Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Kingdom Hearts. These belong to J.K. Rowling and Square Enix/Disney respectively.

Harry Potter/Kingdom Hearts Crossover

Warnings... this fanfic contains SLASH (in the shounen-ai sense and not the yaoi sense... I really don't noe how to write it...) anda warning of unbetaedness as usual...

Pairings: Leon/Harry, Cloud/Harry, possible future Leon/Harry/Cloud (now depending on whether Cloud will cooperate or not o.o), one-sided Tifa/Cloud, Harry+Sora, one-sided Riku/Sora, one-sided Kairi/Sora, future Sora/?, Irivne/Aerith, oh and maybe Cid/Yuffie if I really feel twisted... okay maybe not, that's taking absurd to a whole new level... where's Vincent when you have a cheeky, hyper ninja princess and a profane captain that smokes like a chimney to sick on him? Hmm...

Summary: Sent to Azkaban for the most stupid reasons; Harry Potter was completely bored out of his mind as he lay on the cot of his cell, staring blankly at the ceiling.

...Then the heartless came. (I still can't think of a better summary haha...)

Note 1. To those that reviewed... Dagger1211, insanechildfanfic, Hiruma Musouka, Kedava, Jewl4Life, xRosePetalx, Silver Tears 11, Shinigami's Shadow and SilverPantsSven, 917brat, sunao, Neko Youkai 13, Sabishii Kage Tenshi, TheOneThatIsAddictedToHPfics, Raika Katsuya, animelava, AgRose001, LOL, LadyWolfRider... THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO YOU GUYS :D THANK YOU!!

Note 2. only 5346 words this time o.o was gonna write more but it seemed right to finish where I did...

Note 3. Sorry it took so long peeps o.o but this story kept on getting angstier and angstier as I wrote it so I had to start again haha... and trust... I'm soooooo glad I did... (suffice to say, when I went back to read the original again... -shudder-)

Note 4. Last chappie for this fic! BANZAI!! for once in my life-time, I actually finished a fic :D I'm so proud of myself heh...

Note 5. will edit this later :P but anyone willing to point out any errors, please do :)

Chapter 9.

The sakura-haired man watched as an equally dark-robed individual peer into the large basin of water that glowed ethereally in the mostly shadowed room, lit up on the odd occasion by the soft flame of the few candles scattered around the large room. He watched as a manic grin crossed over his face, his mouth being the only part that could be seen beneath his hood.

"Girl!" the hooded man shouted. A soft pitter-patter of small feet reached the sakura-haired man's ears, growing louder with each step before they slowed, a petite red-haired child slipping through the crack between the large twin wooden doors.

"What?" the little girl said disdainfully despite the obvious rush she had been in to obey the man's summoning.

The twisted but amused smile that came on the man's face was one Marluxia oft used himself yet, seeing it on the Heartless' face, it sent him a sense of foreboding that confused and irritated him. Since when has he ever worried about his pets?

"I've grown tired of your blathering on for a chance to prove yourself," the man said, "Don't disappoint me."

Blue eyes gleamed beneath red-hair as the darkly robed man simply pointed at her. She could feel it, the power beginning to course through her. She giggled as it tingled through her nerves and veins; empowering every single cell in her tiny little body. This was it! This was her chance to become truly great! No longer did she need her other half to reach her full potential!

Revenge would only be the beginning.

A few instructions later, the darker half of Kairi scurried off eagerly towards the entrance where she'd meet her 'friends', leaving 'Ansem' to smile darkly down at the visage of a certain raven-haired individual making his way up the rock platforms of Hollow Bastion, the Keyblade wielder and the Beast beside him.

Marluxia continued to silently watch as he weighed the pros and cons of interfering with the events that were about to occur.

And decided he didn't like others using his pet. He was never one to share.

-

After making quick work of the remaining Heartless, the four stared at each other, none sure what to say. Sora was still upset with Riku, the small frown directed his way was all the silver-haired teen needed to see to know he had his work cut out for him. On the other hand, Harry watched as Squall's eyes flickered to Sora before meeting Harry's eyes hopefully. The look gnawed at his heart painfully; how could Squall still want him after everything he'd done? What had he done to deserve such devotion?

