((SXH: Hello, everyone! I'm not going to lie to you. It is tough posting these chapters. I probably chose the wrong time to make this story, being that it is my senior year and everything. I am swamped with work! Though I have still found some time to type some of these chapters. I'm sorry to any of my other fans who have read my other stories. Some of them I just can't type of school… So, for all my awesome readers, here is the next chapter! Enjoy!))

Warning:

Disclaimer: I do not Own Harry Potter or Kingdom Hearts. I just own the story line to this fanfiction.

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Chapter 11: Truths and Lies

/

A soft music played in the background of this room, occupied by only one man. He made a small hum, not really sure where the music was coming from. Nonetheless he enjoyed the soothing tune. He let his lip quirk upward by just a fraction, but soon let it drop. With bright, yellow eye he looked up the stairs at the last door in the hall. He studied it for a long while. Earlier he had heard faint screaming through the door, even through the soundproofed walls. He was anxious and oddly concerned, but he knew that the Superior wouldn't hurt the other too terribly.

The man sighed and ran ha hand through his blue locks. He shifted his gaze just a bit to the right and his eyes landed on another door. It was one that he was familiar with, but it was rarely used. Its owner was always away. He strode over to the door and glanced over it for what had to be the thousandth time. "The Original…" he read, the scoffed.

"The Enigma would probably be more accurate," came the normal arrogant voice that he was so familiar with. "Why do you always stare at his door, Saïx? I know you like him but you don't have to stalk him." Saïx reigned in that spike of irritation before speaking.

"You and I both there that even if that statement where true, I would not have a single chance with him. But, as it stands, it is not. I have no other interest in him other than curiosity," the blue haired man explained without even turning around. "You of all people should know that. Axel." He could feel the redhead's eyes bore into his back. He didn't need to turn around to know the look on the other's face.

"Damn straight," Axel replied, with more than a hint of arrogance. "So, what has you so curious about the guy? Other than the fact that he has the superior wrapped around his little finger…" he asked as he came closer. He stopped right behind his blue haired friend and stopped. He didn't dare make another move. He knew that the last time he did something while the other was concentrating, he nearly lost his head to a Saïx's Lunatic.

"I think there's more to him…" the other began. "Aren't you at least a little curious as to why this one is the only one that has nothing to control? Absolutely nothing. At least I have the moon, be he has nothing." Axel chuckled a little.

"It's not that special really. I mean, Xemnas controls Nothing. It shouldn't be that much of a surprise," Axel commented.

"No, Xemnas controls the element of Nothing," Saïx corrected. "Ahrxri has worked with us for the past five years and we still know nothing of what it is he controls." Axel thought for a few minutes.

"Maybe he doesn't want us to know," Axel suggested. "Maybe he wants to stay an enigma." Saïx turned to glare at the other and saw Axel's bright smile.

"You're an idiot," Saïx stated simply. Axel's smile dimmed a little but it still held as genuine. He wrapped his arms around his friend and hugged him tight.

"Yeah. I know," Axel began. "But, I'm your idiot." The blue haired man scoffed, but did nothing to remove the other's arms. They were silent for a long time. But, the silence was eerie. There was nothing to be heard.

"The music stopped," Saïx commented. Axel perked up and listened.

"So it did…" The both turned to face the door at the end of the hall. "I wonder what happened…" Saïx silently agreed. It was rare for the music to ever stop in the castle. They had heard it only once before and that was when…

"Do you think he's alright?" Axel seemed to have read the second in command's mind. Said man only sighed and began to pull the red head to the door numbered VII.

"I don't really care to know," he answered as they stepped through the portal to his room.

/

Harry stared at the tan man for the longest time. He just stood there, not saying a word for what had to have been at least five minutes. About three minutes before he had noticed that the music in the castle had stopped completely. But that wasn't important at the moment. What was important was the fact that Xemnas was still standing there, eyes wide and unmoving. Shifting uncomfortably, Harry stepped a little closer.

"Xemnas?" Harry asked gently. "Are you okay?" He got no reaction. Harry moved closer still until he stood right in from of the silver haired man. Harry waved his hand in front of Xemnas's face. No reaction… again. The other's sunset orbs never left the spot that Harry had been in previously. Great, Ahrxri. You broke him. His mind commented. He frowned a little at that annoying voice in his head, but chose to ignore it. He reached out and touched Xemnas's arm lightly. "Xem?"

