Nothing as eventful as what had happened occurred on his way to school, everything and everyone seemed normal. But he could not escape those words, 'you are what is known as a Horseman.' He also could not stop thinking about what he had been told by Gabriel last night.
"Harry…a Horseman is- well a Horseman is a very powerful being. There has not been one since the times of Ignotus himself. Dark magic ran rampant then, people tried too hard to escape Death."
"So…what exactly does being a Horseman mean?
"I…I do not know Harry. The only history of one is that book of yours and I cannot read it." Harry only nodded before heading up to bed that night.
Now though, Harry could not stop thinking, he could feel the fire within his gut, begging to be set free, to be called upon. He could not stop wondering what a Horseman was. He was not alone in the compartment; he was surrounded by Hermione, Ron, and Ginny, who had brought Neville with her. Harry was staring out the window when all the movement in the compartment stopped.
Surprised, he waved his hand in front of Hermione's face, and Ginny's, even calling their names when an instinct told him to enter the corridor. He looked around and saw her, his mother, standing a couple steps ahead of him. He bolted towards her and yelled,
"MOM!" Harry wrapped his arms around his mother and sobbed. "Mom, what does it all mean? Why is this happening to me?" Tears ran down Harry's face, and it was his mother's warm voice that responded,
"Harry, my child, I am unfortunately not your mother- "Another sob raked Harry's body, and he fell to the floor. Death joined him and scooped him into her arms. "I would've been honored to have given birth to you Harry. But to answer your question it is happening because Voldemort is coming back. This year, something will happen that you cannot stop."
"But why me?" Harry continued to sob into Death's arms.
"Because my child, you have, despite my efforts, had destiny thrusted upon you. It is not fair, no child should have this weight upon their shoulders, but you are a Potter. You will bear it, and rise above it, and conquer the forces of evil. You, my child, are the herald of a new age of magic. But first there is something I must teach you."
"I am ready My Lady." Death seemed to frown at that, but Harry was more interested in cleaning his face. Death waved her hand and Harry looked good as new. Death stood up, Harry followed, she beckoned for him to take her hand. He did, and the world disappeared.
When things became clear again Harry and Death were in an open field. The grass was a brilliant shade of green and the sun shone brightly against Harry's skin. The sky was clear and blue so pure. Harry could still smell the morning dew, and a slight breeze ran through his hair.
"Where are we?"
"This…is my lover's domain, she is letting us borrow it for now, but we're on a time limit." Harry nodded, brushing past the 'Lady Death has a lover' part of the explanation.
"And what exactly are we supposed to be doing here?"
"There is one more thing I absolutely must teach you before you go to school. Occlumency. It is the art of mastering one's mind and protecting it from others. I will now build you some temporary walls." She placed her hand against his forehead. It was soft, and warm, and gentle and Harry couldn't help but melt into it. He always thought Death so cold, but now, he just wanted to be in her arms again.
Before he knew it, he felt walls forming in his mind, large brick walls surrounding his thoughts and memories. He also felt the memories of Death explaining the process of Occlumency pop into his mind.
"There you are my child, rewatch those memories and eventually you will build your own defenses. And there are two things before you go back. Your mother, the real one, sent me a message for you. She says, 'We love you Harry, now go make us proud." Tears ran down Harry's cheek as he steeled his resolve. Harry stood a little taller knowing his parents were rooting for him.
"Now the last thing, do not trust Dumbledore. He does not have your best interests at heart, only that of the greater good."
"But if not him then who? Especially at school."
"Lupin and Black, those are whom you can trust, along with the Granger girl and Longbottom kid."
"What about Gabriel, can't I-" Death seemed to be in a fury at the mention of his name.
"You cannot trust him, his is-" that was all that was said has Harry was spit out of the domain and back into the train compartment. Harry muttered to himself as time resumed around him. He felt something in his pocket, he reached in and found an envelope addressed to "Harry Potter, my son" He opened it and it read,
My dearest Harry,
If you are reading this, then somehow, my words have found their way to you — perhaps through magic, or the love that never left you, not even for a moment.
From the moment I held you, you were my whole world. You had your father's messy hair, and the most curious, beautiful eyes — my eyes, they told me. But your soul, Harry... that was all your own. Bright and full of light, even in the darkest times.
I want you to know — we didn't die because of you. We died for you. There's a difference. We made a choice — to protect you, to give you a chance at life, at love, at freedom. Never carry the weight of our absence as guilt. Carry it as proof that you were, and always will be, loved more than anything.
You may feel alone at times in the future. I imagine life hasn't been easy. But remember, Harry — you are never truly alone. Love leaves a mark that even the worst evils cannot erase. It's in your heart, in your friendships, in the courage you find when you think there's none left. You have a power in you greater than any magic wand — the power to love, to hope, to fight for what's right.
If I could give you one last piece of advice, it would be this: Trust your heart. It has your father's mischief, yes, but also his loyalty. It has my fierce love, and something even greater — your own strength.
Live bravely, my sweet boy. Love freely. And when you look up at the stars, know that we're there — proud of you, always.
With all my love,
Mum
Tears ran down Harry's face as he finished reading, his mother's voice disappearing from his mind. He felt a hand grip his own, he knew by the size and strength that it was Hermione. He looked up at her, a smile on her face, and he whispered two words,
"Thank you."
His mother loved him so so much, and now it was Harry's duty to keep going. To keep spreading that love and to never give up no matter what. To find courage even in the darkest time when all hope seems lost. But, as he leaned into Hermione, seeking some of her strength, he thought that maybe tomorrow was a better time to start looking for courage.
That was of course, until everything went cold, frost appeared on the windows, the train stopped, and people started screaming.