Harry bit his lip nervously, "Squall, I-" He never got to finish the rest of sentence though as the brunette closed the gap between and kissed him. His arms wrapped around Harry's small frame tightly, as if he were afraid the younger male would disappear once more, as Squall poured all his feelings towards him into the simple but heartfelt action.

There was no need for an apology as he'd already been forgiven.

To their side, Sora blushed instantly but beamed happily at everyone and everything, so caught up in the heart-warming scene he'd forgotten to glare at Riku when the silver-haired teen edged his way over his side while he had been distracted. Donald, on the other hand, squawked loudly in surprise before turning around in embarrassment, Goofy following quickly as he scratched the back of his head with laugh. The Beast huffed loudly but a flush of red could be seen even under all that fur as he turned his head away, arms crossed over his chest. And Cloud... well...

"I missed you," Squall murmured into Harry's raven locks when he finally pulled away, lovingly trailing his hand down the other's back.

Harry gripped onto Squall's jacket a little tighter as he hummed contently into the man's shirt, a smile on his face as he practically melted in the warmth the brunette exuded, "Missed you too," came the muffled reply.

"See, I told you everything would work out," Sora grinned cheekily at his self-appointed older brother.

Harry rolled his eyes, smiling, as he pulled away from Squall, retort already at the tip of his tongue. But he didn't manage a single syllable as all thoughts flew out of his mind when his eyes fell a familiar tuft of blonde hair wrapped in a dark cloak.

"C-cloud?" Harry gasped in an awe-filled voice, "Is that... really you?"

The blonde smiled warmly, face completely devoid of any of his earlier disdain, "Hey," he said softly.

A beauteous smile appeared on Harry's face, "Cloud!" he released himself from Squall's grasp before almost throwing himself at the blonde. Squall might have been his boyfriend but Cloud had been the very first friend he had made in Radiant Garden. The blonde had shown him around, helping him get settled in the hectic place that Harry would one day call home.

Cloud caught him easily, hugging him as tightly as brunette had, if not more so. He smiled down at the mop of raven-hair pressed against him, not bothering to restrain himself as he tilted his head down to press a soft kiss to Harry's forehead. The younger male blinked and stared up at him in surprise but not a moment later, his smile returned even brighter than the one before. Suddenly, Cloud felt an irritated pressure directed at his head and he looked up, his eyes immediately locking onto Squall's icy blue ones glaring angrily at him. There was only one way really for Cloud to respond and that was exactly what he did.

He threw Squall the smuggest smirk he could. (And you know what they say, "if eyes could kill...")

Sora laughed nervously seeing the looks of death being sent back and forth between the blonde and the brunette, very relieved that they hadn't considered him as a threat to their relationship with Harry.

"He's very... popular," Riku mused quietly beside him.

"Yeah..." Sora nodded, "And I'm still mad at you," he continued without turning to even look at Riku.

A short pause. "Oh."

By now, Harry had finally realise something was wrong as he lifted his face from Cloud's shirt, following the blonde's gaze curiously before they fell on icy blue eyes that were alternating between glaring menacingly at the Cloud and sending Harry looks you'd see on a kicked-puppy.

Emerald eyes widened as he hastily dislodged himself from Cloud's grip, cheeks growing warmer and warmer when he realised what what he had done would have looked like to Squall. He hadn't meant to give more attention to Cloud, really! He was just... glad that Cloud was unhurt and still alive! Really! (Harry hurriedly slapped his conscience away when it started to chant a certain word starting with d...)

Harry coughed in embarrassment, eyes not quite meeting Squall's as he said, "Anyway, we better get going before certain unwanted people come," immediately images of a certain sakura-haired man popped up in Squall's head and it was all he could do as he refrained from grinding his teeth in barely concealed irritation, "Kairi should be in the main chamber in the heart of the castle with all the other Princesses. Let's go."

Everyone nodded in answer and Harry turned and made to open the door but a hand of his arm stopped him. Emerald eyes looked up at the Squall quizzically.

"I'll go in first," he said firmly.

Harry huffed, "I can look after myself!"

This time everyone turned to give him disbelieving looks. Harry scowled but stayed silent.

Squall gave a push and the large double doors slid open so easily it seemed unnatural especially considering their size. Seeing a lack of any visible threats, he nodded to the others and one by one they stepped through the opening and into the grand entrance hallway.

