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The Hogwarts Express leaves an hour after the service. Harry
rises early to pack and descends to a greatly subdued Great Hall
for breakfast.
Scrim has unceremoniously taken over Snape’s seat at the head
table. Percy is there with him, but all Weasley parties seem to
be ignoring the giant elephant in the room.
McGonagall has left the majestic throne-like seat at the center
of the table empty...in honor of the fallen.
Harry looks over to the Slytherin table and notices Crabbe and
Goyle looking oddly bereft without their leader. He hadn’t given
much thought to Malfoy with all that was going on.
...His animosity was all for Snape, but he had not forgotten the
fear in Malfoy’s voice on that tower top, nor the fact that he
had lowered his wand before the other Death Eaters arrived. Harry
did not believe that Malfoy would have killed Dumbledore. He
despised Malfoy still for his infatuation with the Dark Arts, but
now the tiniest drop of pity mingled with his dislike. Where,
Harry wondered, was Malfoy now, and what was Voldemort making him
do under threat of killing him and his parents?
McGonagall stands to lead the students and staff out onto the
grounds where the service will take place. Many have turned up to
pay their respects. So many, in fact, that Harry only recognizes
a select few:
The merpeople living in the lake sing a song of sadness and
mourning while Hagrid carries the body of the one-time Headmaster
to the altar, draped in purple cloth spangled with golden stars.
A little man in black steps up to speak about Dumbledore’s life,
contributions and achievements. The Centaurs stand at the edge of
the forest, bows in hand, listening to the complimentary words.
When the speech is over, the body erupts into flames. The fire
dancing wildly into strange shapes before dissolving into a white
marble tomb. The Centaurs release a volley of arrows, their own
silent memorial.
Harry realizes more than ever that he is truly alone on this
fight. All those who stood before him have fallen. It’s time for
him to step up on his own and not let another life be taken in
his stead.
Funeral over, mind made up, Harry pulls Ginny aside. And here it
is, the ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ break up
speech. I truly think every fan groaned a little bit reading this
lame...crap!
I’m not even going to write much about it. Read it if you like to
make yourself suffer, it’s on pages 646-647. I’ll probably talk
about it in the Character Arcs, but for now just know that it’s
crap...just crap! I don’t even like Harry and Ginny dating, but
if they had to and then you were going to break them up...break
them up for God’s sake. Have some respect for your characters!
Ginny’s made into this pathetic wisp of a damsel willing to sit
by and wait for her man.
Anyway, they’ve broken up now and Harry goes for a walk around
the lake to calm down or brood or what have you. Scrimgeour
catches him up and asks to walk a bit with him. Harry
distractedly agrees.
Scrim questions what Harry and Dumbledore were up to the night of
the murder. Harry tells him it’s none of his business, that
Dumbledore didn’t want anyone to know. Scrim reminds Harry that
Dumbledore is gone now and that he, Scrim, can offer Harry the
protection of his Auror department.
Harry declines. No one can help him. Voldemort wants to
personally kill him; a bunch of Aurors won’t change a thing.
Harry informs the Minister that Dumbledore will only ever be gone
from the castle when no one there is loyal to him. Harry is
Dumbledore’s man through and through and declines Srim’s offer to
be Ministry spokesperson yet again.
Scrim leaves Harry as Hermione and Ron rush to catch up to him.
Hermione asks what Scrim wanted. They look back at the castle and
Hermione frets over the fate of the school. Ron tries to be
hopeful by saying they may not close it since no one’s any safer
anywhere else. Harry reveals that he won’t be returning either
way.
Hermione knew he’d say that while Ron gapes at him shocked. She
questions his plan. Harry tells them that he’ll return to the
Dursleys’ briefly and then maybe visit the place it all started,
Godric’s Hollow, before starting on his Horcrux hunting quest.
Ron tells Harry that they’re coming with him. Harry balks at the
idea, startled. He meant for them both to understand that this
was his journey alone; he’d be going it without them.
haven’t we?”
That decided, they agree to set off after Bill and Fleur’s
wedding in a few weeks. Clutching the cold metal of the locket in
his hand, Harry vows to stand against Voldemort, but takes
strength in knowing there will be one last day of peace to share
with Hermione and Ron.
rises early to pack and descends to a greatly subdued Great Hall
for breakfast.
