Guardian Angel
Dying was easier than he had ever imagined it to be, and it had been painless too, something he hadn't expected. He hadn't even felt scared when the green light hit him, it had all been so fast. When he opened his eyes, he hadn't been sure where he was. A forest, beautiful in its simplicity, surrounded him. The colors of the place seemed off somehow, brighter and yet duller to his eye than he was used to.
He was alone, at least he thought he was, until he heard someone clear their voice from behind.
"Hello Cedric."
He whipped around, wand appearing as if from nowhere in his hand, making him jump as much as his guest. Before his eyes stood a man he thought he would never see again, and seeing the man now was confirmation in Cedric's mind. He had died. And he hadn't even realised it fully.
"Grandfather," he whispered, his voice cracking as the elderly man held his arms out, welcoming Cedric into a hug. Tears streamed down the young mans face, both for the loss of his life and the gain of his Grandfather.
"Is this...heaven?" Cedric asked as he pulled away, wiping his face roughly.
"No lad, this is an inbetween, somewhere between life and death as it goes."
"So, I'm not dead?"
"Oh, you are most certainly dead, I'm afraid. I had hoped I wouldn't see you for many years, but alas, life is full of mystery and everything happens for a reason."
Cedric frowned, trying and failing to work out what was going on.
"The higher ups have a job for you, if you accept it," the old man continued, confusing Cedric further. "They want to send you back, guardian angel style, to look after your mother. You see, she's going to have an extremely tough time of it over the next few years, but she cannot be allowed to give up. Apparently, she's due to make a breakthrough in the lab, one that could cure Lycanthropy for good."
"Will she be able to see me?"
"No Ced, you'll be...ghostlike in a way, though no one will see you. You'll have certain powers, no, I don't know what they will be, to help you achieve your goal. Of course you can decline should you wish to, you can carry on to heaven and forget all about everything. It is completely up to you."
Cedric grinned.
"Of course I'm going to go, I'm a hufflepuff!"
His grandfather laughed, and he faded away, Cedric heard him say, "Just like your Grandfather, eh Ced. I'm so proud of you, lad."
