Deathly Fate

Chapter 2 – Awake

"When man faces destiny, destiny ends, and man comes into his own"

Harry! Harry! Harry!

As Sirius disapparated with Kreacher with a pop, he could hear quick paced footsteps approaching the clearing accompanied by shouts of Harry by a female voice.

THUD!

With a groan Sirius Black landed on a dusty old wooden floor. The room was unkept, dark and dingy. A foul smell stagnant in air. The walls were gloomy and no sound except his own heavy breathing could be heard. He was disoriented with the sudden apparition. He hoped he was safe. It was all dependant on Kreacher following his order. Though he was sure on his inheritance of Black Lordship after the demise of his grandfather Lord Arcturus Black, he did not possess the Lord's Ring. One would have to take up the Ascension Ritual at Gringotts to be officially recognized as a Lord of the House and considering his current predicament it was a far -fetched thought.

Catching a breath and hoping for the best he looked up to see Kreacher looking indifferently at him.

"Master is in the sitting room at Grimmauld Place" Kreacher intoned.

Relief spread through his chest as he realized he was safe. Well as safe as one could be in the now abandoned house of Blacks.

As he looked around thoughts of Harry bothered him. He hoped Dumbledore had reached Harry at the clearing and took him in his care. He didn't want to leave his godson but knew him staying would not benefit both of them but rather lead to him forfeiting his life to the Ministry. As the image of Harry's fallen form came up in his thoughts, he prayed that Harry would be safe and get well soon. He wanted to help. To right his godson. He desired to make up for not being there for his godsons' childhood. With a resolve to never let Harry down again Sirius Black knew what he had to do. But first he needed to recover, he needed rest. The 12 years at Azkaban deteriorating him of his prime. Followed by eating scraps for the last year since his escape he was far from a healthy man. The nights encounter just made it worse and had left him exhausted and worse for wear.

"Kreacher" he called.

"Take me too my old bedroom and bring me a rejuvenating potion and dreamless sleep potion." Sirius knew the Blacks always kept necessary potions and supplies under a stasis charm in their townhouse ready to use at a moment's notice.

Grumbling Kreacher inclined his head and caught Sirius on his arm and apparated to Sirius's old bedroom.

Sirius climbed in his bed not giving its dusty and unkept appearance a notice as Kreacher brought the dreamless sleep potion. Sirius took both the potions and gulped them down one after the other and slumbered in his mattress; the one he had swore to never come back to.

[BREAK]

A strange group of people huddled about the sleeping form a young boy laying on a bed inside the Hogwarts hospital wing.

The healer Madam Poppy Pomfrey rushed to cast several diagnostic charms at the boy who had found himself in the hospital wing quiet enough times to have a bed named for himself.

Dumbledore looked upon the sleeping form of Harry. He could feel the boy's unstable magic erratically causing the air around him to crackle. It was fortunate that Miss Granger had come rushing to him informing him of the night's happenings. He had rushed to the grounds as he saw dementors gathering around the clearing and only hoped for the boy's safety. He had immediately called upon all the staff members of Hogwarts knowing that even for him fending off such a large swarm of more than 100 dementors while ensuring the boys safety was taxing on his magic not to mention risky for the boy's safety. As he rushed towards the clearing followed by Miss Granger, Prof McGonagall, Snape, and Flitwick a sudden bust on magical energy from the clearing made him stop in his track. Bright white light lighted up the night sky making the full moon seem dim. Putting the worst thoughts at back of his mind he rushed forward.

Arriving at the clearing, Dumbledore found a sight that had left him surprised to no ends. Standing in front of the fallen form of the boy like a guard was an ethereal white creature spreading warmth and hope in the air around it. It tensed as it looked upon the new arrivals. Dumbledore in all his years of practising and witnessing the greatest of magic's feats had never seen a Patronus so magically powerful with sun intensity of emotions rolling off it. He could only look agape at it. But time was limited and moments precious and he knew he had to take the boy to the infirmary. Slowly lowering his wand and motioning other to keep distance he approached Harry and tried to gently pick him up in his arms. The Patronus looked Dumbledore in the eye as if judging him and slowly lowered its gaze and nuzzled the fallen form of Harry before disappearing into white fog and mist. Dumbledore picked Harry and rushed towards the infirmary as he quickly fired off a Patronus of his own to inform Poppy of their arrival. He left Snape to look for Sirius and if found bring him to the headmaster's office quickly. Now all he could do was wait as Madam Pomfrey concluded her diagnostics.

