Chapter 9

Alright so for the people who believe Azrael/Harry is an archangel, he's not. He is as powerful as one yes, but not an actual archangel. There are only four, five if you include Lucifer.

Apocalypse Begin

"Azrael?"

"Your name is Azrael. You are the angel of Death."

Uriel sat upon the floor in the disgusting motel room that he found himself in with his younger brother's head upon his lap. He had thought, just like everyone else that Azrael had died and joined Death, though the entity never confirmed nor denied that. His disdain for angel (except Azrael) was rather legendary. Upon the 'death' caused by humans Uriel had lost all reason. He knew that by doing so he was only hurting his brothers even more but Uriel had always been the more emotional of the archangels. He felt more strongly than they did and to have one of his favorite younger brothers die was so painful Michael had to seal his memories and powers with Father's permission. Then he was placed in Castiel's garrison who was supervised by Zachariah…

Oh Zachariah! What Uriel wanted to do to that annoying angel was not for innocent ears. His brother was preachy and thought he held all the power in the world. He had even convinced Michael that it was a good idea to start the apocalypse! What happened to Father's philosophy of loving the humans…?

Not that their father was anywhere to be found. After sanctifying the sealing of Uriel's memories He had disappeared never to be found again, leaving Michael the responsibilities of overseeing heaven on top of all of his other duties. His poor elder brother was under so much stress that he couldn't tell what was right from wrong anymore.

Raphael was no help as he had withdrawn into a shell of his former self. He had been standoffish before of course but as a master strategist he had to be. Now the archangel was downright cold, vicious, and cruel. And Gabriel… Gabriel had fled heaven as soon as Lucifer was sealed in Hell and not just wandering Earth causing problems for God's creations. He had no idea as to where his goofy younger brother could be.

Slowly, Uriel started threading his vessel's hand through Azrael's hair trying not to think of the mess that was now heaven. For now, he had his younger brother safe and in his arms. He would do anything to keep it that way. Fixing heaven could come later…

Harry woke to the feeling of rough hands carding through his hair. It was so reminiscent of the grooming sessions he had had with his brothers that he made no move to get up or even let the person know that he was awake. Except the reality of his situation wasn't going to let him stay down for long. He was Azrael, Angel of Death and he remembered everything, everything except how Zachariah had bound him to that horrible goddess at Hogwarts and kept his brother's from finding him. He wondered just for a moment if they had even looked or if they really thought he had died.

But he wouldn't let that bother him, not now. Now, he had some older brother's to visit. So, with a sigh Harry extracted himself from the octopus arms that belonged to Uriel and instead sat next to him against the wall.

"What happened when I… I was gone?"

Uriel's dark brown eyes closed briefly in pain. "Everything happened fledg- Azrael."

Harry chuckled. "I am no fledgling anymore."

The look of sorrow upon the archangel's face was so sharp and deep that Harry wanted to cry and assure him that everything would be okay, but he couldn't make that promise… Not unless he knew for certain it would be okay.

"It is with a heavy heart that I agree with you my brother." Harry placed his hand upon Uriel's shoulder. "When you were gone I went mad with grief."

"You always did feel more strongly than most."

Uriel gave a thin smile and continued, "Michael, with Father's approval, sealed my memories and then Father left leaving his burdens to be carried by the eldest. Lucifer in a fit of rage had waged war on the humans and Michael was forced to seal him in Hell. After that it is mostly blurry because of the seal but Gabriel fled and Raphael withdrew into himself. What happened Azrael?"

"It was Zachariah."

Uriel threw himself from the floor and left a hole in the wall across from him. "He will regret the day he ever laid eyes on you. This I swear to you little brother."

Harry picked himself up and, again, laid a calming hand upon Uriel's shoulder. "He will. But my story is not done. I know not how for at the time I believed I was dead, but he was able to bind me to a goddess from another culture who was herself bound to a castle in Britain. I only escaped because I was weak and there was a dying fetus within the castle walls. My human name was Harry James Potter."

