Somewhere Through Time

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He was thinking about her again.

He supposed it wasn't too big a surprise - he was always thinking about her.

It had been so long since he had last seen her, and yet she was always there.

Sometimes he felt her beside him. Sometimes the feeling was so strong that he actually turned from whatever he was doing, sure she'd be there, watching him and laughing, as she had done so many times before. But she never was.

Tonight was no different. He sighed as he changed into his pyjamas. It took him a minute to remember that she had given him these pyjamas, on their tenth wedding anniversary. At the time, he'd thought it was a rather strange anniversary gift, but then she had proceeded to hang the pyjama bottoms on the end of the bed, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

No wonder they had so many children.

He sighed. There were reminders of her everywhere. From the pictures of her on his nightstand, to the bed they'd shared for so many years, to the tiny stain on the duvet cover where she'd spilt pumpkin juice whilst reading in bed. So many memories.

His heart gave a tug of sadness. He missed her so.

His hand gave a tiny flick and the lights went out immediately. He sighed again and climbed under the covers of the bed. Even after all this time, he still wasn't used to sleeping alone.

He had just closed his eyes and was drifting off towards oblivion when he heard a slight sound. He frowned and punched the pillow, trying to get more comfortable.

He heard the sound again and his eyes flew open.

Surely not. He was hearing things. It couldn't be...

He laughed at himself. Of course it wasn't... How could it be?

He closed his eyes once more. As he did so, he heard the noise again, more insistent this time.

He sat bolt upright in bed.

Okay, that time he'd heard a voice. He knew it.

His eyes strained in the darkness, slowly adjusting.

"Hello?" he said uncertainly. "Is anyone there?"

There was a soft laugh. "Finally." The voice sounded amused. "You're awake."

His voice caught in his throat and he instinctively snatched up his wand.

"Lumos!"

A sliver of light emanated from the tip of his wand, illuminating the room in shivery light. He pointed the light at the end of the bed and gasped.

There she was.

He stared at her in shock. He thought he whispered her name, but it was so quiet he wasn't sure he'd made a sound.

She stared back at him, a slight smile on her lips.

"Is it...is it you?" he whispered again. She nodded slowly.

"But...this isn't possible. You're..."

"Dead? Yes." She reached over to touch her husband's hand. He stared down at his lap in shock as her fingers made contact with his own, intertwining them the way they had always done.

"This..." He swallowed. "This is impossible."

His gaze rose to meet her own, and his voice shook.

"What are you doing here?"

"I've been watching you," she said simply.

"You have?"

"Of course. And now I've come to visit you."

"Why?"

"Why?" Her smile faded. "Love, do you need to ask why? I know you're unhappy."

He stared back down at their hands. "I am," he said simply.

She gazed at him.

"Why did you have to go?" he whispered into his lap. "I miss you all the time. I can't stop thinking about you..." He looked up to find her gazing at him, her eyes filled with tears. She reached out a hand and touched his cheek. He leant into her touch, hardly believing his own senses.

He gazed upon her face, drinking in all the details he realised he had forgotten: the smooth white skin, porcelain features, long slender fingers, and rose-petal lips...

He reached out to touch her face, but found he was unable. His hand dropped to his side.

"I can't touch you."

"No."

"But you can touch me?"

"Yes."

He was silent for a moment, his heart beating furiously.

"This is impossible," he said again.

"And yet- I'm here. You should know by now that if your heart wants something- really wants it- it will usually get it."

"Why now, though?" he whispered. "You've been gone for years...years..."

She smiled again. "Because it's time."

"Time? Time for what?"

She didn't respond. Instead, she fixed him with the same glare that she used to use when he had done something wrong. His heart gave a tug as he realised how much he'd missed that look.

"Because we have to clear a few things up."

"What things?"

"Things that involve guilt," she said severely. He looked at her, remorse etched upon his face.

"Oh."

"Oh is right." She reached out and touched his shoulder again. "The accident wasn't your fault."

"It was," he protested, his voice breaking. "I convinced you to get your license, I sent you out that day to the supermarket, you didn't want to...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. For everything."

"Stop it," she reprimanded him lightly. "I love you, you great prat. And nothing will ever change that."

He sighed. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say that. Sometimes it's so lonely here without you..."

"You've had the kids. Haven't they been good to you?"

"Oh yes," he said quickly. "Yes, they've been great. But..." He paused. "It's not like having you here. It's not the same..."

"I know," she smiled sadly. "I've missed you too."

He reached out to her again, expecting for his hand to pass through her. This time, however, he could swear that his hand brushed her pale skin for a moment. He stared at his hand.

"I...I think I just touched you!"

She smiled again as he looked up.

"How...how is that possible?"

She paused for a moment, and then took both of his hands in her own. "I've come for you," she said gently, her chocolate-brown eyes searching his own.

"Come for me?" he repeated. "What do you mean?"

She smiled, her eyes glinting with tears again. "It's time for us to be together again."

"You mean it?" His head felt a little fuzzy. He shook it slightly, trying to clear it. "You mean- you're staying here? With me?"

"Not exactly." She was growing blurred, as if she were a painting where someone had coloured outside the lines. He felt so strange...

"What's going on?" he asked groggily.

"It's time, love."

"Time for what?" he asked again, feeling thoroughly confused.

"Time to rest." She smiled again.

He frowned. "I am sleepy..." His voice trailed off and he suppressed a yawn.

She leaned forwards. Without thinking, he also leaned forward and for a brief moment their lips touched.

It was then he understood.

"Am I...am I dying?" he asked hesitantly.

She studied him carefully. "Yes."

He nodded. For some reason, the thought didn't bother him as much as he thought it should. "What about the children?" he asked.

"They'll be okay. They're strong...just like their parents."

He smiled, his head feeling fuzzier. "I feel so tired," he whispered.

She reached out and brushed aside a lock of his hair. "Then it's time to lie down," she said softly. He obliged, sinking into the soft mattress and laying his head down upon the pillow.

"Stay with me," he whispered into the darkness

"Always." Her voice seemed to float around him. He felt her lay beside him, so close he could feel her warm breath on his face. She was as beautiful as ever as she watched him, her face still and content. He reached out and encircled her with his arms, her body as warm and soft and real as he remembered.

"I...I can touch you..." he said sleepily. "I can touch you."

"Yes." Her voice was soft. "And I you."

The urge to close his eyes was becoming irresistible. He struggled to keep them open, to continue to look upon his wife, in case he woke up and it was all a dream, in case he was all alone again...

"It's all right." Her voice was calm and soothing, her hand reaching out to stroke his forehead. "I'm here."

His eyes fluttered shut of their own accord. "Don't leave me."

"Never."

"I love you." His voice was becoming softer.

"I love you, too. Now, sleep."

"Ginny...Ginny..." he murmured. "I love you...I'll see you soon..." His voice faded into nothingness and the room became dark once again as the two figures lay upon the bed, entwined in each other's arms.

The next morning, on the daily visit they made to check on their father since moving out years previously, Lily and Albus Potter found their father lying in bed, his eyes closed and a peaceful smile upon his face. Next to him, they found a single, fiery-red hair- a sure sign he was again with his beloved Ginny.