Hey everyone!
Sorry, but I just couldn't help myself. I started on this one as soon as my other one was finished and I really hope I can do this one as much right as the last as it really makes me proud of all I have accomplished, not just with this story, but with everything I have written, edited and posted for the last near 6 years here.
Also, I decided to – not yet – send over the amazing outfit I hinted at in chapter 08, but at least have Lea again prove to Harry that there is indeed a bond between them and to just have Dumbledore have some peace of mind as he now has those two strangers in Harry's youth to worry about, so this chapter won't be CR yet.
Okay, enjoy

Venquine1990


Chapter 10
Fireflies and Phoenixes

27th of January 1996
Radiant Garden
Lea's POV

The outfit that I saw on the mannequin was definitely one I wanted to buy for Harry and because Kairi, Mickey, Donald, Goofy and I had all been drawn to it while we were all shopping for something different for my little Firefly, do we decide to all chip in a bit of what we had been given by Destiny to purchase the cloths.
We had then left it with the clerk in the store to pack and wrap up with their finest of paper and bows and had again left for our own plans of shopping, my eyes again roaming over the outfits and the separate clothing segments that I find stacked up and hung around the various isles of the shop before something else catches my eye. We had also gone to a few other shops after and bought other things we believed either Harry or the others might need.
Donald and Goofy had even gone back to Twilight Town and asked Little Chef to make the family several meals, even after I reassured them that Lady Destiny wasn't going to let the lot starve or anything. "Remember, this is for the best of them and their bonds. They'll be fine." Yet I had stalled after being felled by one of Little Chef's insulted glares.

Instead of that do I decide to look around the rest of the shopping area and I find another gem in another clothing store. A sea-blue shirt with high turtle-neck that can be folded down to just cover the neck or up to cover both neck and chin lies on one of the racks with a silver crown chain attached to the shoulders. Picking up the shirt, do I feel the soft fabric of it, part of me wondering why I would go for something so simple, when I see it.
On the left of where the shirt is laid out is a rack of dark black, leather jackets with high neckline and with the hem fanning out down the waist, while on the right of the shirt is a whole bunch of auburn brown pants that seem to be made to expand down at the ankle and that are apparently designed to sag down past the ankles.
All in all do the three articles of clothing make for quite the nice combination and I smile, my mind easily envisioning how my little Firefly wears these cloths on a cool summer's day or perhaps just at the start of autumn, the jacket abandoned or wrapped around the waist whenever he plans to wear this during a day of pure Summer heat. And this is followed by an image of us both sitting on the jacket – or perhaps a blanket – while relaxing on the beaches of the Destiny Islands.

This makes me instantly fold up the pair of pants that I see, making sure all three articles are in my mate's sizes and I quickly rush for the counter, paying for the outfit and making sure that the clerk knows to follow the same orders as with the outfit my partners and I acquired earlier in the other store before I decide to again browse the store.
Finding a few more articles of clothing do I smile as several of them make for killer combinations and while part of me tries to remember that the looks I saw on the boy are not his true ones, does my heart constantly assure me that the combinations will still look good on the young fellow even after he reveals his true looks to me.
Feeling a little downtrodden at the fact that I can't see my Firefly's new looks just yet as Destiny is obviously very adamant on keeping me from being with the precious little thing for now, do I try not to feel jealous of Riku being allowed to be with Sora as I know that his bonding with the lad was a necessity for both of them.

The rest of my gang then goes and buys their equipment and other things and while I smile at all of the chains, necklaces, wristbands and bracelets that Mickey, Donald and Goofy have been able to buy, especially the dark brown vest that will cover my mate from neck down to his feet and that is made of pure metal and leather.
The jacket was bought by Donald and it had been one of the second things the Duck had seen after recognizing the outfit we had all bought together, while Kairi had chipped in with my ideas by buying several other shirts, a few pairs of swimming and bathing trunks and even some winter and summer jackets, socks and shoes.
Mickey had also made an amazing purchase by getting a sale on the Star Charm, a silver triangular charm of which the edges are decorated with silver crescents and spikes, the lower half of the charm adorned by a silver fleur-de-lis and that has a black five-pointed star symbol showing on the upper half of the charm.
The charm itself is meant to greatly increase one's strength and magic and also give the user a better chance at using certain abilities, something I know Sora used a lot during his second journey searching for Riku and Kairi, something that makes me smile widely at seeing the charm as I just know my mate will appreciate it.

