Eventually and with great reluctance, Harry stepped back from his parents.

"I can't tell you how many times I've wished I could do that." Harry croaked as he looked at his mum and dad through watery eyes. "Though, me in my late thirties while you both look like you're only a couple of years out of Hogwarts is a bit odd."

"We know sweetheart," chuckled Lily in a wobbly voice, wiping away tears of her own. "We both wish we could have been there for you. We've spent years watching you… we're so proud of you. All you've done and accomplished despite everything that happened to you."

Harry's heart swelled with happiness. To hear his parents were proud of him was something he'd only imagined he'd hear in his wildest dreams.

Mad-Eye stepped forward once more, patting Harry's shoulder with his gnarled hand. He glanced over his own shoulder at something Harry couldn't see before turning back to the trio of Potters. "I hate to break this up, but we need to get started."

James nodded and his voice was thick with emotion as he spoke. "There are things you need to know son before going back and plans we need to make. I'm sorry to say some of these things are going to hurt. I wish we could avoid them, but you need to know."

Harry looked around at the solemn faces of his extended family. "Where's Professor Dumbledore?" he asked suddenly, unable to spot the long white beard and twinkling blue eyes of the man he considered his mentor and almost-grandfather. He turned back to his parents just in time to see them exchange a grim look with Sirius.

"He's not here," his godfather said.

"Why not?"

"We'll get to that…" Sirius reached out and grasped Harry's shoulder gently with his hand. "You're going to want to sit down for this." Harry sat cautiously on one of the benches lining the platform of the station that was not Kings Cross. Sirius took a deep breath. "The summer after I died, before your sixth year at Hogwarts, you were at the Burrow… that's where you first began to realise you had feelings for Ginny right?"

"Yeah, we spent a lot of time together that summer. Things just sort of clicked and it was the first time I noticed her as a girl rather than as Ron's sister… ". Harry hesitated, wondering what Sirius was alluding to.

"Harry, that was also the first time Molly Weasley added a 'little something extra' to your food. Well, three 'little somethings' to be precise."

"What do you mean?"

"Mild jealousy and love potions and a mild repulsion draught. All in low doses so as not to arouse suspicion but – "

Harry jerked upright, anger beginning to flicker in his eyes. "What are saying, Sirius? That my entire relationship with Ginny was based on lies? My family only existed because I was drugged?"

Sirius pressed on despite Harry's interruption, continuing in a low voice. "The jealousy and love potions were keyed to Ginny, just enough to make you notice her "as a girl and not as Ron's sister" as you put it, and the repulsion draught was keyed to Hermione."

"Hermione?" Harry repeated hoarsely, a jarring realisation hit him causing him to drop back onto the bench with a thud. "If what you're saying is true it would explain why things were so different between us that year. We were always so close, when she got hurt at the Ministry and I thought I'd lost her I didn't know what to do, I just kind of shut down and then Neville said she was alive, and I could breathe again. She stood by me throughout everything, even when the entire school was against me in our fourth year, and our second come to think of it, only to blow up over me trying some handwritten notes in a Potions textbook?"

Remus spoke softly. "Molly had decided that you and Hermione were going to be a part of her family… 'one big happy Weasley family'" he used his fingers to make quotation marks in the air as he spoke, "and resolved to help things along. Hermione was dosed too – potions keyed to Ron and yourself."

"But why would she do that?" Harry asked disbelievingly.

"When Gideon and I were killed," Fabian Prewett said, stepping forward and joining the conversation, "something sort of… broke… in Molly. She was determined that she'd never lose another member of her family and smothered all her children, trying to control the direction their lives would take to keep them 'safe' - in her eyes at least. You saw what she was like with Fred and George, trying to force them into Ministry jobs. Percy at least wanted a Ministry job, but he still moved out of the Burrow when she got too much to bear. She'd already pushed Bill and Charlie away – one to Egypt with Gringotts and the other to Romania and the dragon preserve. What you don't know, as it was all hushed up by Dumbledore, is that she tried to potion their girlfriends at the time in the same way she did to you and Hermione – hoping they'd tie her oldest children to Britain and nice, safe, comfortable jobs at the Ministry. Dumbledore caught the potion-laced food as it entered Hogwarts and swept it all under the rug, offering her a second chance. The girls that were the intended recipients never knew how close they came to being potioned and losing their free will and her children still have no idea about what she'd tried to do. Dumbledore promised to keep the whole incident quiet, to stop the Weasley name being dragged through the mud and into the Wizengamot – one of the girls was a pureblood from a well-respected House -, and in gratitude, Molly vowed to always support him in whatever he did, pulling Arthur along with her."

