A/N: I know it has been a long time and all I can say is I am sorry.
Chapter Twenty-Five Queen Shakira
"I ah…take her!" He shouted as he fell to his knees, he knew that his choice meant that someone else would die because of it. As he knelt there he wept not because of what he knew would happen, but because he truly had believed he saved her. How could he have been so wrong about her, surely she couldn't be purely without hope, but yet as he knelt there he knew just that. Bellatrix Black hadn't changed; she hadn't been saved from being a minion to Voldemort. As he remained knelt before Death he wondered if any of those he saved could actually be saved, or if he only had delayed their fates. Lily should have died that cold October night, but yet she lived, though Harry wondered if she truly did. Did she survive that night to live a normal life, one in which he would get to be part of, or had he only prolonged her life long enough for him to suffer even more so than he already had.
"By your choice I shall claim her soul and allow you to return to your world" Death said as he looked down upon Harry.
"Wait" Harry said in a low meager voice unknown to even him.
"The choice had been made" Death said in a cold tone with little remorse for what was to be done.
Harry stood up and looked at Death "you may have which I have agreed to, I am not changing that, but I do ask that I be aloud to confront her and find out why she is willing to betray me, I must know!"
"I don't know about that Harry, when I send you back I will then claim her, so I do not think I can allow that."
"Must you claim here straight away" Harry asked as he glared at Death.
"That is how…"
"Bloody hell" Harry shouted cutting Death off "can't you just for one bleeding moment think about how I feel! I am not going to prevent you from having her damnit!"
"How do I know that when you were the one to mess things up in the first place?"
Harry glared at Death as his form changed from Harry Potter into the more deadly and fearsome form of Lord Ragnarok. "I" Lord Ragnarok started in his deeper and deadlier tone "will allow you to have her soul, but I will be the one to give it to you!"
Death did not look impressed or intimidated by the change in appearance since he did not have to fear Harry's dark half, though he did know that Harry wasn't the one in control as he stood before him. "The great and powerful Lord Ragnarok, I was wondering when you would emerge, since Harry isn't able to control you like he once was."
"He does not control me" Lord Ragnarok said as what seemed like thunder clapped all around them, the thunderous sound seemed to emanate from him. "Now Death will you allow me to send her to you or must we do this the hard way?"
"You seem to believe you scare me, when in fact you can't scare what is already dead" Death said as he looked at Lord Ragnarok.
"Scare you" Lord Ragnarok said and then laughed as his eyes flared red as fire "I do not seek to scare you oh master of the dead, but do not think me weak just because you are dead it doesn't mean you're untouchable."
Death did not know what to make of the comment as Lord Ragnarok reached out his hand and grasped Death by his boney throat, or at least where a normal person's throat would have been. He then lifted Death into the air and held him firmly in place "scaring you is child's play, what I have in mind is far worse than even you can imagine."
Death laughed insanely as he vanished from Lord Ragnarok's grasp and appeared behind him "you think you are tough, and on the mortal plane you are, but do not dare to believe you are stronger than death!"
Before Lord Ragnarok could react Death drove his icy cold boney hand deep into his chest, and caused him to collapse to the ground. Lord Ragnarok was gone and Harry Potter lay before Death on the ground.
Harry gasped as he lay there nothing could have prepared him for the sheer magnitude of pain which coursed through his body. If he was a mere soul, how could he feel such pain? A pain in which was a thousand times worse than when Voldemort caused his scar to burn like fire.
"I am sorry I had to do that Harry" Death said but there was no trace of actual remorse in his voice. "I know it isn't easy to control him, it is like he is his own entity and in some ways your dark half is."
"Why" Harry said as he managed to grasp on to some control over the pain "why is it harder to control him, he was created by me, he isn't even real, yet he takes over like he is."
"He takes control Harry because he is real" Death said in a matter of fact sort of way. "He is as real as you are Harry; he is the darker side of your very soul, the side in which Voldemort is entwined."
"I am not like him" Harry said in a low almost inaudible tone.
"No one wants to believe that they can be like that which they despise and even more so they don't allow themselves to realize that they are far worse than what they despise" Death said as he looked down at Harry. "You are an oddity Harry, on one hand you are a loving, understanding, and merciful man, but on the other you are Lord Ragnarok. He is uncaring, loathing, and without mercy, he is capable of being worse than that which you despise because he is part of Voldemort. You gave birth to him the day you first took on his form, but his true manifestation did not come to be until that night in October when you not only altered the course of history, but also you very soul. In essence you gave birth to your darkest fears, and he used it to gain strength over the years."
"I" Harry said but found it hard to speak "how could I have done this?"