Finally had Goofy shown me one of the items he had bought and he had laughed at it as he said: "Garwsh, Lea, when I saw that outfit you put together, I just had to go and buy this. It just looks good with it, don't cha think?" And he had shown me the Gaia belt, a dark brown leather belt with a silver, oval-shaped buckle on it.
I had definitely smiled at seeing the belt and had happily added it to the bag that held the outfit Goofy spoke about before we again get surrounded by the bright whiteness of Destiny's embrace and the woman whispers: "You have done exceedingly well and have surpassed my expectations. For this I shall reward you."
This makes me look around and then suddenly do I feel something happening to my person. Looking down, do I see that I am almost translucent, the only part of me that is actually not so being the bags that are in my hands and when I look around, do I see that my partners in shopping are experiencing the same event.

All of them look from their bodies to their hands and Donald even touches the end of his own beak while all of their eyes are wide with shock, but then I suddenly notice how, not only the white of Destiny's call has left us, but that we are being watched as well and as I look at where I feel the gaze coming from, do I feel shocked again.
Wavy russet colored hair that has hints of copper shining through some of the strands on the top of the head and that mostly color around the forehead and eyebrows, a pair of striking grey eyes with a multitude of blue and brown spots shining through them, a pale tan that almost looks to be radiant in the light of the room.
The young lad – that is apparently the youngest in the group staring at us – has his eyes wide as he looks straight at me, while the other three beside him seem as focused on the rest of the team as they are of me and after a single glance makes me recognize the father, Sora and Riku, do I realize who I am looking at.
This alone makes my heart skip a beat as I just cannot believe that my little Firefly has gone to look even more beautiful and precious than before and while thanking Destiny for this chance, do I take the bags in a single hand and gently walk over to the four, Sora's eyes wide as he sees this before he too focuses on Harry.

The boy looks a little tentative, his eyes searching mine and holding my gaze as I walk over to him and while I make sure to keep my distance as it seems that the little one is still wary of strangers, do I gently reach into one of the bags at my side and pull out the Star Charm, Sora gasping as he recognizes the item.
"Here you go, Firefly. To help you feel strong and confident in the abilities that grow within your precious heart." I then mutter softly to the young lad before me, his eyes widening a little and allowing me a better view at the beautiful specks of blue and brown that shine within them before he softly asks me: "L-L-Le – you're Lea, right?"
And while I quickly send a grateful glance Sora's way, do I then nod at my little Firefly and say: "Yes, I am." Before I gently move a single translucent finger over to my Firefly's temple and ask him: "Got it memorized?" Making a small smile appear on my beloved's face as he must instantly recognize my love for my favorite catchphrase.

Harry then nods only once and asks: "So – how – how do I?" And while Goofy chuckles softly in the background and I can almost feel Donald tilt his head in confusion over my Firefly's shyness, do I gently try and pick up the boy's robe, making sure not to touch Harry's skin as I pin the charm on the front of the robe.
Harry looks down at the charm as I let go off the robe, his eyes proving how he must be feeling the magical effects of the item taking effect within him before he smiles down at me and then I again hear the voice of Destiny: "Only one other, Lea, chose wisely." And I nod, hating how I can only present my little one with one more gift.
Taking the bag with the outfit that I bought, the one to which I added Goofy's purchase, do I move my face slowly over to Harry's, not wanting to scare the precious little one before I whisper: "Wear this when I come for you, okay Firefly?" And while translucent can I still feel Harry's skin move against mine as he nods.
I then again feel the magic of Destiny settling into my body and when my friends and I arrive back in Twilight Town, does it take me only a second to again get used to feeling my body be of solid mass once again, while at the same time wishing I could just be a solid mass hugging the precious Firefly that is Harry Potter.

I then thank my friends once again and tell them I will keep them up to date if I ever get send back, which I assure them I more than probably will thanks to the connection that now exists between me and my Firefly. "Yeah, explain that!" Donald snaps and I roll my eyes as I say: "Simple, Destiny and Amore decided my future is to be linked with his. Got it memorized?"
"Good luck, Lea. It looks like Harry has some Riku traits to him. I noticed a strong sense of darkness that seems to surround his heart. You best – best be careful with him." I nod at her, having already deduced the same myself when I first laid eyes on the sleeping little Firefly and I tell her: "Trust me, no one will ever hurt that boy again, least of all me."
We say goodbye and I decide to just spend my time the best way I know how to. And so I head up to the tram station, buy some ice cream at the store next to the ticket booth and then head up to the top ledge just above the actual clock, watching the sun being in a twilight position – to which the town has dedicated its name – as I take a few bites.

