Traverse Through the First Year

Honestly speaking, he knew there was someone following him, he could always feel the souls around him. It was, however, a surprise when someone shoved him down the stairs, a stunner quickly following. He doubted that they expected the ambush to go quite as it did though. 

Didn’t they know not to shove anyone near staircases? 

Idiots. 

A snap echoed throughout the hall followed by a scream. His body laid in front of a child’s feet; they had no part of this ambush. 

Several portraits ran from their frames to find a professor, some even going to find the headmaster. 

How troublesome. 

His body laid there, bleeding from his neck with a bone sticking out from his skin. His leg was twisted behind him, bending in an unnatural position. His spirit sat there, contemplating what to do before his body healed. 

The child who came across his body continued to scream and sob, frantically trying to get away from his body, but tripping over their own feet in the process. 

Two older Gryffindors and a Hufflepuff were quick to try and shut the young girl up. 

“Shut up. It wasn’t... It was just supposed to be a small joke,” The eldest looking one, a Gryffindor, shook the child’s shoulders once they caught up to her. “You saw nothing, ok? He fell on his own.” 

The child sobbed while shaking her head, she just wanted to go to the library and study. The other Ravenclaws were too busy to go with her, so she went on her own. 

“You’re... You’re monsters! Murderers! Let me go, let me go!” She struggled against his hold, desperate to escape from them. 

“Shut her up! She’s going to let the whole castle know. Just... Just obliviate her.” 

“Oh Merlin... What have we done?” The Hufflepuff stared at the prone body, her hands gripping her hair, “I never should have agreed to this.” 

Harry stared at the young Ravenclaw’s eyes; her hazel irises reminded him of his daughter’s. They looked so terrified. 

Ah... 

Anger started to boil in his stomach as the Gryffindor continued to shake the eleven-year-old. 

“People can be so cruel...” 

His magic snapped at the boy, pushing him away from the young girl. His bone clicked itself back into his neck; the skin sealing himself, leaving a thin scar. His leg swiftly twisted back into place, the bones cracking and popping as they righted themselves. 

He slowly stood up, ignoring the professors who finally reached the scene. 

“Let her go, Edward Everson. I’ll deal with you three soon.” 

His magic shoved them against the wall, holding them into place. He kneeled before the sniffling girl. 

“Are you alright, Hailey? I bet they were scary.” 

“Didn’t you... I saw you die...” She sobbed as she rubbed her face with her sleeves. “You were bleeding out in front of me and they... they killed you!” 

“It’s alright.” He stroked her head as she threw herself into his arms, “See? Not dead anymore. If I was dead, you would’ve gone straight through me. Everything’s alright Hailey.” 

“How do you know my name?” Her sniffling calmed after a while, “We’ve never talked before.” 

“I know everyone’s name if I look close enough, it’s remembering that’s the problem. So many souls to keep track of, they all eventually fade with time.” 

“Mr. Potter, can you please release whatever spell is keeping us away? We were told a student had died and need to check on their situation.” A kind-looking woman asserted herself in the lead of the other staff. 

Hailey sobbed harder, her face hiding in his arms. 

“There is no need for that, I’m not dead. I was simply... incapacitated.” 

“Mr. Potter, this is no time for jokes—” 

“Professor McGonagall, he’s the student who was dead...” A portrait interrupted her scolding. 

Honestly, do they not provide all the information these days? 

His green eyes, glowing from the power he was exerting, slowly moved their way toward the professors. “I believe that this is a conversation best held with Albus Dumbledore.” 

Harry glared at the adults who had to sedate the girl in his arms. He was angry, angry at those students for subjecting this child to a sight so gruesome, but mostly angry at himself for attaching himself to another person. 

How... inconvenient. 

Dumbledore’s eyes were cold as he listened to the accounts of the portraits and Hailey. The heads of houses, who were needed for the discussion, glanced at Harry in disbelief. 

“Are we going to believe that Mr. Potter... came back to life?” Professor McGonagall’s voice held an edge of laughter, “Is this some kind of joke?” 

“Would you like me to do it again?” 

“Master, I was gone for two days. How did you manage to die?” 

The stern woman’s face hardened at Harry’s words. 

“Headmaster, surely this is just some prank these students concocted. The young girl most likely mistook something and the portraits panicked.” 

“Even if that were to be the case, my hands are tied. An accusation has been made that a student has committed, or at least attempted a crime. Such the Auror’s office must be called.” 

