Part 66
The night passed without incident and when Harry woke the next morning he was allowed to leave the Hospital Wing as long as his mother or father was with him. Harry did not mind he did not feel embarrassed about his mother being by his side. He drew comfort from it. When Harry stepped into the Great Hall he noticed it getting quiet. Everyone was staring at him and his mother. It was a horrible, heavy silence that fell upon the room. Harry looked around but no one would really meet his gaze. He had expected Hermione to rush him and hug him tightly but she was held back by Dean and Seamus. Did they think he wanted space? That was not what he wanted. He wanted to be hugged, to be told they were happy to see that he was okay, tell him that they cared about him. He didn't want them to withdraw. He looked at his toes and felt shame creep up. Did they blame him for what had happened to Dorian? Did they blame him for Dumbledore?
No… they did not know about that last part. His mother had explained that McGonagall had not yet informed the students of what had happened and the Prophet had been surprisingly quiet. Maybe Fudge had done something right for once and managed to keep it under wraps or actually locked Rita Skeeter away somewhere. Harry's thoughts were interrupted when a pair of boots suddenly appeared in front of his own shoes. Harry raised his gaze and came face to face with Krum. The young man searched Harry's gaze and then to Harry's surprise Viktor pulled him into a tight hug.
"I am sorry for vhat happened", Viktor mumbled. "He cursed me. I could not control. I am sorry. If I had been stronger you vould not get hurt and Blaise's father vould not be dead." Harry blinked in confusion but then hugged Viktor back tightly.
"It wasn't your fault Viktor", he whispered.
"It feels dat vay", Viktor said and pulled back. Only for Harry to be pulled into a tight hug from Boris, then another one from Cedric. Cedric mumbled his sorries in his ear, blaming himself for what had happened.
"I should not have pulled back", Cedric whispered. "If I had been there I could have helped..."
"Cedric it wasn't your fault", Harry whispered. "You just did what you thought was right..."
"I'm still sorry."
"I know... mee too." Cedric gave him anohter fierce embrace before hurryin away and Harry got pulled into a softer hug from Fleur. She too asked for forgiveness for not being there for him. She kissed his cheek gently before returning to her sister and pulling the younger girl into a hug. Boris and Viktor stayed by Harry's side as he walked to the Gryffindor table and sat down. His butt only had time to touch the bench when Hermione and Parvati threw their arms around him in a hug. Harry was a bit shocked at first but then hugged them back. His other friends hurried over and hugged him as well. They all had the same message: they were happy he was okay. Harry then turned and searched the Hall for his Slytherin friends. He noticed Theo, Daphne and Tracey at the end of the table. There was no sign of Blaise. He had not expected him to be here. His father had explained that Blaise was with Remus and the pack at the moment. Harry caught Daphne's gaze and she gave him a little smile. Theo then nodded at him and Tracey sniffled. They were glad he was okay too. All eyes turned to the staff table when McGonagall got up and headed to the podium at the front. Harry felt his mother sit down next to him, Hermione graciously moved out of the way.
"Today", McGongall said, voice thick with emotion. "We acknowledge a really terrible loss. Dorian Taylor-Lupin was as you all know a gentle man, a considerate man, a fierce friend, a protector… a loving husband and a doting father." Here she threw a quick glance at the Slytherin table and smiled at Tracey, Daphne and Theo. "Dorian was part of our school for just two short years but in that time became dear to most of us. Therefor I think you all have the right to know exactly how he died. Dorian was murdered", upset mumbling was heard. "by Lord Voldemort on the night he rose again. The Ministry did not want me to tell you this but after talking it through with the other teachers I deemed it appropriate. And not telling you the truth about his death would be an insult to his memory", she wiped a tear from her eye. "Now… the pain we all feel from this dreadful loss reminds me and us that while we may come from different places, different backgrounds or speak different tongues our hearts still beat as one. In light of recent events the bonds of friendship we've made this year will be more important than ever. Remember that and Dorian will not have died in vain. You remember that and we will celebrate a man who was kind and honest and brave and true, right to the very end." Harry looked around and noticed that Viktor was now holding Hermione close while she cried into his shoulder. He chanced a look over at Slytherin and saw Theo comforting Tracey and Daphne comforting him. Harry felt his mother's hand on his and he gripped it tightly.
