I'm sorry guys. I know I said i'd get this up sooner rather than later, but I completely forgot. My bad.
Anyway, enjoy. :)
Chapter 26
Roxas yawned and stretched, wriggling his toes and fingers. Man he was sore. And stiff. What the hell had Sora done to get his body into this state?
Forcing his eyes open, Roxas looked around and blinked in confusion. It looked like he was in the Hospital Wing. Sitting up with a little difficulty, he looked around again for Madame Pomphry. "Hello?"
She appeared a few moments later, Aerith in tow. "Roxas! You're awake," Aerith greeted brightly as they approached. "Thank goodness. You really gave us a scare."
Roxas blinked at her in surprise. "How did you know it was me?"
Aerith smiled and handed over a mirror just as Madame Pomphry started casting spells. "Take a look for yourself."
Hesitating momentarily, Roxas took the mirror and turned it over. Blond. He was blond. Why the hell..? "Where's Sora?"
"Sora's fine," Aerith answered as she took the mirror back. "He's still sleeping in the bed next to you."
Throwing himself out of bed, Roxas hit the ground in surprise as his knees gave out beneath him, but quickly stood on wobbly legs and pushed his way to the curtained off bed. Pushing the curtain back, he felt all the breath leave his body at the sight of Sora, in all his brunette glory, sleeping peacefully underneath the covers.
As his legs went to give way beneath him again, he felt someone catch him underneath his arms. "Easy," Aerith soothed as she eased him down to the ground.
"Sora… and I'm…." Roxas stared at his hands again and flexed them. "I'm me again."
"You are," Aerith agreed with a smile.
"But… but this is wrong! This is why I had to merge back with Sora in the first place! He needs my half of his heart!" He whipped around to stare at Aerith pleadingly. "You have to merge us again. Before he wakes up."
"Roxas, everything is fine. Sora is as whole as he was when you were merged."
"I don't understand."
"Come back to bed and I'll explain."
Nodding, Roxas allowed himself to be helped back to bed.
"Well," Madame Pomphry began once he was settled again. "You appear to be recovering nicely. A few strength building potions and you'll be fine to be discharged."
"Thank you Madame Pomphry," Aerith said with a smile. "If you don't mind, Roxas and I need to talk."
"Of course. I'll bring those potions out."
"Thank you."
The two of them watched her go.
"So, what's going on?" Roxas asked as he settled back into the pillows.
Aerith sat on the edge of the bed. "Roxas, when Sora was hit with the dark blast and you drained the darkness into you, we think it took on a creative form and allowed you to develop your own heart, and your own power, which is why you were so active in the days leading up to your split. As it is, it was a complete fluke that the darkness spiked when it did, and it was the final push that your heart needed to separate the two of you."
"So… Sora doesn't need me?"
"No. We've monitored him over the last couple of days and he's perfectly fine and functional. We think the only reason he's still sleeping is that his heart and body is recovering from the shock of having you ripped from it."
"Oh…"
"So please don't say anything about needing to be merged with Sora again unless it absolutely has to happen, okay?" She placed her hand on his and squeezed it with a smile. "There are people here who are glad to see you're your own person again."
Roxas nodded slowly.
Madame Pomphry chose that time to reappear with the needed potions. "Here you are. Drink these and then you're free to go."
"We'll take you up to see the Headmistress. She requested an audience with you when you woke."
Nodding, Roxas drank the offered potions and shivered in surprise as a tingling sensation swept through his body. When it faded he moved his arms and blinked at the painless and sure movements. "That worked quickly."
Aerith laughed and stood up. "Get dressed and I'll take you to see the Headmistress." She drew the curtain closed behind her.
Roxas crawled out of bed and quickly located his clothes sitting folded on a chair off to the side. They were the same one's he'd been wearing when he'd merged with Sora. Pulling them on, he adjusted the wristbands as he pulled the curtain open to meet up with Aerith.
When she saw him she giggled.
Roxas blinked. "What?"
"You just look so much like Cloud it's terribly amusing. You could be his little brother."
Roxas blinked again before shrugging. "Shall we?"
