Hey everyone,
MAN, I HATE this chapter! And with that I mean the JK chapter, not what I can have my four favorite boys do while reading this chapter. Sorry, but the Dursleys will always be on my list of most hated HP characters and the whole thing with them meeting Hagrid – even with Hagrid being who he is – doesn't help matters.
Now, there will be more KH magic in this chapter, I might have Sora summon another person that is on his list of able summons, but whatever happens, I will try to ignore the Dursleys as much as I can, other than Sirius writing a report on everything they do wrong for the sake of the Order and Dumbledore, of course.
Also, I want to apologize to you all, this chapter will still have the whole PS – Chapter 04, Page 50 – PS stuff in it. I didn't think that would happen, but apparently I edited this chapter in a separate document before merging it with the main story, which is the opposite of how I usually write these chapters. I will still try to make sure the reactions of the characters make sense.
Enjoy,
Venquine1990
Chapter 14
A Lion's Strength
28th of January 1996
Destiny's Haven
Harry's POV
"Dumbledore not reading along?" I ask my father as he and Riku come into the Viewing Room where Sora and I decided to wait, but dad shakes his head and says: "No, Lady Destiny took him back to Hogwarts after we were done talking, though Riku did show us a little bit of magic from the other Universe before he left."
This makes me a little jealous of my dad and the headmaster, but then I see something that confuses me as I see Riku popping a small blue cube that seems to have some kind of illuminating core within it into his mouth and while I look at the boy, does Sora say: "That's an Ether. We eat those when we want to replenish our magic."
At this dad and I share an incredulous look as I know that such things don't exist in our world, which is kind of ironic seeing we live in a world where magic is as regular to our people as breathing or taking a bite to eat, before dad asks: "So, what's next chapter like? Any good?" But to this I shrug and loftily answer:
"I think it's more a bit of half and half. It does have Hagrid in it and he's always good for a laugh, but – well –." To this the man nods, the slightly neutral atmosphere around us turns somber as the man says: "They're still there." And I nod before we all move out of the large room with four seats and then into the reading room.
Only once we get in there, do Riku and Sora share a glance before Riku asks: "Sirius, would you be against it if we go and split the time we have here? Like for every book we read, we watch one of our adventure movies?" To this dad shrugs and I feel like smiling as I have been wondering about my brother's life since meeting him.
Then dad picks up the book again, having put a bookmark on the page of the newest chapter before he had put it down to cut Sora's birthday cake and have dinner and he asks: "So, who should read this?" And I sigh as I say: "As little as I still care for them, do I know us well enough to know we are too close to mum and Lily for it."
Dad nods and then Riku takes the book from him as he says: "I'll read. I've learned long ago how to suppress the darker emotions in my heart and how to turn them into forms of light." And while I feel proud of my brother's Veela mate, do I sit closer to my dad while Sora snuggles into Riku's side as the silver-haired boy starts to read.
The Keeper Of Keys
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To this, to my shock, does dad pull out a roll of parchment and a self-inking quill and when I look at him, does he say: "I promised Albus I will put down everything I consider dangerous to you, whether done by the Muggles or otherwise." And while feeling touched for how protective the man is, do I listen to Riku's reading.
Yet before he can continue, do we all notice Sora looking thoughtful and he says: "I don't know if this counts, but – I met someone. Someone who actually knows how to handle both a gun and a sword and is really good with both.""He has experience?" Dad asks and Sora nods as he says: "Used it to keep me safe during my first adventure." Dad nods in relief at this and Riku reads on.
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To this dad cringes and says: "If I didn't already know of the state of that actual building and the person who did that, I would have worried about whether or not that person would have been able to hurt you while there." And while this obviously catches the interest of my brother and his boyfriend, does Riku then read on.
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"He reminds me of Beast, right Riku?" Sora then asks, my heart beating in excitement at the thought of meeting that proud monster and the teen thinks of this for a minute before he mutters: "Big and scary looking, but with a good heart?" I nod as that description is just perfect for Hagrid and while the silver-haired boy smiles does he say: "Yeah, he does sound like Beast." Before he reads on.
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"You think he would still say that now that my Glamour has been removed?" I then ask my dad and the man looks at me as he says: "You definitely have your own eyes, eyebrow and eyelashes now, not the color, but definitely the shape, but in all other ways you are definitely a great mix of your mum and me, absolutely."
