Chapter One - Faith
Nebraska. November 2006
Harry sighed as he felt his new maser summoning him. When he agreed to the stupid deal with Hank, he never actually thought he would never get a chance to see his parents again. He figured the catch would be the fact that he would be dying. Obviously, that wasn't enough of a catch for Hank, nope, Harry was made a Reaper and had a quota. Like all Reaper's, though form what he could gather, many were given the choice to continue afterwards. He wasn't. At least, not yet. He was given an ultimatum, and on top of that, he had to reap the souls of one hundred and seventy poor victims. Ten for every year he evaded Hank.
It wasn't so bad at first. He went and took the souls of those in pain. Those ready to go on to wherever it was that souls went to. Somewhere he would never get a chance to go to. However, that was before someone summoned him and made him into their little lap dog. Now he killed who they told him to. And yes, he killed them. They were not ready to go, it was not their time, they just happened to do something that his master frowned upon. Harry didn't want to do it, but he had no choice. He only took hope in the fact that he was saving the life of another. However, the people he was saving were supposed to die.
So here he was, going to his master, to find out who was the next victim. Victim number one hundred and sixty-five. Hank had never come to him to offer an extension. When he arrived, he looked at the picture of the next victim, a man in his late twenties, early thirties. Someone he didn't know, but did know wasn't supposed to die. Sighing, he bowed his head and went out for the victim.
What he was required to do was take the life force of one victim and place it inside the dying person. The LeGrange's had obviously realised how much they could make out of these so called miracles. Not caring who they hurt on the way. Or killed as the case actually was.
The victims always saw him just as they were going to die. The fear and horror in their eyes just made him feel worse. But this was what he had to do. He didn't even want to know what would happen if he didn't. So he walked after the horrified victim, before getting bored and appearing in front of him.
--
Dean gasped as he suddenly became aware of his surroundings once more, looking around him, his eye got caught on a figure standing just behind Roy LeGrange. A young man, perhaps the same age as Sam staring at him with a sad look in his eyes. He soon became aware of someone talking to him and looked at Sam. When he glanced back, the man was no longer there, making Dean frown in confusion.
--
Harry sighed. He knew he wasn't supposed to allow anyone to see him except his master, but he knew that this man would be able to help him. He didn't look shocked to see him, only suspicious once Harry made it so that the man, Dean from what the other man with him was calling him, could no longer see him. He knew these two men would be able to help him. To get him away from his master.
He would have to wait though. He couldn't talk to them without his masters permission. Allow them to see him was easy, but he couldn't talk to them, and so couldn't ask them for help. He just knew they would think he was the bad guy in all this. Which was annoying.
He sighed as he followed his master back to the family home, just outside of the large tent thing that they did the whole 'healing' thing. He went straight to the room with the alter to him, supposedly and sighed, sitting down on the floor cross-legged. He made sure that no one, not even his master, could see him and just thought about what his life, or unlife as the case seemed to be, was now.
He had stayed, watching over his loved ones for about a week after his death. Hank had allowed him that reprieve before making his hold up his end of the deal. He watched the will reading, and asked Hank to send Sirius, Remus and Tonks a message when it appeared that they did not wish to leave the room.
He was there when he saw the guilt Ron was feeling, but he had no way of telling his old best friend that he forgave him for his harsh words. That he knew the reasoning behind it. He couldn't comfort Ron for being alone. And he felt the pain in his heart when he heard Hank telling his loved ones left behind that he was now able to see Hermione and his parents, because there wasn't anything that wasn't further from the truth than what he was actually doing.
So he had his week of watching over them, making sure that they were safe and hoping that they would be able to eventually forgive him for leaving them behind in the worst way. Then he went about reaping. For a month Hank stayed with him, showing him what to do, talking to him about what was expected of him and telling him how to choose who he went after. He was also introduced to another Reaper.
Eventually though, after four years, he took the soul of someone he knew, the Wolf finally got to Remus and in his sleep, having been bedridden for almost a month, Harry finally visited him. He talked to him for an hour, telling him of the truth and asking him to tell his parents and Hermione that he was sorry, but it was the only way, he took the soul of one Remus J Lupin and ended his life long suffering.
He didn't stay to find out the reactions of Sirius and Tonks when they found Remus' body. He wouldn't stand to see their tears anymore and left. He not only left the wizarding world, he left Britain altogether and went to America. He had always wanted to see the States anyway.
