Worlds within worlds, many universes, mirrors and alternative dimensions were postulated in fiction and by scientists. It seemed fantastical, then again Harry lived with a hidden society a completely segregated magical part of Britain. He had grown up being told magic didn't exist but now he was learning of the world of immortals, of gods and goddesses, a higher plane was just another society cut off from the mortal world. He had already seen it, when he had talked to Dumbledore. That was a place neither life nor death. Harry sat in the bath and pondered his one touch with the beyond; his meeting with the Headmaster and the Horcrux, the splinter of Voldemort whom he had shared 16 years of his life with. It had shown that Tom had completely misunderstood the whole concept of immortality with his single minded pursuit of clinging to the mortal world.

Was the same true of the Flamel's? The young wizard shook his head thinking of his own acceptance of things as a child, he had been such an ignorant slave to his chosen path. Now, he was breaking the mold. Then again he was no one's idea of the ideal wizard, not with his upbringing. More muggle than magical still, preferring jeans and t-shirts to robes. No wonder Muriel Prewitt-Weasley thought he was not good enough for Ginerva. That woman was a Great-Aunt to both Arthur and Molly and the bathing teen ducked under the surface with that horrifying truth. That fact alone had him wonder, why he'd grown up with his shrew of an aunt and her foul husband, when he was related to half the school, considering he was cousins with all the Weasleys, the Malfoys and Neville. He was also distantly related to every pureblood family. A big fish in a small pond. Magical society needed new blood, but most mundane born married non-magicals. His mother bucked that trend, he wished he'd known her. He thought it stance she was so completely different to her sister.

He climbed out of the tub. The bathroom in Slytherin dorms was the last place anyone would look for him. Most in the Order assumed his parseltongue ability had died with his link to dear old Tom. Assumptions were very dangerous things. He opened his eyes, knowing time was getting on but he was completely relaxed in the hot bubble bath and was surprised to see Myrtle sitting on the stool in the dressing area.

"Hello Harry, Helena says your going to recharge the wards to protect the school."

Harry did not bother to cover himself or act coy when he dressed. "Its a journey not a sacrifice. I may loose my magic, but its not an end but a beginning. Just another adventure." Harry then paused, thinking about ghosts in general, who were shades of the person that had passed. He wondered if the mirror would work as a transference for the spectral fragments. "Do you want to come with me, Myrtle?"

The fifty year old victim of Tom Riddle, smiled ruefully. "I deserve that for asking you to share that blasted toilet. No, if anyone would join you it would be the Grey Lady. We haunt because we are tied to this mortal existence by our unfulfilled dreams or regrets. No I will stay to remind all that a plain and stupid Mudblood can torment as well as any Pureblood bully."

Harry reassured this strange phantom "If it all goes pear shaped, I'd love to spend eternity pranking all here with you."

"You charmer, Harry. I'm going to swim with the Giant Squid. That never gets old."

...

Luna fasted with Harry. She had woven some plain robes for her friend. At midnight, Harry started to draw the water from the well in the courtyard and slowly filled the eerie cauldron until, the water clung to each edge, by which time Harry was exhausted from his toil. The strange black flint dagger was washed in the last bucket of water and Harry drunk his fill of the ice cold spring water. Luna held a large bronze basin and Harry exsanguinated his blood for the wards with long parrallel cuts along his forearms. Blood splashed onto the polished metal dish. Harry swayed, weakened by his hunger, exhaustion and the onset of shock. He did not catch the words spoken and without his glasses he coud not see the runes painted on the central ward stone. The four returned from their task of setting all the stones. Harry then stepped into the cauldron. The water was neither warn nor cold, in fact it felt no different from the surrounding air on this warm summer night.

Blaise chanted not loosing concentration. Dennis watched wondering why the water was not spilling on the ground. The surface flat like mercury as it accepted the wizard sacrifice. He still thought the hat should have chosen the giver of magic. Harry had stated the Hat may have thwarted their plans. Their saviour had been the most vocal that Hogwarts must be protected at all costs.

Dean wept bitter tears so soon after loosing his brother, he was watching his good friend cleave. He remembered Harry's soothing words spoken before sunset. The sky had remained overcast, but the moon was visible briefly, blood red and forboding as Harry plunged beneath the surface.

Luna was not tempted to drink the unnaturally still water, still level to the rim, the surface reflecting the dark moon. All present then felt the wards grown, like a current flowing through them and over them. Not shocking as all had grown used to the familiar feel of Harry's magic. The strange Ravenclaw was attuned to the wards, different from those wrought by Somairhle Slytherin. The Line of Slytherin was ended, so was the Line of the Peverell's. The last descendant of the three brothers had passed beyond.

She stayed as the eclipse passed and the moon turned back to silverly white. The boys went to their cabin and started their wake to Harry, not the hero, just the man, their friend. The sky turned grey then golden and Luna spoke a soft prayer to the stiff north wind. "Mother Goddess, Thank you for your protection. Goodbye Harry. Good Luck." She had no doubt she would see her friend once more as The End of All Things was just another adventure.

...

Harry stood up in a dark chamber with a floor wet with a thin layer of water. He was a bit confused. He could not remember how he had arrived here. Soft splashes signalled the footfalls of a stranger, who approached illuminated by a single flaming brand. The torch bearer was as handsome as young Tom Riddle but with long dark hair.