To this the other two nod and then Sora says: "To be honest, did I really wonder how people could not realize that you were under glamour when I compared the two looks after seeing your new ones for the first time. I mean, you had so much more mum than aunt Lily, it just amazed me." To this I have to give him right and dad says:
"To be honest, was the fact that Harry looked so much like James really his work as he did want to keep the secret, but he didn't want there to be a chance for me to ever forget that Harry was actually mine, so he kept Lily's looks in Harry's glamour to a low level." This makes me admire my mum even more and Riku reads on.
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"That reminds me, dad. Say we all get the chance to go back to your world, where will we be staying?" This makes me look at dad worriedly as he knows just fine what I actually think of London after learning of all this and the man sighs before he smiles and says: "Don't worry about it, Sora, I got that covered."
This makes me raise my eyebrow at him and then Riku asks: "Do you mean that message the professor gave you? The one of something having been brought back to Base?" To this I look at dad, who looks a little conflicted and he says: "Let's wait till Harry reaches Gringotts, I'll explain then." We all nod and Riku reads on.
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This makes dad chuckle and he says: "Molly would have definitely snapped at you for that one, but I can get where you're coming from. You've been through a lot that week and to suddenly meet a stranger who does what even your relatives don't. Yeah, I'd say the same." Yet this doesn't amuse me and I softly say:
"Dad, with everything I now know, don't ever expect me to listen to Molly Weasley ever again. I will respect her to a certain level, but don't expect me to ever listen to her and her ways of life again." And while it's obvious that dad knows exactly why I am asking this of him, does he still nod at me to show his acceptance as Sora asks:
"Why? What happened?" And while I can tell that dad would rather not talk about that blasted day, proving me that Molly Weasley hasn't bettered her behavior to him since, do I say: "Let's just say that she made a comment that, depending on how you interpret it, can be considered to have the worst hidden meaning ever."
The two look at each other and I hiss: "It's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked up in Azkaban, hasn't it? As if dad chose prison over me. He made one mistake and she thinks she can go and blame the following mistake, made by authority figures, on him in an argument. As if he chose prison."
And then, just because this little issue has been bothering me from deep within ever since it came up, do I then use a more cynical tone to my voice and say: "Oh no, it can't be the fault of Crouch Senior or even the Minister, they work for the Ministry. They do everything right. No, it's all his fault. He's to blame, nobody else.
Rotten hypocrite." I then hiss at the end, not really noticing how my voice has gotten a feline growl added to the undertone and then Riku asks: "Wait, how did such a mistake make you end up in prison?" To this I groan and roll my eyes as dad says: "I got framed for crimes I didn't commit, Riku, that's how."
And while Sora and Riku share a shocked look over this, do I growl: "And that while Veritaserum is a thing, let alone truth spells and whatnot." And at this it seems as if dad is sick of seeing me looking so angry and gloomy as he hugs me close before he asks: "Sora, would you mind summoning that little deer again?"
To this Sora looks from his boyfriend to dad and then to me and then he smiles as he says: "I could – or I could summon another friend of mine, if you want me to.""You can summon other creatures other than the little deer?" I ask, feeling my anger at the woman get replaced with eager anticipation and Sora smiles as he says:
"Sure, want to see?""Will you need an Ether before doing this?" Dad asks with concern edged to his voice, but Sora shakes his head as he says: "I might need two or three after, but else I'm good." And with that, does he stand up and summon his incredible weapon to him again before moving away from the reading circle.
At a certain angle away, does he take the blade in both hands before he thrusts it in front of him and twists it to the side before moving it in an arch from his right foot to his left him and then above him, the tip of his blade starting to glow with green and white lights before a whole array of white lights and stars shine around him.
In two stripes of light that spin around him from all sides and intercept each other at certain points do these beams of light grow higher and higher, until they create a plain of light and clouds, from which an actual lion with large rust colored main and who has yellow-orange colored fur over most of his body as well as orange eyes.
The lion bends forward before he roars with strength and while we are still in the room, could I have sworn that I was somehow transported to a large African Plain on which a gigantic rock formation was build, the lion standing at the very front of the rock as he roars to the skies before coming to stand besides my older brother.
And then something happens that I would have never believed if I hadn't heard it with my own two ears. "Hey Sora, long time no see." Comes from the lion, his voice strong and filled with happiness, proving this isn't the first time Sora has summoned the great beast, whose form actually represents my own House at Hogwarts.
"I've seen everything." Dad then says and this draws the attention of the lion to us, his head titled as Sora says: "Simba, these are my actual father Sirius and my younger brother, Harry. I met them yesterday when I found out that I had been sent to my world by Lady Magic on the very day I had actually been born.
