Carrier of Souls

'It's strange that they fear death. Life hurts a lot more than death' - Jim Morrison

Chapter 5:

That same night, Harry sat on his bed, staring intently at the soul sign that decorated the inside of his left wrist. Closing his eyes he thought intently about the name of the soul he had collected, Bhatilda Bagshot, a rather old lady, who was on childhood terms with Aberforth Dumbledore and by extension Albus Dumbledore, he smiled, she would be able to shed information on the Headmaster. He frowned, he wandered what her wish was for her to so quickly sit in the palm of his hand.

*That is for me to tell you, and for you to listen* Harry jumped at the voice in his mind.

"Bhatilda Bagshot is that you milady?"

*Correct.*

"Well someone's got an attitude" Harry muttered under his breath, only to jolt when a cackle emitted through his mind.

*Young man I am simply confused that is all, this was not the after life I was expecting, I certainly was not expecting you to look at me and extend your palm out to me*

"Well then why did you come to me then?! You didn't have to." Harry started grumbling over his growing headache.

*Oh hush child, I simply thought you as rather kind and gentle...my soul felt at peace to be with you...I feel comfortable and not to mention extremely safe...that my soul was quite literally in safe hands.*

At her words Harry smiled, softly stroking the symbol he couldn't help but feel proud he was already living up to his title Death had given him.

"I am glad you feel that way, after all the name Death bestowed upon me is The Collector of Kind and Wayward Souls, you will definitely be safe with me, I will defend you, and by doing that I must learn to protect myself. Now let me tell you all about my dearest friend and boss, Death, and who I am too."

---

15 Minutes later

---

*Good Merlin you are Harry Potter? How incredible and you were saved by...Death? Who gave you the job of collecting the kind and lost souls of the Wizarding World?*

"Yes that is correct."

*Well then, I better use my intelligence to get you up to par on the Wizarding World and all that hippogriff's dung.* Harry giggled at her use of curse words.

*Ah, we might have to teach you the Patronus spell first and foremost, if you are going to be a Carrier of Souls, you must learn to defend yourself from the creatures that feed off of souls*

Harry's blood ran cold, body froze in shock. "Those kind of creatures exist? Won't they be attracted to me then, oh lord I'm going to be a giant magnet for them"

*Not if we teach you the spell, I notice you have your wand...three years earlier than the legal age but oh well, no one can stop Death I suppose. And it doesn't have the trace on it, brilliant. Not to mention you'll be the youngest person in history to be able to do the Patronus Charm, not like we can tell anyone about it just yet of course.*

Harry sat up and folded his legs underneath him, calming his mind, taking deep breaths he call out mentally to Bhatilda. 

*Good Potter, now , I want you to think of the happiest memory you can think of, take some time to think it through, I'll be waiting for you when you've found it*

As her voice faded away Harry found himself searching through his memories, nothing for the first six years of staying with Aunt Petunia, his mind immediately jumped to Death's intervention and buying him all of his clothes, giving him his raven...giving him power...helping him feel alive. Calling out mentally to Bhatilda who mentally rose her eyebrows in surprise, she instructed him on his next actions.

* Raise your want, keep if loose in your fingers, stay relaxed, do not rush yourself, immerse yourself in your memory and how you felt at that time, when you feel ready say: Expecto Patronum* And from there she watched and waited as Harry's face flickered with thought and emotion.

"Expecto Patronum" Came the whispered call and a large cloud of blue mist was expelled from his wand. Eyes wide in surprise he called out to Bhatilda

"How was that! Did I do it?" 

At Bhatilda's odd silence he called out to her again. Feeling her soul jump inside of him he giggled.

*Sweet Merlin, Harry you did it. And you produced mist, first try that was incredible, you are truly powerful, but* At hearing her pause Harry's face fell. *I'm afraid it won't be enough to fully expel them, you need a Corporeal Patronus, it will appear in the shape of an animal, something reflective of your heart or deepest emotions, I'm afraid the memory you had won't be enough to push it to a Corporeal form.*

Harry frowned, his memory of Death wasn't enough, how was that possible, Death gave everything to him. And then he realised, it wasn't love that he felt at those memories, it was fondness but primarily gratitude, something Death deserved greatly, Harry loved Death of course but it was the predominant emotion. Thinking deeper, he found himself reflecting on the memory of his mother, her sacrifice, the flashes of images of her spilling her blood, making a vow, chanting in Latin, her refusal to step aside, her anger at the danger her child was in...the protectiveness. Yes he loved his mother, his sweet fiery mother who gave up everything for him. He loved her so much his heart hurt to think about it. 

