Hey everyone,
So I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to include the first CR chapter into this story, the Third Task chapter of GoF, but I am going to try and put a bit more of a twist on how the whole reading thing came to be. Also, I am going to go a little more into detail about the spell that will keep time frozen during the reading and expand the area not affected by the spell a little. Though like I said, the first CR chapter being in here?
Hmm, debatable,

Venquine1990

Chapter 02
The Best Of The Worst

24th of June 1995
Hogwarts Grounds, Scotland
Harry's POV

I really don't know if my life can get any worse. I've been entered into a Tournament against my will and have to compete or lose my magic. Yet again the majority of the school turned on me, regardless of me trying to defend myself. Earlier I was hypnotized and almost assaulted by a vampire. And now there are books that can reveal my every secret and are about everything I've been through the last few years as well as the strive I'll face in the future.
Yet at the same time I can't imagine my life any better either. The hardships have once again brought me closer to my friends than we were last year. I've been able to prove my worth to those who actually matter, such as my friends and my godfather, even if the latter was only through stories and letters. And now, my future is secured in loving happiness as Destiny decided to bless me with an actual Soul Mate, who saved me from said vampire.
Lea also seems to have a large group of friends and this makes me feel even more confident for the future. And while I know that the latter three books are probably about more scuffles between me and Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, I take the fact that they exist as evidence that I am going to be able to survive this one and final task of the Tournament, something I've been hoping and wishing for all month now.

Then, just as I start to hear the distant sounds of approaching running footsteps, I turn back to Sora and another teen and ask if we shouldn't wake the former. The latter tries to shake his friend awake, but then Bill comes over with his wand and offers it. And a quick Enneverate does the job quickly and easily. Sora groans lightly as he wakes up and yet he seems deeply shocked to see himself in one piece as he mumbles: "I'm – still here."
The other teen helps him on his feet and Chirithy, the little floating cat spirit-thing, wants to explain this, but I've heard the footsteps getting louder and closer. "Chirithy, you better wait. Sounds like the Herbology students decided to skip the end of their exam in exchange for investigating that lightshow you guys came here with. And I know these students. Best to face the music one note at a time. You and – ehm, you three – better hide among the rest."
It's only then that I notice three very familiar beings standing with all of Lea's friends. A world-famous Mouse, Duck and Dog creature are standing in the midst of the group and while the duck looks offended, the dog and the mouse nod in acceptance. And thankfully Lea has enough friends that they can all encircle the trio. The dog also pulls off his hat and bends down a little so he can hide behind his the tallest of his friends properly.

I turn from the large group to the approaching class and I feel only slightly surprised that Headmaster Dumbledore isn't part of the incoming ensemble. Professor Sprout of Hufflepuff is at the lead and while I'm a little discouraged to see that it's a Sixth year group, I feel relieved to see Angelina, Alicia, Lee and the twins in the group that is running behind her. And the fact that the five of them speed up their pace when they see me warms me.
"Harry mate, you okay? What happened? We saw a lightshow all the way from the Greenhouses. We wanted to come running, but we were in Greenhouse Five and you know how those plants in there are. Professor Sprout oversaw us all putting our stuff away and guided us here. We'd have come sooner, but – you know?" Lee sounds like he's expecting me to be angry with him, but I just smile at my tanned friend to reassure him that I'm not.

"Why doesn't this surprise me? Can't even wait for the tournament to make a big show of yourself, can you Potter?" A Hufflepuff sneers and while Professor Sprout frowns disapprovingly, she doesn't say anything. Lea, on the other hand, growls in anger and asks whether the people of this world never heard of the term innocent until proven guilty or if it's just the teen being too cocky for his own good and unable to properly question events.
It really doesn't surprise me that Professor Sprout wants to reprimand him, yet she stumbles as she realizes that she doesn't know his name. What surprises me is that Mrs. Weasley doesn't take her place instead as the woman is known for her temper. The woman surprises me further as she actually encourages Lea, which awes her two boys. She goes on and gently tells them: "And I'm very proud of you boys, being so worried about Harry."

