Hey everyone,
So originally I planned to put the content of this chapter into the next one and to just have it focus on different topics, topics I originally wanted to put in the last chapter, but didn't. But while I think that this chapter is already near endless, does it just feel better to put that content into this one and I don't feel like deleting/rewriting four other chapters.
Sorry, not sorry,
Venquine1990
Chapter 45
Pictures And Movies
30th of January 1996
Destiny's Haven
Hermione's POV
"You know, we should have Jess wear that wedding dress again." I say after we enjoyed watching the romantic interaction between my newly changed best friend and her partner/fiancé. "While I would love that, may I ask why?" Lea himself asks, yet Ron is already on the same wavelength as me as he nods at me and says:
"To once and for all give conclusive and solid evidence that Jessica is unavailable. To prove that nothing they could ever do will change her destiny as your mate."At this Lea looks at us both in intrigue and then the twins go on: "Well, if that's what we want to do.""Why not just go all out and have Lea dress the part as well?"
At this Sora looks at the two and then he shrugs and says: "We can do that. I mean, this room does have the ability to change however we want, but – what do you have planned?" Yet before the four of us can answer, the twins smirking in delight, does a gorgeous voice interrupt us all, shocking me as Lady Destiny says:
"Your ideas are devilish and brilliant, my dears, but they will have to wait. First Ronald, my little Jessica needs your help and Riku, I think you need to spend sometime with young Neville. When this is done, head for the room through the large doors on your right. I will give you this one chance to see the movie alongside my dear ones." This shocks the four we have been missing this whole time, but then Jessica turns to Ron and asks:
"You can – help me?" And I instantly spot why as, behind my best friend, a whole work station with different kinds of wood, stones and different kinds of animal parts – such as phoenix feathers and unicorn hairs, appear. "Ron, behind you." I say and the redhead turns around, ahhing before he says: "Your mum helped me learn that I have a gift like Ollivander. I can help you get a new wand, seeing your gender change and all."
Instantly the girl starts to shine brilliantly with relieved glee and she says: "Oh thank you, Ron. You have no idea how much this has been annoying me. There were parts in the last bit of the movie that just constantly had me reach for my wand, only to remember that I can no longer use it. I mean, I'm not sure if I can, but I didn't dare risk it."
Ron nods at this and we all move over to the work station, everyone bar Ron, Jessica and Lea stopping after a bit to give the three some space and just watch from a distance. I do look at Lea, wondering why he keeps walking, but then notice a determined look in his eyes and the fact that he and Jessica are still holding hands, their fingers interlinked with one another's. Sirius notices this as well and whispers: "Those two are not going to part until necessary."
This makes me put a hand on my chest as I always hoped that Harry would find someone like that with Cho, who I knew he had a crush on. Yet when I mentally try to compare Cho to Lea, do I feel like hitting myself as Cho just pales in comparison to this young man, who is obviously so dedicated and determined to make my best friend happy and whose very presence seems to bring a sense of tranquility out in her that I have never seen before.
Ron then says: "Okay, how's this? I'm going to pick one bit of wood, one stone and one item and try to merge them together before giving it to you. If I fail, you can try the same and if that fails, we can give Lea a try, okay?" Yet to this Lea says: "Perhaps it'll be better if we do you first, then me and then my Firefly. What do you think?" Ron hums and says: "Yeah, probably. You okay with that, Jessica?" And Jessica nods before Ron turns around.
And a content look of concentration and intrigue comes across my best friend's face as he hums, walking past every station several times, reaching for some bits of wood and a few gems, but then pulling his hand back and shaking his head. One time he even mutters: "What am I thinking? Of course not. No way." Before he moves away from a gorgeous looking emerald gem, which surprises and confuses me, seeing as how the color is like Harry's eyes.
But then I get why and think: "That might work for Harry, because it is so significant to him, but might not for Jessica, because her gender change also changed her eye color." Ron then finally turns back to Jessica and asks: "Oh, before I forget. Can I have a look at your old wand first? So I know what not to work with anymore?" Jessica nods and takes her old wand out of the sleeve of her dress. And instantly upon touching it, Ron says:
"Yeah, this wand is done. Well, not done, it's just confused. It no longer recognizes you. Phoenix feather and holy, right? Okay, so no holy and no feathers. Thanks, I'll get to work. Let me see." And he puts the wand down on a shelf of one of the cabinets that hold different kinds of feathers, hairs and other animal parts as he goes back to the cabinet with different kinds of wood. "Should I?" Lea asks motioning for the wand, but Ron says:
"Nah, won't work for you either, Lea. Though the wand will definitely be able to be used by someone else again. It just needs to be the right person. Not sure who though." And he says this all the while having his back turned to us as Sora whispers: "I don't think Lea meant that he should try the wand." Riku nods and then I notice him motioning for Neville to follow him. The two break from the group and head for the other side.
Remembering that they were told to do this by Lady Destiny, do I wonder why and I hear Lily whisper at me: "Riku is Neville's older brother just like Sora is Jess'. Just give them some time." My eyes widen and I spare another glance at the two before turning back to Ron at work. And that one glance does make me able to actually see a few similarities between the two, especially now that Neville is losing his weight and gaining some muscle.
"Riku's definitely taller and a little more slim in his build, but the two are definitely related. You can tell if you just look at them closely enough." I think to myself as I hear Ron say: "Okay, this might work. I got some Apple wood, an Amazonite stone and the heartstring of an, amazingly enough, Antipodean Opaleye. Now I'm not going to fully meld these three together, but at least enough that they should be able to work together, okay Jess?" At which the girl nods.
And to my shock does Ron move his hands under the upper two sides of the table's platform and slam them closed together before he seems to focus. "Quite amazing. Just being in this environment has taught him how to push his magic out of his hands and into his tools. That is quite impressive." James mumbles and my eyes widen as I never thought any of my friends – not even Harry or I – could manage to learn such a skill.
Ron then puts the table back the way it was and hands a new looking wand to Jessica. Yet the girl grimaces the minute she holds it and shakes her head as she says: "Sorry Ron, but no. It doesn't feel any better than my old wand. And my old one makes me feel like I'm a Muggle holding a bit of wood. No offense meant." But Ron shrugs and says: "I must have been too focused on one aspect of your character. You try, Lea."
The elder teen nods and he needs only a minute less than Ron before he puts three things on the table himself. "Alder wood, a ruby and Unicorn hair. Not a bad mix. Let's see if this works." Ron mutters as he again uses the table to merge the three together while Lea goes back to stand behind Jessica, lovingly wrapping his arms around her waist. Ron then hands her the wand and this time the girl keeps a hold of it a little longer.
"Not – not bad, but – not quite." The girl mutters, obviously feeling guilty, yet Lea shrugs and says: "I'm not a wandmaker – or trying to learn to be one. Though I will admit that I probably made a selfish mistake with that ruby." Making us all laugh and giggle before Ron tilts his head and asks: "Care to give it a wave, Jessie?" And when the girl complies, does Ron hum:
"The core is perfect, I'll be keeping that, but – the gem is all off and the wood slightly. Okay Jess, all I need you to do is find the right wood and the right gem. I'll take care of the rest." Jess nods and Ron uses the table to divide both wands while she spruces past the two cabinets holding the different kinds of wood and the different kind of gem stones. She seems to struggle the most with the gems, but returns to the table after about ten minutes.
"Heh, Beech – makes sense, should have guessed that one – Tourmaline – also makes sense – and a Unicorn hair. Yep, that sounds just about right. This is going to be a perfect match, trust me. I can feel it." And the way that Ron emphasizes that one word shocks me, yet I also wonder why he feels so sure about those two objects chosen by Jessica.
"Beech is known to work well for those who are young but wise beyond their years and Tourmaline is thought to calm nerves, sooth grief, promote balance and build self-confidence." James whispers in my ear and my eyes widen as I instantly make the connections. "Her concern that we might disagree, Cedric, her rising temper and the way she's still discovering herself."
"Yes, this wand is perfect for her." I whisper just as Ron puts the table back together. And instantly Jessica reaches for the wand, her eyes shining with relieved glee and contentment as it fits in her hand brilliantly, almost as if the wand belongs there as well as she belongs with Lea. The girl looks from her wand and asks: "How much?" Which startles Ron, but then he smirks and actually produces a camera out of thin air.
"Smile." He says, putting it in front of his face and Jessica giggles, cuddling with Lea, but having her wand in front of her and in clear sight of the camera. The flash lights up and Ron smiles as he says: "I get to show that to mum, deal?""Deal. Thanks Ron." Jess says and the way she says it makes me smile as it sounds exactly like how Harry says it when he thanks us. "He may have changed, but there are still bits of Harry in there."
I think to myself as Jessica turns back to us and asks: "You guys okay?" And only then do I notice that Neville and Riku have actually rejoined us. The two nod and Jess smiles as she says: "Brilliant. Let's go, the movie awaits. Oh and Ron, maybe next time you come visit, you can make wands for Sora and Riku – and maybe Kairi too if she comes along." Ron's eyes widen at this and he nods as he says: "I'd like that."
He then wants to turn to the three teens mentioned, but then Jessica giggles and says: "And who knows. If Ollivander gives you a hard time setting up your own business, you could always start crafting wands for Fred and George, for them to sell as fake wands. As long as they give you 50% of the profit they make of those, of course." And this astounds all three Weasley brothers before the twins turn to Ron and say:
"If you'd want to do that for us, Ron.""We'd really appreciate it.""Making those fake wands.""Is a lot of work.""The crafting always tires us out.""We're afraid that we might not be able to provide as many as others might want to buy from us.""That'd we'd run out more times than we'd be able to produce or provide for our customers." Ron looks at the two shocked and says: "I – I'll think about it. Just – just let me graduate first, okay?"