The two Gryffindor’s and one Hufflepuff’s faces paled at the headmaster’s words. The old wizard’s eyes turned to ice at their reaction. 

“It... He’s obviously not dead!” The Gryffindor girl shouted, “We didn’t do anything!” 

“Even if one does nothing wrong, it does not protect them from the harm of others...” Harry’s muttered words caused the elderly wizard to frown. 

“I’m afraid, Ms. Jenkins, that does not exempt you from an investigation.” 

“We don’t even know him. Haven’t talked to him or had any interaction before. What reason would we have to kill him?” Everson’s smug smile didn’t escape anyone’s eyes. 

“Edward Everson, Gryffindor sixth year, Jessica Jenkins, Gryffindor seventh year, and Paula Vesera, Hufflepuff sixth year.” Harry’s smile was cold against the flickering candle lights, it practically screamed ‘you may not know me, but I know everything about you’. 

“A reason to kill me? Humans sometimes never have a reason, yours, however, was an accident.” The elder students gulped at the heavy air, “There was a reason to attack me though.” 

“And what would that be, Mr. Potter?” Professor McGonagall stared at the child that two of her favorite students created. 

“Very~ simple,” He glanced at the rapidly paling students. “I did not conform to their ideals. I went against the very idea of ‘Harry Potter’. I am a Slytherin while they believed I should be anything else if I was truly ‘good’.” 

“While, Mr. Potter, that is a very interesting theory, it’s my job to come to conclusions.” An aged woman stepped through the fireplace, “And do rest assured, I will find the truth of this matter.” 

It all ended very anti-climatically. Since Jenkins was of age, she was allowed to be questioned under vertersium, which brought the truth of the incident into the eyes of everyone. She did not believe he actually died though, so that part was left out of her confession. 

Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout pulled him to the side, after everything, and expressed their sincere apologies and shame that someone from their house attacked him. 

The three students were expelled, their wands snapped, and Jenkins was sent to Azkaban. Everson and Vesera were sent under house arrest since it wasn’t their idea, and they were still underaged. 

Death dealt his own sentencing towards them though. 

Jenkins would constantly scream as she was haunted by the foulest minions Death could find, she was ignored by the guards though. They assumed it was simply the dementors feasting upon her fears and guilt. 

Everson would constantly feel the pain his body felt when it fell down the stairs. He was the one who pushed him after all. 

Vesera’s punishment was the worse out of all of them though. She was the only one to not feel guilty about harming him, only that she was caught. Death created a purgatory for her every time she slumbered, her dreams slowly driving her insane with paranoia. 

Well, it no longer had anything to do with him. 

“Master, how could you let your body become like this?” Death’s hands pulled open the immortal’s shirt. “You’re lucky it didn’t combust from the power you unleashed with it. This body isn’t like your original, it can’t handle the magic you wield.” 

They were hidden away in his dorm room; the other boys fled the room at Harry’s cold gaze. 

Black veins bulged from his skin, they pulsed slowly in time with his heartbeat. This body’s heart had already stopped once, now only beating under the guidance of his magic. Cracks from the position of his heart traveled up his chest and just barely touched his neck. The body was breaking down. 

“How much longer can it hold out?” 

Death clicked his tongue, “If we’re lucky, you can reach graduation.” 

They shared a look at Death’s words, Harry was rarely lucky. 

“When will my new one be ready? Don’t say you have no idea; I already know you’ve been working on that instead of the publishers' cases.” 

“You won’t be having a new one. I have to fix this one.” 

Harry tilted his head slightly, “I’ve always gotten a new one once the body given by the world has broken.” 

“Master,” Death sighed at Harry’s look. “This isn’t a new world. We’ve gone back in time during your original world. We’re going against Fate this time, there will be no help with this.” 

Against Fate? 

“You never mentioned this.” 

“You would’ve never agreed if I did.” 

“You almost sound human, Death.” 

The deity clutched his shoulders and glared at his green eyes darkly, “There is no need for name-calling.” 

It is deserved, though. 

“Then when will you fix it?” 

“A couple of years, human bodies are extremely fragile and hard to work with. It was already in the process of transforming into your original one, but the overload caused the process to drawback,” Death poked at his skin, scrutinizing it. “I can only heal the damage once it’s completed the transformation, my powers would only cause more damage, we’ll have to be patient.” 