Dad, Harry, this is Simba. And before you ask, his world is all animals. I even turn into one when I come and visit." This shocks me even more, though the name Simba rings a strangely familiar bell and dad asks: "You – you – you turn – into an animal?" To which the lion apparently decides to ease the tension as he says:
"Yeah, Sora turns into a little lion cub. Donald turns into a Tropical bird that can actually fly and Goofy becomes a tortoise." At this I can't help but shake my head and Sora asks: "You okay?" To which I shrug and say: "I don't know. Something about those names sounds familiar. I guess they're more Disney characters, but I must've never seen their movies." To which Sora smiles and says:
"Donald and Goofy are my closest friends, next to Kairi and my Riku. In fact, I wouldn't have gotten half as far in any of my journeys without them. Though I will swear to this day, I wouldn't have survived most of my journey or gotten anywhere, if we didn't have you, Riku." This really worries me and dad also looks at the two in concern.
"Don't worry, I will never let anything happen to Sora." Riku says and Sora returns to his side, does the silver-haired boy also pull my brother close as he mutters: "So what kind of lion do you become anyway? With any recognizable features I should know about?" And the blush on Sora's face says it all before Simba makes it worse as he says:
"Sora becomes a cub when he visits. Around my size when I was one, but then with ashy brown fur everywhere, bar around his toes, belly and the area around his mouth. Those turn a very light shade of grey. He also grows this one small tuft of brown hair at the top of his head that looks really messy, kind of like it looks now."
Yet while the lion lies down and has his eyes closed as he talks, does he not notice how Sora turns even more red the longer the lion speaks, which for me is kind of helpful with the fact that I am getting used to a talking lion and while I can only imagine how the others at Gryffindor would respond to this, does Riku snicker as he says:
"Then I guess when we get out of here, we need to make a trip to the Pride Lands. I can't wait to see that form of yours." And while Sora turns even worse, does dad apparently decide to help his son out as he asks: "Who says you won't turn into a lion cub yourself?" And while Sora shoots him a grateful look, does Riku read on.
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This instantly alerts the lion, but I rush over and say: "Don't worry, it was under control. It was in a small located area with only the area itself being dry enough for the fire to burn at. Everything else was too wet for the fire to spread." The lion lies back down as he hears this and I position myself near him as Riku reads on.
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"The beings in your world sure sound interesting." The lion mumbles and only then do I notice how I have started softly petting his long rusty-colored mane and while I smile at the large dominant looking creature, do I say: "Just wait, you'll be changing your mind on that before the chapter's over." Yet I continue petting as Riku reads on.
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"How fat are we talking here?" The lion asks and I wonder how much longer he will have interest in the Muggles, does Sora answer: "Water buffalo size." To which Simba looks shocked and I think: "And that's if you compare it to African animals, though Elephant would have been better." Before Riku reads on.
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"What's that? Something like Pumbaa?" The lion asks and while I share a confused look with Sora, does the boy shake his head and say: "It's the place where my brother and dad learned how to use their forms of magic.""Then why is it called something that sounds like warthog?" Simba asks, to which Sirius and I share a shocked glance.
Yet the more I think about it, the more I have to give the lion besides me right and this slowly but surely makes humor rise inside of me and before I know it are both dad and I laughing our asses of, me mostly imagining how people like Snape and Umbridge will respond when they get confronted with facts like this.
The idea of the ever-proud Head of Slytherin and the so-called Undersecretary of the Minister realizing that they are working for a school whose name resembles the name of a very disgusting animal makes me feel as if the two are getting their just desserts for everything they have done to me all these years.
Yet then I realize why Simba asked about Hogwarts and Pumbaa and I shout: "THAT'S WHERE I HEARD IT!" Everyone looks at me shocked and I say: "When I was seven, the class watched movies and one of them was about a lion that lost his father as a cub, fled his land, met two other animals and then became king."
This seems to shock Sora and Simba more than the others, yet this only further confirms my theory and I turn to the lion as I say: "That's why your name sounded so familiar. You're that little cub. You're the Lion King, one of the movies I watched all those years ago." And the wide eyes that remain prove my theory.
"Does – does mean that – that you watched movies about – about Sora and – and Riku as well?" Dad then asks, but I shake my head and say: "No, but Disney made hundreds of movies since 1926, so there is a chance that there are movies starring them. Also the movies, according to multiple theorists, have their locations based on various countries across our world, so I guess Disney thought it too hard to make those movies and have Sora and Riku be the link to connect them all.
Either that or he believed that excluding them could help him create his own stories based off of what he was seeing them do." And this is answered by a powerful voice of Lady Destiny, who says: "My dear sweet Harry, how close you are to understanding it all. Just allow me to give you a hint. You four will be the only ones who will ever see Sora on film, but his story will be on screen in the years to come, after the passing of this millennium."