Scrim has unceremoniously taken over Snape’s seat at the head
table. Percy is there with him, but all Weasley parties seem to
be ignoring the giant elephant in the room.
McGonagall has left the majestic throne-like seat at the center
of the table empty...in honor of the fallen.
Harry looks over to the Slytherin table and notices Crabbe and
Goyle looking oddly bereft without their leader. He hadn’t given
much thought to Malfoy with all that was going on.
...His animosity was all for Snape, but he had not forgotten the
fear in Malfoy’s voice on that tower top, nor the fact that he
had lowered his wand before the other Death Eaters arrived. Harry
did not believe that Malfoy would have killed Dumbledore. He
despised Malfoy still for his infatuation with the Dark Arts, but
now the tiniest drop of pity mingled with his dislike. Where,
Harry wondered, was Malfoy now, and what was Voldemort making him
do under threat of killing him and his parents?
- Page 640
McGonagall stands to lead the students and staff out onto the
grounds where the service will take place. Many have turned up to
pay their respects. So many, in fact, that Harry only recognizes
a select few:
- Kingsley Shacklebolt
Mad-Eye Moody
Tonks
Lupin
Mr. & Mrs. Weasley
Bill & Fleur
Fred & George
Madame Maxime
Tom, landlord of the Leaky Cauldron
Arabella Figg
Weird Sisters’ bass player
Ernie Prang, driver of the Knight Bus
Madam Malkin, robemaker
The Barman of the Hog’s Head (wink::wink)
The Witch who sells candy on the Hogwarts Express
The school Ghosts
Cornelius Fudge
Delores Umbridge
Rita Skeeter
Neville
Luna
Firenze
Grawp
The merpeople living in the lake sing a song of sadness and
mourning while Hagrid carries the body of the one-time Headmaster
to the altar, draped in purple cloth spangled with golden stars.
A little man in black steps up to speak about Dumbledore’s life,
contributions and achievements. The Centaurs stand at the edge of
the forest, bows in hand, listening to the complimentary words.
When the speech is over, the body erupts into flames. The fire
dancing wildly into strange shapes before dissolving into a white
marble tomb. The Centaurs release a volley of arrows, their own
silent memorial.
Harry realizes more than ever that he is truly alone on this
fight. All those who stood before him have fallen. It’s time for
him to step up on his own and not let another life be taken in
his stead.
Funeral over, mind made up, Harry pulls Ginny aside. And here it
is, the ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ break up
speech. I truly think every fan groaned a little bit reading this
lame...crap!
I’m not even going to write much about it. Read it if you like to
make yourself suffer, it’s on pages 646-647. I’ll probably talk
about it in the Character Arcs, but for now just know that it’s
crap...just crap! I don’t even like Harry and Ginny dating, but
if they had to and then you were going to break them up...break
them up for God’s sake. Have some respect for your characters!
Ginny’s made into this pathetic wisp of a damsel willing to sit
by and wait for her man.
Anyway, they’ve broken up now and Harry goes for a walk around
the lake to calm down or brood or what have you. Scrimgeour
catches him up and asks to walk a bit with him. Harry
distractedly agrees.
Scrim questions what Harry and Dumbledore were up to the night of
the murder. Harry tells him it’s none of his business, that
Dumbledore didn’t want anyone to know. Scrim reminds Harry that
Dumbledore is gone now and that he, Scrim, can offer Harry the
protection of his Auror department.
Harry declines. No one can help him. Voldemort wants to
personally kill him; a bunch of Aurors won’t change a thing.
Harry informs the Minister that Dumbledore will only ever be gone
from the castle when no one there is loyal to him. Harry is
Dumbledore’s man through and through and declines Srim’s offer to
be Ministry spokesperson yet again.
Scrim leaves Harry as Hermione and Ron rush to catch up to him.
Hermione asks what Scrim wanted. They look back at the castle and
Hermione frets over the fate of the school. Ron tries to be
hopeful by saying they may not close it since no one’s any safer
anywhere else. Harry reveals that he won’t be returning either
way.
Hermione knew he’d say that while Ron gapes at him shocked. She
questions his plan. Harry tells them that he’ll return to the
Dursleys’ briefly and then maybe visit the place it all started,
Godric’s Hollow, before starting on his Horcrux hunting quest.
