PLEASE READ NOTE AT END

1 November, 2024
6:00 p.m. / 18:00
light rain, cloudy
@Évodie Ndoto Masudi

Black suit. Black shirt. Dark red tie. A boutonniere with cornflowers and the wampus ornament Sarai gave him that fateful day. His hand brushed over it yet once more. For luck, for comfort.

The Headmaster's office did not feel like home still. He almost missed his small office. He certainly missed his students, and the words trapped in those walls. Today was about mourning, yes, but this was not that mourning. Perhaps for one of the first times in his thirty-four years he was nervous, clinging to the familiar as if it could provide stable ground to stand on.

Fabian grabbed his raincoat and practically quick marched out. He had a job to do.

Classes had been cancelled for the day. A long weekend for everyone. The evening was dismal, a fitting mood as well as a cruel joke he supposed as the drizzle hit his coat and tiny splooshes accompanied his steps along the outdoor path to the entrance of the Great Hall. There, the headmaster met his staff, similarly clad, huddled under shelter as much as they could be.

He tried to meet as many gazes as possible as hazel eyes scanned the group of adults. "Thank you all for doing this," he said. "I am very grateful, and the students will be, too." A reassuring nod was given to the newest among them and the more uncomfortable and nervous before the tip of his wand lit with the soft blue of Lumos. The staff formed a line, Fabian heading it, entering the Great Hall.

The large room, filled with students, as many as were willing and able to come and honor the fallen, was the most silent it had ever and would ever be during Fabian's career, perhaps in all of its existence. The tapping of shoes was heard acutely as staff made their way up to the front, to the professors' tables where Fabian had just taken a meager breakfast that morning, a rare appearance hoping to provide some semblance of comfort to the students.

Fabian took his place at the podium erected, casting a silent voice-amplification charm on himself. There were so many eyes trained on him, so many young souls bearing so much grief, so many tears both shed and waiting to fall. There were a thousand conversations to be had, a million little moments of assurance. He did not want to be up here, they did not need him up here. He would do best amongst them, having the conversations and the little moments. Actually helping. His fingers tightened around the edge of the podium.

"My dear students," he began, a gentle quality to his voice not usually present. "We are gathered here today to honor, to mourn, and to look forward. You are all very aware of the tragedy which occurred during our trip to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There was a great loss there. Today, we honor the fallen, both those who walked among us here in these halls and our friends across the seas. We come to mourn them, to grieve lives cut short." He paused, staring down at the podium. Just a moment. Just a moment to compose himself. His voice was significantly quieter when he continued. "We mourn the friends we lost. We remember them and their sacrifice."

He needed to be strong now. He needed to regain momentum. "This tragedy marks the end of an era. It marks the beginning of a new administration, a new unity, and redoubled efforts to ensure more lives are not cut short. In times of trouble, we turn to allies and friends, and we work to make things better. We lend our time, talents, and treasures to those who call on us for aid, and to brightening the future." He paused. He hoped he had at least started to light the beacon of hope for them, but it was hard to tell. "Today we remember, and we learn. There is a proverb I was told when I was younger than most of you here, and it is one that has given me hope and strength through this time of sadness. I will share it in hopes that it will perhaps provide you strength and reassurance that the future remains light." He cleared his throat. "In my mother tongue, it is this: Auch aus Steinen, die einem in den Weg gelegt werden, kann man Schönes bauen. It translates to this: Even from stones placed in one's path, one can build something beautiful. And it means this: Even from challenges, from hard times, you can forge a better future."

A soft exhale, even with his voice amplified. He stepped aside from the podium. "Headmistress Ndoto of Uagadou has been gracious enough to honor us with her presence this day. After she speaks, there will be a time for you all to. I know you will give her the same respect you give me." The amplification charm was ended, the stage now Ndoto's. He would give her a slight bow as she took the stage, shake her hand should she initiate, and join his staff at the sidelines.

Auch aus Steinen, die einem in den Weg gelegt werden, kann man Schönes bauen
Even from stones placed in one's path, one can build something beautiful

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