"What happened Madam Pomfrey? Is Harry alright? Why doesn't he wake up?" Hermione asked in a rushed tone.

Madam Pomfrey took a deep breath, and she concluded her spell work.

"It appears that Harry has fallen in a state of Magical Coma due to apparent magical exhaustion. He is fine physically except for a few minor injuries that can be easily fixed. But his magical core has almost depleted. What intrigues me is it seems that reminder of his magic is trying to latch on to the ambient magic in the surrounding. Never in my years long career have I seen such a case of magical exhaustion. The reaction his depleted magic has to the ambient magic of the surrounding has caused his magical core to be unstable. I can only hypothesize that Harry will wake up when his core stabilizes to a fixed form."

"Can't you treat his unstable core and stabilize it Poppy" Prof McGonagall asked worriedly. The thought of one of her lions, not to mention the son of her two favourite students lying helpless pained her greatly.

"The magical core of a witch or a wizard is never unstable but only grows slowly till he / she reaches their magical maturity at around the age of 17 to 21 and finally gains a fixed size. My diagnostics aren't even able to decipher the size of Harry's core and its only his steady breathing that tells me his core even exists as no wizard can live without his magical core. Such is the case that I doubt even Dumbledore could do a thing about it. We can only wait and hope young Harry's core stabilizes soon." Replied Pomfrey.

Dumbledore himself looked pained having cast his own diagnostic charms as the conversation took place. He couldn't fathom what had happened at the clearing. Had the dementors got Harry. If yes, how was he alive? What might bring upon such a faith on the boy. Failing to find any solution to the boy's trouble as his spells gave no result all he could do was wait.

"You are right Poppy; we must wait patiently till Mr Potter's core stabilizes. I suggest you keep a constant watch on him and inform me of any changes in his situation immediately."

"Now I advise you return to your dorms Miss Granger. We will inform you of as soon as Mr Potter wakes up. As for young Mr Weasley I hope Madam Pomfrey will have his wounds fixed and he will be of good health by tomorrow."

Suddenly the door of the infirmary bust open and in came a pompous looking Minister Fudge and Snape who somehow happened to be sporting a sly grin that along with his well oiled hair made him look like a child on sugar high. One could wonder if the dungeon bat was really capable of expressing such an emotion.

"Dumbledore, Sirius Black has escaped Hogwarts again. He took it a step further this time. As Prof Snape here tells me Black attacked Mr Potter and rendered him unconscious. An attack on boy-who-lived in person on the Hogwarts grounds is unacceptable. What will the people think? Is Hogwarts staff incapable of providing security and ensure safety of its students? Black must be apprehend if not killed at sight. I will talk to the governors of the school and the. We must rethink your position for the safety of our children Dumbledore. " Fudge bellowed with a smug expression.

"Minister, it is not the fault of Hogwarts staff nor headmaster Dumbledore, it is Potter who is at fault. The boy has a head full of arrogance and is at fault for showing a disregard for school rules previously. It was stated that one must not venture on school grounds after dark due to the presence of dementors. But Potter decided to act in all his foolishness and arrogance and now he has to pay for it. Potter raised his wand against a professor, while I had Black under my arrest. If not for Potter's interference we would have Black kissed by now. I suggest Potter must be punished strictly for his actions." Snape added all too much happy with himself.

"Minister, Sir, Harry did no wrong. Sirius is innocent. It was Peter Pettigrew who betrayed Harry's parents..." Hermione said hurriedly trying to make her point.

