Fic: Seers, Souls, and Scandinavians (Part 7 of 7)

[hells_half_acre]

Since Harry knew that Dean had confined himself to Bobby’s until Sam woke up, he used the mirror to check in every evening. It seemed Dean had just left it lying on Bobby’s desk, because sometimes Bobby answered, told him Sam was still asleep and that Dean was ‘hanging in’ and that was that. Which was why a spike of adrenaline ran through Harry when his pocket said his name one evening, nearly a week since Harry had brought Till to visit the Winchesters.

Harry pulled the mirror from his pocket. Ginny, who was sitting next to him on the couch, put down the book she was reading and sat up straight. The kids carried on playing across the room – it wasn’t too unusual for Harry to get a call in the evening after all.

“Dean?” Harry asked, flipping the mirror open and waiting the excruciatingly long three seconds until Dean’s image swam into focus. Dean was smiling. Dean was smiling very broadly.

“Shh, check it out,” Dean said, and then angled the mirror away from him. Harry saw the wall of Bobby’s study, then the open door into the kitchen, and then...then he saw the large form of Sam puttering around the kitchen, getting a plate from the cupboard, getting food out of the fridge. Harry stifled his urge to call out to the man, and he felt Ginny draw a breath beside him.

Sam was humming off key to himself, then he stopped, and without turning around called out.

“Hey Dean, do you want ham or bologna in your sandwich?” As he spoke, he opened one of the packages in front of him and smelled it. Then opened another and did the same, only to pull his head back immediately. “Nevermind! You’re getting bologna.”

Harry watched as Sam turned to throw, what was most likely, the ham into the bin, and then caught sight of Dean in the corner of his eye.

“Oh, you’re right there,” Sam said. “Why didn’t you- What-”

“Harry,” Dean said. “It’s Harry. Come say hi.”

Sam smiled, really smiled – and Harry knew it had all worked.

Sam took the mirror from Dean, causing the image to shake a little bit. Beside Harry, Ginny ducked out f the way wand wiped a little at her eyes. Harry couldn’t blame her.

“Hi Harry, how’s it going?” Sam asked.

“Brilliant,” Harry said. “Everything is going really well. How are you?”

“Good,” Sam said. “I uh, Dean says I was gone for a year and a half, but I don’t remember- um, I don’t remember anything, just uh, falling. I remember falling, and then I woke up here – and Bobby’s alive, and so’s Cas apparently.”

“That’s good,” Harry said. “The wa-”

“Yeah,” Dean interrupted loudly. “I hope he never remembers any of it.”

Harry paused, and realized what Dean was saying.

“Oh,” Harry said. “Right, yes, exactly. It’s really worked out well.”

“Dean told me it was your idea to talk to Death, Harry,” Sam said. “He shouldn’t have done that. I told him not to-”

“I know, but you didn’t tell me anything,” Harry said. “And it’s not like I forced him. So don’t shoot the messenger. Besides, are you really going to tell me that you aren’t glad?”

“No,” Sam said. “I’m glad. I’m....thank you, Harry. I mean it. Even if I don’t remember- ...I thought that I’d never- ...when I fell, I really thought that was it, and...”

Dean cleared his throat awkwardly.

“I’m just happy you’re alright now, Sam,” Harry said.

“Samdean?” a voice suddenly said from across Harry’s living room. Harry looked up to find his three children staring at him.

“Do you want to say hello to the kids?” Harry asked Sam in the mirror, as he beckoned his children over.

“Yeah, sure,” Sam said. Harry turned the mirror towards the children as they lined up in front of him.

“Hey guys, you remember Sam, right?”

“Hi Sam,” James said.

“Samdean! You’re back!” Albus smiled.

“Hello,” Lily said cautiously.

“Wow, hi guys,” Sam smiled. “God, you’re all so big now! Is that little Lily? I can’t believe- I mean, Dean said it’d been a year and a half, but it’s one thing to hear it and another to- ...just wow.”

“You were gone,” James said. “And it was scary, but I wasn’t scared.”

