The Intertwining of Life and Death

August 1988, St. Grogory's

Harry is trying to contain the nerves he feels as he sits in his seat. His dreams last night were filled with all the amazing things he thought he would learn. He woke up before Petunia did and just sat next to his sleeping brother daydreaming about the possibilities.

He has been distracted the whole day just looking at the clock hoping to make time go slightly faster so that he can get to the park and just start learning all new knowledge.

The bell shocks Harry out of his thoughts and He immediately starts packing away all of his stationary, once done he just barely prevents himself from running over to his brother’s desk and dragging him to the park like he did yesterday. Harry stands off to the side moving up and down on the balls of his feet while his brother packs away his own stationary.

Upon noticing Harry, Jacob begins to slow down what he is doing. Harry just pouts “Come on, lets go.” whines Harry.

Jacob just smirks “I am coming. Just let me finish packing away my stuff.”

Harry glares as Jacob slowly places his pencils in one by one, neatly stacking them as if they were a work of art. If Harry were not so eager to get to training with Thanatos he would have been shocked at how neat his stationary bag looked.

Harry is about to tear his eyes out in frustration when Jacob finally stands up and begins to walk to the exit of the school. Before he can step even a meter out of school, Harry grabs him by his arms and starts running for the park but not before Dudley and his gang of miscreants.

The brothers are almost so engaged in their own conversation they don’t hear Dudley shout after them. “GET BACK HERE YOU FREAKS!”

Harry turns around to see them chasing Jacob and himself. He grips Jacobs arm harder and then starts sprinting. Jacob is slightly slower to notice but also begins sprinting for his life.

They run for five minutes and now Harry starts to tire. Jacob, seeing this, decides to lift his brother up and carry him and run. “Jacob, put, hah, me, hah, down!” pants Harry embarrassed that he can't run for himself.

Jacob just grins at him “You can't run if you can't breathe. Take a breather while I run. Also you know I am faster than you.” He says not even slightly out of breath.

Harry just glares trying to catch his breath. They eventually manage to escape Dudley and his can of tuna fish. They make it to the park and into their grove and sit down and take a breather. Harry even after not running the last bit is still out of breath.

“You two look like you had fun.” says a voice directly into the brothers ears. Both brothers jump and turn only to see it is Thanatos. Harry scowls and Jacob just grins.

“Do try to not kill them before they gain their powers.” speaks Gaia gently.

Only after Harry has made sure that his heart has descended down from his throat back into his chest does he focus his attention back onto Gaia and Thanatos. “So what now?”

“Now Jacob and I will be going through there into my realm where I will train him” Gaia gestures to the archway “While my brother will take you himself into his own realm” she says gesturing to Harry.

“SO, then what are we waiting for?” queries Jacob sarcastically.

Gaia and Harry just shake their heads not willing to reply to his jesting. Both the entities go to their respective champion. Gaia takes Jacob to the archway where they have a small discussion but before Harry can join them his attention is dragged to Thanatos as he steps in front of Harry.

“You ready, little reaper?”

Harry just nods nervously and waits for Thanatos to take him. Thanatos gestures over the ground between them and suddenly black water starts coming out of the ground and begins going in a circle creating a whirlpool effect. Once the pool is two meters big Thanatos goes around the pool to Harry and offers his hand.

Harry squares his shoulders to get rid of the last of his nerves and takes Thanatos’ hand. Slowly, together, they walk into the pool and with each step to the center they are sinking into the pool until finally they are slowly walking out of the water onto the surface of a black lake.

Harry looks around confused at seeing nothing. “Where are we?”

“The world between worlds or more accurately the world between life and death.” He gestures to the pool “This is what the Greeks called the river Styx and this part of the river is the beginning of the river. For anything to get around my realm, including myself, they navigate the river.”

Thanatos slowly walks around and slowly different pillars made of bones, marble and other materials all slowly start to rise out of the water. Slowly the pair walk towards a large pure black pillar with hanging flowers growing all around the pillar. The flowers hang and look like bells. A simple wind blows around the pillar and the bell flowers swish around making beautiful twinkling sounds.