Sharp eyes came into focus on his instantly. Harry squeaked loudly when hands came up and seized his upper arms. Those sunset eyes locked on him with such clarity and concern that Harry felt more than a little uncomfortable.

"Raven," Xemnas began. "Please tell me that you are just playing one of your games again… Please." Harry just stared at him with a look of confusion and anger.

"No, Xemnas. I am not playing games here. And, don't change the subject. You never answered my question. Must I repeat myself?" Harry spoke, his eyes narrowing. When he got no answer, he sighed. "Looks like I have to. What is this 'love' that you keep talking about? What does it mean?" Harry still didn't get an answer from the other. It grew irritating to just stand there and have a staring contest with this man. But, Harry could tell that the other was process what he was saying, as though he didn't understand a word of it. It just went on until Harry almost knocked the other in the head with a sarcastic comment to insult his intelligence. But, he was stopped. After standing there for several minutes in stillness and silence, Harry jumped a little when Xemnas moved suddenly. And when he did, it left Harry breathless and shocked beyond what he previously believed possible. Xemnas fell to his knees.

Harry could believe his eyes. Confusion and questions filled his mind so fast that it felt like it was racing over a million miles an hour. He was growing dizzy. His head was over heating, his heart was pounding too hard; he could hear it in his ears. He started to sweat as he tried to wrap his mind around what it all meant. For a moment he was concerned that he may pass out.

What are you doing? Harry asked himself, his mind coming back into focus. You are a Nobody. Act like it. If Xemnas is going to sit there like a silent idiot, then let him. We have things to do and places to be. We cannot waste any time on a man who is not going to answer our questions. Besides, we've been away from that castle long enough. Harry had the urge to argue with that voice in his head, but he knew that he couldn't. He couldn't argue with his own reasoning. Knowing that he needed to leave, Harry still felt the urge to stay.

Harry heaved a huge sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, Xemnas, I don't have time to deal with this. I have to get back to that castle as soon as possible. If I don't, people will get suspicious." Harry stepped away from Xemnas and began making his way to the door.

"Harry?" came the Xemnas's small voice. Harry hissed at the name, but did not reprimand the larger man. He stopped at the door and waited for the other to speak. "Will you ever tell me? What happened in your other life?" harry turned to look at the other with curiosity and shock. Xemnas had not turned around at all. When the other made no move to get up or follow him, Harry turned around.

"I…" Harry bit his lip and began to walk again. He left without another word. Xemnas kneeled in that one spot for what seemed like hours. Finally he stood up, not turning to look at the door.

"Why can't you trust me?" Xemnas asked to the empty air. Xemnas laughed a little to himself in the silence. It was so ironic. Normally he would get on to Harry for talking to himself. Now he was doing the same. He felt a pang of sadness go through him when he thought about Harry. It hurt him to no end to see that dead look in his eyes. Xemnas laughed again. What he wouldn't give to have one of Xigbar's sarcastic comments at the moment. It would make him feel a little better…

/

Dumbledore was sitting in his office, enjoying the calm and quiet of the day. It had been quite the nice day. He got to sit there and talk with Fawkes, telling him of his plans and getting his thoughts in order. He needed everything to be perfect before his next step. He had just popped a lemon drop in his mouth when his door burst open.

"Headmaster!" came the panicked voice of one annoying, bushy haired girl as she strode into the office. Her eyes were wide and panicked. Her hair was all over the place, tangled and frizzed. She was sweating and panting like she had run all the way here from the Quidditch pitch.

"Blimey, Hermione! Wait up!" came Ron's voice from the stairwell. Soon Ron appeared, looking just as disheveled as Hermione. "We need to talk to you, Professor Dumbledore," Ron panted, leaning against the doorframe.

"Please, take a seat," Dumbledore said, taking on a calm look despite the feeling of anxiousness rise in his chest. One they were seated, he took his seat across from them at his desk. "Lemon drop?" They both took one, making Dumbledore smile. As soon as they popped them into their mouths, the two visibly relaxed. The Calming Draught was working. "What seems to be the matter?"

