Home is where the heart is

Home is Where the Heart Is
Chapter Eighteen - Recovery, Pain, and the Realms of the Dead

Everywhere hurt.

That was all that Danielle groggily realised, as she floated in a dream-like state. It felt like she'd been run over by a bus. Or a train. Or anything remotely large and heavy that could move. Her side, her arm, her face.....they all burned. Clouded with pain, her mind distantly comprehended a feeling of being carefully moved. Although she wanted to cry out, or scream in pain, her body wouldn't let her move or open her eyes.

In the blackness, Danielle fought to get up to the light above her, kicking and lashing out at her invisible restraints. She had to get out of this nightmare, she had to reach the light. Struggling against the dark, which was holding her down, she rose towards the opening, high above her. There was no way that she'd stay here, floating between extreme pain, fear, and confusion.

She was afraid, terribly afraid that she would be trapped here forever. Danielle still tried to break out of the endless pit that she was in, but the pain and fatigue was too much. Her will and strength gave out, and with one last mental sigh, Danielle fell backwards and blissfully sank into a world of nothingness.

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Harry had watched his godmother thrash wildly about on the hospital bed, held down by magical ties. Her major wounds had ceased to bleed, and under Madam Pomfrey's care, she was stable, but there was something that Danielle kept fighting against, in her mind. Pomfrey, Dumbledore, McGonagall....none of them had successfully administered a sleeping potion to her yet. She kept on knocking it out of their hands and whimpering like a wild animal, crying out at various stages. Madam Pomfrey was very worried that she would make her condition worse, and cause further damage to her many wounds.

He was afraid. That was all before, but now Danielle just lay there, almost as if in a coma. She practically looked like a corpse, except not quite as dead looking. This was ten times scarier than her wild, unpredictable fits. Harry had been there since early that morning, when Dumbledore himself had awoken him from his sleep and brought him to the hospital wing. He'd sat there for at least five hours, and hadn't eaten breakfast or even brushed his hair.

A few beds away, Professor Sinistra also was recovering. But even her injuries weren't at serious as Danielle's. Elaine was awake, and couldn't sit up, but she was able to talk and move her head. She had spoken kindly to Harry, as he sat there next to Danielle's bed, holding her hand, even though she too was in a considerable amount of pain. Harry had barely spoken since he'd walked through the door to the hospital wing and seen the battered sight of his godmother.

Ron and Hermione knew where he was. They weren't allowed in the wing, but whispered to Harry through the door that they were nearby if he needed them. Harry had somehow thanked them, and then returned to his vigil beside Danielle's bed.

How could this happen to her? Yesterday afternoon, they were joking and talking cheerfully. Now, less than twenty-four hours later, there was a strong chance that Danielle might die. Harry watched her closely, always looking for a change - if she'd only open her eyes and tell him that everything would be okay, and to stop acting like an idiot and go have lunch! One time, Harry had been staring at Danielle for so long that for a moment, his eyes tricked him into seeing his own mother, lying there, beaten and dying. His heart had frozen, but blinking again, he saw Danielle instead, still and silent.

He couldn't stand sitting there, but Harry couldn't make himself leave, either. He was too afraid to leave.

Professor Dumbledore checked in on them every hour or so, and it was during one of those times when Harry managed to find his voice to ask a question. "Professor, why can't Madam Pomfrey heal them quickly, like she regrew my bones that time?" he asked in a hollow voice, looking up at the elderly man.

Albus quickly took in the sight of the boy, with red-rimmed eyes, which gave away the held-back tears, and a shadowed face. He placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder.

"The magic of those daemons was very ancient, Harry. It's not like normal magic - we do not possess the knowledge to heal her. There was some kind of poison that was injected into her, when the daemon slashed her cheek....in their claws.....there is no known cure for it. And her mind was battered badly during the attack. We have no other choice but to give Danielle time." he had said sadly, and then went away, out of the wing.

How much time does he think she has? Harry thought, furious and upset. She's dying - and there isn't a way to stop it! Unable to stop himself, Harry wiped hot tears from his eyes. It wasn't fair that just as he found someone who could really look after him, until Sirius was proven innocent, she would be taken away. Please don't die on me, he whispered in his mind, gripping her cold hand. Please....

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Despite his attempts, Severus Snape couldn't concentrate on anything that day. The events of the night before kept on replaying in his mind. The brutal attack of those monsters, Danielle saving his life, in the process nearly losing her own, and the impressive display of power from Dumbledore - it was all too much to think about. The gash in his side had been healed, but even magic couldn't stop the bruising that Snape still had.

Even the students weren't acting as normal. The story of the attack had spread like wildfire, and suddenly first years were walking in fearful groups in the hallways, in case another hidden monster leapt at them from the shadows. At dinner, it was all that the students would talk about. Since Sinistra and Rivendale were missing from the staff table, it didn't take long for everyone to figure out that they were injured.

