Originally Posted by Cassirin

The speech couldn't wait any longer, or else she'd be shouting after them as they lined up for the train. Rae rose slowly to her feet and looked for Lainey. But of course, Lainey wouldn't be there yet, if she made it at all. She had work to do.

"Students," Rae lifted her chin and called out to the hall, waiting for them to fall quiet. The tilt of her chin was almost haughty, but her smile for the students was warm. "We come to the end of yet another term at Hogwarts. I want to thank you all for the work you've done this term, both for your houses and for your own education. I feel proud to know those of you leaving the school after this term, and we hope that we've given you enough to take the world by storm."

Rae bowed to the Ravenclaw table. "Congratulations to Ravenclaw for winning the Quidditch Cup this term. You were magnificent. And congratulations to the Gryffindors for winning the House cup." She gave them a bow too.

"The train will arrive soon, so I hope you will enjoy the feast and make sure you get home safely. Hogwarts will, of course, be here next term. There will be a lot of new faces." Her mouth opened and closed a few times, and Rae's shoulders slumped forward. "I can't just..."

She glanced up again, piercing the room with a searching look, taking in each face. "I have a letter." From inside her robes, Rae drew a crumpled sheet of paper. Her face was pale, but her voice was steady.

"My dear staff and students,

There is an old saying that Aurors never retire. They simply fight to the death and then stand guard over heaven. The last few years have been a reprieve from my time as an Auror, a chance to rest after the greatest tragedy of my life and a chance to refocus my energy for the greatest cause I could pick up... all of you.

But at the end of the day, I have been fooling myself. Hogwarts is safe. You are safe. It is the world outside of Hogwarts that is fraught with danger, and now that I have made this place safe for you, I must turn to the greater world in my battle against the Dark.

There is a new menace, in a place far from here, and they have asked a select few to come and fight. Professor Lainey and I are leading the team. It was the easiest decision of my life to come work at Hogwarts, and it is the hardest of my life to leave. I have loved my time here and the healing it has brought me, and I carry each of you in my heart. For truly, I am fighting on your behalf.

So I must bid you good bye, not just for the summer, but for longer. I cannot say how long this menace lasts, nor if it will be the last. I can only say that you are the true treasures of Hogwarts and..."

She couldn't finish the letter, so she stuffed the piece of paper back in her pocket and wiped her streaming eyes. Now this was certainly unprofessional, but she couldn't bring herself to care.