disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, just Arabella and her story. Welcome back, everyone, we are officially on Deathly Hallows! Can't wait to continue Arabella's story with all of you! I hope you like this chapter :)

The Parting Glass

Arabella glanced around her messy room. It wasn't always like this. She was never the tidiest, but now it looked as though a tornado just went by. She spent the morning completely emptying her school trunk for the first time in what seemed like years. In the midst of the chaos was her bridesmaid/best man's dress hanging against the closet. Two weeks after they buried Dumbledore, Remus and Nymph announced to everyone they were getting married in a couple days' time and they both wanted Arabella to stand beside them. Arabella, with all the love in the world, could not choose between her beloved godfather and cousin, and promised that she will be there for the both of them as a bridesmaid and best man. It was going to be a small intimate wedding, Remus wanted it that way, but that did not stop Andromeda from decking her whole house for the event.

Kneeling down, Arabella threw some old quills, socks, and an old badge that kept flickering between SUPPORT CEDRIC DIGGORY and POTTER STINKS into the trash. It took her about an hour to completely throw away all the useless junk she kept over the years. Once that was all done, she then sorted all her items into two piles: things she would need for the mission, and things she was going to keep at Grimmauld Place. Her school robes, cauldron, parchment, quills, and a couple textbooks were in the corner of her room to be left behind. The textbooks she stole from Dumbledore's study, a couple defense and transfiguration books, her Muggle clothes, potion-making kit, the pocket knife Sirius once got her, some personal photos, and the Marauder's Map was now laid out on her bed.

Licking her lips, Arabella picked up her rucksack, thrust her wand inside, and muttered, "Capacious Extremis."

She wouldn't know if she performed the spell correctly until she tried it out. The spell was meant to be tricky. She began shoving her belongings into the rucksack. Once she placed the third defense books into the sack and saw it disappear, Arabella knew she got the spell down. Flitwick would have been proud. The last thing she placed inside was the blanket Sirius got her for Christmas. It seemed almost silly packing it, but something inside of her tugged and earned for it. She didn't know where she was going and how long she was going to be gone for. The blanket that Sirius made especially for her was a good reminder of where she came from, who she was fighting for, and why she was fighting. She was going to need it during dark and disheartening days.

Arabella then thought back to two weeks ago when she announced to Remus, Nymph, Andromeda, and Ted that she was not going to return to Hogwarts for her last year. She was going on a mission for Dumbledore alongside Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and she was not going to reveal any more details. None of them were pleased with her. They questioned her endlessly.

How could this be more important than your education? It simply was, Remus.

What are you even going to do? Ted, I told you, I can't say anything. Harry promised Dumbledore.

What does Dumbledore have to do with this? Everything.

This is preposterous! Dangerous! What could honestly make you think that this is more important than your education? There are things more important than my education, Andy! Our livelihood! Our future! If we don't do this, then there's nothing left for us and any kid stepping foot into Hogwarts!

You cannot do this! I have to do this! Dumbledore made it clear that it had to be Harry and us!

You don't have to do –

"I know!" Arabella screamed, standing up, slamming her fork onto the table. "But it has to be me! It has to be Harry! And it has to be Ron and Hermione! We made a promise to Dumbledore and we're going to fulfill his dying wish! We have to take down Voldemort! We have to take down his Death Eaters! There are things more important than going to class everyday and learning useless junk! Would you sit by and do nothing? Would any of you just lay down and let those monsters walk all over you? I'm an adult, for Merlin's sake!"

Remus, Nymph, and Ted, in the end, understood. Andromeda was harder to convince, and, in the end, made her displeasure very apparent. She was not going to budge on her stance and neither was Arabella.

Arabella quickly glanced at her watch. It was almost five in the afternoon. Mad-Eye said he was going to stop by and show her something. She had no idea what it was, but knew it had to be important.

She crossed the floor and placed some snacks next to Shay's bowl as the owl snoozed peacefully. Oh, to be oblivious to the world! Arabella then picked up the latest Daily Prophet from her beside table. She found the paper to be very usefully in cleaning up after Shay. But… something across the bottom of the front page caught her eye. It was a picture of a hurried Dumbledore that read:

DUMBLEDORE – THE TRUTH AT LAST?

