Chapter 8

Another Chance

"I know it hurts, darling," his mother said as Harry slumped into a chair. "But you'll see her again."

"Yeah, when she's old and married and has ten grandchildren and forgotten all about me."

"I don't think she'll forget you, Harry," Sirius said.

"Oh?"

"You heard as well as we did what she said to Voldemort," James said.

"I forgot you guys saw all that," Harry said, blushing slightly.

"Cheer up, Harry," his mother put in. "You've defeated Voldemort, freed the entire Wizarding community. Now Ginny ad her family can live peacefully, without having to fear for their lives, which is the greatest thing you could have done."

"So you figured it out, didn't you, Harry?" said a familiar voice behind him.

"Professor!" Harry exclaimed, seeing Dumbledore. "Yes sir, I did."

"Good. I knew you would, and how hard it would be for you."

Harry sighed. "Yessir. But it all worked out okay, didn't it?"

"But not for you." It wasn't a question.

Harry averted his eyes. "Nossir, not really."

"I can fix that."

"What?"

"There are special rules for cases such as yours," Dumbledore went on. "For those who give their lives for the ones they love."

Harry stared at him. "What do you mean, sir?" he asked.

"We can send you back, if you want," Sirius clarified.

"Send me back?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Yes, " Lily said. "When you have given your life for the one you love and the public good, a selfless sacrifice, in other words, you can be sent back. Only, everyone here in Afterlife has to agree. You are the first one to ever have the option. Everyone here thinks you deserve another chance at life."

Harry stared at them all. "Seriously? But what about you and Dad, and Sir-"

"We want you to go, too," James said. "Seventeen is far too young to be here. Go back to Miss Weasley."

"We'll always be with you," his mother added, holding him close. "We always have been. You just have to know where to look."

Afterlife seemed to fade in Harry's vision. "What does that mean?" he called to his fading mother.

Her voice sounded far away as things blurred more and Harry felt a warm feeling grow from his chest. "You'll know, " she said. "Trust me."

"Say hi to Lupin for us," James said faintly, and Harry couldn't see them anymore.