“What kind of flowers are they?” asks Harry meiserised at the sound and sight of the pillar.

“There are no other plants like these one so they don't have a name, but they are made from the angel trumpet flower.”

Harry nods and they continue to approach until they stand just in front of the pillar. Thanatos gestures once again and a whirlpool starts to form at the base of the pillar. Both slowly walk in and sink into the whirlpool.

The pair walk out of a large ornate pool filled with the black water. In the center of the pool stands a statue of Thanatos with it holding a large goblet that spills the balck water out into the pool. Around the pool are people walking around in the pool wearing white masks and white robes.

Harry looks around seeing that all around him are floating islands. On the islands are white houses and gardens of angel trumpets. Harry looks to see that the ornate pool is on its own island. There are white carved stone stairs or bridges leading between the island. The island in front of the pool is a large temple.

Thanatos helps Harry to walk through the water. The Masked people slowly stop what they are doing and watch as Harry and Thanatos walk together, they just bend their heads as the pair walk by.

“Thanatos, who are they?” questions a confused Harry.

Thanatos gives him a sad smile “They are souls which have been hurt terribly. They have been hurt in ways normal souls should never be hurt and as such they can't just go to the normal chambers in my realm and balance their souls. The ones you see merely tending to the place are souls who choose to stay here and help other souls.”

Harry nods. They walk until they enter the temple where there are even more of the white masked. The ones in the temple stop what they are doing immediately as the pair walk in. A very tall white masked man with black curved lines along his mask briskly walks towards Harry until he kneels down before him and gives him a hug.

Harry at first stiffens only to relax in the man’s embrace. It feels to Harry as if he is being enveloped in a cloud. Harry feels completely safe for the first time in his life. A small tear runs down his face as he basks in the feeling this hug gives him. He is so lost in the hugs he only barely hears the conversation between the man and Thanatos.

“. . . happened. A soul this young should not be here.” the concern in his voice is palpable.

“The little one has struggled a lot in his life. He has suffered pain after pain.” speaks Thanatos solemnly.

The man slowly pulls Harry away from him, as Harry whines missing the warmth the man provided, so that he can look Harry in the eye. “What's your name little one?”

Harry has to try and organise his mind so that he can answer the man’s question “Uh . . . Harry uhh sir.”

The man pulls off his mask and smiles encouragingly at Harry. “No need for sir, I’m David. It's nice to meet you Harry.”

Harry now out of the man's embrace starts to focus on what just happened. A random man just hugged him like how only his brother does and he is not freaking the hell out. That was the best hug he ever had. He focuses on the man, very confused at what is happening.

“Lord, I know it is not proper to assume, but please allow me to help this poor child.”

Harry just stares at the man uncomprehendingly, still very confused.

Thanatos’ eyes glint with hidden mirth “Are you sure, you don't know what you are getting into.”

David resolves strengthened “To help a child who lands up in your chamber personally? Of course.”

Harry finally getting his mouth to operate blurts out “What!”

David turns quickly to Harry to assess him “Sorry little one that I didn’t ask if you wanted me to help you but it’s just that I can’t sit by and not help a child.”

Harry just gapes at him like a fish “Why would I need help with lessons?”

David startles “Lessons?”

“Yes my lessons with Thanatos.”

Before either can continue a laugh shatters their moment. Both turn to see Thanatos hands on knees laughing struggling to get his breath. “Hahah, oh hah hah, oh I haven't laughed like that in ages.”

David scowls “My lord.” he says tersely “You. Do. Not. Bring. A. Child. To. Your. Chambers. As. A. JOKE.” He says glaring deeply at Thanatos.

Thanatos unrepentant just shrugs “I’m not the one who assumed he was an injured soul.”

David’s glare intensifies “Not assume, not assume. My lord only yourself and injured souls enter this chamber and it is very irresponsible of you to bring an uninjured young soul here.”
Thanatos once again just shrugs unapologetic over his actions.