The twins nod, looking relieved and gratefully. Jessica giggles at them all and then with her parents, brother and his mate behind her, does she happily lead Lea through the double doors in the east wall. And while the Weasleys look confused to just see a large screen in one wall and several couches, does Jessica happily take the loveseat with Lea, Sora and Riku doing the same on her left and her parents on her right.
At the same time
Riku's POV
I feel immensely proud as I walk alongside my younger brother as I can tell that he has been doing a lot of work to get himself in shape sometime recently. There is also a hard, determined look in his eyes, yet I can't help but notice that there is a strong sense of hidden rage in there as well. And so, when I'm sure that the others can no longer hear us, do I whisper: "I'm glad to finally meet you, Neville, but I can tell something's bothering you."
The boy sighs and whispers back: "Has Lord Black told you of mum and dad yet?" I nod but then, feeling a little bad as I haven't even cared for my parents throughout everything else that Sirius has told us, do I mutter: "He did. Sorry, he's been teaching us so much about both our families, I forgot."Neville sighs again but he whispers: "Makes sense, don't worry. Shortly after Harry beat Voldemort, some of his minions attacked our home. Our parents have been in a state ever since, lying in St. Mungo's, the wizard's hospital, ever since."
This astounds and horrifies me and Neville sighs: "Overexposure to the Cruciatus Curse. Not even the most effective potions were able to work against that. Dad just – just lies in his bed all day and the only conscious thing mum seems able to do is – is hand me this little wrapper that always has a bit of eaten fruit in it."
Yet this piques my interest and I ask: "What kind of fruit? What color, I mean?""It's yellow. It's not banana or mango, though every so often it is because that's all she'll be given for a while, but it's always yellow.""Then it – it might be the Paopu fruit that was – was left in my crib when – when Lady Destiny took me to the Islands." I mutter and Neville looks at me astonished as he says: "But – but that means –."
And I answer for him: "That mum is fighting the affects. She just seems to – need a little help." I then sigh and say: "Unfortunately, I can't do a thing. Lady Destiny won't let us out of these rooms until the books are read and the movies watched. And that might take another month or more." But Neville shakes his head and says: "I don't care. I've waited fourteen years, I'm willing to wait a little longer. If you think you can help mum, then help her."
I smile at him, but then ask: "So, what's bothering you?" And Neville growls: "She escaped." Confusing me. "Bellatrix Lestrange. The witch that, alongside her husband, brother in law and another bastard that, thankfully enough, already got his due, escaped Azkaban at the start of the month. She's back with that monster that attacked Harry and I – I'm just waiting. Waiting and training until I – until I'm strong enough to fight her."
He then summons his incredible Keyblade, which to my sense of wonder is the Divine Rose, as he says: "And now that I have this, I feel I am one step –." But then I glare at him and say: "Stop it. Do not go down that path. It's not one that is easy to walk back from. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about." Neville looks startled and then angrily asks: "So you don't want to get revenge?" To which I strongly retort: "I'd rather Champion the ones I love and protect them."
Neville grimaces at this and looks away as he mutters: "I – I want that too, but – but she – she deserves to suffer." At which I sigh but then smirk and say: "And us proving that we can walk the Road to Dawn, that we can play with the Darkness, but use it for the betterment of the Light; that's revenge. A form of revenge that she might not understand, but that she will never be able to stop us from enacting either. Again, trust me."
"Wait, I'm confused. I thought you didn't want me to go down that path, to take revenge." Neville says and I smile as I say: "No, you misunderstood me. I don't want you to train to enact right-out direct revenge upon her because she is obviously someone strong enough to overpower and hurt mum and dad even now, years after her attack. I'm not saying you should not want revenge, but that you should learn the different ways to enact revenge.
Enacting revenge the way you were thinking to – that would have led you down a road that would have led you nowhere, but the Realm of Darkness. It could have ended with you losing your heart to that one emotion, that one need for revenge. But there are other ways. And right now, the best way for you to enact revenge on her – is to keep her from being able to hurt others you care for in the same way. Ron, Hermione, the Chasers and others.
That's what you should train to do. To be able to jump between this witch and your friends and fight her in such a way she won't be able to use the magic she used to hurt mum and dad. If you do that, you win. Though that is a dangerous path as well. Do you know why?""Because I need to make sure I keep using the right spells. Light ones, not dark."
Neville mumbles and I nod before I say: "That – and you need to make sure you don't get tempted to use the same magic she did. Trust me, whether your world's kind of magic or mine, using that kind of magic, even if your intent is to protect those you care about, is a really dangerous temptation, especially when given by those who are well-adapted at manipulation and speaking as if they know what's best for you. Again, personal experience."
And while I say this, do I think back. Think back to all those times that Maleficent and Ansem talked and that I listened. That I believed them almost every word and that I accepted their every offer. I then shake my head as I remember how scared I ended up in the end, my body having been tossed into the Realm of Darkness while Ansem took control of my heart.
"You – you sound like Harry. How much have you – have you been through, Riku?" Neville asks me, looking at me with great concern and I mutter: "Let's just say that, through much trial, trouble and tribulation –." I smirk and summon the Keyblade I acquired half a year ago as I say: "I learned to conquer the Darkness – even the Darkness that didn't entirely belong to me – and learned to return it to Light. I learned exactly what it meant to walk the Road to Dawn, how to draw strength from the deepest darkness and the brightest light."
I then cleave the tip of my Keyblade into the floor just like I did with the Road to Dawn when it broke in the Realm of Darkness and smirk as I say: "Though let me tell you, Neville. It was a long and tedious – and sometimes lonely – road, but it's one I am glad I travelled. And I know Sora feels the same. I may never understand how or why, but the effects of my journey – they made him fall for me all the harder."
This makes Neville laugh and he says: "Yeah, I noticed. Jess' brother, right? He's completely crazy for you. Heck, I spotted him sending you goo-goo eyes several times while we were here." At this I turn around, shocked and amused to spot Sora turning his own face away, but not before I notice his cheeks turning red.
I laugh at this and say: "Good perception, Neville. That will help you in your training. And when you come around again, I'll help too." Neville smiles at me and I let go of my Keyblade, the weapon vanishing as I wrap an arm around my little brother and walk back to the group, nodding at Jess after she asks if we're okay and then joining the rest as we head for the video room. I share a look with Neville and then join Sora on the loveseat.
Back to Hermione
The twins and the Chasers then also each take a couch and Ron and Ginny go sit on the ground in front of them and three beings that are actually famous in the world I grew up in go to sit on a few of the last chairs, yet not the one close to my friends. I smile at them gratefully for this and take that seat myself before focusing on the movie.
Yet the first scene alone shocks and confuses me as it shows outer space as well as a strange red and yellow space ship. "Wow." Ron gasps and the twins chorus: "Wicked." As Donald shakes his head and says: "Hey, that's our Gummi Ship." And Sora replies: "Yeah, this movie is about the first journey we took together."
This really intrigues me and then I see a small picture of Sora show up that says: "The Gummi block that came out of that glowing hole. It's not like the others. Wonder what it's used for." The picture vanishes and one of Donald appears that says: "I dunno." Then one of Goofy appears above the one showing Donald and he says:
"Maybe Leon'll know." And this confuses me as, for all of my Disney knowledge, I really don't remember any character by that name. "Hmm. He might. Back to Traverse Town, then?" Donald asks at which Sora replies: "I wanna be pilot." Actually making his father and sister groan and giggle respectively as Donald snaps:
"Hey, stop it!""Oh come on! I'm the Keyblade Master.""I don't care who you are! No!" And while we all see the ship start to shake again, does Goofy appear and say: "Here we go again…." Making me turn to the others and Jessica says: "That's how they all crash landed on Tarzan's world. Yeah, different worlds for different movies."
I look from her to the screen and see that Donald seems to have wrestled control of the ship back from Sora as the Gummi ship is flying towards a world that looks like an old-fashioned town from the beginning of the century, but then one that looks to be stuck in constant nightfall. Here they land in front of a huge set of double doors.
Passing through it, they enter a wonderfully quaint looking little town plaza, with a small café to the left, a store to, apparently, buy Items beside it and another store that apparently sells Accessories to the right behind that, which is stationed behind a small set of steps. The trio head for a mailbox that is beside the steps and meet up with someone. This person, to my shock, is dressed incredibly scantily and definitely not for the time of day that is shown on screen.
"That's Yuffie. She's a Ninja. She and the others – well, it will come up later." Sora says and I ask: "Why are you telling us this?" To which Jessica replies: "Because this is their second visit here. The whole lot already introduced themselves, so Sora knew it wouldn't happen a second time over." I nod, feeling grateful for the boy's thoughtfulness and listen as Yuffie says:
"Leon's probably at the underground cavern. He trains there often. You know, the channel in the alleyway is connected to the cavern." Sora thanks her and the trio head up the stairs and then up another two path of stairs that actually lead around the Accessory shop before passing through a large set of double doors behind it.
The courtyard behind the double doors has a raised pathway that has many shops and even a hotel stationed around it and yet Sora jumps down from the left front of the raised pathway. And instantly I get proven that my best friend's older brother's life was very, very different from ours as several strange looking beings appear out of nothing.
"Heartless. They are the manifestation of the Darkness of people's hearts. Every person has good and bad inside them, but if they give into the darkness of their heart, or the darkness overwhelms them, they lose their hearts. And those hearts, if strong enough, turn into Heartless." Mickey explains as we see Sora, Donald and Goofy fight.
And the way that the three fight together, Donald providing back-up to Sora with various elemental spells, Goofy shielding him from attacks and Sora himself going for the direct attack with his Keyblade, is a sight to behold and has me agape as I watch them work. "And then we've only been friends for a few weeks at this point." Sora laughs.