"Whilst the older children all had plans for their futures, Ron was always going to be a problem," said Gideon, now standing next to his twin brother. "Without someone to push him along, he'd be living at the Burrow forever, never making anything of his life. When she saw how close you and Hermione were, especially after reading all those stories in The Prophet in your fourth year, she started planning to catch two snidgets with one spell. Ron would get Hermione, someone to nag and cajole him into doing something with his life and Ginny would get her fairy tale prince, the boy she'd been told stories of since she was a little girl and the boy who saved her life in her first year. In Molly's mind, it made perfect sense."

"But Ginny and I have been together for nineteen years. She can't have been plying me with potions the entire time, it's just not possible." Harry protested, then paused and frowned. "And why am I not finding this situation completely ridiculous?"

Remus sighed and sat down next to Harry, staring off into the white mist that surrounded them. "Knowing that you were going to be away with just Ron and Hermione for a time, and knowing how unreliable her youngest son could be, Molly decided she needed a more… regulated solution than potions." Remus paused and turned to look at Harry.

"On your 17th birthday, the Weasleys gifted you with a watch that used to belong to Fabian." He nodded at the Prewett twin who gave a little wave in response. "That watch was imbued with a compulsion charm to ensure your continued attraction to Ginny. As you never remove it for any length of time, you've never been free of its influence." Harry glanced down at his now bare wrist. "Without that watch on," Remus continued, "your thoughts are your own, for the first time in a long time."

"What about Hermione?"

"Her engagement ring," Remus said simply. "When Molly heard about how close you and Hermione had gotten without Ron around, she wasn't happy at all. She encouraged Ron to propose as soon as he could following the end of the war and made sure that the ring received the same treatment as your watch before he gave it to her."

Harry looked up, dreading the answer to the question he knew he had to ask.

"Ginny and Ron. Did they know what was going on?"

James sighed as he answered. "We don't believe so but… we can't say for sure either way. Molly had been guiding them toward you since before you even started at Hogwarts. She filled Ginny's head with stories about 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' and things only escalated once you saved Ginny from the Chamber. She made sure Ron knew you'd be at Hogwarts and in need of friendship. She knew you would be at the station and wouldn't know how to get onto the platform, hence the frankly ridiculous question she bellowed at Ginny that day. She attended Hogwarts for seven years herself, and had five sons already educated there – how did she not know which platform to use? The Express has always run from that platform."

Harry took a moment to try to process this. He frowned.

"Hang on – you said she knew I wouldn't know how to get onto the platform?"

"And now we come to the second problem – Albus Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore was a great Wizard, Harry," Lily said softly "but when you spend so many years listening to people telling you how great you are and coming to you to have all their problems solved, you start to believe it yourself. He wasn't turning dark, but toward the end of his life, all he focused on was the greater good, ignoring the fact that all of his meddling and manipulations impacted real people. Because of that damn prophecy, he involved himself in your life much more than you realised. You already know that he's the reason you had to live with my sister but that was never what we wanted for you – we knew how Petunia felt about magic and so our will was very clear that you were to be nowhere near them when you were growing up."

"So how did I end up there?" Harry asked, a spark of anger in his eyes.

"Dumbledore prevented our will from being read and ensured you went where he felt you would be best protected from the Death Eaters and Voldemort if he returned. The blood wards he erected at Privet Drive stopped several attempts to kidnap or kill you before your fourth birthday, but he knew how you were treated, or rather mistreated, by my sister and that bastard she married. Oh, he felt bad about it and had to turn up on several occasions to heal your wounds and injuries to avoid raising suspicion – obliviating you and the Dursleys afterwards -, but he always believed you would be safer away from the magical world regardless of the cost to you. He believed you had a role to play and did what he could to make sure you'd fulfil it."