Coming next week, the shocking story of the flawed genius considered by many to be the greatest wizard of his generation. Stripping away the popular image of serene, silver-bearded wisdom, Rita Skeeter reveals the disturbed childhood, the lawless youth, the lifelong feuds, and the guilty secrets that Dumbledore carried to his grave. WHY was the man tipped to the Minister of Magic content to remain a mere headmaster? WHAT was the real purpose of the secret organization known as the Order of the Phoenix? HOW did Dumbledore really meet his end?
The answers to these and many more questions are explored in the explosive new biography, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, by Rita Skeeter, exclusively interviewed by Betty Braithwaite, page 13, inside.

Arabella balled up the newspaper and threw it across the room. Lies, it was all lies! Rita Skeeter wouldn't know the truth even if it broke into her house and smashed her nose –

"Severus Snape?"

"I did not kill you, Albus!"

Jumping five feet into the air, Arabella quickly grabbed her wand, threw open her door, and dashed down the stairs.

"Mudbloods, filth, stains of dishonour, how dare you bring shame into my father's house – !"

BANG!

The curtains to Walburga's portrait shut with a red glow, silencing Arabella's horrid grandmother. Arabella turned her head and saw a large figure standing near the entrance.

"Identify yourself!"

The figure walked towards her with a clank. "Alastor Gleeson Moody. Last year I showed you a room that contained the names of the witches and wizards that lost their lives in service to the wizarding world. Among them were my family."

Arabella put down her wand and said, tentatively, "Just checking."

"That's good, you're using your head," said Mad-Eye, his shoulder jerking up. "Constant vigilance, I always say."

"Really?" said Arabella, pretending to be taken back. "Because I've never heard you say that, ever!"

Mad-Eye scowled at her. "Get changed. Wear something comfortable. Be down in five."

"Minutes or hours?"

"Black!"

Arabella quickly hurried back up and changed into a pair of Muggle jeans. She then grabbed the leather jacket hanging in her closet. Hagrid gave this to her during her first year, saying that it once belonged to Sirius when he was at Hogwarts. Before leaving, she grabbed her pocket knife and stuffed it into her jacket.

Downstairs, Mad-Eye was waiting for her next to the front door.

"You coming to Remus and Nymph's wedding?"

"We'll see," growled Mad-Eye with a frown. "A wedding during these times, I tell you…"

Once they stepped outside and heard the locks click back into place, Arabella grabbed onto Mad-Eye's arm and they Apparated away. Her navel jerked forward and she closed her eyes tightly. When she landed on soft ground, she opened her eyes to find herself standing in Mad-Eye's backyard. His house was small, but big enough for just him. The curtains were drawn and the whole house seemed dark, as though it was abandoned years ago. It was just the way Mad-Eye liked to live. Off the grid, away from society, quiet, alone… The backyard was a forest that stretched for miles and miles. She's never been inside the forest before.

"Who do you trust?"

Arabella raised her eyebrows. "With what?"

Mad-Eye gave her a strange look. "You don't trust me, then?"

"Is that what I said?" snapped Arabella.

"It was implied."

"But not what was said," Arabella told him as she glanced around. "What are we doing here, Mad-Eye?"

Mad-Eye moved towards the forest, almost limping with urgency. Arabella followed after him and stopped just in front of the forest's shadows. Mad-Eye pulled something out from a nearby scrub. It was a cage with two white rabbits trapped inside. Their beady little eyes were on Arabella.

"I know Albus gave you, Potter, Weasley, and Granger a mission and you won't tell anyone. I understand why. In fact, I respect that. You can't trust anyone. Not anymore. Keep your guard close. Don't tell a soul. Any bloke down the street could be a Death Eater or just some supporter that will sell you out for a Galleon or two. I bought you here so that I can teach you a thing or two before you leave for this mission."

"What are you talking about?" asked Arabella.

Mad-Eye gave her a cold, twisted smile. He set the cage down and opened it. The two rabbits immediately dashed out and into the forest as fast as they could. Arabella watched them for a moment, their little legs straining to escape, and then it all clicked. She understood why she was brought here.

