Hey everyone,
So with this chapter I am going to create a few ships that I am pretty well known for and that I always come back to – AkuRoku and SoRiku FOR LIFE! But I am also going to create a few pairings that I've never really worked with. And you might consider a few of them either cliché or unoriginal, but to be honest I don't think I've ever read stories with these pairings. If they exist, please let me know, I'd love to read them.
Thanks in advance,

Venquine1990
PS. Also expect an unexpected twist to the HarryxLea soul-bond.

Chapter 03
A Destined Explanation

24th of June 1995
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Harry's POV

I guide the whole group into the Great Hall and this time we get stared at for a whole new reason. Yet while I have long since grown used to being stared at as if I am like an attraction at a theme park or something, I feel slightly more comfortable with these stares as they're not just aimed at me this time around. And most of Lea's friends seem to just not care that they are being stared at if the impassive looks on their faces is anything to go by.
This careless attitude towards strangers of my soul mate and his friends has me work hard to keep a large grin from growing on my face. At the same time the fact that the twins, Angelina and Lee Jordan have a large portion of empty benches and seats in between them gives me a legit reason for grinning and I quickly guide the group over to them and thank the lot. My friends nod while Lee jokes with Lea (AN: eeeh – help?) that the hour must be through.
Yet my soul mate shrugs and callously asks him yeah, so? The twins and Lee laugh at the careless reply and George states his belief that Destiny picked exactly the right kind of guy as a soul mate for their surrogate little brother. I smile at the twins, who only make such comments very infrequently and sparingly, even though we also have a much closer bond between the three of us than we let on or show outside of our dorms.

Yet George's words are loud enough that Parvati and Lavender, who are sitting a few seats away from Angelina and Lee, can hear them and instantly the two girls want to pounce on Lea and myself and ask us questions. Yet because Aqua and Terra are sitting between Lea, myself and Angelina, the two girls are simply pushed back onto their seats. The two pout and I send them a quick look of apology as they have been my grapevine guardians for the last few years.
It still both disgusts and amuses me that I am, kind of, creating my own kind of secret organization within Hogwarts and away from the prying eyes of a Headmaster who thinks he has the right to pry into my life whenever he pleases. Yet while the books might finally give the man all he ever wants to know, I also try to suppress a hidden sense of gleeful excitement, mixed with a sense of concern, at how he might react once he learns it all.

A few minutes later the whole hall is full. And of course, while the Beauxbattons and Durmstrang students just quietly whisper between each other and some of them ask either Fleur Delacour or Viktor Krum – two of the other three Champions – if they know what's going on, most of the rest of Hogwarts are all trying to get a good look at Lea and the others. And while there are plenty enough seats for everyone, most of them are standing up.
Some students have even gone to stand on their seats to get a good look, yet while I notice this, I ignore it and just quietly wait for either Dumbledore or Sprout to begin the explanation. Of course, I know and understand that the sight of Chirithy, Mickey, Donald and Goofy gives most of my fellow class mates a valid reason to be staring. And only a minute too late I realize that Snape, of all members of staff, isn't at the Staff Table.

"You really can't help yourself, can you Potter? You just can't stand the idea that anyone or anything that happens in this school doesn't revolve around you in some way, can you? You really are just as disgustingly arrogant as your father. Though I admit, I find myself equally disgusted that two – well-respected wizards would aid Potter in this farce." The man has come to stand behind me without me noticing and now he sneers at Mrs. Weasley and Bill.
Ron wants to jump up, yet Hermione pulls at his arm to keep him sitting down. At the same time Lea rolls his eyes and asks: "Again, what is with this world and not understanding the concept of the term innocent until proven guilty. Seriously, wanting to either love or hate someone famous is one thing, but this is ridiculous. And since when are adults allowed to harass a kid like this? What, don't feel like fighting someone your own size?"
And Lea, Axel, Terra and Aqua all stand up as Lea ends his spiel. Again I feel my heart beating in full-on loving gratitude for the fact that my mate, who has only met me little over an hour ago, already cares for me this much. Then I feel as if I went back in time or something as Snape sneers the same thing at me that the Hufflepuff did earlier when Lea defended me. And Lea smirks at the dour man as he asks:

"What, got something against a kid having friends? Or do you just not understand the concept of loyalty and how it's a vital part of any friendship? Or do you perhaps get a sick and twisted kick out of hitting the defenseless where it hurts? And the definition of a child is defenseless, pal, at least when it comes to a confrontation started by a responsible adult like yourself. You'd think that a member of a school staff would understand and respect that."
Snape is, of course, glaring furious daggers of rage and fury at my mate, yet I don't feel my usual concern or worry over whether or not he could hurt the one defending me. And Axel proves me why I don't have to feel this concern as he asks: "Hey Professor, want to see what real raging fire looks like? Seeing that raging fury in your eyes over the fact that you just got called out?" And just like before Axel simply snaps his fingers.

Yet this time, instead of the ring of fire surrounding the dour man, the candles that float above us burst into flame and became balls of light and fire that float above us, bright and fierce at first for a moment, but then calm and relaxed after the moment has passed. A few students shriek at the sight, yet others gape between the balls of flame that now float above us and the young man that made them appear there. Awe and amazement are visible on all faces.
And just like I expected, Snape's rage has subsided and he is now staring at Lea and the others with a guarded and calculative look. Obviously the man has realized that, like Axel, my Soul mate and the others might have powers and abilities that he's never dealt with. And after one last guarded look at the whole lot, he huffs and leaves us for the Staff Table with a sweep of his robes, that billow behind him as he leaves.

Yet as he leaves, the Headmaster takes his place and reprimands Hermione as he reminds her that he had tasked her with telling us to stay in the Great Hall until he was ready to introduce us. And while Hermione has always had a deep-rooted love for authority and following orders, I know that her loyalty to me wins out when it matters. And so she cringes and says: "Sorry sir, I heard you say that Harry was attacked and I panicked.
I must have stopped listening after that and not heard you." Ron nods to emphasize this and says that he was too busy calming Hermione down in time for me and the others to arrive and that he forgot after seeing the Puddlemere United team. And because Ron is known for his love of Quidditch, the excuse is easily believed by the Headmaster, who might think that we are just gullible sheep, but who is just as gullible himself.

The Headmaster sighs, as if disappointed in my friends, yet I easily notice the few physical signs across his body language that prove that he's faking this in order to imbue a sense of disappointment in my friends. Yet he is punished for this attempted manipulation of my friends and how they should feel. As when he turns to return to the Staff Table and the Owl Stand in front of it, he spots that Professor Sprout has already gone to stand behind it.
"Settle down, everyone. There is no need to stand on the tables or anything when you have able teachers who can explain to you what you want to know. Settle down now." The woman speaks loudly as she draws everyone's attention away from Dumbledore and my friends. And because the woman has always been known to be kind and easy-going, but also firm and fierce if a student breaks the rules, everyone easily complies.

The woman smiles as Dumbledore moves over to where she's standing. And just a second before the man can open his mouth, in an obvious need to suggest that he take over, the woman continues: "Now yes, I know that the Sixth Year Gryffindors held a large portion of Gryffindor Table occupied and I know that we suddenly have many more new guests. Allow me to give you all a summarized story of what happened this past hour.
While most of you, bar Mr. Diggory, Mr. Krum, Miss Delacour and Mr. Potter, were at your exams, our Champions were hanging out with their families. In Mr. Potter's case, that would be Mrs. Molly Weasley and her eldest son, William. They were at the Whomping Willow when they were attacked by two of its branches. Yet while normally the Willow would slam with its branches, this time it used its branches to capture the two Weasleys.