Harry sat in silence and listened as his family explained how Dumbledore had controlled him in the belief that it was worth giving up one life to protect many more. Harry felt he probably would have agreed but the fact that these decisions, which had intricately affected him and him alone, were snatched from his control filled him with rage. It was as if everything he had known and believed in had been pulled out from under him. A sickening feeling washed over him as he mentally recounted his dealings with Dumbledore.

"He felt bad about it… he felt bad about it?" Harry spat. "I lived in a fucking cupboard for ten years! I was verbally abused, starved, and beaten! I trusted him. He played with me like a puppet on a string and made me into the pliable little martyr he needed! I knowingly walked into a trap and was killed because of him!" Harry stood now, shaking with anger at the manipulations of Dumbledore that he now knew had plagued him for almost his entire life. He paced in front of his family, visions of his years at Hogwarts flashing before his eyes as he finally saw them with clarity. He thought about the number of times he and his friends had almost died there and the way he personally had been treated by staff and students alike, attitudes vacillating between almost hero worship and being branded an unstable liar.

He began listing those times in his head as he strode back and forth, feeling his fury rising as he did so. His fists clenched as his anger built.

First year. The cursed broom in his first Quidditch match. Detention in the forest at night with something lurking around that could catch and kill Unicorns. Having to defend the stone when the Professors wouldn't believe him and his friends. Killing a man at the age of eleven…

Second year. The bullying when he was suspected of being the Heir of Slytherin. Students being petrified. Acromantula in the forest. Having to fight a 60-foot bloody basilisk (with a damn sword of all things) with no help from any adult. 'What the fuck do I know about swords other than 'stick your target with the pointy end'?'

Third year. Secrets kept from him about his godfather. Attacked by Dementors during Quidditch. Having his soul almost sucked out by the lake. Being ignored as he pleaded Sirius' innocence.

Fourth year. The Tournament. Cedric's death. Voldemort's return.

Fifth year. Umbridge. Hermione being struck down by Dolohov's curse. Losing Sirius. Hearing the prophecy.

Sixth year…

He couldn't hold back his anger at Dumbledore anymore and it burst to the surface as he blurted out thoughts that had sat in the recesses of his mind for years. "He kept so much to himself, only handing out pieces of information when he felt like it. Did he honestly believe he was the only one that could deal with the Horcruxes? It took him a fucking year to tell me about Riddle's life – we could have covered it all in one night and used the rest of that time for something worthwhile! What the hell was he thinking passing the task of destroying an incredibly powerful dark wizard to three teenagers who hadn't finished their education let alone received any special training…"

"I can't do this…" Harry said suddenly. "I need…" He turned and walked away from those who had gathered around him.

Harry walked without direction. He was unsure how much time had passed as he tried to grasp the magnitude of everything he had learnt. He stopped and stared at the whiteness around him but eventually, footsteps behind him made him aware he was no longer alone.

"How are you doing son?" James asked.

"It's just… so much to take in Dad. My entire life was based on lies." Harry said flatly, scuffing his feet on the ground and with a vulnerable expression on his face.

"Not all of it," James said, trying to provide a measure of comfort to his son. "You had a few good, true friends, didn't you?"

"Yeah, knowing what I know now, looking back I wish I'd spent more time with them you know? Neville, Luna and Hermione really stuck by me. Fred and George too, they always helped keep my spirits up." A small smile tugged at the corners of Harry's mouth. "Honestly, I regret not reaching out to more people but when I arrived at school… all the staring and pointing…" Harry trailed off.

"It's understandable," James reached out and rubbed Harry's back soothingly. "You were picked up and dumped into a world of magic with little to no preparation. You were famous for something that happened before you could walk and talk properly. With the way everything occurred, it's no wonder you struggled."

The pair stood in silence, lost in their own thoughts. After a few moments, James spoke again.

"Are you ready to talk? We need to do some planning before you go back."