The others look confused at this, but I gasp and say: "Oh, she means that you'll become a video game, Sora." The boy looks shocked, but then laughs and says: "Well, that wouldn't be a first for me." confusing me before he says: "During my final journey, I entered this world where my form was based off of a video game character. I even got sucked into the game itself." My eyes widen at this as my mind tries to come up with potential movies based off of this.
"Wreck-it-Ralph, perhaps, or Toy Story. Definitely one of the two." I think as the lion goes and lies his head back onto his paws as he had raised it up in shock after I had shouted my revelation and while the others also go and calm down, does dad send me a questioning look, but I shake my head and shrug, the man smiling and nodding at my silent message, before Riku reads on.
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This again draws the attention of the lion and Sora answers: "That's like planning how to go hunting. How many lionesses would be needed to take down this animal, how many are needed to hunt down that animal. Things like that." The noble creature lying down next to me nods and while I happily cuddle closer, does Riku read on.
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"Didn't you just say that you never left your world?" Simba asks in confusion and I answer: "It's more that the Magical World where I should have been raised in hides itself inside the Muggle world." To which Sora goes on: "It's like the Elephant Graveyard, Pride Rock and the Savannah surrounding the Pride Lands."
And while I wonder how my little brother knows so well of how to compare my world to that of the being lying next to me, does the noble animal himself seem to understand and then Riku asks: "How often did you visit that world anyway?" And Sora's answer of: "Only twice, really." Shocks us before Riku continues his reading.
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This alone angers me enough to stop my petting as my hand grips itself into the mane of the lion, Simba noticing this instantly as he looks up at me, but then he notices my dad shaking his head in a silent message and the lion nods before he nudges himself closer to me and while I lean closer against him, does Riku read on.
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Riku growls at this, but then I see Sora swallow down a few of those so-called Ethers and when Riku notices this as well, does Sora say: "I can feel the time limit that I have for keeping Simba here coming to an end, but Harry seems to take comfort out of him, so I took the ethers to keep him here a little longer. Sorry, Simba."
Yet the lion shakes his head and then smiles at me, yet by this time have I – for reasons I cannot really understand – moved to cuddle up to his side and then dad answers the mystery and he says: "I should have known." We all look at him and he says: "Harry is a Potter-Kitsune. Therefore, he feels closely attached to feline creatures.
It's his own inner magical feline that calls out to a dominant feline like Simba does. He'll probably do the same to Lea, especially seeing Lea's own mane of hair." And while Sora and Riku laugh at the little jibe, do I just shrug, feeling content to know why I feel so comfortable with the powerful being before Riku reads on.
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"They sure are specific." The lion softly mutters and I respond: "You know, I can't help but wonder. If all of this had happened during summer, do you think the letters would have reached us even here?" To this the others hum and then dad says: "I'm sure Lady Destiny would have taken care of that." And we all nod as Riku reads on.
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And then, as if the question is asked by me instead of a reading Riku, does Hedwig fly in, the beautiful owl making me smile, while I also send a worried glance at Simba, yet the lion seems too entranced by how beautiful my owl looks and even remains lying down after she lands on the backrest of my dad's chair before Riku reads on
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"You could actually read all of that while upside down?" Dad asks and I nod as I say: "I know it's rude and all, but he was just so big and his friendliness to me and the way he made the Dursleys cower just really made me interested in all he was doing." And while my dad smiles at my admonition, does he also nod as Riku reads on.
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At this I turn thoughtful as I had always cared deeply for Hermione and her growing issues regarding her and her parents and when the others notice this, do I say: "I just wonder something. Muggles have learned to develop phones that are mobile enough you can put them in your pocket and take them with you on the road.
I just wonder if, regardless of the Anti-Muggle wards that have surrounded Hogwarts for all these years, these mobile phones are small in size and electrical use enough to be used at Hogwarts. If they were, it would definitely improve relations, both between Houses as well as between Muggleborns and their parents."
The others look shocked and then Sirius says: "Could be worth a try. I mean, maybe we can get a mobile phone for here and say, give Hermione one?" I nod at this and then Hedwig proves her worth as she flies in and out of the Viewing room and returns to me with a roll of parchment and quill in her talons and an ink bottle in her beak.
I catch the items as she drops them and while leaning my back comfortably against Simba's side, do I write this new idea down, hoping to put it to action sometime soon – though personally I also write a little side note of finding out if Lea has a mobile phone as well – and while I blush as I put the roll away, does Riku continue reading.
