Standing Alone.

Chapter 23 - A letter for a friend.

A/N: I got it out before the year was over! Hell yeah! Anyways, it's a short chapter. The next chapter will be the last one, so stay tuned everyone!

Poppy placed her wand inside of her bun, holding it firmly in place, before tying the ribbon on her coat, and flicking up the hood. It was likely gonna rain, and she was not being caught with her rain resistant hood down. Sighing, she nodded and went to check on Harry and Kreacher. Both remained on the bed, unmoving, except for the steady rhythm of their chests rising and falling.

"Alright. You behave, Mr. Potter... I will be back when the tournament is over with."

With that, she left, humming softly under her breath and a smile spread on her lips. "Poppy." A woman's voice sounded and the old medic-witch, turned to the sound, raising her brows. Her smile widened as her arm hooked with the others. "Pomona... Shall we?" Sprout chuckled and nodded. "We shall."

After the door closed to the med-wing, a certain ravenette, sat up in the bed, disconnecting different wires and magical scanners, that would surely alert Pomfrey in case he awoke. Sighing, he stood up and grimaced, his legs were weak, from the constant reclined position. Looking to Kreacher, a soft smile spread on his lips. That stubborn elf... He had been an amazing companion, all of these years... Flicking his wrist, a letter landed in his hand, well written, for Kreacher to hand over, to a specific someone.

"When you awake... Hand this, to Minerva McGonagall..." Harry sighed and leaned over the elf, placing a kiss to his forehead. The area gave a soft glow, and a tear fell from Harry's eye. "May you finally find peace, old friend..."

***

"And that was our three Champions! We all wish Mr. Potter a speedy recovery, and hope that he gets well. Now, if the mentors can all please give their individual champions a nice farewell, then we will get this tournament finished!"

Cheering and celebration music was heard throughout the place, and everyone watched as the three champions were given their final words of wisdom, from the individual mentors.

And they were sent into the maze.

Everyone sat with anticipation at what was happening inside of the maze, soon sparks flew into the sky, a blue, red and yellow sparks, showing where the fallen were. And they were retrieved magically. As everyone waited for Cedric to appear with the goblet, an old house elf appeared in the middle of the middle of the field.

"I have a message... For Minerva McGonagall..!" Kreacher yelled out and held up his hand, in which there was a letter. Hermione stared with wide eyes at the old house elf, as Minerva made her way down to him. "He's been given the kiss of death..." She breathed, and all that heard, let out gasps. What would Harry say when he woke up, and his anchor was no longer at his side..?

Minerva also noted the golden kiss and an ache wrapped around her heart. "Thank you, Kreacher... You have served your purpose." A golden glow wrapped around Kreacher, as he smiled. "Thank you... Miss..." He breathed out, and golden dust fell to the ground, where there before had stood an elf.

"What does the letter say, Minerva?" The minister asked, it was a beautiful death for a house elf to receive, usually it would be them getting buried, such a hassle, but he had clearly done good in his life, to receive such a goodbye.

Minerva cleared her throat and opened the letter, furrowing her brows at the pretty handwriting. It had been many years, since she had last seen that neat little snake of the S'... "Read aloud, Minerva." Dumbledore stated and Minerva cleared her throat, gulping as she began.

"Hello, my little sunflower..."

"That's for me..." Luna breathed and everyone looked at her. "That's... That's what Harry calls me, when he needs to tell me something devastating... Like when he told me my mother died... And when... He pushed me away..." Minerva looked to the girl and wondered why the letter had been given to her, if the contents of it, was for Luna.

"You must not fear the future... When you were a baby, I held you in my arms... I was there when you were born, and I watched you take your first steps. So please, forgive me, for not being there for you, when you walk the halls of the school, forgive me, for not being there to hug you, when you graduate, forgive me, for not handing you over to your future partner... But know in your heart, that I will always be there, in your heart and in your memories." Why did this feel like a goodbye... "You see, what happens today, has been arriving long before any of your classmates or friends, were even born... I have waited fifteen years, since I last tried to end his existence, with the help of your mother... You look so like her, my little sunflower... I will tell her our story, and we will laugh and cry together... Try and see if you can find it within yourself, to forgive Xeno. He is a good man, sweetheart... He lost your mother, just like you and I did, and he never recovered from it."

Luna furrowed her brows, she wasn't liking the tone of this letter. "Draconius Malfoy." Draco shook his head and looked around. He never told anyone his true name, well except- Of course... "You have to look after them now... All of them. Don't hide, like I tried to... Don't be a fool."

"I'm no fool..." Draco scoffed and everyone cracked a small smile.

"And to Minnie..." Here it was. "Don't do it. Don't come looking for me. Do not think, that you can do anything... Don't come save me... It will only get you killed. Now, unfortunately, these will be the last words that I will be sharing with you, so to get it over with. Utter these words with care, and only when the moment is right, don't worry, you'll know, I trust that. Yours truly, R.A.B."

It was silent for a few minutes, until Sirius seemed to wake up from some deep trance, and his eyes widened. "My brother?!"

"What word, did he wish for you to speak?" The minister asked, watching as the two champions were settled into their seats.

Minerva didn't speak the word, well, not until there was an odd shift in the air, and her breath hitched.

"Evan Rosier..." She breathed, but it was as if her voice travelled through the air and continued, until it was echoing through the entire area.

"And what does that mean-?" A Ravenclaw girl didn't get to finish her sentence, as a dark form rushed past everyone and went to Mad-eye Moody, enveloping him in dark smoke, everyone watched with wide eyes, as where he had stood moments prior, now stood no one.

A/N: I am sorry that it is so short, but the next chapter should be pretty long, and I didn't want this to be like, 5000 words. So yeah! Hope you enjoyed this, see you in the last chapter of the book, next year! Harry new years! Remember to stay safe and don't be stupid with the fireworks.
~Author Cupcake<3