Adrian himself was quite interested in and curious about Cedric's post-graduation plans and future aspirations.
He looked at Cedric with encouraging curiosity visible in his expression. "So, you're seriously planning to travel after graduation?"
Cedric nodded somewhat bashfully, a slight flush tinted his cheeks at being the center of adult attention and approval.
"That's an excellent choice," Adrian said with warm approval in his tone. He meant it sincerely. "Going out there into the wider world, witnessing and experiencing different magical cultures firsthand in their natural contexts—you'll learn many things that Hogwarts, for all its greatness, simply can't teach you within these walls."
"Actually," Cedric said with a slightly self-deprecating smile, his expression becoming more honest and weaker, "I just don't have a clear, concrete career plan yet. I'm not sure what I want to do with my life long-term. The travel idea is partially exploration, partially... procrastination, I suppose."
Adrian shrugged nonchalantly, completely unbothered by this admission.
"If you don't have anything particular firmly in mind yet, why not consider delving deeper into magic itself? Pure magical research and theory? The mysteries of magic are always worth exploring and pursuing—that's genuinely the most fascinating thing of all."
He paused thoughtfully, then added, "After all, not everyone needs to rush into stuffing themselves into the Ministry of Magic's cramped little cubicles, pushing parchment and following regulations for forty years until retirement. There are other paths. Better paths, arguably."
This somewhat pointed remark made Mr. Diggory's expression change, becoming slightly awkward and uncomfortable. His smile froze fleetingly.
He keenly sensed and understood that Adrian didn't seem to think very much of the Ministry of Magic as an institution or career destination.
Clearing his throat, trying to move past the awkward moment, he deliberately changed the subject with effort. "Yes, well. Professor Westeros, there's actually something specific I need to trouble you with this time."
Adrian said with knowing understanding, cutting straight to the point, "You want assistance repairing relations with the Treants, isn't that right?"
What else could possibly have brought Diggory to Hogwarts specifically to see him?
Sure enough, exactly as Adrian had expected and predicted, Mr. Diggory nodded in confirmation with relief that he didn't need to explain the whole situation. "Yes, precisely. The Ministry has tasked me with—"
But Adrian interrupted before he could finish the official explanation, raising an eyebrow with an expression that mixed amusement and pointed criticism.
His tone carried unmistakable mockery. "Then why not simply have Madam Umbridge go personally to the Forbidden Forest and apologize directly to the Treants herself? Face to face? That would certainly show considerably more genuine sincerity than sending an intermediary, wouldn't it? She's the one who caused the offense."
Mr. Diggory froze at this suggestion, his eyes were widening. Then he shook his head slowly with a bitter, knowing smile. "I'm afraid she doesn't have anywhere near the courage for that kind of direct confrontation. Not after what happened last time."
He lowered his voice and leaned forward slightly, speaking in a quieter tone that was meant only for Adrian's ears. "To be completely honest, this isn't actually a task the Ministry expects me to successfully complete. Between us? They hold absolutely no real hope for success in this mission."
He glanced around to ensure no one else was listening. "I just need to make a good faith effort, document my attempts, and report back to the Ministry about the situation and the Treants' position. As long as I do that much, they won't give a mere mid-level employee like me too hard a time about the outcome."
This additional frank explanation surprised Adrian somewhat, though it made political sense. He hadn't expected such honest cynicism from Mr. Diggory about his own assignment.
It seemed that although the Ministry had officially assigned Mr. Diggory to handle this delicate diplomatic matter, they privately held no hope for actual success or meaningful progress.
Mr. Diggory's trip and efforts were more like going through the required motions for the official record than a serious attempt at reconciliation.
After all, from the Ministry's perspective and understanding, they and the Treants had already developed a serious grudge between them. And from their viewpoint, it would indeed be extremely difficult, perhaps impossible, for one person alone to somehow resolve this significant conflict and repair that badly damaged relationship.
Especially when the Ministry itself had no intention of actually apologizing or changing its approach.
"It's not really a big problem at all," Adrian said, waving his hand dismissively and casually. "That whole incident was just a personal grudge between Umbridge and the Treants. Bart, the Treant leader is actually a very reasonable fellow when approached properly. He won't hold past conflicts against you or judge you by Umbridge's actions."
His confident tone seemed to put the matter to rest.
Mr. Diggory relaxed at these reassuring words.
