6th January 1998

Suddenly, I feel like a stranger inside of my own house, as I sit down beside Kingsley on the sofa. Today I will tell him. Today I will reward him and bring an end to this war.

I clear my throat, not quite sure how to begin.

"I have had another vision."

He turns slowly to me, thoughtfully anticipating what news I have.

"The end of the war is nigh."

I don't have to explain further. "You're not just telling me this, are you?" he says quietly.

"No."

He sighs, tired. "So what exactly do you have in mind?"

I hesitate, cautious of his reaction. "I'm going to make you Minister."

"Why do you intend to do this?"

"It will be far easier to finish off the Death Eaters and their cause forever if we can make certain that the Ministry is returned to a more tolerant state, with one of our side as its leader. You are the perfect candidate for the job."

"But I would have competition, Marion. You can guarantee me nothing."

"The only true obstacles in our path are Thicknesse and his deputy. Once they are out of the way, the road is clear, all other opposition being negligible: since you and I are the only ones expecting the coming events, we have time to prepare ourselves- an advantage unique to us."

"Once they are out of the way?"

"Naturally we cannot have you tarnishing your good name. I shall be the one to put Thicknesse and co. aside. Preferably in some sort of skirmish, where self defence and unfortunate circumstances can account for me. "

"This is a messy business indeed. It is not right to take power by murder."

"I will not talk. But you must listen to me Kingsley, even after you gain office. I have been known to be right in some things. I will help you gain power, that is your reward and well-earned. But you must not forget what I have told you."

"I do not think that power is right for you, Marion. By all means wait a few years and seek it yourself rather than through me."

I give a short laugh of disbelief. "Do you really think anybody would ever accept me as Minister? I'm the daughter of a Death Eater, Kingsley. It would just be seen as a return to the old ways. I cannot wait, not with everything is going on. I will act when the time is right, child or not. So must you."

I reach out and tentatively brush the cold stone as if it were a relic. On it is inscribed his epitaph:

HERE LIES DOBBY

A FREE ELF

"Dobby," I whisper to him, shaking my head. I can't let it go. I can't let him go. Every time I close my eyes his green eyes light up like light bulbs and he's there again, so cheerful and kind even after everything. Elf or not, I never had his strength. I had so much to tell him, so much to learn. Now I can never know.

It was a knife I'm told- thrown by Bellatrix Lestrange. I feel ashamed by the sight of them. It is not only the enemy who is hurt by what we do. When this war is over, I shall never touch them again, certainly not use them to fight. To do so would be to ignore Dobby, to shun his sacrifice.

I scoop up a handful of sand and slowly let it flow from my fingers, disappearing into masses on the ground. I collect some flowers for his grave and salute him, mournful that another friend has gone.

1st May

I am about to despair of the pace of things when a Patronus, a lynx, meanders its way into the kitchen. I put away the last of my dinner dishes quickly, keen not to miss a word of his message. From the lynx's air, this is news of the most important form.

"Urgent Help Required at Hogwarts School. Minerva McGonagall intends to defend Harry Potter and the castle from the Dark Lord. His forces will be expected to seige the castle, everyone will be present. Apparate to Hogsmeade and report to Aberforth at the Hog's Head."

I nod slowly, well aware of who he means by everyone. If I am to kill Thicknesse, now is the time to do it.

Someone else will be there too. Draco. After all my fruitless months scouting and searching for new of him, I can finally find him, unless it is too late. No, I mustn't think like that. It cannot be too late yet.

I scrape my hair back and grab my cloak, stopping in the hall only to reach for my knives. Kingsley hates them, but they will do the job.

Careful not to disturb the neighbours even now, I close the door and make my way briskly down the road. If indeed this is my last walk from home, then it must not be done in sadness. If I am truly marching to my death, I will march with my head up.

Battle of Hogwarts next chapter!