Characters not mine.

(Originally written for a Dealing with Death challenge on comment_fic.)

Sirius's hand passed back through the veil, but not because it physically moved the cloth. His hand went straight through the cloth in question.

Sirius Black had been truly invisible and Disillusioned, but he'd never been able to walk through things. "What the hell?"

HELL HASN'T A THING TO DO WITH IT, IF YOU MUST KNOW.

Sirius turned to see a tall, thin figure in a black cowl and scrabbled for a wand that no longer seemed to be there. "Don't you think Bella will scream a bit if you finish me off for her?"

There was a pause.

Then Death said, OH, BELLATRIX LESTRANGE. YOU ARE FINISHED, I AM AFRAID. I AM NOT A DEATH EATER. I AM MERELY DEATH.

Sirius considered this. The dark figure of Death did not appear to be attacking him, at least. But that was no reason to believe that he, personally, had just met his demise. "I don't see my body," he pointed out.

THAT WOULD BE THE VEIL. IT HAS, SHALL WE SAY, PASSED ON TO ANOTHER PLACE.

"Oh."

YOU SHOULD JOIN IT.

Sirius glanced back at the scene and scratched the back of what had recently been his head. "I'm . . . not certain I was done here."

NEVERTHELESS, YOUR COUSIN DECIDED IT FOR YOU.

"Bloody Bella." Sirius stared at Harry for a moment and sighed. There was so much he'd never gotten a chance to say to the boy. "So this is it."

YES.

"I'm moving beyond now."

YES.

"Will James be there?"

There was a pause. Death was not normally given to kind words or reassurances about the other side, given that he did not, technically, know what became of a soul. But there was something wistful in Sirius's voice that begged for an answer. DO YOU BELIEVE HE WILL BE?

Sirius blinked up at him. "I'd like to."

THEN I SUSPECT HE MAY. ARE YOU COMING?

Sirius glanced back at Harry one more time. But he wouldn't be able to do anything as a ghost, and he hoped Remus and Dumbledore would be enough. Then he heaved a sigh and followed Death to whatever came after.