Stretto
Chapter 0: Falling Behind
A/N: So sorry about the late update, this chapter got very finicky at the end. Also, I updated the summary 'cuz I finally figured out which direction I want to take this fic in. Feel free to PM if there's any concerns!
While Neville quickly spiraled out of existence, Harry's countenance grew somber. In truth, he wanted to give Neville a false sense of bravado. He had no idea how to get control of his body back, but he knew that he had to find the aspect of Voldemort controlling his body.
As he traversed through the graveyard, he noticed that his surroundings began taking on a pallor that the previous ones didn't. For every meter he went, more and more gravestones popped up with gnarled brambles surrounding them. A putrid stench akin to rotting flesh creeped up his nostrils. Holding his breath as much as he can, Harry soon came upon a large mausoleum amidst the darkest patch of gravestones. Surrounding it buzzed a hive of black snitches clambering over each other to move nowhere in particular.
Harry got the distinct feeling he found exactly what he was looking for. That didn't stop him from getting apprehensive though as he gingerly walked into the mausoleum.
Harry expected the inside to match the outside, dark and dreary with a haunted feeling. He didn't expect to step foot into what seemed like a regular house. Windows allowed a warm summer sun to flood the inside, revealing a cozy hallway. Off to the left, he saw a neat little kitchen with a white dining table, plates and utensils already set. A baby's seat replaced one of the dining chairs.
"You recognize our home?", a very familiar voice asked from the end of the hallway. Harry scowled as a mirror image of himself appeared with a condescending smirk. The only things that set them apart were his blood-red eyes and an extra arm.
"Voldemort.", Harry acknowledged with a hiss. He flicked his wand out with a flourish in trepidation. Voldemort's red eyes trailed the wand with a bemused expression.
"Good, I don't have to play pretend.", he drawled, "Not that I really needed to, for you have yet again exceeded even my expectations."
Harry blew out some air through clenched teeth, "Don't play with me Voldemort. Give me control of my body back or I'll find a way to destroy your horcrux."
Voldemort glided over menacingly, not even flinching as a spell went through him unhindered, "Potter, no one can control another body against the owner's will. That is why we use the Imperious, to bend the owner against their will."
His lips curled as he pulled his sleeve up. Harry's breath hitched as he saw the stitching and seam where the shoulder and arm connect.
"That—"
"Yes.", Voldemort said, not bothering to elaborate further. He opened and closed the hand to show Harry with a twisted smile, "Funny thing about a horcrux is, they are mere images of your soul. They THINK you and them are the same, but they will only ever be a shadow of your true self. However, it is enough to trick your body into handing over control to one."
Harry's blood ran cold. If Voldemort was using the horcrux to control him, that means—
The cursed high-pitched laugh rang out, "I have chosen well for my second-in-command. Loyalty can always be induced, but drive and deduction skills are innate. Tell me, how well do you think he'll fare against five Death Eaters?"
Harry sent the most poisonous look he could muster at the imposter even as his mind whirred with worry for Neville. However, a nagging feeling scratched the back of his mind endlessly, "Why are you telling me this?"
"Why? I have no need to hide any information from my second-in-command, not while he WILLINGLY helps me."
Harry took a step back, "W-what?"
Suddenly it didn't seem like such a good idea to charge into this place without any sort of plan.
"Potter, tell me. What is the true reason why you came here today? Was it because you sympathised with Longbottom? Or was it because I made you kill your friend?"
Harry opened his mouth to retort, but no sound came out. It was true. Seeing himself being forced to kill Luna made him angry.
"It is not only you that inhabits this body, Potter. I have seen events unfold from your eyes as well. I see the self-satisfaction at a mission well done. I see the mind-wipes to indoctrinate others to our cause, the torture of those that cannot be convinced. Theonly reason why you are here is to get revenge on me for making you kill. Your friend Neville may have been 'noble', but you, you are as twisted as I am."
Voldemort's sibilant laugh chilled Harry to his bone.
"Potter, you are a loose end. Given time, you would have been a fantastic second-in-command, but I am impatient. I cannot have my horcrux in the hands of someone that has yet to bend fully to my will. Controlling you with your blasted butterbeer-cap necklace has prevented me from finishing this farce in person, and I will not be halted by some boy's impudent wish for revenge. Hogwarts will bow to no one but me!"
