Never Return

Bernard knew it was childish, but he was glad he was going to read Harry a bedtime story. The last time he had done that was when Harry was almost a year old. It brought back so many memories before that faithful day. When Bernard got to Harry's room, he knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the door opened. A smile grew across Bernard's face as he saw his cousin.

"Ready for your bedtime story?" Bernard asked.

Harry nodded. "You bet!"

"Where's Uncle Sirius?"

"He's hanging out with Bruce at the Batcave."

"I'm not surprise."

"Me too."

Bernard had heard from Tim that his uncle and Tim's adopted father might have a thing for each other. Never in his life Bernard would actually hear those words. From what he remembered Uncle Sirius wasn't interested in dating because of the war. When did that change? Bernard wasn't sure, but he supports his uncle.

Then Bernard sat on the edge of Harry's bed as his cousin put the blankets over him. Bernard couldn't help and remember how small Harry was at the time and seeing him as a teenager now...time did passed so much. Bernard knew Harry couldn't blame him for giving up on reaching out after what Dumbledore did, but Bernard knew that if he did tried harder. If he had pushed more, then maybe...maybe Harry might live with him and didn't had to go through all of that bullshit in Hogwarts.

"The Tales of the Three Brothers," Bernard began. "Once upon a time, there were three brothers that were walking in a lonely winding road at twilight. Then they stumbled upon a treacherous river where anyone who tried to swim or wade would drown. The brothers, who knew magic, use their wands and create a bridge. So they crossed it."

"What happened next?" Harry asked.

"When they got halfway through the bridge," Bernard continued. "a hooded figured stood before them. The figure was the spirit of Death."

Harry gasped. "What did he do?"

"He hate them." Bernard answered.

Harry blinked. "Wait, what?!"

Bernard laughed. "Just kidding! He didn't eat them."

Harry sighed. "Blimey, you scared me for a second."

Bernard chuckled and patted Harry's head. He couldn't help and use the same joke Uncle James did when he was a child. It was nostalgic. He really missed his Uncle James and Aunt Lily, but at the same time, he has Harry.

"Death was enrage and felt cheated," Bernard said. "So he pretended to congratulate them and gave them gifts of their own choosing. The eldest brother was very combative, so he asked for the most powerful wand ever existed. Death granted his wish and fashioned the Elder Wand from the branch of an elder tree near the river. The second brother was an arrogant man and chose the humiliate Death by asking for the power to recalled deceased from the grave. So Death granted him the Resurrection Stone by crafting it from a stone by the riverbank. The third and youngest brother, who was the most humble and wise didn't trust Death. He asked for something to enable him to go forth without Death being able to follow him. Reluctantly, Death granted his request by giving him his own invisibility cloak. After that, the three brothers took their prizes and went on their separate ways."

Harry frowned. "What happened to the brothers?"

Bernard couldn't help and chuckled of how Harry was so interested in the story. Harry's eyes were wide and he was sitting up, waiting for the next part to be told. Despite everything Harry had been through, Bernard was reminded that Harry was only a child.

"The eldest brother had a duel with a wizard in a village that he had a quarreled with," Bernard answered. "He use the Elder Wand and killed the wizard. The eldest brother stayed at the inn for the night. However, the eldest brother was taken by the power of the Elder Wand and boasted about the wand that Death gave him and how invincible he was. That night, when the eldest brother was asleep from drinking wine, another wizard came into his room and slit his throat. Then Death took the first brother for his own."

"What happened to the Elder Wand?" Harry questioned.

Bernard shrugged. "Don't know. It just went from owner to owner. Whoever the person killed, the wand belongs to them."

"Couldn't a simple disarming charm work?"

"Probably? I don't know Harry."

"Does it really make someone that powerful?"

"Yes, it's the only wand that powerful ever existed."

"I'm so glad Voldemort doesn't have it."