"This evening", McGonagall continued. "We have been invited to a memorial ceremony near the Forbidden Forest. Held by the members of Dorian's pack and his family. Professor Taylor-Lupin has informed me that he will not return for the last weeks of the school year and I have promised to give him the time he needs, along with our wish to see him back again in autumn." She swallowed. "Next school year will be filled with changes as you may have noticed Head… Albus Dumbledore is absent today and will remain so for an unforeseeable future. Yesterday a terrible plot was revealed to me, to Professor Snape and members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Minister himself." Everyone watched her. "It appears… no it was revealed that the mastermind behind the resurrection of Voldemort as well as the attempted theft of the Philosopher's stone, the kidnapping of Harry Potter, the murder of Mrs. Potter, the Prewett twins and many others was none other than Albus Dumbledore himself." Shocked gasps filled the room, followed by whispers and questions. The volume was slowly rising.
"Silence", McGonagall said sharply and all eyes were upon her again. "The Ministry will come out with a more detailed story but for now you all need to know that you cannot trust Albus Dumbledore. If anyone sees him or hears from him you need to contact the Ministry. The Minister has asked me to take over as Headmistress of Hogwarts from this day forth." The Gryffindors cheered for her and she blushed a little and then cleared her throat. "Which means that next year you will have a new teacher in transfiguration and in potions. Professor Snape has informed me that he will not return next year due to private reasons and I respect his decision." Harry's eyes got huge. Snape was leaving? Could it be because Dumbledore had played him? Probably.
"Now I want you all to try and eat and to look after each other during our time of grief", McGonagall said gently. "This evening those who wish can attend the memorial ceremony and if you feel confused or conflicted by all this please remember that your teachers will be there for you during these difficult times." She stepped back and sat down in Dumbledore's old seat. Harry turned to look at his breakfast. He didn't really feel like eating but his mother's presence told him he needed to eat or he'd get sick.
"Are you okay Harry?" Viktor asked him gently. "No vait… that vas stupid question. But trust me it vill get easier. I lost family in battle vith evil vizards so I knov hov it feels."
"Did you see someone get killed right in front of you?" Harry asked bitterly.
"Da as a matter of fact I did", Viktor said and Harry felt a little guilty. "It is never easy seeing one of your friends or kin die. It tears at your heart and it makes you feel guilty for being alive vhen they is not. But you must remember that they died so you could live. Dorian vanted you to be here. He vanted you to live. So live. Do not throv life avay or stop doing things that make you happy just because he can no longer do things like that. You are hurting and that is okay. You are sad and that is okay. You are angry and that is okay. You feel guilty but all vho live vhen others die instead do. Survivor's guilt is called. You might not see the sun nov for all dark clouds but sun alvays shine behind clouds, vaiting to come out again. You have friends, family and Blaise. They vill help you through this and you vill help them. Ve do it together."
Harry looked at Viktor in a new light. The Bulgarian constantly surprised him with his kindness and bravery and now his comforting words as well. There truly was more to him than the eyes could see.
"Thanks Viktor", Harry got out, his voice thick with emotion.
"No problem, ve are friends da?"
"Yeah, we are friends", Harry said and managed a weak smile.
"Good."
"Are we your friends too Potter?" a voice asked behind him and he turned to see Daphne, Tracey and Theo. It was Daphne who spoke.
"Of course you are", Harry said.
"Good, that's all I wanted to hear", she said before giving him a big hug which the other two joined into. Harry hugged them back and thought he could hear someone grumbling about snakes but he ignored it. McGonagall was right. This was a time to come together.
Blaise and Remus looked horrible Harry realized when he saw them. They had dark circles around their eyes and both looked completely crushed. Remus looked as if his entire world had been taken from him and Harry knew that in a way it had. Blaise… Blaise looked so sad, so broken and so utterly destroyed by grief. Harry quickly realized why he looked so destroyed. Blaise never got to mourn his father or any of the stepfathers he liked. So for Blaise this was also a mourning moment for his other father figures. Jay was beside Remus, holding a firm arm around his shoulders while Remus held Blaise tightly to him. Sirius was on Remus' other side. He had his arm resting on Remus's shoulder. James was next to him and on James' shoulder sat a rat… Peter. Harry and Lily hurried over to them and Lily threw her arms around Remus and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back with one arm, never letting go of Blaise. Harry tried to catch Blaise's gaze but the other boy turned his face away. Harry stood beside him instead and carefully took his hand. He half expected Blaise to pull away, but the other boy gripped his hand tightly. Harry could feel that he was trembling. He looked ahead.