"Only better." Jessica retorts and I turn to her as she says: "I start worrying for him almost every time he goes into battle. Though that has lessened to every time he faces the really big bad guys. And trust me, you're not going to believe it when I tell you who those people are." At which I can't help myself and I jokingly tell her: "Try me."
The girl sighs and shrugs before she says: "Maleficent, Hades, Jafar, Ursula, Captain Hook and one other, but I didn't recognize this one." And instantly I regret challenging her like this as even with Mickey, Donald and Goofy here, the thought that there are other Disney worlds out there that are actually real is a thought that is almost mind boggling.
Instead I focus back on the movie, watching as Sora enters a small door in the left wall of the courtyard and gets himself into a small, thin and narrow alleyway, that has a channel on one side that halts halfway through and goes on after passing a small shed-like building, leading all the way into a channel that is closed off by a large, metal fence.
Here, more Heartless appear, but Sora doesn't seem to need Goofy or Donald's help this time as just a few swipes of his Keyblade is enough to knock them all out, the yellow, red and even the blue ones. Yet as their helmets light up, do I realize that these Heartless also use Elemental magic and I think: "Is that a common thing in that universe?"
The trio reach the channel and Donald is the first to look down as he says: "Look, here's one of those new ones. Those red marks." Sora and Goofy also spot it and Sora says: "Well, we practiced this skill and it's obvious we need it to pass. Let's do this." Donald hesitates, but then they get in formation. And what they do next shocks me.
Standing in one perfect line behind each other, they all run at the gate. Donald crashes into it first, Sora second and Goofy third. And the combined weight and strength of the three is enough to make the metal bars break, causing for the channel entrance to open itself. "That had to have hurt." I mutter and Donald answers: "Nothing a potion can't heal."
The three pass through the entrance and end up in the deeper parts of the channel, which is inside a huge and gorgeous looking cavern. They swim over to the next shallow part and there I see a man in denim cloths swinging a huge blade standing alongside a young woman who has elven features and wears a long pink dress with thin shoulder straps.
"OH MY GOSH! How did I not recognize her! Those are Yuffie, Aerith and Squal Leonhart. They're from the Final Fantasy Franchise! That is so cooooooooooool!" Katie suddenly shrieks, shocking us all and then Jess says: "Called it. We saw Sora meet Cloud in Olympus Coliseum and I guessed that he might be part of a different gaming franchise.
Yeah, my brother's journeys are destined to become a gaming franchise. Lady Destiny revealed this to us when we read my own first book." And while the girl had been explaining this, had Katie squealed again after hearing Jessie say that her brother met this Cloud person and Katie gushes: "Cloud? The Cloud? Blonde with a huge broadsword and a demon wing on his back? He's my absolute favorite of the franchise. Oh, he's so dark and broody, but so lovable!"
"Yeah, that – does sound like Cloud. I guess you know about Sephiroth too?" Sora asks and instantly the girl sobers up and asks: "Long silver hair, an angel wing and a long thin sword that he carries everywhere?" Sora nods and says: "Yeah, Cloud thinks he is the embodiment of his Darkness, while Sephiroth thinks he is all that Cloud could and should be. They fight a lot, but I haven't seen either of them since their last fight in Radiant Garden."
"Let's just focus on the characters in this movie." Sirius says and we nod as we see Sora actually approach the blade-wielder, who manages to make his blade vanish just by opening his hand and Riku says: "The Gunblade. It's not quite as special or powerful as the Keyblade, but it too choses its wielder." Yet while he tries to hide it, do I notice that there is a certain undertone and a hint of tightness to his voice as he talks.
Sora seems to get why and he goes to sit a little closer with his boyfriend, worrying his sister who sits closer to Lea in respond. We watch as Sora, Donald and Goofy tell the man – who I now realize must be the one Yuffie called Leon earlier – about something they went through in another world and I get further confirmation of what Jessica just told me.
The three tell Leon and the other young woman about a world called Deep Jungle, about meeting Tarzan, Jane, Terk and Clayton, about fighting Clayton and saving the Gorillas and finding a strange, key-shaped light in the center of a huge cave that Tarzan lead them to at the end. To this Leon states: "So, you found the Keyhole."
"Yeah. The Keyblade locked it automatically.""I hadn't even realized it at the time, but that was actually my second time finding one. The first one had been in Wonderland. Story for another time." The Sora here says and I shake my head as Ginny asks: "Okay, hold on a second. How are we supposed to keep you two apart?
We hear you tell us stuff here, but we also hear you say things in there." At this Jessica answers: "Well, in my mind, I call the Sora that is with us my brother and the one on screen just Sora." At this everyone nods and Jess' brother rubs the back of his head as he says: "Sorry guys, didn't think about that." Yet most of us just shrug at him as we watch the rest of the movie.
"Good." The woman comments and Jess' brother says: "That's Aerith. She's like an older sister to Leon and – I think she has a crush on Cloud. Though she seems to have competition in Tifa in that, who also tries to be Cloud's Light. Long story." I turn to Jessica at hearing this and the girl nods, confirming my silent question. "Every world among the stars has a Keyhole. And each one leads to the heart of that world."
This knowledge baffles me and then suddenly I wonder something. "Jess, I just thought of something. All these worlds are much smaller than our world, but they are still around the same size as our own country. What if all the hardships that England, by itself, has had to go through – is because there is a Keyhole in there, covered by Heartless?"
Jessica sighs and says: "To be honest, I've been debating that myself for some time now. In fact, if that's true, it really wouldn't surprise me if the Keyhole is somewhere at Hogwarts. Though to be honest, at the current moment – I just don't care." And this one sentence makes me look at my best friend as if I have never seen her before.
"It's not my job, Hermione. I may have a Keyblade, like mum and Sora and Lea, but that doesn't automatically make me the sole person responsible. If mum is able to get a Keyblade, others must be too, so why can't they go and find it?" The girl asks me and I want to answer in a shriek, but then spot Angelina glaring at me.
"Think that answer through before you give it out of instinct or your emotions getting the better of you. You know that Jessica is in the right to wonder that, to doubt such things as her responsibilities. And most importantly, Hermione Jeane Granger, remember who took Jessica here – and why." And just those two words make me fall back into my chair.
"That's right. Lady Destiny took Jessica – as Harry – here, so we would finally stop relying on him as – as instinctually as we do. So he can finally shed off that mantel that we put on his shoulders all the time, just because the staff keeps failing and disappointing us. And Harry turning into Jessica was just another step on the path away from that unwanted responsibility.
Not to mention that both Lea, Lord Potter and the staff of Campbrina have been doing amazing in being everything I thought the Hogwarts staff would be, both when I first got to Hogwarts and now that there is war on the horizon. So why am I still relying on someone younger than me when I have those older than me to rely on like I did when I was young?"
These thoughts run through my head and then I hear a soft voice say: "Thank you." I look up and see Jess' brother smiling at me as he says: "I can tell that you're really stubborn and like to keep to your beliefs. And that the current situation makes you lash out emotionally more often than might be right or deserved. I'm glad you're not doing so against my little sister."
At this I smile at him, even though a part of me feels bad as that is, more or less, what I have often done when things got too much for me, both in my Third, a few times last year and especially the last few months. I let out a soft sigh of personal disappointment and think: "No more. That stops with this movie." And with new resolve, do I turn back to the screen.
"There must be one in this town as well." Leon says, to which Sora asks: "What do you mean?" And yet it's Aerith who answers: "It was in Ansem's report." Leon picks up from this, crossing his arms and closing his eyes as he says: "The Heartless enter through the Keyhole and do something to the world's core." To which Sora asks: "What happens to the world?"
Again, it's Aerith who answers: "In the end, it disappears." My mouth drops and in my mind I can actually see it happen. A huge cloud of darkness swallowing Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Grimmauld Place and every other place, town and city in England that I have ever been at entirely, before vanishing into nothing and leaving only a gaping hole behind.
"WHAT?" Sora, Donald and Goofy all shout, pulling me back into the movie and Leon mutters: "That's why your key is so important." And Aerith pleads: "Please lock the Keyholes. You're the only one who can." At which Jessica frowns in annoyance, but her brother smiles at her and says: "That was true – at the time. Not anymore, sis. Don't worry."
Jessica calms down and smiles at him, yet I notice that Riku is still trying to hide how tense he is, trying to sit back with one arm wrapped around his boyfriend, but there is no mistaking the strength of his grip on Sora's arm as he watches the movie or the look of growing impatience in his eyes. Wondering what he could be waiting for, do I turn back to the movie.
"I don't know …." Sora mutters, clearly not used to having a responsibility this huge and Leon seems to pick up on this as well as he says: "Seeing other worlds would probably serve you well." Donald agrees to this and Goofy says: "We gotta find your friends! And King Mickey." Instantly my eyes are on the famous mouse sitting with us.
"My friends call me Mickey. They only refer to my title when talking to others. And I don't rule my world alone. I have both my beloved queen Minnie as well as my two friends right here. Not to mention that I am only king, because I have the Keyblade. What better way to protect my world than to serve it as its ruler?" The famous living icon tells me.
I nod at him and say: "I would have been able to see that even without the explanation. You're practically the icon that put Walt Disney on the map in the Muggle portion of our world. It kind of makes sense that you'd be ruling at least something." The mouse turns red and Ron says: "You really need to tell us more about this fellow." I nod at him and focus back on the movie.
"I guess you're right … okay.""Why are you doubting yourself so much?" The twins ask Jess' brother, who cuddles closer against Riku and mutters: "I was getting homesick and my worries for Kairi and Riku were getting the better of me. Not to mention that I wasn't sure if I would find them in other worlds, when this one was closest to our own. It didn't make sense to me."
