Emerging from the emerald-green flames, Jon Hart reappeared in the kitchen of Greengrass Manor.
This time, however, he was clearly less "disheveled" than during his previous visit.
The kitchen had lost its former tidiness and cleanliness, eft in clear disarray. Moreover, Emily, the Greengrass Manor's old House-elf, was nowhere to be found.
Jon brushed the dust from his clothes when suddenly, a sound came from ahead—
It was the estate's butler, Hod, the House-elf, who appeared before Jon.
This once polite and well-mannered House-elf now looked considerably more disheveled himself. His suit was dirty and rumpled, his hair was tousled, and his right arm was wrapped in black bandages.
"Mr. Hart..." Hod greeted Jon in a hoarse voice.
Jon gave him a slight nod.
"You must be here to see the young lady..." Hod forced a faint smile. "Follow me!"
Jon eyed him warily, slipping his right hand into his cloak to grip his wand.
He then followed the House-elf out of the kitchen.
Elsewhere in the manor, everything seemed unchanged—save for an eerie, almost frightening silence.
As Jon passed the parlor doorway, he noticed signs of a struggle, along with specks of blood that hadn't been cleaned away.
Noticing Jon pause, the House-elf Hod stopped as well and explained:
"Here... my mother tried to stop those Aurors from taking the lady away..."
After a pause, his expression grew grim as he added:
"...and then, then the Aurors killed her..."
"I'm sorry!"
Though Jon harbored no affection for the elderly House-elf Emily, news of her death stirred a brief, unexpected pang of sympathy.
"She deserved her punishment!"
Hod's expression swiftly returned to its impassively "polite" state.
"House-elves dare to lay a hand on a wizard... execution is only just... especially after the lady repeatedly warned her not to interfere."
Jon neither agreed nor disagreed.
He tore his gaze away from the bloodstains and asked softly:
"Where is Astoria?"
"We're almost there, Mr. Hart!"
...
Nothing unexpected happened—no Death Eaters leaping from the shadows wielding axes or the like.
Every room beyond the drawing room appeared thoroughly ransacked. Evidently, after taking Diana Greengrass away, the Aurors had searched the entire estate.
When Jon spotted the pink wooden door, unchanged from his memory, he finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
The House-elf Hod did not announce his arrival loudly as he had the last time. Jon stepped forward and knocked softly on the small door.
There was no response, only the sound of hurried footsteps from inside.
Moments later, the door opened.
Inside, there were no signs of a search either. It seemed Dumbledore had indeed instructed the Aurors not to disturb the gravely ill girl.
Jon glanced casually behind him and saw that the House-elf had already departed.
Turning back, he saw Astoria's pale face.
Astoria Greengrass, standing in the doorway, froze when she saw who was outside. Her face first lit up with surprise, then quickly clouded with an inexplicable dread.
She involuntarily took a few steps back, nearly tripping over a small stool on the floor.
"May I come in?" Jon asked softly, forcing a practiced smile.
Astoria hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
She glanced around hurriedly, then trotted off to fetch a chair—
"Sit here... Jon... Jon..." Astoria stammered.
...
There was no doubt Astoria already knew what had happened.
It was hardly surprising. With such a massive upheaval at home—her mother taken to Azkaban, the entire estate searched from top to bottom—and The Daily Prophet making no attempt to suppress the story, a smart girl like Astoria could easily piece things together.
Sitting face to face, a subtle distance seemed to settle between them
Astoria hurried to the table, bending down to brew Jon a cup of tea. In her fluster, she knocked over the jar of tea leaves and nearly scalded herself with the boiling water.
"Reparo!"
As the mess restored itself, Jon gently took hold of Astoria's arm.
She visibly trembled.
"Come sit down," Jon said softly.
Astoria avoided his gaze, then nodded obediently.
"My mother..." she began after sitting down.
Jon gently covered her mouth and shook his head.
"It's nothing..."
Astoria's eyes brimmed with tears.
"But..."
"Just pretend nothing happened," Jon said firmly. "Since it's over, let's not bring it up again, okay?"
"I... I..." Astoria seemed to want to say more.
"Be good!"
Jon gently stroked her golden hair, feeling her body gradually calm beneath his touch.
...
There was no chatting, and no mention of what had happened earlier.
"How's your health been lately?" Jon asked softly.
Astoria nodded at first, then shook her head.
"Things have gotten worse, haven't they?"
Jon asked calmly.
Truthfully, he wasn't surprised. After such a tremendous upheaval, even the strongest girl would be deeply shaken—let alone an ordinary fifteen- or sixteen-year-old, especially with something restless stirring deep within her soul deep within Astoria's soul.
Astoria bit her lip, slipped free of Jon's embrace, and walked to the bookshelf. She returned holding a vase.
Inside it was the branch from the Soul Tree.
She hesitated for a moment, then whispered:
"Jon... take it... and then we should part ways..."
"Silly girl, how could that be..."
Jon smiled, then spoke in the gentlest tone.
"I came here specifically to take you away."
"Take me... take me away?" Astoria repeated blankly.
"Yes. Don't you want that?" Jon blinked.
"I... I..." Astoria's voice trembled with conflict.
"Then you already have your answer!"