HP Starlight

Esther stood in front of the dormitory door and found that the door could not be opened at all.She knocked helplessly, and Grindelwald opened the door from the inside, and Fox let out a sweet cry.

"I never knew I had to knock on the door when I went back to my room." Esther glanced at Grindelwald coldly.

"You have hidden so many secrets in this room, shouldn't you be safer?" Grindelwald smiled, and let her in sideways.

Fox flew towards Esther, Esther held it in his arms, a warm, warm feeling brushed over the wound on her chest.Esther said thank you gratefully.She held the phoenix and looked out the window at the Hogwarts gate, where Severus had left.He was definitely by Voldemort's side now.He made such a great contribution, Voldemort should reward him.She carefully recalled the scene on the Astronomy Tower, and she was sure that there was nothing to doubt.But even in doubt, Severus was in no danger.He really thought he killed Dumbledore, even if Voldemort turned his head all over, he wouldn't find a flaw.That's why Esther didn't tell him about the plan.

The sky gradually brightened, and the sun rose again.There was a noise in the bedroom, and Dumbledore came out.His eyes filled with cold anger looked at the two people in the room.

"Tell me what's going on now," he said in a very calm voice, but Esther felt that he was harsher and more dangerous now than ever.

"You're already 'dead', why do you care so much?" Grindelwald was not afraid of Dumbledore's anger at all, he remained calm and looked at him with his legs crossed.

Dumbledore ignored him, but turned to Esther.Este recovered his composure before he said, "Sir, can we sit down and talk? I'm sorry to be self-assertive, but I promise that things will be the same as you planned, except that you didn't really die."

Dumbledore sat down and Fawkes flew into his lap.Esther remade him a cup of tea, then sat across from him and told in detail everything that happened after he passed out.

After listening to Esther's narration, Dumbledore seemed much calmer. He pondered for a moment and said, "So now, apart from you, no one knows that I'm still alive, including Severus?"

"Yes, sir." Esther said affirmatively.

"In that case, let the secret continue," said Dumbledore wearily, "but seriously, Esther, you shouldn't be doing it. It's too risky. If it fails—"

"That won't be exposed. Compound Potion can guarantee that I will always keep your appearance. No one will find out if they check."

"That's not what I'm worried about, I'm worried that you might be killed."

"If that's the case, I have no regrets. I'm prepared."

Dumbledore opened his mouth and closed it again.Fox let out a soft whine.

After a while, Dumbledore spoke again, "The portrait of the late headmaster will automatically appear in the headmaster's office, if my portrait doesn't appear—"

"I hung it up before I left the principal's office," Grindelwald said casually.

"Wand?" asked Dumbledore.

"Beside your 'corpse', but I brought your old wand, which seems to be still working." Grindelwald pulled out a dark wand and handed it to Dumbledore, "Your habit of collecting things has not changed. , the secret is always kept in the mezzanine under the bed."

Esther suddenly felt that she shouldn't be in the house.She left the dormitory with the excuse of going to the bathroom.

The corridors of Hogwarts were filled with people, students were suspended and exams postponed.Some parents eagerly came to the school to pick up their children.After all, they believe that a school where even the headmaster is murdered has no security at all.

The students discussed the latest notice in twos and threes. Professor McGonagall decided to hold a funeral for Dumbledore in two days, and then arrange the Hogwarts Express to take the students out of the school.Esther felt that she should bring the news to Dumbledore, but she didn't want to go back for the time being.The place where you need to knock on the door no longer belongs to her, and there is no place in Hogwarts North Castle that belongs to her.She walked towards the less crowded place until she reached a place where she was sure no one would bother her, Snape's office.

Snape left in a hurry, without even leaving a restriction on the door.She went in easily and locked the room inside.Now she can finally remove all disguises and let go of her emotions.She felt safe only in this place that belonged to him, even though he was no longer here.

She sat behind his desk.The high-backed chair was not comfortable, it could even be said to be too hard.She didn't understand why he didn't consider changing to a more comfortable chair after sitting for so many years.But she still retreated into the cold chair.She was exhausted, and her temples were throbbing from the tense nerves all night.Now that she has finally finished all the work, she has found a good place for herself again, not so comfortable, but safe enough to give her a little peace.She didn't want to push herself any longer.She lay prone on Snape's desk, stroked the dark green quill on the desk, and fell asleep drowsily.

This time Esther slept soundly. Although she woke up with a sore back and back pain, she seemed to be more energetic.She looked at the time and it was night.She borrowed Snape's bathroom to clean herself up.The dried blood scabs took her a while.She found a set of dark wizard robes from Snape's wardrobe and put them on herself.

She still chose the Patronus to inform Dumbledore of tomorrow's funeral.She didn't want to go back, maybe that room wasn't welcoming to her either.She belongs here, below the castle, at the bottom of the Black Lake.

