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alt_severusI spent an hour with the twins earlier today, examining them as closely as I could. They are still feeling aftereffects from the spell, but there is no immediately-obvious damage — just small, lingering difficulties, mostly in the forms of memory lapses and a sudden shift away from their tendency to think and speak in plural fashion.
It is possible that a visit to a specialist in curse damage and mind-magic at St Mungo's might prove helpful, but it is equally possible that it would not — this sort of thing is an extremely idiosyncratic school of medicine that cannot be predicted in advance. What keeps me from recommending that course of action is twofold: first, that any specialist would, by definition, need to apply Legilimantic techniques that would almost certainly betray the Order, and second, that if you removed them from the school prior to NEWTs — even for a medical appointment — it is likely Umbridge would not permit them to return, effectively expelling them and refusing them the chance to sit their exams.
If I believed the remaining difficulties could be cured by attention from a specialist I might still advise the risk, but as there is very little guarantee such a course of action would be of any use, I cannot count the risk worth the potential reward. I have pinned down Albus for a consultation, and he agrees with me.
At the moment, the most likely course of therapy involves drills to strengthen the basic skills affected by the memory lapses, plus as much avoidance of stress and excitement as possible. Albus and I will do everything we might.
It is possible that a visit to a specialist in curse damage and mind-magic at St Mungo's might prove helpful, but it is equally possible that it would not — this sort of thing is an extremely idiosyncratic school of medicine that cannot be predicted in advance. What keeps me from recommending that course of action is twofold: first, that any specialist would, by definition, need to apply Legilimantic techniques that would almost certainly betray the Order, and second, that if you removed them from the school prior to NEWTs — even for a medical appointment — it is likely Umbridge would not permit them to return, effectively expelling them and refusing them the chance to sit their exams.
If I believed the remaining difficulties could be cured by attention from a specialist I might still advise the risk, but as there is very little guarantee such a course of action would be of any use, I cannot count the risk worth the potential reward. I have pinned down Albus for a consultation, and he agrees with me.
At the moment, the most likely course of therapy involves drills to strengthen the basic skills affected by the memory lapses, plus as much avoidance of stress and excitement as possible. Albus and I will do everything we might.
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Date: 2013-04-23 01:09 am (UTC)Avoiding stress...my goodness. That might be the most impossible thing of all, given that NEWTs are coming up, and the absurdities and dangers of that wretched woman's regime.
I trust you and Albus to do your best for them. You both have my heartfelt thanks. A suggestion: you might drop a quiet word in Lee Jordan's ear to keep an eye out for them, and do what he can to reduce their stress. They are very good friends, the three of them, they're revising for NEWTs together, and I was honestly touched by what he did to look after my boys yesterday. And since he shares a room with them (and he is very observant), he can keep an eye on them and perhaps report to you anything subtle that he notices concerning their recovery.
no subject
Date: 2013-04-23 03:21 am (UTC)Albus may have some additional thoughts on ways to speed their recovery. I have given up attempting to predict the skills that man will suddenly manifest.
I will do what I can.