"No…" For Uriel, even bound as he was, knew the suffering of Harry Potter. The human sacrifice for the mages of England to stop the Dark Lord. He would not have wished that upon anyone.

"I am sorry little one."

Harry tried, uselessly, to console his brother until finally he asked why they had come for the Winchester's.

"We needed Dean to get information from Alistair but now I see that only would have damaged him. Another order from Zachariah," the archangel hissed.

"Well, we can ask Dean but I doubt he'd agree… If you'd like I can try."

"Brother that would be too much for-"

Harry snorted. "I've been through much more in my human life than I have in even my angelic one. I think I can dish out a little punishment. Maybe even save a friend."

"He has already fallen Azrael. There is no saving him."

"Maybe not. But I have to try right?"

Uriel had no answer. So Harry had Uriel call Castiel and asked him to bring the Winchesters. A few moments later the three men appeared in the torn motel room. Dean slumped to the floor with a groan muttering about stupid angels and their teleporting trick. Sam just looked at Harry and gave him a smile.

"Dean, they have a question for you."

The man looked up and glared at them. "That's it? They have a question for me? No explanations about what happened? This guy is a fricken archangel and he has a question for me!?"

Dean looked on the verge of a breakdown so his brother did what he thought appropriate, crouching down and smacking him in the back of the head.

"What the fuck Sammy!?"

"It's Sam. And I'm sure Harry will tell us later. So what was your question?"

Harry gave the gentle giant a small smile. Uriel did not. He frowned and explained the situation with Alistair ending with, "But I do not think you are up for the task. It seems that you shall have to do it anyway brother."

Castiel looked startled for a moment until he noticed that the eldest was gazing at Harry not him.

"Whoa, slow down rabbit! Your saying meek little Harden Star can torture the crap out of Mr. Doom and Gloom but not me, his student?"

"I never said you would not be able to Winchester but in doing so you will be emotionally compromised."

"But Harry you can't go in there with your powers-"

"It's alright Sam. I know my name. I'll be fine."

"You… you know? Then what…?"

"I am Azrael, the Angel of Death." The two Winchester's shivered as a cold seemed to settle in the room. "Alistair will not see what's coming."

And then he was gone with his brothers leaving the two hunters in shock, Dean more so than Sam.

Then Sam opened his mouth, "I think shit just hit the fan…"

"Not even close, Sammy. Not even close."

Harry looked upon the old Enochian hexacle within the devil's trap and the grinning demon within. He wanted his friend back… What Lucifer had done to the other angel's… it was almost unforgivable.

"Alistair!"

"Azrael. What did you need?"

"Lucifer is looking for me again. I am nervous! So hide me!"

"You are going to hide like a child," the other angel asked in amusement.

"I am a child!"

Alistair snorted happily. "That is not what you say when everyone calls you a child."

Harry puffed his cheeks in indignation. "Just hide me!"

"Fine," he said as if he had just taken the weight of the world upon his shoulders. "See those two trees," he said gesturing to one of the first spots in heaven belonging to a human. The trees were wrapped around each other like snakes and were very tall. "Go hide in the small alcove between their trunks, he shan't find you there."

Harry agreed readily entirely missing the impish grin on his brother's face. A few minutes passed and he heard Lucifer chatting with Alistair who was still reading a scroll from the library underneath another tree. Footsteps walked away from the grove and Harry gave an inaudible sigh of relief.

"Hello fledgling."

Harry squeaked and his face blushed a bright red as Lucifer appeared inches from him.

Yes, he wanted those days back. He looked to the torture instruments supplied to him and decided they weren't needed. If Alistair wasn't as far gone as he feared then all that was needed was his face.

"So they just sent another angel huh? I wonder about all that macho man talk. Sending Dean. Guess Daddy's little girl couldn't make it."

"No, but I could."

