Chapter Five
One Moment in Time

Harry walked along the cavernous concrete corridor that formed the second tier, outer ring of the new Quidditch stadium. Game goers were crowding toward the small entrances to the stands pushing and jostling for position. Hogwarts' students were posted by each of these doorways to look at tickets and direct people toward their seats.

Harry had walked these corridors many times throughout the construction of the new stadium and he found that he felt a sort of satisfaction in the space. Even now, as it filled with Wizards and Witches from all over the U.K., and felt more like the Quidditch World Cup, than the final game of the Hogwarts season, he still felt at ease. There was an exhilaration in the air that he had always associated with Quidditch, and the grander scale just made it that much more exciting.

Albus Dumbledore, faded in to being next to Harry, matching his steps. "Good evening Professor," Harry said as he continued along his way.

"Albus," Dumbledore said, "I think Harry, that you have earned the right to call me Albus. After all your counterpart in this time calls me Uncle Albus, when he can get away with it."

"I don't know," Harry replied casually, "It has always felt right to call you Professor... Professor."

Dumbledore chuckled, "As you wish, Harry."

For a few minutes the two strolled along the stadium corridors in comfortable silence.

"Are you excited about today?" Dumbledore asked finally.

"Sure," Harry replied, "It really ought to be a wonderful game."

Harry turned down a stairwell and they made there way to the ground level, where, after a few turns they wound their way out onto the field. The seats were filling up fast and it was a sight Harry had been anxious to see.

"How big is this stadium again, Professor?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore looked at Harry quizzically, as though confused by the chosen topic. "Hmm, as I recall the architects said it would seat fifty thousand," he answered tentatively.

"Wow," Harry said softy. "Why so big? I mean, Hogwarts students and faculty combined would never fill but a fraction," Harry mused.

"It will be used as a professional stadium a good portion of the year," Dumbledore filled the silence, "and the intent was to hold the Quidditch World Cup here in August."

"Oh," Harry said wistfully, "I should liked to have played here myself."

"Well," Dumbledore replied taking his opening, "In a sense you will, or at least you will get to watch yourself."

"Not quite the same, is it." Harry said.

"I suppose not," Dumbledore said quietly. "Harry, when I asked if you were excited before – I didn't mean about the game."

"I know Professor," Harry replied dolefully.

"Pardon my curiosity Harry, but I would like to know how you feel?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry chuckled. "You would think that I'd know, wouldn't you. But my mind is a jumble. For the past seventeen plus years I have lived vicariously through my counter part, and I have watched the Wizarding World undergo so many changes. It is, in so many ways, a better world than the one I left."

"But?" Dumbledore encouraged.

"But," Harry said, "sometimes the sacrifices make me sad." He paused. "I miss Neville... and Nymphadora.. and Moody... and others."

"Neville?" Dumbledore asked.

"Neville Longbottom." Harry blurted out as though Dumbledore should have known the name very well.

"Oh," Dumbledore said, understanding coming to him, "Yes, Neville, the Longbottom's child. He would have been about your age. Very sad, what happened to that family. I take it in your time, he was alive... possibly a friend?"

"Yes," Harry said sadly.

"And, Nymphadora, and Moody, were friends as well.?"

Harry had turned away, but he nodded. "In my time, Tonks and Remus Lupin got married. They had a son named Teddy."

"Professor Lupin?" Dumbledore smiled.

"Yes," Harry said. "I knew that I would change things... I knew that there would be consequences... It's just... I expected to be the one to pay the price."

"And you feel you haven't?" Dumbledore protested. "Harry, you are a disembodied spirit. That was a direct consequence."

"Yes, but hardly a difficulty. I got to see myself grow up with Sirius as a loving guardian, doing everything he could to keep my parent's memories alive for me. My counterpart's life has been ideal compared to mine, he is wealthy, famous, confident, with great friends. I'll admit, Draco was a bit of a surprise to me. But, my life in this time has been the life I dreamt of as a child, locked in my Aunt and Uncle's cupboard. I got to see two of my best friends in the whole world Ron and Hermione, find each other when they were in their fifth year. When I left my time They were still only beginning to admit how much they cared for one another. And, then there is Ginny."

"You loved your Ginny?" Dumbledore asked gently.

There was a long pause. "Yes... I loved her... I still love her, but I pushed her away to keep her safe."

"But, Harry and Ginny are together now in this time."

