To a Brighter Future [Crossover, Final Fantasy VIII/Harry Potter, Harry/Seifer, G]

[sagemuraken.livejournal.com]

Title: To a Brighter Future
Author/Artist: sagemuraken
Rating: G
Warnings: n/a
Prompt: Crossover, Final Fantasy VIII/Harry Potter – Harry/Seifer – Mentorship, protector, redemption. – Seifer didn’t know why someone had left the kid on a doorstep, but Hyne could throw him to the lowest fires before he’d walk away and leave him.
Word count: 990
A/N: Set post-game for Seifer & set between books 5 & 6 for Harry.




Three years had passed since that debacle with the Sorceress - Seifer didn't want to call it an any stronger word than that. He still felt a pang of guilt on occasion, even if it had been somewhat beyond his control.

But in general he was doing well. He shared a house in Balamb with Fujin and Raijin. He trained with them regularly, though he didn't have much other direction in his life.

That is, not until the black-haired, green-eyed boy arrived on his doorstep.

There was a knock on the door and, grumbling because he was home alone and usually one of the others would answer the door, Seifer looked out and saw the bewildered kid, who looked to be in his mid-teens.

"Uhm, hi...," the kid began, rubbing the back of his head which messed his already messy hair up even more. "Can you tell me where I am?"

Seifer raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"Sorry. I seem to be lost."

"Lost? Where did you come from? You just wander out of the forest or something?" It wasn't as if there were any other towns that he could have come from around here.

"I just... found myself here and I don't recognise anything. This isn't London."

"London? Where's that?"

The bespectacled boy blinked. "You.. um.. don't know London?"

"No," Seifer folded his arms. "Why should I?"

".... Sorry again. I'll ask somewhere else..," the boy mumbled and turned away.

"Wait wait. Don't be in such a hurry," Seifer said, not sure whether to be amused or annoyed. At least it was a break in the routine. "So what's your name?"

"Harry. Harry Potter," the boy paused as if expecting some kind of reaction but Seifer's expression didn't change.

"Ok then. This is Balamb and I'm Seifer Almasy and I'm guessing you ran into some monster out there and it hit you hard on the head."

Harry looked taken aback. "Monster?"

"They're everywhere. If you came from the forest, you must have seen them," he said nonchalantly. "But don't worry, they won't attack you with me here," he continued with a confidently arrogant smirk that reminded Harry of a certain other blond.

"Uhh...," Harry didn't know what to say. He was in a strange place with a guy who could be a bit nuts. Not that he didn't believe there could be monsters here, he just didn't like the attitude he was feeling from Seifer.

"Better come in," Seifer continued.

Harry reluctantly took a step inside, his hand going to his pocket. At least his wand was still there. He felt safer with it within his grasp.

Strangely enough, once Harry relaxed and got to talking with Seifer he felt this was some kind of destiny. He was in turmoil from recent events in his life, having found out about a prophecy which was leading his entire life so far. What he had to do seemed daunting and his future was uncertain, even if it had already allegedly been written by the fates. Over the next few days he heard some of what had happened to Seifer and his friends. It came out on the second day that Seifer also knew magic, though he wasn't a wizard and Seifer, feeling some sort of purpose again, went with Harry just outside of the town and showed him what he could do. Fujin and Raijin tailed along for encouragement and Harry, though wary of the girl, was soon laughing with Raijin , finding the young man entertaining company.

It was with Seifer, though, that Harry found some inspiration. After a week of getting to know each other's talents the pair decided to go out into the forest to face the monsters Seifer had previously mentioned.

What they saw, Harry couldn't have imagined. He was used to traditionally known creatures but these monsters were something else. He used his wand against them; Seifer used but his weapon - the unique gunblade - and some magical powers. Most monsters fell easily under their assault though there were a few close calls, more so for Harry as Seifer was very used to the way most of these monsters fought and so was more prepared.

Making their way home that evening, dirty and bruised, Harry collapsed in a chair with a tired sigh.

"You never give up, do you?" He said to Seifer as the blond got them a couple of drinks.

"It's not my way," Seifer replied easily, handing a cool drink of water over.

Harry nodded and something struck him. He needed that confidence; that drive to not give up. He knew he had it in him but he had wavered at times. The determination welled up in his chest and he took a long breath, giving Seifer a smile before he sipped from his glass.

"What?" Seifer questioned the smile.

"Nothing. I just thought of... what I need to do and how I should approach it."

"Good for you," Seifer shrugged.

"Thanks," Harry said quietly, feeling very calm for once.

That night Harry disappeared from Balamb and woke up in his bed at Hogwarts. Did he simply dream that other place? He didn't think he should mention it to Ron and Hermione, particularly Hermione who would likely dismiss the idea out of hand. Either way, he knew inside himself that he could do what must be done and with that he was content.

Meanwhile, Seifer was disappointed to find the empty bed on the morning of Harry's disappearance but he too felt stronger. He could go on now with more sense of not having lost all his will and passion. He had hated to admit that before. He had been feeling lost and in limbo but the week the boy from another world had been in his care had fulfilled a need and a void.

The two of them now moved toward their futures with renewed vigour. It was a brand new life.