Prologue
Same Friends, Different People
Crystal Springs High School, September 1st, 2022..
Nick yawned as he bobbed his head to the music playing over his headphones as he entered the entrance courtyard to the high school. As he'd known from memories and his journals, the school principal (AKA Keyblade Master Xehanort) stood outside, back arched forward and his hands behind his back. It's surreal, being surrounded by literal video game characters, let alone the book-related ones. He thought as he approached the school, only vaguely aware there were others behind him due to his music.
Walking several feet behind Nick, and with a slower gait, was a group of three people, two girls and a guy. The guy, obvious by his pompous walk and blonde hair was Draco Malfoy, whereas the other two were his wife-to-be (and aunt) Bellatrix Black and her best friend, Fayth Farron-Estheim. Fayth, unlike the other two, was focused solely on Nick's backside as they walked. "That ass, though." Fayth half-whined.
Bellatrix frowned. "Nick has no ass. He isn't fucking Captain America, you know."
"Oh, I know. Tom Rogers won't let anyone else forget his father's butt was voted America's Ass. Sounds like someone's jealous of the attention Nick is getting." Fayth teased, knowing full well about her best friend's crush on her own ex best friend.
"Fuck off, Fayth. Not today. There's enough shit on my plate to deal with without you trying to get a rise out of me. Go after him if you're so adamant about it."
"And ruin our friendship because a certain someone has unrequited feelings? Fuck that. You're just lucky my magic only works on you conditionally."
"Yes, yes, and that oversized paperweight of yours will rend my Heart from my body. If you really must, please, put me out of my misery."
"Things aren't that bad, are they?" Draco asked cautiously, and for good reason as Bellatrix turned to him.
"Things are fucking horrible, nephew. I'm betrothed to an absolute troll that's also related to me. My grades are slipping because of the mounting stress of trying to get out of the situation and.. Oh, fuck it, whatever." With that, Bellatrix walked faster towards the school, reaching the front doors as Nick opened the door.
"Move it, Negron!" She said, shoving Nick into the door with enough force for the handle to clang off of the brick wall beside it.
Draco nodded curtly to him on his way in as Fayth frowned. "Sorry, Nick. You alright?" The young Keyblade wielder asked him.
Nick nodded rubbing his shoulder. "I'll be fine. Another mood, huh?"
"Yeah, unfortunately. She needs to get her shit in order because at this rate she may just lose more than just you."
"Don't say that. Despite what happened with her, Bella deserves you as her friend. I think I'll stay out here for a minute, you go on ahead before she gets even more pissed off." Nodding, Fayth walked into the school after giving a respectful bow to Xehanort, who was now beside the two.
"Good morning, Nick. Miss. Black seems to still be a bit unhinged this year." He observed, having known most of the high schoolers since elementary school and had since watched them all grow together and fall apart.
The jab made Nick chuckle as well. "Good morning, principal Xehanort. It does seem that way. By the way, sir. Why do you always stand out here when we start filing in? Most schools haven't done that kind of thing in ages."
Xehanort nodded, stroking the gray goatee he possessed. "Yes, that is in fact true. But, no better way to make sure everyone makes it into the school."
"And by everyone you mean Vanitas, right? It is more often than not he isn't at school at the start of the day, after all." Nick pointed out, eyes gazing down the main hallway, still seeing Bellatrix's hair swaying back and forth as she laughed next to Fayth. Nick remembered Bellatrix, Fayth and the rest of his group of friends from before she turned into the hostile force she was.
Xehanort watched the young man peer into the school and followed his gaze towards the two young witches. "Yes, Vanitas certainly is a handful. That's why the other wielders live with him as well. Your careers in this school certainly have seen you teenagers go through some unsavory changes, it seems." Nick knew Xehanort had seen the boy gazing at his old friend. He was practically omniscient in the video games he had been plucked and replaced from, so it stood to reason that he would be here as well. Right? "Ah, the memories of youth. Mine wasn't the greatest thing, mind you. But, youth is a terrible thing to waste time and regret on. Get her to talk to you." With that knowing twinkle in his eye, the old man turned to walk inside, him and Nick being the only ones left outside. "Now come along. Knowledge is power, you know." He said with a chuckle, making a fist in the air next to him as he walked.
Nick just cocked his head to the side. Just like the.. What the fuck? He thought as he followed the principal inside. Even a couple of months after first waking up in this strange new reality, Nick wasn't completely used to the various mannerisms he recognized being used in real life in front of him. Knowing there was still a few minutes before the students were required to get into their homerooms, the seventeen year old decided to take the elderly man's advice, even against his better judgment knowing who Xehanort otherwise had been. He approached Bellatrix, Fayth, and Draco. Nick hadn't seen any of the Golden Trio yet himself other than Hermione Granger, but knew they must have been around somewhere if the Slytherins were. "Hey, guys. So, Fayth, enjoying your week so far?" Fayth visibly jumped, but he ignored it with a small smirk.
While startled at the sudden interruption, Fayth smiled. "It's alright, Nick. Thank you for asking. What brings you over?" Bellatrix, as per usual, was avoiding all eye contact with the boy, instead focusing on the phone in her hand, despite the screen being off, and Draco seemed stressed if the sleepless look in his eyes was anything to go on. Fauth noticed both of her other friends' expressions and added. "Or was this just to say hi for old times' sake?"
Nick rolled his eyes. "It's only old times because you and Bella stopped speaking to me for the most part back in ninth grade." He said, bringing forth his knowledge of past events as his journals had told him as he read them to play catch up over the summer. "Which reminds me. Trixie," Bellatrix looked at him, the glare only half-meant as their eyes made actual contact. "Can I have a word? Privately, if that isn't too much to ask."
Draco seemed to have enough, for whatever reason, and brought his wand out, pointing it at Nick's throat. Bellatrix's only reaction was her eyes widening somewhat along with a twitch of her own hand while Fayth gasped out. "Draco! Stop that shit! He's not doing anything-"
"Stay the fuck out of this, Fayth! And you," Draco shouted, turning back to Nick. "Get the fuck out of here, Negron, before I tell my father-"
Nick interrupted him with a huff and rolled his eyes. "Tell him what, Draco? That someone was just trying to have a damn conversation with someone else who might understand their situation? Fuck off yourself, Malfoy. You wouldn't even be able to hit me with anything you can muster out of that wand, anyway." Nick was right. In his journals he had found that only Bellatrix's use of Hogwarts' particular brand of magic actually affected Nick. Anyone else who attempted to harm him with wand-based magic only had the spell bounce off of Nick as if he had a permanent shield charm in place. The shield also protected him from attacks from most other denizens of town, wherever and whatever powers they possessed.
Draco's wand didn't lower, which made Fayth swing into action as she summoned her Keyblade with a flash, pointing it across Draco's own neck. "He's right, Draco. If Bella thinks he deserves it, she can hex him. She's the only one whatever protects Nick let's in anyway, other than the rest of us girls." She meant the seven l, including her,that had feelings for Nick. "Just go to our homeroom and cool off." Fayth said, gently lowering Draco's wand arm with her Keyblade as the blonde boy huffed, turned and stalked away down the hall.
Nick breathed. "Thanks, Faye. Least someone isn't a total prick to me. So, Belle, any chance at that talk, then?"
