Sentencing
Albus Dumbledore, he with so many names and with so many titles, was in shock.
The jury had found him guilty.
Not only had they found him guilty, but they had unanimously recommended that he either be sentenced to prison for the rest of his natural life or that he be executed.
How could the witches and wizards of Magical USA agree to such a reward for the risks he had taken on behalf of the wizarding world?
Prison or execution?
No, he couldn't accept it. He deserved to be feted, lauded, and praised for his long-term vision, for his willingness to do what had to be done.
Even now, they should be deliberating how quickly to lay their hands on young Harry and return him to the guidance and control of Albus Dumbledore.
Still in shock, the old man offered no resistance as the magical court bailiffs slapped permanent magical restraining cuffs on him and led him not so gently away to the awaiting holding cell.
Magical DA Trenholm sat with retired Manhattan DA Joe Maxwell and Magical FBI Special Agent Alex McKenzie in a room off the court room. They were awaiting Judge Constanzo.
"I still can't believe he walked right into our case," Trenholm said.
Alex only shook his head. "He is both clinically insane and a gifted orator. If he hadn't agreed with the actual charges and the actions based on those charges, I suspect he could have made this case much more difficult."
Joe Maxwell was shaking his own head. "I've handled some pretty nutsy cases in my time, but I've never seen someone come out as if he were the second coming and lay out the entire case for the prosecution right then and there. He even had the nerve to imply that he was waiting for the court and the jury to hand Harry Wells over to him so that he could begin Harry's 'redemption.'"
There was a knock on the door and at Alex's shouted "Enter", two figures entered.
"Sebastian. Madame Bones. Welcome," Alex said as he stood. He introduced the two late arrivals to DA Trenholm.
"Today is a sad day for British magicals," the Minister said as she sat down. "I couldn't have believed that he would still hang onto his delusions even in the face of all the evidence to the contrary. I wonder how your countrymen regard Magical Britain now."
"Well, some will think that you're strange birds over there with the fact that you have a looney Albus Dumbledore and a deadly dark wizard who fortunately is now dead," Trenholm replied. "But I can tell you that as the DA prosecuting this case, your declaration and that of your Wizengamot to wash your hands of Dumbledore and let American justice be done on him made my job a whole lot easier."
"Amelia, I think you'll find that my government views your cooperation in this matter as going a long way to smoothing the path to better relations," Alex added.
Sebastian nodded his head. He knew that his colleagues in the ICW were already revising their positions on how to treat Magical Britain in the future now that sanity appeared to be returning to the island nation. Instead, he felt it was time to deal with the elephant in the room.
"If you will forgive a mere French diplomat's interruption, mes amis, we need to talk about what to do with Albus."
The door opened again and Judge Constanzo entered. "Hear, hear," he said, having caught Delacour's last comments. "That's quite the elephant you've left me. I for one do not want to go down as having signed Albus Dumbledore's death warrant."
Silence fell on the group as they now considered the question before them.
What were they going to do with Albus Dumbledore?
Prison?
Execution?
They knew, almost as one group, that they could not return Albus to Britain. The man still had enormous fame and many supporters as well as many enemies. The supporters would push for a light sentence and release; the enemies would push for the Veil or the Kiss.
Was there a way to cure Albus of his delusions and perhaps even get him to give up his mad obsession with Harry Wells?
While America still had many means of killing guilty parties, magical America had moved away from magical killing.
"He's living in a dream world," Joe stated, almost to himself. "Perhaps the best thing to do would be to leave him in that dream world but ensure that he could no longer escape from those delusions."
"He needs to face up to what he has done," Sebastian argued. "A man should always face up to the consequences of their actions."
Judge Constanzo shook his head. "You do that for someone who could actually learn from their experiences. While I am aware of the punishment nature of our penalties here in magical America, I do like part of Dumbledore's philosophy: that of repentance if one is sincere."
Alex rose at that comment. "You mean to say that you would suggest releasing him if he simply said he was sorry?"
Constanzo shook his head. "No, Agent Alex. I don't. I wouldn't trust Albus Dumbledore with a wand in any situation outside of an institution again. But I tend to lean away from the death penalty. I believe he is so far gone that he cannot see how to change or even want to change his goals.
"He needs to be institutionalized and allowed to die with his delusions."