David frowns and ignores him and turns to Harry “Come, lets get you you away from the naughty man and get you back to your chamber.”

Harry, confused, just gets picked up and held by the man. Once again the warm cloudy feeling comes and Harry is lost in its comfort.

Thanatos just grins “Once again you assumed. That, there is my champion.”

David pauses “Champion?”

“Oh I forgot we changed the name, yes it more accurately would be my servant but my sister’s one is touchy about being a servant so we could them champions now.”

David eyes bug out and he places Harry down who once again whines at having lost his heat. “Apologies oh servant of death. My Lord has just played a trick on both of us, please accept my apologies.”

Harry still lost in the feelings says “You have great hugs.”

Thanatos bursts out laughing and David just smiles pleased with himself. After a moment Harry regains his bearings blushes. “I uhh, what is going on?” pleads Harry trying to get the attention off himself.

“As I said earlier, only souls that have been hurt in unnatural ways are sent here to recuperate. So when David, who is the head of my temple saw a child in my gardens, he freaked out.” replies Thanatos.

“Is it painful to be sent here?”

Thanatos pauses and grimaces “Not to get into the realm but they would have suffered horribly when they were alive.”

Harry frowns, not comfortable with such a joke. He shrugs it off not wanting to focus on it. “So what now?”

“It is time we start our lesson.” replies Thanatos.

Harry nods and turns to David and gives him a smile “Goodbye David.”

David Waves back “Goodbye Harry.”

Harry follows Thanatos through the winding labyrinth of the temple. All along the walls are images of beings fighting each other. They are carved into the beautiful walls. The image that catches Harry’s attention is that of a circular room. All around the room sit very different beings, some human, some animal, some both and some neither. The different groups all sit away from one another not interacting at all, but above all of them is Thanatos, Gaia, two other men and a woman.

Harry walks closer to inspect the carving further when Thanatos lays a hand on his shoulder “Come my little reaper, you can only stay here so long before you must go back.”

Harry nods and they continue to walk through the hallways. They eventually land in a far more comfy hallway. The colouring of the walls is a warm red, instead of carving tapestries hanging off the ceilings depicting the gardens of Thanatos’ realm.

The hallway has four doors. Two to the left one to the right and one at the end. Thanatos leads Harry to the first door and they enter. The room’s floor is entirely carpeted, bookshelves line the right side of the room. The shelves are empty. The other side of the room holds wooden cupboards with glass doors. The center of the room holds an ornate wooden desk. The other side of the room from the door are pillars opening a doorway to a veranda.

Thanatos gives a flourish of his arms “Welcome to your study.” he beams.

Harry’s face is flabbergasted “My study.”

Thanatos grin becomes larger “Why of course. You will be staying and coming often enough, I thought that you deserved your own wing within the temple. This entire hallway is yours.”
Harry’s eyes become as wide as saucers. “The whole hallway!”

Thanatos snickers “Yep.” he pops the ‘p’ “The door next to yours is your bedroom. The one on the other side of the hallway is your training room and finally the door at the end of the hallway is your lounge.”

Harry continues to stare at Thanatos completely shocked at what he has been told. He feels some more tears want to fall but Harry shakes his head, he does not want to cry today.
Thanatos just smiles at him knowing that this is overwhelming the boy. The child has owned nothing but the nearest of items his whole life and as such being given a whole hallway has completely short circuited his brain.

After swallowing all the spit in his mouth Harry continues “Shall we get started?”

Thanatos simply nods his head and gestures for Harry to sit by the ornate desk. Harry thinks back to what he learned yesterday. The first thing Harry wants to know is what Thanatos was talking about.

“What is sacred magic?”

Thanatos holds up a hand “First we should discuss what is magic.”

Harry nods eager for this answer as well.

“Magic is a force guided by will and intention and powered by the world itself.”

Harry’s blank face is all that meets Thanatos’ answer.