And Harry stepped fully into the light. Alistair face twisted into something ugly before it turned into disbelief.

"It's not possible. You died. I know you did! No one could find you!"

"Well obviously you didn't look hard enough. Not a very good friend were you," Harry said as he took another step forward.

Alistair's mouth twitched before he broke out laughing. Harry stayed impassive.

"Aw man! You almost got me! A little Mystique going on there huh? What next? Gunna turn into the head honcho?"

"I don't think you understand Alistair. I am very real, unfortunately for you. Do you remember all those times I asked you to hide me from Lucifer and you never did?"

The demon paled drastically. Only Azrael should have known that.

"I always wondered why I kept going to you to hide me even though I knew you wouldn't. I think I finally figured it out. I wanted him to find me," Harry said with a serene smile taking another step closer.

"If you're alive why didn't you crawl out of your bleedin hidey hole," the demon snarled.

"Don't you think I tried? It took me over a millennia to lose hope of you all ever finding me. I lost my innocence then. I learned that I had to help myself."

"Stop it."

"Tell me who's killing the angels."

"Go away."

"Tell me!" And Harry was right in front of him then choking the man with one hand.

"It's not us," he gasped. "It's not us!"

"I really am sorry we had to meet again this way. I wish I could call you brother again but for now…" While Harry had his grace now he still wielded the magic of the mages as well so it was quite easy to knock the demon out and send him into a dimensional pocket that only he would ever find. Something about this situation didn't seem right. He was missing something in the equation.

Castiel came in from the next room over and noticed the empty devil's trap immediately. "What happened?"

"Don't worry Alistair is in a safe place. And I was able to get that it wasn't the demons from him. So it must be an angel… the only other being right now capable of killing an angel, is an angel…"

A light bulb flared in Harry's mind. He needed to talk to Uriel immediately. He spread his wings for flight only to stumble and fall to his knees. Castiel was immediately by his side.

"Your nose…"

Harry blinked in confusion before wiping a hand underneath his nose at the slight wetness. Blood stained his fingers.

Well, that wasn't good…

"Castiel I need to talk to Uriel… but I can't talk on the radio…"

"I will call him for you. He is seeking revelation at this moment."

It was only a few moments later that a very frazzled archangel appeared in the room. He immediately noticed Harry slumped in a chair holding his head and frowned in concern.

"What is wrong brother?"

"Ah," Harry grunted looking up, "nothing much for now. But I have a better question for you. How much do you remember under your seal?"

"Not much. The longer it has been in place the less I remember. This last century is a complete blank for me. Though I did ask for orders from heaven… It seems Zachariah plans to start the apocalypse and I was in on the plan before the memory seal broke."

Harry paled. He did not want to see Michael and Lucifer fight each other. He had seen a spat, that had become legendary in heaven later, and he never wished to see something like that again. Especially because it had been over him.

"Lucifer, do not dare to cross this line."

"I will cross it if I so wish, brother. He is willing as am I. There is no need to object."

"He is not even three centuries old yet! He is too young. Azrael does not know what he feels and I will not allow-"

"Allow what," the beautiful angel snarled dangerously. "Our union? There is nothing wrong with it. And who are you to tell Azrael what he feels? It is his life and his decision."

"I will tell Father about this."

"Do it. Father will most definitely approve!"

Michael's face twisted in rage and he lunged the few short feet between the two. Lucifer had been expecting this though and only tossed his brother to the side and through some of the pillars lining the area.

"I am quite willing to fight you for him, dear brother. Do not mistake my reluctance to tell you as hesitance in our union. We will unite and if you won't be there… well poor Azrael might never forgive you."

And there was the silver tongue that Lucifer used on everyone, himself included. But he didn't really want to see his older brothers fight over him. So while Michael burst from the small rubble pile he had been in, Harry jumped up and in front of his mate. He did agree with Lucifer on this one. It was his decision and unless Father said otherwise they were going to stay together.

