Chapter 61: Gone… But Not Forgotten

It happened and was over so quickly that all he knew for sure was that he was currently lying on his back in a quiet place. He was alone, that much he knew for sure, but he wasn't particularly sure if he was there himself. All he knew was that he was laying on some plain surface that was neither hot nor cold… after what seemed like an eternity, he opened his eyes and realized that he was still in some form.

He slowly sat up, realizing that he wasn't wearing anything… not even his glasses. But this didn't bother him as he knew that he was completely alone. How he knew, he wasn't sure, but he somehow knew that this was true.

He glanced around at the room he was in… a large, circular room… a room that he knew anywhere… his office.

But it was different too.

His desk was wear it had always been, as well as several tables that normally held the magical instruments though they were bare now. There weren't any portraits on the walls, and instead here was a faint cloud vapor glittering around him that hadn't formed to the surrounding just yet.

He got to his feet, all the pain and ache he had felt before were gone. He was so taken aback by the lack of pain that he was almost a little dizzy. He looked at his body, all scars and injuries he had gotten over his long life were gone and he felt oddly light, as if he could leap over tall buildings in a single bound like Superman in the Muggle comics. He laughed a little at that as he finally wished he had his cloak here with him.

But no sooner had he thought that did some robes appear on his desk. Not at all surprised, though he wasn't expecting it, he went over to the soft, clean, and warm midnight blue robes and pulled them on. He stared above him at a beautiful light that seemed to come from all over—everything here felt so bright and clean.

He looked around several more times before he concluded that everyone else that had to have been here must have moved on. This was like a pseudo space… an in-between world… though he didn't know where the answer had been coming from, he just knew he was right. This was a place where you could wait for your loved ones to join you so that you could pass on together.

Though he had no proof, he didn't need it. He smiled a little as he had to fight the urge to leave as well… to see his mother and father… and Ariana once again. As badly as he wanted to, he knew that he couldn't go just yet. He still had to stay long enough to see this war through to the end. He had to do everything in his power to keep away from the urge.

He owed it to Harry to remain until the end.

He sat down at the desk, feeling unusually warm and comfortable. He would wait here until he had a chance to speak to Harry one more time. He had done his best to prepare the boy and everyone else for the coming storm, but there was no way of knowing anything for sure until it happened.

He slowly started to dream for a moment. He could see everything going on in the castle now couldn't he? He could see Harry there in his office, his old office back at Hogwarts, with Minerva as he explained to her how the poison and the necklace got into the castle, as well as how poor Rosmerta was under the Imperius Curse.

He was glad that Rosmerta wouldn't be punished for doing something against her will. He leaned back even further in his chair, only vaguely wondering how he was dreaming all this anyway. It was like he was watching this inside his Pensieve though he knew that it wasn't the past… it was right here and now that he was watching. He stood back as the door opened and Professors Sprout, Flitwick, and Slughorn came in with Hagrid weeping behind them.

Albus's heart went out to Hagrid most of all when he saw his teachers. Out of all of them, he knew that Hagrid would take his death the hardest. Slughorn was shaking, gasping out that he had taught Snape; that he thought he knew him.

Albus shook his head. He doubted anyone but Severus knew the real Severus Snape… not even he knew the whole person. But things seemed to have gotten worse when Everard informed Minerva that Rufus Scrimgeour was coming here and Albus sighed. As if they didn't have enough time to plan for anything before Rufus got here.

"Thank you, Everard," said Minerva, and she turned quickly to her teachers. "I want to talk about what happens to Hogwarts before he gets here," she said quickly. "Personally, I am not convinced that the school should reopen next year. The death of the headmaster at the hands of one of our colleagues is a terrible stain upon Hogwarts's history. It is horrible."

'Minerva…' Albus thought sadly. He didn't want her to have to close down the school no matter what happened. It's in times like this that they need a place where they can be with people they know and trust.

He was happy that Pomona thought the same. "I'm sure that Dumbledore would've wanted the school to remain open," she said firmly, "I feel that if a single pupil wants to come, then the school ought to remain open for that pupil."

