Reincarnation

"Death is not the end, but the beginning of another journey. This notion has a more concrete explanation in the mysterious East. The people there believe in 'reincarnation,' believing that after life ends, the soul is reborn and begins a different life."

As though he had noticed that Amosta was watching him, Dumbledore continued gazing at the halo, a complicated expression appearing on his face. His voice was no longer clear and bright, but old.

"Do you think that is possible, Amosta?"

Amosta withdrew his gaze, fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"It is."

Such certainty startled Dumbledore. He looked at the calm-faced Amosta in mild astonishment. For a fleeting, dazed instant, he could not tell which of them was closer to death. Yet in the end, he did not ask why Amosta was so certain, merely speaking with faint bewilderment.

"Is that so? A new life... what a wonderful, marvelous notion. Then do you think we might truly see those departed souls again?"

Amosta knew perfectly well what Dumbledore was implying. Like Snape, he harbored regrets he could not let go of.

"That is difficult to say, Headmaster Dumbledore—" After pondering for a moment, Amosta said,

"The land where we exist is not the center of the universe. This vast universe may contain many 'worlds.'

"And within every world are enormous populations of living beings. Souls do not exist only on this planet called Earth, where we coexist with Muggles. Reincarnation of the soul is a shortcut by which we, so infinitesimal before the vast universe, cross endless seas of stars. So those who have passed on beside us... their souls may still be near us, or perhaps they are already separated from us by starry oceans."

Amosta spoke evenly, but as he calmly explained, a subtle change