Hi everyone. Sorry for the long wait, I'm beginning to think I'm cursed. Anyway, rest assured that it would have to be something really serious to make me abandon any of these stories before they're finished. Blame my sense of duty to all of my readers.
Paradox was still sulking over having no Potions Master to prank when the parcel arrived rather suddenly. She hadn't been expecting anything so soon but was overjoyed at how quickly the children had worked.
"Brother dearest! We have a Philosopher's Stone to deal with... This is your jurisdiction so it's your choice what happens." She sang out happily.
Death appeared pretty quickly after hearing those words, looking rather startled, "Already?! They really don't waste any time..." he mumbled while examining the blood red stone now clutched in his fist.
"I'm so proud!" Sighed Paradox happily, expression turning sappy for a second.
"Right, I'll be off to visit the Flamels. You are going to find something to do other than mope over your lost plaything."
"I'm not moping!" Death just stared at her before disappearing with a crack.
"Okay, maybe just a little."
Death was stood outside a rather beautiful little cottage, the exact location didn't matter to him beyond the English Coast somewhere. He stood still for quite some time regarding the house thoughtfully, he knew most of the other Gods looked down on him for his calm acceptance of this couple evading him for so many centuries. The truth was that Death was actually kind of impressed by the ingenuity that had gone into the Stone's creation, in his eyes this couple deserved to live the way they chose as they had put considerable work into achieving it.
Shaking himself out of his thoughts he finally knocked on the blue front door before waiting patiently. Footsteps could be heard shuffling forward before the door was gently pulled open.
"Yes?" A rather frail looking man asked kindly, staring up at Death with mild curiosity.
"I apologise for intruding, but may I speak to you and your wife? It is rather urgent." Death pronounced while bowing slightly.
"Of course, of course! Perenell has just finished making some tea, I hope you'll be willing to join us for a cup?"
"I would be delighted." Murmured Death as he stooped to enter the small house. Quietly following the alchemist down the hall and into an old-fashioned sitting room. China clinked on a tray as a small, round old woman marched into the room beaming happily, "Oh how wonderful! A guest. Sit down dear and let me get you some tea."
Death allowed him to be propelled into a chair in a state of some bewilderment, this couple were not in the least bit alarmed at the appearance of a young, powerful wizard capable of bypassing their wards without setting off a single one. "Milk and sugar?"
"Just milk please." He answered automatically, and was soon accepting a steaming cup of tea and a plate with a scone on it.
Nicholas and Perenell settled themselves comfortably in a couple of armchairs facing him before Nicholas finally asked, "So who are you and what brings you to our door?"
Gulping, Death set down his plate and cup on a nearby table before drawing out the philosopher's stone. The looks of shock on the couple's faces would have been funny but Death really wasn't in the mood.
"My nephew and his friends recently retrieved this from Hogwarts after bypassing all of the defences placed around it. I should mention that my nephew is a first year student with his friends being around the same age. He sent it to my sister and I instantly sought you out to return it." Death stated bluntly, staring evenly at the white faced pair before him.
"Albus said it would be safe." Perenell whispered. "Dumbledore lied." Death cut her off fiercely. "My nephew is convinced that there was already a dark wizard in the school when he rescued the stone."
Nicholas regarded him shrewdly for a minute, "You never said who you were, don't you think we should know that much about you?"
Death sighed, he'd hoped they'd be too distracted to notice that and these were two people who deserved the truth from him, "You won't like my answer." He warned half-heartedly. "I'm sure we can cope." Nicholas answered wryly.
"Well... I'm Death, to put it bluntly. The reason for me to be wandering around on earth and having a nephew at Hogwarts is a very long and confusing story but needless to say, I'm here." He had expected them to be horrified and afraid at that pronouncement, deny the truth of his words, something. Instead they remained there, calm once more and smiling gently.
"I see..." Nicholas muttered, "I suppose you are here to make us destroy the stone. You must think we're mocking you."
"I plan to do nothing of the sort. The stone is your invention, one I respect you for greatly. It's fate is for the pair of you to decide." Death intoned solemnly, his respect for the couple rising still higher.
"Who would have thought that Death would be such a kind young man!" Perenell giggled lightly, "finish your tea dear while we discuss our options."