Now, Bellatrix looked to Fayth like she was going to swoop in somehow and get her out of the conversation, but the white and pink haired girl just giggled and turned. "Oh, I uh.. I should probably make sure Draco doesn't hex the shit out of anyone in Homeroom. Later." With that, she walked off after Draco, leaving Bellatrix and Nick chillingly alone now in the hall.
After a minute, Bellatrix finally decided to speak. "So what is this about, Negron?"
"What? I can't decide to check in with my former best friend, make sure she's doing alright?" Nick had learned he was done with this stupid avoidance of him that Bellatrix had been doing for so long.
"What would be the point? We're not friends anymore and-" Bellatrix knew her argument was weak as fuck, but it was all she had, not wanting to tell Nick of the marriage contract knowing how disgusted he'd be with her over it. She was only potentially certifiable to those she didn't get along with, after all. She only scared her friends.. sometimes..
"Whose fault is that, again? Surely not me who would never up and abandon someone I felt so close to." Nick said dramatically, as right as the two teenagers knew he was.
Bellatrix sighed. "Well, either way, it wouldn't be enough of an excuse to break up a conversation, is it? Now what do you really want? I really don't want this shit so early in the day, let alone on the first day of school."
"Come on, Trixie! You really like being a complete bitch to me? Enforcing that shit nickname everyone calls you when it should go to the actual Queen that controls ice? Whatever, I guess. If you decide you can actually talk with me, or even want to, you know how to find me." With an angered look, Nick walked off as well, even knowing it wouldn't change anything due to him and the two Slytherin teens as well as their Keyblade wielding friend had the same homeroom class.
Bellatrix stood there, her back leaning against the cool metal of the lockers as she bit her lip. He really thinks I'm just a bitch these days?
You gave him no choice as to that opinion. Said a voice from deep in her mind. You pushed him away like he was nothing when he only ever treated you like the queen they call you, not the Snake Queen, but queen all the same. And you tossed that away for what? Some bullshit marr-
Just shut up! Nick doesn't know, he doesn't have to know. If he did, he'd only ever hate me..
If you feel that strongly about it, then maybe you should tell him. He needs to know the truth you're too afraid to tell him, whether you want to do it or not.
Oh, what do you know? Nicky will be fine, even without me. Besides, there's still the other six, right? With that final thought, she pushed herself off the lockers and made her way to homeroom as well, keeping the distance she had made between herself and Nick.
Homeroom, Fifth Floor, Room 532..
As Bellatrix stepped into the classroom, all conversations hushed themselves for a moment before resuming, some in more hushed tones now than before. She went to sit next to Fayth and Draco when she looked over towards the back corner where Nick had chosen to sit, his position getting farther and farther away from her each year since she had stopped talking to him. She noticed who else was there, the know-it-all Granger, the equally as smart and most of the time insufferable Senku and sitting on the corner of Nick's desk was the only senior in their homeroom, Aqua as well as the other girls standing around his desk. Bellatrix's eyes narrowed at the blue-haired girl as she laughed at something Nick said, Fayth noticing her friend's line of sight. "So you do feel jealousy." She whispered, as Draco was leading through his notebooks making sure he had them all with him and she didn't want the blonde boy to hear the hushed conversation.
Bellatrix looked at Fayth, her stoic mask back on her face. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Bull. So, what about her does it? Is it the way she manages to look as flawless as you tend to? Hmm, oh! Maybe it's-"
"Shut up, Fayth! You and I both know it can't be helped. Not anymore. Plus, she's already dating Vanitas and Nick has you and the others. He doesn't need me."
"Not true. You have as much right to burn that damn piece of parchment, and the reason to want to. I hate seeing my friends like this, you know. We seven shouldn't need to be separated on this. We made a vow in middle school.. Not to mention Draco's ego lately."
"I remember the conversation, Fayth!" Bellatrix sighed heavily, glancing at her nephew. "He is pretty egotistical these days, isn't he? But, it can't be helped much, not with what his father wants him to do.
"But, that is Draco's problem, not mine. I don't have any issues." Bellatrix said, the denial clear in her voice.
Fayth rolled her eyes. "Whatever, liar." She said, opening her own book she had been holding in her hands.
Bellatrix looked back at the group in the back of the classroom, her gaze lingering on Nick longer than she had anticipated as the bell rang almost suddenly, signaling the students to begin scrambling to their first classes.
Nick got up, as did Hermione, Senku, Aqua and the others as they all grabbed their school bags. Aqua left the others on her way to Trigonometry class while Senku saluted them all on his own way down to Chemistry. Hermione and Nick, both having History first, walked together. "Hey, Mione?"
"What is it, Nick?" Hermione asked, her hand in her bag, probably trying to find something specific within the bottomless bag.
"Since you're a witch, like the Slytherin group, maybe you could answer a little question I have." Hermione raised her eyebrow but nodded for Nick to continue. "Do you know any reason as to why none of the spells you and the other wand-based wizards and witches cast can even touch me other than Bellatrix's?"
Hermione looked at him with wide eyes. "Wait, I knew you had some kind of magical shield around you, but Bellatrix Black can still cast spells on you?"
"Well, yeah. When we were younger, I was her practice dummy. Not that I minded. But, it doesn't make sense to me. So do you know any way it would be possible?"
"I know of a couple, but neither would make sense with you not at the least having a wand or our kind of magical heritage." Nick looked at her to continue. "One way would make the most sense, being similar to Harry. I mean, if love can protect a baby from being killed by a terminally fatal curse, then it stands to reason that it might be the case for you, but that doesn't fully explain Bellatrix, does it?" Nick shook his head. "Then the second one would work, but it makes even less sense with regards to her family. Which is to say, if her spells can go through whatever barrier you have up indefinitely, then it would have to be a wizarding marriage contract."
"Wait, you mean like an arranged marriage right? That Belle and the others' families subscribe to when it suits them?" Hermione nodded. "But that really wouldn't explain why she could still hex me if she put her mind to it. I mean, a marriage contract is between Wizarding families, leaving me on the outside of that equation."
"I know. I'm sorry I can't help you more than that. But, it gives you something to look into now, right?"
"True, but I'd rather her just tell me what the deal is. But, why would a contract make it possible for her to break through my weird shield?"
"Because, in the case of love being a factor in said contract, any magical shields around one person could be broken by the other party involved. But with how her family and friends are.."
"That would point to Malfoy, wouldn't it?" Hermione looked down. "Sorry, I know how it feels. Despite being a Slytherin, he still treated you like royalty until high school. Just like Bella.. Oh hell no." He said and turned around, heading towards the opposite direction and the gym, where he knew a certain girl partial to the color green would be.
Down in the gym, Fayth and Bellatrix walked out of the locker rooms in their gym clothes. They saw the gym teacher, a wall of a man named Maui (seemingly no relation to the God). They heard the door open, but only Fayth looked back as she giggled. "Oh, it looks like it's round two already."
Confused by her best friend's words, Bellatrix looked and saw Nick enter the gym and approach Maui, bowing and probably apologizing for interrupting. The bodybuilder of a teacher nodded as Nick turned to approach the girls next.
"Hey, girls, sorry for barging in on your class. Belle, I need you for a minute. I promise it won't take long, I just have a question I wanted to run by you."
