CHAPTER 9: DISSENT INTO DARKNESS
Sakura had been looking for Syaoran all day. But every time she had spotted him he was swept away in a crowd of students. She really wanted to talk to him, to let him know that no matter what happened, no matter what other people thought, she knew he was innocent.
After dinner, Sakura went on a trek around the castle using her Shadow Cloak, hoping to find Syaoran cleaning. She spotted Draco returning to his house, but she thought it best not to speak to him.
Two hours went by, and she had had close encounters with the Bloody Barron and Mrs. Norris, but the cloak proved worthy of usage. She had checked every part of the castle that she knew existed until finally she returned to the Great Hall. She was surprised as she entered, invisible.
There Syaoran was, floating high above the house tables and levitating candles. It was a clear night sky in the ceiling. He was sitting on a broomstick, his legs wrapped firmly to hold him in place as he held a large red bucket, water tipping occasionally over the sides. She supposed that he really did have to clean the entire castle with a toothbrush! Sakura stared up at him for a moment, wondering if she should interrupt him. She suddenly came up with an idea. She took out the Sealing Staff and the Fly card, and used its power to create wings on her back; she removed the Shadow Cloak and flew up behind him.
Syaoran felt something tapping his shoulder. He nudged it and moaned in annoyance. Something tapped him again. He thrust his head around grumpily and tipped the entire contents of the bucket over, putting out the flames of the levitating candles. The bucket itself fell onto the Head Table.
'Hi, Syaoran!' said Sakura, beaming.
'ARGH!' yelped Syaoran as the broom flew from under his legs and went speeding out the Great Doors.
As he started to fall, Sakura grabbed one of his arms and pulled him up. Her yellow wings beat heavily, she quickly glided down and Syaoran gladly touched the ground with his feet. The wings vanished from her back and Sakura leaned over, gasping for breath, tired from struggling to hold him up and using the wings in the first place. After a while she looked up and saw an exasperated looking Syaoran, staring up at her in a daze.
'Whoa...you can sure make an entrance,' he mumbled, his face beet-red. 'What are you doing here? You're supposed to be back in your dormitory. It's really late.'
Sakura blushed slightly, seeming to have forgotten what she was there for.
'What are you doing here?' he repeated, but barely audibly. He was too busy looking into her eyes.
Sakura seemed to regain her composure. 'Syaoran, I want you to know that I know you didn't do it,' she said resolutely. 'You have a good heart and you wouldn't do that to anyone, even Draco.'
She stuck out her tongue playfully.
Syaoran looked surprised at first, but then chuckled. He leaned his forehead against hers.
'Thank you, Sakura.'
She slowly brought her arms around his waist. 'I just don't understand why you're being punished.'
Syaoran slowly drew away from her embrace, crossed his arms and turned his full body away.
'I said I did it.'
'What? But why?' Sakura exclaimed. 'Do you want to get expelled?'
He lowered his head and sighed, 'I don't know. When McGonagall asked the question, I just lied.'
Tears brimmed her eyes. 'I don't understand,'
Syaoran turned around and embraced her immediately. 'It's all right. I shouldn't have been out after-hours anyway, so I deserve this punishment. It's not like I've been expelled – don't you think I would have been, already?'
Sakura nodded her head slowly, sniffling into his shirt. 'Okay,' she said and quickly kissed his cheek. 'One more thing...'
He looked at her curiously.
'Bubble!' she cried, flipping a card into the air. A mermaid-like spirit emerged in a stream of blue light, a storm of bubbles erupted into the Great Hall. It looked like a glitter storm for several moments, and then everything became dim again. Instantly, the bubbles were gone as she pocketed the card.
Syaoran gawped at her and spun around to see the spotless Hall.
'Just to help you along,' she started sidestepping towards the Shadow Cloak she had dropped on the floor. 'I'll see you tomorrow, then!' She pulled the cloak over her head and vanished.
'Good night, Syaoran!' her voice echoed.
