When you're ready

When You're Ready

I want to name a star after you Harry.

Harry looked up, paling. That voice, where had it come from?

I want to paint a rainbow in the sky for you to look at.

Harry stood stock still, staring at nothing. That voice...

I want to make a hole in the clouds above you so when it rains, you'll never get wet.

That voice, this time followed by laughter.

It began to rain again, and Harry raised his eyes to the Heavens, imagining the blue sky through the cloud and feeling no moisture.

I want to fly you to the moon so we can watch the earth revolve.

Harry felt tears come to his eyes as he listened to words he hadn't heard for a long time.

I want to make a thousand people happy just to see your smile.

Kids ran past Harry, laughing and talking, dancing in the rain and happy in the new world that had been created.

I want to take you to see beautiful sights that you've never seen before, just for the pleasure of seeing your face light up in wonder.

And Harry cried, for lost dreams, lost promises and most of all, for his lost love.

Will you marry me Harry? Will you let me love and protect you till the end of time?

Harry knelt heavily onto the grass and soil softened by rain. A rain to wash away pain, a rain to wash away crime, a rain to wash away sins and a rain to wash away all the wrong and evil that existed.

It could be a beautiful world Harry; I want to take all the pain away and leave it beautiful for you.

Memories plagued Harry relentlessly. Images he had tried to block out refused to leave until they were acknowledged. Every face of the dead, every spell cast, every dying word, all came back to haunt him.

Will you promise to come to me when you feel lonely or upset Harry? Don't suffer alone; come to me when you are ready Harry.

The final battle had come as a surprise. After countless failed attempts on Harry's life, he had been labelled as The-Boy-Who-Will-Live, a match for Voldemort, and maybe more. Harry's death had been seemingly postponed in favour of wiping out all his loved ones first. In order of weakness; Ginny, Neville, Justin, Seamus...as if they were simply training tests, the levels and power getting higher with each victim.

Don't give up Harry, even if I'm not there.

An embarrassed tone.

Because I will still be there you know.

It had come as a surprise, when the next to go had been the closest, most precious to Harry. The Aurors had thought they were so clever, hiring Strategists. The War Strategists had believed themselves superior, blinded by theory. "We've found a pattern," they said, "we know who's not safe and we're the only ones who can save you."

Remember I love you, no matter what.

Voldemort had to have known, he had to, he couldn't have been that stupid to not realise that Harry would come after him. He killed seventeen Death Eaters that very night. Voldemort had been at his most vulnerable. Harry had found him, still proud and unwilling to surrender, in the same graveyard where he had been resurrected with Harry's blood. Wormtail cowering in fear beside him had gone straight to hell. His soul damned to eternal restlessness as a result of his unpaid Wizard's debt.

I support all your decisions good or bad because I love you.

The battle between Voldemort and himself had been short, but fierce. It seemed that Harry had lost his fear. Voldemort had lost his edge. He was a powerful wizard in both Light and Dark magic, but he had never realised what an advantage he had had before, when Harry was still afraid to use Dark curses.

I need neither love nor friendship, but should I choose to love it's forever.

And in the end, it had been pure unadulterated rage that had won out. As Harry was left standing on Voldemort's charred remains, he snapped the old wizard's wand to symbolise his victory.

I snapped my wand because I never want it to cause you harm Potter, and being from the family I am, it likely would have done.

And Harry had done it. Harry had defeated the greatest evil in the world for a long time. But the sun hadn't come out; it had remained stormy as it was during the terror. The damage hadn't magically repaired itself; the homeless were still wandering around trying to celebrate their nothing. The dead hadn't risen; they remained silent six feet under. And Harry Potter hadn't suddenly become happy, he was still a lonely young man badly affected by war and loss. Any moment now, someone would recognise him and he would have to put on a hero's front and explain to crowds of millions why he had chosen to go off into the local park rather than share the joy of his triumph. He would be surrounded, yet still be alone.

Promise me.

Harry slumped forwards, uncaring of the mud or dirt. He was tired, so tired of everything.

When you are ready...

Weeping openly for his love now, Harry whispered,

"Draco..."

"Are you ready Harry?" The sweet voice asked.

"Yes." Harry whispered in reply.

"Are you sure?" A teasing tone.

"Yes." A firmer, more audible response.

"Well, then what are you waiting for? The red carpet?" Openly amused now.

Harry lifted his head, irritated and saw him. Not a hair was out of place, a sly smile upon his lips.

"Draco?" Harry asked disbelievingly. A smirk, then a hand was held out.

"Yes Harry, are you going to stay there all day catching flies love? Because there are other things I know your trap is good for."

"Draco?" Harry asked again, his voice threatening to break. Draco's gaze softened immediately, all joking aside now that Harry needed him.

"Yes Harry, it's me. Are you ready to come to me now?" He asked softly. And Harry understood, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"But what about the Wizarding World?" Draco smiled gently.

"I can't make any decisions for you Harry; it's all up to you. What I can tell you is that no matter what you decide, I'll always love you and wait for you. A Malfoy needs neither love nor friendship, but should they choose to love, it's forever."

At that, Harry smiled, sod the Wizarding World, he'd done more than his part and he had nothing left to give. This was what he wanted now.

Without a backward glance at the body still slumped forwards in the mud, Harry took Draco's hand and walked into the sky.

End