"Of course."
Leading the way out of the Hospital Wing, Aerith led them up a flight of stairs and towards the gargoyle that marked the entrance of the Headmistresses office. They stopped in front of it.
The gargoyle fluffed its stone feathers and stood up straight, its beak opening and a deep gravelly voice emerged. "What business do you have here?"
Roxas's jaw dropped in surprise.
"The Headmistress wished to see Roxas when he awoke," Aerith answered. "I've brought him to see her."
"I see. The Headmistress is out at this point in time. I do not know when she will return. Do you wish to wait here or come back?"
"We'll come back. I'll take Roxas down to have some Lunch first. It should be just about lunchtime. Please inform her we'll come up after that."
"Of course." Bowing his head, the gargoyle settled back into his resting position.
"Whoa."
Aerith laughed at the dumbfounded look on the blonde's face. "Come on. There's a certain someone who will be very happy to see you awake."
Nodding, Roxas followed her, his gaze not leaving the gargoyle until it was almost out of sight. "That was…certainly very freaky."
"One of the more unusual sights here, I will admit," Aerith acknowledged.
They made their way down three flights of stairs to the Great Hall. It was mostly empty with only a couple of teachers having an early lunch. It was clear that the bell hadn't sounded yet.
Aerith led him down a middle table – the Gryffindor one he noticed – and gestured to a seat about halfway down. "Sit here. I'll come and get you when the lunch hour finishes." She smiled and waited until Roxas had taken a seat before walking away.
Sitting there twiddling his thumbs, Roxas looked around the room and waited. He checked out the flags for himself, the floor, the walls, the grain of the tables, and the silver plates, cutlery and goblets. Eventually coming back to stare at his hands, Roxas jumped a bit when the bell sounded and platters of food suddenly appeared on the table. Drawing in a deep, bracing breath, he reached out and began to dish himself up some food.
Within a couple of minutes students began trickling in through the doors, quickly turning into a flood as the tables were filled.
Looking around for the Organization members, Roxas steadily worked his way through a plate of food and was mostly done before he spotted someone he knew. "Hey, James."
The eldest Potter stopped and looked at him, blinking in puzzlement. "Hi. Do I know you?"
"Yeah. I'm Roxas. Have you seen Axel, Zexion or Demyx about?"
"You're…? What the fuck?" James sat down in front of him, looking perplexed. "So, just let me get my head around this. So you're the other half of Sora's split personality?"
"Something like that, yeah. I'm his Nobody."
"Uh… okay."
"Axel or Demyx?"
"Huh?"
Sighing in frustration, Roxas speared another piece of his chicken viciously. "Axel or Demyx. Have you seen them?" he asked slowly.
"Oh, uh, yeah. I think Red was going to collect his things and then come down. Water Boy went with him. They should be here in a minute."
"Thanks."
"Uh… yeah. Anyway, nice to meet you. James Potter." James held out his hand to shake over the table.
Giving the older teen an amused look, Roxas decided to humor him and took the hand. "Roxas Hikari I guess. Nice to officially meet you as myself James Potter."
"Yeah."
"Hey, James!" Albus suddenly appeared beside his brother and punched him in the arm. "Who's this?"
"Roxas."
Albus blinked in surprise. "As in…. Sora's Roxas?"
"Yep."
"Oh…. Axel tried to explain this to me but I didn't get it. Now I do."
"Get what?" Scorpius asked as he also popped up suddenly.
"Score, meet Roxas, Sora's other half," Albus introduced as he took a seat.
Scorpius blinked a couple of times, jaw hanging half open. "Huh? Hang on, how're you…?"
"Long story," Roxas replied with a sigh. "Sit down."
"Where's Sora?" Albus asked as sat down beside his brother.
"Still out," Roxas replied. "Us splitting took a lot of effort and caused some damage. He's still recovering."
"Oh. Any idea when he'll wake up?"
"Maybe the next day or two? The fact that I'm awake is a good thing, but it was harder on him than me."
"Oh, okay."
"So what are your plans?" Scorpius asked as he served himself up.