The only warning Harry received was the sudden thud of Voldemort's grafted arm, before his mind was suddenly assaulted by a cold sea of evil. He tried fighting it, but the surprise took him by storm and Harry soon found his vision blanking out. Dimly he saw an arm forming from the shoulder blade down on his own body, this one paler and more skeletal than Harry's own.
This ends NOW, Potter! You are mine at last!, shouted a triumphant voice that was distinctly not his own.
N-no! Get out of my head!, angrily replied Harry. He had to warn Neville, stop him from going to Malfoy Manor and make sure that he knew what was going on.
Neville will not help you if he knew what I know.
Even as he could feel his own legs moving against his will, he tugged forcefully against the specter's dark magic. Every fiber in his body screamed as his body ambled it's way to the room at the end of the corridor. A blinding light leaked out from under the gap in the door, one that showed it wasn't just an ordinary room.
Resistance will yield nothing, Potter. However, I am naught if not magnanimous. You wish to get your memories back? You will get them.
Harry couldn't react. Try as he might, their legs no longer listened to him as they opened the door and light enveloped their body.
Hogwarts
Harry's head throbbed as the merger between Voldemort's horcrux and his fractured soul took place. Memories, both his and not, mixed with each other in an unnatural melting pot. Foreign feelings swirled endlessly in a cacophonous growl that prevented him from thinking anything clearly. Suddenly, he remembered. He was in a battle.
He opened his eyes to see a fairly plump blonde-haired boy looking at him with anxiety. The sounds of large-scale duelling raged around them as the boy looked raised his wand at Harry.
"You're with us, right Harry?", he ventured slowly.
NO!, screamed a small voice in his head desperately.
Yes., said a much louder, more assertive voice. Having no reason not to listen to the louder voice, he dipped his head to the boy. Neville, a memory told him. Neville's wand arm lowered in relief.
"Thank goodness, Harry. Listen, we're trying to buy time for us to carry out the plan. Give me the Portkey and stay low, keep them occupied long enough for me to get back."
Do it. Get him to Malfoy Manor.
Harry mechanically nodded and plucked a hair from his head. He muttered the charm and threw the newly-made Portkey over. It activated the second it contacted Neville's hand.
Mere seconds later, Neville Portkey'd back. Only, his eyes were hollowed, unseeing to the world around them.
As his lifeless husk tumbled to the floor, face permanently transfixed into a shocked look, the inhabitants of the castle could only gape in abject horror. However, in their moment of grief the Death Eaters fired a volley of curses at them, breaking through almost immediately. Several were killed in a matter of seconds.
Good, good. We have done well.
Harry grinned maliciously as he watched the defences collapse.
The battle was over as soon as it started. All that's left was to clean up the pieces. Harry only wondered why a strange feeling of melancholy and depression filled his heart as he killed the remaining defenders one by one, their names flashing through his head as he cut them down easily.
Percy. Mrs. Weasley. Hermione. Ron.
Soon enough, the last remaining defenders gave up. Without any of their leaders, they had no one to rally behind. The ghosts hung around mournfully as the remaining few marched out of the castle in a single file line, flanked on both sides by Death Eaters. Harry noted curiously the dulled look in their eyes almost uniformly changed to looks of betrayal and anger as they passed him. Their feet clanged as they walked, courtesy of the iron shackles clamped to their ankles.
He didn't have time to dwell because the Dark Lord himself made his presence known. His Sonorus-enhanced voice carried across the grounds like a gust of Arctic wind, bone-chilling and a promise of dark days to come.
"Defenders of Hogwarts, you had been given a choice. Earlier you flaunted my generous offer so willingly, and now you cower. Thankfully, I am a merciful lord, I understand that many of you have been led astray by the promises of waylaid children. Thus, I will offer those of you with pure blood one last chance to prove yourselves to me."
The shackles fell off the pure-blooded captives as he said that. Voldemort continued his command sadistically, "Kill those of impure blood and those not of magical blood. Your performance will be judged by my followers for whether you have redeemed yourselves."
"Sod off!", shouted one of the freed captives, George, thought Harry.
Voldemort didn't deign him any attention as he continued, "Punish those who disobey, and I promise you will be rewarded!"