"Ah that is simple Harry, you did it out of love for your mother, which is in its own right honorable, but you now must also pay the price for messing with fate. Fate is without mercy, and she is a cold and calculating bitch! She does not take lightly being trifled with, and those that cross her are forced to pay the dearest of all payments when she seeks her revenge on them."
"I could control it once, but now…"
"Now you can't, yes it is true you could keep your darker half in check before, but he is a lot more powerful than he once was. You knew that day in the warehouse, when you fought the Black Roses that your fragile grip on him had shattered, but yet you hoped you could contain and control him once more. Harry that time is over, sure he will stay hidden away as not to draw attention to himself, but when your anger gets the better of you he will emerge once more like he did here. When that happens you have no chance at all to control him, all you can do is sit back and hope that he will return to control to you at some point."
"How can I go on like this" Harry asked with concern oozing from his voice.
"I do not know how you can control him Harry, but I do know a way to be rid of him, and that is to kill Voldemort. When you bring an end to him so shall the piece of his soul within you end, or at least it can end, unless you allow Lord Ragnarok to keep control in which cause he will stay and your portion of the soul will be lost to rid the world of Voldemort."
"You said I can't control him, so what is to prevent him from doing just that?"
"When the time comes of the final battle between you and Voldemort, it will be one in which both of you will be on equal terms. When he dies Lord Ragnarok will be weakened enough that you could try and cast him out, that is if you still want to when that comes."
"I will" Harry said as he stood up "I don't want him in control, that isn't who I am!"
"Only time will tell, but for now Harry you have little choice on what he does."
"Is there no way to make him weaker, to help me try and gain control over him again?"
"Possibly, but I doubt you would want to do it since it would involve another."
"Another? What do you mean it will involve another?" Harry asked even more confused than he had been before any of this had come to pass.
"I shouldn't have even mentioned it Harry" Death said in his icy tone "it is a very dark ritual that is not in any way to be taken lightly."
"Tell me" Harry screeched as he glared at Death "if it can help me control this evil inside me then I want to know how!"
"It isn't so much controlling him, as it is weakening him into a more submissive state" Death said as he tried to conceal what it was he meant, but yet it seemed he wanted to temp Harry at the same time.
"If it means that I gain more power over my body than he has than I do not see what harm it could do."
"Harm" Death said as he looked into Harry's eyes "to you there would be no harm, but it would mean that you would have to curse another with your fate."
This made Harry stop in his thoughts first he was willing to condemn Bellatrix to death for what she might do, and now he would have to curse someone else and make that person suffer so he wouldn't lose control over his dark half. Was he truly even to consider that, he knew he didn't want that, he knew he didn't want to condemn another soul to the hell in which he faced. Though part of him was curious as to what Death had been alluring to, and he felt there was no harm in asking. "What do you mean curse another to my fate, no one can do what I must."
"That is where you are wrong" Death said to further lure Harry in "your fate doesn't have to be yours alone."
"You are starting to piss me off" Harry said as he glared at Death "just tell me already what it is that you are going on about."
"There is a soul in the world that has a heart purer than your own and filled with more love, compassion, and mercy than even you can understand. It is the only one that could possibly work, but by doing so it would be tainted and marred like yours. The ritual would bind your soul with the other for all eternity, but it would also cause the darker half of your soul to merge with it as well. Thus it would weaken the darker half, as the portion of Voldemort's soul which is entwined with yours would also become entwined with the other person's as well."
Harry knew then that it was out of the question there was no way he could allow someone to suffer the burdens that he faced. Though as he thought about it one small positive side emerged, if he were able to do it, then he would have someone else to help him when it came time to kill Voldemort. This of course made sense to him, and the thought of someone closely connected to him helping him bring down Voldemort was appealing. However he didn't want to cause anyone more suffering, he would already have to face the fact that his followers would risk dieing to help him, and as a result some would undoubtedly die.
"I can tell by your look that you would like to do it, but also that you know you can't" Death said as he peered into Harry's emerald eyes.
Harry hung his head "you know me too well Death, and you're right I couldn't do it. No one should suffer my fate, it is a burden that I must face alone."
"I thought as much" Death said in a sure tone "I figured you wouldn't want another to travel the same path of fate as you. Though I could tell you the soul in which I speak is destine to follow your path no matter what you chose here."
"What" Harry asked as he lifted his head to look at Death.
"You didn't think you could do this all without dragging others into it did you? Surely you should have learned that no one is able to achieve greatness without help, even if the greatness is evil, it still requires help, just look at Dumbledore."
