Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form, nor am I making any money from this story. I do, however, own the plot and any characters that appear in the story that are not apart of the original series.
A Different Reality
By Constellations
-In Which Holidays Pass-
The sound of excited footfalls interrupted Death as yells of 'You're here! You're here!' echoed through the house, announcing the four year olds' presence as he rushed down the stairs to greet his godfather. "I would have never guessed." Severus replied sarcastically as Harry enveloped him in a bone crushing hug.
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It is often said that time flies when you are having fun and if it is so then time practically leapt by for Severus. He had fallen quickly into a pattern during vacation, spending evenings with Death having fireside chats after Harry retired for the night, leaving most of the morning and afternoon to be spent with Harry, who followed him around like a second shadow; playing, exploring, and asking all sorts of questions…
Harry ran along the garden path to the lily pond and stopped along the water's edge, waiting for Severus to catch up.
"Severus?" asked the young boy when Severus reached his side.
"Hmm?"
"Why can birds fly, but we can't?" Harry said, pointing to some birds flying overhead.
"Well, I suppose because they have wings and bodies designed for flight and we don't."
"Why don't we have wings?"
Severus took a seat on a near by rock and watched his godson stare glumly up at the sky. "Because we were not born with them and are not fated to have them." He paused for a moment to pluck a smooth pebble from the pond's bank, and fingered it lightly, before skipping it out across the surface of the water. "But there are other ways to fly you know."
Confused Harry looked questioningly at his godfather. "Like what?"
"Well, you could fly in one of those airplane contraptions like muggles do. Can you think of another way?"
Harry scrunched up his face in concentration as he thought about the question. "Magic!" He burst out with a smile.
Severus grinned, "That's right. There are many ways to fly using magic, though the most familiar ones are by broom and well known spells. Brooms, of course, are more reliable than most spells, which is why witches and wizards use them the most.
Seemingly satisfied with his answer, Harry picked up a stone and tried to copy what Severus had done before. Throwing out across the pond, the young boy frowned as the pebble made a resounding plunk and sunk to the bottom. Slightly frustrated Harry turned to him and asked, "How did you make your rock jump like that before?"
"It's all in the wrist," Severus answered. "It's time for us to head in. How about I show you how it's done after lunch?
Glancing once more at the pond, Harry nodded and reached up to grab a hold of his godfather's hand. And so the two walked slowly through the garden towards the house.
"Severus, how can fish stay under water so long?"
Snape smirked and sighed in mock exasperation. "You sure are an inquisitive little bugger aren't you?"
Harry smiled, "Yep! Daddy tells me that all the time."
"That sounds like something he'd say."
Harry stopped in front of the back door and folded his arms across his small chest. "Well?"
"Well what?"
"The fish."
"Ahh..." Severus opened the back door to the kitchen, gesturing Harry onward before closing the door behind them. Pouring them each a cup of tea he placed the cups on the table and helped Harry into his chair. "It has to do with gills…"
§-§-§
The week went by quickly and before Severus could as much as blink, Christmas morning came in all its glory… and pain.
Clutching his stomach and muttering under his breath, Severus glared towards the other end of the bed where Harry sat with an innocent look on his face. "Did you have to do that?"
"Daddy told me to wake you up," the boy replied.
"So you decided to do so by jumping on my stomach?"
"You wouldn't wake up. I tried bunches of times, you just kept snoring…"
Indignantly Severus countered, "I do nothing of the sort."
Harry giggled. "Yes you do."
Changing the subject, Severus asked, "Is breakfast ready?"
"Yeah, that's why Daddy sent me up here." Grabbing hold of his arms, Harry attempted to pull him towards to door. "Come on, Daddy said we can't open presents until after we eat."
Severus' face took on a funny expression as he gasped in mock outrage, sending Harry into a fit of giggles. "Oh the agony of it all!" He said as he clutched at his chest. "However shall we wait that long?" Straightening up, he smiled at Harry who was trying to hold back his laughter at Severus' antics and failing quite miserably. Getting out of bed, he reached for his dressing robe, pulling it over his pajamas, and fastened the cord around his middle. "Well we can't have that can we?" Reaching down, he picked up the giggling boy and placed him on top of his shoulders as he headed towards the stairs. "So what are we having for breakfast?"