She left just before the funeral the next day.She was looking for a Snape dress to wear, but when she opened the closet she realized he didn't have anything like that.Even at the Christmas ball of the Triwizard Tournament, he wore his usual black robe.Esther had no choice but to simply deform the wizard robe on his body, barely looking more formal.

Before leaving, Esther put many prohibition spells on the door, even though she knew no one would come, she still wanted to protect his place.

She walked toward the lake, where there were hundreds of chairs, all facing the marble table in front.This is where the funeral will be held.There are already a lot of people sitting on the chairs.Esther saw Moody at a glance, and the people sitting next to him were members of the Order of the Phoenix.Tonks had regained her pink hair, which looked extra radiant, and Lupine was sitting with her, holding her hand.Sirius and Mr. Weasley exchanged notes, and Mrs. Weasley sat with the twins, next to Fleur who looked after Bill.Esther was hesitating whether to sit there too, when a voice behind her stopped her, "Esther, sit with me, I don't have any acquaintances here."

Grindelwald winked at her, and led her to sit in a corner away from the crowd.Beside him was an unknown old wizard, wearing a dark purple dress robe, looking leisurely and contented, not as if he was attending a funeral, but as if he was out for an outing in good weather.

"This is Mr. Porton, who came here specially to attend Dumbledore's funeral." Grindelwald briefly introduced Esther.

"Hello." Esther nodded politely, not understanding what Grindelwald meant.

"The weather is really nice today, and it's a good day for a funeral." Mr. Porton said in French.

"Yeah, it's a sunny day. Rare sunshine." Esther replied.

"It's been a long time since I heard Miss Collins chatting in such a distant and guarded tone. It's really interesting." Mr. Porton blinked mischievously.

"How do you know—you are—" Esther looked at the people next to him in surprise, and said quietly, "Dumbledore?"

The old man smiled at Esther with satisfaction and turned his head away.

"What's your special hobby to attend your own funeral?" Esther curled her lips and muttered in a low voice.

"It was a strange experience, and I'm sure not many people survived to attend their own funeral. But they made it so grand, I think it should be more relaxed."

"Play music, dance? Would you like a buffet?" Esther sarcastically.

"I think it's a good idea," said Dumbledore happily.

There are more and more people, and almost half of the seats are taken.The gate of Hogwarts Castle opened, and the students came out in a line. The leader, Professor McGonagall, had a serious face, and the teachers and students behind were sad.Esther finally heard a faint sigh beside her.

After everyone sat down, ripples suddenly appeared in the black lake.An ethereal singing sound like fairy music came from underwater. Esther was very familiar with it. It was the singing of a mermaid.Hagrid came over weeping and holding Dumbledore's "corpse", which didn't match his tall figure. The "corpse" was wrapped in purple velvet studded with gold stars.

"What a vision, I like this wizard robe the most." Dumbledore said with satisfaction.

"I packed that up overnight last night. I originally wanted to ask Esther to go, who knows that she has disappeared." Grindelwald gave Esther a dissatisfied look.

A little wizard gave the eulogy.Dumbledore expressed dissatisfaction with this, "He didn't mention that I like sweets, my favorite is Lemon Sherbet, and Zizi honey candy is also good."

After finishing the eulogy, the little wizard returned to his seat. Suddenly, a dazzling white flame shot out from Dumbledore's body and around the table, blocking people's sight.White smoke curled up and turned into various shapes.

Phoenix Fawkes flew out of the castle, singing a melodious and moving voice.The singing soothed everyone's grief, and people quietly looked at the phoenix in the sky, as if immersed in the magic of the singing.Then the fire and smoke died away, and a marble tomb appeared there, enveloping the body and the stone table.Fox flew away too.

A rain of arrows fell from the sky, and the centaur mourned.The water surface also stirred up, and the mermaids finished their final farewell and dived into the bottom of the water again.The funeral is over.

"If one day it is announced that you are still alive, what will they think?" Esther's tone was a little guilty.

"I don't want others to know that I'm alive if it's not necessary." Dumbledore sighed.

Esther still sat still, watching people talk to each other or leave together.The Minister of Magic, Scrimgeour, called Harry away, and after talking for a while, they separated, looking unhappy.Slughorn, the new head of Slytherin, dressed in rich, emerald green robes embroidered with silver, is surrounded by a group of people talking enthusiastically, which is almost unimaginable if he were the former head .Esther smiled faintly, if Severus was there, he would have stayed far away, the same as she is now.

Moody limped toward her and said gruffly, "I'm still looking for you, can I have a word alone?"

Esther followed him to a place where no one was around, and Moody said, "We have a meeting at the Burrow tonight, six o'clock, don't be late."

"Aren't you going to Sirius' house?" Esther asked.