Dumbledore, one name that Harry despised even more than Voldemort, which until his trip to the past he would have never believed possible. How could he consider doing something like Dumbledore had done? How could he consider lowering himself to the level of a monster? The answer was he couldn't but something inside he told him he should look at it from another prospective. He was already on that level had he not manipulated people and events to achieve more power, to gain greatness. 'No" Harry thought as he stood there 'I didn't do it for greatness, I did it to bring an end to Dumbledore and Voldemort.' No sooner had he thought that when the thought of having someone as powerful as him to aid him could be a good thing since he was to face two powerful adversaries.
"Of course even if you had wanted to do it, the person with whom you would merge with would likewise need to agree. If the person didn't then the ritual wouldn't work and all would be for naught anyway." Death said as if he knew what Harry thought, and most likely he did know.
The person would need to agree; those words bore into Harry's mind like a jackhammer. Did those words actually change anything? Surely he didn't believe anyone would willingly choose a fate such as his. "So if the person said no then what we both would go back to our lives and have to live with the knowledge that things could be different?"
"You would unless you chose to have your memory altered, the other person would return to the land of the living and never recall even being here in the first place."
Surely he wasn't going to consider it, but Harry found himself thinking that if the person had to make the choice then it wouldn't be his fault. The person would say no, he was sure of it, but he was curious to find out who had a heart purer and kinder than his own. "You will need to bring the person here?"
"If it was to happen then yes" Death said, as a look of triumph crossed his boney face "I would have to do the ritual here."
Harry wasn't sure what exactly caused him to agree, but he soon found that he had agreed to bring the person to see what the person would say. Maybe it was curiosity that caused him to say yes, because he did wonder who the person could be, or maybe his dark half did it, just to prove to Harry that no one would be dumb enough to agree.
Death didn't waste any time as he set off to bring the person for whom Harry would merge with, provided that person agreed to do it.
Harry sat on the ground alone as he waited a ball of guilt had formed in his throat as he thought about what he had actually agreed to. Even if he was positive that the person would say no, he couldn't help, but feel the pangs of guilt that swelled within him.
"Harry" came an all too familiar female voice and before Harry could react to it, he was slammed into and drawn into a tight embrace.
"Tonks" Harry managed to gasp out as he felt his inside being squashed in her tight embrace.
"Harry I been so worried" Tonks said as she pulled away from him.
"I'm sorry, have I been gone long?"
"It been a few days luv, no one knew what had happened to you, we thought that…" Tonks paused as she looked around and finally took in where she was.
"That I died" Harry finished thinking her pause was because she couldn't bare to say what she thought.
"Yeah" she said in a way that showed she wasn't paying a great deal of attention to what was said "where are we?"
"Limbo" Death said as he walked up behind Tonks, which caused her to jump.
"Limbo, are we dead?" Tonks asked now more afraid than ever.
"No my dear" Death said before Harry could say a word "you are neither dead nor alive, in fact we were in the process of discussing Harry's return when another matter arose."
"I thought you said when I returned no time would have passed?" Harry asked confused as to why time continued on in his absence since he believed it wouldn't.
"Fear not Harry, I shall keep my word, and you shall return back to your world and it will be as if he never left." Death said as he looked at Harry and Tonks.
"If we aren't dead then why are we here? Why is it that you have brought me and Harry here in the first place?"
Death and Harry set to telling Tonks all that had happened and the reason for her being there when Harry should have returned to the world with no delay.
When they had finished Tonks didn't know what to think as she had many questions "let me get this straight, after all Harry did Bella is still going to betray him, all of us in fact?"
"That's correct" Death said as he looked at them "that's why it was agreed that I would take her soul in Harry's place."
"I can't believe she could still betray us, she seems so different from the aunt I knew in the other timeline." Tonks said as she looked at Death and then she looked at Harry "you actually believe this and agree with giving her soul to him in exchange for your own?"
"Tonks" Harry started as he swallowed down the lump of guilt in his throat "if you had seen what I did you would understand. When I saw what would happen to you, Lily, Narcissa, and the others I couldn't bare to let it happen if I could prevent it."
"Harry I won't say I know how it felt to see whatever it was you did, but I do know how I felt when I thought I had lost you forever." Tonks said as a tear slid down her cheek "if she is really a traitor than I can't say I would do any different, and I know I am selfish when I say it, but I am glad in a way you did agree because I want more than anything to have you back."
"Tonks" Harry said as he wiped the tears from her face "I love you and would do anything to protect you, even if it meant sacrificing my own life to save you. This time though it isn't my life that needs to be sacrificed, and it was a hard decision to make, but my love for you won out in the end."
Tonks didn't say a word as she pulled Harry close to her and held him close to her in a firm embrace.
"I am sorry to intrude" Death said though it was clear he wasn't sorry and in fact that he was impatiently wanting to finish what needed to be done. "Death waits for no one, and as there is still the issue of the ritual to attended to, I suggest we move things along."