Bellatrix sighed as Fayth turned away. "Catch up when you're done, Bella." The ivory-haired girl laughed as she walked away, leaving Nick and Bellatrix both leaning against a wall in the far corner of the gym, away from prying eyes.
"What is it now, Nick? What do you want from me?""
"No Negron this time? Someone must be in a good mood." The ebony haired beauty looked at him exasperatingly. "Anyway, I was talking to Hermione about my.. shield or whatever. You know, whatever stops everyone else but you and the other six from casting spells of any kind on me. She gave me two scenarios as to why you can get past it while none of the other Wizards and Witches can. The first seemed simple enough, but impossible because I haven't been protected by the love of a now dead parent. Not that I know at least, I'm pretty sure I'm not adopted."
Bellatrix looked at him in minor shock. "Don't joke about that, Nick. And what was the other option?" She asked, hoping to Merlin he hadn't figured out why she'd been fully avoiding him the last two years.
"Well, that's the weird thing. She said it would have to be a marriage contract," Bellatrix's eyes zeroed in on his own as he continued. "But since I'm not magical like you wizards and witches, it still wouldn't make sense. Until I realized that what happened between you and I, at the beginning of high school, happened to two others. And because of that, I think I figured it out."
No, don't say it, Nick. You of all people saying it makes it real. Please, Nicky.. "Figured what out, Nick? Get to the point."
"As far as my shield and it's weakness to you is concerned, I can't be certain at all, but I'm fairly certain you pushed me off to the side because you and Draco became betrothed, whatever political bullshit went into it." Bellatrix was silent, uncharacteristically so in Nick's experience with her after years of friendship. "I'm right, aren't I?"
Bellatrix turned to him, tears shining in her eyes. "I'm sorry, alright?" Without another word, she went to rejoin the other students playing kickball, Nick sighing as he made his way back towards the class he should have already been in. Fayth, seeing both the mopey gait Nick had while leaving the gym and the wiped tears of her best friend, frowned at the latter. "He knows, I'm guessing?" Bellatrix just nodded, not wanting to talk about it. "That makes it a bit easier, though, doesn't it?"
"Why would him knowing about something I didn't want him knowing make anything easier, Fayth?!"
"Because now maybe he won't bother you about it. Maybe he'll finally start seeing one of us as whatever he's had you stuck in his head as for years." Bellatrix stayed silent, but Fayth saw her wipe at her eyes again. "I haven't seen you cry since freshman year, you know."
"I know, and now I can't stop. Fuck, Fayth, why is life so hard to deal with?"
"I don't know. I haven't had much trouble living my life. Granted, my parents aren't even in the same league as yours and Draco's when it comes to tradition. I mean, your Draco's aunt. Even in today's society, even with both of you being the same age, that's still looked way down upon and is honestly sickening."
"I know it is, Fayth, but I can't change it so easily. The marriage will-"
"Do absolutely fucking nothing to fix your issues. They'll only get bigger and bigger and you can ignore whatever feelings you actually have for Nick all you want. It is your life. I just don't want to see you or Nick blow from the aftermath. Nick will fight Draco, and your soon-to-be husband will in fact get his ass handed to him because Nick can fight and is unaffected by your wands. Even if I tried to use your wand to try to break through that shield like you asked me to four years ago." Bellatrix nodded, a small smile on her face at the memory. "Which means that you need to sort your shit out before that happens and really talk to Nick. He deserves to know the real reason you even agreed to take that stupid contract in the first place. Not to mention, you've forgotten haven't you? With all the avoiding Nick?" Bellatrix looked at her, confused. "None of our respective magical abilities affect Nick. You, me, Genesis and Sephiroth, Tsunade can't put him in a genjutsu and Cynthia's Pokémon just have their attacks bounce off him like he's a rubber wall. Not to mention the last time Tia tried firing one of those Cero blasts at him it literally went through Nick and then destroyed the elementary school playground."
Bellatrix groaned. She had forgotten that whatever the shield was that protected Nick from anyone but her wrath pointed at him, the same could be said with her other six female friends. "I can't, Fayth. It would destroy everything we ever built-"
"No, that's not an excuse, Bellatrix! You already destroyed all of that by throwing him to the side in freshman year. It's the same with Draco and Hermione."
"Yeah, well at least he told her everything."
"And while it hurts, you can see that Hermione isn't letting it get her fully down. But it's opposite with you and Nick, neither of you have ever been very happy since then."
Bellatrix had no comeback to that, so she stayed quiet as Fayth huffed, muttering something under her breath as class continued like normal.
Later, Cafeteria..
It was now lunchtime, and Nick leafed through the comic book he held, all but ignoring the conversation around him at the table where he sat along with Hermione, Senku, Aqua, Tia, Tsunade, Genesis, Sephiroth, Cynthia and Aqua's boyfriend Vanitas, who surprisingly had just arrived at school late during second period. "What made you come in late this time, Vani?" Nick asked, not looking up from his comic.
Vanitas scoffed, crossing his arms. Nick was probably the only one in the school other than the other Keyblades wielders who was even allowed to use the nickname, and he still hated it all the same. "Just had some things to do."
"You better not be unleashing those poor creatures on innocent people again." Aqua scolded the black haired wielder of darkness as she stroked one of said creatures, a small blue variant of an Unversed called a Flood. It purred as it slept on her lap like it belonged there, although it made sense since despite the permanent attitude, Vanitas had in fact been dating Aqua for almost a year now, and since the Unversed happened to be his emotions given physical form, it was reasonable to surmise that this Flood signified his love despite it being a creature born from negative emotions.
Vanitas rolled his eyes. "Of course not. I promised you I wouldn't hurt anyone unless it was warranted. No, I really just had some errands to take care of, and I figured I'd get it done early enough to get it out of the way."
"Sure. So, Nick, why did you rush off earlier?" Hermione asked, looking over the spine of the textbook she was currently (probably) rereading.
Ignoring Vanitas' scoff at Hermione's casual shrug of his explanation, Nick sighed. "I had to confirm something. Which is exactly the same situation you and Draco had happen, might I add." Hermione gasped.
"Wait, what did happen with you and Draco? You two were so cute together." Aqua asked, remembering the old couple.
Hermione sighed. "Draco's family are Pureblood elitists. He doesn't want to be part of all the political bullshit, but his father has major control issues. He put Draco into a marriage contract, which took him and our relationship and stomped all over it. Not that his father would have truly allowed me to marry his son unless he was dead."
"Dark, but I understand. So, I'm guessing Nick confirmed that little fact because it just happens to be Bellatrix he was contracted to?" Nick nodded. "Light, that's so sad for both of you Isn't she like his cousin or something? But, that still doesn't explain why Nick is immune to their magic, does it?"
"Nope, it makes even less sense now, really. I'll get down to the bottom of it, I'm sure."
"Ah, Mr. Negron! Aqua. Vanitas. Miss Granger. Girls." Came Xehanort's voice as he appeared behind the teenagers.
Aqua nodded at the older Keyblade wielder, even as several of the others present jumped from the surprise appearance. "Greetings, Master Xehanort."
"Sup, gramps?" Came Vanitas' reply as he leaned back and put his arms behind his head.
"What brings you down here, principal Xehanort?" Was Hermione's ever curious reply.