"Miss Granger you must be exhausted by tonight's events. Its no wonder they are taking a toll on your judgement. I suggest you retire to your bed and take some well deserved rest. Sirius Black betrayed Potters and the evidence for it is as clear as glass." Fudge spoke in a sweet tone.

"But Minister..."

"Miss Granger I agree with Minister that you need some well deserved rest. I advice you to go back to your dorm and get some sleep. You can come back to the infirmary tomorrow morning to check on you friends." Dumbledore said softly to Hermione who finally accepting her defeat left the hospital wing to return back to the dorms.

"Cornelius I strongly advice we must see the memories of the ones present at the situation before finalizing the conclusion. I have already collected Miss Granger's memories. I am sure Mr Weasley will also consent to give his memories as soon as he has recover from their injuries. Comparing them with memories from Prof Snape who I am sure would provide his willing will help us put an end to this situation." Dumbledore reasoned.

At this Snape made a bitter face and was about to say something but was beat to it by the Minister.

"Dumbledore no matter how hard you try, you will not be able to wiggle yourself out of this situation. The evidence is clear. Black betrayed the Potters and the entire wizarding world knows it. There is no need to verify that. Though I am sure the Wizengamot will be interested to know the reason for your inability to protect our saviour the boy-who-lived from a deranged man trying to revenge his master." Cornelius spoke all to pleased with himself.

" Oh! And Prof Snape I will be suggesting your name for Order of Merlin Second Class for valiantly fighting against Black" Fudge added.

"Thank You Minister, it will be my pleasure. But you still need to punish Potter for interfering in the catching of Black and keeping him away from justice. Such transgression must not be forgiven, no matter may it be from the boy-who-lived or any other." Snape said with a ghost of a smirk adorning his lips.

"Ha! Severus, cut the boy some slack. I am sure he acted out of his emotions at facing his parents betrayer and meant no harm. Alas, as much as I would like to wait here till Mr Potter wakes up, duty calls." Saying so Fudge left the infirmary happy at getting a shot on Dumbledore and saving his reputation form being destroyed.

"Perhaps we all should also return back to our quarters. Poppy keep me informed on Mr Potter's condition and alert me as soon as any change is observed." Saying so and taking a last glance at Harry, Dumbledore left the infirmary followed by a worried McGonagall and Flitwick. Snape took one look at his arch-nemesis's son and left his cloak bellowing behind him.

Madam Pomfrey casted monitoring charms at the sleeping form of Harry and went back to file paperwork on her desk, the day's events and the casting of numerous complex diagnostic charms on Mr Potter having its toll on her.

[BREAK]

It felt calm.

Like he had found land after being lost at a turbulent sea.

Slowly he opened his eyes, squinting them to adjust to the bright light entering his pupils.

He looked around. It was like a scene in heaven.

A large lake with clear blue water. A clear sky with the evening sun shining brightly. A small piece of land outcropped in the lake. A humongous ancient looking tree at the centre. Green lush leaves and berries on the tree made it look picturesque.

As he looked closer the strangeness of the scene settled in. The sky was quiet. No bird chirping. The water of the lake was still. It was eerily calm and serene. The calm was overwhelming. Not a single current of wind blew. No sound could be heard not even a breath.

Suddenly he looked down upon himself not able to feel his breath. He panicked!

He saw himself as nothing more that a shimmer of translucent matter outlining his frame. It was as if he was a spirit, a ghost.

Then the reality sunk in. He remembered.

The dementors had kissed him.

Nothing made sense. If he was dead was he a ghost. Where was he. What was this place.

"You are not dead and neither are you a ghost" a female voice spoke softly. The voice felt as if full of emotion but neutral at the same time. Like it cared but could not do a thing about it.

He turned around to look a female figure standing in front of the tree. Her body was covered by a cloak so dark and black as if it seemed to absorb the colours around it. He could not distinguish the face but could see a soft smile adorning the lips. When he looked in the eyes he felt as if his entire life was judged in front of him. Nothing could be hidden. Gathering his courage he asked the questions plaguing his mind.

