Disclaimer: not mine

KH events will be shown more linearly now as we grow closer to things colliding.

Chapter 14

Sora flew for the Mysterious Tower to report back. The gods of Olympus were safe and Hades defeated, again. He didn't want to go back, didn't want to face Master Yen Sid with nothing. No matter what Riku said, he knew he didn't deserve the title of Master, he'd failed so badly. He knew how Herc had regained his strength but how did that help him?

They were gone, his Drive forms…so what had happened? No one else had seen, well, no one except the Heartless. And…he remembered, sort of, more than he had with Anti-form anyway. It hadn't left him hurting or anything like anti either. He'd still had his Keyblade, he knew that, but a lot of it was a blur, whirling around too fast, had he actually teleported? The sick feeling in his stomach was emotional, not physical at least. He couldn't tell Master Yen Sid, couldn't bear to face even more disappointment.

He didn't want anyone to know, but he knew Donald and Goofy would see it eventually. Riku hadn't taken anti badly…would this new form be accepted to? And what about Kairi? Would…would she be angry with him? Disgusted? If she…no, she wouldn't. She'd probably blame herself for not bringing him back right when he'd been a Heartless.

And…was it hurting the other hearts withing him? Roxas was a Nobody so he'd probably be okay but the others? The one that boy had been calling out to…Ven…it had to be Ventus, one of the missing Keyblade wielders…why was his Heart in him though? Who had been that boy who had called out, who had saved them by giving them all magic, helping him wake as much as he'd managed. Had the armour come from him or Ventus?

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Susan watched all the failed attempts to beat the age line, shaking her head at most of them, as if an age potion would work. She leant into Harry's side as he read a book, ignoring the looks. She knew a lot of people thought they were dating, but they weren't. Still, they didn't deny the rumours since it was more trouble than it was worth and neither of them wanted to date at the moment. She'd had a rather horrible breakup with Justin last year and if Harry had ever dated he'd done a very good job of keeping it secret. Susan wasn't hoping he would ask her or anything, she loved him, but like a brother.

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Harry waited as the Goblet changed colour, signifying it was ready to reveal the Champions. If…when his name came out, he wasn't sure what to do, there was no way to have him removed due to the idiotic contract, according to the Ministry anyway. But he wasn't so sure, after all, surely intent mattered? It did in every other bit of magic, and his intent was clear, he did not want to enter at all. Was there some way to have it fall back on whoever entered his name?

McGonagall took her place in front of the Goblet, looking out at them all. "Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber," she indicated the door behind the staff table, "where they will be receiving their first instructions." She took out her wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes.

Everyone watched, waiting. . . . A few people kept checking their watches. . .

"Any second," someone nearby whispered eagerly.

The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. In the next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it, the whole room gasped.

McGonagall caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that she could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white. "The champion for Durmstrang," she read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

"No surprises there!" yelled Ron as a storm of applause and cheering swept the Hall.

Harry saw Viktor Krum rise from the Slytherin table and slouch up toward McGonagall; he turned right, walked along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.

"Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!"

The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," she read, "is Fleur Delacour!"

"It's her, Harry!" Justin shouted as the girl who so resembled a Veela got gracefully to her feet, shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair, and swept up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.

"Oh look, they're all disappointed," Hannah said over the noise, nodding toward the remainder of the Beauxbatons party.

Disappointed was a bit of an understatement, Harry thought. Two of the girls who had not been selected had dissolved into tears and were sobbing with their heads on their arms.

When Fleur Delacour too had vanished into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion next...

And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip McGonagall pulled the third piece of parchment. "The Hogwarts champion," she called, "is Harry Potter!"

Harry's head hit the table in front of him, he'd been right then. Another harebrained scheme to off him, wonderful.

"Harry Potter!" She called again, voice tight with tension. All of the staff knew their thoughts on the Tournament and that Harry had sworn not to enter, that none of their group was going to.

Harry felt Susan and Hannah pat his back before he stood up to face the teachers. "I Harry James Potter swear on my magic that I did not enter my name, or ask anyone to enter my name for me into the Goble of Fire and Triwizard Tournament. So mote it be." Dead silence met his announcement, and then Ron Weasley scoffed at him.

