A/N: This is a new crossover I'm trying. I've got a rough idea for plot and stuff but the updates won't be every week, like AFWTD. A few people who have read my other works said they'd like to see this crossover so I figured I'd give it a shot.

Main Characters: Cloud, Harry, Reno, and Zack

Pairings: I'm pretty much set on Zack/Cloud but no others have been decided as of now

Expected Length: Medium to Long

Pace: This is going to be a fast paced story. I find I'm more likely to finish things if I don't drag them out.

Chapter One

Three friends ran through the dark streets together, their feet pounding on the ground, kicking up dirt. The tallest of the three, a boy with messy spiked blonde hair, stopped abruptly, making his friends crash into him. He grabbed them both and shoved them behind a couple of barrels sitting in front of the inn.

"Stay here!" he ordered before running off.

The other, a boy with messy black hair and beautiful green eyes, shoved his friend behind him. The girl, a bushy haired blonde, grumbled in complaint. A moment later a group of five teens ran past. They were cursing angrily.

"This way!" the leader of the gang yelled. They ran off in the direction of the first boy.

"We have to help Cloud!" the girl exclaimed. "They're heading right for him, Harry!"

"I'll go, you get back to the house, Hermione," Harry ordered. "Make sure Mama Strife gets the food."

Harry ran off without a word, trusting Hermione to do as she was told. Harry ran around behind the Items store and quickly stopped, hiding behind the corner. Cloud was surrounded by the gang of kids, looking ready to fight. The bullies cracked their knuckles, chuckling darkly.

"Thought you could steal from us, did you? You and those other two are nothing but worthless freeloaders!"

"We didn't steal anything from you!" Cloud shouted. "That wolf was killed by a dragon and we cleaned and skinned it!"

"We found it first," the leader of the gang, Terry, growled. He was tall, beefy teenager with small eyes. He was one of the strongest teens in town and often used his strength to bully or intimate others.

"Well I didn't see your name on it," Cloud snapped.

Terry snapped his fingers and two of the guys grabbed Cloud's arms, easily pinning the much younger boy. Harry looked around for inspiration and smiled as he spotted a pile of firewood tied to the roof of the building. If he could aim his magic just right, he could break the rope holding the wood up and make it fall on the gang's head. While he carefully aimed his wand, the boys began to attack Cloud, punching him in the stomach. Harry forced himself to ignore it and released a spell. The light shot straight above everyone's head and hit the rope dead on.

The wood fell and landed on two of the bullies. The others let go of Cloud, who turned and kicked them hard in the shin before running away. The teens shouted after him as they ran but didn't continue the chase. Cloud and Harry didn't stop running until they made it to home. They stood at the gate, gasping for breath.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked in between breaths. Cloud nodded and stood straight.

"Nothing I can't handle," he assured, touching his stomach gently.

The door opened and light spilled onto the street. Claudia Strife stood in the doorway, looking down at the boys in disapproval. Hermione was hiding behind her, biting her lip in worry.

"Boys!" Mrs. Strife snapped. "Inside, now!"

They hurried to do as told and Mrs. Strife shut the door after looking to make sure no one was on the street. She rounded on the children, hands on her hips.

"What did you three do this time?" she demanded, her voice angry.

"We didn't do anything mom!" Cloud exclaimed. "We found a dead wolf and brought the meat home!"

Hermione nodded quickly and pointed at the meat she had carried into the house.

"Then why are you all dirty?" Mrs. Strife stepped forward, lifting up Cloud's chin. "And looking like someone beat you up?"

Cloud looked away and Harry answered. "Terry's gang said the wolf was theirs but it wasn't! We found it first!"

"How many times have I told you boys to not get into fights! You are ten years old!" The blonde woman sighed, shaking her head. "One of these days something terrible is going to happen to you."

The kids toed the ground, not answering. Mrs. Strife sighed again. "Go get cleaned up. I'll start dinner."

Without a word the three children ran off upstairs. Mrs. Strife walked over to the table and looked at the meat. It was good quality; the wolf must have been in it's prime when it was killed. The winter would be coming soon and this meat would help get them through it. She would pack it in salt and freeze it but for tonight, she would cut up a part of it and the small family would have a satisfying dinner for once.

As she cooked, Hermione joined her in the kitchen, a book clutched in her hand. She smiled down at the little girl she had adopted two years ago.

"Do you need help, Mama Strife?" Hermione asked.

Mrs. Strife pointed at some carrots. "Wash those and chop them, please."

