"Harry, good, I have something to offer you." Harry stared at his friend, confused. Deities do not just "offer" things. And besides…

"What's wrong? You look angry."

"My dear brother has been interfering in the lives of mortals. Specifically, your Neville Longbottom. Due to that, Life and I are going to interfere as well. It is only fair."

"Wait, what?"

"I'll offer you the location of your dearest," he placed his hand on Harry's head. "And perhaps, the knowledge of what he has been doing."

Harry didn't even have time to think. Seconds later, Harry knew almost everything. What Neville had been doing, how he did it, and how he was surviving. Part of him was proud, and a rotten part was concerned. Not that he had any right to be; Harry had killed before and he would gladly do it again.

"Time, can I ask you something?"

"Perhaps."

"Do you have a name as well? I know you mentioned Celeste, but do you?"

"I do."

"What is it?" Time took a sip of his tea, meeting Harry's eyes.

"I was once called Darian Howard. Though, that was a long time ago."

"How long?" Harry couldn't help but ask.

"Centuries."

"Woah, what's all this?" Ron asked, sitting up. He was laid on white and red tile floor, looking up at a gorgeous woman. He winced. Only Hermione should be pretty in his eyes. But even he had to admit, there was something so ethereal about this woman, but also familiar…

"Ronald Weasley, welcome to my domain."

Ah, Ron recognised her now.

"You're Life, right?"

"Indeed." The woman moved from her chair, gliding over the reflective floor until she stood by the redhead. "I have something to tell you, young man."

"What's up?" Ron tilted his head. He hadn't thought Life would actually converse with him again. Honestly, half of him thought the first time it happened had been a dream.

"I offer you the chance to save lives. You see, my brothers are doing something quite stupid, so of course, I must intervene."

"Really, Ron?" Harry interrupted, eyebrows raised. "I guarantee she didn't insult Time and Death like that."

"But she did, honest!"

"And was she really that pretty?" Harry half teased.

"Not as pretty as Hermione!" Ron rushed to add. But, in all honesty, who could compare to a deity? Even Time was something otherworldly. Harry could say with full confidence he found the man beautiful. It would make sense if Ron thought the same about Life.

"So, what did she give you?" Harry asked, scooting forward. Ron reached into his pocket, pulling out three pills. They were small and white, the three together barely big enough to fit the tip of his finger.

"She called them life pills. Apparently they can bring anyone back from near death, but not the dead."

"That's…"

"Bloody overpowered, right? But she says I only get three, so I need to use them sparingly."

"Makes sense, if she gave you any more, you could save everyone, and that would put Death out of business." The pair laughed softly, Ron turning to look at a sleeping Hermione.

"What did Time tell you?" Ron asked.

"The location of another horcrux. The Hufflepuff cup. It's apparently in gringotts."

"Woah, seriously?" Harry nodded. "That's great information."

"Those are great pills." Harry mentioned, bringing up the pills from earlier. Ron just nodded.

The two settled against the back of the couch, neither saying much. What was there to say, after all? But, the two didn't need words. They relaxed into the comfort of each other, their breathing quiet and deep. Ron seemed to be getting tired again. It made sense, he always slept a lot more than the other two boys.

"Are we gonna win this?" Ron suddenly asked, voice quiet.

"Absolutely." Harry nodded, turning his head. Ron had closed his eyes, but still seemed awake.

"I…yeah. You're right."

"What's up, Ron?"

The redhead finally opened his eyes, blue eyes turning to meet Harry's green. Gone was the slightly flirtatious, open minded best friend he knew. In its place sat a young man, eye's already knowing the horrors of war. It made Harry ache in an unknown way.

"I just feel like something awful is gonna happen." He admitted.

"Like what?"

"Like you're gonna die." Ron whispered, looking at the ground. "Like you're all gonna die."

"I'm not gonna die, Ron. Neither is Neville or Hermione or your parents, none of us are. I promise."

"I want to trust you, Harry, I do, but…" Ron sniffed and closed his eyes again. Harry understood.

"I get it, Ron. But I promise," his hand tenderly grabbed his hand, closing his eyes as well. "Everyone is gonna live, including you."

"You know I'm not worried about that, Harry." Ron laughed a little bit. After a few moments, the redheads breathing evened out, his hand going slack in Harry's own.

Good, now was the perfect time.