He needn't say more as quite a few of the freed people seemed to be looking around with a hungry gleam in their eyes. One in particular snuck up on George and socked him in the head. Cormac McLaggen.
As the pure bloods quickly turned on one another, Voldemort strode past them to approach Harry, placing a bony hand on his shoulder.
"Come, Potter, for we have much to discuss."
Harry inclined his head robotically and followed Voldemort back into the castle. His feet plodded heavily on the cobblestone path.
Hogwarts
Wind from damaged rafters whistled through the tattered remains of the school curtains as the two Dark wizards walked past. Voldemort strode past the rubble without a second thought as Harry followed mutely. Inside his head, his feelings were in turmoil. Whilst he SHOULD have been elated once they won, he wasn't. He couldn't feel anything, almost as if someone had robbed him of his ability to feel.
Yet again, a familiar voice in his head said something. Whatever it was, he couldn't hear it. It sounded mournful though.
Ignore that. Emotions aren't something we need. The only thing worth fighting for is power.
"We?", muttered Harry as his eyes darted to the fallen jewels of the Gryffindor hourglass. Someone had taken the liberty of introducing a Reductor to it during the battle, it seemed.
Harry found himself being led up a familiar staircase to an office he recognised all too well. The gargoyle had already stepped aside once the Dark Lord revealed his presence. As they stepped into the headmaster's office, Harry could hear the undeniable hissing sounds from the portraits as the echos of headmasters past showed their clear disdain for the Dark Lord. Voldemort ignored the angry drawings and directed his attention to the sole figure in the room,
"Severus, a wonderful sight to see you. I hope the traitorous professors caused no lasting damage?"
The greasy-haired man had his lips in a thin line. His dark eyes darted between the Dark Lord and Harry repeatedly as he slowly made out his reply, "None but a few cuts on the way out, m'lord. Has the battle been to your liking?"
"Very much so. Severus, I couldn't help but notice that I didn't see you at all today. To what do I owe this absence today?"
There was something to Snape that Harry couldn't quite place. It wasn't readily apparent in his physical demeanour (aside from the way his eyes kept darting back and forth), but something about how he spoke seemed tenser than normal. Almost like there was something bothering him immensely but he could not express it.
"M'Lord, I am but your loyal servant. I was taking down the wards to the castle for you, something that I believe your lieutenant here had found very useful during his attack."
Voldemort didn't look for Harry's affirmation as his lips curled approvingly, "Good, very good. Certain members of my inner circle believed you to be working against them while Headmaster of this school, but I see that my trust in them has been misplaced."
Snape bowed his head so his greasy hair cascaded in front of his eyes, "I am humbled by your trust, m'Lord."
"Don't be, Severus, for I am in need of your assistance. A dilemma has made itself known to me, and it involves your former student here. Tell me Severus, you have served me well over many years and your counsel has always been invaluable. What is your true opinion regarding my lieutenant, Harry Potter?", Voldemort asked smoothly, his expression revealing only the slightest hint of morbid curiosity.
Snape's expression turned stony as he replied haughtily, "He took after his father in his stubbornness to flout the rules of this castle. He seemed to have a complete disregard for authority figures, and had displayed no talent in any course of study aside from Defense Against the Dark Arts. That is, of course, until he came under your wing, m'Lord. I have nothing but praise for his most recent endeavours. I heard Potter had tracked down and took out many of your enemies prior to today. A most fortuitous series of events that lead to today being so...straightforward."
Voldemort looked sideways at Harry and commented, "Your assessment isn't incorrect, Severus. However, I believe that you are mistaken about the second part. See, Harry here never did quite come to our side."
Snape and Harry simultaneously stiffened.
What is he talking about? I have been nothing but loyal!
Voldemort's gaze never left Harry. Neither did his hand, Harry suddenly realized.
"You've noticed, haven't you? Ever since I managed to merge my soul into yours, it has been extremely easy to read your thoughts. All it requires is a single touch. Severus, you're aware of what I believe traitors to be deserving of."
Snape's forehead glistened with sweat as he replied, "Death, m'Lord. But sir, you yourself assured us of his loyalty."