Ron tells Harry that they’re coming with him. Harry balks at the
idea, startled. He meant for them both to understand that this
was his journey alone; he’d be going it without them.
- “You said to us once before,” said Hermione quietly, “that
haven’t we?”
- “We’re with you whatever happens,” said Ron.
- Page 651
That decided, they agree to set off after Bill and Fleur’s
wedding in a few weeks. Clutching the cold metal of the locket in
his hand, Harry vows to stand against Voldemort, but takes
strength in knowing there will be one last day of peace to share
with Hermione and Ron.
| The End |
Hagrid tries to tear Harry away from Dumbledore’s body, but Harry
refuses to move. Soon, he feels a much smaller hand wrap itself
around his cold fingers and he obeys it’s insistence to stand and
walk back to the castle. He does so without thinking and only as
they pass the crowd does he realize that it’s Ginny: he
recognizes her flowery scent.
She’s leading him back to the Hospital Wing. He tries to protest
that he’s not hurt (not counting the broken nose, multiple
contusions and possible concussion, of course). She forestalls
his escape by telling him McGonagall has ordered them all there...
everyone’s waiting for them.
He finally wakes up enough to inquire about everyone’s status.
She says none on their side were killed, despite there being a
Dark Mark, despite what Malfoy said. One DE got hit by a stray
Killing Curse and Bill was attacked by Greyback. They don’t know
how he’ll recover as Greyback is a werewolf, but wasn’t
transformed at the time.
She also reveals that Flitwick and Neville were both hurt, but
they’ll be okay. Harry’s saved their lives yet again; if not for
his insistence that Hermione keep the Felix for their use instead
of taking it with him and Dumbledore there would have been more
injuries and perhaps even more deaths.
...“Harry, if we hadn’t had your Felix potion, I think we’d all
have been killed, but everything seemed to just miss us –”
When they enter the Hospital Wing, Hermione immediately breaks
away from the group and rushes to him, embracing him in a
desperate hug. Lupin moves toward him as well, looking worried.
Harry asks about Bill and, when no one answers, looks over
Hermione’s shoulder to check for himself. Bill is so mangled he’s
unrecognizable.
However, they don’t think he’ll be a full werewolf because
Greyback hadn’t transformed. Ron immediately takes offense to the
fact that Dumbledore isn’t there to help Bill. After all, Bill
was fighting on Dumbledore’s orders so therefore “Dumbledore owes
him.”
Ginny interrupts them to deliver the bomb, which shellshocks the
group of them. The news of the Headmaster’s death is new
information they weren’t aware of before now. Lupin drops into a
chair with his face in his hands.
Harry doesn’t like seeing Lupin lose it, he feels like he’s
intruded on something private. Lupin’s always been the quiet,
collected strength so, for Harry, seeing him break makes it that
much harder to not break down himself.
Tonks asks for the details and Harry reveals the cold, hard
truth: “Snape killed him.” Harry was immobilized and couldn’t do
anything but watch. When Harry mentions Malfoy, Hermione claps
her hands to her mouth in horror, Luna’s lips tremble and Ron
groans as if in pain.
Madam Pomfrey begins to cry. Everyone is too shocked to pay her
much mind, except Ginny, who shushes the poor woman. And then
they hear it. On the wind, somewhere in the dark night, a phoenix
sings not of confidence, peace and strength, but a mournful elegy
of sorrow and pain.
... And Harry felt, as he had felt about phoenix song before,
that the music was inside him, not without: It was his own grief
turned magically to song that echoed across the grounds and
through the castle windows.
sound of their mourning...
refuses to move. Soon, he feels a much smaller hand wrap itself
around his cold fingers and he obeys it’s insistence to stand and
walk back to the castle. He does so without thinking and only as
they pass the crowd does he realize that it’s Ginny: he
recognizes her flowery scent.
She’s leading him back to the Hospital Wing. He tries to protest
that he’s not hurt (not counting the broken nose, multiple
contusions and possible concussion, of course). She forestalls
his escape by telling him McGonagall has ordered them all there...
everyone’s waiting for them.
He finally wakes up enough to inquire about everyone’s status.
She says none on their side were killed, despite there being a
Dark Mark, despite what Malfoy said. One DE got hit by a stray
Killing Curse and Bill was attacked by Greyback. They don’t know
how he’ll recover as Greyback is a werewolf, but wasn’t
transformed at the time.
