The Master of Death

Chapter 17: Life

Ten minutes later Harry returned to his room. She had finished feeding Hedwig and allowed herself to fall on her bed. Leaning his head on his arm, he closed his eyes. Even if he could not see anything, he knew that Death was watching him. "I wonder what Sirius will do now. He may deny it, but he is a Black man even if he tries to escape, and tomorrow we will go to Hogwarts" Harry said after a few minutes of silence. "I honestly don't know what to expect ..."

"You can always choose, not go" Death said.

"I know." Harry sighed and they were silent for a moment. He smiled, as he felt a touch of ghostly fur on his skin. "I've been wondering for a while now ... Did our connection change you too?" Harry asked after a while and opened his eyes. Death sat next to him on the bed, leaning on the head of the bed. He hummed and seemed to think for a moment.

"Indeed. I was expecting it to happen, but as it turned out," he paused, "different from what I thought."

"Different, in what way?" Harry asked.

"Oh, I can feel something. I always - "Death answers Harry's unspoken question - "Or I'll never create holiness."  He ruffled Harry's hair with his fingers. It seems to be a habit for both of them. "I've been around for a long time, longer than you can imagine..."  Death stopped and continued to comb Harry's unruly hair, looking for the right way to explain it.

Harry sat down when Death did not begin to speak again. The hand slipped from Harry's head and Death stared at him. An incredible mix of emotions pulsing through the bonds.

"You feel alive" Harry observed. Death seemed stunned for a moment and then threw his head back and started laughing. Harry watched, attracted by the strange noise until it subsided into a small laugh.

"Because there is no better word.let's call it life," Death said in a hoarse voice and grinned at Harry, who grinned back. Shared excitement still flooded the bond as Harry focused on it, but there was also gratitude. A possessive superiority goes hand in hand with an unspoken desire. Harry had a hard time saying what his own feelings were throughout the mix. There are mutual interests and interests. But all of this is overshadowed by other feelings. So smooth and at the same time everywhere. Harry's eyes widened. Death still grinned. It was there without a doubt flowing back and forth through their connections.

Love's.

Death fell in love with him.

Harry took a breath. He did not realize that he was holding his breath for the past few moments. He looked at the creature in front of him. There were these gigantic wings, these endless creatures were everywhere and nowhere, but at the same time just here, in front of Harry. Here for Harry, because he wants it. Like Harry's curved mirror image, Death sat there, casually grinning as he often does.

How could he miss that emotion... Death fell in love with him. With her. But is he in love with Death?

With wide eyes, Harry saw the creature. He knew that he would rather die than leave the creature out of his sight. Possessiveness and obsessiveness are what connect the two of them. If it was the love that Harry felt, he could not have said it at that moment.

But does it matter? What really changed between them? There aren't. Just because he had only realized what had been there all along, and how heavy was the time that two beings like them had? What is the point of questioning things, which need not be changed?

With hesitation, Harry reached out his hand. Death tilted his head, only observing when Harry's palm touched his cheek. Exploring, feeling the coldness of the skin.

With trembling Harry took a breath. A bond was established between them, warm and vibrant.

And then, Harry leaned forward and kissed Death. Familiar fingers wrapped around Harry's hair as his lips touched their comrades. Harry retreated, panting as he looked at the creature.

And then he found himself sitting on Death's lap, kissing again, his tongue reaching the inside of his mouth very cold. The creature retorted with gentle force. Harry returns a kiss, his tongue sliding over sharp teeth, sliding against the Deaths. Finally, he withdrew, hungry for air, only to be pushed further back by Death a moment later. Harry's hands stretched out to keep himself from falling and wrapped around the creature's neck and shirt. Harry grinned into the kiss as his hand touched the cloth. "Why do you bother with clothes?" Harry asked, amused by his silliness, his lips touching Death's lips as he spoke.

"I like them, just as I like these bodies, "said Death with a grin. Harry laughed again and his left hand slipped under the worn-out copy of the shirt, which Harry had inherited from Dudley himself and had not seen for a long time. The tip of the tongue slipped into Harry's mouth again and he felt the sharp teeth of Death biting his lips. A slow moan escaped him.