Relaxing his body, holding on tightly to those feelings of love and the memories of his mother he quietly whispered: "Expecto Patronum"

And then all he could see was light. Bright blinding light of Will O-wisp blue, ethereal and fully corporeal animal flew from the tip of his wand, soaring around the room, its broad span of wings and long spindly neck threw Harry off in thinking it was a Raven like Cromm.

*Sweet Merlin! That's a vulture! How incredible, what an animal to have, though unexpectedly befitting of you, a vulture, symbolises a cycle of birth and death, yet also known for being fiercely protective of the things it's responsible for, which for you would be the souls you collect and heal. How incredible!* She began cackling and Harry couldn't help but shed a tear at the meaning of the intimidating bird that was circling his room for enemies.

Stretching out his arm, it landed, and he was surprised to feel it was solid, ignoring the choking noises of astonishment from Bhatilda, he turned to it.

"Thank you protector, you have defeated all the enemies, you may go now..." And bobbing its head and giving a final shriek, it faded away into faint blue wisps. 

---

And so, for the next three years, Harry learnt many things from his first soul, Bhatilda, burning Latin into his brain, something she had exclaimed was extremely important to be able to read and speak in. Having fun with his raven Cromm, teaching him words that word strike fear whenever he spoke, Cromm had taken to reading the mood and shouting words to make it even more tense much to Harry's amusement and Bhatilda's dismay. Harry also found extreme interest in runes, something Bhatilda was also knowledgeable in too, determined to decipher the runes that lit up in white whenever he used his wand for practicing spells. It wasn't until Death dropped in for the third time in a week, he read out the runic script on Harry's wand to him. It was worded like a mysterious story, or prophecy, that mentioned Death the Saviour, a Boy in the becoming's of a Reaper, a Wand as a Tool, and mentioning's of a Carrier of Souls in honour of their Saviour. Death told him to never let anyone read the runes on his wand unless he wanted to them to know, it apparently would raise too many questions at the time. 

And Harry's second soul he collected was in fact poor old Miss Figg from across the road, despite squibs having a slightly extended life than muggles, but not as long as Wizards, he was surprised to see her die this early, she was after all only 75. But nevertheless she was a bizarre and 'feeble' person to interact with. Her soul a ginger/ orange that was oddly similar to the primary colours of the 6 kneazles she raised in her home, all who were taken by Death too to wait for Arabella Figg.

And before Harry even knew it, it was the morning of his eleventh birthday. July 31st 1991, coming down the stairs with Cromm on his shoulder as usual, he stepped out of the front door and was immediately intercepted by a rather large barn owl. And in its claws was a letter, crisp white parchment embossed in green ink, a wax stamp on the back with what Harry assumed was the Hogwarts crest, by the badger, lion, eagle and snake that stood proudly. When he stepped back into the house and entered his room with a glass of orange juice in his hand, he set the letter down on the old desk he found in a junk yard two years ago and opened his bedroom window. Immediately much to Cromm's dismay, the barn owl flew up to sit on the ledge, black eyes watching with interest.  

Cromm's indignant croaking could have been heard from all around and with a swift tap to his beak he allowed him a begrudging sip of his orange juice, chuckling when he flapped his wings with joy at the treat. 

Before he opened the letter he held onto his ear cuff and called out to Death, smiling when he heard the tapping of bones against the plank floor.

"Hello Death, my Hogwarts letter came this morning I thought you'd like to hear what it says"
Chuckling Death rested his weight onto his scythe that eagerly emerged from his shadow.

"I can give a wager as to what it says, but go ahead little soul" 

Lightly clearing his through, he raised the paper:

         Dear Mr Harry James Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1St September. We await your owl by no later than 31st July

Yours sincerely,

         Minerva McGonagall.

Pulling out the list, it was soon taken by Death who swiftly looked over the enclosed items. 

"Well then, I haven't got anything on my plate other than odd collections of souls, so we may as well take you out for your essentials".

At his words Harry immediately shrugged on his black cape and tied it on the inside to close it all the way, he pulled back his now elbow length hair with a green cord. Hair, had apparently incredible magical properties and so grew rapidly along with the influx growth of his own magic that had merged with a portion of Death's. Frowning at the disappearance of his familiar he smirked when he spotted him and proceeded to pull Cromm out of his glass of orange juice.  

"Cromm you know better than to overdose on orange juice" Only to sigh at Cromm's signature high pitched croak of indignancy. Death's cackles followed and Harry couldn't help but give him one of his signature macabre grins before they faded in a cloak of black smoke.

Appearing outside of the Leaky Cauldron Death put a glamour on, immediately becoming an adult version of Harry, however his eyes were still a burning blue. 

