Of Wizards and Keyblades: Chapter 2

Sora was awestruck by the extensive room inside the castle. "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." said the old man with the excessively long silver beard. As soon as they were in the sanctuary of the Entrance Hall, the two Head of Houses, laden by the injured students, rushed up the Grand Staircase, Dumbledore and Sora not far behind. Up and up they climbed, Sora lost count of how many flights they ascended, until finally the adults stopped in front of a door with a wooden carving of a medical cross, and the Keyblade master rushed forward to make use of himself. Holding the door wide open, the teachers strode into the bleach-white Hospital Ward.

"Thank you, my boy. What is your name, by the way? I believe things will get a little hectic soon, and I'm afraid you might be forgotten for a little while, so best to ask you now." The wise old mage said.

"Oh, my name is Sora, sir. I understand, maybe I should wait somewhere else..."

"An admirable idea, but you could get lost easily, so just stand by the wall, as I will undoubtedly be tossed out in five minutes anyway."

"Oh Minerva, Severus! What happened to them?" A matronly nurse helped the boy and girl onto sterilized hospital beds, magically changed their clothes into hospital gowns and started healing their external wounds with potions, salves, and methodical flicks of what Sora guessed was a wand.

"This remarkable young man found Mr. Potter in the Forest, Poppy, and Miss Granger was tied to him with a binding charm, and hidden on a stretcher under an invisibility cloak. It appears that Lord Voldemort has been tormenting Harry with visions, and had kidnapped Hermione to use her as bait for Harry. " Dumbledore said, giving the wielder of the Keyblade a kind, wondering stare. Sora knew there was more to him than what met the eye. There was a telltale twinkle in the man's crystal blue orbs, and it was Sora's window to an amazingly sharp mind.

"Well, thank you all for bringing them to me so quickly. Severus, I will need a few potions-"

"I am two steps ahead of you, Poppy. I will be right back with them." the tall, brooding man said, and Sora stared in amazement as he threw in a fistful of funny powder into the fireplace, and vanished in a whirl of engulfing green flames.

"Minerva, I need you to-"

"I already know, and I'm on my way. See you all in a little while." the strict-looking woman briskly replied. She repeated what the black-clad man did with the powder in the fireplace, and sped off in a rush of emerald fire. With all of the monsters and dark warriors he had challenged in battle and conquered, Sora knew that he would never want to meet this particular woman in combat.

"Albus, and, I'm sorry, what is your name young man?" she turned her caring gaze on the rain-drenched boy standing in the corner, and magically dried him with some muttered words and the flick of her wand.

"Oh, thank you! I'm, uh..."

"His name is Sora, Poppy."

"Very well. Sora, Albus, I need to work my magic, and you can come back in a few hours to check up." The matron gently ushered the Headmaster and the Keyblade owner out of the ward. They walked slowly down the stairs a few floors, Sora bewilderedly following behind until they reached a long, torch-lit corridor.

"We have quite a lot to discuss, Sora. Please, step into my office." Dumbledore gestured towards a door guarded by a grave looking gargoyle. "Tootsie Pops!"

The gargoyle leaped off of its pedestal, and the brunette wheeled back in alarm.

"Oh, you are a wreck of nerves, aren't you, dear boy? Well, nothing some nice mint tea and a lemon drop won't cure." He chuckled, and led Sora onto an ascending staircase, and up into the most magnificent room he had ever been in. It was quiet, but never still, with the whirr of silver and golden gadgets, the soft rustle of a large bird's feathers, and the peaceful snoring of men....in the paintings on the walls! 'More magic, boy I love this place!' Sora relaxed into an overstuffed chair in front of a beautiful mahogany desk. The old wizard sat down across from him, and gave him a piercing stare to the unusual boy that had practically dropped from thin air into their midst, and saved them from a potentially catastrophic evening.

"Now, Sora, please, tell me who you really are, and why you are here..."



Wow, Chapter 2 is finished! Please Review!