Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 166: Funeral
At first Dudley and Steve didn't know that Dumbledore are fighting against heart attack, because of the curse that weakening Dumbledore body, he couldn't even move his hand to touch his heart which are in pain.
They only saw Dumbledore freezed for a while and wanted to say something but then Dumbledore suddenly closed his eyes and his breathing stoppeed
Dudley and Steve were baffled, they come to heal Dumbledore but who knows Dumbledore suddenly died to heart attack.
Steve did a few diagnosed and found out that he had heart attack.
They didn't notice Dumbledore can't breathe because of the curse that makes his body weaken so much.
"We should heal him first instead of confessing the truth," said Dudley still feeling guilty.
The next day, all the Wizard in Britain were surprised seeing Dumbledore died at the old age.
This was time when Voldemort had returned and now he had passed away, who can fight Voldemort at his peak of power?
Dumbledore died a week before school closed and the next day the big funeral was made for him.
....
The news about Dumbledore death spread rapidly, every newspaper talk about the passing of the greatest White Wizard.
Daily Prophet, Quibbler and all the news outlet even from other country also talk about this shocking news and the country that was hit hard are of course the citizen in British Wizarding World.
Delegation from other country are coming one by one using Portkey, they wanted to attend funeral of Albus Dumbledore.
Amelia Bones and the other people ini ministry also come later to give a last respect to Albus Dumbledore.
He is the greatest and most respected wizard in the World and he had kept Britain safe in the past and even end the Wizarding World War when the first Dark Lord emerge.
Aberforth Dumbledore looked at his brother with a poker face, they are thousand of question that he wanted to ask his brother but it all gone after he had passed away.
Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of the age, had passed away peacefully in his sleep or so the Ministry reported.
Across Britain, witches and wizards fell silent after reading the news
Some refused to believe it others felt fear because the threat of Voldemort are still there, the timing when Dumbledore passed away are terrible.
If Voldemort returned who can deal with him, Dumbledore had been known as the only wizard who had ever stood as his equal and now he was gone.
No one had an answer except Dudley, Steve and those who are around them.
Harry in particular feel sad about it, but he had seen how Dudley fight with Voldemort. There an Amelia Bones who also had seen how Dudley fight with that Dark Lord.
...
When the casket of Voldemort was brought into the grave, the people of Hogwarts had never felt so heavy.
Students, professors, Ministry officials, and even magical creatures gathered in silence near the edge of the Black Lake.
A white marble tomb had been prepared, it is very simple at the same time looks dignified fitting for a man like Albus Dumbledore.
Dudley stood among the crowd, his expression unreadable.
Beside him, Steve remained quiet, his usual confidence replaced with something else which is guilty.
Around them, students whispered.
"I can't believe he's really gone…"
"This feels unreal…"
"What are we going to do now…?"
Hermione stood nearby, her eyes red from crying. Harry clenched his jaw, trying to remain strong, while Ron shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to say.
The ceremony began, Professor McGonagall stepped forward.
At this time she can't look weak, the next Headmaster would be hers. So she strengthen herself, fixed her posture and make her voice sound firm.
"Today," she began, "we gather not only to mourn the loss of a great wizard but to honor a man who dedicated his entire life to many people. "
She paused, taking a slow breath.
"Albus Dumbledore was many things, a teacher, a leader, a mentor and above all, a protector."
Her gaze swept across the students.
"He believed in the strength of the younger generation. He believed in second chances and he believed… that even in darkness, there is always light."
Everyone become silence hearing McGonagall words.
McGonagall's voice softened.
"He was not perfect," she admitted. "But perhaps… that is what made him truly human."
A few students quietly wiped their tears.
"He made mistakes," she continued, "as we all do but he never stopped trying to make things right and I hope there will be a new generation who will carry his will."
She stepped back.
Then another figure moved forward, this time Severus Snape.
The crowd shifted slightly, some surprised, others tense.
Snape stood still for a moment, staring at the tomb.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low but loud enough for everyone to heard him.
"He was a fool."
A ripple of shock passed through the crowd but Snape continued despite the people reaction.
"A foolish old man who believed he could carry the weight of the world alone."
His grip tightened slightly.
"He trusted too much and sacrificed too much."
There was a brief pause.
"…And yet," Snape added quietly, "he was the only one worthy of being called a Headmaster."
The words were simple but coming from Snape they carried meaning that everyone can understand.
He turned away without another word.
One by one teacher come forward until Dudley suddenly decided to speak up.
He stepped forward.
The crowd fell silent again.
Some looked at him with curiosity others with expectation.
Dudley stood in front of the tomb, staring at it for a few seconds before speaking.
"I wasn't supposed to speak today," he said.
His voice was calm and there is no trace of sadness.
"But… I feel like I should."
He took a breath.
"Professor Dumbledore… was someone who trusted me."
His hands clenched slightly.
"He knew things about me that others didn't and even then… he chose to believe in me."
The crowd listened carefully.
"He wasn't just a powerful wizard," Dudley continued. "He was someone who had chosen me as his next successor"
A few people exchanged glances but there a few people who had heard rumour about Dumbledore take a student and become his personal disciple.
"Now I don't want to talk about disciple thing or next successor but I want to say about Albus Dumbledore who instead of running away from them… he faced them."
Dudley looked up at the sky.
"He chose to pass everything he knew to the next generation even when he had become so old. So everyone, don't even taint Hogwarts reputation after Albus Dumbledore passed away, show them that we are the product of Headmaster Dumbledore.
Dudley ended his speech and later the minister and few delegation also speak about Albus Dumbldore.
Finally, the ceremony ended
White light shimmered as magic was used to seal the tomb.
Dumbledore body was laid to rest and as the last spell faded. The crowd slowly began to disperse.
With the passing of Dumbledore, the world had changed and they need to be ready to face Voldemort.
As Dudley turned to leave, Steve walked beside him.
"You okay?" Steve asked quietly.
Dudley didn't answer immediately.
"…We came to save him," Dudley said at last.
Steve nodded.
"Yeah."
"But we failed."
Steve stopped walking.
Then shook his head.
"No," he said. "He was already dying."
Dudley remained silent.
"…Maybe," he replied.
But deep inside the guilt remained.
"There is one more person who may help us in war if Voldemort really returned stronger," said Steve.
"Who?" asked Dudley.
"Gellert Grindelwald," replied Steve.
Dudley eyes widened and although he and steve had become strong enough to face Voldemort, it would better to have more people in war.