Sometimes, when he looked back on his life he wondered how he could have missed it all. Missed all the ways he was used and abused from the moment he was placed on that door step until even know. It was incredulous really, but… he should have known better. Listened to the true friends he had made along the way. That his life wasn't his own.

At twenty-nine years old he was Head Auror. He was systematically used for publicity stunts and his off days—few that he had—were spent hiding from the media. It wasn't what he wanted in life and it was a bitter pill to swallow when he thought of how the future could have been had he failed to gain true friends.

A sigh left Harry and he tugged a hang through his hair, tugging sharply as golden-green eyes stared into the veil. The hushed whispers were so calming to him and warm. Though it was funny to him… that the same thing that claimed his Godfathers life was the thing that brought him the feeling of home and safety. A promise of rest.

"You should." A dainty hand rested on his shoulder, pale and painted in radish colored polish. "You deserve rest." Luna's eyes were soft and clearer then they'd ever been as her other hand reached up to grab her bottle cap necklace, wedding ring shimmering from some kind of spell no doubt.

Harry smiled softly and he turned to give her a tight hug, lips brushing her ear. "Everything goes to you and Neville in my will. Take care of Teddy for me… and if anything happens, run. Leave this place." He whispered in her ear before pushing her away gently. They both knew she couldn't be present when he left. It would only bring bad press to her and the press was the last thing any of them wanted.

He watched her go and then closed his eyes. A soft smile pulled on his lips and he took one step back before letting his body fall backwards.

It was almost like being welcomed home for the first time. Wrapped in warm arms with the feeling of comfort and safety. His body felt relaxed and his magic moved around sluggishly as it accepted the comfort being given. It was the best he had ever felt and he let his mind and body melt into it all.

When he felt warm, strong arms wrap around him though, he stiffened a bit. A chuckle filled the empty space and hot breath ghosted across his ear. "I was wondering when you would return to me… my little Master." The voice was all at once both loud and quiet. Soft and hard. He couldn't place if it was a male or woman speaking to him and it disoriented his mind, but at the same time… at the same time it felt like home.

"Who…?" His voice was quiet in the dark expanse, eyes still closed and body still clinging to the comfort of the veil.

"Ah, you've forgotten already?" The voice asked in what seemed like amusement. He felt the other pull him along with him. "That's of no consequence… you will know me as I know you. Come. Open your eyes and be welcomed." The other said warmly.

Harry took a breath and squeezed the large hand that wrapped around his before opening his eyes. All at once he felt his feet on solid ground and the air leave him as he looked across the lands. He didn't understand… they were atop a dark castle that sat in soft rolling hills and planes. There was a village, large and cheerful within the walls of the castle. He could hear the music and see the streamers and paper lanterns that floated softly around the village… all bearing the same symbol.

A circle with a triangle… bisected by a single line…

"The deathly hallows…" He muttered, eyes drawing closed in pained confusion as he brought a hand to his head.

"Easy…" A warm hand covered his own and he was brought back against a chest that felt hard and soft. "I brought you home… little Master. This place… I made for you. Somewhere for you to learn and decide what you want to do." The other spoke quietly.

Harry felt his throat tighten and his eyes burn. He could feel only honesty from the other and he had never… he had never had something that was his alone. Now this person was saying this Kingdom was his alone. "Who…who are you?" He finally asked, moving closer into the offered affection.

He could feel a smile against his neck as the arms tightened gently, "I am Death and you, Hadrian James Potter, are my chosen Master." Death said with a purr that kept slipping from innocent to protective. "You are home now."

A soft sound left Harry… followed by another and then another as he began to cry. The new feeling that filled him finally catching up to his brain. He had never felt so welcomed and accepted before. Never had he understood what home truly meant and now… now it was all laid bare to him by the being that was meant to take it all.

"Shh… it will be okay, my little Hawk," Death spoke as they held Harry close to them in comfort. "Come, let us get you in bed. Tomorrow will be another day and we can speak more." They said kindly and then pulled them through the shadows in a disorienting way.

Harry stumbled a bit towards the lavish bed down in blacks and copper tones. He sunk down onto it, eyes growing wide at the comfort. A soft sound left him as he kicked off his shoes without question and buried himself within the covers. He would ask questions tomorrow… he was sure he would, but… the promise of a decent sleep was too much to pass up.

He was asleep as soon as his head touched the pillows.

Death smiled as they watched their little Master sleep. It turned to a vicious frown though when he felt an unwanted presence skulking around his castle. Only one was so brave to come unannounced into his halls, thinking they had the right to simply brush him off.

The being vanished, walking through the shadows into the great hall where the lavish robes nearly blinded him. Truly the other knew no sense in colors…

"Where is he?" The hissed words were spat across the room as the click of heels hurried towards Death.