"Yes," Horace said, "But… will we have a single pupil after this? Parents will want to keep their children at home and I can't say I blame them. Personally, I don't think we're in more danger at Hogwarts than we are anywhere else, but you can't expect mothers to think like that. They'll want to keep their families together, it's only natural."

That was true… after all, it was only natural that mothers wanted to keep their children with them where they feel that they could protect them. His mother was a prime example after all… he sighed, still having to fight the longing to go on and see them all again. No, he waited countless decades, he could wait a little longer.

Minerva nodded to that. "I agree," she said, "And in any case, it is not true to say that Dumbledore never envisaged a situation in which Hogwarts might close. When the Chamber of Secrets reopened he considered the closure of the school — and I must say that Professor Dumbledore's murder is more disturbing to me than the idea of Slytherin's monster living undetected in the bowels of the castle…"

Maybe… but the true monster lies outside these walls this time. He couldn't ever imagine the school closing because of him. This was the future generation of witches and wizards they were talking about… he wanted Hogwarts to live on even after he was long gone. Filius was sporting bruises from his run in with Severus, but squeaked out that they should consult the governors before they make any decisions.

Minerva nodded grimly to that before she turned back to Hagrid. "Hagrid, you haven't said anything," she said gently. "What are your views, ought Hogwarts to remain open?"

Albus smiled at seeing Hagrid crying, truly touched by how much he had cared. Hagrid mustered up his courage and gulped down as best as he could, "I dunno, Professor… that's fer the Heads of House an the headmistress ter decide…"

'Hagrid…' he thought, wishing that he could comfort him, aching inside knowing that the reason he was hurting so much was because of him.

"Professor Dumbledore always valued your views," Minerva said and they all nodded with her, "and so do I."

Tears still falling, but Hagrid gave his opinion. That Hogwarts was his home, and it had been since he was thirteen… he would stay. And if there were any students who wanted him to teach them he'd do it… but he confessed the fear of having a Hogwarts without Dumbledore.

But Hogwarts was never about him, Albus knew that. He was never what made Hogwarts special. It was all the people who lived inside these walls that made it a magical place.

Minerva glanced out the windows and agreed with Filius to consult the governors before they could make any final decisions. They were planning to send them home tomorrow morning if they had to, but what Harry said touched his soul…

"What about Dumbledore's funeral?" he asked, with a touch of anger.

Minerva seemed to start losing some of her strength at that question, feebly croaking out that he knew that it had been his last wish to be buried here at Hogwarts. Albus nodded, knowing that though he would've wanted to be buried with his family, and he knew that he didn't deserve to be after deserting them in the way that he had. They all talked about it and in the end, they all agreed that they would let the students stay long enough to attend the funeral if they had wanted to.

He was touched by each and every one of them, wishing that he could tell them how much that they all meant to him. But he also knew that it was too late now… for they could no longer hear him. Harry left at once when he had heard that Rufus was here and Minerva was only too happy to let him go, and she added for him to do so quickly.

Albus had followed Harry back to the common room, wanting to know about the horcrux… he had failed to tell him how to destroy it, but he couldn't help but shake the bad feeling that something was wrong with it.

He watched the meeting with Harry and Ron as if he were in the room with them. Ron asked him if he had managed to get it, but Harry shook his head and Albus felt as if his insides had plummeted. No… he was sure that he had grabbed it… they had to have it unless…?

"No," said Harry. "Someone had already taken it and left a fake in its place."

And when Ron looked as stunned as he felt, Harry pulled out the locket and held it out for him to take and Albus groaned as he read the letter that was signed, R.A.B…

Albus opened his eyes and was back in the place that was his office, but not like his office. "I'm so sorry, Harry…" he whispered, feeling grief strike his heart for subjecting Harry to a traumatic event like that for nothing.

He had kept a close watch on Hogwarts the following days. Though it sadden him to see parents coming in and taking their children home early… just because he was gone didn't mean that the school was completely unsafe. Though he had to admit that they had good reason… one of the teachers apparently murdered the Headmaster. But it meant the world to him that most students decided to stay until after the funeral. Friends and acquaintances he knew from over the years were also pouring into Hogsmeade so that they could give their last respects to him.