The kiss was wet and hot and everything Harry thought he would want from now on. He gripped the front of Death's shirt and pulled it closer, while his other hand felt cold skin and muscles rippling across Death's back. A deep trembling sound came out from Death's throat. Harry smiled into the kiss, which had been interrupted by a sudden snoring.

Cold hands swept his back. Passion curled up in Harry's stomach, hot and pounding, as he pressed onto Death's body. A pleasant vibration tickled his spine, following after a touch of Death. Harry curled into it. Like a trick of light, he saw feathers, a pair of wings moving slowly, like a long weed on a windy day. Moments later the shadow disappeared once more, and he gasped for breath as a hand slid down, counting his ribs until it touched his hips.

The friction was almost too much for Harry, and his hips rolled involuntarily. The kiss was not really a kiss anymore, just lips touching each other, rough breathing and slow moans.

Harry felt Death’s hand sliding over his back, pushing up his shirt. It fell down when Death let go of it and twined his hand into Harry’s hair. Death pulled and Harry thrived in the pinpricks of pleasure-pain, as he followed the movement. Harry looked at Death through half-lidded eyes, his throat exposed in a way that had him shiver. Death stared at Harry with a hungry expression. Never had he been more aware of how predatory this grin could be. Harry’s eyes fluttered shut when he felt teeth grazing over his neck, nipping and teasing.

Possessively throbbing through the ties and Death's tongue painted a wet line just below his yaw. The cold air that hit the wet brought Harry to the edge. The friction between them increased as Harry was pulled closer once more, his hips rubbing against each other, his pants very tight. Death sucks the place, where his shoulders and neck meet. When he bit hard, Harry came in with a trembling groan, his hips twitching a few times, until he was down from his height.

Confused, Harry pushed his hair from his face and looked at Death, who grinned at him. Harry grabbed the spot where Death bit him. His skin did not break, but Harry hissed as he pressed on. It's gonna bruise.

Death did not seem too pitiful, judging from the arrogance emanated from that bondage. "Hey," Harry began to be a little embarrassed, only now realizing that he was wet in his pants. She blamed her teenage body for the rather short period of time she needed to come, "A-did you even ... um, come?" He bit his lips. "I mean, can you come?" tanyanya, still panting.

"I can feel what you feel" said Death and pleasure flowed through the bond. "This body is how I chose to appear. I can make her feel anything a human feels if I want to."

Harry grinned at Death. "We should do it again sometime."

"We must" Death said and cupped Harry in the face with his hand. Harry's eyes were closed as he was pulled to be kissed once more.

The floorboards in the hallway creaked. Harry pulled the blanket over his shoulder, just as Ron entered the room.

The next day, Harry was happy, because he was standing early. He packed his things with a little magic, while Ron was still sleeping. When he heard Kreacher walk through his door, a thought invaded his mind.

Since he had claimed a seat at Wizengamot, he had to be notified whenever a trial was held. But who knew if the letter meant for him was somehow lost; as it should have been, who had to tell him about the timing and the change in the location of his trial.

All she needs is a spy and who is better suited for this job than a house fairy. Dobby works at Hogwarts and will definitely agree to help him. But the principal is not stupid. He'll be watching Dobby, that's for sure.

After all, if the house elf who is friends with Harry Potter – who may be possessed by Voldemort at that time – disappears, one should pay attention. Kreacher on the other hand did not owe Dumbledore anything and he did not even like it.

Harry walked out into the hallway. Kreacher had already disappeared in the next corner, but when Harry called his name, he appeared.

"What can Kreacher do for the young master," said the old elf and bowed deeply.

"I need a spy inside the Ministry" Harry replied bluntly.

"Black Master ordered Kreacher not to leave the house" Kreacher replied, his nose almost touching the floor.

"You're tied to me, aren't you, Kreacher?" Harry asked the fairy.

"I," Kreacher said and finally raised his head, "But Mr. Black is the head of the house."

"Let me deal with Sirius. I'll tell him to give you permission."

"Yes, Mr. Harry," the elf was hoarse.

"Since I have claimed my seat at Wizengamot, I need to know about every trial held as soon as you find out. Any other information that might be of interest to me or of value is also appreciated" Harry said. "I want you to keep an eye on Malfoy and Yaxley. All influential people within the Ministry, who support the old ways. Supporters of pure blood supremacy. You are the house-elves of the ancient Black nobility and family." Hearing that, Kreacher straightened his posture and his face showed a proud expression, his bat-like ears twitching. "I believe you know what kind of information I appreciate."