“No?” Sam said, a little confused.

“No,” James said. “Lily was scared, but I was brave. I’m going to be in Gryffindor like Daddy.”

“Sounds like it,” Sam said.

“I wasn’ scared,” Lily pouted. “I giffendor too.”

“All right,” Harry said. “I didn’t bring you over here to bicker, you can go back and play if you’re done talking to Sam, but say goodbye first.”

“Ok, bye, Sam,” James said.

“Goodbye,” Lily said dutifully.

“Get well soon!” Albus said, and kissed his fingers and then smudged them on the mirror.

“Albus,” Harry sighed, whipping the mirror off with his shirt.

“Nice stomach, Harry,” Sam said.

“Sorry,” Harry said. “I think Albus might be a little confused as to where exactly you’ve been.”

“Probably better that way,” Sam smiled. “Thank him for the kiss-better, regardless. I think the last time I got one of those, I was five.”

Harry laughed.

*

Later that night, as Harry was tucking Albus into bed, he couldn’t resist asking.

“Albus?” Harry said. Albus looked up from where he was studying the illustrations in the book that Harry had been reading him.

“Yes, Daddy?” Albus said, placing his finger on the elf character in the picture, as though holding his place.

“Why did you tell Sam to get well soon?” Harry asked. Albus looked at him as though he were incredibly stupid.

“Because he’s hurt,” Albus said.

“How is he hurt?” Harry asked.

“He’s all bloody,” Albus said, “but he hasn’t noticed yet, so it’s not that bad.”

“What will happen when he notices?” Harry asked, trying to keep his voice level and calm.

“I don’t know,” Albus shrugged. “’member when I stepped on Lily’s toy and hurt my foot?”

Harry nodded, remembering that Albus had limped stoically half-way down the stairs, but, as soon as he saw the trail of blood behind him, he had burst promptly into wailing tears.

“Maybe like that?” Albus said.

“Oh,” Harry said. “Do you know when this will happen.”

“Daddy,” Albus rolled his eyes, “I can’t see the future.”

“Right,” Harry said, “that was silly of me.” Harry quickly changed his strategy. “Do you think Sam will be okay?”

“I gave him a kiss better,” Albus said.

“Yes, but sometimes that’s not-” Harry cut himself off, because Albus was giving him a very confused and concerned look. Harry realized that Albus had never had to fathom an injury that couldn’t be kissed better. He had never seen his friends die, nor heard his parents’ death-screams in his dreams, and Harry was going to make sure that he never did.

Harry took a deep breath.

“Maybe he needs more kisses than just me,” Albus offered.

Harry smiled, looking down at the son who looked the most like him – black hair, green eyes, the only difference was the smattering of freckles across his nose, and the innocence that comes from growing up in a loving home. Harry wasn’t about to take any of that innocence away from him.

“I love you,” Harry said.

“I know, Dad,” Albus said, “I love you too.” Albus eyed him, his forehead crinkling. “Do you need a moment?”

“Yes, I need a moment,” Harry said, and Albus moved over in his bed, so that Harry could lie down beside him. Albus turned back to his book.

“Tell me how the story ends?” Harry asked.

Albus smiled, pointing at the picture of the elf in the illustration inside his book.

“The elf and the dwarf become friends,” Albus said, “and they go on a lot of adventures together. They climb a mountain, and go in a cave, and through a forest, and fight bad guys, and help their friends when they are in trouble. Then they live happily ever after.”

“That’s a good ending,” Harry said.

Albus nodded.

As Albus tried to read the caption underneath the illustration, Harry thought about Sam and Dean. He wondered how long they had before Sam’s wall came down – before he saw the blood, as Albus put it. He wondered how it was that his son could see such a disturbing image, when all Harry saw was Sam, healthy, happy, and unharmed. He wondered about endings and whether or not it was actually possible for the Winchesters to have a happy one.

“In the...dark...val-ley, the trave...the travellers...stopp-ed to rest for the nig- night,” Albus read out loud beside him, then turned to smile at Harry.