"I am here to see about some.. help I feel young Nick could use. You see, all summer I've been feeling the tug of a power I know not, but I can sense it is powerful. Even now, I feel it stronger than anywhere else in town." He looked at Nick, the older man's golden eyes staring seemingly into Nick's very core as he continued. "However, I couldn't help but overhear that Nick has a strange immunity to the magic of the Wizarding World- quite a rarity even in our modern, meshed times- as well as the abilities of the other classes of beings except for the otherwise seven girls always surrounding him. And Aqua, you and Vanitas know all too well there are not many ways to be immune to that magic."
Aqua scrunched her face in thought as Vanitas eyed Nick, chuckling dryly. "Just say it, Master. You think Nick has the ability to wield."
Xehanort let out his signature laugh, making Nick's eye twitch from memories of his original life's version of him. "Yes, that may very well be the case. However, you both know I do not possess the power to pass on such power anymore. But, I believe you now do, Master Aqua."
Aqua looked shocked. "Y-you mean you want me to try performing the Inheritance Ceremony?" Xehanort nodded. "But, then Nick would need to be trained. I can't train him like that while we're still in school. Get Riku to do it."
"Alas, Riku already turned it down due to Nick having bested him in your Kendo studies during gym class. While he may be your successor and student, you would be far from his only teacher. I'm sure the others would help him themselves in their own ways."
Vanitas groaned. "You mean I need to help with his training, too?"
Xehanort chuckled. "Yes, Vanitas. Your Unversed as well as Roxas' Dusks and Samurai could be invaluable training partners to Nick. And he is pretty fit, being on the track team already."
Vanitas sighed. "Fine, I guess. But, can we do that at school?"
"Of course. We'll wait for classes to be over and meet out on the football field. Not too many people will still be around, of course. But, it would only be the ceremony today, Nick would have to have his Dive to truly start his training."
Nick had been quiet, but he was smiling like the Cheshire Cat inside, having loved the idea in his old life of being one of the then fictional characters. "I'll do it. Why not? Worst case it doesn't work, right?"
Xehanort smiled and nodded at the boy. "That is correct. Until then, May your Hearts be your guiding keys." Said the elderly principal before moving on from the area.
The friends continued talking, Hermione asking every question she could ask about the conversation, even the wielders sitting at the table becoming surprised as Nick answered questions about the Keyblades even they hadn't been entirely sure of.
Bellatrix couldn't help but watch the exchange, Fayth elbowing her. "Did you hear anything I just said, Bella?"
"What? Oh, sorry Faye. The principal was just over there talking to Nick, Granger and those two senior Keybladers."
"Really? Well, Principal Xehanort has a Keyblade too, so it was probably meant for Aqua and Vanitas. Oh, wait, you have that look again like in Homeroom." Bellatrix looked at her quizzically. "The look you gave towards them when Aqua was sitting on Nick's desk.."
"Ugh, stop it! Merlin, you're annoying."
"I can't help that you feel for Nick like the rest of our group. Draco and you don't even want this damn contract. You both could contest it and your father at the least wouldn't make the worst deal out of it. He would rather stay out of the politics as much as you and Draco both."
"It's just not that easy, Fayth! Even if my dad did decide to nullify the contract, Nick is.. We couldn't be. He's not even remotely Wizardly, and father has that one condition to my wanting to marry for.. Well you know."
"Love, I know. And I know it's difficult to deal with a marriage contract but you have as much say in your life than your father does. It's twenty-twenty-one, not the damn eighties. Contracts are practically illegal now, and you'd probably do well to remind your father of that. Draco, too. His father needs to be smacked down a peg."
Draco, for all his hostility towards Nick, only nodded as he continued eating his sandwich. He knew his father was a right prat, but he was still Draco's father, and that caused Draco to give the man more respect than he deserved. Hence why he refused to do or say anything about the contract that now binded him and Bellatrix, as unwarranted and unneeded as it was. He wanted Hermione to be the one next to him in that position, not Bellatrix. Bella was a looker, sure, but Hermione had always given Draco the extra drive to keep going in school, and to be a better person. Not to mention Bellatrix was Draco's literal aunt by blood. Unfortunately, all semblance of that Draco had receded and reverted since his father had first brought the marriage contract to his attention. Lucius Malfoy was not a man to cross, even if it was right to do so.
"You're awfully quiet about this, Draco. Have you really given up on what you really want?"
The blonde boy sighed. "No, but my father isn't the kind of person to say no to, you know."
"Oh, bullshit! You wanted nothing to even do with him before high school, and now you bow down to him again, just like you did when we were younger and didn't know any better like he's the Emperor to your Vader." The three Slytherins looked to the side as their senior friend Anakin levitated his water bottle and orange as he took a bite out of his own sandwich. "Sorry, Anakin. We know that's a sore subject for you."
Anakin laughed behind his messy brown hair. "No worries, guys. I have one hell of a temper. Thank God that was only a game though, right? Me killing a room full of small children. That shit went dark real quick." He said as the orange peeled itself in midair.
The Wizarding teens watched as their friend used his own Force powers to eat, being used more as a constant bit of training the anger-prone Jedi apprentice was known for. "That Force you use is pretty nifty." Bellatrix said, trying to change the subject as she looked at the open notebook in her lap, the page showing two faces kissing, hearts with initials inside scattered all over the page as she yelped and slammed the notebook shut.
Anakin smirked, knowing Bellatrix was just avoiding the mention of Nick at this point. So, deciding not to push her buttons, he started talking about what he had been learning about the Force in his spare time, usually evenings after school on Mondays through Thursdays in similar fashion to the Wizarding kids' magical studies and the Keybladers' own training.
Next Period, Gym..
Nick stretched as he stepped out of the boys' locker room, surprised as he looked over towards Maui to see the gym teacher speaking animatedly with Bellatrix of all people, who was just then looking in his direction, throwing her hand out towards him. Maui looked over and smirked, rolling his eyes as he nodded towards the black haired teen. Bellatrix smiled brightly and sprinted into the girls' lockers, apparently to change. Nick was then called over to Maui, making him gulp due to knowing what the teacher could do to him. "Yeah, coach?" He asked with a glance to his friends he hung around during gym class or in other words, the rest of the girls he was close to sans Fayth, who was in art class that period.
"You got a visitor, as you saw. I won't have the two of you running back and forth between each other's classes every day."
"Of course not, coach. And I know, best behavior or I'll be benched at the next track meet."
Maui nodded. "Exactly." He clapped Nick on the shoulder as he turned away to address the rest of the class.
Nick went back to the others as Bellatrix came back out of the locker rooms. "What's she doing here?" Asked Cynthia, her one visible blue eye narrowed at the approaching Bellatrix.
Bellatrix heard her and frowned. "Really? I was the first of us and you have a problem with me now?"
"Yeah, because we all stuck by Nick, unlike you since freshman year." Came Genesis' reply, Sephiroth nodding along with her friend.
Bellatrix sighed. "Girls.. well, either way, I need to talk to Nick." No one moved from where they stood. "Alone."
Nick shook his head. "Enough fighting, all of you. If you all must be nosy, then keep it at a distance. Come on, Trixie." Nick said, walking ahead of the others.
Bellatrix followed after him, turning around to smirk and stick her tongue out at the other five girls. Cynthia went to lunge at her, but was stopped by Genesis. "It's not worth it, Cyn."