“That’s unfortunate.” 

Match green eyes practically willed him to drop dead, “I don’t like waiting, master.” 

Harry hummed, pulling a turtleneck over his torso. He’d have to deal with too many questions if anyone saw. 

“Potter! What were you thinking? Going out alone? Don’t you have any—” Draco burst through the door, his lecture pausing as he glanced at Death. 

His eyes slowly made their way towards Death’s hands, which were still holding Harry’s discarded shirt. His eyes turned storm as he quickly walked over and snatch the clothing from the God’s hands. He stood there, in front of Harry, glaring at Death. 

How cute. 

“Draco, meet Death. Death, you already know Draco.” Harry turned away from them, lying in his bed for a nap. 

Death sighed as his master left him alone to deal with an insufferable human. 

Wait. 

A human that escaped his vigilance and somehow snuck his way through his parameters, catching him by surprise. How interesting. 

He knew traveling here would be amusing, but now it was investing. He’d have to research this new specimen. 

Harry didn’t mind how he was now surrounded by his friends; he did mind the fact that his naps were being interrupted though. Draco had blabbed to the rest of the group, claiming he met Death. Now they all wanted to meet him. Death, however, still wanted them to prove themselves worthy. 

How annoying. 

“Ah...” Neville’s soft voice broke through the intense staring contest that Hermione and Ron were attempting to have with Harry, “My gran sent me a gift.” 

The shy boy opened the parcel with the enthusiasm of his friends. It was a ball that was about the size of a kitten, it had designs that coated its exterior, filled with smoke. 

“A remembrall! It’s supposed to turn red if you forgot something, and clear once you remember what it was. I read about it in a book about miscellaneous magical items.” Hermione’s voice caught the attention of some of the surrounding students. 

As soon as Neville picked the ball up, it filled with cloudy red smoke. 

“Ha! Guess Longbottom needs his gran’s help to remember even the most basic things.” An older Slytherin mocked them from across the dining hall. 

“Hey—” Hermione was quickly cut off by the Slytherin’s friend. 

“Oh look, he even needs his mudblood girlfriend to—” 

A knife lodged itself into the wall beside the older student’s face, filling the hall in silence. Their eyes lock onto the still eating Harry, one of his hands hovering in the air. 

“You two were friends with Vesera, correct? I wonder how she’s doing...” His voice was cold as he stared them down. 

“Understood, my master~” 

Fools. Her death will be merciless and painful.

“What classes do we have today?” 

Draco huffed as he picked Harry up, “We have Charms this morning, but luckily we get to learn how to fly brooms later in the afternoon.” 

Harry stared drowsily at the ground. The sun was in a rare mood and shined with warmth and the wind blew a gentle breeze. It was the perfect weather for a nap. 

“Mr. Potter! Why haven’t you called your broom up?” 

Harry’s dozing state swiftly snapped to attention. Ah, that’s right, he was in class. 

“Sorry professor, I fell asleep for a little bit. The weather’s making me a bit drowsy.” 

“You fell asleep... standing?” The hawk-eyed woman stared at him in concern, “Alright... don’t let it happen again. Please demonstrate the command ‘up’ for your broom, so that we may all move on.” 

Harry yawned and held out his hand, the broom immediately shooting into his palm. 

The grey-haired lady stared at him before continuing to instruct the class. He made sure to follow Draco’s movements beside him, his mind drifting off into a dazed state once again. His body could no longer hold the energy it had before he overloaded it. 

Sure enough, he preferred being able to nap everywhere. It’s not like anything needed his attention. 

Harry’s sleepiness was jostled away as he heard yelling. His eyes locked onto Neville; his friend being bucked wildly by the frantic broom. The brown-haired child’s fear made it so nervous that it got spooked by the subtle movement of the wind. 

His emerald eye’s widened as his friend started to fall. 

Oh no. 

“Master!” 

Harry was already shooting through the sky, his arms encircling the young boy before he could reach the surface below them. Black and white feathers floated around them, landing beside the humans below. 

“Ha... Harry?” His shy friend turned his nervous eyes towards his savior. 

Long dark hair, with silver strands mixed in-between, flew wildly behind the short boy. The hair paired with two dark wings, with white feathers, slowly beat against the air, holding them into place. 

The professor dragged them away from the class, marching straight toward the infirmary. 