"Yes, and it happened in much the same way, after the Quidditch final in our sixth year, but, my counterpart doesn't seem to understand how much... he... how much I love her."

"Ah... I see," Dumbledore said in consideration. "Harry, they have had different experiences, you cannot expect them to do things, or feel things as you do... If it is any consolation, I believe your counterpart does love her, he just has more growing up to do than you did." He paused for a long while. "Are you afraid in all that has changed, that they will not choose to remain together?"

"No... Yes..." Harry sighed a long breath, "I don't know."

"Harry," Dumbledore began. "You made a deal with death, the true consequences of which, I suspect we shall learn tonight when the moment comes for the timelines to resolve and become one again. All in all, I would say things have turned out quite favorably."

"Yes Sir," Harry said rather automatically.

Harry turned to face Dumbledore, but he was fading away. Harry had grown used to these sudden disappearances and reappearances. He waiting expectantly for a few minutes. Then with the din of the stadium recapturing his imagination, he turned and moved to take a seat on the foundation of the Gryffindor goal posts to watch the game.

As the game began Harry couldn't shake the understanding that this was it, this was the night that he made his deal, and sometime after sundown, would come the very moment. He didn't know exactly when it would be, but he imagined when the moment came, time would freeze. Death would appear, and Harry was resolved that he would willingly go with Death to whatever lay beyond for him. Yes, people had been lost that had not been lost previously – There were also people saved, so many who would not die in the final battle. He had made a better world, he was sure of it. Now he had only to leave it and let it run it's course. Harry relaxed, and settled in to watch the action above him.

"Welcome back Professor," Harry said as Dumbledore reappeared. "You've missed a bit of the game."

Dumbledore sat down next to Harry. "Well, not missed it exactly," Dumbledore chuckled, "Fifty thousand seats in this new stadium, and leave it to you Harry, to find the best seats in the house."

Harry pointed excitedly to the players above as Ron blocked a shot. The Quaffle fell directly toward he and Dumbledore, and Harry cheered loudly as Ginny swooped down and caught the ball before it reached the sand.

"I do so enjoy a good game," Dumbledore said delightedly. Harry grinned at him and nodded.

For a while they enjoyed the game together.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked after a bit.

"Yes Professor," Harry responded distractedly as he watched the game.

"There is something I have been meaning to ask you about," Dumbledore said.

"What is it?" Harry turned at the serious tone of Dumbledore's voice.

"The Horcruxes," Dumbledore asked, "I recall you saying that you put all the pieces of the broken Horcruxes in a bag and took them with you... I just was wondering what happened to them?"

Harry thought for a minute. "Yes... Well when I got to Godric's Hallow, I paid for a room, that took most all of the rest of the money I had. I burned the remains of the diary in the fireplace in my room there, until I was sure that nothing of it remained. I pried the resurrection stone from Marvolo Gaunt's ring and tossed it into the ocean, during a day trip for that very purpose. The Ring, the Locket and the Cup, all being made of gold, I melted magically into a single small ingot. I cast several cleansing spells on the gold to make sure no residual magic remained and then I sold it by weight to a local Muggle jeweler. I used that money to cover my living expenses."

"And the Diadem?" Dumbledore asked.

"That was made of silver and encrusted with gems, and it was far less damaged then the other objects. I took it one day to Gringotts, and asked to have it appraised, probably not my wisest move." Harry chuckled at himself. "It was clear almost immediately that the Goblin's knew exactly what it was. I played innocent, told them that I had found it at the bottom of a pool in the forest of Dean, during a camping trip. I don't know if they believed me or not, but I offered to sell it, which seemed to please them. We haggled a little and I am sure they paid only a portion of its worth."

"They seemed genuinely confused when I asked them to send the money as an anonymous donation to Hogwarts. I have no clue really, if they did it or not." Harry said.

"They did," Dumbledore now chuckled, "Thank you Harry, for that."

Harry just smiled. After a brief pause he spoke again. "Professor, I have a question for you."

"Hmm?" Dumbledore responded distractedly.

"Have you any idea what ever became of Dung?" Harry asked.

"I don't know Harry," Dumbledore replied. "He was officially listed by the Ministry, as missing, presumed dead. No evidence otherwise has ever come to light to my knowledge."

"That's good I suppose," Harry said wistfully "I like to imagine him on a beach, somewhere warm. At least there is no evidence that I am wrong."

Dumbledore chuckled.

