It felt as if something very small and very sharp had forced its way out of his skin, leaving him raw and aching all over. It was cold wherever he was, Harry was a little surprised that he was actually somewhere after being hit with the Killing Curse, and the floor he was lying on was hard. His head was resting in someone's lap, and she was warm. Her hand was petting his hair and another set of hands, male, were rubbing his back and side gently. He was lying on his side, and one arm was stretched out, caught in another set of male hands. In the middle distance something whimpered in pain and fear.

Harry really didn't want to move, except he was curious about who was holding him. The hands were gentle, loving, and Harry couldn't think who would be at the bottom of the lake that would hold him in such a manner. It was that curiosity that forced him to open his eyes and squint in the slightly dim light towards whoever was holding his hand.

"Harry?" the woman asked as he drew in a shocked breath, and he turned his head up to meet green eyes that he saw every day in the mirror. Sirius was holding his hand, hunched slightly on the floor and Harry was resting with his head on his mothers lap as his father rubbed his back to comfort him. Now he understood why Sev responded so well to that simple touch at bedtime.

"Mum…" he groaned and tightened his grip on Sirius, tears in his eyes, "Dad, I'm so sorry… Sirius…"

All three of them pulled him up into a sitting position and held him as he cried, with Sirius rubbing his free hand through Harry's hair in a soothing touch. Sirius was murmuring gentle words, and Harry forced himself to calm down and listen, his heart stopping for a moment when he realised that Sirius had indeed heard Harry's numerous apologies for getting him killed at the Ministry, and in fact took exception with that burden of guilt.

"Padfoot's right, Harry," his father said gently, "It was his decision in the end, not yours. That and his inability to duck."

"James!" his mother scolded, "This isn't funny!"

But Harry had seen the mischievous smile that his father and godfather were sharing, and grinned a little through his tears. Typical Sirius, making a joke even now. Though if Harry was to spend the afterlife with the three of them, then he'd rather they be in good spirits, a sentiment he immediately shared with them and got a groan of protest from his godfather and a warm hug from his Dad in response. His Mum huffed at him, but it was only a mild huff so he wasn't too worried. He wiped his face dry on his shoulder and tried to ignore the tingling wave of sensation that was washing over him. It was very uncomfortable, but he wasn't going to spend his first conversation with his parents whining.

"So, is this the afterlife? Do I get to stay with you?" Harry asked, looking around. They were in a sort of lobby, with corridors branching off it. In fact, it reminded him a little of the Ministry of Magic, the warren of corridors that Mr Weasley's office was located in.

"This is more of a… waiting area," Lily told him and Harry got to his feet, reaching a hand down automatically to pull his Mum up and leaving his Dad and godfather to sort themselves out. He frowned and looked over at the whimpering thing. It was hard to see, partially hidden behind a drooping plant, shadowed and mysterious.

"Waiting for what?" Harry squinted and tried to move towards the plant, "What is that? It sounds hurt."

"Don't you worry about it, son," James said, his tone fairly grim, "We know what it is, and we know how to take care of it."

"And Harry, we're waiting for you," Sirius said gently, and Harry gave him a doubtful look before waving a hand over his body.

"Well here I am, Sirius, so we can go now," he gave his godfather a pleased smile, that faltered when Sirius didn't smile back. His Mum and Dad wrapped him in a hug, and Harry breathed in their scents gently, his memory stirring. This was one of the few things that he'd recalled as a baby, the scent of his parents, though the memory itself had faded over time.

"We're waiting for you to decide, Harry. There is only one path that we can travel with you, but if you choose it then you must give up everything else," Lily said gently, "Your lover, your home… and your son."

Harry stiffened in their arms and they pulled back. Sirius came to put a hand on Harry's shoulder, meeting the teen's eyes with his own.

"I cannot tell you how proud I am that you could love Severus on his own merits," those words were the last thing that Harry expected to hear from his Godfather, and the shock of it had him gaping in astonishment. He'd expected Sirius and James to condemn his adoption of Sev, as there had been no sign of a truce in the schoolboy enmity while they were still alive… from all three of them.

"I never expected to have Snape for a grandson… but I suppose its not so bad," James chipped in with a laugh, "At least this time he'll be raised right."

"I'm so proud of you Harry," Lily added and kissed his cheek. The thing in the corner whimpered again and Harry felt another wash of discomfort, this time so strong he couldn't contain his grimace and flinch.

"That's Albus, trying to revive you Harry," Sirius informed him solemnly, "It's time for you to choose. You can stay with us, or return to your life."

"But… I've only just got here," Harry protested, shivering as his clothes slowly became wet with water, "I wanted…"

"Time's up son," James interrupted gently, "Time to choose."

Harry sighed and looked away from the corridor guarded by the drooping plant, with its whimpering, cowering occupant. The other branch wavered for a moment and then solidified as the others faded into the background. Wherever they led, they were no longer accessible to Harry, and his parents and godfather beamed at him in approval. The corridor had a slight upward slant to it, and Harry walked to the doorway, hesitating when his parents reached out to him one last time.

"We love you Harry," Lily murmured, "You'll see us again when the time is right."

"Promise?" Harry shivered, "Because I love you all too… and I miss you…"

"I promise son," James drew him into a strong warm hug, not minding the water, and then Lily took her turn, kissing Harry on the cheek and holding him tightly while he hid his face in her soft hair. Sirius pulled him gently from her arms, hugging him as well before stepping back, his hands letting go so reluctantly that Harry could see the effort it took.

"Go on, kiddo. Give our love to Moony. Be happy with Ron and take care of Severus. Raise him right," Sirius sighed, and stepped back. Harry stared at them for a long moment, imprinting them onto his memory before offering a final smile and turning his back on the beloved figures, walking resolutely into the corridor he had chosen, knowing that if he looked back he'd falter and return to them.

The corridor got narrower and steeper and soon Harry was panting for breath. In fact his chest felt positively constricted and his throat tickled fiercely. He tried to clear it, but the action triggered a bought of coughing and he tripped, twisting as he fell, landing on his back on the shore of the lake with a very bedraggled and upset Headmaster kneeling beside him.

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