In the Great Hall the mood was somber. Torches were dimmer than usual and instead of the usual House Banners, black hangings with gold edging lined the stone walls. In the center of each banner glowed a red phoenix and the letters " In Memorium Aeterna" glittered in the dim light. At the head table some of the professors were missing, presumably still patrolling the grounds. Ron reached the Gryffindor table just in time to slip into his normal seat beside Hermione as Professor McGonagall, ashen faced, addressed the assembly.
" Students and fellow colleagues, " Professor McGonagall began, a tiny quiver in her voice. Beside him, Hermione twitched in sympathetic response. Ron knew Hermione admired Professor McGonagall second only to Dumbledore. Hermione's hand gripped the table to steady herself. Ron thought that whatever the Professor was about to say would provide only cold comfort to the waiting audience. As much for himself as for her, he covered her hand with his. Immediately her body relaxed and she turned to him with a quick look of thanks.
Professor McGonagall continued to speak.
" Today we mourn our late Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, wisest and fairest of all Wizards. His loss will be profoundly felt across the Wizarding World and evenmore so in our own halls of Hogwarts."
Here, the Professor,quite overcome, paused and sipped the water proffered to her by Madam Pomfrey who was nearby. Hermione and several of the Gryffindor girls now had tears streaming down their cheeks. Ron gulped andrealized his own eyes were moist. Across the table Harry took off his glasses and wiped them, a sure sign of emotion for him. Ginny sat as if made of stone, exerting a determined control, which Ron wished he could emulate. He knew she was straining every ounce of her being not to break down in front of Harry. She would not ask him to go back on his decision and an emotional outburst from her would definitely shake his resolve.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat determinedly.
" The nefarious perpetrators of this despicable attack which took our dear Headmaster and injured many others is the act of unspeakable darkness and pure cowardice. We, at Hogwarts, will not tolerate such acts within our walls. It is with great sadness that I say as Acting Headmistress that we will not reopen our doors until we can guarantee the safety of all our students and staff."
A collected gasp resounded through the hall only to be stopped as Professor McGonagall raised her had for silence.
" No, it must be so. But take heart, students for you must now, for better or for worse, be part of a far greater battle than OWLS and NEWTS. Take forth your knowledge and your skills and use them wisely."
Now she turned to the individual Houses and addressed them.
" With your great capacity for loyalty and sacrifice, help your families and friends." She smiled down at the Hufflepuff table who cheered her as one.
" Your superior intelligence and quick-witted response will help win the victory." Here she acknowledged the Ravenclaw table.
"Your ability to confound and confuse your enemies." Professor McGonagall could not quite bring herself to acknowledge the Slytherin table, where a very few students whose parents did not support the Dark Lord, sat huddled together. She did, however, wave her hand in their general direction and this generous gesture brought the Slytherins to their feet in silent salute.
" And finally most of all, " Professor McGonagall was now making no effort to control the emotion in her voice, " indomitable courage and perseverance to the death!"
She met the eyes of the entire Gryffindor table who stood as one and began a slow clap that was picked up by each house in turn, its thunder sounding both a tribute and a promise of their pledge in the dark days to come. For the last time, Professor McGonagall raised her hand and the silence was instantaneous.
" Before you leave tomorrow we will be setting into effect a way in which you may contact us is you are ever in need of our help. We will also be contacting you in the usual way about the status of the school next year. And now, be of good courage, my friends. Remember our dear and truest friend in Albus Dumbledore as you make this toast and eat the simple repast in his honour."
She waved her hand and goblets of steaming effervescent liquid instantly appeared
at every place. Professor McGonagall now turned to the Staff Table where Hagrid rose to his feet, his sonorous voice echoing through the hall.
" To Albus Dumbledore, greatest of all wizards!"
Everyone rose, repeated the toast and sipped the steaming liquid,which slipped down easily and seemed to have a calming effect. At the Gryffindor table, Ron, who had let go of Hermione's hand only during the toast, steadied her as they sat down. He was certain that no one was in the least hungry but he knew that it was important to keep up the body's strength. They did not know when and where that strength might be required. He started to help himself to the fare provided, a somewhat smaller and less elaborate fare to fit the occasion.
" How can you?"whimpered Lavendar from her place several places down the table.
Before he could put her into the picture, Hermione's head snapped up and she copied Ron by taking somewhat smaller helpings compared to his, but certainly large for her, all the while glaring at Lavendar.
Harry, sensing an imminent blow-up that would not improve the situation simply said,
" Ron's right- if we are to fight with the indomitable courage that Professor McGonagall charges us with, we all need to keep up our strength whether we're hungry or not."
With that, Ginny, Neville, Dean and Seamus all began to fill their plates. The rest of Gryffindor followed suit as Harry knew they would.
" Thanks, mate, " Ron muttered in a quick aside.
" No worries," Harry replied although he found it an effort still to eat much himself.
By the time the sweet course arrived, most of the Gryffindor table had put away at least a modicum of food. The table was quiet, but calm rather than gloomy. Ron suspected that the staff had used a calming potion in the toast and mentioned the fact as he helped himself to his favourite pumpkin tart. Harry nodded in agreement and Hermione who had been speaking to Ginny turned and smiled a tentative smile to be sure, but still a smile.
" Of course, " she said looking straight at Ron, " Why didn't I think of that?"
" Umm, maybe because I'm channeling you?" Ron offered a small joke and various guffaws and giggles rewarded his attempt at humour.
Hermione kicked him under the table and whispered under her breath that he was a silly prat and they would have to discuss the channeling theory later. Ron felt the world slowly right itself. It might have been the calming potion, it could have been the fact that this was the first food he remembered eating in the last two days, but he was almost positive that it was the look in Hermione's eyes when she called him a "silly prat."
The moment ended as quickly as it began. A movement at the Staff table caused a stir among the professors. Almost immediately Professor McGonagall appeared at the Gryffindor table.
" Mr. Weasley, Miss Weasley – come with me, please! Quickly! "
Ron's stomach lurched and the look in Ginny's eyes was enough to break his heart. He grasped his sister's hand and fled after Professor McGonagall. Harry and Hermione were close at his heels. Professor McGonagall waved them back but encountered an obsidian stare from her most famous pupil and a determined set of mouth from her most brilliant pupil. She sighed, gave in and beckoned them to follow.
In the corridor, the Weasleys were sitting on a stone bench with their dragon-minding brother, Charlie. The tears that Ginny had carefully kept in check were now coursing down her cheeks in rivulets. Ron's complexion resembled a French mime – dead white with golden freckles making a startling contrast. His hands were clenched together tightly. Ginny was being held up by her older brother.
Hermione trembled, sat down next to Ron and held his arm. Harry stood halfway between Ron and Ginny.
" Tell us, " he tried to find his voice, dread shaking his whole being.
Ron replied in a voice that was not his own.
" The Burrow's been attacked. Part of the house was set afire and Dad's missing."