Michael's face, though, carried the wrath of a thousand angels and Harry was cowed. Lucifer was not, he simply pushed the younger angel behind him.

"This is not your fight fledgling, please don't interfere."

"You say he is not a child and yet you still call him fledgling? You will not win this one Lucifer."

After those words a small battle raged. That area of heaven was never quite the same again.

"Yeah, well, Zachariah can go choke on a scythe. He watched as the humans killed me and damned if I don't get payback for that!"

"I agree brother…"

Castiel also nodded. To follow orders was one thing but to kill a fellow brother (behind the archangels' backs) who had done nothing wrong was a serious offense. Uriel was superior to Zachariah anyway, his orders would come from an archangel now.

"There are things to do and we must leave with all haste towards heaven. Michael and Raphael will need to see you Azrael."

"Yeah… I would if I could fly…"

"What…?"

"I have my wings and I even flew earlier but when I tried just now… It felt as if my body was degrading."

Uriel sucked in a surprised breath. "I see."

"You do?"

"The vessel you are in has grown with your grace around it but you have never had your full power and used it. This vessel was not made for you, the more grace you use the more the body will fall apart."

"Aaaand now I see what you see… That's just fan-fricken-tastic!"

"I would be willing to carry you to heaven," Castiel butted in nervously.

Harry and Uriel both blinked at the offer before Harry grinned happily. "I'll take you up on that!"

"Up on what?"

"…"

"He means he will accept your offer," Uriel chuckled.

"Do you think Harry is okay? I mean he hasn't had his powers in how long? And now he thinks he can take on a demon as strong as Alistair? Really! What was he thinking?"

Dean sighed and let his head slump against the desk of the new motel room that Castiel had dropped them off in.

"Sammy, dude, don't you remember the whole shindig with the reapers. Mr. Glowtorch fought Alistair just fine then and he was sealed then."

"Yeah but…"

"No buts! Dammit Sammy you've been going on about this for a half hour. Go do something useful and bring me pie."

Sam sighed and did as his brother asked.

Harry grunted as Castiel dropped him off in heaven. Obviously the younger angel wasn't used to carrying such a heavy weight up there. The garrisons really needed more workout routines…

"Come Azrael. Michael has not seen anyone in quite some time but I am sure he will open the door for Raphael and me."

With a sigh, the wizard hauled himself off of the comfortable and glanced around. This section of heaven looked to be part of the main gardens, open to all angels, with pillars supporting a roof over the main walkway. Any structures that were built were of the purest white, he had forgotten how blinding it could be sometimes… yeesh.

He jogged to catch up to the taller angel and then fell in step silently, ignoring the curious and sometimes hostile stares from the others in the area. Castiel had disappeared right after arriving so he was alone with only his elder brother as protection. It definitely didn't feel safe here if he couldn't even use his grace (and flying used just enough to stress a vessel not made for the strain). It didn't feel quite like home anymore.

"Raphael!"

The darker angel frowned at Uriel, who had hidden Harry behind him. "You would dare address me so?"

"Have I not always done so, brother?"

"So you remember." There was a slightly pleased look upon Raphael's face. "But how?"

And then Harry was being pushed forward gently. "I believe I have found what's been missing for a while."

Raphael sucked in a sharp breath a raised a hand, stepping closer, to caress Harry's cheek. The sheer disbelief on the angel's face made Harry giggle sounding quite like he had when he was Azrael. A lone tear fell from the archangel's face and he drew Harry in a deep embrace. Not expecting this from the colder brother, the wizard squeaked and stiffened. Before he could relax though, the embrace was abandoned and the mask was back. But Harry had always been able to read Raphael's feelings through his eyes and in this moment they expressed so much. Sorrow, pain, disbelief but most of all hope and joy.

AN: Wow. I really wasn't expecting to finish it this quickly but I started writing it and it wouldn't stop… I hope you all like this chapter~! Next Harry gets reunited with Michael! Squee~