CHAPTER 21: What Luna Told Sirius

Harry looked out the window towards the edge of the lake. He could see the marble block even from here. Its polished white surface seemed to glow in the afternoon sun.

"Harry!" a familiar voice shouted. Harry turned towards it and was suddenly crushed in Dudley's firm embrace. He didn't raise his arms up to reciprocate. He was just so bone tired. A gentler hand landed on his shoulder.

"Harry dear," Petunia said with a sad look. She had a bouquet of white lilies in her arms. The wide blossoms were splayed open to catch the rays of the golden sun."Casablancas." Petunia supplied smoothly. "They were your mother's favourite." she added then took a deep breath, "For a life well lived." All Harry could do was nod.

"Ah!" Sirius cried from down the hall. "You're here." he pulled both of them into a quick hug. "Harry," he said quietly. The teen looked at his godfather. "Are you ready?" Harry wondered what would happen if he said no. But in the end, he nodded. It was time to see Dumbledore off. The family walked down to the rows of chairs at a slow pace. The crowd was massive. Hundreds of people, some wailing in anguish, others muttering in grave tones but all of them melancholy. Petunia led them to the grave. Harry stopped. He couldn't bear to see Dumbledore so broken again. His aunt seemed to understand and went the rest of the way herself, placing the lilies in the centre of the great pile. They stuck out as brightly as the marble, drawing Harry's gaze. Then his aunt came and led him to their seats. Once they settled she grabbed his hand and placed it in her lap. Somehow that helped. Harry took a deep breath and felt some of his tension ease away as he gripped his aunt's hand with a force he was sure hurt. But he also knew that if he let go he would shatter, and never be able to pick up the pieces ever again. Slowly the seats around them filled. And thus began the eulogy of Albus Dumbledore, a man who's like would not be seen again for many years indeed. For hours it went, with each new story, each new anecdote making Harry feel the man's looming absence more and more. And then finally there was nothing more to say, nothing more to hear.

Time to say goodbye.

"I can't be here anymore." Harry finally choked out. Petunia nodded and the family stood along with many others. But instead of walking towards the grave, they moved back towards the castle itself.

"Harry!" a voice suddenly called. It was a gruff voice that Harry had never heard before. "Harry Potter."

"My nephew is not available for an interview right now." Petunia barked out shrilly. The man's face pinched in disgust.

"You have me confused with someone else Madame." he said nastily as if Petunia ought to know exactly who he was, "Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister for magic."

"A politician? In that case, you are even more unwelcome." Petunia snarked back, "and considering your predecessor's track record in accordance to my nephew I'm even less inclined."

"Well, it's a good thing your nephew is his own man," Scrimgeour argued with a frown.

"No. Comment." Petunia bit out as she grabbed Harry's shoulder and spun his face away from the man towards the castle.

"I'm not looking for a comment!" Rufus demanded, chasing after them, "I was just wondering if Potter would be willing to work with our Aurors." He grabbed Petunia's arm.

"Unhand me sir!" she shrieked, ripping her arm from his grasp.

"Please Potter." Scrimgeour practically begged. "The wizarding world needs to see solidarity. You could be a powerful symbol of hope!" Harry stared at the man then silently shook his head. Scrimgeour's face hardened.

"I see. Dumbledore's man then?" he spat as though it were an insult. Harry looked at him and felt bitterness eat at his insides.

"I'm no one's man," Harry said hoarsely. The man blinked "I'm a sixteen-year-old boy that helplessly watched four people die." Scrimgeour took a step back and Harry was glad to see even that momentary flicker of shame in his eyes, "if that's what makes a man… well that's pretty fucked up." Harry finished before finally turning away from the minister and retreating into the castle. The man gave each of the family members a look before he stormed away, not so much angry as disheartened. Harry had momentarily looked back and was satisfied to see the minister leaving. It would be better that way anyway.

He couldn't very well be a symbol of hope if he'd lost most hope himself.

Harry stared out across the lake with far away eyes. He found himself gazing periodically at the shoreline, trying to see Dumbledore's tomb. But it was obscured by the towers. He didn't know whether that was good or bad.

"Harry." Hermione suddenly called from the stairs. Harry didn't look over. He just stared out at the towers and lake and the hills and felt the heavy weight of the inevitable sink into his bones. Ron came to stand beside him. After a while he gave a slight sigh.

