CW: Discussion of death, dying, Character death, Christmas, New Year's Eve, twin flames

"Was wondering when you'd turn up." Death said softly.

She was dressed in soft fabrics, sitting at her desk with her hair up in a loose bun. There were papers in front of her, but she pushed them away to give Everest her full attention when he arrived. Everest had spent so much time with her now, but this was the gentlest he'd ever seen her behave. It was as if…

"Do you feel sympathy for me?" Everest asked, taking a seat across from her.

"A little bit, yeah." Death shrugged. "What can I say - you've grown on me lately."

Everest relaxed slightly in the chair, feeling more at peace now that he was here.

"Do you have any advice for me then?" He asked, making eye contact with her steadily.

"Well, the fear you feel is natural." Death replied, tilting her head in consideration. "I gave you my word that it won't be painful, so that's good to bear in mind. And at least you know what's coming this time."

"What is coming? Last time I was in a dungeon."

Death smirked. "Well, you won't be there. You'll come back to my office, actually. We can talk about the details then."

She stood up, walking around her desk and touching Everest's hand gently.

"Seriously," She said, looking down at him with a smile. "It's alright to be scared, but you don't need to be. I'll be right here waiting for you."

They looked at each other for what felt like an endless amount of time. Everest hadn't noticed before, but Death's eyes were actually quite pretty. He'd believed that they were black, endless, and frightening, so he'd avoided looking at them too closely before. Now, though, he realized that it was less black and more like miniature universes inside her eyes. They were very dark, but flecks of purple, green, blue, red, and golds floating through them. It was beautiful, in an eternal sort of way.

"Off you go, then." Death murmured eventually. "Enjoy your Christmas with your family, and don't worry about this any more than you have to."

"I'll...try." Everest nodded his head slowly. "Thank you, Death."

He spent the next days leading up to Christmas and New Years with a renewed sense of purpose. Though his health was not any better, his spirit shone brighter than ever before. While Merope was gone working, Everest and Marvolo worked to make the house ready for the holidays, decorating each room and casting warming charms everywhere they went so Morfin and Nagini could join in on the celebrations.

By the time Christmas arrived, the house looked amazing and all sorts of excellent food had been made. Because of Everest's failing health and Marvolo's old age, the Littles had agreed just to send presents via owl and wished them well. William and Martha did insist on having a holiday drink with Merope on her last work day before the holiday though, so she was a little late getting home.

"Sorry about that!" Merope called out, coming out of the floo and taking off her boots. "The house smells lovely!"

"Thank you." Nagini said gently. "It was a dessert my family taught me."

She'd been cooking all afternoon, trying to get it right. It had turned out alright in the end though, so she passed the plate around for everyone to try.

"It's delicious, Nagini!" Everest said enthusiastically. "Well done, really."

They enjoyed Nagini's dessert with tea, then played games together while they waited for dinner to finish cooking. It was fun, and even Morfin participated by helping Marvolo select his cards. Dinner as well was very satisfying - leaving everyone feeling well-fed and tired. They all went to bed shortly after, excited to spend the day together as a family.

Everest was the first to wake on Christmas morning, walking quietly downstairs to get a cup of tea and enjoy the sunrise. He had just settled into a chair when he noticed Nagini lounging in her snake form and watching him.

"You are dying."

Nagini said it calmly, her tongue tasting the air and clearly his declining health.

"Yes," Everest replied slowly. "I have until New Year's Eve."

Nagini nodded her great head, sliding across the floor to rest in his lap. "I will protect them for you, when you are gone."

"Thank you." Everest wiped at his eyes, only now realizing what a relief it was to hear that.

They stayed together like that until the others woke up and came into the kitchen. Breakfast and present-opening were followed by story-telling and laughter. Everest hid the necklaces, so that they would only appear after he had passed away, but there had been other presents to give.

He'd made them all new clothing, along with instructions for how to magically sew them. For Nagini and Morfin, he'd also made more enclosures in their room that they could explore. Marvolo's hides had been placed inside as well, which he was very proud of. The others had begrudgingly agreed not to get Everest anything, but they made up for it by giving him extra food, care, and attention as his health decreased over the next few days.