“Now you’ve done it. Do you know how much this has set this body back? It can’t handle the amount of power you’re expelling!” 

“Oh yeah.” 

“Don’t ‘oh yeah’, me! My entertainment might be taken away because of your carelessness.” 

“That sucks.” 

“I hate you sometimes.” 

“Mr. Potter, I wasn’t expecting you until the yearly physicals.” The kind woman from the time with Hailey came out of the healer’s office, her eyes not leaving the notes in her hands. 

“Yearly physicals?” 

“Madam Pomfrey now’s not the time for small talk.” Professor Hooch interjected into the conversation. 

“What in Merlin—” The healer’s eyes widened in response to the image in front of her. 

Harry sighed as the woman started fussing over his wings, she was worse than Death that one time he stubbed his toe during their first adventures. 

“Potter, you have wings.” Draco’s voice was soft as he gently ran his fingers across the two-colored feathers. 

“Astute observation.” 

“Don’t get smart with us, Harry.” Hermione’s words were filled with worry, “Do you know how terrifying it was to see you fly through the air and disappear with wings? For all we knew, you could’ve been afflicted with some illness.” 

Harry had refused any examination, following Death’s orders, since any magic that interacted with his body may further damage it. He would be examining him later. 

“Draco, remove your hands. My wings are too heavy to keep out all the time.” 

Draco pouted as he removed his fingers, “You take away all the fun things in life.” 

Children. 

Harry groaned as Hedwig swooped in with a letter, it was from Gringotts. 

Dear Heir Potter, 

We have been sending you letters about your parent’s will since your 11th birthday. We had hoped you would respond to them, but we have never received a letter or any correspondence. It has finally reached the specified amount of letters where Gringotts is allowed to bypass any wards for the recipient, we hope this letter finds you well and that you will be informed of an appointment scheduled for this weekend around noon. 

Sincerely, Gringotts 

"What sort of wards have you been living behind, Potter?” 

Harry snorted, opening the second letter. 

“I’ll take care of it, master.” 

Dear Harry Potter, 

It has come to our attention that one, Sirius Black, your godfather, has never received a trial. We at the ministry are working to rectify this situation and hope to compensate the wronged party in any way. There will be a trial in the coming months, once Sirius Black has been given the clear by St. Mungos. 

Sincerely, Minister of Magic Cornelius Oswald Fudge. 

Sirius Black. 

The name caused Harry’s heart to constrict. He grabbed his chest, kneeling on the ground, his dead heart pounded heavily as he started to cough up blood. Hailey, who had been following them from a distance, shrieked and rushed towards him. Her small hands tried to hold him up. 

“I’m fine.” Harry didn’t bother to wipe the blood away, finding it too troublesome. “My body can’t handle strong emotions at the moment. It was just expelling bad blood.” 

His voice soothed the small girl and his friends. 

A trial... did that mean Ronald no longer had a rat? No wonder he hasn’t been seen lately. 

“Neville, bring me to Ron’s dorm.” 

“Ron, I’ve come to give you a gift.” Harry ignored the stares he got as he walked up the Gryffindor’s stairs. He still had blood on his clothes. 

Draco and Hailey were escorted back to their dorms, while Neville and Hermione went to their respected areas, allowing him to be alone with the redhead. 

“Harry? What are you doing here? Weren’t you in the hospital wing?” 

“I’ve come to give you a gift.” 

“What?” Brown eyes stared at him in confusion. 

“It is technically my fault you no longer have a pet, so I’ve come to give you one. Don’t say it’s charity, it’s not. I’m simply repaying a debt that is owed.” 

Harry put his finger against the freckled boy’s lips, shushing any argument he could’ve had, “It won’t be today anyways, I have to go to the bank soon. Think of it as me rewarding you for freeing my Godfather, you were the one who held the rat captive after all.” 

Harry waved his hand as he left, alone. 

His steps paused as he realized the familiar situation, “Ah.” 

Two pairs of hands grabbed his shoulders. 

“Thanks for carrying me to my dorm. I was starting to get sleepy again.” The Weasley twins were the ones who came across him. 

“Well, we couldn’t have,” George started, “Our opponent be down before we started the pranking war.” Fred finished. 

“Sorry about the blood as well, I didn’t have time to get rid of it yet.” 

“Blood!?” Fred squeaked as he set Harry back down and stared at him. 

George quickly started checking him over, only to see no wounds or blood. 