Thanatos sighs and attempts to explain again “Magic does whatever the caster wants. The ability to use magic was first gifted to people by the world. There are three types of magic. Light, dark and sacred. The only difference between these types is in which the power of the magic is drawn from.”

Harry nods but raises his hand to ask a question “Uhh can I get a book so I can write this down?”

Thanatos grins and waves his hand. A small leather bound book with an angel trumpet drawn on the cover materialises on the desk in front of Harry as well as a metal stick shaped like a fountain pen on one end and has a large floppy black feather coming out the other.

“Thank you.” smiles Harry.

“Your welcome.” Thanatos dramatically clears his throat almost sounding as if there is a hairball caught in it. “Light magic draws its power from the caster itself. Every creature capable of casting magic has a core but that does not mean all magical entities have a core. To manipulate magic, one must have a core to do so. Dark magic draws its powers from magic that populates the air and earth around the caster. Finally you have sacred magic which draws its power from another entity such as myself. Any being which holds powers like I do can gift a portion of their powers to someone else. Thus when someone casts magic they are using the entity's magic and not their own or the environment around them.”

Harry nods eager to begin using magic “So what type of magic are we going to start practicing first?”

“Hold your horses, little reaper first, you can't start practicing magic when you don't know anything about it. Second, I will only teach you my sacred art.”

Harry’s face falls “Why won't you teach me anything else.” he whispers.

“It is not that I don’t want to, it is that I am death itself not magic. My powers lie in death, the sacred art of necromancy. I unfortunately cannot teach you how to use your other powers.”
Harry's sadness evaporates as quickly as it had appeared. He nods, showing that he understands “Okay, so what first.”

“First we need to understand the history of necromancy before we can begin using it. The world does allow some magic users to be born with the ability to use sacred art without the need of an entity like myself which is called a patron. This is because we came into existence when the world did and as such a part of us is in the world so from time to time some magic user can be lucky and gain the ability to manipulate the sacred arts of the world, however this causes their of the arts to be far weaker than someone who has gained it from a patron.”

Thanatos pauses to let Harry finish writing down what he said. “Thus as my only servant you are already the strongest necromancer in the world.”

“Necromancer? Don't you mean necromancy?”

“No, Necromancy is what you do. Necromancer is someone who does necromancy.”

Harry nods.

“There have not been many who have been blessed with my sacred art however those who have left their mark in history and unfortunately for you it is bad.”

“Ekrizdis was the man’s name. He was quite the horrible man. He took people and used magic on them and experimented with them to further his powers. His pinnacle creation is that of the dementor. They were the souls of his victims that through his rituals were twisted and turned into soul sucking demons. They are now used by the Ministry of Magic, which is the wizard government, as guards of the wizarding prison Azkaban.” Thanatos' expression is unchanged over everything he said.

Harry’s expression is horrified. Necromancy turns people into soul sucking demons who are now the prison guards working for the magical government. Harry’s Face is frozen in shock and horror.

Thanatos continues not noticing the look of absolute horror on Harry’s face “after him there weren't any true necromancers that made it big, but because of the power demonstrated by Ekrizdis other wizards and witches sought that power, they began to attempt the spells written down by Ekrizdis only to be met with failure, thus they then made their own spells that had a similar effect thus creating a botch and horrible fake, although to the sorcerer's it was a success. They were able to bring dead bodies back to life that they were then able to use to do their bidding, these monsters, called inferi, began destroying everything at the behest of their creator and as such what was called necromancy ws deemed dark and illegal. This is . . .”

Harry stops listening, he does not like this. Harry's expression just falls further and further as Thanatos continues his explanation. Harry looks to his own hands and wonders what monsters he would create. He does not want demons or dead people bodies to attack people. He does not want to attack others, end of story. He really is the freak aunt Petunia always called him.

Harry, so stricken by worry, does not realise that he is going into a panic attack, his breathing becomes laboured and his eyes water and it feels like his chest is collapsing in on itself. Harry feels like he is about to pass out when warmth envelopes him. He hears whispering in his ear telling him that it is going to be alright and that he is fine and Harry can't help but to believe him. Harry brings his arms around the person holding him and hugs back.

