((SXH: Hello, everyone! Here's the next chapter of this wonderfully depressing and shocking story. Hope you all enjoy and stick with me on this story. It's awesome that you all love this story and want more. It really surprised me because this story started as a stress reliever and I didn't expect to continue it for so long. But for you guys, I think I'll finish it, although it will take a while. Anyway… Enjoy!))

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Kingdom Hearts. I only own this storyline.

Warning:

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A Nobody's Love

Chapter 9: Research

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It had been a few months since that incident and so far, Luna, Neville, and Draco had found nothing in the library about creatures who couldn't feel. Luna even checked in the Restricted Section. She felt terrible that she had to tell Draco and Neville that she had found nothing. Other than that, they watched Harry and Snape more closely. They noticed some things, hardly anything that could be considered out of the ordinary. They just found that they shared some looks in class, the halls, or at dinner. However, such looks could be considered just the animosity between them. Halloween was coming and they had come up with nothing.

Heaving a great sigh of frustration, Luna lugged another great book onto her table in the library. Her companions, Neville and Draco, looked up at her with sympathy. Luna had been killing herself trying to find answers. If it had not been for them, Luna would skip meals and not attend class. Draco had to call in a favor from some of the Ravenclaws to keep an eye on her, otherwise she may not sleep and hole herself up in her dorm.

"I can't find anything," Luna began. "Nothing. I've searched through almost every book in this library and have even asked a few ghosts. There is nothing here about creatures with no feelings, except for vampires and the like… However, despite the fact that Professor Snape is a complete dungeon bat, he does go out in the sunlight every once in a while." Neville and Draco snickered at that. Uncle Sev does like the sun but he likes his potions more. Draco thought.

"We may have to ask some of the professors about it. For all we know, creatures like this didn't exist until recently," Neville tried. At the mention of this, Draco sank further into his seat. He didn't want to think about all of this to begin with. Yes, Draco was curious about what was happening with his Uncle Sev and Harry, but he was beginning to think that he didn't want to know. It was still unsettling to Draco to refer to his godfather and Harry as creatures. It was rude and insulting. But, Draco had to admit that they didn't exactly act like normal wizards.

"I could try to find something out from Umbridge," Draco offered sullenly. "She likes the Slytherins, so she'll answer any questions we have. The rest of the houses she won't listen to." Neville scoffed.

"She won't spare us a second glance more like, unless it's to get us in trouble," Neville said with equal bitterness. "I mean, look what she's done to Harry! He's banned from Quidditch for the rest of his years! That and I swear she's hurt him some way in those detentions. He's been quieter than usual in the common room."

"I don't exactly fancy her either. Even I think that a Quidditch ban is too severe of a punishment. I've also noticed that the Hufflepuffs have been the same. I would ask but they're all scared of me, not that I blame them," Draco commented, mumbling the last part to himself. "But, I'm not blind. I'm about to go to Uncle Sev about what she's doing." Luna and Neville both gave him a look of great confusion.

Draco wasn't surprised that they didn't notice. Gryffindors tended to only notice things within their own house (except for Harry), and Ravenclaws really didn't have the time to pay attention to their surroundings to really take notice of anything. Have their head stuck so far up those books that they can't see what's around them. Draco thought but didn't dare voice it without hurting Luna's feelings. Draco heaved a heavy sigh and sat up a little straighter.

"It is a Slytherin trait to be overly observant. So when we get into mischief, we're not caught. But, Slytherins are always watching others, waiting for opportunities that suit them, such as speaking to another, bringing up gossip. We're attentive and we know when someone is out of sorts," Draco started. "Haven't you noticed that we have not bothered the Hufflepuffs in a while?"

"Yeah, but I just thought that you lot got bored with bullying them," Neville commented.

"Sometimes, but that's not the case here," Draco corrected. "We haven't bothered them because they're already upset and hurt. They all act like wounded puppies really. Believe it or not, but Slytherins aren't as cruel as to kick someone who is that wounded. Clutching their hands protectively and looking nearly dead-eyed. It's quite sickening."

