A/N) I bring more good news! I am currently writing chapter 73 and I can officially announce that this story will be 80 chapters in total, plus an Epilogue. It is now all planned out, I just hope I can tie everything up! Hopefully I'll do a good job of it and won't disappoint.

Chapter Seventy: A Final Goodbye

Thursday 29th May 1996 – early hours of the morning

Harry sat in front of Professor McGonagall, his face covered in muck and dirt. His Transfiguration Professor sat in Dumbledore's chair, in his former office, acting Deputy Headmistress, though Sirius had privately voiced to his godson that he thought the Ministry would quickly replace her once term ended – that's if the school governor's allowed the school to remain open; as it stood, it was unlikely to happen and the students would be sent home early.

All part of Voldemort's plan of course.

"Mr Potter," began Professor McGonagall, albeit hesitantly, as if she didn't know what to say in light of the circumstances they had found themselves in, "I need to know what happened tonight, on the tower, if you were there?"

Harry swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He could hardly believe that Dumbledore was dead. How could the greatest wizard in the world be dead? His work wasn't finished yet! There were still Horcruxes to find! "I was in Gryffindor Tower when I got a message from Sirius. He warned me not to leave the dormitory because there were Death Eaters in the Castle. He told me that he had warned the rest of the Professor's of what was happening." He was hesitant to explain how he had known where Dumbledore had been when he had died. "I have something that allows me to know where certain people are at Hogwarts. I looked at it and learnt that Professor Dumbledore was at the Astronomy Tower with Draco Malfoy." He bit his lip. "I knew that Malfoy was up-to-something, so I alerted Sirius, but it sounded like he was in the middle of a battle when I spoke to him. The Tower was waking up since the battle was right outside our Portrait Hole, I gave them the warning. Then Sirius contacted me again as he was unable to get to Professor Dumbledore, so I grabbed a cloak that I have and used it to sneak through the battle to get to the Tower.

"It was very difficult to slip through and not try to fight but other things were at stake and Sirius had asked me to. Ron, Hermione and other students in the Tower came out to help defend the school, and I managed to slip into the Tower and get up the stairs." Here Harry faltered, his own mind, for the first time since the incident only a few hours ago, turned over the event analysing exactly what had occurred up on the Tower.

"Mr Potter? Harry?" probed Professor McGonagall. "I need to know what happened tonight."

"I know," sighed Harry, practically whispering his response. He lowered his head so that his chin rested against his chest. "It's just hard... I knew it was coming! I knew Dumbledore was going to die at some point! I just didn't expect it to happen right now!"

McGonagall's face had gone a pearly white. "How did you know that? That is classified information restricted to Order members only." But then her eyes widened in alarm as her thoughts processed how Harry could have known. "Sirius –"

Harry shook his head instantly, his black hair slopping all over his forehead. "No. It wasn't him. Well, it was, but it wasn't. I overheard a meeting at Grimmauld Place, Sirius found out and well, because I was so persistent, he eventually told me for my own peace of mind. Professor Dumbledore then told me personally that he had to prepare me for something that I've got to do when he's not here – and I can't tell you what it is, Professor, but Sirius knows."

"That is one good thing that has come from this then," sighed McGonagall wearily. "I would have insisted on being told, Potter, if your guardian was not aware of what I assume, is a unique situation for you."

"Thank you, Professor," he answered.

"Now, what happened after you got to the Tower?" continued McGonagall.

"Malfoy was there and Professor Dumbledore. I was sure that he knew I was there and then the next thing I knew I was frozen to the spot. I don't know what had happened or why..."

"Wandless magic," answered his Transfiguration Professor. "Professor Dumbledore was a very powerful wizard and fully capable of performing magic without the use of a wand. It was not a skill he readily advertised but I assume, in the end, it saved your life."