Voldemort finally tore his gaze from Harry's face and replied smoothly, "Yes, Severus. Potter here came to me in the Department of Mysteries, begging for his friends' life. He offered his servitude in exchange for everyone to be spared. I believed his spirit to be broken, enough for me to guide him to the correct path through the connection I'm sure you're aware of."
Severus gave a murmur of assent. His eyes finally stopped darting between the two, deciding to focus on the Dark Lord instead.
"Who would have thought that a mere teenager would have nearly outsmarted me? The vows we made him swear, he found a loophole in every single one. He allowed captives to escape by reassigning the guards. He refused to kill anyone and allowed known blood traitors to run free."
There was a flicker of...something in Snape's otherwise tense countenance, "But m'Lord, what of the events of today? Surely all the reports have been truthful?"
Voldemort sneered at the dour look on Phineas Black, "That is the crux of this dilemma. This...improved behavior only came about because I willed him to. Even so, I have been unable to fully subdue the rebelliousness. Thus, I have deemed him unworthy to carry on the title as heir. This is where you come in, Severus."
The Dark Lord flicked his wand and all the furnishings and decorations, paintings aside, vanished. If Snape was irritated that his belongings were removed, he didn't show it. A second wand flick conjured up a cauldron, already filled with a boiling orange pus-like substance. It smelled of carrion.
Harry didn't even register the smell for he was trying to figure out what exactly the Dark Lord wanted to do. From the sounds of it, it wasn't good. He had to find a way out.
Spoken like a true traitor. Unfortunately for you, I'M in control.
Harry suddenly found himself standing rigid. The sudden movement caught Snape's eye, but he quickly averted his gaze and returned to staring at the pot of boiling ketchup. Voldemort stared at the pot triumphantly, "The Noctuque potion. It's only missing a few ingredients, Severus I believe you know what they are?"
Snape's breath caught in his throat as he replied, "M-my lord? The Noctuque potion was meant to transfer consciousness into an object, I don't see how this— "
Voldemort impatiently cut him off, "I am your Lord, Severus, your status as my most trusted servant does not mean you can treat me as anything but that. Answer the question."
Snape allowed the ghost of irritation to grace his face for just a moment before he schooled his emotions, "Blood of the most loyal, and the person and object to which it needs to be transferred to."
Voldemort nodded, although it felt like he hadn't quite forgotten Snape's brief act of impropriety. He conjured up a double-edged knife and threw the knife at Snape's feet. Snape picked it up as Voldemort summoned the soon-to-be horcrux, a sword with a jewelled handle.
"I have missed having an item of Gryffindor as one of my most prized items.", Voldemort said wistfully as he gazed at the silver blade.
"This will be a fitting end to your sorry story, Potter. A Gryffindor forever trapped in their House's sword, slowly having your life force drained away as my horcrux takes root. This sword will be the catalyst of a new beginning, the start of my ascension."
He threw the sword into the pot right as Snape sliced his arm directly over the pot. He missed the gleam in Snape's eyes as the two items landed into the roiling liquid.
The liquid quickly frothed as the pot began to shake. Harry stumbled back as the cauldron's cast-iron walls began cracking from the bottom up. Suddenly, the cauldron glowed white and exploded.
Harry felt very light-headed. A haze had descended on his head preventing any coherent thought from forming. It was like floating in a cloud of soup. Nevertheless, this was the clearest his mind has ever been in days.
Wait...am I dead? Did Voldemort fail?
"Harry."
...Luna?
"Harry, get up!"
Luna? How…
He woke up. He quickly wished he hadn't for the entire world was different shades of white, blinding him momentarily.
"L-Luna?!", Harry exclaimed while squinting. He could actually make out several figures in the distance, but he couldn't care less about the others. He only had eyes for the girl in front of him.
Luna playfully grinned and pulled Harry up to stand next to her, "For someone that had just died, you're really into playing dead."
His jaw dropped as her figure came into view, her fair skin completely blemish-free. It was like the day he met her. Even better, for her straggly hair had somehow been straightened out. She even had her bottle cap necklace on.
Harry couldn't handle it. He choked down a sob, not able to bear looking at Luna's face anymore, "You're not Luna. Luna's dead."
Luna's grip on his hand tightened, causing him to yelp in pain. He looked indignantly at Luna, "What wa—"
He trailed off as he noticed his waxy thin arm.