Harry took a deep breath and stood a little straighter. "Sure. Let's go."

Harry and James returned to the group. Lily was missing but Harry was reassured to learn that she would be back before he left.

"OK," said James as everyone gathered around Harry once more. "As we see it, you've got three tasks when you arrive. Save the lives of your friends, get rid of Voldemort again, and do whatever you can to stop a new Dark Lord from rising, understand?" Harry gave a quick nod of assent and motioned for his father to continue.

"First off let's talk about the limitations. You'll be returning with all your knowledge up to the time you were hit with that curse, plus everything you've learnt here, but your magical core isn't going to be mature enough for you to start throwing around Auror-level spells from the outset – you're going to need to allow yourself to adapt to your magic again. It'll definitely be frustrating at first but without the Horcrux draining your power you should find your strength builds fairly rapidly and that you have a good bit more power available to you when it settles."

"And seeing how you managed to drive off over a hundred dementors with that thing in your head in your third year, a 'good bit more power' will probably be quite significant," Remus said with a wry grin.

Harry nodded once more and motioned for his father to continue. "Good, secondly you need to be careful about who knows you've travelled from the future. If the wrong people find out it's likely you'll be sent through the veil or obliviated back to when you were in nappies, and there'll be no coming back from that. The Ministry and the Unspeakables control time travel tightly to make sure no one can cause serious damage to the existing order of things. They strictly regulate the travel of a few hours; can you imagine what they'd do if they knew you'd travelled almost three decades? Tell only those you can trust implicitly."

"I'd add that I think it goes without saying that Dumbledore must not be aware?" said Sirius with a smirk. Harry didn't speak and merely gave him a pointed look.

"Finally, and this will be a toughie, you're going to need to make as few impactful changes as possible at first and allow the first few years at Hogwarts to play out as close to the original way as you can. There are actions that, if made too early, will change the future drastically to the point where all your future knowledge will become irrelevant, and you'll be flying blind."

"That includes getting me out of Azkaban early I'm afraid Harry," Sirius said. "As much as I'd love you to spring me from that hellhole the moment you get back, if you do so Wormtail will run sooner, and Voldemort may come back in another way – one you're not prepared to deal with."

"Fine," said Harry gruffly, disappointed he wouldn't be able to reunite with Sirius any sooner. "So, what can I do?"

The Marauders grinned at each other. "How would you feel about pranking the entirety of Wizarding society?"

Harry grinned, meeting the eyes of his father and friends and seeing a mischievous glint reflected back at him. "What did you have in mind?"

"All in good time!" laughed Sirius, pleased to see Harry so eager to get involved. "First, we need to talk about the changes you're going to make. Dumbledore kept this quiet as he needed you to be entirely reliant on him if his plans were going to work, but I'm sure you realise you've got a bit of a profile in the Wizarding World?" Sirius smirked at Harry and threw him a wink.

Harry rolled his eyes "Yeah as if I could forget. I tried to ignore it as much as I could but…"

Sirius interrupted him, "This time you need to embrace it. Grab it with both hands and make it work for you." Harry felt quite uncomfortable at the thought of this, he'd actively spent two-thirds of his life trying to avoid public attention, and nearly every time he'd failed at that task it had backfired on him spectacularly. Even years later he hadn't forgotten the denigration and smearing he'd taken from the press after announcing Voldemort's return following the Triwizard Tournament.

"I know what you're thinking but hear us out," said James quickly. "You're in a truly unique position here – saviour of the Wizarding World, experienced in the muggle world and, lest I forget, heir of two old families with votes on the Wizengamot…" James trailed off, a broad smile on his face as he allowed Harry a moment to comprehend the possibilities this presented.

"Part of the problem you had at school last time was that you didn't present yourself how others expected. The purebloods didn't know what to make of you as they knew your status, but you didn't behave as they anticipated, and everyone else saw you as aloof or intimidating, shying away from attention outside your comfort zone. You had a couple of close friends and didn't really make any effort to expand that circle. This time around you have got to change that."

"But I don't care what others think of me" protested Harry.

