When Professor McGonagall approached the white marble tomb, the entire crowd fell silent.
After listening quietly to her eulogy for Albus Dumbledore—
But when she added, "Hogwarts will also embrace its future," murmurs began anew. Many people—students, professors, and Ministry officials alike—began whispering among themselves, speculating on the meaning behind Professor McGonagall's words.
Professor McGonagall seemed unfazed, continuing in her stern, emotionless tone:
"In the summer of 990 AD, the four greatest wizards in all of Britain: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Helga Hufflepuff, came to this very land beneath our feet.
In their time, Muggles feared magic intensely, and many wizards and witches faced persecution—especially young wizards who struggled to master their powers..."
"...The four founders resolved to establish a school—a school solely for wizards—hidden from muggle eyes, to protect and teach young wizards who struggled to master their powers.
Thus Hogwarts was founded, its four houses named after them..."
"...Hogwarts' legacy endured for nearly a thousand years.
After a millennium, the castle itself developed its own consciousness and wisdom. It would actively choose its own helmsman, its own heir, its own guardian. Hogwarts would select its own Headmaster..."
"From Brian Gaigewald in the year 1032, the first Headmaster appointed by Hogwarts... to Phineas Black in 1872, Armando Dippet in 1926, and Albus Dumbledore in 1943..."
"And now, in the year 1997, Professor Albus Dumbledore, the last headmaster to date, has left us forever.
Before that, Hogwarts had already chosen its new headmaster!"
"Is it you, Professor McGonagall?" Rita Skeeter sprang to her feet, seemingly thrilled at the prospect of landing a major scoop. "You mean to say you'll be taking over as the new Headmistress of Hogwarts?"
Her pale green Self-Writing Quill began scrawling furiously across her notebook.
"No, it's not me." Professor McGonagall shook her head coldly. "Hogwarts has not granted me the position of Headmistress...
The new Headmaster it has chosen is Jon Hart!"
Rita Skeeter's large, chin-heavy face suddenly froze with her mouth hanging wide open.
As a journalist with a keen nose for stories, she knew exactly who Jon Hart was.
In fact, besides attending Albus Dumbledore's funeral, she had come to Hogwarts today hoping to interview this "boy who lived" who had escaped from You-Know-Who...
But now she suddenly realized that Hogwarts' "news" was even more explosive than she had imagined.
At that very moment, a loud bang echoed.
Rita's pale green Self-Writing Quill exploded from excitement, shattering into several pieces.
...
Unlike Rita, most of the wizards present had no idea who "Jon Hart" was.
People tend to forget quickly.
Perhaps they had heard the name two years earlier—the youngest participant in Triwizard Tournament history, Hogwarts' Champion, brutally murdered by You-Know-Who.
Two years were more than enough for people to forget.
"Who exactly is Jon Hart... Could he be a foreign wizard?" Rufus Scrimgeour, for instance, was discussing with the Minister. "Why does this name not ring a deeper chord with me?"
Of course, many still remembered the name.
"Jon?" Harry Potter froze, staring in shock. "That can't be..."
"Is Professor McGonagall joking?" Ron looked around in disbelief, trying to spot him in the crowd. "Today isn't April Fools' Day... and Professor McGonagall isn't the type to joke around!"
"I knew it..." Hermione Granger showed a triumphant expression at first, but within seconds her excitement turned into stunned disbelief.
"But... he's not even seventeen yet..."
The situation at the Hufflepuff table was no different.
There was none of the usual cheering and celebration that normally followed a Hufflepuff student's achievement.
Instead, the students looked at each other in confusion before finally turning their gazes toward Jon.
"Is it really Jon?" Hannah Abbott whispered.
"Unbelievable, but it seems so..." Ernie Macmillan said quietly, his face full of disbelief. "I've never known Professor McGonagall to joke—especially at a moment like this..."
"Good heavens, Pomona!" Professor Flitwick removed his hat and scratched his head. "It couldn't be... that Hart from your house? The one who just returned to Hogwarts a few days ago?"
"It seems so!" Professor Sprout nodded blankly. "But this is absurd!"
"I agree!" Professor Flitwick said at once.
"You knew all along, Astoria!" Daphne stared blankly for a moment before turning to her calm and composed sister.
"Mhm." Astoria nodded.
Daphne's expression turned conflicted.
"No wonder… He really is something…" she murmured so quietly that only those nearby could hear.
The entire graveyard erupted into noisy discussion.
All the witches and wizards were discussing the news excitedly.
Some were asking who Jon Hart actually was, while others were questioning why it had to be him.
...
Jon hesitated for a moment.
He hadn't expected Professor McGonagall to reveal the matter so openly in front of such a large crowd.
But he wasn't flustered.
Calmly, he stood up and walked from the back of the crowd all the way to the white marble tomb.
Along the way, he could feel every eye within hundreds of yards fixed on him.
After giving Professor McGonagall a nod, Jon turned to face the increasingly noisy crowd, their chatter growing louder and more irritating.
"Quiet, please!" Jon Hart called out loudly.