Death, opening the door, did a dramatic sweep of his arm and presented the entrance of the dingy pub.

"Well my little soul... shall we go inside?" Too many teeth showing through thin lips, Harry cracked a similar grin and glided into the pub. It was packed and Harry found himself being navigated by Death through the drunk or stumbling wizarding population. Stepping out into the alley in the side they came to a halt, and once more, Death lifted a single crooked finger and the wall crumbled into a thousand bricks on the floor. 

And for the first time, Harry was on his way to pay a visit to Gringotts, practically giddy, he held Death's glamoured hand tightly as they weaved through the crowd of excited kids and a few dumbfounded parents. Cromm's loud croaks drew quite a few eyes of interest and fear and with his remaining free hand Harry preened at Cromm's feathers too soothe him. 

Entering the bank was fun, it was bustling with wizards of course, some family's highly dressed with tight hands clamped on their children's shoulders. Death paid no mind to the stares, they made an unusual pair, they wore very refined outfits after all and presented quite an image. Heading straight for the main tellers desk, Death gave a sharp grin, capturing the Goblin's attention.

"Head Teller Axeclaw, may your gold forever flow, I am here with my ward for business of our own that will require a private room." Axeclaw hearing the polite customary introduction for Goblins, gave a sharp grin, and hopped down off of his marbled desk. Making a beckoning gesture with his claws, they may their way down the long corridor off to the right that was littered with large stone doors all labelled for different purposes. 'Ritual Room', 'Healer Ward', 'Main Offices' etc. 

The private room was large for three but decorated in runes all along the walls, Harry noticed were all for privacy and protection, nodding to himself looking very satisfied he missed the Goblin's eyes widen in shock before becoming sharp and assessing. 

"Bhatilda thought it would wise for me to become fluent in Latin and have a basic understanding in runes if I am to make it in this world." 

Death nodded sagely at his words, the Goblin looked confused. 

"Bhatilda?"

Turning his attention back to the Goblin seated in front of him across the desk, Harry gave a sharp smile.

"Why Bhatilda Bagshot of course" The Goblin looked at him as if he'd gone crazy.

"Bhatilda Bagshot has been dead for just over three years, that's impossible" 

"No it isn't, Bhatilda is right here Axeclaw" And he lifted his left sleeve showing off Bhatilda's mark. "Her soul resides safe and sound with me" 

Harry turned to Death, eyebrows scrunched in thought.

"Hey Death, is there a way to prove that I hold Bhatilda's soul?" Death thought for a moment then turned to the rapidly paling Goblin.

"Why there is little soul. Goblin you will prepare a Blood Inheritance Test, we were here to do it anyway, but this would also prove little soul's words."

The Goblin pressed a button on the desk and not ten seconds later another Goblin rushed in with a tray that held a parchment of paper and a needle. 

The Goblin turned back to Death, still pale. "Did this child refer to you as Death?" A sharp grin was all he got.

"This is my ward Harry James Potter. He is here for his inheritance"

In Harry's mind, Bhatilda interrupted.

"Young Harry tell them I give my permission for my vault to be passed onto you since I have no other family. I've got a rather wicked trunk in my vault that I think you will appreciate using at Hogwarts".

When relayed to the Goblin, Harry found the silver tray pushed towards him. 

"Prick your finger and put three drops of blood onto the parchment" 

Doing as instructed, he watched as the blood faded into the paper before disappearing completely, a few seconds later a gold light poured from the page, and both Harry and the Goblin watched with wide eyes, Death sat smug off to the side.

Blood Inheritance Test:

Name: Harry James Potter-Peverell 

Mother: Lily Jade Potter nee Evans

Father: James Fleamont Potter

Godfather: Sirius Orion Black

Godmother: Alice Jane Longbotton nee Fortesque 

Titles:

Carrier of Souls 

--- Current souls carrying: Bhatilda Bagshot ( One main vault available for inheritance) , Arabella Figg

Death's Eleventh Reaper

Titles for Inheriting:

Potter

Black (Unaccepted Lord Imprisoned)

Peverell

Harry drew in a breath at the information, and watched as the Goblin swiftly took the paper and began barking orders in Gobbledygook to the other Goblin who stood off to the side. Who then rushed back in two small black boxes and three iron keys.

Axeclaw pushed the two boxes forward. "These two boxes are the Lord rings for Potter and Peverell, since you have no other blood relatives, the law states that in absence of a Lord the Heir will immediately take up the mantle, regardless of age. "

Harry opened the boxes, sliding the Potter band, that was of gold with a red ruby, onto his right forefinger, and the black band with a symbol of a triangle with a circle and a stick in the centre, onto his pinkie, as Death instructed,  watching as they resized to fit his fingers snugly.

