The sun was casting its last, dying rays upon the Hogwarts grounds. For a moment, the pinks, reds, oranges, and dark purples reflected blindingly off the polished, white stone that lay by the still lake. They also brought into light the slim figure of a witch, poised next to the new tomb, her head bent, and the tears on her face, for only a moment, were turned the bright colors of the setting sun. Slowly raising one hand, the witch placed it on the quickly cooling stone, seeming to pull strength from it.
From a large tree nearby, a lone owl awoke, and, after seeing the woman, watched silently. Tilting its head, the snowy owl was able to hear what the woman was saying, and wondered if all humans took to talking to a rock.
"Albus... My love... How I shall miss you. Oh, love, the school won't be the same without you here-," her voice broke "-here to guide us, to protect us. The students already miss you, Albus! You should've seen-," again, a slight tremor shook her voice. "-seen the way the students looked so forlorn, the glances they kept shooting at the high table."
Again, the owl titled its head, its large amber eyes now reflecting slightly in the slowly rising moon. This human, who had been so kind, looked so lost, looked like her life depended on this one stone.. But how could that be? The owl knew that a special human was under that rock, but she could not comprehend why it was important. Her head straightened as the woman continued to speak.
"I know that I am going to be lonely. I was alone when you were on missions for the Order, and when you left the school at various points this year, but... Never have I been so completely, totally alone.." Here, the woman sunk to the ground, and hands making contact with the hard earth, her head bent forward and her body wracked with sobs.
Neither the owl nor the woman knew for how long she cried, but when she was finally able to get her emotions under control, she stood again at the edge of the white tomb, her back a little straighter, her posture a little stiffer. Sensing this new change in the woman, the owl perked up, listening carefully.
"Albus.. I am sorry. I know that I must be strong, that both you would've and the Wizarding world does expect this one feat of me. If I am strong, it is only for you, my love, and for our children. And for Harry, who bears the largest burden of us all. I know that your spirit will remain within my heart, and I know that I shall stand and fight at the last battle. Albus, your death shall not be in vain."
Without even a backward glance at the stone, the woman walked back up the grounds towards the castle, not noticing the owl who's gaze followed her retreating back. Once the doors had closed soundly behind her, the owl again focused upon the tomb, and knew that, had she remained, the woman's heart would be touched by the slight rustling of the leaves in the trees.. And that she would've most definitely been touched by the soft, whispering, ghost-like voice that seemed almost a part of the night time noises.
"Sweet dreams, my lovely wife. Know that I shall be with you during that Final Battle, Minerva McGonagall..."
And as the voice faded, the owl took flight, heading up, up towards Gryffindor Tower. Letting herself into the window of a boy's dormitory, she landed softly on a boy's outstretched arm. Knowing that her master had been watching the woman below from his window, she hooted quietly, almost mournfully, and turned her baleful amber eyes upon the boy.
Stroking her white feathers gently, Harry Potter gazed out the window again and murmured, "Hedwig, please.. Keep an eye on her when I'm gone."
Turning away from the window, the Boy Who Lived prepared his body for sleep and his mind for the Final Battle ahead.