§-§-§
The fire crackled merrily, illuminating the two figures sitting in black armchairs by the fireplace. Exhausted from the day's activities, Severus leaned back into the chair, enjoying the warmth of the fire on his face. Beside him Death sat upright in his chair, staring into the fire and occasionally sipping his tea. Turning to face Severus he asked, "Would you like some tea as well?"
"What kind is it?"
"My own concoction," Death answered.
Letting out a yawn Severus nodded and leaned further into the chair to give his aching body a rest. "I suppose so."
Conjuring a cup of his tea, he handed it to Severus before remarking, "I still can't believe you actually ran into that tree."
Severus moaned, "You're never going to let me forget that are you?"
"Never, you haven't done something like that in years… Oh, you should have seen the look on your face as you went flying through the air."
He glared. "I couldn't help it if I didn't know how to steer that stupid sled."
Death smiled, "Well you should have thought of that before you let Harry convince you to ride it." Severus shot him another glare, refusing to reply.
Harry had gotten a sled for Christmas several days ago and had been begging to go try it out. So Death, with a quick wave of his hands, had transformed the backyard into a winter wonderland (covered in three feet of snow) and the three of them had gone out earlier this morning. Severus had actually found himself to be enjoying the muggle contraption… until he had lost control of the sled, slammed into a tree and had gone flying into the air. Death and Harry of course had found the whole thing quite funny and the two hadn't stopped laughing for what seemed like hours.
"Oh stop pouting," said Death interrupting Severus' thoughts, "You've been in a sour mood all day and besides, it's New Years after all. You should be looking forward to the new year." Glancing at his young friend he asked, "Do you plan on staying up 'til midnight?"
"I don't think I can make it." Severus replied tiredly. Taking a sip of tea he stared gloomily back at his friend. "I have to go back tomorrow."
"I know. Harry's going to miss you. He loves when you come to visit."
"I'll miss him too," pausing he added, "I always do."
Death smiled. "He's hard not to miss." With that, they both slipped into silence, enjoying the quiet serenity. Some time later, Death suddenly began to shake with silent laughter. Severus raised an eyebrow in question.
"What?"
"A tree of all things, I can't believe you didn't see a tree…"
Severus rolled his eyes.
"I can see the headlines now…"
"Oh shut up." Standing up he turned towards the door and headed to his rooms. "I'm going to pack. Good night." he called over his shoulder.
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Many thanks to my wonderful beta … Ashley
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Please review and tell me what you think about what I've written… I love hearing what you have to say!
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Thank you to all my reviewers and everyone who took the time to read my story.
Hecate DeMort - gracias
Brenna8 – Death had seen the rise and fall of so many dark lords that to him, Voldemort, especially in the state Death left him in, does pose much of a threat. Right now he's focusing most of his attention on raising Harry. He does not know of Voldemort's plots for immortality, but even if he did, he probably wouldn't do anything unless Harry's life was in jeopardy. Immortals do not like to involve themselves in human affairs and try to keep out of them as much as possible… I hope that answered your question.
Heart and Mind – Yes, it is rather odd… but it does make things different.
Frog1 – Severus did live with Death… but that's all I will saw for now.
borne-shadow-childe – hmm I don't know about appearing in his costume, but Death will visit Hogwarts from time to time.
K – I'm glad you like the plot.
Rasgara - merci
Lutheyl – Yeah, I know, I've been dragging it out for a while, but I promise (cross my heart) that how exactly they know each other will be revealed shortly.
DarkKeeper – grazie
The Vampire Story Hunter- danke
Yuikey – obrigado
gaul1 – dank u
lilith – I have read one Discworld novel, called Thief of Time (it is, however, the only one I've read)
Kaaera – thanks, I thought it was an interesting way of explaining why; exactly he does take so many points off.
Mei – Death will be making appearances to Hogwarts… and Severus and Harry's relationship will be totally platonic. If I do end up putting some romance into the story, it will not be the focus, and will be much later.
JE aka Yessina – thank you
atalante - gratia