The reason behind this change was because the Willow was being controlled by a rogue Vampire. Now before any of you panic, the Vampire has been sufficiently dealt with; he is no more. If you venture outside later today, you will find a burned mark on the ground near the willow. This is where the Vampire was burned alive by Axel, the same young man who changed our candles into these new breath-taking balls of fire.
Now Axel and his twin brother Lea came to Hogwarts, because young Lea sensed that young Mr. Potter was about to be hypnotized and assaulted by the vampire in question. Young Lea sensed this, because he and young Mr. Potter are actual Soul Mates. And for those of you who don't believe me, both Curse Breaker William and I know the spell that can reveal a Soul Mate bond to the naked eye. If Mr. Potter accepts, I will demonstrate this later."
As the woman explains what happened, I hear Axel hold back a snort right as she claims Lea to be his twin brother. I realize that the two aren't related this way and wonder what their relation might be instead, yet I decide to leave the matter for later. I give a short nod at Professor Sprout when she suggests to demonstrate the spell later, but then Bill explains how he was already planning the same for when the explanation was done.
Professor Sprout nods in acceptance at this, yet she also suggests that they both cast the spell, in order to ensure that no one can accuse either of them of using either a false spell or the wrong spell. I don't know if, like the way she interrupted Dumbledore before he could start talking, this is another sign of her knowing more than she lets on or if she's just aware of teenagers being stubborn in their beliefs and is jesting us, yet I don't care either.

"Either way, Mr. Lea managed to keep young Mr. Potter away from the vampire after which Mr. Axel set the vampire alight. It was after this that Mr. Potter and Mr. Lea performed the first step of tying their souls together through the magic they were born with. And following this event, Mr. Lea's friends were able to join him as they arrived through the large Keyhole I'm sure many of you saw appear in the sky and the light that came from it.
I will leave the rest of the explanation to one of Mr. Lea's friends." The Professor turns to our group and the team seems to have anticipated this. Aqua stands up and she wants to move over to take the woman's place. Yet suddenly the hairs in the back of my neck raise up and I turn my head to the Entrance Courtyard, just as another huge beam of light, this pure white in the center, but with beams of bright green on the sides, appears.

As it hits the paved floor of the Entrance Courtyard, a gust of wind blows into the Great Hall, as if to emphasize that whoever just appeared is incredibly powerful. Almost everyone in the team other than Naminé, Axel, Xion, Roxas and Terra, jump up and as one they shout: "IT'S THE MASTER!" And these words would have worried me, yet the look of delight on their faces makes me know that this person is like their mentor, not their Lord.
My moment of concern is over and excitement fills me instead at the notion of meeting the man who helped Lea become the man he is today, the man who I feel I might be starting to fall for. And as the beam of light dissipates, a familiar figure appears from within it. A long white beard that easily rivals Dumbledore's, white eyes with black pupils, a firm face that is marred with a few wrinkles and fewer laugh lines and a long blue robe and wizard's hat.

The Sorcerer from the Sorcerer's Apprentice, a short that made the movie Fantasia world famous in the last few decades, stands in the Entrance Courtyard and he gazes around at the castle at large for a moment before he turns his gaze inward. And somehow, even with all of the students in the Great Hall and some of them even standing up, his gaze instantly spots his students. Instantly the stern look dissipates and is replaced with a smile.
The whole man's face seems to change with this simple change of emotions and while he looked a lot like Snape at first, now he reminds me of Mrs. Weasley if she were to be old enough to be my grandmother or something. He walks in and heads over to where we're all either seated or standing. "There you all are. I was getting worried. I had expected you back at my tower after the battle against Xehanort was over.
May I ask what happened?" The notion that my soul mate might have been in the middle of a battle against this Xehanort person worries me greatly, yet my worries are abated slightly by how the man speaks to his pupils. Unlike with Dumbledore, the man's concern for his pupils and his worries over the fact that they hadn't returned to him after their battle was over is truly genuine. And the same counts for his relief that they're okay.