He watched the door shut, as though on its own. He exhaled calmly and turned to admire the gleaming walls and spotless tables and floor. He whistled, impressed. 'Not bad.'
After a hard night's work, Syaoran had fallen into an uneasy sleep, dreaming of working so hard that his arms fell off, or his face turning into bubbles and floating away, or his clothes becoming transparent like water and he walked around the castle naked.
A loud squawking and an unrelenting tapping woke him. He groaned, sounding like a sad dog sighing and forced his eyes open. A medium-sized black owl perched on the table before him.
He squeezed the end of the letter with his thumb and forefinger and pulled it from her leg. But the owl didn't let go. He growled angrily and started tugging and jerking, even twisting the already mangled yellow envelope until he received an unpleasant paper cut.
'Stupid bird!' he yelled, and suddenly, the envelope broke free from both their grasps and plopped onto the floor beside his bed. He didn't bother glaring at the annoying bird and leaned over to get it. He felt something cold land on the back of his neck.
Syaoran, completely pale, reached a hand around and touched the back of his neck. It was wet! Not bothering to clean himself, he jumped on the envelope and tore it open. He stared so furiously at the paper that he couldn't even read the fairly large writing on it. He chose to calm down before proceeding. The letter read:
Mr. Syaoran Li,
Due to the suspension of Mr. Draco Malfoy, our glorious seeker, due to unnecessary actions, we are allowing you to become a replacement in his absence. Mr. Severus Snape has called for a rematch between our proud House of Slytherin and the not-so-talented House of Gryffindor. The tie was not official, so permission has been granted to resume the match. We hope to see you down at the pitch this afternoon for additional training as you are known to have a broomstick of your own.
Best Regards,
Captain Graham Montague
Syaoran looked away from the letter, even paler. He? Syaoran Li? The Slytherin Seeker? A rematch against Gryffindor? But Sakura was in Gryffindor, and wasn't Harry their Seeker, not to mention that he was one of her closest friends? He shook his head slowly, staring at his lap, and then the letter again.
Still very confused, he had a quick shower removing the owl's 'present' and placed a bandage on his paper cut, unthinkingly he dressed himself and walked down the stairs from the boys' dormitories. As he took his final step, he came face-to-face with Snape. He seemed to be a lot angrier than usual, and his pasty face was infused with a slight redness. For some peculiar reason, to Syaoran, Snape's nose looked like a rather large dagger, pointing at him.
'Li,' he said with a sneer, 'you've gotten the Owl?'
'Uh, yes, sir,' said Syaoran, flinching. 'But I'm not sure I can accept. I've still got to clean the trophy room...'
'Those punishments no longer exist, Li,' spat Snape, as if Syaoran had already known that. 'And I insist that you go to practice today. Ridiculous tie, indeed! We're going to win this next one, and don't you forget it!' he thundered, as if talking to McGonagall. But now he seemed to be talking to himself.
'Ye-Yes sir!' said Syaoran, his voice becoming quite high. He bowed out of false respect, ambled past Snape and headed for the entrance.
When he entered the Great Hall, a lot of heads from every table turned to look at him. Some sniggered and looked away, others pointed, whispered and glared. It was quite strange, as he thought that perhaps the rumours had already died down. Syaoran pretended not to notice, but it was almost unbearable. If he had experienced this several months ago, most of the students would have been changed into toads.
He found an empty spot at the far right of the Slytherin table just near the corner of the hall and settled down. He filled his bowl with porridge and was about to mix in some cocoa and sugar when he saw Ashanti Dreamster, the Slytherin girl he had been forced to dance with at the Yule Ball, and a friend of hers reading the front page of the Daily Prophet. What made him take interest was the odd, mangled smile on her face, as her eyes seemed to be fixated on that same article for ten minutes.
He thought about it for a moment, and then decided to ask her for the paper. She looked up at him, startled for a split second, and then looked repulsed by his outstretched hand. She shoved the paper at him, desperately avoiding touching his hand.