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At this something happens that actually makes me laugh as Sirius snorts in a dog-like fashion while Hedwig hoots in admonishment and Simba actually growls in anger – all at the same time. Sora and Riku also laugh as they notice this and after Sirius and Simba share a glance of pride over having made us laugh, does Riku read on.
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"She sounds like Scar." Simba then suddenly growls and for some reason do I feel the need to growl back at him, yet I suppress this and instead focus on what I remember of the movie I watched so long ago as I mutter: "Your father's brother. He – he killed your father, but tried lying the blame with you to make you flee the Pride Lands."
The lion nods and says: "I will never forgive him for that. He not only killed my father, but he told the pride that I had been killed as well and then went even further by ruining all that my father had worked so hard to maintain. All because of his own callous pride." And while the lion continues growling softly, does Riku read on.
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By now Simba has begun to growl more and more, obviously angered that someone could speak of the dead in such a heartless manner, yet the angrier the lion gets, the more I feel the indescribable need to growl back and actually challenge him for something and while I feel something magical stirring within me, do I listen as Riku reads.
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And that seems to do it, that one paragraph seems to break the so-called camel's back as Simba rears up from where he was lying, yet at the same time, as I see the lion's anger reach its peak, do I feel the magical power that was stirring within me break free and course through my every vein and bone as well, changing me.
My wavy russet colored hair turns into a mane that is much wilder than Simba's my whole body slims down and lengthens to such an extend I can no longer hold myself up on two legs and fall to all fours, yet my hands turn into seal-brown colored paws, the claws already extended and razor sharp, obviously ready for battle.
My face, however, doesn't change other than the fact that I feel my teeth change to fangs and feel my eyesight sharpen and turn even better than before, yet none of this matters as I just growl and snarl at the shocked male lion before me, having moved my new lean body in such a way I am now blocking him from the others.
"That was to be expected." I hear dad say, yet I don't really attention to that as my instincts are screaming at me to fight and beat this male lion if only to make sure he knows not to harm or threaten my pride and while I notice how my pack cub brother Sora takes another few Ethers, does dad continue and say:
"Harry, thanks to being both a Potter and a Kitsune, is a feline like magical, yet he is also the only of us to be such. Also, his specie often live in prides and Simba is from a distant pride, while Harry has already accepted the three of us in his pride. To then hear Simba get this angry is like a threat to his pride and because Harry is protective by heart, does his feline feel the need to fight."
To this Simba looks at my dad, yet this makes me instinctively snarl at him in ferocious anger and while the Lion looks back at me, does dad say: "You can make him recognize you as Alpha, Simba, but seeing what I know of Harry, you will have to beat him in battle to have that happen. And even then I doubt it."
To this the lion nods and then seems to change his whole persona from a friendly possible threat to an angry predator who is obviously used to getting his way, yet this fact only further spikes up the inferno that is my feline magical anger and while we circle each other for some time, do I ignore his growling warnings to accept him just like that.
"Not a chance, Lion King." Goes through my mind and I make sure to snarl this message at him, which makes the beast rise up to the challenge and attempt the first strike, however it seems my seeker reflexes have merged with my feline self and I dodge the attack effortlessly before moving in for one of my own.
Simba evades this one as well and like this we circle and try to surround the other for several minutes, snarling insults at each other through the feline tongue and trying to edge the other into another attack, Simba seemingly much easier tempted into this than I am, yet then, after half an hour the lion, makes the mistake of a lifetime.
"You may think you're alpha, but Sora is already part of my pride, so just give up already." The lion growls and this alone makes me see red, my anger fueling my every reflex, nerve and muscle and making me move so quickly, Simba is on his back with me pushing my full weight against his before he realizes it.
The others shake their heads in shock at how quickly I suddenly dominated the male lion and I snarl: "SORA BELONGS TO MY PRIDE, NOW SUBMIT!" And the fact that I snarled this with my jaw wide open and my fangs showing for the world to see makes the lion gulp before he moves his head back in a submissive gesture.
This gesture does indeed calm my anger and I snarl at him one last time, snarling: "Good." Before I move off of him and growl as a sign he better behave while around me before I move back, the feline within me having calmed down and thus allowing for my body to slowly change back to that of my human self as I walk.
Sora and Riku are wide-eyed as they see me change and Riku asks: "Do you think Lea will have to do the same?" But dad shakes his head and says: "I have no doubt that Harry's inner Kitsune has already accepted Lea as part of the pack, maybe even Alpha. He's just the only feline around, so his instincts are a little mixed."
The two nod and then suddenly I feel someone slightly pushing me in the hip and when I look down, does Simba ask: "Did you see my weakness to the rolling attack in that movie as well?" And only then do I remember that this did indeed make Nala beat Simba in the movie twice, before I say: "No, I just couldn't stand that comment of yours."
