This is it, folks. The last chapter before new canon. A mere few hours, and we'll know it all. In the meantime:
Many students are being pulled out of Hogwarts, but most are sticking around for Dumbledore's funeral. Bill's scars haven't healed, but his only other lasting effect from his attack seems to be a liking for very rare steaks (which Fleur is happy to provide, as in her opinion, the English always overcook their meat). Harry spends most of his time with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, taking comfort in their presence, and imagining what it would have been like to spend time with them had Dumbledore not died. The night before Dumbledore's funeral, Ginny comments that she's become reconciled to Fleur and Bill's marriage, and then goes to bed early (kissing Harry on the way out, awwww). Hermione takes the opportunity to tell Harry that she was actually almost right about Elileen Prince-- the book had been hers, and Snape was her son. Harry can barely stand to think about his experiences with the Half-Blood Prince and his old Potions book.
Harry can't stop thinking about the Horcruxes, and how Dumbledore can no longer help him. He dreads the funeral the next day, not knowing what to expect-- and not really willing to accept that Dumbledore is truly dead. The day of the funeral finally arrives, and Harry and the rest of the school make their way towards the lake. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione sit down, and Harry notes those who have come to say good-bye to Dumbledore, including Rita Skeeter and Dolores Umbridge. The centaurs emerge from the wood to pay their tribute, as do the merpeople from the lake. At last, Hagrid arrives, carrying Dumbledore's body wrapped in a purple shroud embroidered with gold stars. Hagrid places Dumbledore's body on a table at the front of the crowd, then walks to the back row to sit next to Grawp. Harry can't really hear what is being said, and starts daydreaming, occasionally thinking of something that makes him want to smile or laugh. As Harry wonders what's wrong with him, whoever was speaking finishes, and Harry looks up expentantly. Suddenly, flames engulf the table where Dumbledore's body lay, and in the smoke, Harry thinks he sees a phoenix flying into the sky. But then the smoke vanishes, and in its place stands a white tomb. The centaurs shot arrows into the air, the merpeople give a farewell shriek, and Harry looks at his friends. Ron looks like he's trying to stop himself from crying, Hermione can't stop the tears, but Ginny has that hard, blazing look on her face.
Harry knows then that Ginny anticipates what Harry's going to say, and that she understands and will not argue. Harry gathers his courage and says what he's been putting off saying-- that they can't be together anymore. Ginny just smiles sadly and says that it's for some stupid, noble reason. Harry tells Ginny that the last few weeks have been something out of someone else's life, being with her, but that if they stay together, she'll become a target. Ginny says that she doesn't care, but Harry insists that he cares, and that he couldn't stand it if this was her funeral that he was attending. Ginny admits that she knew this was coming. She knew he'd never be happy unless he was fighting Voldemort, and maybe that's why she liked him so much. She also admits that she never really gave up on him, but that Hermione had advised her to move on, become more comfortable in Harry's presence, and then maybe he'd get a chance to get to know her better. Finally, Harry can't stand to listen. Miserably, he gets up and walks away.
Almost immediately, he's accosted by Rufus Scrimgeour, trying to get Harry on the ministry's side again. Harry steadfastly refuses not only to become the Minstry's poster boy, but also to reveal where he and Dumbledore had gone the night of his death. After having shaken Scrimgeour, Ron and Hermione catch up. As Ron and Hermione wonder if Hogwarts will remain open next year, Harry declares that even if it is, he's not coming back. He's going to Godric's Hollow, and then try find the Horcruxes. Ron and hermione declare that they're going with him. Harry tries to put them off, not wanting them to be in any more danger than they have to, but they declare that they're with him, no matter what happens.
Harry is almost overwhelmed by their support, and agrees to let them accompany him. But then Ron says that before they go to Godric's Hollow, they've got to go to the Burrow first, for Bill and Fleur's wedding. As Harry happily looks forward to one more day of peace with Ron and Hermione, the book ends.
See you on the other side, folks.