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Pre-Hogwarts: Beyond the Veil

"Harry! Are you read to leave yet?" bellowed Lily up the stairs of Godric's Hollow.

"Coming mum!" shouted her son. Ten year old Harry Potter was preparing, ocne, to go to work with his mother. Normally his father would was home during the day, but James Potter was waiting in line with Sirius to get tickets to an upcoming Quidditch Match. Being an Unspeakable, Harry was often not allowed to come to work with his mother. However, his parents could not find a sitter and there was no one available for him to stay with. Harry was certain it was going to be boring sitting in the visitors area all day while his mother worked. But, thanks to some thoughtful thinking by his mother, Selene Lovegood arranged for Luna to come to work with her today as well. This had Harry much more willing to join his mother at work.

Harry bounded down the steps and planted himself right in front of his mother. "Ready!" he said excitedly.

"You most certainly are," laughed Lily. "Luna and Mrs. Lovegood are going to meet us there, so we better get going!"

"What are Luna and I supposed to do while you and Mrs. Lovegood are working?" asked the black-haired boy as they walked to the fireplace.

"That will be up to you two," said his mother, herself rather excited about having her son join her at work. "The Ministry often has tours where you get to learn how the Ministry works as well as see all the different departments. I know you've been on it before but its been a few years since you've came with me to work and a lot has changed." The mother-son duo arrived at the family fireplace and stepping inside. Lily grabbed some floo powder. "Ministry of Magic!" she said, throwing the floo powder on the fireplace floor and prepared to be engulfed by green flames.

Harry didn't particularly enjoy traveling by floo, although it was better than Apparation. The sensation of twisting and falling through several hundred different fireplaces was slightly nauseating, but Harry was getting used to it. They arrived at the Ministry after only a few moments. The great hall was bustling with workers as they arrived for the daily drudge of Ministry work.

"Selene!" shouted Harry's mother over the crowd. A rather attractive blonde-woman turned and looked around at the sound of her name. Lily waved her hand, trying to get her friends attention. Harry wasn't tall enough to see over the crowd of people, but his mother guided him over to the Lovegood's.

"Good morning Lils!" said Selene. "And hello Harry," she said looking down at the boy. He was still shorter than her, but not by much.

"Hello Aunt Selene," said Harry respectfully. "Is Luna here?"

"Yes she is," said Selene smiling, "she's waiting for you in the waiting area. They have an 8 o'clock tour. If you hurry you should be able to make it in time."

"Alright!" said Harry, excited to see his friend. For as long as he could remember, Luna and him had been nearly inseparablel playing together atleast 3 times a week every week. Luna and her mother and father were so much like family that he just started calling them 'Aunt Selene' and 'Uncle Xeno.'

"Be careful," said Lily, bending over to give her son a hug.

"Mom!" said Harry, struggling to get away from his embarrassing mother.

"Is it too much to ask for a hug and kiss before I go to work, you've given one to me everyday for years!" said Lily, mocking anger.

"Yeah," whined Harry, "but there are people here!"

"Alright," said Lily, smiling. "Then give a quick one." Harry gave his mother a quick peck on the cheek.

"Can I go now?" he asked.

"I suppose so," said his mother. Letting out a sigh of relief, he turned and gave his Aunt Selene a quick hug before he ran off in the direction of the visitors area. He didn't know why he gave his aunt a hug, he didn't do it very often. It just felt…like the right thing to do.

"That was strange," said Selene as she and Lily watched Harry run off through the crowd. "He hasn't given me a hug in years."

"He must like you better," grumbled Lily, trying to hide her smile. "I had to beg and plead for a simple peck on the cheek, and I was in labor for 10 hours with the boy!" Selene and Lily laughed together as they walked to the elevator to grab a lift to the Department of Mysteries.

Harry ran through the main hall, skillfully dodging workers and guests until he got to the visitor area. He was rather good at dodging through people because when he was running, it was almost as if the people were moving slower than they normally were. His father attributed this behavior to the fact this his blood sugar level was four times the 'legal limit' and told him he would make a great Chaser when he finally got to Hogwarts.

"Luna!" he said, seeing his best friend waiting for him through the crowds of people.

"Harry!" she said, her waist length blonde hair shook as she waved vigorously at him. "Over here!"

Harry slid to a stop in front of his friend and let out a big smile. It was often difficult for him not to laugh at Luna's rather 'unique' clothing style, but recently Harry hadn't minded as much that she often looked she had let her pet Nargle choose her outfit for her. It was all rather confusing to him.

