Hey everyone,
Well, the juices are flowing again. I do plan to sort of cover the whole thing with Snape again – or at least how Harry and the others feel about it – but for now I just want to move on and focus on the future of this story. I'm going back to the source that first inspired me to write this and give it everything I've got. Which, I will admit, isn't much for someone who's never been in a relationship.
Heh, oh well,

Venquine1990


Chapter 34
Harry And Lea

18th of November 1995
Twilight Town
Harry's POV

The news of what Snape has been doing to my parents, their graves and even their home, was outright heart-wrenching and had caused me to feel so much pain and anguish, it almost went completely around and got exchanged for a rage I hadn't felt since the time where I thought that Sirius had betrayed my parents. A part of me felt as if Snape had gone and betrayed all the times that Dumbledore vouched for him and the times that we believed him.
I had gone with dad and Remus to the Bailey and beyond and had let go off all of my anger, rage, disgust, pain, fury and other emotions. Yet it felt as if the more I was letting go of my anger, the more the emotion was filling me from within. And with it a power felt like it started to fester and grow within me, yet the sensation made my stomach churn and made me feel as if something was wrong with the life within me.
Lea had, upon hearing this, recognized the power that I spoke of and actually knocked me out, telling me later on after I had woken up again that my anger had slowly started to form into the darkness the more I had let it out. Instantly I had felt terrified, yet Lea had reassured me and whispered: "You noticed it, love. No one has ever noticed it before when Darkness starts taking over their hearts. You're safe. The darkness receded after you were knocked out."
"But it's still inside me, isn't it?" I had asked in fear and my friends had instantly consoled me: "Yes Harry, but darkness is in each of us. It just depends on how we use, embrace and live with it that will define us.""Just like back home, pup. The world's not split into just good guys and Death Eaters. There's good and bad in all of us. What we do with it is what defines us.""You can fear the darkness, Harry, or find a way to help it keep your baby safe." Riku had been the one to suggest it and afterwards, I had felt a lot better and nodded at him.

Then, a few days later, Lea had come and surprised me by telling me he had planned our first date together. I had blushed like crazy at the thought and while I wanted to kiss him for it, I suddenly decided on something better. "My first date would be the perfect chance to finally say those words." I had thought to myself and when telling dad about this, he had wholeheartedly agreed and told me he would help me get ready.
Now it's almost time for Lea to pick me up and take me to Twilight Town where our date will take place. Part of me is hoping that we might have some Sea-salt ice-cream at the top of the clocktower above the station, but at the same time I'm hoping that Lea has something else planned. "He does that with his friends all the time. I would rather have something more personal for a first date." I think to myself as I look at my reflection in the mirror.
Lea had told me to just keep it casual, so I have opted for a light blue denim jacket with a white shirt underneath, a pair of black pants and white jeans to finish it all off. To some this might just look like an every-day style, but because I usually wear something that at least has the Gryffindor colors on them, I feel special wearing the clothes that Damian helped me pick the other day. And part of me is really hoping that Lea will wear the outfit he wore on the day we met.

"Harry, Lea's here to pick you up." Dad says as I had decided to stay over with him for the day. Sirius, Lea and I have even decided that I would stay living with dad until the baby was born as my beloved soul mate felt like he was intruding upon the chance of us finally being able to live together now that the man is finally free. Dad and I had both tried to object to this, but Lea had been adamant and his caring nature had made my heart burst with renewed love for him.
I happily rush down the staircase of the two-story building and my grin widens when I see that Lea is indeed wearing the brilliant set of cloths that he wore almost two months ago now. The teen opens his arms for me and while I want to desperately rush in and kiss him, do I restrain myself to just a warm, loving hug and sighing in delight at feeling his strong arms encase me once again. "We'll probably be home by nine, Sirius, maybe ten at the latest."
Lea tells my dad, but the man shrugs and says: "You're teens on a first date on a Saturday. As long as you don't come back at six in the morning, I really couldn't care less. I know you, Lea, and I know my boy isn't safer anywhere else than with you. I'm not worried." The two of us smile at the man and Lea asks: "Ready?" At which I nod before snickering at the sensation of Lea phasing us over.