"Of course, Mr. Harry," Kreacher said and bowed deeply.

"You're laid off" said Harry and Kreacher in disapparate. Harry sighed and observed the dust flying in the empty hallway. Death grinned.

Half an hour later, Harry watched quietly while the entire house was filled with life. Death, once again as a black reptile curled around his body. Everyone is looking for their stuff. The owls squeal inside their cages, Mrs Weasley yells at Fred and George for accidentally pushing Ginny off the stairs as they make their suitcases fly by themselves. Even Mrs Black in her portrait is screaming for the first time since Harry silenced her. Through the chaos, no wonder, no one other than Harry noticed Sirius who looked extremely chaotic leaving the room that Remus usually occupied.

Harry could not help but be satisfied with that. He looked at Sirius and his godfather froze. A strange tension seemed to hang between them, but then the moment disappeared, and Sirius grinned at him. Although Harry felt that the smile was not very honest. The werewolf, who had just wanted to come out behind Sirius, groaned as Harry sneered at him knowingly. While Harry walked down, he still heard their muffled voices.

"I swear, sometimes he's like James" Remus said. Sirius laughed out loud.

"But Harry is much more sensitive. James told me that he suspected I was seeing someone back then, but he didn't know who. Every time I disappear, he sees a map. James walked up to us twice, until he realized that we were really in touch**.”

"Two times? I think he found out after he caught us on that secret passage. What do you think we're doing?" Remus asked curiously.

"YOU ALL COME DOWN NOW PLEASE!" shouted Mrs Weasley from inside the house. Hermione rushed past Harry, Crookshanks in her arms and a suitcase followed. In the end, they were all standing in the front hall, Mrs Weasley shouting over the sound of screaming portraits.

Moody claimed that they could not leave until Sturgis Podmore appeared because otherwise, there was one bodyguard missing.

"Watchers?" Harry asked, inwardly groaning.

"Yes. Moody insisted" said Hermione. Harry took a breath.

"I don't need an escort" he said and recalled that someone from the order was under "imperius" around that time. Podmore is probably the one. Either way, it looks like he won't be showing up anytime soon.

"...Sirius! Dumbledore said no," denied Mrs Weasley, and Harry turned around. A giant black dog was sitting on the ground and wagging its tail. "...alright. Your responsibility!" Dogs barking.

Eventually, they left when Moody announced that Podmore might not show up. Harry was accompanied by Tonks, who looked like he could be his grandmother today, with his wrinkles and gray hair. Sirius ran in front of them, his tail wagging. He jumped towards Remus a few times, who looked flushed as Sirius tried to lick his face. While laughing, Lupin pushed her away, for the second time he almost fell down. Harry felt the wolf part of him spinning happily and urged Lupin to follow as Sirius leapt forward.

Nothing important happens until they reach King's Cross. At least if someone does not ask Mr. Weasley, because every few minutes he shows something that he finds interesting. Finally, they all gathered on Platform 9 3/4.

Moody grumbled about telling Dumbledore that Sturgis had not shown up for a second time this week, while Harry knelt down to say goodbye to Sirius. "I wasn't lying when I told you all this yesterday. I really like you, and I hope you don't try to persuade me, the next time we meet. Even though I really mean what I say." Sirius looked at him with his head tilted, as if he was considering something. "Sirius" said Harry seriously and uttered "muffliato . "" around them. "I need to ask for your help. I know we're not in the best shape right now, but I want you to let Kreacher leave the house. Just tell him that he's allowed to follow my orders." Harry could say nothing more when Remus turned to him. The robber will definitely see the spell. So, Harry dissolved the talisman and stood up. Remus patted Harry on the shoulder.

"Be careful" said his former professor with a serious expression on his face.

"I'll be." Then Harry grinned. "By the way, ***** which is good," he added quietly as he pointed at Remus' neck hidden by the sweater, but a hand was raised to cover it. Sirius barked, which sounded suspicious like his laughter and Harry smirked.