Albus shook his head grimly at that when he saw that. Though touched, he never wanted to have something so elaborate for his funeral… especially if most of them were coming because they felt they had to. He would've been happier with just a small gathering of people that he was close to. Though it warmed him to see when Madame Maxime had come all the way from Beauxbatons to be here… he knew that she would be here for Hagrid, who had been in tears the whole time since he had died, and he hoped that she would be able to offer him comfort.

However, the one person he kept diligent watch over of course was Harry.

He watched as he spent all of his time with Ron and Hermione and… he was pleased to see… Ginny Weasley. Whenever he was with her, he could see that Harry seemed to forget all about the war and his part in it, Albus chuckled at seeing it… it brought him so much happiness to see how happy he was here with her, though he ached inside knowing that it wasn't going to last much longer… knowing Harry, he'd do what he felt was the right thing no matter how painful it was for him.

But still, he preferred to see this over seeing the Ministry officials and Rufus temporarily staying at Hogwarts. Harry always made sure to go out of his way to stay as far away from them as he could. The Ministry had always wanted too much information on what he had been doing and they probably thought that now that he was gone, Harry would give in to pressure and tell them.

He smirked at that. Harry was just as stubborn as he was, so trying to get him to listen wasn't going to be easy. Perhaps if the Ministry had been more willing to listen, he would've told them something. But he knew better than anyone that the Ministry these days were uninterested in informing the people… with how hard they worked to cover things up these days.

Another good thing that he saw was that Fleur Delacour and Bill Weasley were still planning on getting married. Despite being attacked by Grayback, Fleur looked at him as if she couldn't see the scars covering his face and he beamed back at her like she was a bright light—staring at the other as if they were the most beautiful thing they had ever seen. Even Molly seem to have given in and accepted the fact that they were getting married.

He knew that she had always resented this fact… but he had a feeling that it was more along the lines of her marrying her first-born rather than her actually disliking Fleur. But seeing how she was going to stand by his side no matter what, made her realize that there was no one else in this world that she rather have with her son.

Albus smiled, "A hard lesson for any parent to learn, but an important one." It renewed his hope that there was no greater force in this world than love… and that was what was needed for this world. Far too much hatred, and not enough love…

Speaking of love, he also kept a watch over young Draco Malfoy, and how he did everything for the love of his parents. Draco had been spared Voldemort's wrath for figuring out a way to get the other Death Eaters inside the castle, but his family was still walking on thin ice. It would only take one more mistake on the Malfoy's part to be killed… and he was glad to see that Draco seemed to regret his decision to join them.

He honestly thought that it would be like how he used to walk around the school… with everyone afraid of him and bossing others around. But he was given the harsh reality of what being a servant of Voldemort was.

The day of his funeral, he watched the whole thing with interest, it was time to head to the grounds and he stood back as he watched. He was glad to see that it was a beautiful summer day, glad that the weather wasn't affecting everyone's solemn mood. Hundreds of chairs had been set up with aisle down the middle, as if this were a wedding… he only wished that it was a happy occasion rather than a sad.

Friends and former students were all gathered around already. Every single one he knew and smiled fondly at the memories he had. Whenever he first met a student the night they come to Hogwarts, he saw them as his children… born anew, each with a clean slate no matter who they are or where they come from.

He cared about each and every single one of them as if they were his own…

He frowned sadly as he remembered teaching Tom. Even as a child, he didn't believe that Tom was truly evil… he was scarred and angry, yes… but no one is born evil.

He had seen so much in his long life, good and bad… he had gotten a glimpse of what this world will become if it stayed on this path. The Ministry had never been perfect, but they were in denial about what is happening right in front of them. People were dying, people who were once happy and content with their lives who had never hurt a living soul, were getting killed and the Ministry was just too selfish to admit it.

But he reminded himself that there were still good in these dark times.