Cynthia huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "That girl better not do something stupid." She mumbled as they all followed after the two further ahead.
It didn't take long for Nick to notice that Bellatrix was being unusually quiet. "So what's this all about, Bella?"
Bellatrix jumped. "Wha? Oh, right.. listen, Nicky.. I'm sorry I never told you about the contract. It's bad enough it's with Draco, and I.. I didn't want you to be disgusted by it."
Nick chuckled. "Really? Bella, I know you would never choose to go into a marriage contract. You've told me just that multiple times when we were kids. And Draco is the one creating a bigger issue between all of us, Fayth included. She doesn't hang out with the rest of us nearly as often now that you stay away."
"I know.." Bellatrix said, looking at her feet walking along the shiny polished gym floor. "I'm going to make things right, Nick."
"Bella.."
"No, listen. I'm gonna tell my father to burn the damned thing, maybe even use FiendFyre. I can't keep going like this, and Draco is absolutely miserable without his bookworm."
Nick nodded. "Yeah, Mione does her best, but.. she's definitely not as happy as she was when those two were always in each other's arms. But, are you sure you-"
"I'm fucking sure, Nick! I'm not staying in a loveless relationship, even if it's the only choice my father seems to think I have."
"Then I'll tell him myself," Bellatrix looked at him incredulously. "He's coming to the school today, right? He's one of the school board and they have to check in on the students on the first day, am I right?"
Bellatrix nodded. "Yes, but that's not the-"
"So what, Trixie? I'm doing it for you as much as the rest of our friends." For me.. "We're all seventeen, making us adults according to Wizarding culture which, as you know, is how Crystal Springs functions regularly. It isn't everywhere that a seventeen year old can walk in and order a drink from the bar. My point is, you're more than old enough and smart enough to make your own decisions. And even if it hurts, I'll stand by you."
"Oh, Nick.." Bellatrix smiled.
"Don't you two decide to fucking kiss now. For one, it's the middle of gym class and secondly Nick is mine." Cynthia said as the girls all began speaking over each other, making Nick groan. One day is all I ask.. He thought.
Suddenly, the girls all had their respective 'weapons' out. Bellatrix had her wand, Cynthia was holding a Poké Ball, probably Garchomp's. Genesis had her red saber and Sephiroth had the stupidly long Masamune in both hands, the point reaching the floor over ten feet away. Tia had her Zanpaku-to and Tsunade's fists were glowing with focused chakra. Nick, eyes wide from the multiple world-ending powers directly in range of rending his soul from his body (and possibly much worse), backed up slowly out of the middle of their standoff.
The six girls all stood there, eyes shifting to one another back and forth as they held their weapons out. Nick was amazed they were even allowed to keep their weapons but knew this world was much different than the one he remembered most. After five more minutes of no one moving, and not even Maui coming around to stop them, Nick sighed. I'm somehow the Neville Longbottom of this world in a way, and yet I sat next to him in Horticulture in eighth grade.
"Alright, that's enough, all of you." A few other students who had been looking in their direction gasped as they saw all six girls jump, look guilty and put their weapons away in sync with each other as they then looked down.
Two of the spectating students, the juniors Moka Akashiya and her friend Tsume Inuzuka looked at each other. "Did you see that, Moka? From what you've told me, vampiric compulsion is pretty close to that powerful, right?"
Moka nodded, her ponytail-held pink hair bobbing up and down. "Yeah, but that's Nick. Weirdly, he's just always been like that with the seven of them. Only one missing here is Fayth, but she likes being the peacekeeper of the group."
"Comes with the Keyblade, I think. Still weird. How does one boy carry so much power over any of the girls in school? Let alone seven of them."
Moka shrugged. "Hell if I know. But it's only ever been those seven, as long as I can remember. Pretty sure they all have feelings for him and it's a fight between them. Like a bunch of horny bitches in heat, eh?" She teased Tsume, who blushed and growled.
"Ugh, Moka! Was that your damn Inner's words?" Tsume and any of Moka's friends knew that the Moka they went to school with wasn't the real Moka, in a sense. It was the real Moka to them, but her real identity was the vampire sealed within the rosary cross that hung around her neck (although they called it a Rosario for reasons Nick didn't really bother disputing.).
"Yeah, I told you ever since my father decided the seal should be more of a buffer than a handicap, my two personas have mixed here and there. Then I go full vampire if someone pisses me off badly enough."
"Well, still. The comparison fits, Nick is a human with vampire compulsion, I'm calling it."
Moka shook her head. "Trust me, if Nick is any of the various types of powered individuals in town, I'd say he's more of a Keyblade wielder. Or maybe a Jedi, him and Cal were always having mock fights with the kendo swords back in freshman year."
"Yeah, well time will tell since it's been a waiting game for all of us to see where he begins training after school."
"Yeah, I vaguely remember a betting pool.."
Meanwhile, Nick frowned at the girls. "I've seriously had enough of all this fighting. Didn't the seven of you all have some profound revelation back in middle school? Something that shouldn't have you all fighting each other?"
The girls all looked at each other, nodding as they all looked at Nick after. "You're right, Nick, we did. But because some of us made mistakes, the others have all but condemned-" Bellatrix started as Cynthia rolled her eyes.
"Come on, Bellatrix. Now you're just guilting everyone else here about it. If you were going to stick to the original plan, this divide between us and you would be non-existent."
"Cynthia, really, calm down. Your tits couldn't handle anymore heat." Giggled out Tsunade, which made the Pokémon trainer scowl.
"Oh? And this coming from the literal bimbo of the school, appearance wise?"
Nick groaned. "Oh, come on. Now the whole situation is devolving. Tsunade, Cynthia, cut the shit. Haven't you girls realized anything yet? This senseless fighting between you all is never going to get you all to the end goal, is it?"
"Of course not, Nick." Came the synchronized voices again as Tsume and Moka passed around the large group again.
"I'm telling you, he's too magnetic to those girls to be just human, Keyblade, Jedi or whatever else have you. Not just one, at least. Look at the variety, one Wizarding girl, a Ninja, two possibly borderline psychotic swordswomen, a Pokémon trainer, an Arrancar and a Keyblade wielder. Honestly, he's missing a Jedi or, better yet, one of your kind, the Monsters, to make it an even group." Tsume
"Don't say that. In this town, mentioning such things will make them a reality, whether it's intentional or not. Maybe it'll be you who falls to his charms. I mean, you are a dog."
"Just because my family raises Ninja dogs doesn't mean.. Oh, who am I kidding? If it was up to my mom she'd have had kids with half the school by now, anyway, let alone what she'd have me doing. Thank anything holy there are rules against that."
Moka shrugged. "I don't know, a life of endless sex is a good life for a Vampire."
"What if you decided to fall for Nick? It's not like Tsukune is around anymore, ever since your father.."
"Don't bring that up. Father knows what he did wrong and why I vowed to not just feel for someone again."
"Still, who knows? One of us may just join that storm of chaos, time will tell." The two girls laughed as the bell rang.
Nick cursed. "Alright, girls, come on. No more fighting, please. Bella, when is your father coming through?"
