AN: This is my first fanfiction attempt, and it is decidedly AU. The crossover with the Book Thief will be only in the characterization of Death, who will narrate. Because of this, you will not see the entirety of Harry's experience, but there will be an explanation. The Deathly Hallows will come into play much earlier, and Harry's pre-hogwarts experience will be very different than in canon. Please enjoy, and review.
From the Book Thief by Markus Zusak pg 3-5:
First the colors.
Then the humans.
That's usually how I see things.
Or at least, how I try.
You are going to die.
I am in all truthfulness attempting to be cheerful about this whole topic, though most people find themselves hindered in believing me, no matter my protestations. Please, trust me. I most definitely can be cheerful. I can be amiable. Agreeable. Affable. And that's only the A's. Just don't ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me.
Does this worry you?
I urge you—don't be afraid.
I'm nothing if not fair.
Of course, an introduction.
A beginning.
Where are my manners?
I could introduce myself properly, but it's not really necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that at some point in time, I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away.
At that moment, you will be lying there. You will be caked in your own body. There might be a discovery; a scream will dribble down the air. The only sound I'll hear after that will be my own breathing, and the sound of the smell, of my footsteps.
As I've been alluding to, my one saving grace is distraction. It keeps me sane. It helps me cope, considering the length of time I've been performing this job. The trouble is, who could ever replace me? Who could step in while I take a break in your stock-standard resort-style vacation destination, whether it be tropical or of the ski trip variety? The answer, of course, is nobody, which has prompted me to make a conscious, deliberate decision—to make distraction my vacation. Needless to say, I vacation in increments. In colors.
Still, it's possible that you might be asking, why does he even need a vacation? What does he need distraction from?
The soul, what sustains you humans, is pure, beautiful energy. Some of you are able to wield this energy as an extra limb, and you call it magic. These magic-wielders, witches and wizards, live in a world separate from the rest. Of course, it usually doesn't make a difference to me. But the potential that a wielder holds is limitless. Endless. Infinite.
This brings me to my distraction. There are some rules that are not meant to be broken.
There was a wizard that went by the name of Tom Marvolo Riddle, and he broke them all.
He ruined everything.
