Setting: a huge, empty stage in a huge, mostly-empty theatre. Lily steps out between the drawn, fading red curtains nervously and clears her throat, tapping on the microphone. "Hello, I'm Lily," she says nervously.

There is a polite smattering of applause from the gathered 70 people who have alerted, 41 people who have favorited, and handful of people who have contributed to the 111 reviews. Lily flushes and raises her hand. The audience is quiet.

"Thank you all for being here tonight. I'd like to thank you all so much for your patience and continued support." More quiet applause. Lily waits while it echoes thinly in the huge room. "I have a few announcements I'd like to make." She pulls a note card out of her pocket. "First of all, mjmusiclover, I keep trying to reply to your amazing reviews but you have pms disabled. So thank you for everything. Second, to Melissa, my anonymous reviewer, you leave lovely commentary. Thank you. Third, to all of you, I start school on Wednesday. As I said in the last chapter, a new post might not come for two weeks. I ask that you continue to be beautiful, patient readers. I'm cautioning you right now that this story is going to be excessively long. I've barely started. I hope you're in for a good, long read. I should mention that this next chapter isn't really a chapter. It's just an extra feature I know you've all been waiting for. Finally…" She puts the paper away and beams widely. "Finally, I'd like to pull a J.K. Rowling and tell you all that I've written the very last chapter of Fallen from Grace, and that it is locked up in a secret place where none of you can reach it. I'm going to be a total bitch and tell you I've decided which characters make it, and how, and why. And that's all I'm letting you know."

Sniggering, Lily runs off, dodging the rotten tomatoes that the gathered crowd is now throwing at her.

Chapter-That's-Not-Really-A-Chapter

Ginerva Potter's Papers

The following letters and diary entries have been found in the remains of the Potter Estate, fifty years after the death of Albus Severus Potter, the last resident of the Potter Manor. Mr. Potter's grandchildren have donated these papers to biographers as we do our best to document the lives of the legendary Boy-Who-Lived and those closest to him. Harry Potter's personal papers are currently under investigation.

Friday, May 2, 1997

Ginny –

You haven't heard from Hermione, have you? Only, Harry and I went out on a jaunt to Surry a week ago, and she wasn't there when we came back. She hasn't come back to Headquarters ever since.

She's been in The Prophet, though. I hope you're still getting it. They're trying to say that she's Malfoy's new consort, or some bullshit like that. The Prophet's a load of rubbish, Gin. Don't listen to it.

But if you've gotten any letters or anything, could you please let us know?

Hi to Neville and Luna.

Love,

Ron

Saturday, May 3, 1997

Dear Ginny,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. I haven't heard much from you since you first made contact with Alina Moen. Ron and I are sending good thoughts your way in hopes that Ms. Moen can help you reach out to other American witches and wizards.

Please also give my greetings to Neville and Luna. I'm sure that Luna has been hearing from her father, but The Quibbler is growing stronger because of The Prophet's inconsistencies. Xenophilius is currently under Order surveillance - can't give the details, of course, in case this gets intercepted. He's in good hands, and the best protection that we can offer.

I don't know how much Ron told you in his last letter, but Hermione's still missing. She's still popping up on the front page of The Prophet now and again, but things aren't looking good, and we haven't been in contact with her much. You still haven't heard from her, have you?

We're doing the best we can over here, but there's not enough of us. I've written with Neville and he reckons he and Luna can do fine over there all by themselves. We want you to come home, Gin. We need you.

If you could owl back by tomorrow, we'll come pick you up at your earliest convenience. We're not sure how long we need you here, but I'm confident that Neville and Luna can do fine without you.

Ron sends his love, and I send even more.

I can't wait to see you again, hold you again, tell you I love you in person.

Yours,

Harry

The undated note in Harry Potter's handwriting was attached to the article below.

1:20 AM, Borgin almost caught Ron tripping over a Hand of Glory. Gin, look into Ministry's quick cover-up. What does Voldemort know??

The Quibbler

May 15, 1997

Strange news from Knockturn Alley last night, and even stranger is the way that it contradicts itself. At eight yesterday morning, Mr. Borgin, of Borgin and Burkes, reported having seen two unidentified figures in his store past closing – well past midnight. Mr. Borgin claimed that the two had stolen a locket, which is rumored to have belonged to Salazar Slytherin.

Later that afternoon, the Ministry of Magic issued a press release, announcing, among other things, that "Mr. Borgin has confirmed that in fact nothing was stolen during the break in to his shop yesterday," that " Salazar Slytherin's locket has not been seen for centuries," and that they are still looking for the perpetrators of the crime.

It is the opinion of this paper that the whole affair has been publicized to cover up the more pressing (and more confidential) issue of the Nargle swarm in Eastern Europe.

An excerpt from Ginerva's personal diary.

May 20, 1997

Harry's mantra: snake, something of Hufflepuff's, something of Ravenclaw's. Crossed off the list: the diary, the ring, the locket. But that only adds up to six. After all the trouble Dumbledore went through to tell Harry about the importance of seven, I cannot in good conscience believe there is not one more. I'm afraid to know what it is.

Today, a box full of Polyjuice Potion appeared on the door of number 12. There was a note attached that read only, "Use it well." Harry says we should trust it – he's seen those words before. Ron says we should force-feed Kreacher some to be sure it's safe. I'll murder him if he does.

Still no word from Hermione. Waiting for a reply from Mr. Lovegood.

Ginny

The next letter was found covered in peculiar doodles – a circle with a line through it in the middle of a triangle.

Dear Potter and Weasleys:

The symbol printed in last week's edition of The Quibbler is a little-known ruin from one of wizardkind's most famous fables.

If you have any interest in the story of the Deathly Hallows, I suggest a rendezvous at my house at 10 next Saturday morning.

Yours,

X. Lovegood.

Also found, ripped out around the time of the letter, are pages from Ms. Rita Skeeter's book, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. These pages include the same symbol and a hastily scrawled:

"Wand, Cloak, stone…?"