Well, the will of Dumbledore was SUPPOSED to be just the first part of Chapter 36, but when the will segment ended up being nearly 3k on it's own, and I still had two other scenes to write, neither of which I expect to be short... I opted to break it up into two chapters. Thusly, here's part one. Off to write part two.
Hermione watched, silently, as Minerva spoke lowly to her brother Robert, all of them in the Head's office awaiting the last of their party's arrival. Finally, Poppy bounded in, apologizing for her tardiness, per a student requiring her attention. In addition to Poppy, Molly and Arthur Weasley were here, as well as herself and the four Heads of House; Minerva, Severus, Filius, and Pomona. Beyond Hogwarts staff members and the Weasleys, Aberforth Dumbledore was here, as was Rosmerta Dobbs, Elphias Doge, and lastly, to Hermione's surprise, was Perenelle Flamel, who Hermione thought had died along with her husband Nicolas after the Sorcerers Stone was destroyed the summer between her first and second years at Hogwarts. Evidently not.
"Now that we're all here," Robert's clipped voice sounded, "Let's get started. Everyone please find a seat, and I'll begin with the reading of Albus' will."
There was a shuffling of feet and chairs as everyone moved to form a crescent shape around there transfigured podium that Minerva had created for her brother's use. A minute later, he cleared his throat, and the reading began.
"This is the last will and testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, last updated August the twenty-seventh, of nineteen ninety-five. If you are being read this letter, then I have died. For me, it's the beginning of something new, the next great adventure, but for those dear friends and family I've left behind, there are some things to be said, and gifts to be bestowed, which I hope will allow you to remember me fondly.
To Rosmerta Dobbs: when I attended Hogwarts with your grandmother, I could never have guessed that her grand-daughter would become one of my most trusted friends. Where she and I were constantly at odds - her Head Girl to my Head Boy - I've never found your own forthright nature to create tension between us as it did for her and I. I have been blessed to know you, and lucky to be able to call you friend. My gift to you is this altered deed to the Three Broomsticks…"
At this, Robert handed Rosmerta a bit of rolled parchment.
"... which formally makes your wonderful establishment a part of Hogwarts grounds, offering it indefinite protection, and will no longer cost you a monthly fee. May the profits of your services help to build a better future for you and that wonderful little girl of yours.
Rosmerta had tears streaming down her cheeks, and Hermione watched as Molly coddled the other woman, offering a handkerchief.
"To Elphias Doge: my dear friend. My comrade in youth and in arms, and in everything life threw our way. You always did say I'd end up going first, because where you made many, small mistakes, I was the one too often right in word and action, though when I did make mistakes, they tended to be rather large ones. Likely, one such mistake cost me my life. I suppose 'I'm sorry' is not going to mean anything at this point, nor will 'you were right', but know this, Elphias - for all my mistakes over the years, I believe the best decision I ever made was sticking up for that small, scared little boy I saw being bullied by a couple of Slytherins, that first day of Hogwarts for us. No regrets, my friend. To you, I leave decades worth of my personal journals, which include many memories of you and me, and perhaps even insight into why I did the things I did, especially in those moments it left us at odds with each other."
Elphias nodded, not trusting himself to speak, and took the rather large box that Robert was handing him. The box held the story of Albus' life, and he was trusting it to one person. It really showed how close the two men had been.
"To Aberforth Dumbledore: my brother. I wish I could look back on our youth without regret, but we both know that some terrible things happened back then, and for my part in those events, I am deeply sorry. You'll never know how much I regret what happened to our sister, and how it impacted our parents and changed our lives forever. It may have not been my wand that cast the curse, but I hold myself responsible for Ariana's death. I say this now because Gryffindor that I may be, I could never find the courage to tell you directly. I was too afraid you'd forgive me, when I feel it's the last thing I deserve. To you, Aberforth, I leave what remains of the Dumbledore Estate, as it is rightfully yours. Further, like I've arranged for Rosmerta, the Hog's Head is now a part of Hogwarts, and thereby you will never need to worry about Ministry interference at your place of business, for the rest of your life. Live it well, Abe."
