Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, JK Rowling does!

Authors Note: This is a re-upload of the story I had up awhile ago under a different name....done as a request from Emile. This also started as a story before the final book came out but I still haven't finished it yet so be patient for the updates ;)

Chapter 1 – The Farewell Feast

Harry made some excuse to leave his friends behind beside the lake. He just wanted to be alone for awhile to think. He didn't have a complete plan to go with yet in order to get to all the horcruxes. Ron and Hermione helping would speed everything along but they would still need a plan. Then there was Ginny; he didn't believe that Gin would not follow him just because of what he had told her at the funeral. He knew the Weasley's and they were determined when they wanted to be, he knew that Ginny would hex him to kingdom come and Harry probably wouldn't defend himself from such an attack because it was Ginny. He imagined the bat bogey hex and shuddered. Harry found himself wandering the castle, it was very still and Harry took this as a sign of people packing or mourning in their houses. In the end he was in the vicinity of the room of requirement. He paced back and forth not with a clear thought in his mind and as usual after his third pass a door appeared. He wondered what he would find inside.

He opened the door to find a room of many different colours, probably a reflection of my mood and mixture of thoughts. Then there was a fire and on top of the mantelpiece was placed a photo album. He went over to the fireplace and picked the album up. It contained some of his favourite photographs. There was the one of Ron, Hermione and Harry on a snowy day in Hogsmeade. Next to it was a picture of his mum and dad on their wedding day, a picture of Sirius laughing at something his dad was saying to him, a picture of the whole of the Weasley's with Hermione and Harry and last but not least a picture of Ginny and Harry. This last was Harry's favourite picture and even though it was him who suggested them breaking up his heart still broke as he saw it. He abruptly sat down on the comfy sofa and drawing his legs up to his chin he could feel the tears falling down his cheeks.

It was in this pose that Ron and Hermione found him sitting a few hours later. As they walked into the room and took in the sight before them, (Harry had allowed the room of requirement to let them in) he looked up with tearstained cheeks and greeted them quietly, "hi guys." Hermione immediately rushed over to him and took him into a tight hug, one that almost took up all his breath but not quite. Hermione had learned to temper her hugs after awhile so Harry and Ron were able to breathe. Ron meanwhile had gone to sit on the sofa near Harry and was patiently waiting for the hug to stop. After what seemed like hours to Harry but was in fact a couple of minutes Hermione pulled away and sat on the floor looking up at Harry and Ron.

"Hey mate, we wanted to leave you alone for awhile, but McGonagall came into the common room looking for you. She insisted we go and find you and tell you that she wants to see you in her of-f-fice," said Ron choking somewhat on the word office as if he had just realised that her office was now the old headmaster's office. Harry looked at Ron sympathetically and he mentally thanked Ron and Hermione for not telling McGonagall where he would be and for letting him have some time for himself. He sighed loudly and then got up slowly unbending his stiff muscles. "I'll see you guys later?" Harry asked more questioning than stating.

"Yes, Harry," said Hermione talking for the first time "we will see you at the farewell feast." Her tone brooked no argument and Harry knew that if he didn't go to it Hermione would come find him and make him go to it.

"Ok, Hermione, see you later Ron." With that he swept out of the room. Hermione and Ron ended up sitting there for awhile deep in their own thoughts, each wondering how they would help Harry in the time to come and also thinking about what they would have to do to avoid Ginny.

Harry walked to the headmistresses office in a daze, there was still no one in the corridors and the few people that were just let him go past without too much fuss. He found himself in front of the two gargoyles and they opened immediately without asking for a password. Harry jumped in surprise and then pushing his curiosity aside he strode up to the revolving staircase and as always ended up by the door to the headmistress's office. He knocked and walked in on her word.