"Hey there," said Luna, "ready for another fun filled day at the Ministry?"

"Eh," said Harry as he shrugged his shoulders. "My mom says there's new stuff, but I think she was just saying that so I would come. I personally don't understand why I'm not old enough to stay home alone yet. I mean, I'm going to Hogwarts next year! If I'm allowed to stay away from home for an entire year, I should be allowed to stay home alone."

Harry noticed when Luna's spark of excitement faded when he mentioned Hogwarts. Since she was a year younger than him, she still had another two years before she would be able to go to Hogwarts. Luna didn't have very many friends (if any, that Harry knew of) other than Harry that she would be able to play with when he was gone. Harry's heart sank at this thought, imagining being in her shoes and the sparkle disappeared from his eyes as well. Green met blue as the two shared a moment of realization that they were growing up and would soon be separated.

"You know, you won't be gone for an entire year," said Luna, very matter of factly. "The school year is only nine months long and you have Christmas and Easter break."

"That's true," said Harry. The two fell once again into silence. "I'll write to you every day," said Harry, smiling weakly at his friend.

"Don't be silly," said Luna, "you will be much to busy with school work. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Plus, there is still over a year before you get your letter."

"That's true," said Harry. "We should just enjoy the time we have left together. Besides, when I'm up late doing homework and dealing with grumpy old teachers, you'll be sleeping in and playing outside. Which sounds more fun to you? "

"You're right," said Luna, the sparkle and smile returning to her face. "Maybe you will be writing to me everyday, asking for help on your homework because we both know that I'm way smarter than you!"

The moment was interrupted by a rather loud voice. "Will all those waiting for the 8 o'clock tour please gather around me. We will begin shortly."

"Oh well," said Harry. "There goes our morning." Luna let out a small giggle.

"Are you ready to begin the experiment?" asked a male technician, his voice echoing off the walls of the great stone chamber. There was little light except for the one that fell down onto the great stone arch in the middle of the room. Around the archway were several different devices designed to gather data.

"Have you set up all the proper shielding enchantments?" asked Lily.

"We have cast every single protective spell we know," replied another man. "We've even had the Auror's come down here even and check it all out. Nothing is getting through those wards."

"I hope you're right," said Selene. "We are playing with death here, I hope you realize that."

"I do m'am," said the first technician.

"Why exactly are we doing this again?" said a third technician.

"We know that this stone archway is a gateway to the afterlife. What we don't know is how it works. There are no runes carved in or around it and no substance that possesses magical properties, that we know of, powering it. One reason we are testing it is to find out exactly how it is powered. If we can do that, we could improve the quality of life for so many people, Wizard and Muggle alike," explained Lily.

"Why do we care about the Muggles?" asked the second technician.

"They do not have very effective methods of creating and using energy," explained Selene. "Currently, most if not all of their most common methods, are damaging to the environment. Our hope is that we could help improve their method of energy consumption and decrease their impact on our environment. After all, our magic can only do so much for so long."

"Is there another reason we are testing it?"

"Well, it is a gateway to the afterlife. We are trying to increase out understanding of it," answered Lily.

"We hope that one day, we will be able to retrieve souls from the other side. Those who were murdered or died by accident. Obviously those who were going to die from old age or an incurable sickness would, hopefully, be happier in the afterlife."

"Imagine a world where a murder victim could testify against their murderer?" added Lily. "Of course, there would need to be major overhaul on the laws regarding these types of death, but I think its worth it when you remember all the families that were destroyed by Voldemort."

"I guess you're right," said the third techinician.

"Of course I am," said Lily. "Now are there anymore questions before we begin? No? Good."

A twinge shot up Luna's spine and she gave a small twitch.

"All you alright?" whispered Harry.

"I…I don't know," said Luna. "I'm getting a very bad feeling. We…we need to find our moms."

"Why?"

"Don't know, we just need to find them." Harry gave Luna a weird look. "We need to find them Harry!" added Luna, an intense fear sweeping across her face.

"Okay," said Harry, trying to calm her down. "Let's ditch the dork parade. Look, we are about to get in the elevator. Quick, let's hide here until they are gone." Harry grabbed Luna and ducked behind a corner. He peaked around the corner and watched as the tour group disappear into the elevator. "Alright, now what?" asked Harry.