So he wandered around America, taking the souls of those he deemed in pain and needing an end to the suffering they were in. Until he came to Nebraska. Almost a year after of wandering aimlessly, searching for souls to reap, he made amistake of wandering into a summons.
And so he came to the last three years of worship to one human being who deemed themselves to being one step down from God. If there even was a God. Which Harry had yet to see proof of. Oh sure, there were Demons. In fact, he had met some, spoken to some in his wanderings. Even made friends with a few. Though not many. Most were a bit too... blood-thirsty.
However, it was through these that he heard of the hunters, people he avoided, even though he new they wouldn't do anything to him. He was a natural part of life... or the end of said life as the case was. Well he was until he became a slave.
He had heard the name Winchester though. In his travellings he had heard of the hunter named John Winchester and occasionally had heard of his son Dean. He came up with the conclusion that the Dean he had inadvertently save that day, may have been the Dean Winchester he had heard about. Though were John was , was another matter which Harry honestly couldn't say he cared about. He knew the other man with Dean wasn't John though, from what he had heard, which was quite a lot actually, John was the father of Dean. No demon ever mentioned another Winchester though. Maybe the rumours about Dean being a ladies man were somewhat misleading. Maybe the other man with him was something more to him than a friend. Which was a shame, as Harry thought he was somewhat of a catch.
Oh sure, he knew that if Ron knew him now, he would be yelling on and on about how his best friend couldn't be gay, that Harry was going to marry Ginny and have a million and one kids. Ah no Ron. Harry had soon learnt that as a Reaper, nothing was ever going to happen romantically to anyone he was even remotely attracted to, especially as most of the people he ever met were quite literally at Death's door, why hide from himself who he was attracted to? So he preferred to think he was bi, not gay. In fact, he could quite possibly be tri, being that he found some of the Demons he had spoken to very attractive as well. Though perhaps that didn't count. He was more attracted to their outer, human body. Actually, that thought almost made him sigh a sigh of relief, in that he wasn't attracted to demons. Just their human shells.
Harry actually did sigh then, and nearly jumped out of his skin when someone chuckled. He opened his eyes and looked around the room, staring in shock when he caught sight of Hank sitting on the alter.
"So this is where you got to. I had wondered. I couldn't find you and about three years ago you completely fell off the radar. It wasn't until I was contacted by another Reaper that I finally found you." Hank said, looking at Harry fondly.
"You were looking for me? I thought you had wiped your hands of me." Harry admitted, uncrossing his legs and pulling his knees up under his chin.
"Of course I was looking for you my little Reaper. I would never leave you alone. You were one of the few to ever willingly come into my court. I love you as though you were my own child. Which in a round about way you are. I made you, and so I will never 'wipe my hands' of you." Hank said, smiling softly at the blushing Reaper.
"Can you get me out of this bind?" Harry asked after a few moments of silence, making Hank raise an eyebrow at him.
"No. This is one thing that I cannot help you with, however, allowing the Winchester boy to see you was a good plan. Along with his brother, if anyone can get you out of this, they can." Hank said, hopping off the alter as Harry's master walked in, both Reapers watched as the human chanted in front of the alter and then placed a photo behind the main candle and urn.
Harry glanced at it and sighed unhappily as the face of a bright, cheerful young woman stared back at him. He stodd up from his seat on the floor and made himself visible to his master, looking at the photo and then back, before nodding and bowing out to invisibility once more.
The reapers watched as the human smirked and then left the room behind, clearly intent on starting the next healing session.
"Once you are free, make your master the next reap. If I could help you in anyway, I would. I can give you a hint though. Get rid of the talisman around your masters neck. That is saving them from you. The Winchester brothers will know that though, once they realise what they are up against."
"Wait, wait. Brothers? So the other guy is Dean's brother?" Harry asked, trying to make his voice not sound as happy as that news actually made him feel. However Hank clearly knew him too well and smirked at him, making Harry blush.
"A little too happy there Harry. A crush on Dean perhaps." Or maybe he didn't know Harry that well.
"No! Good god no!... Though his brother is a little attractive." Harry admitted in a small voice, blushing and looking down at his hands.