The pack had created a circle around a pyre. On that pyre Dorian's body rested. He looked calm, as if he was sleeping. He was dressed in one of his best circus outfits and his bowler hat was on. Harry noticed many werewolves already crying. Jay stood closest to the pyre with a torch in his hand. It burnt with a flame so red it looked like blood. That was no normal flame. Harry was not sure what it was though. He felt someone move to stand behind them and realized it was his and Blaise's closest friends. Adrian, Theo and Boris stood right behind them while Hermione, Tracey and Daphne stood next to Harry. Harry was a bit surprised at the amount of students there, and not just Hogwarts students. Madame Maxime stood next to Hagrid and they were holding hands. McGonagall and the other teachers were there as well. Suddenly Jem got up from the rock she had been sitting on. She looked at the moon and then Dorian. She looked around at the people gathered and then she started singing.
Shadows fall
And hope has fled
Steel your heart
The dawn will come
The night is long
And the path is dark
Look to the sky
For one day soon
The dawn will come
One of the female pack members joined her.
The shepherd's lost
And his home is far
The entire pack, except Remus and Blaise joined in.
Keep to the stars
The dawn will come
The night is long
And the path is dark – Harry nearly jumped when Blaise and Remus sang that line. Now the entire pack was singing and Jay lit the pyre. The fire spread quickly while they sang.
Look to the sky
For one day soon
The dawn will come
Bare your blade
And raise it high
Stand your ground
The dawn will come
The night is long
And the path is dark
Look to the sky
For one day soon
The dawn will come
As the last note rang out into the night the smoke above the fire suddenly changed shape and turned into that of a wolf. It raised its head towards the clouds and started howling. Jem transformed and joined in, one by one the pack joined in. When Remus howled the sound was heart breaking. So much longing and grief was in that sound. Harry gasped when he felt Blaise's hand leave his and his boyfriend transformed. A black wolf-pup, like a teen wolf, appeared beside him and howled. Harry felt the tears escape because the sound was heart shattering. He could hear murmurs spread out from students around him and behind him. But he ignored them. Instead he kneeled and put his arms around Blaise's neck while the wolf howled. Sirius transformed as well and joined in, his howl sounding a little less melodic. Lily wiped her tears. It was a beautiful gesture though. She looked at Jay, he was the only one not transformed.
His eyes were locked on Dorian and at that moment his eyes were glowing only gold. He looked to be in pain, as much pain as the pack combined. He looked at the gathered people and then at the woods. Lily followed his gaze, she saw something move around there. She could not tell what it was but she figured it was the huge white wolf James and Harry had told her about. Jemima was watching from the woods, at least she guessed they were. The smoke wolf stopped howling and jumped onto the grass next to the pyre. It slowly walked up to Remus and Blaise. It nuzzled Blaise first and the little wolf cuddled close to the smoke one and whined. Lily felt her heart shatter at the sight. Remus joined the pair and the little family nuzzled, licked or cuddled each other.
"It is time to go now", Jay said with a voice thick with emotion. The smoke wolf turned to him. "We will look after your family. The pack is one and always will be. Run. Run away and run home. Others are waiting but do not forget us." The smoke wolf bowed his head at Jay and then howled one final time and made a lap around everyone watching before jumping into the smoke that rose to the sky. The wolf mixed with the smoke and soon Harry could no longer see it. He wiped his eyes. The McGonagall stepped forward and raised her wand. A small light appeared at the top and started sailing towards the sky. Flitwick did the same and soon everyone who held a wand had done the same.
"Goodbye Dorian", Harry whispered as he watched his own light climb high into the night sky. "And thank you."
TBC Okay so... I made myself cry. I've killed off characters before but this was very difficult. My cat is giving me judging glares. *wipes tears* Don't look at me like that!
