Alrighty then, I'm back. Sorry guys. I try not to take forever to update but, well, y'know, life sucks and all that shit. So I've written up the next few chapters I've just got to edit them before I post them so the next update shouldn't take too long. Cross your fingers of course. Work and college are being a pain in my ass at the moment.

Well here you go! Another chap of Mastering Death.

"Harry, Anubis, get up or we're gonna miss breakfast," Ron said from across the tent.

Harry opened his eyes to see Anubis's handsome face right in his. He yelped and shot upright instantly. Anubis groaned and rubbed his eyes. "Your roommate is quite noisy in the morning. Make him shut up Harry."

"Anubis, wake up. We're going to be leaving soon."

"Y'know we never really figured out what we're going to do about this whole thing last night," Anubis mumbled sleepily.

"We can figure it out after breakfast." Harry stood, careful not to step on Anubis, and walked to the tent door. "Come on."

Anubis groaned and finally dragged himself up onto his feet. "Okay, okay, I'm up."

They exited the tent and headed over to the table that was set up. There was already an assortment of food on the table in a buffet style setting. Everyone was already loading up their plates with food from the table. Mrs Weasley was making sure that no one took more than necessary. "Fred, you've had two plates already, leave some for Harry."

"Morning Mrs Weasley," Harry called as they approached the table. The scent of sausages, eggs, and fresh biscuits filled his nostrils. He was already drooling by the time they reached the table.

"Good morning Harry." She smiled at him. Upon noticing Anubis her smile faltered slightly. "Anapa, it's a pleasant surprise to see you here. Would you like some breakfast?"

Anubis suddenly remembered his surroundings. "Oh, yeah. Sorry, I showed up last night to talk to Harry about something and I fell asleep in his tent."

"That's alright. There's plenty here. I'm sure you're upset that we're going to be leaving today. You and Harry have grown quite close during our time here."

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Didn't they tell you mum?" Fred said from the table where he was eating another biscuit. "They're dating."

"We're not dating! Will you stop that Fred?"

"Fred, stop teasing Harry. If he says that they're not dating then take it and leave it alone." Mrs Weasley shook her head at her son and turned to look at the pair again. "Well help yourself to food Anapa, there's plenty."

Harry took Anubis's arm and dragged him to the food. "I hate you for saying that we were dating when I first introduced you to them," he muttered.

"I'm sorry. It was the first thing that popped into my head to explain our sudden closeness." Anubis shrugged. "Is it so odd in your time for a man to be attracted to another man?"

"No, it's not that, it's just that's kind of a big thing to spring on them all of a sudden."

"So you are gay."

"Will you stop asking me that? I am not gay. I like girls, I always have." Harry growled in frustration and picked up a biscuit and put it on his plate.

Anubis laughed softly. "Yeah, sure. Did you know that in my time it was completely normal for someone to be attracted to someone else of the same sex? A few of the Pharaoh's were even gay. That's why they had no heirs. No children." He smiled over at Harry who was viciously stabbing a few sausages and putting them onto his plate. "Little known secrets of ancient Egypt."

"Anubis, can we just drop it?" Harry stopped what he was doing and looked up at the deity.

"Of course."

Harry turned back to the food and once his plate was filled to his satisfaction he walked over to the bench where everyone was talking and eating.

"Morning Harry," Hermione said cheerfully. "How'd you sleep?"

"Not good. I couldn't sleep actually."

"Why not?" Her gaze flickered over to Anubis who was standing away from the group, just watching them. "Did he keep you up," she asked in a lowered voice.

"What? No, he actually helped me sleep. I was thinking about what I'm going to do about him when we get back to England. He came in and talked to me until we both fell asleep."

Hermione tilted her hear slightly. "What are you going to do with him when we get back home?"

"I don't know. I told him that he could stay in Hogsmeade while I went to school but he brought up a valid point. What am I going to do about the amulet? I can't leave it in my dorm room all day, someone could steal it, but I don't think I want to carry it around with me as well," he said in between bites.

"Why don't you put it in your vault at Gringotts? No one's going to be able to get to it there."

"Yes, but will I still have control over him or not?"

"I'm not sure Harry," she said. "You'd have to ask him that."

"Maybe I'll just skip school this year."

"Harry!" she gasped. "You can't do that. Your education is vital."

He smirked and fought back the urge to laugh out loud. "Hermione, that's only something you would say. I can handle taking a year off of school."

She didn't look happy about his choice but nodded her head nonetheless.

"Okay everyone, go back to your tents and pack your things. We'll be leaving in two hours," Mr Weasley announced.

