Hogwarts: Don't call me the Staff Maker

Chapter 735 Funeral

The sun gradually rose, and its warm rays shone on everyone's faces.

Facing the Black Lake at Hogwarts, nearly a hundred chairs have been placed here, with an aisle in the middle and a marble table in front, all of which face the table.

Sheren sat in the last row of chairs, where Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, and others were also present.

Bill and Charlie were in the front row, along with Sirius Black, Lupin, Mr. Weasley, and most of the other members of the Order of the Phoenix. Further ahead were Cornelius Fudge, Professor McGonagall, and two other people I didn't recognize.

Fred said they were two directors, but he didn't know which department they were from.

"What, aren't they supporting the Order of the Phoenix?" Siren asked.

"I don't know, we've never seen them before." Fred tried to identify them but shook his head. "But they came with Fudge, so they should be trustworthy."

"If they have a problem, Mad-Eye Moody won't let them in," George said.

They noticed that everyone around them was one of their own, but there were definitely more people who wanted to see Dumbledore off on his final journey than just this few.

This was also to prevent people with ulterior motives from sneaking in and disrupting Dumbledore's final funeral.

To ensure everything went smoothly, they didn't even invite a band. Professor McGonagall took several portraits down from the castle walls and hung them on a nearby tree. Inside, people played instruments and sad, somber tunes while the people waited.

In addition, the ghosts of Hogwarts also came: the nearly headless Nick, the fat monk, Lady Grey, the bloody Barrow, and the weeping Myrtle—they rarely left the castle, but today they were all gathered outside.

Xiren also saw Peeves hiding behind a tree branch, trying to avoid the sight of Blood Man Barrow.

Finally, everyone was seated, and Hagrid carefully placed Dumbledore's body on the front table.

Then Professor McGonagall stood up and walked to the front.

"Today, we—"

It was clear that Professor McGonagall was not a professional; her voice was unclear and choked with emotion.

The sound drifted past dozens of heads and was immediately drowned out by Hagrid's loud sobs.

"Noble spirit" — "Academic achievements" — "Great mind" —

Professor McGonagall's voice grew softer, while the sobs around her grew louder.

Suddenly, several people screamed. Brilliant white flames erupted from Dumbledore's body and the area around the table, white smoke rising into the air in strange shapes.

Then the flames died down, and a white marble tomb appeared before them, enclosing Dumbledore's body and the table inside.

The portraits played a somber tune again, but this time it was accompanied by the faint singing of mermaids coming from the Black Lake.

Siren gently turned his gaze. Fred and George beside him had more serious expressions than ever before. Hermione's face was covered in tears, and Ron's features were scrunched up, as if he couldn't open his eyes because of the sun.

It seemed like only a blink of an eye before the funeral was over.

The chairs that were just full of people were now mostly empty, just like when they arrived, as people hurriedly left Hogwarts.

Unfortunately, while they were immersed in grief, Death Eaters were probably attacking and destroying things hundreds of miles away.

The war continues, and it will not stop even for a moment because of Dumbledore's death.

Fortunately, there's no need for any more trouble on the way back; once we're out of Hogwarts' territory, we can just Apparate.

Xilun and the others also left.

Although Professor McGonagall suggested they could stay in the castle, both Siron, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione preferred to go back and stay with everyone until September when school started—if September could still proceed as planned.

"Sirlen, I was just saying, you really should get a faster broom." He said seriously as they walked out.

"Forget it," Xiren shook his head. "I still think Apparition is more convenient."

"No, George is right this time." At that moment, Bill caught up from behind.

"Hey Bill, when are you going to realize I'm Fred?!" Fred said, annoyed, but Bill ignored him.

Anyway, Fred and George are so close they're practically inseparable, so it wouldn't be a problem for him to call them by any name.

In fact, he has always done so.

Moreover, he came here specifically not to distinguish who was who.

"Listen to me, Celeste, and you too." He glanced at Hermione, Ron, and Ginny beside him.

"If possible, it's essential to have a broom handy."

"Why?" Ron asked, puzzled.

"How should I put it—you all remember when the Death Eaters attacked the sixth floor of the Ministry of Magic, right?"

Several people nodded at the same time.

"That's why," Bill said. "The sixth floor of the Ministry of Magic is the Department of Magical Transportation. If—I mean, if one day the Death Eaters take complete control of this department, then Apparition and Portkeys will no longer be usable, otherwise they'll know where you are immediately."

“That’s right.” Charlie walked over and continued, “That’s where the broom comes in handy. It’s not magic, just like Beauxbatons’ rune horse. As long as you’re not seen, even if you fly over the heads of Death Eaters, they won’t notice you.”

"That's it." Fred looked at Siron again. "Your Comet 260 is way too slow!"

"If you ask me, a museum is where it should be, not a Quidditch pitch or in the sky!" George said with a look of disgust.

"How about a Nimbus 2001? It's probably the fastest broom besides the Firebolt."

"We plan to buy one for Ron and Ginny each, to replace their old Seven Sweepers."

"What did you just say?" Ron's ears twitched, and he turned his head sharply.

"You're going to buy me a new broom—and a Nimbus 2001 at that?"

"Hey, keep it down, we can hear you." Fred rubbed his ears.

Ron, unfazed, pressed on, "So you're really going to buy me a new broom?"

"Yeah, otherwise, with the pocket money in your pocket, could you afford a broom?"

If Ron hadn't just attended Dumbledore's funeral, he probably would have jumped for joy by now.

That's a brand new broom, and it's a Nimbus 2001. Although it's a five-year-old model, that doesn't change the fact that it's the fastest broom besides the Firebolt, and it's never been cheap.

In contrast, Ginny appeared much calmer.

As for Celen, he neither agreed nor rejected the suggestion made by several Weasleys; he simply nodded.

"I'll consider it."

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