"No!" Arabella shouted, shaking her head. "No, nope, no, no, no, not a chance, no, not happening, no –"

"Yes," growled Mad-Eye, reaching out and grabbing her collar. He gave her a shake and said, "You are going to catch those rabbits."

"No! It's – it's inhumane and hor – horrible and cruel! Those rabbits are – they're innocent!"

Mad-Eye laughed cruelly and shook her again. "This is nothing compared to that sniveling traitor murdering Albus or You-Know-Who coming back from the dead or Bellatrix murdering your parents or the Longbottoms lying in St. Mungo's, unable to even say their name. That's cruel, Black, that's inhumane. What I'm about to show you might be horrible, but it's going to help you survive. I doubt any of you are going to five-star restaurants or pig out at the nearest diner. You need to know how to survive. You need to be prepared. You need to be better than your parents. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

He shook her again and Arabella fell backwards, unable to hold herself up right.

"I don't want to wake up one morning and read an article saying that you or Potter died all because you idiots starved yourselves to death."

Arabella's eyes flickered towards the forest. She could still hear those rabbits squeaking miles away with the leaves rustling.

"I don't like it," Arabella said in a hushed tone.

"We all have to do things we don't like," Mad-Eye grumbled. "They're necessary."

Arabella sighed and looked down for a moment, steeling herself. She didn't want to agree with him on this, but, in the end, she did. Unfortunately, he was right. The things we do, the things that are necessary… we have to do them regardless of our feelings. Arabella didn't want to leave Remus, the Tonks, or the Weasleys behind, but she had to. It was on Dumbledore's orders. The mission was more important than her feelings. A lot of things were.

She slowly took off her jacket and placed it on the ground next to Mad-Eye. She then closed her eyes concentrated. Her body shrank and shifted. She took a step into the forest. Her hearing sharpened. A twig snapped a couple miles from her. She could catch them easily – almost too easy actually. She's never truly experienced this before, a sort of primal instinct that she did not want to get used to. After another moment or two, Arabella took off.

The first one was easy. It was trying to run up a tree. Arabella closed her eyes before catching it. The second was tricky. It tried to hide behind a bush, but Arabella was able to sniff it out.

Mad-Eye looked satisfied when she brought the rabbits back. He was sitting next to a campfire with two steel rods on the ground next to him. Arabella happily took the offered bottle of water and washed her mouth thoroughly. She then leaned against a tree as Mad-Eye inspected the rabbits.

"Really sunk your teeth in there, didn't yea?" said Mad-Eye, nearly laughing.

"Sure."

"Here, you take this one."

He tossed her the smaller rabbit and took out a knife from inside his boot. "Watch closely. We only have two and we've got to get it right on the first go, got it?"

He then began to explain to her how to properly skin the rabbit. She paid very close attention as he cut around the rabbit's feet, made slits along the legs, and skinned the whole thing with both his hands easily. He then discarded the tailbone, spine, and head, before cleaning the whole thing with another bottle of water. He presented the rabbit to Arabella with both his hands and she just stared at him, her expression stony.

"You want me to do that?"

"Yes," said Mad-Eye simply. "Remember – ring, slice, pull, tail, pull, arm, head, joints, and then wash."

"You're acting as though I have a bloody choice," snarled Arabella.

She turned her attention towards her rabbit and whispered a small apology. It was much more ghastly doing it herself than watching someone else do it. She memorized all the steps and when she finally stuck the rabbit through the metal rod, she did actually appreciate when Mad-Eye was showing her. He was right. He always was. She didn't know where she was going or how long she was going to be gone for. They could be gone for years searching for Voldemort's Horcruxes and it was going to be difficult for them to stroll into the Leaky Cauldron and order some chips. As much as she didn't like to admit it, this was all necessary.

"Not too bad," scrutinized Mad-Eye. "Could clean it better, though."

Arabella rolled her eyes. "Have you ever considered the chance that you might be a bit off your rocker?"

