(A.N: Every chapter seems to get longer haha. Oh by the way, just so you know, the story Riku told Rapunzel is the one that Kairi used to listen from her grandmother. He explained to her what the Heartless are, Xehanort, why the worlds are apart and what Keyblade Masters are and their work. He didn't tell her his own story, nor Lea's.
Relax and read!)
Sora was excited. Whether it was because of the magical world he came to know about the day before, having his friends join him in a new adventure, getting closer of becoming a Keyblade Master or all of them at once, he didn't know. He just focused on enjoying and spreading his good mood. Although, some were starting to get tired of his too lively and endless chatter…
"Oh-ho-ho-ho Hogwarts…" Merlin let his mind fly to a long forgotten time. "I still cherish the day I received my acceptance letter..."
"No way! You've been there too?!"
"C'mon, Sora, give it a rest. You haven't stopped talking about Hogwarts since we left the Mysterious Tower" Riku crossed his arms, only to be completely ignored by everyone in the room, but Lea, who gave him an understanding glance.
"Been there? This old wizard was educated and was a teacher there, my boy! But it's been a long time since my school days. I even had to spread a rumor to leave that crazy world once and for all he-he-he! A dark age, indeed!" Merlin took a sip of his tea.
"Well, now it sounds like a lot of fun" Kairi mimicked the friendly wizard, taking the porcelain cup in her hands to her lips. "You should be happy too, Riku. I read it's divided into four houses that value different things and a sorting hat chooses your house depending on your qualities" She gave the silverette a grin.
"A sorting hat you say? Talk about crazy with a capital 'C'" Lea took his fists to his hips. Still, Hogwarts sounded more and more appealing to them the more they knew about it. They couldn't allow themselves to forget their real objective, though.
"But there's something I don't understand…" Everyone turned their gaze to Rapunzel, who stirred her tea with a spoon absent-mindedly. "All of them can do magic." She looked at her companions around the table. "How come they never knew about this school?"
"It is because the worlds are divided, my dear. A pity, really." Merlin shook his head and adjusted his glasses. "Very few teachers and the headmaster of Hogwarts know there are talented wizards and witches all over the worlds, but very few are fortunate enough to know of the existence of other worlds. Even fewer, like yourselves, are able to travel between them."
"So, you're saying we'd have gotten acceptance letters too if we'd been born in the world of Hogwarts?"
"Right you are, Riku. So would have you, ma'am" Merlin nodded towards Rapunzel.
"Me?" She pointed to herself, frowning slightly. Realization hit a split second later, and so it seemed to hit Kairi at the same time.
"You're no muggle yourself" Merlin assured before taking another sip.
"Muggle? What's that?" Sora interrupted, eager to learn as much as possible about this new world. Riku paid close attention.
"Non-magical people. By George! It's been so long since the last time I used these words." Merlin let out a merry laugh that echoed all over the room.
"So, Punzie here is a witch?" Lea placed his hand on the shoulder of the blonde that sat next to him. Riku knitted his eyebrows at the new nickname, but Rapunzel didn't seem to mind it. Apparently, from the moment she met Lea, they started acting like good old friends.
"Yes, indeed. Perhaps a very powerful one. You all promise me to take your lessons very seriously while you're there."
"A very powerful one? Are you serious? That's so cool, Rapunzel!" Sora cheered and Rapunzel smiled back. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Riku's gaze was fixated on her. But unlike Sora, he wasn't smiling. At all.
"But, madam, if I may ask, how are you going to carry such a long… hair… in Hogwarts? It is a huge place and I think it's going to be an inconvenience for you. Wouldn't you prefer something more… practical?"
Rapunzel's heart started beating faster at the hint of the wizard. "I… I really like it this way" She replied a little too fast with an ear to ear smile. Kairi's eyes widened and everyone fell silent for a moment.
"Huh… It suits you" Lea shrugged, not willing to give more thought to it. His days in the Organization gave him quite an open mind to diversity of thought.
