A/N: This is loosely based on a documentary I watched about a Scottish boy who claimed to have memories of his past life. It's entitled the Boy Who Lived Before. It just gave me the idea to write something like this. I've found out that there are 2-3 fics with the same title but my fic is totally different from those (I've read them!).
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Just tell me what you think about it in the reviews. Baboo.
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I. The Boy Who Died
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May 2, 1998
Hogwarts Castle Grounds,
Scotland
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"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone.
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"The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."*
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There was silence. Shock was evident on the Light side's warriors. Then someone started sobbing, punctuated by cries of outrage. Those cries signaled the beginning of another battle. Hell broke loose and by midnight, the silence gave rise to a new era in wizarding Britain: the era of the Red Rain.
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February 10, 2000
Community Nursing Office
Isle of Barra, Scotland
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"What's taking him so long?"
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Maureen O'Malley craned her neck to see where the midwife had gone to but her husband blocked her field of vision.
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"Mike?"
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"She's just cleaning the baby honey."
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But even Mike knows well that his actions speak of another truth. His sweaty hand grasped his wife's cold ones. He swears that his body was visibly trembling but who wouldn't be afraid? The midwife had been inside the examination area for almost five minutes, trying to revive his newborn son. They have just come into in Barra to attend a friend's funeral. Maureen was just five months along and there were no known complications on her pregnancy. But now… They have waited for this day to come – for eight years. This is supposed to be a happy day.
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"Mike."
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Maureen pressed her husband's hand with all her remaining strength but he won't look her in the eyes. Tears started to fall on her eyes. She felt weak and every moment that her husband refuses to look at her made her feel weaker.
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"Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley… I'm so sorry."
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"What do you mean? Where's my baby? Where's my Mavin?"
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The midwife just looked at a pale Mike and solemnly nodded before he left the small emergency room. Mike could see the silhouette of the nurse from the frosted glass door of the examination door. She was covering their little son with cloth. He can't help the tear that fell down from his eyes as the nurse emerged from the room and presented to him his dead son.
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This was supposed to be happy day.
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February 12, 2000
Barra Airport
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"Shad, be careful with this."
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The baggage man just nodded at his colleague and solemnly looked at the small crate. As he carried the crate towards the small plane's cargo compartment, he noticed a pink slip taped on the crate's top. He tried to read the details on the slip but found out that the said slip was taped the other side around. The slip was securely taped so Shad flipped it over to read the details, supporting the crate with his left shoulder as he leaned on to read. But he suddenly lost balance, making the crate slide over unto the hangar's concrete floor. The wooden crate's bottom side hit the floor with a small thud. Shad dumbly held the slip on one hand for a moment before carefully cradling the crate back to his arms. He looked around to make sure that no one saw the incident. He was about to place the crate together with the other cargo when he heard a strange noise. He once again looked around to see that no one was present. He laid the crate on the compartment's floor and stuck the slip back in place before pushing the crate to the furthest corner of the compartment; then he heard the noise once again. Ignoring it as the howling of the wind, Shad loaded a couple more bags when the sound became louder. He listened closely. He was hesitant at first but he could think of no other source of the sound but from the crate. He pulled the crate towards him and placed it near his ear. He could hear it clearly now. It was the sound of a crying child. Goosebumps started to appear on his limbs.
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"Re-Reggie! Reggie, come here please! Quick!"
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February 12, 2000
Barra Hospital
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"The doctor said that he is okay but he needs to stay for a couple of days up to a week because he needs to be incubated. He had dehydration and a concussion."
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Mike's cannot hide the bitter tone of his voice as he said the last part but he tried to force a smile as he explained everything to his worried mother.
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"It's a great miracle indeed! Praise God!"
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Mike's eyes were moist as he watched Maureen staring at their son, almost unblinking. After Maureen found out that their son was dead, she had a panic attack. She had to be admitted in Barra's general hospital for two days and they were due to come home today. But he wouldn't trade coming home to seeing his son alive ever.
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"Indeed. I'm glad we finally have Mavin."
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"Son, you of all people deserve this happiness. But you two need to rest. Val and Gemma would arrive soon. Don't worry, I'll be looking after little Mavin."
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"Mum, it's you who needs to rest. You just arrived from Wales."
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"Mikhail, are you saying that I'm old and needs to just lie in bed unmoving?"
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"Mum, there's no need for that talk okay. It's getting old. I'll let you guard you grandson, just don't…I don't know, crack jokes anymore."
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Maureen on the other hand was lost to the world. Her whole attention was solely directed to little Mavin. She won't allow his gaze to linger in fear that when it returns, she may find her baby no longer breathing. She observed every detail of her son: his wispy light-brown hair that he got from his dad; his cute nose that he got from her; long limbs from his dad again; pouty lips from his grandma Esmeralda…Maureen suddenly held her breath as Mavin stretched like a cat and yawned. He slowly peek his eyes open until Maureen saw the light blue color most babies have. Maureen tried to wave to get Mavin's attention but remembered that he couldn't possibly see her and just comforted herself on once again observing her son.
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"He's sleeping again?"
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"I think he's tired."
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"So are you. You should rest. Mum would be here to look after Mavin. And your parents would be here too any moment."
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"But…"
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"Honey, Mavin won't be going anywhere. He's with us for good. I'm sure with that."
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Maureen looked hard at her husband's light green eyes and then to their son and nodded. Mike gently steered her away from the nursery but she can't help but look back every second. Only when she saw her mother in-law taking her place by the glass window did she turned ahead. She knows that her baby would be safe.
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*from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows