A/N: This is the first of two parts. The second bit was too long to be fitted here, and it's written in a different style anyway.

Summary: The souls of wizarding children dwell here before they enter our world. Most are excited to leave, but two best friends aren't sure they want to go. Then one of them runs into trouble. It doesn't look like he'll see the outside after all...

Unborn: Part One

It's an odd place, you could say. At times it is peaceful, but sometimes it is chaos – that's when the outside world is interfering. It does that a lot, the outside. Sometimes I'm not sure I want to go there. It seems so cruel sometimes, yet it was love from the outside that made me.

Love. We feel a lot of it in here. It permeates the air, the entire space. It seeps right into you, makes you feel nice and warm and usually quite sleepy.

I can't remember how I got here. None of us can. My earliest memory, when I search for it, is of waking up in this place. I didn't want to wake up at the time. It'd been so warm, so cosy…I hadn't wanted to open my eyes.

But then I did, and it was to find myself here. Dimly lit, an entire space so huge you couldn't even make out the sides. And there were others here; some of them older, some the same age as me. Most of them are very solitary. They keep to themselves, and seldom talk except maybe to say that they're leaving, that it's time.

They leave for the outside, I know. I wonder what it's like there. No one ever comes back to tell us. They just turn around and say goodbye, and then a light appears, and they disappear through it. Most of them are happy to leave, despite the chaos we know is out there.

Ronald is leaving soon.

It's Mark. At least, currently his name is Mark. It switches between Harry and Mark often; his parents haven't really made up their minds yet. I open my eyes. He's sitting cross-legged before me, this black-haired, green-eyed person.

How soon? I ask.

Very. Come, let's say goodbye.

I follow Mark a short distance away. We pass many people, most of them travelling the same way we are. When someone leaves, we all go to say goodbye. Ronald is sitting next to a few girls, who move away as Mark and I come closer. The redhead looks happy, happier than I've ever seen him. I wonder, fleetingly, if I will be like that when I leave.

Hello, you two. Ronald grins at us. It's almost time. He gives a little kick, and a surge of warmth washes over us.

I smile back at him. It's easy to smile, here. I have a wish for you. I wish for your life to be happy and filled with joy. Wishes are traditions; we each give the leaver a wish, something for them to take into their lives as they enter the outside world.

And I wish that we'll meet again in the outside, Mark says. Do you think we'll still know each other?

I don't know, Ronald ponders. We don't know anything about the outside, do we? Just remember this. And he points towards his red hair.

Just then the light appears: a small pinprick somewhere above Ronald's head. It slowly grows brighter, and bigger, and Ronald is drawn inevitably to it. Snatches of the outside world come in, harsh voices and an odd smell I cannot place. Ronald is disappearing head-first. He's barely said goodbye.

The voices from the outside come in muffled, but still harsh. Then Ronald's legs disappear, and the light is extinguished. He's gone.

That was an easy leaving, Mark comments. It's true, as we both can recall Lisa's leaving just a short while ago. We had heard the frustration in the outside world, been rocked in ours by fear and pain, and in the end Lisa had had to leave feet first, crying and unwilling to go.

We turn back and Mark stops, considering something for a moment. Hmm. I appear to be called Harry now.

Harry, then. I remember clearly the first time we met. He'd been called Harry, at the time, too. His eyes had been a bit duller, then, not as green as they were now. Even so, they sparkled enough to attract my attention. And he in turn had been amused by my name.

Are you sure that's what they're calling you?

I huffed. Of course. My name has been set since…well, forever, it seems like.

Mine hasn't, Harry told me. It keeps changing. I have the feeling they're arguing over it, and they allow each other to keep the name for a short period of time.

I laughed. It was a bubbly sort of laugh, one we all shared. I suppose mine already decided in advance.

Harry nodded. I suppose so.

We talk about many things, Harry and I. The others aren't as talkative, though some are friendly enough. Ronald was friendly, though more often than not it was Harry who sought me out, or me who sought him, after we awoke from the sleep we always indulged ourselves in. We sometimes slept side-by-side, waking up to continue a conversation before drifting off again.

One of our earliest conversations had been about our parents. Even now, it is a recurring topic. We would guess at their features, their personalities. Our mothers were always easier, despite us being boys.

She loves me, Harry had said confidently. That's one thing I know for sure.

I think we all know that for sure, I'd replied dryly. I yawned suddenly; I did that a lot, and so did Harry. I don't think I look anything like her.