"Harry, stop staring at your arm and look at me."
Luna jerked Harry's head up with her other hand, forcing him to stare into the silvery depths of the girl he murdered. Their faces were mere centimetres away from each other.
Luna said simply, "You're being dim. I asked you to kill me. It's not a cruelty to let someone go on their own terms."
Harry turned his head away glibly.
Luna let go of Harry and she scowled at him, "So, what do you think was so unexpected? Your torture of our classmates? Your killing of our friends?"
Harry recoiled back, batting away her grip. He took several steps back, "How do you know that?"
Luna's brow furrowed. She replied softly, "The dead tell no lies, Harry."
A brief moment of silence passed between the two. Harry's gaze wandered around the station, from the brick columns to the train tracks. The only thing it missed were the bustle of people going about their day.
"So...this is heaven then?"
Luna shook her head, replying amusedly, "Heaven in a train station, even for you that's a bit unimaginative. No, Harry, this isn't Heaven. This is the in-between."
As if agreeing with Luna, one of the train's whistles tooted. He saw what seemed to be Snape leaning against the window of the train, gazing ahead without really looking. He looked like he was in his teens again, his nose not quite as hook-shaped and his face devoid of frown lines.
"Where'd Ron and Hermione go? The rest of the people from the battle?", Harry asked apprehensively. Luna waved in the direction of where the trains departed, "They went onwards a long time ago. Time passes more slowly here."
He nodded sadly. It was for the better. He was going to ask Luna something, but was interrupted by a shouting match heard down the platform. As Harry turned to look, Luna grasped his hand tight and said, "That's Fate talking to Voldemort. You don't want to get in her way right now, she's very irate."
Harry turned and watched a woman in a white tunic loudly reprimand...nothing. At least, at first he thought it was nothing. Soon he realized that there was a small red object in front of the woman. An identical one was being held by her in her arms as she continued her fiery tirade. He commented morosely, "All those decades of ruining people's lives finally caught up to him. I hope he gets what he deserves."
Luna pursed her lips and thumbed one of the caps on her necklace, "I don't think that's all Fate's angry about."
Suddenly, the train station rocked as the sound of a thunderclap echoed throughout. Luna wove her arms into Harry's right arm as they struggled to maintain their footing.
The red object on the floor had disappeared, leaving a red mist floating precariously in the distance. Harry looked on worriedly, unsure of what Luna was referring to.
The corner of Luna's lips curved downwards, "She likes judging everyone, see if they're worthy of going on or not."
Harry's heart sank. He had killed numerous people in that last battle and ruined the lives of many more. Even before being possessed, destroying the livelihoods of Mud—Muggleborns and blood traitors slowly grew a sadistic side to him. It unhinged him, made him prone to bouts of cruelty. He LIKED torturing Dean Thomas before the Snatchers locked him up. The screams, the begging were like music to his ears as he held onto the Cruciatus for hours on end.
Harry felt like a kid standing in front of a shattered cookie jar. Only, the cookie jar was peoples' lives. He kept his inner self so he could one day get back control from Voldemort, not for some noble redemption reason.
As if she could read Harry's inner thoughts, Luna patted Harry on the head, "Don't worry, I'm sure Fate won't be too harsh on you. You didn't mean to do the things you did. She's a deity, she can peer into your soul and see what you truly meant to do."
Harry recoiled from the touch like her hand would brand him, "No, Luna. If she can do that then I have no hope."
Luna looked at him critically. Her steely gaze made Harry feel like he was being probed, like he was being studied. Harry averted her gaze, not able to handle the eventual look of disappointment that would grace her serene face.
"Harry, you truly are an idiot.", she said matter-of-factly, before giggling. Harry's head whipped up at that, eyes widened. Before he could say anything though, a gust of wind and an oppressive air signalled that they were no longer alone.
"Sorry for interrupting, Missus Lovegood, but I have a job to do.", a strict, but airy voice commanded. It reminded Harry of McGonagall's. Her facial features were perfect in every way, if by perfect they meant aristocratic. Her high cheekbones and hawkish hazel eyes were accentuated by brown hair that cascaded all the way down to her backside. The scent of ozone wafted off her in droves, the only sign that the woman in front of him was no ordinary woman.