"So it's little Sammy that you have lit a flame for?" Hank asked smirking, though there was a small light of worry in his eyes if you were looking close enough. Harry wasn't however. Sighing he dropped his hands down to his side and looked at Hank.
"I have to go and fetch another soul. Will you be here when I get back?" Harry asked, hoping that the answer would be yes.
"No. I have some business to do myself. More reapers to make. Five more met their quota over the past month. I will find you again soon though. Don't worry, even if I have to take things into my own hands and pull a few strings, you will be free soon. I will make sure of it." Hank said, making Harry smile at him and then hug him before disappearing out of the room for his next reap.
Hank grinned and then left the room. He had some hints to leave behind.
--
Harry sighed as he went after another person. At least this time he didn't have to go too far away. In fact, he only had to go outside to the parking lot. The irritating protestor guy seemed to be the next in line for his masters ire. Which to be honest Harry couldn't really care about. He was pretty irritating. Not that he deserved to die. Though he did like Layla. He may have swayed the good preachers sight or lack thereof towards the poor mortal.
So here he was, chasing after an admittedly annoying mortal who didn't actually deserve to die. Yet he had to take his soul. To make matters even better, he noticed Sam Winchester running towards them. Which is annoying, as he couldn't exactly stop taking the mortals soul just because he had a crush on the person saving his next victims life. From him. Which was probably not a good basis for a relationship
Actually, his being one of the very things the Winchesters chased after probably would put a crimper in the whole relationship. And him being dead.
Anyways, he had a soul to reap and it was just going to piss off the Winchester's even more and make them hate him for doing something beyond his control. Which was shit.
He chased the poor sucker around the parking lot, wondering if he could really drag this out and make the poor mortal suffer for the damned preaching he always yelled. Yes, he didn't agree with the whole killing of the annoying mortal, but that still didn't mean he couldn't play with his food. So to speak.
So he made the most of this stupid curse patch he was going through. And had fun. Which was being royally screwed over by the fact that the good guys were against him. And he had a crush on one of them. This possibly had to be one of the crappiest parts of his life. And that was saying something.
Then he no longer felt like he had to take the poor suckers soul. Which was weird. It was like losing his purpose. He stopped where he was, and frowned, before looking around him, possibly searching for a camera of some such. Maybe Beadle was about. What was going on? He quickly disappeared when it appeared that Sam Winchester was going to start looking for him and went back to his alter to wait for his master.
--
Harry knew he was in trouble. Not just because he was stuck serving some ungrateful irritating little human. No, he had been sent after a hunter. Not just any hunter either, Dean Winchester. Harry really didn't want to take this soul. Screw what happened to him, if he ever had a chance with Sam, taking his brothers soul would certainly screw it up.
"Look dude, you don't wanna do this!" Dean said, backing up against a car, stumbling slightly in his haste.
"You're right, I really don't. Not sure I have a choice though." Harry said, smiling sadly at Dean, who chuckled nervously.
"So she really is controlling you?" Dean asked incredulously.
"Unfortunately. Even bossman can't help me. I truly am sorry. I really am. You can't understand how much I don't want to do this." Harry said, blinking back tears as he was forced to place his hands on the side of Dean's face and start to tae his soul.
Then the urge left him and he let go with a gasp. He looked at Dean in astonishment and then looked at his hands in awe.
"I'm free." Harry whispered before disappearing from sight.
--
Harry appeared back at the house, smiling gently. He was free, and he was gonna go a reapin'. Harry glanced at Sam and nodded his thanks slightly before turning back to Sue Ann LeGrange. His ex-master and now his next reap. Hank would be so proud.
Harry walked towards Sue Ann, before getting bored of the chase, this was a soul he truly wanted, and just appeared in front of her, grabbing her face and taking her soul, following her to the ground in an almost loving gesture before standing up straight once she had died.
Sam had already left and Harry had one last thing he needed to do. Sue Ann was going to do one last good deed, though her soul was going nowhere. Well. Maybe. He wasn't exactly sure on the finer details of soul reaping for another purpose.
So he left the Alter behind one last time, smiling at the thought of his freedom before visiting Layla. He figured he could save one last person. And he had a soft spot for Layla.
--
Harry appeared in the motel room of Sam and Dean Winchester after he had finished healing Layla, he had been there to hear the phone call from Sam, but used his somewhat wonky connection with his magic to put her to sleep. He would tell Dean what happened. He appeared as the brothers were getting ready to leave, Dean sat on the bed, looking a bit pathetic if you asked Harry.