Severus slouched at the teacher's table, tired and on edge. If anyone talked to him, they would only get a snappy reply for an answer. While picking at his food, McGonagall slid into the chair next to him. She, too, was pale, with bags under her eyes.

"The Ministry officials are here," she said tiredly, pushing her glasses back up her nose. "Albus is arranging for more security around the grounds. They want to carry out an investigation."

"Investigation?" Snape growled. "What the hell for? It's obvious why they came."

"What?" McGonagall asked, startled out of her weariness. "What do you mean?"

Snape glanced around the hall quickly, but all of the children were engrossed in their gossip. Reassured that there were no eavesdroppers, he turned back to Minerva with a dark look on his face. "Those daemons were sent here. Why else would they show up in the middle of the night and risk going against Albus Dumbledore?" When Minerva still looked confused, he sighed in annoyance.

"They were sent here to kill someone in particular - Potter, if I'm not mistaken. The work of that goddamn 'Aiden', almost certainly. And right now, there's only one person who would make an alliance with-" Here, Snape smiled twistedly. "- bounty hunters. A - daemons. And that is Voldemort."

Minerva looked horrified. "Good Lord....."

"Exactly. That is why Dumbledore is now putting up such heavy guards. This can't happen again, or Potter won't be around for the next Quidditch match." Snape said grimly. "But those blind fools at the Ministry will do anything but admit the truth. Idiots." He looked around at the Gryffindor table, but couldn't see Potter's unruly mop of hair amongst the crowd. "Speaking of that, where is Potter?"

"Hospital wing. Dumbledore gave him permission to stay with Danielle." McGonagall said softly, her eyes clouding over. "If only......." Minerva didn't finish her thought, but Snape knew how she wanted to end that sentence. If only Danielle would wake up and assure everyone that she would live. Pulling out a hanky, McGonagall blew her nose, and then continued. "Thank goodness it's a Saturday. Otherwise, classes would have been cancelled. I don't think anyone is up to teaching today."

Snape nodded idly, still thinking of Danielle lying prone and lifeless in the hospital wing.

McGonagall seemed to realise that he wasn't listening. "Why don't you go and see her?" she asked gently. "She saved your life......even though she may not be awake, it might help ease your mind." When Snape looked up sharply, Minerva smiled. "I can tell how worried you are, Severus. Your brooding is easy to spot a mile away."

She got up and left the table, disappearing through one of the side doors, leaving Snape feeling rather foolish. Was it that obvious? He would have to be more careful. Slowly getting up himself, Snape left the Great Hall, which echoed with the whispers of the students, heading towards the hospital wing.

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"Harry?"

Harry felt himself being lightly shaken awake, and blinked at the kind face of the headmaster, bending over him. Sitting up, Harry realised that he'd fallen asleep, resting his head on the side of Danielle's hospital bed. He mentally kicked himself for losing control, and looked up at Dumbledore concerned face. "Professor, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's quite alright, Harry," Dumbledore interrupted, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "You really should go back to your dormitory and get some sleep."

Harry recoiled from his touch. "No! What if - if something happens?" he stumbled over the words. "I can't leave."

Dumbledore sighed sadly. "Ah. Yes. I understand how worried you must be, Harry......but we must give her time for her immune system to fight off the poison. The wait is the worst part." There was a silence, as Harry looked away and studied Danielle's face. Even bruised, with the faint trace of a scar across her right cheek, all that remained of the vicious slash across the face - she looked beautiful.

Deathly pale and cold, but still beautiful. Harry reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face. "Will she die?" he asked suddenly, looking up at Dumbledore almost accusingly. The old man shook his head, regretful.

"I can't answer that, Harry. I don't know."

Gripping the side of the bed, Harry squeezed his eyes shut. "Can't anyone help?"

Professor Dumbledore shook his head again. "I'm afraid not. Seers are of no use here.....neither are normal healers. And Madam Pomfrey is far beyond a normal healer." Watching the boy battle with his grief, Albus felt helpless. Death was something that he couldn't cure, and there was no spell to suspend inner pain. "But don't give up hope, Harry." he said softly, "Hope is all we have, and it can be a powerful tool. For her sake, don't give up hope."

Standing, Dumbledore walked to the door. But before he left, he turned around and gave Harry a kind smile. "You should get some sleep.......just rest in that spare bed. You don't have to leave." Harry nodded mutely, and Dumbledore left the room.

But outside, he strode over to Poppy. "He needs some food and rest," he said quietly. "Don't force him, though. He'll be staying in the wing tonight."

Poppy bit her lip. "Albus, I don't see how it could possibly help the situation....." she sighed, but went to obey.

Dumbledore then began to make his way back to his office, when he caught sight of Severus striding towards him. "Are you going to the hospital wing, Severus?" he called.

