At that moment, an inner door inside the temple was opened by the clergy wizards, announcing that the funeral had officially begun.
The master of Hogwarts, Allen Harris, slowly walked forward from the entrance along the aisle between the seats. Anka perched on his shoulder, its golden tail feathers hanging down in front of him and falling over a jar he held in his arms, a vessel carved entirely from a single piece of crystal. Half a jar of ashes trembled faintly inside with each step Allen took.
The sight made some of the wizards who saw it feel uncomfortable. To use a transparent jar so everyone could see Professor Flitwick's ashes—this strange, Ravenclaw-style way of doing things left them utterly baffled. It seemed far too unconventional, and not particularly respectful to the deceased himself.
Professor McGonagall, who had always liked rules, nodded with some satisfaction at this moment. Only wizards who understood Flitwick well enough could grasp Allen's intention—as the head of Ravenclaw, a house with what could practically be called a greedy thirst for knowledge, Flitwick certainly would not have wanted to remain in a sealed space cut off from all light after his death.
Following behind Allen, Katie and another priest carried trays with glass covers, beneath which Professor Flitwick's wizarding robes and wand floated suspended.
The Ravens on the ceiling seemed to have become organized, following and circling above Allen's head all the way until he reached the broad table at the very center and carefully placed the crystal jar on the stone table. The Ravens circled clockwise around the stone table, then fluttered up to some of the beams and pillars at the very top of the temple, waiting quietly for the funeral to begin.
Now the temple Choir and the Hogwarts Choir sang a