Chapter 408: Celebration

The hero who returned from Hell ends Voldemort's legend!

The Magic world welcomes a true dawn!

And there's no need to wait until the next day.

That night, John's name spread throughout the entire Magic world.

The turmoil on the Europe Continent was halted at once.

The necessary purges and reckonings were carried out, and the remaining Death Eaters crumbled within just a few days.

The Malfoy family, having timely turned from darkness to light and provided key testimony at the post‑war trial, finally regained their social standing and rights.

Even the feigned‑dead Lucius returned to public view, his death sentence pardoned and commuted to parole.

Grindelwald remains under Dumbledore's supervision.

However, he has also been granted limited freedom.

And every person who contributed to this war has received the recognition and reward they deserve.

Hogwarts held a grand three‑day celebration for this.

Only, our protagonist John never appeared in public.

Dumbledore's response was that John was severely wounded fighting Voldemort and was sent for secret treatment.

At first, few saw Yueer become John; they were all insiders.

The Death Eaters who were nearby were wiped out by the aftershocks of their battle.

Thus the secret of Yueer and John remained known to only a few.

Until the evening of the third day of the celebration.

Today Dumbledore intends to honor the frontline youngsters of this war.

Harry and several others, as well as Titus and his group, were notified in advance.

So they each, to varying degrees, put on their most presentable attire.

Hermione also donned the long dress she wore when she accompanied John to the banquet.

Only this time John wasn't by her side, leaving her a bit disappointed.

"Hermione, are you ready?"

At that moment Ginny pushed the door open and entered, wearing a deep‑red evening gown that made her look radiant.

"Alright, let's go," Hermione inhaled deeply, turned, and left the Common Room with Ginny.

The two chatted and laughed about the surprises at tonight's awards ceremony, and before they knew it they arrived at the Great Hall entrance.

But once at the doorway, they saw a familiar silhouette.

A figure in a crisp evening tuxedo stood there, back turned to them.

The front courtyard gate was ajar, moonlight spilling onto the person's shoulder, outlining a tall, familiar contour.

Hermione's steps halted abruptly, her heart missing a beat.

The silhouette seemed to notice the gaze behind, and slowly turned.

"Hi, Hermione, and Ginny, good evening."

The newcomer was John.

A familiar smile still lingered at the corner of his mouth.

In the moonlight, he quietly stared at Hermione, his gaze gentle and profound.

Hermione stared at him blankly, her eyes slightly reddening.

It had only been a few days, yet it felt like a century.

Perhaps because Voldemort's threat was finally eradicated, allowing them to enjoy peace and tranquility unburdened.

Or perhaps after surviving life‑and‑death trials, they could once again stand calmly under the moon, gazing into each other's eyes, feeling each other's presence.

Sensing the delicate atmosphere, Ginny courteously waved at John, then hurried into the hall, leaving space for them.

"... you've woken up."

It took Hermione half a day to finally blurt out that line.

"Alright, I'm awake," John said softly, took two steps forward, and stopped before Hermione.

He then uttered a nonsensical remark.

"I didn't go on a solo adventure this time, nor was I injured; you can't be angry at me, okay?"

Hermione burst into laughter at his words.

"Who said I'm angry," Hermione said irritably, punching his chest.

John, grinning mischievously, stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, saying.

"Then with your eyes all red, anyone who doesn't know would think I'm a fickle, hurtful, unfaithful man."

"My eyes got sand in them, I can't," Hermione turned her face away, her voice tinged with stubbornness and a hint of coquettishness.

John smiled lightly, pulled her tighter, and whispered, "Shall I blow on them for you?"

"...... Okay."

Hermione surprisingly didn't refuse, lifting her head to look into John's eyes.

Their gazes met, and where they intersected seemed to sparkle like starlight.

John bowed his head, while Hermione rose onto her tiptoes.

Just as their lips were about to meet, the Great Hall doors were suddenly flung open.

"John, where are you!"

Having just heard Ginny say John was awake, Ryan and Ethan ran out, faces alight with excitement.

Behind them was Titus, dragging him along.

But because after dieting his tonnage was insufficient, pulling and dragging from behind was no use.

"You two idiots, Hermione (Senior) is outside, how could you... uh... haha, you keep going, you keep going hahaha..."

Titus had only said half of his words when he saw the two embracing and about to kiss.

Ryan and Ethan also finally stopped.

The scene was awkward for a moment.

Hermione was so embarrassed that she buried her face into John's chest, her ears turning red as if about to bleed.

John looked speechlessly at the three of them, raised his hand and pointed at them, then helplessly smiled.

"Alright, I'm back, satisfied now?"

"Oh, look at the way you say that, ahahaha..." The three gave a dry, awkward laugh.

"Since everyone's here, let's go in together." John no longer pressed the three, let go of Hermione and smoothly took her hand.

The several of them walked into the Great Hall together.

Hermione and John, hand in hand, walked at the front, while Titus and the other two followed behind.

When they appeared, the Great Hall boiled.

"It's John!"

"He's really back!"

"So that's the legendary John Merick?"

First-year students, seeing John himself for the first time, peeked out, their eyes full of curiosity and admiration.

John's friends, Luna, Neville, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Draco also gathered around.

All were welcoming his return.

John greeted each of them one by one.

Finally he looked toward Dumbledore at the Teacher's Seat and the professors, and smiled, nodding at them.

Dumbledore smiled and raised the goblet in his hand toward him, and Professor Maige also, rarely, showed a kindly smile.

Snape remained expressionless, and Professor Flitwick, excitedly, tiptoed and waved at him, nearly falling off his chair.

Hagrid, meanwhile, wiped his eyes vigorously, his rugged face full of grateful tears.

Ding—ding—ding—

After John and the others had finished their small talk, Dumbledore finally gently rang the goblet in his hand.

"Everyone, sit down."

Dumbledore's gentle voice rose above the clamor.

"Tonight is a night of celebration; let us first enjoy the feast, this long‑awaited victory dinner."

Having said that, he waved his hand lightly, and the long table that had been empty instantly filled with a sumptuous spread.

"Now, the banquet begins."