"Regarding what?"
"Your stay here? Do you plan to attend Hogwarts? Leave and see the world? Commit suicide?"
Roxas laughed. "I have no plans to commit suicide. As to my stay here at Hogwarts, I have to talk to the Headmistress about that."
Scorpius nodded. "Fair enough."
"Roxas?!"
Looking up, Roxas blinked and grinned as he spotted the stunned and disbelieving look on his best friend's face. "Hey Ax."
The red head wailed loudly and tackled him in a hug, sniffling in his shoulder. "You're awake! I thought you'd never wake up."
Patting the black-cloaked shoulder awkwardly, Roxas hugged the pyromaniac. "Yes, yes, I know. It's good to see you too." He rolled his eyes at Demyx, who giggled quietly behind his hand.
"I know, right?!" Axel wailed again and drew back with a few sniffles. "I am never letting you go again Roxy. I missed you too much."
Roxas twitched. "What did you just call me?"
Demyx face palmed.
Axel froze. "Uh… Roxas?"
"Better," Roxas growled as he relaxed. "Clean yourself up and eat some lunch will you? You look pathetic."
Axel grinned and wiped his face with his sleeve, taking a seat beside the blond. "Good to have you back Roxy."
Roxas twitched and his fist smashed down on top of Axel's head, forcing the red head of hair towards the table.
Demyx merely rolled his eyes and sat down. "He never learns, does he Roxas?"
"Nope. Never." Laughing in spite of himself, Roxas gave Demyx a quick hug. "Good to see you Dem."
"Glad you're back Rox," Demyx laughed as he hugged the other blond back. "Don't you ever leave us again."
"I have no plans to."
LINEBREAK
Roxas stood in front of Headmistress McGonagall with his hands behind his back. He was surprisingly nervous.
Silence spread between them for a few minutes before it was finally broken.
"So, you wish to become a student here?" McGonagall asked.
Roxas nodded slowly. "If you will allow me, yes. My friends and family are here."
Minerva sighed. "I don't see why not. One more 'transfer student' won't make much of a difference.
Roxas grinned. "Thank you ma'am."
"Professor," McGonagall corrected. "Professor or Headmistress if you don't mind Mr Hikari." She smiled though to let him know she wasn't angry as she got up to collect the sorting hat off its shelf. "Well, you've heard the story," she said to the hat. "All that's left now is to sort him. I'll leave that up to you."
The hat grumbled as it was placed on Roxas's head. "I haven't had to work this much ever."
"You sort students into houses once an annum. I'm sure one more student will not tax you before the end of the year." McGonagall rolled her eyes as she hovered in front of her desk.
Sniffing in distain, the hat focused. "Right, let's see what I have to deal with this time. You have the soul of a Slytherin – darkness is very strong within you: be warned young man; but I sense the heart of a lion and a will of gold. To Gryffindor you will go. See to it that the darkness does not infect and rule your heart. Bravery will be your guiding light."
Roxas nodded. "I won't."
Nodding, McGonagall took the hat off Roxas's head. "Thank you." She put it back on the shelf. "So," turning, she smiled at the blond. "I suppose we'd better find you somewhere in Gryffindor Tower to sleep, and get you some robes and books."
"Probably." Smiling, Roxas felt happier than he had in a long time. He had himself back, he had his friends, and he knew where he belonged.
LINEBREAK
When Roxas entered the Gryffindor Tower that afternoon, his arms full of textbooks and robes, Axel was the first one to spot him.
"YES! Yes, yes, yes!" the red head laughed as he swooped in to steal some of his friend's load. "Friends forever, right? Come on! You're bunking with me." Grinning, Axel darted up the stairs.
Roxas shook his head with a laugh but followed. "Slow down you giant! Some of us don't have legs as long as yours."
"Hurry those short legs up then!" came the answering yell.
Demyx looked up from his bed where he was playing his sitar with a smile when Axel and Roxas entered, their arms full of belongings. "Hey, welcome to the den."