"Ah Harry, come in, come in," said Professor McGonagall indicating a chair for him to sit in. He looked around to see Professor's Slughorn, Flitwick, Sprout, Hagrid and the Minister for Magic Rufus Scrimgeour sitting around the desk. He sat down a little bit annoyed by the fact that Scrimgeour was present when he specifically had asked Professor McGonagall to allow him not to see him. However, he said nothing of this annoyance and simply looked to Professor McGonagall for an explanation. He got one: "We are all present to hear the reading of Professor Dumbledore's will, Professor Dumbledore you may now proceed," McGonagall said this while looking up behind Harry at something. Harry looked round to find Dumbledore's painting awake and waiting to gain everyone's attention. When he got it he immediately started to talk.

"Ok, Minerva, I would like you to go to the cabinet over by Fawkes' perch and open the door." McGonagall did as she was told and gasped at what she found inside, there were many, many letters addressed to various people. "Minerva I would like the school owls to distribute these letters to the people addressed and on the top you will find a letters addressed to everyone in this room. Before you open them I would like to tell you generally what should happen with my possessions. Fawkes will not survive much longer in this form. I am guessing that Hagrid is looking after him at the moment, is that correct?"

"Yes, Professor, sir," replied Hagrid.

"Hagrid, he will probably flame again very soon, however, when he is reborn he will not be reborn in the same way. Hagrid, before Harry leaves I need you to give Fawkes to Harry for him to look after. It is a necessity I am afraid. Harry, when Fawkes is reborn you need to give him another name because with my death he will no longer be Fawkes as you knew him. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir, but why is it a necessity for me to have Fawkes?" Harry asked.

"Everything is explained in the letter, Harry, read it well. Minister, although I do not have anything to leave for you, I do have a message for you and that is to do everything in your power to stop Voldemort and to help anyone who asks for it."

"Of course Albus, now if I could I need to go back to the Ministry," said Scrimgeour.

"You may go, Minister," replied the painting. With that Scrimgeour took some floo powder threw it into the fire and shouted "Minister of Magic's office" and with green fire he was gone. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, he had not said a word to Harry and Harry was relieved that he didn't have another confrontation. Everyone turned back to the painting.

"Now, I leave all the money in my vault to the Order and I would like to make Minerva the head of the Order in place of myself. Minerva, you should call a meeting as soon as possible especially as there must be security for Bill and Fleur's wedding."

"Of course Albus, we will do everything we can to protect everyone at the wedding." Said McGonagall.

"Now, take your letters, read them well, and I can only hope that the school will reopen and that not too many lives will be lost in the upcoming struggle." With his last words, the painting sat down and started to snooze as if nothing had happened in the last half an hour. McGonagall silently handed each of the occupants of the room their letters. She found the letter for the Minister of Magic and sighed, "I suppose I better owl the rest of these letters, the Minster forgot his as well." Harry felt that he needed to get out of that office and to that effect, he asked: "Professor, may I leave now?"

"Of course, Harry, you may go, Hagrid would you go with him, you need to give him Fawkes of course."

"Righ' Professor, o' course I'll go wit' 'arry," and with that they left the room silently. Professors Flitwick and Sprout leaving a few minutes later.

Harry and Hagrid walked silently to Hagrid's newly rebuilt hut where Fawkes was waiting for them, Harry reflected that Fawkes really didn't look too well, but didn't say this to Hagrid.

"Righ' 'arry, take Fawkes 'ere on yer shoulder, 'e will grip on well enough. Don' worry abou' feedin' 'im 'e hunts fer food himself," said Hagrid and he brought Fawkes up to sit on Harry's shoulder.

"Thanks Hagrid, I will see you at the farewell feast later, I would like to have some time on my own, read this letter," replied Harry quietly.

"O' course 'arry, I need to read mine an' all." Hagrid sat down heavily at the table and looked forlornly at his letter, he didn't even have Fang to comfort him now. Harry left the hut and started to where Dumbledore's tomb was shining in the sunlight. He sat down in front of the tomb and slowly opened his letter; he smiled to see the address on the envelope:

Harry Potter,

Albus Dumbledore's tomb,

Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry.

It was just one more mystery that Harry would probably never ever solve. Fawkes hopped off Harry's shoulder and sat down onto the shining tomb which was inscribed, Albus Dumbledore, the only one Voldemort was ever afraid of, one of the best headmaster's Hogwarts has ever had. Harry looked back at his letter, it was now or never.