"That's not safe. Dumbledore's dead, we're all Secret Keepers, and so is Snape. We've gone through the place last night and made Snape a little bit harder. If he brings Death Eater If you go in vain, he will be the one to look at.”

Esther smiled bitterly and nodded.Moody limped away.She went back to Dumbledore and said simply, "There was a six o'clock meeting at the Burrow, and they cleaned up Sirius' house and put a barrier in place for Severus so he wouldn't bring Death Eaters in."

"You are not allowed to go to 12 Grimmauld Place to break the curse." Dumbledore said, looking at her seriously.

"I never thought about it that way," Est said.

Back in the dormitory, Esther packed up his things, greeted Professor McGonagall, and followed Dumbledore and Grindelwald back to the house in Godric's Hollow, where Phoenix Fox was already waiting for them.The house that I haven't lived in for a long time is covered with dust, so Esther had to pull out her wand and do a big cleaning of the house first.

Este arrived at the Burrow a little earlier than the agreed time, and there were already many people sitting in the living room.Everyone was still talking about Dumbledore's death and Snape's betrayal.Esther hastily greeted everyone, and hid in the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasley.

Tonks was here too, peeling potatoes and talking gleefully about her and Lupine's plans.

"We plan to order a ring tomorrow and get married in a few days."

Molly objected in a motherly manner, "Honey, you should prepare well, or you can hold a wedding with Bill and the others. Marriage is a major event in a woman's life."

"Remus doesn't want to say anything. I'm willing to follow his advice. As long as we're together, it really doesn't matter if there's a wedding or not." Tonks said cheerfully.

"At least invite a few relatives and friends to witness it." Molly insisted.

"I don't think we'll be happy without witnesses, at least you'll all bless me, right?" Tonks winked at Esther lively.

Esther smiled faintly, and put the diced potatoes into the cauldron.

"Well, if you insist," said Molly resignedly.

After Arthur and Kingsley returned from the Ministry of Magic, Moody called a meeting.The small living room of Weasley's house seemed even more crowded, but it made people feel a special cohesion.

"I'm sure we're all sad that Dumbledore is gone," said Moody, in a gruff but powerful voice, "but that's no reason for us to stop fighting. Dumbledore must have wanted us to keep going. As he said, we must Only by constantly fighting, fighting, and fighting can we control the evil. In the future, our situation will be more difficult and more dangerous, but I hope everyone can persist in fighting until the last moment. Let us pay tribute once again, for Dumbledore!"

They all shouted in firm voices, "Dumbledore!"

After a while, Moody went on to say, "As for Snape's betrayal, I would like to say that this is one of the few wrong judgments made by Dumbledore, and he paid a heavy price for it. Again, be vigilant at all times." !

But we can't start to doubt each other because of this incident.We must trust each other to defeat Voldemort.

Our next task is to protect Potter.Dumbledore said he was our greatest hope. "

"But Potter refuses to tell us what his mission is. He seems to be planning to drop out of school to do that mission. I think Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Ron Weasley probably have the same idea." Professor McGonagall Nodding to Mrs. Weasley.

"I've never heard Ron say that! He can't do that!" exclaimed Molly, resentful of her son's presumption.

"Sirius, did Potter talk to you about that mission?" Moody looked at Sirius.

"No, he hasn't revealed anything to me." Sirius seemed to know nothing.

"No one knows?" Moody's eyes swept over everyone, and everyone shook their heads.

"I'll ask him when he comes here." Molly seemed confident, "I won't allow their reckless behavior."

"Then ask him when he comes," said Moody decisively. "Potter will come of age at the end of this month. His mother's protective spell will expire by then. He and his relatives must be transferred before then." .I hope they can move to different safe houses at the same time.It will be safer.Wait a place is chosen, Arthur, Sirius, you go and talk to the Dursleys.Tell them about it, make them aware The seriousness of the problem. And we need to prepare a few more places that look like safe houses, so Voldemort won't know where we are hiding him."

Everyone contributed their own houses as alternatives.Moody used almost all the houses available.These places need to add the same powerful magic protection to make them look real enough.

For the next two weeks, Esther and other members added defensive magic to those houses.Make them strong enough to withstand the attacks of Voldemort and Death Eaters.

One of the houses was offered by Professor McGonagall, in a small town in the north of Scotland.When they got there, it was the time when Muggles were active, so they had to stay in a wizarding inn first, and wait until night.

Esther was bored and was reading a book to pass the time.There was a knock on the door, and Tonks came to her excitedly.

"We've got an officiant, and it's Wednesday, you know, a good day. Would you like to be our witness?"

"It's not Remus who came to inform me." Esther said as he came out of the room.

"I think he's a little scared of you now, after you told him about him last time." Tonks grinned at Esther, stepped back and knocked over a stool by the wall.