"Oh good, someone to keep me sane," Roxas joked with a laugh as he dropped his things on the new bed that had appeared in the room an hour earlier. "Don't you guys have class?"
"Sort of," Axel replied as he scratched the back of his head.
"We skipped Herbology," Demyx answered as he strummed a few more tunes.
"I see. I don't see what's wrong with Herbology. I didn't mind it."
"Marluxia usually crashes our lessons and the plants normally end up trying to molest us in an attempt to get to him as he sweeps past and coo's at them all," Axel answered.
Snorting in amusement, the shorter blond sat down on his bed. "I see. Can't deal with a little tentacle rape guys?"
Both older males looked up with a frown. "We can so!"
Laughing, Roxas settled back against the headboard.
"We would just rather not," Demyx answered.
"Kinky as it is," Axel agreed as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively at the keyblade wielder. "I'd have no problems if you were the plant."
Roxas snorted in laughter. "You're dreaming Lecher."
"Darn."
Demyx laughed. "When do you start classes?"
"Tomorrow."
"Awesome. Are you going into Sora's grade?"
"Yeah. We figured I'll just run off his schedule unless there's something I really want to change."
"Makes sense. Most of Gryffindor has the same schedule, plus or minus a couple of classes."
"Man, that's going to screw a few heads up," Demyx laughed.
Roxas grinned. "It's certainly going to be amusing."
LINEBREAK
"Sora!"
Roxas turned, looking for his other self in anticipation. Sora was awake? Why had no one told him?
"Sora!"
Strange… that voice sounded like it was getting closer. Shrugging, he turned back the way he was walking to Herbology.
"Sora, don't you walk away from me! Stop right there!"
Okay, that was really strange.
"SORA!"
Jerking to a stop as his arm was grabbed, Roxas blinked and turned in confusion to face Rose Weasley, who was looking most put out. "Oh, hi Rose."
"Didn't you hear me calling? How dare you ignore me! Don't think that just because you've been in and out of the Hospital Wing you're getting out of our joint assignment," she puffed as she tried to catch her breath.
"Oh, but I'm not-"
"I don't want to hear any excuses!" she butted in as she began dragging him in the direction of Greenhouse Six. "You've got enough work to catch up on as it is!"
Roxas sighed but allowed himself to be dragged to the class. Something told him this was going to be messy.
Professor Longbottom looked up with a smile when Rose and Roxas entered. "Ah, Miss Weasley, Mr Hikari, welcome. Glad to see you're awake. You gave us all quite a scare."
Roxas nodded and walked over to the Professor, Rose being dragged along. "Sir, I'm not Sora."
They both blinked in confusion. "Sorry, what?"
"Of course you're Sora," Rose insisted as she rolled her eyes. "Just because you've gone blond doesn't mean we can't still recognize you."
"Morning guys! Hey Roxas," Albus greeted suddenly as he appeared beside them.
Rose and Neville blinked. "Roxas?" they asked simultaneously as they both looked at the blond.
Roxas sighed.
"Yeah, this is Roxas. Sora's twin is the easiest explanation I suppose. Sora's still unconscious in the Hospital Wing."
Rose blushed and dropped the blonde's arm. "I'm so sorry! I thought you were Sora."
"Don't worry about it," Roxas replied with a smile.
"Well, this is strange. There are more showing up. Oh well. Why don't you take a seat with Albus, seeing as you know him."
Nodding, Roxas followed Albus back to his seat, where a spare one was sitting nearby.
"You okay? You looked like you could use some rescuing."
Roxas smiled and nodded as he dropped his books on the table. "Yeah, thanks. She refused to listen."
Albus laughed. "She does that. Any news on Sora?"
"No, none."
"Shame. Hopefully he'll wake up soon. Riku's going out of his mind with worry, but he's trying not to show it."
Roxas nodded. He couldn't really care less what Riku was worrying about. It was his somebody that was lying unconscious in that hospital bed.
~tbc
Yeah, I did a time jump with Sora at the end of the last chapter. I figured you'd all want to know he'd woken up. :) The next one should be up at the end of today. I just have to edit it and then it's good to go. :)
