A/N: [wipes away tears] Aww, you guys are the best! I've gotta have the best damn reviewers on ! And the best writers - I was reading over some of my more vocal reviewers work, and it's marvelous! Keep up the good work you guys.

Chapter Nine

Harry Potter had officially been dead for three days. His friends were in mourning, as was the entire wizarding community.

It would have been quite a shock to them all, then, had they seen him slowly awake.

Harry moaned, overcome by a feeling of déjà vu. He cautiously lifted his head and glanced around. He was lying on a four poster bed in a small cottage bedroom; the only things in the room were the bed on which he lay, a dim lamp standing in the corner, and a small bedside table with his wand atop it.

Harry felt awful. His head felt as though it had been split open, and all his muscles ached. His mouth was drier than the Sahara, and he felt like he hadn't eaten in days. The last thing he could remember was a dream containing the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He desperately tried to remember more details, but the more he concentrated, the less he could recall.

He sat up in bed just as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. His body tensed, much to the protest of his sore muscles, and he quickly grabbed his wand. He held it in front of him as the door opened to reveal the young woman from his dream. ...Or had it been a dream?

She was slim, and only a few inches taller than Harry. Her hair, though seemingly white, turned iridescently multicolored in the light, and flowed like silk. Her eyes were a sparkling gold, amplified by her fair complexion. The twinkle in them reminded Harry vaguely of Professor Dumbledore. She wore a simple strapless white gown that rode down to the floor. Her physical presence was nothing compared to her spiritual one, however. She smiled at Harry, making him feel as though his heart was melting. He'd felt instantly calmer, warmer, and safer when she'd walked into the room.

As she approached the bed, her delicate brow furrowed at the sight of his extended wand. His hand was shaking with the effort of holding it up, and she quickly took it out of his hand, placing back on the bedside table. He didn't object – quite the contrary. He smiled a shy smile as she came closer to him, feeling waves of contentment course off her.

"There's no need for that, Harry," she said, her voice as melodic as a harp. "I'm going to help you, I promise." She gently ran placed her hand on his forehead, directly over his scar. All the pain in his head ceased, and felt as though she'd poured water over him. He closed his eyes and let out a contented sigh.

"Thank you," he managed to croak out. He opened his eyes to find her handing him a glass of water.

"Drink this," she said, holding the cup to his lips. "It will quench your thirst, soothe your muscles, and make you stronger." She gently tipped the cup upwards, and he swallowed the water gratefully. It tingled down his throat, and he found that it did improve his physical condition.

She put the cup down on the side table once he'd finished. "I bet you're feeling better now," she said softly. He just nodded. His stomach let out an almighty growl, and he blushed. She just smiled at him. "You should join me downstairs, Harry. We need to get some food into you."

She helped him rise from the bed, though it was not as difficult as he suspected it would have been only five minutes prior. She led him out the door, down a small wooden staircase, into a small sitting room. A large window was on the far side of the room, curtains drawn. There was a large red couch in the middle of the room, seated in front of a low glass table. The table had an assortment of different soups, fruits, cheese, breads, and pastries on it. In the center was a clear pitcher of water.

They sat together on the couch, and Harry looked cautiously at her. She nodded, that same mystical smile on her face, and Harry immediately began pilling food onto his plate.

"So..." he said cautiously between bites. She said nothing. "What are..." Harry stopped, blushing. Surely this woman would take offense if he were to ask her what she was, rather than who. He coughed, rephrasing. "Who are you?"

She let out a gentle laugh, which reminded Harry of the sound of a brook. "Don't worry about offending me, Harry. I understand your curiosity. Who am I? I am known as Liviana. What am I?" She smirked as he blushed again and refused to make eye contact. "I am an angel."

Harry nearly choked. Coughing, he took a sip of water, trying to wash down his food. Still slightly sputtering, he stared at her in disbelief. "A real angel?" he breathed. She nodded gently, and stood up in front of him. Harry nearly fell off the couch as he watched her extend two magnificent silver wings. She sat back down.

"You know, Harry, they've been watching you," she said, motioning upwards with her head. Harry looked up, then back at her curiously.

"Er-they?"

"Yes," she said. "They. The almighty one or ones. Those beings that rule this universe. The powers that be."

Harry sat a moment, contemplating this. "But why on earth would they be watching me?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Why not?" Liviana mused. "They see all. But as of late, they've taken a particular interest in you. That is why I am here."

"Where exactly is here?"

She motioned with her hand towards the window. "Why don't you go look?"

Rising, and not quite sure what to expect, he slowly made his way towards the window. He pulled the curtain back to reveal an icy tundra. The wind whipped at the window, which was partially covered in snow and ice.

"We're in the arctic, Harry," Liviana said, coming up behind him. "Your portkey malfunctioned as a result of the killing curse. They sent me here to care for you, and to offer you a gift."

Harry turned at this. "Why?" he asked, bemused. "What sort of gift?"

She led him back towards the couch so he could keep eating. They sat. "Harry, they have not been blind to the struggle, pain, and heartache you have lived with for the past fifteen years. They feel your pain as you feel it, and they are also aware of the destiny that awaits you. They asked me to offer you a choice."

He nodded, not really knowing what to say. Liviana continued.

"They are offering you one of three things. From the day you leave this place, you will be given one week to contemplate this decision. When that time has expired, I will return and ask your answer. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded again. He took a deep breath. "What are these three things I get to choose from?" he asked cautiously. Liviana smiled at him.

"Lily Potter, James Potter, or Sirius Black."