"It's great to know you all" said Tonks cheerfully. Mrs Weasley tried to hug them all, but Harry could dodge quickly entering the carriage. The other teenagers followed him as the final warning whistle sounded. Everyone who was still lingering on the platform quickly entered the carriage. Kisses are exchanged and owls chirp in their cages.

All the sounds faded into the background as the doors closed behind them. Fred and George soon leave them in search of Lee. "He shouldn't have come with us" Hermione said as she glanced at Sirius through the window.

"Come on Mione, she hasn't been out of the house for months" Ron said. Harry ignores their quarrel and instead tries to find an empty compartment. Ginny followed her example, red hair following behind her as she followed.

"Um, Harry," said Hermione and bit her lip. "We have to go to another prefect" he spoke as if he was afraid Harry would yell at him for leaving him alone.

"It's okay. You can always find us later" said Harry, while Ron did not want to look him in the eye. They were very concerned about Harry's opinion of it. That's almost ridiculous.

"Yes, there are no rules against it. Anyway, we have to - I don't even want to go there. I'm not Percy!" ron and Ginny sneered. While Ron and Hermione go to the front of the train, Ginny and Harry turn the other way to find an unoccupied spot.

When they had reached the last wagon, they met Neville, who was struggling to carry his suitcase and Trevor's frog at the same time. Despite Neville's insistence that there were no compartments left, they settled inside one, the other Gryffindor boys have avoided it until now. Inside sits Luna Lovegood.

Just like the first time Harry met her, she looked different in one respect. There was a stick he kept behind his ear and a necklace made of butterbeer cork. His pale blue eyes turned from the magazine he was reading upside down. Luna's aura pulsed around her in a kaleidoscopic pattern, only emphasizing her peculiarity. He stared at Harry for a long time and did not falter in his sight, even as Ginny asked about her vacation. Harry was not bothered by that. He saw Death creeping over his hands and listening quietly.

"You are Harry Potter" he said at last.

"Yes" he answered. Luna looked at Neville.

"But I don't know who you are."

"I'm a nobody" said Neville.

"No, no. This is Neville Longbottom," Ginny began while Harry was out of the conversation. He's tired of it. Harry turned, to the side, leaned his head against the window and closed his eyes. He was immediately lulled into a sleep-like state, feeling only the cold glass on the back of his head and occasionally flicking Death with his tongue.

The only distraction noteworthy from his condition was Neville when he poked the mimbeltonia's mimbulus, which he got for his birthday. The cactus-like plants pulsed and tried to cover them all with a foul-smelling liquid as soon as Neville's pen tip was pushed forcefully towards him.

It was like a reflex, which caused Harry to flick his hand to fend off the terrifying slime. This time, he had not even summoned the old staff into his hands, yet he was the only one who avoided being covered by it.

Surprised, Harry himself looked at his own hands. Thank goodness no one noticed he wasn't using his cane in the mess. Cho Chang opened the door not until five seconds after the incident.

He's obviously been looking for her. He looked at the scene with an embarrassed expression on his face. Perhaps a mixture of these slime-covered images of people, Harry's smell and lack of interest drove him away. He closed their compartment doors after he said, "See you, Harry."

An hour had passed, when Ron and Hermione let them fall into the chair next to them. Harry was already asleep by then, but was violently torn from his peaceful slumber when an angry Ron complained loudly about Malfoy as the prefect of the Slytherin children.

Harry groaned and lifted his head from the window.

"And what do you want to do? Complaining will certainly not help," he said a little annoyed and still a bit sleepy. Ron stopped in his tirade.

"But it's Malfoy." he said as if this was a sufficient explanation. And maybe it was. Ron's attention was suddenly distracted by something else. She looked at Luna and noticed that she was still reading her magazine in reverse.

"And? Something useful written there?" he asked after he looked at her for a while. Apparently, he wasn't sure what else he could say. Before Luna could answer, Hermione interrupted.

"Of course not. Quibbler's a piece of shit, everybody knows it." Harry had to calm himself down so as not to grin at what mistake these words were. Hermione's embarrassed face, when Luna announced that her father was the managing editor was short enough to destroy her. Just as Harry began to relax again - Death creeping in the middle of his shirt - the door of their compartment opened once again.

Upset, Harry looked up, but then a grin appeared on his face. Pale and blonde, with a pointy face like her father, she stood in the doorway. Draco Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.

