Amulet of Time 2: Two Worlds, Two Wars

Chapter 6: Discoveries and Consequences

" Hello, Harry."

Whirling around, tears streaming down his face, he came face to face with the last person he had ever expected to see again.

" 'Tea."

" Long time no see."

" Uhuh."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. Seeing her again was making him nervous, and the shock of the situation didn't seem to be wearing off. Shuffling his feet and trying to think of something to say, he took in her appearance. She was floating a couple of inches from the floor, her transparent body waving slightly from side to side. She looked older than when he had last seen her, but not by much. The ghost smiled sadly at him, and picked up the conversation.

" I suppose you're wondering why I'm here?"

" Um…Yeah."

" Articulate as always, I see," she said with a grin. She was answered with a watery smile.

" Where to start…how about with how I'm here. As you know, you left me at the start of my sixth year at Hogwarts, unmarried and with a child. The pressure got to me eventually, almost sending me over the edge. I missed you so much, it hurt to breathe. I could feel the life growing inside of me, and I knew I still had a part of you, but it wasn't enough. I knew I wanted to see you again. I knew I would never live long enough, so the only way was in death. About two months after you left, I came down here and revealed the message on the stone. I knew that eventually you would uncover it in the future, so I bound my soul to this spot. When I died, only six years after you left, my spirit remained here, waiting for you to come. And you have, Harry. You've released me and I can look upon you once again."

Harry let out a sob and reached for his lost love, his hands passing through her insubstantial form. Weeping harder, he fell to the floor, burying his face in his hands and letting out the grief he felt for his lost friend. The ghost floated absently over to him, murmuring comforting words as he cried. Eventually, his sobs subsided until he was merely whimpering softly. Looking up into Gallatea's beautiful eyes, he asked her the question that had been plaguing him for weeks.

" What happened to our child?"

Gallatea smiled at the change of subject, pleased Harry wanted to know about his son.

" We had a beautiful boy. Lolide delivered him at the end of April in my sixth year. I named him Glenadade Harold Potter, after you. I moved back to Ravenclaw castle shortly after to raise him, as I knew it would be a nice place for him to grow up. He was such an energetic young boy, with your messy black hair and my eyes. He loved playing on his broom as a child, and was on the House team during his school years. It was the only time I got to see him, during quidditch. I died from influenza when he was only five, and as my soul was bound here, I couldn't see him very often. Even then he couldn't see me, as I was locked away in the stone until you released me. But I could see him, and I watched him grow into a fine young man. He married a Housemate of his called Lucille, and they had four wonderful children, a son and three daughters. From what I know, he lived a long and happy life. I still keep watch over his descendants, such as young Eustace, as I am sure I will watch over you too when the time comes."

" My son, our son was happy?"

" Yes."

" Who raised him after you died. I feel so awful for leaving him alone."

" It wasn't your fault, Harry. I wasn't even going to tell you, as I knew you would want to stay. I lived a happy life, I fell in love, and I had a wonderful baby son, who also led a happy and loving life. We were all well off, you should let your own burdens go, Harry, and move on. Do not dwell on what could have been, and forget to live." a