And the sight of Twilight Town, which is like a rustic town with tall brick buildings here and there, a train-track running through the center of the path that goes all over the plaza and even a few side paths between buildings is utterly amazing. Yet while I don't feel the same amazement as I did when first entering Radiant Garden, does the sight of this all bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun still make me feel awed before Lea says: "Come on, it's this way."
And with my hand securely held within his own, Lea leads me over to a small pavilion off to the side of the main path where several small benches are set in rows beside and behind each other, all of them facing a huge wall that has a white screen covering it. "Ah, look, over there." Lea says as he guides me over to one of the front row benches, which to my surprise, has a small note that says reserved on it. "Wow, how did you get that done?" I can't help but ask.
"I'm friends with the owner of both this movie theater and the bistro we'll be heading to next. He also met with the twins the same day I made the reservations and they're in business now.""I heard about that. They'll be working on building vaults in the sewer system, right? I got to say, I felt a little stupid when I realized that I wouldn't be the only one needing my vaults from now on." Yet to this Lea says: "Our move was, at first, just temporary. You were initially the only one who decided to make it permanent. There is nothing to feel stupid about, love."

I happily smile at him and take my seat alongside him. Yet while we fill our time until the movie starts with small-talk does something happen a few minutes before the allotted time. A group of five walk over to where we are seated and one of them, who is big, buffed up and has a strong tan snaps: "Hey, move over, you know? This is Seifer's seat, you know?" But to this Lea calmly retorts: "Not tonight, Rai. Check it over with the manager, I got these seats reserved a week ago."
"No one steals Seipher's spot, you know!" The brute yells, but to my shock, and Lea's surprise, Dilan and Aeleus arrive and Dilan states: "Move, boys. Lea is right. He set a reservation and paid the price. Just because you sit here all the time does not make it your spot. Now move along." The tanned guy glares at the two and asks: "Oh yeah says who? You know?" And I can't help but think: "I like Lea's catchphrase better."
Do I notice that the blonde in the center, who appears to have some kind of diagonal scar running across the bridge of his nose, is looking at me with an inquisitive and thoughtful look on his face. "A friend of yours – Lea was it, right?" The blonde asks and while inquisitive and a little harsh, I can't help but feel as if the teen is trying not to offend me or Lea. "You could say that." Lea mutters, a cautious look on his face that worries me. Yet the blonde only turns from me to Lea, sends him the same look for a few moments and then mutters: "Good on you. Keep it strong."
And while the three other teens in the gang seem shocked, does the blonde turn around and say: "Come on, let's go." And when the buffed teen wants to object, the blonde says: "You heard the man, the spot was reserved. We're not here to cause trouble, just watch a good movie. Right boys?" And the three nod, following after the teen who goes down a few lines and sits down in the center row. Yet as he does, does he send Lea and me one last look, one I recognize as a look of approval.

"What was – that about?" I nervously ask and Lea sighs, thanking Aeleus and Dilan before he sits down again and says: "That's Seipher and his gang. They're the town's guardians or something. Made Roxas' life a little hard when he was living in the virtual Twilight Town and he's always got this strange rivalry with Hayner and his friends. I wanted to stand up for us, but I feared it would bring the ire of the other civilians upon us, so I kept things vague. Sorry about that, love."
Yet I shake my head and say: "It's okay.""Hey, are you guys alright?" Another voice asks and I turn around, spotting another blonde, though this one is quite a few years younger than Seipher and actually looks to be closer to my own age. The boy is accompanied by two friends, one of them a slightly chubby boy with black spiky hair and the other a girl with long auburn brown hair.
"Yeah, we're fine. Here to watch the movie?" I ask and the black-haired teen, who looks to be a little on the chubby side, says: "You bet. We've been working our butts off on jobs around the town to get tickets for this one. Oh man, I can't wait to see it. Axel said there might even be a replication of his reunion with Roxas and Xion in it. That's going to be epic."
"I just hope that we don't get to see any of the fights. I don't want to see Sora or any of the others get hurt." The girl mutters to herself and the blonde rolls his eyes as he says: "The description did say there would be action in this, Olette. You'll just have to deal with it." But then the black-haired kid shushes them both as the light of the camera starts shining onto the huge canvas in front of us. And instantly upon seeing this, a hush of silence befalls the entire area.

Sorry, not going to describe the movie.
A little while later

"That was AMAZING!" The blonde boy yells as he and his friends walk out of the theater in front of us and Olette nods as she says: "It sure was. And I got to admit, those battles against all those animated Heartless bosses looked really incredible.""I know, right. Mr. Scrooge is astounding. I can't believe he got to create beasts like that. They looked so real." At this Dilan, who is standing next to a trashcan at the exit, smirks and says: "That was the work of our master, Ansem the Wise."
"Well, tell him he's awesome for us, if you could." The black-haired kid tells Dilan, who nods at him and taps the can. The three throw their cans of soda and coke as well as the huge bucket that had enough popcorn in it for all three of them into the can and leave the theatre plaza, Lea and me following close behind. The crowd around us disperses as we walk and the blonde says: "Man, I would break a hundred Grandstanding records to see another movie like that."