"It did," Harry bit his lip. "Malfoy was desperate, he kept saying that he had to do it, that he had to kill Dumbledore, but he didn't... I think Malfoy disarmed him so that he couldn't fight back. I don't even know why Professor Dumbledore was up there for...but I heard that Malfoy had overheard Dumbledore telling you and other staff members that he was leaving the castle for a while and wanted you to patrol the corridors. Malfoy explained that he went to the Room of Requirement on the seventh floor and used the Vanishing Cabinets to create a portal from Borgin and Burkes to Hogwarts so that the Death Eaters could just walk into the school. He admitted that he had used the Imperius on Madam Rosmerta and ordered her to give that cursed necklace to the next student that went into the female lavatory, and that he had given Slughorn that poisoned mead in the hope that he would give it to Professor Dumbledore." Malfoy had made so many mistakes in his bid to save his own life; it was lucky that no student had been killed, though Katie was reportedly still recovering in St Mungo's.

"Dumbledore tried to convince Malfoy to let him help him, and it looked like he was lowering his wand, but then two Death Eaters arrived. I don't know who they were, but they kept urging Malfoy to do it, and then Snape arrived. Dumbledore seemed to beg for help and then Snape just raised his wand and killed him. They fled from the Tower; the curse on me failed and I followed. That's what happened. I can't explain it in anymore detail than that."

McGonagall gave him a curt nod. "Sirius told me that you tried to stop Snape from leaving the grounds and that Sirius let him go. He wouldn't say why, can you explain for me why Sirius let the man who had killed Dumbledore go?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think it is my place to say ... If he had a reason why he never really explained it to me."

He had lied to protect Sirius; whatever logic that his godfather had been operating from, he couldn't deny that Snape had stopped the other Death Eaters from hurting them. Was Snape really playing the field? Was he still loyal to the Order while staying on Voldemort's side?

"I guess," started McGonagall, "that at some point we must hope that Sirius reveals why he did so. Letting Snape go after what he did..."

Harry was silent, fiddling with his feet. "Professor, do you know why Professor Dumbledore was up on the Astronomy Tower?"

Professor McGonagall sighed, placing her hands together in the same way that Albus Dumbledore had done in the same chair so many times before. "The Headmaster informed us that he was briefly leaving the premises, only for a little while and that he would return at the point of the highest tower in the school. He asked us to patrol the corridors, I assume he knew that an attack was imminent, or possibly, planned for young Malfoy to overhear what he was up to. All of us were patrolling the various hallways; as you know we were locked in those corridors, which I must admit, was very powerful magic to break through." She held herself stiffly as if affronted that magic had beaten her for once. "Now, Potter, it is likely the school will be closed – it is not safe for you anymore. Our world has fallen; I would have you leave these premises if you were not adamant to stay for Dumbledore's funeral. I can only hope that your continued presence here will not endanger the school."

Harry shook his head, his mouth set in a determined look. "It won't. I'll leave as soon as it is over."

Because he did want to say goodbye to Dumbledore; he had left him much to do, but he felt that the Headmaster deserved his respect. And he would give it, no matter what.

It had been announced that the school would be closing the day of Dumbledore's funeral. All lessons were suspended as well as examinations – students who were to take OWLs and NEWTs would take them in a few weeks under controlled conditions at the Ministry of Magic. With the Headmaster's murder, it wasn't politically correct for the school to remain open.

Ron's arm, that had been broken during the battle, had been expertly healed by Madam Pomfrey. Bill Weasley, on the other hand, had suffered werewolf scratches to his face. Fortunately, Remus had predicted that Bill would not become a true werewolf, only display certain characteristics of a werewolf. Since Greyback had been in human form at the time, his attempted contamination of Bill had been unsuccessful, though the physical scars would never disappear, and would continue to remind the oldest Weasley child of the scars of war.

Sirius had flitted back to Grimmauld Place, but with the Fidelius Charm placed on Grimmauld Place, and its Secret Keeper now dead, everyone that had known the secret had automatically become the new keeper, which stretched the security of the charm. His childhood home was compromised and since Snape had been in on the secret, he could lead Death Eaters to the hideout, so the Order had to regroup at a more secure location, but that had yet to be set up. All the research Sirius had been working on in regards to the Horcrux hunt, he had personally collected from the house, picking up various books along the way and a map of Britain. He had not forgotten about the Horcrux that he thought was hidden in the Room of Requirement, but he had not had the time to go back there. He and Harry planned to return there after the funeral where they hoped they would find it.