The wedding ceremony is very simple. The witnesses handwritten the marriage certificate for them, led them to read the vows, and finally exchanged rings.When Lupine finally said "I love you", Esther expected Tonks to burst into tears.But she guessed wrong, that lively and funny little witch's eyes were smiling and exuding magnificent brilliance.She boldly rushed forward and kissed Lupine, and Lupine kissed her back a little shyly.Sirius cheered them on with a whistle.Esther also applauded happily, but felt a bit bitter in her heart.

After another three days of busy work, finally finishing the defense measures of the last safe house, Esther rushed back to the Order of the Phoenix to attend the meeting.By the time she returned wearily to Godric's Hollow, the sun had already set.She knocked on the door habitually.The person who opened the door surprised her.

"Severus!" Esther threw himself into Snape's arms regardless.

Snape hesitated, but still hugged Esther.But his mouth was not so happy, "Should Miss Collins explain Dumbledore to me first?"

Esther froze for a moment, withdrew from his arms, looked at him blankly, "What's the matter?"

"He's still alive," Snape replied coldly.

"Huh?" Esther was taken aback.She looked around in a panic, then plunged into the room, staring blankly at Dumbledore and Grindelwald who were drinking tea in the living room.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't let others know?" Esther asked Dumbledore angrily.

"I didn't tell Severus, he guessed it himself. He found my portrait still sleeping in the principal's office, so he became suspicious. That's how I found it here. By the way, Severus has been appointed by the school board He has become the headmaster of Hogwarts. Although the news has not been made public yet, I think you can congratulate him in advance." Dumbledore explained easily.

"Uh, congratulations, Severus... No, Dumbledore, don't change the subject, even if he comes here, can't you hide? What about the Transfiguration Curse? What about Porton's identity?" Ace said Tate was very dissatisfied with Dumbledore's shirk responsibility.

Snape raised his eyebrows, "Then how long are you going to keep it from me, Miss Collins?"

"I'm just—just—worrying about you, your situation, you know, telling you—it's not safe," Esther stammered.

"Seems like I've lost Miss Collins' trust?" Snape moved closer to her, shrinking her even more.

"Okay, Severus, let's get down to business first," Dumbledore said.

Snape finally left Esther and sat down in the armchair by the table.Esther breathed a sigh of relief, the feeling of having survived the catastrophe made her more tired than before.But she still cheered up and reported the work during this period to Dumbledore.

"The time they decided to transfer Harry is next Saturday evening?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yes, Mad-Eye himself will apparate Harry away. A while ago he asked Kingsley to give the Auror office some false information, making them think Harry would be there until the end. That would avoid The Ministry of Magic interfered with the operation," said Est.

"Voldemort will not let him leave Privet Drive easily. The Ministry of Magic has been infiltrated, and the transfer method that can be detected by magic is not safe. It should be like last time, arrange for guards to take Harry to leave without using spells. Dumbledore said, "At the next meeting, you propose to use Polyjuice Potion to make six doubles, and the seven Harrys are transferred to different safe houses together, which should ensure Harry's safety."

He then said to Snape, "Severus, you must tell Voldemort the exact date of Harry's transfer. He thinks you are very well-informed. If you don't, you will be suspected. There is a stand-in plan, and Harry will not have one." Danger."

"What about the others?" Snape asked sullenly.

"If you don't tell, Voldemort will find out too. Are there no Death Eaters patrolling Privet Drive now? You can further gain trust by telling him. The longer he trusts you, the better, otherwise Hogwarts will At the mercy of the Carlo brothers and sisters. You promised me to protect the teachers and students of Hogwarts."

Snape looked at Dumbledore silently, as if silently protesting.

"Then our mission this time is to send more people to die?" Esther hissed, "Dumbledore, why do you send people to die every time you give us a mission? We look alike Hangman?"

"I'm sorry, but I insist. This is War Est."

"But it's a pointless sacrifice."

"This will save more people. Think about Hogwarts students, they are the future of the wizarding world, and you want to ruin that future at the hands of Death Eaters?"

Esther bit her lip, "You're always right, Dumbledore."

"It's not easy for me to make this decision, believe me." Dumbledore showed a tired expression, "Also, Esther, you must not act like you know that the Death Eaters will attack. If you can't, Just don't take part in this operation."

"I have to get involved," said Esther irritably. "After Severus left, Sirius didn't like me as a Slytherin. After this operation, everyone will definitely think that someone has leaked the news." , not being involved in the operation is more suspicious. I know how to keep a secret, and you know I'm good at it."

"Very well, then, Severus," Dumbledore said to Snape again, "if you have to take part in the chase, do so convincingly, and if Esther is your target..."

"Dumbledore!" Snape exclaimed angrily.After a while of silence, he sighed helplessly, "I know."

The author has something to say:

Am I a little too fast, there are still a few chapters to come to an end, I don’t know if everyone is mentally prepared, anyway, I am not...