Dearest Fina,

You surely know by now what it means now that you're reading this and I cannot tell you how sorry I am to be leaving you, especially at this trying time. Would that I could be friend to you, a shoulder to cry on, one last time for you.

Should it come to pass that Sirius and Flora marry, I hope you'll let them know I would have given my blessing were I there. I always thought I'd be there to see the day that our little ones wed each other, they'll make the most handsome couple!

You might like to get to know Elladora a little better once I'm gone, I know she can be a little off putting but as it happens she's really quite soft underneath it all. I'm leaving five children to a spinster with the maternal instinct of a doily, Fina, it's madness you must help her.

Finally, I'm not sure I've ever said it but your friendship means so very much to me. I couldn't have asked for a more loyal or steadfast friend than you, Rufina. I hope Ernest exceeds expectations and all is back to how it should be before long, if that is what makes you happy. I do want you to be happy above all else, I want you to have everything you wish for, most of all I wish I could be there with you. I hope I get the chance to see you between the writing of this letter and the end, it will make me so happy to talk as we always have even if we're making up nonsense to distract from our own miseries.

Should this be the last you hear from me, good luck and goodbye, Fina.