All of the team smiles at him and the Master turns from Sora, Riku and Kairi to those who had stayed seated. His eyes widen shortly when he sees Axel and Xion, yet his smile doesn't lose its sense of relief or delight. If anything the latter emotion seems to grow even stronger, as if he hadn't expected to see the two, but the sight of them makes him even happier. Then he speaks and says: "Terra, Roxas, I cannot begin to express my delight at seeing your safe return."
Roxas seems surprised at this and Terra also seems to turn stern and guilt-stricken as he mutters: "Master Yen Sid, I –." Yet the man's smile finally washes off his face and the stern look with which he arrived returns as he holds up a hand and says: "You were continuously manipulated and were attempting to defend your younger friend from two foes at the same time, one of whom had been too blind to see what he had become.
You carry no guilt whatsoever when it comes to what happened to my friend, young Terra. Especially considering what you've had to suffer through the last seven years. So even if I had blamed you, I would have considered that time and punishment sufficient. So please, dear Terra, be at ease. I bequest you not to blame yourself, not when it's unwarranted." Again the man reminds me of Dumbledore, yet at the same time he proves himself to be more.

"He's what Dumbledore should be. His care, his wisdom and his treatment of others is genuine, not just a ruse to lure them in and make them devoted to him, just so he can use them as pawns on a chessboard. I wonder if the man being here and behaving like this might make others start to realize the difference between the two." I think to myself and the thought both amuses and excites me and makes me all the happier about the last hour's events.
Then Aqua speaks up and says: "Master Yen Sid, I was just about to take over from Professor Sprout of Hogwarts school. Please, take my seat and let me explain what happened after Sora, Donald and Goofy put an end to Master Xehanort." The man, Master Yen Sid, nods, but then Ventus speaks up and says that Terra released a part of Master Eraqus' heart and had the Master help Xehanort accept his defeat.
A deafening silence follows the boy's proclamation and Ven turns to Terra as he says: "What? I agree with Master Yen Sid. You were never to blame for what happened to the Master and you even kept part of him safe within your heart. You allowed him to pass onto the next life on his own terms, not through a trick of Master Xehanort's design. That, even more than what you went through as Terranort, proves your innocence."

I turn to Lea as I can only understand half of what Ven is telling his friend, yet my soul mate smirks at me and says: "Trust me, it's a mayor brain ache. I'll explain later tonight." And because I already feel like getting a headache from trying to decipher Ventus' lingo, I agree with my mate and decide to just let it rest for the time being. In the mean time the Master smiles at Terra and voices his own agreement with Ven's words before he takes Aqua's seat.

Aqua herself heads for the small open area between the Head Table and the House Tables. Yet instead of moving towards the Professor, she moves to the far right of the hall. She turns to face the Professor and explains: "In order to prove that what I am about to tell you all is true, I will now demonstrate a portion of my skills. I am quite confident that even our fine Headmaster has never seen magic quite like this before in your lives."
A few students scoff at this, but their scoffs turn into yelps of shock when she, like Lea did before, summons a weapon from thin air. Like Lea's, the weapon looks to be some kind of mix between a sword and a key. But while Lea's weapon looked sleek thanks to how the blade itself was shaped like a flame, this weapon is pure black and thin. And what amazes everyone even more – bar the team – is what Aqua does next.
With incredibly fluent movement and while she dances on her toes every few steps, the young woman casts all kinds of elemental spells and even weaves magic around her in an arch with the blade aimed above her head every few spells. Whenever she does this, she twirls on her axis and the whole move lights up the air around her, emphasizing her beautiful and graceful form. At the same time all of this proves her incredible skill.

Aqua stops once she reaches Professor Sprout, who is just as awed as the rest of us. The only ones not awed, but who look cautious and concerned are Professors Snape, Moody and Headmaster Igor Karkaroff of Durmstrang. Aqua smiles at the slightly pudgy woman and turns to us at large as she asks: "How am I able to do all of this? Simple, I'm what some of you might call an alien. I'm from another world. The Land of Departure, to be exact."
The same silence as the one that followed Ventus' exclamation rings through the Great Hall for a moment before a girl who appears to be in Fifth Year Ravenclaw exclaims: "But how? You look perfectly human! How could you be an alien and yet look – like us?" And Aqua's answer is short, to the point and simple, and yet at the same time it makes the twins snort. She asks why should the people of this world have exclusive rights to the human look?
And while the girl is a Ravenclaw, she doesn't have an answer. Aqua turns to the team instead and continues: "And besides, I may be friends with Sora and the others, but we're not all from the same world. Terra, Ventus and I live in the Land of Departure, but Sora and Riku were born on the Destiny's Islands. Lea is from Radiant Garden and Roxas, Xion and Axel spent most of their lives in the World That Never Was and Twilight Town.
And while Kairi was born in Radiant Garden, she mostly grew up on the Destiny Islands with Sora and Riku. And Naminé was born in Castle Oblivion, which was what I changed the Land of Departure into after our first battle against Master Xehanort, after he struck down Master Eraqus. And yet we all look human. And yes, all of these places are actually worlds of their own, though the reason behind all of that is a story of another time."