"Yeah, you look gorgeous!" Kairi cut in, much to Rapunzel's relief. However, the auburn-haired girl had meant her words. "Merlin, is there a way you could help her with her hair without having to cut it? I was thinking about asking Aerith for help, but she's in Traverse Town with the others"
"Well, since you're going to be spending quite some time there, I suppose I could help you." Merlin caressed his long beard in thought.
"You can change hairstyles with magic too? You didn't tell me that in my training, I don't believe you." Lea raised an eyebrow.
"All right, I shall demonstrate. Come here, dear" Merlin stood up, rolling up the long sleeves of his blue robes to his elbows, before taking a magical wand out of one of them.
A nervous Rapunzel stood up, her endless blonde hair trailing behind her, as she silently prayed that he wouldn't accidentally cut it, burn it or something of the like. But he had introduced himself as the most powerful wizard in the world, right? Kairi nodded reassuringly as if reading her thoughts and Rapunzel gathered all the courage she needed.
Standing in front of the wizard, she turned her back on him.
"Now, what am I to do with you?" Merlin scratched his head, eyeing the long curtain of gold up and down.
"Oh, wait! I know!" Kairi bolted in his direction and whispered a few words in the ear of the legendary wizard, before running to her comfy seat again with a huge smile spread across her face. The boys exchanged puzzled glances.
"Very well, then…" Merlin cleared his throat as lifted his wand and flicked his wrist "ALAKAZAM!"
An intense white light surrounded Rapunzel. She winced, pressing her eyes shut, readying herself for something painful or violent to happen, her previous worries still present in the back of her mind. But nothing happened. The light gradually disappeared and she finally allowed herself to open her eyes cautiously.
She turned around slowly, looking for her hair in the ground "Well, I don't feel any diff-" She caught a glimpse of gold close to her feet and she eagerly peeped over her shoulder. The corners of her mouth noticeably rose, awe written all over her delicate features. A beautiful and carefully arranged, long braid swayed gracefully with her movements. She gave an enthusiastic twirl, as excited giggles escaped from her lips. "I love it! Thank you!"
"I knew it!" Kairi exclaimed. "You look lovely, Rapunzel. Right, guys?"
The three boys stared wordlessly at the blonde, expressions unreadable. Those five seconds lasted an eternity to Rapunzel.
"Yeah, Kairi's right." Sora cleared his throat, scratching the back of his head with a dorky smile, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence. "You do look great"
"Yeah, you even got Sora to shut up. That's something" Lea snickered before holding his hands up defensively at the threat of Sora sending a sugar cube projectile his way.
"Thanks, guys" Rapunzel smiled sheepishly and walked back to her seat. She thought she caught Riku averting her gaze. Were his cheeks… pink?
"So, how was that for the most powerful wizard in the world, eh, Lea?" Merlin taunted, proud of his own work, before turning to Rapunzel "I'll teach you to do it by yourself once you get your wand, dear"
"Oh, that's right. We have to go to Diagon Alley" Kairi commented.
"Speaking of which, I gotta get my gummi ship" Standing up, Riku announced, ready to leave Merlin's house.
"Good idea. Come on, Rapunzel! I'll show you around" The blonde's arm was grabbed by and excitedly sprinted out of the room.
"Hey I wanna come!"
"Me too!"
Lea and Sora ran after them, leaving a bemused Riku alone with Merlin.
"What a lass! She has a lot of light. A real spark, lots of spirit" Merlin chortled.
"Well, she's a Princess of Heart after all" Riku quickly drank whatever was left of his tea and planted the empty cup on the table.
"Not her, lad. Rapunzel"
"Oh… yeah…" Riku's features went plain serious, remembering his long talk with his mentor and former Keyblade Master. "Master Yen Sid and I noticed that too. He says she even has the purity of a Princess of Heart" Riku ran a hand through his hair, the tiredness that followed the complexity of the situation and-what Riku thought was even worse-the vagueness and lack of information, slowly returning with the memory of such conversation. "Merlin, when you said she wasn't a mugg-"
"Oh, by George! I'm late!" Merlin dashed towards a different table and grabbed his favorite carpet bag, shrinking some of his possessions with an enchantment so that they fit in it, doing a small jig in the process "I'm sorry, boy. I have to go now"
Riku's lips were still parted, words at the tip of his tongue demanding to be left out. "Sure" He finally said, swallowing his questions in resignation.