Action on the pitch drew them both back in to the game and they ceased further conversation. Caught up in the excitement Harry almost forgot the approaching moment. Together he and Dumbledore cheered and clapped and laughed as the game progressed. And both were on their feet excitedly, along with the entire stadium, as Harry caught the snitch.

They cheered as the players swarmed Harry who waved the snitch at the crowd in victory.

"What are they up to?" Harry questioned aloud as he pointed to Crabbe and Goyle.

Dumbledore just had time to make them out as their bludgers flew toward the victorious Harry.

As though it were happening in slow motion, Harry watched the bludgers zooming toward their target, and he froze in fear. Is this it then, he thought. Is this the price – they knock me from my broom I fall to my death – time is balanced and goes on without me? The inevitability of it flooded him. He saw clearly the balance of it, and accepted that it was right – deeply sad, but right. He couldn't look away, he drew what he thought would be a last breath and though he could actually smell nothing in his present state, he imagined the sent of the fresh mown field, and even the trace fragrance of uniform leather and broom wax. He whispered, "I am about to die."

Then, motion caught up with perception and he saw a flash of red hair as Ginny moved to intercept the bludgers. The first struck her arm and he could hear it break from his place on the field. The second glanced from her left temple and he saw her falling. He was moving fast as he leapt to the field in an attempt to catch her.

He could hear Dumbledore shouting, "There is nothing you can do Harry," but he ignored the words.

He was there in the spot, arms outstretched and ready, as Ginny fell directly toward him, with every ounce of his being he willed this intervention. Ginny slammed into the ground at his feet, her head striking first, with the frightful, sickening sound of her neck snapping.

Harry froze in shock as he looked at the girl he loved so dearly, apparently dead at his feet.

Suddenly, the other Harry was there, surrounded by teammates. He was crying thick tears as he knelt by her and pulled her into his arms gently cradling her unmoving form. He spoke for both of his selves as he sputtered through his tears. "Please Ginny, wake up... Ginny, please... don't leave me... You can't die... not now... not like this... I never got to tell you... Ginny, I love you... Do you hear me Ginny... I love..."

Time stopped... The moment had arrived.

Harry spun around screaming, "Where are you! Death! Why?!" he collapsed to his knees in the still grass, hot tears flooding his face. He felt hands grasp his arms, but it was Dumbledore pulling him back to his feet. "Professor, you are still here?" Harry exclaimed through his tears.

"Indeed I am Harry," Dumbledore said. "As is your expected visitor." Dumbledore turned, motioning to the cloaked figure of Death, appearing now as the same dark haired young man, Harry remembered from before.

Harry wiped his sleeve heavily across his face to remove the tear tracks. He was angry. "Are your happy Death?" he shouted, "Come to collect me now, and take Ginny as an extra prize?"

"You imply that I have had some hand in these events," Death stated evenly. "I told you once Harry, it is not in my nature to determine the hour of a mortal's demise. I merely collect them upon that hour. Everything else is fate's design."

"You are here, solely to honor your bargain with Harry then?" Dumbledore asked calmly, "To collect the Hallows?"

"Not exactly, Albus." Death replied, as he waved a hand in a slow circle through the air. "Though the Hallows have now been collected."

"What will happen to the actual objects?" Dumbledore asked.

"Ah, such curiosity," Death said to him, almost as though speaking to a friend. "You have long been curious about the Hallows, haven't you Albus?"

Dumbledore nodded, almost sheepishly.

"The stone has lost it's power and is now like any other pebble in the ocean," Death said. "The cloak, will remain a cloak, but it's enchantments will now fade as would any normal cloak of invisibility. And, the Elder wand, which in this manifestation of events, remained your wand Albus, is now no more special than any other wand, and I suspect, when your heart finally beats it's last, will be entombed with you, as is an oft followed Wizard tradition."

"What are you talking about," Harry interjected determinedly. "What does it matter about the Hallows. What about Ginny?"

Death turned to look at Ginny, cradled so carefully in Harry's arms. "The girl is fatally injured," he said indifferently, "But as her soul has not yet departed, there remain a few moments before her fate is determined."

"So she is going to die." Harry said, his head hanging low as tears once again began to flow.

"I did not say that," Death said impassively, "It is a matter for another moment, and so I cannot give you an answer, for I simply do not know."

"Okay," Harry said finally in a resigned voice, "But now our bargain is done, I must go with you?"

"Go with me?" Death said with a eerie chuckle. "Whatever makes you think you will be going with me?"

