"Actually, I noticed you back in the interrogation room. I was sitting in the back row—you probably didn't see me!"
Cedric Diggory said with a touch of emotion.
"For the past two years, I've carried the guilt of what happened to you during the Triwizard Tournament. At one point, it nearly drove me into despair. I never imagined you were still alive—it's incredible. And now you've become Hogwarts' youngest Headmaster? It's truly beyond belief..."
After two years apart, Cedric had grown even taller and more slender, now standing nearly half a head taller than Jon. But the handsome face he once had was now marked by several harsh scars.
"These are from Bristol!" Cedric replied calmly when he noticed Jon's gaze. "It was my first real battle. A Death Eater left these scars, but I sent him straight to Azkaban!"
Jon looked at this kind and loyal friend, someone who seemed to embody everything Hufflepuff stood for. He took Cedric's hand, and the two exchanged greetings.
"Though it's two years late, I still have to congratulate you for winning the Goblet of Fire for Hufflepuff—and for Hogwarts..."
"And I should congratulate you as well. I heard you became Head Boy in your seventh year!"
The two continued chatting like that, chatting back and forth.
Out of the corner of his eye, Cedric glanced at Mrs. Diana Greengrass, who was sitting nearby.
"You'd better be careful around that woman!" he said, making no effort to hide the disgust in his voice or lower his tone. "She's not someone you can trust. My father nearly died at the hands of Death Eaters because he trusted her... If you ask me, standing as her guarantor isn't exactly a wise move."
Cedric's father, Amos Diggory, had been one of the members of the "Misinformation Office" special task force and one of the eleven Ministry employees captured by Death Eaters. So it was only natural that he held no goodwill toward Mrs. Greengrass.
"Thank you, but I have my own judgment," Jon replied gently.
"Good luck, Jon!" Cedric said with a smile, patting him on the shoulder. "I need to report the situation here to Scrimgeour, so I'll take my leave. If I get the chance to return to Hogwarts, I'll come find you!"
"You'll be very welcome."
After a brief farewell, Cedric Diggory left the small room.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting, Madam," Jon said as he turned to look at Diana, who was still sitting there. "Now then—may I escort you home?"
"Of course, Mr. Hart."
...
Diana Greengrass stood up and slowly followed Jon out of the cell.
However, it was clear that after spending so long in Azkaban, she had not yet adjusted to the outside environment. Her steps were unsteady, and she nearly stumbled while going down the stairs.
Jon paused and waved his wand, helping her steady herself.
Diana didn't refuse. She simply smiled at him.
They left the First Hall of Justice, passed through the grim iron gates, then walked along a corridor somewhat similar to the one outside the Potions classroom in the dungeon, and finally descended the long spiral staircase.
By the time they could see the Ministry's reception elevators, Mrs. Diana Greengrass let out a soft breath, looking somewhat fatigued.
"Please take my arm, Madam," Jon said calmly, extending his right hand.
Diana looked up at him in confusion. She clearly knew that Apparition was forbidden within the Ministry of Magic.
Nevertheless, she reached out with her left hand and followed Jon's instructions.
At the same time, Jon used his left hand to pull a shriveled, ugly bird out of his pocket. The bird looked distinctly displeased and lightly pecked at Jon's finger.
"Paisley, Renfrewshire," Jon ordered softly. "You've been there before. You know the way."
The ugly bird let out an unpleasant cry.
Then, in a flash of golden light, the two of them—along with the bird—vanished from in front of the Ministry's reception elevators.
...
They arrived at their destination, standing before the familiar elk statue.
"A phoenix? It actually possesses this kind of teleportation ability?" Diana glanced curiously at the ugly bird as it retreated back into Jon's pocket, thinking to herself. "How strange. Why does this phoenix look like this? Did it just go through a rebirth?"
Out of old professional habit, she looked at the phoenix a few more times, even though the creature clearly didn't like her very much.
Soon, however, her attention shifted to the elk statue in front of her.
She reached out and gently stroked the elk's eye, softly saying,
"For All Seasons."
The scenery around them shifted at once. The Muggle town of Paisley gradually faded away.
Instead, a vast expanse of emerald-green lawn and bright blue sky came into view. At the far edge of the greenery stood a magnificent manor.
Before it stood an elegant arched gate carved with beautiful patterns. Where the door handle should have been, there was instead a bronze stag's head.
As they approached, the bronze stag on the gate suddenly spoke, its deep voice carrying a hint of excitement.
"Welcome home, Mistress!"
At the same time, the gates slowly opened.
Hearing that voice and seeing the gates open, Diana Greengrass's body trembled slightly.
Beyond the gates stood a fountain, spraying water high into the air. The droplets sparkled like crystals in the sunlight before falling onto the dense, low thorn bushes, the neatly trimmed tall hedges—and onto her as well.
Breathing in the familiar fragrance of the air, she felt the lingering gloom Azkaban had left in her heart gradually fade away.
"Perhaps you haven't had much sense of time recently," Jon said softly behind her. "But just two days ago, the Easter holiday began, so—"
Before he could finish speaking, someone was already running down the marble staircase corridor.
Clearly, the moment they appeared here, the manor's residents had already noticed. They already knew what had happened at the gate.
Daphne Greengrass rushed down from the corridor above as fast as she could, tears of excitement streaming down her face.
"Mom!" she cried out loudly, her voice trembling with emotion. "Mom... you're finally home..."
"Daphne... my daughter..."
Diana's emotions broke free as well. Her eyes grew wet with tears.
She ran toward her eldest daughter,and mother and daughter embraced each other tightly.