Once Harry calmed down, he realised that once again he was letting someone hug him. Harry blushes in mortification. He slowly tries to peek to see who is holding him but cant see it from where his head is pointed to the floor. He takes a moment to calm the blush on his cheeks and dry his eyes and pulls back to see that David was the one holding him.

David's expression is that of sadness. He looks heart broken. “Are you alright Harry?”

Harry does not know. Yes he feels slightly better but the joy of doing magic has been crushed by Thanatos’ explanation of his sacred art. So Harry just keeps his head still and does not answer.

David can see that Harry won't answer so he turns his attention to Thanatos “My lord, what happened before he went into a panic attack?”

Thanatos shrugs helpless “All that happened was that we discussed necromancy.” He pauses and thinks if there was anything else “Ahh, there was the fact he was slightly overwhelmed that this whole hallway was his.”

David is also confused as to why Harry freaked out until suddenly David feels like he knows why this happened. “What did you say when you spoke of necromancy?”

“Again the simple stuff, Ekrizdis, dementors, inferi and the monstrosities of botched necromancy.”

David's face is astonished. He can believe that a being such as death didn't realise what he's done, but he does not have the time to shout at his lord. He needs to comfort the little reaper.
“Harry can listen for a bit.” David asks softly.

Harry looks into his eyes and nods.

“My lord is an idiot who can't think.”

Harry snorts but tries to cover his mouth. David shakes his head smiling, happy he can get Harry to laugh a little.

“He only told you the horribly bad and nothing of the good.”

“There's good necromancy?” Harry asks hopefully and looks towards Thanatos for him to confirm.

Thanatos groans having finally realised what he did wrong. He forgot that 8 year olds don't really understand the world well and only know what they are told. Can't do a lot of thinking for themselves.

“Yes Harry there is. I went about this the wrong way.” Thanatos pauses to think through his sentence so that he does not make the same mistake this time around “I was trying to get you to understand that the world doesn't treat necromancy well, with good reason of course. But what they call necromancy is not what necromancy is.”

“So I can't make demons.”

David gasps “What did this idiot tell you about making demons?” he demands.

Thanatos grimaces realising, again, his mistake. “I said dementors are soul sucking demons.”

David just wants to slam his own head into the table “Harry you can't create demons. Dementors aren't demons. They are horrible but they aren't demons.”
\
Harry just nods “So what are the good things about necromancy.”

“Well first off it can save the people who have been turned into dementors. It will lay the inferi to rest. Spirits who have become ghosts and specters that need help crossing over into my realm can be helped with necromancy. If someone's soul were to be wounded then Necromancy can be used to help heal it.”

Harry nods relieved that he can do some good with these powers. He also silently promises to himself that when he is able that he would go and free every dementor that there is.

“Okay I am alright now, we can continue the lesson.”

Thanatos just shakes his head “I have gone about this the wrong way I will need to make these lessons better and will need time to prepare.”

Harry looks down sad “So I wont get lessons now.”

Thanatos comes over and rests one of his hands on Harry’s shoulder “Not now. But that doesn't mean you can't come here and enjoy your rooms while your brother advances with his lessons. David can keep you company.”

Harry is oblivious to the look that Thanatos sends to David. David is quick to stand up and bring the boy into a hug “Sure, I would love the company.”

Harry relaxes into the hug.

“Unfortunately it is time for you to go back, Harry.”

Harry heads shoots up from where it lay on David’s shoulder. His look of dismay is sent to Thanatos, although he did not like that his magic could be bad he also wanted to learn about it disparately. Harry straightens himself ready to fight.

“Don't give me that look, little reaper, you know you have to get back or else Horse face will punish you.”

The fight leaves Harry at those words, he knows that Thanatos is right. “Okay.”

Thanatos waves his hand and a pool from the Styx appears on the floor. Thanatos raises his eyebrow in a silent question.

“Give me a minute please.” pleads Harry.

Thanatos nods his agreement.

