Waking to the sound of phoenix song, Albus Dumbledore sat up.
Unfortunately, he realized, his body didn't.
HELLO, ALBUS.
Dumbledore started slightly, and looked around into a tall, skeletal grin.
"Oh," he said, deflating a bit, "I hadn't expected..."
MOST PEOPLE DON'T, said Death.
Dumbledore's ghost looked panicky for a moment. "But... but Severus! I... he..."
KILLED YOU, Death finished helpfully.
"I really thought he'd changed. I... I suppose it was stupid of me to trust him."
IT IS NOT MY TASK TO PASS JUDGMENT, said Death tactfully, adding, BUT YES. IT WAS. The reaper glanced meaningfully at his steed, who was a few yards away, stamping his hooves.
Dumbledore seemed to shake himself and stood up a little straighter. "What shall I do now?"
Death grinned (not that he could have done anything else) and said, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
"Oh, it's one of those sorts of things, is it?" Dumbledore looked slightly happier. "In that case..."
His spirit burst into blue flames, spiraling up into a burning tornado, which suddenly vanished. A spectral bird flapped up and out of sight.
BLOODY SHOWOFF, Death muttered, stirring the ectoplasmic ashes with a bony foot. He hefted his scythe and turned to the horse. LET'S GO.
Horse and rider disappeared into the clouds.
Below them, a phoenix cried.