The twins and the others nod at her and then Professor Sprout repeats one of Lee's questions and asks me if I can explain what happened. I want to, but Lea stops me with a hand on my shoulder. He looks up and over the heads of most of those in front of me and states: "If you want to make a dramatic entrance, you need to first learn how to hide yourself better." And a sense of shocked amusement hits me as I see Professor Dumbledore approach.
Lea continues and states that the man was a few paces behind the rest, where he would have been out of sight – had he not been walking behind a few of the smaller teens in the group. Again Mrs. Weasley surprises me as, again, she doesn't reprimand Lea for his actions or his words. Instead Dumbledore just joins the rest of the group, though he shoots a short, furtive glance at Sirius-Snuffles, that I almost would have missed.

The man turns from looking around the group to Lea and me. Yet instead of asking the same question as Professor Sprout and Lee Jordan, he asks Lea to let go off me. Yet at this Bill instantly interrupts and says: "Headmaster, I must object instantly. Harry and Lea are not to let go of each other for another 40 minutes, minimum. You see sir, Destiny herself – or one of the other Powers that Be – have finally blessed the Potters with a Soul mate."
And while everyone else only sees the man's shock at this, I easily spot his horror and disbelief as well. The two emotions flash through his eyes with only a moment's notice and would have been invisible to anyone not aware of how good the man is able to hide his true emotions behind a mask or a persona. But after the last four years and everything I have learned about the man since my first visit to the Hospital Wing, I've learned to spot them.

Yet just like always I ignore the evidence for the time being as I am determined to deal with this growing problem at a later time, when it's more convenient for me and mine. At the same time I feel in my heart and mind as if Destiny just blessed me with the means to see this plan to fruition as I can ensure the safety of my friends and loved ones at Lea's world – wherever that may be – and deal with Dumbledore's machinations once they're safe.

Like I expected, Dumbledore only smiles at us and I have to admit that the smile looks genuine enough that any other would have been fooled and not noticed the very light strain visible in the smile. The man believes the smile to be enough of a congratulations and instead he finally repeats the same question that was asked twice before. And because I remember the four beings hiding within the group, I decide to go all out.
"Sir, in order to explain everything, I need to explain a certain Muggle concept to the Purebloods in this group. You see, a few of the people in this group here might look familiar to the Muggleborns and my explanation can explain why. After that I'll also explain what happened earlier and how and why this whole group got here, okay?" I draw strength and confidence from Lea's hold on my shoulder, yet I fake to sound timid and hesitant.
And whether the man gets fooled by it or if he believes that learning this can improve his status as Muggle Lover, the man accepts my request. The words your funeral flash through my mind and I start: "You know how Muggle pictures don't move, but magical pictures – even those of a comic book – move, right sir? Well, the Muggles found another way to make the pictures move – not magic – and have to project these on the big screen.

They learned this about a century ago and while, at first, drawn stuff was only kept to the minimum length of 10 to 20 minutes and mostly accompanied by music, in 1936, a man named Walt Disney ventured to prove that animated picture films could be made to be of the same length as normal movies of the time. He nearly bankrupted his company three times over, but when the movie came out, it was a success on par with the Firebolt."
A few of the students in the group wanted to speak up throughout the explanation. A few were, at first, silenced by their classmates, but now they're silenced by the idea that Muggles can create something that popular. Again I can't help but marvel at how these people are so oblivious to Muggle society and yet manage to hide in it for so long. Dumbledore asks me what all this has to do with the arriving group and I assure him:

"I'm getting to that, sir. You see, Walt Disney was already well known for said shorts. Let me explain, the shorts are like magical comics, but then all screens shown on one big screen – like the back wall of the Great Hall. And then with all the actions from one picture moving fluidly into the actions of another and with hired people recording the spoken word written down in the textboxes. One short is like one comic, one movie is like a series of three.
Anyway, Disney, like I said, was known for his shorts, though he really became a household name and the best in the franchise with that first full-length movie, the one he nearly bankrupted his company to create, just to prove to naysayers that it could be done. And while his company has made a few dozen more of those full-length movies, the company also continued to work with the characters from the shorts. And those characters – are apparently not made-belief."