There was a tentative knock at the door. All the people around the table looked at one another in surprise. There were no other expected visitors.
"Enter," Alex said once more.
When the slight bushy haired witch entered the room, surprise at her appearance was universal. "Lady Granger-Potter, what brings you here?"
The young woman looked hesitantly at each of the people around the room, then cleared her throat. "I'm sorry to budge into this meeting, but I believe I might have a suggestion on what to do with the former Headmaster," she said quietly.
Amelia Bones was intrigued by her appearance. "What do you know about how to proceed, Lady Granger-Potter?"
"I'm a healer/doctor," Hermione answered. "I know well enough now to identify senility and I suspect Albus too many names Dumbledore doesn't have much time left. I would be one to push for much stricter penalties, but he wouldn't understand what we were doing or why.
"I think we should allow him his delusions. In fact, we should feed those delusions even more. We should allow him to die with his delusions."
Sebastian had a sudden flash of inspiration. "Are you thinking of the Mirror?"
Hermione breathed in relief. "Yes, Papa. The Mirror. He tried to capture Harry or I with that mirror: let that mirror be the means of his final days where he will ease himself out of existence believing that he was successful."
Alex was regarding Hermione's proposal from different angles. Yes, the US Department of Mysteries still had the Mirror of Erised as they had not made final arrangements to return it to the British Unspeakables. Yes, Dumbledore had misused the Mirror and it had nearly led to the death of the head of the World Below magical hybrid community. Yes, he had done so with the goal of kidnapping either Harry or Hermione.
But the Mirror was a restricted magical object. How could it be used to fool Dumbledore? Wouldn't the wizard know what he was looking at?
The others at the table regarded the young witch with interest. Even Joe understood the significance of the Mirror as he had heard about the attack against Vincent.
Only Judge Costanzo was curious as to the identity of the young witch. He turned to DA Trenholm. "I am not opposed to witches with good ideas, DA, but who is this young woman?"
Joe Maxwell spoke before Alex could and explained Hermione's connection to Harry Wells and the World Below. Alex then added that the American Unspeakables had been looking for an opportunity to recruit Hermione.
"Me? They were looking for me?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"Yes, Lady Granger-Potter. They had wondered where you had gone and when they had helped us intervene in the Mirror incident with your father-in-law, they mentioned their interest in you to me."
The judge regarded Hermione and finally nodded. "Madame, perhaps you could explain to me your rationale in suggesting the use of the Mirror of Erised?"
"My consort Harry, I, and the rest of the magical community of the World Below do not seek harsh punishment," she began. "Yes, we have sought justice and most of us have reasons to pursue that justice. I have my own account to settle with the Headmaster. But after listening to his testimony and comments during the trial, I concluded that execution or even a long prison sentence is not a solution.
"I am a healer above all else now and I believe Albus Dumbledore is a very sick man. I also suspect that his increased obsession with my consort is a sign of senility which often precedes death.
"If a long prison sentence for the rest of his life would bring about a change in his perspective or point of view, then I would be for that. But with his advancing senility and his inability to take into account conflicting evidence to his already set opinions, I am now of the opinion that we should simply allow him to move on to his next state surrounded by his own fantasy.
"The Mirror of Erised, if I remember its purpose correctly, allows someone to see the world of their desires. I believe as well that people have been known to waste away while being entranced by it.
If Dumbledore is restrained enough in his magic that he cannot break the enchantment, then perhaps he will succumb to the magic of the Mirror.
"The idea of punishment will be lost on a man who is already living in a fantasy world of his own making. The idea of asking someone who is already deluded to change their behavior when they would refuse to accept any evidence to the contrary is in my opinion, deluded as well."
Alex was stunned to hear the clear proposal and the reasoning behind it from Hermione. She was always one to be more of a support and an anchor than an up-front person. He decided to check a theory. "Lady Potter, was this your idea?"
Hermione's face colored, but she shook her head. "It was what we discussed last night at the council meeting," she began. "Even Vincent and Harry who both have significant grievances against Dumbledore could see now that he is a man in decline. Justice is served in that he will no longer be able to pursue Harry or destroy his life. Justice is served in that the truth of his fantasies will finally be exposed: indeed, they have been in open court by his own words.
"Harry has already been the object of the death of two innocent civilians and the deaths of over forty dark wizards and witches with the takedown of Voldemort. While he seeks the removal of Albus Dumbledore from his life, he has no wish to see him killed to do it.