Bellatrix hummed. "Probably last period. The school board would rather check in on everyone at the end of the day, after all." She leaned up on her toes to kiss Nick's cheek. "I'll see you then." She said, rushing to get changed for the rest of classes.
The other girls all sighed as they made their own ways to the locker rooms. "You guys better know what you're doing." Cynthia said as Nick grabbed her arm, smiling at her.
"Don't worry, Cyn, you're all still important to me, but you all know how-"
"I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it. Honestly, each of us wants you on our own a lot more than all together. We just want you to make the decision without hindrance like it is with Bella and her family."
"Let me deal with her family. I know how to shoot the shit with a Pureblood Wizard." Nick laughed as he let go of Cynthia, the blonde smiling back at him with a nod. "And deep down, you know it wouldn't be the same without her forever. I knew you missed her."
Cynthia blushed, unaware Nick knew she was bisexual, she didn't remember ever telling him.. or even really hinting, since she'd been after the young man since the sixth grade. That was when Bellatrix and the others had all confessed to each other they'd had feelings for Nick and had what he had called a profound revelation, which for the girls was simply known as The Pact. All seven of them would be together with Nick, despite the differences in their origins and power sets, by the time high school was over. And starting that day, they only had a full two school years left to meet that goal.
She finally shook her head. "I don't miss her, we still see each other around town, just not much. Bellatrix just belongs with us in the group, as much as I fight her about it."
"Eh, good enough, I suppose. Well, see you later, Cynthia. Be nice, you're not usually so.. bitchy."
"Yeah, I know. I'm just trying to show I don't need magical powers to keep up with the rest of them."
"You don't have anything to prove. Go and try enjoying whatever class you have next."
"Alright, Nicky. I will. See you around." Like Bellatrix, Cynthia leaned in and gave Nick a quick peck, giggling as she rushed off. Maui laughed from his position near the locker rooms.
"I don't know how you manage to keep seven women in line, but hurry up or you'll be late to your next class, Romeo."
Nick chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, sorry, Coach. At least I stopped them from unleashing hell on the gym in several different yet equally devastating ways." He said, his voice echoing through the locker room where a couple of the other guys from class that still lingered chuckled at him as the coach shook his head.
A few minutes later, Nick walked onto the grassy area that served as the school's animal welfare class, a necessary class that taught the students how to handle the more unique animals to each's power set and its origins. Just the previous year they had a class where they summoned one of Naruto's Toads. Gamakichi, if Nick remembered right.
He paused as he saw the other students who had already made it to class ahead of him, among the crowd Hermione, Draco and Bellatrix. He made his way towards them, nudging each of the other three in turn as he took his place standing on the other side of Bellatrix. "Well this is nice, huh? We can all partner up if need be."
"The chances of that happening are slim to-"
"Welcome back to Animal Welfare and Classification. As it is the first day back, today's class will have you all in groups of four researching no less than three animals of different origins or powers, filling out a separate worksheet for each you wish to discuss." Said the teacher, the humanoid (and short, almost kid-like) deer Tony Tony Chopper. Nick's eye twitched at the thought of the Pirate doctor of the Straw Hats, but Bellatrix nudged him behind his back for him to focus.
Nick looked over at Bellatrix to see she was holding both Hermione and Draco by their collars. "Got our group." Nick sweat dropped at the laugh that followed as Draco looked at his aunt with wide eyes.
"Wha-"
"Just go with it, she's on a mission apparently." Nick offered, cutting Draco off before Bellatrix could otherwise shout at the blonde.
"Alright, what's this about all of a sudden? What do you know, Nick?" Hermione asked, more ticked off that Bellatrix was still holding her and Draco than anything.
"Settle down, Trixie. Put them down then so we can get this done." He looked at Hermione and then Draco, chuckling at the frown the other boy wore. "And we spoke about it last period, yeah. But I'm not sure why she decided to just practically abduct you both for this project."
"Because the four of us need to talk about it, Nick, now that I'm doing something about it. It's affecting them as well as us, isn't it? Or have you decided to listen to the other five and want to exclude me and Fayth from-"
"That's not it, Trixie, I promise. No one's out of that, I assure you." Dream for me, though, for reasons you girls will probably never know. He thought. "Just set them down, yeah? Maybe we can all at least sit down at a bench and pretend we're talking about Critters?"
Bellatrix huffed but nodded, putting their classmates down as the four moved to a bench far from everyone else to be more private.
Draco had a strange glint in his eyes, rebellious if Nick had to hazard a guess. "You're seriously not going to tell him, are you?" He hissed at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix just nodded. "Fuck yes I am, and Nick will be speaking to father as well. Once father knows of Nick's.. unique weakness to only the powers of us seven girls, he'd be much more interested in considering burning the damned contract. Not that it could stop me from doing this." Bellatrix had to prove her point as she grabbed Nick's face and kissed him on the lips, a quick peck but it proved what she was talking about. The marriage contract was already somewhat void, in Nick's case at least.
Draco was dumbfounded. "Auntie, you can't just risk our lives to fucking kiss Negron! Although admittedly, it is interesting to think that Nick's otherwise immune response to our Magic could be passed down to his children. And you know Uncle Arcturus will use that and allow you two to date, thinking it was all his idea or some shit."
Bellatrix giggled. "Yes, father would be like that, wouldn't he? Better that and I get the man I care about than ignore my heart and suffer as you have, nephew.." She quieted down a moment before continuing. "But the appeal behind pet Nifflers is very solid, they guard the house's personal treasures very loyally, for the most part."
Nick chuckled as he noticed Chopper making the rounds by them to make sure they were actually working. "Personal experience there, Bella?"
As Chopper moved on, they had to be careful as his hearing would hear them for longer than a human's. "Maybe. The point is, you have to feel what's right when caring for a creature, of any size and temperament. Right, little Dragon?"
Draco rolled his eyes. On an age level, Bellatrix shouldn't even be able to use that nickname but as his aunt, he couldn't say anything about that without offending her. "You're right, auntie, but you know my father-"
"If I have to talk to my sister about this, it's on your head, Draco. You know how your mummy hates these situations but with me, she should have expected my eventual refusal of it. Andi isn't the only one who likes to rebel now and then."
"Aunt Andromeda has been almost banished from the family six times for her crap, you really want to compare yourself to-"
"Shut. Up. Draco, dear, Andromeda Black is the poster child of being a rebel to your own family's cause, and I've felt the same as her for years already. It's just harder to put it into words with my father." Bellatrix explained. "Plus, when it comes to your bigoted father, are you really saying you want to marry me?"
"Fuck no! Even Purebloods can deny the heritage given to them. Look at Sirius, living with the Potters of all the Wizarding families."
"At least the Potter's are still a Noble house. Anyway, the point is, the arrangement is off, Draco. Whether I have to risk banishment from the family myself."
"Bella, that won't happen. You're the only Black sister left not married, and you've studied the politics since we were little unlike either of your sisters. Technically, once Arcturus decides to retire his seat as Lord, the title will most likely go to you, my Lady."
Bellatrix giggled, rolling her eyes. "Stop with the sweet talk. Daddy will absolutely love you, if he remembers you in the first place."
Nick shrugged. "If he doesn't, I'll make him remember, even if I have to go in front of his wand for it. Not like he can hurt me."
As the class rolled along, the four did their little assignment and Nick and Bellatrix were happy to see Draco and Hermione with such great smiles on their faces for the first time in quite a while.
