Guardian

Harry was lying in his bed at the Dursleys', trying to sleep, but forgetting to close his eyes. He stared blankly at the pitch-black ceiling, but that wasn't what was on his mind.

The veil haunted his thoughts, and he never forgot that Sirius was gone. He'd slipped through that stupid veil and he hadn't come back.

It was difficult for Harry to go on as normal, but he managed it. Perhaps he was a little bit quieter and soft-spoken than he usually was, but that wasn't a big deal. He didn't cry.

Sleep was difficult as well. He often visited the veil in his dream and heard his godfather whispering to him from behind it.

But too little sleep was a bad thing. With this thought in mind, Harry squeezed his eyes shut. Sirius' face was grinning at him from behind closed lids, arms reached out to Harry.

Suddenly he dropped away.

The Ministry of Magic held many secrets. The one that haunted Harry most stood in the center of the chamber, at the bottom of the many rows of seats. The black veil waved in a wind that didn't ruffle Harry's hair. He stepped closer to it, and listened.

Sirius was there. He knew it, because he could hear him. If he stepped behind the veil, would he be able to return? If he couldn't, would it matter?

Yes, it would. He couldn't give away his life before Voldemort was dead. Harry shook his head. The prophecy.

Harry, a voice came to him. Tears pricked Harry's eyes and he suddenly felt choked.

"Sirius?" he said softly. "Where are you?"

Harry, come to me.

Thoughts of duty and prophecy slipped from Harry's mind and he stumbled toward Sirius' voice. The black veil was ripped and old, but Harry didn't notice as he ran through it, arms outstretched.

I'm over here, Harry said. He started at the sound of his voice. It was like a thought.

A chill went through his body and Harry felt as though he'd been wrapped in a warm blanket.

It's me, Harry.

Harry stood still and felt arms clasp around him. He also realized that he didn't have any clothes on, but he didn't care. He didn't need to cover up anything with Sirius. Not anymore.

Lips touched the back of his head soothingly.

I've missed you.

Sirius, I've missed you, too. Harry was afraid to look at his godfather. He didn't know if he'd see anything. Instead he just put his hands over the ones near his stomach and leaned his head affectionately to the side.

This is how he'd felt every time Sirius had smiled at him in life, but now they could actually touch. If either had known what would happen, they wouldn't have waited. They would have curled up together at every opportunity and kissed good morning, even in front of the Weasley family. It was too late for that now.

When can you come to see me Sirius?

I can't.

Normally, Harry would have had to fight back tears at this thought, but in the angelic arms of the man who loved him more than most, tears didn't want to come. He just stood and bathed in the invisible light surrounding them.

I love you.

A light squeeze around his stomach and another kiss on the top of his head.

I love you, too.

He wanted to stay forever. The world faded away and all that was left was Sirius and Harry, in a vast scope of nothingness, because nothing but the two of them was needed.

Can I come be with you?

A pause. A kiss. A nuzzle.

When it's time.

But I don't want to wait. I want to stay here with you. Harry didn't want to be patient.

No one is ready to let you go. Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Mrs. Weasley. The list went on.

I wasn't ready to let you go. Harry's fingers gripped Sirius's hands. It wasn't fair.

Nothing is fair, Harry. Fate is cruel.

For a few more everlasting and precious moments they stood together, souls molded as one, both of them unwilling to let go.

You can't stay here any longer, Harry. Sirius's grip loosed. Harry's chest tightened.

No, no, I can't leave. Stay with me - Harry turned wildly to hold Sirius and keep them from parting. But when he spun to face the man, he was confronted by nothing but emptiness. There was not even air where his godfather had been standing.

Harry panicked and threw out his hands to find what he was missing. He grabbed something and pulled it toward him.

"Let go of me, you foolish boy!"

Harry's eyes snapped open to the shrieking of his aunt, who sharply pulled her wrist out of his shaking grip.

"Get up. You have chores to do." She grumbled and stamped out of the room.

Harry let his arms drop to his sides. He touched his stomach where Sirius had held him. He touched his hair where Sirius had kissed him.

Harry rolled over and cried.