Herman Mopsus never expected to die. Cognitively he knew that he would expire eventually. If the gift of second sight had taught him anything, it was that no one could escape the march of time. But he had lived for so long that death had ceased to be something that he thought about.
Perhaps it was his gift that made him unconcerned about death. Herman Mopsus was one of the most celebrated seers of his age. He had predicted Grindawald's defeat in England, the murder of the Minister of Magic during the First Wizarding War, the genders of each of his grandchildren. He had seen his parent's passing, and his wife's. Perhaps that was why death was not an issue for him. He understood that sometime, everything had to end. He just didn't need to dwell on it.
During the war, he allowed his home to become a safe house for muggleborns on the run and muggles who were being targeted by Death Eaters for one reason or another. He saw that no one would expect the old, blind seer of hiding 'undesirables'. He was confident in his vision. He allowed those that needed an escape to come into his home.
His daughter was furious when she had found out. Furious and terrified.
"You're going to get us all killed dad!" she shrieked one rainy day upon finding some muggle children eating ice cream in his kitchen, "We are all going to be hunted down and murdered because of you!"
Herman told her that she was being silly, "Calm down Silvia, no one's going to die." He didn't need his vision to know that was a lie.
He tried not to be hurt when she slammed the door on her way out.
Herman Mopsus, age ninety six, joined the Battle of Hogwarts because he was a talented wizard, and why not. He had taught at the school for many, many years until his sight had left him. Minerva McGonagall, all grown up and giving orders, has him help in the infirmary.
He helps as best he can, placing wards around the beds and summoning various medical supplies when needed. As he holds the hand of yet another screaming child, he thanks the stars that the universe decided to strip him of his sight.
He could hear the screams of the dying, the shouts of those fighting…and a strange whistling noise…
The room exploded.
Herman Mopsus saw just before he died.
He saw his mother, leaning down to give him a kiss.
He saw himself getting his first vision-he predicted the winning Quidditch team for his father.
He saw himself getting his letter, heard the Hat yell "RAVENCLAW!", heard the Great Hall explode into applause.
He saw himself meeting his best friend, his favorite teacher, his wife.
He saw himself making prefect, then head boy, then graduating and coming back to teach.
He saw himself getting married, having Silvia, then Andrew, then waving to Silvia on the train, walking her down the aisle.
He saw himself at Andrew's graduation, his wedding, and then his funeral.
He saw himself retired, playing with his many grandchildren in his backyard.
He saw himself fighting a war that he believed in. He saw himself saving lives.
He saw himself laughing and crying and living a full and happy life.
Herman Mopsus never expected to die. But if he had to die, he thought that this death was a pretty good way to go.