"Coward," he sneered, and in the silence of the Hall, everyone heard him.

Draco immediately stood up, glaring at Ron. "Take that back, Ronald Weasley or face me in a Wizards duel for besmirching my foster brother's honour."

Ronald was receiving glares from much of the school which was heartening for Harry. He only had a relatively small group of friends, but he had done his best to keep the school on side, especially after the heir of Slytherin mess in second year.

"I am sorry Mister Potter, but as far as I am aware, it does not matter how you were entered, once chosen you must participate," the Headmistress told him. "Please join the others."

Harry really didn't want to but then Professor Sprout stood and nodded to him, so he followed her from the Hall.

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Draco sneered as he read the article in the Prophet, blasted Skeeter. That woman was a menace but there were no laws against what she did, his Father was working on it after hearing from Hermione about the various libel laws and the like in the non-magical world. How did she know about Harry's oath so quickly though? Who would have told her and why? He'd suspect Weasley except he didn't have the brains to do it.

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Riku walked beside Mickey as they made their way through the Realm of Darkness, searching for Aqua. He felt so guilty that she was still there, because she had saved him from a threat he hadn't even seen. He stopped and Mickey turned back.

"What's wrong, Riku? Are you tired? Do you need a break? We can stop," the King offered in concern, and Riku shook his head.

"No, just... I've been here. I should know this place. But that all seems like another life," he admitted, despite having been there several times in the time Sora had slept as well, nothing looked familiar.

"Well, gee. Think of all you've seen! All the feelings you've felt. Why, you've done years of growin' in almost no time at all."

"I remember my first time here, I was so scared. But now, my doubts and fears are gone. If anything, I feel exhilarated. And it's not because there's darkness in me," he quickly assured him, hand absently pressing to his Heart, "I know too well what that rush is like. This is different. And it's not adrenaline either. I know Aqua needs us...but I'm ready. I'm in control now. Maybe it's because you're with me this time." He didn't know how else to explain what he was feeling.

Mickey shook his head. "It's not me. I think it's because you've finally found inside you that special strength to protect what matters," the King explained, and Riku blinked.

"What?"

"Sometimes you care so much for somebody that other feelings disappear. And then, there's no room for fear or doubt," he continued.

Riku smiled, looking down at his hand. "Is that it?" he whispered, thoughts drifting to when he first held a Keyblade, when he met Terra at dusk on the Destiny Islands. He'd forgotten that meeting over the years, if he hadn't…would the events with 'Ansem' have gone differently? "'Strength to protect what matters'... It reminds me of a promise I made."

"To who?"

"Just someone I once met. Can't tell," he grinned, teasing. He knew Sora didn't remember Terra…or Aqua's visits. He'd been a year younger and that year had been traumatic just weeks later. Yes, Mickey knew Terra but that…ceremony…felt special, private, and he had promised not to tell.

"Sounds like a good memory," Mickey smiled up at him.

"Yeah... While we're reminiscing, Mickey, does any of this look familiar?"

Mickey looked around. "Sort of, but the Realm of Darkness has changed since I was here with Aqua."

"Yeah, it's different from what I remember." And he'd been there much more recently, with Sora.

"Usually, I'd just follow my heart, and Aqua would show me the way. But the closer I get, the hazier our connection feels."

"You mean..." Riku couldn't bring himself to say it. He wanted to say it couldn't be true but…

"Maybe, but we can't give up hope."

"Yeah," Riku nodded.

They continued on to the End of Sea, the Dark Margin, a beach in shadow, seeing a light shining from far across the water.

"This beach..." it was where he'd thought he'd be trapped forever with Sora after they'd defeated Xemnas. Where he'd been worried he'd die and leave Sora alone thanks to his injuries.

"It's gone..."

"Huh?" Riku looked at him.

"I'm positive Aqua was here. But now...her trail's gone dim."

"I've been here, too. With Sora," he admitted.

"Really?"

"This is where we found our way back to the realm of light. Hey, maybe Aqua did, too!" he suggested.

