The Deceit of Man

Me Socium

A/N: Please read the note at the end of the chapter as well BEFORE you comment!

Harry had to squint against the brightness of the room that was surrounding him. He really had to talk to Lady Hecate about the lighting situation. The bright lights were annoying.

"You could always change them, my silly Darkling." Speaking of Lady Hecate. Harrison turned slowly to see her sitting nearby with a red headed man sitting next to her. He looked familiar but still he was having a hard time placing him.

"Yes but changing them isn't the first thought that comes to mind when I show up here. That is reserved for 'oh joy, my eyes are burning. Thank you dearest Lady Magic for the overly bright lights.' Once my eyes stop burning so much is when I'm able to better focus on my surroundings."

"You didn't tell me he was so sarcastic, Hecate." The newcomer drawled causing Harry to flush briefly.

"Who are you supposed to be then?" Maybe snapping at the guy wasn't his brightest move but still.

"I am Death, obviously, young Peverell. Not that I would expect you to know that as you have yet to make it through the journal your ancestor left." Death sneered this time and though he physically reminded Harry of Godric Gryffindor, he had the personality of Lucius Malfoy.

"It isn't exactly light reading as I'm sure you are aware, Godric." Lady Hecate laughed at Death's indignation.

"How dare you call me by that pompous fool's name! He, who allowed two women to get between him and his Dark Lord Counterpart to drive the man from the school! He was a foolish Light Lord who thought that the rumors circulating about Salazar were factual. Salazar, a man who would have never even entertain the thought of harming a child, was not the one doing such horrendous things to them!"

"Easy Thanatos, he does not deserve your ire nor does the man whose looks you are mirroring. Godric was in a bad situation. Both Regina and Helena were crying about abused students and everyone was pointing fingers at Salazar. Salazar knew the position Godric was in and removed him from the equation. When the abuse still continued after his departure, Godric banished both women. Salazar died before he could be asked to return to Godric's side though and I keep both men close to my heart though you know all this already."

"Yes well, it doesn't mean I like being referred to as Godric. It is that man's fault that I'm stuck like this for the next how long though so I am going to hate him on principle. I don't even believe that old Tommy boy realized I was Death."

"I am terribly sorry that you lost a bet to Godric. Maybe next time you will think more about the stakes instead of rushing in blindly like one from his own House?" Lady Hecate smiled indulgently at Death while Harrison shuffled uncomfortably. Here before him were both his patrons and he insulted the Patron of the Peverell line, "Easy, little Darkling, Thanatos is just upset that he lost a little wager with the origin of the Evans line. Lily was one of the last in a long line of Squibs birthed from the line of Gryffindor. That was one of the only true things Dumbledore ever told you: only a true Gryffindor could have pulled the sword from the Sorting Hat. It is after all where you get your eye color from."

"Hecate, dear, you are rambling. We really need to explain why we called the little Lord to us and let him continue onto his dreams. I am sure they are going to be pleasant from now on." Death shushed Lady Hecate who glared at him briefly before turning back to Harry.

"We called you here, young Harrison, to inform you that Voldemort is no longer a threat to you or anyone you care about. We have exacted punishment on him that fits his crimes and those that were truly loyal to him suffered along with him. Be wary though as both Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy have access still to their Family Magics."