Robert handed off two scrolls to Aberforth, one the deed to the Hog's Head, and the other the paperwork for the Dumbledore Estate. Hermione took note of how stiffly the younger Dumbledore was sitting, though otherwise his expression was blank, and she couldn't tell what else he might be feeling. Given the situation, it was probably a mixed bag of emotion for him.
"To Perenelle Flamel," Robert continued reading. "You have been there since the day I was born, in some ways being as a second mother to me, much as Nicolas was a second father. When my parents passed, you and he were there for me, allowing me to grieve while everyone else expected me to be strong. I could never thank you enough for that. Over the years, I had my research with Nicolas, and I had the many conversations with you, some of which let out secrets that I don't suppose you meant to tell me. My final bit of advice to you, my dear, is that you don't wait too much longer to tell her the truth. It's been more than long enough. My gift to you are the enclosed memories. Perhaps if you see what I've seen, you'll be ready for that reunion you've long spoken of."
Robert handed Perenelle a small package, presumably containing the memories he spoke of. Hermione was curious about his words to the rather elderly woman. For that matter, she looked sort of familiar, though Hermione had no idea where she might have met Perenelle before. Of course, Hermione wasn't the only one whose secrets Albus was aware of. He had, after all, been around for a long time.
"To Filius Flitwick: you have been, since the day we met, my conscience. Do you remember, a week after you joined the staff, the argument we had that resulted in a duel? It was the first time anyone had bested me in any kind of fight, though not the last. I had a broken arm, a bruised ego, and at the end of it, I was far more humble than I'd been and a better man for it. Even though I am your elder, you have been like an older brother to me, skillfully tempering my personality like a Goblin tempers steel into the best that it could be. I would have been half the man I grew to be without your guiding hand. Never doubt your value, my friend. To you, Filius, I leave a large stack of books on various subjects, which we both know you've read more times than I have, though you could not afford copies of those books to have your own copies. Yes, I know, I might have just given you a raise."
Filius let out a chuckle at the last comment, though he too was wiping away tears as he placed his hand on the box of books which Robert was levitating toward his chair.
"To Minerva McGonagall: Hogwarts is yours now, my dear. I trust that you will treat her well, and allow her to protect you if the need arises. As Head of Hogwarts, this school becomes your spouse, which of course would make Amelia your mistress, and as I imagine that will keep everyone quite happy. Mistresses have all the fun, so I've heard. Beyond Hogwarts, I leave you those books in my collection that were not set aside for Filius. You, more than anyone else, will appreciate them. You were the daughter I never had, and never knew I wanted. I couldn't be prouder. You have become everything I could have expected, and more."
"I was not about to lug his entire book collection in here, Min," Robert said with a wry grin. "We'll get that sorted later."
She nodded, and as the first tear fell from her own eyes, Hermione leaned close and wrapped Minerva in her arms. "It's okay, love," she whispered into the older woman's neck.
"To Robert McGonagall: my longtime….ehem."
"What was that, Rob?" Minerva asked, very interested in the fact that her brother's flawless public speaking skills had suddenly failed. Hermione suspected that she knew exactly what Robert was trying to avoid saying.
"To Robert McGonagall," he started again, glaring at his sister. "My longtime lover, and dearest friend…"
Several gasps echoed around the room.
"Oh my," Poppy said.
"... words cannot express how much I wish that we could have been open about our relationship, even though we both had reasons to keep it quiet. I wish I could have given you the life you deserved. I wish that our children had truly been our children, and not just the hundreds of charges that you helped me watch year after year during the course of their educations. Most of those children don't even know that you were watching them as well, though I remember how, when one of those children would come to work at the Ministry, you'd take them under your wing, much to their surprise. I wish they they'd known why. I wish they'd known that they were our sons and daughters. What things were ours are yours to hold on to. There is no greater gift I can give to you than the items which hold memories of us. I love you, Robert."
The last few sentences were read with a cracked voice, forcing the words out as tears cascaded down his face. A moment of silence followed, as those in the room adjusted to the fact that Albus Dumbledore had deeply loved someone, and that they had loved him in return. Robert took the time to compose himself, before taking a deep breath and continuing to read.