"So how do I have the title of Lord Peverell?" 

Before the Goblin could explain Death once more intervened. "It is because you are associated with me of course, I did tell you all about your ancestor Ignotus Peverell who wielded the Cloak of the Deathly Hallows didn't I?" 

Remembering the tale Death had told him one night before he went to sleep, his eyes lit up with wonder.

"I'm the heir of that!?"

Coughing slightly, the Goblin across from him corrected him.

"Actually it's Lord now". 

Harry gaped.

Cromm croaked out a mimic of a laugh.

"Ah so this is the symbol of the Deathly Hallows" He muttered, stroking his finger over the symbol on the ring. "How intriguing"

"I shall take you to your three vaults then Lord Potter-Peverell." Seeing there was nothing left to say, the group stood and made for the carts deep in the mine.

The Potter vault was first, Axeclaw had mentioned that the trust vault his parents had set up for him was now merged with the original main vault due to him being the Lord he didn't need to pull money from it. Sliding the first of the three iron keys into the door, Harry watched face emotionless as the vault door open to reveal a large room stacked with piles of gold and jewels. Odd trunks lay around the corners, a couple portraits of his ancestors motionless in their frames. 

"Everything that belonged to your parents are stored in this trunk, the Ministry placed everything here and the Goblins made sure nothing was stolen or lost per the agreement we have with the Potter family. A trunk was pushed towards him. Opening it Harry saw there was a compartment that held all of their items of clothing, in another there was a library of books that belonged to them. 

"Is there a way I can store money or objects to carry around with me?" 

"Yes there is a bottomless money bag we can give you, but it is usually for Heirs, since you can pay with your Potter or Peverell Rings now that you are Lord. But for items you can take anything from this vault so it may be best to just take the whole trunk with you and sort it all out at home."

Nodding at his words, he tapped the trunk as instructed and watched as it shrunk to the size of a matchbox, tucking it safely into his inside robe pocket he left the vault. 

"My parent's trunk takes priority out of that vault. Though eventually it will need to be sorted through, there must be a millennia of items in there due to the Potter family being so old."

Death was silent behind him, and Harry drew comfort from his presence, but he could also feel a budding excitement over the next vault.

"I'll take you to the Peverell Vault now little Lord"

The cart ride was long, and Harry watched as they continued to travel deeper into bank, a huge abyss over the side caught his eye, the Goblin noticed and shouted over the wind.

"That's Fool's Downfall, it removes any glamours or enchantments" 

And then the cart suddenly slowed and stopped in front of a huge and ominous door. 

"There used to be a dragon guarding it, but since this vault isn't well known now a days, we saw no need to"

Harry turned to the entity behind him.

"Are you curious about what's inside Death?" Shooting a grin that was responded in kind 

"I am indeed little soul, it has been a while since I've laid my eyes upon anything Peverell related, I am glad you have taken the mantle"

And the door opened, slowly.

The vault was huge. At the very back of the room was an altar table, and three trays sat. Harry looked curiously towards the Goblin.

"The trays were for holding each item of the Deathly Hallows, but since none of them have ever been collected all together, it has never been used."

Nodding his head absentmindedly, he looked around, large piles of galleons stacked precariously, a few had collapsed into piles on the floor. And then his eyes landed on a trunk of the darkest wood, that was embossed with iron, the symbol of the Deathly Hallows engraved in white on the front. Opening it he saw a letter addressed to however was next to open this vault. Opening it Harry's eyebrows rose. The letter simply stated that the next person who gains own of the vault was to take the trunk with them, for there are items of great use inside. And it was signed by an unknown ancestor. He raised the letter to the goblin, who frowned and said he would check the records and send a letter when he located him. Picking up 50 galleons he handed them to the goblin in payment for his service. After all nothing comes without a price. Seeing the Goblin break into a sharp grin he cackled and shrunk the Peverell trunk and placed in his pocket alongside with his Potter trunk. 

And lastly they ascended back up a couple levels to Bhatilda's vault, who Harry upon instructed shrunk the trunk of redwood and placed in his pocket too. 

When they returned to the marble floor of the bank, Harry turned back to Axeclaw and gave a bow, muttering the words of a Goblin goodbye before leaving out of the front doors, ignoring the gaping wizards. 

Breathing in the cool fresh air he pulled out his silver pocket watch, that Death had gifted him for his eleventh birthday,  was surprised to see that they had been in the bank for nearly two hours.

"Tired already little soul?" Harry turned and smiled at Death, retaking his hand they traversed the remaining stores for his equipment, books, potions equipment, uniform and lastly some stasis charmed carrion for Cromm who was joyful at the action.