In her arms was a baby. A very deformed, malnutritioned baby with Harry's face.
Luna curtsied at Fate and stepped backwards, allowing Fate to observe Harry unhindered. His eyes never left the deformed baby in her arms.
"Harry James Potter, how could someone so pure end up so twisted as to create this abomination?", she asked softly.
His lips thinned at the sight of the infant, quietly mewling in her arms.
"Horcruxes are the ultimate perversion of magic, created by dark wizards who have forsaken their humanity in the pursuit of immortality. But I'm sure you've known all of that when you made it.", she said, her piercing brown eyes looking directly at Harry.
He nodded mutely.
"Tell me, why would someone with no interest in living forever create one?"
Harry's gaze darted to Luna's, who nodded encouragingly, "...to stay alive. If I refused, Voldemort would have killed me immediately. I cannot hope to get the drop on the Dark Lord, even if I was personally trained by him."
Fate sighed dramatically, making Harry's insides churn. He felt like an insect to her, and somehow he got the feeling he disappointed her. She replied testily, "I recall a certain quote from your godfather when he interrogated Mr. Pettigrew. Something about preferring death over betraying those you love."
Harry suddenly found Fate's white tunic very interesting as he muttered, "People change. I changed."
As his gaze drifted to his skeletal arm, he asked, "Where did Voldemort go? He didn't go on to the same afterlife as my parents and friends right?"
Fate replied with a crooked smile, "No, he's made too many wrong choices in his life and his soul was shattered beyond any semblance of the whole. Tom Marvolo Riddle no longer exists in this realm."
"By saying his soul was shattered, you mean the horcruxes he's made?"
Fate nodded curtly.
"Then", Harry said, eyes filled with self-loathing and determination, "don't waste your time. End me as well."
SLAP
Harry stumbled away, face sporting a new red handprint. Luna's hand remained outstretched, trembling as it's owner shook with a fury Harry's never seen from her, "When did you become such a COWARD, Harry?!"
Nursing his bruised cheek, Harry shot back angrily, "When I realized being brave only results in ruining peoples' lives! Or did you forget Sirius DYING in the Department of Mysteries? I led him to his death because I wanted to be a hero!"
He lowered his voice as fresh unbidden tears threatened to burst forth, "Every time I tried to be a hero, I ended up getting people in the hospital or, worse, dead. And for what? Voldemort still rose, and the only reason why he's even dead is because of a stupid potion accident!"
Fate's hand suddenly rose, cutting off Luna's retort with a swift motion, "That was no accident. That potion required the blood of a loyal servant, which Severus Snape was not. A turncoat and loyal underling of Dumbledore to the very end, he knew the addition of a traitor's blood would cause the potion to violently reject it."
Harry snorted, "Even Snape ended up doing more to win than I did, and I was the 'Chosen One'."
"Do you have any idea how pitiful you sound right now?", Luna asked coldly, "You really think nothing you do will ever work out? Then explain to me how you managed to train half our year in Defense Against the Dark Arts so we all passed our OWLs during a year with Umbridge as professor!"
"Most of you died because of your association to that group, Luna.", Harry fought back.
"And it was our choice. You didn't force us, we willingly fought against Voldemort. I know wrackspurts aren't real but now I'm not too sure, because you definitely seem full of them right now!", Luna ranted impatiently, stomping her foot. "You're right, we lost because of you. But it's not because of your brashness, but because you gave up!"
Harry scowled, "I saved your lives at the Ministry! Voldemort would have stopped at nothing to kill all of you!"
Luna threw her hair back in a huff, "And I suppose that's different than what ended up happening?"
Harry grimaced. Things didn't end up the way he wanted, all best-laid plans and all. His hand involuntarily went up to caress his scar, only to feel nothing. His fingers ran across a smooth forehead.
Fate spoke up crossly, "As much fun as it is to watch you squabble, there are other souls about to pass on. Mr. Potter, we need to decide where to send you. The afterlife only accepts those whose soul is whole, thus you cannot go there."
She paused as if waiting for a reaction. When neither Harry nor Luna responded verbally, she raised an eyebrow but continued nonetheless, "The only options are to stay here, or to erase your existence. Of course, the former will eventually end in the latter."
