Ginny, Sirius Black, Fred, and George's arrival meant the meeting time was drawing near.
Just as Sirius Black was asking everyone what they wanted to eat, saying it was his treat, Hanna and Neville came over as well.
Neville was saying something to Hanna, the corners of his mouth lifting unconsciously, a shy smile on his face.
Behind Neville and Hanna, Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom walked side by side, also chatting and laughing.
The Longbottoms' overall condition was completely different now. The emptiness in their eyes had long since vanished, and their gazes looked quite clear, giving them an active, uplifting air.
Their cheekbones were no longer so prominent, their cheeks looked much fuller, and the withered pallor their skin had once shown had faded, replaced by a faint, healthy flush.
Although both of their hair was still gray, it had been newly tidied.
Frank Longbottom had cut his hair very short, making him look both capable and energetic;
Alice Longbottom had carefully smoothed her hair back, then tied it behind her head in a bun, giving her a gentle air.
Sirius Black was still eating a sundae with a little spoon. When he saw the four people walking toward him, his eyes widened at once.
"Frank? Alice?"
Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom were also stunned. They looked Sirius Black up and down. "Sirius Black!"
"Aren't you..." Frank Longbottom opened his mouth, but for a moment he could not speak.
He and Alice Longbottom had too much to say to Neville, and with all the various trifles they had to face because of their recovery, they had not yet gotten around to talking about Sirius Black.
Because of the effects of the Cruciatus Curse, Frank Longbottom's memories of the past had actually stopped around the time when he was