Epilogue
The funeral was held three days after it happened. The service was small but those closest to Lexi were present. After the funeral, Lexi's body was laid to rest in the cemetery just outside of Hogsmeade. Her gravestone read: Alexandra McKenzy Walker September 23, 1980-June 18, 1996. May God's child rest in peace.
It was a cool, breezy July afternoon as Harry knelt down and placed fresh flowers on Lexi's grave. He sat down on the newly planted grass and cried. 'It wasn't supposed to happen like this,' he thought to himself as the tears streamed down his face. Harry could still remember the scene he and Professor McGonagall had walked in on. Lexi lay motionless on the floor, wand gripped loosely in her hand and Professor Snape just staring at her. His face was stricken with grief. McGonagall took Lexi's wand out of her cold hand and tested it for it's most recent spell. It had been the Avada Kadavra curse. Lexi had committed suicide. As Snape later explained, she had been trying to use the spell on him. For some strange reason, Harry believed Snape.
Footsteps brought Harry out of his revere. He looked up and saw Professor Snape walking towards him, something in his hand. Harry got up and moved aside so Snape could reach the grave. Snape knelt down and placed flowers beside Harry's. Then he produced a slender object wrapped in silk and laid it in front of the flowers.
"It's all my fault," Snape murmured.
"No it's not Professor," Harry said quietly, not wanting to startle the man.
"Potter, if it hadn't been for me, her father would still be alive and if it hadn't been for me, she would still be alive," Severus said tears running down his face, wiping at them so Harry wouldn't see.
"Please don't blame yourself. It was an accident," Harry said.
"I had to choose the option that would save my own neck," Snape spat in anger.
Harry didn't know what to do.
"Well, I will see you in September Professor," Harry said turning to leave.
"Potter…" Snape whispered sadly.
"Yes Professor?" Harry turned back around.
"Will you make sure that no one takes this," he said pointing to the silk-wrapped object.
"Sure," Harry replied as Severus got up and left.
Harry leaned over and looked at the object Snape had left. At first he thought there was a design in the silk. Then he realized it was writing. It said: to slay something so pure is to live but a half-life. To witness it is to be cursed forever. Snape had written this in what looked to be red ink but after a moment's scrutiny Harry realized it was blood! He had to honor Snape's request and so he put a sticking spell so forceful that even the strongest wizard could not undo it. Harry walked away from the grave, feeling a pain in his stomach and a heaviness in his heart.