"How are you?" Harry asked and grinned at the intruders.

"Behave Potter, or I’ll have to punish you," the Slytherin said with a smug look on his face. Merlin, he was so young. Arrogant. Harry had almost forgotten about it. Harry remembered his older version much clearer than the younger counterpart, but seeing Draco in front of him like this was especially a reminder.

In his older years, Harry had thought about a few things and he was now very sure that in all his hate for Malfoy, there had been a certain attraction too. But his convinced teenage self had never really gotten past obsessively stalking the Slytherin.

Malfoy, unaware of Harry’s amused thoughts, continued. "You see, I - unlike you - was chosen as Prefect this year, which means that I am allowed to discipline you," he said smugly. Harry’s amusement grew, while Ron, who sat next to him was steaming.

"I'm impressed" said Harry. Malfoy gaping. This was something he definitely did not expect. "And all the effort you put in, to tell me that. After all, you searched the entire carriage to find me. Amazing, you stick to your tradition. I've been worried you won't show up like this. year." Harry grinned at Malfoy.

Draco stuttered and his cheeks blushed pink. "In your dreams Potter!" malfoy said when he had gathered himself. Then his gaze fell on Death. "You and a snake? I think you like dogs better. Anyway, you brought your dog to the platform. Shame if he is reported," Draco bursts out to save his dignity, but his mask of ridicule cannot cover him. Harry was more amused than anything, but Malfoy threatening Sirius was not something he could agree with.

"Oh Draco-" Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Malfoy all looked at him with similarly shocked gazes, as he used the name, while Luna continued to read Quibbler uninterruptedly - "you don't know what's waiting for you if you're "I can't keep some things to yourself. I'm sure your father told you to shut up" Harry's eyes flashed dangerously, "and if not, that's the case." Harry grinned at Malfoy. The tongue of death flicked into the skin just below his jaw. The joint amusement pulsates through their bonds when Malfoy gulps his saliva, but then he clenches his teeth.

"We'll see, Potter." With a last look of condescension on Ron and Hermione, Draco turned to leave. Crabbe and Goyle followed him with matching expressions of confusion on their faces. Ron on the other hand, it seemed he didn't know if he should congratulate Harry, for making Malfoy leave this easily or declaring him insane. But while Ron did not seem to understand what Malfoy was saying, Hermione looked at him uneasily. He knew that Malfoy probably knew about Sirius and also that he was an Animagus. But with Neville and Luna inside their compartments, he did not dare to talk about it. When Ron started chewing the brown frog hard, Harry decided that it might be the best decision to sleep for the rest of the train ride.

When Hermione woke her, the sun had set and the bright stars lit up the sky where there were no clouds hiding it. "You have to change, we're almost there" he said. He was already wearing his robe, a badge that showed his status as a Prefect glittered on his chest. Harry noticed that Ron was examining his shadow on the window, tidying his robe just below his own badge.

Harry yawned and squirmed like a cat. He caught a glimpse of his own reflection in the dark window, which caused him to comb his hair with his fingers. He gave up when it only became wilder than before. He asked himself why he still bothers to try. Maybe he should cut it like he was when he became an Auror.

Harry suppressed the urge to pull the face into his own shadow and instead swept Death's delicate scales with his fingers and turned to the others.

Ron and Hermione disappear when the train slows down to keep an eye on the people as the usual chaos begins. Everyone gathered their belongings and left their compartments.

"I can carry the owl," Luna offers to help when Harry is left with two cages, while Ginny brings Crookshanks. Harry happily accepted, while Neville gently stuffed Trevor his frog into the pocket of his robe. As they left the carriage and stepped onto the platform, Harry noticed, that, unlike Luna, Ginny, or Neville, he had no problem walking past the chatting crowd. The crowd involuntarily seemed to part in front of him. Like a forgotten instinct to avoid Death, they kept their distance. Well, he definitely wouldn't complain about that.

The smell of pine growing on the edge of the lake filled the air. Harry closed his eyes for a moment and forgotten memories invaded his mind, about the tournament and the dragons, the snowy winters at Hogsmeade and the warm fireplace. Although he may have lost touch with the people in his life, Hogwarts is still his home.