Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

This is the last chapter for this story.

All lessons were suspended, all examinations postponed. Students were leaving the castle early with their parents. Seamus Finnegan argued with his mother, who eventually agreed to let him stay for the funeral. It was hard for his mother to find lodging in Hogsmeade, since so many were coming to pay their respects.

Hobbits and authors managed to find lodging in tents, just outside the school grounds. They were in secret areas. It was enough to ensure they all had their chance to stay for visitation. Some hobbits and authors decided to stay for the funeral, but not many chose to do this.

Frodo was now coming to grips that Dumbledore died, but it was still hard to imagine. The task Dumbledore had set for him and Harry to complete together was coming to its end. He would have to make the journey alone in order to destroy Sauron's horcruxes.

…the bauble… the orb… the helmet… the bauble… the orb… the helmet… the bauble… the orb… the helmet…

He found Harry talking with Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They were tighter knit than ever, as he was with Sam and Aria. Maybe it was time to talk to him about their separate journeys.

"Harry," Frodo sat next to him. "Sauron has horcruxes, too. I have to find them."

"Then it looks like we part ways. Doesn't it?" Harry asked, curious.

"I was wondering that." Frodo answered. "So, I guess after the funeral, this'll be the last time we meet."

"Until the time is right then." Harry shook his hand. "You'll always be my best mate."

"And you." Frodo nodded. He asked him in return, "Will we meet again?"

"Will we? You're the expert with foretelling the future." Harry said.

"Right." He nodded. "I have this feeling we will meet again down the road."

Harry nodded, too. "Good luck. I hope your journey is blissful."

"Same to you." Frodo said, softly.

"I'll be fine." Harry said, returning to his conversation with Ron, Hermione and Ginny.

Frodo had been to funerals before. So, this wasn't anything new to him. He witnessed his parents' funeral. That was the saddest moment he had experienced. Now that Dumbledore's funeral was on the rise… it was just too hard to bear. A lump ensued in his throat. He wanted this nightmare to end, even with all the visitors coming to Hogwarts.

He felt the bauble in his pocket. It was a sign of what he went through to get it. Now, it just stood as a reminder of what he lost.

He finished packing and went downstairs. The Hogwarts Express would be leaving an hour after the funeral. He met with Aria and Sam in the Great Hall. Sam had to go off to the Hufflepuff table before his house made their way to the grounds. So, there was still time to kill before then.

Frodo peered up at the staff table. Rufus Scrimgeour was present, eyeing the students. He kept his eyes off of Scrimgeour and focused on the Slytherin table. It was odd not seeing Lotho and Malfoy present at the table. Crabbe and Goyle would surely miss their company. His thoughts returned to Snape. How could a man like Snape kill Dumbledore? It was impossible… or maybe not. Still, he couldn't believe what he saw. Was there any way to ease his pain? He feared there wasn't any clear answers. That made things worse.

Aria nudged Frodo, getting his attention. He looked up, watching Professor McGonagall stand up. "It's nearly time. Students, follow your Heads of Houses to the grounds. Gryffindors, follow me."

Frodo stood up, following Flitwick and the rest of the Ravenclaw house out to the grounds. They moved towards the lake, where half of the chairs were filled up by people. Most people Frodo didn't recognize. Some he did. Snorri was present, dressed in brown robes and carrying a wooden staff. What was he preparing for? A fight? There didn't appear to be any action, except for the funeral. Hilibert Blodwen was also present, donned in purple robes with silver stars embroidered into the fabric. The Order was present as was the Firebird. They wouldn't miss Dumbledore's funeral. Merry and Pippin showed up, sporting red jackets, red vests, white dress shirts and red knee breeches. They stood out fairly well next to the sea of cool colors. The castle's ghosts were also there, transparent in the sunlight but shimmering when they moved.

Frodo and Aria sat behind the Gryffindors, close enough to the lake to get a view of its outer region. A swell of people kept coming in. Cornelius Fudge arrived, along with members from the Ministry of Magic. Were they even sorry that Dumbledore was dead? He wondered that, but wouldn't dare ask. There was Scrimgeour, too. Professor McGonagall came last with the staff, right in the front row.