Syaoran ignored her disgusted look and read the headlines: MORE ON THE LOVE TRIANGLE OF THE YEAR.
He looked up from the newspaper and stared around the hall. Almost everyone was watching him. He, with great willpower, looked away and continued to read the article that seemed to take everyone's interest. There was a large moving black and white picture of Sakura sitting down and studying, piles of books and scrolls surrounding her.
'The issue that has taken the wizarding school world by storm, is the matter involving two of the most aggressive boys in school, Draco Malfoy (Who I am happy to mention is the son of none other than Lucius Malfoy) and Syaoran Li.
This whole matter revolves around the fatal attraction to incredibly beautiful girl, Sakura Kinomoto. We will first give everyone who is unfamiliar with this amazing sorceress a little background of her history, and how she came to be the sensationally academic achiever in every area of magic.
Sakura Kinomoto was born on the first day of April (Formally known as April Fool's), but this young girl reflected only that of a saint, far from the nonsense of tricks and games. She was born with her mother's dazzling emerald eyes and blessed with soft, silky auburn hair. Her family (you will see them on a wide spread on the next page) consists of her father, Fujitaka a Muggle, and her mother, Nadeshiko possessed magic, but sadly, was never allowed to attend magic school, and her brother Touya, who surprisingly passed his magic to someone whom we won't mention.
Her adventure started when she'd just turned the age of ten and found a book in her father's study called 'The Clow', unlocking its hidden powers. Inside were cards known as Clow Cards, the creation of infamous half-English sorcerer Clow Reed, each wielding unique and incredible powers. She was able to control the power of these cards and so became the 'Clow Mistress', along with two, might I mention, HANDSOME guardians. They are Cerberus, (Seen bottom left) and Yue (Bottom right).'
Syaoran paused and looked at the pictures of Sakura's guardians, intrigued. Though he had a vague idea already, he was still amazed that she had captured and possessed all that power all this time. And to think his ancestor Clow Reed had created such powerful magical tools and creatures. He truly was one of the greatest wizards in history.
'And of course, by the age of eleven, during a prolonged trip in England, young Sakura received her most unfortunate letter from Hogwarts, the most unqualified school in wizarding history. Little did she know that she would soon fall into the devastating group of friends, made up by the famous Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. Yes, the threesome that have caused mayhem and mischief and possible closedown for the school itself. (How unfortunate that it wasn't). And so we can lead from there to today.
Both Slytherin boys, Li and Malfoy, have received punishment and suspension for their actions and work as you read this article. They are unable to use magic, and have cleaning duties consisting of a toothbrush, and a bucket of soapy water. This, I may point out again, is most dreadful treatment, even for boys so reckless. But what else can one expect from such a poorly maintained school?'
Syaoran, disgusted by the article, dared not to read any further. That damned Rita Skeeter! How on earth was she getting all this information about Sakura and also, their punishments?
He didn't have much time to wonder and grumble when a tawny barn owl swooped down and dropped a red envelope onto his lap.
Ashanti and her friend, not looking as revolted as before, leaned over and peeked at it. They leaned back and smiled darkly at each other. He looked over confusedly at them before returning to stare at the bright red envelope. Why would someone be sending him money at a time like this? Was he being congratulated for making the Quidditch team? He inspected the envelope himself, feeling it suddenly grow warm in his hands. His insides seemed to disappear as realisation struck.
It was a Howler.
A Howler from his mother.
He stood up from his chair and ran for the Great Doors, clutching the envelope tightly as though to delay its inevitable opening. Everyone watched after him with such interest, it were as though he was a bright pink elephant.
As he approached the door something tripped up his scurrying legs, sending him landing square on his face. Someone had placed their leg before him.
'Ha! Take that you filthy Slytherin!' shouted a boy.
Syaoran sat up and glanced at who had said it. He was a redhead and a Gryffindor...all too familiar. He had seen him once feeding Canary Creams to a couple of his fellow students. 'Good one, George!' A duplicate of the boy patted him on the shoulder then he looked over at Syaoran. 'So, had a nice trip?'
