CW: discussion of death, dying, saying goodbye

Chapter 38: Mortality

Fall faded into winter, as Everest's health took a turn for the worst. He played it down as much as he could, but nothing got past Merope these days. She had him on all sorts of potions, along with a diet regime of fish and vegetable stews. He put on a brave face to them all, seeming to embrace his own mortality.

But he was terrified. Everest spent a lot of time in his study, pacing and attempting to read through the tomes he knew he wouldn't be able to translate in time. They would have to be finished by the Gaunt family, the tomes on Hogwarts and its foundation, and the one that explained parseltongue in detail as a spoken and written language.

Several times, Everest's fingers hovered over the Gaunt family ring. He wanted to speak to Death, but he was also scared now that he knew his time was ending. After all of that work learning how to accept his aging and the terms of his reparations, but this...this was a new level of fear. Fear that had been ingrained in him as a young child, fear that was instinctual and incredibly difficult to override.

So, he avoided the upcoming discussion he needed to have in favor of watching the news for Mr. Scamander's book release, along with the autobiography's release. According to Mr. Sinclair, they were just waiting on a few details before publishing. Everest also spent some time with Jane Byrd, who was still busy running the bookshop in Diagon Alley.

"It's that time of year again!" She said exasperatedly. "Christmas holidays, loads of children and stressed-out parents, and horrible music blaring in the speakers at all hours."

"Sounds like a nightmare." Everest smiled, helping Jane shelve books.

"Yeah, well," Jane shrugged. "At least it only lasts a few weeks."

She bit her lip, then looked over at Everest.

"You know, you've been looking...older, lately."

Everest chuckled. "That's a nice way of putting it, Jane."

Jane shrugged unapologetically, smirking slightly.

"Well, you are right." He conceded. "My health isn't what it used to be. Merope's got me on this bloody potion rotation to keep my strength up, but…"

Jane nodded, patting Everest on the shoulder. "I know, Everest."

She shelved the last book in her stack, then looked over to him. "Fancy a butterbeer before you go?"

"Yeah, I have time for one." Everest smiled, letting her lead the way out.

They walked down to the pub together, arm-in-arm. Everest knew it was not just a friendly gesture, but a way of helping him stay on his feet since the cobblestone path wasn't very easy to navigate. Jane held the door open for them both, then went to order the butterbeers while Everest found a table. The two friends sat together, drinking from their mugs while the snow fell outside.

"So," Jane finally said quietly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Everest shook his head. "I really don't know, Jane."

Jane nodded, not saying anything while Everest considered his own feelings.

"I'm...bloody terrified, to be honest." He finally said.

"I've lived a long, rather complicated life, but I still don't want it to just...end."

"I know what you mean," Jane said quietly. "But, Everest, you don't honestly think you're going to just disappear when you die, do you?"

Everest looked up at her, his eyes widening at the word 'die'. He'd been circling around it, but her blunt declaration of what it was made him pay attention.

"Everything you've done, everyone you've met," She continued. "They keep you alive, in a way."

"The Gaunts, your new friend Nagini, me...we'll keep you alive when you go. And those manuscripts you translated will change the Wizarding world for the better. Even though your name isn't on the bloody cover, your impact will be present every time someone reads its pages."

Everest didn't realize he was crying until she'd stopped talking and handed him a handkerchief.

"Thanks," He mumbled, dabbing at his eyes. "And not just for the handkerchief."

Jane smiled kindly at him. "I know, Everest."

He left her shortly after that, heading back home. He had chosen to find a floo network home instead of apparating, as he'd been on his feet all day.

Before he'd met Jane, Everest had gone into Gringotts and transferred quite a bit of money into the Gaunt family vault. The goblins were well pleased to see him again, and were more than happy to make sure the Gaunts would be taken care of after he was gone. All the gratuity from the book would go to them, along with the funds Death had allowed Everest to withdraw from her accounts. It wasn't enough for them to sit on their laurels, but it would take care of Marvolo and help Merope start her life.

Everest had also picked up Christmas presents while he was in town. Maybe it was selfish, but he wanted them to have something tangible to remember him by. So, with the help of Jane, he'd selected pendants with the mountain range Everest engraved on them. On the other side, he engraved a phrase he never thought he'd say to anyone. He had them each sealed in a box, with their names written on the outside.

"Welcome home!" Marvolo said from his rocking chair. "Nagini and Morfin are curled up in the warm, complaining about how cold it is."

Everest laughed, casting warming charms as he took off his boots and coat. "How're you doing then?"

"I'm alright," Marvolo replied, waving off his concern. "Been working on this project for Morfin's Christmas present."

He pulled out a chunk of wood, which had been both magically and manually cut to create what looked like a large hide.

"That's right nice, that is." Everest looked it over. "Are you carving all those little details, then?"

"Yeah," Marvolo smirked, showing him his bandaged fingers. "It got a little heated, as you can see."

"I'm sure you'll win in the end." Everest sighed, taking a seat beside the fire. "Jane says 'hullo', by the way."

Marvolo nodded. "That's kind of her. She seen the book in her shop yet?"

"No," Everest replied. "But she promised to owl the minute she does."

"That bloody bird." Marvolo grumbled.

"Right, well," Everest stood back up and stretched. "I think I'm going to have a nap. Let me know when it's time to start supper, please."

He left Marvolo, walking slowly up the stairs. It was time to speak to Death.

Notes:

Please, take care of yourselves. I know how difficult discussing death and dying can be, no matter the circumstances. He's going to die in the next chapter, so skip it if that's something that will upset you. I hope you have all enjoyed this story, and I hope you stay to read the other things I've written.

Happy Reading