Mickey solemnly shook his head. "Aqua...has fallen into an even darker abyss-somewhere I can't see her. And I don't think we're equipped to dive any deeper than we already are."

"So then," Riku started only to be cut off by a horde of Shadow Heartless emerging from the dark sand.

"Oh no!"

"What?!" he demanded, calling his Keyblade.

"Riku...be careful. Even the least threatening Heartless are stronger in this realm."

"I got it." Great, as if they weren't bad enough everywhere else.

The Heartless ran past them, gathering into a huge solitary mass, the Demon Tower. The pillar of Shadows wriggled in the air and dove into the sand near them, scattering the cluster of Heartless across the sand. Riku and Mickey struck down several of them before they reformed into the tower from beneath them, tossing them into the air. Riku dodged, blasting them with Dark Fire and lightning, darting around as quickly as possible to avoid being hit. He may be stronger and have more stamina, but Sora and Kairi had always been faster, that was why he'd always made their races so long, to outlast Sora's speed.

He stood panting as the Tower dispersed but they were still surrounded.

"It's not over. Be careful!" Mickey warned just as the spinning tower surged from the sand again.

Riku threw an arm up to shield himself but it wasn't enough and the tower slammed into him head on.

"Riku!" Mickey yelled but he sounded far away.

He floated in Darkness, unable to see or hear, gasping for air…he was drowning…no! He couldn't…he had to…he struggles began to weaken as Darkness began seeping into him

"Didn't expect to see you again," the voice was muffled, barely audible, but he clung to it, fighting to remain conscious.

'What...?'

"Why did you even come here?" it asked, stronger now….Harry? No…someone, familiar….?

'Because somebody needs me,' he thought sluggishly, who needed him?

"Do you want some help?" the voice offered and he struggled to open his eyes, to move, anything.

'Who are you?'

"Me? I'm..."

Riku didn't hear as everything faded away. He didn't see or feel the other slip into his Heart, his body glowing with Light in response, the Heartless panicking and releasing him to land limp on the sand.

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Mickey stared in horror at where Riku had been. No! He launched himself at the Heartless, he wouldn't let them take Riku! He'd fought so hard to find balance, the thought of him turned into one of them….and Riku was more than strong enough to form a Nobody…one the Organisation would be very eager to find and use. He attacked over and over and then he saw a flicker of Light within the Darkness before the Heartless scattered. For a moment, Riku hung in the air before dropping to the sand where he lay unmoving.

"Riku!" he yelled, running towards him. Was it too late? He knelt beside the boy, carefully rolling him onto his back, not for the first time wishing he was closer in size to make such things easier, seeing Riku's chest rise and fall with breath. He was alive! "Riku... Wake up... Riku," he urged, sending a healing spell at him to take care of any wounds.

Riku twitched slightly and then cyan eyes slowly fluttered open, staring up at him without recognition for a second before focusing fully. Mickey smiled in relief as Riku groaned, pressing a hand to his head, before trying to sit up.

"Are you okay?" he asked, moving to help him sit, making sure he wouldn't fall right back over.

"Where'd the Heartless go?" Riku asked, sounding groggy, but at least he remembered what had happened.

"I got more than half of 'em, and the rest vanished. But, they spit you out first."

Riku slowly stood, holding his head, wavering for a second as he looked around. "Thanks. I owe ya."

"I know ya feel invincible, but we're not," he warned seriously, and Riku nodded.

He turned quickly, looking him over in concern, and Mickey was relieved to see the last of the wooziness fading. "Are YOU all right, Mickey?"

"Yeah, thanks to the new gear. But...your Keyblade..." he pointed to where it lay on the sand next to where Riku had been.

"Oh," Riku gasped, hesitantly picking it up. The blade had been severed just below

the winged teeth.

"The Heartless here are stronger than what we expected. I guess we probably should've powered up our Keyblades before we came in here, huh? I think we need to go back to Master Yen Sid's tower so we can regroup," Mickey told him, they were too vulnerable without Riku's Keyblade.

"But Aqua's...still down here, alone. Facing enemies like that," Riku frowned in concern.

"I know..." he sighed, watching Riku walk to the edge of the water.