"An admirable position to take," agreed Remus "and one that we all fully believe in, but in this case of absolutely no help to you whatsoever. I'm not saying don't be yourself, or change who you are inside, but to make a difference to society you need to be accepted into it in the first place."

James now took over "Which leads us nicely onto our first change. When you return you need someone to help you learn Wizarding customs so you aren't going in blind and can begin to forge the relationships you'll need in the future. You need to get away from the Dursleys as soon as you can and reach out to Andromeda Tonks – as a former member of the Black family, she'll be able to help you navigate the Wizengamot and give you those lessons in etiquette you so clearly need. As a bonus, you can stick it to Dumbledore by making her your proxy when you turn eleven." He added with a wink.

Harry knew and loved Andi from the time they spent together with Teddy Lupin and knew he could trust her. "How would that affect Dumbledore?" he asked curiously.

"As your Wizengamot-mandated magical guardian, he'll have control of your vote on the 'Gamot. As the last surviving Potter, you'll be eligible to take your place as head of the family on your eleventh birthday, though as you know from experience, he'll 'forget' to pass that information on. Get to Gringotts as soon as you can after your birthday, accept the Lordship you were born to inherit and ask Andromeda to stand in Dumbledore's place." James paused, a contemplative expression on his face. "Actually, if you're willing to put the work in… you know the story of where our cloak comes from, right?"

Harry nodded. "Wait," he said suddenly. "We've got a vote on the Wizengamot?"

"Two actually. Potter is an Ancient House."

"This is the first I've heard of it," Harry looked perplexed. "Why didn't anyone tell me? Sirius?"

Sirius suddenly looked furious. "Dumbledore told me he'd spoken to you when I brought it up and that you'd asked him to keep standing on your behalf. At the time I didn't question it – I was still on the run and we were already in the fight with Voldemort and his Death Eaters."

Harry sighed, pushing down his anger at the Headmaster once more. He motioned for his Dad to continue.

"Where was I… oh! The cloak! I've always wondered if our family might hold the voting rights for the Peverell seat too. I was planning to look into it myself before… well…" James shrugged. "I'd definitely recommend following up on that Harry. As a Noble and Most Ancient House, the Peverell Lordship holds another three votes."

Harry pondered this for a moment before nodding again. "OK – so controlling my own votes is going to help us pass or change the laws we need and put a block on anything we don't want. But I'll only have a few votes out of, what, 50 or so? How do we get anything done from there?"

"Change number two Harry."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T BE IN GRYFFINDOR?"

"He's taking it well then," said Lily as she reappeared next to James. "Listen, sweetheart – there's a good reason. With everything that was going on you probably didn't realise this last time around, but in addition to you, your year group at school contained ten heirs to their houses with an eleventh joining the following year. If you can ally with some or all of those heirs, together you can bring about some real change."

"Why can't I do that from Gryffindor? I can make…" a sudden comprehension dawned on Harry's face. "Some of the heirs are in Slytherin."

"Correct," nodded Remus "and there's little chance of getting any cooperation there with the depth of animosity between the two houses."

"I'm not going to be in Slytherin," said Harry in a disgruntled tone.

"You'd have the same problem. It'll have to be Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. You could use the reputation of Ravenclaws to hide your future knowledge - you'd be expected to be ahead of the curve there so the fact you've done all your lessons once before should be concealable - "though I hope you'll put in a little more effort this time around regardless" interjected Lily with a stern look on her face, one that made Harry duck his head in embarrassment – and no one would think twice of a Hufflepuff reaching out to students in other houses. Either would suit your purpose."

Harry contemplated this. He knew it was likely the Sorting Hat would be able to tell he'd been there before once the sorting began. Perhaps he could take the Hat's advice?

"Fine" sighed Harry. "Is that not going to cause issues with the whole 'no big changes' thing though?"

"You'll be OK. Being in Gryffindor has no impact on anything major in your first few years, though you will have to get used to new Quidditch teammates." smiled James.

"I suppose there is a silver lining. No more four AM strategy sessions with Oliver Wood."