"Great view." he murmured.

"Yeah." Harry said quietly.

"I never realized." Hermione admitted quietly.

"Me neither." Harry said truthfully. He looked up at the sky.

"It's really peaceful." Hermione whispered. Harry nodded. The trio were quiet, each contemplating their own troubles.

"So what happened?" Harry asked quietly, "while we- while I was gone."

"The death eaters attacked. Draco smuggled them in through the vanishing cabinet in the room of requirement. The same one that the Slytherin beater got shoved into a few years ago. That must be how Draco found out about it." Hermione said quietly.

"Thank goodness for that potion though!" Ron suddenly cut in. "It was insane, mate! Nothing could hit us. Until it started to wear off of course. Neville was still insanely lucky though. Madame Pomfrey said if he hadn't dodged at the last minute he probably would have lost the use of his left arm. Course he still had to regrow the bones, but hey. It's not that bad right?"

"Tastes gross." Harry said, "and hurts like a bitch. But otherwise no."

"There you go." Ron said as he smacked the railing. They were silent for a while before Hermione cleared her throat.

"What about you? What happened?" she asked delicately. Harry swallowed roughly.

"There was this poison." Harry said thickly, his eyes misting. "The locket was under it. And we couldn't scoop it out. So...Dumbledore had to drink it. Only…" he face grew greenish, "I ended up having to… feed it to him… near the end." Harry admitted. Hermione had tears on her cheeks then. Ron looked a little green as well. Then he put a hand on Harry's back. He didn't rub. Or offer any comfort. But the support was nice. Then Harry laughed. Not a funny laugh, but a bitter broken sound that made Hermione sob. "The worst part... Is that it was all for nothing." Harry said before he fished the gaudy necklace out of his pocket and put it in Hermione's hand. Hermione blinked and looked down at it. Then she slowly opened it. "It's fake." Harry choked out. The girl pulled out the small note folded inside the golden shell and began to read aloud.

To the Dark Lord

I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match you will be mortal once more.

R.A.B

Hermione's hands fell, looking utterly despondent.

"Who's R.A.B. ?" Ron asked. Harry shook his head. He honestly had no idea.

"Well, I'm sure we'll be able to find out." Hermione insisted before she folded the letter back up again.

"We?" Harry demanded, before taking a step away from the railing. "There's no we. This is my mission."

"Dont be stupid." Ron insisted. "You can't do this alone mate."

"I won't put you at risk anymore."

"Bollocks." Hermione declared. Both boys turned to her flabbergasted. "We're already at risk. It's no secret we're your friends. Sooner or later the death eaters will come looking for us. Besides. You need help, Harry."

"She's right." another voice called from the stairs. Harry whipped around to see Dudley walking up to them, hands firmly in his pockets. "You need all the help you can get."

"No Dudley." Harry said firmly. "Them maybe. But definitely not you."

"Why?" Dudley demanded, "because I'm not a strong wizard?" Harry was silent. Dudley sneered, "thats a stupid reason."

"Dudley, if we get attacked you won't be able to defend yourself." Harry cried desperately.

"Good thing I can tell when you're gonna be attacked." Dudley reminded him sternly. "Your welcome for sending Remus and Tonks by the way."

"Dudley…" Harry began with a whine.

"Besides!" he cried over Harry, "if you think you'll be able to slip away from mum without getting caught without my help." Harry's face paled. Dudley grinned. And Harry sighed in defeat.

"Well!" another voice suddenly cried. Harry felt his heart sink. "Now that that's out of the way." Susan began, finishing her climb with her head held high, "where are we meeting up?"

"No." Harry said firmly. Susan's face hardened.

"No matter what you say, Harry. I'm coming with you."

"Susan please." Harry begged, "I couldn't stand to see you hurt."

"I'm just as likely to get hurt not coming with you." Susan argued.

"But if you do," Harry began before starting again, "we're not going on vacation Susan. We're going to be hunted the entire time."

"I'm already in danger as is it is." Susan reminded him for what seemed to be the hundredth time.

"Susan." Harry began feeling heartbroken. "Please. This is my fight. You don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do." Susan insisted.

"Why?" Harry demanded.

