Disclaimer: Don't own, nuff said. Go J.K. Rowling!

Author's note- Definite thanks to you:

Excessivelyperky- Yes, I can see that inquiring minds want to know, including mine, lol.I haven't figured everything out yet, but I certainly will answer your questions somehow (I hope, I pray…. Oh, just read and I will!). KillinBuddy- I know, I know, I know! I wrote myself into a corner with that one, but it should be answered in about the first paragraph … I love my loopholes. We all know you don't like him, get over it already, he's dead! Scardi- I appreciate your comments, thanks! Definitely more interaction, and as for the intervening, well you'll just have to read and find out (which in cryptic writer terms means, yes, of course.) Alex202- God, I love that comment. To ease your thoughts, this will most certainly not be a Remus/Sirius story. Thanks for the review, and I can totally understand about the "too lazy to log in," lol. Laubo- Or should I say "CowsLovePennies?" Thanks for the wonderful review, as always, and remember to always wear your party hat, 'Sexy Sith.'

And thanks to anyone reading (and hopefully enjoying) this story!

The Next Great Adventure

Chapter 3

Living in an immense, empty castle might seem like it would be a dreadful, lonely experience, but as Dumbledore soon discovered, he was far from alone. He couldn't quite explain it to himself, but it was almost as if every student he has ever taught and every professor he had ever worked with was somehow with him. Although he couldn't see them, he could feel them with an unwavering certainty. Their souls pressed around him so tangibly, comforting him with their presence. He knew – he felt rather – that all of them, alive and dead, were safe, which filled him with a comfortable happiness.

The past two days in Heaven had been immersed in questions and countless new discoveries. Every moment was so different, so new, so unexpected from the last, that it gave the impression of eternity. Nothing was the same, and yet everything was the same. Sights, sounds, and experiences were always changing, but the people forever remained constant. They were the people Dumbledore knew, and he saw them this way.

Lily had filled him in on the events immediately following his death, just as she had promised she would. The news of the false Horcrux especially interested him, and yet he couldn't begin to fathom who this 'R.A.B.' was. He was obviously a Death Eater from what Lily has said about the note, but somehow the name would not come to mind.

Dumbledore spent most of his time greeting people he had known in life and who were now mostly still waiting to witness the fate of the Wizarding world. Lily, James, and Sirius reacquainted him with old friends like Dorcas Meadowes and Marlene McKinnon, who were also killed during the first war. Frank and Alice Longbottom dropped in for frequent visits as well, Lily explaining that people in their condition are often lost between the two worlds.

"They were driven into insanity," she had said. "Their souls are just … confused. When they're more reachable on Earth, it's because their souls are more powerful inside them at the time. However, when they're more distant, it's usually because their presence in Heaven is stronger."

In any case, Dumbledore enjoyed having conversations with Neville's kind-hearted parents as they watched over their son from the basin in the courtyard. They were such wonderful, powerful people, and although it wasn't always evident, Dumbledore could tell that Neville had inherited their bravery.

Today, the couple was as present as ever in Heaven; Dumbledore found them by the edge of the basin just before the services were due to start. Sirius arrived soon after, followed by James and Lily, their hands interlaced in delicate matrimony.

"Did you want us to wear black robes?" asked Sirius with a smile. "Because I can change if you like."

Dumbledore chuckled. "That won't be necessary, but thank you Sirius. I already find it quite morbid enough, watching my own funeral."

"Hey, at least you have a funeral to watch," said James. "Poor Padfoot here didn't even have a body to bury."

"As he reminds us with each and every single funeral," said Lily, rolling her eyes.

"You had a nice ceremony in Godric's Hollow," said Sirius. "Granted, I didn't get to attend while locked up in Azkaban, but I still don't think you can really talk."

"Aw, cheer up, Sirius," said Frank, unaware of the awkwardness of this statement as they were sitting down to watch a funeral. By this time, people in Heaven and on Earth were already joining them. "Your soul, at least, has made up its mind where it wants to stay. I'd rather be completely dead than know how much pain I cause my son by still being alive."

There was a somewhat uncomfortable pause following these words. Frank Longbottom, albeit not nearly as painfully honest as Luna Lovegood, often had the tendency to break up a light hearted conversation with simple, yet truthful, facts.

"Oh!" exclaimed Alice suddenly, startling the group around her. "It's starting – look!"

Dumbledore looked into the basin onto the sunny day laid out before him. The rolling grass hills on the Hogwarts grounds were cluttered with masses of chairs filled with people wishing to pay their respects. He couldn't believe how beautiful it all was; the bright colors of the beginning of summer along with the crystal blue of the lake. If it weren't for all of the tearful faces, the scene would have epitomized perfect happiness and peace.

Hagrid was bearing his body up to the marble table in front of the congregation. Dumbledore's heart went out to the man as he stumbled back to his seat a moment later, led by the enormous form of his half-brother, Grawp. At least he wasn't alone.