Harry smirked as he walked into his common room, “Thanks for the ride, Fred.” 

“He pranked us again.” George sighed. 

“Did he just—” Fred pointed at himself, “Correctly guess which one I am?” 

They stared at each other, ready to barge into the Slytherin house to experiment, only to sigh as they headed back to their house, they didn’t hear the password and would have to wait another day. 

Harry leaned against Death as he was carried into the bank, he already told the headmaster that he would be gone for the day, leaving no room for argument as he left right after. 

Death had dressed him as a young master of a noble family, the immortal deity would probably have been a fashion designer if he was human. 

“Get those dirty thoughts out of your head, master. You don’t need to curse me with such imagery.” Death flicked the young boy’s forehead. 

“Rude.” 

The Goblins immediately pointed spears and swords at them once they breached the doors. 

“I change my mind, this is ruder.” 

“Stand down!” A Goblin with short hair commanded the soldiers, “Apologies, heir Potter. Us Goblins are trained to fight those who smell of death.” 

Harry nodded his head towards the old soul, most mortals fought death every chance they could. It was a reasonable response when explained. 

“I came for my appointment, but if now’s a bad time, then I’m happy to reschedule and go back for my nap.” 

The Goblin snorted, “It’s fine, heir Potter. They will let you through in the future, your scent has already been familiarized as a customer. Please follow me, I shall be the in-charge of this meeting. My name is Ragnarök.” 

“Pleasure, Head Ragnarök, may your enemy's blood flow from their corpses and your gold multiply.” 

The goblin paused his feet, “May your enemies fall swiftly and your gold be plentiful.” 

When in Rome. 

Goblins, he did enjoy these mortal species. Always quick to kill if annoyed in the right areas. They threw amazing parties as well. 

“This meeting is a simple one, we simply need your permission as a blood relative to put your parent's will into effect.” 

“Oh, go ahead. While I’m here, do you mind if I withdraw some money?” 

The Goblin nodded and held out his hand. Then they stared at each other. 

“Do you have your key, heir Potter?” Ragnarök asked. 

“Key? Oh. Death, give me my key.” 

Death sighed as he summoned his master’s key from wherever it was. 

Somewhere, in a castle far away, a key vanished from a drawer it randomly resided in. Honestly, some people forget the most important things. 

Harry stood by the pet shop, waiting for Death to come back with Ron. Could it be considered a kidnapping? They were giving him back, free of charge.

Harry’s eyes were locked with familiar silver eyes as the older man stared at him. Was he a pervert? 

Absolutely. 

The man walked towards him, his pose filled with grace and confidence. “You must be Harry Potter.” 

Harry blinked at the man. To punch or to not punch, his groin was in perfect punching distance. He didn’t fancy being kidnapped when he was trying to get a gift for his friend. 

“I’m Lucius Malfoy, I’m sure my son has mentioned me.” 

Ah, not a kidnapping then. Probably. Did Draco ever mention him before? 

“Master, I’ve stolen—” Death cleared his throat, “I’ve got the child. May we hurry this along now? I was planning to witness Snape’s conundrum on how to handle you, he was planning to force you for an examination the last time I left.” 

“You whine more than a human baby, Death.” 

“I have done nothing to warrant such an insult.” 

Lucius Malfoy stood there as his son’s friend walked away from him. Did he just call that man Death? Perhaps he should talk to his son more. 

Ron was happily stroking his new owl’s feathers, “Are you sure this is alright, Harry? What if mum forces me to give her back?” 

“Tell her it was to compensate for the fact your pet was practically ripped away from you, make sure your eyes are watered too.” Harry paid Ollivander for the new wand he got for Ron as well, “Don’t complain about this, your magic was screaming in agony at being forced to use a wand not suited for it.” 

“I don’t know how to thank you...” 

“Just be happy. Children should be able to smile freely, besides, I can’t have you not able to protect yourself when the wand refuses to work with your magic.” 

Harry yawned as he started to crawl into bed, but for the first time, he hesitated. He could tell that his dream was going to be horrible this time, he could almost imagine which life will be on the forefront of his mind. 

His body was demanding sleep, but... he didn’t want to listen to it this time. 

“Potter, what are you doing.” Draco walked into the dorm room to find his friend half climbed into his bed, just standing there. 

Harry’s eyes lit up as he saw Draco, “Let me sleep with you tonight.” 

“Huh?” 