He looked up and beamed at the sight of seeing Remus and Nymphadora sitting together, holding hands… and Dora brought out of her depression. Molly and Arthur were sitting together as Molly wiped at her tear-filled eyes, her husband's arm around her shoulders. Bill was being supported by Fleur, their hands never leaving the other as the twins Fred and George were being uncharacteristically quiet as they watched with grim expressions. Madame Maxime was looking around for Hagrid, while other couples were all reaching out for their partners for support.

Seeing these sights were enough to comfort him. He barely acknowledged seeing people like Cornelius, Rita Skeeter, and even Dolores Umbridge there… with Dolores looking a little smug at the thought of his death. Though it did cause him to laugh a little when she spotted Firenze and turned as white as any of the ghosts before she moved away.

Just then he could hear familiar singing come from behind him and he looked to see that the merfolk of the lake were coming up, singing their song of grief… they sounding truly sorry for his death.

Nameless people are always coming and going,
Life like the tides are always ebbing and flowing,
Though we carry on as we do try,
A single tear is all it takes to cry.

Eyes once filled with life and a smile for all,
It's hard to believe that this light was doomed to fall.

Though sadness is what I feel, and this aching pain,
We know that his soul will rise again.

Though as much as we wish for might,
We know that no magic can grant this wish tonight.

Friends are always coming and going,
Years, like tides, are always ebbing and flowing.
Though we carry on as we do try,
It still takes a single tear to cry.

He felt tears come to his own eyes at the song, and silently thanked all the merfolk for their kind words. All of them dear friends to him, and he felt honored that they thought so highly of him. And finally, he looked up to see that Hagrid was up the aisle with something wrapped in a purple velvet cloth with golden stars… his body.

It was just a body… a lifeless corpse that they had no reason to cry over. An old and useless life that was finally put out of his suffering. It wasn't until this moment however did Albus fully realize that he was no longer a part of this world, no longer could he say anything to the people he cared for and loved that remained. But he was still here, watching over them.

He watched as Hagrid placed his body on the table before he sat down at his seat, touched that was blowing his nose so loudly despite what others were glaring at him. But he didn't mind… at least he knew there was one who truly mourned his passing. He smiled as Grawp was there, his head bowed in respect, almost human… indeed, more human than some people that he could think of. He couldn't help but laugh a little when Grawp patted Hagrid's head so hard that the chair broke and he fell to the ground.

The funeral went on, some people speaking words that didn't mean much to him. Words like nobility of spirit or intellectual contribution… those words were nothing to him for he wasn't anything like that. He watched with a grim expression as the speeches were wrapped up, and a tomb had been created to cover his body… smiling at the form of a phoenix from the smoke fly joyfully into the sky…

He felt free as he watched it, even as the shower of arrows from the sky fell from the centaurs from the cover of the trees. He was about to open his eyes and return to limbo when he spotted Rufus getting up quickly from his seat when the others were all leaving. Following his gaze, he spotted where he was going and followed after him.

"Harry!" he called and Harry, who was walking along the side of the lake, glanced back, not looking at all pleased to see him limp towards him. "I've been hoping to have a word… do you mind if I walk a little way with you?"

Albus was grim, knowing that he was right in thinking that they could try and take advantage of Harry now that he was no longer here. But he knew better than that… Harry didn't need someone to speak for him anymore, and he knew he hadn't need anyone for that for a long time.

Harry was as polite as ever, walking next to him as Scrimgeour began talking about how a terrible tragedy it was over his death. How he knew that he, Dumbledore, had been a great wizard despite their differences, but Harry merely looked annoyed as he asked what he wanted, not in the mood for all this sympathetically.

Albus chuckled a little there at the look on Rufus's face as he tried to go on, how he knew how devastated that he must've been. "I know that you were very close to Dumbledore. I think you may have been his favorite pupil ever. The bond between the two of you —"

Albus felt the usual stabs of pain at those words, trying not to think how true that was.

Harry however seemed to have had enough, clearly not in the mood to talk. He stopped and looked up at Rufus, asking what he wanted. Rufus stopped as well and informed him, "The word is that you were with him when he left the school the night that he died."

