"Life is full of misery, loneliness and suffering- and it's all over much too soon."
- Woody Allen
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Adele has finally gone to sleep. I'm sat outside her bedroom door and I can hear her deep breathing. I can also hear that fat git, Derrick, snoring downstairs.

She can feel me.

She told me, she spoke to me directly. Granted, she was looking in completely the wrong direction but still. She was aware of me.

I can feel a tingling deep in my stomach. I feel so happy right now, maybe more happy than I've felt since I was actually alive.

Suddenly the hall fills with a soft, heavenly light and my happy mood vanishes immediately.

There's a dramatic burst of music, a heavenly choir singing. The sound is so pure, so perfect, that human ears can't hear it.

I roll my eyes.

"Alright Harry?"

A figure slowly appears in front of me, tall and impossibly beautiful with marble skin and deep green eyes. He's smiling benignly before he begins to speak in a deep, rolling tone.

"Greetings be upon you, sweet and most beloved child. I, archangel Haniel, cometh forth as the messenger of our Lord and his blessed-"

"Give it a rest Haz." I sigh.

He can't help the little smirk that crosses his face. It's only quick before he gets it under control.

I look at him stood before me. His huge golden wings are spread and he's wearing a white gown that shimmers when he moves.

"Nice dress." I smile mockingly. "What's with the lights and music?"

"I haven't seen you in a while, I thought you'd appreciate the full show." He grins, dropping the act.

"You're a little late to the party"

"Hm, you mean the whole mirror thing? Yeah, that shocked me too." He sits beside me, back to the wall, knees bent.

"What? There are things that even the great archangel Haniel doesn't know?" I gasp in mock horror.

"Even one so blessed as I is not privy to all of our divine lords plans. I merely trust in his divine excellence that I, his humble sheep, will be guided safely." He says pompously.

I snort in derision.

"So basically you don't have a bloody clue why it happened Haz?"

"It's Haniel" he says through his teeth.

"Whatever you say Harry." I hide my smile at his obvious annoyance. "So... why is this happening?"

"The Lord moves in mysterious ways."

"Oh, this again. Right. Fine."

He frowns at me puzzled.

"You're not going to question it?"

"I've got extra powers, you're not going to tell me why so there's no point in asking. Why have you even bothered coming?"

"Look," he snaps, dropping all angelic composure "You're an ungrateful little git Louis, you're bloody lucky that you don't have Gabriel or Daniel. They don't put up with backchat from their ghosts. In fact-"

"There are more like me?! More ghosts?" I can't hide the shock.

"Oh bugger." He mutters. "Forget I said that."

"What? Why? I know that you let some people pass on to the next side-"

"The Lord has a divine plan for each soul." He always sounds so bloody smug and I know from experience that when he starts talking like this I won't get a straight answer from him.

"So why are you here Harry?"

"Occasionally even those poor souls stuck in perpetual winter require the light of-"

"Please," I sigh, "Cut the crap Harry. Just talk to me properly."

He huffs slightly, I know he adores the dramatics and he'd keep it up for hours if I let him.

"If you must know I'm here to check on you." He snaps.

"Why? I haven't seen you in fifteen years."

"Because things are changing and I'm trying to work out why."

"Can't anyone else tell you why?"

"I don't want to get anyone else involved right now." He suddenly looks tired.

Well, as tired as a physically perfect divine being can look.

"Why not?"

"Why do you always ask so many bloody questions?" He snaps irritably.

"Well that's not a very holy way to speak Haniel"

Suddenly he laughs and shoves my shoulder with his and I laugh along with him.

"If you must know, questions are being asked about you and the human girl."

"Adele?"

He nods.

"Some of the others feel that your emotions towards her are... inappropriate. The last thing I need is to cause a further row by telling them that she's increasing your powers-"

"Adele's doing this?" I ask incredulously.

"What? Oh crap!... Forget I said that."

"No way, tell me." I grab his arm, which is warm and soft.

"I can't tell you what I don't know Louis" He says defeatedly.

"But you said that Adele was doing this, so you know something!"

He won't meet my eye.

"You have to just trust me."

"You're not exactly giving me any other option." I say bitterly, letting go of his arm.

"Look, all I know is that it's not in the plan. It's vital that she doesn't become aware of you, I can't stress it enough. Don't do anything that'll make her aware of your presence, I'll be able to cover for what happened earlier but you have to tread carefully from now on."

I nod, my happy mood now gone.

We sit in silence for a while.

"You haven't asked the usual." He says, giving me a sidelong look.

"What?" I snap out of my reverie.

"You haven't asked why you're here and when you're moving on."

I shrug and it hits me that I don't care anymore. I want to stay here with Adele.

Harry studies my face.

"Don't get attached to her Louis. Human lives are over in the blink of an eye, you know that, you've seen it enough times."

"Hm." I say noncommittally.

He stands up gracefully.

"Why didn't you come in the last fifteen years I when was alone?" I ask him suddenly.

A sad look crosses his face.

"It was part of the divine plan. I couldn't visit you, much as I'd have liked to."

"I was so lonely though Harry... You don't know what it feels like to be stuck in a house alone for three centuries!"

"I know. You're never alone though Louis."

"The Lord watches over me?" I say sarcastically.

"Yes, he does, and me. I do too, old friend, always. More than you know."

He pats my shoulder and walks slowly down the hall towards the doorway of blinding gold light that had just appeared.

"See you soon then Haz?" I smile weakly.

I always feel sad when he leaves.

Even though he's bloody annoying with his flowery speeches and half answers, he's my closest friend, the only one I can have a conversation with.

He turns and spreads his wings.

"Blessings be upon you sweet child. The Lord carries you in his heart always." He says this quickly, fearing me interrupting him.

"Bugger off Haz."

This time he doesn't hide the smirk on his face and I watch as he fades away and I'm left alone in the hallway.

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AN- I really hope you're enjoying the story?

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