And with that I turn to the group and the three at the front, a tall man with a black shirt, Axel and the silver-white haired teen that went for Sora when he fell, step to the side. "Sir, may I present to you, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Goofy. And before anyone says anything, most Muggleborns believed Unicorns, Dragons and Werewolves to be fantasy before their eleventh birthday. How is this any different other than their actual origins?"
This silences a few of the students who wanted to speak up, but then one shouts: "There's no way you're powerful enough to pull them out of these mover things!" I let my shoulders slump a little as a silent sign of my annoyance with the older teen and I mutter: "I never said that. I never gave their origins, just an explanation as to why the Muggleborns might recognize them. Like I said before I started my explanation."

The teen turns red and plunges his hand into his robe. But Lea recognizes this for a sign of him wanting to pull his wand and a second later, the same weapon that he used to knock the vampire away from me is in his hand. "I wouldn't try that, kid. Trust me, you don't want to do that." Lea tonelessly warns the older teen, who I guess might be around his age or something. And like I expected, Dumbledore tries to intervene.
"There is no need for violence or threats, young man. This is just a simple verbal dispute between students, nothing more." Yet Lea seems to either sense or notice Dumbledore using his grandfatherly tone to hide his cynical tone of disgust and need to be obeyed. My soul mate raises an eyebrow at the man and argues that this doesn't take Lea his right to defend me, his soul mate. The teen tries to jest that I can't fight my own battles at this.
Yet I decide to be cheeky and ask: "Why should I when I have friends who are capable and willing to do it for me? Why shouldn't I have and return such loyalty, huh?" And because I used the strongest and most well-known characteristic of the students' own House, he stutters, falters and falls quiet. Other students in his House also look less convinced that they can just insult and accuse me and I feel a small hint of relief at this growing victory.

"Either way, I believe we should get back to the matter at hand. How did these – ahem – eh – sorry, I've never dealt with beings like you before." Professor Sprout apologizes in the end of her speech and then one of her students shouts that she wants to know how they even came to be. At which Goofy shrugs and answers that they were born, simple. The student turns red and shouts that that wasn't what she meant at all.
"Believe it or not – though the appearance of some of them and their weapons probably proves my point already but – they're aliens. They're from another world. Somewhere, well, up there." I try to explain while pointing a finger upwards. And Axel strengthens my case as he asks how else the other students or teachers could explain the light that hit the ground or the Keyhole that appeared in the middle of the sky earlier.

A silence that is only broken by stuttering echoes across the grounds. Professor Sprout is the first to recover and continues her spiel. "Very well, back on topic. Tell us please, how did you come to be here, how did you make all that appear, where did you come from and why are you here?" I shoot a furtive glance at the books behind me before I return my focus to Lea. His tone is warm and relaxed as he holds me close and explains:
"As Bill already explained, I am Harry's soul mate. I sensed that he was in danger and rushed to help him. My world has methods of travel that I don't think your magic has ever encountered before, so I was able to get here with little problem. Axel and I dealt with the problem, which turned out to be a vampire, and then Harry and I apparently bound our souls together. Then the others arrived, we had an issue to solve and you lot came here. Got it memorized?"
I try not to chortle at how easily Lea summarizes the last 20 minutes or so or at how dumbfounded some of the other students look while the twins whisper wicked with big grins on their faces. Then one of their year mates, who I realize must be Angelina and Alicia's dorm mate, asks how a vampire could possibly get into Hogwarts and I shortly answer: "Lupin. The Headmaster must have lowered the ward for him and forgotten to reset it due to the Tournament."

