In the study, Jon and Mrs. Greengrass conversed at length.
Until the polite House-elf, Hod, gently knocked on the study door.
His sharp voice rang out from outside: "Madam, Mr. Hart... the banquet is ready. Shall we begin?"
"Let's begin!" Diana Greengrass raised her voice, calling out to the door.
"Yes, ma'am—" The house-elf Hod bowed and withdrew.
Then, Mrs. Greengrass rose and turned to Jon, her tone warm and gentle: "Jon, shall we go to the dining hall?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Jon promptly stood and bowed respectfully.
Just then, Jon noticed that Mrs. Greengrass had pushed a small bag toward him.
"This is..." He paused, looking at her with puzzlement.
Mrs. Greengrass smiled sweetly at him, gesturing for him to open it.
The bag was exquisitely crafted, adorned with delicate gold ribbons... Jon picked it up carefully. It felt heavier than he'd expected, and the contents inside clinked and clanked against each other.
It was gold… a considerable amount, likely several thousand Galleons.
"Mrs. Greengrass, this..." Jon said hesitantly.
"Take it. Since you wish to save Astoria, I must certainly do my part... Should you need further assistance, simply send an owl to me. No need for formalities." Mrs. Greengrass continued with a smile. Her tone was calm, yet carried an unmistakable note of finality.
Jon accepted the bag of gold without further protest, then nodded solemnly. "I understand. I will do everything in my power to save Astoria..."
"Of course. I believe in you. You will succeed!"
...
A few minutes later, following Diana Greengrass, Jon entered the estate's dining hall.
A small yet exquisitely appointed room... Velvety black ceilings sparkled with starlike lights, clearly enchanted; A magnificent crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, lending the entire dining room an air of elegant tranquility.
Soft saxophone music drifted from unseen sources, filling the space; Jon's earlier tension and anxiety instantly eased upon hearing the melody.
A circular wooden table featured an engraved elk with its front hooves raised high, its gaze fixed toward the doorway. Only four chairs remained around it; the others had been cleared away.
House-elf Hod, along with the elderly house-elf Emily from earlier, both wore aprons, looking somewhat Riddikulus. Upon seeing Jon enter, Hod bowed respectfully. Emily, though seemingly reluctant, gave him a stiff nod.
Daphne and Astoria Greengrass had arrived at the dining hall a few steps ahead of them; hand in hand, they appeared to have reconciled... Astoria smiled at Jon, while Daphne only gave a stiff nod before looking away, avoiding his gaze.
Madam Diana Greengrass strode to the farthest seat and sat down, then gestured for Jon to take the guest seat opposite her. Daphne and Greengrass took the seats on either side.
To the right of each seat sat a white porcelain vase. Within each, a single pink rose bloomed, releasing a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Jon discreetly glanced around. He saw Astoria on one side remove a rose from her porcelain vase. With a gentle pinch, the rose crumbled into powder and vanished into the air... Then, a neatly folded tablecloth appeared inside the vase. Astoria took it out and spread it before her.
Jon quickly followed suit, taking the tablecloth from the porcelain vase and spreading it out before him as well.
"Madam, Mr. Hart, may we begin?" The sharp voice of the House-elf, Hod, sounded beside Jon.
"I have no objection!" Jon quickly turned his head to respond.
"Begin!" Mrs. Greengrass commanded.
"As you wish!" Hod bowed to each of them, then snapped his right fingers.
...
Knives, forks, plates, and other cutlery appeared before them one after another, accompanied by a basket filled with slices of bread.
"Mr. Hart, when eating bread, do you prefer butter, jam, ginger, or wine?" Hod asked softly, balancing a tray disproportionately large for his frame on his head.
"Jam will do..." Jon replied, taking a portion of jam from the tray.
After handing ginger juice and jam to the Greengrass family of three, Hod snapped his fingers again. The tray vanished from his head, and a dish appeared right in the center of the table. It wasn't a large portion, divided among four spoons.
"Mr. Hart, smoked salmon with caviar, sir," Hod announced softly, simultaneously casting a Levitation Charm to make the salmon in the four spoons float onto the plates of the four wizards.
Jon tasted it—the smoky flavor combined with the richness of the caviar created a pleasant taste that whetted his appetite.
"Mr. Hart, would you prefer cream soup, seafood soup, or borscht?" Hod's voice sounded behind Jon once more.
"Anything is fine..." Jon was already growing weary of this elaborate process.
...
"That's enough, Hod!" Mrs. Greengrass interjected. "There's no need for such formality. Let Mr. Hart serve himself."
"As you wish, madam!" The house-elf bowed to his mistress and stepped back.
Jon couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
As if sensing his awkwardness, Mrs. Greengrass smiled. "Don't be so stiff, Jon... Consider yourself at home."
"Thank you, madam!" Jon replied promptly.
The House-elf snapped his fingers one last time. One by one, platters appeared on the table—
Each plate held a delicious dish. From the initial grilled prawns, squid ink pasta, and pan-seared scallops... to the subsequent steak, lamb stew with potatoes, and apple-roasted goose... followed by mango pudding, caramel custard, and chocolate pudding...
The spread was even more lavish than Jon had imagined, and every dish tasted absolutely splendid.
Of course, Jon remained mindful of his manners, striving to appear as polite as possible.
...
Until the banquet concluded—
"Daphne, I'm feeling a bit drowsy. Could you help me retire?" Mrs. Greengrass murmured languidly.
"Certainly, Mother..."
Mother and daughter departed; only Jon and Astoria remained in the dining hall.