"Mom…" Daphne choked out. "How have you been in Azkaban… I can't even imagine what it must be like with those Dementors… They didn't harm you, did they? They didn't torment you…"
Tears streamed down her cheeks. The poor girl had been under enormous pressure this past year, and now it all poured out along with her tears.
"Don't worry, dear," Diana said calmly. "It was much better than you might imagine..."
Alas, Daphne was no longer the innocent, carefree little girl she once was. She could hear the heaviness in her mother's voice, but she chose not to say anything. All she could do was continue crying silently.
"What about Astoria, Daphne?" Diana asked, her voice edged with urgency.
Clearly, she was more concerned about her younger daughter, the one burdened with the curse. Although Astoria Greengrass had visited her in Azkaban several months ago, under the influence of the Dementors the memory had become hazy under the Dementors' influence.
"She's in her room studying hard... Her O.W.L.s are coming up in just over a month!" Daphne replied. "She probably doesn't know you've come back yet."
"I'm sorry, dear... I'll go see your sister first!" Diana kissed her daughter on the cheek before hurrying into the house.
Now, only Jon and Daphne remained in the vast courtyard.
...
Jon glanced at the girl in front of him, and she raised her head to meet his gaze.
"Thank you, Jon…" Daphne Greengrass said softly. "If it weren't for you… I really don't know what I would have done… Astoria was suffering from the curse, and Mother was in Azkaban…"
She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, though her voice still sounded somewhat panicked and helpless.
"Honestly, I'm sorry," Jon shook his head. "But your mother's situation may not turn out as well as you think."
"What?" Daphne's mouth fell open in shock.
"During the interrogation just a few hours ago, Madam admitted to all the charges rather irrationally," Jon answered honestly. "Frankly, I honestly don't know what to make of her actions. But the result is obvious—her being acquitted now is almost impossible."
Daphne covered her mouth, unable to speak. The panic and helplessness on her face turned into deep worry.
"Rufus Scrimgeour, the head of the Ministry's Department of Magical Law Enforcement, is an extremely stubborn former Auror who despises evil," Jon continued. "There's no doubt he won't let your mother off. Given the current situation, even the best outcome would still be life in Azkaban."
"What should we do then…" Daphne's body trembled slightly. "But… you brought her back… she seems fine…"
"This is only temporary," Jon shook his head again. "I was only able to get your mother released on bail by using a loophole in the Magical Criminal Code. She is still considered guilty. We should also thank the Minister for cooperating—that's the one bit of good news. Minister Amelia Bones still sympathizes with your mother."
Daphne had already understood the situation. She forced a faint smile and said haltingly,
"Thank you, Jon… I'm sorry for causing you trouble…"
"There's no need to say that," Jon smiled and patted her shoulder. "I'll keep trying to find a solution. The Minister might be a possible breakthrough, but it will take some time."
"For the next two or three months, Madam will be able to stay at home until the Department of Magical Law Enforcement formally announces its verdict," Jon continued after a brief pause. "Since the department has been overwhelmed lately, that time might be extended slightly. I suggest you and your sister spend more time with her. From my conversation with her, I feel that her emotional state isn't quite right."
"I will. I definitely will!" Daphne nodded quickly.
"Oh—" After hesitating for a moment, she suddenly spoke again, a trace of uncertainty appearing in her expression.
"Jon… could you…" Daphne's voice gradually grew softer. "Please don't tell Astoria about this… She's still young, and it hasn't been long since she fully recovered… And her O.W.L.s are coming up in just over a month… So could we keep Mother's situation from her for now?"
"And I'm sure Mother wouldn't tell her the truth either," Daphne added, her voice wavering.
Seeing the worry plain on Daphne's face, Jon thought for a moment. To be honest, her concerns were not entirely unreasonable.
"Alright," Jon nodded. "I'll keep it from her for now."
"Thank you." Daphne forced a small smile. "By the way… would you like to stay for lunch? I just made some sandwiches…"
Jon looked at her with mild curiosity. He hadn't expected her to actually cook for herself.
But then he remembered—the "chef" of Greengrass Manor, the house-elf named Emily, had sadly passed away more than half a year ago.
It was a sad story, and not one that was easy to talk about.
Still, Jon politely declined the invitation.
"I'd love to, but I have to return to Hogwarts soon, so I'll need to leave shortly."
"Sorry… I won't keep you then… Jon…" Daphne said quietly.
...
Astoria Greengrass sat in her room. Books of all kinds were piled across the desk in front of her.
Her notebook was filled with pages filled with notes—topics her teachers believed were most likely to appear on the O.W.L.s during revision sessions.
She looked a little tired, clearly exhausted, with faint dark circles under her eyes.
But the joy of her mother's return was still written on her face.
The dark days were over, and everything seemed to be moving in a better direction.
Mrs. Diana had already left the small room. After visiting her younger daughter and chatting for a while, there seemed to be many matters around the manor that required her attention.
Before returning to Hogwarts, Jon Hart also planned to stop by and see her.
He arrived outside Astoria's room and gently knocked on the door.
"Is that you, Jon?" a girl's voice immediately came from inside.