And two things that I expected to happen indeed happen. Dumbledore's eyes twinkle slightly more brightly, as if the man considers it an achievement that I am defending him for his minor mistake. Yet at the same time, Bill steps forward and asks: "Headmaster, why didn't you just contact me? I was in England. I could have worked on the ward scheme while you were busy elsewhere. You know how much I love helping you and the school."
Of course Dumbledore uses the excuse that he didn't want to intrude on Bill's time with his family, but I pick up the tone of annoyance he tries to hide beneath his caring tone. Then suddenly someone proves that they're as done with Dumbledore's tricks and lies and half-truths as I am. Chirithy seems to have regained his strength as he swooshes past me from behind me and then proudly shows himself in the center of our whole group.

A few of the students yelp at his sight as he says: "Alright, enough about all of this. Listen up, everyone. For the past 6 years – 6 not 4, remember that – this world has been running off course and heading towards an Era consumed by Darkened Light. Destiny and the Powers that Be don't really like that and sent me to fix it. Because of that – and because I wanted to spare Sora, long story – I brought everyone here and created these."
I realize suddenly that the books are no longer behind me as Chirithy holds them up in his paw. Yet before anyone can say anything Chirithy goes on: "Now these books describe the last four years as well as the next three. Powers that Be, deal with it. I suggest you start reading at the chapter of this book that describes the upcoming Task and beyond. Don't worry, it won't take you too long and I already put a spell on the books.
The minute the first word of a chapter is read – whether it be this chapter or the first chapter of a new book – time outside a certain area stands completely still. It's basically like casting the Time Spell on someone. I'll have Sora and the others demonstrate that later. Either way, I also added a bit of Destiny's own magic to the mix of the spell. This to make sure that, while the time cycle of day and night still commences, it won't affect the earthlings.

Let me explain. Say one of these books took you four days. But while someone on earth would be under the Time Spell and thus frozen in time, he might have an important appointment on the second of these four days. Well, once the four days pass, the magic of Lady Destiny will implant false memories into this person and change his mind. He will think that his appointment is on day 6 as that is two days from when you stopped reading.
And I know what some of you are going to ask. But what about natural disasters or if someone's getting killed? I'm sorry, but that's entirely up to Time, Lady Destiny and the Powers that Be. If that person is fated to die, they'll die once Time restarts for them. If not, they'll be saved by those that are meant to save them. But with that I don't mean Harry." And while Chirithy might look cute and cuddly, he looks fierce at the end.

It doesn't escape me that Chirithy looks straight at Dumbledore at the end either and a sense of satisfaction flows through me at the fact that I'm not the only one who suspects and wants to disrespect the Headmaster. Yet while Hagrid stutters angrily behind me, I turn to Lea's friends as I decide to address the elephant in the room – or Hippogriff in the pen as I learned is the magical equivalent to that saying.
"What's your guys' names anyway? I only know Lea, Sora and Axel. None of you guys, other than Mickey, Donald and Goofy actually introduced yourselves so far." The group turns red and some rub either the back of their heads or their necks before Sora steps up and says: "Apologies for that. These are Riku and Kairi, my closest friends. Roxas and Xion, Axel's closest friends. And Naminé, Terra, Aqua and Ventus, our newer friends."
Sora goes from the teen that rushed at him to the young ginger that's with him. Then he motions for the blonde who has the same robe as Lea and Axel as well as the black-haired girl that also wears this robe. And finally he motions for the pale blonde girl that was addressed by Axel earlier and then motions for the last three. The blonde that looks to be his age, the young woman with the blue hair and the young adult brunette with the black shirt.