Merlin took a last sip of his large cup of tea and once his possessions were completely stuffed in his bag, he turned to Riku.
"Worry not, lad. Follow your heart. Works every time. Just like magic!" He laughed and with a light tap of his wand in Riku's head, Merlin vanished into thin air.
#
"…It's good and ready to go"
Jim Hawkins patted twice the now repaired gummi ship, and stood proudly against it.
"It looks great, man. Thanks" Riku nodded as he eyed the vessel, satisfied with the result.
"No prob" Jim shrugged. "So, uh, is… Kairi around here?" He asked a bit too casually, his eyes awkwardly wandering about the place.
"She's with Rapunzel and Sora. She said she would show her around. Why?" Riku added with a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"N-no reason" Jim dusted off his shoulder. "Anyways, I gotta go with Cid. Tell Rapunzel and Kairi I said hi" He turned and started walking in the opposite direction.
"Oh, hey, Kairi. Just in time, Jim was just asking about you"
"Kairi?" Jim's eyes lit up as he rapidly scanned his surroundings, nervously pulling his hair back and adjusting his clothes. Nonetheless, the redhead was nowhere to be seen. "Wha- Where…?"
Riku cracked up. Realization struck Jim a second later and his face went from light pink to bright red.
"Tha- That's not even funny, du- Seriously? After what I did for y- Ugh forget it, man." After shooting him a death glare, he quickly walked away, head mildly low in order to hide his blush. Riku's laughter kept going.
"You know, I'm gonna take revenge! Some day. And that's a promise!" Jim yelled over his shoulder, still trying to hide his face as he distanced himself with a quick pace.
"I'll be waiting!" Riku shouted back, a hint of laughter still audible in his voice.
However, from that moment on a new unspoken agreement had been made. One they both were aware of.
They were officially friends.
#
"Riku, are you… absolutely sure that this is gonna work…?"
"Yes, Sora. Master Yen Sid said so" Riku's voice was flat, although he was just as puzzled as his best friend was. A little nervous even, but there was no way he would ever admit that.
"Ok. Let's go then" Kairi nodded bravely.
"This sounds really fun" Rapunzel muttered under her breath, a smile etched across her lips.
"Show us how it's done, Keyblade Master" Lea commented.
"I just… I just have to focus" Riku said to no one in particular, as he closed his eyes in thought, holding a handful of a silver powder in his hand. Around fifteen seconds passed. Lea cleared his throat.
"Don't get me wrong, I love staring awkwardly at someone standing in a fireplace as much as anyone," He ran a hand through his hair, "but how 'bout we leave that for a special occasion?"
Riku glared at him.
"C'mon, Riku! I wanna go!" Sora exclaimed.
The Keyblade Master met the gazes of his friends. Everyone's smiles, even Lea's smirk, were meant to encourage him. However, it wasn't himself he was worried about. In fact, he'd rather go last only to make sure all of them arrived safely to their destination. Though they'd probably complain if he voiced his thoughts.
"You know what? I'll do it. Fire's my thing, after all"
Riku stepped aside, handing the redhead a small amount of Floo powder (or so he recalled that was what was called), and mentally thanked him. Knowing Lea, he'd done it on purpose, even though he would probably never admit it and would pretend not to know what he was talking about.
The redhead closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Diagon Alley" He stated clearly, before tossing a handful of powder into Merlin's fireplace. A swarm of emerald flames swallowed him and the next moment he was gone.
Everyone remained silent.
"Is he… all right?" Kairi inquired after a few heartbeats.
"I sure hope so…" A barely perceptible worry was audible in Rapunzel's voice, still processing what just had happened. Riku shrugged.