She also reveals that Flitwick and Neville were both hurt, but
they’ll be okay. Harry’s saved their lives yet again; if not for
his insistence that Hermione keep the Felix for their use instead
of taking it with him and Dumbledore there would have been more
injuries and perhaps even more deaths.
...“Harry, if we hadn’t had your Felix potion, I think we’d all
have been killed, but everything seemed to just miss us –”
- Page 612, U.S. Hardcover Edition
When they enter the Hospital Wing, Hermione immediately breaks
away from the group and rushes to him, embracing him in a
desperate hug. Lupin moves toward him as well, looking worried.
Harry asks about Bill and, when no one answers, looks over
Hermione’s shoulder to check for himself. Bill is so mangled he’s
unrecognizable.
However, they don’t think he’ll be a full werewolf because
Greyback hadn’t transformed. Ron immediately takes offense to the
fact that Dumbledore isn’t there to help Bill. After all, Bill
was fighting on Dumbledore’s orders so therefore “Dumbledore owes
him.”
Ginny interrupts them to deliver the bomb, which shellshocks the
group of them. The news of the Headmaster’s death is new
information they weren’t aware of before now. Lupin drops into a
chair with his face in his hands.
Harry doesn’t like seeing Lupin lose it, he feels like he’s
intruded on something private. Lupin’s always been the quiet,
collected strength so, for Harry, seeing him break makes it that
much harder to not break down himself.
Tonks asks for the details and Harry reveals the cold, hard
truth: “Snape killed him.” Harry was immobilized and couldn’t do
anything but watch. When Harry mentions Malfoy, Hermione claps
her hands to her mouth in horror, Luna’s lips tremble and Ron
groans as if in pain.
Madam Pomfrey begins to cry. Everyone is too shocked to pay her
much mind, except Ginny, who shushes the poor woman. And then
they hear it. On the wind, somewhere in the dark night, a phoenix
sings not of confidence, peace and strength, but a mournful elegy
of sorrow and pain.
... And Harry felt, as he had felt about phoenix song before,
that the music was inside him, not without: It was his own grief
turned magically to song that echoed across the grounds and
through the castle windows.
- How long they all stood there, listening, he did not know,
sound of their mourning...
- Page 615
Professor McGonagall strides in breaking through their reverie
with the news that Molly and Arthur are en route to the school.
Harry quickly explains what happened between Snape and
Dumbledore. She sways on her feet and sits in the conjured chair
Pomfrey rushed to shove under the wobbling Deputy Headmistress.
Harry tells them of the reason Dumbledore gave him for trusting
Snape. Lupin is outraged; how could Dumbledore believe that Snape
was sorry James had died...he hated James. Harry adds that he
didn’t think too much of Lily either, having called her
‘Mudbl**d’.
McGonagall starts to blame herself; she had sent Flitwick to call
for Snape to come help in the battle. Snape may not have known
DEs had entered the school otherwise. She summoned him and he
wound up killing Dumbledore.
Lupin tries to reassure her. They were all glad to think help was
coming. There was no way for any of them to know the truth.
Harry eagerly devours any new information they can provide as to
what happened down in the corridor, during the battle.
Collectively, they piece together what took place.
They couldn’t find Malfoy on the map, so Ron, Ginny and Neville
went to watch the Room of Requirement. Malfoy, delivering the DEs
entrance to Hogwarts by way of the Vanishing Cabinet, snuck out,
saw them and threw some Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder,
effectively blinding everyone but him, his Hand of Glory shedding
light only to its holder.
Groping their way out of the corridor, the bumbling trio heard
people rush by them, but was powerless to stop them. Soon after,
they banged into the guards Dumbledore had set and they all gave
chase – the DEs scattering. One, Gibbon, broke away and charged
ahead up the stairs to the Astronomy Tower to set off the Dark
Mark. Once his deed was done, he came back to join the fray, but
got hit with a stray Killing Curse meant for Lupin.
Meanwhile, Hermione and Luna were watching Snape’s office in the
dungeons and had no idea of the battle being waged overhead. For
Ron had withheld the Marauder’s Map and taken it with him.
Suddenly, Flitwick ran by them without registering their presence
and went to retrieve Snape. The girls heard a muffled thud, then
Snape was upon them telling them Flitwick collapsed and they were
to help him.