He could see their bodies tense up as they looked down. Ron remained stiff, looking Dumbledore in the eye, while Hermione squirmed in her seat and couldn't meet his gaze. "It's about Harry," Ron stated, making Dumbledore chuckle.

"Of course it is. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't," Dumbledore laughed.

"Sir," Hermione said quietly. "If I may… This is no laughing matter." Dumbledore's eyes grew sharp and an air of seriousness set in.

"What's the matter?" Dumbledore found himself asking again. Hermione and Ron both looked to each other. It seemed like they were deciding on who would tell him. Ron would.

"I know how you feel about us beating around the Tentacula, so I'm just going to say it," Ron began. "We cannot find Harry anywhere."

"What?" Both of them flinched at the coldness on the statement. Now Ron looked down at his lap, not willing to look the professor in the eyes either. Hermione began to shake in fear.

"We searched the entire castle…" Hermione whimpered. "Ginny is still looking for him actually…" They heard the door behind them slam shut suddenly, making them both flinch. Neither of them looked back. They knew that no one was at the door. Hermione bit her lip so hard that she was sure that it would bleed but she was too scared at the moment to care. The air in the room began to crack with magic desperate to get out and unleash itself.

"What do you mean? He cannot just disappear into thin air. Not yet at least. And he will die before that," Dumbledore asked as he stared down at the two students in front of him. "If he had gone anywhere the wards would have notified me that he had. No living being can leave the wards without me knowing." He stood up and began to pace. He pinched the bridge of his nose in a vain attempt to stave off his oncoming headache and fury. He reeled his magic in, not wishing for the consequences of lashing out at the children and hurting them.

He stopped pacing abruptly and turned to them again. His voice became deep and menacing. "I want the both of you to go out there and search for him again. Have the whole Gryffindor house search for him if you need to, but don't you dare come back until you find him. Now leave. I have a few things to do myself." Hermione and Ron didn't need to be told twice. They got up as quickly as they could and fled the room.

Dumbledore smiled to himself. He could still strike fear in people, even if those people were his loyal followers. With a smile on his face he went to the fireplace and threw some floo powder into the fire. "Head of the Department of Surveillance of Underage Wizard." He waited for a few moments before his call was answered.

"Hello?" came a rich voice of the Department Head.

"Hello, Mefelda," Dumbledore greeted cheerily. He could see her smile through the flames.

"Hello, Albus," she greeted happily. "What can I do for you today?"

"I was just wondering if you had any information about Harry Potter's whereabouts at the moment. The wards here have been very fickle lately and we cannot seem to find him," Dumbledore explained with a smile. She returned it yet again. She left the frame for a moment and came back with a rather thick file in hand. She sat her desk and set it down gently. She flipped it to the back and read over what was there.

As she read, Dumbledore could see her brow furrow and her eye sharpen in concentration and confusion. She flipped through a couple of pages, as though trying to find something. She closed it and looked at Dumbledore with an expression showing many emotions.

"I'm sorry, Albus," she began. "I cannot find anything here about where he might be." Dumbledore frowned.

"Do you mind me coming to your office?" He asked.

"By all means," she answered. Dumbledore walked right through and stood in from of her desk.

"What do you mean you could not find anything?" Dumbledore said with concern and irritation.

"I mean that, and this is just the strangest thing, there is nothing in his file. It looks like there hasn't been anything in his file for-" She took a moment to flip to the back of the file and scroll her finger down the page. "-little over eight years. The last thing that we have in here is his seventh birthday. Then it's blank. It's almost like he's thrown off the trace, but for a seven-year-old that should be impossible. Someone must have done it for him or…"

"Or what, Mefelda?" Albus asked, a little concerned now.

"Well, unless…" she hesitated quite a bit at this. "Judging by the extent of the injuries documented, the only other possibility would be that Harry Potter died. But, that is also completely impossible as well, since he is quite clearly been alive for years. I don't quite understand. I'll need to consult with my advisors and see what we can do about it. For now, I'm deeply sorry, Albus, but there is nothing that I can do."

"Thank you, Mefelda. But I do hope that we could deal with this matter with the utmost discretion," Dumbledore began again, putting on a smiling face. "I don't want poor Harry to have to deal with any rumors muddling about the school. It is bad enough that this year the papers are labeling him a liar."

