May 1998: in another world
"... That's the Elder wand. The most powerful wand in the world. With that, you'll be invincible." Ron said. Harry took the wand in both hands, and before Ron could stop him, he snapped the piece of wood in two. That would have been a fitting end, but this was Harry Potter. And nothing ever happens normal for him. Snapping the wand resulted in an explosion. When the light faded and they could see once again, Ron and Hermione began searching for Harry. After a half hour of searching, the only remains of Harry were some of his robes and the broken elder wand. Harry was gone.
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Harry woke up with at headache as big as a hippogriff. Harry hadn't had that nightmare in years. It was the night his parents were killed. The night all his troubles began. He woke up expecting to see the field he had been battling in. Instead he found himself in an empty room. He looked around and tried to get his bearings. He got to his feet and a figure in a dark cloak arrived. There was a cold feeling about him, like a dementor, but Harry was not reliving that accursed night as the figure approached.
"Fear not young one. I have no intentions of harming you." Harry raised an eyebrow. "Uh, excuse me, but, who are you?" he asked. The figure laughed. "I have been known by many names. You would recognize me by the name Thanatos or Death." And he lowered his hood. He was not ugly or disfigured, but the cold, commanding face that stared at them all said more than words could ever hope to convey. "You are a unique individual Harry Potter. I had hoped that you would complete your task and send me all the pieces of the thief's soul before coming, but you fell short. I was quite disappointed. But then I heard your discussion with Dumbledore and realized your failure was not of your own short-comings, but more from the manipulations of another coward who attempted to deny me what is mine." Harry became quite angry but Death continued his speech.
"Even the hallows did not prevent me claiming what was mine. Each of the Peverell brothers were eventually claimed, but admittedly much later than I anticipated. Cadmus and Antioch, fell rather quickly, but your ancestor Ignotus, he was a better man than I gave him credit for. He lived much longer and when he was satisfied with his life, he came to me. I respected him, an honored adversary. Dumbledore sought to escape me and failed. No better than Antioch, arrogant and afraid, though better than Grindlewald. His failures in battle with Voldemort scared him, but it wasn't until his impatient stupidity with the resurrection stone that he accepted his fate. That's another reason I have an offer for you. You see like Albus, Tom Riddle feared me and sought to stay my hand. He was successful with this by making those horcruxes, and sending souls to me."
Harry was listening intently as Thanatos continued. "But you cannot pay a debt to me with what is already mine. So many were sent to me early that the Fates themselves became enraged. Once you, Harry, stopped him the night he sent James and Lily to me, much too soon, the abnormal flow of souls ended. It was over a decade later, that I felt I would claim what was mine." Death began to smile. "When you, Harry, stabbed the diary, you sent to me the first piece of the soul that had evaded me for so long. Unfortunately, Dumbledore involved himself, and it was as it had been." Thanatos seemed to stare afar.
"But you went back and put an end to it all. Not only did you deliver the last piece of the thief's soul to me, you brought back my possessions. Well my cloak at least. The stone and the wand were simply imbued with some of my power." With that he summoned the cloak from Harry's pockets. Harry was enraged that he had now lost the cloak. "I understand most of that, but why have you brought me here?" Death nodded. "Yes, you had almost no training, and yet you still returned to the fight, and finally eliminated all of his soul pieces. You had a horrid life, an honorable life, but you had much taken from you. So I offer you a second chance. You will be sent back, with all your memories intact, to complete one simple task. Destroy Voldemort and his horcruxes." That is when another voice echoed in the room. "Tell him the truth Lord Thanatos!"
The spirit of Death actually looked afraid. "Ladies Fate!" Harry saw three females approach. Thanatos was still in shock so the dark-haired woman spoke. "You have earned the right to move on. To join those who have embarked on the next great adventure." Harry nodded. "But you were not supposed to die. However, your death when you snapped the Elder Wand eliminated another war. One where wizards would be wiped out by the muggles they tried to enslave. By the Dark Lord Selaneway. You knew him as Ron Weasley. His jealousies would drive him insane late in life, and with the power of the Elder Wand at his command he would destroy the world."
Harry couldn't believe it. "No! Ron..why..but it was the horcrux. He got past all that." The Blonde began speaking. "True enough, but your friend, when a muggle kills his son in an automobile crash, Ronald seeks revenge. You would stand against him and your family and friends side with you. In his rage, Ronald would almost kill you if not for your friend Hermione shielding you. Your kindness preventing you from ending the danger, because of your friendship. The wand though, would become his to command." Now Harry was both confused and distraught. His best friend was going to turn on him yet again. The red-haired female now took up the explanation. "You understand the concept of multiple planes of existence do you not? Parallel dimensions, Harry Potter?" Harry nodded. "Another Harry Potter has just perished. He has not chosen to fight on, but instead to go on and join his family. This has caused more damage than expected and Lord Voldemort will conquer the world. The war with the muggles will eventually take place and it will destroy humanity, but his horcruxes will protect him and in the end the Dark Lord will rule. Unless you take his place."
Harry pinched the bridge of his nose. "So let me get this straight. Even though I have already suffered through all the betrayals, all the abuse, fought the darkest wizard of all time, died, TWICE, and saved the world in doing so each time, and have earned my place in Heaven, where I can be with the people who loved me and be reunited with my parents, you're hoping I will give that all up, just to go through it all over again. That I'll take having that sodding horcrux in me again, because of a fluke and now all the people who betrayed me and turned on me once again will have to reap what they have sown. Are you insane or just stupid?"
The Fates glared at Thanatos who realized he had to come clean. "I know you have suffered much and that is why I will grant rewards for your service. You you will retain all your memories. It is almost identical to the world you have just left." Harry was less than impressed. The brunette spoke once again. "The choice is yours, but we implore you to think of all the lives you could save?" It was a point Harry did have to consider. "Is that it? I've already earned my rewards. Surely there has to be another me that this could be offered to. Why me?" The fates once again glared at Thanatos. Death nodded and took a breath. "The truth is none of the other candidates have the skills needed to complete this task. We need you to take this on because you have the ability to override whatever Dumbledore has set forth." Harry took a deep breath,.
"Let's say I accept, What do I get out of this? I'm going to suffer this all over again to help you, here." The fates spoke in unison now. "We too shall grant a reward." Harry smiled. "Okay I need a couple things to do this. One, my body. I need to be healed" The ladies nodded. Two, that hocrux is gone. If a soul is lost in that pool of water, let it be that piece of Riddle's" There was a conference among the spirits. When they emerged, they agreed to Harry's plan. "One last thing. I need a way of disguising myself." The brunette became indignant. Harry stood his ground. "What, you expect everybody to take a look at the new me and just accept it." The ginger smiled. "I take it you accept?" Harry nodded slowly and before he could ask his question, in a flash he was gone.