Snape rushed onward. Hermione blames herself for not stopping
Snape, for it is clear now that he must have stunned Flitwick
himself. Lupin consoles her. If she hadn’t stepped out of the
way, Snape most likely would have killed her and Luna to get them
out of his way.
Snape hastened to the scrimmage in the seventh floor hallway.
Tonks admits that they were losing the fight. They needed help:
Bill and Neville had been hurt, curses were flying everywhere.
And so they lost track of Snape in the scuffle.
He got through the barrier one of the DEs had erected after
charging up behind Malfoy. Lupin tried his luck, even though
Neville had already attempted it and been thrown back through the
air. Lupin’s luck was much the same. Harry figures the key to
making it through was having a Dark Mark.
The DE erratically through hexes and curses in every direction
causes the roof to cave in and the barrier spell to break. The
remaining Order rush forward, but just then Snape comes running
out dragging Malfoy with him.
And no one attacked, thinking they were being chased by DEs and
were in danger.
The other DEs plus Greyback emerged and the battle raged on once
more, distracting most everyone still fighting. Tonks heard
Snape’s shout, but couldn’t make out the words. Harry informs
them Snape had issued orders to the DEs telling them that the
campaign was won and they were to retreat.
The arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley breaks the recapitulation of
the action.
Mrs. Weasley rushes to Bill’s bedside immediately. Lupin and
Tonks step aside to allow the Weasley parents to get close to
their eldest son.
They briefly rehash what’s been discussed to fill in the newly-
arrived Weasleys. Fleur has arrived with them. Harry feels Ginny
tense next to him and looks to see what she’s glaring at: Fleur
gazing frozenly at Bill’s mutilated face.
Mrs. Weasley laments that her beautiful boy will never be the
same again, and it’s just such a shame as he was going to be
married. This causes Fleur to flare up.
he looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All
these scars show is zat my husband is brave! And I shall do zat!”
she added fiercely, pushing Mrs. Weasley aside and snatching the
ointment from her.
Mrs. Weasley finally gains some respect for her future daughter-
in-law and accepts her. Both women fall, crying, into each other’
s arms. This encounter leads directly to the next hysterical
outburst.
Tonks declares her love for Lupin despite his reluctance to (1)
speak about it in front of everyone, (2) discuss it at a time
like this, and (3) accept her affection at all.
McGonagall mentions that Dumbledore would have been pleased to
know there was a little more love in the world. Mr. Weasley
counters Lupin’s argument of Tonks deserving someone “young and
whole” with the fact that those two qualities don’t always remain
so, regretfully pointing to Bill.
So it seems all the adults were in on this affair. Harry made the
great mental leap that Tonks had been in love with Sirius...boy,
was he wrong. For a superspy super-genius, Harry sure does get a
lot of things wrong. Actually, he is almost always wrong about
everything...except, of course, for this whole Malfoy business –
which everyone else was wrong about...odd, that...
Hagrid enters and informs them that he’s moved the body and all
the kids are back in their common rooms. The Ministry has been
informed and they’re on their way. McGongall asks Harry to
accompany her to her office so they can speak.
Harry realizes on the way that they are headed for the
Headmaster’s office, which is now, of course, hers. He is greeted
with the newly added portrait of Dumbledore, who is currently
resting in his frame.
McGonagall wants to know what he and Dumbledore were searching
for that pulled Dumbledore away from the school. Harry doesn’t
tell her, because Dumbledore ordered him not to tell anyone
besides Hermione and Ron.
They are interrupted by the arrival of the Heads of Houses and
Hagrid. McGonagall asks them their views on whether or not to
reopen the school next year before the Ministry intervenes. They
are split between wanting to close to protect the kids, and the
idea that if there’s one student willing to attend, they should
open the school and teach that student.
Flitwick says to consult the governors. McGonagall asks Hagrid
what he thinks and he shies away, wanting to leave it to the
Heads. She insists stating that Dumbledore always respected his
opinion and so does she. He thinks the school should stay open
even if only for that one student. He’ll stay with the school
regardless.
McGonagall mentions sending the students home, but Harry argues
that they’ll want to stay for the funeral. The Professors all
agree. She dismisses Harry before Scrim gets there so he won’t
have to deal with the Minister.
