Chapter Twenty: Back to Hogwarts

There was no place in the world like Hogwarts. Now that Harry was back there, he realized how much he had missed it. He was back in the great hall. They were all discussing the fight. On the staff table, the teachers were discussing something. after some time, professor McGonagall stood up and started speaking.

‘I am very disappointed tonight.’ She said, ‘three lives have been lost because of this stupid stunt of yours. I don’t know what on earth prompted to you to do such a thing. WHY?’

Luna stood up and said, ‘Professor, I know what we did was unforgivable, that the loss is irrecoverable. But still, it’s a war professor. We saw Professor Trelawney being killed in front of us. We know people are being killed everyday, everywhere. We decided that we can’t let the death eaters go away. They must remember that we are still fighting, that the war is not over. And all those who died, they knew what they were into. They were brave and we should be proud to have such great people amongst us. It was a mutual decision, Professor. We are sorry to disappoint you but we still feel that this fight was a necessary evil. So please Professor, instead of feeling gloomy about our stupidity, it would be better that we celebrate our victory.’

Professor McGonagall looked a bit taken aback by Luna’s reply. She said, ‘Well, I think you are right Luna, it’s a war. And wars are nasty. But we are responsible for whatever happened to those children. Their parents sent them here so that they will be safe, and if they start dying here also, no one would trust Hogwarts. But having said that, I must say that it was a very brave fight indeed. Congratulations to you all, for your bravery. Congratulations.’

The newspapers next day were filled with news of the death of Umbridge. Of course, the reporters, Rita mainly, were making the children of Hogwarts as culprits. The death of the three Hogwarts students was completely ignored. Back at Hogwarts, a small funeral was kept for those children. None of their parents were complaining for the loss of their children. They were proud, proud that their own flesh and blood was so brave, so talented. At the ministry, they had decided to make Cornelius Fudge the minister for magic. His picture also given in the prophet. He was under the imperious curse, professor McGonagall had said. She could make it out in the picture.

Later that night, Hermione asked Harry why they were staying there. Harry said, ‘because of the horcrux.’

‘But Harry, it can’t be here. Right under Dumbledore’s nose. He would never dare to do it… never’ she said.

‘But I saw it in the memory, Hermione. This was the only place he ever called home. If he is keeping his horcruxes at places that mattered to him, then it must be here.’

‘Fine’ said Ron, ‘so if it is here, where in Hogwarts could it be?’

‘We need to talk to someone for this, someone who knows every inch of Hogwarts’ said Harry.

‘Fred and George’ said Ron.

‘No. someone more experienced someone who knew Voldemort.’

‘Who?’ asked Ron

‘Hagrid’ said Hermione. ‘tomorrow morning we are meeting Hagrid.’