"Only one way to find out"
After Kairi and Sora repeated the procedure and the green fire appeared each time to fiercely devour them away, Rapunzel and Riku were left alone in the room.
"Are you sure you don't wanna go first?"
Riku nodded. "I'm sure. I'm right behind you"
"Okay" Rapunzel grinned widely, clasping her hands as she stood in the fireplace, making a little too obvious the fact that she was hoping that he'd reject her offer. Riku smiled a little.
When it was his turn, Riku transported himself quickly. Who would have thought there was a portal to another world in Merlin's chimney? The wizarding world was full of surprises, but little did the master know that was just the beginning.
#
"Look! Look at that!"
"No way…"
"Wait for me!"
"That's amazing!"
"Wait, what's that?!"
"Wow…"
"Aaaaaah!"
"Hahaha! Sora, it's just an owl!"
The group made its way across the cobbled alley full of shops that sold pastries, spell books, owls, bats, telescopes, potions, what looked like an animal's eyes, and a ton of merchandise that neither of the light protectors recognized. The sudden urge of running from one window to the next instantly took over them (especially over Sora and Rapunzel), their heads helplessly trying to turn to almost every direction at once. Most of the people around them wore pointy hats, or some sort of ancient but extravagant attire unlike any other they had seen before. White owls flew by their heads and some witches and wizards offered them to enter their shops. The sight was marvelous.
"Where do we go first?" Sora jumped up and down, as Rapunzel gleefully scanned the list of supplies Dumbledore had given them, barely containing her burning desire to jump along. She couldn't recall a time in which she had felt more excited. The group was gathered around her after deciding it would be better to actually do something instead of just window-shopping.
Her eyes scanned the parchment carefully. "It says we need to buy plenty of books in Flourish and Blotts. But Dumbledore's special notes say that…" Her voice trailed off, eyes widening slightly before her lips broke into a smile.
"C'mon, don't leave me hanging" Lea chuckled.
The blonde's eyes lifted from the list, before her grin deepened "We need to get our wands first"
#
"Here it is… Ollivanders" Riku read the peeling gold letters over the door of the shop, before it swung open with the sound of a bell as a woman, a man and a little girl stepped out of it; the three of them wearing sparkling smiles, a single tear rolling down the cheek of the woman.
"Looks like a happy place…" Lea shrugged, before they all stepped inside.
The air smelled of dust and the wooden floor of the tiny shop creaked softly with their steps. Worn racks covered up the walls and were filled with thousands of narrow boxes piled up to the ceiling. An old man with messy white hair and silver eyes stood in the center of the room.
"What can I do for you?" He greeted kindly, folding his hands behind his back.
"We're looking for wands" Kairi smiled back.
"Then you came to the right place" The old man chuckled half-heartedly. "All of you are looking for wands? I remember every single wand I've ever sold and I do not recognize you as my clients. I dare to affirm you aren't eleven years old, so what happened to your old wands?"
"Actually, we've got a special request" Riku took an envelope from his pocket and handed it to the man. Eyebrows knitted at the unusual behavior of his new costumers, he slowly received it and immediately identified the red wax logo sealing the envelope. His rushed and wrinkled fingers opened it and unfolded the letter inside, before his eyes devoured its content. Understanding dawned in his gaze and Mr. Ollivander put the paper away in a small desk with a smile.
"Wands it is"
At the statement, Sora stood impatiently in front of the man. "So, do we get to choose?" Riku let out a laugh internally at his best friend's behavior.
"I'm afraid not. The wand chooses the wizard, but… I think I might have just the perfect one for you" Mr. Ollivander pulled out his own wand and waved it slightly, making a green box hover its way down from one of the shelves straight into his hands. He opened it in an elegant gesture and gave the Keybearer the wand it contained.
"Whoa, this one's great" Sora's eyes were transfixed in amazement, taking in every detail. As if responding to the teen's comment, the wand emanated a strong, luminescent, white light that lit up the entire small shop in a matter of seconds, before quickly disappearing, taking the wand itself with it. Pairs of wide eyes stared silently at the event, blood draining from Sora's face.
