Lys waited in the office, wanting to ask whether the mental effects could be reduced, but instead found herself waiting as the Director brought Dumbledore back into the office.
When those piercing blue eyes looked her way, Lys lowered her head and shuffled over to a portrait, pretending to be fascinated by it.
She could feel the inquiry in that gaze, and the barely perceptible concern, but that didn't matter—she couldn't afford to be connected with Dumbledore.
Bellatrix led a group of Death Eaters, along with that madman who'd risen to high rank immediately after joining, watching and testing everyone. Even Lucius had been interrogated for ages just for chatting a bit too long with Kingsley—who was rumored to favor Dumbledore—at a party.
Fortunately, Dumbledore and the bald Director only needed to sign some documents—something about Hogwarts covering medical expenses for certain patients.
Dumbledore left quickly.
Only then did Lys resume her questioning, but the Director could only offer a few theories without guaranteeing results.
"Your condition has definitely been affected by these curses, but I can't determine the exact extent."
The Director stuffed the files into his drawer and continued:
"After all, we haven't had time for observation and assessment, so I recommend hospitalization. However, if you're only concerned about... mental clarity, you might try Baruffio's Brain Elixir combined with Dragon Claw Powder. But Baruffio's Brain Elixir has been hard to find lately due to some... unspeakable reasons affecting the supply of ingredients."
Seeing Lys thank him and turn to leave, he called after her, "Are you sure you don't want to be admitted or need help?"
Lys just shook her head. After going downstairs, she hesitated before heading straight for the public Floo—she had no intention of returning to the third floor. That witch from the Potion Residue Department didn't seem reliable at all.
But Lys was intercepted halfway by that very healer, who had apparently questioned many people and now clutched several notes in different handwritings.
Her eyes sparkled as she waved the stack of papers at Lys.
Lys found herself sitting across from her in the sixth-floor visitors' lounge—she really didn't want to go back and breathe everyone else's exhaled air...
"The analysis was done by several of my teachers. Their tone is a bit harsh, but don't worry—that's directed at me. Take a look..."
Lys curiously accepted the papers. What could a black bubble possibly reveal?
Reading on, Lys finally understood why St. Mungo's Hospital had stood firm for so many years—there really were talented people here.
The summary was that Lys likely had a long history of stabilizer use, with recent strong dependence on potions causing delayed effects. This created a vicious cycle of consuming large amounts of potions, experiencing delayed effects, then consuming even more.
More seriously, she had recently ingested massive amounts of toxic potions, with ongoing damage to her body. The good news was that her body's delayed reaction to potions had also delayed the poison's effects.
In short—
"Hospitalization recommended!"
The witch from the Potions Department looked at Lys with bright eyes. "Since you're my patient, I'll be your attending healer! Pleased to meet—"
"I'm not staying." Lys quickly shook her head in refusal, but asked, "I might need to take more potions soon. Could you help me ask your teachers what I should watch out for?"
"..."
Though disappointed, the witch dutifully went to ask.
She even brought one of her teachers down—another bald wizard who took one look at Lys and knew this young person wasn't ordinary. Smiling, he began explaining to Lys.
"If you won't be admitted, the optimal solution is to detox first, then abstain from potion use. Only when the side effects have completely cleared should you consider using potions again."
Seeing Lys about to ask something, he quickened his pace:
"If you're really in a hurry, you still need to clear the potions from your system first. Would you mind if I run a simple test?"
Somehow, Lys found herself back in that third-floor room full of exhaled breath.
This examination was much more professional and complex, involving not just bubble-blowing—Lys also drank several organ-testing potions. Over half an hour, the bald healer recorded all of Lys's reactions, even calling over his two colleagues to use Lys's various responses as teaching material for his students...
It was already more than half an hour past closing time when Lys finally left St. Mungo's Hospital with her original diagnostic report containing all the test results.
In thanks for Lys serving as rare case study material for his students, Lys also received a theoretically viable treatment plan and a Baruffio's Brain Elixir usage guide...
Along with that familiar question: "Are you sure you don't need me to call an Auror to provide some assistance?"
Lys waved awkwardly and used the staff Floo passage to return to Diagon Alley.
Passing the liquor shop, she picked up a bag of alcohol to bring back to the reading room.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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