"We have to find our moms," cried Luna, obviously overtaken by fear. "They work in the Department of Mysteries, lets start there." Together the two of them grabbed the next free elevator. Inside there was a panel of buttons, each labeled with a different department. The pushed the one labeled 'Department of Mysteries' and held on as the elevator began its journey to its destination.

"What are we supposed to do when we get to the Department of Mysteries," asked Harry. "They aren't exactly going to let kids walk in and wonder around looking for something are they?"

"I'm sure if we just ask to talk to our parents, they will take us to them," said Luna. "We'll just say that we aren't feeling well and need to go home."

"And what happens then?" asked Harry.

"Well, hopefully they will leave work early and take us home. Then we just have to fake it for a bit."

"Why are we doing this?"

"I…I saw something."

"What did you see?"

"We need to get our moms away from here, as soon as possible," said Luna, ignoring Harry's question.

"Okay," said Harry. He could tell that Luna was scared, and regardless of what she saw, that was enough for him to do whatever he needed to do to make her feel better. The elevator door opened to another hall, smaller and darker than the great hall. They both recognized this as the entry hall to the Department of Mysteries. They ran towards the main desk where a rather frumpy looking old witch (with rather bad perfume on, thought Harry) sat behind a desk.

"What are you children doing here?" asked the witch, rather confused.

"We need to see our mothers," said Luna, exasperated.

"And who might they be?" questioned the witch.

"Lily Potter and Selene Lovegood," answered Harry. "We need to talk to them immediately."

"Why?"

"I'm not feeling very well," lied Luna. "My mother forget to give me my medication and I need to get it from her immediately."

"One moment," said the witch, looking at the papers on her desk. "I'm sorry, but your mothers are very busy at the moment. Can this wait?"

"No!" cried a distressed Luna.

"Listen ma'am, we really need to see our mothers. Is there anyway we can see them?" added Harry.

"I'll take them," said a voice from behind the children. They turned around to see an ordinary looking wizard. "I am supposed to join their mothers momentarily and know where they are. I would be happy to take them there and make sure they don't get into any trouble."

"Okay," said the witch, not really caring and just wanting to get rid of the screaming kids.

"Thank you," said Luna. The man didn't respond, simply motioned for the children to join him down the hallway.

"Where are we going?" asked Harry.

"The Death Chamber," said the man.

"The Death Chamber? Why are our parents going there?" asked Luna.

"They are doing a rather dangerous experiment," said the man.

"Dangerous experiment?" asked Harry. "Are you sure that our moms should be doing that?"

"They know what they are doing," answered the man. "And there is no need to fear children, you will not be harmed."

Harry was getting a bad feeling about this guy. He didn't really wear his expression like a normal person, he looked almost possessed. But Luna didn't seem to notice, she was focused on finding their mothers. They walked with the man only a short distance before they found themselves in front of two large wooden doors.

"They are inside here," said the man. "You must be careful though, stay back against the walls and don't make a noise."

"What is going to happen?" asked Harry.

"Hopefully nothing," said the emotionless man. "I'm just here incase something does." Without saying another word the man opened the door revealing the chamber to the children.

"Mama!" screamed Luna upon seeing her mother. She ran to her mother who stood in the middle of the room. Leaping into her arms, Luna embraced her mother as tears started flowing from her eyes.

"Luna! What's wrong? What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be on a tour with Harry?"

"I was mama," sobbed the girl, "but then I got this horrible picture in my head. It felt so real mama, I thought you were…."

"There there," cooed Selene. "It's okay, I'm here and I'm perfectly fine." She brought her daughter out in front of her and gave her a huge smile. "See?" The daughter nodded her head as she wiped her eyes. "Alright," continued Selene, "now why don't you go back outside and wait for mama to finish her work okay?"

"Okay mama," said Luna.

"Ma'am, we should get started. We are almost out of time…" interrupted one of the technicians.

"Yes," she said, putting Luna down. Luna walked away from her mother back to Harry who had been watching the scene the whole time. Watching Luna breakdown like that wasn't easy for him, he hated seeing her cry. Two sets of green eyes met as mother and son caught glances. Without even needing to say anything, they had an entire conversation encompassing 'Are you alright?' - 'Yes' - 'Good, I love you' - 'I love you too.'

"Alright, begin the experiment," said Lily. The technicians chanted a few spells, but nothing happened. Harry, Luna and the mysterious man watched from the doorway.

"Was that it?" Harry whispered to Luna.