The Lion nods and then lies himself down again, however this time he lies a little further away from the two couches and while I really want to go back and cuddle with the large cat, do I feel my inner Kitsune still has some doubts about his trustworthiness and while I send him a guilty look, do I then turn to Sora and say:
"Sora, send him back, it's okay." The lion looks up and I return him my guilty look, yet the beast seems to understand my reasons and nods with a smile on his muzzle before Sora breaths out and the sigh allows for lights to shine around the big cat before he and the lights and stars disappear, Sora sagging against Riku as they do.
"Something tells me you should have been having some ethers as well as potions, Sora." Riku then says and Sora nods, before actually pulling a small bottle that has crescent shaped handles on each side and a small green star at the front from his pocket and while the bottle has no cork or lid, does Sora put it to his mouth and drink.
Slowly I see the star fade from the bottle and when Sora stops drinking, does he seem revitalized and is the star completely gone before, to my shock, the bottle also vanishes and while I wonder where it went, does dad ask: "Is that the only kind of potion you guys use?" The two nod and while Sora leans against Riku, does Riku read on.
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"Which is something I would love to put a stop to once we get back. I mean, it was just mum, Aunt Lily, Voldemort and me that night, so how everyone else knows what happens is just beyond me and I would love to make people realize how wrong they are to assume things without looking into all the facts – like they usually do."
I grumble at the end, knowing I am just as guilty of that, especially in the year we are reading about and the year after that and yet, while I say this, do I see something that confuses me as a look of unease flick across my dad's face, yet before I can take a closer look at the man, does the look vanish and does Riku read on.
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"If it were up to them, I wouldn't have gone at all. Though I will be honest, there have definitely been times this year where I wish I had listened to them. No, I never want to return to them or live in the Muggle world with them, don't think that, I just had sometimes this year where I'd rather be expelled from Hogwarts than at Hogwarts."
I mutter at the end, feeling just like I did the day before my friends and I returned from our Christmas celebrations at London and while Sora and Riku look at me in worry over what made me feel like that, does dad pull me close against him, his face a visage of care and concern which makes me smile at him gratefully as Riku reads on.
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"Wow, he sounds like Ansem did when we had our first journey. Or at least like how Riku described Ansem and Maleficent during that year." Sora says and while Riku seems conflicted about something, does he nod with his boyfriend and while Sora responds to this by cuddling closer with his boyfriend, does Riku read on.
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"This all reminds me of Radiant Garden and Traverse town, right Riku? Maleficent and Xehanort team together, Xehanort having already turned into Ansem and whatnot, and they turn Radiant Garden into Hollow Bastion, forcing Leon and the others to flee to Traverse Town, the only place that, while filled with Heartless, was still safe."
Sora then says, his gaze as he looks at the book that Riku reads from proving how entranced he is with the tale and while Riku nods at his boyfriend, do my dad and I share a worried look as we suddenly think the same thing: "How many worlds has Sora travelled to?" And while we both wonder over this same question, does Riku read on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 59 – PS
"Actually, it was more the bond between James and I that kept them from wanting to join the Dark Side, mostly because my dear old mum had been using all kinds of Dark Arts in my youth long before Voldemort even made his first move in the war. They were so angered with how she did that to me, that they rejected that form of magic."
Dad says and this alone worries me as Riku asks: "What kind of Dark Arts?" To which I can't help but ask: "Not –?" But dad quickly shakes his head and says: "No, as crazy as she was, even she was not stupid enough to use those. However, family spells that had almost similar effects – they were her favorites for during punishment time."
And while this makes my eyes wide and my heart miss a beat, do I feel my worry and concern for my dad grow as he mutters the last two words with fear clouding his voice before he shudders violently and I instantly cling to him, trying to help him stop the shuddering with my comforting hold and the man calms down before he mutters:
"I thought they helped me grow past that." But then I whisper: "After a year of staying there? It would cause a recap with anyone." And while the man thins his lips, does he also nod in agreement before Sora asks: "Wait, you're staying with that awful woman – again?" But I shake my head and while I keep my hold on dad, do I say:
"Dad has reasons that he can't go and stroll through the open street, not the Muggle, not the Magical. So to protect him, Dumbledore decided he should stay at the same place they are holding a top-secret Organization. Only, that same place is indeed dad's old home – with his mum now a living portrait in the middle of the hallway."
This shocks the two, but then something happens and from the corner of my eye do I see it happen, making me shout: "DUCK!" And while Riku pushes Sora to the ground, do I do the same with dad, yet when the burst of flames passes us, does their lack of heat and the pain that is supposed to come off them make me realize something.