Everyone stood up and put their plates in a stack for Mrs Weasley to clear up. Harry walked back to his tent with Anubis following silently after him. He and Ron began cleaning up their tent. The place was a wreck to say the least. Harry gathered up his things and threw them haphazardly into his bag.

Anubis came up beside him and sat down on his cot, watching the proceedings. "Osiris, you guys are slobs."

"Hush. We don't care about being a bit messy. No one sees it but us anyway."

"I'm seeing it," Anubis said playfully.

Harry gazed up at the caramel-skinned boy in front of him. "Do you mind your Highness?"

Anubis laughed throatily. "No, and there's no need to call me your Highness. I am a god, not a Pharaoh."

"Weren't Pharaohs believed to be part god though?" Ron asked from across the tent.

"Yes, because some of them actually were hosts for certain gods."

"Hosts?" Harry asked.

"Yes. The god would exist inside of the Pharaoh and give a helping hand in ruling. When the Pharaoh died the god simply left the body and went about their own business."

"Do the gods still do that?" Ron asked.

"Yes, but not as often and far more spread out."

"Why not as often?" They had forgotten about cleaning up and were solely focused on Anubis now.

"Because people have forgotten about us. We are no longer feared and worshiped as we were back then," his voice had grown soft and sad. "Only the magicians and a select few others still believe in our existence."

"Who are these magicians that you gods keep talking about? Wadjet asked me if I was from the House of Life. What was she talking about?"

"Egypt was full of magicians, priests, priestesses, wise men, and people of the like. They lived to worship and give the common folk words from the gods. They were our connection to the people below. They still exist to this day. There are several branches throughout the world where magicians live and learn the ways of old. They keep the world in balance and make sure that Ma'at is always winning."

"What's Ma'at?" Ron asked. He had sat down on his cot and was listening intently.

"Truth."

"So these magicians are people that still live like they did back in ancient Egypt?"

"No, they live like people nowadays do but they practice magic and worship to us gods like they did back then."

"Why haven't we heard about them before then?" Ron mused.

"Your worlds have kept away from each other so far. I know that one day you will meet and maybe good will come of it. Most likely, war but there is always hope."

"Wow," Ron breathed.

"Heavy stuff."

Anubis looked amused at the pair of them. "You've nothing to fear. That day won't come for quite some time."

"Well that's good." Harry laughed at Ron's relief. "Come on Ron, we need to finish this."

And so they went back to cleaning up their mess. Harry would occasionally look up at Anubis. He would be sitting still on Harry's cot watching them clean his expression gave away none of his emotions. The god had a serious poker face.

"Are you boys done? We're about to leave," Mr Weasley called from outside the tent two short hours later.

"Yeah dad. We're coming out right now."

They gathered their bags and exited the tent, Anubis shortly behind them.

Mr Weasley cast a charm on the tent and it took itself down and folded itself up. He picked it up and put it into a bag with all the other tents. "Okay, our Portkey's waiting for us just over there. Let's get going."

With that everyone began the trip up to the rusty hanger laying in the sand. Bill gave everyone hugs and goodbyes. They all gathered around the hanger and grabbed a portion. Harry reached behind him and took a hold of Anubis's hand. "On the count of three. One, two," Arthur said, counting down for them, "three!"

They lurched skyward and began spinning recklessly. Harry gripped Anubis's hand tightly and made sure not to let go of him. He kept his eyes on Hermione across from him so as to not get sick from the spinning.

"Alright everyone, let go…now." Arthur let go first and everyone else followed suit.

Anubis grabbed Harry's shirt and held him close. He buried his head into Harry's neck and began shaking violently. They fell to the ground below them and landed on the wet grass.

Anubis continued to shake and didn't lessen his grip on Harry. Everyone stood up around them and made sure that they had all their belongings still. Harry struggled to sit up with Anubis still clinging to him like a terrified cat. "Anu‒ Anapa, hey. Let go of me. It's okay. We landed. We're back on solid ground." He wrapped his arms around the god and held him tightly as he shook and trembled beneath his touch.

Eventually Anubis's trembling slowed until it stopped; however, he still clung to Harry. "Don't ever make me go through that again," he murmured into Harry's chest.

"Okay. You won't have to go through that again," Harry promised.

Everyone noticed what was going on between the two of them. Mrs Weasley looked like she wanted to both yell at Harry and comfort Anubis. Fred and George were sniggering behind her. Mr Weasley looked at the twins disapprovingly. Ron and Hermione were the only ones that were almost unaffected by the scene before them.