Harry was suddenly confused. "But time has to correct itself, my journey must be at an end. I thought I would have to go with you."

"No Harry," Dumbledore said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "This is not your moment, see you are there." He pointed at the other Harry on the ground. "And, you appear to be very much alive."

"Then what is to happen?" Harry said still confused.

"Time must be corrected, Harry" Death said, now speaking compassionately. "Our bargain is complete, I have retrieved the Hallows, and you have accepted my watch. You, Harry, have become a spirit unbound by time, but tethered to your own life as it played out in two possibilities. In this moment which was and is and ever will be a single moment – you must cast your living soul from your spirit consciousness into your living self, to make a single being, as you have ever been meant to be. All that you remember, will be forgotten and time will be whole once more."

"So, I will not remember anything?" Harry questioned.

"One cannot remember, what never happened." Dumbledore said sagely.

"Wait," Harry said suddenly to Death. "What did you say about the watch?"

"That you accepted it. You took it Harry, and in doing so you sealed our bargain. It became yours. Once freed of your mortal soul, your unbound spirit will serve as Death itself. My season will come to a close, and your season begins."

"What!" Harry exclaimed, "I will be Death! It's a trick, I don't have your watch. You tricked me!"

"Yes, I suppose I did" Death said in the deep low laugh, as it faded away into nothing.

Harry reached in to his trouser pocket and pulled out the golden watch. The hands on its face were still.

"What have I done Professor?" Harry said horrified.

"You made a choice Harry." Dumbledore said calmly "You changed fate, and in doing so, you made a better world."

"But, Ginny," Harry said a deep sadness in his voice.

"This is not her moment Harry," Dumbledore said reassuringly, "Make yourself whole. Let the watch click to its next moment. I have never known a soul so full of love as yours. Where so much love abides, there is certainly room for miracles."

"I do not know how, Professor" Harry said.

"I suspect it is the simplest thing, Harry," Dumbledore said.

"I can't," Harry shouted, trying, unsuccessfully, to cast away the watch. "Ginny's cannot be the first soul I collect." Harry wept, the watch still firmly in hand.

Dumbledore chuckled loudly, which caused Harry to look at him queerly. "No, Harry, that would be too great a price, I believe instead, I will take that honor. And believe me Harry, it will be my great honor."

"What?" Harry said aghast.

"You did not think I could continue as I am, once this was all concluded," Dumbledore said quite happily. "Now, Harry, the choice has already been made, you must now, let it be."

Albus Dumbledore was correct, and Harry knew it. He looked one last time upon the man who had been so many things to him, and then he turned to look upon the face of the girl he loved so dearly, and finally upon the boy that was himself.

A small, brightly shining light rose from the center of Harry's being and floated silently to the boy on the ground. It entered him and the resulting flash caused Albus Dumbledore to shield his eyes.

The watch hand clicked forward.

"... you... I love you!" Harry pulled Ginny closer still, and then he stiffened. A bright light flashed so unimaginably quickly that no one could say they had in fact seen anything.

"I love you too, Harry." Ginny said weakly.

Harry looked down into Ginny's soft brown eyes as they fluttered open. He was stunned silent by the emotion in those eyes. He felt his soul flooded with love.

"So, now you've said it Potter. What are you going to do about it?" Ginny said teasingly.

Harry crushed his tear stained face to hers, in a deep kiss, which she quite obviously returned.

A live image of the kissing couple flashed across the enormous stadium screens.

The voice of Oliver Wood boomed over the silent stadium. "Well, it appears that Ginny is alright, Tony. That was a nasty fall, but it seems she's okay."

"So it would appear, Oliver, better than okay I'd wager." Anthony Berkhart, continued. "I guess we also have our answer to the question you so skillfully evaded earlier."

"So it seems, Tony," Oliver said, "So it seems."

The stadium broke into thunderous cheering and applause. With the possible exception of a few of the readers of Teen Witch Weekly.

"Well, Harry, m'boy," Dumbledore said jovially, "I told you love could make miracles." He could not help but let out an undignified "Whoop, whoop!" along with Harry's teammates.

"Harry?" Death questioned as he stood looking at his watch. "I have not come for Harry, Albus Dumbledore."

Dumbledore turned to face Death. "Of course not."

"We have not time to linger here, we must be on our way, Albus," Death said ominously, as he closed his watch.

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "It will be my honor."

Fini

Please review - Thanks