Standing up quietly, Harry moved to the entrance way of Grimmauld Place, slipping his shoes on. Time had given him the information on Neville, and Harry intended to use it. Tonight.

He made his way out of the warded home as quickly as he could, not wanting to waste a single moment. Ron and Hermione would be elated when Harry returned.

Harry moved to the alleyway, being safe even though the streets were clear. He could apparate now, but in case there were Death Eaters nearby, he needed to be cautious. Besides, a silent street wasn't always an empty one.

Harry thought of the images Time had placed in his head. They weren't an exact location, but perhaps that was better? Forests, deep and dark. A quiet little house situated in the middle of it, surrounded by the trees. It would look gorgeous in the winter.

Pushing his magic toward his centre, Harry felt the familiar, albeit uncomfortable, pull of magic.

He'd be with Neville soon.

With a twist and a sharp pull, Harry thudded against the moist forest floor. Well, at least it looked like the right place. Harry wouldn't know for sure though, not until he found Neville.

"Neville?" he called out, standing up. "Neville! It's Harry!"

With no immediate call back, Harry began to walk.

The forest was beautiful, even shrouded in darkness the way it was. The ground was soft against his shoes, and the air crisp and smelling of life. Ironic, considering what Death had Neville doing for him.

Part of him hurt for Neville. The teen shouldn't have to do this so soon in life. Another part of him was impressed by it. Neville had grown to be a ruthless young man, and being the Hand of Death seemed fitting.

Instead of worrying about all of that, he kept walking.

"Neville?"

"Neville, where are you?"

"Neville! It's Harry!"

He'd been out a while now, the sun beginning to rise. He could see it through the few gaps in the trees. That's when he spotted the familiar house, a single light on. It didn't have smoke coming out of the attached chimney, or open doors, like in the fairy tales, but the light was on.

Harry rushed towards it.

"Neville?!" He called out again. The door suddenly rushed open.

"Harry?!"

A few steps later, the two boys collided, falling on the ground. Harry felt loving laughter bubble up in his throat, while Neville felt a clog in his own.

"You're alive," Harry laughed, holding Neville's head against his neck. "Oh Merlin, you're actually alive!"

"How'd you find me? Death said no one would!"

"Time, he told me everything," Harry gasped, pulling back as he stared into Neville's eyes. "Oh God, are you okay?"

"Yes, I am, I promise!" Neville cupped Harry's face with his own hands, thick tears sliding down grimey cheeks. "I missed you so much, Harry."

"I was going insane, Neville. I was reading books."

That finally got a laugh out of the boy, Harry relishing in the sound. He had missed Neville so much, more than he had missed anything. He placed their foreheads together, breathing deeply.

"Harry, I'm so sorry,"

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Harry promised. The two sat in silence, simply breathing the other in. It hadn't been that long, and yet here they were, grasping at each other as if they were gonna disappear again. Slowly, Harry turned his head, looking at the forest.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the forest, creating a patterned blanket of shadows and light across the forest floor. The air was cool, and slightly damp as the sun began to rise. It smelled of earth and magic and plants, exactly how Neville smelt. It was beautiful.

Birds and other creatures slowly began to wake, singing their songs and welcoming the dawn of a new day. Neville sighed, sounding both content and sad at the same time.

"Harry…" Neville whispered, bringing Harry's face near his.

"Neville…?"

"Can I try something?"

"Anything."

Neville slowly moved forward, pressing their lips together. It was insanely awkward, a strange mix between right and wrong. Neville was…kissing him?!

Harry didn't have a chance to pull away, as Neville did it first.

"Nope, absolutely not."

"What the hell!"

"It's what they do in books! I wanted to see if it was true!"

"What was true?!"

"That you kiss and fall in love!"

The two shared a similar look of disgust before erupting into laughter, still clutching each other. What they had wasn't romantic love. No, it was something much stronger.

"Come on, we should get back." Harry said as he stood up, dragging Neville with him. Part of him was nervous. Would Neville even be comfortable…?

"Right. Where are you all, anyway?"

"Grimmauld."

"But isn't that…?" Harry sighed, giving Neville a nod.

"Yeah. It's…been rough, to say the least, but it's the safest place for us, right now."

"Right, I get that." The pair stood there, Neville gripping Harry's hand. "So, aren't you gonna apparate us?"

Those words made Harry feel like all was right in the world.

Until they walked into Grimmauld Place, of course.

"Where could he have gone? He knows he's not supposed to leave!"

