Ok guys, new chapter, YAY! I want to give a huge thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourite or followed this story, your support was staggering! You know I went into my e-mail eight hours after I posted this, and there were 75 e-mails, all from you guys! You're all fabulous. I hope you like it.
Harry woke up with a groan. It felt like someone has taken a wooden bat to his head.
"Harry James Potter." Harry tried to sit up with alarm, but found he was frozen into place. The soothing voice seen to notice this.
"You need not struggle, there is no danger."
For some strange reason, he believed the voice. He could feel his tense muscle relax. He trusted this stranger completely.
Of course the Man in Moon knew this was going to happen, as it did with every new spirit he made. It seemed that his voice had a calming effect.
"What do you want?" Harry asked cautiously. Even if he did trust the strange being, didn't change the fact that he just came from a War.
"You have acted selflessly throughout your entire life. You have made many sacrifices and we are grateful. All I am doing is rewarding you."
"Look, if you're going to bring up the 'Master of Death' thing, I'm sorry but I want no part in it. I snapped the elder wand and ditched the stone." Harry said. He didn't want to offend the being, but this was a matter he had to put his foot down on.
"This does not include that title, but you would become immortal. If you will allow me to do so, I would make you the Spirit of Halloween."
"Spirit of Halloween? But I don't want to be immortal! I want to live a normal life! I have never been able to have that, this is my chance." Harry shouted.
"You would be bringing joy to many people, keeping many safe. You would also find something you have been looking for a very long time. You would be free from the hassles of Mankind. You would be able to rest and heal."
"Look, I can't. Even if I wanted to I have expectations back home! I can't just pack up and go, there was a War moments ago!"
"It was not as recent as you think. Time is different in this realm. While we have only been in here for a few minutes, a year has paced in the real world."
"…what?" Harry gasped. A year? He had been missing for a full year. What happened to them all?
"Do not fret, your friends are living well."
"You said spirit before…"
"People will only be able to see you if they believe in you."
"Does that mean I can't even say goodbye?" Harrys voice cracked.
"Your friends have always believed in you Harry Potter."
"What about Ginny? She doesn't-"
"She has moved on. She will understand, she has been suspecting it for a while."
Harry hesitated. The idea alone seemed absolutely ridiculous. But did he really have much say in this? He was already a year in the future, even more now. No, if he was immortal, he would have to witness all his friends' deaths. He couldn't do that. He had no desire to outlive anyone. All he wanted to be was normal.
"I can't. I'm sorry, but I can't see the people I love die. Not again." Harry heaved a sigh. He wanted to sit up, but he still could not move. Harry laid there, trepidation filling him as he waited for the voice to answer.
"Harry, you leave me no choice. I didn't want to say anything, but you're dying, Harry. Ever since that Horcrux was removed from your body, you have been dying. Do you recall feeling drained after the battle? That was no magical exhaustion. The curse on Hallows Eve night should have killed you; the Horcrux is what kept you alive."
"What?"
"Nothing survives the killing curse, Harry." Man in Moon was grave. He hadn't wished to tell the boy this. He wanted to keep him ignorant, make him a spirit and have a chance at a happy life. But, as they always do, things got complicated. He had no choice.
Harry couldn't believe what the stranger was saying. Voldemort was the one that kept him alive that night? Harry felt a lump in his throat. He didn't want to die, not yet. He had always dreamed of dying in his bed, next to someone he loved. If he survived the War that was the way he was planning to go. But fate was cruel, that much he had learned, and death was unforgiving and merciless.
"Fine." Harry whispered. "I'll do it. You say I'll be helping people?"
"More than you will ever understand."
"And I'll be able to visit my friends?"
"Until they die and after that, if they choose so."
"Alright. Do what you have to do." Harry breathed. He closed his eyes and heard the strange voice utter one more thing, until he was consumed by a fiery pain.
"Then, Mister Potter, you are now the spirit of All Hallows Eve."
O.o
If you were to visit the Hogwarts Library on this night, you would notice a regular visitor sitting in the far corner of the room. The woman was clutching a book, reading it with hungry eyes. She was named Hermione Granger, one of the survivors of the final battle. She was revising on Potions, as her NEWTS were approaching. She was one of the few in her year that returned to Hogwarts to finish their education. With Ron refusing to step foot in the school, and Harry missing, she had no one to study with. Neville had returned, but was now Professor Sprout's apprentice. He was currently in Australia, collecting leaves of some kind of deadly, but necessary plant. Ginny was in Hogsmead, with her Boyfriend Dean. Having no one to study with did not bother Hermione. She had always rather liked the solitude, no one was there to harp about her studying habits, or groan when she finished one book, only to pick up another. It was just her, and the words on the paper. She was so engrossed in what she was doing, she didn't notice as a boy appeared behind her.
"Hello Hermione."
O.o
Ron Billius Weasley was a very bored man, he would just lay on his coach most of the day, wondering when his girlfriend would be back from Hogwarts. Ron smiled when the thought of Hermione went through his head. His eyes drifted over to the small coffee table, where an engagement ring sat. He reached out for the ring, and caressed it lovingly. One day, it would rest proudly on Hermione's finger.
"Ron! You're getting engaged!" Ron sat up so suddenly, it made his head spin. Stumbling off the coach he stared disbelievingly at his best friend.
"Harry?"
O.o
Madam Pudifoots shop was a terrifying bright pink. It was everywhere. On the walls, ceiling, napkins, there was no escape. Ginny sank down in her pink wooden chair. Dean had gone to the toilet, leaving her to deal with all this…pink.
Ginny sighed as she righted herself again. Maybe she could distract herself by looking at the passer buys. She glanced at the window when a mess of jet black hair caught her eye. Harry? She shot out of her chair and made a dash to the door. Ripping it open, she flung herself outside. And there he was, in all his glory.
"Harry?"
"Hi Gin."
I hate writing dialogue. I suck at it. Anyway, tell me if you liked it, it really helps. Do you want to jump straight to when Harry meets his first Guardian or do you want to see what they are going to talk about? Please review!
