/AN: Hello, this is JS. I don't usually write Death Note stories but I enjoy Death Note in general so I hope I got all of the facts straight. My court scene is going to be bad- i know a bit but I didn't put the time into researching what i didn't already know so forgive me for that. I doubt many of you are reading this so I'll put most of the important stuff at the bottom just in case but here you go!

Listening to: In Between- Linkin Park


The Frozen LifeSpan

By Jaysnow-Silverblaze

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Chapter 1~ Death's Master


"We hereby prosecute Harry James Potter-Black under the suspicions of aiding He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, behind the Ministry's back, and aspiring to become the new Dark Lord."

Harry was numb. He didn't know who was speaking but he had a sinking feeling somewhere in his subconscious that he didn't want to know. He could feel his upper arm burning under his shirt- just this morning he had been punished for dropping the bacon by being burned with the frying pan. He had a crude bandage of course but he could feel the fabric loosening from all the dragging around that had happened. Not to mention of course, the fact that he had suffered the worst beating ever after his 'loving relatives' found the letter from the ministry requiring him to attend a hearing about his Dark Arts use. He hadn't been able to stand for over four hours and he could still feel the knife wounds chaffing against his rough shirt as he sat silently in the middle of the court room.

Ah, you caught that huh? Yeah, He had delved into dark arts but he hadn't actually used more than the lightest of them and just researching the worst curses. 'Know thine enemy' He'd heard that phrase somewhere but he wasn't sure where. Loud voices startled him and he raised his head- he'd been staring into his lap- to see Remus yelling at the jud-Holy fucking Merlin don't tell me it's really-! Percy Weasley was standing on the podium, glaring at Remus and speaking in a low angry voice back to him. It was nice actually, the feeling he got when he knew that Remus was sticking up for him. He'd just get in trouble though, and he already had enough trouble looking after Teddy alone as it was. Harry frowned.

"Witness for the Accuser, Hermione Granger." A sort of strangled sigh fell from Harry's lips. It wasn't like he was surprised she had abandoned him. Her blatant adoration of Authority figures, her dislike of his 'adventures', her horror at the way Dark Wizard's 'worked'- He didn't know why it still bothered him.

With half an ear he listened as she spoke- albeit he did detect hesitance in her voice- of his Parseltongue, his strange absences at night, how calm he had acted when both Hermione and Ron had been nearly turned insane by the Horcrux-Hello miss-know-it-all, I was a Horcrux as well- and other things.

"…Witness for the defense… Ronald Weasley." There was definite unease in Percy's voice when he spoke Ron's name but Harry almost choked. Ron had stayed by him! He had certainly misjudged his friend. He shot him a bleary-eyed look but the red-head was glaring at the judge. He broke into a long, obviously well rehearsed, speech about Harry's selflessness, acceptance, hate for Voldemort (yes he used his name and it was amazing how many people still flinched), and how he had acted during the final battle, sacrificing himself for the school.

There were more witnesses were brought in but Harry's attention drifted away- there seemed to be more people against him then for him anyways. Until one name was called.

"Witness for the defense, Draconus Malfoy." Draco. Draco had- was that even possible? The blonde caught his eye with a firm determinedness in his gaze and launched into his speech. He spoke of the – now well know- story of his father and his part in the story and of how Harry had hated him from the beginning but because he was human he saved him, no matter which side he was on. By the end of it Harry had a small distant smile on his lips that he directed at Draco who hesitated then nodded stiffly.

Then he was back to his thoughts. Oh he knew he didn't deserve this treatment but after the night before at the Dursley's he was loath to do anything let along justify himself to the stupid Ostriches.

"-decide the method of execution-" Wait, wait… he must have missed something. They'd decided to execute him already? Well, what did he expect- I mean they did send an innocent man to Azkaban for thirteen years- wait no, they sent him for far longer he just escaped.

He heard mentions of the kiss 'firing squad' and- oh shit… the veil. Fate was a bitch- how ironic really; I die the way I caused the only man who really loved me to die. Yep, Fate was a bitch. Oh-? Yep there they go 'the veil it is'.

Something snapped. He was free. He wasn't chained to that fucking chair and they were all holding him at wand-point in front of that fucking veil.

He started to laugh.

He was nearly crying he was laughing so hard. "Y-you fucking hypocrites!" When he finally managed to stop laughing he glared. "I was your fucking savior. I killed some fucking mass murderer because you couldn't. I was fucking one for Merlin's sake and suddenly I was hailed as a hero." His face contorted into a look of contempt. "I was condemned then loved over and over." He let out anther humorless laugh and continued, "Oh? And everyone though I lived the cushy king life at home, yeah? Well FUCK YOU!" He ripped off his shirt angrily, exposing his bruised stomach and sides as well as the nasty burn that had come uncovered when his shirt came off. "Oh yes. Your savior was abused- and by muggles. You'd think I'd be more fucked up then I already am but oh no this little boy was our savior- wait no he's evil he can speak to snakes- oh wait he killed it we love him again. Fucking wizards- I'm glad I'm leaving and I can't wait until you're regretting this when the next Dark Lord comes. Oh no wait- you'll let some one year old take care of it for you!" With a final murderous growl of 'Fucking Hypocrites' he glanced at Remus, Ron and Draco in turn.