Harry releases his grip on David as David does the same to him. David stands and offers him his hand. Harry takes it and smiles up at David “Thanks for calming me down David.”

David smiles “It was no problem at all young Harry.”

Harry's smile brightens. He nods and heads over to Thanatos and as he and Thanatos sink into the pool he turns around to face David “Bye David.” he waves as he slowly is submerged by the Styx.

After traversing the pool the exit right back at the stone archway where Jacob and Gaia exit from. Harry looks around to see that almost no time has passed and that they still have a few minutes to get back before they would be in trouble.

Harry focuses his attention back to his brother who is smiling from ear to ear. Harry smiles happily that his brother is happy. Harry walks over to his brother and calls to get his attention. Jacob turns away from Gaia to see his brother coming towards him and gives him a nod.

“How was it?” question Jacob.

Before Harry can answer Gaia interrupts “Not now boys, Your aunt will be expecting you soon. Speak of this later. Do not delay getting home any further.” she urges. Pushing them forward towards the exit.

Harry and Jacob nod and walk off heading home. Harry turns around just as they are about to leave the park's gate to see that Thanatos and Gaia have already left. He focuses his attention back to the path home.

They arrive home just in time and are not punished by Petunia, however they are separated for the rest of the day so they can do their chores. Neither one truly minds because they both have lots to think on.

After dinner and all their chores and school work the brothers retire to their beds and lay down together.

“So what did you do with Thanatos today?” Question Jacob a second time.

Harry's expression becomes strained “Not too well, Thanatos kinda gave me a panic attack.”

Jacob startles straight out of bed and pulls Harry up so he can inspect him.

“I am fine now, so don't worry so much.” Harry waves away Jacob’s concern.

Jacob just breathes out, calming his racing heart “Why did you panic.”

“Oh, he told me I can make demons and walking corpses and that necromancy has done many terrible things but then David, who gives the best hugs by the way, calmed me down and explained that it can also do wonderful things.”

Jacob's expression is frozen as he takes in the fact that his brother let someone, a stranger, hug him. Jacob does not know what question to ask so he asks the first one to pop into his head.
“So what can it do?”

They spend the rest of the evening late into the night discussing what they learned from the history of necromancy to Jacob's new found powers in controlling plants. He is not able to do it yet but Gaia says as he grows older he will be able to make them follow any instruction he gives. He can however right now make plants grow slightly bigger and faster.

Timeless, Death’s Realm

David walks down an ancient hallway. This hallway is deep beneath the temple and only the oldest of shades and souls know about how to enter the hallway let alone be able to navigate it.

The hallway has no light in it and is pure darkness, The only light comes from the lantern in David's hand. The light is swallowed by the hallway and David is only able to see a few feet in front of him. Even if David were to attempt to bring the lantern closer to any surface of the hallway he would find that everything is still pitch black and solid.

David finally arrives before a door at the end of the hallway. The door is withered elder wood and has only a symbol carved into the door. It is of a skeletal reaper wielding a scythe. David pulls out a knife that gleams a perfect black and slices his palm, a white ichor spills from the wound. He places his bleeding palm against the symbol and the door accepts his offering and allows him entrance.

He enters a lavish office with shelves upon shelves of paper. In the center of the room towards the back lies an ornate gold desk where Thanatos currently sits viewing papers and writing down something on other scrolls.

“You have need of me, my lord?” queries Jacob as he sits before the golden desk his head lowered so he can't look at Thanatos.

“That I do shade.”

“What would you have me do?”

“Go throughout the realm and find those who have died recently. Learn all you can about what has happened in the magical world. Its history, what happened to other facets of magic, who is in charge and all other such things.”

“To what end my lord?” he asks, head still bowed.

“Soon I will bind you to my young champion. I cannot always be with him, but an astarius can.”

David brain short circuits for a moment before it resumes working “You wish to make me an astarius?”
“How else would you be able to help my Champion at all if you are stuck in my realm?”

“Then it will be done.” Promises David.

“Good.”