Death is overrated.

He was finally close enough to reach the three relics. As discreetly as possible, he grabbed the end of the wand and pulled on it. The creature was too weak to offer any resistance, so Harry seized it without any difficulty. He tried to apply the same strategy to retrieve the invisibility cloak. He grabbed a part of the cloak that was hanging next to the thing and pulled with all his strength. But this time, the evil baby seemed to notice something. It stopped crying and writhing. Harry swallowed, but nothing happened.

All he had left to do was retrieve the ring. Only this time, he would be forced to touch this monstrosity. The idea disgusted him deeply, but he had no choice. He closed his eyes and slowly brought his hand closer until it made contact with a skin. His eyes burned, and he was forced to open them and behold two enormous blood-red eyes staring at him.

He swallowed and before he could understand what was happening, he was violently pushed back and the cloak and wand flew in the direction of the creature that seized them. Immediately, they began to glow and 6 shadows escaped from the void to merge with the baby who began to grow into a handsome young man whom Harry knew all too well. In front of him stood the young Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort.

Voldemort let out a huge cry of relief followed by a laugh that made Harry pull himself together. As the skeleton had taught him, he closed his eyes and thought very hard that he had his wand in his hands. As soon as he felt the sensation of warmth in his wand, he wasted no time and cast the most powerful spell he knew:

Endoloris! He shouted.

But nothing happened. Harry tried again and then attempted to use almost every spell he knew, but his wand remained inert. Tom Riddle then turned towards him.

It is useless, dear. Our souls are no longer connected to our magical cores. This wand is just an illusion produced by your mind.

Yours too in that case. Harry retorted angrily, looking for a way to fight.

It seems that you were not very attentive during the time we spent researching the veil that those ignorant people abandoned at the ministry, thinking that a mere Feudeymon could destroy it. Its relics do not belong to the world of men and do not draw their magic from the core of the wizard who uses them. But don't worry. I don't intend to harm you. On the contrary, I want to reward you. Tom commented in a scholarly tone.

Reward me? Are you kidding me. Yelled Harry

I am aware that after everything that has happened, it will take you time to trust me, but time is now the only resource we have in abundance. You allowed me to achieve my greatest dream: to conquer death. In return, I wish to fulfill yours. Tom explained to him with a soothing tone.

He then raised the Elder Wand and began to perform complicated wand movements, accompanied by a strange chant. Harry didn't know it, but it was a variant of Aramaic. Harry watched helplessly as the darkness changed around him. The once empty space was filling with a ghostly mist that gradually took the shape of a multitude of portals connected by threads so fine that Harry doubted their existence. Then the mist took another form. A more disturbing form: an infinity of beings with features similar to his own entering and exiting the portals.

Voldemort then ceased his litany and declared with ecstasy.

Despite everything I have read from ancient legends, I didn't even want to believe that there was life after death. But it's all true. You saved me from my madness and opened new horizons. The relics really allow their master to return to the world of the living at the time of their death.

If that's true then what are you waiting for? You don't need me anymore. Asked Harry

You are absolutely right. However, Lords Voldemort, it is about being grateful. You are not the first wizard to gather the 3 relics. But the first to survive the Avada. The first to have died several times. Do you understand what that means?

That I'm unlucky? Harry replied sarcastically.

Voldemort burst into genuine laughter. Not the cold and cruel laugh that usually distorted his face. A true laugh, which only made him more charming. It was subtle, but Harry felt that he was very different from the bloodthirsty monster he knew. Nevertheless, Harry pushed this impression aside. He knew there was nothing human in this thing. If it appeared charming, it must mean that despite its grand declarations, it needed him. Voldemort liked nothing and no one and never showed generosity without reason. He absolutely had to find out what Voldemort wanted and find a way to prevent him from using him.Death had said that souls faded into nothingness when they were ready. As far as Harry was concerned, for their two souls, it was more than time.