"Sure you would." A voice suddenly says behind me and I turn my head, shocked and confused to see Seipher approach us. The blonde seems to purposely walk around Lea and me, the buffed up teen with him sending the two of us a dirty look that makes Lea step up protectively before Seipher goes on. And to my shock, the inquisitive and curious tone of his voice has been replaced with one that sounds mockery and derisive:
"After all, it's not like you'll ever be good enough for anything else. Well, anything other than making a fool of yourself, like usual." I reel back shocked, wondering what is going on here and silently thinking: "Who brought Draco Malfoy into this world?" But then Lea steps up and says: "Seipher, with all due respect. Hayner actually knows Sora and Roxas. In the other version of this world, they were even friends. Olette has the evidence to prove it, if you need it. Also, I'm on my first date, so if you don't mind?"
Seipher turns to us along with the brute who snarls: "Who asked you, you know?" To which Lea glares, steps up and summons his Keyblade as he does. "One of the main stars of the show and one of their friends. How's that for you? Now can you please back off and let Seipher handle his own conversations. He can talk for himself. Got it memorized?"
And while the brute does seem frightened at seeing the fiery blade, does Seipher look between Lea, me and Hayner and his friends before he says: "Hand me that evidence tomorrow at the Sandlot. Come on, guys. We're here to have a good time, not disturb the good time of others." And while the brute obviously doesn't seem to like it, making me feel worried about the potential darkness that might be growing in his own heart, does the group leave.

"Thanks for that." Hayner says once they're gone and Lea nods, having dismissed his Keyblade as the group left. "Sure, but I'm afraid this is where we have to part ways for now. My love and I are heading for the bistro. Yes, we have a reservation there as well. I planned ahead of time. We'll catch you guys another time, maybe at the tower, alright?" The three happily nod at my mate as I head over to rejoin them and Lea lovingly wraps his fingers around my own as we leave.
Yet as we walk away, do I turn my head and mutter at the trio: "Watch out for the big guy." At which all three give me a solemn nod, silently promising me they will. I smile as they disappear out of sight while we walk around a corner and once we pass the few buildings that are in the center of the huge central plaza, do I spot a sweet looking bistro on a small platform that is to my left, the platform itself a story lower than the rest of the plaza.
Lea guides me over to a stand that has the menu on it and seems to speak to someone as he says: "Hey Remy, we're here. Table for two at the quiet corner at seven." I look around, but then notice movement at the menu itself. And when I look down, my eyes widen when I notice a small grey rat nodding, as if he's able to understand Lea. Instantly my eyes widen, fear grips at my heart and I pull my wand out of my pocket, pulling my other hand free from Lea's grasp.

My love and the rat look at me shocked and confused, but then understanding dawns on Lea and to my horror he steps between me and the rat. "Harry, no. This isn't an Animagus. It's just a sentient rat. He's the chef here. He's the one that made this restaurant famous. He's just like Donald, Goofy and everyone else. The only difference is that he can't talk. I swear it. You know me, love. You know I wouldn't bring you anywhere that has a threat like that. Believe me."
And as he talks, do I feel my fear residing, making me take and release a deep breath of relief. Lea walks over and wraps his arms strongly around my form as he says: "I'm so sorry, love. I should have told you about Remy in advance. I shouldn't have forgotten about Pettigrew. They're nothing alike, I promise. Forgive me for not keeping a detail like that memorized." And because I have no interest in ruining our date with more conversations that can wait till another time, do I whisper: "It's okay, let's go in." Making Lea beam at me.
I pull away, only to suddenly notice that Remy seems to have climbed on top of Lea's shoulder while we hugged. And from up close I can really see all of the things that make Remy different from Scabbers the rat. The little guy looks healthy and there is a look on his face that instantly makes me fall in love with the little guy, yet he also looks curious and confused. "It's a long story, Remy. Sorry if I scared or insulted you. I'll come back some other day, after our date, and explain, okay?"
And the rat further proves that he's different as he again shows his incredible intelligence and ability to understand me, happily nodding his little head and making the whiskers on his snout quiver as they fly up and down. This makes me snicker and I say: "Well, lead the way, chef Remy." The rat slides down Lea's cloths and then motions us with his little paw before scurrying inside. And as we follow him leisurely, Lea mutters:

"I made sure to tell Scrooge the things we did and didn't like. I also told him not to go for spaghetti. It might be romantic to some, but I just think of it as cliché." At which I nod in full agreement. I look around as we walk and the inside of the bistro looks amazing. Gilded tiles made of marble with a tesserae pattern on the floor, dark red draperies around the top corners of the large windows that are all over the front wall of the room.
Everything else is made of either beige, broken white or soft golden colors, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and small candelabras on a couple of tables. Then Remy leads us over to the far right corner of the room and while we still walk past the front part of the room, allowing us to look outside as there is only one row of tables between us and the window, do Lea and I smile as we notice a separate room in the far back of the wall.
This room is divided from the rest by a wall of which the top half is made of glass and the bottom half made of wooden boards and panels, these also adorning the tesserae pattern. Remy guides us over to the table at the front of this separate room, which also has a gorgeous broken white candelabra on top of it, fine looking china and a small note that has the word reserved on it. "Thanks, chef. We'll take it from here." Lea says to which Remy nods and scurries off.