The twins nod and Riku sighs as he says: "And the sad part of it all is – he's right. Without the help that Kairi and I got respectively, we probably would have run into each other in Traverse Town, probably even during Sora's first journey there. Instead –." And just the way that he sighs and looks down says it all, making me turn back to the movie in concern.
Sora then heads further into the cavern and actually enters a part that looks like the kind of street you would find in arabian towns and countries, complete with a sandstone made staircase and an open archway for a door, behind which Sora finds a red chest with gold accents. As he opens it, my eyes widen as three little Dalmation puppies jump out.
"Yeah, that happens a lot. I saw it happen in the other worlds as well. Apparently, when the world of the Dalmations vanished, the parents were able to get a home in Traverse Town, the courtyard district that you saw, but they lost their puppies along the way." Jessica says and then her brother continues: "Don't worry, I managed to find them all. Brought them all back too."
I sigh relieved at this and watch as Sora goes up the staircase, only to end up in a dead end. This really confuses me and I wonder if there is a hidden entrance or something. Yet Sora just turns around and heads back down. He passes Leon and Aerith and leaves the cavern, actually turning left and heading deeper into the alleyway at the cavern entrance.
This deeper part leads to a large set of fancy looking doors, but before Sora can reach them, do six more Heartless spawn, four yellow and two green. Sora and Donald dispatch of them with a combination of magic and the Keyblade and when Sora approaches the doors, does he actually manage to open them without issue.
And inside we spot several puppies all over the room, the same showing itself in several other rooms that Sora passes through before he reaches the last one. One of the puppies, probably one of the three Sora just freed, rushes at his parents, who bend down to look at their pup with eyes that are full of wonder, surprise and a growing sense of love and relief.
The pup jumps up and down, exhilarated over the fact that it's back home and the parents happily sit back, lovingly watching their pup show off that he is just as happy to be back with them as they are to have him back as well. Other pups are also shown around the room and then the father, Pongo moves over to the cabinet next to where he was sitting.
He opens it with his muzzle and pulls a gift-wrapped package out, setting it before Sora and even giving it a little push to indicate that it's from him. This confuses me, until I realize something. "That's right, in the movie, Pongo and Perdita never spoke a word – when around humans. They acted as normal canines, barked and whined and everything."
Perdita then comes to sit with her partner behind the gift-wrapped package and softly growls at one of the pups, who tries to approach and bark at it, the mother warning her son not to take something that doesn't belong to them. Sora bends down and opens the package, from which he takes some kind of mechanical part or object. "It was meant for the Gummi Ship."
"Why would dogs have something meant for a spaceship?" Ginny asks and Jess' brother shrugs as he says: "Not sure. I never asked." To which Mr. Potter says: "Good. If someone gives you something as a thank you for something you did for them, there is not always a need to wonder about the gift, no matter how strange or unusual it might be."
We all nod at this as Sora leaves the house through a new set of double doors and actually enters a small side alley located in the courtyard district. And as he heads for the courtyard portion, he encounters a Heartless that makes Crabbe and Goyle look skinny. Yet with Donald casting fire spells and Sora hitting it in the back, the Heartless is soon history.
Only for more of it to appear in the center of the courtyard as Sora runs in, but Sora and the gang ignore these and only block or dodge their attacks as they head for another side alley, this one a little closer to the large entrance doors on top of the raised portion of the district that they came through earlier. This one twists to the right and leads to another set.
And this time I spot it. Above the double doors, there is a marking with the word District on the marking and the number 3 above this marking. Sora enters through the doors and I think: "That would mean that the District Sora was in when he entered this world was probably the First and the one he just left must have been the Second. Pretty clever, that one."
I watch as Sora ends up on another raised platform and while I wonder about the levity of this world as well as how District Two is apparently elevated in platform and location height over District Three, but more or less on the same level as District one, do I also wonder something else: "Could there be more districts?" But Sora seems not to care for this as he travels through.
He does fight off more Heartless, but he also seems to head for a side alley on the far left of the District, finding the door closed, but also spotting the Fire Symbol that is set in the door. Sora and Donald share a look and then actually hold a round of Rock, paper, sciccors. And Sora wins, summoning the Keyblade and casting a fire spell.
The wood absorbs the fire and the symbol lights up before the door gets pulled into the top of the frame, allowing Sora, Donald and Goofy entrance. Yet what is behind the door shocks me silly. Where I had expected the interior of a house, do I actually see a small cottage, with a wizard's hat for a roof and with the cottage itself set on a small island in the middle of a large lake, several stones floating in the water between the door entrance and the island.
Sora, Donald and Goofy try to get to the island, but Sora slips on one of the rocks one time and Donald does the same at another, bumping into Sora and making them both fall in. Only at the third time, do they manage to get to the other side, ending up on the small stone dock with the sign posts and sign on top of them, an owl in the middle and the left side broken in half.
They try the front door, only to find it completely boarded up and run around the house, spotting a few more small owl statues at various spots against the outer wall. Behind the house they spot another small floating rock that actually has a chest on it as well as several boxes stacked on top of each other, with a yellow symbol on the ground in front of them.
"Garwsh, I guess we'll have to remember to come back once we've practiced this skill some more." Goofy mutters, looking at the sign as he walks past it and then they spot a part of the outer wall that is caved in and has a green cloth covering it. The trio move the curtain aside and enter, only to find the inside completely bare and empty.
The trio split up, Donald staying at the entrance and looking around, Goofy turning right, while Sora turns left. The camera pans through the inside, showing just how empty the house actually is as it has only a single room and has nothing but a raised dais in the center with a small set of stone steps leading up to it, yet when it focuses back on Sora, something happens.
"There's something about this musty place …." A voice says, making Sora turn around. Yet while the camera turns away from him, does it now show anything, at first. Kairi walks into the angle of the camera's focus, a calm look on her face and one arm behind her back, the hand of this arm holding onto the elbow of the other as she walks.
"It reminds me of the secret place back home, where we used to scribble on the walls." Kairi walks past Sora as she says this and then turns her face towards him as she asks: "Remember?" Yet Sora is too shocked and can only answer with: "Kairi?" Yet just as he wants to reach for her, does Goofy call out to him and when he turns from the dug back to Kairi, is she no longer there.
"Okay, what just happened?" Ginny asks, shocked and baffled and Riku answers: "Remember what I said? About how Kairi and I both had help respectively?" The girl nods and Kairi goes on: "Well, let's just say that this was my way. My way of seeing the other worlds as well as keep the Darkness from getting what it wanted. You'll see later, when Sora travels to other worlds."
And the way that Kairi has her hands pressed against her chest as she says this has me deeply concerned. Yet the movie doesn't let me linger on this for very long as it seems to move on and onto the next event. "Well, well." A voice says as the camera is focused on the back of Sora before it moves to the right. And the figure it shows makes me gasp.
"How – how – how did I –?" I think to myself and Jessica mumbles: "Yeah, welcome to my world. That's how I felt the first time Sora told me about meeting this guy. And yes, I really do think he's the same person. I mean, we are talking about the very first wizard who ever lived here, as well as the one who helped King Arthur to greatness, just like in the movie."
The Weasleys gasp as they hear Jessica say this and Angelina asks: "Wait, are you saying – is that Merlin?" And Sora, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Riku and Lea actually all nod, proving that they all know – or at the very least have met – the great wizard in question. All of the magically raised look at the screen flabber gasted as Merlin says: "You've arrived sooner than I expected."
"He was expecting you!" The group asks and yet Jess' brother shrugs as he says: "Yeah, though even I didn't know it at the time. Heck, at the time, I had no idea who he was." And when the others want to open their mouths, does Jessica interrupt: "Not raised in our world, remember?" And our friends slap their mouths shut, making Jessica and the others giggle as the movie goes on.
"Wha … You knew we were coming?" Sora asks as he and the others come to stand in front of the wizard, Donald standing on one of the steps leading to the raised platform and Merlin answers: "Of course." Yet Sora doesn't seem to trust this as he hesitantly asks: "Are you … a Heartless?" Which makes the wizards glare at Jess' brother, only to have Donald comment:
"He doesn't look like one.""Oh, my. No. My name is Merlin. As you can see, I am a sorcerer. I spend much of my time traveling. It's good to be home. Your king has requested my help." Instantly Goofy asks: "King Mickey?""Yes, indeed. Donald, Goofy. And who might you be, young man?" This question startles me and Mickey says:
"To be honest, I had called on Merlin right as I left. I knew he was still on a journey, so I just made sure to leave him with the same knowledge as I left Donald. He didn't know who Sora was, because at the time I asked him for help, I didn't either. Heck, at that time, I hadn't even met Sora yet. And that wouldn't happen for some time either."
Yet neither the bright mouse nor Jess' brother seem bothered by this and I think: "I guess it doesn't matter when they meet, just that they met and that they grew quite close after." And I focus back on the movie as Sora introduces himself. "Ah. So you have found the key." Merlin says, sounding quite pleased with this knowledge and Donald asks:
"What did the king ask you to do?" Yet Merlin says: "Just a moment …." And he walks up the steps himself, Donald jumping away and landing next to Goofy between the steps and the covered opening in the wall. The wizard makes sure to put the travel bag, that he had with him upon arrival, at the bottom of the steps and then walks up them.
At the center of the platform, he raises his walking cane and with a shock I realize that it's not just a walking cane, but also his wand, but also that we are about to see the very first wizard of Magical England in action. And the faces of my friends show that they are as excited for this as I am as they are all hunched forward, their smiles stretching across their faces.
"Presto!" Merlin chants and the bag opens, sparkles and little stars and lights shining from the opening as, one by one, small and large pieces of furniture get pulled out, starting at the size of my own hand, but slowly – as they get pulled out and pulled towards the center of the room in a single line, growing back to their original size.
