Homecoming from Hogwarts

Harry didn't expect that he would be able to return to Hogwarts so soon. In his opinion, he would be lucky enough to be able to return to Hogwarts smoothly before the start of the next semester.

Although the wizarding world has just experienced an unprecedented disaster, everyone is inevitably confused and worried about the future.

However, this did not affect the enthusiasm of the elves in the Hogwarts kitchen when they returned to work. They made a breakfast into a gorgeous Christmas dinner.

Harry looked around and saw that not many students were actually able to immerse themselves in the delicious food.

The Great Hall looked very empty. Almost one-fifth of the students did not choose to return to Hogwarts to study.

This is not surprising.

Hogwarts has been around for thousands of years, but has never experienced such a heavy loss of young wizards. Many parents can't help but feel a lingering fear.

Harry heard it from Parvati and she from her sister Padma, who heard it from Professor Flitwick.

In order to compensate the parents of the students who were unfortunately killed or injured, Professor Brian emptied half of the castle's treasury.

The Daily Prophet praised this and believed that Professor Brian made a great decision.

But no amount of gold can bring back those lovely lives.

Feeling depressed, Harry turned his head and looked towards the Hufflepuff table.

Cedric was surrounded by talking students, but he had a pale face and sat there quietly without moving, as if he had been abandoned by the world.

Perhaps he noticed Harry's gaze and Cedric raised his eyelids like a sculpture.

The moment their eyes met, Harry sighed in his heart.

He was sure that he saw deep hatred in those lifeless eyes.

But that hatred was clearly not directed at him.

"What's wrong, Harry?"

The girl who usually sat next to Harry changed from Hermione to Ginny. As a lover, she was keenly aware of Harry's depressed mood.

Ginny placed her fair palm on the back of Harry's slightly cold hand, ignoring Ron's harsh snort, and asked gently.

"nothing."

There was a moment of silence, then Harry shook his head gently and gave Ginny a reassuring smile.

Harry then looked towards the staff table.

All the professors were there except one, and that one would never be there again.

Professor Brain left the throne-like seat in the middle of the faculty table empty and did not sit there himself.

When Harry looked at Professor Braine, Professor Braine, who looked calm, just stood up.

The mournful whispers in the auditorium stopped immediately.

"It's almost time."

Professor Brain looked at the gloomy faces of his colleagues, exchanged glances with Professor McGonagall and Hagrid, and then said to the students,

"Students on campus please follow their respective deans to the venue, and members of the exchange group please follow Professor Lahansen."

The students slowly stood up from their seats, and under the supervision of several deans, formed a long and solemn queue in front of the entrance hall. Then, they lined up and slowly walked towards the Black Lake.

No matter how many times he had seen it, standing at the edge of the venue, the Whomping Willow, which was so big that it made the tall Hogwarts Castle look like a dwarf, still made Harry's heart waver!
It stood there, casting a huge shadow toward the forbidden forest, telling everyone in silence that a new era had arrived.

Harry couldn't help but raise his head higher. A dark shadow the size of the moon disk in his field of vision made him clench his fists.

Professor Blaine's plan for the Island of Avalon has spread throughout the wizarding world.

As far as he knew, many famous scholars in the magic world had applied to Professor Brian, hoping to go to the island to study the strange monster.

Under the cool sunshine, the students arrived at the Black Lake.

There were hundreds of chairs arranged in a row, with an aisle in the middle and a marble table in front, with all the chairs facing it.

The usual chairs were already occupied. Almost everyone Harry knew was there, including a few centaurs.

He did not greet Sirius, nor did he ask Remus and Tonks if they were planning to remarry their wedding. Instead, he frowned at some of the people sitting at the marble table.

The atmosphere of grief is not pure, it is mixed with some dissatisfaction from some people.

The word "dissatisfied" may be too mild.
Harry believed that if it weren't for the fact that it was Professor Brain who was standing in front of them, the wizards who were discussing something with him would never have been so restrained.

'It's crazy'

Mad-Eye also made a few suggestions to Professor Brian, but when he was refuted, he shook his head, muttered, and retreated to the back to maintain order.

"What happened to him?"

Ron's astonished eyes followed Mad-Eye as he walked away.

"I ask you to even consider the implications of this, Mr. Blaine—"

An old wizard who was very old and probably hard of hearing shouted something that was heard by everyone.
"It will bring shame upon Albus after his death, and it will expose you to much criticism!"

Many young wizards looked at the old wizard with indignation.