"You're here early." I then hear a soft male voice say and look up, only slightly surprised to see Isa standing on the corner of the ledge. "Had to get some stuff done and now I'm just waiting for time to move, you know?" I joke and the man smiles as he moves over to sit with me, a bar of ice cream in his own hand as well and he asks: "Oh really, and why would you want that?"
"You know that special bond that you developed with Axel and Roxas after you were recompleted, right? Well guess what, Isa? Lady Destiny herself blessed me with one of my own. I met this incredibly gorgeous, handsome and outright wonderful young man who has –." Yet then Isa starts to laugh and I ask: "Hey, what's so funny?" Feeling offended.
"You're gushing. I always knew that if you'd fall, you'd fall hard, but I never expected this. Wow Lea, you got it bad." To this I rub the back of my head and say: "Want to know a little secret? Even Mickey and the others don't know this." Isa nods and I say: "We got some munny from Lady Destiny to buy my Firefly new cloths. I spent it all and a good half of my own earnings. Utterly worth it." I end, smiling as I gaze into the setting sun.

Later that night
Dumbledore's Office
Albus' POV

It's been a good hour since I talked with Kingsley and – after that – Remus for a few more minutes and since then have I not gotten any new links or hints as to where Harry could be and while this should calm my nerves as Severus has yet to report any news about new victims of Voldemort, can I not help but worry.
Having followed the example of both Mss. Granger and Remus at this point am I writing several letters and plans of what to do were I to be informed and while I try to see the no-news as good news, do I fear more than ever over where Harry could be now that I know he was never safe from strangers while living with his relatives.
This alone makes me worry that – whoever the other two are that met Harry at young age – have taken either the young lad or somehow infiltrated the Order and kidnapped Sirius only to use his kidnapping as a method to get Harry and while I try not to let anyone – whether they be staff or portrait – see my concern, is it still there.

I then take my umpteenth deep breath in order to keep up my cool façade as I know that there are plenty here at Hogwarts that are counting on me to find their fellow student – not to mention even more at the Order that are hoping I will find a way to find both the young boy and his godfather, but then something happens.
A bright light fills the room, the light itself made of such whiteness I need to shield my eyes for a moment in order to get a chance to get used to it, before I hear a voice that almost seems as if it comes from within the white color that now surrounds me and has made all furniture in my room disappear as it speaks:
"Albus Dumbledore, your concerns are valid, even when your beliefs are not." And while I wonder how this could be possible – and silently hope that the voice means my beliefs on Harry being kidnapped, does the whiteness disappear as quickly as it spread itself throughout my room, yet does it also leave something behind.

Or better said someone, as the woman before me is absolutely amazing and breath-taking all at the same time, even while her complexion, her eyes, her hair color and hair style all seem to be in constant contact with her magic as they all change with almost every blink of my eye, even if the gentleness of her gaze remains the same.
The woman smiles at me, while even the fullness and color of her lips changes with every breath she takes and then says: "You worry for those that truly matter to those important and for that I reward you. However, you should nevermore believe in the words of ancient past as they hold no truth within them whatsoever."
This shocks me as I realize that the woman means the Prophesy that I have my Order members protect – even while some of them would rather go look for either Sirius or Harry at this current moment – and then the woman says: "Harry Potter is a child true of heart and he deserves only with which I pray to bless him.
I have taken him as my protégé and have send him to a place of my own creation where he will be safe, loved and cared for until he has learned all that needs to be taught to him in order for him to use the incredible powers within his heart with all the magic that flows through his every vein. Until then he is to remain under my guard."

These words relieve me like no other and then the woman smiles at me once more as she says: "Repeat this message to those who care, Albus Dumbledore, for your memory will be my Truth." And with that, does the whiteness of the woman's power return, but then, just as she raises her arms, do I realize something and ask:
"Wait a second, who – who are you?" And the woman, already preparing to leave, allows for her voice to yet again fill the entire room around me as she says: "I am Destiny." And the power that I feel coming off of her as she leaves with these words shock me to the very core of my magic and convince me of her speaking the truth.

