In this world, thousands of people die every minute.
People choose to attend funerals because, on the one hand, we want to see how those people are already dead to reminisce about our friends and family in the past.
On the other hand, it's also because we need to learn something during the funeral. As for what exactly to learn … no one can learn it.
Many people are ordinary people and have no way to resist many things that happen in this world, such as natural disasters, man-made disasters, and the end of lifespan.
It's not easy to exist, but even under such circumstances, we are still alive.
The instinct of life is to work hard to live and fear death.
No matter how powerful a person is, they can't avoid facing all of this.
"But my brother obviously doesn't need it, right?"
In the Pig's Head Bar, Abfoss looked at Jon in front of him and said harshly.
"My brother is always such a lucky person. Even though he killed my sister, he didn't have to bear any responsibility. On the contrary, he became the most respected Wizard in the world because of his outstanding strength. This is obviously a very ironic thing.
Now, he's clearly about to die or has already died.
But a former lover of his ran out of the tower where he was imprisoned and told my brother that he didn't have to die and that he could save him in another way. How many people in the world dream of this?
He doesn't have to bear anything, and now he's free from all shackles and enjoying life with his former lover. Only pitiful people like us are left here to work for his plan. "
"Come on, Abfoss. You and I both know that you don't mean what you say. Although you hate Abfoss, you don't hate him that much. At least, it's because of his existence that Arianna was able to survive for so many years until Arianna was reborn."
"That's because Arianna deserves it. It doesn't mean that Abfoss can ignore his own mistakes."
"Believe me, Abfoss has never ignored his own mistakes. He has been working hard for Arianna's resurrection and has even been secretly supporting Nicholas' research on the time converter so that he can return to the time when he made the mistake."
"Yes, he did a lot of things, but none of them were successful, right?
I think in this world, there must be an explanation for everything. But you don't need to explain anything because I know in my heart that the reason why Arianna could be saved was because of Principal Helga's mercy. He promised that we siblings could be reborn in his divine kingdom. This is true kindness. "
"Alright, I don't want to argue with you about this. I can't wake up a person who's pretending to be asleep. Although the situation is different now, the logic is similar."
Jon knew that he was a very considerate person. He could completely understand Abfoss' mentality. Abfoss was a person who disdained others verbally, but his body was very upright. Although his words were full of contempt for Abfoss, he would do anything Abfoss asked of him.
"I think at least for now, I should go back to school first. The Phoenix Society must be in a mess. Dumbledore's sudden death will definitely bring about a lot of problems. Although I have confidence in Vice Principal Mag and the rest's ability to handle things, I think it's better for me to go back personally."
"Suit yourself. It has nothing to do with me anyway. If he really dies, I will definitely attend his funeral."
It didn't matter.
Jon didn't stop or slow down his footsteps. He walked away quietly.
He had to go and talk to the members of the Phoenix Society about this problem first.
Dumbledore had already died in the real world, so everything in the Phoenix Society had to be handed over to Jon.
However, Jon still had that principle. He didn't want too many people to know about his existence, so he chose to inform a group of people. A group of people who had the right to speak.
Professor Mag.
Severus Snape.
Mr. Arthur Weasley and his wife, Molly Weasley.
And Little Sirius.
These people were all people who were in direct contact with him. Especially under such circumstances, he had to give these people an explanation.
Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to explain to them why Grindvall didn't go crazy even though Dumbledore suddenly died in school.
"Welcome to my place at this time. Of course, some people have no choice but to come, and some people, it's not easy for them to appear here, especially Professor Snape. So to save Professor Snape's time, I'll tell you the most important thing first.
"Our problem now is very obvious. On the surface, there will definitely be some problems with people's hearts after Dumbledore's death, but even so, I don't think there's any harm. If things aren't bad enough, we won't be able to succeed in one go.
"My people have already started to set up the information network outside. After everything here is settled, the East will follow up with the opening of the magic network. Therefore, we will be the world's leaders then …
"Professor Mag, you can get Mr. Weasley to talk to you about your problem later. After all, this is a waste of time.
"It just so happens that Mrs. Weasley doesn't know our specific plan yet, but Arthur does.
"… Then, Professor Snape, according to our previous agreement, you have to continue with the disguise. Of course, I have confidence in you, so I'll pass the follow-up information to you the old way. I'll leave the reform of the Ministry of Magic to you."
Jon basically had this much information in his hands because he hadn't returned to the laboratory to connect with Anthony and the rest. Once the connection was completed, there wouldn't be so many problems.
"Also, when facing the outside world, we must firmly believe that Dumbledore is dead, especially when facing the students. Mrs. Weasley, can you keep a secret from the children?"
Molly Weasley was very nervous, but she nodded solemnly to show that she understood.