"Mermaids." Aria said, getting Frodo's attention.

Indeed, the strange singing sound came from the merfolk down by the lake. Their tune was one of loss and passing, but also to celebrate Dumbledore's life. They were mourning Dumbledore's loss. Frodo grinned a little. It was better this way.

Hagrid came up next, drowning in tears. He carried in his arms, wrapped in purple velvet with golden stars, Dumbledore's body. Frodo's throat tightened. He couldn't bear to witness this, but he did. He looked at Aria. She just stared, her face half in mourning and half in interest. He wondered what was going on inside her head. Hagrid, once he reached the end of the row, placed Dumbledore on a table. He returned to the crowd, blowing his nose. Frodo tried to comfort him, but it was no use. The giant hardly noticed, behind the tears. Grawp, Hagrid's half-brother, followed closely behind him.

A little tufty-haired man wearing black robes stood in front of Dumbledore's body. He celebrated Dumbledore's life. There was a splash. The merfolk listened to this speech. Frodo could barely listen. The things that described Dumbledore. It almost made him want to smile. No. He was at a funeral. He shouldn't smile. He should be in mourning.

It's true then. Everyone he loved were dying right before his eyes. His parents, Everhart, and now Dumbledore? Was there no end to this plight? Oh, how he so much wanted the battle to be over and done with, so he could see Everhart, or his parents, again. That was not to be. Now he was stuck with the task Dumbledore left him. It was easy to part ways with Harry, as he had his own mission: to find the rest of the horcruxes and defeat Voldemort. His journey would have to be alone. Aria and Sam couldn't come with him. But then, they were too stubborn for their own good. Would they listen to him now?

The little man in black stopped talking and returned to his seat. For a moment, Frodo thought another person might get up and say something. There was a loud blast. Sparks of bright white flames engulfed around Dumbledore's body. The vault rose, sealing Dumbledore inside until the table was no longer visible. The sparks vanished. The merfolk returned to the lake. It was over. Dumbledore was gone.

It was now or never. Frodo would have to tell Aria the truth, if only Sam didn't come running up to them.

"So Frodo, what's the plan?" Sam asked, curious.

"I can't take you with me. Both of you." Frodo said, standing up.

"What?" Sam and Aria asked, confused.

"Sauron's coming after me. I have to start finding the horcruxes. Dumbledore gave me a job to do and I'm doing it." Frodo told them, serious.

"Frodo," Aria huffed, "you're a wonderful person, courageous even. But sometimes you go in blind." She reiterated. "What I mean to say is that you can't do this by yourself. I've been with you on adventures for the past five years. What's one more adventure for the both of us? Maybe two." She added, "You are not going to find those horcruxes by yourself. You need Sam and me to keep you safe, while we search for them."

"We?" Frodo asked, curious. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you're not going to look for those horcruxes alone. Miss Aria and I will be with you the whole way." Sam said, putting in his two cents.

"Trust us, Frodo. We want to protect you." Aria said, encouraging him.

Frodo sighed, nodding his approval. With so much going on, and the fate of the worlds at stake, not knowing if they would see another day, or if Voldemort and Sauron were on the move, searching for a way to stop him, at least he would have a pleasant day to spend with Aria and Sam, while this moment was theirs to own it.

Here ends the sixth part in the Hobbit Wizards series. :)

Thanks to those who read, reviewed, favorited and followed this story: Dinosaur Imperial Soldier. And thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy days to read this story, all the way through to its end. It is much appreciated. :)

Okay, so I did a huge rewrite for this story, as well as what's coming up for Books 7 and 8 in the Hobbit Wizards series. The reason for this is because I didn't like how this story ended up the first time, the direction it was taking. I'm much more satisfied now that I've expanded it and given it the proper story it needed. And honestly, I think I did a much better job with Dumbledore's death than with Everhart's death in The Firebird's Call. Even though, I did touch up the chapter involving Everhart's death.

Next up is Book 7 in the Hobbit Wizards series, which follows The Deathly Hallows book to an extent. I'll get into more of that when we get to Book 7.

Until the next story. :)

Aria Breuer