They had also snuck into the former Headmaster's Office and retrieved the sword of Gryffindor. Though they had a supply of Basilisk fangs, Sirius figured that having another object capable of destroying Horcruxes would be an excellent idea. They had enough fangs, but one could never be too over-prepared, especially for the task that had been bequeathed to them. Sirius would be responsible for the fangs while Harry would carry the sword. He had earned it after all, especially after what he had done in the Chamber of Secrets three years ago, though Sirius would keep it on him at all times until Harry was able to leave Hogwarts.

The two Death Eaters captured during the battle had been sent to Azkaban, with Fenrir getting a life sentence for mauling someone of 'noble and pure-blood', however since Voldemort was in charge of the Ministry, it would only be a matter of time before all imprisoned followers would be released. Bit by bit everything was falling into place.

On the 5th June, the sun rose above the mountains, baking the school grounds with an intense heat ray. People from the Ministry had arrived overnight – including the Death Eater controlled Minister of Magic – as well as the Aurors. This caused complications for Sirius as just a few days after Dumbledore's death, an arrest warrant had gone out for him, thereby causing him problems in being able to pay his last respects to Albus Dumbledore.

He had considered pulling Harry out of Hogwarts since his own position was tenuous, but Kingsley – on the order of the Minister – had already questioned Harry and been told that he did not know where his godfather was. Harry would be safe for a few more days, but that didn't stop Sirius from worrying about his godson's safety at the funeral, especially since more than half of the attendees were on Voldemort's side.

Thankfully, Harry had lent him his Invisibility Cloak so that Sirius could be there to pay his final respects. Being wanted by the Ministry on a trumped-up charge was not fun, especially since it reminded him of the year on the run he'd had a few years ago, just after he had escaped from Azkaban.

The students would be returning home an hour after the funeral, though Harry would be staying. For the sake for their plan to work they had enlisted the help of one of the members of the Order to masquerade as Harry on the Hogwart's Express, using Polyjuice Potion. It was risky but a necessary one, especially if it allowed Harry to escape from any waiting ambush that might await him once he was away from the safety of the school.

Just after breakfast, Sirius stood outside the tomb that was to be the final resting place for Albus Dumbledore, waiting for the rest of the school to arrive. Hidden beneath the Invisibility Cloak, he had situated himself far enough away from the proceedings that no one should stumble across him.

Gryffindor students were some of the first to arrive, headed by Professor McGonagall. Sirius noticed Harry was holding hands with Ginny and that Ron and Hermione were also doing the same. Once the remaining students were seated, honourable members of the Wizarding Community were seated, followed by acquaintances of the former Headmaster: the Weasley family notably among them.

To Sirius' surprise, his cousin Andromeda turned up by the side of her daughter, Tonks. Ted was nowhere to be seen. Everyone knew what Voldemort's plans were likely to be: it was probably better that Ted stay in the safe house that Dumbledore had set up for them. People like Hermione and Ted are in danger now, more so then they ever were before. How long will it be before Voldemort – or his lackeys at the Ministry – have it declared that Muggle-borns are the scum of the earth? He didn't think it would be that long before an announcement of that type was made. Voldemort was consolidating his control quite quickly – he was just waiting for the opportune moment to grab Harry, and while he stayed within Hogwarts, he would not be able to do so. By putting out for Sirius' arrest, Sirius was certain that Voldemort hoped that he would play into his hands and Harry would come running.

Fortunately, Sirius Black was a lot smarter then he looked – or acted – and he would not allow himself to fall into the Dark Lord's hands again.

In the shadows of the forest, Sirius saw, stood the centaurs, watching with interest the proceedings. They dared not go any closer. The merpeople, close to the surface of the lake, were singing, though to many there, they would not be able to discern the words.