The bright, white mist that lay around the platform lingered in the same state as it had been when he arrived as Harry and his family discussed his plans. At some point, all the other people had faded away, leaving them alone with only each other for company. He knew that he wouldn't be able to stay much longer and sensed that the time of his return was approaching rapidly.

"What about the Horcruxes?" Harry asked.

"Well," Remus replied, "you know where they all are now so you can begin to collect them as soon as you see fit. You won't have to worry about the one in your scar – we'll get back to that in a moment - and Voldemort won't turn his snake into one until your fourth year. I would seriously recommend speaking to the Goblins this time though rather than breaking into the bank and riding out on a dragon?" There was a general chuckle of amusement from the group.

"Remember though son, you don't have to deal with them entirely on your own. Reach out for help – there's other magic in the world than that which is wielded by Wizards. Dumbledore made the entire thing much harder than it needed to be by keeping everything so hush-hush. Not everyone can be trusted but that's no reason not to trust when it's warranted." James stopped, plainly thinking of his own mistake of trusting Peter Pettigrew to be their secret keeper. "Just be sure, OK?"

"I will Dad." Harry agreed. "So, at what point will I be re-entering my life?"

"When you wake, you'll be eight years old again," said Lily. "That should give you ample time to prepare for Hogwarts." She paused and Harry saw her wince before she drew him into a tight hug. "I believe you'll have been caught on the school roof the previous day…"

"The last time you went through this, Dumbledore turned up and healed the worst of your wounds. He obliviated you and left without saying a word to your aunt and uncle," Remus said sympathetically. "Your injuries were much worse than you remember, Harry. Without his assistance, you would have died. Technically you will for a moment this time, but your return will prevent that from happening. Doing this will destroy the Horcrux in your scar at the same time."

"What's going to stop Dumbledore from just healing me again?" Harry asked in a tone much calmer than he felt bearing in mind he'd just been told he would be dying again.

"He's going to be unfortunately delayed at an ICW meeting he's leading that night. Sirius 'has a plan' to take care of that." Remus and Harry both glanced over at Sirius who was sporting a wide grin. "I decided not to ask for details," Remus added diplomatically.

Harry smiled but it soon dropped from his face. He vividly remembered the beating Uncle Vernon had given him when he'd got home from school for his 'freakishness' when Harry couldn't explain how he got up onto the school roof in the first place. A couple of cracked ribs, a whipping that left marks covering his back and two black eyes that he remembered, and the reality had been worse? He knew he was going to be sore in the morning.

His mother winced once more, and a look of rage crossed her face as she realised what Harry was recalling. "I'm sorry sweetheart. If I could spare you that pain…"

"It's fine mum, I understand. It'll be a good excuse for some accidental magic anyway." Harry winked in an attempt to lighten the dark mood that had fallen.

A tingling sensation began in Harry's fingers and toes and started to slowly spread throughout his body. "I think it's time," he said quietly.

"Come here, son." James and Lily pulled Harry into a tight embrace, trying to communicate their feelings to him through that simple act of contact.

"Never doubt that we love you, Harry," Lily spoke, unable to prevent her voice from breaking with emotion as James gave him an extra squeeze to emphasise the words.

"We'll see you soon." Sirius and Remus smiled at him. "Oh, and Harry?" Harry looked over the shoulders of his parents to Sirius who had a wide grin on his face, something that usually indicated trouble. "Enjoy puberty again, won't you?"

Sirius burst into laughter and received a slap on the back of his head from Remus. Lily spun to glare at him and missed the two-fingered salute Harry had thrown in the direction of his godfather – something would have surely resulted in a glare of his own if she'd seen it.

As Sirius continued to laugh, the figures of those who had greeted him upon his arrival faded back into view, as though they were giving him their blessing ahead of his return.

His parents caught his attention once more and they looked at him with longing in their eyes. Their figures seemed to be fading and Harry could tell they were fighting some unseen force to stay for just a moment longer. "One last thing Harry," James' voice sounded distant although he was standing right in front of his son. "There's a vault in Gringotts filled with items from our cottage. When you get access, look for a plain wooden cabinet – no one will be able to open it but you. We left you something there, it should hopefully help you."