Meanwhile back in the Gryffindor common room, Hermione and Ron were arguing again.

"Ronald, yes I know that Harry has probably now finished with the meeting in Professor McGonagall's office but you will NOT go after him. He needs time and space for the moment, he will come to the farewell feast because he knows that I will go after him if he doesn't," said Hermione almost shouting.

"Ok, ok, whatever you say I just think that someone should talk to him or something," said Ron backing down slightly. They were interrupted by Ginny.

"Don't worry I will go find him in a couple of hours, we need to talk anyway and by then he should be ready to talk," said Ginny sounding calmer than she was actually feeling.

"How will you find him?" asked Ron.

"Don't worry, I will know where to find him when the time comes, now shouldn't you two be packing right about now, I know you haven't packed a thing yet, you have been too busy harping on at each other. Now go pack." This last was an order that neither Hermione nor Ron dared defy, they went quickly up their respective staircases to pack.

Ginny had just decided that it was time to go and get Harry because the farewell feast was in an hours time and they needed some time to talk. She left her dormitory and slipped out of the portrait hole without anyone seeing her. Ginny on instinct walked out of the entrance hall into the grounds and looked around. Finally she saw a figure sitting by Dumbledore's tomb and what looked like some kind of bird sitting on the tomb. She moved slowly towards the tomb, she didn't want to startle the person sitting there, as she believed that he must be Harry. Instead she was startled as the head looked up and emerald eyes connected with her own in a penetrating gaze. Just as suddenly he looked up he glanced back down at the letter in his left hand. He didn't want to scare Ginny anyway and he knew that they needed to talk.

Ginny sat down next to him and Harry silently handed her the letter, then sat back to gaze at Fawkes. Ginny opened the letter and began to read,

Harry,

If you have received this letter then I must have passed on. I am forced to believe that it is because I have been killed after our encounter with that cave. Harry I must stress that everything happens for a reason and thus my death also had a reason. I know that you must be very distressed and I know probably very angry with me for writing so calmly about my death. I also know that you are very angry at whomever killed me, however, if my death was the result of something at the hands of Severus Snape then there is some important advice that I must give to you.

Harry, yes it was him who gave the part of the prophecy that he heard to Voldemort, however, at that time he sincerely believed in his cause. He has to play a character which is not entirely his own. He hated your father yes, and that is one reason for his treatment of you and other people on the other hand he couldn't treat you or your friends with anything less than a dreadful attitude because there have been and are spies everywhere. If Professor Snape has killed me then know that it was very necessary. It is more important that he should be living than me. I know you do not agree with this but in time I think that you will understand why it is so.

Now you must be wondering why it is necessary for you to have a phoenix. The first thing you must know about phoenixes is that they are fiercely loyal. They can deliver a letter or message in a split second and they are very strong. Akin to the house elves, phoenixes have their own magic and this is very useful, you will have a bond that will be with you for the whole of your life. You must leave something to say who will have the phoenix after your death as although they change appearances with each new owner they only move on after death.

Harry, I can guess that after my death you will have been blaming yourself for not being able to help me in some way and that this is another person who cared for you has died and it is seemingly your fault. This may have led to the conclusion that you must break up with one Miss Weasley. I beg you to reconsider, as you know love is your strength and with it is the only way to defeating Voldemort. You cannot give her or your friends up, let them come with you to search for the horcruxes. Let them help and let Ginny lead you on to the battle to come. Please Harry I beg of you reconsider and let Ginny in. Also I know that you probably will not have told Professor McGonagall about the horcruxes, I advise that you tell her, but make sure that she does not give the information to the rest of the Order. Tell her to look in the pensieve at the memories that we explored together.

I do not know whether the School will reopen, if it does then I know that I have no hope of persuading you to go back in this letter but perhaps Professor McGonagall will be able to persuade you instead, I can but hope.

Harry, you must move on, as I know I said something like this to you in your first year death is just the next adventure. I will be with you, as your parents, as Sirius will be always.

