Hogsmeade was an essential stop on the way to Hogwarts, which stood beside the great lake that began near the village.
The Hogwarts Express also terminated in the village, and it was there that the students began each new school year.
Zhang Xiao knew all this, but seeing Neville here still came as a wonderful surprise.
"Neville!"
Neville had already jogged over and seized Zhang Xiao by both arms. His round face flushed scarlet with excitement, and he seemed to want to say something, but no words came out.
Zhang Xiao looked him over carefully. Neville had slimmed down a little, but he was taller and sturdier now. The greatest change, of course, was in his eyes.
Neville had always seemed dull and bewildered, as though he was perpetually two beats behind everyone else. Now, however, his eyes were bright and lively.
It seemed that once his parents' lost souls had returned, Neville had finally shed his burden and become himself again.
"Neville, are Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank better now?"
Zhang Xiao patted his shoulder. First, he had to get the boy to calm down.
At the mention of his parents, Neville's already delighted face broke into a broad grin, and he nodded vigorously.
"Yes! They're better! They're over there!"
Following his pointing finger, Zhang Xiao saw a couple with graying hair standing beneath a large tree in the little square, smiling at him.
It was Alice and Frank. Beside them stood Neville's grandmother, who was actually wearing perfectly ordinary clothes. Gone were the enormous hat with its stuffed specimen, the huge handbag, and the fox-fur stole.
She looked like a kindly old lady.
After a moment's thought, Zhang Xiao understood. Much of Madam Augusta's old appearance had been intended to draw attention. The elderly woman had always feared