Bernard shuddered at the thought. As much as Bernard was against killing, but Voldemort was a different story. He wouldn't feel bad for killing that wizard. Even if Voldemort did had the Elder Wand, Bernard wouldn't hesitate to slit his throat too. Not because of the power the wand has, but what he had done to Harry. Besides, if the Elder Wand was still somewhere in Britain, it would be with a powerful wizard. The last dark powerful wizard was Grindelwald and the other wizard how defeated him was Dumbledore. Of course there was Voldemort who was powerful as well, but the location of the Elder Wand could be anywhere. Bernard wasn't sure what would happen if he stumbled upon it, but if he did, how would he identify it as a Hallow? The stone was easy because it literally had the symbol. Harry's invisibility cloak was easy because it turned someone completely invisible than other cloaks. The Elder Wand could just look like any other wand and no one would notice. There were a lot of mysteries of the Elder Wand and Bernard wasn't sure what would happen to the wand if it's master dies without having someone to go after for the wand. Would it cease to exist after that? Would it loose the magic inside?

"Anyway," Bernard said. "The second brother return to his home where he lived alone. He use the stone to see the woman he fell in love and wanted to marry before she died. When he summoned her, she was sad and cold, separate from him by a veil. Sadly, even though she had returned, she didn't belong in the mortal world and suffered. The second brother was driven mad by his longing for his love and ended his life by hanging to truly join her. Death took the second brother for his own."

Harry blinked a few times and turned to the stone that was sitting on his nightstand. "That's not going to summon a zombie, right?"

Bernard laughed. "I don't think so, Harry. Maybe something different than that."

As much as Bernard did wanted to tell Harry how the stone works, but at the same time he didn't want to. There were things that Harry needed to learn on his own and to help him grow as a wizard. Not like how Dumbledore did of course, but let Harry figure things out and solve things on his own. If Harry was endanger, than Bernard would step in and help.

"For the third and youngest brother, Death search for him," Bernard read. "but as years passed by, Death could never find him. It was only when the third brother reached to a great age that he took off the Cloak of Invisibility. The third brother gave it to his son. Then the third brother greeted Death like an old friend as they departed as equals." then Bernard closed the book, took out his wand, and create the symbol of the Deathly Hallows. "It is said that uniting the three Deathly Hallows, would make someone the Master of Death."

Then there was silence. Bernard set the book on the nightstand. Harry took it and flipped through the pages. Even though Bernard could tell Harry couldn't read Ancient Runes, but he could tell Harry looked like he was contemplating about something.

"So, Death...was the fiction part of the story, right?" Harry asked.

"From what my mom and your dad told me," Bernard answered. "The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility were made from thestrals. Thestrals are invisible creatures. You could only see them if you had saw death recently. It's the closest thing we have as "Death" in the story."

"The cloak...it's from the third Peverell brother...?"

"Yeah, you and I are direct descendants Ignotus Peverell. His granddaughter married a Potter and she passed down the cloak to her child after that. The cloak has been passed down throughout generations."

"So if I don't have any children or if my future descendants don't have children, would the cloak go to your future descendants?"

"Technically, yes. If that was the case. The stone and cloak will recognized us as a Peverell. The wand will too, but you'll have to win the won and the Elder Wand will finally be back to the Peverells."

Harry sighed. "It must be scary to be the Master of Death. That power...it must be unimaginable."

You can say that again, Bernard thought. However, he knew Harry was right. That power...having an unbeatable wand, a stone to summon ghosts of your love ones, and a cloak that turned you completely invisible, Bernard knew it had been centuries since the Hallows were together and if they were...he wasn't sure what would happen. Bernard had no desire for the Hallows. He did thought they were cool, but he didn't need it, despite being Ignotus's descendant.

"So about tomorrow..." Harry mumbled. "Do you have any plans to capture Snape?"

Bernard looked at Harry. He wasn't sure why his cousin wanted to know his plans. He just wanted to stay to the side and let him do everything. Bernard knew he was pretty much risking everything for Harry, but he still felt like he could've done better for Harry if he had pushed harder to see him.

"I have an idea," Bernard finally answered. "An insane idea, but an idea."

"Would it involved the others aside from Crane and Isley?" Harry asked.

"Pretty much. If they agree to it."

Harry pursed his lips. "I want to help. I want to be a part of that plan."

Bernard's eyes widened. He thought that when he got here, he would make sure that Harry was protected and be put to the side and let him do the magic. Not like this. Sure, Bernard only saw one of Harry's "adventures", but he feared that if he involved Harry in some way, he could get hurt or captured.

"Harry," Bernard placed a hand on his shoulder. "My goal is to keep you safe, not get you involve."

Harry bowed his head. "I know, but I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me. You already did everything for me. Just let me help, Bernard, please! I can't loose everyone just because Snape is after us. Please, just tell me what your idea is!"