And not for the first time, Harry cursed the beings that turned his peaceful home into this farce. No longer were the walls lined with beautiful paintings of life and colour but instead crest up on crest of the dreaded Heartless with deep red, blue and black and the odd splash of gold. It reminded him of a Hogwarts that was no longer filled with children's laughter but with cold and deathly silence.

He hated it so much.

"Harry?" a soft voice called, a warm hand touching his. Harry broke out of his reverie to see Squall and the others staring at him worriedly, his hand clenching tightly onto Squall's sleeve.

"I'm fine," he replied automatically, loosening his grip as he strode forward.

"That's about as far as you'll be going now," a cheery voice echoed through the hall.

Everyone froze. "Kairi," Riku finally said, his voice a little resigned.

"No, not Kairi," Sora disagreed vehemently, making the silver-haired male to look at him in surprise.

'Kairi' giggled as she stepped out of the shadows and towards them, "Very good! You deserve a reward!"

Before anyone could comment, she threw the small locket in her hand straight at Harry with all her might. Harry raised his hand, catching it squarely in the middle of his palm purely on instinct from all his years as a seeker.

Unfortunately, as soon as it touched his skin, the raven-haired teen disappeared extracting many alarmed shouts from his friends.

"Harry!" Squall growled, "What did you do to him?!"

Kairi merely smiled that eerie, fake smile of hers, "One down... one to go," she said, turning her gaze to the glaring Riku. She raised her hand, a spear appearing in a flash of black smog, Heartless of all shapes and sizes springing up all around her.

Cloud scowled, drawing his Buster, the others quick to follow his example as they drew their own weapons, "We don't have time for this," he hissed, annoyed at himself for allowing Harry to be taken from him again.

"Then what are you waiting for?" her cheery demeanour disappeared as her voice distorted, shadows coiling around her body as she cheek glowed and faded, leaving the Heartless emblem in its wake, "Let me release from your pitiful existences."

-

Harry winced as he fell to the floor with a loud thump. All these years and he still hadn't gotten used to Port-key travel...

Wait... Port-key?! Harry thought disbelieving as he stared at the seemingly innocent looking locket in his hand. He hastily took in his surroundings, eyes widening when he realised exactly where he had been sent. Six glass chambers lined the walls, three to Harry's left and the other three to his right, and within each lay a single Princess.

Hesitantly, he took several steps forward, raising his hand to tap the thick glass casing lightly. Behind it, Princess Aurora remained silent, eyes shut and closed from the world around. Harry frowned to himself as he raised his wand. With a slight wave, he banished the glass. Thankfully, the Princess did not tip forward as soon as the glass was removed as he was afraid she was going to. Raising his left had once more, he pressed it lightly against her throat. To his relief, a steady pulse throbbed underneath his fingers. It was a little slow but nothing life-threatening. She wasn't dead, merely asleep.

Turning his attention to the other Princesses, he banished the glass coverings the trapped each off the Princesses. No sign of any injuries either... they were all going to be okay. If fact, Princess Aurora appeared to be stirring even now.

A low groan suddenly reverberated throughout the room, making Harry jump. He whipped his head around, eyes falling on the sliver of light that shone through the newly formed gap between two large wooden walls. Emerald eyes narrowed, wand tightly gripped in his hand, Harry made his way towards the door. Peeking through the crack, he could see a large room, the metal pipes lining the walls glinting under the bright glow of the heart-shaped portal in the middle of the room. Seeing nothing else, he gently eased the door open and stepped inside, his mind a little hazy as the glowing portal seemed to call out to him, drawing him near.

And as he stepped in front of the portal, Harry's eyes widened in realisation, Is that...?

"Yes, the path has emerged at last," a deep voice spoke up behind him. Harry spun around, wand raised as white-haired, dark-skinned man with eerie golden eyes stepped out from the shadows, cloaked in a thick, black robe.

"The Keyhole to the darkness..." Harry whispered tensely, eyes trained on the other man.

The man smiled, "However, the Keyhole will remain incomplete without the last Princess of Heart. So..." he raised the dark Keyblade in his hand, pointing it at Harry, "Come, my Princess," he beckoned, "Complete the Keyhole with your power. Open the door and lead me into everlasting darkness!"