“Good job,” Harry praised.

“In the dark valley, the travellers stopped to rest for the night,” Albus repeated, then he looked at Harry and smiled, “and the day ended happily ever after.” Albus snapped the book closed.

“What about the rest of the book,” Harry said, pointing to the edges of the unread pages.

“That’s the future,” Albus said. “Today, they live happily ever after in the dark valley.”

“But-” Harry said.

“Go to bed, daddy,” Albus rolled his eyes, “if we stay awake to see what happens next, we’ll never get any sleep.”

Harry smiled, kissed his son goodnight, and followed Albus’ advice. Whatever the future might bring, Harry would certainly need his rest.



Fin.

Comments

[franztastisch]

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I will reply better when I have got myself under control.

Now if you will excuse me, I am off to do a little jig and grin manically. :D ♥

[liliaeth]

Love the way you brought in the HP characters, without changing spn canon.

[galwithglasses.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah (happy sigh). You found perfect places for these two worlds to intersect. This last bit with Harry and Albus is just the right cap to put on it. I'm with Ginny and I've got to go wipe my eyes too. I hope you can catch up with these folks again in the future.

[trystan830.livejournal.com]

you know i love your stuff, right?

over the weekend, i read an official Supernatural novel, Coyote's Kiss. it takes place during S6, after they learn Sam is soulless, but before Appointment in Samarra. i really really really had to STOP thinking about your fics. (i don't know if i should hurt you or hug you. lol!) =D

[dairygirl.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed how Draco solved what the kids were trying to convey with MT. And Harry being the one to tip off Dean to talking with Death was an intriguing but well-done hook. The glimpse into Till as this OC roped into going along with Harry was wonderful especially when he realized who exactly he was working on. His back story was nicely done without taking away from the main storyline. And of course, the closure with an awake, resouled Sam who the kids happily greet and a final father-son moment at the end. Harkens back to Gabriel too: It's going to end bloody for all of us. A wonderful timestamp I am glad you wrote and posted.

[rokhal.livejournal.com]

DAAAAWWWW! Happily ever after in the dark valley. That pretty much sums up all the bright moments in the Show.

I love this. I love your crossovers; you have a masterful touch with canon.

[darkestnight12.livejournal.com]

Aww! Wise!Albus for win! ;D Is he following the footsteps of his namesake? *laughs* I love how Dean managed to read the book on parenting wizarding children more thoroughly than Harry and Ginny. I love how he little exchange between Harry and Draco managed to keep them true to their characters, but at the same time make it less antagonistic. Till was a pretty cool OC. Will we be seeing more of him in the future? ;D Concerned!Dean, worried!Dean, broken!Dean, relieved!Dean, good-with-kids!Dean was AWESOME. (I'm a fan, can you tell?) I love how you portrayed robo!Sam. It just somehow made broken!Dean all the more heartbreaking.

[shadwrayvn.livejournal.com]

I... this...wow....I LOVE YOU!! *sniffles*

[marlowe78.livejournal.com]

“Hey Dean, do you want ham or bologna in your sandwich?” As he spoke, he opened one of the packages in front of him and smelled it. Then opened another and did the same, only to pull his head back immediately. “Nevermind! You’re getting bologna.”

So absolutely SAM... made me all miss the boys wholeheartedly. More than usual...

“The elf and the dwarf become friends,” Albus said, “and they go on a lot of adventures together. They climb a mountain, and go in a cave, and through a forest, and fight bad guys, and help their friends when they are in trouble. Then they live happily ever after.”

Is that? It is, isn't it? the part I wanted most in the movie and never got? A reference to Gimli and Legolas? Pleeeease say it is (lie to me!)

“That’s the future,” Albus said. “Today, they live happily ever after in the dark valley.”

I adore your Potter-kids. Each and every one you created *nods*

Soooooo happy to have seen this pop up in my inbox. I LOVE your demented-verse and I love your Potter and Draco and the Winchesters. I liked Till, and yeah...