"Whose word?" Harry asked at once as Rufus then told him that the Ministry can add up. Two broomsticks at the top of the tower and that someone had to stun that Death Eater. Harry however merely said firmly that he went with Dumbledore somewhere, but that it wasn't his business.

Despite his worry, Albus couldn't help but smile with pride as he watched this. Rufus looked irritated with this, but there wasn't anything he could do about forcing Harry to tell him. "Such loyalty is admirable, of course," he said jerkily, "but Dumbledore is gone, Harry. He's gone."

Harry suddenly smiled sadly to himself as he whispered, more to himself than to Rufus, "He will only be gone from the school when none here are loyal to him."

Albus felt as though his insides were warming up at those words, remembering that they had been the exact words he said to him before when the school looked as if it would be closed. Harry wasn't alone then, and he wasn't alone now. Rufus was trying to tell him that not even Dumbledore could come back, but Harry shook his head in annoyance. He already knew this, but merely said that he wouldn't understand and that he had nothing to tell him. Rufus then offered to put a few Aurors to protect him, but Harry just laughed at that this time.

"Voldemort wants to kill me himself and Aurors won't stop him," he informed him, "So thanks for the offer, but no thanks."

Rufus was looking as though he'd love nothing more than to curse Harry then and there. "So," he said in a voice cold as ice. "The request I made to you at Christmas?"

"Is as worthless now as it was then," Albus answered knowingly.

"What request?" Harry asked as he thought it over, "Oh yeah… the one where I tell the world what a great job you're doing in exchange for — "

"— for raising everyone's morale!" snapped Scrimgeour.

"Maybe, Rufus," Albus said softly, knowing that there wasn't any point in speaking since he knew they couldn't hear him, "You should try to do that… for that is supposed to be your job; not Harry's."

Harry looked back at him and asked, "Released Stan Shunpike yet?"

Albus burst out laughing at the purple color on Rufus's face, but he felt his heart soar at what he heard next. "Dumbledore's man through and through," said Harry. "That's right."

He wanted to reach out and thank Harry for all this, wanting to let him know that he didn't deserve it, but was too selfish not to want it. Rufus left after that as Ron and Hermione ran up to catch up with Harry as they stood under the shade of their favorite beech tree.

"What did Scrimgeour want?" Hermione asked him quietly. When Harry told them, Ron looked furious as he said to Hermione to let him go back and hit Percy. When she told him no and grabbed his arm, he retorted that it would make him feel better. He laughed along with Harry before the three began to talk about their plans. Harry then told them that he wasn't going to come back next year even if it remained opened.

Albus wasn't surprised. He knew that Harry would chose that. He told them that he wanted to go back to Godric's Hallow, and after that he was going to go track down the rest of the Horcurxes. Albus frowned. He didn't want Harry to do this just because he wanted him to, he wanted him to do this and to understand that he was the only person who could do this. But he felt relief as Hermione and Ron promised him that they would be there with him—going wherever he was going.

Harry naturally tried to tell them no, but they shook their heads, reminding him that there was too late to turn back. They were going with him. But they had to go back to the Burrow before anything else for Bill and Fleur's wedding.

He looked startled before he smiled. "Yeah, we shouldn't miss that," he said finally.

Albus opened his eyes and was back in that strange place. It felt like he had spent so much time here already, but what if he spent no time here at all? What if time stopped? He still wanted to move on, it was painful to remain here waiting, almost choking on sadness. But he needed to speak to Harry again, all he wanted was to see him and have a chance to tell him everything and then he would leave.

And after hearing what he told Rufus, he owed it to Harry. He once said to him that he'd never leave until there was no one left loyal to him. He was still back there because there were those who hadn't left him. But why were they so sad? Why did they all feel that everything was hopeless when nothing had changed? He knew that they couldn't see or hear him, yet he could see and hear them perfectly when he shut his eyes and dreamt. It pained him to see them all so miserable over him…

Harry once said to him that he didn't know how it felt, that he couldn't understand, but he knew better than anyone what it felt like to lose someone close to you. He had lived like it… losing many people that felt like knife wounds in his heart.