"Y-You saw what happened! I-I swear I didn't do anything! Where did it go?!" Sora held his hands up, his gaze desperately trying to locate the wand in the floor. Mr. Ollivander laughed a little.
"Worry not, young man. It has merged with your Keyblade." He explained calmly for Sora's relief, who quickly summoned his well-known weapon, only for it to be replaced by the thin wooden artifact. His grasp felt somewhat clumsy, having expected the much larger weapon he was so familiarized with.
"Hazel and unicorn hair, 11 1/4, unbending." Mr. Ollivander's voice was enthusiastic, but Riku seemed to have other things in mind.
"How do you know about the Keyblade?"
"Let's just say we've had world travelers before" Mr. Ollivander grinned. "My grandfather used to tell me stories about his encounters with them. I always believed his words to be true, even though my father advised me to do otherwise as he assured the existence of other worlds was utterly impossible. But in a world full of magic… what is there not to believe?" His lips curled into a smile, a soft and sweet nostalgia filling his voice. "But I never thought I would experience these encounters. The fantastic stories of my childhood" He sighed longingly.
Riku's features softened and for a moment he believed he saw the eyes of the man moisten.
"You must forgive an old nostalgic man. Now, who's next?"
About an hour passed, as Mr. Ollivander attempted to find the right wand for the rest of the world travelers. Lea was the one that had the most trouble and the one that produced the more accidents in Ollivander's shop. Even though Rapunzel volunteered to help him clean, the man refused.
"Now, listen to me. You can't go on about making your wands appear out of nowhere. It's best if you pretend to take it out of your robes. Alright?"
"Thanks for everything, Mr. Ollivander. I'm glad you found out your grandfather was right" Rapunzel nodded. He replied with a warm grin, his eyes revealing her words had moved him.
"Now go and do what you do best. I expect great things of all of you"
The Keybearers voiced their farewells and soon they were out in Diagon Alley again.
"We got our wands! How cool is that! I'll be dueling with you pretty soon, Riku. Prepare yourselves, magic folk. The Amazing Wizard Sora was just born." The brown-haired teen grinned slyly and Kairi laughed, while Lea just face-palmed.
"Can you believe this guy?" Rapunzel chuckled as Lea pointed to Sora with his thumb.
"I'd like to see you try" Riku raised an eyebrow.
The day went on fast, between laughs and amazed gasps from the five of them as they got more involved in the wizarding world, picking up their books, and looking at what every shop had to offer. Soon, it was finally time to go back to Merlin's.
"C'mon, let's hang out just for a little while" Sora pouted, as they all followed Riku to the fireplace where they'd come from.
"You know we can't do that. Merlin's waiting. And don't forget Rapunzel's got a spell to learn"
"Oh, that's right" Rapunzel grinned and Sora frowned briefly, before seeming to completely forget about the topic. "I wanna see you do that! It seems pretty amazing! Maybe he'll teach me some spell too"
"We all have magic practice in case you forgot, Amazing Wizard Sora"
Sora's mouth opened at Kairi's sarcastic remark "Righhhhht" He sighed, his face turning light red. "I guess I did forget."
"HELP, HELP, HELP, HELP!"
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
Riku abruptly stop at sound of the agonizing shrieks along with the other four light protectors, as the entire Diagon Alley froze in fear. "This way" Sora ran, following the terrifying echoes, as his friends ran right after him. They kept going as fast as they could until they reached a pub named "The Leaky Cauldron". The screams intensified.
Just a moment before Sora stormed into the place, Kairi threw her arms around him from behind.
"Sora, wait! You can't use the Keyblade!" She exclaimed.
"Take this. Quick" Riku tossed everyone the vials Dumbledore prepared for them, except Lea, since he carried his own vial in order to prevent any kind of mistakes.
They swallowed the vial's contents and before any of them could say a word, a younger Lea kicked the door open.
The view was not pleasant at all.