A/N I'm back!! These updates are going to be irregular for a while due to school work (*cough* student teaching *cough*). Oh well. Please Read and Reveiw. I would suggest reading "Tears of Blood" first please. FYI, Death wasn't singing "You'll Be In My Heart", it was background music. Just to clear up any confusion to my readers. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Guardians are mine. The rest isn't. Rowling owns it.

Dancing With The Lady Death

Chapter 1



"I know you care for the boy, But don't you think this is a little extreme." a young girl stated calmly as she poured some tea for her guest. Her brown eyes were the color of chocolate. At times, one could just fall into them and see the many ideas they held. She smiled at her guest in a playful way. The young girl's clothes were a tank top and a skirt of sky blue with a golden trim that matched her golden locks of hair. She gazed at her guest, curiously waiting for a reply.

"Don't answer her, Essie.", a young boy remarked distractedly, "Dreams has a tendency to pry."

The boy was staring at a game of checkers. His brown hair fell forward to block his eyes from view. His brow was furrowed in concentration as he contemplated his next move. His shirt reflected the same sky blue as Dreams' clothing, but his pants were black with blood red trim. He deftly moved a checker so that it took his opponent's piece. He looked up and smiled at the young woman across from him.

"Your move, Nightmare. What do you think of Essie's move to petition to the council into allowing her to become human?" The boy asked.

Nightmare slide a stray piece of her short auburn hair behind her ear and thought for a second. Her brown eyes glanced at the checker board in front of her. She turned and gazed at her friend. A smile spread across her lips and she stood up and walked over to where Dreams and Essie sat. The light caught the black of her pants and the blood red of her shirt. Her black sleeveless knit duster was slung over the back of her chair.

"In my opinion, Essie, you are a fool to give up the mantle of death, no matter how temporary, for the boy. If you become human, you are very vulnerable to attack. All you need is one maniac with delusions of grandeur to kill you and become the Guardian of Death. You are more good to the boy as a protector if you stay a guardian." Nightmare commented as she picked up a cup of tea.

Nightmare took a sip of the tea. Over the rim, she studied the young Guardian in front of her. Esmeralda was one of Nightmare's few good friends. Which is why Nightmare was slightly worried about her friend's latest idea. Nightmare closed her eyes as she considered the possibilities. Nightmare enjoyed the thought of possibilities. After all, her job depended on the exploration of the many fears and dementia of the human mind.

Essie looked up at her old friend. Nightmare was the first of the Dream Realm rulers to be shape by the Guardian of Earth, Mother Gaia. Nightmare was the first befriend Essie when she join the Guardians as Death. Old as time itself, Nightmare or her siblings never lived as mortals. They don't know what it is like to save a life or touch one. To have a baby giggle at you when others usually coward in fear. None of them understood what it is like to fail the one person who does matter.

"Esmeralda, make me a believer. Tell me, what is so important in the mortal world that you will give up immortality, even for a short period of time?" Nightmare smiled at Essie, interrupting her thoughts.

Essie's chin went up a few notches and declared loudly, "The love of a pure and noble heart."

Dreams giggled at the simplicity of Essie's answer. Nightmare slightly bowed her head acknowledging the wisdom of the answer. Sandman huffed in disappointment, "Is that all?"

"No, it's not. I made a promise to take care of the boy until he is ready to take on Voldemort. I failed once by being a Guardian. Maybe I can do a better job as a mortal and be at his side physically. It seems he needs friends more than a spirit protector. Besides I will retain my power while I'm a mortal. I'm not a helpless little girl." ,Essie growled as she stood up, "Now if you will excuse me, I have an appointment with Fate to discuss my upcoming vacation."

Nightmare put down her cup and walked Essie to the door of the room. Softly she told her friend, "Please be careful. The boy's time of destiny is coming. There are darker forces at work than any we have seen before. I'll be at your side if you ever need me."

Essie gave her a hug and said, "We'll meet again, old friend."

Nightmare watched as her friend walked through the door. She waited until the door was shut behind Death before she turned to her siblings. Dreams stood by the table with a concerned look on her face. Sandman leaned back in his chair, waiting for Nightmare to talk. Nightmare had a pensive look on her face. Dreams was the first to break the silence.

"We are going to lose her, aren't we?" Dreams asked of her older sister.

"I don't know. Time holds all the cards on this one. He won't show them to anyone. Knowledge and I already annoyed the hell out of him, trying to get the truth from him. But you know how he loves a great mystery." Nightmare raged. She hated not knowing what was going on.

"Especially when he knows the answer." Sandman conceded to his older sister.

"The only thing we can do is prepare the boy for her arrival to his world." Nightmare contemplated softly.

"You have an idea, don't you?" ,Dreams guessed, "Tell us."