It was as if he'd been carrying a heavy burden of expected failure for weeks, and Adrian had just lifted it completely off his shoulders with a few casual sentences.
Even his tone and manner became much lighter. "That's... that's genuinely wonderful to hear. If I can actually complete this task successfully, I'd at least be able to hold my head up a bit higher at the Ministry."
After saying their polite goodbyes to Cedric and Professor McGonagall, Adrian turned and led Mr. Diggory away from the castle toward the Forbidden Forest's borders.
The cold wind was bitter, and Mr. Diggory couldn't help pulling his thick winter robes tighter around his body as they walked. He looked somewhat nervously at the surrounding ancient trees on their side.
"Speaking of which," Mr. Diggory said after a few minutes of walking in silence, rubbing his reddened, cold hands together for warmth. He asked tentatively, "Adrian, you seem to have developed a very good relationship with the Treants??"
Adrian didn't stop walking, only tilting his head slightly in Mr. Diggory's direction. "Why do you ask that?"
"Professor Dumbledore suggested that I come to you for help," Mr. Diggory confessed honestly, seeing no point in hiding the source of his information.
"He said that if I wanted to communicate successfully with the Treants, asking for your help and guidance would be by far the most appropriate choice."
"Is that so?" Adrian responded with interest but no real surprise.
He waved his hand casually. "Actually, the Treants are genuinely very friendly creatures by nature, quite peaceful and reasonable. As long as you don't approach them with arrogance and dismissiveness like certain people did—" his tone made it clear he meant Umbridge "—you'll find them perfectly pleasant to deal with."
Mr. Diggory showed a helpless, somewhat exasperated expression at this reference to his superior's disastrous diplomatic failure. "I still don't understand what she was thinking, honestly."
Even now, weeks later, he genuinely wasn't clear about what had been going through his superior's mind during that confrontation. What had possessed her to be so aggressive, so hostile, so foolishly confident?
Perhaps her career at the Ministry had simply gone too smoothly for too long, Mr. Diggory thought privately. She'd never faced real consequences before, never been told "no" by anyone or anything.
As they continued chatting about Ministry politics and Treant behavior, walking deeper into the forest along familiar paths, the two eventually arrived at the old, now-familiar place.
Just like during the previous visit, Bart was standing quietly in the cold November wind, motionless in his tree form. At first glance, he appeared to be just another ancient tree among ancient trees.
Adrian raised one hand and waved casually at Bart in friendly greeting.
"Good morning, Bart!"
Before Mr. Diggory could even begin to organize his prepared diplomatic words or rehearse his opening speech, the giant tree before them suddenly began to change with ripples of transformation magic.
But unlike the previous time when Bart had transformed, when he'd grown into that breathtaking giant dozens of meters tall that had terrified the Ministry officials—this time was completely different.
This time, Bart rapidly contracted and transformed in the opposite direction, shrinking rather than growing. His massive body compressed and reshaped, finally taking on a humanoid form that stood roughly the same height as Adrian.
This newly formed "person" was covered entirely with beautiful woody grain patterns that swirled across his surface like natural tattoos.
He had distinct, recognizable facial features now, eye sockets where warm green light flickered and pulsed like magical fire replacing normal eyes.
Most surprisingly and impressively, he was actually wearing wizard robes almost identical in style and cut to Adrian's own. The woody textures and patterns naturally extended from Bart's body into the robe's hem and cuffs, as if this entire garment had literally grown from his body itself as an extension of his form.
That's right—this was Bart's new form, his latest mutation development.
In overall appearance and proportions, he now looked similar to humans in general structure and movement.
Or rather, very specifically similar to Adrian himself in particular details.
Bart had clearly transformed and modeled his new humanoid body according to Adrian's physical standard and appearance as a template.
Even his wooden face bore some resemblance to Adrian's features when you looked closely.
Bart flexed his fingers experimentally, testing their range of motion. The wooden joints made soft friction sounds as they moved against each other.
Then he gave Adrian a light nod of acknowledgment and greeting. His voice, when he spoke, was deeper than before but clearer. "Master."
"Good morning, Bart," Adrian responded warmly, reaching out to pat Bart's shoulder in a familiar, friendly gesture.
Honestly, he quite liked Bart's new form very much. It was considerably more practical than either the stationary tree form or the massive giant form for certain situations.
And after changing into this more human appearance, even that typical "simple-minded" quality that Bart sometimes displayed seemed much diminished or at least less obvious.