Harry pulled away from Tonks and looked into her eyes "you don't have to do this, we can go back and live our lives as we want to."
"I would have no memory of this when we returned if I say no, but after hearing what is actually at stake, how could you expect me to say no?"
"Tonks I…" Harry started, but was stopped as Tonks kissed him firmly on the lips preventing him from saying any more.
She pulled away and looked into his eyes "I made up my mind Harry we will do this, and in the end we will defeat Voldemort together as it should have always been."
Harry was shocked and didn't know what to say as he looked at his true love, and he knew why she would agree, but he didn't like the idea of subjecting her to his fate. Though deep down he already knew her fate and his were already entwined and she would be a target for Dumbledore and Voldemort even without the ritual. At least this way he thought she might stand a greater chance since she would be bond with him and possess more power.
"If your both in agreement then we should proceed" Death said as he looked at them and the look of triumph was once again upon his face.
Tonks gave Harry a look that told him he couldn't change her mind, and so he didn't even try to as they looked at Death. Harry didn't like the idea too much, but he was stuck with the decision he had made. After they gave Death the approval he went about setting up the rite which would forever bind Harry's and Tonks' souls together. The ritual took what seemed like ages to set up, which gave Harry time with Tonks, time that they never seemed to have in the real world.
When Death had everything in place he had Harry and Tonks get into position for the rite, and then he started to chant in an ancient language. After about ten minutes of chanting there was a bright light which surrounded Tonks and Harry. The light only lasted a few seconds, but when it finished Harry and Tonks collapsed to the ground in a heap.
Death laughed an insane laugh as he looked down upon Harry and Tonks, then in an even colder tone than normal he spoke "the time for change is now! Arise now Lord Ragnarok and Queen Shakira, it is your time to bring back what has been lost, it is your time to rise up and claim what is rightfully yours!"
When Death finished speaking Harry first stood and as he did his form changed to that of Lord Ragnarok and then Tonks started to stand and as she did her appearance started to change, as her hair changed from the short spiky brown, into long flowing fire red hair, which went to the center of her back. Her eyes turned from a chestnut brown to a jade green in color. Her body rose a few inches from her current height, and her over all form became more defined as her assets were accentuated by the change.
Lord Ragnarok looked at his queen and smiled, and then looked at Death "I don't know why you did this, but I miss judged you."
"Did you actually think that I would help someone whom has caused me so much trouble" Death asked as he stood before them.
"Milord it is so good to be at your side once more" Queen Shakira said as she stood beside Lord Ragnarok in all her beauty.
"It is grand to be back with my queen and I owe it all to you Death" Lord Ragnarok said as he looked at Death with a look that could be compared to that of respect.
"Lord Ragnarok you and your queen have your roles to play and fate seen it necessary to ensure you were reunited, so that is what I did."
"I thought you were neutral in the affairs of mortals, with no bias in what happened to them" Lord Ragnarok said in a mocking sort of tone.
"Yes well fate is the sort of mistress that even I can not escape, and as for being unbiased, well usually I would be, but not this time" Death said as he looked at Lord Ragnarok with a look that said he wasn't going to explain.
Lord Ragnarok and Queen Shakira stood before Death as he looked that them, Lord Ragnarok glanced at his queen before he looked at Death once more. "No matter your reason I thank you for your help, but the boy and the woman that my queen possesses will know what happened here, they will not be happy."
"Ah that is where you are wrong Lord Ragnarok, you both shall revert back to normal when I send you back, and neither Harry nor Tonks will remember what truly happened here. They will believe that I did as I said and have weakened you by binding their souls together, but you know the truth."
"Very nice, I would hate for them to try and stop us" Queen Shakira said as she looked at Death.
"That will not happen, but I have reconsidered what you said Lord Ragnarok" Death said as he looked at him with a cold dead stare.
"Oh what would that be?"
"I will allow you and your queen to send me the soul of Bellatrix Black, which is what you desired I believe. That way you can get revenge on her for what she would do, and I still get the soul I deserve. However if I do not get her soul, then I shall invoke the true power of the rite and neither you nor your queen will have the power to take control as you wish to."
"You dare..." Lord Ragnarok started, but was stopped by Queen Shakira as she grabbed him violently and locked her lips on to his.
When Queen Shakira pulled away she looked at Death "fear not oh dead one, we shall deliver the soul to you as promised for the service in which you have done for us."
Death grinned, a boney grin "very good, now I will return you to the land of the living, and wish you both the best."
Death waved his boney hand before them and they vanished from his realm "now that idiot will learn, they all shall, you don't mess with death and get away with it!"