"Where is who, exactly?" Death rumbled out with a raised brow, arms crossed against their chest as they were clearly unamused.

"You know! Harry Potter! My whipping boy!" The other spoke harshly, long colored hair seemingly puffing up like an angry cat.

Death frowned deeply and in one moment crossed the space, clawed hand wrapping around the other Deities neck as they clamped down on the other's powers to leave them helpless and gasping for air.

A cruel smile pulled on Death's lips, "Harry Potter? You mean the pure little thing that I have claimed as my Master?" He asked in a mocking tone. "The one I had marked from birth? The one you thought you could steal from me? Truly, you have been blinded Fate. You have forgotten who I am and who you are." Death's hand tightened even further and he could feel how the beings neck began to give.

"Death ends all. Even Fate itself."

Death released the other and watched with empty eyes as Fate scrambled to breathe as they—for the first time in centuries—was reminded of the touch of Death. The cold feeling of inadequacy.

Fate looked up, face flushed in fear and hair vacant of color. "I…I understand…" They said and then vanished from the halls. It was enough to satisfy Death and they walked to their throne, glass of dark wine appearing in a long fingered hand.

A smiled pulled their lips apart, "Well, now to see just what the little Master wants in life." They said pleasantly to the empty halls, relaxing in splendor as amusement filled them to the brim. Death had never been so full of emotion until his little Master was born after all. A gift of Life… an olive branch of sorts. One he held dearly.

Harry groaned as he slowly came to. Sunlight filled the room he was in, brushing against his face like a warm kiss. He stretched out like a cat as he clawed up to the headboard and yawn splitting his mouth.

He sat up slowly, rubbing his face tiredly as he woke before looking around. It took him longer then he cared to admit to realize that he had no idea where he was… and then longer still to even care about it. Instead he simply got up and began exploring the room.

There were three doors in the room. One was a bathroom that was the same large size as the bedroom, a closet filled with clothes that he had only dreamed of owning, and the last was a sitting room with a desk. All three were just as grand as the bedroom and stocked with anything and everything he would ever need. It made his chest feel warm and soft at the thought of being so cared for…

Harry shook his head though and he shuffled his way to the closet with a smile. He pulled out a long sleeve black tunic with a green vest covered in darker leaves and vine stitching. A pair of black pants followed and he went to the bathroom, intent on enjoying what was offered with a childish sense of glee.

While he didn't time how long he spent in there… Harry was sure it was longer then he had ever spent in a shower. The water never going cold probably didn't help in that matter either. He smiled and shook his head as he slowly got dressed and looked at himself in the mirror. It was almost like looking at a stranger… because he had never looked so happy and free before. Not that he could remember at least.

He took a deep breath and left the bathroom, heading to the sitting room as he had seen another door in there as well. When he walked in, however, he saw Death sitting on the couch.

His first thoughts on finally seeing the being was confusion. Neither man nor woman and features that seemed to shift in each movement. The only thing that was certain were the emerald green eyes that looked at him with such love and affection.

"Death…" He spoke and was startled at the warmth in his own tone, before shuffling over to the being, sitting close enough that they were almost touching.

"Harry," Death responded in kind and sat still in their spot on the couch. "I know that you entered my veil hoping to move on… however as my Master I cannot allow that. Instead, I offer you a home. I offer you a chance for new beginnings and the opportunity to learn and grow. To be able to visit different worlds and realities as I do and become the person you always wished to be." They said kindly and then waited patiently.

Harry was startled by the admission and offer. A flash of sadness cut through him at the thought of never being able to visit those he had lost… never being able to see his mom and Dad or Remus and Sirius. He took a deep breath though and slowly nodded as moping over what if's was something he had done for far too long.

"Did you… have any ideas then?" Harry asked with a tilt to his head.

"Yes," Death smiled and showed pointed canines, "A world that is more ocean then land. Prejudiced and led by self-centered men and women who think themselves gods. A military force called the Marines that answer to them… and Pirates both good and bad. It's a world filled with choices and freedoms and of course, your Kingdom will follow where you go. It will be placed where only you and those you allow can reach it." Death added on as their eyes closed clearly enjoying the thought of this chaotic world they had presented.

A small laugh left Harry and he nodded, "Alright… then I will go to this world in a while, but first I would like to simply enjoy life and learn. I want to learn everything I can while I'm here and about self-defense and swordsmanship… Draco… Draco always beat me when I was learning so…" He trailed off and rubbed his chest as a pang of sadness filled him at the memory. He could still see the shock of white dipped in red… could hear the scathing words said in regards to the one he had called brother…

Death nodded and they grabbed Harry's hand in a grip that was both cold and warm. "Of course, little Hawk. You have all the time in the universe and I will always be at your side." They spoke in such a gentle way that the tears weren't able to be stopped and so they sat. Death holding Harry close as the boy finally mourned for everything he had lost in life… and in death.