Last Period, Study Hall..
Nick was bored, not wanting to do his homework and otherwise disinterested in the comic from lunch that he was still reading at the moment. He kept listening for the sounds of the school board as they made their way through the halls, but it seemed they may not have gotten to the second floor yet, where Nick's study period was held. He could feel Bellatrix's eyes staring at his back from her seat a few desks away, silently wishing her father didn't actually show up for the first day inspection.
Those hopes were dashed, however, when she felt Arcturus' magic enter the vicinity, close enough that Nick probably felt it too, with his odd sixth sense about such things. Then he entered the room, his business suit slick and looking every bit the rich family the Blacks really were. Bellatrix grimaced at the sight as Draco's father Lucius Malfoy entered behind Arcturus, followed by the other board members including Hiruzen Sarutobi, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Yen Sid, the ancient sorcerer responsible for training the early generation of Keyblade wielders. The group watched the class for several moments, Arcturus meeting Bellatrix's eyes as Nick cleared his throat. "Governor's Black and Malfoy, may I speak with you both?"
Lucius dismissed Nick, but Arcturus noticed the look Bellatrix threw towards the boy as he nodded. "Sure, boy. Come with me." Nick nodded, gathering his things and following Bellatrix's father out of the classroom.
Once outside, Arcturus brought Nick to the next classroom over, one currently not in use as he leaned against the teacher's desk. "What is this about, Mr.."
"Negron, sir. Nick Negron. You don't know me through a Family per se, but I am close friends with Trixie and I found it imperative I speak with you."
The older man nodded, frowning. "Had Bellatrix done something wrong? Also, not many people can get away with calling her Trixie."
"That is true, sometimes she doesn't even let me either. But, no, she hasn't. It's more something you and Mr. Malfoy are doing."
Arcturus narrowed his eyes before chuckling. "I remember you, now. The boy Bellatrix as well as that mosh pit of other girls are always gossiping over. What is this about, Nick? Is it the marriage contract? I can't do anything about it, unless there were a definitive reason to, you understand."
"Oh, of course I understand that. But, how about I show you something particularly special about me?" Arcturus raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead, throw any combat spell at me. Not something basic, though. Something.. substantial for a man of your stature among the Wizarding families."
Arcturus took his wand out from one sleeve. "Are you sure about this, boy? Surely you know my family's reputation?"
"Oh yeah, absolutely sure. Before Bellatrix comes and tries stopping you, she really doesn't think this is a good idea."
"Hmm. Bellatrix is a smart young woman. Fine, then, but don't say I didn't warn you. Bombarda Maxima! The older wizard said, casting the spell as it made contact with whatever Nick's shield truly was, sending him back through the back wall of the empty classroom and straight into the classroom next door, where varied screams and gasps were heard from the rest of the studying students. Arcturus looked on in shock as he heard Bellatrix cry out for the boy before he heard a groan.
"I'm fine, Trixie. It's only you and the other girls that can affect me." Nick said, standing up and dusting himself off, waving at the ebony-haired girl's father. "See? Not even a scratch. Although I did feel the impact into this wall." Nick laughed as Bellatrix slugged him in the shoulder.
"Nicky, that's not funny! I told you my father could have killed you, shield or not! Then where would I be?"
Nick groaned as he rubbed the spot her fist had connected. "I don't know, incestuously married to your same-age nephew?"
Bellatrix put her head in her hands in shame, there was a reason most of the school knew nothing of the arranged marriage. "Nicky.."
Arcturus stepped into the classroom again through the hole he had created with Nick's forcefully flung body, casting a nonverbal Reparo spell as the wall built itself back to pristine condition. "That was either very brave, or incredibly stupid, young man. What if that shield you apparently possess hadn't saved you?"
Nick shrugged. "Then I'd be dead, and Bellatrix would be distraught over it, even while angry I didn't listen to her. Bellatrix would also be pissed at you over it, really, for killing me even if accidental. Bad idea though it was, it was worth it because you're thinking about that now, aren't you?"
The older wizard laughed, much to Lucius' chagrin as he answered. "Maybe I will. Bellatrix," The head of black hair looked over at her father. "Bring him to the manor tonight, that other insufferable little friend of yours as well, the one with the Keyblade. Perhaps this is something to discuss in a more private setting. Lucius, come along. We have things to speak of."
Lucius looked back at the two, Bellatrix having conjured a damp rag she whipped across the top of Nick's head, chuckling at the scene as he followed after his father-in-law. "What's this about, Arcturus?"
"The contract may be unneeded, if what I saw was true for all other powers that be here. He could be invincible."
"But, I thought you didn't want him to rise up and take all of the power we have rightly earned? What makes that boy so special that He may need him?"
Arcturus chuckled darkly. "That's just it, Lucius. If that boy's description of his shield to my daughter meant anything, he seems to have a latent immunity to not just our magic, but the powers of every nation present in this city."
"But then what does that mean for us? The rules of our society have always been-"
"No matter, Lucius. Perhaps things should change. Your son is obviously not happy in the arrangement with Bellatrix, and I know she's just as put out about it. But this boy Nick.. He could be what either saves or destroys us all."
"Your daughter won't let anyone close to Him get close to the boy, however. You must see that."
"I do, and I will not stop her. Bellatrix made her choice, and as her father I respect her for it. It's hard to go against what you're raised to, after all."
"Well, my boy isn't anything like.. that?" Lucius stopped at the door to another classroom, where he could see Draco's blonde hair as the boy laughed along with a girl Lucius had every qualm against Draco even hanging around. "Draco.." He ground out through a sneer. "When the Lord rises, I'll make sure every one of these unpure witches and wizards pay."
"We shall see, Lucius. First, He must Rise to the power you all seem to crave so greedily." You and the rest of your poisonous ilk. Arcturus thought, Lucius not paying much attention to his words.
Despite what Bellatrix thought about her father as the Lord of House Black, he had also been playing both sides of the fence when it came to the mysterious Lord the Purebloods families were beginning to rally behind. His daughters, all rebels in their own right, were the pride of his life, but these days it was only Bellatrix who seemed to have any sense to her, accepting the marriage contract more out of obligation than anything. In that way, he could see why she obviously was so dead set against the marriage, other than the obvious incest involved. He said Bellatrix and the other girls.. Perhaps the Keyblade girl as well as those other five varied friends of hers.. But why the boy?
School Track, Dismissal..
Bellatrix and Nick walked out of the school, flanked by Fayth and the other five girls as they approached the track field, in the center of which stood Master Xehanort along with Aqua, Riku and Vanitas (the first two of the three being the only current Masters). The group of seven all looked at the bleachers, surprised so many of their friends had shown up to the event. "Yo, Naru," Nick called out to Naruto Uzumaki, conversing with Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha. "Why's everyone out here? Don't most of y'all have supplemental training after school?"
"We did, but once the school heard you were going to go through the Keyblade test, especially knowing you aren't part of any of the factions, we all wanted to see if it's true."
"Technically, he dragged us here." Sasuke said, causing him and Naruto to begin another infamous argument, Sakura using her enhanced Chakra to stop it before the two destroyed the school.
Bellatrix and Cynthia were the only members of the group who stayed with Nick until the edge of the track, both glaring at the other. "Why are you even here, Cyn?" Bellatrix asked.