I smile at the group as Sora repeats that I already know Axel, Lea, Mickey, Donald and Goofy. I decide to return the favor and say: "Nice to meet you all. This is Mrs. Molly Weasley, her son Bill, her twin boys Fred and George, Professor Rubeus Hagrid, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Professor Pomona Sprout and my other friends. Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Lee Jordan. And the rest of their year. I don't know all their names."
A few of the other students look offended at my light-hearted tone, yet I only think that it's their own fault for letting their egos and beliefs in my fame get the better of them. The Headmaster wants to take charge again, his eyes focused on the books Chirithy is still holding up, yet the little being turns to me and asks: "Where do you want to read, Harry? Remember, emotional moments, secrets and the path to Darkened Light will be revealed in these."

The little being might not be explicit in what he's saying, but I get his unspoken warning nonetheless. I need to not only pick a large location for many to read, it would also be for the best for everyone if as many people can read together as possible. And because he mentions the other things as well, I say: "I think the space between the Antechamber and the Entrance Courtyard can suit those needs, Chirithy. And the kitchens, of course."
Chirithy nods, Professor Sprout and Mrs. Weasley beam at my smart answer and Dumbledore tries to hide his annoyance at the fact that he was shown up through a mask of the same sense of pride. Chirithy flies a little higher and squeaks: "Okay, Headmaster, Harry, gather whoever you want and congregate in the Great Hall. The sooner we start the reading, the sooner we can keep the Third Task from going horribly wrong."

I instantly feel conflicted and ask Hagrid if I can borrow his hut for a moment and whether or not he has an active Floo. The half-giant accepts my request and confirms that he does. Yet the latter question was just to give myself a reason and an alibi to keep the nosier students off of my back. And while I know that Lea is going to find out the secret behind Snuffles, I trust in the bond we now share and in him to keep quiet.
Professor Sprout calls the twins and the others over and tells them that they should return to their exam and finish it before we start reading. The five of them smile at me and Angelina says see you soon before they leave with the Herbology Teacher. Dumbledore also leaves back for the castle and Hagrid guides us the rest of the way down to his hut. Thankfully Hagrid's Hut easily feels cramped, so while Snuffles sneaks in, I ask the others for privacy.
My heart soars a little as Mrs. Weasley and Hagrid, who can be a bit intrusive, accept my request and while Lea joins me inside, the others stay outside. I quickly make sure that Snuffles is out of line of sight from the few windows in the hut and then sternly tell Lea: "No one hears of this. Not until the end of the third book. You can't let anyone, who doesn't already show you that he's in the know, know of this, understand?"

Lea gives me a solemn nod of his head and I almost feel as if he's pledging his silence to me with that single gesture. Then Snuffles transforms into Sirius and Lea's eyes widen as he sees this. The man walks over, though I notice his eyes also skirting to the windows for a second, and he growls: "I know I already warned you and I know about the bond, but hurt him at your own risk, pall. He's as precious to me as he is to you, capish?"
And just like every other time that I've been able to increase my bond with my godfather – which is a lot more often than Dumbledore even knows – I feel my heart burst with gratitude that the man cares this much for me and that he is this willing to be open about it. Yet then the man both addresses the whole reason I wanted to come in here and complicates matters greatly as he says: "Also, I'm happy you got the Weasleys, but where's Remus?"

I sigh and mutter that I don't know. The man's eyes widen and I begrudgingly tell him that I haven't seen or heard from Lupin since he left last year and that I thought they were in contact. Sirius falters and says: "We are. But every time we meet or write letters, he always sounds as if he knows exactly what's going on. But if he's not getting that intel from you then – from who?" The man sounds deeply concerned, yet I shrug and mutter Dumbledore.
Sirius accepts this with a nod and then verifies with me that I haven't even seen Lupin during Hogsmeade weekends. I shake my head as a negative answer and Sirius rubs his temples as he mutters how he just can't understand that. "You're the only cub in our pack, the last link he has to Lily and James. You're in this crazy Tournament, you need all the outside help you can get. Why would he waste such a valuable opportunity to help you?"
I mumble the word Ministry, but Sirius scoffs and reminds me of how he's been risking his soul these past few months and how he doesn't care what some Ministerial bozos think of him. I want to speak up and remind him that he's much more daring, brave and a real Gryffindor, unlike Lupin, but because of the upcoming reading and because I care for Sirius, I hold my tongue. Sirius then waves at me and tells me to give him a moment.

