Chapter 10: Saying Goodbye, September 2018

Privet Drive had changed much since Harry had last graced it with his presence. The houses were mostly abandoned. He sat in the darkened living room of what used to be the Dursley's, Number 4.

He was too young to die. 38 was too young for death. Yet, he felt weary, like he could not go on. It was just as well that Draco had forced him to not attend the wedding. It may have killed him, in retrospect. Harry had long known that he was not a spiritual person, but he decided to pray right then, for everything that he had left unsaid in his life.

"God, let those children be safe. They deserve to be happy. Let me not be the one to make them sad, at the end of the day. I dreamed a dream that Rose and Teddy stood by me as I died and it made them cry."

Suddenly, light filled the room as the figure of a woman walked in. She turned, and Harry sighed. Surely he was dying, for he had not seen that face for over 20 years.

Hermione came forward. She began to sing sweetly to him.

Harry, I bless your name.

"I am ready, Hermione." Harry got out.

Harry, lay down your burden.

"At the end of my days."

You raised my child in love.

"She's the best of my life," Harry said, tears stinging his eyes.

And you will be with God.

Harry leaned back in his chair, his breath coming in rough gasps. He did not even hear a crash at the front door and voices calling his name. Then, more earthly figures appeared: Rose, no longer in her wedding dress, followed by Teddy, Scorpius and Victoire.

"Harry! Thank goodness!" Rose cried, kneeling down at his feet (she had dropped the "Uncle" part as she had gotten older). "We've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Thank goodness I get to see you before I go," was all Harry could say.

"It's you who should be thanked," Scorpius said eagerly and proceeded to speak for all of them about how grateful they were for his sacrifice.

"You're going to live, Harry, you're going to live. It's too soon for you to die." Rose said. Harry just smiled sadly. With great effort, he reached over to a nearby table and picked up a small envelope. Inside was a letter he had written for Rose and Teddy; it had taken great pains for him to pen it these last several days while holed up here. It was his last confession about who he was, what he had done, their parents' roles and who they were. He told Rose and Teddy to read it well once he was dead.

The end was near; Harry could feel it. Hermione looked down at him. Take my hand where chains will never bind you. Leave your pains at last, at last behind you. Lord in Heaven, look down on him in mercy.

Harry gave one last great breath. "Take me home, Hermione. I'm ready." He managed before he slumped forward in his chair, dead. More spirits appeared: Ginny and Tonks. They joined Hermione in singing:

Take my hand, I'll lead you to salvation.

Harry, now a spirit himself, looked back. Rose was now convulsing with sobs and shaking his dead body, screaming his name, before Teddy and Scorpius both enveloped her in a tight embrace. Victoire stood there, stunned. Harry accompanied the other spirits out the door of Privet Drive. There, he could see Ron and Lupin waiting for them.

And remember, the truth that once was spoken. To love another person is to see the face of God.