Harry arrives to find the common rooms packed with his
classmates, all eager to hear his story. He walks through, not
making eye-contact with anyone, and makes his way up to his dorm
to find Ron waiting up for him.
He goes through the whole tale with Ron, from the Professors
talking about closing the school to not finding a real Horcrux.
Ron wonders who R.A.B. is, but Harry doubts he’ll ever be curious
about anything again. He realizes Fawkes’ song has ended and
somehow he knows the bird has left the school, just as Dumbledore
has left it forever.
with the news that Molly and Arthur are en route to the school.
Harry quickly explains what happened between Snape and
Dumbledore. She sways on her feet and sits in the conjured chair
Pomfrey rushed to shove under the wobbling Deputy Headmistress.
Harry tells them of the reason Dumbledore gave him for trusting
Snape. Lupin is outraged; how could Dumbledore believe that Snape
was sorry James had died...he hated James. Harry adds that he
didn’t think too much of Lily either, having called her
‘Mudbl**d’.
McGonagall starts to blame herself; she had sent Flitwick to call
for Snape to come help in the battle. Snape may not have known
DEs had entered the school otherwise. She summoned him and he
wound up killing Dumbledore.
Lupin tries to reassure her. They were all glad to think help was
coming. There was no way for any of them to know the truth.
Harry eagerly devours any new information they can provide as to
what happened down in the corridor, during the battle.
Collectively, they piece together what took place.
They couldn’t find Malfoy on the map, so Ron, Ginny and Neville
went to watch the Room of Requirement. Malfoy, delivering the DEs
entrance to Hogwarts by way of the Vanishing Cabinet, snuck out,
saw them and threw some Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder,
effectively blinding everyone but him, his Hand of Glory shedding
light only to its holder.
Groping their way out of the corridor, the bumbling trio heard
people rush by them, but was powerless to stop them. Soon after,
they banged into the guards Dumbledore had set and they all gave
chase – the DEs scattering. One, Gibbon, broke away and charged
ahead up the stairs to the Astronomy Tower to set off the Dark
Mark. Once his deed was done, he came back to join the fray, but
got hit with a stray Killing Curse meant for Lupin.
Meanwhile, Hermione and Luna were watching Snape’s office in the
dungeons and had no idea of the battle being waged overhead. For
Ron had withheld the Marauder’s Map and taken it with him.
Suddenly, Flitwick ran by them without registering their presence
and went to retrieve Snape. The girls heard a muffled thud, then
Snape was upon them telling them Flitwick collapsed and they were
to help him.
Snape rushed onward. Hermione blames herself for not stopping
Snape, for it is clear now that he must have stunned Flitwick
himself. Lupin consoles her. If she hadn’t stepped out of the
way, Snape most likely would have killed her and Luna to get them
out of his way.
Snape hastened to the scrimmage in the seventh floor hallway.
Tonks admits that they were losing the fight. They needed help:
Bill and Neville had been hurt, curses were flying everywhere.
And so they lost track of Snape in the scuffle.
He got through the barrier one of the DEs had erected after
charging up behind Malfoy. Lupin tried his luck, even though
Neville had already attempted it and been thrown back through the
air. Lupin’s luck was much the same. Harry figures the key to
making it through was having a Dark Mark.
The DE erratically through hexes and curses in every direction
causes the roof to cave in and the barrier spell to break. The
remaining Order rush forward, but just then Snape comes running
out dragging Malfoy with him.
And no one attacked, thinking they were being chased by DEs and
were in danger.
The other DEs plus Greyback emerged and the battle raged on once
more, distracting most everyone still fighting. Tonks heard
Snape’s shout, but couldn’t make out the words. Harry informs
them Snape had issued orders to the DEs telling them that the
campaign was won and they were to retreat.
The arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley breaks the recapitulation of
the action.
Mrs. Weasley rushes to Bill’s bedside immediately. Lupin and
Tonks step aside to allow the Weasley parents to get close to
their eldest son.
They briefly rehash what’s been discussed to fill in the newly-
arrived Weasleys. Fleur has arrived with them. Harry feels Ginny
tense next to him and looks to see what she’s glaring at: Fleur
gazing frozenly at Bill’s mutilated face.
Mrs. Weasley laments that her beautiful boy will never be the
same again, and it’s just such a shame as he was going to be
married. This causes Fleur to flare up.