Bernard narrowed his eyes. It wasn't like he forgotten that Snape was also after him too. He was in the way to get to Harry. He was sure that both Voldemort and Dumbledore knew that. After all, Bernard is both of their enemy. The last thing Bernard wanted to do was to put Harry in his insane plan. Would having Harry involved help? Probably, but he was scared of the outcome. However, if his insane plan was carefully planned...maybe, just maybe it might work. Even though Bernard didn't know Snape that well, but from what he briefly saw in Harry's fourth year memory...Snape might be arrogant enough to use a risky tracking spell.

"I will tell you," Bernard said. "but I want you to think about if you wanted to be involved."

Harry nodded. "Okay."

So then, Bernard explained his idea. He had to explain it a little bit more detailed since Harry was hearing it for the first time. However, Bernard knew his idea was insane, but it had worked before. After all, Tim had experienced his insane idea during one of his curse-breaking assignments. Bernard even explained to Harry how blood magic works and how both dark and light it is. The only thing Harry did was nod, memorizing everything Bernard had told him. When Bernard was done, he sat crisscrossed, and looked at Harry.

"So?" Bernard questioned. "Do you still want to be a part it?"

"This is insane," Harry sighed heavily. "You-You can't! I can't let everyone risk their lives for me!"

"I had done it before and I could do it again," Bernard said.

"But this is different!" Harry exclaimed.

Bernard raised a brow. "Is it, though? I don't know what Snape is planning to track us, but using blood magic is the safest to keep both of us, mainly you, safe for a while. There's a lot of people in this manor, Harry. Probably around fifteen or sixteen at best. If Professor Crane and Professor Isley had a better plan than me, then we can abandoned this plan, but right now...this is the only plan I got so far. Do you still want to be a part of it?"

Harry looked at him and nodded. "Yes."

Bernard pursed his lips. As much as he hoped Harry would disagree with this idea and not be involved, but that didn't work. Bernard was sure that all of those events that happened at Hogwarts made Harry a self-sacrificing person. However, Bernard would be a hypocrite since he too, is a self-sacrificing person. After all, he did went to that cave where the fake locket was and he didn't had to do it, but he did it for Kreacher. Now Bernard thought about it, he and Harry weren't that much different.

"You know Damian is going to kill me if he knew you wanted to be involved," Bernard commented.

It was no surprised that Bernard knew there was something going on between his cousin and Tim's youngest brother. As much as Bernard wanted to question Harry's taste in men, but he knew he got it from Aunt Lily. Even Bernard would question how on earth did his uncle and aunt got together.

"I know," Harry sighed. "I'll handle Damian...if your former professors don't like your idea."

Bernard glanced down. He knew there was a good chance that they might agree to this. It's a good plan to fool that tracking spell...actually any tracking spell at the matter. Bernard hadn't got any information from Hermione yet, but he did texted her to let him know when Snape is gone. However, since Harry wanted to be involved, Bernard was certain that even if he does refused, Harry would find a way to be involved. Whether it was intentional or not.

Then Bernard stood up and gentle set Harry on his bed. He brushed his bangs, ignoring the scar, and pecked his cousin's forehead. He smiled as he tucked Harry in and took off Harry's glasses, setting them on the nightstand.

"Goodnight, Harry," Bernard said. "We'll discuss this more tomorrow. For now, let's just sleep."

Harry nodded. "Night." Then Harry hugged him, whispering. "I'm glad I met you."

Tears flooded in Bernard's eyes. Quickly, he wiped them away before Harry noticed. His eyes softened as he flicked his wand, turning off the lights. As he walked over to the door, he looked at Harry one more time and walked out. Bernard closed the door behind him. Sighing, he leaned against the door, rubbing his temples. Then he heard footsteps. Bernard turned and saw Tim walking over to him. Bernard couldn't help and smiled as he walked over to his boyfriend, giving him a hug.

"How was reading about the Peverells?" Tim asked.

"Good," Bernard answered. "I told him about my idea."

Tim gasped. "What? Why?"

Bernard had told Tim about his idea hours before. Tim was the only one who knew. He hadn't told the rest of his family yet, but he knew he would have to tell them tomorrow. 