"And yet you can say that with a straight face," came a voice a little ways away. They all looked over and noticed Ron and Hermione had entered the library.

"Watch it, Ronald," Hermione warned. Ron huffed and sat down at the table next to them. Hermione turned back to them and smiled. "Sorry, old habits die hard as they say." Draco didn't look all that convinced but he brushed it off.

"Have you all seen Harry? He has a Potions Essay to work on that's due Monday," Hermione asked.

"Last I saw him, he was going up to the common room," Luna said with a smile that sent a chill down Draco and Neville's backs. Hermione didn't notice the iciness and just nodded at the information. Luna turned her back and began to put up the huge book she had just sat down. Neville stood and helped her put it away while Draco cleared the dust off the table and straightened all the books on it.

"Come on, Ron," Hermione began. "Maybe he's in the Room of Requirement." As they left, the trio threw harsh glares in their direction.

"Cunt," Draco hissed, earning a hard slap to the back of the head. "What the hell, Neville? You don't like her either!" Neville just gave him a harsh look that rivaled his own.

"I don't like that word," Neville stated and sat back. "Anyway, Luna why did you lie. You and I both know that we saw Harry go down to Hagrid's hut."

Luna sat down and laid her head in her arms. "Harry didn't look like he wanted to be bothered. I mean, if he wanted someone to come with him, he would have asked." Draco and Neville didn't argue and they finally found themselves back on the subject they had been before their rude and unwanted interruption.

"You know, Harry's been clutching his hand a lot lately," Neville commented. "It's almost like it's in pain."

"That's because it is," Draco said. "As I was saying with the Hufflepuffs, they are clutching their hands and look deathly depressed. I think I know what she's doing to them. And it's completely illegal. She could be thrown into Azkaban for it."

"What do you think she's doing?" Neville asked. Luna gasped and bolted upright. Her hands came up to cover her mouth in horror. Neville stared at her in confusion and wonder while Draco averted his gaze to the desk with a grim expression.

"She can't," Luna whispered. "That's terrible. She can't do that! We have to tell Dumbledore."

"I don't think Dumbledore's going to be able to help in this, Lulu," Draco interrupted before she could continue further. "He has no power in the ministry anymore and is being kept under a close watch. Even if we tell him and he informs the Minister, Fudge will probably call him a liar just like in the papers."

"But maybe we could still do something! Anything at all-!" Luna tried again.

"Don't bother, Luna!" Draco snapped. "At the moment, there is nothing we can do. We can't do anything considering the fact that we're all just fifteen. We're kids in their eyes."

"Shut up! The both of you!" Neville bit out, standing. Both of the quickly deflated and sat back down after that and a harsh scolding from the librarian. "What are you two talking about?" Luna and Draco both looked at each other, silently agreeing that Luna should tell him.

"Blood Quills, Nev," Luna answered. "Umbridge is using them of the other students."

"I don't understand," Neville said. "What do they do?"

"You write with them," Draco said with venom dripping from his voice, but it wasn't directed at Neville. "When you write with them, they use your own blood as the ink and then it magically etches the words you wrote into the back of your other hand. It's a foul and despicable item to use, especially if the crime they committed is as simple as running in the halls." Draco grit his teeth.

Neville's look turned sympathetic instantly and full of shame. How had he not realized this sooner? He had heard his grandmother speak of such an atrocious item before but she never told him what it was. Now that Neville knew, he suddenly grew sick. To etch words into a person's skin was… wasn't that the same as marking them? Marking them with a constant reminder of their crimes. It should only be a punishment for the worst of people. Not someone like Harry…

"We need to find a way to expose her," Neville said finally. "We have to get everyone to see what is going on."

"How can we? Everyone has too much pride to come forward," Draco asked halfheartedly, not really expecting an answer from him. "Even, Harry has too much pride to do such a thing. He would see it as, in the bluntest way, becoming Umbridge's bitch. There's no way he would submit to her intimidation and barbaric tactics of getting him to squirm like a little brat. Umbridge challenged him; he won't lose even if it killed him." Neville gave him a small smile.