Mad-Eye barked with laughter as the two rabbits turned over the fire slowly. "It's not gourmet and you won't starve. Fish is a bit easier despite all the bones. Just remember to remove all the scales, get the insides out, never eat the fins, and remove the head. Eyes were never my favourite part."

"What if I just decide to become a vegetarian instead?"

"You have to be careful," Mad-Eye said seriously. "Most berries are poisonous. It'll be easier for you to just steal some eggs or hunt for your food. You don't want to misidentify a berry and find yourself dead the next day. Now, get up and take out your wand."

Mad-Eye stood up suddenly and Arabella followed after him, though a bit slower.

"Now, if I remember correctly, that scum who tried to impersonated me did actually teach you something. The Unforgivable Curses."

"Right," said Arabella.

"Do you know what the three are?"

Arabella sighed and said, "Yeah. The Imperius, Cruciatus, and Killing Curses. Why does that matter? I know what they are."

"Have you ever used them before?" Mad-Eye whispered.

Arabella almost took a step back.

Never used an Unforgivable Curse before, have you, poppet? snarled a silky voice in her ear.

"Once," Arabella said quickly. "Against Bellatrix after – after what she did to Sirius. She told me I needed to mean it, that I needed to cause pain and enjoy it –"

"Did you?" asked Mad-Eye.

"For a moment, yes. It was Bellatrix, after all."

"Have you ever used any of the other Curses?"

Arabella shook her head and Mad-Eye smiled at her.

"Good. I'm not going to show you the Imperius Curse. I got rid of all my rabbits. No, instead I'll show you –"

"What are you talking about?"

" – the Killing Curse."

"What?"

Arabella took a step back from him.

"I'm not going to kill you, Black!" roared Mad-Eye. "I'm going to show you how to cast the spell –"

"Why?" yelled Arabella.

"I've told you already – you have to be prepared! You do know the words, don't you?" he added, grasping her upper arm and shaking her. "What is it, Black? What are the words?"

"No, let – get off –" Arabella wrenched herself free and glared at Mad-Eye. "I know what the words are. I just don't see the point –"

"You're going to face many enemies on your mission. You need to be prepared, you need to know what to do, and you need to pay attention to me, Black!" He turned to his side, pointed his wand at a nearby tree, and roared, "Avada Kedavra!"

Arabella's stomach exploded. There was a flash of green light, blinding light, an unreal scream coming from her mouth, and it was done. The great big tree cracked in half, falling onto the ground with burnt marks from the split. Birds flew over them, screeching, and she could hear more creatures in the forest run away.

"It's not nice," said Mad-Eye, frowning. "I know what you must think of me now. But you've got to know, Black. Your parents would want you to be prepared for the worst. If you ever find yourself in an unpleasant situation, you should know what to do. If you find yourself face-to-face with a Death Eater ready to rip your throat out… well, better to strike first and make sure they never get the chance. C'mon. It's your turn."

"Wh – what?"

Losing patient, Mad-Eye grabbed Arabella's hand, thrust it out in front of them, and pointed it towards another tree. He then stepped away and scowled at her.

"Are you going to say the words or not?"

"N – no! I'm not!" said Arabella, putting her hand down

"Why not?"

"What do you mean why not?" Arabella screamed, her voice becoming high. "Are you really asking me why I don't want to produce the Killing Curse? Really?"

She then pointed her wand at Mad-Eye, who remained composed and unfazed. In fact, it didn't seem like he cared about the wand pointing at his face. He simply looked at Arabella with both eyes.

"I have trained the finest Aurors to ever graced the Ministry. Do you know why that is?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"They're the best because I push them to be the best. I pushed them to their limit. I demanded excellence and that's what I got. My methods might be unconventional, but this world is cruel and the people crueler. We have to be prepared for any and everything. I know what you're capable of, Black, and I continue to push you because you can do more. Now, point that wand at the tree and say those two words. "

Arabella did not move from her spot for a while. She continued to glare at Mad-Eye for a few moments before turning towards the tree.