"You against me helping you to your seat?" My mate asks me and while I turn a little red, I also sigh and whisper: "Not at all. That's one of those romantic things that I don't think is just cliché.""Good, I'll keep that memorized. Now, if I may?" And while I try to suppress a snicker of delight, does Lea help me to my seat, adjusting the seat so that I am seated just right before taking his own. I then notice that there is also a tankard of water and two glasses on the table.
I happily take the tankard and want to fill our glasses when I notice that the door to this private room is still ajar as a voice comes from the other side. "I can't believe this. Scrooge is reserving that spot for a bunch of teens. The very nerve." An angry older voice snarls, only for another to hiss at him: "Have you lost your mind? That redhead over there is the star in Scrooge's latest masterpiece movie. Of course he's getting special treatment, you dimwit." And this statement actually astounds me and makes me think: "Wow, okay."

Lea sighs and whispers: "Wind." Causing for a small gust of wind to blow the door closed. "Sorry about that, love." He mutters, but I shake my head, my shock having been exchanged for humor and say: "No, it's actually kind of funny." The lad looks at me befuddled and I say: "When that woman started speaking, I was sure she was going to mention me and how famous I am and all. But it was the other way around. I guess I'll have to get used to that." And while we both snort and laugh at this, do I fill our glasses with water.
Lea lifts up his own glass and looks me straight in the eye as he says: "To what I can only hope will, from now on, be a successful first date." To which I snicker and say: "To what has already been and is continuing to be a brilliant first date.""You are way too easy to please, love." Lea quips and I jokingly quip back: "Who says I'm not just slowly raising the bar a little higher every time?" Making him laugh as we toast and take a sip.

Later that night
Back in the Garden
Lea's POV

After our fabulous dinner, I decided to do something I hadn't initially planned on. I actually let Harry pay for part of the food as he insisted on it and then took him to the Old Mansion, which used to connect this world to both the Virtual Twilight Town and The World That Never Was. Yet I didn't take us that far. After arriving at the garden in front of the Mansion, I climbed up on top of the high stone fence and helped Harry up as well. We sat together and watched the sunset.
Harry, as we did so, slowly started to fall asleep in my arms, yet he had one last surprise of his own. As he drifted off, the boy sleepily mumbled: "I love you, Lea." Shocking me and making me turn away from the sunset and look at him. The boy was actually still slightly awake, only seconds from truly falling asleep and there was no mistaking the look of sincerity in his eyes before he drifted off. I pulled him onto my lap, whispered the words back to him and phased off.

I now have my sleeping mate in my arms and am heading over to Sirius' home. And while the man may have said that he didn't care when we came back, does he still open the door just before I can reach the landing. "How did it go?" He whispers as he leads me inside and I whisper back: "Ups and downs, but he said it was brilliant. Though, he also said – something else.""While falling asleep? He did the same with me."
I look at Sirius as he turns his head to smile at me and says: "Called me dad the night we had our talk, the night of the check-up. Trust me, Lea, he meant it." I smile at the man and happily follow him into Harry's room, Sirius using magic to help me tuck the gorgeous young man into his bed. And while I wipe a few stray hairs from his forehead, I whisper the words again: "I love you, Harry." And while he's behind me, I just know that Sirius is beaming at us.


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwww,
Okay, so I didn't write down the actual part of the date, the bit that Lea and Scrooge talked about, but I have two reasons. One, the movie would have made this whole thing become MULTIPLE chapters and I had no intentions to do so. Two, I SUCK at describing the meals that you see when you play the cooking game in Kingdom Hearts 3 and didn't feel like writing down some generic, every day meal and make it sound romantic or something.
Also, I have a way to satisfy and calm down everyone who feels angry at me over this. Next chapter is going to be another time-jump and this one is going to be SIGNIFICANT! That's right, I'm jumping all the way to the Thursday before the last Hogsmeade weekend before the Christmas holidays. I am going to tackle the attack on Voldemort – or better said, on his snake – next chapter. And if I can manage it, I might just cover how the wizarding world reacts to his "deadly" return.
Sorry not sorry,

Venquine1990