Live a good life and good luck,

From Professor Dumbledore.

Ginny finished reading the letter and there were tears on her face as she looked at him. He reached over and brushed them away and then pulled her into a hug. He whispered in her ear: "I am so sorry Gin, you know that I love you right? I just don't want people hurt and he wants me to suffer before I die. He wants to kill everyone I love, especially those closest to me."

"Harry, I know, he tried to kill me in your second year, he knows you he knows me and he knows everyone of your friends. Being apart will not stop him coming after me or anyone else. Everyone knows that and everyone is prepared for anything. Just let me come, we will all help you," pleaded Ginny gently pulling away from Harry's grasp.

Harry looked at Ginny and realised that he couldn't let her go again and that he really would need her in the end, no matter what happened. He nodded his agreement and they embraced again. Fawkes flew back to Harry's shoulder, then together they walked up to the castle. Arriving in the great hall they found everyone already seated and so they had no choice but to make an entrance. As they walked towards the two empty spaces next to Ron and Hermione everyone looked up at them it must have been a strange sight with Fawkes sitting on Harry's shoulder but everyone took it in their stride. Once they were seated, Professor McGonagall stood up to make an announcement.

"As you all know a great tragedy has befallen us, Professor Dumbledore has passed away," as she looked around the room most of the students had sad faces while some of the Slytherin's looked like they couldn't care less that Dumbledore had died, she went on "the Hogwart's express will be leaving at 11 O'clock tomorrow morning and I ask you all to be on time. We are not sure at the moment whether this school will reopen, however, if it does not you are all still welcome to come and seek sanctuary here in a time of need. Now the school sorting hat has a few words to say." She started clapping as she put the hat on the table in front of her. As the clapping abated the cap started speaking.

"I know that I am only the sorting hat but I was there when founders split up. I know that it is very difficult for Slytherin's to work with Gryffindor's and yet I feel that an effort must be made. Devastation in the form of losing a great headmaster is not easy to get over and in this time of uncertainty everyone must work together. I know that you may disregard this warning as I am sure you did at the beginning of the year and yet I feel that I have to reiterate the need for working together. You must support each other, use what you have learnt and stay loyal to the light. All those loyal to the light must try and persuade those loyal to the dark to change their stance, even if you cannot succeed you must try. Now on with the Farewell feast may I be given another chance to see your faces in the next year, but if this is impossible then Good Luck"

The hat fell silent and in this silence Harry and his friends started clapping and thus spurred the rest of the hall to add its applause. McGonagall stood up again and called for silence "now let the feast begin." With a wide gesture food appeared on the table before them. Everyone started eating although not many people managed to eat a lot, everything was just too sad. Instead Harry turned to Hermione sitting next to him and said "in the morning at breakfast do you think that we should try and mix the tables up a bit and make it so that all the houses sit where they want?"

"Harry, that is a brilliant idea!!!!" replied Hermione enthusiastically, "Although it is going to be difficult to include the Slytherin's in this."

"No, it is easy enough to get the younger Slytherin's to sit with us, we just sit down by them and start up a conversation. I propose we send a note to one person in the DA from each of the houses and tell them what we propose, then try it in the morning," said Harry having already made a plan.

"Harry, do we really have to sit with them?" asked Ron a little pathetically.

"Ron, you heard what the hat said right? Well we just need to put it into practice and who knows we may be able to save some people by cooperation. The little snakes may not then follow their parents in following Voldemort" he ignored the shudders around him and ploughed on "they may just realise that they need to go against him." The table was silent around their little group and in the end they agreed to implement this plan of action. The end of the feast came and everyone went up to their dormitories. Harry sent messages to the other houses with the use of Hedwig, Fawkes was not yet well enough to do anything but sit on Harry's shoulder.

The common rooms emptied quickly as everyone sought their beds and all through the castle there was not a sound apart from the occasional snore.

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Authors Note: I have portrayed that Fang is dead, am not sure if that is true in HBP.

Also please review, first hp fic.