"What if she's feeling as scared and alone...as I felt the first time I came here? How long are we supposed to keep her waiting in this awful place?"

Mickey walked up to him. "But Aqua... She's like Sora," he offered.

"Whaaat!?" Riku practically squeaked, staring at him with wide eyes, and Mickey laughed, waving his hands in front of himself.

"No no no... STRONG like Sora!" he clarified, grinning when Riku slumped, hearing his sigh of relief.

"Okay... Good. Then I guess she's gonna be all right. Sora could fall into any Darkness and swim his way out," Riku grinned, and Mickey nodded, he probably could.

"Besides, we won't be long," he promised.

"Right," Riku nodded, and then walked forward, planting his broken Keyblade into the sand.

"Huh?" What was he doing that for?

"Can't use THIS Keyblade anymore. Might as well leave it here...for the other me," he finished in a whisper that Mickey almost didn't hear.

"Wha...?" he stared at Riku in confusion.

Riku just smiled slightly and motioned for Mickey to lead the way. When Riku got that look, he wouldn't say so Mickey let it drop.

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"Good morning Harry," he greeted the younger male as he walked in the door, seeing him pause in surprise before he walked to the table.

"Good morning Tom," Harry poured himself some tea. "And Merry Christmas."

"How was the Yule Ball?" he asked, smirking slightly, unsurprised when Harry rolled his eyes.

"I am so glad Susan agreed to go with me, it was…." He shuddered.

"You did very well against the dragon," he offered.

"Thanks. Using my broom was Draco's idea. I felt sorry for the dragon who lost half her clutch because of Krum."

"Indeed, we tried to lobby for them to use fake eggs but Crouch wouldn't hear of it," Tom explained. Dragons were endangered after all, risking so many eggs had been foolish.

"Can't Uncle Lucius just sack the idiot?" Harry grumbled, and Tom chuckled.

"Unfortunately, not while the Tournament is underway."

"Drats," Harry sighed. "Any news on Dumbledore?"

"Nothing at the moment, his known associates are being watched, but he'd be expecting that. There is something I wish to speak to you about though."

"Oh?" Harry asked, obviously curious.

"Your Father's cloak…and a very old child's story."

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Sora slumped over as Donald and Goofy laughed, trying not to feel hurt by everything, before hearing a knock at the door, grateful for the distraction. "Huh?"

"We're back, Master!" That was Mickey! Sure enough, the door opened, Mickey and Riku walking in. "Oh, wow. You guys are all here!"

"We were here before, but you didn't wait," he pointed out, eyes going to Riku.

Donald and Goofy knocked Sora aside to get to Mickey, causing him to fall over. He watched from the floor as the three hugged.

"Your Majesty!"

"Hey there, fellas. So, what've you three been up to?"

Sora stood up, shaking off the fall and moved closer. "We were visi.." he was cut off, pushed to the floor again.

"We went to Olympus to visit Hercules!" Donald told them.

"And to figure out how to get all of Sora's lost powers back."

"But...it was a big disappointment," Donald whispered to his King, but Sora heard him loud and clear, trying not to flinch.

"Oh. What a shame. But, honestly..."

"We didn't fare any better," Riku spoke up, voice stern, even as a hand came into Sora's view. He looked up to find Riku staring at him in concern. He took his hand, letting his best friend tug him back to his feet.

"Did ya manage to figure out where Aqua is? 'Cause Master Yen Sid said that's why you fellas left."

"Even a hint?" Donald looked between them.

Riku and Mickey exchanged glances, before the King's face turned sad.

"Can I finally say something?" Sora asked, feeling Riku squeeze his hand, at least someone was willing to listen.

"We know Master Aqua made it as far as the beach that Sora and I once visited, but that's where her trail ends," Riku filled them in, pulling Sora into the group with him.

"Meaning...?" Sora asked him.

"All traces of her vanish into the great abyss...beneath the Realm of Darkness," Mickey answered.

"She's gone?" Donald sighed sadly.

"No. Sora was dragged into the abyss during his exam and I went in after him. So, I think if we find someone who was really close to Aqua, and they make the dive, they could reach her down there," Riku pointed out but the King didn't seem to agree, looking very sad.

