Wow! Seven Ways has just passed the 450-hit mark! Many thanks to you all! Particularly those who have left lovely reviews!

Again, I would like to make special mentions of Fallen Angel111586, Ignea, Padfoot Reincarnated, dancing in daydreams, koorimechick, m3di4h, snowleaf and lindy hopper who have either added Seven Ways to their list of favourites or alerts!

Five.
Albus knows that time is almost up for him, but also that he has done his best to make the most of it. The cogs are set in motion for the children named in the Prophecy to destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes, and bring down Voldemort, and thus end WWIII (The Third Wizarding War). He has plans too, should the Hallows get the better of Harry, the pressure overcome Ronald, or the carnage overwhelm Hermione.

He has worthy seconds-in-command in Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall and Alastor Moody, and faithful followers, exemplified by Elphias Doge, who will never surrender all they hold dear.

Is there anything left undone?

He rifles through his possessions now, cataloguing them in his will. Severus has promised that there will not be time to redecorate the Headmaster's Office, that what is there will remain untouched, but he still feels obligated to tidy things up.

Under a heap of things in his old school trunk, he finds a stack of teenage diaries, embellished with photographs, and cannot resist a flick through the images of youthful wizards and witches. Prefect photos. Birthday parties. And two boys tumbling together in a field.

He has not done his best. There is unfinished business yet.

He puts down his will and takes up a blank roll of parchment. He writes, "Grindelwald – if you receive this message, it will mean that I am dead, and there are things you must be warned about." The letter is long and elaborate, unlike the crisp and sporadic correspondence they usually have. After all, it will be the very last he will hear of him, and Albus is not one to go out with a whimper.

"Fawkes," he says to the magnificent bird on the perch beside his bed, "When I die, you must take this to Gellert Grindelwald in Nurmengard."

A tear runs down the phoenix's cheek. "Don't waste your tears on me," he says, stroking the bird's golden plumage.

An idea settles upon him. "Fawkes, I need you to speak seven words for me when you deliver the letter. Do you think you can do that?"

The bird nods. Albus draws out his wand, points it at his own throat, and records the message.

"I forgive you and I love you."

A/N: Two more left, guys! And you can probably guess what special day the last one will be coming out on! This particular drabble has a big link to the prologue of Tempus - so if you're wanting more, I recommend you check it out!