Hey everyone,
I PROMISE! I promise that this will be the LAST chapter of this story for a while. I just couldn't find it in myself to put this story on a temporary hiatus on the intensity that was the last chapter. I want the hiatus to be a little easier to bear, so I am going to have a quick chapter covering Harry's stay in the Garden. It's only going to summarize Harry's arrival at Rachel's place and cover Harry having fun on Sunday, not much more.
Okay, let's do this,

Venquine1990

Chapter 26
Sunday In The Garden

22nd of September 1995
Radiant Garden
Harry's POV

The reunion with Rachel was a right blast. I even admitted that I had trouble not calling her mum now that I know that Sirius – my new dad – has an eye on her. The woman had been incredibly touched about this and Sirius had even told me: "Harry, I would like you to do that. It can serve as a motivation for me to get better; give me a better view of what the future may hold if I can keep up with my treatment. If you approve of our future together and want to call Rachel your mother, I will happily and fully support this."
Yet I had told him I wouldn't do so until I got the chance to talk with Isa about all of this. "It doesn't feel right not to include him in all this." The two had agreed and Rachel had treated me to the one thing I love most about her; her soft, warm hugs. The woman might not have the bone-crushing strength of Mrs. Weasley, but it's just as obvious that she loves you if she hugs you as it is with the mother of closest Wizarding friends.

That night I had treated the two to a meal I had learned to make after returning to the Muggles. And while I did have to use a few other ingredients as Radiant Garden just doesn't have all of the heavier spices that are grown on Earth, we all still enjoyed the meal nonetheless. Sirius had also told me that, out of a precaution, he had purchased a second bed which had been placed in his room, which was also my old room from before I left the Garden.
We had gone to bed at the same time and had spent a few more minutes talking before I fell asleep. I knew Sirius was growing to love Rachel, it was actually quite obvious as I watched the two of them interact during dinner, but I had still said: "You know, outside of their character, Rachel and Mrs. Weasley do have a lot in common." And Sirius had surprised me as he said: "I might like Rachel more, but I do agree. Both love their dear ones like no other.
Though they do have different ways of showing that." He had commented and I had yawned: "Yeah, but I still love them both, though." Sirius had smiled at me and that had been the last thing I saw before sleep overtook me. Yet Sirius had apparently opened the roof windows while I was asleep as I woke to a clear blue sky the next morning. And while it was obvious that the sun was still only just starting to rise, I was ready to face the day.

Now it's a few hours later and I've already downed the two sets of potions that the Master had me take with me, one set last night and one set this morning. Sirius and I are in the courtyard that has the center sunken into the ground by a single floor and which has gorgeous flower fields in the four corners of the central courtyard. I've summoned my Keyblade again and while I don't feel ready to use the magical powers and abilities I saw on display the other day, I still practice.
Sirius, when he saw this, reminded me that I was here to have fun, but I told him: "Sirius, me showing you what I can do now that I have the Keyblade again is fun." And the man had happily accepted this and summoned himself a stool to, as he called it, enjoy the show. I really love this side of the man as it proves even more that his health is on the right track and I happily try the best I can to emulate what I saw Sora and the others perform the other day.

"Having fun, Harry?" The voice of Ansem the Wise distracts me after about half an hour of this and I turn to see him standing at the gate that leads to the castle. I smile and say: "Just reacquainting myself with my old skills, Master. I'm not training, just showing Sirius what I can do." The man nods and asks: "How would you feel about a short and impromptu lesson?" I look at Sirius for a moment and then ask: "You have a Keyblade too, Master?"
But the man shakes his head and says: "No, but I called on an old friend of mine who is a master in the elemental magic that you saw Sora and the others use during the Demonstration. He and a friend of his wanted to come along when Sora and the others left for your world, but Yen Sid felt it was better to let the students get used to our world's customs and ways one step at a time and that their – appearance – would be a step too far too soon."