"To Poppy Pomfrey: I'm quite certain there's not many alive today that don't owe you a thank you or ten. You've spent a lifetime seeing to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of everyone who crossed your path, whether or not they were actually a patient of yours. More than my mediwitch, you have been my dear friend. You were one of the few who could get me to do the things I didn't want to to, usually regarding my health, though not always. 'Don't be such a stubborn hippogriff!' was one of my favorite of your demands. I have no way of predicting the manner of my death, but were it an instance where you feel you could have saved my life, please do not feel guilty on my account. I made my choices. Besides, everyone has a time to die. This was mine, whatever the cause. I urge you to continue doing what you've always done, seeing to the needs of those around you, but don't forget to look after yourself, my dear. To you, I leave fifty vials of Phoenix tears, to help you do what you do best - save lives. Fifty vials: one for each year Hogwarts has been blessed to have you. Fawkes, of course, will leave with my passing, but I hope that with the coming war, you will find good use for the ultimate healing potion."
Poppy looked about ready to pass out at the notion of that many phoenix tears. For that matter, Severus looked a bit envious of the gift she'd been given, though if Hermione was honest, she was as well. It was a highly valuable offering. Poppy's tears, as with everyone else's, were dribbling down her face as she took the box from Robert. He returned to the podium, and continued to read.
"To Amelia Slytherin: my dear, you have been, these last few years, a breath of fresh air to my life. You, like Minerva, have become like a daughter to me, and while I leave Headship of Hogwarts to her, I leave Headship of the Order to you. I believe that you will ultimately do a better job at it than I would, as you tend not to believe in the idea of acceptable losses, whereas I have been known to favor the greater good, sometimes at terrible cost. Stay true to the girl you were when we first met. Further, I leave you a letter, which I believe will contain some information you'll find helpful in the years to come. Someone once told me, 'The best gift you can give a leader is information they don't already have.' Hopefully, at least some of the enclosed will be news to you."
Hermione seemed to be the only one to take her gift from Robert without tears falling - not that she wasn't in mourning, but she was a private person and was not inclined to cry in front of such a large group. Of course, if this list was going alphabetically as it seemed to be, then Severus was next, and she doubted he'd be shedding tears in front of anyone either. Sure enough…
"To Severus Snape: I promised you once to never reveal the best of you, which is a hard promise to keep as I compose my final thoughts. Ultimately, I think there's only one thing you need to be reminded of. It doesn't matter what you believe. Just believe it. Fight for it. To you, I leave my Pensieve, for you will make the most use of it. Besides, the only other person who may need it is Amelia, and I believe you'll need each other before the end. Best get used to her being around, Severus. Be well, my friend."
Severus solemnly took the package, not offering a show of emotion. Of course, no one had really expected the dour man to cry. Knowing that the list was winding down, Robert took a sip of water and then continued.
"To Pomona Sprout: I remember the day you came to Hogwarts with a mass of dark curly hair, an orphan who'd only six months before been told she was a witch, and already knowing more about Herbology than most NEWT level students. Herbert had already approached me about making you an apprentice by the time you had completed your OWLs, and sure enough directly after you graduated, he took you on. You remained at Hogwarts until he retired, and you replaced him. You my dear, have never known another home. While I do hope you remain here for years to come, at some point I'd imagine you'd like to retire, and as you tend to spend most of your salary on the plants that you so dearly love, my gift to you is a small cottage with plenty of room for a personal garden. The deed and details are enclosed. Be well, my dear."
Pomona was beside herself in a matter of seconds. Both Poppy and Minerva got out of their seats, and went directly to comfort their coworker. Hermione nearly got up to do the same, when she realized that the Weasleys were up next, and that she'd be better suited to comfort Molly. So, she waited.
"Last, to Arthur and Molly Weasley: You two have have produced seven of the best children I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. It is a testament to the kind of parents you are, and I dearly wish there were more parents as dedicated as you are. More than the morals you've instilled, you've always put their needs above your own, often making sacrifices. Arthur, I know you love your job, and I know it has put clothes on your childrens' backs and food in their bellies, but it's left little for you and that wonderful wife of yours. My gift to you both is a sum of money, which you'll find has been deposited in your Gringotts account. This should allow you to spend a little on yourselves now and then, and give you enough to set aside for retirement. Further, the remainder of Ronald and Ginevra's educational expenses will be covered by the Hogwarts budget. Minerva will give you the details. My best wishes to you both in your future.
My warmest regards to you all.
Albus Dumbledore
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