"We will do everything we can, Albus. I assure you that the papers will not hear a thing about this," she replied. "If that will be all, I really must set a meeting for me and my advisors. I believe, with the situation at hand, it would be best if you sent out a small, unnoticeable search party after the boy, if no one has seen him."

"And what sort of search party do you speak about? Of whom should it consist of?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, I do remember that Hogwarts has house elves. Maybe you could send some teachers? Or perhaps even some of the boy's friends. Spread the word that you must speak with the boy. That always seemed to get the attention of everyone, that way he's not just avoiding your little search parties," she suggested.

"Thank you very much for your help, Mefelda. I don't know what I'd do without you. Perhaps I could make it up to you sometime?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, maybe with those Muggle theatre tickets again would be nice," she mumbles to herself, but the old man heard it nonetheless.

"Consider it done. Whatever 'movie', as they call it in the Muggle world, that I think will interest you, I will send you some tickets, as many as you wish. Again, thank you. It really is a big help," Dumbledore insisted. With that, tossed some Floo powder into the fire and left. When he arrived back into his office he began to do just as Mefelda suggested. All the while he was muttering to himself, trying to figure out why exactly the trace was no longer on the boy. He must find Harry first and then question his knowledge about it. "I don't understand… The boy is acting so strangely of late. It's like he's going against me or something." Dumbledore stopped on that thought. "No… No, it's probably just him being a rebellious boy. He is at that age. However, I was almost sure that Mr. Dursley had squashed it out of him. I suppose that it will affect every teenager no matter what." Dumbledore made a mental note to question the boy on his actions later as well. But, needless to say, he needed to find him first.

/

In the Room of Requirement, Neville and Draco were sitting down playing a game of chess. Since the research began to go into more private matters in Harry's life, they decided to meet there regularly. Now, all three of them spent more time in there than they had in their respective common rooms.

To say people had noticed them spending time together would be an understatement. Also, it was uncommon for two people of different houses to be friends, but three? And from the houses of snakes, lions and ravens? That was just plain suspicious. Everyone in their common rooms kept bugging them about it. So they just drifted away from the general populace.

Draco had just let slip a nasty cuss word to Neville's victory when they heard a signature knock on the door. When the door opened, they saw a rather upset Luna lingering in the doorway. The two boys looked at each other with concern before Draco stoop up and slowly walked towards her.

"Lulu? What's the matter? Is everything all right?" Draco asked softly and as gently as possible. He really didn't want to scare her. Ravenclaws were like that. Sure, they were sharp witted like the Slytherins, but that was only in conversation or debates. Ravenclaws were unique because they were also sensitive like the first year Hufflepuffs. The sad part was that they never seemed to grow out of it.

And when a Ravenclaw was upset, Draco learned from experience that you have to treat them like you would a scared animal. You have to be slow and gentle with them, otherwise you would send them running. In extreme cases, you could send them into hysterics. Cho Chang being an example… Draco knew Luna was rather quiet, so he didn't really want to risk scarring her off. Actually, he wasn't sure what she would do. But, he definitely didn't want to find out.

Luna slowly stepped into the room, letting the door slam shut behind her. It was now that Draco realized that Luna had a letter in one of her hands and what looked to be a book in the other. Looking down at the letter and then back to her eyes. He gave her a reassuring smile. "It's all right, Lulu. No matter what, it'll be okay." Draco watched as Luna looked at him, the back down at the letter. She looked at it, almost like she couldn't really see it. Then she looked up at Draco with calm eyes.

"No," Luna said. "It won't."

"Loony, what do you mean?" Neville ask softly, still looking at the paper. Then he felt a chill go up his spine and something akin to fear rose inside of him.

The envelope was addressed to him.

/

Replica Harry found himself yet again in front of Tom Riddle and his followers that night. He looked round and noticed the absence of two in particular. The horrid pink woman and the other… One of his men. He didn't bother to remember any names he wasn't told to. But that man, he couldn't remember, After all, he was still only a few months old. How was he supposed to remember a man he rarely ever got to spend time with? Not that he wanted to spend time with him…

The replica was placed in front of Tom yet again. Only, this time, his hands were bound behind him. He looked up at the Dark Lord, sitting on his throne. What did the man want with him now? Was he going to be erased like the other replica? Or would this man just take pleasure in torturing him? But… in all the people I have met, who hasn't taken pleasure in that? Taking on a sullen look, his bowed his head, not even bothering to fight.