By New Year's Eve night, Everest was bedridden. He had said his goodbyes, made his peace with the world, and lay quietly waiting to die.

As he waited, Everest remembered all of the things he had accomplished. He had made so many mistakes and hurt so many people in his past life, and he was still unsure if he could ever redeem himself from that. The Gaunt family, translating the Slytherin tomes, rebuilding the orphanage, and saving Nagini… he would always be proud of those things. But he could not even consider the possibility that those things could erase the horrible choices he'd made before.

No, he could not expect forgiveness or redemption. But his existence in this life had been in the service of others, so he hoped that it would be enough to make a difference. That all of the lives he touched would continue to grow and thrive. Everest still did not entirely feel able to love, but he felt now that maybe he understood it, just a little bit.

Everest closed his eyes, drifting off into Death's waiting arms.

"Welcome, love." Death said warmly. "You have done well."

Everest stared back at her for a moment, then hid himself in Death's clothing. Tears flowed down his face in rivers, as his soul underwent the process of renewal and all that he had lost was made clear. As he had now never been born, his soul was uncorrupted.

Everest….could now feel love.

"It hurts." He murmured quietly, clutching onto Death like a child.

"I know," Death replied, gently stroking his hair and holding him back. "Love can be a painful thing."

It took what felt like an eternity, but eventually Everest's tears stopped. He found himself sitting in his regular chair with a cup of tea in front of himself. Gently, he reached out for it and took a few sips to calm down. Death watched him from the other side of the desk, a small smile on her face. It had been a long journey, but now that it was coming to an end she felt rather sad.

"Everest," She said eventually, once he looked calm enough to listen. "There is one more person for you to meet."

Everest wiped at his eyes, then nodded at her. He even attempted a smile.

Death smirked back, pushing up from her chair and walking over to the door. She opened it, and then led in another soul. Everest blinked a few times, surprised by the brightness of it, and then gasped.

It was Harry Potter. Bright and shining, but covered in scars. A child bearing the marks of adult wars, abuses, and projections. The boy stared at him, his green eyes locked into Everest's brown ones.

He looked up at Death, pointing first to himself and then to Everest.

"Yes," She murmured. "This is the soul that used to be tied to yours, Harry."

Harry's brows furrowed, but he hesitantly took the few steps towards Everest. Once they were face-to-face, Harry reached out with his little hand and touched Everest's chest. Though it was a seemingly simple gesture, it felt like Harry was holding his raw heart. Everest stared at Harry, at all of the painful scars that decorated his body.

"I am...so sorry, Harry." Everest said softly. "I am sorry I hurt you, sorry I allowed the world to hurt you. You were just a child..."

"Promise me." Harry's eyes burned into Everest's.

Everest's face screwed up in confusion, and he looked to Death for help.

"You are twin flames, Everest." Death explained. "It's a human term - it simply means that you are two parts of one whole."

That didn't really explain much, but Everest turned back when he felt a little hand on his cheek. Harry had redirected his attention back to himself.

"You are mine." Harry said firmly. "You say you are sorry for hurting me, for the world hurting me. So, promise me it won't happen again."

Everest's heart ached, and he reached up to hold Harry's hand. He did not know what to say - he had already been given two lives - how could he possibly return to the living? Still...Death would never set him a task he could not complete.

"I promise, Harry."

Harry stared into his eyes, then slowly beamed at him. He gently pressed their foreheads together, then let go and walked back out of the room. When he got to the doorframe, he turned around and said the words he had been waiting thousands of years to hear.

"I forgive you."

Notes:

I may re-write this, but the gist of it is what I wanted the ending to be. I hope you have enjoyed this story - it was a long journey to get here. The next chapter will wrap up details, and then I will begin a sequel. If you want to end here, that's okay. If you want to continue exploring the new future, then join me in the next one. Either way, thank you!

Happy Reading!