Chapter Text
Harry jumped out his seat as the Greasy Git appeared in the room. Lily ran to hug him still sobbing. Seeing him openly comforted by his mother broke Harrys heart. Noticed only by Death, Harry slipped away into a separate area, which Death blocked off for him. Hedwig silently flew after her chick.
Dropping into a chair, Harry struggled not to break down completely. Not because Snape was here, not because of that bitch Eileen, but because his mother didn’t care about him. Obviously she married James Potter under Dumbledore's orders… probably to save Snape. Did she even want him, want Harry? Did she ever love Harry?
Harry came to a sharp realization. He didn’t love Lily. Not because of her death, but he didn’t love Lily because of her own actions in this very moment. He felt dirty that he’d been so happy earlier…
Harry almost wished James was here… if only so maybe someone would care about him. Or maybe not. Dragging his sleeve across his eyes to dry the tears, Harry glanced around for Death. The sudden weight of Hedwig on his shoulder seemed to faintly counter his thought of no one loving him. Clearly Hedwig did.
Death grew frustrated with those before him. Finally he slid from the celebration and sought out his master. Opting to silently sit next to him. And watch his loyal owl groom him.
“Does anyone love me, for me?” He croaked brokenly. Death merely tightened the hands resting on its lap in response. So no then. Hedwig whacked him with her wing at that question. No one human then.
“You weren’t supposed to meet me this way.” Deaths voice rattled with... anger? “Much can be laid at the feet of Albus Dumbledore of course but the rest is divided up between those in that room and the so called Dark Lord.”
“Lily and Severus you mean?” Harry asked as Hedwig nibble his hair gently. He scratched Hedwig with equal gentleness. “Do they know?”
“The truth about your time with Petunia? Severus, Eileen, and Lily no. Merope watched most of it, as a personal penance, I believe. And I won’t force you to tell them.” Death made an abortive move, as though to comfort him. Harry slowly leaned into Death’s side and felt a thin arm wrap lightly around him, almost protectively.
“You were meant to be my master. You’re the last of my true line.” Death had a touch of longing as he spoke. “But everything was hidden from you by the old fart. And that man ignored his vows in favor of revenge on a dead man.”
Harry gazed up at Death, who was holding him, with sorrow. “I have to go back, don’t I?” He whispered causing Death to gaze down at him.
“In time… but yes. Fate won’t be denied.” Harry could have sworn Death growled ‘Bitch’ under his breath but said nothing. Harry agreed that Fate seemed to have it out for him. Death, having watched his master grow up, had sworn never to lie to him.
The duo sat in silence for an unknown amount of time before Death glanced up and tilted his head in confusion. Harry followed his gaze and felt his eyes nearly pop from his head at the sight.
“Can I assist you King of Souls?” Death questioned causing the figure to turn toward them. A faint quirk lifted the lip-less mouth. A sudden yawn exposed a mouthful of lethal teeth. A clawed finger tapped its skull twice before easily striding over. A shimmering light caused the figure to assume a vastly more human form.
A muscular young man with long, dark blue colored hair. He carries a sharp gaze; his eyes have black scales around them. He is dark-skinned, and on his body he bears light blue markings across his body (tattoos?). Dressed in a black shirt, a necklace of sharp red claws around his neck, a white sash around his waist, a gold arm band set around his right upper arm, and fitted black pants. He moves easily forward in open-toed sandals.
The 20-something bowed to Death and Harry before striding over and sitting down in the chair created for him. “Shinigami-sama?” The male questioned with a clear Japanese accent. Death leaned over and touched the man in between his eyes for a few moments before leaning back and commanding “English my Friend.”
Blinking several times, the young man nodded “Apologies Lord Death and honored companion.” Gazing at Harry he introduced himself. “I am… Tatsuo Velius. English are first name, followed by family correct?”
“Yes Sir, Mr. Velius. I’m Harry Potter.” Harry offered a hand and wasn’t surprised to get a strong shake in response.
“Please call me Tatsuo.” Tatsuo smiled, showing too many teeth. “And Lord Death would confirm that anything said I’m unable to remember… currently my physical form is a little over 2 years old.” Tatsuo chuckled in annoyance.
