For years, Harry repeatedly told himself that his visit to Sirius beyond the veil had not been real. It had simply been a dream, and there was no use nursing irrational hopes when he had a life yet to lead. Just like Sirius had told him, no, it was only a dream, people needed him. As much as Harry might be willing to let go of the physical world, he couldn't disappoint everyone.

Yet, when Harry found himself crouching at the feet of the one individual capable of ending the torment of being alive and alone, all he could think about was Sirius watching him from beyond the veil. His eyes would be damp with tears and when Harry came to him, Sirius would hold him and never let go.

Because Harry truly believed that the only time eternal terms like 'never' and 'always' could be used once he had passed on. He wanted to be with Sirius, in his arms, forever.

So he didn't fight Voldemort. He knelt before him, staring resolutely into the slit-like eyes as the astonished faces of all his friends looked on. Hermione was crying, Ron was screaming and Draco had frozen in the middle of a duel.

And Voldemort killed Harry, who wasn't thinking of duty, the prophecy, the order, of his side. He thought of Sirius. With a flash of brilliant green light, the Dark Lord granted Harry Potter the greatest gift he had ever received.

This time, Harry wasn't aware of passing through the veil. He felt like a fish being poured from a little glass dish into an ocean.

In that ocean was Sirius, bounding toward him in canine form, crashing into him and bringing them both to a rolling heap. Harry laughed out loud because he was so happy. Happy to be home.

Sirius transformed and pulled Harry close and held him there. How long was neither calculable nor relevant, because this really was forever.