Really? I think I do, just a bit.

She's delicate, mine is, I recalled. I always sneeze in here, and it's because of her. The outside world always interacted with ours at certain levels; we almost always felt the repercussions of it.

Mine's sick now. And as if to illustrate, Harry sneezed and followed it up with a cough. But it doesn't happen often.

Lucky you. I don't particularly like sneezing.

Harry hiccupped after a bit and grinned. Ice cream. Yum.

I groaned. No fair. Mine keeps having things like…like…

Lobster? Harry had suggested.

Yes, and…crab, and shells, and fish, and…well, not that I don't like them, but I want ice cream, too. There was a plaintive tone to my words. A few moments later something cold and very delicious splashed through my throat. Could mother hear me? That's cold…you didn't tell me ice cream was so cold.

It's nice. Don't think it's very good for my mother, though, if she's sick. And Harry sneezed again.

Harry gets ice cream a lot. I only get it when I really want it; I don't think mother likes it much. After the first shock, I'd decided I liked ice cream, too. Harry's quite nice about it, and doesn't usually tell me if he's having some, because I hardly ever get it.

I can tell he's got some now. He's got that delighted look on his face, and he always gets that when his mother's having ice cream or something nice. I yawn and go to sleep instead; mother's tired, and I'm feeling especially warm and cosy today.

When I wake up, Harry's dozing beside me. I'm feeling rather active at the moment, and in a fit of boredom, I kick. Almost immediately, a warm wash of comfort and love pours over me. Harry opens his eyes slowly, turning to look at me.

I grin. Nice. And I kick again, and that lovely warm surge washes over me. Harry laughs at the contented look on my face. Then he shakes his head as I urge him to do the same, to kick as well.

It's not my time yet.

When is it your time, then?

Harry considers it for a moment. Soon, I think. You're going to leave first.

I know. I stop kicking and frown. I want to leave at the same time as you. But I guess, when you leave, then we can explore the outside together…?

Yes. What do you think it'll be like?

I laugh. You know I can't answer that. This is the only thing I know.

Me too.

There is a short silence.

Are you scared?

A slight pause.

Very, I answer. I don't need to hear Harry's reply to know that he is, as well. The outside world…something we know very little about, except that our parents are there, and that one day we'll all enter it. We know it's where love comes from, but we know too that it's cruel and harsh. Who wouldn't be afraid of something so unknown?

I'm curious, though. I want to find out what it's like, I say to Harry.

Me too. It'll be fun with you there, Harry decides. You're the only interesting person around here to – He broke off suddenly.

Harry? What is it?

He doesn't answer. Instead, he's starting to look afraid. In a few moments I understand why, as I begin to feel what he feels: a faint shuddering in the space, echoes of pain and fear that slowly grow stronger and stronger. Something's wrong.

Har –

I never finish my sentence. A sudden jolt throws me off balance, and when I regain it I don't see Harry anymore. Instead there's a big mound in front of me, and looking around I see other mounds and even valleys separating all of us. The pain and fear has grown so strong now it's fighting with the comfort we normally feel.

I do the only thing I can think of: climb the mound in front of me. Harry's behind it, I'm sure. And he's the one in trouble, if he caught wind of the disturbance first. The mound isn't easy to climb; it's slippery and I keep sliding halfway down.

When I finally make it to the top a terrifying sight greets me: Harry, hanging by one hand over a chasm so deep it fades into black. I can't even see the bottom. His hand is slipping. Almost instinctively, I grab it, and almost lose my footing.

Harry looks frantic. Let go of me.

Are you insane? No!

I know what that chasm is: death. Something terribly wrong has happened in the outside world; Harry's mother is in danger, and because of that so is Harry. I can't let him fall through the chasm. I can't let him die.

It's pulling me in. I don't think…if you hold on, it'll take you, too. Harry turns pleading eyes on me. Let me go.

I shake my head and heave harder. It doesn't seem to help. Pain and anguish has escalated, and I'm feeling decidedly colder.

If you don't let go you're going to fall in, too! Dra –

I don't care. I don't care if I fall, too. I'm not letting you go. In reality I haven't thought that much about it, but I do know that whatever happens, I'm not going to let Harry go.

Harry swings his other arm up and I grab it. I slip a little further over the mound. A small quake rocks the space and I almost lose my grip on Harry as I struggle to stay on the mound, but just manage to hold on.

That chasm really wants me...

It won't get you, I promise. I'm starting to shiver from the cold.