"I have consulted with our family, and with other professionals. Senility is the best description for Albus Dumbledore now and we simply just want to allow him to depart for his next great step in peace."
"Could you leave us with this proposal, Lady Potter?" Alex asked even as he saw the nods around the table.
She rose, bowed slightly, and left. Once the door was shut behind her, Alex looked at Trenholm, Maxwell, the judge, Sebastian, and Amelia Bones.
"An interesting and unusual solution, my friends," Alex began. "Truly a solution out of the box, but one that could solve many different objectives. We appear as humane; Dumbledore is removed from ever doing more damage; and he can die with some dignity which could go a long way towards satisfying those who feel execution for a wizard who did great good in the past is not just."
"Could the Mirror hold him with his magic restrained?" Costanzo asked. "I would prefer a humane solution as well if the effects are permanent."
"We would have to verify that with the Unspeakables. Madame Bones, would you have any objection to Lady Potter's solution?"
"Merlin, if that is the kind of creativity that she could furnish, her departure from Magical Britain is a real loss to us. For the reasons you've already cited, Alex, I think Magical Britain could accept that kind of solution. I gathered from listening to him that he no longer walks the world of accepting reality as it is."
Sebastian inwardly was both surprised and pleased at the solution Hermione had proposed. He knew, as the others did not, that Hermione had the heart of a true healer and to cause pain and suffering both to Dumbledore and to those of his victims, Harry and Vincent: these were not good objectives. Justice to a demented man was no longer justice, but revenge.
Joe Maxwell was pleased at the humane solution his niece as he called her now had proposed. It was elegant, thoughtful, humane, and had a sense of justice about it. The device which had nearly killed his friend Vincent would in turn be used to trap and hold the one who had sent it to them.
Alex wanted to get the consensus of the people around the table. He felt happy with both Sebastian and Amelia's input and could tell that Joe was also in agreement. He wanted to add his own observations. "Harry Wells went through a difficult time when he found that his actions resulted in the death of all the marked Death Eaters in magical Britain," he began. "I am convinced that Lady Potter's solution will spare Harry, Fleur, and herself any additional pain of either tying up Dumbledore in prison or in his execution.
"It may not be a solution which calls for revenge, but it's an elegant solution for someone whom we now consider is completely and irrevocably insane."
The judge was more practical. "Okay. I see where this is going. But let's talk logistics. How is this going to work? How will this be monitored? Who will see that this is done?"
"The Unspeakables will do this," Alex replied. "While I didn't think of this solution, they have already determined that they wish to examine the artifact in question and they have secure rooms and procedures where Dumbledore will be stripped of enough of his magic that he will never get free. I would like to consult with them first of course, but they might even be able to give us a timeline when they think he would reach his demise."
Costanzo nodded and made notes on his pad. "I'll accept that provided that we get their agreement and a possible timeline. I do not want to see him held too long."
Each of the people around the table rose and shook hands. Alex was personally very thankful that Hermione had come up with a truly elegant and humane solution.
Her
Hermione Granger Potter, Lady Potter, Head of House Potter, was at heart a twenty-two-year-old woman in love and right now very, very torn.
Her Triad mates had sat with her during the trial and more specifically Albus Dumbledore's orations in answer to the questions DA Trenholm had asked. She had shivered along with Harry to hear that despite all evidence to the contrary, Dumbledore had continued to express his opinion her Consort, the man she loved, was still possessed by the Dark Lord and that he was prepared to ensure that Harry was cleansed of the Dark Lord's taint. She had horrified to hear that the old man's interest in Harry wouldn't stop there: he wanted to train Harry to become his apprentice and understudy.
Having just completed her medical school rotation on dementia, it was clear to the young medical student and mediwitch in training that Albus was presenting classic symptoms of senility.
It had been she who, after the jury had returned with their verdict, had argued for a humane end for the old man rather than the harsher prison term or even harsher execution.
She had explained to Fleur and Harry that she didn't want the old man's death on her conscience even though she had had her own desire for revenge.
Fleur, to the surprise of no one, had been the one who has passionately argued for execution. "I will protect my family and my Triad," she had told her bond mates. "I don't believe I will fully rest until I hear the report that he is dead.
