Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and co. that privilege belongs to J.K.Rowling. This fan fiction is written purely for the fun of it, no money is being made off of it so don't sue. This is inspired by all of those romance novels that I indulge in. Anyway this will be slash so if you are not a fan of it please turn back now. Please drop me a review whether if it is to tell me it sucks or if it has potential, constructive criticism is also welcome and if you see any typos or grammatical errors please let me know. Thank you.

Prologue

The Irish Sea,1863.

I am going to drown.

That thought came to Gareth Malfoy as clearly as though the Devil himself had whispered it in his ear. Even now, he heard his evil laughter echoed in the winds as the storm raged and the seas boiled like a cauldron of witches' brew.

Off in the distance, the great ship loomed like a shadow on the windswept waves. Only moments before, it had been his safe transport back to England. Now, it was a haven beyond reach, pushed even further into the night by the violence of the winds.

He was going to die. And he would never see his beloved Rebecca again.

A jagged fork of lightning ripped open the night sky, and as the thunder exploded above his head, Gareth screamed, "I am afraid God. Help me! Save me from this terrible night!"

But even as he prayed for a miracle, Gareth knew there would not be one, for he had lingered too long on the deck, spellbound by the power of the storm; held there as if by some mythical force, so that when the huge wave had broken over the ship, there had been no time to take shelter. Like some great black monster rising from the depths, it had unfurled its mighty arm and plucked him from the deck, and now he was at its mercy, helpless at the grip of the demon. In one last desperate attempt to save himself, Gareth kicked out, fighting to keep his head above water, but the weight of his heavy suit dragged him down, sucking the spirit from his limbs and the spirit from his soul. He felt the chilling languor of death, and knew his time was running out. But with the realization came anger. Anger that his beloved Rebecca would have to raise their unborn child alone, made to suffer for his carelessness. Surely a loving God will not allow such a tragedy to take place, Gareth cried inwardly. He would give anything if only he could survive to help his wife their child, anything at all. But knowing such a thing was impossible, he merely whispered a prayer for his wife and unborn child. Then resolved to his fate, he closed his eyes and slipped beneath the surface of the sea.

Instantly the high keening of the winds ceased. Silence engulfed him, silence more terrifying than anything he's known. Awareness loomed and receded and in those last moments he saw them: faint, evanescent shadows hovering at the edge of darkness. The angels were coming for him. He could see their brilliant robes as they floated towards him, and though he could see no wings, he knew they were coming to take him to heaven.

As a result he felt no fear when the Radiant One swam up to him and placed gentle hands upon his arms. He had no need of eyes to see his face, nor ears to hear his words. In his mind's eye he saw him clearly: the sparkling emerald eyes and perfectly sculpted mouth, the jet-black hair floating like a misty halo around his head. Indeed so beautiful was he that even Rebecca's beauty could not compare, for this creature's was a magnificence that would surely cause the stars in the sky to dim by comparison.

He spoke to him in a gentle voice, whispering that he not be afraid. His words calmed him, and when Gareth closed his eyes again, he was no longer truly afraid. He gazed once more into the face of the angel, offered him a prayer for forgiveness and then gave himself up to the will of the Almighty.

Suddenly, a tremendous shudder shook the water all around him. A deafening roar arose from the depths, and the angels fled back into the darkness until only the Radiant One remained, steadfast as he gazed at him.

When he spoke again, Gareth was beyond understanding. He was in a different place, neither alive nor dead, neither awake nor sleeping. He thought he heard him say something about another time. Another place. A promise.

Then as bone-chilling numbness gripped his body, he felt the touch of a hand on his left shoulder, the brush of a mouth against his and then … nothing more, as he passed into the peaceful oblivion beyond darkness.