The Gryffindors all laughed at him, pointing and mocking him some more.
'Ruddy, dirty Slytherin!' shouted a nearby Ravenclaw.
'Why don't ya stop stealing our girls and stick with your own?' shouted another Gryffindor boy at a far end.
'Yeah...go back to the smelly hole you crawled out from!' shouted another.
Syaoran got to his feet, about ready to pound someone's face in when suddenly his Howler began to wriggle within its envelope.
'Oh no! PLEASE don't!' he rasped as he stared at the envelope in sheer terror.
He was too late. The Howler was already open.
'LI XIAO LAAAAANG!'
A long piercing screech tore the paper open.
All the students and teachers turned to face the unfortunate victim of the Howler. Their ears seemed to burn as the voice began squabbling at immense volume. Syaoran gulped. His mother was furious.
'WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?'
At first it was understandable, simple English, but the rest descended into indistinguishable screeching in a language that only Syaoran seemed to understand. Syaoran stood still with his head bowed, enduring the humiliation and loudness of the Howler. His mother cursed harshly and said many things which even made him jump in surprise. The last of her words was the most shocking of all and he stood suddenly feeling faint, unable to believe it. He felt his eyes sting, a lump forming in his chest.
Once it ended, the envelope angrily ripped itself up and burst into flames. He hadn't even known it was over when it was. The ringing in his ears continued as he stared at his feet. He looked up briefly, hoping not to see Sakura. Thankfully, she wasn't there.
However, everyone was continuously laughing at him. People were banging their fists onto the table in fits of amusement. Those that weren't were whispering or moaning about their pained ears. He couldn't take this. He stormed out of the Great Hall and began to stomp through the corridors. He had intended to go straight to his dormitory, but then he heard voices.
'Sorry, I don't think so,' a girl was saying.
'Why not?' a guy now said, casually.
'Well…you...me…together?' she responded, sounding uncertain.
Syaoran edged to where the voices came from, until they came into view.
There stood Sakura and Draco. Syaoran stood still, frozen in his tracks.
'I don't get it...what's wrong? Why can't it be me? I mean...Li certainly isn't making the grade, is he?' Draco smirked.
'I suppose that's true,' Sakura sighed. 'Okay...sure...I'll be with you, then. But why me? Why not a Slytherin?'
Draco smiled maliciously. 'Well...' he mumbled something Syaoran couldn't hear.
'Really?' Sakura exclaimed.
The two turned and walked away together. Syaoran gasped. Surely, Sakura had not just agreed to go out with Draco? Of course, Syaoran realised, he hadn't properly broached the topic of being exclusive. But they had confessed to each other, hadn't they?
They hadn't noticed he was there. What did Draco mean, he was 'not making the grade'? Was he not good enough?
Syaoran walked lifelessly towards the Slytherin common room to grab his books for his first class.
Potions didn't go very well. Snape was pressuring Syaoran to make the 'right decision'. Every time he passed Syaoran's desk, he would hover too close or eye him intensely. Care for Magical Creatures was bad as well. Hagrid introduced them to the now fully-grown Blast-Ended Skrewts. It was split with Gryffindors so he had to experience even more ridicule from them.
Hermione Granger kept insisting that she did not want to go near another Skrewt as long as she lived, since she had so many burns from finding one.
'Oh shut up, already!' groaned Ron.
'You don't understand! It was torture!' said Hermione rather shrilly.
'She's right,' Harry nodded. 'It was utter hell! I couldn't figure out which end was the blasting end or the stinging end. Well, I learned the hard way. It was female! It had no stinging end! So, I got a good whoop of the sucking end!'
Hagrid blushed in embarrassment. 'I'm tellin' yeh. They're fine!'
Several students backed away in fear.
Neville Longbottom groaned, 'This isn't what you call fine.' A massive bruise was forming on his forearm. His eyes were shining with tears and his round face had gone a light pink.