And while the man doesn't say it, I can't help but think about Umbridge as well as Malfoy and several others who have voiced very hurtful and biased opinions over the years. "He makes a solid point, no matter how much some people might want to deny it." I think, even as I ask: "What are they like, Master?" The man smiles and steps to the side. And while I've only been in the Muggle world for, all together, two years and five months, I still easily recognize the two.
Yes, Donald Duck wears a regal looking wizard's set of robes instead of his famous sailor's uniform and Goofy has a much more serious look on his face instead of the far-off look that he is known for, but there is no mistaking these two iconic characters. "I see you already know their names, but allow me a little bit of an introduction, nonetheless, for your father's sake. Donald here is the Court Magician of Disney Castle and Town and Goofy is the King's Captain."

Sirius, to my curiosity, doesn't seem half as shocked to see an andromorphic duck and dog, but then three voices chorus in perfect sync: "UNCLE DONALD!" And three ducks, who are taller than the duck, but who are also still obviously younger than him, jump the squeaking bird. And thanks to their red, green and blue shirts and caps, I recognize the three instantly and shout: "HUEY, DEWEY, LOUIE!" The three look up and shout:
"HARRY!""YOU'RE HERE!""WELCOME BACK!" Sirius shakes his head at this and I snicker as I think: "Yeah, these three can give the twins a run for their money." And unlike Donald, I keep my balance as the three happily engulf me in a huge embrace, all three of us laughing hard. "Well now, aren't yeh a sight for sore eyes." A voice that sounds as Scottish as Professor McGonagall, but much more masculine speaks from behind me.
Donald has gotten back up and squawks as he says: "Uncle Scrooge!" And even though I have the triplets' arms wrapped around my whole torso, I still happily turn my head to greet the old-looking duck. "It's good to see you again too, Uncle Scrooge.""Garwsh, you know both Huey, Dewey, Louie and Uncle Scrooge?" I nod at Goofy over his question and Uncle Scrooge says: "Aye. And now I wish I had known you were here. I would have bought you some ice cream."

Donald squawks again and I smile at them both before Master Ansem coughs. And the triplets instantly realize that they are still hugging me. They jump away, their feathers tinged red. I smile at the three of them and turn to the Master, who is also beaming at us all. "You can still do so after, Scrooge. For now, I was hoping that your cousin, Donald, could teach Harry some basic Keyblade spells." The older duck and Donald turns to me as he asks:
"So, what do you know?" But I shrug and say: "To be honest, I can only cast one spell. Though it is one of my own design. I created it the other day when I took out my first Heartless.""Whack, but I thought those didn't appear on Earth." Donald argues and I nod and explain: "That's true. It was the presence of so many of your friends that merged Earth's nature with yours. Well, that and Umbridge just basically being evil incarnated."

Sirius nods in empathy and agreement to this and Goofy scratches the side of his muzzle as he mutters: "Garwsh, I can only imagine how the Master felt when that happened." I nod and then Uncle Scrooge asks: "Well, enough about this evil witch. Why don't you show us your spell, laddie?" I happily give the elder duck a nod and the whole group comes to stand to the side and behind me. I turn from looking at them to staring at my Keyblade.
And just like yesterday, I feel the same instinctual power flowing through me. I close my eyes and just let my body make the same moves as before. My Keyblade swings in my hand faster and faster, my foot leaves the ground and I feel my body making the same spin. My foot lands, my arm raises itself and then moves until the Keyblade is aimed in front of me. And all the while I feel all the emotions I have felt over the past 24 hours fill me up and empower me.
The love I feel for the Master, Sirius and Rachel and the joy I feel while spending time with Sirius, the contentment I felt when I fell asleep the other night, the happiness I feel when I see evidence of how much Sirius is healing and of course the elation I feel over the contract and what it means for my future; how I now have a father and a grandfather. Even if Master Yen Sid is old enough to be my ancestor instead of one of my closest relatives.

I ignore this as I feel all these emotions growing within me and increasing the power of the spell, all of it gathering in the feathers of the bird's wing before I call out: "LIGHT!" And I feel a truly powerful beam leave my Keyblade's tip and shoot at the other side of the courtyard. The others yelp and squawk and squeak behind me and then hear the beam connect with the wall of the courtyard. And instantly my eyes are wide open.
Yet to my combined shock, relief and astonishment, it doesn't seem as if the beam damaged the wall at all. What's even crazier is that the wall doesn't even look as if something just hit it. I turn to look from it to my Keyblade and Sirius voices my growing confusion. "What the hell? How did that happen? That beam looked as powerful as a Patronus which is one of our strongest spells. So how does that wall still look undamaged?"
I turn to where he and the others are standing and spot Master Ansem smile as he says: "Let's just say that a few years ago, our defensive mechanics got a bit of an upgrade." And I notice that Goofy and Donald are sharing knowing grins. Then I focus back on Master Ansem as he turns to them as well and he asks: "So, you think you can teach him?" The two nod and to my astonishment Donald summons an amazing staff and Goofy an impressive shield from nowhere.