"I doubt any of you will be looked upon happily so sorry about that. You could always come with me though." He said dryly then fell backward into the veil with only a sneer at Hermione who was crying and red faced with horror and shame in her eyes- but the sneer was there for a reason, she was angry at him.

He caught one last look of Remus and Draco pushing through the crowd with a horrified Ron close behind them and then everything went black.


He didn't know where he was when he woke- though he was pretty sure he wasn't supposed to wake, being dead an all that.

You're not dead.

Oh, well that was reassuring. A voice coming from somewhere saying he wasn't dead. That wasn't creepy at all.

You find me… 'creepy'? I'm flattered. Did it sound… amused?

Great, so now it was amused at him. 'Uh… okay so… then where am I?"

Mmm… you humans don't really have a word for it but the closes you have is 'the void', 'purgatory', 'limbo' and some such. Really it's just an 'in-between' you can decide to carry on or stay here until you come to grips with your death.

'You just said I wasn't dead.' He pointed out.

By all rights you should be. The voice shot back. You- and your friends if they decide to join you since you offered- will be given the choice to pass to another world.

'Really? And what would this… 'other world' be like?'

A parallel universe really. Your magic will carry with you but… it will be different- In the world you may decide to enter there are humans on Earth who are ruled by Gods of Death, or 'Shinigami' as many call them. You yourself would be free of their influence since those blasted Hallows follow you and as such you are still my master.

'Oh really? So you're death then? I was wondering about that' When there was no answer he continued. 'What do you mean our magic will be different?'

You may use it like you would, but there are no words involved in the natural magic of this world- everything is intent based.

'What about Remus? He's a-'

Werewolf, yes I know. He would… I believe he would still retain his abilities but would no longer transform. It would be like someone whose animagus form was a wolf.

Harry nodded- or he thought he did, he wasn't sure he even had a body to nod with.

Ah! Your three friends are coming. I might as well let you free and talk to them- remember, even though my shinigami cannot harm you your friends are no exception.

Harry grumbled briefly but before he could form a solid complaint he was again sucked into unconsciousness.


"Harry! Harry, are you okay?"

"Five more minutes Rem- I don't have classes on Sunday." They his eyes flew open as he heard a snigger and everything came back to him.

"Rem! Ron! Draco!"

"Glad to see you haven't forgotten about me." Draco replied dryly. "Why I even followed some foolish Gryffindor is beyond me but-"

"Oh shut it ferret, you were just as worried as we were." Draco pinked but said nothing when Remus shot them a glare.

"Ugh. Where are we?"

"That, is a very good question." Remus replied with a sigh. He ran his fingers through his graying hair and continued with a sigh, "Mr. Malfoy and I were just discussing that when we noticed you were passed out over here."

Glancing around, it was clear that this wasn't Earth, because that was where Death told him he was going. It was barren with an almost… moldy feel to it, like rotting cheese or something. There were burned out shells of what appeared to be buildings, but they were far too large for humans. There was a withered tree not far away but other than that it looked like an old junkyard.

I'm glad you approve. The four of them looked to the right sharply and saw a figure at least twice as tall as Remus and as wide as if he were laying down. He wore a tattered cloak and all that was revealed was a skeleton head with a gaudy crown on it.* I did say I would take you to this world's Earth but this is another 'in between'. I have decided I would rather give your friends immunity to their death notes then spend extra energy to take you to this Earth. I will take you when I have energy enough.

Harry traded glances with Ron then said, "If that's the case then we'll be seeing these… Shinigami?"

That is correct. There was silence for a moment; follow me. I will speak to you privately.

The four humans followed the shinigami king through the withered waste-land. They had just passed the remains of a colossal ruined dome when they saw the first shinigami. It was vaguely feminine with a humanoid body that looked to be encased in an exoskeleton of some kind. She had hoop earrings and dark purple lips. Her hair fell to her chin and was a vague white-lavender color. They all stared and she turned. She looked back at them silently for a moment before bowing her head to the shinigami king.

"My king," Her voice was gravely but unmistakably female.

"Rem," The shinigami king nodded back then motioned negligently at the four wizards, "These are the humans that have caused such chaos. The small one with the black hair is the possessor." Rem nodded politely to Harry then turned back to the shinigami king.

"Gealus is dead."

The king seemed mildly disturbed at this news, "Was he not writing?"

Rem shook her head, "No it was a human girl." The words seemed to disturb him even more.

