How

"How," Tom Riddle had asked, "How did you defeat the greatest Dark Lord of all time?"

How Indeed

It had started further back than Harry even remembered.

On that night of October 31st Harry had seen death for the first time. Death took his mother in a flash of green. Evil laughter cackling in the background pouring forth from Voldemorts lips as he thought to finally triumph over Death. All that stood between him and Immortality was this small green eyed child. He cast the spell out with all his strength, "Avada Kedavara!"

It was supposed to kill young Harry Potter. After all there was no blocking the Killing Curse.

But on this very special night when the veil between Life and Death was at its thinnest the rules became different. If only for this one very special boy.

Death looked at Harry, reached out a hand for him, and then… pulled back.

From then on it could be said that Death avoided the young Potter child. Though seen in his vicinity often he never walked within sight of the child. Avada Kedavara eyes saw that which should not have been visible to the living, they saw Death. And Death did not like to be seen.

At age three Death waited around the corner while Harry watched his cousin crush a bird….

A bird that should have died almost instantly lingered on. Its heart trying vainly to beat in a crushed chest as its soul clung to the lost body.

Only after Harry had been dragged home by his Aunt did Death reach out and take the bird's soul from the suffering body.

When Harry was eight one of Mrs. Figgs cats contracted a lung ailment. Fluid filled the lungs as it tried to breathe each breath getting weaker, and weaker. Harry was staying the night while the Dursleys went to some fancy dinner party. The vets was close it would reopen in the morning. The cat's lungs would fill long before daylight. So Harry watched holding the cat, listening to the tired breathing and when told him to go to bed he could not.

He lay on the couch drifting toward sleep. He heard the cats breathing worsen with each step he took toward the lair of Morpheus. Death crept in from out of sight. Waiting for the moment the lungs gave up, filled too much to retain life. Waited to escort another soul home. But it was not to be.

Harry stirred from the couch at a particularly rattling breath, and Death withdrew from sight. Death watched through the night as Harry stayed awake watching the cat breath.

Dawn came with a trip to the vet. The result of which was surgery and medication. The cat lived and Death moved on. After all everything died in the end, Death could wait for this soul.

At age twelve Harry unknowing of Death taking the soul of the basilisk behind him watched Ginny Weasly breath what was supposed to be her last breath. He watched and waited.

"What's so special about Harry Potter!" Tom demanded of him as the last of Ginny's soul made him corporeal.

Death was at a quandary. Ginny Weasly could not die because Harry watched her, but her soul was behind Harry filling out Tom Riddles corporal form. Harry supplied the answer himself.

"Your dead," Harry spoke not taking his eyes off Ginny, "You're Dead, and she's not and... and… she won't die while I'm watching." He spoke with conviction.

Harry Paused, "But your dead and I'm NOT WATCHING YOU!"

Death smiles and reaching out tore the slip of a soul belonging to Tom Riddle away from Ginny's. Drifting Ginny's soul returned to the shell of her body. She breathed in.

Harry smiled and looked over his shoulder to the empty room, "Thanks…" he whispered.

From behind a nearby pillar Death smiled her green eyes smiling,

"Your welcome, son….."

Authors Note: Not my best but, hey my kitten just died and I'm writing to avoid thinking about it….