Chapter 17
When the great hall was finally filled the headmistress tapped
her glass. "This afternoon," she announced, "we
will have a memorial service for those that we have lost, and
then we will rest. Tomorrow afternoon we will have an early
graduation ceremony because many of our beloved students will
have to take on the responsibilities of life far earlier than
they should have to. But they are willing to answer the need and
do these things that must be done. So we must send them forth
with joyousness, and pride, with a great deal of pride! Our
guests who came to our aid will remain for the ceremony but then
they must depart. I wish to express my gracious thanks on behalf
of all that they came in our hour of need!"
Harry rose and started to applaud, and everybody else did
likewise until the headmistress again tapped her glass. "I
can remember," the headmistress continued, "when all of
you first came here, and I stood above you on the steps to take
you in for sorting. I saw some things I didn't like to see, and I
heard some things I didn't like to hear. But any faults you
entered here with are long forgotten. To each and every one of
you, success in lie! Oh, one other thing! Girls, you'll only be
here a couple of more nights. Spend those nights in your own
beds?"
There was a roar of laughter that quickly died down. Everyone
finished their breakfast and went to settling their affairs,
giving things to the other students that they wouldn't need any
more. But Harry was at the dock to greet Neville's parents, and,
Diane's. Both mothers took him in their arms and held him
strongly. No words needed to be spoken. They understood why their
children had done what they had done, and they would not question
it.
There was singing and readings in the service, then Harry stood.
"I've been asked to speak," he began, "but what
can I say? I think it has already been said best when the man
said "There is no greater act of friendship than when a man
gives his life for another man." I have been blessed with
really great friends who were willing to give up everything they
desired that our dreams might continue. I pledge myself every
hour of every day to put my full efforts into seeing to it that
what they loved endures forever. That is the only way I can ever
fully honor that which was done for me, to see to it that our way
never dies, and that it is always kept with honor.
Our dear friends who taught us so well are Spiritualists. They
have a song they sing at their meetings called "Let
The Lower Lights Be Burning." I ask our
wonderful singers to now sing that as we pick up these vessels
that once held our friends and put them in the place where they
will rest forever."
Harry went down as the singing began and took ahold of the strap
that had been attached to Neville's coffin and adjusted to his
height. Ron came to the other side, his three brothers who were
the closest to the fallen took three other straps, and Viktor
took the last. Hermione, Ginny and the other girls took the
straps of Diane's coffin and after the boys had carried theirs
out they lifted their burdon and followed.
At the tomb they lowered in the coffins, unhooked their straps
and pulled them out. Harry and Hermione took out their wants and
levitated the cover stones into place. Harry saw the spirits of
their friends floating behind their parents and touching their
shoulders. Harry cried out "It is done! Let us depart and
have a celebration for these lives. Let us speak their praises
and remember their joys!"
Everybody agreed. There was feasting, singing and dancing long
into the night. In the morning they got ready for graduation.
Harry was just about done dressing when he suddenly stared out
the window towards Hagrid's house. He quickly ran, got a writing
board and some parchment, wrote something on it and signed it.
"Ron!" he snapped "Sign this! Everybody sign
this!"
Ron quickly read what Harry had written. "Yes!" he
cried, quickly signed the petition. The other boys hurried up,
read the petition and without hesitation signed it. Harry hurried
into the girl's dorm, and without hesitation they all signed it,
too. Then Harry went to Slytherin, Huffelpuff, Gryffindor, and
everybody else signed. Then he went to the headmistress' office.
"Good morning Harry!" she remarked. "What brings
you here?" "Headmistress," Harry announced,
"on behalf of the students I present a petition in the hopes
that you will approve it."
He held out the petition. The headmistress read it and smiled.
She wrote on the position "Approved Joyously!" and
signed it. "I'll leave it to you, Harry," she remarked,
"to make the preparations. I've got enough to do!"
Harry nodded and hurried off. Finally he and his companions were
gathered outside the great hall in their best robes, each wearing
the awards they had earned. The stirring music of the grand march
began. The doors opened, and side by side they marched down the
aisle!
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