I had actually been expecting this to happen much sooner and had slightly hoped that Snape being snubbed might have made him think twice about aggravating us. Yet Draco Malfoy proves that he really just doesn't have any self-preservations skills whatsoever as he loudly declares: "And what about those other freaks that you lot of freaks are sitting with?" Interestingly enough his words actually make most of the teachers jump up.
Yet Mickey just turns to Donald and Goofy. The two both nod and the three of them get up. Yet then Mickey asks me if I would like to join him. Just the tone of his voice proves me that the Mouse has some kind of plan and I happily nod as I can only imagine what the living embodiment of the Mascot of the Disney Company might have planned to shut Malfoy up. And the chance that he might even humiliate the lad excites me.

I follow the three of them over to where Aqua is standing and they take a stand next to the Owl Stand. I go to stand besides them as Mickey stands in front of his two friends. Yet all three of them suddenly look incredibly powerful and regal. Donald takes a single step forward, yet he still stands slightly behind Mickey as he says: "I am Donald Duck, Court Magician." And he proves his statement true by summoning a true magician's staff from thin air.
Goofy then does the same as Donald and states: "I am Goofy, the Captain of the King's Royal Guard." And just like his friend, Goofy proves his words true as he summons a mighty looking shield from thin air. He instantly changes his stance and while it now looks defensive, the way he holds up his other arm, spreads his legs and bends his knees proves that he is ready to charge at any approaching potential enemy at a moment's notice.

And then Mickey steps up again and loudly declares something that shocks and awes me, even if I had already started to suspect something of the sort. "And I am Mickey Mouse, the King of Disney Town and a royal recognized by most of the worlds surrounding my own. And because Harry is the soul mate of my friend, Lea, I hereby officially offer him dual citizenship. In name of me and mine, I happily welcome you home, Harry."
Mickey turns to me with these words and I nod at him in acceptance while I try to blink away tears of utter gratitude. Instantly Donald and Goofy chorus: "The King Has Spoken!" And as if those four words are like the end of a magical vow, a wave of magic surges out of the three of them and hits me directly. Yet the wave doesn't hurt and instead it changes my Gryffindor robes into a suit of armor that still has Gryffindor colors.
Yet while the Gryffindor symbol is still on my right breast, there are three other coats of arms on my left. And for some strange reason, two of them look very familiar, as if I instinctively recognize them or something. Yet it's the third of coat of arms that draw my attention. A shield just like Goofy's, with Donald's staff and a weapon like Lea's and Aqua's – and which I guess is Mickey's – crossed in front of it and text underneath them.

I squint to read the text and my heart soars when I discern what it reads. "My Friends are my power?" I ask the King, who grins and nods at me. This time I let the tears softly seep down my cheeks and Goofy quickly comes to pull me into a comforting hug. And just like with the Weasley twins, I feel as if an older brother is comforting me. The fact that Goofy's hugs feel so similar to those of my friends makes everything even better.
Then, while Mickey, Donald and Goofy guide me back to where the others are seated, Fred and George stand up and start to clap. Axel and Lea join them a second later and the rest follows suit. Yet while it's obvious that some only applaud me out of courtesy, I don't care for any of them. The only ones I have eyes for are my friends, the only ones who are genuinely applauding my decision, because they want me to be happy.