-

Riku grunted as not for the first time, Kairi's spear came dangerously close to embedding itself in his head. The no longer cute little girl shrieked nonsense about power and darkness as she flew at them with an inhumane speed they could only just manage to dodge. Between that and fending off the relentless onslaught of Heartless, there was little time for them to attack the Heartless Kairi.

"You can't beat me!" Kairi laughed, "This is it! This power! Darkness... the true Darkness! Tell me: Who needs saving now?!"

"Hmm, still you," he suddenly heard Sora say and as he looked up, he watched in amazement as Sora darted forward just as fast as Kairi and slash deftly into the little girl, cleanly cleaving the arm that held the spear from the rest of her body.

"How is this possible?!" she screamed in agony, "How can you be this powerful?! It must be the Keyblade... You'd be nothing without the Keyblade!"

"No, you're wrong Kairi," Sora watched her writhing form sadly, "I don't need the Keyblade. I've got a better weapon. My heart."

"Your heart?" Kairi sneered, "What good will that weak little thing do for you?"

"Although my heart may be weak," Sora said, placing a hand upon his heart, "it's not alone. It's grown with each new experience, and it's found a home with all the friends I've made. I've become a part of their heart just as they've become a part of mine. And if beating you would keep them safe, then I'd win every time with or without the Keyblade. Now," he glared at her, "give us back, Harry."

Kairi giggled, her hair draped over her face, "Your heart," she repeated mockingly, "Friends," she hissed, "I don't need any of that!" she screamed as her body finally caved to the pressure and exploded. The room shook heavily, the floor cracking beneath their feet from the impact.

"Uh oh," Donald mumbled and then they fell.

-

Marluxia silently slipped through the shadowed corridors, swiftly making his way to the main chamber where he was certain his pet would soon appear in. His thoughts fell on the other darkly robed man and the plans in action concerning the emerald-eyed beauty, freezing him momentarily. What was this strange, unfamiliar feeling welling up in him?

A light frown crossed his face; so long had he been a Nobody he'd forgotten how to discern one emotion from another. In fact, he was amazed he was feeling anything at all. A Nobody did not have emotions, did not have feelings. A Nobody didn't have a heart.

And yet, here he was dealing with this unusual occurrence.

Could it be... jealously? He pondered thoughtfully. It seem the most relevant... and the most logical. For it couldn't be anything else, especially for one like him; one who had not felt concern for another even as a human...

Concern...

Marluxia leered, My, my... I certainly knew my pet was a special one but this... he let out a small giggle; now wasn't this interesting?

"Laughing to yourself?" an amused voice spoke up behind him, "You sure seem to have a lot of spare time..."

Marluxia turned, his lips curved into a sardonic smirk, "And what about you? To take time out of your busy schedule to come see little, ol' me... Well, I'm afraid to say my heart has been stolen by another," he said with a mock wistful tone.

Ansem gave a bark of laughter, "I see you haven't change a bit. No matter," golden eyes glinted, making Marluxia tense slightly though he did not show it, "It's all been accounted for in my original plan."

"And that means... what?" Marluxia drawled.

"I won't allow anyone tointerfere and so..." a wide, manic smile appeared on Ansem's face as shadows coiled around but even as he disappeared into nothingness, his voiced echoed throughout the corridor, "A parting gift, my friend."

A loud rumble and crumbling suddenly shook the corridor, bringing small bits of dirt and dust to rain down from the ceiling. Marluxia scowled as he brushed them off his hair and clothing irritably. Two softer thuds had his head spinning around, his scowl deepening further as he realised exactly what those two things were.

Two very unwelcome things.

One of which chose that same moment to look up at him and pin him with an icy glare, "Marluxia," Squall growled.

Said sakura-haired man sighed; it seems his pet will just have to wait a little longer...

-

Sora groaned, his body aching slightly from the impact of falling how ever much they had fallen. Blearily, he pried his eyes open, staring long and hard at the fuzzy image of red hair and pale skin before him, trying to force his muddled mind to work.

"Oh, Sora! You're awake!" a happy and strangely familiar voice called out.

And then he remembered. With a gasp, he scrambled backwards, Keyblade already raised in his right hand.

"What's wrong?" the girl stared at him in confusion.

Sora blinked, "...Kairi?" he said tentatively.

She smiled, "Sora."