"Untie him," Tom said suddenly. His followers look at him in confusion and curiosity. When no one made to move, he snarled and said it again. "Unbind him. Now." They all rushed to get their wand out, however Lucius was the quickest to comply. "He isn't going anywhere. Besides, this isn't the real Potter. We have no reason to treat him with disdain." With that, Tom snapped his fingers and a table and a chair appeared in front of him. "Tell me, Harry. Do you like chess?" It did not go unnoticed by everyone that the replica flinched at the mention of Harry's name.

"Not particularly. I'm not very good at it. I'm always losing to Ron," the replica instinctively, not moving from his spot. Tom narrowed his eyes at this.

"How old are you?" Tom asked suddenly.

"Fiftee-…" the replica tried but was interrupted.

"Seeing as you are the twenty-first replica that Potter has created, I highly doubt that," Tom stated. "Now, let's try this again. How old are you?" Replica Harry hesitated and then tried to remember the months he had been aware of since he had been created. It was almost time for the Christmas holidays. Almost time for them to switch for a week or two. Oh. He was not going to be pleased with his absence. He would definitely get erased now, judging by the short temper his original had.

"About four months, sir…" the replica said sadly. If the original, or any of the organization found him, he was dead. He would never get to see Christmas, which he truly wanted to experience for himself. Although, he knew better then to tell anyone that.

"That young…" Tom said more to himself, but disregarded the fact that he said it aloud. "You haven't even had time to experience anything for yourself, have you? It must be hard. Having to live as someone else's shadow. To never be able to be yourself, express who you wish to be. Doesn't it make you tired, my boy?"

"Tired, sir?" the replica asked.

"Tired of pretending to be someone you are not," Tom answered. When he was given another confused look, he went to explain. "Why, haven't you ever realized? It's really simple, my dear boy. You act as though you are Harry Potter." The replica's brow furrowed.

"But I am Harry Potter. I was created to-"

"That's just it," Tom interrupted again. "You are not Harry Potter. You are a replica of him. You may look like him, but as you said earlier, you two are not the same. You have something he does not and that makes you unique. In my book, it does not make you a replica either, seeing as you are not exactly the same as your original."

"I was created to the specifications of what is to be expected. I cannot diverge from that. That means I am the same as the other twenty replicas that The Original has made over the years. I am not unique," the replica argued. Tom chuckled this time. A genuine chuckle as he looked at the other.

"The same and yet unique. You want to know the difference between you and all those other replicas?" Tom asked. "Do you not know what makes you so unique from the rest?" The replica frowned and shook his head. Tom set his eyes on the replica's green and stated with such conviction that it sent chills through the other. "You are the only one alive. You are here. And you have a choice."

"What… What choice would that be?" the replica asked uncertainly, his face softening. He was growing timid and self-conscious quick.

"You can go back to your room and wait for one of my men to take you back to Hogwarts," The Dark Lord began. "Or… you can sit down and talk with me, actually talk to me. You may say whatever you wish and I assure you that I will not judge. You can break away even further from you original task. You can be someone more than just a Harry Potter look-a-like. You can be whoever you wish to be." The replica stood there in awe at the words. It was a very tempting offer. He didn't know why the man had given him such a generous offer; he didn't even know him. All the past memories that he had of this man seemed to be a lie in comparison to the real one. He looked back at the ones he was given and the ones he recently obtained in his few and short months of life.

He looked into Tom's eyes and could see that this man understood. He could see the honesty in his eyes. The replica knew that if he went back to the castle, he would no longer exist. Here, he had a chance. His decision was quick. He sat down in the chair across from Tom and smiled.

"White or black?" he asked as the chess board appeared.

/

SXH: Uh-oh. Plot bunnies hit me hard. I hate to end it here, but I really don't have much of a choice. The plot unfolds in the next chapter. Hope you all enjoyed that chapter! Please let me know what you think and I will see you next time!

Bye~!