Silver eyes blinked at green ones, not fully comprehending what he heard.

“No way! Why would you ask that?” 

“You’ll keep the bad dreams away.” 

“Why do I have to? What do I get out of it?” Draco frowned at him. 

Harry’s eyes slowly narrowed, “I’ll have Death teach you magic.” 

“What? I refuse, master.” 

“Really?” 

“Well, he just said no.” Harry hummed in thought, “I could always let you taste my magic.” 

“You’re going to force me!?” Draco’s cheeks puffed in indignation. 

“No. I meant literally; I’ll allow your magic to sample mine.” 

“Potter... you just suggested dark magic.” 

Harry blinked. 

Draco sighed as Harry's face only showed confusion, “You’re suggesting that another person, besides you, be able to interact with your magic. To be able to access the magic that only you can.” 

“Yes.” 

“Potter, that’s a heavily regulated ritual that only betrothed of the most serious can have performed, and that’s only with ministry-approved personnel over-seeing it.” 

“But it’s not a ritual.” 

The blond groaned, “Potter, let’s ignore the fact that you just technically proposed to me. It’s not allowed to happen unless the ministry approves it.” 

“Do you want to try it?” 

Draco stared at his friend, absolutely flabbergasted at his confidence. 

“Excuse me, Professor Snape is looking for Potter.” An older year knocked on their door, interrupting their conversation. 

“Well, we’ll talk about it after.” Harry hummed. 

They stood there as the seconds ticked by. 

“Aren’t you going to go?” 

“I was waiting for you to carry me.” 

Harry waved at Draco, who walked back to their dorms after dropping him off across the hall. 

His pale hand knocked on the door, staring at the flickering candles. 

“Come in.” 

Harry walked into the room, still in his sleepwear. 

“Mr. Potter, I’ve been meaning to talk to you.” The dour man looked up from grading papers, “Please sit.” 

Harry brushed his hair, which had grown past his back, out of the way as he sat. 

“The first thing I wished to talk about you was about the fact you have been ignoring requests for you to be examined.” 

Uh oh. 

“Aha! I knew he was going to bring it up, Destiny owes me twenty souls now.” 

“I have.” 

Dark eyes stared him down, “I have scheduled an appointment for you with Madam Pomfrey this next weekend. I expect you to be present.” 

“I refuse.” 

“Mr. Potter, that was not a request.” 

“I still refuse, sir.” 

Professor Snape stood, “I’ll have to thank Madam Pomfrey for teaching me the spell, then.” 

The spell quickly shot out, but, unexpected by the professor, the young boy didn’t even shout in surprise. He just sat there with a tired expression. A frown marred the older man’s face as he grabbed the scroll that appeared. 

The man’s face rapidly paled as read the contents. 

“Mr. Potter,” His voice betrayed his attempts to hide his panic. “I’m afraid we must hurry to St. Mungos.” 

“I won’t go.” 

“Stop this stubbornness, you foolish child!” The man snapped at Harry, “Your body is already dying.” 

“I know, that’s part of the transformation.” 

The man stopped his frantic movements. 

“Transformation?” 

Harry sighed, leaning his arms against the professor’s table, “Death, you explain.” 

Professor Snape stared at the child in front of him, not entirely sure what to do with the information he’s been granted. 

“What are you going to do now?” 

Harry blinked, “Pardon?” 

“Obviously, this information has a price, a heavy one.” 

Harry tilted his head in thought, “No examinations?” 

“Mr. Potter, have you just been handing this information over to anyone who asks?” 

“Is there a reason not to?” 

“Yes, you blasted child! What if you-know-who got ahold of this information?” 

Who? 

“Voldemort, dear.” 

Oh. 

“What could he do with it?” Harry was genuinely curious. 

“What could...” The darkly dressed man paused, “He could torture you into insanity, kill everyone you cared about, he would not pass this information up for anything.” 

“Then I’d simply kill him before he could touch them. It’s not like his torture is any worse than living through billions of years with the knowledge that you will never be able to keep a loved one by your side.” 

The professor sighed deeply, grabbing a glass of fire whiskey, “I need several nights of drinks before I can deal with you.” He swallowed the glass in one gulp, waving him away in dismissal. 

“Wanna bet on when he’ll ask if you can bring dead people back to life?” 

“Don’t be foolish, Death. He’s realizing that right now.” 

What has happened to the intelligence that these people possessed?