Voldemort abruptly stopped laughing. Then he resumed with increased passion:

It's quite the opposite. You are the luckiest being in the universe. Don't you understand what's unfolding before your eyes? You can choose to return to that Halloween night, thus creating a universe where two masters of death and two copies of the relics exist simultaneously. Such a violent paradox can only have one outcome: the creation of a new universe where you'll be free to change history. A new timeline. Something far beyond anything wizard magic allows. Your past selves understood this. Or not, but it doesn't matter. Voluntarily or not, they returned and created a multitude of timelines in their quest for what every being worthy of the name should seek: excellence. A being capable of defeating me can only be exceptional and recognize the mediocrity of our world. I wanted to make them pay for their mediocrity by making them kneel before me. I wanted to eliminate all these impurities to keep only the few exceptional beings and together rebuild a world worthy of us. But without me suspecting anything, you were working on a much grander project: erasing even the trace of these larvae by transforming them into butterflies. Tom explained to him with excitement.

What are you talking about, you nutcase?

Tom resumed somberly:

Young elected official, you disappoint me enormously. You seem to be the degenerated version of yourself. So I will keep it simple: We can change the course of time to create a better world. A world without wars and without suffering. A world where the ignorant educate themselves and where the weak do not fear the strong. Alone, you will achieve nothing. But together we could create such a world.

And rule over it, I suppose? Harry asked in a falsely innocent tone.

In an ideal world, the most capable would necessarily be called to lead their peers towards greatness. Would you really want to leave power to pathetic people like Fudge?

This time, it was Harry's turn to laugh. But it was a forced laugh.

I am reassured to know that you're still a real asshole. You can shove your plan right up your ass. I would never cooperate with you, even if it were the only way to save humanity.

If you persist in this kind of childish reaction, I will have to abandon you here and embark alone on the path to greatness. Tom insidiously threatened.

I know you, Tom. If you could, you would have already done it. The truth is, you're stuck here with me for eternity.

The handsome face of young Riddle contorted into a cruel grin. For the first time, Harry saw in his features those of the Voldemort he knew.

Me too, I know you. And I know exactly how to punish your insolence. Maybe you will finally learn not to doubt the powers of the great Lord Voldemort.

An intense magic radiated from Lord Voldemort and one of the portals began to shine, then although still made of mist, it seemed to acquire a sort of solidity. Voldemort then turned his wand against him and Harry felt as if he were being sucked in. He tried to fight, but barely managed to slow his fall. He needed to find something to turn the situation around. He couldn't let this monster be free with such power. And whatever was on the other side of the portal, he knew it wouldn't be pleasant for him. But his mind was blank.

You ill-mannered person. You weren't really planning to leave without paying. Declared a voice with supernatural gravity in anger.

All of a sudden, his hand was seized by what seemed to be an ice cube. And it began to emit an intense smell of rot. But what caught his attention were Voldemort's screams of horror.

Aaaaaah! What is this thing? Aaaaaaaaaaaaah! No, don't come closer.

Immediately, he stopped being drawn to the portal and was able to turn his gaze to see what was happening. Beside him was death, which had grabbed him by the arm to prevent him from escaping. But his anger had been replaced by intense perplexity.

Are you talking to me? My prices aren't that high! Receiving such complaints, when for millennia, I have only asked for a miserable obol in exchange for my services. Why do all humans believe that death should be free? How far away are the times of old when humans took care to bring their greatest wealth with them. The younger generations are really poorly raised.

But Voldemort did not seem to even hear the skeleton's monologue and continued to scream.

Back off, Monster! No, don't come closer!

Panicked, he began casting spells at the skeleton that passed through it without causing the slightest damage. Death continued to advance until one of Voldemort's spells accidentally hit the edge of the portal. A magical explosion then occurred that drew them both in.

oOoOoOo

Author's note: The idea of death serving drinks in a bar is borrowed from the Webtoon: Castor-Phénix. I recommend reading it, it's just hilarious. And besides, it's French.