It was funny how it took his own death for him to see that we need to leave the past in the past where it belongs. Harry especially needs to learn that for he is already carrying a heavy weight on his shoulders and he needs to focus on the future.

He sighed, hoping that Harry could one day forgive him for abandoning him now, if he could do everything instead of Harry, he'd do it… so that he wouldn't have to suffer anymore.

So he stayed and watched, pacing the twinkling mists as his anxiety sometimes sit in. He kept an eye on everyone… just having to close his eyes and dream to see them… time went on and things seemed to be growing worse with every day. People would come through here all the time, most he knew and recognized, some he didn't. But each one of them were added causalities to this senseless war. He would stand to greet them and wave them off… most decided to wander the mist and wait to be reunited with their loved ones before they moved on… but some did go right away. Either way, they walked on through the mist and he hadn't seen them since.

It was almost time to move Harry from Privet Drive and his portrait self came up with the idea of using decoys to ensure Harry's safety, which Severus agreed to. Severus was then able to plant the idea into Mundungus's mind to use Polyjuice Potion with the Order… to make him forget that he had been the one to suggest it before he left to go to a meeting…

Albus sighed grimly after sitting in on the meeting before he opened his eyes and stood to greet her. A middle-aged woman, her sandy hair with a slight bit of gray, dressed in magenta robes was coming towards him. Her eyes filled with tears when she saw him and went running up to wrap her arms around him in a big hug—which he was only too happy to return. "My dear Charity," he said warmly.

Professor Burbage stood back and told him miserably what happened. How she was in her home before the Death Eaters arrived. She started to cry as she clung onto him, and told them about her time at Malfoy Manor and about Severus.

"He… he just let me die didn't he?!" she sobbed out and Albus nodded sadly as he held her tightly.

"I know all about that, my dear," he told her regretfully. "And it pains me that I couldn't help you as well. But please don't blame Severus."

"He didn't do anything!" she told him tearfully. "I trusted him, but he…?"

"He couldn't have done anything," Albus informed her, holding onto her shoulders gently. "He couldn't help you anymore than I had. Because he needed Voldemort to trust him… and we both know that had he had tried to help, the outcome would've been the same… only he would've been killed as well."

She stared at him as he told her the whole truth… that he had asked Severus to kill him. She sighed at that and answered, "You know… I couldn't ever truly believe that he wanted to kill you. Now I see why. You were dying all along. But why didn't you tell us all as well?"

"I wish I could've," Albus sighed. "I've left behind many regrets. But there is nothing that could be done about it now."

She sighed as she looked around them. "Why are you still here?"

"There is something I must do," Albus said gently. "I need to wait here for a… friend. Until I see them one more time, I cannot leave in good conscience."

She looked sadly at him as she hugged him one last time. "I'll meet up with you again," she whispered in his ear. "I do want to see my parents again."

Albus smiled as he pulled her back. "Then don't keep them waiting," he told her kindly. "And again, I'm truly sorry that you couldn't have had a long and full life like you deserve."

She smiled sadly back. "I'm sorry too… but… how much longer will this war go on?"

"I hope… that it will end with as few lives lost as possible," he confessed, "But I know that at least one more will be lost before it is over."

He kissed her forehead and smiled as she turned and began to walk off towards the mist and out of his sight.

Time went marching on again and Albus, who had been watching over Harry the whole time couldn't bear to look when he picked up the Prophet and began reading what Elphias, bless him, wrote about him. He knew some of the things in there that would come out… things that he didn't want revealed. Not that Elphias would've done it deliberately to hurt him… but… in a lot of ways this was worse. It was kinder than he deserved…

And Harry would surely be furious. Furious, thinking that he trusted him with everything and that he didn't trust him at all. Which wasn't true in the slightest… for he trusted Harry perhaps the most out of anyone…

The worst part was however the article about Rita's new book. He shook his head, unable to stand the thought of knowing what it said. Rita was writing a book about his life, and he knew that though it will contain many facts, they would surely be twisted around by Rita's viewpoint that they could become lies. What she did to poor Bathilda was just proof of that… giving her those truth-telling potions and her telling her everything she could think of.