"Atta, girl," breathe Mad-Eye. "Steady hand, take a deep breath in…

She raised her wand, trying to will herself into saying those words. Blood began pumping in her ears. All she could hear was her steady breath – in and out, Arabella, in and out – and all she could feel was herself bracing for the impact. After a moment of her insides twisting and turning, she knew she couldn't do it. There was nothing in the world that could change her mind.

"Black!" snapped Mad-Eye.

"I'm not doing it," growled Arabella, scowling at him. "I'm not going to kill this tree or anything else for the matter. I'm not going to do it –"

"And what if Bellatrix –"

"If Bellatrix was in front of me, then it would be a different story," said Arabella, sighing. "But she's not and I'm not going to kill anything that's not her."

Mad-Eye stared at her. "You want you first to be meaningful. You're going to kill her, aren't you, Black?"

"This is a cruel world, but that doesn't mean I have to be a cruel person," croaked Arabella. "I'm going to kill Bellatrix. Not this tree, not you, not anybody else."

Mad-Eye's lips twitched as he said, "Come on, then, our rabbits are done."

Arabella sat on the ground near the fire as Mad-Eye walked back to his house. He opened the back door, grabbed something quickly, and headed back to Arabella. In his right hand were two mugs and a bottle of firewhiskey, and in the other was a fold up chair. He opened the chair, sat down on it, and poured them a glass.

"Cheers," he said in a gruff voice, clunking his mug with Arabella's.

"Cheers," Arabella mumbled.

She took a sip, noting the familiar burning sensation, and gripped the mug tightly. She wasn't particularly in the mood for a drink. Mad-Eye then handed her the small rabbit and she chewed on it for a bit. It was tough, unappetizing, and plain. Arabella stared at the cackling fire and sighed. She supposed she had to get used to it – terrible meat, painful decisions, and long nights wondering if all of this was worth it.

"Here," said Mad-Eye after a while. He took out his own pocketknife and held it out towards her. "Take it. It'll help you wherever you're going with Potter. I don't need it anymore. Take it."

Arabella slowly reached out and took the knife. "Thanks," she said, giving him a tight smile.

He gave her a curt nod and they both drank another glass of firewhiskey.

"When I found your grandfather lying in his house," began Mad-Eye, staring at the fire, "I whispered something to him under my breath. I don't know why I did it. He was gone. Something came over me. He was… gone. Dead. My words were just meaningless."

"I'm sure he would have liked it," Arabella reassured him.

"Him and Hekabe, sure," said Mad-Eye, shrugging.

"What did you tell him?"

Mad-Eye snorted and said, "Of all the money that e'er I had, I spent it in good company."

Arabella's eyebrows shot up. "The Parting Glass, really?"

"I used to sing it with Isaak all the time," he said quietly, raising his glass towards the sky. "We were young Aurors and we liked to frequent the Leaky Cauldron. It was a good way to bond with the other Aurors. We were once thrown out because his voice was atrocious."

"How bad?" asked Arabella, chuckling.

"A banshee would have done better than him," Mad-Eye said blankly. He then looked at Arabella and said, "Well, he was still a great Auror, regardless of his voice, and… an even better friend. Wherever he is, I'm sure he's taking the piss. He was good like that… always making me laugh."

Mad-Eye then stood up and dumped the rest of his drink on the grass. He then kicked some dirt into the fire, extinguishing it.

"Time to take you back home, Black," he said, holding out his hand. "It's getting late."

Arabella grabbed his hand and pulled herself up. She looked Mad-Eye dead in the eye and sung, "I'll gently rise and I'll softly call, good night and joy be with you all."

"You cheeky bas –"

Arabella Apparated away with a laugh.

Arabella opened her eyes, unable to fall asleep. She twisted and turned for what seemed like hours before giving up. Staring at the ceiling, she thought of the people in her life and how much she loved them. From the Tonks to the Weasleys, to Mad-Eye and Hermione and Remus and Harry, and the ones she lost along the way.