"They're fake." I whisper and then I hear a very familiar shriek, one that makes dad clap his hands over his ears as I look up and to my shock, do I see a perfect copy of Walburga Black's portrait go up in flames, the portrait itself just as real as the flames, yet the look in her eyes as she burns proves me one thing;
Whoever killed her has earned her scorn and hatred as much as dad has. Yet this thought passes through my mind only fleetingly before I turn my face to my dad, a large smile growing on my face as I whisper: "She's gone, dad. This time, she's gone for good." And while dad looks ready to cheer his lungs out, do we all get back up.
"Was that Lea just now?" Sora asks, but Riku shakes his head and say: "The flames were much too wild for that. Lea has much better control over the element for that to have been his flames even when he is angry at something." And while Sora nods in agreement and we all retake our seats, does Riku dust off the book and read on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 59 & 60 – PS
At this we all lower our heads, yet before he does so, do I see that same look of uneasiness fleet over my dad's face and while I can't help but wonder why, do I suddenly remember something; dad promised to explain something about something being brought back to Base when book me reaches Gringotts.
"But – what does this have to do with – wait a minute. Veela can't survive without their mates, nor can their mates survive without Veela. So if something had happened to Sora, Riku would have died a year later. So, how is it that dad is still alive when mum died 14 years ago?" And with those questions, do I listen to Riku's reading.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 60 – PS
This makes Riku lie the book on his lap with a frown on his face and he then looks up and his eyes instantly search out the scar on my forehead, me deciding to just help the boy out with whatever it could be that bothers him by brushing my fringe away from the scar and Riku stands up to move over for a closer look.
This, even though it is the boyfriend of my newfound older brother, still makes me feel quite uneasy, just like it does when anyone else looks at it and then, while he shocks me as he summons his Keyblade with one hand, does he softly move his other hand over to rub only two of his fingers over the shape of my scar.
And to my great worry, does this seem to cause something either within my scar or within Riku himself as the boy's frown turns even more worried before he whispers: "Darkness. There is actually Darkness coming off this scar of yours. I can't believe I didn't smell it before now." To which we look at him and he says:
"I've been able to smell Darkness since I was fifteen. Yours definitely has a strong scent to it, but it almost seems as if another scent, which I can only assume is your Kitsune scent or maybe the smell of your actual magic, is suppressing it. However, if you and Sirius are okay with it, I would like to take a closer at it at a later time."
"How would you do that?" Dad asks, while I feel pure fear grip at my heart over the fact that there is actually a powerful source of darkness stuck to my scar, maybe embedded into the skin of my very scar and then Sora answers: "Riku learned to enter someone's heart just last year. He can find this Darkness if he does so and destroy it."
This makes me look at my brother's boyfriend in amazement and shock and the boy turns a little red before he says: "I can't say for sure if the Darkness has attached itself to Harry's heart just yet, it seems as if his Kitsune form or his magic is still keeping the darkness at bay, but it should at the least help me take a closer look."
To this we all nod, Sora's face proving he trusts Riku to get the job done no matter what and while this trust in the boyfriend of my brother makes me feel a little better about the whole situation, do the two boys then return to their seat and while I feel confident that this Darkness might not be part of me for much longer, does Riku read on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 60 – PS
This, while it seems to remind both Sora and Riku of something dark and dangerous that they themselves encountered in their past, also makes dad pull me closer with a look of great concern showing on his face and while I cherish the feeling of warm comfort that my dad's hug gives me, do I listen as Riku reads on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 60 & 61 – PS
By this time does Riku's voice actually scare me as it sounds so soft and still so deadly I almost feel as I am hearing Voldemort whispering in my ear while the effects that are caused by Dementors seem to have fallen across the room, but then suddenly I notice how I am not the only one feeling like this, which makes me shout:
"RIKU, STOP IT!" The boy looks up shocked, yet I ignore this as I hug dad as close as I can, trying to convey to him through my hug that he is not at Azkaban or around the Dementors and it seems as if the others instantly realize what is going on as Sora instantly aims his Keyblade for the fireplace and shouts: "Firaga!"
Causing for a large burst of flames, that looks similar to the flames that apparently burned the portrait of my supposed grandmother, to shoot into the fireplace and cause for the fireplace to burst into life with a large burst of flames, the fire instantly warming the entire room just like they did with the hut all those years ago.