It couldn't be helped. This witch was the closest to Harry around Jon. She was Ron's mother, which basically meant that she was Hermione's and Harry's mother.
"Speaking of the children … I think there will be many things that we need our children's help with. First of all, Harry is about to come of age … Oh, Professor Snape, yes, you can leave now."
Snape's figure disappeared from the small room, and Chown returned to the topic. "Other than Professor Mag, I hope that we can start reminiscing about the rest of the people on a regular basis. The Phoenix Society's power is already enough. My men are mainly cooperating with the royal family to push for the outside world. I think after this year, we will be able to see the new world."
"Little Sirius is a dead man now, so I think we should let him be in charge of the external connection. Does anyone have any objections?"
"No."
"No."
"No. It would be better if you didn't say that I'm a dead man."
No one expressed any objections. Jon chose to ignore Little Sirius' complaints, and quickly moved on to the next topic.
"The most important thing for us now is Dumbledore's funeral. This is a signal, so everyone has to be involved. Arthur, you should be able to do a good job in the Phoenix Society. Just convey my will to them. Except for those who are not needed, Lohat will use memory magic to control them. Later, this name list will be provided by … Molly, how about that?"
Jon's aura was very scary when he was at work. Even Principal Mag felt some pressure, let alone Mrs. Weasley.
"I … Of course I can. I know the members the best."
"That's good. I think we have a lot of things to do, so let's get moving. Professor Mag, can we have a chat on your way back?"
"Of course." Mag nodded. "I have something to ask you, but it's about the things that Arthur, Molly and I want to talk about …"
"I think you will have a lot of time to talk about this after the funeral. Let's adjourn for now."
Jon's matter was, of course, more important than letting Professor Mag understand the cause of the matter. He and Professor Mag went back to the Hogwarts one after the other, and then he said, "Dumbledore wants to see you at a suitable time, so when do you have time?"
"Dumbledore wants to see me? Then why not just … "
"First of all, Dumbledore shouldn't be here now, or anywhere else, because to him, this burden has nothing to do with him anymore. Everything we have done is just to wrap up. Dumbledore has done everything he needs to do.
He's already dead, and he just finished his wedding not long before I came out, "Jon said casually." So from now until some time in the future, he should be by his partner's side. This is their honeymoon period.
The reason he wants to come is just because he's worried, or maybe there's some other reason. I don't want to know. If you have a suitable time and place, I'll help you pass the message. "
"Then … let's wait until after the funeral. There are a lot of things, and I think we'll be busy for a long time."
"Of course, if you think of it, Professor, you can inform my student and let her pass it to me."
"Your student?"
"Yes." Jon blinked. "Miss Hermione Granger. I've been training her alone for a long time."
…
All classes were suspended, and all exams were postponed.
In the two days after Dumbledore's death, some students were hurriedly picked up by their parents from Hogwarts. The morning after Dumbledore's death, the Parwati twins left without breakfast, and Zacharias Harding followed his arrogant father out of the castle.
The destruction of the Smith family was imminent, but no one knew about it. Jon didn't kill the family to the last one. After all, not everyone knew the old story.
After all, there was still a little friendship between him and Zacharias.
Seamus Finnegan flatly refused to go home with his mother. They quarreled loudly in the hall, and finally the quarrel ended when his mother agreed to let him stay for the funeral.
Seamus later told Harry and Ron that it was difficult for his mother to find a bed at Hogsmeade because so many Wizard boys and girls had flocked to the village to say goodbye to Dumbledore.
In the evening before the funeral, a powder-blue carriage as big as a house, pulled by a dozen huge winged silver-maned horses, flew down from the sky and landed on the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
The junior students were very excited, for they had never seen anything like it before.
Harry watched from the window as a tall, dignified, dark-haired, yellow-skinned woman got out of the carriage and threw herself into the arms of Hagrid, who was waiting there.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Ministry of Magic, including the Minister himself, was arranged to stay in the castle.
Harry took great pains to avoid meeting any of them, because he was sure that sooner or later they would question him about Dumbledore's last departure from Hogwarts.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny stayed together all day.
Now it was the end of the term, Ginny's exams were over, the pressure of homework was off, and they were together all day …
Harry knew what he had to say and what he had to do, but he put it off, hour by hour, because he could not bear to give up the one thing that gave him the most comfort.
They visited the School Hospital twice a day.
Neville had been discharged, and Bill continued to be cared for by Madame Pomfrey.
His scars were as frightening as ever, and in fact he looked very much like Mad Hammer Moody now. It was a good thing that his eyes and legs were intact, but his character did not seem to have changed at all.
The only thing that had changed was his sudden fondness for deep-fried beef.
"… It's a good thing he's going to marry me," said Fleur cheerfully, patting Bill's pillow to make it softer. "Because the English always cook their meat too well done. I've said that many times."