- “And what do you mean by zat?” said Fleur suddenly and
- Mrs. Weasley raised her tear-stained face, looking
- ...
- “You thought I would not weesh to marry him? Or per’aps,
he looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All
these scars show is zat my husband is brave! And I shall do zat!”
she added fiercely, pushing Mrs. Weasley aside and snatching the
ointment from her.
- Page 622-623
Mrs. Weasley finally gains some respect for her future daughter-
in-law and accepts her. Both women fall, crying, into each other’
s arms. This encounter leads directly to the next hysterical
outburst.
Tonks declares her love for Lupin despite his reluctance to (1)
speak about it in front of everyone, (2) discuss it at a time
like this, and (3) accept her affection at all.
McGonagall mentions that Dumbledore would have been pleased to
know there was a little more love in the world. Mr. Weasley
counters Lupin’s argument of Tonks deserving someone “young and
whole” with the fact that those two qualities don’t always remain
so, regretfully pointing to Bill.
So it seems all the adults were in on this affair. Harry made the
great mental leap that Tonks had been in love with Sirius...boy,
was he wrong. For a superspy super-genius, Harry sure does get a
lot of things wrong. Actually, he is almost always wrong about
everything...except, of course, for this whole Malfoy business –
which everyone else was wrong about...odd, that...
Hagrid enters and informs them that he’s moved the body and all
the kids are back in their common rooms. The Ministry has been
informed and they’re on their way. McGongall asks Harry to
accompany her to her office so they can speak.
Harry realizes on the way that they are headed for the
Headmaster’s office, which is now, of course, hers. He is greeted
with the newly added portrait of Dumbledore, who is currently
resting in his frame.
McGonagall wants to know what he and Dumbledore were searching
for that pulled Dumbledore away from the school. Harry doesn’t
tell her, because Dumbledore ordered him not to tell anyone
besides Hermione and Ron.
They are interrupted by the arrival of the Heads of Houses and
Hagrid. McGonagall asks them their views on whether or not to
reopen the school next year before the Ministry intervenes. They
are split between wanting to close to protect the kids, and the
idea that if there’s one student willing to attend, they should
open the school and teach that student.
Flitwick says to consult the governors. McGonagall asks Hagrid
what he thinks and he shies away, wanting to leave it to the
Heads. She insists stating that Dumbledore always respected his
opinion and so does she. He thinks the school should stay open
even if only for that one student. He’ll stay with the school
regardless.
McGonagall mentions sending the students home, but Harry argues
that they’ll want to stay for the funeral. The Professors all
agree. She dismisses Harry before Scrim gets there so he won’t
have to deal with the Minister.
Harry arrives to find the common rooms packed with his
classmates, all eager to hear his story. He walks through, not
making eye-contact with anyone, and makes his way up to his dorm
to find Ron waiting up for him.
He goes through the whole tale with Ron, from the Professors
talking about closing the school to not finding a real Horcrux.
Ron wonders who R.A.B. is, but Harry doubts he’ll ever be curious
about anything again. He realizes Fawkes’ song has ended and
somehow he knows the bird has left the school, just as Dumbledore
has left it forever.
| Chapter 30: The White Tomb |
Everything is put on hold as families, dignitaries, former
students all come to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade to pay their final
respects. Some kids are pulled from school immediately, not even
making it through the next morning.
With tests postponed, the Trio, with their new fourth companion,
spends all their time together. It is a great source of comfort
and solace for Harry to be surrounded by this family of friends.
He dreads the conversation he knows he must have with Ginny.
It is important to note that this search for comfort and
reassurance from grief and fear is something new to Harry.
He’s never displayed this dependency or reliance on the presence
of other people, friends or not. He usually just shuts himself
away from everyone. They must, or more accurately, Hermione must
seek him out and eventually force him back into society.
One night, when Ginny finally decides it’s her bedtime and
excuses herself, Hermione reveals what she’s uncovered in the
library. Also important to notice is that though Ginny has been
included in the Trio's daily hang-outs and moping around the
castle, she has never been included in the secret goings-on, she
has never been trusted with it. They cannot speak freely in front
of her.
Harry expects her to say she’s found a clue to the identity of R.
