Before long, the professors at the Staff Table heard the news as well. A burst of incredulous discussion erupted there, but after Dumbledore confirmed it, they all fell silent.
Professor Sprout raised a hand to wipe at the corners of her eyes and said sorrowfully, "What a pity... She was still so young..."
At the House tables, the students who had initially thought it was just a rumor finally had no choice but to believe it. Lee Jordan of Gryffindor rubbed his nose and said in a muffled voice:
"Actually, she was my favorite professor... At a time like this, I think we need an elegy."
He had expected a knowing response, but when he turned around, he did not see the Twins' familiar red hair.
Only then did Lee Jordan remember that something had happened to the Weasley Family. The Twins, Ron, and Ginny were not here.
A double sense of loss gripped him, making him feel even sadder.
Just then, Angelina Johnson, captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, suddenly picked up the silver dinner knife beside her and gently tapped the glass before her.
"Ding!"
After the crisp chime, Angelina lowered her gaze, watching the juice ripple faintly in her glass as she began to hum slowly:
"Castle stone walls remember your soft footsteps, Winding stairs remember your laughter's echo, Last night, the corridor portraits whispered low, That a figure would never again pass by the windows..."
This was an elegy written by students in memory of Dilys Derwent, a celebrated Headmaster in Hogwarts history, when the kind Headmaster had died in office.
At first, Angelina's was the only voice in the Great Hall.
But Aelia Spinnet beside her soon began humming along, followed by Katie Bell several seats away.
The voices gathered like streams, flowing from the