"Is that so… I hope so!" Alice's soft voice drifted down from beyond the trapdoor, tinged with longing.
Diana lowered her head, staring at the envelope, barely containing her excitement. Her fingers traced the 'H,' circling, eagle, badger, and snake around it…
"Wonderful…" she murmured to herself. "This is wonderful!"
...
Jon's expression shifted slightly as he glanced at Astoria beside him.
It was clear that Astoria had realized something as well—her face had turned pale.
The scene before them began to fracture, like a photograph tearing apart… until it dissolved completely into darkness.
"Don't be afraid," Jon said softly, tightening his grip on Astoria's hand. "It's just a memory."
"Mm…" Astoria replied quietly, her lips pressed together.
And in the darkness—
"Diana, wake up… we're taking you out of here!" A stern middle-aged woman's voice echoed faintly.
The voice sounded distant… though perhaps that was because Diana herself was only half-conscious.
There came a rustling sound. Someone lifted the drowsy Diana from the bed, and one by one, they climbed up through the trapdoor.
At the same time, their voices drifted through—
"I didn't expect it to be Alice…"
"Neither did I—we always thought it was Diana…"
...
The scene shifted, but the surroundings had changed completely.
It was now a warm, tidy little room—
Sunlight streamed in through the window, bright and inviting, as if beckoning people outside. Beyond it stretched a vast expanse of green fields—the grounds surrounding Greengrass Manor. Several pots of lilies sat on the bedside table; even at a glance, one could almost smell their fragrance.
Diana lay on a small bed, eyes closed, seemingly fast asleep.
But both Jon and Astoria knew she was awake.
A black-and-gray owl sat in a cage on the desk. Beside it was a fully packed suitcase, and resting on top of it was the Hogwarts letter—already opened, its parchment slightly wrinkled from being read over and over.
"Diana, we're leaving!"
The middle-aged woman's voice called from outside again. This time, it was much gentler than before.
"Emily, go help her carry her things."
With a loud crack, a young female House-elf appeared in the room.
"So it really is Emily…" Astoria murmured. "She looks so young…"
The House-elf Emily picked up the owl cage and the suitcase.
"My young mistress, if we don't leave now, we'll be late!"
"I'm coming…" Diana mumbled as she slowly sat up, still looking half-asleep.
Emily gave a small bow, then vanished with another crack.
Once the room fell silent again, Diana sprang out of bed, all traces of drowsiness gone. Her movements were quick and careful.
She knelt beneath the desk and lifted a rug, revealing a hidden trapdoor in the floor.
"Alice! Alice!" she whispered, tapping lightly on it, keeping her voice as low as possible. "Are you awake?"
"Diana…" Alice's voice came from the other side.
"I'm sorry, Alice… I have to go. I'm leaving for Hogwarts…" Diana said apologetically. "I won't be able to talk with you anymore."
"…Is that so… When will you come back?" Alice's voice sounded clearly disappointed. "I'll be all alone…"
"I don't know… but I read that Hogwarts has holidays at Christmas!" Diana replied softly.
"Then I'll wait for you to come back at Christmas!"
"Alright, it's a promise!"
"Oh, Diana…" Alice's voice suddenly trembled with a hint of fear. "If I get a Hogwarts letter too… does that mean I can leave this place?"
"Yes!" Diana nodded firmly.
"Then I'll definitely get one!"
"Mm, I'm sure you will!"
"Diana, are you dressed yet?" The middle-aged woman's voice called from afar, tinged with impatience.
"Alice, Mom's calling me… see you at Christmas!"
"See you at Christmas, Diana!"
...
The scene blurred once more.
Next, Diana hurried through the compartments of the Hogwarts Express as it sped through the countryside, now dressed in her black school robes.
She finally settled into a corner seat by the window, pressing her face against the glass. With her finger, she traced a name on the fogged surface—
"Alice."
Then another—
"Diana."
"Can I sit here?" a slightly nervous boy's voice asked from behind her.
"Go ahead," Diana replied without turning, continuing to trace the names.
...
The scene faded again.
Jon and Astoria now stood behind Diana. Before them stretched the long House tables, lit by candlelight, surrounded by rows of attentive young faces.
It was clearly the Sorting Ceremony.
But standing at the front was not Professor McGonagall, but a white-haired elderly man.
"Diana Greengrass!" the old professor called out in a trembling voice.
"That's Professor Cuthbert Binns," Jon whispered to Astoria. "He teaches History of Magic… and is said to have served as Deputy Head of Hogwarts before Professor McGonagall."
Astoria nodded, watching as her mother stepped forward on slightly trembling legs and sat down on the stool.
Professor Binns placed the Sorting Hat on her head. It had barely touched her pale golden hair for even a second before it shouted—
"Slytherin!"