"Kairi!" the brunette shouted happily, springing forward to pull her into a hug, "Kairi! It's you! It's really you, isn't it?!"

Kairi huffed, "Of course it's me, silly. Who else could I be?" she said, poking him in the side.

Sora grinned brightly at the petite girl in front of him, words escaping him for once in his life time. It was her... It really was her! His heart knew for certain.

To their side, Goofy glanced worriedly their silver-haired companion. Riku watched the reunion with a smile but there was no real happiness behind. Only sadness and resignation. Their eyes met for a moment but aquamarine eyes turned away immediately, his long fringe shielding his face from any watchers.

"But now isn't the time for this! You've got to hurry, Sora!" Kairi suddenly exclaimed.

"What?" Sora said, not understanding her meaning.

"It's Harry! He's in danger! You've got to help him!" she said urgently.

Sora's eyes widened; he hadn't expected to find the older teen so quickly, "Harry's here? Where is he?"

As soon as she pointed at the large wooden doors behind her, he jumped up and ran towards them. With a loud thump, the gave the doors a solid kick. They swung open and Sora was quick to step inside but... it seems he was too late.

"Complete the Keyhole with your power. Open the door and lead me into everlasting darkness!"

Sora could only watch in horror as Ansem drove a dark blade straight into Harry's chest.

"Harry!!"

For a moment nothing happened as if time itself had frozen but then a bright light shone from Harry's prone body. It was small at first but soon it engulfed the room with it's glow forcing them to shield their eyes. As soon as it appeared, however, it faded away as the echoing sound of a large explosion filled the room instead and before they knew it, they were blown back and knocked off their feet by a massive wave of energy that burst out from within the heart-shaped portal.

When the energy finally weakened, Sora slowly raised his head in time to see Ansem step up to the swirling portal.

"Ah... the Keyhole is finally complete," he said with a satisfied smirk. He turned his head slightly to glance at the prone body on the floor behind him, "You have served your purpose, Princess." And with that, the darkness reached out and swallowed him whole.

Sora struggled but he managed to heave himself up from the ground. With a brief glance to his side to reassure himself that the others were fine, he stumbled onward, coming to kneel beside the raven-haired teen.

"Harry?" he called out hesitantly at first before reaching to nudge the older teen, "Harry?" he called out again, louder this time but wavering slightly. He watched as Donald settled down on Harry's other side, giving his wand a firm wave.

Nothing happened.

He waved it a few more times, each time a little more desperately as the last. Eventually, he stoped, reaching out to take Harry's hand. And then... "I'm sorry, Sora," Donald said sadly.

Sora crawled closer, head bent over his body, hands fisted tightly into his shirt, No... this isn't happening... we only just fixed everything! This wasn't supposed to happen!"NO!!" He jumped up, Keyblade immediately appearing in his right hand and without another word, charged straight into the portal.

"Sora!"

-

Cloud jumped up before slamming his large blade into the spot where Marluxia stood only moments ago. The sakura-haired man was then forced to hastily duck awkwardly mid-jump as another blade sliced through the air above his head. Taking a few more small jumps back he took a second to analyse his opponents and grimaced mentally.

The blonde and the brunette eyed each, sending each other silent messages. One particular message stood out from the rest; I'll work with you... for now.

They contemplated their next action, trying to figure out a way to catch the sakura-haired man off-guard when a loud explosion rocked the corridor, raining down more dust particles reminiscent of before. They looked up into the direction of the explosion, grim looks crossing their faces as they prayed that it had nothing to do with Harry and the others.

If only they could be so lucky.

"Shit!"

Squall blinked at the blonde's sudden use of profanity, "What?"

"He's gone!" Cloud hissed angrily.

Squall's eyes widened, head whipping around; Marluxia was gone.

No more words needed to be exchanged as they sprinted through the darkened hallways of Hollow Bastion. It didn't take much thinking to guess where the assassin was headed; all they needed to do was run towards the source of the explosion. It felt like forever but finally, seven pairs of eyes turned to look at them in surprise when they smashed through the entrance.

"In there!" a red-haired little girl cried out urgently when she shook off the surprise, pointing to large wooden doors behind her. They instantly ran towards them and slammed the doors open but... like Sora, they were seconds too late.

For there was Marluxia, an unmoving Harry in his arms and a shadow portal at his back.