"Not one of my more sadistic ideas. But it should work. We have two hours until bedtime at the Burrow. We need to hurry." Nightmare smiled wickedly, showing why she was the Mistress of Nightmares and Shadows, "Oh the way, dear brother, I win."

Sandman turned towards the checkerboard in time to watch one of Nightmare's piece clear the board of his. He groaned and let his head hit the table. Dreams giggled at her younger brother while Nightmare just chuckled.

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Harry sat in his bed at Ron's house. He couldn't sleep tonight. The night was clear and nice out. It reminded of a similar night, a tragic night. How did he know what kind of night it was when Voldemort killed his parents. Harry racked his mind for more details of that night. None were coming to him. High in the night sky, a star winked at him. Harry winked back at it, feeling silly. The star suddenly fell from the sky, racing towards the earth. This was familiar too. Harry's mind stated that it wanted it's teddy bear. Harry shook the thought off. It was a stupid thought.

Suddenly the star hit the ground outside the Burrow causing a bright flash of light. Harry fell out of his bed from the light. Looking around the room, he could still hear Ron snoring. The rest of the house was still pretty silent as well. Harry wondered if he was the only one to see the light. Reluctantly, he climbed back on to the bed and looked out the window. His emerald eyes widened at the sight in front of him.

Standing in the Weasley's garden was a young boy. The moonlight reflected off the gold trim of his shirt and the blood red trim of his pants. His eyes glowed with an unnatural light. Harry felt his skin crawl as those eyes locked on to his. He shouted for Ron to wake up, but Ron slept on. Turning his attention back to the intruder, Harry watched as the boy pulled out a pouch. He emptied the contents into his hands. Before Harry could react, the boy threw the stuff right at him. The sand hit him in the face. Harry's eyes felt heavy. A sense of languor flowed over him, despite his attempts to fight it off. Harry collapsed onto the bed in a deep sleep.

Nightmare stepped out of the shadows. Surveying the room, She hurried to Harry's bed. Gently she tucked the boy into the covers. Nightmare stared at the sleeping boy, thinking so you are the one who will save us all.

"I sure as hell hope you are a lot stronger than you look. Sweet dreams, kid." Nightmare whispered as she vaulted out the window. She ran up to her little brother.

"Did I get him?" Sandman asked eagerly.

"Direct hit, bro. It's Dreams' turn now. Let's go watch." Nightmare winked at him as they faded into the night.

Harry slept deeply, but his mind was still working. He was currently falling through space. A black, endless space. Slowly it opened up into a night sky. Harry stopped falling and began to float. Below him, was a small cottage. He recognized it as his home with his parents. Across the lawn a figure ran cloaked in black. Voldemort, Harry thought angrily, coming to kill my parents. Gripping his wand, Harry began to cast a spell. Before he could finish, the figure changed into a raven and flew to the window. That's not Voldemort.

Suddenly, the scene changed from the night sky to the inside of the nursery in the house. Harry froze as he watched his mother sing him to sleep. Harry's heart cracked a little at the sight him and his mother. Soon his mother left the room. Harry tried to follow her but something stopped him.

The black cloaked figure entered the room through the window. Harry didn't see it enter but he knew it was there. Harry watched as it looked around the room. Assured it was alone, it lowered its hood and revealed a young female face. Half of the face was covered with a black mask with silver trim. Harry recognized it immediately. She stared straight at him and smiled.

"I don't have to pick you anymore. You have grown up, my little one." she greeted.

"Who are you?" Harry asked confused.

"A friend and ally." ,the lady replied, "You wanted the truth of that night, here it is. Let's watch together."

Harry heard the shouts from down stair. Screams heard every time a Dementor would come too close to him. Frozen he watched as his mother plead for his life and lost hers in the bargain. As Voldemort turned his attention to the crib, Harry saw his mother's ghost ask the lady to intervene. The lady promise to watch the child until the end of his days. The lady turned her attention back to Voldemort's killing curse And with a few words of her own deflected it. Harry was stunned. She saved his life. She left the room to deal with Voldemort. After a few moments, a black flash came from the hallway. The lady walked back into the room. She gave Harry a lopsided smile as she walked up to him. Gently she kissed his scar.

"Originally I carried you from the house before I bestowed that gift on to you. But this is different circumstances. I'll be seeing you soon, my brave little one." the lady told Harry.

"Who are you?" Harry asked again.

"I'm the Lady Death and we will be dancing soon. Now sleep and dream of better times."

Death passed a hand over Harry's eyes. Harry felt himself begin to fall again. Distantly he heard Death's tell him, "I'll see you soon, Harry." The voice faded and another one took over chanting his name. Harry fell into the light and awake up. He was surrounded by the whole Weasley household. The first Harry said was, "She is coming."





A/N Don't forget to review. I'd like to take a poll of my readers through. Should Harry recognize Essie immediately or should I draw it out? Email me your thoughts at mysha49@hotmail.com. Hope to heard from you soon.

~Myshawolf