Hermione quickly did as asked, humming happily. Mrs. Strife stared at the girl, remembering the first time they had met. She had been much smaller and much dirtier than she was now. Hermione and Harry had been lost in the Nible Mountains together. Cloud had found them on the outskirts of town one day, up by the old mansion, and managed to carry both children to the inn and call for help, saving their lives. The children had said their parents died and they had gotten lost trying to cross the mountains.

The villagers had been distrustful of the children, not liking the unnatural glow to Harry's beautiful green eyes or Hermione's vast knowledge of almost every subject. They had healed the children, of course, they weren't monsters, but didn't know what to do with them afterwards. When talk of sending the children away had come up, Mrs. Strife had decided to take them in, even though she barely had enough money to feed herself and Cloud. Really, she couldn't understand the people of Nibelheim sometimes. They took the time to heal the children and then wanted to send them away once the summer came?

Mrs. Strife shook away the memories. She had taken the two orphans in and was glad for it. Even though the three kids got into more trouble than all the other children of Nibelheim put together, she never once regretted her choice. Harry and Hermione were wonderful children and she loved them as she did her own.

Hermione walked over to her, carrying the chopped carrots. "I've finished, Mama Strife."

"Put them in the pot," she ordered. "We'll have stew tonight."

A knock on the door interrupted them and Mrs. Strife frowned. She wiped her hands off on her apron and went to answer it. Standing there was the mayor, along with a group of villagers. Mrs. Strife recognized most of the people, particularly the parents of the teenagers who were always chasing her children.

"Can I help you, Mayor Lockhart?" Mrs. Strife asked coldly.

"There seems to have been a ruckus, Mrs. Strife," the mayor began. "Mr. Sebastian claims some of his firewood was damaged and a rope of his cut."

"How unfortunate for him."

The Mayor waited for her to say more but the woman merely stared coldly. The man sighed.

"He believes your children might have had something to do with it."

"Oh?" Mrs. Strife turned angry blue eyes on the man. He was not very large, like many men in the village, but what he lacked in size he made up for in arrogance. "And why would he think that?"

"Come off it, woman!" Sebastian yelled, spitting on the ground. "Your brats are always behind things like this!"

"You have been accusing my children for your misfortune since the day they arrived. Perhaps instead of blaming innocent kids, your time would be better spent oh, I don't know, tying your wood up properly so accidents don't happen?"

"The rope was cut!"

"And none of my children own a knife or are tall enough to climb your roof!" Mrs. Strife snapped, unfolding her arms and taking a step forward.

"They're not natural!" Sebastian shouted at her, looking around him at the other villagers.

"Why? Because Harry has beautiful eyes and Hermione is more intelligent than all of you put together?" She leaned into the man's personal space, her eyes narrowed with fury. "Unless you have some sort of proof I would appreciate it if you didn't slander my kid's good names because you are a lowly bigot who is afraid of children!"

"Now Mrs. Strife, let's not resort to name-calling," the mayor interjected.

Mrs. Strife rounded on him. "You come here with a mob to my doorstep and you don't expect me to defend my family?" She glared at the crowd. "My children have done nothing wrong! Get off my property, all of you! You are not welcome here!"

Without any proof, the mob had no choice but to disperse. The Mayor shooed everyone down the uneven cobble steps but Mrs. Strife stopped them with her cold voice.

"Oh and Gene, tell your son that if ever attacks my boys again, he will have me to deal with."

Gene whipped around, stalking up to the woman. "Are you threatening my boy?"

Mrs. Strife didn't back down. "Yes."

"Come along, Gene." Mayor Lockhart jumped in between the two quickly.

Gene allowed himself to be pulled away, glaring at Mrs. Strife until he was back on the road. The mob dispersed, the mayor making sure Gene made it home without taking any detours. Mrs. Strife stayed on the porch with her glare firmly in place until everyone had vanished from sight. When she was sure no one was going to come back and start trouble, she turned and slammed the door shut behind her.

The children were sitting at table. Hermione was pouring the stew into bowls while Harry and Cloud were sitting quietly, looking angry. Mrs. Strife frowned at them and stood in front of Harry.

"Give it," she ordered, holding her hand out.

"But I had to cut the ropes!" Harry whined. "They were hurting Cloud!"

She snapped her fingers and held her hand out again. Harry pouted and handed his wand over to her. Mrs. Strife turned and placed it on top of the refrigerator. She turned to Cloud.

"Lift your shirt."

"I'm fine mom."