The two walk over and while Uncle Scrooge leads the triplets a little further out of the courtyard, Donald comes to stand next to me and Goofy in front of us. "Okay Harry, I'll demonstrate one of the basic forms of the spells and then you try it. And don't worry about Goofy, his shield can handle an army of a thousand Heartless; he'll be fine." My eyes widen at the number, but I nod nonetheless as I have a feeling that I am just learning small bits of Master's greater story or something.
Donald turns to face Goofy and he aims his staff's top at the shield as he shouts: "FIRE!" And a small ball of flames shoots for the Dog, who easily shields. And like the wall, the shield doesn't even look like it just got hit with anything. I do realize that Donald must have held back an incredible amount of his actual power, but I appreciate the gesture instead of feeling annoyed. I nod to indicate that I got the picture of what he showed me and then take a stance.

And because Dobby packed one of my favorite shirts, which just so happens to be Gryffindor red, I only need to focus on the color of my shirt and I feel the pride and strength that I usually feel about my House and my place there fill me up once again. And so, with confidence, I happily exclaim: "Fire!" And instead of just one, three balls that are slightly bigger than Donald's was rush and hit Goofy's shield, the dog even grunting a bit.
"Garwsh, that was impressive." He says and Donald gapes at me. But I just smirk at him and give him a thumb's up as I say: "Gryffindor. The House of the bold, the brave and lots of red, the color of burning flames." The two animals laugh at this and Donald says: "Alright then, onto the next spell. Ready?" I nod at him and he takes another stance as he shouts: "BLIZZARD!" And this time a crystal made of ice with several sharp spikes is launched at the dog.

Yet like with fire, the spell doesn't seem to really affect Goofy or his shield. I nod in understanding and copy Donald's stance. "What also works is if you say Deep Freeze. Sora uses that almost all the time when he casts this spell." Goofy explains while he holds up his shield. I tilt my head a little to the side, but then nod as I can understand how someone who already mastered this spell would find an alternative way to cast it.
Yet as I repeat Donald's spell, only a few weak looking snow flakes leave my Keyblade. I grimace at this and Donald hums as he says: "I guess because Fire is your specialty, you'll have more trouble with the cold of the freezing spell. That does make sense, I suppose." But the duck's words also spark an idea with me. I close my eyes and push my mind back to a very detrimental and almost fatal day that happened a few weeks ago.
The same sensations as back then, even when heavily weakened, still overcome me. The fear of their presence, the confusion over them suddenly being there, the despair that they emulated, the desperation at whether or not I would be able to drive them off and save Dudley and myself. "D – deep freeze." I whisper the spell this time, but I still feel the spell leaving my Keyblade. And I don't need to look to know that it's much stronger this time around.

Donald squawks beside me and Goofy asks: "Garwsh, that was much stronger. How did you do that, Harry?" I grimace and Sirius is the one to explain. "Our world has a group of creatures that just turn the environment around them into a frozen and dead wasteland just by their very presence. Harry and I encountered them several times over the past few years. And like me, Harry's memories of their presence is still very strong, especially because he faced them just little over a month ago."
Donald and Goofy are both gawking me, yet I can't help but smile and say: "I can't believe it's only been a month and a half ago. It feels like so much more time has passed, especially since the Master became my DADA teacher." The group around me smiles widely and then Donald says: "Alright, let's just finish this off with one last spell; one that you can use for both defense and offense." I nod at him and he actually steps away a little.