"I suppose I'll have to face the truth. He really is going to marry her," said Ginny, sighing.
She was sitting with Harry, Ron and Hermione at the open window of the Gryffindor Common Room, looking out over the field in the twilight.
"She's not that bad."
"Sigh, if Mother can bear it, I guess I can too."
"Did anyone we know die?"
"No," said Hermione, shocked. She folded the newspaper. "They're still looking for Snape, but there's no clue …"
"Of course not. They have to wait until they find Voldemort before they can find Snape. Since they haven't found him after so long … "
This conversation was very boring, and Ginny quickly went to bed. The trio's topic naturally turned to Soul Tools.
Hermione knew a lot, but she could not say it. She remembered the tasks that Jon had given her, just like the magic spells.
Finally, they inevitably talked about the funeral.
Harry had never been to a funeral before, because Sirius was not dead, so there was no body to bury. Of course, Harry did not know about this.
So Harry did not know what it would be like.
What would he see?
How would he feel?
He was vaguely worried about all this.
He did not know if Dumbledore's death would be more real to him after the funeral, but now, sometimes that terrible truth almost knocked him over, but more often than not, his heart was blank and numb. Even though everyone in the castle was talking about it, he still found it hard to believe that Dumbledore really did not exist.
The next day, Harry got up early to pack his bags.
The Hogwarts Express would leave an hour after the funeral.
He went downstairs and found the atmosphere in the auditorium very depressing.
Everyone was wearing formal robes, and no one seemed to have much of an appetite.
Professor McGonagall had left the king-like seat in the middle of the staff table empty, and Hagrid's chair was not occupied — Harry guessed that he was not in the mood for breakfast.
But Rufus Scrimgeour was sitting in Snape's seat, and he looked very conspicuous.
His yellow eyes scanned the auditorium. Harry avoided his gaze, but still had the uncomfortable feeling that Scrimgeour was looking for him.
Among Scrimgeour's entourage, Harry saw Percy Weasley with his red hair and horn-rimmed glasses.
Ron did not show any sign that he knew Percy was here, but cut his smoked fish fiercely.
Over at the Slytherin table, Crabbe and Gal were whispering to each other.
Although they were both large, clumsy fellows, they seemed particularly lonely without Malfoy's pale, lanky figure between them, and without Malfoy ordering them around.
Harry did not think more about Malfoy. His hatred was all focused on Snape.
He did not forget the fear in Malfoy's voice at the top of the tower, nor did he forget that Malfoy's wand had dropped before the other Death Eaters had arrived.
Harry did not believe that Malfoy would kill Dumbledore. He still hated Malfoy for his obsession with black magic, but now this hatred was mixed with a little sympathy.
Where was Malfoy at the moment?
What exactly did Voldemort order him to do by threatening to kill him and his parents?
Ginny poked Harry, interrupting his thoughts.
At this time, Professor Mag stood up, and the sorrowful murmurs in the auditorium quieted down immediately.
"It's about time," she said. "Please follow your dean to the field. Students of Gryffindor, follow me."
The students lined up and walked out from behind the benches, barely making a sound.
Harry caught a glimpse of Slughorn standing at the front of the Slytherin team, wearing a luxurious bright green robe embroidered with silver thread.
Besides, he had never seen Professor Sprout, the dean of Hufflepuff, so neat and tidy. There was not a patch on his hat.
When they reached the foyer, they found Mrs. Pins standing next to Filch, wearing a thick black mask that fell to her knees. Filch was wearing an old-fashioned suit and tie, and smelled of mothballs.
Harry went out the door, came to the stone steps, and found that they were walking in the direction of the lake.
The warm sun shone on his face as they silently followed Professor Mag to the place where hundreds of chairs were arranged.
There was an aisle between the chairs, and a marble table in front of which all the chairs were turned.
It was one of the most beautiful days of summer.
Half the chairs were already occupied, a motley assortment of people: the ragged, the neat, the old, and the young.
Harry did not know most of them, but there were a few he knew, including the members of the Phoenix Society: Kingsley Shackleton, Mad-Eyed Moody, Tonks, whose hair had miraculously turned a dazzling pink again, Remus Lupin, with whom Tonks was holding hands, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Fleur supporting Bill, followed by Fred and George in their black flame-dragon jackets.
Then there was Mrs. Maxim, who took up two and a half chairs by herself, Tom the keeper of the Leaky Cauldron, Béla Figg, Harry's dumb neighbor, the hairy bass player of the Odd Sisters, Erne Prynne, the driver of the Cavalier Omnibus, Mrs. Morkin of the Robe Shop in Diagon Alley, and a few others whom Harry only recognized, such as the waiter at the Pig's Head, and the witch with the trolley on the Hogwarts Express.