Damn, I miss my Winchesters :-(

[phamalama.livejournal.com]

Of course, Albus is the wisest out of all of the wizards and can acknowledge that pain isn't skin deep... I definitely like the nice reunion with everyone!

[katsheswims.livejournal.com]

Wow. Albus is a smart little kid.

Keep up the good work! I'll always be happy to read any more in this verse!

[jujuberry136.livejournal.com]

Just saw this go up and it was lovely! Albus is adorable and I loved seeing all the HP crew work to help Sam - it fit perfectly with S6 SPN cannon!

[jillsjourney.livejournal.com]

that was awesome! you had a difficult task, needing to get your story to fit into SPN canon without changing it, because this isn't an AU. Yet the story did need to go somewhere, affect something, or it would be directionless. so you used one of the very important parts of HP (death and his power) to fill in a hole in SPN that I never even really noticed before this (how *did* Dean think of asking Death to get Sam's soul back?) good show!

[cappy712.livejournal.com]

Oh man you do it every time... What a great wonderful story and I just love how you intertwined HP and SPN.. You did an awesome job and I loved that the kids were the ones that saw that he was M.T. and that Albus saw that Sam was bloody and the kiss for the hurt.. Can't wait - so are you going to attempt to write about the Souls and what happens to Castiel????

Will read what you write! thank you so much for sharing your point of view and what a wonderful story.

[msninacat.livejournal.com]

Every time I think the show has thrown something you can't possibly work with at us, you weave around it in a truly magical way. I love this and I hope we get time stamps out the butt until the next installment. :D

[alaine1910.livejournal.com]

Great timestamp - Love it! love it! Love it!
I really love your demented verse.

[haunted1019.livejournal.com]

I really love this series. I think you do a great job of keeping true to the canon and characters from both series but still having a really fresh and interesting approach to them.

The kid scenes are some of my favorites. I love how Harry's kids -- especially Albus -- immediately recognize that there's something wrong with Sam. I also love the scene with Draco and Scorpius when they're meeting with George.

I can't wait to read more in this verse!

[amadraco.livejournal.com]

Oh, beautiful as always. Loved it. And, God, Albus is just AWESOME!

[khek.livejournal.com]

This was great. I just love the interaction you create between these two groups of characters. I want to see it! (although somehow I can't wrap my head around seeing the size difference between Sam and Harry.)

Anyway...I loved Albus, and I thought it was a great idea for Dean to get the wizard kids' take on what Sam was missing. Genius!

And as long as I'm here, I might as well mention something that has always bothered me about the HP universe. Pictures/paintings that move. Are the subjects ghosts? Remnants? A piece of that person's soul? Can they really interact with people, or are they simply reflections? When the picture of Fred sticks out his tongue at George, is it really Fred? Or a reflection of something he would do?

Sorry. Obviously hit a chord.

Thank you for writing this, and thank you for sharing! I loved it!

[dfhdancr.livejournal.com]

Waited forever for this and you did not disapoint! Excellent job and I pray that you can take the rest of season six and fix the boys (or maybe wait until season seven is over?). Regardless, this was wonderful as always!

[akadougal.livejournal.com]

I love this verse. Marvellous stuff, as ever, and I love you manage to weave the stories together in the best possible way.

[dapatty.livejournal.com]

I am BESIDE MYSELF. BESIDE.

I loved every single word. All of them. (Even if you made me a little weepy there at the end.)

Just, thank you for writing and sharing and making me CAPSLOCK!!!!!!

XD

Season 7

[reddluvsblue.livejournal.com]

YOU are so doing another after season 7. No 'if's'and , or 'buts'. Or at least someting so Scorpius could see his best friend again. As always, well done.

[ikira.livejournal.com]

Every single one of these gets better and better. I'm so glad you continued with this verse, it's hands down my favourite SPN and HP fic ever. This is and forever shall be my headcannon.

*smishes the fic*

this is awesome

[alessandra-c.livejournal.com]

i can't wait till season 7 finishes, just so you will update your AU