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
"What is it?"
"Did we do the right thing?" Dean finally said with a sigh, looking out the window.
"Or course we did." Sam said incredulously
"Doesn't seem like it." Dean muttered quietly.
"You freed me." Harry said finally, appearing in front of the two brothers, making them both jump and turn to him, both pointing a gun at him. "Whoa! Put the guns away! They can't hurt me anyway. I came to say thank you, not to hurt you." Harry added, tilting his head to one side and smiling.
"Who are you?" Sam asked, whilst Dean slowly moved and placed himself between the Reaper and his brother.
"Me? I'm the reaper you freed. I really did come to thank you." Harry said quietly, looking at them in earnest... Or at least trying to. He didn't really do earnest very well anymore.
"Oh crap. Sammy, run. I'll distract him, just get as far away from here as you can. Promise me." Dean said, pushing Sam away and towards the door whilst Harry watched in amusement and rolled his eyes when Sam looked at him.
"As amusing as it is watching your er... chivalry, you do know that I can find your little brother whenever I choose to right? I'm a Reaper, it's kind of a given that I can find my victims." Harry said, a smile trying to make it's way onto his face.
"So we're not safe? Why did you come to us? What do you want?" Dean asked, still not moving from in front of a now bemused looking Sam.
"God, you don't listen do you! I came to thank you, but now that you mention it, there is something you can do for me." Harry said, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Oh yeah? What?" Dean asked, voice wavering slightly and swallowing heavily.
"Let me go with you. Wherever it is that you will be going. Take me." Harry said, smiling softly and unfolding his hands.
"Why? Why should we? What's in it for us?" Dean asked, not noticing that Sam had gotten bored with the show down and was now sitting on a bed, flipping through an old journal of some sort.
"Honestly? Nothing. I can't really offer you anything except my protection as far as I can help. I'm a good fighter and I can kill just by touching people. Actually I should really look into that, not a good way to make friends." Harry muttered to himself, ignoring the muffled laughter from Sam.
"And what's to say you're not going to turn on us in the night and go all oogedy boogedy on us?" Dean asked, sitting on the other bed, having finally noticed that Sam was no longer standing behind him.
"Oogedy boogedy? You know, what? Nevermind, I don't want to know. And again, all you really have is my word. Look. It's boring being a Reaper. And most of all it's lonely." Harry admitted with a shrug, "Plus, I figure if I'm with you two, then there is less chance of me walking into a summoning again and being forced to kill. It's not really my gig." Harry admitted.
"So you want to come with us because you're lonely and don't want to be enslaved again?" Dean asked. Sam put the book down and looked at Harry sharply, making the Reaper blush and look down.
"Yeah. So can I come with you?"
"Yeah, why not." Sam said, cutting off whatever Dean was going to say.
"Sammy! You don't just go inviting evil beings along with us."
"Hey!" Harry protested, shutting up at the pointed look Sam sent him.
"He's hardly evil. Look at him! He looks harmless!" Sam said, again silencing Harry with a look.
"Fine! You know what fine! But it's your fault if we wake up dead one day!" Dean said.
"You know, it is in my experience, that once you're dead, you generally don't wake up to find out so." Harry pointed out, getting a glare from Dean and a chuckle from Sam. "So you mean it? I can come with you? Wow, Hank will be so impressed that I get to travel with the Winchester's." Harry practically gushed.
"Wait. Who's Hank?"
"Death."
"Huh. I never figured Death as a Hank." Dean said quietly before grabbing his bag and walking out of the room, only to be followed by a quietly amused Sam and an exciteable Harry.
"Woo! Road Trip!"
"Shut up."
Yep, took me a while huh? I wrote this whilst watching Dirty Dancing, which so made me want to make Dean dance the Mamba... Though I honestly couldn't do it without laughing. And yes I know, I changed some things, but come on! You really think Harry wouldn't have save Layla if he could? Pfft, yeah right. As you may have noticed though, Harry isn't exactly the same anymore. He's a little more ruthless for one. Other changes will beomce more apparent as the story progresses.
So tell me what you think and if you couldn't already tell, it's going to be Sam/Harry. The latter of which is so going to pissed come a certain episode called Heart...