HP/LOTM: Visionary - 390

Chapter 390: The Headmaster’s Office, Dumbledore’s Funeral, and a Grieving Molly

Inside the Headmaster’s office at Hogwarts, the four Heads of House and the professors gathered, with Harry among them. Horace had taken over as Head of Slytherin after Snape’s departure.

“What exactly did you and Dumbledore do?” Professor McGonagall asked.

“I’m still carrying out Dumbledore’s orders. I won’t tell anyone,” Harry refused to answer.

The room fell into silence. Then, green flames flickered in the fireplace, and Aiden stepped out.

Harry could not hold back. He rushed forward and grabbed Aiden by the collar.

“Where were you? Why weren’t you at the school? If you had been there… if you had been…” Harry shouted at Aiden.

“Dumbledore sent me to the Ministry. Amelia Bones may be leaning toward the conservative faction,” Aiden said, his heterochromatic eyes calm and steady.

Harry let go of Aiden’s collar and stepped back. “Sorry… I just…”

“It’s all right,” Aiden waved his hand.

“The Minister of Magic siding with the conservatives? That’s a problem,” Horace, ever sensitive to politics, voiced his concern.

“What do you mean?” Harry turned to him.

“It means the Ministry may be less willing to fight Death Eaters in the future,” Horace said, glancing at Aiden before lowering his head.

“Enough. Let those outside the school deal with outside matters. Our problem now is what to do with Hogwarts next year!” McGonagall stood up to lead the meeting.

The Heads of House each had their own opinions.

“Hagrid?” McGonagall asked the giant beside her.

“Yeah, I’ll stay,” Hagrid said. Large tears rolled down his cheeks, tracing paths through his wild beard. “This is my home. It’s been my home since I was thirteen. If any kid wants me to teach them, I’ll teach them.”

Hagrid’s answer silenced the others who had considered leaving.

“Don’t worry about funding. The Board of Governors will handle it,” Aiden assured them.

Soon, Amelia Bones was due to arrive, but Harry did not want to see her. He turned and returned to Gryffindor.

In the days that followed, many students were taken home early by their parents, but most stayed to attend Dumbledore’s funeral before leaving.

Wizards from all over came to Hogsmeade, waiting to bid Dumbledore a final farewell before departing.

On the last day of term, Dumbledore’s funeral was held by the sunny lakeside. One side was filled with Hogwarts students and staff, the other with wizards from across the country.

All took their seats. Sad music echoed through the air. The merpeople in the Black Lake sang their own lament for Dumbledore.

Hagrid carried Dumbledore’s body through the crowd. Wizards raised their wands, casting Lumos. Countless points of light sparkled like stars across the ground.

Hagrid laid Dumbledore on a white marble slab. Aiden unrolled a scroll and recited Dumbledore’s great deeds.

“…with endless remembrance, he has left us forever. To Dumbledore.”

“To Dumbledore,” the wizards echoed.

When Aiden finished his eulogy, white flames rose from the marble. Above the flames, a white phoenix soared through the sky.

Harry watched, tears streaming down his face. There was no one left to stand between him and Voldemort. The time had come for him to face Voldemort directly.

The flames faded, and a white marble tomb appeared before them. Dumbledore’s funeral was over.

Term ended. Harry and Hermione followed the Weasleys to the Burrow.

In the Burrow’s sitting room, everyone was silent. Harry looked at Ginny, hesitating for a long time.

“Ginny, let’s break up,” Harry said, finally making up his mind.

He braced himself for her shouting and scolding, for the Weasley family’s disappointed and angry stares.

But things did not go as he expected.

“I understand. Go,” Ginny said, placing her hand on Harry’s.

Three simple words, filled with understanding and love, overwhelmed Harry. He could only stand and flee in embarrassment.

In the Burrow’s garden, Fleur and Bill sat hand in hand on a swing.

“Well, Fleur, you managed to win over Aunt Molly pretty easily,” a dragon with a comical expression popped up.

“Go on,” Bill said, raising a fist at Aiden. Having watched Aiden grow up, Bill would never really hit him.

“Now that you have a partner, you don’t need your little brother anymore,” Aiden teased Bill.

Then he handed the couple a pair of exquisite pendants.

“An early wedding gift,” Aiden said with a smile, congratulating the newlyweds.

“Early? You’re not staying for our wedding?” Bill sensed the meaning behind Aiden’s words.

“I’m leaving, Bill. Take care of Aunt Molly,” Aiden said, his eyes softening.

“Is it because of the Dark Lord?” Bill took the necklace. Fleur reached out and held her husband’s hand.

“No, it’s something much bigger than that,” Aiden said, turning his head.

He had already noticed Molly Weasley eavesdropping behind the door. His turn was simply… a farewell.

“I forbid it!” Molly stormed out, furious. “The Dark Lord is bad enough, but now you want to get involved in even more dangerous things?”

Aiden looked at Molly with tenderness. She was startled by his gaze.

When had her beloved nephew grown up? He was now powerful, mysterious. It seemed… her wings could no longer shelter them.

“We can move, build a new home somewhere else…” Molly’s hoarse voice tugged at her children’s hearts.

“If we retreat, we’ll have no home, Aunt,” Aiden said, opening his arms for a hug. “Thank you for everything these years, Aunt.”

After that, Aiden turned. Magic enveloped his body, and space twisted at his will. With a flash, Aiden vanished from the Burrow.

On the fourth floor of the Burrow, Harry packed his bags, preparing for his journey to destroy the Horcruxes.

“I’m leaving, Ron, Hermione. I won’t be returning to Hogwarts next year. I’ll follow Dumbledore’s last wish and walk that path,” Harry said, bidding farewell to his two friends.

“Don’t even think about it. Wherever you go, we’ll be with you,” Hermione grabbed Harry’s arm.

“Of course, mate. Don’t try to ditch us,” Ron’s eyes were just as determined.

“So, what do we do now?” Hermione asked.

“I’ll go back to the Dursleys. Dumbledore said I have to go once more to keep the protection magic active. Then I’ll search for the Horcruxes,” Harry said, looking at the two of them. Under Arthur’s escort, he returned to the Dursley house.