"Wait! Voldemort's horcrux, didn't he integrate it into Harry's soul? Doesn't that mean Harry has a whole soul again?"
Harry's head turned so fast his neck would've snapped, "Are you telling me to bring a piece of Voldemort into the afterlife? Luna, ignoring the fact that I don't think I deserve to go on-"
"Harry, I DON'T CARE! We have to find a way, I can't just let the one true friend I've made go...poof!", exclaimed Luna hotly. Her arms wrapped around her waist as she hung her head.
"I can't let you go.", she whispered.
Fate regarded Luna with her piercing gaze, "Ms. Lovegood, even I can't go against the rules of the universe."
She shook her head violently, blonde locks whipping her face, "We have to find a way! There's no way Harry deserves to be erased! You know as well as I do that dark magic can twist a person's judgement! He's just as much of a victim as everyone else that went on!"
"That may be so,", the deity replied with a hard tone, "but not even the most devout of Death Eaters created a horcrux. There are lines that must not be crossed, regardless of reason."
As Luna realized Fate had no intention of giving her any hope, she slowly crumpled to the ground, arms still wrapped around her waist. Tearless sobs wracked her body in waves. Fate stared emotionlessly at the girl for a moment before she turned back to Harry.
"Now, to continue, since your crimes were not quite as heinous as Mr. Riddle's, you are in fact allowed to stay in this in-between realm for a while. Perhaps to wait until the last of your classmates die?", proffered Fate. Harry's dampened look gave Fate the answer that she needed.
"Very well, then say your farewells to Ms. Lovegood here."
Fate stepped back to allow the two some space. Harry went over to Luna and awkwardly placed a hand on her shoulder to try comforting her. It had the opposite effect, for she only wailed harder.
"I-it's not fair!", she sobbed. Harry patted her head wordlessly, plucking errant strands of hair from her face.
"It'll be fine. I'm sure the afterlife will be loads of fun, perhaps you'll make friends with people from decades ago that we only read from history books!", Harry said placatingly. Luna's sobs continued in earnest.
Eventually, Luna's despair reduced to a small hiccup. Harry mentally sighed in relief, until he heard a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Heh, to think I waited this long thinking I'd be the one to comfort you. In the end I'm still the emotional wreck.", muttered Luna.
"Don't wor- wait, Luna, how long were you waiting here? You died months ago!"
Fate interjected with her inflectionless voice, "Time dilation allows us to keep the peace between all the souls that pass on. When dilated, the flow of time here is slower than in real life by a factor of 10. It allows us deities. The two months between her death-"
"Almost two years.", gasped Harry, looking at Luna's curled figure. Fate nodded solemnly, "You have a good friend here, Mr. Potter. She welcomed every arrival with an energetic flair, both friendly and not, giving them some form of closure at the expense of her own."
"If I don't wait for Harry, no one will. Besides, my parents have each other and the rest of the DA think I'm crazy for believing in you. What g-good is going onwards when there's not much waiting on the other side?", asked Luna bitterly, choking on her own spit.
Harry stopped patting her, seeing that the tears had stopped flowing, "Luna…"
Luna shook her head fervently. Harry despairingly held her tightly against him, unsure of what to do. All he could do was curse the world, curse it for treating Luna so poorly and then even denying her a decent afterlife.
"There is...one possible solution. Ms. Lovegood, Mr. Potter, there is a way to erase an existence while still giving you a chance to redeem yourself. Instead of going on, you can go back.", Fate spoke, an unreadable expression on her face.
Harry's head shot up, "What do you mean?"
"I can send you to another dimension, one with another Fate. There, you will have to reunite with your horcrux before you die and are judged.", she replied.
"There's a way to do that?", asked Harry in a hopeful tone. Fate dipped her head and said, "The requirements are equally as unpleasant as the making of one, but it WILL qualify you to enter the afterlife should you succeed."
Harry glumly noticed that she had left out a specific piece of information, "And you won't tell me how to do it."
Fate replied haughtily, "The fact that I give you this chance is already against normal procedures. Giving you the answer on, how do you say, a silver platter would be breaking every law I have. No, you'll have to find it yourself. So, do you agree?"
Harry was about to, but something was telling him that he forgot something. As he looked over to the strangely quiet Luna, it hit him.