This instantly seems to draw dad out of his fearful state of mind and while he releases a deep breath to let go off his fear, do I keep my hold on him, looking at him worriedly until the man smiles at me and returns the hug, mouthing to Sora and Riku the word Later to which the two nod before Sora dismisses his weapon and Riku reads on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 61 – PS
This makes Sora and Riku share a worried look that has a strong hint of dark experience lingering in the look they share, which makes me ask: "Are – are you guys okay?" To which Sora turns back to us and with a worried voice, says: "It's just – the more we hear of this Voldemort guy, the more he reminds us of Master Xehanort."
"Who is that?" And Riku says: "He's practically the core bastard who caused all of our adventures, as well as all the pain and hardship that our friends went through. It took us until just half a year ago before we were able to destroy him. And to be honest, are we all still sometimes suffering from after-effects from the final battle from time to time."
This makes me share a worried look with dad, but then Destiny's voice sounds and says: "That, my dears, is just another reason as to why I brought you all here. So that you may heal from the similar forms of Darkness, without needing to be confronted with either one directly, even if only one of them still exists." And this makes Riku read on, feeling relieved.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 62 – PS
This makes both my little brother and his boyfriend look at me, but I shake my head and say: "I did hear a theory, but I'm not sure if I should put any belief behind it, seeing what I know since yesterday." The two nod, their expressions still curious, even if Riku also still looks concerned for my scar before he reads on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 62 – PS
"You know, I think we should have those three move to District two or three of Traverse Town." Sora suddenly says, confusing me before Riku asks: "Sora, you – you do know what happens to people there, right?" And Sora answers: "Yeah, that's why I said it. Easy way to take them out and make them pay at the same time."
And while dad and I share a shocked look at this, does Riku release some silent snickers before he says: "Maybe once we've let society and those that care for your little brother as much as your dad does deal with them. But only to make sure they don't try anything worse." And while I wonder what they mean, does Riku read on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 62 & 63 – PS
Yet while the previous paragraphs had made a lot of happiness be felt through the room, does my mood sour at the mention of my fame and while the others notice this, do I think: "Famous for all the wrong reasons, but at least I have my dad back." And while that thought slightly cheers me up, do I listen as Riku reads on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 63 – PS
This makes both me – like I had wanted to do back then, had I known what I do now – as well as my dad hit ourselves on the head and Sirius mutters: "Insulting Dumbledore in front of Hagrid? That's like insulting Purebloods in front of my mum. Big mistake, really big mistake." And I nod in concord as Riku reads on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 64 – PS
This shocks the other three and makes me want to burst out laughing just like I wanted to back at that night, but dad's face turns angry and to my shock, does he actually write it down, just like he has been writing several other things down over the course of the reading and when he sees my shocked look, does he say:
"Hagrid was fully in the right to punish the Dursleys for that insult, but he had no right to punish a child for his father's actions. He did the same thing there as what Snape has been doing with you all these years." And while it shocks me senseless, do I hate myself for having to agree with my father before Riku reads on.
PS – Chapter 04, Page 64 & 65 – PS
And with that does Riku mark the page and close the book, before a light coming from dad's parchment shocks us and when it disappears, do dad's eyes widen as he says: "It seems that at the end of every chapter, my reports get copied and my parchment gets blanked. I guess the words themselves go to Dumbledore."
And we all nod before I ask: "Sora, may I ask. How many worlds have you visited all these years?" Yet Sora laughs and asks: "Are you seriously asking me that?" I nod and then the boy makes me almost fall off my chair as he laughs and says: "I don't know, a good thirty or so. Maybe even more, I think." Shocking me senseless.
Yet while this shocks me, did I also notice how my dad had tensed when he noticed that Riku was done with the chapter and while I know for sure that next chapter will be about my visit to Gringotts, can I not help but remember my earlier thoughts about the man, his Veela heritage and his years of survival – while supposedly mateless.
"Has dad known that mum was, quite possibly, alive all this time? Or did he just believe that some kind of magic linked him to me and Sora instead of to mum? Did he even wonder how he ever survived the Halloween after my mum supposedly got murdered? And – where is mum anyway? Is he – at London?"
Hey everyone,
WOW! Sirius hasn't even revealed it yet and already Harry is onto him. Though I will admit that I did so out of selfish reasons as I just can't stand writing about Sirius worrying over his son's reactions to James being alive and the fact that he will get the peace of heart that Harry already had suspicions just helps me.
Also, I only made a few changes to this chapter and definitely not as many as I would have liked. Part of me wishes I could change the whole PS – Chapter 04, Page 50 – PS thing into the new CR style, but even I don't recognize all parts/signs anymore for what they were. Because of that, do I want to, again, apologize to everyone for how I used to write these stories.
Hope you forgive me,
Venquine1990