Chapter 1: Traveling
"HARRY!" Someone had screamed. His name echoed inside his head. Harry was in the white train station again. Harry looked around him; it was empty of life and color. This time though there was no horcrux to save him from Death's hold. Harry had jumped in front of Hermione to protect her from a stray killing curse. A hand suddenly touched his shoulder making Harry jump. He turned around to see a tall dark haired androgynous person. He wore a nice suit and looked to be around his mid-thirties. His face was young, but somehow they reminded him someone who had seen too much too early. The man's eyes though dark had the expression of warmth. The two stared at each other for what seemed to be hours. Neither was willing to break the silence first.
"Hello, Harry Potter. It is nice to meet you," said the unknown man.
Harry couldn't help but feel uncomfortable despite the man's polite greeting. He felt off somehow. Wait a minute. "How do you know my name? Who are you?" asked Harry feeling a bit out of depth.
The man gave Harry a calm considering look. "You are one of few that were willing to fall into my embrace," he answered. Harry frowned in thought; something about the man was familiar. His eyes widened in realization while the man, Death his mind supplied, patiently waited for a response.
Harry turned towards the man whispering, "Death." Death nodded silently. "Why am I here? I thought I died?"
"And you did, Harry. However, as you are the only one that had successfully brought together all of my Hallows and had them on your person at the time of your death. You had become my 'Master' the second you breathed your last breathe," Death explained in a whisper. Death watched calmly as a multitude of expressions appeared the teen's face. Shock, anger, and uncertainty flashed through Harry's face before appearing blank.
"What does that mean for me? Will I never get to have peace?" Harry's voice was resigned and sad. "Am I never to find rest?"
Tears were now flowing down his face as all the pent up emotions let themselves be known. Death moved forward so suddenly Harry barely had time to react. He took Harry's face in his hands and wiped away the bitter tears, his own countenance sympathetic to Harry's emotions.
"Harry…" Death paused a second not quite sure how to continue, "Harry, perhaps I can give you another option."
"What do you mean? asked Harry.
"I can not bring you back to your world. That is beyond my abilities," said Death.
"I can't see my friends and family again?" Harry choked out, tears once again spilling over. Harry rubbed furiously at his tears hating how much crying he'd been doing. Harry felt gentle hands grasp his hands and slowly brought them down. Harry stared at Death through his tears completely frozen. In one fluid movement Death pulled Harry into a warm hug. While the hug was a bit stiff it was no less comforting. The two of them stood there in silence; the only sound was Harry's waning sniffles.
"While I am not able to return you to your friends and family, I can send you to another one. You can start anew, and break away from the stigma of 'The Boy Who Lived'," Death said. Harry lifted his head from Death's shoulder.
"You mean it?" Harry asked. Death nodded silently. He waved his hand and a mirror seemed to appear out of nowhere. It rippled to show a prone man on a hospital bed. He wore some wraps around his arms, legs, and torso. The man also had a gauze over his right eye. He looked so similar to Harry that he could pass as his twin. Dark hair with pale skin and a lithe body mostly from light martial arts defense.
"This is Angelus Morningstar, when you switch you will not have any of his memories at first. Those will come to you in increments." Now looking at the man Harry didn't know if he could do this. Taking over another person's life when the other didn't even have a choice. Seeing doubt on Harry's face Death gently took Harry's hands into his own. "Your uncertainty speaks wonders of your character as many other s would jump at the chance to continue living. But there is no need; Angelus will die within two weeks form now."
"What!" Harry exclaimed.
"Besides you will not be completely alone." Waving his hand the mirror rippled so that the view of the hospital room widened showing another man that was sitting right next to Angelus. He was rather scruffy with short dark curls and a light beard. He had well worn flannel shirt on with some comfortable pants. He was holding one of Angelus's hands while he slept. The worry, concern, and love were so strong it over powered any other emotion throughout the hospital.
"Their connection is so strong…" Harry whispered awed. He could feel it; see it. It seemed like nothing in the world could break the bond. Nothing; except death. Suddenly it seemed to make sense to Harry. He would do it if not for himself then for this man. Angelus's death would kill him, maybe not physically but emotionally and mentally. Turning towards Death Harry nodded in determination.
"Harry, I should inform you magic does not exist in this world," Death said. Harry faltered a bit, but he shook it out of himself and stood firm.
"I don't care," Harry said trying to sound sure of his self. Death just looked at Harry fondly.
"You have nothing to worry about. Magic is not something that appears out of nowhere. It will be converted into something else. In fact it has already started."
"What do you mean?" Harry didn't feel any different, and giving himself a once over he didn't look any different or have anything on him to facilitate any change.
"You did not notice, but when you felt Angelus and Will's bond the conversion had already started. However, that is not the only gift that you will have. Every part of your magic must be converted equally." Suddenly frantic beeps penetrated the rather silent place. Looking at the mirror nurses and doctors could be seen rushing into the hospital room desperately trying to keep Angelus's heartbeat going. The scruffy man was panicking while being pushed out of the room to make room for the doctors.
"I thought you said he had two weeks!" Harry yelled panicked. Death shook his head.
"Time is irrelevant here. A couple of minutes could be a few seconds to a year; it changes every time. It does not matter you are already in the process of the transfer." Harry looked down at himself and was surprised to see his body disintegrating into various sized orbs of light. In a matter of seconds the disintegration sped up exponentially. Soon Harry saw nothing but white and blanked out.