Especially Hermione, she glared at the old wizard angrily.
"He was very disrespectful to Professor Brain. Of course, I know he's probably five times as old as Professor Brain!"

"I'm more curious about--"

Harry shrugged and looked suspiciously at Professor McGonagall, who looked embarrassed and hesitant.
"What on earth are they arguing about with Professor Brain?"

The answer to this question was soon revealed. A burst of ethereal music suddenly sounded, and many people turned their heads to look for the source of the music, including Harry. But he was soon attracted by the two people who came out of Hagrid's hut.

It was Hagrid and Aberforth.

After walking in, Harry saw the sparkling tears on Hagrid's face and Dumbledore's body in his arms, wrapped in purple velvet decorated with gold stars.

As for Aberforth.
His cold face looked as if someone had smashed his Hog's Head Bar. He used his wand to control the body of another person, but looking at his expression, it seemed as if he wanted to throw that person's body into the Black Lake.

"Please think about it carefully, Amosta."

Even Amelia looked at Amosta with an embarrassed expression.

“I’m sure I’m doing the right thing.”

Amosta's face was calm, but it was not difficult to detect the fatigue in his tone.

Harry finally understood why these people were arguing with Professor Brain. Even he himself had some doubts about this approach.

But when Amos Tower Blaine insists on something, no one in the current wizarding world can stop him.

Amosta looked at the bodies of Dumbledore and Grindelwald placed on the marble table. Looking at the two people sleeping peacefully, he suddenly felt an indescribable loneliness in his heart.

The only two wizards in the world who could stand on the same level as him are both dead.

Sighing softly, Amosta withdrew his gaze and looked into the distance at the tower of the principal's office.

In a trance, he seemed to see his future life. He paced silently day and night.

He will be trapped in that office by the power and authority he possesses.

He could leave the magical world right now, taking his power and memories with him, and head for the next adventure in the boundless sea of ​​stars.

He will do it. But not now.

He should take some responsibility for this world.

One after another, people came to the podium to give speeches and express their condolences to Dumbledore. As for the person next to Dumbledore, people just pretended not to see him.

Amosta also went up and said something similar to the others, praising Albus Dumbledore's noble character, selfless character, and outstanding contributions in his life.

But he knew that Dumbledore didn't care about all this, and he had already got what he wanted.

"I hope we can meet again in the sea of ​​stars, Headmaster Dumbledore -"

The white flames engulfed the bodies of the two. In a trance, Amos Tower seemed to see Dumbledore and Grindelwald waving goodbye to him again.

The funeral is over.

But except for the little wizards who were driven back to the castle, many people still gathered here.

Amosta knew that they all wanted to talk to him, to test his attitude towards certain issues, or perhaps, to consult him on something.

Including Severus, Sirius, Remus and others.

Even Amelia showed signs of wanting to talk to him alone.

Now in the magic world, a wizard who possesses the power of a legendary wizard from ancient times has reappeared.

His presence makes too many people uneasy.

In the past, people felt at ease with the virtuous Dumbledore as a check and balance.

But now, Dumbledore is gone, and he has mastered magical powers that no one can rival.

Except for those who were close to him, other wizards were very alert and cautious when facing him, for fear of angering him.

And he must be careful not to destroy the order of the current wizarding world.

"Please don't forget--"

The centaur elder Horn had a complicated expression, lowered his head in front of him and said,
"The centaurs also made their contribution in the Hogwarts Crusade. Our sacrifices are worth it."

"Every soul that was sacrificed lives in my heart, Horn—"

Amosta looked solemn and said calmly,
"But the Forbidden Forest belongs to the entire wizarding world. I hope to discuss this with you in detail another time."

The few centaurs didn't even dare to express their anger, but just retreated in silence.

"Amelia--"

Amosta changed his expression to a gentle one and asked in a negotiating tone,
"About Vitia——"

"no problem--"

Amelia nodded solemnly.

"Just follow the plan you proposed to the Wizengamot, Amosta, and I will arrange for Kingsley to send her to Hogwarts later--"

Amosta nodded slightly. Flomid in the crowd looked grateful.

"Wait a moment. After I deal with Vitia's matter, I will talk to you--"

Amosta then spoke to Severus, Sirius and Remus, who were rarely standing together.

"Come on, Minerva—"

Under the gazes of many wizards, either in awe or fear, Amosita said to Professor McGonagall as they walked towards the indestructible castle.

(End of this chapter)