But that wasn't important now… he had just opened his eyes as he watched them all move Harry from Privet Drive… he sat at his desk sadly, wondering if she was going to come like he thought that she would. And in the distance he saw the form of a pair of wings…

"I had a feeling that you would come here," he called and a snowy white owl appeared through the mist and landed on his desk. She looked up at him through her great, golden eyes—blinking sadly a little. He smiled as he gently stroked her feathers. "You know, I never really thought about animals and where they go when they die," he told her, "But pets can become as dear to us as family. So I suppose that it only makes sense that they should join us in death. Isn't that right Hedwig?"

She hooted softly as she ruffled her feathers.

"I know that your death will be hard for Harry," he told her sadly, "But I saw what happened. You tried to protect him. I hope that you and your old master will be reunited again someday, but hopefully not for a long time."

She hooted again, and turned away, looking ready to fly off again. He chuckled and said, "You are now forever free of bars. There will no longer be any cage for you here. Fly as far as you like…"

She glanced at him one last time before she turned and fluttered off into the distance and he couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before he would be able to follow them all as well… he had all the time he could to simply wait and hope…

Not long after Hedwig dropped by, another arrived. He had half expected to hear the clunking of his foot, the glare of his magical eye, however instead he heard the sounds of a pair of normal footsteps. Rising up to greet him, he spotted him finishing pulling on his favorite travelling cloak before he called out, "Alastor!"

Alastor, Mad-Eye, Moody turned to him and rolled his eyes in annoyance when he did.

"You're here?" he asked him in his usual bark-like voice. "Great. Well, I always said that if we were to shake hands in hell, I wouldn't disappoint."

"Don't say such cruel things, Alastor," Albus chuckled as his old friend tried out his new leg. His face no longer held the battle scars it had once did… it was whole and markless… the parts of his missing nose, eye, and leg were all there as if nothing had ever happened. He shook his long grizzled hair out of his face as he glanced around.

"So this is the afterlife, eh?" he asked. "Damn… and here I was hoping to stay around, kicking until this blasted war was over. I had planned on living through it… and with that done, I would've been able to crawl into my warm grave without any stupid regrets. Well, I sure didn't expect to go anywhere near heaven… I'm almost glad. I was expecting a stinkin' garden."

"As cynical as always I see," Albus chuckled. "I hope that you don't have any other regrets Alastor. But you went out as you always said you would."

"Not taking any crap from anyone," he grunted as he walked tall and proud passed him. "What can you do though? After all, when you're dead, it's not like they can hear you complaining."

"You leaving?" Albus asked him in slight amusement.

"Nothing much going on around here," Alastor told him, "Might as well get going."

"Oh, I saw Remus and Nymphadora's wedding," he added with a bright smile and Alastor stopped at the mention of Dora's name. "I wish them nothing but happiness. I'm only sorry that I couldn't have been there in person. I thought it was beautiful… I don't think I've ever seen either Dora or Remus look as happy as they did then."

"It wasn't anything special," Alastor answered, "Though now that I'm gone, wolfboy better hold true to that promise."

"Yes," Albus laughed, "I saw that as well. Apparently you threatened Remus that if he didn't take care of Dora that you were going to snap his spine in half. That… how did you put it? You were going to peel him away layer by layer like an onion until there wasn't anything left but a bad smell?"

"And I meant it," he grunted as he walked forward. "And don't think that just because I'm dead doesn't mean that I won't hold him to it! He'll have to deal with me sooner or later!"

Albus smiled as he watched his retreating back before the old Auror added loudly, "And as for Dora… she had been a pain in my arse since the day I met her! For my sake, I hope that she stays alive as humanly possible so that I could have some peace and quiet for a while before I have to spend all eternity with her there."

Albus just chuckled at the threat as he went wandering off, possibly going on to find some peace. He was a man who had lived his life doing what he thought was right… he more than earned this.

(How was it? I really did think this through and try to write about his point of view even though he was dead and gone, so I came up with the idea of him being able to dream and see all this. What do you all think? Please let me know, and I'm thinking maybe around five or six more chapters before this story is finally over. Hope you look forward to them all.)