Snape almost looked guilty for a moment, before replacing it with a scowl. "Yes, headmaster." Dumbledore didn't say anything, he just looked at Snape inquisitively. Feeling uncomfortable under the older man's gaze, Snape sought for something to say. "I was going to see Danielle.....if it's not inconvenient." he added.

"It's fine, Severus. I understand your reasons. I suppose I should warn you that Harry is also spending the night in the wing."

"What? Has he gone and injured himself again?" Snape asked irritably.

"No.....he doesn't wish to leave Danielle's side, and I felt it would be best to let him stay."

"Hmph." Snape grunted, before continuing on his way. When he got to the hospital door, Severus paused for a moment. What was he doing? What was the point? To see how badly off she is, a voice in his mind hissed. To look at her and be glad it isn't you.

He recoiled sharply from this thought.

Steeling himself and shoving this thought away, Snape entered and blinked in astonishment at the scene before him.

Madam Pomfrey was practically cornering Potter into a bed, who was armed with a smoking cup of potion and a tray laden with food, floating behind her. "Mr Potter, will you just get into the bed and take this potion?" he heard her say exasperatedly, managing to push the boy onto the hospital bed. Perhaps it was the sight of her glaring down at him, looking quite threatening, that made Potter finally give in. He crawled under the sheets and reluctantly took the potion from her.

"What is this stuff?" Harry asked suspiciously, sniffing the goblet. "It's not a sleep potion, is it?"

"No, just a relaxing brew," Madam Pomfrey said primly. "It will help you feel better. Now, drink that and eat some food. And if I catch you out of that bed-"

"Don't fret, Poppy," Snape spoke from the doorway, a sneer on his face. "I'll keep an eye on him."

Harry froze and stared at Snape, before defiantly looking at Madam Pomfrey and drained the goblet in one go. He spluttered a bit afterwards - the stuff tasted horrible. However, he kept his face expressionless. Snape smirked knowingly. He knew about that potion tasting disgusting.

"Severus? Is anything the matter?" Madam Pomfrey inquired, taking the empty goblet from Harry. "No, nothing. I came to check that everything is well here." Snape said smoothly, stepping further into the light.

Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Of course. Things are stable, I was about to retire myself. It is rather late."

"Go then. I'll make sure that everything is locked up and secure."

When Poppy looked uncertain, Snape waved a dismissive hand. "I am familiar with the routine of the hospital wing, Poppy. You look tired. Go get some sleep." Madam Pomfrey gave in, and turned to Harry.

"Eat everything." she said sternly, before nodding to Severus and exiting.

Silence. Harry and Snape glared at each other from across the room.

"Well, Potter. You seem to like it here an awful lot, don't you?" Snape finally broke the quiet, crossing his arms. "Can't you go for a month without being in the hospital wing?" Harry didn't answer - he was baiting him, for some reason. Snape looked over and saw Danielle lying in the bed beside him. Harry saw a flicker of emotion pass over Snape's face. He looked almost......worried. But that was impossible. Snape didn't care about anyone else except himself - right?

Severus looked back and caught Harry staring at him. "What are you staring at, Potter?" he barked. "Eat your food and stop gaping at me like an idiot."

Harry didn't move. "Why did you come up here, Professor?" he asked bluntly. "The dungeons aren't anywhere near the hospital wing."

Snape narrowed his eyes. "As a student, you have no right to question me. But For your information, I came here to check on Professor Rivendale." he growled. Then he looked back at the pale woman lying on the bed. "Why did you do it, Danielle?" he said to himself, in practically a whisper. Harry blinked. Something very weird was going on.

"Professor...Danielle saved everyone last night, didn't she? And then Dumbledore got rid of the daemons?"

Snape turned and looked at him searchingly. "She did. Saved my life," he admitted. "Foolish woman. She should have gone for help," he added, as an afterthought. "It's because of her foolishness that she is in this state."

Harry glared at him, and decided that Snape could go to hell for all he cared. "She saved you! I'd be a bit more grateful, if I was you!" he muttered under his breath. But Snape heard, and he strode over to Harry's bed, towering over the boy.

His deadened eyes bored into Harry's. "Is that what you think, Potter?" he hissed. "I certainly didn't ask her to save my life. My death would have benefited everyone.....Danielle's Gryffindor stubborn streak just got in the way."

Harry held the look for a long time. "Why do you hate everyone so much?" he finally asked quietly.

An owl hooted outside, the only noise to be heard. Severus clenched his hands. "Potter, your nosiness will get you killed," he spat. "If you want to live in the Order of Phoenix, I suggest you learn the basic rules of survival. You're lucky you've lived this long. Those daemons came for you, and I suggest you take time to consider the peril you place those around you in."

In his bed, Harry sat, stunned. He hadn't known that the daemons were after him.

Snape was right. It was his fault.....this was his fault!