"I'm not sure who's even left to ask. Ventus is hidden...and Aqua's the only one who knows where. Plus, nobody's seen Terra in ages. Aqua was the last."

"So Aqua…she's gonna be the key to finding all three," Riku grimaced.

"Yes. Their teacher, Master Eraqus, would have been another possibility, had Xehanort not mercilessly struck him down," Master Yen Sid finally spoke up again, before closing his eyes pensively, and Sora places a hand over his heart)

"I'll save her," he whispered, except….it wasn't him, was it? He felt light headed, wavering slightly, and Riku looked at him in alarm, feeling it.

"You can't!" Donald yelled.

"But Sora, that's gonna be super hard since you don't have the power of waking," Goofy added.

"Huh? Sorry... I have no idea why that just popped out," he shook his head, rubbing his chest.

"Well, it was pretty convincing," Mickey offered.

"Hey, you okay?" Riku asked him.

"Yeah, I…"

"Sora," Riku stared at him, and he wilted.

"It wasn't me…I didn't say that," he admitted.

"Explain," Master Yen Sid immediately demanded.

"In the exam… when I was asleep. There was a voice, a boy, he was yelling the name Ven, telling him to wake up…he's why I could kind of hear you guys and Xehanort, why I fell off the chair. I think Ventus...is in here." He touched his heart.

"When I dove, I found you wearing strange armour. Mickey, didn't you say they had armour?"

"Gosh, yes all three of them have armour," the King answered.

"And Roxas looks nothing like you, Sora. He's blond for starters."

"Ven is blond!" Mickey stared at him in awe.

"He went to sleep a decade ago, right?" Riku looked at Master Yen Sid who nodded. "I remember, there was this night on the beach, something strange happened. You were crying because someone else was sad. I…I told you to open your Heart and listen and you did. You just stood there for a while and after, you said you thought it worked."

"I don't remember that," Sora frowned.

"You were only four and that year…" Riku trailed off.

"Oh," right. He didn't really remember a lot from before that year so that made sense.

"if Ventus truly does sleep within your Heart then finding the power of waking is all the more important Sora. Mickey and Riku, I recall that Master Aqua journeyed to many worlds, and connected with others who could be the link we need."

"Good plan, sir. Riku and I will retrace her steps and see if we can find any sort of clues, but first..." Mickey agreed before approaching the desk.

"Hmm?"

"We got hit pretty hard in the realm of darkness. My Keyblade was damaged, and the Heartless broke Riku's clean in half. So, we're gonna need to get replacements before we can continue."

"They broke your Keyblade?" Sora asked, looking Riku over.

"I'm fine," he promised.

"In that case, rendezvous with Kairi and Lea. They are continuing their training under the tutelage of the wizard Merlin," Yen Sid ordered.

"Yes, sir."

"Also, I would like you to deliver these for me," Master Yen Sid waved a hand over the table and two briefcases appeared, one black and pink, and one red.

"Are they..." Mickey looked at the cases.

"Yes, they are the same as the ones I gave you. Special vestments to shield Kairi and Lea from the Darkness."

"We got 'em," Mickey nodded, and Riku stepped forward to take the larger.

"What? No fair! What about my outfit, Master?" Sora butted in, trying to ignore the sadness that they were being separated again…and that Riku got to see Kairi when he hadn't seen her in ages.

"Sora, don't bug him like that. It's inconsiderate," Donald chided.

"Settle down. I have new clothes for you, too, Sora."

"Yeah?" Sora managed a cheerful grin.

"A gift from the good fairies," the Master agreed, waving his hand and another case appeared.

"I knew you'd come through for me. Thanks!"

"Those are no ordinary garments, Sora," he warned, and Sora froze for a second. Considering what his current clothing had done, he wasn't sure about more special clothing. "Like before, they have very special powers, so it took extra time to prepare them. In addition, there is a gift from Chip and Dale inside."

"Cool. Okay!" He didn't let them know he was nervous, slinging the case over his shoulder.

"Happy now?" Riku smiled at him, but his eyes were shadowed with concern. If anyone was going to see through his act, it was Riku.