He moves over to the table and chairs, while I whisper at Lea that he should make the fire in the grate ignite. And while he might not understand why, Lea proves he trusts the bond and trust me as he complies without question. Sirius, in the meantime, pulls a rusty old looking hand-mirror from his pocket and slightly loudly declares Lupin's name. And while I can't see the actual surface, I actually hear Lupin's voice come from the trinket.
"Sirius, what are you doing? Why are you in Hagrid's Hut? It's the day of the Third Task of the Tournament –." Lea puts his hand in his side as he hears this and I raise an eyebrow in disbelief at the same time. And Sirius, being Sirius, instantly lays into Lupin. "Exactly. It's the Final day that our cub can get hurt. So why in the Marauder name aren't you here with us? Why did you abandon cub, yet make me believe you were in contact with him?
Why did you lie like that, Remus John Lupin?" In the end Sirius' voice doesn't get raised, yet the anger is still clear to hear all the way through. Lupin, if I have to make an educated guess, winces at the man's words and probably winces again when Sirius argues with him not to even try and use the Ministry as an excuse. And he daftly points out how Hogsmeade exists and how Lupin, being an adult wizard, can Apparate just fine.

For a minute or so silence is heard in the hut before Sirius asks Lupin if he wants to make up for his mistake and if he's willing to help me through new hardships. Lupin seems to hesitate and Sirius snarls the question at him of why he puts people who would hate and despise him over people who unconditionally love and accept him. Lupin doesn't have an answer, yet after another minute or so, he speaks four words:
"What can I do?" The tone of the man's voice really reminds me of what he was like when he was teaching me the Patronus charm and of how he behaved when we were all in the Shrieking Shack last year. Sirius instantly jumps at this question and explains the whole situation. About the vampire, about Lea and his friends, about the soul bond that was formed between Lea and myself and about the books that Chirithy created.
He even uses the same explanation as I did to explain the existence of Mickey and his two friends. Lupin compliments him on this last bit, but Sirius says: "Oh, that wasn't mine, that was Harry's. Why are you looking so surprised? Weren't you his teacher just last year? What's your damned deal, Remus?" I slump my shoulders again as, unlike Sirius, I'm really not surprised at Lupin's reaction to the explanation being mine.

"Ugh, never mind. Just get your mangy ass over here pronto. You're reading along with us. Everyone will be expecting Harry to have contacted you. So unless you want to embarrass him, you show up, capish?" I grin at Lea at how valiantly and fiercely Sirius is fighting for me and my mate whispers his relief that I have at least one good adult in my corner around here. And because I really appreciate all Sirius has done for me so far, I agree sincerely.
Then, just because I know that Mrs. Weasley might ask questions about how long this is taking and while Sirius apparently breaks the connection between his mirror and Lupin's, I assume, I call on Dobby. The little elf has been helping me on an infrequent basis the last few years and the infrequency is mostly to keep others from noticing that I have outside help. And as always the elf happily pops into view, though the sound of his pop is muted.

"Dobby, please go explain the situation to Oliver Wood over at Puddlemere United Training camp, will you? About the books and my bond and how I would like him to come as well. Tell him that if he wants to bring the team, I'll be more than okay with that, the Headmaster be damned. Oh, and tell him to keep your presence secret. Tell him that, if anyone asked, he should tell them that I contacted him over the Floo. Okay Dobby?"
The elf nods, though not in the same wild manner as he usually shows when around the other Elves as Dobby is actually a lot saner and more well-mannered than he lets on. He pops out again and I quickly, but silently explain the concept – or at least what I know – of House Elves to Lea. My mate, who is still happily holding me close against his form, listens attentively and replies: "I got to say, this world really has a lot of interesting new things and aspects, though some seem more negative than positive if you ask me."

