Professor Dumbledore's death had left all of us in shock and despair. After him, Professor McGonagall took over the duties of the Headmistress and the first task she had was to arrange Dumbledore's funeral.

The next few days were nothing short of a trial for all of us.

Dumbledore's funeral was held in Hogwarts and thousands from the wizarding community showed up to pay their last respects to the esteemed wizard. 

However, some parents showed up to take their children away from school, on grounds of the security breach that had led to a murder occurring in Hogwarts. Seamus Finnigan's parents came and took him away, as did the parents of most of the Slytherin students.

Draco and Snape had left with the Death Eaters that night and there had been no sign of them ever since. I had a terrible feeling about Draco as I knew he didn't want to get roped into the evils the Death Eaters had to commit, but he had no choice.

I should have given him a chance to explain earlier. I should have listened to him.

But there's only so much we can do being just one person against a series of events fate has lined up for us. My biggest problem is that I can see those events before they happen and that early knowledge becomes a burden for me, no matter what the future holds.

I saw bits and pieces of what transpired during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower days earlier. But I couldn't figure it out in time and what was written by fate's quill came to pass nevertheless.

It was the day all the students were going back home. The Great Hall was draped in black to mark the mourning and silence lingered everywhere. Not a single laugh was heard and it reminded me of the time Cedric had died and his funeral had been held.

After breakfast, the carriages were waiting in the school grounds to take us to the Hogsmeade Station. However, Professor McGonagall stopped me from leaving with the students and beckoned me to come with her.

Guess, I would have to come home by Floo Network then.

I followed her up the stairs that led to the Headmaster's office. The gargoyle shifted when Professor McGonagall gave the password and we entered the cavernous space.

It felt odd to be there, knowing that Professor Dumbledore would no longer come back to his office. Fawkes the phoenix had disappeared after the funeral too so the office felt quite empty.

The Sorting Hat was there, and so were the portraits of other Headmasters, but the essence of the place was missing.

"Take a seat," Professor McGonagall's voice shook me out of my thoughts and I did as I was told.

She had gone to the bookshelf, fumbling around as if searching for something then returned with a closed envelope in her hand, which she gave me. I looked up at her surprised and turned the envelope over to see the Headmaster's handwriting.

The words inscribed on the envelope caught me most off guard: To Cynthia Malfoy.

Of course, Dumbledore would have known that I was a Malfoy, he might also have known about Evelyn Everhart and the curse that bound her family. But it was still shocking to see that name and my hands trembled slightly as I hesitated to open the envelope.

"Albus told me to give this to you in case something happened to him and he couldn't deliver it himself," she spoke up, taking the seat across from me, "He strongly believed that you should know the truth about yourself."

So that envelope contained something that would help me find out the truth... But after all that happened this year, I don't think I wanted to reveal further truths.

I had been through enough to be struck with another burden too soon.

Professor McGonagall seemed to have noticed my concern as she resumed in her gentle voice, "You don't have to read it right now. Take it home, take some time to think and then open it. You will find most of your answers."

Alright then, I would just put it in my satchel and open it later. No pressure.

"And there's one more thing I had to tell you," a piece of parchment appeared in front of McGonagall and she conjured a quill out of thin air, "Madam Hooch will be returning from this term. I have thought about it and I think you should explore better career options than just staying here as a Quidditch Instructor. You were a brilliant student, I am sure you would find a much better job at the Ministry."

"But I don't want to work at the Ministry..."

She nodded, "I suppose you will prefer working for the Order. Still, there are several other options. But your staying at Hogwarts isn't one of them."

Wait, what?

Her tone was grave as if she could foresee something that even I hadn't seen in my visions.

"After the Headmaster's murder and the state the school is in, I can't guarantee anything," her voice lowered, a tinge of helplessness tainting it, "Once you read the letter Albus wrote for you, you might understand why your leaving Hogwarts is a better option. We can't keep you safe, child. You have to protect yourself."

Her words were no longer making any sense. I looked at her with wide befuddled eyes, "But Professor...?"

"Katerina, Albus told me you have a rare gift to see into the future," she leaned even closer so that no one could hear her but me, "But we are not the only ones who know. You would be at great risk if I let you stay here because the Dark side might come for you. Your father might try to take you away and you know Lucius, even if we want to, we can't do much against his power and hold over both the Ministry and the school."

Hearing about Lucius Malfoy being referred to as my father made me feel queasy. He was not my father. He wanted me to stay away from his family and I would happily do so.

"Please, don't call him my father."

"Very well, but the truth can't stay hidden for long."

She was right. If Lucius Malfoy came to get me, for whatever reason there may be, it would be hard to stop him.

Perhaps, leaving Hogwarts was the better option. So I agreed to go and Professor McGonagall handed me a termination deed containing the details about my job and the time it ended. I put down my signature on it carefully, signing the dead.

"I wish you luck wherever you may be," she gently patted my hand, "Stay strong. I am sure you will face all the battles with courage and determination like a true Gryffindor."

"Thank you," I replied, my eyes welling up at the thought that this was probably the last I would see of my school.

I was supposed to go home by Floo Network but I excused myself, going out to the school grounds. I wanted to see the castle and how it looked like one last time.

***