Pairings: Harry/Draco, Tom/Severus
Disclaimer: Neither Harry Potter nor any Greek Myths belong to me.
Chapter 2 - Registration
With McGonagall and Snape as guards by his side, Harry walked through the fog filled city. The hustle and bustle was something he was used to, as it mirrored London in the afternoon rush. People ignored them and went on their way. They had other things to worry about.
And then Harry realized it. He stopped in his tracks, green eyes impossibly wide. His breath caught in his throat. McGonagall stopped and looked back at him a moment before Snape did. Both teachers looked worried, though the Potions Master hid it better.
"Harry?" McGonagall murmured in quiet question. Harry's gaze snapped up to meet hers.
"We're dead, aren't we?" he asked. The transfiguration teacher sighed and took him in her arms.
"Yes, Harry. We're dead."
Harry was quiet for a moment. His mind flew with activity at this confirmation. Then he looked up at her and smiled sheepishly.
"Guess I'm not the Boy-Who-Lived anymore, am I?"
McGonagall laughed. Snape only rolled his eyes. The trio went on with quiet amusement. As they rounded a bend, a huge, looming building filled their vision. The palace rose so high that fog covered its tip. Towers rose all about with windows everywhere. Soft light drifted from the open spaces and contrasted with the near black stone it was made of. The Palace even had a drawbridge, down for visitors. As they stood watching, people went in and out of the Palace like a two way river.
McGonagall's hand slipped into Harry's. The boy glanced up at her and smiled. In silence, the trio entered the Palace together.
Inside was as glorious as the outside. There were black marble columns all over the place and the floor was a mix of swirling black and white. People surrounded them, talking and laughing with each other or the people behind tall, black desks. These looked official and all wore the same uniform. McGonagall led him up to first open desk.
"Name," said the bored looking man.
"Minerva McGonagall," she replied.
"Age?"
"Seventy-two years."
And so on. Harry listened patiently as McGonagall answered each question in a precise tone and without hesitation. She was asked to name all of her five children, twenty odd grandchildren, and assorted great grandchildren. Harry's eyes nearly bugged out at the sheer amount of family the woman had. She had seemed like such a lone wolf to him. When she was finished, Snape went. Harry was amazed to learn that the man was only thirty-six, though he looked older. He also found out that Snape had been married at one point, and divorced three years later. Then it was his turn.
"Name?"
"Harry Potter."
"Age?"
"Seventeen."
The man glanced up at him with scrutiny before turning back to his sheets of paper.
"Parents?"
"Lily and James Potter."
"Family status?"
"…Orphan."
"Previous marriages or other intimate partnerships?"
"None."
"Children?"
"None."
Harry watched the man's pen move across the paper. There was a big book beside him, which he constantly looked at. Harry could read some of the words and wondered why the man was making him tell all this to him when it was already in the book.
"Where you to be sent elsewhere?"
"…Yes."
"Where?"
"Elysian Fields."
"Why did you forgo it?"
"I wanted to stay with Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape."
"Why?"
"I didn't want to be alone."
He could feel a set of hard eyes on him, making that muscle between his shoulders jump.
"Do you understand that your name is added to the list in the order you came and that it will be a very long time before you a judged and therefore must stay here until such time?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well. Please take this handbook and enjoy your stay in Erebus."
"Thank you."
Harry took the book and followed McGonagall and Snape out of the building. Just as he reached the doors, he caught sight of something that was so very familiar, yet he'd never seen. A man was staring at him with piercing red eyes. His black hair managed to fall around his face, covering his forehead and framing his jaw. His face was long, nose thin and elegant and lips perfectly shaped. He was quite thin and his skin near white, which contrasted very much with his black and emerald robes. Suddenly, the man's lips quirked into a smirk and a shutter went down Harry's spine. He had to work very hard not to run out to the teachers.