The wizard waves his wand in a swish and a bright light envelops the entire screen. Yet as it vanishes, do my eyes widen even further than they did when I realized what we were about to see. The whole room has been decorated and while there is now a whole lot of stuff, especially various piles of books, around the room, does it still look cozy instead of cluttered.
"Percy will be so jealous when he hears we got to see this." Ron mutters, but then Ginny says: "Forget that. He's going to be pissed when he hears that we are friends with people who actually studied under Merlin himself. If he believes us, that is." The girl grumbles in the end and the other Weasleys also frown, proving they sincerely doubt that happening.
"There, now. Ahem." Merlin says, clearing his throat before he turns to Sora, who has joined him on the raised platform alongside Donald and the aged wizard says: "Your king asked me to train you in the arts of magic. We can start anytime you like. Let me know when you're ready to begin the training." Instantly I turn to Jess' brother, who laughs as he says:
"See if you can get a Keyblade and I'll teach you what he did me." This makes me falter as, even after seeing Lea, Mr. Potter and Neville summon and use the Keyblade, I still know so little about it that I just don't know if I even can. But I shake my head and think: "If I can solve a thousand's year old mystery, I can learn how to wield a Keyblade, one way or the other."
"Oh, and one more thing." Merlin says as he turns to something standing to the side of the covered entrance. The camera zooms in on it and my mouth drops as I recognize it for a miniature version of the world famous pumpkin carriage that rode Cinderella to and from the ball on the night that she met the prince she would marry later on at the end of the movie named after her.
Blue sparkles appear all across the room and glitter as they are pulled into the pumpkin that, to even my utter surprise, turns into an elderly woman with a long blue, hooded robe and who has her white hair combed to lie across both of her shoulders. She waves her wand as she appears, this one white where Merlin's is brown and smiles at the trio.
"Hello. I'm the Fairy Godmother." This startles and confuses my friends, but I say: "That's the name she was given in the Cinderella movie. Same happened with a few other famous movie characters." "Your king asked me to help, too. I will assist throughout your journey." The Fairy Godmother tells Sora, who turns back to Merlin and the old wizard says:
"I do not know how much I can be of help, but do stop by anytime.""He's joking, right?" Angelina asks, but Jessica shrugs and says: "Makes sense. He did travel a lot, so that must mean that he must not have been needed as much in this universe as he was in the time of Arthur. Remember, Arthur was only in his teens when he took to the throne and all."
Yet this seems to only placate the shock of our friends by a little as Sora jumps off the platform and ends up on a strange circular light that actually lights up around him and makes him sigh relieved. "It was a health regenerator. Though my friends and I called it a safe point and over time – it also started to get another function. One I – never really got to understand how it works, exactly."
Sora mumbles and Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Riku and Lea all nod at this, proving they never managed to figure it out either. I wonder what this other function could be, but then notice that Riku's nod was extremely forced and that he has Sora between his legs, his wrapped almost looking like bars of steel as they are wrapped around the brunette.
And Sora seems to, instinctively, try and calm Riku down as this happens, rubbing his hands across his boyfriend's legs in an effort to ease the tension out of his muscles. Instantly I am on guard, wondering what could be happening next and I look between them and the screen as Sora, Donald and Goofy leave first the house and then the cave.
Yet the trio calmly manages to get out of both the cave and District Three, manage to find both a blue sign inside the house that – thanks to a perfectly synced jump – gets them lots of small balls and even a few objects – as well as a red one that is stationed against the wooden fence behind the Items shop, which opens another pathway into the Alleyway.
This pathway, however, appears to be blocked off, yet there is also another chest in here and upon opening it, does Sora free three more puppies, who happily squeeze between the boxes and yip as they run for the other side of the Alleyway, obviously somehow able to know that their parents are there, anxiously awaiting their return.
Sora and the others, in the mean time, take the long route around after Sora fails to jump high enough to climb over the stacked boxes and head through District One and Two, entering the Alleyway, fighting the Heartless and heading back into the cave. They return to Leon and there Sora pulls another strange block out of his pocket as he says:
"Hey Leon. This Gummi block's different from the others. Do you know what it's for?" Yet Leon seems as clueless as the young brunette and instead Aerith gives the advice: "Ask Cid. He should know." Yet just as Sora wants to leave, does Leon halt him and say: "Wait, Sora. Take this with you." And he hands Sora a gorgeous orange colored cystal.
"This stone holds some mysterious power. I've been carrying it for luck. I want you to hold onto it." To which Sora asks: "How do you use it?" Only to receive no answer in return, making me giggle. Yet I also turn back to Riku, who had calmed down somewhat after they left District Three, but doesn't seem completely calmed down yet.
"I had to deliver that package, remember? After that was when it happened. Just a little more, Riku." Jess' brother whispers at him and Riku sighs as he whispers: "I was such a fool back then." But his boyfriend looks away and says: "You weren't the only one." And the unimpressed look he throws Donald makes me even more curious as to what they could be on about.
Sora, Donald and Goofy march through the Alleyway and the Second District and actually ignore all of the Heartless as they do, just rushing past them and heading into the First District, where they move around the Accessory shop and enter it, meeting a large, sailor-like man standing at the front desk with a tootstick between his teeth and who asks: "What've you got there?"
Yet before Sora can do more than lie the little block on the table, does the man, who I guess is Cid, say: "Hey! Well, if it ain't a gummi block." Donald confirms this and Goofy asks: "What's this one for?" Which seems to baffle Cid as he asks: "You're kiddin' me! You're flyin' a gummi ship and you don't know nothin' about navigation gummis?"
"Hate to say it." One of the twins says and the other goes on: "But he has a point." Making Donald huff as Cid goes on and says: "Bunch of pinheads. Interspace ain't no playground." And Sora angrily defends himself: "There's a lot we don't know. So what! We have to use the gummi ship to go to other worlds. We don't have a choice." He even shows the Keyblade as he talks.
"Whoa, easy. I didn't know. No hard feelings, all right? Well, I guess I could lend y'all a hand, then." Sora calms down and gratefully thanks him as Cid goes into an explanation. "Basically, with navigation gummis, you can go to new places. You want one on your ship, right?" The three nod at him and he says: "I'll install it for you.
But I got this thing I gotta deliver first.""What do you need to deliver?" Sora asks and Cid answers: "Just this book. It's real old. When the guy brought it in, it was practically falling apart. Too beat up to restore it to the way it was. But overall, I did a decent job puttin' it back together. Anyway, you mind deliverin' it for me? It's the old house past the Third District. Look for a big fire sign."
Sora nods and Cid hands him an old book wrapped in paper. Sora manages to put it in his back, which actually somehow shrinks down to the size of a hip pouch as he puts it back on his back and the three want to leave, when suddenly a loud noise actually makes the camera shake and Sora stutters as he asks: "Wh-what was that?" His voice barely heard over the loud noise in the background.
"Hmm? The bell at the gizmo shop is ringing. Go check it out if you want, but deliver that book for me first. When you're done, stop by the house in the Third District. I'll be there.""Wow, you did a lot while you were here." Jessica mumbles and her brother sends her a short smile before he turns his focus back on Riku, whose gaze seems fixated with the movie in front of him.
Sora, Donald and Goofy leave for the Third District, only to be nearly cornered by a group of flying Heartless, that actually resemble pilots, but then with propellors sticking out of their hats, through which they fly. Sora gets pushed back and suddenly shouts: "Thunder!" But the bolts of lightning also seem to hit some electricity cables that are sticking out of a broken wire.
This makes me wince as I am expecting the poor lad to be electrocuted, but instead the sign above the broken wire lights up. The Heartless are also pushed back by the Lightning and Donald quickly beats them with some ice crystals before the three rush through the District, daftly avoiding the second wave of Heartless that spawn just as the first get turned into hearts that float off.
They manage to flawlessly jump across the lake and reach the island and enter Merlin's home, where they approach him and Sora takes out the book, handing it to the wizard. "Oh, that book …. So Cid asked you to bring this. Thank you. You wish to know what kind of book it is?" And just by looking around is it obvious that those in the room with me are even more curious than Sora.
Yet Merlin astounds us all as he says: "I don't even know, myself. In fact, it's not mine. Somehow, it found its way into my bag one day. It was such a curious book, I asked Cid to repair it for me. Well, I guess I'll put it here somewhere, for now. This book holds a great secret. The missing pages will unlock it." And those words instantly have the room's attention back at full power.
Yet the camera turns from Merlin to a small desk set between Merlin's bed and a stack of books and the wizard says: "I'll leave the book over there. Do look at it whenever you like." The camera returns to Merlin and the gang and the wizard says: "My best regards to Cid for repairing it for me. Oh, and about that stone of yours. You should ask the Fairy Godmother about that."
Here Jess' brother starts to smile at his younger sister and says: "Pay close attention to this part, sis. You're going to love it. And I think you guys will too, seeing that lion on all of your robes and all." Yet Riku tightens his grip, silently telling his mate that he is nearing the end of his ability to stay calm and the brunette quickly goes back to trying to keep his mate calm.
Sora does as Merlin suggested and asks the Fairy Godmother: "Do you know what this is?" The woman turns concerned and worried as she says: "Oh, the poor thing! He has turned into a summon gem." This shocks me, yet I wonder if summon gems work the same in both universes and watch as Sora asks: "A summon gem?" Allowing for the Fairy Godmother to explain.
"This little creature lived in a world that was consumed by Darkness. When a world vanishes, so do its inhabitants. But this one had such a strong heart, he became a gem instead of vanishing with his world." Instantly Sora asks: "Can he regain himself?" And the Fairy Godmother sadly answers: "Yes, but only his spirit." Yet then she cheers up and happily says: "Now watch!"
And a wide grin grows on my face as the Fairy Godmother waves her wand over the stone and says those three words that made her famous. "Bibbity Bobbity Boo!" And while the twins guwaff over this, do their mouths then drop in shocked surprise as a magical light actually springs from the wand before the stone gets, somehow, merged with Sora's Keyblade and his eyes light up.