A man had gotten up to speak, but Dumbledore paid him no attention. He didn't need nor want to hear how noble he'd been in life. No, his mind had wandered to the people assembled on the grounds. He watched as Lupin grasped Tonks' hand in his, and as Fleur Delacour embraced her mangled fiancé. He watched as the merpeople broke the surface of the lake, and as the centaurs moved among the trees. Then, quite suddenly, he felt a kind of tremor. He saw Harry, saw the resolve and determination in those emerald eyes. A lone tear streaked down Dumbledore's face and plunged through the surface of the contents in the basin. On Earth, his body became enveloped in burning white flames and a phoenix was cast up through the smoke before the tomb formed – his final farewell.

He hardly noticed when the guests began to move, both below him and above him. He didn't realize that Amelia Bones had come forward to give him a hug or that Ron Weasley was stroking Hermione Granger's hair in consolation. All he saw at the moment was Harry. For almost 17 years Dumbledore had watched over him, ensuring his safety and hopefully that of the world. Now the moment had come. As Harry said good-bye to his relationship with Ginny Weasley, as he clutched that hard, cold locket, he knew what he was supposed to do. Dumbledore couldn't have been prouder – or sadder.

The only people that remained sitting with him were James, Lily, Sirius, Frank, and Alice. The rest had gotten up to begin a celebration slightly similar to a Death Day Party, but with much better food. Dumbledore surveyed the scene in the basin, where Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister of Magic, was talking to Harry.

"The word is that you were with him when he left the school the night that he died," he was saying.

"Whose word?" said Harry.

"Someone Stupified a Death Eater on top of the tower after Dumbledore died. There were also two broomsticks up there. The Ministry can add two and two, Harry."

"Glad to hear it," said Harry, causing his godfather to smirk. "Well, where I went with Dumbledore and what we did is my business. He didn't want people to know."

"Such loyalty is admirable, of course," began Scrimgeour, "but Dumbledore is gone, Harry. He's gone."

"He will only be gone from the school when none here are loyal to him." An odd shiver passed over Dumbledore as Harry said this, as he gave a slight smile; he had understood.

"My dear boy … even Dumbledore cannot return form the-."

"I am not saying he can," interrupted Harry. "You wouldn't understand. But I've got nothing to tell you."

Dumbledore sighed and let the images fade into a swirling mass once more. The others gazed at him, no one speaking until finally, "You've avoided the subject long enough," said Sirius, "now tell us why. Why did you trust Snape for so long? How could you not see?"

"My trust was misplaced," said Dumbledore simply. "Obviously, I made a mistake. I see in people the ability to change. With Severus, I was clearly wrong."

"But this mistake cost you your life," said James. "That stupid git murdered you. How can you be so relaxed about that? You were the main asset in the war against Voldemort…. What are they going to do without you? What is Harry going to do without you?"

"I was never the greatest asset to our cause, James," Dumbledore said with a slight scowl. "Harry has to defeat Voldemort alone. Maybe with me gone, he will finally be able to do just that." He paused as James looked at him like he was insane. "Everything happens for a reason," he said at last. "I was meant to die, if only to give Harry the strength to live – to keep fighting.

"And didn't you listen to him just now, James? Didn't you listen to him when he confronted Tom Riddle in the Chamber of Secrets? I will never truly have left that school until none there are loyal to me. I'll be with him, and he knows that. Now, if you don't mind, there are some lovely looking desserts on the table over there and I'd like to try a few."

With that, he rose to his feet and moved away while Frank Longbottom muttered softly, "You'd think that being dead would make him a little less cryptic."

The air was sweet as a thick night sky fell upon them during what they saw on Earth to be about noontime. Staring up into the sky was like looking upon millions of different worlds, different realities. It was, Dumbledore thought, like literally gazing into the Heavens.

He had eaten some of everything available, from succulent strawberries dipped in dark chocolate to mouthwatering pork chops. At the moment, he was snacking on some cheese drenched French fries while chatting with Alice who wanted to get in a few last words before her imminent return to Earth. Frank had gone a few minutes prior, and it was only a matter of time before she too would be pulled back to her body.

"It was wonderful to see you again, Albus, as always," she smiled.

"Likewise," said Dumbledore kindly.

"I sometimes wish I could just stay here," Alice said abruptly. "It's nice to really see people, to talk to them and feel the way I used to before…. Well, at least I get to see my son in person," she sighed, glancing at Lily who was walking their way, "at least I can reach out and touch him."

"Hey," said Lily, "do either of you know where James and Sirius have gotten to? I can't find them anywhere."

Dumbledore shook his head, still absorbing Alice's words. Alice looked as though she was about to say something, but before she got the chance, she vanished as if carried away on a breath of wind.

Author's note- Mmkay, so the next chapter should be a little more Marauder centered. I guess that's good news for you, KillinBuddy, the hater of all things Dumbledore. Stay tuned and review please!