They knew that Anubis had never gone through that before and it probably scared the daylights out of him. They were shocked at how Harry was comforting him though. For all that they argued Harry sure was quick to comfort the deity.

Harry could tell that he was blushing with all their gazes on him and Anubis, but he didn't really care. He needed to comfort the boy in his arms. Or at least get him to let go.

"Anapa, can you let go of me?" he asked him softly. "Everyone is staring."

Anubis gathered himself rather quickly and nodded. He released his hold on Harry and sat up. "Sorry, that was just scary. I've never done something like that before."

"That's okay dear, the first time is always the worst," Mrs Weasley said comfortingly to the dark-skinned boy.

Anubis gave an embarrassed laugh. "I'm sorry for causing a scene."

"It's no problem dear." Mrs Weasley touched his shoulder gently and smiled at him.

Anubis stood up and brushed off his pants. "Please don't yell at Harry. I wanted to come along and I wouldn't take no for an answer."

"But what about your parents? Won't they be scared or worried about you?"

"I don't have parents," he said simply.

"Oh, I'm so sorry dear. I didn't mean to upset you or anything."

"It's okay. I'm over it now." Anubis shrugged and looked nonchalant.

Mr Weasley nodded and addressed Anubis. "Well you're welcome to stay with us for the remainder of the summer."

"Thank you for offering your home to me. I appreciate it."

Harry stood and, after brushing off his jeans, said, "Well, are we going to stand around all day or are we going to go inside?"

"Yes, let's go inside and I'll make some French onion soup." Mrs Weasley gathered her bags and everyone followed her into the house.

"Anapa, why don't you stay in Ron's room with Harry and him?" Mr Weasley suggested.

Anubis smiled. "Thank you, your hospitality shall be greatly rewarded."

"It's no problem."

Anubis followed Harry up the seven flights of stairs to Ron's room. Harry dropped his bags down on the floor next to Ron's bed and sat down next to them. He let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry for reacting the way I did and causing you to become embarrassed."

Harry opened his eyes and looked at the god who was just staring at him. "It's okay. I understand. I nearly freaked out the first time I used a Portkey."

"But I doubt you made a complete fool of yourself though."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I kept myself together for the most part. I nearly wanted to vomit though."

Anubis looked at Harry. "I think if I had eaten anything this morning I would have."

Harry laughed and nodded. "Yeah, I think it's a good thing that you didn't eat then."

Anubis nodded in agreement. He looked at his surroundings. "Who are the Chudley Cannons?"

Harry looked at the posters on the wall and smiled. "They're Ron's favourite quidditch team."

"Quidditch?"

"Oh that's almost a sin to not know what quidditch is."

Anubis held up a hand. "Hold up, you didn't know what the House of Life was. Don't blame me for not knowing what quidditch is."

"It's a sport that we play."

"Will I ever see a game played?"

"I'm sure that we'll play a game soon."

He seemed satisfied with that answer and sat down next to Harry. "So how much of summer is left?"

"I don't know, a week or two?"

"So we have a week or two to figure out what we're going to do."

Harry sighed. "Yeah."

"Have you any ideas so far?"

"Anubis, can we not talk about this right now? I don't have any ideas. I'll tell you as soon as I get something."

"Sure. Do you still have my amulet?"

"Yes, it's in my pocket."

"Just making sure."

"By the way, why were you apologizing earlier? Usually you'd say something sarcastic or just leave me to suffer in my embarrassment by myself."

"I apologize for trying to get along with you. It's evident that we're going to be together for some time. I was just trying to make it easier on the two of us."

"Oh, okay." Harry fell silent and fiddled with his fingers.

Anubis reached over and grabbed Harry's hands. "Stop, you're making me twitchy."

Harry tried not to blush from the warmth of Anubis's hand on his. His heart did a little thump-thump-lurch thing-y and his palms did a starting-to-sweat thing-y. He licked his lips and tried not to turn his head to look into Anubis's eyes. "Sorry," he muttered.

Anubis held his hand longer than necessary and then finally let go. Harry let out the breath that he didn't even know he was holding. His heart was still acting funny even though Anubis let go of him.

Sort of not really a cliff hanger! Yayyy! :D I love you guys ;)

Okay, so here comes the fluff, you can see the beginnings of it. I promise in the coming chapters there will be much more fluffiness. Btw, does anyone know of a ship name for them or am I gonna have to come up with one? It's annoying calling it Harry/Anubis. Anyways, as mentioned above, there should be another update soon-ish. Review, review, review. Please and thank you.

-JAFB