"And what of his Death Note?"

"It fell to the girl." He looked downright disdainful at this point then waved off Rem.

"Very well, the humans and I have much to discuss." Rem nodded politely and turned, floating off. I am not aware if the otherworld speak is understandable to humans. That was Rem.

"I could understand it. What is a 'Death Note' and how could a girl kill Gealus?" Remus said; summing up the conversation for the younger boys who looked suitably lost.

The shinigami king watched them for a moment then motioned for them to follow as he continued. You have much to learn about shinigami from this world possessor. I will try to fill you in as much as I can, for when I send you it will be important to know all there is about us. I only ask one thing in return- silence. If asked by any mortal you must say you know nothing.

Harry shared a glance with Remus then glanced to either side; seeing Ron spacing out and Draco listening intently. Then he nodded, "Alright, that's fair enough."

The shinigami king looked at them for a moment then turned back to a huge throne room- destroyed of course- and continued floating.

Once he had settled himself on his throne and the wizards had gathered below him he started. To understand shinigami you must understand our origins. All shinigami were once a single being known as 'Death' 'Ender' and so forth. This 'Death' was first created in your world- I believe you have heard of 'The Tale of Two Brothers'? That book is very close to the actual truth, Beetle was once the wielder of the Deathly Hallows. The first man who owned all three at a time ordered Death to 'die' thinking that would make him immortal. Death however merely split into many, all unkillable by mortals.

"But didn't Gealus die? How is that possible?" Remus interrupted. The shinigami king inclined his head.

There are only two ways to kill a shinigami. The first is for the shinigami to let his remaining years run out from his life span, and I will explain that when I speak of the Death Note. The second is for a shinigami to kill a mortal to save another mortal- for example, Gealus used to stand by the Seeing Pool and watch the mortal Misa Amine, her death date was set for today. When she was attacked by another mortal Gealus killed the attacker, thus lengthening the mortal girl's life. This is strictly against the rules and reduced Gealus to ash.

"So because he loved a human and saved her life he died?" Harry asked.

He inclined his head, we are a different species entirely from the humans. It is against our rules to interfere with their lives beyond what is necessary.

"What did you mean 'remaining years'?" Draco asked after a moment.

When a shinigami kills a mortal the mortal's remaining life-span is added to the shinigami's. If I were to kill a human child who was ten years old and was destined to live to eighty-four I would gain the extra seventy-four years of life from the child I had killed. No one asked anything more so he continued his previous thought train. When Death split himself into hundreds of entities- each with a fragment of his power- these entities, known now as 'shinigami', scattered into different realms. In some places they assume human form and destroy angry spirits, others they become monsters because that is what folklore makes them out to be. He motioned a hand to his surroundings. The shinigami world here used to be prosperous, there were legends and stories that gave us purpose in this world, but as time went on they forgot about gods and many shinigami that are still left can only gamble and tell stories about the better times instead of participating in the human world.

"So the world rotted," Ron said sadly, still looking around at the landscape.

Exactly. The shinigami king looked closely at the four of them and seemed to decide something, One of my shinigami, Ryuk, 'accedentaly' dropped his Death Note into the human world and the mortal possessor of the book is currently wrecking havoc. It is against our rules to interfere so I am not asking you to stop him but seeing as you are human you may choose whichever side you wish. I believe it would be… interesting if you would like to enter this world.

Harry shared glances with everyone. "Is there any way to show this Ryuk that we are not merely humans?"

He laughed at that. You three are already 'dead' so your life-span stopped that day. No one could possibly be dead and still move like the four of you so he will know you at least have my blessing. You may reveal to him your status as Master of Death if you choose.

There was motion from behind them and they turned to see Rem floating there. "Yes Rem?"

"I wish to bind myself to Misa Amine through Gealus' Death Note." The Shinigami king looked angry for a moment before looking between the four wizards and her.

"Fine. My only condition is you must first educate the four humans in the ways of the Death Note so they know what they need to before they enter the human realm. Do you agree with the conditions?" Rem nodded slowly and both turned to the wizards.

Rem will teach you all you need to know about the Death Note. When she has finished you may return and I will explain your new powers. He glanced at Rem then nodded. I look forwards to what you do in the human realm here.

Harry looked at him for a moment in response then smiled and turned to his friends and mentor, "He spoke to you about your fluffy little problem?" Remus nodded and Harry turned back, "I think we know enough. Once we learn about this 'Death Note' we should be fine." The shinigami king looked at them impassively before nodding.

"As you wish Master."


Listening to: My Mind's Eye- Serenia

*I based him off of Barragan from Bleach, it seemed appropriate

So... like? hate? please tell me! I love reviews.

I don't plan on this having many- if any- pairings but if there's one you'd like to see please tell me and I'll see what I can do- OC's are okay as well but unless specifically asked I'll be putting in as few as possible.

R&R!

JS