"He tortured you Hermione. He wanted to wipe your memory Harry. He allowed you to grow up in abuse and pain. He tried to kill Father Vincent with his Merlin damned Mirror."
Mirror. Something about the Mirror.
Hermione zoned out for several long moments even as Harry argued passionately for a long prison sentence. "You try living with the fact that you caused the death of someone, Fleur. I have over forty-six bodies to my count. Yes, I wasn't the one who killed them: but by my actions, by opposing the Dark Lord and protecting my family, I still have forty-six people dead.
"Yes, I've talked with Dad Granger. Yes, I talked with Dad. Yes, they explained it to me. But I don't want to have a famous old man dead directly because of me even if he's a sick, twisted, and insane old man."
Mirror.
Mirror – what did it do? "I show your heart's desire." Why not give the old man his heart's desire? Why not tie the Mirror to him and allow it to suck him in?
"Mirror."
Both Fleur and Harry regarded their bushy haired love in surprise. "Mirror? What are you talking about, Mione?" Harry asked.
She began to share her thoughts, haltingly at first, then with more vigor and power. She did not realize that a passionate, well-reasoned Hermione was a force of nature of her own. Fleur's passion was white heart; Harry was intuitive and connected to his magic; but Hermione was the perfect foil to both.
By the time she had finished speaking, both of her bond mates looked at one another and nodded.
It was elegant; it was humane; it would ensure that the old man would die happy; it would ensure that the old man would most likely never bother them again as he would be too busy in a fantasy world.
Yet, now that she had found the courage to address the sentencing panel and shared her idea, she was beginning to reconsider.
Was this any different than allowing someone to die in a drug induced haze?
Was her diagnosis wrong?
She was still so new to medicine, despite the encouragement of Dr. Jacob Wells Sr and Peter Alcott, that she was now doubting her earlier diagnosis.
Was she setting up Harry and the rest of Triad for more heartbreak?
Should she have been more severe in punishment?
Was there a chance that Dumbledore could escape the Mirror? He was, after all, a powerful wizard.
Questions and doubts were still circling about in her mind when she bumped into Diana who was coming down the tunnel in the other direction. Hermione moved to pass her after apologizing but was stopped by her mother-in-law.
"Hermione, you're wound up tighter than my husband is when he is asked to give the Talk to all of the young boys down here," the empath said softly. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Where are Harry and Fleur?"
"They came down here after the trial and they said you had idea you wanted to present to the sentencing panel. They thought highly of it and from what they told me, it sounded humane and much better than the old man deserved."
She put her hand on her daughter-in-law and suddenly felt buffeted by the turmoil of self-doubt, questions, and worry. "Hermione, Hermione, you're worrying too much about this. Come with me: you need some support and encouragement."
Diana then steered the younger woman towards the council chambers and once they had entered the sanctuary of the library, the bushy haired witch could feel much of her disquiet and concern begin to melt away.
There, waiting for her with a cup of hot tea was not Harry, but the familiar and comforting figure of Vincent.
"Harry and Fleur signaled they are on their way," he told the two women. "Miss Mediwitch, why don't you sit down and share some of your concerns?"
He extended the large mug of steaming tea and ignored his wife's muttered imprecation about how tea should be banned. Instead, both husband and wife sat down with Hermione between them and Vincent placed his hand on his daughter-in-law's small hands. "Share your concerns with us," he invited her.
By the time Harry and Fleur arrived, breathless from the descent to the Hub, they were treated to the sight of a tearfully smiling Hermione who was embracing both of her in-laws. "Thank you so much for listening," she told them. "It was our decision, but it was my idea and I was so scared that I had called it wrong. As well, I'm very nervous about that Mirror since you encountered it."
"Humane justice is always to be desired over strict revenge or narrow punishment," Vincent answered. "From what Diana has told me; from what Alex and Sebastian have said, this man is an old, deluded man. You have a caring heart, Miss Mediwitch, and it is a heart which will see you do much good in the community."
He then lifted eyes towards his other two children. "That you managed to convince my headstrong impulsive son and my passionate fiery daughter of the rightness of your idea is also a good thing. Well done."
Both parents stepped aside to allow the three bond mates to hug and cry together and they moved quietly out into the tunnel outside. "If this is the measure of their ability to make decisions," Diana observed, "Triad is in good hands."