"What happened?" Ron asks and Jess' brother answers: "I learned a new ability. It'll be shown later." And only then do the others seem to notice just how tense and aggravated Riku is slowly becoming, his patience obviously at the end of its limit. They all look at him worriedly and then turn back to the screen, not wanting to waste anymore time or aggravate their friend.
"Whenever you call, he will help you. If you find more of these, bring them to me. Don't worry, when their worlds are restored, they will return there. Sora, please help save them." Sora assures her that he will and the three exit the home of Merlin, jumping into the water and just swimming to the other way, which proves to be much faster than jumping from stone to stone.
And when they leave the long end of the Third District, do we finally see what has been eating at Riku this entire time, yet at the same time do I just feel confused over how he's been waiting on this the whole time. A pair of Heartless, shaped like small toy soldiers that got animated, appear, only to be slain by someone, of who the sight seems to shock Sora quite a lot.
And I can easily see why as a younger looking Riku appears, actually having a Keyblade of his own in hand that he swings around as he says: "There you are. What 's going on?" Sounding as if he doesn't have a care in the world and as if he didn't just save his best friend from two small beings of Darkness. "Riku!" Sora shouts, happily rushing for him, only to pull at his mouth.
This baffles me, but Riku seems used to it as he easily pushes Sora's hands away and says: "Hey, hey, cut it out." And Jess's brother mutters: "It was either that or my desire to kiss you. Either way, I had to be sure it was you." The Riku in the room seems to calm down somewhat at hearing this and gives his beloved a small peck on the cheek as Sora asks:
"I'm not dreaming this time, right?" And the camera goes up and down Riku's body, as if to amplify the fact that the boy is really standing there, a dark looking Keyblade in his right hand. The boy uses his free hand to brush his bangs out of his face and says: "I hope not. Took forever to find you." And then the Riku in the room clears it all up as he says: "Yeah, thanks to my help."
And just by the tone of his voice do I know that this help is nothing but bad news. Yet Sora, or at least the one in the movie, doesn't know about this as he just happily exclaims his friend's name once again. The two then move deeper into the District, only for Sora to suddenly turn worried again as he asks: "Wait a second, where's Kairi?" And Riku asks: "Isn't she with you?"
Yet while Sora lowers his head in concern, does Jess' brother mumble: "If only I knew." But this makes Riku turn even more grim and he mutters: "To be honest, love, even now I – I just – I don't –." And Jess' brother nods, turning away from the screen as he says: "Yeah, you're probably right. It was probably for the best that I didn't know, at least at the time."
This seems to conflict with Sirius in some way, but I focus on the movie instead and the Riku in there walks past his friend as he confidently says: "Well, don't worry. I'm sure she made it off the island, too. We're finally free. Hey, she might even be looking for us now." Yet as he talks, does a small shadowy being emerge from the ground behind him.
Sora spots it, but Riku is oblivious to this as he continues his little speech: "We'll all be together again soon. Don't worry. Just leave everything to me. I know this –." Yet only then does he hear the sound of the shadow being slain and he turns around, seeing Sora standing with his back to him, his face aimed at where the Heartless stood and his Keyblade in his hand.
Sora turns around and puts the Keyblade in the back of his neck as he jokingly asks: "Leave it to who?" Yet the Riku in this room mutters: "That really was a blow to me – and to the plan I had devised after finally finding you. I was planning to sweep you off your feet by proving the knowledge I had gained as well as how well I could keep you safe.
It was the whole reason why – when I saw – well –." Riku turns to Donald and Goofy, a look of guilt on his face, but Donald says: "It's my fault too. Sora's right, I acted like a right jerk. I never should have said what I did." This worries me, as the duck is indeed known to have his mouth walk away with him and I turn back to the movie, wanting to know what will happen next.
"Sora, what did you –?" Riku asks, the way that he stutters and falters proving that he has indeed been thrown off his game and yet Sora seems as oblivious to this as Riku was to the Heartless earlier as he just calmly says: "I've been looking for you and Kairi, too, with their help." And the camera focuses on Donald and Goofy, who nod to amplify this.
Yet as Riku looks at them, does a guarded – even jealous – tone enter his voice as he asks: "Who are they?" Donald scraps his throat and says: "Ahem. My name is –." But Sora proves that he is just like Jessica when she has her mind set on something as he interrupts the duck and says: "We've visited so many places and worlds, looking for you."
"Really? Well, what do you know? I never would have guessed.""I took all of this completely wrong. I didn't even think of the chance that we might have constantly been at different worlds or that we were at the same world, but at different times. Just the sight of – of Donald and Goofy – it made my mind go all the wrong places, my heart guiding it there."
Riku mutters and I actually notice that he seems to be fighting tears of guilt. Sora stands up and with his hands tightly holding onto Riku's, practically forces the other boy to do the same. "Excuse me, we can't see more of this. My mate needs me. Just continue the movie without us." We all nod and the two leave for the doors through which we entered this room earlier. And as they leave do I notice that Sora's hair seems to be shifting between hair and feathers.
We then all turn back to the movie, Donald now being the one to look guilty and concerned, as in the movie Goofy goes to stand behind Sora, who still has the Keyblade in his hand as the dog says: "Oh, and guess what? Sora's the Keyblade Master." Only to have Donald angrily retort: "Who would've thought it." Having walked away before he said this.
Sora turns to him and asks: "What's that mean?" And the two hold a glaring competition as I think: "Friends for weeks, able to work together against Heartless perfectly and yet they still have moments where they doubt each other and fight. Yeah, sounds realistict." Yet then we all get another shock as Riku suddenly asks: "So, this is called a Keyblade?" And he actually holds Sora's this time.
"It was originally meant for Riku. It's just – someone got to him before he could truly prove his worth, so he had to fight that person to get the right back." Mickey says sadly as Sora looks back at him, notices his own hand being empty and tries to demand of his friend to give it back, but Riku steps back and Sora loses balance, falling on the ground. Riku examines it for a moment and says: "Catch." Throwing it back at Sora as the boy gets back up.
Yet Sora shows that he is quick to forgive – or that he just doesn't care – as he catches the Keyblade and asks: "Okay, so you're coming with us, right? We've got this awesome rocket. Wait 'till you see it." Yet while Sora is oblivious to it, is there no mistaking why Riku is now looking serious and even has a clearly put-off look on his face.
"Yeah, he wasn't counting on there being anyone other than him, Kairi and Sora. Or at least him and Sora looking for Kairi together. He was definitely not happy with his big master plan of winning Sora's heart being disrupted by the fact that Sora had made other friends." I think, really feeling for the silver-haired kid, before Donald makes me groan as he says:
"No, he can't come!" And Sora exclaims his shock at this as Donald snaps: "Forget it!""Oh, come on! He's my friend!" Sora argues, but Donald retorts: "I don't care!" And I slap a hand on my face as I think: "Yeah, way to make a first impression, Donald. You voice negative thoughts about the boy Riku is crushing on and then insult his friendship with Sora to boot."
Yet when Goofy looks from the arguing duo back to Riku, does he startle us by saying: "He's gone!" And Sora looks up himself, shocked to find the spot that Riku vacated only a single scene ago empty. He walks over to it, the sound of Donald angrily tapping his foot heard in the background as the young Keyblade Wielder angrily snaps: "Nice going." And the twins send a glare to the duck in the room to prove that they agree with the boy on screen.
Yet Sora changes tone right after, throws his hands in the back of his neck and says: "Oh well. At least he's okay. And who knows? Maybe we'll run into Kairi soon, too." Yet the camera has changed perspective quite dramatically and is now looking at the trio from afar, just beside a raised platform with a high wall and a shadow is clearly seen against this wall as Sora says this.
"That's just not right." Jessica mutters, yet I am more focused on the shadow of the cloak as I try to figure out who it belongs to. Yet the shadow itself is so vague and shaped so strangely, I really can't make heads or tails from it and so I just watch as the trio become the center of attention for the camera once again and head up the stairs and into the house on top of the raised platform.
Here he actually spots both of the two males and the two females he has been in contact with over his stay in this world and he approaches Cid, who was in conversation with Leon, but turns to Sora as he asks: "You guys ever heard of Maleficent?" And instantly I both have my answer and fear for the young Riku more than I have done throughout this entire movie.
"His help. The one who got to him before he could prove he has earned the right to wield the Keyblade like Sora did." I think in fright as Sora shakes his head and Cid says: "I hear she's in town.""Who is she?" And I whisper: "The Mistress of all evil." Remembering very vividly how the dark witch screamed this herself at the end of the Sleeping Beauty movie. Yet Cid gives a different answer and says: "A witch, man, she's a witch."
"What's wrong with that?" Angelina asks and I answer: "She is like Bellatrix Lestrange, Angelina, but then if Lestrange were to have the power and knowledge over Darkness of both Grindelwald, Voldemort and Slytherin himself." The girl looks horrified and Sirius groans: "And Sora is going to face her. I just know it." Yet this is right now the least of my concerns as I watch the movie.
"She's the reason this town is full of Heartless. Don't take her lightly." Leon warns Sora and I just know I gave the same warning to my friends. But then Jessica says: "Don't worry. Lady Destiny has already banished Maleficent once. She can't get in here and I doubt our Lady will allow that evil fairy into Magical England or – heaven's forbid – Hogwarts either."
This comforts our friends as Aerith goes on: "She's been using the Heartless for years." And then Leon hits the final nail on the coffin as he says: "We lost our world, thanks to her." All of us react to this, some of us having our mouths drop open, others gasping or reaching for their chests and others shouting: "That filthy witch!" The twins being the loudest of them all and actually pulling several of their joke products out of their pockets.