The ghosts of the Castle had come, almost invisible in the sun, and only recognizable as they moved, shimmering with unreal light in the bright air.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny took the last few seats in the row of chairs by the lake.
People were talking to each other in low voices that sounded like a breeze through the grass, and the birds were very loud.
Connelly Fudge passed them on his way to the front seat, scowling and twirling his green hat as usual.
Then Harry recognized Rita Skeeter and, to his annoyance, saw a notebook clutched in her red-clawed hand, and then he recognized Dolores Umbridge and was furious.
Umbridge's toadlike face was set in mourning, and her iron-brown curls were crowned with a black velvet butterfly.
When she saw Firenze, the centaur, standing sentinel by the lake, she was so frightened that she scurried to a distant seat.
Harry wondered if Scrimgeour and the others were really grieving for Dumbledore's death. He heard music, like the music of another world, and, forgetting his dislike of the Minister, he turned to look for its source.
"There."
And then he saw them, a few inches below the surface, in the clear green of the sunlit lake. It made him think of the zombies, and fear came back to him.
A chorus of ordinary merfolk was singing in a strange language that he could not understand. Their pale faces rippled, and their purple hair floated around them.
The music made the hairs on the back of Harry's neck stand on end, but it was not unpleasant.
It spoke plainly of grief and despair — and, looking down at the emotional faces in the water, Harry felt that at least they were grieving for Dumbledore.
Then Ginny prodded him again, and he turned.
Hagrid was moving slowly along the aisle between the seats.
He was weeping silently, his face glistening with tears. Harry knew that he was holding Dumbledore's body in his arms, wrapped in purple velvet studded with gold stars.
A sharp pain rose in Harry's throat at the sight: for a moment the strange music, and the sight of Dumbledore's body so close to him, seemed to take away all the warmth of the day.
Ron was extremely shocked, his face deathly pale.
Great drops of tears fell on Ginny's and Hermione's legs.
They could not see what was happening in front of them.
Hagrid seemed to be carefully placing the body on the table. He was walking back down the aisle, blowing his nose vigorously and making a sound like a trumpet. Some people gave him disapproving glances, and Harry saw that one of them was Dolores Umbridge.
But Harry knew that Dumbledore would not mind.
Harry tried to say a friendly hello as Hagrid passed, but Hagrid's eyes were swollen into slits, and it was strange that he could still see where he was going.
Harry looked at the back row where Hagrid was going, and understood what was guiding him.
The giant Groop sat there, wearing a jacket and trousers as large as a small tent. His enormous, ugly head, like a giant pebble, was lowered. He appeared very docile, even considerate.
Hagrid sat down next to his half-brother, and Glop patted him on the head so hard that the four legs of the chair sank into the ground.
Just then, the music stopped, and he turned his face and looked forward again.
A small, thick-haired man in a plain black robe got up from his seat and came to the long marble table.
His voice was a little choked, and the people in the back row could not hear him clearly. They could only make out a few words.
"Noble spirit" … "Academic achievement" … "Great heart" …
There was the sound of splashing water to his left, and he turned his head. The mermen had all come out of the water and were listening carefully. Harry remembered that two years ago, Dumbledore had crouched by the water, where Harry was sitting at this moment, talking to the Merfolk Leader in the language of the merfolk.
Harry did not know where Dumbledore had learned the language of the merfolk.
There were so many things he had not asked him, so many things he should have said to him …
And so, suddenly, the terrible truth came crashing down on him, more relentless and undeniable than ever. Dumbledore was dead. He was no longer here …
He gripped the cold locket so tightly that his palm hurt, but he could not stop the tears from coming out of his eyes. He avoided the eyes of Jenny and the others, and looked at the Forbidden Forest on the other side of the lake. The small man in black was still giving a monotonous speech …
There was movement in the Forbidden Forest, because the centaurs had also come to express their condolences.
They did not come out into the open. Harry saw them standing in the shadows, motionless, looking at the Wizard on this side, their bows and arrows by their sides.
The small man finally finished and returned to his seat.
Harry waited for someone else to stand up. He thought that someone else would speak, like the minister, but no one moved.
Suddenly, a few people screamed.
Dazzling white flames sprang up around Dumbledore's body and the table: the flames rose higher and higher, covering the body. White smoke curled up into the air, taking on all kinds of strange shapes. For a moment, Harry thought he saw a phoenix flying cheerfully into the blue sky, but then the flames disappeared, and there was a white marble tomb, enclosing Dumbledore's body and the table.
Countless arrows dodged into the air like a shower, causing a few screams, but they fell far away from the crowd. Harry knew that this was the centaurs mourning. He saw them turn around and disappear into the shade of the trees. Those fishmen also slowly sank to the bottom of the green water and could no longer be seen.
The funeral was over.
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