"More than Triad is in good hands, my heart. Our world below and all whose lives they touch will be in good hands."
That evening was spent in tears, in hugs, and then games.
It was another time of building relationships.
It was the time when the Grangers accepted the chance to build with Peter Alcott the Granger Alcott Medical Services Center.
Two Weeks later
The courtroom was packed.
Judge Constanzo regarded the overflowing press gallery. Every reporter possible from every national and international magical journal was present.
"Why me?" he asked himself even as he regarded his notes.
He regarded DA Trenholm and MFBI agent Alex seated together at one side of the courtroom.
Then he saw movement and the humbled figure of Albus Dumbledore, no longer resplendent in multi-colored hued garments, shuffled in, still tied with magical restraining handcuffs and surrounded by two members of the Secretary of Magic's own Auror bodyguard on either side of him.
They led him carefully to the defendant's table.
Up close, it was clear to the judge that the old man had suffered during his two-week incarceration. He had lost some of his twinkle although Constanzo thought it more a function of the two weeks of being under magical restraint.
Still, the moment the old man sat down in the chair, he looked around in anticipation.
He was probably looking no doubt for Harry Wells and his extended family.
They were present, but under invisibility cloaks.
The judge raised his hand and allowed the bailiff to bang the court to order, then waited until the buzz of conversation fell completely away.
In a surprisingly soft voice which yet carried to every corner of the courtroom, Judge Constanzo began to read his prepared notes. Thank Franklin, he told himself, for Lady Potter's proposed solution. It had been elegant and surprisingly what the mediwitch had ordered.
"Albus Dumbledore, you are here today to hear the sentence of this court."
Dumbledore made to rise, no doubt to argue his case once more. But the bodyguard only shoved him back in his seat.
"Mr. Dumbledore, you have presented this court and Magical America with a true challenge," Constanzo began. "No one doubts your services in prior years to the cause of Lady Magic; no one questions your earlier willingness to fight the dark and those who would use magic in improper ways.
"But in this court earlier this month, you were found guilty of three counts of actions against Magical America. Those charges were grave and could have resulted in the deaths of many, if not thousands.
"Now we are gathered here to pronounce sentence on you.
"We were faced with two major options: sentence you to life in prison in the Leavenworth Magical Prison or sentence you to be executed in as expeditiously a manner as possible.
"We are thankful that a more humane solution presented itself to us as we were beginning our deliberations.
"That the solution came from one of those who you had most wronged is a promising sign that we are not engaged in an activity of revenge or injustice.
"Instead, after careful consideration and deliberation; after careful research on the part of our Department of Mysteries, we have decided on this third option."
Constanzo watched as the members of the court leaned forward in anticipation of what the final sentencing would be. Dumbledore, it was true, was still as controversial a figure as he had ever been.
"Under seal to the Department of Mysteries with only a select few of this court and Magical America in the know, you are sentenced to the hands of the Department of Mysteries until the end of your natural days.
"You will be restricted in the use of your magic until your departure for as what you have often called 'your next great adventure.'
"May Magic have mercy on your soul."
There: he had said it. Yet he had said nothing. He could not risk the knowledge of what had been decided to leak out.
If it did, then there would be a hue and cry.
A hue and cry on the part of those who would seek the ultimate penalty. They hated the old man and would like nothing better than hearing the old man was killed.
A hue and cry on the part of those who worshipped the ground he walked on. They would push for immediate release and demand that Harry Wells surrender himself to accompany the Master.
No, better that the rest of the magical world know that Albus Dumbledore was safely in the hands of the DOM. No one who ever was put in that position would ever be released.
Ever.
According to calculations, the DOM Unspeakables calculated that the old man might last three to five weeks. He was after all, going to be subject to magical restraints. Just enough magic was going to be allowed to give the Mirror access to suck him in.
"I wish everyone in this courtroom to understand that every consideration was given to Mr. Dumbledore's service to magic, his age, his current mental state, and the need to teach a lesson for all. We wish to highlight that Magical America will continue to work to protect the borders of our nation and will serve to ensure that every citizen, both mundane and magical will be respected.
"Target us with your magical conflicts and you will find no warm welcome here in America. Instead you will find the welcome of whatever weapons we can throw back at you.
"Guards, please escort Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore to the waiting Unspeakables."
man could protest or even move, they had laid hands on him gently and were leading him away.