Marluxia smirked at them when he realised who had just entered, "Sorry we have to leave so soon," he cooed, "but it's been fun!" and then stepped through with Harry, the portal disappearing immediately.

"Shit!!"

-

"It is futile," Ansem choked with the last of his energy, "The Keyblade alone cannot seal the door to the darkness," unfocused eyes turned to door sitting innocently in the distance and then he shouted, "Kingdom Hearts! Fill me with the power of darkness!"

There was a loud creak and then slowly, but surely the door opened, thick black smoke seeping out from within.

Ansem smiled, "Supreme darkness," he said reverently, hand reaching out towards the darkness.

"You're wrong," Sora said firmly, "I know now... without a doubt... Kingdom Hearts... is light!!"

And suddenly a bright light shone out from behind the smoke illuminating the world around them.

Ansem gasped, "Lights? But why...?" No one had a chance to answer him as the light engulfed him and then, he was just gone.

"Come on!" Sora hurriedly gestured to the others and they rushed to close the door.

"Stop staring and keep pushing!" Donald scolded the still Goofy. He huffed, peeking around him to see what the other was staring at and gasped.

"The Heartless?!" Both Donald and Goofy cried at the same time.

"Hurry!" Sora cried but it was no use... the door refused to budge. What they needed was...

"Don't give up!" Riku suddenly shouted.

Sora gaped as he watched the silver-haired teen run to the other side of the door, "Riku-?!"

"Come on, Sora! Together we can do it!"

"But...!"

Suddenly another figure appeared behind Riku and began to cut through the approaching Heartless, "Close it quickly!" he shouted.

"Your Majesty!"

"Sora..."

The brunette turned to Riku, giving him his full attention even as the slid closer and closer to being shut completely.

"Sora, I'm sorry."

"Riku, what-?"

"I just... got so mad whenever you talked to or about someone else. I wanted to be the only one you thought about, the only one you cared about. So much that I stopped thinking before I said anything. And I know... I've said a lot of things that have upset you and that's something I never meant to do. I never wanted to be the one that made you sad, Sora, and I'm sorry. I just hope that maybe, maybe one day you'll forgive me..."

"Riku... I-"

"They're coming!" Donald cried urgently.

"W-wait..." Sora's voiced wavered, eyes wide, this isn't right...

"Sora," Riku stared deeply into his eyes, "I just want you to know... I love you."

And with one last shudder, the doors slid shut with a resounding thud.

"No... Riku! Wait!!" Sora shouted, fists slamming onto the door, "Don't go..." Why...?

All around them, the world began to shake and piece by piece, it shattered and broke apart.

And then everything was white.

Riku...

-

The walls, the floor and the ceiling began to shake once more but this time blocks of stone started to shift and break, showering them with something far more hazardous that dust and dirt.

And it didn't appear it was going to stop any time soon.

But before Squall and Cloud could even contemplate their next move, the air in front of them sparked, shifted and swirled and before they knew it they were staring into a shadow portal.

Squall narrowed his eyes at it before glancing to his right. Cloud turned and their eyes met.

"What?" Cloud quirked an eyebrow at him, "You scared?" he said, though both knew exactly why the other hadn't jumped through immediately; Where did it go? and Who made it? For all they knew, they might be jumping straight into a trap.

"Whatever," Squall dead-panned and then they both stepped into the portal.

For Harry.

-

Blue eyes stared out onto the open ocean, the sun just beginning to set on the distant horizon. The sound of the waves crashing onto the soft, cool sand and the light rustle of palm leaves reached her ears but for the first time in her life, she couldn't find the comfort it once brought her.

She doubted anything could at the moment.

"Kairi!"

She turned her head slightly, plastering the brightest smile she could as she greeted her friend, "Selphie," it fell a little flat.

Selphie faltered slightly at the not-quite-smile but was quick to regain her happy-go-lucky nature, "It's getting late. We better start heading back, Kairi."

Kairi silently turned back to the ocean, "I... think I'm going to stay here a little longer..."

Selphie bit her lip lightly, "But..."

"I'll be alright."

Selphie hesitated but nodded, "Alright... but don't stay too long, okay?"

Kairi didn't turn around as she nodded absent-mindedly.

Selphie stared at her friend a worryingly but eventually left to get her boat. Surely Kairi would talk about what was bothering her when she was ready... And if she didn't...

