Chapter Four - A Hero's Gamble
He had seen enough.
"I think I know which is the correct choice." Harry says, turning to face his parents, Godfather and Dumbledore. His mother gave him a sympathetic look, before moving forward and taking his hand, giving it a squeeze.
"There has been no doubt that you have known the right decision the entire time Harry." Dumbledore says, speaking in rhythmic tongues as he usually did. Harry's brows furrow, not entirely understanding what he meant. At this, Sirius chimed in.
"I think what Professor Dumbledore means Harry, is that you have a very good moral compass." Lily and James nod in agreement with him. "No matter how much you would have wanted to stay here with us, you could have never done it for lack of selfishness." Harry supposed that he was right. After seeing his friends' fate, he could have never remained here in the afterlife, especially if it were abundantly clear that he was the one factor that would make a difference in the situation.
The scene had frozen behind them, like someone had hit pause on a television remote, everything was eerily still. "I wish I could stay." Harry said, sorrow in his voice. He had had the chance to have his one true wish, his only true desire. Yet, he could not take it due to the consequences it would have for others, his true hamartia if it were not for his self-control.
"We know you do." James says, ruffling his hair with his left hand – as a father would with his young son, an act of affection. "But you're doing us proud!" He exclaims, a smile on his face that Harry had only ever seen in old photos.
"Your time will come to be with us Harry." Lily adds, speaking softly. "Now is not your time, you have so much left to do, so much more to achieve." This was true, he had his friends, he had a relationship blossoming with Ginny Weasley – it truly was not his time just yet, no matter how much he wanted it to be.
"Can I have more time at least?" Harry questions desperately wanting to remain in this moment with his parents and Sirius forever.
Dumbledore nods. "You could, but the decision to leave never gets any easier." He declares, his words hanging in the air for a moment.
"Seize the moment, Harry!" Sirius cries out, causing them all to laugh. The dynamic that the four of them had, had never been something Harry had experienced before first-hand. He had seen it, but never felt it. Family. Home.
Harry wraps his arms around his Godfather's mid-riff. A silent goodbye. He then turned to his parents to do the same. They stayed stood there, encapsulated in the moment for what seemed to be several eternities before Harry declared that he was ready. "Close your eyes Harry, it will all happen naturally." Dumbledore says an unreadable expression on his face. Harry did what he said.
(Page break)
"Is he alive, Draco?" A whisper comes to Harry, as if through a dream. He crashes back to reality, giving a nod. The figure moves away from him, leaving him lay on the ground.
"Dead." The voice says.
(Page break)
A/N – Well that is it! Thank you for sticking around if you have, it means a lot to me. I am sorry this chapter has taken longer than the others, I have had a lot to work on this week. Truthfully, I wasn't completely sure how to end this, I knew that he would go back – obviously as he did in the book, but I wasn't sure how to describe it. I hope this was alright.
- Ez x