"That's our Harry, right? He wouldn't be harry if he wasn't like that," Neville commented. "As for exposing her, I was hoping that maybe you could find some way to do it. After all, you're the Slytherin in this group. Cunning, manipulative, observant, and above all the sneakiest bastard in the school."

"Flatter will get you nowhere, love," Draco said dryly, but soon had a small teasing smile playing on his lips.

"If there is a way, we know you will find it," Neville said finally, rolling his eyes. He was used to Draco flirting with him. Whether it was a girl or a guy Draco talked to, he flirted with them. It was just part of his personality. He flirted with everyone, even Harry before they became friends, not that they all picked up on it. Gryffindors were pretty thickheaded at times.

Draco shifted his gazed between his friends, studying them for a couple of minutes. Finally he closed his eyes and let out a sigh, for what had to have been the thousandth time that day. "There's no way I'm getting out of this, is there?"

"Nope," the other two said in unison.

"Fine," Draco said and stood. "I'll try and come up with something to get the old, ugly toad in trouble. But whatever I do, you have to trust me. Don't question what I do and don't ask me about my plan. If you do, I'll act like I don't know what you're talking about. Got it?" The other two nodded. Although Neville thought he should have felt a little offended, he knew better than that. Draco wasn't doing this for spite, he was going to do it so that they wouldn't be involved in case something went wrong. "I'm going back to my common room to study a little. Neville, why don't you send a letter to your grandmother? As I recall, she is good friends with some of the researchers in the Magical Creatures Department in the Ministry. They may know something that could help."

"I thought you were going to go talk to Umbridge," Neville spoke. Draco shrugged.

"I doubt an incompetent bitch like her is going to know anything. Now really worth the effort to be honest," Draco said and waved them goodbye. He picked up his bag and left to go plan.

"You know, I think I should go send a letter to her," Neville began again. "She doesn't ask me many questions of what I'm doing anyway. If I just tell her it's for a research paper for Umbridge, then she probably won't ask me any questions except on when it's due." Neville turned to Luna and smiled.

"Okay, Nev," Luna replied. "Hopefully there will be something there."

"I hope so," Neville agreed. "Otherwise, we might just have to give up."

"Why don't we go to Dumbledore then?" she wondered. "Surely he might know something, or maybe even find out." Neville looked apprehensive and looked away, unsure of what to say. He didn't spend as much time in the Headmaster's presence as Harry. Harry seemed comfortable around the old man, but Neville always felt so… nervous around him. It was worse than he felt around Snape when he was in first year.

"I think we should wait," Neville said decisively. "Let's go to him as a last resort. And even if we do, we need to make sure to leave Harry's name out of it."

"Naturally," Luna replied. "Otherwise, he might inform Harry and that will get us nowhere. Even if he believed our concerns were to be true." Neville blushed a little. He hadn't meant to say that last bit, but it just came out.

"Well, I'll go write my grandmother," Neville murmured, and scratched his head.

"Okay. I think I'm going to start my own little research myself," Luna informed. Neville's brow furrowed.

"What are you going to research?" Luna just smiled and waved him off.

"I'll tell you if I find anything." Neville nodded and left, Leaving Luna time to write her own owl.

/

Harry exited Hagrid's hut quietly and scanned the area in case there where students about. When he saw none, he slipped behind the hut and made his way into the Forbidden Forest. He went in only a few hundred yards so that he could find his way out again. He raised his hand and with it came a door that was pitch black. It was unlike what his friend's created. This one was designed to change his clothes and remove any spells that had been put on him during his time at Hogwarts.

The door opened and he slipped though it quickly. Everything was dark only for a few moments. He pushed open another door in the darkness and was almost blinded by the light that met his eyes. His eyes had grown used to the change by now and he stepped out, the door disappeared behind him. He looked at the room around him. It was a large room, grey, with about four couches, and a couple of armchairs. It was empty of any other occupant.