Sirius then calms them down as Cid explains the statement and says: "One day, a swarm of Heartless took over our world!" And Leon goes on: "That was nine years ago." At which Lea, for some strange reason, turns tense and pulls Jessica closer, the need for her to comfort him the way her brother did his respective mate earlier very clearly visible in his eyes and Jessica instantly complies, not even questioning it.
"I got out of that mess and came here with these guys." Cid says and Donald starts tapping his foot again, this time in angered aggravation for his friends as he says: "That's awful." And those two words obviously voice every thought going through the minds of all those who hadn't heard this story so far, Jessica actually redoubling her efforts to calm her mate down again.
Leon then changes the subject and says: "Our ruler was a wise man named Ansem. He dedicated his life to studying the Heartless.""His report should tell us how to get rid of the Heartless." Cid comments and yet when Sora asks: "Where's this report?" Does Leon answer: "We don't know. It got scattered when our world was destroyed." And Cid makes matters worse as he says:
"I'm sure Maleficent's got most of the pages." And here the camera turns dark, only to refocus on a scene that I had been desperately hoping not to see. Riku and Maleficent standing in front of the house Sora is in, both of them looking in as Maleficent calmly – and with a clearly fake caring tone – says: "You see? It's just as I told you.
While you toiled away trying to find your dear friend, he quite simply replaced you with some new companions." The camera focuses on the window through which they are looking, showing Sora looking careless, even as Donald seems to rant at him over something, which I really don't think he has a right to. Maleficent then even goes one step further as she says: "Evidently, now he values them far more than he does you."
"I really wish Riku knew about us at this point." Sirius suddenly says and he pulls Mr. Potter close as he says: "If he did, he would know that, no matter what, if a son of James takes you in his heart, you are there to stay." At which I nod as Jessica, even as Harry, has always shown to have this trait as well and this lightens the mood just slightly – as well as shortly.
The camera turns back to Maleficent and Riku, the former strongly stating: "You're better off without that wretched boy. Now, think no more of him, and come with me. I'll help you find what you're searching for …." The camera turns to focus on Riku only and the look in his eyes says it all. He's already found it, he just doesn't know how to get it.
"That's what convinced me." A voice suddenly says and Riku appears from the door, Sora right beside him against his side, yet the elder boy looks a lot calmer and more confident. "I truly believed she knew where Kairi was and thought that, if I could bring her to you, you would be so happy you'd fall for me. I felt that was, as she called it, what I was searching for. It's why I went with her."
But then Donald says: "But you only left because I was being such a stubborn fool. I told Sora when we met we'd help him find his friends and when we did, I acted stubborn and prideful and made you think your friendship to Sora didn't matter to me. I'm really sorry, Riku." Yet Riku smiles at the duck and says: "Don't worry, Donald. You kept Sora safe. I forgave you a long time ago."
"I love you both. I just love you a little – okay, a lot – more than I will ever do Donald or the others." Sora happily says, twirling around and pulling Riku close, his boyfriend happily taking the boy in his arms as he asks: "Even your sister and parents?" Shocking me, yet Sora laughs and says: "Sorry, Riku, you'll have to settle to sharing first place with them." And Riku laughs: "I knew that. Thank you, Sora." And he finishes it off with a sweet-loving kiss.
The movie then focuses back on Sora and company as Cid asks: "So, you delivered that book? That navigation gummi's installed and ready to go. You find another one, you bring it to me. I threw in a warp gummi for the heck of it. Now you can jump to worlds you've been to before. Well, better get back to my real job. What's my real job? You'll see. See me at the First District."
"I've been thinking about the bell in the Second District." Aerith suddenly comments and Sora asks: "The one that rang a bit ago?""The one above the gizmo shop. There's a legend about it, you know." Yuffie excitedly exclaims, only for Aerith to say: "But it's all boarded up. Nobody can get in there." This confuses me and makes me think: "Then how did it rang earlier?"
Yet Cid doesn't care for this as he says: "Heck, go check it out. Ring it three times to see if anything happens." And Sora complies, leading his friends out of the house and from the Third District into the Second. He heads down the small alleyway and uses the benches against the raised wall to reach the elevated platform that goes around the inner courtyard.
There he heads to the far back and goes through a set of doors that lead into a room that instantly makes me turn to Fred and George. And the two prove me right as they are looking at all of the gadgets and gizmos that are whirling and moving and going about inside the room as if they just walked into their very own jokeshop for the very first time or something. And to my slight amusement do I even spot George having a notepad on his lap.
Yet like Cid seemed to care nothing about the mystery of how a bell that is boarded up can be rung, does Sora not care for this room or the Heartless that spawn inside it. He rushes through and finds a ladder against the back wall on the other side of the exit doors. He climbs it and reaches the roof, which is completely flat and even has another floor build against the back.
Here Sora does fight the Heartless, but that is because his friends seem too busy doing the same to spot the Red Trinity Mark that is painted onto a boarded up section of the back wall. Yet this time the small green flying Heartless make it really hard for Sora and friends as they actually heal up their friends a few times before the whole set gets slain, Donald actually quacking in great annoyance as he strikes down the last of the green ones.
The duck then calms down and the three activate the power of the Red Trinity Mark and break through the boarded wall. Sora then pulls the cord that rings the bell three times, yet each time the camera goes all the way to the other side of the courtyard. Here it shows a fountain that is build into the wall that holds up the raised platform and with each ring of the bell something happens to it.
The first time small red flames ignite on top of the fountain and the mural against the wall shifts to the left, showing a different one. The same happens the second and third time, but then with the iron gate that is build around the fountain lighting up and the third time the water jumps out of the fountain in pillars, yet the camera also zooms in on the mural a lot more.
The mural now shows a collection of butterflies in flight around a single red flower, yet this changes and instead a Keyhole made of light appears, covering the mural. Sora, Donald and Goofy nimbly make their way back down to the courtyard and over to the mural. Yet just before they reach it, does a huge set of white armor with yellow, blue and red stripes block their path.
The head actually lands onto the helmet a minute later, but then starts floating above it, just like the armor itself floats above the legs and the arms float beside the body. Sora, Donald and Goofy pull out their weapons and attack it, going straight for the body and managing to damage it enough it collapses onto itself, only for it to start shaking in an ominous way.
The whole thing reassembles itself and gets back up, yet then suddenly the arms cleave themselves into the ground and the legs move up to float beside the body. The body itself also turns upside down and the feet clasp together, almost looking like boxing fists now. Finally the vizor of the helmet opens and a pair of yellow white eyes glare at the trio.
And it's quite obvious that in this new form the Heartless is a lot more mobile and a lot stronger too. Just a single hit from it seems to really hurt Sora and the others and Sora dashes away from the fight before he grabs his Keyblade with both hands and commands: "Give me strength." And suddenly the entire scene around him changes drastically.
Where he was in the middle of the courtyard first, does he now look as if he is floating in space. He points his Keyblade forward and then swishes it several times, the tip of it starting to glow in the same colors as the gem that was merged with his blade earlier. Lights and beams of stars shine around him as he does this and he aims his Keyblade straight up.
The light merge together with whisps of cloud that are above Sora and from this a very familiar lion steps forward. It takes a step and then lets out a mighty roar, the scenery changing again to the landscape that his whole movie is based on before the two, suddenly somehow, return to the battlefield, Simba right beside Sora.
Yet Sora proves that he is untrained with this new summoning skill as Simba only manages a few attacks through his loud, roaring voice before he vanishes again, leaving the Heartless to Sora, Donald and Goofy once more. And the next strike of the large beast actually knocks out Donald and Goofy as well, making it just between Sora and the Heartless.
The young boy tries to play it smart, attacking either one of the arms or legs for a few strikes and then trying to dodge roll out of the way, but then one lucky strike from the monster does the job and he took falls unconscious. Instantly I hear Jessica let out a soft whimper of concerned fright, but then the camera turns dark before revealing a new sight.
Sora is standing on the lighted, circular platform we saw in Merlin's cottage, looking as healthy as he did when ringing the bell and not having any signs on his body that show he was just knocked out by a giant armored Heartless. "I will never understand how that works, but I am darn well glad that it does. Transports me out of harms way and heals me right back up."
Jess' brother says and I don't even need to look at Jessica to know she is relieved beyond words about this news. We watch as Sora and co head back out and take on the Heartless that attack them in the Third District. Yet after beating these, do they actually go back in and out of Merlin's cave, even going so far as to go back to the healing circle.
And after a few rounds of the respawned Heartless, is it quite clear to see that all three of them have grown stronger, have grown better in their magical abilities and have even grown more defensive. The three acknowledge this themselves and Sora says: "Let's go close that Keyhole." And they rush back into the Second District and back to the fountain. "Remember that this is based on a video game? In video game lingo, we call what just happened grinding to get levels." Jess explains our friends.
And just like the last time they arrived, does the Heartless too, actually appearing in the exact same fashion as it did the previous time, but then already in its stronger form. Yet its attacks don't damage Sora and the others anymore and Sora even plays an even smarter game this time. He keeps away and has Donald and Goofy attack the arms and legs.
And after every attack from the monster to his friends, does he either cast a curing spell on them or throw them a potion, allowing them to keep their strength. And when he himself runs out of both, the knowledge that one can run out of the ability to cast magic shocking us all, does he strike at the Heartless himself, his strikes somehow regaining his ability.
The arms vanish, the legs get struck down and a combined Fire attack from Donald and Sora alongside Goofy spinning on his axis like a madman and twirling around with his shield arm reaching out, striking the Heartless as well, does the body finally give. It shakes and trembles, the helmet with the visor down gets stuck within and a crystallized heart rises up from it.
