Alas... Earwax

Noting that he was extremely tired, Albus removed his half moon glasses and placed them on his large mahogany desk. Fawkes chirped a little, having just reborn a few short hours ago. Dumbledore rubbed his eyes mindlessly, humming a tune in his head, slightly resembling "Weasley Is Our King." A few moments later, the staircase leading to his office was being used, and a slight knock on his door was heard.

"Come in, Severus." Dumbledore stated softly. He continued wiping his eyes, and when he opened them, Severus Snape appeared blurry in front of him.

"Professor, I have just gotten news from...Professor? Are you alright?" Severus' figure was soon seen coming toward Dumbledore, and Albus put on his glasses again.

"Perfectly fine, Severus. Just a little tired. The Order has been extremely busy since the last run in with Voldemort. I am afraid that I have not been doing my job as much as I should have. Now...what did you need to tell me?" Dumbledore twisted himself in his large chair, his long fingers wrapped around one another as his elbows were propped on the desk.

"I have received word from the Death Eaters. Lucius Malfoy has been sent back home. It seems that Narcissa Malfoy pleaded innocent and demanded her husband be sent home. She did not feel safe alone in that dreadful mansion, so they felt sorry and let him go." Severus cursed under his breath and took a seat in front of the desk. He remembered all of those times he sat in that chair, and how the stupid prat friends of James Potter sat next to him, lying to Dumbledore and getting away with it. A slight sneer came across his face, and Dumbledore sighed.

"It is no use, Severus. You must not dwell on the past. I have learned that the hard way. Being angry at someone who is not even around anymore is wasting precious time."

Severus hated when Dumbledore acted fatherly toward him, but he knew that was the only advice that a father would have given him. The only things his father ever gave him were bruises and old robes.

Albus sighed. "I am afraid that I am no longer going to be able to help with the Order, Severus." Dumbledore stood and made his way around the desk, then propped up against it, his face a little flushed from the trip.

Severus, realizing what Albus was saying, whipped his head toward him. "What? Not help?" Severus stood. "Professor...you made the Order! Of course you have to help! What are we supposed to do? Voldemort can't defeat us with you!"

Dumbledore's blue eyes suddenly looked into Severus' dark ones. Albus's eyes were so deep, so full of secrets...a sign that the end was near.

"Severus...I am..I am not like I used to be. I can not think straight anymore. Worrying about the Order, Hogwarts, Harry..."

"Do not worry about Potter, Professor." Snape spat. "He can save himself. He has done it four times already."

"Severus, do you not think I helped achieve those victories?"

Snape stood silently and nodded. He knew he would never win an argument about Harry. "What can I do to help?"

"Continue with the Death Eaters, obtain information and give anything you find to Remus. That will help the Order tremendously."

"What about the school, Professor?"

"Minerva has been with me long enough to know what I would do in situations. Nothing unintentional has been planned, so I see no harm in letting her take over."

"Well, I will be on my way then," Severus cut in. "Tomorrow is a busy day..."

"And Severus," Albus said quietly, walking up behind Snape and putting a hand on his shoulder. "Watch Harry as if he was your own son. I know it is not hard for you inside, I know you care for Lily's son. But please, keep him safe."

Severus nodded and silently closed the door behind him. Dumbledore strode slowly to the back of the room, and opened the curtains leading to a small room. Inside the room was the almost complete picture of himself. His eyes met with the pictures, and the Albus picture winked. "High time to retire, dear sir. Have yourself some Every Flavor Beans." As soon as the picture spoke, the staircase was heard again through the closed curtains. Dumbledore continued his walk toward his sleeping chambers, where he undressed into his pajamas and slid into his large sleigh bed.

"Albus?" Minerva McGonagall had entered the small room, along with Harry Potter.

The painting in the corner was pointing toward the sleeping chambers, since his mouth was being touched up. Minerva said a quick thank you and made her way through the doorway.

Dumbledore laid there with his eyes closed, his glasses still on his face. Harry glanced around the room, seeing the beautiful tapestries lined against one wall, and a small fireplace in the corner. Some pictures were set up on the mantle, and Harry noted a few of them. Arthur and Molly Weasley were in one, smiling and holding two babies. Harry knew they were probably Fred and George.

A large picture of the Order was centered on the mantle, and a few people were chatting while Harry looked at them from a distance. He soon saw, to his amazement, a picture of his parents, holding Baby Harry. They smiled and waved at Harry, and baby Harry giggled.

"Dumbledore, Severus has told me you quit the Order? What is wrong?"

Harry quickly turned his head back toward Prof. McGonagall and Dumbledore, now realizing what had been said.

"I am growing old, Minerva. Never thought I would, did you?" He let out a small laugh, and turned toward Harry.

"Hello, Harry. Say...hand me that box of Every Flavor Beans, would you?"

Harry nodded and reached over and picked up the box, which was half empty. He saw that behind the box was a picture of himself. Harry looked confused, but went over and gave the box to Dumbledore.

"Thank you, my child. I have always wondered what would be the last flavor I would taste..." The room fell silent as Harry and Minerva, puzzled, looked on to see what Dumbledore was talking about. He quickly fetched a bean from the box and popped it in his mouth, sliding the box back onto the night stand beside him.

"Alas...Earwax."

Those were the last words Harry would ever hear from his hero.