Harry went over to one of the walls and tapped at the hidden keyboard. When he had finished, the wall slid back to reveal a bar. He went behind it and searched through the drinks to find out what he wanted. He picked up a small bottle of Butterbeer, making a mental note to have Xemnas hide the Firewhiskey from him. He didn't need to get that in his hands today… or anytime soon for that matter.

The raven haired teen popped off the top on his Butterbeer and took a large gulp out of it. He sat on one of the many couches and pulled out his bag. He quickly made himself comfortable, propping up feet on the coffee table and pulled out his Potions essay. He set to work on it, knowing that Severus would be 'angry' at him if he didn't turn it in. He remembered the last time he didn't turn something in on time. His dorm mates hated him for weeks.

He wasn't working on it for long when a dark corridor appeared in the same place his had not long ago. Two people stepped out of it, followed by more corridors popping up in various other parts of the room. People filed in one after another until Harry counted twelve. Of course, Severus cannot leave the school without being followed by someone. And then there's Vexen who never comes out his lab unless it's to eat and do recon on a new world. Harry thought.

All six pairs walked in looking rather irritated and bickering a little to each other. However, Saïx's form of bickering was just punching the irritator in the face, which was unfortunate for Axel today. As they all came in, they all took a seat and heaved a large sigh. Some looked like they had been through the ringer while others just looked tired. Saïx was one of the few where wasn't sweating, panting and wheezing. They all looked exhausted. Xemnas had given them all some harsh missions. Probably out of pure anger at one thing or just irritation at them all. The thought of Xemnas throwing one of his tantrums made Harry's lip quirk. Then the image of him abusing the other members as a punishment for what was probably something stupid, Harry bust into a fit of giggles.

All eyes turned to him in that moment. None seemed to have even noticed him when they entered. Several smiled and ran over to him. Harry was pulled into a bone crushing hug from a certain blond, spikey haired boy and a certain blond with a mullet. Disregarding his things, the two swept him off his feet.

"Ahrxri!" they cheered.

"Demyx, Roxas, let me down! You're crushing me!" Harry protested. They set him on his feet and loosened their hold on him, but didn't let him go.

"It's been so long!" Roxas said. "We were worried about you!" Harry patted his head and smiled.

"Nice trick kid. Didn't think you were capable of feeling," Harry joked and patted the younger boy's head. Then a sudden realization kicked in. "Hey, wait a second. You've been with us for a year now, haven't you?" Roxas nodded enthusiastically. "That's great! Keep it up kid. I'm sure we'll complete kingdom hearts in no time with you here." Roxas smiled and sat down next to Harry once the two decided to let go of him.

"Hey, Ahrxri, where have you been this entire time?" Demyx asked. "I mean, was it the same place you go every year?" Harry just nodded, picking up his discarded items and put them back into his bag. The he took a drink of his Butterbeer again, wishing he had something a little stronger. Maybe the Fire- No! Bad Ahrxri! You don't need THAT.

"I think what Demyx is trying to ask is," came the voice of a tall pink haired male who sat opposite of them. Harry just kept himself from narrowing his eyes. Marluxia… he thought and gave a big smile. "Where exactly do you go every year? What do you do there?"

"We're all curious, love," came the voice of another man who stood against the glass wall behind the pink haired Nobody. He had short blond hair, a goatee, and quite a few ear piercings.

"Hello, Luxord, Marluxia. Haven't got yourselves in trouble lately, have you?" Harry asked innocently.

"Oh no," came a small voice from beside Harry that made him smile a little. He looked to his right and saw a boy even shorter than him, but Harry knew better. Zexion is older than me after all. He mused. The short, emo looking guy had purplish-grey hair that fell over one of his eyes. He carried with him a large book that Harry knew to really be his weapon of choice. "You can't change the subject that easily," he said, giving Harry a small glare.

