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The warm June breeze filled the headmasters office and the man himself, Albus Dumbledore was pacing the floor. He knew that in a few short hours he would find his way to the Astronomy Tower to check on a disturbance, reported death eaters in the castle. And Severus, the young boy he had first met all those years ago, would be waiting for him, for his demise.
But that wasn't what had the headmaster pacing, It was the vial of memories from one of his last good meetings with his soon to be killer. A declaration of love, an agreement of a murder, a piece of the soul. Lily Potter had only been weighing more and more on his mind as time passed. The brightest witch of her age, a motherly woman that would become more and more clandestine as the war raged closer to her. What forces choose such a meaningful end to her was beyond even Dumbledore's mind. “As above, so below,” The headmaster croaked out, his hollow voice echoing in the formerly silent room. The chime of an approaching guest to the office rang out as no doubt Professor McGonagall knocked her fist against the heavy set door. “Come in Minerva,” Albus said as the knocking ceased and the shifting of the door began.
“Albus, it seems that– death eaters have entered Hogwarts and are headed to the Astronomy tower. Potter says they are here for you,” McGonagall spoke lowly, as if she would raise her voice the Death Eaters could hear the fear in the Professor's voice.
“Thank you Minerva, that will be all,”
“Albus, did you not hear me? Death Eaters here in Hogwarts–,”
“Of course, I’ll handle it. Lemon drop?”
With an unsatisfied huff, McGonagall left, not accepting Albus's offer of a hard candy. The door slammed hard leaving Albus alone again. The headmaster knew what was coming, knew that he would be mourned, knew that Hogwarts would never be the same, Knew that even in death Aberforth wouldn't forgive him. The Wizard left his office and began his journey to the end.
He had played every card correctly, left no stones unturned, had more power than most wizards could dream of, but yet he was still headed for his death. He wasn't never just a man, not just a wizard, Albus Dumbledore was a conduit of knowledge, of change. He trained the mind of the wizarding youth, changed the wizarding world in ways even Tom Riddle couldn't dream of. He was much more than any one person could know.
But even conduits can be worn down.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, THE MAGICIAN.