She snapped her fingers again and Cloud stood angrily, lifting his shirt to reveal light bruising on his stomach. Mrs. Strife felt fury pool in her stomach.

"Get some ice from outside and keep it on your stomach while we eat," she ordered.

Cloud did as he was told without complaint. The small family ate dinner in silence. When they were done, each child washed their bowl and kissed Mrs. Strife goodnight before going upstairs to bed. Once they were settled, she switched off all the lights and sat in the dark on the couch.

Claudia Strife never once regretted adopting Harry and Hermione. Her only regret was that they had to live in the small, narrow-minded town. Her children deserved so much better and, one day, she would make sure they got it.

Six Years Later

Cloud sat on top of the roof to the Inn, watching the soldiers down below. Harry and Hermione were next to him, looking down curiously. Shinra had arrived in the town late last night, causing a small commotion in the sleepy village. No one knew why they had suddenly shown up unannounced and were scrambling to make them feel welcome.

"Those are infantry men," Cloud pointed out, indicating the men in blue. "They're regular army. That one there, is a Soldier Second Class. You can tell cuz he's wearing purple instead of black. Only First Class Soldiers wear black uniforms."

"That guy looks like a scientist," Harry pointed at a man who was walking with a slight hunch, his greasy black hair pulled into a ponytail. His face was scrunched up as if he smelled something unpleasant.

"I wonder what they're doing here?" Cloud asked. He and Harry turned to Hermione.

The girl raised an eyebrow at them. "How should I know?"

"I thought you knew everything."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I retain all the information I read."

"And you remember everything everyone's ever said ever."

"Well none of them have said anything to me so I don't know why they're here." Hermione crossed her arms in a pout and the boys turned back to watch the soldiers. They were all heading to the mansion.

"Well we'd better get going," Cloud sighed. "We still need to gather firewood."

"It would be so much easier if Mama Strife let me use my wand," Harry complained.

"There's too great of a chance of being seen," Cloud said. "You know what the villagers would do if they saw your magic. It's not normal."

"People in the city use magic all the time!"

"They use materia," Hermione jumped in. "Materia is actually crystallized Mako that one uses their mind to activate. As such, using it too much can result in draining a person of their energy."

"But I don't use materia, I use a wand. And I've never gotten tired from using that."

"You're the only person in the world who uses a wand," Cloud muttered.

"That's not true," Hermione argued. "He's the only person we know of. Harry inherited that wand from his father, which would imply his father could use it as well. And if it runs in the family, it's safe to assume there are other people in the world who use wands. We just haven't met them yet."

"And we're never going to, living in this small-minded town."

Cloud jumped from the overhang on the inn to the ground. Harry leapt after him while Hermione sat and carefully lowered herself down. Cloud reached up and helped her.

"When I become Soldier we'll go search for more people like you," Cloud promised.

Harry rolled his eyes. "You've gotta join up first."

"This summer for sure!" Cloud exclaimed. "I've finally managed to save enough money to afford the trip."

Hermione wrapped her arm around Cloud's. "I'm going to miss you terribly."

Don't worry, once I make Soldier I'll be making good money. I'll send for all of you and you can come live in the city with me."

"Sounds good to me," Harry said. "This place sucks."

"Why don't you come with me?"

"Nah, I'm not much of a fighter," Harry shrugged. "I'll stay here and keep an eye on Mama Strife and Hermione." He grinned at his adopted brother. "Just don't forget about us when you're a big time soldier boy."

Cloud smiled and hooked his arm around his shoulder. "Never."

Three laughed as they wandered into the forest.

Hermione sighed and hiccuped as she stumbled out of the local tavern. Even though she was underage, Hermione had made a deal with the owner of the pub. She did his accounting books and in return he let her get drunk when she needed to.

Hermione didn't particularly like getting drunk. She always felt terrible the next morning and often threw up. But Hermione had a very powerful mind and sometimes drinking was all she could do to shut it off for awhile. No one really understood how troublesome her perfect memory could be. She never forgot anything. Her mind was always working, always thinking. Even when she slept, problems and solutions ran through her dreams. Alcohol was the one thing she'd found that let her have a moments piece from herself. She wasn't proud of her drinking habit, but until she found something else to help her, it was all Hermione had.

As the girl stumbled along the road she thought she saw a figure walking towards her. Hermione wasn't worried though. No one in this town would touch her. Even though she was a striking woman with a curvy body and decent sized breasts, Hermione was the town outcast. No one liked herself or her brothers and wanted nothing to do with any of them. So it came as a great surprise when the person walking towards her stopped and stared.