"We'll need to find permanent lodging," said Snape as the trio went on down the street. Neither he nor McGonagall had seen the creepy, red eyed man.
"The handbook suggests one of the hotels until we can find a job," retorted McGonagall. Snape gave her a nasty look.
"We still have to live like we used to?" asked Harry.
"Would you rather wander aimlessly until your trial?" muttered Snape. Harry, wisely, kept his clap shut. They spent the better part of the day getting everything arranged. Not that there was a difference between 'Day' and 'Night' there. The strange half-light was the same no matter the hour. However, it seemed that the denizens of Erebus had adapted to that and the day was more or less as long as it had always been.
One thing abruptly stopped the hurried pace. Again, Harry was stopped in his tracks by the sight of an imposing figure, but he wasn't the only one this time. Most all the people around stopped to stare. Harry felt two hands settle on his shoulders protectively.
He was tall, very tall. His hands, two of the only bits of him showing from the long, billowing robes, were long and had a skeletal look to them. The ivory skin seemed to be pulled completely taunt over his bare bones. His neck was the same, but his face seemed indifferent to the thinness. It was pleasant to look at, like a doll's. The white skin looked like porcelain and completely smooth. His eyes were heavily lashed and down turned, veiling the pale gray orbs. Pure white hair fell loose and long down his back. It framed his face with soft looking wisps. The man seemed dressed in snow. The stark white of the cloth robes made him seem cold and detached, though simply the aura about him did the same.
The man paused and turned his head, setting the almost dead looking eyes upon Harry's form. The boy couldn't move. He felt his body beginning to shake. At once, he knew who was staring at him, knew exactly what the man was. This was Death.
"Harry Potter," said Death quietly, voice soft and smooth with an underlying sadness. The hands at his shoulders tightened as Death slowly approached. Those glowing gray eyes seemed to stare through his soul.
"Y-yes, sir," cane a fearful reply finally. Death tilted his head and the soft white hair shifted like water around him. He lifted a hand and touched the boy's cheek, his skin as cold as ice. Harry shivered but didn't look away as the surprisingly soft, if not icy, fingers gently caressed his face.
"So," the god murmured, "You are not my successor after all. You lack my taint."
Harry didn't speak. He didn't know whether to be happy or not. The hand at his face stole most thought from him.
"However, you are a successor," continued Death. "You are to go to the palace immediately for training, child."
"Yes, sir," whispered Harry. Death stared at him for a few moments more before turning and continuing on his way. It wasn't until the god had disappeared again that Harry's knees fell from under him. Snape managed to grab the boy and lower him gently while McGonagall dropped to her knees to embrace him. Her softy murmurs calmed the boy.
He had just stared the God of Death in the face. He had just been touched by Death. Harry didn't know what would be next.
A/N: Okay, I'm really bad with writing chapters quickly. Please forgive me.
I really like the God of Death in most mythology.This one DOES have a name other than 'Death' but we'll find it out later.
Feedback:
Uuari - I love Snape. He's always been my favorite. And I like writing him too. ::smile::
Silver Neo - Jealous, Nei-chaaaaaaaaaaaaan? ::cackles:: Glad you liked it. Hope this chap was nice too.
Faint Hate - Worship me?? ::blushes:: Hope you liked this chap as good as the last
Princess Ashley - Yep, I'm heavy into Greek mythology so this is liek my love child with it. And how did you guess I was gonna make Harry a god...?
faris of ferns - Continued! No need to beg ::laughs::
sophie - Sorry the update wasn't soon, but I DID update it!
the great and masterful Yoda - Dude, I can't get over your name, man. It's awesome. Anywho, Harry's attatchment to Snape? You'll learn more about that later. ::smile::
Malfoy vs Potter - Glad to be of service!
Icelight-warm - O.O Man. You are really excitable, aren't you? Yeah, Atlas didn't endear himself to me, I'm afraid.
Elebereth - Posted!
Ugh. I should really only work on one story at a time....