"Of all the money that e'er I had, I spent it in good company…"

In a couple months, the Hogwarts Express will be on its way back to Hogwarts for another year. Normally, her things would be packed, she would get on the train with her friends, and head off for her final year. She would be greeted by a smiling Professor Dumbledore in the Great Hall, sit beside her friends, and head up to the girls' dormitory. Parvati and Lavender… Parvati and Padma were ushered off the grounds by their parents. Where were they now? Are they safe? Are Parvati and Lavender able to write to each other? What about Dean, Seamus, and Neville? Will she ever see those Gryffindor boys again? She hoped Dean will not return to Hogwarts. It wasn't going to safe for him after Dumbledore's death and Voldemort moving out into the open. Seamus and Neville had a better fighting chance than he did. But what about Luna, Katie, Demelza, Coote, and Peakes? Or even Angelina and Alicia and Wood? What about skinny Alfred and the Creevey brothers? They were too young for this… where were they? Were they safe? Or… or were they already gone? What about the professors? How will they fair this semester?

"So fill to me the parting glass, and drink a health whate'er befall…"

In a week or two, maybe longer or shorter, she will have to leave behind the Tonks, Mad-Eye, the Weasleys, and Remus – her family. It was difficult to leave them now than at platform nine and three-quarters. Before she always knew she was going to see them again at the end of the year. One year of filling her head with charms and jinxes and spells, and then back home to the people she loved. This time… this time a goodbye almost seemed definite. Will she ever see Andromeda and Ted again? Will she ever have another Weasley dinner? Will she ever see the twins and their flourishing business, or see Ginny graduate – if she will ever graduate? Bill and Fleur, will she ever see them after the wedding? Will either one of them survive? Will Charlie or Percy ever come home? Mrs. Weasley deserved that, she deserved to have all her children underneath her roof once more. Will Mad-Eye ever come over again and cause her trouble? After their wedding, will Arabella ever see Nymph again? Will she ever have kids? Will Arabella be part of it? Will Nymph ever grow old alongside Remus? Oh god, Remus… Leaving him was going to be excruciating. She didn't know if she would have the strength to do so. What if something happens to her on this mission? What if something happens to him? He deserved a happy ending for once. This mission could take one year, two years, three or five years… what if she comes back after five years and he's changed? Or she learns he's gone? What if she's not there, she misses everything, and their relationship changes? A whole lifetime could pass when she's on this mission…

"Of all the comrades that e'er I had, they're sorry for my going away…"

Arabella turned over and smiled, thinking of Hermione and Ron, her best friends… They all said they were going with Harry at the end of last year. Hermione and Ron didn't have to do it. They didn't have to say they were coming. In fact, they never had to face the troll, get the Philosopher's Stone, go down to the Chamber of Secrets, race off to the Ministry, or any of the things they had to face over the years… by they did it. The four of them have gone beyond friendship and companionship. She loved all of them. Ron and Hermione were her brother, sister, comrades, best friends, confidants, and perhaps even soulmates rolled into one. She couldn't imagine getting this face in life without them by her side and she wouldn't imagine a future without them.

"And all the sweethearts that e'er I had, they'd wish me one more day to say…"

Arabella quickly rubbed her eyes and cheeks. Her throat began to close. She couldn't think of Harry without shedding a few tears. Every memory, every moment, every thought came rushing at her… The first time meeting him on the train to Hogwarts, he was so small with messy black hair and brilliant emerald eyes… Flinging her arms and stepping between him and Voldemort, following him down to the chamber, casting their first Patronus Charm together, their first dance, their first kiss, their first date, smiling at each other across the Room of Requirements, their first time together, their fights, their declarations, their everlasting, ever dying, and unyielding – oh, it's love, isn't it? Arabella thought to herself, almost laughing. Whatever time she did have with him, she would never regret it. Not one single moment. Not one single day. Every moment she spent with him was a dream. If they managed to survive this, whether it be next year or ten years down the line, she wasn't going to waste another moment without him. And if she didn't… if she didn't survive this, well, then she would be happy to know that, for a time, she was with him and those were the best moments of her life.

"Come fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with you all, good night and job be with you all…"

Thank you so much for reading! It's certainly interesting to write Mad-Eye and try to make him a bit softer with Arabella (only just a little). And Arabella reminiscing about all the people she loves got me a little, especially with Harry and coming to realize she really does love him. Let me know what you all think of DH's first chapter. Until next time, my friends!