"Who are you? Where am I? And what do you mean by me not being dead, I was just kissed by a dementor." He questioned hurriedly.

"Calm down Peverell. I never lie. And to answer your questions. Firstly you are in a state between life and death. This place I have created to meet you. You are here because I want to give you a choice. As for who am I, I AM DEATH" Death explained.

At this point if someone had told him it was possible to tame his hair, he would believe. What was it with his life or now death it seemed that it was never normal. This was crazy he hoped it was all just a dream but he knew otherwise. Just what was to be expected of him he knew not. How was he to be even prepared for this. It looked like Fate had woven the strings of his life into a spider web and now caught him in it as a plaything.

Ha! Ha! A beautiful laughter echoed as the figure in front of him giggled laughing at the innocent predicament of the boy in front of her.

"Peverell, you might just be right about my sister Fate's interest in you."

Peverell, why do you call me Peverell, Death? You must know my name is Harry Potter. A discombobulated Harry asked. He could make no heads or tails out of the situation he was in. He knew he had no reason to distrust the being in front of him, but years of the failure of duties by the adults in his life when it came to him put him on guard. Why was he here and what did Death want of him?

"I call you Peverell because you are one. In fact, the first one in quiet a few centuries. There is no need to be tensed, I know you are worried and find it difficult to trust me but believe me I have you here for a reason. Time is short and I can't hold you with me for much longer. Come I will explain."

As Death signalled a boat materialized out of thin air on the bank of the lake. It was a simple boat made of wood with enough space for the two of them to sit comfortably. As Death walked towards the boat, it was as if she glided on the lush green grass on the land. Harry though full of doubt had no choice to follow in hope of getting answers. As both made themselves comfortable and the boat started sailing smoothly on the lake, Harry looked at her expectedly, Death spoke in a soft voice.

"Peverell, we do not have much time here and I can't explain you everything as of now. I am not denying you answers like those who did in past. I merely ask you to patiently listen and not interrupt. I mean you no harm and in fact want you to have a good and fulfilling life before walking into my arms. Have you heard of The Tale of Beedle the Bard?"

As Harry shook his head in negative Death further continued.

"I cannot tell you the whole story and advise you to read it as soon as you go back to the world of living. Yes, I will be sending you back to the living world. Now listen up once there were three brothers - the Peverells. They were greatly skilled, knowledgeable, and wise in the ways of magic. They came from family that worshipped me as its deity. Once a evil of great power arose on earth. It was all consuming and could be defeated by none. When the evil started its destruction, none could stop its rampage. The Peverells decided to take up arms against the evil and bring peace back to earth. They fought valiantly but lost much of their numbers. Their magic though stronger than the rest could inflict little harm on the evil. When their family started perishing the three brothers sought a path to summon me and destroy the evil. They journeyed far and long in search for me. Seeing the hardships of the family that worshiped me, I decided to help them. I appeared in front of the three brothers and gave them three gifts as my blessing. You must find of those three gifts if you ever hope to seek my blessing through them. Using my gifts, the three fought against the great evil and destroyed it. But life has weird ways of catching up back to you. The life ahead for the three brothers was not easy. Once the general populace and other families came to know of my gifts to the Peverells, they were jealous and sought those gifts for themselves in hopes of achieving great power. The three brothers knowing of the adversities against them and of a future of bloodshed, decided to give up their family name and go into hiding. Once in hiding each of them settled down with their own families with a new name and passed down the gifts to their most worthy heirs. I cannot tell you of all the families as it will affect the future more than I want to and Fate would not have such. Me spending this time with you is at my negotiation with Fate. But I can tell you so much that the youngest of the brother's was the founder of your family the Potters."

To say Harry was surprized and in shock would be an understatement. His mind was full of processing all the information he got. But he was also a bit disappointed. He had hoped that Death at least would give him all answers, but the hope was in vain.

"Peverell, I know you seek answers, and I know that me telling you of Peverells has left you with even more questions, but as I already said it has cost me a lot to even meet to you here and telling you everything now would do nothing but jeopardize the future. But I promise you, you will get all answers should you choose to progress on the path I tell you to."

