When the Night Comes

Old Fool's Dying Wish

Albus Dumbledore has made many mistakes in his long life. The latest one, however, is fatal and he knows it.

Knowing he has weeks, probably days, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore tries to set things to right for all the individuals and families that were affected in his quest for "the greater good".

He only hopes what he does is enough.

~*~*~*~*~

August 1, 1996

Residents of Great Britain and Scotland are in a frenzy. Owls, hundreds, maybe thousands of them were seen in broad daylight, flying back and forth. This phenomenon was with precedence however, as it has also occurred almost 15 years ago, on the day after Halloween.

In Wizarding Britain, every household woke up to the news that Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with his many accolades, has died. A good portion of the population wailed and mourned. A small portion, however, was glad.

Tom Riddle, AKA, Lord Voldemort was ecstatic. So ecstatic in fact, that he postponed the Malfoy brat's branding as punishment for his father's crimes.

Severus Snape breathed a big sigh of relief.

~*~*~*~*~

August 2, 1996

Walking into Gringotts Bank at Diagon Alley, Hermione Granger and her friends Ron Weasley and the Chosen One, Harry Potter together with several members of the Order of the Phoenix, stopped short near the end counter of the marble hall. Up ahead, and seemingly waiting for them was none other than Draco Malfoy, their nemesis and childhood bully, standing beside an ever stoic Potions Master, Severus Snape as well as Draco's mother, Narcissa Malfoy.

Of course Ron Weasley was first to react.

"What are you doing here ferret?!"

The pale blonde boy smirked.

"Apparently the same as you, Weasel."

"Now children, this isn't the time or place." Remus Lupin, werewolf and former professor and ever the mediator butted in.

From behind the tall black marble counter, a sour face goblin cleared his throat.

"It appears everyone is here, please follow me. I am Gorkluk, the executor of the Dumbledore Estate." The goblin seemingly disappeared, only to appear seconds later beside the tall counter and walked to a side corridor. He ushered the big group into a room off the side of the bank.

Hermione looked around, it was a weird set of people here today. Aside from her friends, Malfoy, Snape and Lupin, almost all of the senior members of the Order were there. Both Weasley parents, Bill Weasley, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Amelia Bones, Agusta Longbottom, Minerva McGonagall, Alastor Moody, Andromeda and Nymphadora Tonks and the old man who owned a pub down at Hogsmead (weird!). Hermione eyed Malfoy, wondering how he was holding up in seeing his aunt and cousin who were blasted off the family tree for marrying into a muggleborn family.

Draco Malfoy, and Severus Snape, along with most of the males of the group elected to stand up around the room, all of the females were seated on uncomfortable chairs in a semi circle in front of a nondescript table were the goblin sat.

"Let's get this started, its not safe for Mr. Potter to be out here." Mad Eye Moody, ever the auror grumpily stated.

The goblin only stared. Draco sneered. Severus huffed. It was all surreal for Hermione.

"Here is the will of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, deceased as of 2:13am on August 1st, 1996. Verified by the British Ministry of Magic and the Goblin Nation."