When the soft footsteps upon sand finally faded away, Kairi reached into her shirt and pulled out a pendant. It was in the shape of a small ring with a single star attached to the ring with a solitary rod and it was about the size of her thumb.

"Sora will no doubt eventually end up here but..." Kairi looked up at him quizzically as he reached for her hand, placing a small circular metal object in the palm of her hand, the chain slipping before dangling innocently on the side of her hand, "I want you to have this, just in case. It's a Port-key."

"A Port-key?"

Harry nodded, "I doubt anything will happen to you before the Door has been opened but if something happens and you're in danger, just read the words on it and it'll instantly take you to a safe place. It's a one-way trip though and only works once so choose carefully when you use it. Don't use it unless you absolutely have to."

Kairi nodded, peering curiously at the average looking necklace (that looked a tad too cute to belong to someone so serious as Harry), wondering how it worked. Along the rim of the ring were the words, "Per aspe-"

Harry hastily pressed his hand on her mouth, "Don't read it out aloud now," he said, looking at her in amusement and slight exasperation.

Kairi blushed slightly but nodded, "Thank you."

Harry shrugged... and then he was gone.

Gently she ran her finger across the carefully engraved words, thinking. A "safe place" he had said but where...?

Kairi shook her head; it didn't matter where it took her... as long as it gave her the chance to see her friends again. Sora, Riku, Harry... she never did get a last chance to say goodbye to them properly and now... now they were all gone. She couldn't even say for certain they were still alive...

No, no, no! She thought to herself fiercely, They're alive! And well! They have to be...

Blue eyes stared intensely at those four smalls words once more.

"Per aspera ad astra."

And then suddenly, the world swirled all around her before a strange force tugged harshly at her navel. She shut her eyes tightly, the spinning making her slightly nauseous. And then, as soon as it began, it ended and Kairi felt herself being dropped unceremoniously onto the floor.

"Fucking shit! You scared the hell out of me! Where the fuck did y- wait... Kairi?!"

The red-head took a deep breath to calm her rolling stomach before blinking up at the blonde man, a little alarmed, "Um... I'm sorry but... do I know you?"

-

Harry rolled over when a ray of sunlight hit his face. He wasn't ready to face the world yet, good weather or not. Nor was he willing to release the familiar warmth that washed over him. A warmth he hadn't felt for a long, long time...

Emerald eyes snapped over and he immediately sprang up into an upright position. Red curtains assaulted his senses except for the small gap where the sun came through. Shakily, he raised his hand into the gap and slowly widened it.

A red-head turned round to look at him, "'Bout time you woke up mate! Better hurry before you miss breakfast. And then we have Potions first," he said, wrinkly his nose in disgust before disappearing into the bathroom.

The soft squeak of the taps and the light pitter-pattering of water reached his ears but Harry didn't really hear it. His breathing became laboured and his chest tightened as the bright sun, the blue sky and the lush green pitch all glared mockingly back at him.

Hogwarts.

Retse: I'M DONE! Kufufufu... -happily clicks the 'complete' button- Only two sequels to write left... -sweatdrop-

Harry: hmm -- kidnapped... and dead? Seriously, how lame can you be? And 'kufufufu'? WTF?

Retse: -laughs carelessly, scratching back of head- Sorry, been obsessing over Katekyo Hitman Reborn! For the last couple of months... Think I might write a KHR/HP crossover too... Anyway, review please? Only 5 more to go to get to 100 :D thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank yooooooooooooou!!

Harry: hmm but you know, being dead has its perks

Retse: oh? Like what?

Harry: well, remember last time?

-insert wavy change-to-another-scene thingy (what are they called? I can't seem to think of the name at the moment...)-

Retse: p.s. I'm still losing to Cloud concerning the Squall/Harry shippy... Gah...! -whacks Cloud on the noggin- I wrote a separate fic for you damn it! Stop trying to come in between the two or at least be willing to share!

Cloud: -shrugs and snatches Harry away from Squall... well at least he attempts to but his arm goes through Harry- O.o

Squall: Get your own Strife -also attempts to grab Harry but his arm also goes through Harry- o.O

Ghost-Harry: :D heheh... see?

Retse: ...

per aspera ad astra – latin for through hardships to the stars