Matthew was indeed quite surprised, because the Quidditch Cup awards ceremony had ended long before exam week.
At the time, he had only received the championship trophy and the Annual Best Hitter trophy. He had assumed the Best Quidditch Player award would not be presented.
It turned out that this award had to wait for the students' votes.
Matthew rose from his seat and walked toward the podium.
Dumbledore handed the trophy to Matthew and patted his shoulder encouragingly. "I hope to see you in professional matches someday."
"Thank you. I hope your words come true, Professor," Matthew replied with a smile. He had only played Quidditch at Hogwarts to build prestige among his peers. After graduation, he would no longer need to build prestige that way.
Matthew looked at the crystal trophy in his hand. It was beautifully designed, with the paths of two Bludgers spiraling upward around the crystal cup. Engraved upon it were the words: Best Quidditch Player, Matthew Black, awarded this honor in 1992.
The holiday began, and Matthew returned to his house in Autry-Saint Catchpole Village.
The yard lawn was neatly trimmed, clearly the result of someone tending it with care on a regular basis.
In one corner of the yard stood a towering sycamore tree. Its branches and leaves were still lush, as though telling the story of passing years.
At the treetop, the birdhouse made of Wooden Planks hung quietly. Though it had not been used for some time, it remained sturdy.
Matthew gently pushed open the door, which creaked as Preserved Egg nimbly darted past his feet and into the house.
He first opened the windows to air the place out. Although it had been unoccupied for a long time, the floor had not accumulated any dust thanks to the enchanted