Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anyone else in his world. I also don't own the rights to Final Fantasy, although I do own a copy of the game.
A/N: This was just a random idea that I had, and it's taken over. I don't even know why. Dumbledore casts a spell, which puts the witches and wizards into a Muggle game, but will they be able to return? And who are they playing? But obviously, Draco is Tidus and Harry will be Yuna. The similarities are too close.
There will be three stories, and each one will have the characters in a different universe. And if you can't tell this story is Draco/Harry. But they probably won't actually get together until the third story.
I had to cut this chapter into sections, because the first half is Ron's and the second is back to Draco. I hope it isn't getting too confusing.
Dreaming
Chapter 13-A: You Can't Handle the Truth
Ron Weasley had no idea what was happening. He'd been thrust into this strange dream with no warning, and no idea of what was going on. He'd begun to get comfortable with the people he'd met, realizing instantly who Lulu and Yuna were, but…
The one named Tidus… That guy was really confusing. He knew that it was someone from school, and probably someone who was good at Quidditch, if his talent at Blitzball was any indication. But the only other person as good at it as Harry was Malfoy… and that couldn't be right. Why would Malfoy be on their side?
The guy had risked his life for them several times already, fighting with them, instead of against them, and that only made it more confusing. But, now he had to deal with this Seymour. His character, Wakka, was totally in awe of the guy, because he was so religious, but Ron didn't trust the guy. And it seemed that Wakka was beginning to wonder about him as well. It had something to do with this operation, and Wakka's brother.
When they finally got through to the next area, which was called Mushroom Rock Road, he saw Seymour talking with the Crusaders.
"All hail Maester Seymour" they exclaimed as he stepped forward.
Then he began a speech. "Brave Crusaders of Spira, protectors of all Spira. Believe in the path you have chosen, let faith be your strength! I, Seymour Guado, Maester of Yevon, will bear your witness to your deeds today."
They saluted. "Sir"
"What's going on? Why's Maester Seymour backing the Crusaders, eh" Ron yelled, upset. "They're using the Al Bhed's machina! They're violating the teachings" He was pretty sure that machina was something like Muggle ekeltronic things.
Yuna tried to placate him. "Even going against the teachings they're willing to risk it for the greater good. Wakka, I think Maester Seymour sees that, too."
But Ron wasn't buying it. "Lulu" he asked, hoping she'd have a better understanding of what was happening.
"Hmm… I can only speculate" she replied, and Ron stared at her. 'Hermione… not knowing the answer to something?'
"Ask him yourself" Auron stated, and they realized that Seymour was heading their way.
"Ah, Sir Auron. It is an honor" he stated when he got close. "I would be most interested in hearing what you've been doing these past ten years."
Auron just looked at him. "I've got nothing to say about it."
Then he walked away, leaving the rest to stare after him.
"I... see" Seymour said, turning to Yuna. "Sir Auron must be a great asset as a guardian."
"Your Grace" she replied, bowing.
"Please, there's no need for formalities" Seymour said, and Ron realized that Tidus seemed to be getting angry again.
"Excuse me... Maester Seymour" Ron broke in. "Why is your Lordship... presently... present here... sir" He hated the way he was stammering.
Seymour smiled, but Ron could tell by his eyes that he thought Wakka was just a babbling idiot. "Please, speak as you normally would."
"Uh. Isn't this operation again the teachings of Yevon? Aren't you gonna stop them" he asked, and Tidus stepped closer to hear the answer.
"It's true... I should. However... Both the Crusaders and the Al Bhed truly wish peace for Spira. This Operation Mi'ihen was born from that wish they share" he responded. He actually sounded sincere. "Although it may be sacrilege to Yevon, their intentions are pure. And I, Seymour Guado-the person, not the Maester of Yevon... As a denizen of Spira, I wish them well in their endeavor."
Ron couldn't wrap his mind around the concept. "But, using machina... That's bad, isn't it"
"Pretend you didn't see them" was the reply.
He was stunned. "Beg your pardon, but that's not something a Maester should say"
As Seymour looked as though he was losing patience, and shot back"Then, pretend I didn't say it."
"You're kidding" Ron said, open-mouthed. 'That wasn't anywhere near what I expected,' he thought. 'This guy betrays his own religion, and yet I feel as though he really thinks this is right?'
As Seymour turned to walk away, they heard Tidus' voice, which they'd all been hearing on and off. "From the first time I laid eyes on him, I never did like Seymour... But you know, some of the things he said that day... They made a lot of sense to me."
They began to move again. Suddenly, the third Chocobo knight, the one who hadn't spoken, appeared. "Excuse me, Lady Summoner Yuna" he asked.
"Yes"
The guy was blushing, reminding Ron of Neville, it seemed that he was awed by her. "The command center... Maester Seymour requests your presence there, ma'am."
"Thank you" she replied.
"Take that road to the command center" he said, pointing to their left. "It's not far. We're still in the midst of preparations this way. Sorry."
They turned, and saw the merchant form earlier. "Good day, lad" he aid, grinning cheekily at Tidus, who waved. "Sneaked past the guards, I did! Been makin' a fortune with 'Operation Mi'ihen' prices. But you, lad, you get a discount! I owes ya one, eh" Wakka had heard about Tidus giving the guy money. And the guy's prices were cheap.
There were rocks, that served as lifts, being moved by pressurized water, and it was a novel experience, riding them up to the next level.
They started up the path, and ran into Lucil halfway along. She grinned at them. "We've been expecting you" she stated. "Please proceed to the command center. The presence of a maester and a summoner is great for the troops' morale-myself included." Then she smiled again, directly at Yuna. "Thank you for being here my lady. Depending on the way things turn out, we might suffer casualties. In such an event, we would be honored if you could perform the sending, my lady." She sounded grim as she added"We may have to fight here as well. Stay alert."