"Hermione." Ron tried to interrupt.

"I mean, no note, not even waking us up, nothing! Just gone! He could be dead somewhere."

"Hermione!"

"It would serve him right, too! We already lost Neville, what are we going to do without Harry? Oh Merlin, did he go looking for Neville?!"

"I think he did, Hermione."

"What?" Hermione finally turned around, eyes narrowed, before they landed on Harry and Neville standing in the middle of Grimmauld Place. She gasped, her hands coming up to her face.

"Neville! Harry! You're here!" She practically jumped on the first boy, hugging him close. "You're alive! I mean, we assumed, but seeing you in person is…"

"Hi, Hermione." Neville greeted with a shaky smile.

"Harry! How could you!" She turned to him, looking hurt. The teen blinked.

"What?"

"You can't just run off like that! You didn't even tell Ron!"

"I- well, I just-"

"Don't!" Hermione backed away. "I'm glad you brought him back, but don't talk to me!"

Well, shit.

"You fucked up, mate." Ron said sympathetically, patting his back. "Glad to have you back, Nev."

"You too, Ron. Is she…?" Neville questioned.

"She'll be fine, she was just really worried. Give her a few to calm down."

Right. Ron walked off after his girlfriend, Harry and Neville sharing a look.

"Wanna show me where the shower is?"

"Sure, Nev." Harry smiled softly. They'd be okay.

"Snape!" A voice barked out. Draco Malfoy.

"It's Headmaster Snape, Mr Malfoy. What is it that you need?"

"What is your plan here?" He demanded, stomping his foot. And this was the supposed man that was going to lead the great House of Malfoy? The man still acted like a child! At least his own son had grown out of temper tantrums two years ago.

The thought of Harrison made his heart warm, and pushed him forward.

"What do you mean, Mr Malfoy?" Snape drawled, giving the blonde a once over. He didn't look good. "I am a busy man, make it quick."

"They're torturing first years! Are you just okay with that?"

"Those who oppose the Dark Lord-"

"No! That worked when it was everyone else, but Theodore's little brother just got strung up!"

Snape paused. Theodore Nott…the name, while not the most prominent in the inner circle, was still influential. This wasn't good.

"Right. What is the boy's name?"

"Thaddeus Nott."

These damn purebloods. Although, he and Harrison weren't better. Severus Tobias, Harrison Silas, though the latter's name was thanks to Lily. Honestly, it sounded a bit pompous, not that he minded. Lily named the boy after his family, and that meant a lot more than the deceased woman would ever know.

"I shall deal with that, rest assured, Mr Malfoy."

"Will you?" The Blonde challenged. "Others have come forward but you haven't done shite!"

"Ten points from Slytherin. Mr Malfoy." Severus spoke through gritted teeth, eye's narrowing as he stared at the man. Narcissa was doing so much to protect that child, and yet he was really wishing to risk it all right now?

If Severus was anyone else, he'd be vanishing Draco's blood off the floors.

"Who cares about points, we're at war!" Malfoy huffed, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants. "We aren't going to survive this!"

"Mr Malfoy, Draco, you must-"

"You don't get it!"

"Is there a problem here?" A sickly sweet voice asked. Alecto.

"Not at all. Alecto." Severus lied easily. "Mr Malfoy here just wishes to speak to his father about the most trivial of matters."

"Ah, and why won't you let Lucius hear?" Alecto probed.

"Lucius doesn't need to waste his ability to hear by listening to his son whine about Gryffindors." Severus pursed his lips, every bit the dismissive teacher he was pretending to be. "Write him a letter, Mr Malfoy, if you deem it so important."

"Yes, sir." Malfoy gritted out. A few moments passed, and Alecto left, grinning. Severus laid a tentative hand on Draco's shoulder.

"I do get it, Draco. More than you know."

"How?" He spat.

"Because unlike you, Mr Malfoy, my son is fighting this war," he whispered, leaning in. "Because like your mother, I am doing everything to keep my child safe."

"Dear sister," Time greeted. "You are a liar."

"No more than you, brother." Life replied.

"You did not tell the boy about the consequences of those pills."

"I should not need to. He saves the one he loves, what else does he need to know?"

"The fact that ten will die in the place of the surviving one's?" Time sighed, rubbing his face. "I should have known you favoured Asher, Lilith."

"Asher didn't kill me, did he, Darian?"