I also notice that Goofy dismisses his shield and joins Sirius and the others. A small part of me wonders why I keep calling my new dad by his given name, but I ignore this for the time being. I return my focus on Donald, who raises his staff high above his head and yells: "THUNDER!" At least a dozen small but powerful thunderbolts strike the ground around him, forming a zig-zag pattern around the duck.
My eyes widen as a part of me wonders if I can use this to keep creeps away from me, but I dismiss this idea instantly. Then my free hand reaches up and a finger traces the scar on my forehead. I suddenly realize that, ever since I left the corridor, my scar has completely stopped hurting and then realize that the same happened the last time I was here. "The connection between our minds weakens when the distance gets bigger."
And this knowledge fills me with a new sense of both power and safety. I raise my own Keyblade and while I can't help but think: "This one's for you, mum." And see Lily Potter's smiling face looking back at me from behind my mind's eye, I yell: "THUNDER!" And Donald actually has to jump back as a whole array of thunder bolts surround me and strike the ground around me. A few bolts even hit the ground hard enough they break and chip the diamond-shaped bricks.

"Wow! That was some spell!" Huey mutters and Sirius grimaces as he says: "Harry lost his parents when he got the scar that is on his forehead. His emotions fueled this spell more than they did the other two. Not surprising, really. I think I'd have done the same if I had been in his shoes." The others nod and then Sirius pulls his wand and mutters: "And now for me to show you lot one of our spells and to give this whole thing a more positive twist. Expecto Patronum!"
The others all look amazed and surprised at the sight of the glowing huge silver bear-like dog that erupts from his wand. I smile as the dog jumps over to where I'm standing and starts to jump around me, the being emulating the man's need to see me safe from all that could hurt me. And I need to only share a look with Sirius to know he also got the silent message of his spell and its intent. The two of us share a smile that is full of equal amounts of love and care for each other. And then my own stag happily copies his dog's actions, but then with my new dad.

Sirius' own eyes tear up as the sight of what was once my late father and with his free hand, he gently caresses the stag that comes to stand to his left. And to my amazement, I can somehow feel the love he must feel for my dad and tries to convey with the caress fill me from within. Sirius then puts his hand on the bottom of the stag's head and presses his own forehead against that of the spell. And I gasp as, somehow, I feel his heart connect to mine.
All of the man's emotions seem to flow through him, into the stag and through it into me. I feel the man's love for my dad, his grief, his acceptance, his peace of mind and even emotions that, I realize, aren't aimed at my late father but at me. And tears of disbelief and elation start run down my own eyes as the strength of the man's emotions is almost too much for me to take. And the spell starts to emulate this as waves of positive magic emit from it.

I close my eyes to better experience this and I just know that Sirius and the others do the same. For several minutes we just keep standing like this, all of us absorbing the positive energy of the most powerful light spell on earth. Then I feel my core starting to drain and I flick my wand, ending the Patronus spell. And Sirius doesn't even seem to care for this or for the fact that, in a way, he just lost his friend all over again, as he just smiles at me.
"Yes, I do believe that's enough for one day. Donald, Goofy, I think it's best if you two return to Disney Castle and report what happened here to the King. I will contact Yen Sid and update him as well. Harry, why don't you, Sirius, Uncle Scrooge and the triplets go get some ice cream?" Master Ansem suggests and the triplets instantly jump at this. "Oh yeah, you should try out our ice cream." "We made it ourselves years ago.""And we perfected the recipe since."
Sirius and I both give the triplets a happy nod and Sirius says: "That sounds great. Lead the way, you three.""Ah, ah, ah, not so fast. Harry, will you be staying for long, lad?" Uncle Scrooge asks and I shake my head as I say: "No Uncle Scrooge. Master Yen Sid expects me back for breakfast tomorrow.""Well then, the treat is on me." And while this makes Donald and Goofy gawk at him, I give the duck a warm smile and thank him.

That night

"You were amazing today, pup." Sirius says while we are, again, lying in bed, both of us lying on our backs. Sirius has his arms tucked behind his head and I have my fingers crossed across my stomach, my arms on top of my thin-layered cover. I smile at him and he turns to me as he says: "That couldn't have been easy. I mean, I know you managed all three spells with only one or two tries, but – I also know what you used as motivation."
Then the smile leaves his face and he says: "Promise me something. Promise me that you'll try to find other ways to motivate yourself and to help you sense the power of the spells. I don't mind what you use for the Fire spell, but promise me you'll try to change your chosen imagination for the other two." I nod at him solemnly and his smile returns as he turns back to stare outside. A few minutes later, I can't help but laugh.
The man turns to me and asks: "What's so funny?" And I answer: "I keep thinking back to our walk." And the man also laughs as he says: "You do realize that I did that on purpose, right?""Yeah, and I really paid you back for it." The man sighs and says: "I still can't believe I didn't realize that you can use those conduits to get to the higher sections." I laugh again as I close my eyes and fall asleep thinking back to earlier today.