Death happily obeyed, respecting the boundaries of the silencing charm the pair erected around their chairs. The tea really was very good, he suspected it was proper loose leaf bought in some fancy speciality tea shop somewhere. He'd have to insist that Paradox started buying some regularly instead of the usual rubbish she insisted on getting. It was alright for her, she drank coffee so didn't have to touch the stuff.
"Mr Death?" Death jolted out of his ridiculous tea ramblings to discover the ancient couple staring at him. "Just Death is fine."
"Death then, we would like for you to destroy the stone right now if you would? I assume you can manage that with ease." Nicholas revealed impassively.
Death gaped at the couple in shock, "Destroy it? But why? You could run from me forever if you wanted to, why would anyone want to give that up?"
"Oh my dear!" Perenell exclaimed comfortably, "We've lived far longer than your average mortal, we've seen far too much of the world. Why do you think we live in seclusion? We are tired of all the violence and petty wars and long ago stopped being able to see the beauty and love that can also be found. Going with you would be a profound relief, believe me."
"I-I..." Death didn't know what to say, he was too used to people desperately trying to escape him at every opportunity, he'd accepted that as the way things were. To find people who truly embraced him and welcomed the end was a wonderful gift. Raising the hand holding the stone he watched dazedly as veins of black started to race through the heart of the stone, seeming to pulse silver rhythmically before the stone shattered into a fine sand that seemed to vanish as soon as it touched the ground.
"Thank you, my dear. Now, I imagine you have a lot to do and goodness knows we do too now that we are finally going to die soon." Perenell clapped her hands as she stood and started to shepherd the shell-shocked god from her home.
"Yes, of course." Death mumbled as he was deposited on the front step. "Come and visit us again soon! I'll be sure to have plenty of tea and cakes ready."
With that, the door closed and Death was left standing in the quiet garden. "I need a drink." He moaned as he disappeared back home.
Meanwhile, Paradox had decided that the best way to cure her moping was to go interfere in Sirius' love life. "Oh Sirius!" She sang, waltzing into his home, "When will I be seeing a lovely little ring on a werewolf's finger?"
Somewhere from within the building came a crash and several rather colourful curse words, Paradox snickered, her idea of making her voice seem to come from all directions all over the house had worked perfectly. "Paradox!" Sirius hollered as he barrelled through the house towards her, "I'll kill you!"
"No you won't!" She chirped happily, "I'm immortal!" Sirius glared at her, "Damn you to hell." Paradox grinned, "Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. It was rather boring if I'm honest."
Sirius sighed and rubbed his face tiredly, Paradox wasn't sure why this seemed to be most peoples' default reaction to dealing with her, it was rather insulting. "Sooooo…" She purred, "When are you proposing?"
"Proposing?!" Sirius yelped, "Who said anything about proposing?"
Paradox walked over and banged her head off the wall, "Remus' face you idiot. What's keeping you? I'd understand it if you both decided that you didn't need a fancy ceremony, a piece of paper and some rings to signify your love and commitment for each other but Remus clearly wants all that nonsense."
Sirius looked like a trapped animal, "But I don't want to!" He yelped. "Why. Not." Paradox growled threateningly, "I don't know! Remus knows I love him, why does something like getting married make any difference?"
Paradox seriously considered hitting the Animagus, she really did. How could one person be this clueless about someone they cared so damn much about?
"Sirius. Remus is a Werewolf. He's spent his whole life being taught that he's dangerous and a second class citizen. You're the Head of an ancient Pureblood family. You know how insecure Remus is, he probably thinks that you would never go so far against society's expectations of you to marry a Werewolf. And a male one at that."
Sirius finally seemed to realise the problem, "You mean that's the reason I've been getting sad puppy dog eyes ever since Barty and Bill's announcement?"
"Yes you complete idiot." Paradox shouted impatiently, "now what are you going to do about it?"
"Go ring shopping of course." Sirius looked at Paradox like she was an idiot. "Now if you'll excuse me I have some important business to attend to."
Paradox rolled her eyes and disappeared off home. It was a good feeling when she managed to talk sense into people.
So yeah... sorry if this chapter is short or anything, just thought I should let you all know I'm not dead or something.