Another quake, larger this time. I'm quite sure my grip on Harry is painful, but I'm too afraid of losing him. Then another, and with a cry, I suddenly lose my footing and am thrown over the edge and into the chasm.

Harry's with me. He seems heavier, though, perhaps because he's the one marked for death, not me. He looks stricken. I brought you with me. I am so sorry –

Don't be. I did this. I held onto you, I tell him firmly. Then I see something to make me gasp. The chasm has a bottom. This is how we are going to die.

I hit it, hard, and almost lose my grip on Harry. Then the ground beneath me rises, so fast I forget to keep hold of my friend, and then I realise Harry is behind this new mound, and I tighten my grip again, and just manage to hold onto his hand. I use my other hand to get a firmer grip, just before another quake rocks us.

There's another, and throughout it all I just hold on, because I don't want to lose him, not now. And before I know it we're falling again, and now Harry's trying to twist away from me.

What are you doing?!

It wants me, you idiot! Let me go, it'll take me and you'll go back!

No! I don't care, I'm not letting go!

You're a real idiot, you know that – whoa!

I look at him in shock. We're flying – up. And slowly, the edges of the chasm can be seen and not long after, we're being deposited gently onto the floor. As we continue to watch in shock and awe, the chasm becomes smaller and smaller, and finally just disappears.

I look around. Everything else has settled down, as well. The mounds and valleys that appeared earlier have disappeared, and the floor of the space is back to its usual gentle slopes. Slowly, the coldness that enveloped us recedes, and warmth surges over me again. I look at Harry. He's staring at me, a mixture of emotions in his face and eyes that I can't quite make out.

You…you didn't have to hold on to me, you know.

Yes, I did, I tell him fiercely. When Harry fails to speak up again, I continue. Look, it'll be no fun going outside without you there, and it'd be pretty boring without you here, too. Can you imagine me surviving with this lot? And I wave my hand vaguely around the space

He knows I'm making light of the situation, and says so.

I've never heard of someone questioning the person who saved his life, I remark as an answer to him.

No one here saves each other's lives, Harry pointed out quietly. Thank you.

I'm leaving soon.

I know.

I gulp. Going outside…the thought fills me with anticipation and fear at the same time. In here there's comfort, warmth and love everywhere. Harry (who has undergone yet another set of name changes) is here, a companion I do not want to lose. I don't know if I'll remember him when I go outside. I don't know if I'm even going to meet him.

I fear the harshness of the outside. It doesn't seem as full of comfort as it does here. There are different smells there, different sounds. I know it'll be very different from here, and it's that difference that scares me.

But I remember, too, the light I see whenever someone leaves. It's fascinating, and I want to explore it. I want to see what lies beyond it, even though I have no idea what it'll be like.

Do you want your wish now, or later? Harry asks me.

I'm full of jitters for what's to come. To keep my mind off it, I tell Harry I'd like it now.

Okay. Harry smiles. I wish that, no matter what happens, we will remember each other for as long as we live.

That's a nice wish, I tell him.

Thanks, he grins. I don't think we can forget each other. You saved my life, for goodness' sake!

I realise something. I won't be able to give you a wish when you leave!

Harry shrugs. It's alright. My wish covers both of us, really.

I'll give you one, anyway. I wish… I think on it for a bit before continuing. I wish for you to live life to the fullest, to find your purpose in it and to never, no matter what happens, lose yourself.

Harry looks surprised and pleased at the same time. Thanks, Draco. I didn't know you were so eloquent. And he snorts as I hit him over the head.

I stop suddenly. I think it's time.

The others have realised it, too. They're all saying goodbye to me now; some of the faces are familiar, but most of them aren't. I never really notice who's around me.

Harry points upwards; I look and see a circle of light above me. I realise that I don't feel afraid anymore, merely excited. The light seems to have calmed my nerves, and I'm anticipating going towards it. I hear voices and smell things I've never heard or smelled before, but these voices aren't harsh, and I'm looking forward to finding out what's causing them.

I give Harry one last look as I'm pulled towards the light. He seems sorrowful yet happy at the same time. I understand; we don't know, really, when or even if we'll meet again.

Take care, I call out.

Farewell, friend, he says in reply.

Then my head plunges into the light, and I can see and hear Harry no more.

A/N: Hmm, what did you think? I've never written in this style before. Reviews welcome, and so is constructive criticism. The second bit should be up in a week or so.

Oh, and wasn't Deathly Hallows amazing? I loved it!