Both Harry and Death blinked at the admission. “Unwittingly created seals” was the response at Death’s silent question. Death nodded in understanding and turned to Harry.
“Tatsuo is… currently my other half in another universe. I trust him completely.”
“And I have the utmost respect for Lord Death. But it was a surprise to wake up here...” Tatsuo admits politely. Harry can tell that this ‘Tatsuo’ is powerful… but hides it. Or it’s bound?
“Very good Mr. Potter. Try not to get involved in any ‘gifts’ that speak of Gamer Power and the like. Makes the world itself far too complicated.”
“I… see.” Harry didn’t but felt it was the only thing to say.
“You don’t. But thank you anyway.” Tatsuo takes a sip from his glass before gazing long and deep at Harry. “Forgive me Harry but… you died forcibly and broken.”
“Tatsuo” Death rattles warningly causing the two to lock eyes for a moment.
“I don’t wish to talk about it.” Harry admits into the silence of the standoff.
“I wouldn’t dream of forcing you. But perhaps my skills can be of use in other ways?” Tatsuo counter offered while gracefully moving closer.
Black energy formed a shield around Harry causing both Harry and Tatsuo to react. A white-blue flame licks the mans pointer finger, which hovers just before the shield.
“Perhaps I should have explained first?” Tatsuo grumbles at the look Death is giving him.
“Yes” Death snarls as power clashes between them. Harry is protected by the shield and watches with interest. They were fighting over him! Harry winced as the two beings began to argue in a deep guttural language.
[I wish to help!]
[He is MY master! How could you attack him?!]
[It wasn’t an attack. I wished to copy his soul and condense it into a soul shard orb. From there I will deal with the traitors…]
[A shard orb?… Yes. It would allow those betrayers to learn of his true history while not coming from my master’s mouth. Master has had every choice stolen from him. That is why I was upset.]
[I… should have asked first regardless. I will apologize… Then we are agreed?]
[Yes…]
[I apologize for not respecting him. I knew he was different by your presence but…]
[Then we accept that mistakes were made and move on.]
The shield dropping was the biggest sign to Harry that they’d fix the issue. Tatsuo gazed at him before bowing deeply and speaking.
“I could have greatly hurt you by my actions. I didn’t think, or offer you a choice, and for that I sincerely apologize.”
Harry blinked at the wording, turning it over in his mind. Tatsuo didn’t move a muscle, merely waited. Finally Harry drew his hand through his hair and sighed.
“I appreciate your apology Tatsuo. Will you explain what the flame was about?” Tatsuo’s lip twitched as Death whispered something in Harry’s ear. “Oh! Please feel free to stop bowing.”
Tatsuo nodded at the pair before sitting down and launching into a brief explanation of what he wished to do. Harry was all for having someone else deal those… people in the other room. The actual procedure was similar to having a memory extracted but it didn’t bring any forward.
When Tatsuo broke away from the pair for the final time he held three swirling silver needles. His final words had been a declaration of help and power. “I grant you my titles as they would exist in this world. I hope they will assist you in some way.”
“Thank you!” [Much appreciated My Friend.]
Tatsuo entered the room with the foursome. Severus was sandwiched between his mother and Lily Potter. All eyes turned to him upon entry. “Who are you?” The Snape Woman snarled “And where did that shameful brat run off to?!”
Severus huffed “Mother!” but it was clearly for Lily’s benefit. Lily had turned back to Severus at Tatsuo’s silence.
With ease of practice, Tatsuo threw each needle precisely to hit their targets and was instantly absorbed. Three cries of “Ouch!” didn’t matter as the Shinobi sneered.
“You truly believed the lies that one man spout, despite the truth before your very eyes. Suffer in silence just as he did… enjoy your time in [Harry’s Hell]!”
The room seemed to implode as the trio were sucked away from the ‘now’ and deep into the ‘past’. Tatsuo had agonizingly ripped the trio into 'copies' of Harry's soul. They would live Harry's life from the moment of birth to death and experience everything that the true Harry did at that time. Merope gave him a passing nod as he strode passed her to an exit.
Upon reaching the corner of ‘Slytherin’ Tatsuo paused at the sight that met him. A dangerous smile crossed his face as he spoke to the shade of Tom Riddle.
“Perhaps you would be willing to assist me in something?...”