A.B. He notes that usually when she has that “Hermione-ish”
(p635) look on her face he is eager with excitement to solve some
puzzle, but now he immediately begins to dread the long, dark
road ahead of him. He recites the possible Horcruxes that are
left like a mantra.
...“the locket...the cup...the snake...something of
Gryffindor’s or Ravenclaw’s...the locket...the cup...the snake...
something of Gryffindor’s or Ravenclaw’s...”
She fretfully tells him it’s not to do with that, it’s to do with
Snape. Harry sags a little in his chair, but asks what she’s
discovered. She tells him she was right in thinking that the
‘Prince’ in ‘Half-Blood Prince’ was a girl. Eileen Prince had
once owned the book, grew up and married Tobias Snape, a Muggle.
Snape would play the pureblood card to fit in with Lucius Malfoy
and Voldemort. In fact, Snape bears another similarity with ol’
Tom Riddle. Pureblood mother, Muggle father they were both
ashamed of, gave themselves fancy titles to play down their
filthy Muggle parentage: Lord Voldemort, Half-Blood Prince.
Ron wonders why Snape didn’t turn Harry in once he knew Harry had
the book. Hermione supposes that Snape probably wouldn’t want to
associate with the book, Dumbledore wouldn’t have liked it, and
it would have called unnecessary negative attention to Snape.
Harry regrets not having shown the book to Dumbledore.
Hermione tells him he’s putting far too much blame on himself; no
one could have known the truth. Ron adds his consolation, saying
none of them guessed at the Prince turning out to be Snape, who
turned out to be a murderer.
They all fall into silence, contemplating their sins of the past
year and what still lies ahead. Tomorrow is Dumbledore’s funeral.
students all come to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade to pay their final
respects. Some kids are pulled from school immediately, not even
making it through the next morning.
With tests postponed, the Trio, with their new fourth companion,
spends all their time together. It is a great source of comfort
and solace for Harry to be surrounded by this family of friends.
He dreads the conversation he knows he must have with Ginny.
It is important to note that this search for comfort and
reassurance from grief and fear is something new to Harry.
He’s never displayed this dependency or reliance on the presence
of other people, friends or not. He usually just shuts himself
away from everyone. They must, or more accurately, Hermione must
seek him out and eventually force him back into society.
One night, when Ginny finally decides it’s her bedtime and
excuses herself, Hermione reveals what she’s uncovered in the
library. Also important to notice is that though Ginny has been
included in the Trio's daily hang-outs and moping around the
castle, she has never been included in the secret goings-on, she
has never been trusted with it. They cannot speak freely in front
of her.
Harry expects her to say she’s found a clue to the identity of R.
A.B. He notes that usually when she has that “Hermione-ish”
(p635) look on her face he is eager with excitement to solve some
puzzle, but now he immediately begins to dread the long, dark
road ahead of him. He recites the possible Horcruxes that are
left like a mantra.
...“the locket...the cup...the snake...something of
Gryffindor’s or Ravenclaw’s...the locket...the cup...the snake...
something of Gryffindor’s or Ravenclaw’s...”
- Page 636
She fretfully tells him it’s not to do with that, it’s to do with
Snape. Harry sags a little in his chair, but asks what she’s
discovered. She tells him she was right in thinking that the
‘Prince’ in ‘Half-Blood Prince’ was a girl. Eileen Prince had
once owned the book, grew up and married Tobias Snape, a Muggle.
Snape would play the pureblood card to fit in with Lucius Malfoy
and Voldemort. In fact, Snape bears another similarity with ol’
Tom Riddle. Pureblood mother, Muggle father they were both
ashamed of, gave themselves fancy titles to play down their
filthy Muggle parentage: Lord Voldemort, Half-Blood Prince.
Ron wonders why Snape didn’t turn Harry in once he knew Harry had
the book. Hermione supposes that Snape probably wouldn’t want to
associate with the book, Dumbledore wouldn’t have liked it, and
it would have called unnecessary negative attention to Snape.
Harry regrets not having shown the book to Dumbledore.
Hermione tells him he’s putting far too much blame on himself; no
one could have known the truth. Ron adds his consolation, saying
none of them guessed at the Prince turning out to be Snape, who
turned out to be a murderer.
They all fall into silence, contemplating their sins of the past
year and what still lies ahead. Tomorrow is Dumbledore’s funeral.
| Chapter 29: The Phoenix Lament |