And then the funeral started as Hagrid carried the body of Albus Dumbledore, wrapped in purple velvet spangled with golden stars. It was as if everyone in the vicinity was crying, though Sirius was sure that some of the guests were putting it on, just for show. Hagrid placed the body of Dumbledore on the table that stood in the centre of the lawn.

A little tufty-haired man in plain black robes now stood in front of Dumbledore's body. Sirius shuffled forward, being careful to keep the cloak draped about him, but everyone's eyes were upon the little man, speaking about the life of Albus Dumbledore; of his achievements and some of his more publicly-known failures, but always returning to the fact that the Headmaster had always retaining his 'nobility of spirit'.

The man droned on for at least fifteen minutes, bowed and then returned to the only unoccupied seat in the grounds. Sirius waited – for he had been to a Wizarding funeral before and knew what to expect – but that didn't mean it didn't surprise one when it happened.

Bright, white flames erupted around Dumbledore's body and the table upon which it lay: higher and higher they rose, obscuring the body. A few people jumped out of their seats, clearly not expecting that. White smoke spiralled into the air and made strange shapes, but next second the fire had vanished. In its place was a white marble tomb, which now encased the body of Albus Dumbledore.

A shower of arrows flew into the air from the Centaurs, their tribute to a man that had helped fight for their rights. Sirius watched them sink back into the shadows from whence they had come; the merpeople who had briefly risen above the water to listen to the funeral director, sank back below the surface of the green lake, lost from view.

Sirius saw Harry glance at Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Harry had already told him that he and Ginny wouldn't be able to remain together, not while he still had Horcruxes to find. He had already decided to tell her, but Sirius had advised him to wait, for undoubtedly, they would be living with the Weasley family for a few weeks before they made their move. They may as well use the time they could to be together, just in case it was the last they would ever have with one another.

Watching from his place underneath the cloak, Sirius waited till everyone had left and returned to the castle. Searching round to ensure that no one was keeping an eye out for him, Sirius threw off the Invisibility Cloak, tugged it inside his robes and transformed into Padfoot, skirting the school grounds and heading quickly back up to the main entrance where he hoped Harry would be waiting for him in the relative safety of the Headmistress's office.

"So, is that what you were doing that night?" questioned Harry. "Looking for the Horcrux in the Room of Requirement?"

Sirius nodded. "Yup, and instead I stumbled across Malfoy and his box of hidden Death Eaters. Any thought of finding the Horcrux fled from my mind at that point." He leaned back against the desk, arms folded across his chest. "I could have gone and looked this past week, but keeping a low profile has prevented me from doing that. With everyone leaving we have the run of the school and – with any luck – should stumble across the cup or the diadem. I've already sneaked into the Ravenclaw Common Room to look at what the diadem is rumoured to look like, so I have a rough idea of what I'm looking for."

"But there is still the chance that a Horcrux isn't hidden in the room?" continued Harry.

"There is that, but I don't think we have anything to worry about. If Voldemort has hidden something here, it's likely it is located in the Room of Requirement. Only possible place it could be and I've combed this school from head to foot over the last few months, of course, completely overlooking the one place that it could possibly be. If I hadn't been distracted by Malfoy and Bellatrix the other night, I probably would have found it."

They waited another thirty minutes before they sneaked out of the office; McGonagall having promised Sirius that she would keep any Professors away from the seventh floor corridor. Harry clutched his Invisibility Cloak to his chest, ready to unravel it at the smallest hint of trouble. He disliked the thought that there was a fake him on the train, but Kingsley had warned them – at his own personal risk – that an attack at Kings Cross Station was likely. Better for Harry to not be on the train and be at the one place where they didn't expect him to stay longer than necessary.

Quietly, but quickly as possible, Sirius and Harry made their way to the seventh room corridor, stopping in front of the slab of wall where the Room of Requirement was located. They had already rehearsed what they were both to think when outside the room: I need the place where everything is hidden. They repeated that three times and when they stopped pacing and had opened their eyes, a door stood in front of them.