Snape took one, final glance at Danielle, before sneering at Harry, and stalked out. Leaving Harry with increasing feelings of guilt and horror. He's right. Danielle's going to die, and it's my fault. My fault. I'm killing her. I killed her. I did it. It's my fault.

The words echoed strangely inside his mind. I killed.......my fault.....going to die.....my fault.... Harry thought he was going to be sick, the sheer horror making his mind numb. His eyes glazed over, and a feeling of detachment came over him. And then, suddenly, out of nowhere - inside his mind, a deep voice whispered to him.

Go over to her bed, boy, go over there.....

By now, all of Harry's reasoning was muddled up. Lack of sleep and food, along with worry and fear had practically made him delusional. Shaking, he pushed the floating tray away from him, the food untouched, and got out of bed. He staggered over to Danielle's hospital bed, and looked down on her. Without knowing what he was doing, Harry took her limp hand and gripped it tightly. Then, he began to chant in a language that he had never heard of, never learnt.

"Glaoigh ar an cumhacht mé laishigh de mé. Scairt ar an solas mé laishigh de mé....."

Harry's eyes were flashing with a strange, white glow. The dark room was lit by the flickering candles and the strange glow that was now engulfing Harry himself. Then, suddenly, a burst of light came from Danielle's cold hand and his own, and the room was blindingly lit. Outside the castle, a massive white pillar of light could be seen, flashing out of the hospital wing's windows.

Use your power. You know how. Heal her. The eerie voice commanded.

And somehow, Harry did.

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Albus Dumbledore was dozing lightly in his comfortable chair in his office with little success - his worry and anxiety had stopped him from gaining any rest that day. Then, he felt something.....a tremor. And then a huge burst of power touched him. He jerked awake, and stood up, his blue eyes wide and intense.

"It has begun." he whispered, before grabbing his wand and tearing out of his office. For such an old man, Dumbledore certainly had not lost his speed. The castle was practically rocking, and several young girls were screaming in fear. As he ran past, Minerva appeared out of a classroom. "Albus, what-?" she asked, keeping pace with him.

"It's Harry. His power.....it's growing. He has heard his calling. We must hurry."

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In the white haze that Harry swam through, he was extremely confused. Where am I?

Unbidden, the voice answered. In the realms of the dead.

Why am I here?

To save your godmother.

But............how?

Find her, and bring her back. Search amongst the dead, and you will see her.

Harry peered through the white mist, and slowly things came into focus. And then he blanched.

As far as he could see, there were the shadowy figures of people walking into the distance, into the enormous light in the near-horizon. They were like ghosts, and yet they were not. The expression on their faces ranged from anger to curiosity to blankness, but their eyes weren't like eyes at all....more like dark pits. And Harry was somehow standing in the crowd, amongst the moving lines. Distance was warped, and things that looked far away seemed to quickly become closer and brighter.

The people - ghosts? - walked straight through him, and it sent an icy shiver down his spine. What was this? How would he find Danielle? Panicking, Harry looked up, and saw nothing except eternal blackness above him. No stars, no clouds....nothing. What have I gotten myself into now? he thought dispiritedly. Now what do I do?

Deciding that it was useless to just stand there, Harry began to walk, moving with the crowd. The weirdest part was, that the people weren't silent. No, as Harry walked in his place, he overheard snatches of conversation......the spirits were talking about their previous lives, in almost an offhand fashion. None of them seemed particularly upset that they were dead.

"Oh, I was an accountant, actually.....terribly boring, but good money-"

"Really? I was a train driver - until I tripped off a platform and got run over-"

"I was murdered by my husband's jealous lover.....ooh, just wait until it's her turn, I'll-"

Harry forced himself to stop listening. It was pretty morbid, and utterly insane - he was in a crowd of dead people, listening to them describe their deaths! Harry then wondered if maybe he had just finally lost it......maybe this was just a crazy dream......the stress had finally caught up with him.....But before Harry could think much more, a sight stopped him in his tracks, which caused a ghost behind him to go straight through his body. "I say! Watch what you're doing, young man!" the elderly man scolded him, before walking - floating? - onwards.

Before him, a wall of pure white light stretched out at all sides. There seemed no end to it - it went on for as far as he could see, piercing the otherwise grey surroundings. And one by one, the spirits passed through, onto whatever was the other side. Blinking, Harry started to move his legs again, and cautiously went up to the wall of light. The ghost in front of him stepped up, and then without pausing, disappeared. Swallowing, Harry moved up and stretched his arm to touch it. His hand went straight through. Holding back a cry of shock, he quickly withdrew his hand, and thankfully, it was still there. It seemed that there was nothing on the other side - nothing to lose. Except your life, of course........

But he wasn't too worried about that - chances were, he was already dead.

Harry took a breath, and then stepped directly into the shimmering white.