Though internally, there probably hadn't been much actual vital change in his thinking processes or personality...
Of course, even in this normal-looking humanoid form, the raw power contained within Bart's wooden body remained extremely, extraordinarily terrifying.
When necessary for combat or intimidation, Adrian knew, Bart could instantly revert to that fearsome giant size.
Seeing this remarkable transformation and listening to the chat, Mr. Diggory's mouth fell open in genuine shock, his jaw was literally dropping. His wide eyes moved back and forth repeatedly between Adrian and Bart.
However, what surprised him most wasn't actually Bart's impressive new humanoid form.
It was something else.
That single word: Master.
He was absolutely certain he hadn't misheard—the Treant standing before him, this powerful magical being, had just addressed Adrian as "Master." Not "friend" or "partner" or "professor."
These questions raced through Mr. Diggory's mind, but he wisely kept them to himself for now.
Next, smoothly moving the introduction forward and ignoring Mr. Diggory's shocked expression, Adrian naturally turned toward Bart and gestured toward their guest. "This is Mr. Amos Diggory. You've actually seen him before during the last visit—he was with Umbridge's group. But he's not an enemy, he's a friend."
Hearing this, Bart's eyes, glowing with green light, turned toward Diggory, and a smile appeared on his wooden face.
"Bart likes friends very much." He stepped forward, extended his wooden arms, and gave Mr. Diggory a hug. "Welcome, friend. You are welcome here."
This unexpectedly warm, friendly gesture left Mr. Diggory pleasantly surprised and somewhat relieved, though also slightly uncomfortable with the unfamiliar texture. He carefully, cautiously returned the embrace with his own arms, trying not to seem rude or hesitant.
Well, hugging Bart was a bit hard and stiff—it felt exactly like embracing a tree trunk, unsurprisingly.
Not unpleasant, just... woody.
"Alright then," Adrian said brightly, clapping his hands together lightly to signal conclusion, his tone was casual and satisfied. "Misunderstanding cleared up, and your official task is complete."
He smiled at Diggory's stunned expression.
"Just... just like that?" Mr. Diggory stammered, still somewhat frozen in place, his arms slowly dropping from the hug. He couldn't quite believe what had just happened or how quickly the supposedly difficult diplomatic mission had resolved.
His voice had disbelief, confusion, relief all mixed together.
He looked at the still-smiling Bart standing peacefully beside him, then at the relaxed, unconcerned Adrian. "I mean... it's genuinely that simple?"
He had originally expected complex negotiations spanning multiple meetings. Concessions and compromises. Cultural misunderstandings to navigate. Perhaps even gifts or symbolic gestures.
He'd even prepared himself mentally for the very real possibility of returning completely empty-handed with nothing accomplished, having to report total failure to the Ministry.
This immediate, easy success seemed almost too good to be true.
Wait—wasn't diplomatic reconciliation after violent conflict supposed to follow a much more complex procedure? Wasn't there supposed to be protocol?
Adrian paused, then looked at Mr. Diggory thoughtfully, clearly reading the concern on his face. He rubbed his chin in consideration.
"Ah, I see the problem. I understand now—you need to put on a convincing show for the Ministry, don't you? You need to be seen making significant effort."
His voice carried knowing sympathy. "After all, resolving such a supposedly major diplomatic crisis in just minutes would look suspicious. You'd need to demonstrate that you personally put in considerable time and effort into repairing relations. Otherwise, they won't believe it was real work."
He thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers with inspiration. "How about this, Mr. Diggory—you come visit regularly to chat with Bart every day. That way the Ministry can clearly see how much time and dedication you devoted to building this relationship."
His expression brightened further. "You could even take some photographs! Document your meetings! Show the progression of increasing friendliness and trust! Build a case file of successful diplomacy!"
Bart, listening to this plan, nodded obediently with enthusiasm. "Bart likes chatting very much."
Mr. Diggory wanted to say that wasn't exactly what he'd meant, that he hadn't been asking for a fabricated show of effort. But thinking about it practically, honestly... this solution actually seemed pretty good? Perhaps even perfect?
No—it should probably be described as absolutely perfect from every angle, actually.
Mr. Diggory took a long, deep breath, processing everything that had just happened and the unexpected ease of this supposedly impossible task.
He looked at Adrian with solemn gratitude. "Adrian, I owe you a favor this time."
Adrian smiled with subtle amusement, neither accepting nor declining it outright.
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