Sharing grins, Sirius moved forward and pushed open the door, stepping into the same room he had been in one week ago.

Harry's mouth fell open in astonishment. "How are we supposed to find a Horcrux in this?"

"Split up and look at every object, that's all we can do." He pulled from his robes a piece of ripped parchment. "This is what you are looking for, for the diadem." On the parchment Sirius had drawn a rough sketch of what the diadem looked like. It looked old, and a note in Sirius' handwriting described it as probably being discoloured, with the words: WIT BEYOND MEASURE IS MAN'S GREATEST TREASURE. "It should be easy to find, but since we don't know which Horcrux is here, look for both."

"Right," nodded Harry, taking the parchment and started to walk up on aisle, his eyes running over all the objects in the room. He could remember what the cup looked like; he didn't need a visual aid for that.

He walked down aisle after aisle, searching. He was starting to fill with hopelessness when he started up another aisle where his eyes fell on the Vanishing Cabinet that Malfoy had utilised in getting the Death Eaters into Hogwarts. He took to the left and then abruptly stopped, his heart pumping hard in his chest. On the floor – of all places – next to dusty crate that held a chipped bust was a tiara, thoroughly discoloured but he could just make out the words etched onto it. He sprinted towards it, sliding to his knees when he reached it, taking in deep, unbelievable breaths.

Was this it? Was it really the Horcrux?

"SIRIUS! SIRIUS!" he yelled. "I THINK I'VE FOUND IT!"

Thirty seconds later Sirius came running, stopping beside his godson, his own eyes staring at the dusty tiara on the chequered floor.

"I don't believe it," whispered Sirius.

"Is it what we're looking for?" asked Harry, reaching forward one hand to grasp the tiara and lifted it up. He turned it over in his hands: he could just hear the sounds of a hoarse voice whispering and he slammed it down onto the floor, scrambling away from it. Something had pulled at his mind, started to whisper doubts into his mind, just like what had happened with Dumbledore and the locket.

"Harry, get the sword," instructed Sirius.

Harry slipped off the backpack he wore, which Sirius had cast an Extension Charm on. He unzipped it and put his hand in to it, all the way to his shoulder and then pulled out from its depths the sword of Gryffindor. They had placed it in the bag that morning. Clutching it by its hilt, Harry stared down at the diadem that lay on the floor, silent, but deadly; Harry was all too aware that the tiara held a piece of Voldemort's fragile and cracked soul.

"Okay, Harry," said Sirius gruffly. "Get this over with."

Harry swallowed, a lump forming in his throat, getting to his feet and raising the sword, past his shoulders. He could hear faint words echoing in his head, but he gritted his teeth, ignoring the words that whispered and would torment him if he allowed them to get to him. With enormous effort, and with Sirius taking a step back, Harry brought the sword down, hard, shattering the diadem in half.

Smoke erupted from the two halves, vibrating madly, cracking along the two pieces and then crumbled into more pieces. He was sure that he heard a faint scream coming from the shattered remains of the diadem.

Taking a deep breath, Harry fell to the ground, the sword clattering from his fingers. They had done it; another Horcrux down with only two more to go.

"Just two more, Harry, two more and then you can finish this," Sirius seemed to echo Harry's own words.

It was a long while before both Harry and Sirius left Hogwarts grounds and headed towards the safe-haven they had selected to stay in. As he left the school, Harry had the ominous feeling that this would be the last time he would see Hogwarts in all its majesty. He wondered, with the war getting to new heights, whether the ancient school would survive, preserved like it had been for centuries. He hoped it would, for Harry Potter wanted to return to the school, but for now he was on the run, in a Voldemort-controlled world.

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

Next chapter: A Safe Haven - Harry and Sirius make plans to continue with their Horcrux hunt, Voldemort takes complete control and Neville finds that he can be useful to Harry Potter. To be posted Monday.

Apologies there won't be a preview for the next chapter. I'd rather not spoil much of it, we've probably got to the point where previews might be difficult to post as we come closer to the end of this fic. :)

Until next time,

the-writer1988