Harry was about to react but thought not of it and shook his head signalling Death to continue.

"Now, if you want answers, you will find them at Gringotts. When you leave school for summer holidays visit Gringotts and take up an inheritance test. You will find most of your answers." Death explained.

"One more thing Peverell, you must be wondering why the dementor's kiss did not kill you. You are the first one since the three brothers with my blessing flowing through your veins. As Fate would have it (pun intended!) the blood of the three brothers has been united in you. This is first it has occurred and has led to manifestation of the Peverell Magicks in you. My blessing ensured that you didn't die of the dementor's kiss. Instead, a piece of Tom Riddle's soul that had latched itself to your scar on the night you got hit by a killing curse got sucked by the dementors."

"What! A piece of Voldemort's soul was stuck in my scar?!" Harry exclaimed. What if the soul was still there? How was this even possible? Harry thought with fear evident on his face.

"Calm down Peverell, I assure you that piece of Tom Riddle's soul has long since made its way into my realm and you are free from it." Death explained trying to placate Harry.

Slowly as the realization sunk in, relief spread across Harry's face. There was nothing he could do now, and he was happy to have got rid of Snakeface's soul from him.

"Peverell, it important you must know that Riddle made many more pieces of his soul before accidently breaking it once more that night he tried to murder you. Should you choose to fight him when you return to the living realm, you must get rid of all these soul fragments, these Horcruxes before facing him to finally bring him to his end. The Peverell vault at Gringotts will hold your answers on how to do so if you choose to do it."

"Now as our time together come to an end, my final advice to you Peverell, ne wary of the people around you, not everyone has you best interest in their heart. What I have told you, you will not be able to share it with any person down there. It is for your own protection. This information can only be known by those of Peverell family and as of now you are the only one alive in it. Finally, don't take me wrongly but be careful around Albus Dumbledore. Though he has good in his heart his meddling ways could prove harm to you."

"But Dumbledore has always had my best interest in his heart" Harry replied strongly hearing words against the man he had come to look in a grandfatherly way.

"Think Peverell, analyse the situation you have been in. Dumbledore thought seeking good for the world can't stop himself from his own machinations. Fate tried to teach him a lesson once, but he did not learn. He tries to change the path of faith to fit his plans but knows not that neither Fate nor Death can be controlled in such a way."

Harry was at a loss of words to say the least. He had a lot to process and just nodded to what Death said. He figured he must sort it out himself and needed time to think all that had happed through.

"Peverell, I bless you to be successful in you endeavours whatever you choose they may be. Our time has come to an end. As I part my way from you, I have a message form your parents for you."

Saying so the Death started to dissolve in thin air along with all the things surrounding him.

As darkness started to seep in, he heard a voice –

"Harry, I know you been through a lot my son, me and your mother are sorry for not being there for you. You have made us proud." He heard his father's voice.

"Harry all I want for you is to live a full life. Happy with the family you deserve. I am sorry I couldn't be there for you my baby but worry not me and your father will always be looking upon you and are proud and happy of whatever you choose." He could hear in a voice that sounded like that of his mother's as tears started to form in his eyes.

"Harry, I want you to live to our fullest potential. You are a Potter son. Don't be afraid. Don't hold back. It is you who decides your destiny with course of your actions. Never ever regret what you have chosen you will always have us at your back." He heard his father say.

Slowly the voices disappeared, and darkness enveloped him. All he could see was –

BLACK.

[BREAK]

WHITE

Was all he could see as he opened his still moist eye.

A/N –

The end of second chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. Harry will figure out what all Death has said in the coming chapters. Also, I am trying to give a new history to Peverells, so bear with me for a few chapters as it all comes together. The length of chapters will increase from next chapter as the we get to the core of the story.

Also, a note – readers are welcome to PM me if anyone of them is interested in beta reading this story or a few of its chapters. We can discuss it further from there.

Please do leave reviews.

Thanks for reading,

lordgreencryztals