"...what about Luna? Will she be able to come with me?"
Fate shook her head, "Unfortunately, those who qualify for the afterlife are bound to continue onwards eventually. This has never been offered before, for everyone else that has created a horcrux tended to be creatures harmful to the world at large. I have no intention of helping the cruel."
Luna spoke up softly, "It's okay, Harry. Nargles may steal you away for now, but things always return in the end."
Nargles. Harry's heart dropped as he realized her mask was back on as she looked at him with a thin smile. He nodded slowly, "Don't worry, I'll find a way back, I promise."
Fate had already transformed the red deformed Harry back into the butterbeer cap necklace, placing it on his neck. Without checking whether Harry was ready, she waved her hand over Harry's head, causing a shower of sprinkles to slowly float over his head.
"Oh look, it's snowing. The wrackspurts must be having a mating party above your head Harry.", Luna said dreamily, looking above his head. Harry shut his eyes as the world slowly started disintegrating like a sheet of paper shriveling over an open flame.
As the train station fell apart, Fate's voice rang out, "Oh, just to clarify, you aren't going to be the Chosen One anymore. Do try to figure out who you are before it's too late!"
Harry never got to reply because the world turned white.
Then it turned dark. Harry stumbled to the floor, disoriented. A lone streetlamp lit the dead end, revealing a sturdy cobblestone wall with a metal gate. A neatly trimmed hedge peeked over the top. The smell of pot roast and turkey wafted through the street, making Harry's stomach rumble with envy. The houses were decorated in the green-and-red of Christmas colours, complete with raucous celebrations inside.
He leaned against the cobblestone wall with his hand, trying to stabilise himself. As he tried to take a step, a lower center of gravity protested and he nearly crashed into the gate headfirst. Luckily, he reached out and steadied himself before he'd sport yet another forehead scar.
Damn it Harry, of all the things to find hard, how is WALKING one of them?!, he thought morosely. He looked down at his feet angrily, only to pause at the small size of them. His attention quickly darted to his hands, which were also similarly small in size and callous-free.
...did I de-age?
He needed a mirror. Seeing a nearby car, he ran over to peruse the window. Or he would have, had he recalled that he doesn't quite remember how to walk with smaller feet. Like a first-time tightrope walker, he fell flat on his face again, kicking the metal gate as he went down.
Blasted...!
After he got up from his second reunion with the floor, he inched forwards with caution this time. As he looked at the reflection, he grimaced.
Staring back at him, with a worried look on his face, was 10-year old Harry, only with muggle clothes. His eyes were now completely red, without any more of the iridescent green that defined his look in the past. The horcrux necklace dangled from his neck.
"Hssssssss"
Harry jumped at the hissing coming from under the car. He stepped back, only to be relieved as a cat slunk out from underneath, orange pelt gleaming under the lamp.
He knelt down, holding his hand out, "Oh hey kitty, nice seeing you he—ow!"
He quickly pulled his hand back, grimacing as fresh blood leaked from the wound. The cat stared at him mutinously even as it wiped the blood on the floor as if getting rid of dung. Sucking on his wound, he got up with a huff.
Don't cats usually lick themselves clean? Eh, must be a stupid cat, thought Harry irritatedly.
Taking a few short steps, he mentally cheered at finally figuring out how to walk properly. He suddenly stiffened at the sound of a door opening from the house behind him.
"—fine fine, I'll go check you annoying bint.", a familiar voice said with a laugh.
"Oy Padfoot! Lils isn't a bint!", a male voice called out.
Padfoot?!
Harry's heart started thumping really hard. He instinctively tried flicking his wand out from it's holster, only to realise with a sinking feeling that he had neither.
Damn it! Alright, time to Disap—
"So she IS anno—HARRY?!"
Harry stood there like a deer in headlights as he stared at his dead godfather. A younger, less gaunt version of him with his mouth agape. A beer bottle shattered on the floor.
"Harry, wait!"
Harry did the first thing he thought of. He Disapparated.
"GAH!"
He cried out in pain as he appeared a few feet down the block, blood spurting from a missing leg. The errant leg fell to the floor with a sickening squelch as his eyes rolled to the back of his head in pain.
A/N: Please remember to leave a review!