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Minerva and Albus burst into the hospital wing, to find Harry slumped over Danielle's body, his hand firmly clutching hers. And he was glowing faintly, a steady white. Minerva went to rush forward and shake him, but Dumbledore stopped her. "If we touch either of them, we'll lose them both." he said, staring at the two figures intensely.

Helplessly, Minerva looked from Dumbledore to the unconscious boy and woman. She was completely confused. "Albus........what is going on?"

He sighed. "Harry possesses great power. And somehow, it has called to him. It appears that he is attempting to bring Danielle back........from where ever she is. If we disturb him, he could lose the connection with his own body and be lost to us forever."

McGonagall covered her mouth in horror. "But - will he die?" she asked, after a moment.

"It all depends on Harry. If he has the will."

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It felt like he spent eternity just passing through the wall. When it finally cleared, Harry realised that there was no sign of the other people that had passed through. He was alone, and in some kind of wood. There was sunlight, and overhead, birds twittered and flew from tree to tree. Bright flowers grew all over the place - roses, daffodils, bluebells - it seemed like millions of others - each a different colour - surrounded him. He was standing on a path, that trailed out of sight, into the trees.

The strangest part was the feeling of peacefulness. Harry felt no fear of this place.....it was comforting, and safe. It felt like Hogwarts. Harry began to follow the path, taking in the surroundings, and enjoying the simple beauty of this world.

Was this what people claimed to be the afterlife? In heaven?

The path began to climb a slight hill, and when Harry reached the top, he gazed down at a small cottage, that looked both comfortable and homely, with a stack of firewood outside. There was even a small front garden, with what looked to be herbs growing in it. A typical stereotype home of a huntsman in a fairytale.....not that he had read many.

Harry paused for a moment, before walking down the path, right up to the cottage door. He could hear voices from the inside, and he pressed an ear to the door, to listen.

"I can't believe you're here - how did it happen?" asked a man's shaky voice, oddly familiar.

"Hogwarts was attacked......I did it to save the teachers and give them a chance to stop the creatures. I wasn't counting on getting killed," Danielle's voice spoke, sounding oddly subdued from her normal tone. But it was enough of a shock - Harry froze on the spot. Danielle was here! In the cottage! "I guess it's for the best, really. At least I'm here with you two..."

He was stunned. Without another thought, Harry wrenched open the door and burst inside. To the left was an open door, and the voices were coming from there. He rushed forward but then halted abruptly.

"Anyway, those daemons-" Danielle was saying, when she caught sight of him gaping in the doorway. She turned deathly pale, and stood up from the chair she was sprawled on. "Harry?"

Harry just stared at her. She didn't look any different from what he remembered, if you didn't count the fact that she had been in a coma-like state in the hospital wing. The other two people in the room jerked and stared at Harry in astonishment. They were strangely familiar....he had seen them before...

And then it hit him. "Mum? Dad?" he croaked, gripping the frame of the doorway for support.

The redheaded lady - no - his mother - rose from the chair she had been sitting on. "No..... she whispered. "Harry......you can't be here........there must be a mistake...." Lily's voice wobbled, her bright green eyes wide and filled with tears. "Oh God.....it's not your time...."

Danielle seemed to be in a state of shock. "But - but - how? How did you get here? How did you die, Harry?" she gasped.

Harry just stared at her in confusion. "I'm not dead," he said, his eyes darting from his mother to Danielle, feeling a panic he couldn't quite explain. "I didn't die. I came to get you."

James Potter moved to the doorway, until he was standing right in front of Harry. "Son.....you have to be dead. This is the afterlife...." he told him in a choked voice. "This is where people go when they pass on." He stared down at Harry with a stunned expression on his face. Harry suddenly realised how tall his father was, compared to him. He swallowed, and looked at them all.

The whole thing was surreal. His own father, James Potter, was right in front of him - untidy hair, glasses and all. His father's brown eyes were wide and focused.

"I swear, I'm not dead. I don't know how I got here, but I'm alive. The voice told me I could bring Danielle back, if I used my power. But.....w-where is this place? And........why are you here?" Harry stammered, nervously jerking his head as he looked at Danielle and his parents.

James exchanged a look of bewilderment with Lily. "Voice? You.....you'd better come in and sit down," he said hesitatingly. Harry slowly entered the small but comfy living room, and sat in a chair. It was then that the reality sank in. He was in the afterlife, sitting in a room with his deceased parents, who were talking to him. And it felt so real......

Danielle sank back into her chair and buried her face in her hands. "It's my fault...." she muttered.

"No, it's not," Harry said faintly, but firmly. "D'you think I'd let you leave us that easily? Everyone is worrying about you.......you're almost dead, but not quite. I came to bring you back. Either that, or I'd die with you."

Danielle looked up at him, horrified. Harry just kept his gaze steady. Because although he hadn't ever really thought about it....yes, he would die for Danielle. Or Sirius. Or Remus. Or his friends, Hermione and Ron and Neville and the rest of the Gryffindors.