"And you can't keep denying how cute you are, little Zexy," Harry teased, causing a small blush to form on the other's cheeks. Harry stood, narrowly dodging the Lexicon that was thrown at him. "Easy there. I'll tell you. I'll tell you! Just don't hit me!" Harry laughed. Zexion deflated from his anger and sunk into his seat, sulking.

"So, where have you been going?" came the deep and deathly calm voice of Saïx from behind him. Soon Harry found himself surrounded by all the members.

Axel even piped up, saying, "What? Not even you know Sai? Is the Superior keeping secrets even from you?" Saïx scowled at him. Harry could tell that Axel was a couple of words away from getting the shit beaten out of him by Lunatic.

"Guys, cool it," Harry calmed. "It's not like that. Besides, you all should have been told a lot sooner." Axel looked back at Harry and smirked.

"By the way, Ri-kun," he began. "Since when do you wear black leather pants with a matching tee?" Harry glared at him and bit his own tongue. He refused to retort to the insufferable man.

"Hey! When did we get a bar here?" Harry sighed as he heard the all too familiar voice of Xigbar.

"I am going to need a drink when this is all over," Harry mumbled to himself. None of the organization could really pay attention long enough to listen to anything other than when Xemnas was around. But, today was different. Everyone ignored Xigbar in favor of hearing what Harry had to say though. And Harry couldn't have been more greatful. Not seeing any room anywhere else, Harry sat down on the coffee table and looked at them all.

Taking up his bottle of Butterbeer, he took a big gulp and calmed himself. He briefly wondered what Xemnas would have thought about him telling the others without consulting him, but he pushed it away. It's my decision. Besides, I'm the one who really calls the shots. It was on my order to keep it a secret. He looked around the others and pulled a smile and an air that was half serious air and half joking.

"Well, to be honest," Harry began. "I've been staying at the world I used to live in." Everyone just stared at him, dumbfounded. "Um… guys?"

"So," came a high pitched voice from the other side of the room. He past Axel to see the only blond girl within the organization. Truth be told, she was the only girl in the organization. "You are saying that you've been sneaking out of the castle to stay within the world that rejected you?" Harry narrowed his eyes.

"Not exactly," Harry said. "I am on a serious mission as well. But, that I cannot tell you about. All you guys really need to know is that I've returned to my other world and am attending school there."

"School?!" said Xigbar. "Why are you going to school there?"

"Part of my mission," Harry retorted.

"What kind of mission requires you to go to that school for the entire year every year?" Zexion asked with a scowl.

"The kind that one needs to discuss with their superior before they go sharing with their coworkers…" said a very deep voice from the door. Harry felt a shiver run through his body, the sensation of fear came to mind and Harry scowled only for a moment. But it disappeared within an instant.

"Hello, Superior," Harry greeted, not even lifting p his head to look at the other. He knew better. He knew that Xemnas was angry. Harry knew that he was in trouble now. But it irritated him for some reason. He didn't know why but, he was getting angry.

"In my office. Now," he said with deathly calm. Harry sighed and stood up.

"Yes, Superior," Harry answered, in a soft, challenging tone that only Xemnas was able to pick up. He scowled at the boy and continued.

"Watch yourself, Number-…"

"What?!" Harry snapped, making everyone stare at him. "'Number' what?" When Xemnas said nothing, harry continued. "Keep in mind that we are not all exactly ranked according to the correct number." With that, Harry grabbed his bag and swept past the silver haired man. Tension rose in the room and Xemnas turned around to follow. As soon as the two left, an awkwardness filled atmosphere.

"Um… what just happened?" Demyx asked.

"Harry," began Xaldin, a tall man with purple eyes, black dreadlocks, and sideburns. "Just payed for his death ticket.

/

SXH: There you have it. Another chapter come and gone. I hope that you all don't mind, but I am having to make that chapters longer so that the story won't be so many chapters that you guys lose interest. Sorry again for the time skip, but I have to get this story moving along. Hope you all enjoyed, and if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please review or PM me about it.

Bye~!