"Excuse me," she said, trying hard not to slur her worlds.

The man, he was dressed in a white lab coat, caught her arm. "Girls shouldn't wander around by themselves, especially in such a state."

Hermione frowned and pulled her arm away. "I'm perfectly fine," she assured the man. "I don't live far."

"I suppose there is nothing better to do in such a backwater place than drink your life away."

"I'll have you know I am quiet smart! I just need to turn my brain off every couple of nights." She giggled and burped in a very unladylike manner.

"I'm sure you are," the scientist rolled his eyes and began to walk away.

"I am! I have an eidetic memory!" Hermione's face fell and she looked away. "It's such a burden sometimes... no one gets it. They just say they wish they were like me."

The scientist frowned at her. "People with eidetic memories are so rare that there are some who don't believe the condition doesn't exist."

Hermione sniffed. Alcohol always made her so sad. "I wish."

"Prove to me that you are the way you say."

She glared at the man, feeling a rash of anger. "Why should I? I don't owe you anything."

"I'm simply curious. From one person of intelligence to another."

Hermione shrugged at that. If this man was as smart as he claimed it would be nice to talk to someone on her intellectual level. It wasn't that she thought Cloud or Harry were dumb, it was just that no one was as smart as her.

"Very well. When you first arrived in town you stayed in the inn. There were four infantrymen and one Second Class Soldier. Each infantrymen wore the standard blue uniform of Shinra but the youngest had a yellow stain the front, suggesting he just ate and spilled mustard on himself. The second infantrymen had tear below the knee in his pants. The last infantryman's uniform was well kept, suggesting he's more reliable than the other two. He had three freckles on his face in a circle on his left cheek. As for the Soldier, he was taller than the infantrymen by precisely two inches and had dark hair and gray eyes that glowed with the telltale sign of Mako enhancements."

While she had spoken, Hermione had become tired. She leaned against the side of a building and closed her eyes, talking absently. She was sleepy and ready for bed. She couldn't even remember why she was talking anymore. Shaking her head, Hermione stood.

"I need to go home," she said to no one in particular.

"Perhaps you would care to join me," the scientist called. "I would like to study your memory a little more. It's such a rare gift."

"More like a curse. I need to go to bed."

"Put please, I insist," the man grabbed her arm. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even those with enhancements don't have the perfect recall you do. I would love to study you more."

"I am not a lap rat!" Hermione exclaimed and attempted to push the man away. He didn't budge and she was feeling too drunk to fight back properly.

"No, you are much more than that, my dear girl." He pulled the girl with him towards the inn. Hermione tried to resist but she didn't have the energy. All she wanted to do was go to sleep.

No one was awake to see her vanish with the scientist.

Two weeks later, Harry and Cloud came down from the mountains, both angry and sad. They made their way home, hanging their heads. Mrs. Strife was on the porch and ran to them.

"Anything?" she asked desperately.

They shook their heads.

"There's no sign that anyone's been up in the mountains recently," Cloud reported dully.

"Where could she have gone?" Harry demanded. "This place is so small! We've looked everywhere!"

"She vanished the same day Shinra left."

"You think they took her?" Harry demanded. "But why?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Cloud looked up, a determined glint in his eye. "I'm going to Costa de Sol and joining up. Those Shinra creeps took her, there's no other explanation. I'll join Soldier and find her!"

"I'm coming too," Harry declared. "Shinra's a lot more dangerous than we ever thought. You're going to need someone to watch your back and help search."

"Boys..."

They turned to their mother. "Don't worry mom, we'll find Hermione. We'll find her and bring her back home."

"The scientist who came here was named Hojo. If we find him, we'll find her."

Mrs. Strife nodded, her eyes sad. She pulled the boys into a tight hug, kissing their cheeks. "I'm counting on you, boys. Find your sister and then all three of you come home safely to me."

"We will mom," Cloud promised.

"You can count on us," Harry agreed.

They stayed together for a long moment before pulling away and heading home.

A/N: So that's the first chapter. Short but I feel it served it's purpose. The story is going to take place in the FF7 world with only Harry and Hermione the only wizards mentioned for the time being but I do plan on bringing in wizards eventually. I hinted at that during this chapter with Cloud saying he was going to try and find others like Harry.

Well let me know what you think. Does it look interesting? Are you not sure? Was it terrible? If you thought it was terrible, please be nice when telling me why you thought that. Thank you!

Please Review!

Staryday