James moved closer to Harry and cautiously placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder. "But you don't know if it will work." he said, ruffling Harry's hair and looking at him, concerned. Harry felt a wave of - what? Homesickness? But this wasn't his home.....he'd never even been here......"It's rarely done, a dead person's spirit salvaged from the afterlife."

"But the voice told me I could," Harry muttered quietly, looking down at his shoes. "I have no idea how I got here. I don't even know where, exactly, this is."

Again, silence. Lily began to tremble. "Oh, Harry," she suddenly burst out, and dashed across the room to throw herself on him. She began to hug Harry fiercely, sobbing as she spoke. "My little boy! Oh, my poor baby. Why has everything happened to you? Why?"

Even though Lily was about ten centimetres taller, right now she felt like a small child, clinging to Harry as she cried. James hesitated, his own eyes becoming overly bright. "My son...." he said in a half-whisper, staring at Harry harder than ever. Then he too joined the huddle. Harry was being held, stroked, cried on - arms wrapped around him as his parents were finally reunited with him. And he felt safer and more loved than ever before in his life.

Harry felt tears running down his face - he didn't know or care if they were tears of joy, or tears of sadness. Right now, he felt too wrapped up in the moment to care about anything than letting his parents hold him.

Danielle watched on in the corner, fighting back her own tears. If this was the stuff of songs and poems for thousands of years, than she could understand the emotion behind them. The power of the moment seemed to wash out all other thoughts, including the bizarre fact that she was, in fact, dead as a doornail. Actually, according to Harry, this was not entirely accurate.

Eventually, Lily drew back from Harry and smiled in a watery way. "Well, I think we may need some tissues, don't you?" When Harry smiled back, shyly, Lily fumbled inside her robes and pulled out her wand. "Accio!" she said, pointing at a tissue box. And even though he was overcome with emotions, Harry still had the presence of mind to wonder - they have Kleenex in the afterlife?

Lily offered the box to Harry, and he gratefully took a handful and blew his nose. Lily and James did the same. "I can't believe how big you are," Lily said, once finished with her tissues. "Last time I hugged you, you were about the size of a leprechaun."

"Is that a compliment?" James said teasingly, putting an arm around Harry's shoulders. "After all, he's obviously taking after his old man."

"In that case, Harry'd better spend the rest of his life locked up in St Mungo's," Danielle said smartly from her corner. "Who'd want to end up looking like you?"

James scowled as Lily burst out laughing, and Harry had to stifle his own grin. "You seem to have kept your wonderful sarcasm," he replied dryly. "Oh, how I've missed the days of being the subject of your criticism."

"'Course you have. I'm intellectually stimulating."

"Intellectually tiring would be more accurate."

"Ha! Spoken like a true male."

"Children!" Lily broke in, glaring at both of them. "And I am not referring to Harry. Can we please not squabble? This is a very serious situation that we're in. Harry and Danielle have to return to the living world, remember? Who knows how long they can stay here before they really do become permanent residents!"

As it was meant to, Lily's words quickly sobered the atmosphere of the room. "You're right," Danielle said quietly. "Harry and I can't linger. The longer we stay, the less likely we can go back."

Harry's happiness deflated like a balloon. "But I only just got here!" he exclaimed, pulling away from James' arm. "Can't I stay here for a while?" Even as he said this, Harry knew that it would be impossible. As he and Danielle stood here, back in his old life, people were probably frantic.

"Harry.....you know that we can't...." Danielle sighed.

"You have already defied the laws of the living and the dead," James told him. "It can only last for so long. Your mother and I would want nothing more than for you to stay and talk for a while, but it's just not possible."

"But I'll never get to see you again, like this!" Harry cried.

Lily looked upset. "Do you honestly like seeing us like this?" she asked him softly. "This is the realm of death. Don't be deceived by the beauty of the surroundings. The people who come here have died, often in tragic and horrible ways. To see our only son, a teenager, and my best friend in a place like this-" Lily broke off and looked away.

Harry felt horrible, like a monster. "I'm sorry," he whispered, glancing at James guiltily. "I just - I wanted-"

"We know," James nodded understandingly. "But don't be afraid. Your mother and I watch you all the time. There are ways that we can see you, visit you....believe me, you will see us again, whenever we can manage to come."

"Why - why haven't you visited me before?" Harry asked, hesitant. "Besides the graveyard, I mean."

Lily and James both looked contrite. "Well, we have. You just haven't seen us," Lily admitted. "We often came and watch you as a little boy - ooh, I have a good mind to come back and haunt Petunia, I really do-"

James rested a constraining hand on her back. "We know how much you hated the Dursleys," he said quietly. "Our greatest regret was that we didn't name someone besides Sirius as a back-up guardian, so you might have never had to endure a childhood there. And as Danielle left, she was unavailable. I should have looked ahead into the future."