Harry nodded, not wanting to tear his eyes from his mother and father but another figure stepped forward, causing him to look away and back at the man who had greeted him on arrival.

"Remember Potter – CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Moody's voice rang out around the platform and Harry let out a short burst of laughter of his own as those around him faded away.

He closed his eyes and simply waited for a moment, taking in the silence as the tingling was now making its way into his forearms and calves. He opened his eyes and yelped as he fell to the ground in shock. A tall figure, robed from head to toe in swathes of dark fabric and with a deep hood masking their face, stood perfectly still and silent, only a few feet from him.

"Who… who are you?" Harry stuttered, unnerved by their sudden appearance.

"YOU KNOW ME, 'MASTER OF DEATH'." No words were spoken aloud, instead, a low, gravelly voice rumbled in Harry's mind. Despite that lack of audible voice, Harry could hear the slight inflexion in the final words.

"You… you're Death?" Harry remained on the floor, looking up at the entity that stood before him. The tingling had now reached his thighs and biceps.

"I AM." The voice echoed in his mind once more. "YOU POSSESS MY HALLOWS. THE WIZARDS WOULD CALL YOU MY MASTER. YOU ARE NOT." Harry shook his head, denying that he'd ever consider himself the master of this being. "GOOD. YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR PLACE." Silence reigned for a few moments then the voice returned. "I HAVE SEEN YOUR LIFE, PEVERELL. I WAS THERE THE NIGHT YOUR PARENTS DIED. I HAVE STOOD AT YOUR SIDE FOR DECADES. I HAVE SEEN YOUR TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS. I HAVE SEEN YOU BEATEN DOWN ONLY TO STAND AGAIN AND FIGHT FOR THOSE UNWORTHY OF YOU. I WATCHED AND WAITED FOR YOU TO CLAIM YOUR BIRTHRIGHT, AND WHEN YOU FINALLY CLAIMED THEM… YOU REFUSED THEM." Death's head tilted down and even though Harry could not see a face, he felt as though he was being scrutinised. An invisible pressure bore down on him with such an intensity that he felt like Atlas, forced to carry the weight of the heavens on his shoulders before it disappeared as rapidly as it had materialised. "YOU ARE… AN ODDITY PEVERELL."

"My name is Potter, not Peverell," Harry said as he climbed slowly to his feet before stepping back to place some space between himself and Death.

"POTTER… PEVERELL… CALL YOURSELF WHAT YOU WILL. I KNOW YOU. I KNOW YOUR FAMILY."

Harry didn't respond, though he raised a hand and rubbed at his chest as the tingling was now spreading slowly into it.

"MY HALLOWS ARE THE REASON YOU HAVE THIS CHANCE TO RETURN. THIS WILL BE YOUR ONLY CHANCE. THE NEXT TIME WE MEET HERE, YOU WILL BE MOVING ONWARD." Harry nodded in agreement. He wanted to ask questions but knew instinctively that his time was running out.

"MY HALLOWS WILL RECOGNISE YOU WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR CLAIM, PEVERELL. THEY WILL ONLY WORK AS I INTENDED, FOR ONE OF YOUR BLOOD. YOU ARE THE FIRST TO UNITE THEM. UNITE THEM AGAIN AND THEIR POWER WILL BE YOURS FOR A TIME. WHEN YOU DIE, THEY WILL RETURN TO ME." Harry nodded again, the tingling now making its final journey, up through his shoulders and neck towards his head. Death's hood shifted as it tilted its head once more, then again as it straightened abruptly as though having reached a judgment.

"I HAVE DECIDED TO HELP YOU, PEVERELL. I CANNOT TOUCH THE REALM OF THE LIVING OUTSIDE OF A MOMENT BEFORE PASSING BUT I WILL FIND A WAY TO ASSIST YOU FURTHER THAN I ALREADY HAVE." Harry's vision was growing dark, and he swayed on his feet as the tingling feeling now encompassed his head, but he managed to mumble his thanks. "YOUR TIME HERE IS DONE PEVERELL. UNITE MY HALLOWS AND WE WILL SPEAK AGAIN." The darkness overtook him, and Harry's world turned black.