Sirius had again taken his Animagus form as Master Ansem came to take him for their annual walk and the man had even invited me along. I had loved the chance to spend some time with both my new father and the best leader I have ever known. Sirius had even allowed me to hold the leash that was attached to his collar. And during our walk, I saw a lot of evidence that almost everyone in the Garden wants to work together to help Sirius and that he has grown really popular.
Several times while we walk, someone would stop us to give Sirius a pat on the head or scratch behind the head. A few of them were kids I knew growing up and I happily talked with them for a few minutes, the others not even minding that I am making their walk take longer than usual. Others had asked Master Ansem for advice and the man had been happy to provide. And a few had left us after giving Sirius a little treat or another pat on the head.

We had, naturally, taken our walk towards the Fountain Court and Master Ansem told me to unclasp Sirius' leash. I did as told and laughed hard as Sirius – or Snuffles as I suddenly realize I should call the dog – instantly bounced for one of the lower basins, one that is deep enough that he gets drenched to the point that he needs to hold his head up to keep it above water. And after a few minutes of watching the dog enjoy himself, Master Ansem asked:
"Why don't you join him, Harry? You're here to have fun, after all." I nodded and Snuffles had apparently heard us as he had changed back. "Come here, Harry. I'll change your cloths for you." The man offered and yet I had made the mistake of standing a little too close to the man. And right after he changed my shirt and pants into a pair of swimming trunks, he had yelled. "GOTCHA!" And the next second the both of us took a dive into the water of the basin.

Luckily enough I had not gulped down any water in my shock and I had yelled his name after we came back above the surface. The man had laughed and yelled: "Just try to catch me!" Before he had spun on his heel and actually Apparated to one of the higher platforms. There he had started doing a silly dance, as if thinking he had moved himself out of my reach. I had just raised my eyebrow at him and yelled: "Feeling safe up there?"
"You know it!" The man had yelled back and I had laughed: "Big mistake!" The man had looked startled and I had rushed for one of the water conduits. The conduits are set in such a way that they only sprout water at random times and intervals, yet I had used this and the burst of aquatic energy that burst free each time this happened to get up to where Sirius was. The man had been gaping at me and I had asked: "You were saying?"
The man had gulped and the rest of the hour we had had tons of fun, the man constantly either trying to jump to platforms out of my reach or Apparate away. Yet I had constantly used the conduits to either gently move one floor down or quickly get up another. "How do you know these conduits so well?" Sirius had asked halfway through and I had retorted: "Where do you think Lea, Isa and I learned to swim." The man had cursed and Apparated once again.

Yet he had Apparated into the wrong basin, the one that is the deepest and only half a floor below the one I was standing on. And so I felt confident as I had jumped down and yelled: "GOTCHA BACK!" And the man had just enough time to cast a cushioning charm behind him before I landed on top of him. Yet after we both stopped laughing at how awkward my fall made us both land in the water, I couldn't help but ask: "You Apparated here on purpose, didn't you?"
"I may be regaining a lot of my strength, pup, but Apparating is still really draining. I felt it best we just end this little chase, so I could regain my strength. Plus, I did deserve that for how I tricked you." I had smiled at him and Master Ansem asked: "Done having fun, boys?" The two of us had nodded and Sirius had used his wand to spell both of us dry and to give me back my cloths. After this we had resumed our walk.

There, much better!
Now this is a chapter that I feel I can leave you guys with, at least when it comes to this story. A much happier hiatus kind of ending. And yes, next chapter – whenever that is going to be posted – will cover Harry returning to Hogwarts and taking a few characters with him. And to be honest, I almost don't want to end this story right now as I have so many different ideas about the first meeting between Sirius and what might one day be his second son.
Oh well,

Venquine1990