Gusts of wind even wrap themselves around the body as it vanishes into nothingness and I notice Sora looking at this thoughtfully before he looks down at his Keyblade. "Wind." He whispers, pointing his Keyblade up again like he did when he cast Lightning and a small Windstream forms around him, encasing him and apparently functioning as a weak kind of shield.
"Wicked new technique, Sora. Now close that Keyhole!" Donald snaps, his form proving he is in need of that circular platform and Sora nods, approaching the Keyhole and aiming his Keyblade at it with a flourish. The tip lights up and so does the Keyhole before a beam of bright light, surrounded by stars, connects the two, the sound of a door being locked heard in the distance.
The Keyhole vanishes and the mural with the butterflies and the flower returns. And from it, a little object falls into the water, that Donald instantly rushes to fish out and he says: "Another Navigation gummi!""Let's go show it to Cid. Maybe he can install this one too." Goofy says and his friends nod as they rush up and into the First District.
There they see Cid standing in front of an abandoned market stall. The man sees them and says: "Hey, now that was quick! I'm in the gummi block business. Workin' on your gummi ship sure was great. Come again and I'll give you a big discount. Hey, another navigation gummi. Want me to install it for you?" The trio nods and Cid says: "Be right back."
And a few minutes later he returns as he says: "There we go. And here, this is for you." And he hands Sora an actual gummi piece, which makes me think: "Couldn't he have just installed that one too?" But I let it slide and just watch as Cid says: "Go ahead, take it. It's a special giveaway." Sora thanks him and leaves the man, heading back to the Items shop.
"I wonder who works here now that Cid is back to his real job." The boy says as he enters and while we see a simple looking man stand behind the counter this time, does something happen that I really didn't see coming. From the hood of Sora's jacket jumps a, to me, very familiar cricket, who jumps onto Sora's shoulder and says: "Well, well, as I live and breathe! If it isn't Pinocchio!" And he jumps down to the left side of the counter.
There I actually spot the puppet that the whole movie in which the two starred was named after, crouched down in front of a small item. "Oh. Hi, Jiminy." The puppet happily greets the cricket and the twins ask: "Whoa, did someone cast an animation charm or something?" But I shake my head and say: "That's Pinocchio. He's a puppet that can turn into a real boy if he does things right.
The blue fairy brought him to life to reward the one who made him, his father Gepetto, as the man was always so nice and happy to make precious things out of wood for others. The whole movie actually revolves around him going through various tasks and learning about right and wrong. He gets corrupted a few times, but he does prove to have a noble heart in the end.
I guess the Darkness just reached Pinocchio's world before this could happen, though I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not." The twins show that they are really fascinated as Jiminy asks Pinocchio: "What in the world are you doing down here?" To which the puppet answers: "Um … playing hide-and-seek." To which the cricket starts to grumble:
"I just don't believe it. And here I was, up all night, just worried sick about you. Why of all the – Pinocchio!" He exclaims as the camera shows Pinocchio's nose growing several inches longer. "Pinocchio! Are you telling me the truth?" To which I want to answer: "No, he's lying." But I keep quiet and let the movie continue instead.
"Yes." Pinocchio continues his lie and Jiminy asks: "Then tell me, what is this?" And he motions for the golden ball that lies between them. "It was a present." Pinocchio answers, yet Jiminy retorts: "No fibbing, now. You know you're not supposed to tell lies. A lie grows and grows, 'till you get caught. Plain as the nose on your face."
"That's pretty clever." One of the twins says and the other jokes: "Yeah, I bet mum would have loved to have known magic like that with us growing up." Making me roll my eyes even though I'm sure they're right. "But if you want something, why wait? Why not just take it?" The puppet asks and he sounds both genuinely curious and innocent and naïve.
"Oh my! Who told you that? You need some advice from your conscience." Jiminy admonishes the boy who replies: "That's right! You're my conscience, Jiminy! I'll never tell lies as long as you're around." And this seems to do the trick as the puppet's nose shrinks back to its original size, making the puppet smile in great relief.
"You need to be good so you can become a real boy. You promised Geppetto you would be, right?" Jiminy asks, yet Pinocchio replies with a question of his own that is really worrying: "Oh! Do you know where Father is?""He's not with you?" Jiminy asks concerned. "Jiminy, let's go find Father." Pinocchio replies, but Jiminy retorts:
"Now, hold on! There are all sorts of dangers and temptations out there! I'll go find Geppetto, so you just wait here." The cricket then turns to Sora, Donald and Goofy and says: "These fellows here will be helping me." Yet Sora is so shocked at this that he asks: "We will?" And while Pinocchio gets up on his feet, does Jiminy ask: "Well, shall we go, Sora?"
Sora mutters: "You could've asked us first …." But he still takes Jiminy up on his shoulder and the cricket jumps back inside the hood of his jacket as he leaves. And yet, then suddenly, just after they are shown to be outside again, does the camera freeze up and Jessica says: "I – guess that's the end of this part of the movie." And the voice of Lady Destiny sounds as she says:
"Yes, and now it is almost time for your friends to leave. This is one of the longest parts of this movie, so now they have the knowledge and reassurance that you are in good hands and doing well. Now please, my dears, do as you planned before you decided to watch this part and prove your bond to the world and those who wish to see you down."
This startles me as I had actually completely forgotten about that in my amazement and excitement over what we saw Sora and his friends do in this world, yet I then notice that the other females in the rooms are all getting wicked grins on their faces and Jessica says: "Be right back, handsome." Giving Lea a kiss on the cheek as she dashes out, grabbing my arm and forcing me to run with her.
An hour later
In the Great Hall
The last hour has been marvelous, splendid and every bit as magical as every girl dreams her wedding day to be – even if it wasn't my wedding and we were only pretending for the sake of the picture. Still, I loved every last second of it, from all of the preparations, to seeing Jessica in her full wedding gown glory to the way she stood side by side with Lea, the way they were together just proving they were truly and utterly meant for one another.
And now Ron, Ginny, Neville, the twins, the Chasers and I are all walking alongside Lord and Lady Potter, up the Great Hall and past the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw table, each of us holding a different picture in one of our hands and our wand in the other, ready to cast a levitation and then an engorgement spell to make the picture viewable for all of the Great Hall.
"Ah, how wonderful to see you all back. You've been gone for quite a few hours now. How are Mss. Potter and the others?" Professor Dumbledore asks and I notice Professor Umbridge watching us schrewdly, as if waiting for one of us to make a misstep that she can take advantage of. This alone makes me even more giddy with excitement.
"Jess is doing wonderful, Albus, and so are Sirius, Sora and Riku. We even got the honor to meet some of Sora's other friends and decided on holding a little ceremony. You know, keep up with one of the Pureblood traditions that both the Potters and the Blacks like to hold. We have the results for it, right here." And we all happily hold up the pictures.
The teachers all look at the pictures and McGonagall is the first to react. Yet she is also the sad one to make the mistake of having wanted to drink something while taking a look at our photos as she spits out her cup of tea in shock. "WHAT!" She shouts, completely losing her usual composure and then the Chasers say: "For the record, this was her idea."
And while it was actually Ron's, do I know that my best friend doesn't even mind having Jessica take the honor for this one, especially because Jess told him to let this happen and rewarded him with one of the most special of the pictures in return. Still, I love mine as well and I know that the others feel the same about theirs, even if the twins joked about being jealous earlier.
"That – surely – James, they – they only just met. Just a few days ago. Surely –." Dumbledore tries and Mr. Potter rolls his eyes as he says: "Tradition, Albus. It's a Pureblood tradition to have their heirs dress the part when they are engaged or bonded to another. It's to help prepare them for the big day. This was only a rehearsal, nothing more. Though you wouldn't say that if you saw them."
And with that does the man take all of our pictures, turn them around, launch them into the air and enlarge them, allowing for everyone to see every single picture. The one showing the receiving room as it has been changed into a hall that has been completely decorated for a big, glorious wedding, complete with aisle, arch and everything.
The one showing Sirius and Sora both walking a gorgeous looking Jessica, who looks so good she would probably make Princess Jasmine jealous, down the aisle. The one where Lea takes Jessica from the two and encases her hand with both of his, kissing the back of it and his eyes holding a solem vow that his love will be hers forever.
The one showing Jessica standing beside Lady Potter as she seems to have taken on the role of ceremony master and the animated picture showing her say the words I do. The one showing Lea standing on Lady Potter's other side and the animated picture showing him do the same. The one showing them share a kiss so full of love it almost radiates off of the frame.
The one showing Lea taking Jessica into his arms, holding her bridal style and the girl squealing in loving delight as he does so. The one showing Lea taking Jessica into another room, that has also been decorated and of which a large section of the floor has been elevated, allowing it to function as a dance floor, Lea heading there with his bride in his arms. The one showing Lea putting Jessica back down on the dance floor before giving her another loving kiss.
And finally two more pictures showing Jessica and Lea dancing in each other's arms, one showing them in full gown, the other focuses on their faces and the look in their eyes proving they only have eyes for each other. And the love, devotion, loyalty, care and respect that is seen in all of these pictures is just in word one breathtaking.
And so will their actual wedding.
So yeah, that was hella fun. The chapter itself when it comes to the movie not so much, as the damned part took way too long – 22 PAGES FOR GOODNESS SAKE – but that is just a downside that comes with me deciding to turn the KH games into movie forms. And let me tell you, I have the UTMOST respect for Square doing this with both 358/2 Days and Recoded. Everything else, especially the bits with Ron and Neville were TONS of fun!
Next chapter: pandemonium ensues in the Great Hall as everyone realizes the implications behind the set of pictures and Lord and Lady Potter prove why they were chosen to join the staff of Campbrina and how adamant they are to take their roles as mother and aunt seriously now that they are back in Jessica's life. Yet not everyone is so willing to accept this.
Sounds like even more fun,
Venquine1990