Leaning back in my chair after the light has vanished, do I barely pay notice to how suddenly all the portraits around me are shouting their concern and asking me what happened – making me subconsciously realize that they are unaware of what just transpired – before I feel a warming presence land on my lap.
Raising my hand out of instinct, do I take great relief and strength out of the feeling of Fawkes' feathers under my hand and while the Phoenix caws and hums, do I feel it using its inner fire to feed me energy through its body, something I am very grateful for as I feel my own energy returning to me after this amazing event.
I then shake my head and thank the Phoenix with a single nod, making sure to show him with my gaze how much I appreciate his help and Fawkes caws at me happily, pecking at some of my hairs that stick out from under my wizard's hat before he flies back to his perch and sings a song of beauty and power, making me feel energized.
I stand up from my seat, wave a hand at all the portraits to calm them and their wild arrange of questions and then remember what Destiny had told me. "Your memories will be my Truth." And instantly my gaze wavers over to the left of my office, to one of the glass cabinets that holds – and hides away – my Pensieve.

An Hour Later
At the Great Hall

The entire school is present once again and while the door to the Antechamber is ajar, do I know that several important members of the Order – such as Alastor, Remus and Kingsley – are at the other side, hidden under spells and located there to receive my news together with the rest of the school as I have realized something.
If Destiny has taken Harry with a form of magic and energy that is not of this world and has done so to make certain he is loved and taken care of, then naturally she would have done the same to Sirius as the so-called escaped convict and the so-called boy hero care for each other more than some people might realize.
Feeling relieved that both mysteries have been solved, do I still feel a little uneasy over the idea of never believing in the Prophesy again as I doubt even the words of a Deity will make Voldemort forget what has been going on for the last fourteen years and while I wonder how Harry could have pulled all that off, do I look up.

Up at all the students that have again come together in the Great Hall, this time for dinner as I decided to use the hour before dinner to gather my own thoughts on the latest event, call together the Order, summon those needed to rely my messages and arrange for my memory of the meeting to be placed within my Pensieve.
By now, am I the only one who even knows something of incredible power transpired within my room, but while part of me wishes not to reveal this to those that can try and harm my loved ones with this information, do I also know I will deal a strong blow to those currently having hateful thoughts to Harry if I do this.
Then the memories of how some groups of students are behaving towards Harry and his sudden behavior steel my desire for this and I stand up, shocking my fellow teachers and making the students halt in their meals and their talks and while I feel the shocked gaze of Minerva and the accusing one of Dolores, do I speak:

"Students of Hogwarts, I have pleasant news. Harry Potter has been found." This shocks the groups around me and while there are less sighs of relief and cheers than I had expected, proving to me that the rumor mill is of much greater strength than I, at first, suspected, do I halt the cheers of the Weasleys and Mss. Granger as I say:
"He has been found, yet it is not yet time to bring him here." This silences everyone and Minerva asks: "What do you mean, Albus? Where is my Lion?" And while I smile at the worry sounding through in the woman's voice, do I pull my Pensieve from one of my robe pockets, enlarge it back to its usual size and say gently:
"Just one hour ago, was I visited by the power behind Mr. Potter's disappearance and while I can honestly say that I never even thought such a power to be capable of performing such acts, do I agree with what was told to me and do I wish to share this experience with all of you – if only to let you understand everything that transpired."

This makes many – especially younger – students look from me to the Pensieve before me and I say: "For those still in the unknown, this device before me is known as a Pensieve, a magical Item capable of storing a person's – or if needed a group of people's – memories and also to view said memories in a 3rd Person Point Of View.
Items such as these are often used by those of High functions and – more often than not – those that have held the Lordship over a Family or House for more than one decade. This Pensieve before you has been in my possession for the last fifty years and was gifted to me after my defeat of Grindelwald by the Ministry and Hogwarts."
And with that do I silence Umbridge as I could already sense her raising her arm and opening her mouth, obviously intending to ask me how I gained it and while I feel pleased that my possession will remain my own, do I not allow myself to gloat this one victory over her and do I instead draw my wand and tap the Pensieve.