"I don't know." Luna looked up at the man who had been standing behind them, but he was gone. Suddenly, the cave started to shake violently. Harry and Luna fell to the ground and looked around very frightened.

"Mama!" shouted Luna. "Mama it's happening! Run!"

Luna's shouts went unheard though as a black mist began to pour out of the archway in the middle of the chamber.

"Do you see that?" asked Harry, looking over at Luna. She didn't answer though, her eyes were plastered on the scene taking place before her. She looked as if she was desperately trying to move, but her body simply was not working. Harry tried to move as well, though he found it completely impossible. Someone was magically restraining them from moving from this spot.

Without warning, the black mist began to bubble and expand pass the limits of the archway. The technicians and Unspeakable mothers did not seem to notice the black mist coming closer towards them. As quickly as the mist had appeared before Harry, it expanded and engulfed the five Unspeakables. Harry cried out as he watched his mother disappear inside the black mist.

"No!!!!" screamed Harry.

"Harry" cried a petrified Luna, "what's happening?"

The mist began to recede back into the archway and was replaced with a fluttering black cloth. The shaking stopped and Harry and Luna were able to regain their footing. The children watched in horror as five wispy figures stood before them in front of the archway. Harry and Luna, shock disabling their ability to speak, watched as their mothers smiling faces disappeared behind the veil. Before they crossed over, they each mouthed 'I Love You.'

Feeling as though a watermelon had just been shoved down his throat, Harry watched as his mother disappeared in front of his very eyes. Luna, tears flooding from her eyes, watched helplessly as well.

"I asked you to stay back against the wall and say nothing," said a voice from behind them. They both turned to look to see the man from before standing behind them.

"Wh-wh-what are you talking about?" stuttered Harry, fruitlessly fighting back the tears.

"I asked you to stay back, but you didn't listen to me," the man said, looking at Luna. Her eyes, washed over with tears, were wide as she looked up at the man. "If you had not ran to your mother, she would have put up the ward which would have protected them from something like this."

Harry could hear Luna's heart crash into the depths of her very core. He could feel her heart rupture and force itself out of her body. Luna burst into tears, holding herself so tightly as if she expected to fall apart any second. Seeing Luna hurt this way, an infinite anger erupted throughout him as he stood up and hit the man forcefully in the stomach.

"This is not her fault! How could you say such things! Especially after what she just saw! How dare you, you bastar-"

But before Harry could finish, a hard hand slapped him across the face sending him flying to the ground.

"And you, I gave you equal warning but you did nothing to stop her!"

Harry's anger was rising, mixing with the shock and sadness of what just happened caused him to lose control.

"How could I have known something like this was going to happen!?!" he shouted at the man, tears pouring from his eyes.

"You saw the black mist!" bellowed the man back, "you knew something was wrong and said nothing. However, she saw exactly what was going to happen, and instead of thinking it through she rushed in blind."

"None of this makes any since! Who the hell are you!?!"

"I'm the one who took your mothers' souls," he said simply, void of any remorse or emotion. He looked at the archway and started walking towards it.

"Hey, where do you think you're going!" bellowed Harry.

"Home," said the man as he walked through the archway and disappeared.

The man gone, Harry regained some of his composure, turned his attention to Luna. She was crying uncontrollably on the ground, lying in her own vomit. Unable to restrain his own tears, he walked over to Luna and pulled her away from the mess on the ground. Her body limp, her head fell onto his shoulder, drenching his cloak with tears.

Harry tried his best to keep his tears at bay, thinking of how his father would act in this situation. The image of his mothers spirit smiling at him before she crossed over swept over him, releasing a new well of tears. Unable to hold them back, he began to cry uncontrollably as well. Together, the two children knelt on the ground, huddled together in a pool of their own tears, mourning the loss of their mothers.

A/N: I know it's unfair that we didn't really get to know Lily or Selene much, but I promise this won't be the last time we see them. Thanks again for Shadow ShiningHeart for being my awesome beta. Also, thank you to all of you have reviewed!

P.S. I will be taking a two week vacation in the south of France in a small town called Gers. If any of my readers live there, give me a PM! Anyways, my access to computer is questionable and I might not be able to update until I get back. I'm sorry for this, but I promise that I will continue writing while I am away (unlike OTHER fiction writers cough Haley cough). Expect to have several chapters released within days of my return (as I will have approx 24 hours of flight time to do nothing but write) as well as a new fiction I have been tossing around in my head.