"He killed my parents Harry." Susan suddenly said around a lump in her throat. Harry froze. "What's your excuse?" she demanded with a weak, but somehow still smug grin. And then his shoulders slumped. Susan smiled as she saw that she had won and flipped her ponytail "besides! I'm a Hufflepuff!" she declared dramatically, "scavenger hunts are sort of... our thing."

Sirius marched through the halls with a worried frown. Where had Harry and Dudley run off to?

"Sirius." Petunia suddenly called from down the hall "where are the boys?"

"Excellent question." Sirius said with a worried grin. "I'm on my way to find them now. Doge managed to corner me. That man could beat Binns in a droning contest."

"Well, be quick about it." Petunia said with a huff, "Arabella is only able to keep her floo open for so long."

"I'll find them." Sirius insisted before he began jogging through the halls. When the Gryffindor common room and library turned up empty he began to get truly worried. Where could they be?!

"Sirius Black." an airy voice suddenly called from behind him. Sirius whipped around in a panic. There was a familiar girl smiling at him from down the hall.

"You're one of Harry's friends aren't you? Lucy? Or Linda?" Sirius questioned before it clicked, "wait no! Luna! Luna Lovegood! Your dad is the editor of the Quibbler, Xeno… something." Sirius said. Then he stopped. The girl's eyes had taken on a glazed quality while he was speaking. Then suddenly she opened her mouth.

The golden light is dimming,

The black sea is brimming.

A White hawk will sing,

And great fortune it brings.

The rat will be snared,

In the jaws he once dared.

The castle will burn,

Upon the party's return.

The saviour will die.

In the forest, he shall lie.

The black sheep will break;

A piece for the darkness to take.

This is your fate,

Which you cannot fight.

You can only wait,

For each dark night.

As she finished this chant, with an uncharacteristically gravelly voice she blinked and her eyes cleared slightly. Sirius was frozen. Standing stock still in abject terror. "I hope that was helpful." she suddenly said, smiling serenely, "I can never quite remember what i say when I get like that. But I'm sure it's important whatever it is. Good luck by the way. we're going to need it." Luna said matter of factly before she skipped away. Sirius was still rooted in place. The girl's words rattled around in his brain. One line in particular repeated over and over.

The saviour will die.

But surely not Sirius felt himself begging. Surely Harry couldn't really die. He wouldn't allow it. He'd cast himself in front of any curse to keep Harry safe.

"Sirius!" Sirius felt his heart constrict as his godson walked up to him. "Are you alright?" he suddenly asked. Sirius felt himself barely holding back a choke. Instead he cleared his throat.

"Yes. of course. Everything is great." he said. Then he pulled Harry into a hug, "wonderful even."

"Sirius…" Harry began with a worried frown. Sirius smiled and rubbed Harry's cheek. There was no way he'd let anything happen to Harry. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Perfectly fine." Sirius insisted before he shoved his anxiety away. Luna's prophecy didn't matter because he would never let it come true. "Where's Dudley?"

"Here!" Dudley cried before he jogged to catch up to them. "Was just finishing up with some business."

"Business?" Sirius questioned.

"We'll tell you the plan later." Harry said quietly. "I'm sure Aunt Petunia is waiting."

"Right.'' Sirius agreed before leading the way towards Petunia. But still, the words echoed in the back of the old animagus's mind and would continue to echo for the many gruelling months to come.

The Saviour Will Die

He followed the slightly miffed Petunia and his nephews through the floo.

The Saviour Will Die

He walked down the street, watching Harry and Dudley walk in silent solidarity

The Saviour Will Die

He stared out the window at the growing darkness. And suddenly he knew in his heart of hearts that whatever the future would bring, there was no way he would be coming out of it alive. He gave a weary sigh.

"Boys!" Petunia suddenly called "Supper!" Sirius schooled his features into a smile. No matter what the future brang he would face it with strength and determination.

Harry needed him.

And that was all that mattered.

A/N: Hello one and all!

This is the end of Service Dogs three.

Thank you all for all your kind words throughout this journey. It's been a wild ride.

Rori Potter: Thank you thank you thank you so much for all your reviews! Each one has been so encouraging!

I don't want you all to fret.

More is coming.

I don't know when exactly. But I'll be sure to post an announcement when the time comes.

Thank you again!

Be safe in this holiday season.

Don't forget to keep on reading!

-TheTransfiguredCanary

SNUFFLES WILL RETURN

IN THE RIVETING CONCLUSION