"Harry wanted to know and I gave him a choice if he wanted to be involved," Bernard explained. "Sadly, luck wasn't on my side and Harry wanted to be involved."

Tim winced. "Damian is going to kill you."

"I know. "

"Look, I know you're scared for Harry's safety," Tim kissed his forehead. "but there's many of us and there's only one Snape. Whatever he's planning, we'll be prepared for it."

How prepare, though? Bernard thought. There were many possibilities that Snape might do and he's dealing with a Potions Master after all. Bernard wasn't sure what else Snape was good on, but Bernard knew Tim was right. The only thing they could do was to prepare for Snape's arrival and get him arrested.

Bernard looked at Tim as he leaned in, pressing his lips against his. Ever since Bernard got back, he had longed to kiss Tim again. Tim didn't waste no time as he cupped his face, deepening the kiss. As they kissed, Bernard heard footsteps. The two slowly pulled away and turned. Jason was there, eating a pumpkin pasty that Alfred made.

"Sup," Jason said.

"Do you mind?" Tim growled.

"You guys do know there is a kid behind that door right?" Jason pointed his thumb at Harry's room.

Shaking his head, Tim grabbed Bernard's hand, dragging him away. "Let's go to my room."

Bernard rolled his eyes. "You know as much as I do love to make out with you, but you do need some sleep."

"I'll be fine." Tim assured him.

"I swear I'm going to drug you with a Sleeping Draught."

"You've done it before," Tim smirked. "What's stopping you now?"

"I swear you guys have the weirdest kinks!" Jason shouted.

"JASON!!!" Tim and Bernard yelled.

~OoO~

Harry was trying to sleep, but there was shouting in the hallway. He didn't caught all of it, but it was something about Tim and Bernard and kinks? Whatever that means. Harry turned to the Resurrection Stone, sat up, reached out, and held it on his palm. As much as he feared about the worst case scenario of Bernard's insane plan, but...was it bad that he thought it was a good idea? Bernard knew more about magic than him. He's older and experienced. Harry wasn't. He was underage and still learning. Sighing, Harry fiddled with the stone, turning it over a couple of times, and he closed his eyes, pressing the stone against his lips. He tried to think of the good things. Like seeing his family and being with Damian. He even thought about all the good things that had happened ever since he arrived at Gotham.

However, despite everything going on, was it bad that Harry was accepting his death already? He's a horcrux and Harry knew he might not live long since the only way to truly defeat Voldemort was to destroy all of the horcrux and Harry was one of them. He hated that he would have to leave everyone eventually. He just finally got to meet his father's side of the family. He finally got to meet Bernard. Most of all, he didn't want to leave Damian, but he knew it has to happen. Whatever happens when he goes back to Britain, Harry knew that he'll die on his homeland.

"I'm ready to die," Harry muttered to himself.

It pained him to say those words, but he knew it will happen. If he live, then Voldemort lives. If he died, then Voldemort dies. Harry hated that he was secretly planning to sacrifice himself by Voldemort's hand, eventually, but this was the way. Harry was sure Damian would kill him, but what other choice does Harry had?

As Harry opened his eyes, despite how dark it was, he saw two dark figures. Frowning, Harry put on his glasses, and turned on the lamp. Eyes widened, Harry gasped. Standing there was his parents. Harry stared at the stone and back at his parents. Tears filled his eyes as Harry got up. Lily reached out to him and in turn, Harry reached out for his mother, but as his hand touched hers, his hand went through. Harry blinked a few times, remembering what Bernard said in the story of the second brother. So that's what it meant when the second brother's love was separate by a veil. A veil being a ghost.

"Mum?" Harry looked at his mother and then at his father. "Dad?"

His parents nodded. Harry couldn't help and broke into a smile. The last time he "saw" his parents was looking at the Mirror of Erised. However, this time was different. It was like as if he was actually looking them for the first time.

Lily smiled at him. She touched his cheek or at least attempt to. "We're so proud of you, Sweetheart."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "There's nothing to be proud of. I ran away. I'm literally preparing myself to die."

"I don't think there's nothing wrong with that," James placed his ghostly hand on Harry's shoulder. "Anyone can have courage, but it takes true courage to do it. You had the courage to run away, knowing the consequences of loosing your magic. You had the courage to face death knowing the consequences of being a horcrux. You've done so much for Hogwarts and to be honest, I don't think I would be that brave enough to do all of that."