And so, when I reach them, I happily give Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Hermione and Lea a grateful hug to thank them for their reaction to all this. And while I'm sure that Dumbledore will want to object to her words, Mrs. Weasley makes everything even better as she whispers: "You deserve to be happy, Harry dear. Especially when you're home for the summer. And now, you can be. I'm sure an actual king and your soul mate will take good care of you."
I smile to thank her, yet when I retake my seat, I send a quick and furtive glance at Snuffles. The dog lies his head in my lap as a silent sign that he both heard Mrs. Weasley, but also that he knows I want him as part of that as well. And before I turn back to look at Aqua, I pause my gaze on Lea. My beloved only sends a single quick look before he turns his head, but that look is more than enough. Lea will make sure to include Sirius in Mickey's decision.

Then Aqua continues her explanation. "As Professor Sprout told you, my friends and I arrived here through a Keyhole and a beam of light, not unlike Master Yen Sid. This was done by Chirithy, who brought us here to help this world. You see, Chirithy, somehow, has the power to see the past, present and future. And he saw that the future of this world would lead down a path of Darkened Light. And he wanted to prevent that.
So he sent us here and when he took us here, we – that is Lea, Sora and Harry – helped him create a way to keep this world from falling down this dangerous path. And while it may not be what everyone here wants, it really is for the best that you all partake. As each and everyone of you can contribute to this cause in one way or another. And don't worry about whether your aid is big or small, just your desire to help is enough.

And now for the method that Chirithy created to keep us and this world from falling to the Darkened Light. It's this, these books. Yes, they are about Harry. No, this does not mean that he is the one who will lead you all down that road. Even Chirithy himself, the one to create these books and who was sent to us by the Powers that Be, doesn't believe this. So please, don't go accusing him of anything that isn't his fault.
Instead, put your energy and that effort where it belongs. Learning what these books might have to teach you and using that knowledge to create the plans and/or ideas that can help this world from falling. Prove that, whether by coming up with a brilliant idea or by supporting those who are going to play a vital role in all this or even by working alongside said people or anything else, that you care for this world and want what's best for it."

The woman is truly amazing. Her voice is full of conviction and belief. Yet the look on her face proves that, regardless of the path that lies ahead, she not only trusts those in front of her to do the right thing, she also cares enough for them to help them if they potentially stray. Yet at the same time I can't help but fear that this care might be misplaced with some of the students present. That the Snakes might try to take advantage of her kind heart.
But then I remember that, just because I was Lea's Soul mate, Mickey was willing to accept me and welcome me into his kingdom as a dual citizen. I remember the power that Mickey, Donald and Goofy displayed when they summoned their weapons. I remember how amazing Aqua looked as she demonstrated her magical abilities. And I remember how quickly Axel was able to summon a burning ring of raging fire to destroy the Vampire.

These memories reassure me and take away the concerns I had earlier. I smile at the group at large and Aqua continues: "Now before any of you complain that all this reading might detain the Tournament, don't worry. The books are enchanted. Once we start reading, all movement outside of a certain chosen area will freeze entirely. Sora, Riku, would you mind demonstrating a basic version of the spell that was put on these books?"
The two teens head over to where Mickey, Donald, Goofy and I had stood before, yet the two of them face each other instead. And while Riku stands ready to attack Sora, yet keeps his hands bare, Sora summons another one of those same weapons. And just when Riku tries to jump him, Sora aims the tip of the key-shaped blade – or Keyblade, I guess – at Riku. And while he's in mid-air, Sora shouts the word stop – and exactly that happens.

Riku freezes in mid air and not even a single muscle in his eyelids seems able to move. It actually looks as if time itself has stopped moving around the young man and as if this effect works like an aura that captivates Riku and holds him in place, regardless of his own bodyweight or the gravity of planet earth. A lot of students and a few members of staff stare and/or gape at the young man. And a few minutes later the spell dissolves.
Riku anticipated this as he easily lands in front of Sora and grins at his friend. Yet then suddenly Bill snaps his fingers and instantly I realize why. And the rest of the student body sees the same as suddenly Sora and Riku are enveloped in an aura. The aura encompasses them entirely and seems to be linked closely against their skin and cloths. The aura also looks magnificent as it's a mix of forest brown and sky blue.