"Yup!" he was, mostly. He was soon leaving, Heartbinder in pocket, walking beside Riku for at least a few moments. Would the three of them never be together for more than a few minutes or days ever again? He leant into Riku when he slung his arm over his shoulders.

"Hang in there, okay? We'll all be together before you know it," Riku promised. "Any messages for Kairi?" he asked with a teasing smile so different to how it had been in the months before the Islands fell. It was like…he wasn't interested anymore? That was good, right?

"Just I miss her," he whispered.

"I'll tell her. Be careful out there, okay?"

"You too, you're going to the more dangerous place."

He waved as Riku and Mickey left before heading to the Gummi ship to leave as well.

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Harry was feeling distinctly homicidal as he prepared to dive into the lake. He doubted Aunty Amelia was any happier considering his 'stolen item' was Susan. The riddle said nothing about taking a living person! Was the countdown true or just something to motivate them?

He saw the judges and frowned, fighting down his anger and the corresponding Darkness, feeling something flicker on the edge of his awareness. He ignored the explanations, focusing on the Occlumency that Professor Snape and Sirius had been teaching them all for several years. When the canon blast sounded, he was mostly calm, diving into the frigid water with the others.

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Hermione tossed the paper aside, poor Harry and Susan. There was no privacy and it was just wrong. Taking her to the ball did not mean they were dating! She looked up and saw Ron in a corner, glowering and muttering, quickly looking away. She was not in the mood to deal with him and his small mindedness. That was one person she would not be upset to see the last of at the end of the school year.

She looked down at the Ring on her finger and smiled softly. Once the blasted Tournament was done with and graduation over, she had a wedding to plan. She was looking forward to it, even if her parents worried they were too young. Most people married right of Hogwarts though and it wasn't like she was planning on being a house wife, she'd made that very clear to Draco and he agreed. He seemed to think she'd make a good Minister one day, though she wasn't as sure.

Keeping Harry alive through the Tournament came first though, everything else would wait.

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'Do you seek our liege?'

"Huh?" Sora blurted, stunned and confused. The words had just kind of appeared in his mind.

"What is it?" Donald asked.

Sora spun, sensing something….to find three Dusks. Had they been the ones to…speak?

"Nobodies!" Goofy called, summoning his shield.

Sora summoned the Keyblade as more appeared, launching himself into the fight. It was a bit easier than the fight in Thebes, had he gotten a bit stronger maybe? It was still harder than it had been before though but in the end the Nobodies were gone.

"Hmm... What was that voice? I know I heard it."

"I didn't hear it," Donald shook his head.

"You sure it wasn't the wind? Or somethin' else?" Goofy suggested, and Sora shook his head.

"I'm pretty sure..." he frowned and then he heard familiar voices approaching, grinning as Hayner, Pence, and Olette appeared, running from…what was that?! He called his Keyblade back and got ready to fight.

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Tomorrow was the day. Potter would be dealt with the way he should have been years ago and then he would finally defeat 'Lord Voldemort', securing his fame forever. The man had pulled the wool over the people's eyes with his claims of previous insanity and the like, but he would prove to them all that the man was the biggest threat their World had ever faced and they would thank him for everything he had done to protect them…even ensuring Potter's demise to make him killable by others. The boy would never do it now, not when the two had become 'friends'.

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"Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes' time, I will be asking you to make your way down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr. Bagman down to the stadium now."

Harry got up, the Hufflepuffs all along the table were applauding him; his friends all wished him good luck loudly, and he headed off out of the Great Hall with Fleur, and Viktor.

"Feeling all right. Harry?" Bagman asked as they went down the stone steps onto the grounds. "Confident?"

"I'm okay," said Harry. It was sort of true; he was nervous, but he kept running over all the hexes and spells he had been practicing in his mind as they walked, and the knowledge that he could remember them all made him feel better. And if worse came to worse, he had his Keyblade and that magic. He was not going to die to keep his secret, even if he had hoped to keep it unknown for Dumbledore. He had been trained by Aunt Amelia, Sirius, Remus…even Lucius, Snape, and Tom too, he was better prepared than most Hogwarts seventh years.

