The Life He Deserved

Chapter 10

Harry woke that morning quite confused and disgruntled. He had a strange "dream" last night. He was in the realm of death aiding death with souls when a strange entity halted him. A strange misty shadow glided in front of him, blocking his path. The shadowy figure expanded, taking a blurry human shape. The figure wrapped its shadowy arms around him, pulling him into an embrace. Harry just froze there. It felt strangely familiar; warm, gentle, sweet. The figure leaned into him and whispered a possessive 'mine' before fading back into the dark of the realm. Harry's eyes widened and he frantically looked around trying to relocate the strange figure. He was stumped when it was nowhere to be seen. Harry stood there for a few moments.

'Was that Voldemort?' Harry wondered. It would make sense, he was the only one who would think of him as theirs. Harry sprinted over to Death to confirm.

"Death... that shadowy figure... Was it Voldemort?" he quickly asked, out of breath.

"It seems so, Master." was Death's neutral reply. Harry dumbly nodded.

Harry snapped out of his recollection and climbed out of bed. He wasn't stopped by Snape this time, though he stared blankly at him as he passed. Harry ran a lap or ten too many as his brain scanned the events of his dream. How had he known? Why was he in the realm of Death? Should he say something to Quirrell/Voldy? He decided against it. He had to think this through; Voldy was on Quirrell's head, the rest of the horcruxes haven't been touched, so it had to be the one in him. Perhaps it followed him to Death Realm because it was part of him. It dawned on him that his horcrux probably could separate as a different entity in Death's realm. But why now? Was it because Voldemort was there? Harry who was panting at this point realized he ran a lot longer than he anticipated. He hastily took a shower and sprinted to breakfast. He and Draco exchanged greetings and they were eating until the newspaper appeared. Harry peaked at the headline; it was news about the philosopher stone like last time.

"Merlin, I can't believe someone attempted to rob Gringotts!" Draco exclaimed.

Pansy joined in. "I know right? Who in their right minds would think that's a good idea!" Harry nearly snorted, that was right, they weren't in their right mind.

"But they didn't take anything, I wonder what they were after," Blaise pondered. While Crabbe and Goyle stuffed their face with sugary sweets, Harry wondered when he should steal the stone for Voldemort. He scanned the staff table. Quirrell had a blank expression, and the rest had worry etched into their face. Except for Dumbles. He felt his stare and that bastard twinkle without a glance. Harry so wanted to avada his arse. He kept his expression void of emotions before joining back in the Slytherin conversation. Those so-called obstacles were nothing but child's play, he would get the stone easily. He just needed to wait for the mirror to be moved but he already had the cloak. Harry realized what a stupid idea it was to give an 11-year-old an invisibility cloak. He wanted him to find the mirror, that arsehole. Harry thought about it a little longer. Perhaps he could work with Deatha bit more so he wouldn't need the cloak. Deciding on it, Harry finished his breakfast before heading to classes alongside his new friends.

TIMESKIP

October 31: a day he despised with passion. It had many definitions, but to him it was his parent's demise, the day he was orphaned, the day filled with one monstrosity after another every year. He walked down the hall with disgust at all the pumpkin heads, bats, and candy. The first time he didn't understand why the purebloods had a problem with Halloween decor, but he knew better. Here were the muggleborns changing and practically ridiculing at their culture. Harry walked to the table silently, not in the mood to talk. The air around him was so cold the Slytherins felt nervous. It felt as if the air froze over around him.