Further along, they spotted Shelinda, the girl Yuna had encouraged to stick to her principles. She didn't seem very happy. "In the end, I wasn't able to stop them, as you can see. But seeing their fierce determination, I couldn't just sit there" she said. "So, I decided that I would do everything in my power to help them. Truly, I know nothing of the ways of fighting, but I do know some white magic. I'm hoping that it will be of some use to them." White magic, Ron knew was healing spells, and the like. Then she asked"Is there anything I can do to help you" They shook their heads, and continued on their way.
At the end of the path, Elma was near another moving rock, and she seemed surprised to see them. "Lady Summoner! What are you doing here" she asked. Then she smiled. "Well, with your guardians near you shouldn't have anything to worry about." She seemed to sense what Ron was about to say, because she cut him off quickly. "Don't say we shouldn't be using machina! Not now, please" Then, as she rode off, they heard her mutter" I hope Captain Lucil notices my efforts in this mission."
When they reached the lift to the command center, they spotted Luzzu and Gatta, off to one side.
"Why only you, sir? I want to fight, too" Gatta was arguing.
"Orders are orders" Luzzu replied.
"I'm not a cadet anymore, sir" The reply was full of venom. "Let me go with you, and I'll prove it to them"
Luzzu just looked at the young man. "Guarding the command center is important too, you know."
"But I came all the way from Besaid to fight Sin, sir" Gatta exclaimed. Ron realized that the boy knew nothing of actual war. He'd probably never seen someone die… or at least, not up close. Just things like what had happened in Kilika. Of course, Ron hadn't either, not really, but he'd come closer to it than that.
"I know, but an order's an order" Luzzu repeated. "To your post, Crusader."
"But, sir" Gatta seemed to know that the other man wasn't going to back down, so he stormed off.
Ron and the others walked over to speak to Luzzu.
"They let you through, huh" he asked, when he saw them.
Tidus looked at him. "Gatta deserves better..." he stated, but Ron wondered if he meant he deserved to fight, or a world without fighting.
"At least there's no chance he'll get hurt" he heard himself growl. Then he glared at Luzzu. "Why are you guys fighting, anyway? Aren't the almighty Al Bhed machina enough"
Luzzu stared at him calmly. "They still need some time to get them ready" he responded. "Our job is to keep Sin at bay till they're done." Ron was frustrated by his answer, but Luzzu continued. "Wakka... I might not get another chance to say this. It's about your brother."
"Luzzu, no" Lulu yelled.
"What" Ron asked, shooting her a glance.
"I'm the one who convinced him... to enlist."
Ron was stunned. Apparently Lulu had known this was what he was going to say, because she just sighed.
"I'm sorry" Luzzu said.
Ron couldn't hold back the anger he suddenly felt, and punched him, knocking him flat. Then Draco grabbed him. "Wakka! That's enough, Wakka" he yelled, but Ron knew that it wasn't enough.
Ron gave himself a minute to calm down, then looked at Luzzu. "When we used to play blitz together, Chappu used to say... He'd say that-when we won the Cup, ya-he'd propose to Lulu" he said, and noticed Lulu looking sad. "And then one day... he goes off and becomes a Crusader. Just like that."
Luzzu stood up, rubbing his jaw, and said"Chappu also said to me... That being with your girl is good... But keeping Sin far away from her is better."
Lulu turned her back to them, and Ron felt saddened by it. He hated the fact that she had been dating this brother… If it had been real, he would have fought any of his brothers for her. But he had to ask. "Lu, you knew"
"Luzzu told me... before we left" she replied, not looking at him.
Luzzu grinned, and Ron felt like hitting him again. "She hit me, too."
Suddenly, Lucil appeared, and Ron felt a twinge as she looked at him. She seemed really familiar… or maybe it was her no-nonsense tone, which reminded him of his mother.
"All Crusaders in the vanguard are to assemble on the beach" she stated, looking at Luzzu.
"That's my cue" he replied, turning to go.
Ron suddenly realized that this could be the last time he saw the man, and felt he had to say something. "Luzzu! Don't die out there."
Luzzu smiled at him. "So you can hit me more"
Ron patted his muscles, which were good-sized here, probably from Blitzball. "Lots! Lots more"
But, before Luzzu could leave, Yuna stepped in front of him, arms stretched out, blocking his way.
"Sir Luzzu, please" she cried. "Please, don't go"
"I have to, Yuna" he said seriously.
Auron looked at her, and it seemed that something passed between them. "Let him go. The man has already chosen his path... As you did when you became a summoner."
She took a breath, and lowered her arms, standing aside.
As Luzzu walked away, Ron heard the voice again. "It would be a long time... before I ever really understood the reason why Yuna let Luzzu pass that day." And he wished he felt the same.
They headed for the lift, and rode it to the clifftops. At the top, they saw Al Bhed, and Crusaders working together to put the finishing touches on what appeared to be rows of cannons along the cliff.
"Curse these..." Ron exclaimed, kicking one of them, and then yelled, as he realized that might not have been the smartest thing to do as his foot suddenly felt broken. He wished Madame Pomfrey was there.
"He really hates them, huh" he heard Tidus ask.
Lulu spoke quietly, but he heard the anguish in her voice. "Chappu... he left the sword Wakka gave him in Besaid. And he fought with an Al Bhed machina weapon instead."
Ron felt the truth of it inside him, but ignored it, and said instead"That's got nothing to do with it! I just hate these sacrilegious contraptions" He glared at the cannons, wondering idly if it was too late to choose a new favorite Quidditch team. The Chudley Cannons weren't sounding too good to him anymore.