I let out a breath and mutter how that is just the story of my life. Both men in the room with me look troubled at this, but I just ignore it for the time being and guide them back out of the hut. Just like I expected Mrs. Weasley, Hagrid and Bill are waiting for the three of us and I tell them: "Thanks Hagrid. I invited both Lupin and Wood, though he might take his whole team with him." And just like I expected Hagrid replies the more the merrier.
I nod in agreement and suggest that we wait for the two or the potential group at the Hogwarts gates. Hagrid declines this suggestion and tells us that he's going back to the Great Hall to help the Headmaster and others with the other preparations. We all nod in agreement to this and while he heads up the hill to the castle, we move a little further down to the huge metal gates with gargoyles on both sides of the gates.

Just like I expected Sirius is back in his Animagus form and while we head for the gates, I make sure to walk a bit away from the others and explain the situation to Lea. "Sirius is my godfather, but he was accused of crimes he never committed. However, the Minister won't believe us on his innocence, so he needs to keep hidden until we read the Third Book. If you want to explain this to your friends, fine, but they need to keep quiet themselves."
Lea nods at this and whispers his gratitude that I trust his friends with my secret. I smile at him and whisper back that, while Dumbledore might think that only Ron, Hermione, Lupin and I know, there are actually a few more. The others just keep quiet about the fact that they know, because I told them that I don't want to get Dumbledore upset with me over sharing private secrets. The others accept this, because they know how private Dumbledore can be.
And just like I expected Lea frowns a little at the notion that Dumbledore is so secretive, he even keeps secrets from those he claims to trust. Then he whispers how Dumbledore reminds him of someone named Xehanort and he tells me that he will explain more later as we reach the gates. I nod, yet something about the name has me suppress a shudder running down my back. After this we rejoin the rest of our friends at the gates.

And just like I expected a few minutes later both a ragged-looking brunette man with a few facial scars and a whole group of people dressed in navy-blue robes come walking up the slopy pathway that leads to Hogsmeade in the distance. And by the look on both Oliver and Lupin's face, the man confessed that he hasn't been to Hogwarts all year and Oliver gave him a piece of his mind about this and told him how annoyed he is at this.
I smile at Oliver as most of his matches this last year were scheduled at the same time as Hogsmeade weekends and so he was unable to come. Though while he had shown up for the First Task, he had needed to stay home to take care of his sick mother in February. And while Oliver had written me about all this, Dobby had delivered his letters to me instead of Hedwig. I know my beloved owl is upset over this, but I really just want to keep her safe.
Hedwig had indeed been very cross with me when this whole thing started. But when Dobby's magic had proven that she had been charmed without her knowing by Dumbledore, my owl had been considerate and smart enough to accept the need for me to send some letters through her and some letters privately through Dobby. And all of my friends – Alicia, Kathy, Parvati, Luna, Angelina and Lee – had also understood and complied.

"Hey guys, you ready for this?" I ask as I greet the large group of fifteen, which consists of 9 men and 6 women. And while one of them slightly resembles my close friend Alicia, the apparent Team Captain of Puddlemere United, who is named Maximillion Abers, speaks up as he says: "We sure are, Mr. Potter. Though I must say, if it were me and my private secrets that were on the line, I wouldn't have done something like this.
I mean, I know that these books can help us prevent our world from going down a path of Darkened Light, but still. I may have always known that it was something your parents did that saved your life that night and never held those rumors and things said about you in high regard, but now – you've really earned my respect, Mr. Potter. Mine and my team's." I rub the back of my head as accepting praise has always been like a pitfall to me.

