Chapter 10: The Flurry of Dancing Flames

Christmas was approaching fast; the evidence lay all around the castle. Snow had fallen thick and white across the grounds. Holly and tinsel had been twisted around the banisters of the stairs while everlasting candles burned brightly inside the helmets of suits of armor. Hagrid had already delivered the twelve Christmas trees to the Great Hall, as was the usual custom every year.

"Wow, they go all out here," Sora marveled.

"Uh-huh," was the only response from his two friends.

They were now preparing for an end of term exam for the students. They had spent an entire semester learning about the heartless, Sora felt it was time they gained some hands on experience. The only problem was how create a safe environment for the students. Luckily for them, Sora knew exactly to call on for such an arrangement.

"So do ya think he'll show up Sora?" Goofy asked

"I hope so. And if he does, I really hope he knows what he's doing. We can't have another accident like on Halloween."

"Aw c'mon Sora, you have to give me more credit than that," came a voice from behind the trio.

"Axel!"

The voice belonged to a man draped in a black cloak, his hands covered in gloves. His fiery red hair was nearly waist-long. He could only sigh in exasperation at their exclamation.

"We're just never going to get this right, are we? The name is Lea. L-E-A." With that he brought a forefinger to his temple and tapped, "Got it memorized?"

Sora could only chuckle at their mistake. "Oh, uh, sorry, but we are glad you showed up. How has training with Merlin in Radiant Garden?"

"Oh, you know, flick of the wrist here, a bit of magic there. Got a little boring after a while."

"So do you know what you're going to do?" Sora asked.

"I have an idea."

The four made their way to the classroom. Waiting for Lea had made them a tad late, and they found the students huddled up outside. Lea's appearance had not gone unnoticed, especially by a few of the girls.

"Guys, this is Lea, a good friend of ours. He's gonna help us with your exam today," Sora said.

Many of the students hadn't taken their eyes off him as they walked into the room. Sure everyone knew of the Weasleys and their inheritance of red hair, but this was a bit outlandish to them. Harry was the first to tear his eyes away from the new stranger and ask the question that had been on everyone's mind.

"So what exactly are we going to do?"

Before Sora could answer, Donald interjected, "You're gonna fight the Heartless!"

This earned him a stern look from the Keyblade wielder, obviously not enjoying being interrupted.

"Wait," said Hermione quickly, "we're going to fight the real thing? Isn't that a bit, well, reckless?"

"Sure, but there's nothing like a good hands-on approach when dealing with the darkness." It was Lea who answered her, causing a slight blush to rise from her cheeks.

"Right," Sora started, "so if you're ready, wands out." The students warily took out their wands, not expecting to be fighting something so dangerous, especially on castle grounds.

"We aren't going to fight them here, are we?" Ron asked, his eyes looking around the cramped room.

"No," Sora answered, looking at Lea.

"Well, where then?"

Sora raised his eyebrows at Lea as if to ask the same question.

"Hmph," was the only remark from the newcomer.

With that, he raised an arm towards a corner of the room. Out of the corner sprung what looked like passageway, covered in darkness.

"What?!" The three teachers screamed. "Where exactly does that lead, Lea?!"

"You're not scared of the dark, are you Sora?"

Before Sora could answer, his eyes caught the expressions of the students. Obviously they were just as worried as him.

"It's alright guys, I'm sure Lea knows what he's doing." His voice was not at all reassuring as he shot an incredulous look towards Lea.

"It'll be fine. It's just a small field trip."

Sora then turned to Donald and Goofy. "I think it would be best if you two stay here."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because if someone comes in here, they're going to want to know where we are."

"And that corridor," said Lea, who made his way over, "is going to stay open on both sides. So if something were to get out..." The three could see where he was going. They didn't want the Heartless to get free in the castle.

"Aw phooey," came the mage. "I don't like this one bit."

"Well," Lea responded, "if you have a better option, I'm all ears."

The mage could only look to his two friends, all three of them shrugging their shoulders.

"Good, so let's get this party started, shall we?"

He began to walk to the corridor. "If you all would follow me please."

With that, he disappeared into the darkness, no trace of him left. There were a few audible gasps from the students.

"It's ok, it'll be perfectly safe. I'll be right behind you guys."

"But what exactly is that?" asked Hermione.

"It's a corridor of darkness, a passage that can take you anywhere." Sora wanted to be brief with this answer. He wanted to spare them the knowledge of how one could open these dark passages. "Trust me, it'll be fine."

Sora was not very convincing in his attempt to comfort them, save for one. Harry had stepped forward to go through the corridor. He had seen enough tragedy in one life to not be afraid of the dark. Like Lea, he disappeared into the darkness. "Next."

One by one, students passed through the corridor, until Sora was left with his two friends.

"Remember," he said, turning to Donald and Goofy, "don't let anything get out."

"Right." They gave him a small salute, then watched as he too disappeared.

I apologize vehemently for not updating in forever. I also apologize for not having much action here, or in the last couple of chapters, but I did bring in Lea, so there is that. I also realize there are a couple spelling mistakes that I will fix. I will try to update on a regular basis, but no promises. Remember, I'm winging this story.