Their first trip to Hogsmeade was thoroughly enjoyable, apart from Malfoy, whose expression turned frighteningly grim once he sobered up and remembered what he had done.
Overall, everyone was very satisfied.
Neville's return caused quite a stir at school. The young witches and wizards all went to see him, wanting to know what reason he had given for taking time off so they could try using it themselves.
There really was nothing these young witches and wizards wouldn't do to get out of work.
Just as Zhang Xiao had guessed, because Neville had missed an entire term, Professor McGonagall arranged for him to take compulsory classes with the second-years as well as his third-year courses.
This meant that whenever Neville went to class, some second-years would snicker at him behind his back. But Neville seemed oblivious and remained as cheerful as ever.
Hermione really did take it to heart. Despite her packed schedule of taking every subject, she still made time to reorganize and bind her notes from the previous two years.
When Neville received the thick stack of notes, he was so touched that he nearly cried.
Life settled into a steady routine. The effects of Zhang Xiao's having dealt with the Black problem ahead of time finally became apparent that year. So far, the entire school was as peaceful as a school ought to be.
If asked when he had been happiest since starting school, Zhang Xiao would have said it was right now.
Come on, days without having to worry about Voldemort or the Diary were just too blissful!
Three days a week, he went to the Gym for a workout, then practiced a few sets of martial arts forms underwater. If he had enough time, he would watch a film with Glove Lady afterward.
So far,