"There's nothing much you could have done anyway," Harry said quickly. "Dumbledore gave me the idea that there's some sort of special magic that protects me when I'm staying there. I'd rather take the Dursleys over Voldemort any day," he added gloomily.

Danielle was sitting silently in her chair, frowning down at her lap. "How will we get back?" she finally spoke up. "Forgive me, Harry, but I don't think we can get back the way we came....the walk into death and the entrance to the afterlife..."

Perplexed, Harry screwed up his face, thinking. And then some little instinct, one that he couldn't explain, urged him to go outside. "I think.....I think we need to go outside to get back," he said uncertainly. "I'm not sure why, but it's the only idea I have."

"Fair enough," Lily said briskly. "I suppose we should go, then."

Reluctantly, Harry, his parents, and Danielle filed out the front door and through the small front garden, to stand in the small clearing before the forest. Then, James hugged his son tightly. "Now, be more careful," he said warningly, his eyes over-bright. "Don't risk your life if you can help it, and tell that idiot best-friend of mine, Sirius, to stop kicking himself about Wormtail. I hate seeing him berating himself for something he couldn't help."

Harry nodded, and was immediately swooped on by Lily, who proceeded to squeeze him. "Harry.....look after yourself, okay?" she said, her green eyes tearful but happy. "Make sure you eat enough, get plenty of sleep, and go to either Danielle or Dumbledore if you think anything is wrong, and wash behind your ears, and-"

"Lily. I think he already knows that." James cut in, chuckling a bit.

She kissed Harry on the forehead, and then turned to Danielle. "Ohhhh........"

The two women embraced. "Lily, I missed you so much!" Danielle cried into Lily's shoulder.

The other woman rocked her gently. "Shhh.......it's okay, Danni. I never stopped watching after you - and we're still best friends until forever, right?" she added.

Danielle gave her a watery grin. "Yeah. I'm sorry for all the times I was being such an ass in school." They both laughed, with tears running down their faces.

James turned to Harry, with a bewildered expression. "Women," he said exasperatedly. "They always used to do this. One minute they're crying and the next, they're laughing."

Harry nodded in agreement. "Tell me about it. Hermione's exactly the same."

Danielle wiped the tears off her face, and looked at James. "And now it's you," she said jokingly. "Still up to no good?"

James attempted to look innocent. "Me? Up to no good?" he said in a puzzled voice. "What on earth could you be talking about?" Danielle just shook her head and hugged him around the waist.

Letting go, she looked at Harry. "I guess we should go, then."

Harry looked down. "Yeah...."

By now, the bright sunlight was fading into a musky twilight, and stars were beginning to appear in the sky. "This is a beautiful place," Danielle admitted, breathing in the clear air. "I'm glad it's so nice for you here."

"Not as nice as being with those we left behind." Lily sighed.

James put an arm around her shoulders for support, and turned to Harry. "Harry, do you know exactly how to get back?"

Harry frowned. And then he concentrated on looking inside him.

You found Danielle. Are you ready to return? The voice that had led him into the afterlife asked.

Yes......we want to go back. Harry answered. Suddenly, a glow surrounded Harry and Danielle. James and Lily stood back, watching them steadily glow brighter. But before they disappeared completely, James grinned wickedly.

"Try to be a bit nicer to Padfoot - you aren't in school anymore and you can give up the rivalry between you two. You know what they say - hatred is the basis for love!" he yelled, winking at Danielle. Her response was to scowl and make a rude gesture, causing him to burst out laughing.

"I think I'll have to come visit you two and make sure you don't get into any trouble. Remember, we'll always be watching you, Harry," James added, as the light became brighter and brighter. "Even when things seem impossible, we'll always be looking out for you."

He and Lily waved, as Harry and Danielle were completely engulfed by the light and disappeared, leaving the Potters behind, returning to the much darker and somewhat alive world that they had come from.

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Dumbledore and McGonagall watched, with bated breath, as the glow around Harry and Danielle's limp forms slowly became brighter. "Albus-" Minerva began. But before she could say anything more, there was a huge flash of white light, that blinded them both, and a whirlwind ripped through the room. Struggling to stay upright, Minerva covered her face protectively - but as quickly as the wind came, it instantly vanished. Cautiously, she lowered her hands, and gasped in amazement.

Harry sat up and rubbed his head, adjusting his glasses. He noticed that, thankfully, he was no longer glowing with that eerie light. Just then, Danielle opened her eyes, attempted to sit up, and moaned. "Remind me never to take on an enemy single-handedly again," she mumbled, flopping back onto her pillows. "I hurt."

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The Death Eaters were standing in a semicircle, as their Lord and Master, Voldemort, paced up and down in front of them. Snape was one of the cloaked and masked wizards, apprehensively watching the Dark Lord. Two summonings in one weekend - indeed, things were very bad. Underneath his cloak, Severus felt a slight ache, all that remained of the vicious slash across his side. So far, Voldemort had made no comment. But he looked livid about something, so someone's head was about to roll.