With a sudden pop, the three vanished and the spot where Albus Dumbledore had stood was now empty.
The three hooded figures with Albus Dumbledore appeared in a circular room. One of the hooded figures lowered the hood, revealing a woman with an ageless face.
"Good day, Albus. It's been a long time since we've met."
Albus found it hard to smile: this was Drusilla Henderson, the woman she had beaten out in the last contest for the position of Supreme Mugwump. Perhaps, however, she might listen to him now. "Drusilla, it is critically important that I be released and be allowed to move on with my …."
Drusilla raised a hand to silence the old man and surprisingly his mouth closed of its own accord. "In this place, Albus, you have no say. Magic has judged you; you've been found guilty of crimes, serious crimes for which your justifications have fallen short. Now, we will begin to carry out your sentence.
"Bring him."
The two hooded figures followed Drusilla and despite his best efforts, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore found that he had no strength of will or strength of body to oppose them. The doors opened, revealing a hallway with several doors on either side. At the third door on the right, they stopped.
Then the door opened and Albus saw in horror that a familiar object was awaiting him there.
"The Mirror? You brought the Mirror here?"
Sudden lucidity hit the old man and for one moment, he saw the plan and the punishment that awaited him.
"You are so fixated on Harry Potter that we're going to give you Harry Potter if that is your deepest desire," Drusilla began. "You can actually thank a witch who you hurt very, very deeply for this idea. Lady Potter, Hermione Granger Potter, didn't want you to suffer or be executed as she is too tender hearted to see you suffer.
"So, once we sit you down in front of the mirror, with your limited magic, we think you will be able to resist it's pull for no longer than five to ten minutes before you are immersed in the final dreams of your long life, Albus.
"It's such a pity that you who once had done so much for magic have to now be treated this way. But I find Lady Potter's solution very elegant and fitting."
"Can I not reason with you once more?"
"No! The jury has spoken; you've been convicted by your own words; and the judge has rendered his sentence. Now, sit down."
The two hooded figures moved the feebly protesting Albus to a comfortable chair directly in front of the Mirror and fastened his ankles and wrists into the straps on that chair. The Mirror came alive and images began to dance before him.
The old man tried to resist the siren call even as his mind told him he was seeing only an illusion, but the possibilities in those images were so, so enticing. There was the tall figure of a tousled black haired young man with a distinctive lightning scar and green eyes waving to him….
**
"Only three minutes, Drusilla," one of the hooded figures spoke.
"Okay, I owe you $500, Black," Drusilla said. "I thought he'd last for at least ten minutes."
"You forget he's been in custody for at least two weeks in magic restraining bracelets. What do you think? He's not a spring chicken anymore."
"No, he's just now another fool caught by the Mirror."
With one hooded figure remaining, the other two turned and left the magical room behind.
Images:
Albus receiving the second Order of Merlin from a humble Harry Potter
Harry Potter holding his one and only red-haired boy heir and giving the boy to the Weasley daughter, then turning his back on his title, his position, and his wealth. "I serve the Magical World as did my mentor," he told the Wizengamot. "I pass my title of Lord Potter to my son and heir."
Harry Potter donning the mantle of teacher of defense at Hogwarts.
Albus being touted as the true successor and visionary of Merlin.
Harry Potter being named as Headmaster of Hogwarts after serving as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.
Harry Potter presiding over the erection of the Dumbledore monument directly on the grounds of his beloved Hogwarts.
"I show you your heart's desire."
He would die three months later having received his second Order of Merlin and the ICW award for greatest sorcerer of the Magical World in the 20th century.
In his mind anyway.
The Mirror finally shut off and the sole guard rose, taking care not to look directly into the swirling clouds. He reached down and felt for a pulse.
There was none.
The look on the emaciated face however was one of serene contentment.
At least the Mirror recognized his worth.
In the end, it was Alex and Sebastian who broke the news to Triad. The British Wizengamot passed a resolution celebrating the passing of the last figure of the two Blood Wars; a small notice was published in the USA Magical Today that a great man had passed, and life went on.
For three young people, two deeply touched and scarred by the Great Albus Dumbledore, there was only sadness and then a desire to pick up and move on.
The shadow had lifted and now they could go on living.
It was ironic that both Hermione and Fleur announced they were pregnant within a week after the announcement.