unintelligibly, flitting through the air like a bird, repeatedly crashing against the magical barrier of the circle.

"By Merlin's beard!" exclaimed Helbert, recognizing the visage of Voldemort. "We must perform an exorcism immediately."

"He lacks the strength to escape," Eustace noted with a wry smile, finding a certain irony in seeing the "great Voldemort" rendered so powerless.

"It is unthinkable for the child to wake up and witness such a horror!" declared Miriam.

The other healers agreed. They pointed their wands at the circle and released a golden beam of magic. The circle lit up even more brightly before producing a blinding flash. All the wizards in the room closed their eyes, and upon reopening them, they saw that the parasitic entity had vanished, and the piece of skin on the floor had completely disintegrated.

Miriam quickly moved towards the dresser to retrieve a jar containing a pasty mixture. She approached the child, opened the jar, and scooped out a generous amount of the balm, which she applied to the scar. A slight vapor rose from the balm upon contact.

"Is it over?" Sirius asked, approaching Harry, followed closely by Albus and Hagrid. "Is he healed?"

"Everything is in order, Mr. Black," Miriam reassured him. "The child is doing very well, rest assured. The balm will have taken full effect in about ten minutes, after which you may clean the area. If the child experiences any pain, which is possible, please administer a few drops of a child-friendly pain-relief potion, available at the hospital's shop or any reputable potion shop in Diagon Alley."

"I'm very grateful to you, Mrs. Strout," said Sirius with a smile, cradling the still-sleeping Harry in his arms.

"I'm delighted with this outcome," Dumbledore exclaimed, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "We shall take our leave, if you permit, and I trust in your discretion regarding today's events."

"You can rely on us, sir," Eustace replied. "Discretion is, after all, part of our duty."

"As for me, I'm going back to bed, and let no one disturb me for any reason!" grumbled Helbert before walking away, not without placing the scalpel back behind the portrait.

Thus, Albus Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Rubeus Hagrid, Harry Potter, and not forgetting Minnie the cat, left St Mungo's Hospital filled with hope. Sirius resolved to send a reward to the three wizards as a token of gratitude for saving his godson. A bag of gold for each should suffice. They then set off towards the only sanctuary left to them: Hogwarts.