"She survived. Rivendale survived." he abruptly announced, his eyes narrowed to slits. "And the daemons failed me. This cannot continue, my friends. I won't tolerate it. Have I not promised you all power and glory? The opportunity to rid the world of despicable Muggles? And yet, you have all failed me, in your own different ways."

Aiden stepped forward. "My Lord......the daemons are, as we speak, hardening their training and resolve-"

"SILENCE!"

The tension was so thick that Snape was having difficulty breathing. Oh yes, Voldemort was angry. And when he was angry, things got nasty. He knew that Draco Malfoy was probably worse off than he was - the boy was standing next to his father, and Snape could see him shaking from where he was. The boy was afraid, and rightly so. Only a fool would not be. And as his first official summoning, being the first of the new generation of Death Eaters, Draco had most likely never been in such a terrifying situation.

Wormtail was cowering on his other side, and behind his mask, Snape looked at him in disgust. That simpering, pathetic coward was a disgrace to both Death Eaters and his former allies, Dumbledore and his old 'friends' from Hogwarts. If given the chance, Snape would gladly drag the worthless piece of vermin back to Hogwarts, to watch as Black and Lupin ripped him apart.

Voldemort looked slightly mad, his terrible red eyes flickering as he surveyed the Circle. "I will not fail!" he snarled. "Many of you have done nothing to aid me. I obviously need to get my point across, as you all need a reminder of your mortality!"

The Dark Lord whipped around and narrowed his eyes as he chose a victim to vent out his fury on. Aiden stood there, almost bored. He knew that he would not be chosen. But the other Death Eaters were sweating heavily, their terror evident.

Voldemort had an almost feral expression on his face.

He paused.

And then his glittering eyes fell on Draco.

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Several hours later, Snape stumbled back to Hogwarts as fast as his legs could carry him, carrying the unconscious form of Draco Malfoy. There was slippery blood on his hands, Draco's blood. The battered boy was seeping blood from many damaged areas of his body.

Snape knew that Draco was incredibly lucky to be alive, after such an encounter. When he entered the entrance hall, tired and dirty, Minerva McGonagall was hurrying down the stairs, and stopped in her tracks. "Severus? Is that-?"

Snape nodded. She cursed. "All this in one day is too much," he heard her mutter.

Minerva beckoned him to follow her to the hospital wing, and he gladly obeyed. When they arrived, Madam Pomfrey opened the door, took one look, and grunted. "In." she commanded. Snape carried Draco inside, and froze.

Danielle was sitting up and sipping a cup of soup.

"Danielle?" he exclaimed incredulously.

She looked up. "Hey, Severus. Miss me?" Danielle asked weakly.

He couldn't believe it. Was this the same woman he had left only four hours ago? It certainly didn't look like it. Danielle just smiled at the dumbfounded look on his face. "Yeah, I seem to be getting that reaction from a lot of people," she said cheerfully. Then she noticed the bundle that he was carrying. "What are you carrying?"

Severus blinked and remembered the wounded boy in his arms. He quickly placed Draco gently onto an empty bed, and moved aside as Madam Pomfrey came over with her wand in hand. "Out, professor," she said, brandishing her wand. "This boy needs healing and then plenty of sleep. By the looks of it, you need sleep yourself. Go." Snape was about to protest, when he caught Danielle shaking her head and mouthing, You'd better go, she's not in a good mood.

Relenting, Snape allowed himself to be ushered out of the room, and stared at the door that had been closed in his face. That woman is a menace, he thought grumpily. Running his hand through his hair, Severus turned and staggered down the corridor, to his rooms. Exhaustion had finally won over, and he couldn't keep his eyes open.

Back in the fifth year dorms, Harry was sitting at his window and gazing down on the grounds. This morning, his Godmother had been dying, and for a brief period of time, she had died. Until he'd gone and brought her back. And seen his parents. Beside him, Ron was snoring, fast asleep. Both his friends had been enormously relieved to see him out of the hospital wing and to hear that Danielle was awake and recovering. They had both hugged him and said that they had been worried about his refusal to leave the hospital wing.

Hermione then made him go to bed, saying that they could talk about everything in the morning, and Harry had reluctantly agreed, allowing Ron to drag him upstairs. But while Ron fell asleep, Harry's mind was too preoccupied to rest. So much had happened......so much to think about. What was this mysterious power that he possessed? It was impossible to walk amongst the dead and come back alive. But he had done it. And whom did that voice belong to, the one that had guided him?

Harry felt decidedly odd, and climbed back into bed. But for the majority of the night he laid awake, thinking. It was only in the early hours of the morning that he was tired enough to sleep, and was blissfully released of all his troubles.

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