"You were brave to face Voldemort, Dad," Harry said. "I heard through the dementors. You told Mum to take me and run."

James chuckled coldly. "By brave you mean, stupid. I dropped my wand when I told your mum to run. I didn't realized it until it was too late."

Lily nodded. "I didn't had my wand either. We were just caught off guard at the time, but...I was prepared enough to know what I was doing when I did face You-Know-Who."

Now this was something Harry never knew. He couldn't blame his parents for being caught off guard. The attack was sudden after all. However, Harry knew what she was talking about right away. The protection spell. The spell that made him The-Boy-Who-Lived. Even though he only knew little of the spell, but he still wondered what else this ancient magic does or at least how his mother came across it.

"How did you find that spell, Mum?" Harry asked.

"The library," Lily explained. "I was just desperate at the time. It was written in Ancient Runes. I wasn't good in that course and barely passed it with an Acceptable, but it did took me a while to translate some of it, enough to do the spell. The spell was in Ancient Runes, so it took me months to conjured it, but what Bern said was correct. I offered myself as a willing victim."

"Will I be able to survive the Killing Curse the second time?" Harry questioned.

Lily looked down. "I don't know, Sweetheart. I never got that far."

Harry pursed his lips. So his mum didn't looked into that far either. Then again, he couldn't blame her. Both her and dad were desperate to protect him, so it made sense that they would do anything to make sure he survived.

"Although, since tomorrow you do have a meeting," James said. "I think it's best to let everyone know not to say You-Know-Who's name for a while."

Harry frowned. "Why?"

"Death Eaters have a taboo spell," James explained. "Bern was captured, right? There's a good chance that they placed that spell on him when he was unconscious. If he said You-Know-Who's name, there's a chance that Snape can track him, easily. I don't know if the spell can transfer to others, but just for safety reasons, just call him by his real name."

"Also, Severus is good at Defense the Dark Arts," Lily added. "He had an O on it every year and he is very knowledgeable of dark magic. I wouldn't be surprised if he uses blood tracking on you. You were his student and I'm sure Dumbledore has blood from you."

Harry shivered. He knew that blood tracking is very risky because it could go deep into the family line. However, considering the fact that all of his relatives were here in Gotham...there was a chance that Snape would be confident enough to figure out where he was. Also, Harry knew he did bled in his second year from the basilisk. Was his blood still there? He thought that basilisk fang would cover his blood with ink...unless there was a spell to separate the blood and ink. Not only that, but Bernard did said Voldemort's name many times already.

The more Harry thought about it, the more he knew Bernard's idea might help everyone. Was it too risky? Yes, it was, but if Snape was that confident enough to use that risky tracking spell as well as Death Eaters using a taboo spell on Bernard, it might be the best to make use of Bernard's plan. 

"Well, Snape would have a tough time when he's here," Harry smirked.

Harry looked at the Resurrection Stone. If Isley and Crane do agreed to Bernard's idea, Harry might as well use the stone for good use when Snape arrives. It would be the last thing Harry would want to use, but he knew the stone would be helpful. However, if Isley and Crane do disagree, then Harry would try his best to push Bernard's plan.

"That's the spirit!" James made a cheeky grin.

"We will be with you as always, Sweetheart," Lily said.

Harry couldn't help and smiled. He was about to hold out his arms, but stopped. He almost forgot that his parents were technically ghosts. Tears formed in his eyes. He knew he shouldn't be crying about it, but he couldn't help it. This was the first conversation he had with his parents and for the first time in his life, he felt what a parents' love was like.

"Would you stay with me until I go asleep?" Harry asked.

James's eyes softened. "Of course, son."

With that, Harry walked over to his bed and laid down. He pulled the covers over him as he watched Lily and James sat at opposite sides of the bed. Harry pulled his hands out of the covers and places them to his side. Lily held his left and James held his right. Even though Harry couldn't feel their touch, but it felt like they were there with him.

Harry turned to Lily. "Goodnight, Mum," then he looked at James. "Goodnight, Dad."

"Goodnight, Harry," his parents said.

Smiling, Harry closed his eyes. Soon he drifted off to sleep, dreaming about being with his parents as well as the whole Potter and Evans family, even Damian's family, Hermione, and those he considered as his friends was there too. For once in his life, Harry had a good dream.