"Wow, is this true? Dumbledore really said that—tonight he'll deal with the piece of Voldemort's soul in you?"
The next morning, when Harry told his companions about last night's events, Hermione exclaimed in surprise. Ron, beside her, was so shocked that he couldn't utter a word, his eyes fixed on Harry's face.
Harry nodded silently as they walked across the soft grass, strolling around the Black Lake. Outside the castle, the sun was warm, and they could see Hagrid busy in the vegetable patch from afar.
"So, did he tell you what to do? What preparations are you making?" Ron asked eagerly.
"He just told me to do something brave and said he'd tell me the rest after the feast tonight," Harry said.
"But why?" Ron asked, puzzled.
"Could it be related to the O.W.L exams?" Hermione speculated. "The last exam ends today, so Dumbledore will be completely free."
Harry couldn't find a reason to refute or agree. In fact, he had been looking forward to this day, spending the last week of the school year with Ginny in the sunny June weather. The thought was utterly captivating to him.
As they walked around the Black Lake, they occasionally stopped to watch the giant squid shoot water columns into the air, the sunlight refracting into arched rainbows, disappearing moments later.
Sometimes they would enthusiastically discuss the methods Dumbledore might use. Ron speculated that Harry would have a thrilling life-and-death duel with Voldemort under the watchful eyes of Dumbledore and Professor Snape. But Hermione didn't think the professors would let Harry take such a risk, so Ron quickly amended his idea, suggesting that Dumbledore and Snape would first weaken Voldemort, and then let Harry step in."Or better yet, bare-handed, a test of strength between two men. Voldemort looks like he could use some exercise," Hermione said with a straight face.
Harry burst out laughing.
Especially when Ron stubbornly said, "It's not impossible," he laughed even harder. After that, the three spent the afternoon with Hagrid, drinking tea, giving opinions on the patterns for the bowtruckle pants he was making for Grawp, feeling very relaxed.
It wasn't until it was almost time that Harry, Ron, and Hermione returned to the castle.
They timed it well; when they reached the entrance hall, many students had completed their practical exams in spellcasting and were chatting animatedly in groups, celebrating the end of the hellish year. After waiting for a few more minutes, Ginny appeared at a side door of the Great Hall.
During the brief moment the door was open, Harry clearly heard Professor McGonagall's booming voice announcing the end of the exams.
"I always feel this surname is unlucky," Ron grumbled. "It never gets any advantage in any alphabetically sorted situations."
As Ginny approached, she rolled her eyes at Ron and affectionately linked her arm with Harry's. Harry glanced uncomfortably elsewhere, seeing Colin Creevey leaning against a niche with the house cup hourglass, apparently being interviewed by Mafalda.
At that moment, Snape's large black robes "whooshed" past them.
Harry only glanced at him out of curiosity, but Ginny's words caught his attention. "I'm going to be a bridesmaid!" Harry blinked, momentarily tossing Snape's shadow out of his mind, unable to help but imagine what Ginny would look like in a bridesmaid's dress and wondering how it differed from a bride's gown?
But over the next few minutes, one professor after another appeared, and even Hermione, who had been eagerly discussing wedding dress styles with Ginny, and Ron, who looked impatient, noticed that something was amiss: the professors passing by seemed too frequent.
So when Hagrid's large figure walked in from outside, Harry stopped him.
"Hagrid, why are you here?"
"Meeting," Hagrid said in his booming voice, his boots still muddy as if he had been busy in the vegetable patch after they left. He trudged into the Great Hall, and several people exchanged glances. Ginny volunteered to disappear for a moment, returning to report, "Hagrid went to the staff room. I peeked in, and there were a lot of people, seems like all the professors were invited."
...
As Felix sat down next to Snape, he scanned the room. All the professors from the school were present, along with two unfamiliar faces sitting expressionlessly in a corner, saying nothing.
The room gradually quieted down, and all eyes were on Dumbledore in the main seat. Dumbledore smiled as he looked around and began to speak.
"Before we begin the meeting, please allow me to introduce two witnesses, Veed and Chester, representatives of the school's board of directors."
The two nodded in acknowledgment.
The professors exchanged looks of surprise, as if something significant was about to happen.
"Next, what I'm about to say has been agreed upon by all members of the board: Ladies and gentlemen, I will resign from the position of Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Dumbledore said solemnly, causing an uproar in the room. Ignoring it, he continued, "At the same time, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the board for accepting my recommendation. Minerva McGonagall will succeed me as the new Headmistress."
Professor McGonagall let out a sharp cry, "No, Dumbledore—"
Dumbledore silenced her with a look.
"Let me finish, Minerva. The new appointment also includes—Felix Harp, who will continue as Professor of Ancient Runes and additionally serve as Deputy Headmaster."
After Dumbledore finished speaking, the tips of his ten slender fingers touched together, and then he politely looked at the others, as if waiting for questions. The room fell silent for a moment, everyone trying to digest this astounding news, no one daring to break the calm.
Felix didn't have much of a reaction to the sudden position bestowed upon him. Even without the title of Deputy Headmaster, he had the ability to promote some reforms in the school. He furrowed his brow slightly, gazing at Dumbledore, feeling a bit unsettled.
He had speculated before, but he couldn't be sure. Especially when he recently learned that Dumbledore had used the power of the Resurrection Stone to summon the soul shadows of his two loved ones from the realm of the living, he no longer believed Dumbledore would consider giving up his life.
If Dumbledore had made up his mind to die, what was the point of this? But now Dumbledore suddenly made this decision; it couldn't just be for retirement, could it? He glanced across at Grindelwald, who was frowning, focused on Dumbledore. Dumbledore didn't deliberately avoid his gaze, nor did he pay too much attention to it.
Felix felt a chill creeping into his bones.
"Dumbledore, you should have consulted me beforehand!" Professor McGonagall said indignantly. "I cannot accept what you've done; it's absurd. I believe the other professors are equally unprepared. Even if you have retirement plans, you should have left some time for transition instead of springing it on everyone."
"It's a grand topic, Minerva, and I don't want to go into detail. It's too verbose, and two hours won't be enough. In short, I have planned a trip." Dumbledore announced cheerfully, even to Felix, there was a hint of mischief in his tone.
"Of course, you can also think of it as a long-time coming."
"A trip?"
Professor McGonagall seemed confused, but Grindelwald, on the other hand, lifted his head sharply. A trip? Dumbledore had mentioned this to him privately two days ago, reminiscing about his aborted graduation trip, his words tinged with regret.
He described the planned route of his trip.
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