The two of them stare at each other in shock and then, while Riku starts to stare at his own hand as if he can hardly believe the sight of the aura, he also seems to be blind to how Sora slowly starts to grin and tear up. "But – I thought – I was sure – Kairi –." Riku mutters, apparently to himself, and Sora groans before he decides to physically respond.
And while Sora's groan pulls Riku out of his aura-inspecting trance and he turns to Sora, Sora pounces him and growls: "Riku, you're amazing with the Keyblade, you're a Master who has earned his title more-so than any other Keyblade Wielder I have met before now. But when it comes to the matters of the heart, you're more blind than when you were wearing that damned blindfold. Now shut up and kiss me already, you handsome dolt."
A few students snort or chortle at the way that Sora managed to both compliment and insult his soul mate in the same sentence. Riku grins, almost smirks, at Sora and he growls three words. You got it. And instantly afterwards, he pulls Sora's face close to his own and the two of them moan ever so softly and delightfully as their lips meet. Sora wraps his arms around Riku's back from underneath his armpits and Riku buries his fingers into Sora's hair.

And when they part for air, someone asks if that was the soul bond spell. Bill nods in answer and then Lea jokingly asks if the same aura enveloped the two of us when we took that first step of sealing the bond between us. Bill laughs as he asks Lea if he wants to have a look of his own. Both Lea and I nod, yet Bill asks Professor Sprout if she would do the honor. The woman nods and snaps her own fingers. Instantly Lea starts to glow.
For a moment I had worried and feared what the color that represents my side of the bond might be. But when I see the gorgeous emerald green that flows fluidly into the almost forest green color of Lea's side of the bond, new tears spring to my eyes. Yet then suddenly I blink my tears away as I notice something else. A third color that, for some reason, is almost invisible and yet also mixed with the other two colors; flecks of charcoal grey.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" A cynical voice suddenly shouts and I turn to where it's coming from. And my eyes widen even more as I notice that it's Mr. Diggory who shouted, though that's not the reason for my growing surprise. Cedric, to my utter surprise and confusion, also has an aura of forest green, emerald green and specks of charcoal grey enveloping him. At this I can only turn to Professor Sprout as I just don't get this.
The woman is blinking and gaping herself, as proof that she's as shocked as the rest of us. But then Bill speaks up and asks: "Why are any of you surprised? The Potters haven't had a Soul mate in almost 300 years and their newest bond actually brought two people from literally different worlds together. It only stands to reason that the bond is strong enough to require a third member to keep itself stable.
And as for why Cedric's aura color is only visible in flecks and not full-blown strips of color is also simple. Harry and Lea already, instinctively and before they even knew it, settled the first step of the bond between them. If, when they're ready, either Harry and Cedric or Harry and Lea – or even all three of them – settle the first step, Cedric's color will also become like a strip of color. It all makes sense if you think about it, really."

Mr. Diggory wants to jump out of his seat and apparently protest, but his wife pulls the same stunt as Professor Sprout pulled on the Headmaster earlier. She stands up and puts her hand on her husband's shoulder to keep him in his place. Yet while she ignores herself doing this, she turns to Mickey instead of any of us and asks: "Your Majesty, does this mean that my son will enjoy the same dual-citizenship luxury as Harry?"
Instantly Mickey nods in consent and tells her that he will initiate Cedric into the Disney Town citizenship later. Mrs. Diggory gives the Mouse a grateful nod and sits down again. And while she removes her hand from her husband's shoulder, I notice her lips moving. Yet she's far away enough that I can't hear what she's telling him. Still, it seems to do the job as Mr. Diggory winces and he gives his wife a weary nod of consent.