I thank the man and his team and while Snuffles goes to walk next to Lupin, I guide the whole group back up to the castle. On the way there Sora asks Bill how he knew that Lea and I were Soul Mates and Bill answers: "To be honest, Soul Mates might be a concept that is slowly dying out in this world, but when two Soul Mates initiate the first step of the bond, it's pretty obvious to spot. Also, there is a spell that can define two linked souls.
Like I said, with Soul Mates becoming more and more rare, the spell hardly works anymore, but most Curse Breakers learn to cast it early on in their career training. I've been working for Gringotts, our bank, for the last seven years and I learned the spell when I was in my second year of training and working. These days I can cast the spell just by focusing and snapping my fingers." This last bit reminds me of what Axel did earlier.
Then, as we head inside, Sora asks a very significant question. He looks at most of his friends – bar Donald and Mickey – and his gaze seems to linger on Riku the longest before he asks: "Hey Bill, with us not being from this world and with Lea being Harry's soul mate, do you think that the spell might work on us as well?" Bill hums and tells the brunette that he wondered the same himself when he realized where they were from.

Aqua suggests that Bill should cast the spell once we've reached our destination. I nod in agreement to this, yet I also softly tell Lea of how I saw Sora's eyes linger on Riku. My mate seems shocked at this, while the others are amazed at the enormity of the Grand Staircase, which I led them to through a secret passageway in the Clocktower Courtyard. "Interesting. To be honest, I'd have thought Sora and Kairi to be soul mates, but Sora and Riku also make sense."
Then suddenly Mrs. Weasley needs to pull Roxas back as he wants to head down one of the staircases to the Great Hall, just as the staircase moves away. Instantly Axel is next to her and pulls Roxas back onto the platform we're all standing on as he asks if the blonde's okay. Roxas nods and reassures his friend that he's just startled but fine. Yet at the same time I can't help but compare the two of them to Lea and myself.

A few minutes later another staircase returns to let us down and while we continue our trek, Lupin asks Lea how far along the two of us are. Lea shrugs and casually answers: "We met, I saved him from that cold-blooded whatever and we apparently initiated the first step of the bond being formed after that. To be honest, it was mostly a new and pleasant instinct that was guiding me. And I'm just very happy that I listened to it."
Lupin looks concerned at this, yet because I'm not entirely sure if this is because he wants to make it look as if he wants to look out for my well-being or because he feels personally insulted over what Lea called the vampire, I keep myself from telling him off. Yet Snuffles has no such restrictions as he softly throws his full weight against Lupin's leg in a silent way of reprimanding the man. Lupin grimaces at my godfather, yet keeps quiet.

We reach the Entrance Courtyard and just like I expected, Ron and Hermione are waiting for me at the doors to the Great Hall. I smile at the two of them and yet while I know that my hour with Lea is already over, I contently keep myself firmly planted against his side as I head over to the two. I also already know for sure that either Lee and the twins or Neville made sure to save me and my friends plenty of seats.
Hermione spots Snuffles being next to Lupin and her eyes temporarily widen, but I distract her by introducing her and Ron to Lea and the others and doing the same in reverse. And of course, I introduce the two as my closest friends at Hogwarts and happily introduce Lea as my Soul Mate as determined by an instinct we both listened to after he saved me from a vampire. And when Hermione asks about the vampire, I motion for Lupin.
The girl needs only a short minute before she gets the meaning behind my silent explanation. She nods to convey that she caught on and Ron asks what's going on and what's going to happen now. I turn from my two friends, to Lea, to Lupin and Snuffles and finally to Lea's group of friends, with Naminé and Xion both holding a couple of books each. I release a long breath and say: "Now we read, Ron. We read – and we save lives."

Well said, Harry.
And yet again a lot has happened, though I again failed to reach 10 000 words. I got close though, but I felt that leaving the section of the Great Hall and the explanation that takes place there is best for next chapter. And once the explanation is given, I will either have Bill show the fated couples in the KH crew and have someone start reading The Third Task chapter in GoF, or just keep it to Bill using the spell he mentioned.
We'll see,

Venquine1990
Wordcount: 7144 words