They walked onto the Quidditch field, which was now completely unrecognizable. A twenty-foot-high hedge ran all the way around the edge of it. There was a gap right in front of them: the entrance to the vast maze. The passage beyond it looked dark and creepy .

Five minutes later, the stands had begun to fill; the air was full of excited voices and the rumbling of feet as the hundreds of students filed into their seats. The sky was a deep, clear blue now, and the first stars were starting to appear. Hagrid, Professor Moody, Professor Sinistra, and Professor Flitwick walked into the stadium and approached Bagman and the champions. They were wearing large, red, luminous stars on their hats, all except Hagrid, who had his on the back of his moleskin vest.

"We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze," said Professor Flitwick to the champions. "If you get into difficulty, and wish to be rescued, send red sparks into the air, and one of us will come and get you, do you understand?"

The champions nodded.

"Off you go, then!" said Bagman brightly to the four patrollers.

"Good luck. Harry," Hagrid whispered, surprising him, and the four of them walked away in different directions, to station themselves around the maze. Things had been a bit cool with Hagrid since the revelations about Dumbledore but maybe he was warming back up to him?

Bagman pointed his wand at his throat, muttered, "Sonorus," and his magically magnified voice echoed into the stands. "Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! In first place, with eighty-five points - Mr. Harry Potter, both of Hogwarts School!" The cheers and applause sent birds from the Forbidden Forest fluttering into the darkening sky. "In second place, with eighty points - Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!" More applause. "And in third place - Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!"

Harry could just make out Sirius, the Malfoys, Bones, and his friends applauding Fleur politely, halfway up the stands. He waved up at them, and they waved back, beaming at him.

"So ... on my whistle, Harry!" said Bagman. "Three - two - one -"

He gave a short blast on his whistle, and Harry hurried forward into the maze.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora lay in the sand, holding Kairi's hand in his. He'd thought he'd never see her again, trapped on that beach with Riku. He didn't regret being trapped there, he'd fought to save them all, they all had. It wasn't like they'd meant to get left behind when everyone else had escape via the portal Naminé had opened. He turned his head to look at her, she was so pretty.

She opened her eyes and grinned at him, and he grinned back. "I'm so glad you're back," she whispered.

"Me too."

"Sora…"

"Yeah?"

"Are you in love with Riku?" She asked, and he blinked.

"Of course, he's my best friend," he told her, and she giggled.

"Not like that! I mean….well, you know. Do you want to kiss him?"

"Riku?" he stared at her, frowning slightly. "I uh…I don't think so? It wouldn't be bad or anything but I…uh…"

She nodded, seeming to understand what he didn't. She rolled onto her side, watching him. "What about me?"

"You want to kiss him?" he asked, not sure what that made him feel.

"Do you want to kiss me?"

He felt his face warming up, swallowing nervously, but he nodded slightly.

She smiled at him and leant closer. "I'd like that too," she whispered, and then their lips were brushing. "I know you'll get called on to go save the universe again soon, you and Riku."

"Hey, you have a Keyblade too now, we'll teach you and you can come," he argued. They weren't splitting up again!

"Thanks," she smiled.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Harry slammed into the ground, dropping into a roll immediately, even as his head was spinning from the portkey. He felt a spell flash over his back, barely missing him, even as he got back to his feet, scanning his surroundings. A graveyard? He spotted a familiar bearded figure and grit his teeth, wand in hand. Scattered around was what looked like the set up for some kind of Black magic ritual….was it literally a set up? Kill him and blame Tom and the old Death Eaters? Wonderful.

"I know you're there Dumbledore!" he called, moving between the gravestones until he saw the name on one. Definitely a set up, it meant he was in…. Little Hangleton graveyard, the big house nearby had to be the old Riddle manor. Which meant the Gaunt shack was nearby and possible safety. Tom had mentioned that he had warded the place powerfully, wards only a Parseltongue could get passed. He could hopefully call for backup from there too.

How to get by the deranged ex-headmaster?

TBC…

Was going to finish Hogwarts this chap but it's getting a bit too long. Only one KH scene set back in time in this chap, Sora and Kairi's kiss, set post KH2 before Dream.