"You're not the only one who took the Pact, Bellatrix! Plus, technically I'm the closest one to actually dating him."
Bellatrix looked at Nick, who shrugged. "It was more just the two of us hanging out during the summer since everyone else had other things to do for the most part, but I guess that could be considered more of a set of dates. But, it wasn't officially dating."
Bellatrix hummed, still glaring at the blonde Pokémon trainer. "Still. Nick's mine."
"Oy vey, stop it, both of you. What happened to the girls who everyone thought were dating back in middle school?" It was true, back then Cynthia and Bellatrix were closer than Bella was with Fayth now, and it had seemed to many in school it was actually Cynthia and Bellatrix in a relationship, with the others just kind of present.
"We grew out of it, she got engaged to her nephew-"
"I didn't have a fucking choice at the time, Cynthia! How was I supposed to know my father would actually listen to Nick?"
That caught Draco's attention from the bleachers, his face draining of color. "Wait, he really spoke to your father? Was mine there?"
Nick nodded, looking at him. "Yeah. Listen, Drake, I know he's your father and you want to make him proud, but watch out. I was getting sinister vibes from him when he looked at me. Also, do you know anyone your father would call Lord?" He asked, having heard a small bit of the conversation between the adult Wizards as they were leaving.
Despite his already pale face, Draco Malfoy looked as white as a ghost at the question. "Why would you.. What did you hear, Negron?"
"Not much, just that your fathers sounded pretty set on eliminating all those not considered Pureblood to them. And that there was someone rising to power with such an opinion. And I mean, it can't be Voldemort, right? Our history teacher wouldn't just flip the script and go insane, would he?"
"I can't talk about it. It's an Unbreakable Vow, you understand?"
"Fuck, of course it is. Alright, just be careful if you really want to keep Hermione. You might need to make a hard choice." Draco nodded, knowing full well he would eventually have to choose between his family or the girl he had confessed his love to in the seventh grade.
Nick turned towards the Keyblade wielders, but was stopped by the two girls once more. "Whatever happens out there, Nicky, you still have us." Cynthia said, brushing her bangs away from her face as she kissed Nick's cheek.
"Ugh, I'm still the first one out of us, that was part of the deal and I expect my friends to honor that."
"Oh, we will, but you know me, Bella. I like the competition." Cynthia giggled as Nick shook his head.
"I seriously can't with the both of you. Just go sit and watch." Both girls just nodded and walked into the bleachers to join the other five as Nick went up to Xehanort, Aqua, Riku and Vanitas. "So, how does this go, exactly?"
Riku looked at his Aqua, unsure how to say something as she sighed. "Terra and I were the ones who gave the power to wield to Riku and Sora, respectively, when we were all younger, so it was by total mistake and even now we don't know exactly why it worked in both cases."
"Not that we complain about it. Riku and Sora are both very powerful wielders in their own ways." Vanitas added, nodding to the surprise of the others present, Vanitas never just outright complimented anyone.
"So, first things first, I need you to hold out your hand, palm facing up." Nick did what he was told, excitement bubbling within him as Aqua placed her own hand just over but not touching Nick's as she summoned her Keyblade Stormfall and began speaking. "In your hands, take this key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking, it's wielder you one day shall be. And you will find me, friend, no ocean shall contain you then. No more borders to hold you down, so long as you fight for the ones you love." She took a breath. "Now, Nick, take this key and be bestowed the power of the Keyblade, if it shall be."
Nick nodded, determined as he took the weapon from the eighteen year old's hands, expecting it to reject him and flash back into Aqua's hands, but it didn't. Instead, the Stormfall Keyblade glowed with a radiant golden aura before it spread to cover Nick's body. When it faded, Nick had the urge to look up and gasped. "What is that?" He pointed the arm he held the weapon in, causing a beam of light to connect to the faded, almost mirage-like blue moon outlined in a heart in the sky.
The other Keybladers all gasped, that had never happened before when it came to the succession of power, Kingdom Hearts itself never appeared without a reason. "That's.."
"Kingdom Hearts.." Said Sora, standing up in the bleachers where he had been sitting. "Wait, what does that mean, then?"
There was a chuckle as Xehanort appeared next to the group almost suddenly along with another older man with still mostly black hair. "Ah, isn't that a sight for sore eyes, old friend?" Xehanort asked Eraqus, teacher of History at the high school.
"Indeed it is. Kingdom Hearts does not make its appearance for just anything. And judging by the reaction he's had, I can safely agree your assumptions about the boy were correct. Mister Negron, do you understand what level of responsibility you are being given?"
Nick shook his head. "Not entirely. Sora is a guardian of Kingdom Hearts too, right? He never has a clue what he's really doing."
Sora looked ready to retort when Riku answered instead. "He's right, Sora. You get by on almost exclusively sheer and dumb luck. And you are the one who was chosen by Kingdom Hearts itself. Remember, originally it was supposed to be me."
"Yeah, and you were already corrupted when the Heartless attacked home, hence why it came to me. But, why has Nick been chosen by Kingdom Hearts? He's always been just a regular guy."
"Yeah, a regular guy with a natural immunity to the Wizarding World's magic? The magic we ourselves use? Even Pokémon can't harm him directly. The only reason he would be immune to any other kind of magic is due to having a power sleeping within him. Hey, maybe you used the Power of Waking on him subconsciously. You tend to release and use your powers far too recklessly."
Nick knew what the two were talking about, he'd logged enough hours playing the games before waking up in this reality, but he didn't need to go into the finer details that weren't present in the original material but explained later on. He turned back to the two oldest wielders there, also handing Aqua back the Stormfall. "So, what now?"
"You train." Aqua said, smiling, faintly aware of a pair of eyes boring holes in the back of her head with a glare at Eraqus as she continued her statement. "But, you need to have what we call an Awakening, or Dive to the Heart. You'll know when you have it, but once you do, you'll have to summon your Keyblade and start training with us in the evenings after school like the rest of our young wielders."
Nick nodded, smiling. "Well, I'm all for it, Master Aqua. I should probably get home, before my mom starts getting worried. Am I allowed to tell my mom and sister about this? I know it's not the most widely-revealed knowledge amongst some people."
"You may, but you must be careful. The wrong attention could be around any corner, Nick. You must have constant vigilance."
"That's Professor Mad-Eye's line." Said Bellatrix as she came over and stood as close to Nick as she could, edging closer just to be closer than Aqua was even as Fayth and the other five girls who cared for Nick followed.
Eraqus chuckled. "Yes, Professor Moody is very much paranoid, but he has reason to be, I suppose. Alright, everyone get home. You all have tonight off, maybe a celebration is in order. It is Friday, after all." He told everyone with a smile.
Sora, Roxas, Ventus, Terra and Vanitas all pumped their fists in the air. "Yeah! Party at our place!"
Nick looked at each of his girls in turn, all seven smiling back at him. "So I guess you really aren't just some regular guy, huh?" Bellatrix murmured in his ear.
"You know it. So, we're all going to this party tonight, right?" The girls all nodded, each thinking about how best to dress for the evening. And for Nick. "Good, but Bella and Faye are first to see me because we have a dinner to attend."
Bellatrix's smile dropped. "Fuck."