Instantly the runes on the side start glowing and I make certain to tap those that allow the memory to be viewed from outside the Pensieve as I have no intention on selecting groups to watch this memory. Instead of that, do I – after finishing my chore – move my wand to float above the Pensieve and do I gaze into the bowl.
My eyes search for what I recently added to the magical collection of swirling mist and tendrils and – upon finding what I seek – do I attach my wand to the memory and do I swirl it around, making certain to tap each and every one of the runes I alighted beforehand, causing for a cloud of mist to rise up from the bowl itself.
The mist then shapes itself into my office, everyone looking shocked as they can almost clearly see how worried I am as I am again behind my desk. Some students – especially those sitting closest – then try to see what I am writing, only for all of them to shield their eyes as the light seems to come from between our table and theirs.
The light actually somehow spreads throughout the Great Hall, shocking me as this proves again how powerful Lady Destiny is in order for her to send her powers outside of my own memory and then the same voice as before rings through the hall says: "Albus Dumbledore, your concerns are valid, even when your beliefs are not."

This makes many of the students look at me, some of their gazes proving to me that they believe themselves to have been right, others muttering to each other and even while they sit far away, do I know what they are whispering about, before everyone's attention is grabbed by the white light vanishing and Destiny's appearance.
Everyone looks at the being in pure shock, some of the elder boys getting stars in their eyes, obviously seeing the woman for someone they could be attracted to and while I can't help but feel amused at their adolescent behavior, am I still feeling myself mesmerized as the woman again speaks to me directly and says:
"You worry for those that truly matter to those important and for that I reward you. However, you should nevermore believe in the words of ancient past as they hold no truth within them whatsoever." To which I send a quick look at the door to the Antechamber, feeling certain that the Order members understand the message too.

Then the woman continues and while I almost feel as if I am still in my office instead of in the Great Hall, does she speak and say: "Harry Potter is a child true of heart and he deserves only with which I pray to bless him." This shocks all of the whisperers and while I sincerely hope to strike down any further negativity, do I listen:
"I have taken him as my protégé and have send him to a place of my own creation where he will be safe, loved and cared for until he has learned all that needs to be taught to him in order for him to use the incredible powers within his heart with all the magic that flows through his every vein. Until then he is to remain under my guard."
Instantly a sigh of relief goes through the bodies of several of my teachers, including Hagrid and Minerva, as well as all four of the Weasley children, Mss. Granger, the rest of the Quidditch team and strangely enough Mss. Lovegood, while Mr. Longbottom just seems very pleased with hearing this news, as if he expected nothing less.

I then see Destiny smile at me with that same gentle, proud smile as she showed me before and she speaks: "Repeat this message to those who care, Albus Dumbledore, for your memory will be my Truth." And with that her brightness returns, several students already preparing themselves before they hear me ask:
"Wait a second, who – who are you?" And the woman, already preparing to leave, allows for her voice to yet again fill the entire room around me as she says: "I am Destiny." And just these three words make a united gasp sound through the Great Hall, one of disbelief coming from my side where Dolores almost yelps in shock.
The memory then fades back into the Pensieve and I say: "And that is all that happened one hour ago. Harry Potter is in the presence and guardianship of Lady Destiny herself and if anyone wishes to, they can come to my office in order to again review this memory. I always appreciate a second opinion or someone to spot what I have missed."
And with that do I sit down, my senses letting me know that my Order members have used their special means of transportation – a spell added to their own string necklaces – to again leave the castle grounds and while I have no doubt that I will be visiting London later tonight in order to discuss this memory with them, do I eat.


And the end!
Okay, so I could have done with Dumbledore what I did with Lea, but that would never work. Why? Because of Dumbledore's Pensieve. I had already planned to have Dumbledore be the one to comfort everyone worrying about Harry and Sirius and I couldn't let him show Sirius to all of Hogwarts now, could I?
No, I could not, so I allowed for Destiny to show herself. Why did she look so constantly changing, you ask? Ever heard of the Butterfly effect? Or Time Travel? Destiny's looks pretty much represent exactly those aspects of past, present and future. You can never fully determine the future so destiny is often left up for chance and change – regardless of what Master Xehanort might say.
Now I will admit that I feel slightly bad about not allowing Lea and Harry anymore time together, but the whole chapter was supposed to be short and I want to keep my focus on SoraxRiku for now and if I add Lea to the group he will take too much of my attention and he will ruin my plans with the other pairing.
He will make more appearances, of that you can be certain, but for now – do I feel proud of the little extra scene that I added and will I focus on my other plans. Plans that don't involve Lea, but that involve next chapter, the Mystery person from back in the first chapter – yes, I know I revealed who he was – and the rest of Magical England. How do these topics mix together, you ask?
Just wait and read,

Venquine1990