And then suddenly Cedric proves just why the Goblet of Fire chose him as the Hogwarts Champion. Like his mother before him, he gets out of his seat, yet unlike his mother he addresses his father directly. "You know what, dad, I've had enough. You've been embarrassing me long enough and I am done with it. You keep treating Harry with the contempt that you should show the people who hurt and use him and I'm sick of it.
If you really want to know it, if it weren't for Harry, I might not have survived the First Task. He somehow found out about the Dragons and actually informed me. He didn't tell me how he knew, but he said that he felt sure that the other Champions also did. And when I asked him why he told me, he just went and said it's the right thing to do. If Harry had your vile competitiveness, he would have left me guessing. He didn't.
And I've been telling you that in my every letter ever since. But just like the Dementors, just like the knowledge you have about Rita Skeeter and what kind of writer she is, just like everything that might put Harry in a positive light, you ignore it, because it doesn't match your views of him. Your tarnished, biased, bigoted and twisted views that are based, not even on the few hours you spent in his presence, but your own arrogant ego.

And that, dad, is the whole reason I asked the Sorting Hat to put me in Hufflepuff, even though it wanted me in Gryffindor like yourself. I didn't want to risk becoming as arrogant, thick-headed and blind as you and wanted to prove my worth my own way. And I believed that being in the House of the Underdog could get me some real friends, which I wanted above all else. And now, I have something better.
Not one, but two soul-mates. And sorry dad, but I'm not going to let you ruin my chance for such a happy bond of unity, just because you think you can decide my future for me or decide who they are supposed to be. You don't have the authority to decide their character for them and you no longer have the authority to decide my future for me. I'm an adult, dad, and I make my own life's choices. And right now, I'd rather follow Destiny over you.

Though I suppose I can consider myself lucky that, unlike you, mum at least has enough common sense and decency to realize and decide. She realizes that she knows nothing substantial about either Harry or Lea and she decides to give them a chance and get to know them. She ensured my future, but she did in a way that, she knows, I can be happy with, because she knows, dad. She knows that I value bonds of friendship above all.
She does, you don't." Cedric glares at his gaping father and a silence echoes through the Great Hall for a third time over. Yet when Cedric wants to get out of his seat and move over, Mr. Diggory speaks four words. I've never been prouder. Cedric turns his head to his father, who beams at him with tears running down his eyes. Cedric releases a tense breath and mumbles two words of his own. Two, to me, important words. Thanks, dad.

And while he still leaves, while he heads our way, while Terra and Ventus scoot over to give him room besides them, Lea and myself, I can't help but sigh myself. Simply because I'm sure that this confrontation will only be the first of many that might come about while we read the books. I'm already sure that I know of a few events of the last few years that will make this happen, yet I don't really feel concerned or apprehensive.
This is because Aqua is still holding the books, because I have to gaze past Lea to see her, because Cedric is now on my other side and because I can see the staff of Hogwarts standing behind Aqua. And while all these people are – or might be – very different, I silently consider that difference to be a good thing. "It means we have many different people and ways that can make sure that these confrontations don't end in heartache."
And this thought has me ready. Ready to start reading. Ready to find out how the Third Task is about to go wrong. Ready to learn how that will lead to the next three years of struggle and sorrow. Ready to learn what will make this world be led down a path of Darkened Light. Ready to figure out how to put a stop to all of that. And ready to help whoever is willing to put action behind Aqua's words and work our world away from that path.

Are you, Harry?
Okay, WOW! That went a bit unexpected, but it also went better than I expected and I am very proud of this chapter. Okay, like I said, we haven't started reading yet, but I did say that the chance of that was 50/50. Also, I might not yet have revealed a few of those pairings I hinted at, but I will reveal them throughout the story. I just don't want to have to focus on too many romantic couples all at the same time.
Because of this, I'm probably not going to jump the SiriusxRemus or Wolfstar ship as quickly as I did in the original. Which is probably also the reason I made their little conversation from before so tense and Sirius so angry at Remus. He loves the man, but he loves Harry as well and he doesn't like that Remus hides his own love for his cub for stupid and foolish reasons, at least foolish to Sirius, that is. So yeah, he's angry.
But to be honest, I just remembered another reason I should be happy that I decided on this – sorta – rewrite. In the original, I revealed the Marauders to the world and the twins in GoF, but by the time PoA came around, I made it seem as if they had forgotten or something. But the twins ADORE the Marauders, so I can't see them doing this a second time over, not even with the Weasley meeting that took place after GoF.
So yeah, good change,

Venquine1990
Wordcount: 7443 words