'Blimey! That looks painful! Don't worry, I'll cure you,' Ron said reassuringly, whipping out his wand.
Hermione looked worried. 'Oh, Ron, shouldn't he see Madam Pomfrey? '
'Relax!' shouted Ron. 'Healius Woundous!'
Syaoran naturally wouldn't care, but when a rush of electricity surged through his body and knocked him back a couple hundred feet, he sure did.
'Syaoran!' Sakura yelped. Students rushed over. 'Syaoran! Are you all right?' Sakura asked anxiously.
His eyes narrowed as he stood up and pushed away from her, roughly. He could hear Draco and some others chortling in the distance.
'I'm fine!' he snapped, glaring at her.
'Are yeh sure?' Hagrid rushed over.
'Leave me alone!' Syaoran yelled as he stormed away, leaving them staring behind him.
Syaoran walked down the corridors as the day progressed painfully slow. Students shot him dirty looks as he passed. He didn't care. He was used to this treatment. After all, he had been experiencing it all morning. Suddenly he was tapped on the shoulder. He whipped around.
'Yeah?' he snapped.
A pretty Ravenclaw girl with long, sleek, inky-black hair stood before him. In the distance were a couple of her friends. Her dark eyes widened in astonishment. He didn't know what it was about her, but something made him feel at home. A group of girls stood behind her. She looked at him slightly taken aback before managing a smile. 'Hey, sorry to bother you. My name is Cho Chang.'
Syaoran stared at her. The subtle undertone of her accent was impossible to mistake. He had seen her before. She was popular, a member of her house Quidditch team and probably one of the most attractive girls at Hogwarts. Certainly, she had to be at least a year above him. Why was she speaking to him?
'H-Hi. Li Syaoran,' he said in uncertainty, dipping his head slightly.
'Yes, I know who you are,' she began, placing her hands on her hips. 'I'm Chinese, too, you know. So with that Howler I'm probably the one of the few here, other than you, that knows you are in deep trouble with your mother.'
Syaoran turned crimson.
She grinned. 'It's quite alright. It's great to talk to someone who also speaks Chinese.'
Syaoran half-smiled.
'Of course, that person certainly is not you. You might be good-looking, but I never mix with Slytherins! Just thought I'd let you know, you're making both of us look bad. So quit acting like such an idiot, already.' She immediately turned around and walked away cackling with her friends, leaving a flabbergasted Syaoran staring behind her.
It was finally the end of the torturous day and Syaoran simply wanted to retreat to his dormitory and sleep. Sick with rage, he stampeded along the Grand Staircase, but just short of arriving at where he wanted to be, the moving staircase switched on him. A long angered whoop of rage escaped his lips. This could not be happening! He ran down the other set of stairs and went back up another. But it switched again. It did this several times. It had been an extra half an hour before he arrived where he wanted to be.
Still angry, now even more so, Syaoran dropped himself onto his bed. His mind whirred with thoughts. It seemed everyone hated him. First a bird crapped on his head, and he had woken grumpy from its squawking. Rita Skeeter wrote yet another nonsense article. Then the Weasley twins tripped him and his forehead was now bruised. As a matter of fact, his entire head still throbbed from his mother's ear-piercing Howler. He was blasted by magic from yet another Weasley. Insulted by a popular girl. Then worst of all, the one girl who said she loved him was probably going out with his former best friend. He felt restless.
When he finally fell asleep, he wished he hadn't. He began to dream but it was not pleasant. He stood on the edge of a mountain. People were pushing him until he fell at least a kilometre off the cliff, forcing him to land on a spiky bed of rocks at the bottom. The people then began poking him with sticks. All he could hear was laughing, endless laughing. Some stared at him as if they were silently mocking his very existence. Sakura and Draco looked at him, and they laughed the loudest of all. Then before his eyes, Draco gave her a long, passionate kiss, which was enough to make his stomach churn. Sakura seemed to enjoy it, responding fervently, while Syaoran just lied there and died, his last memory being bitter misery.
Syaoran woke up suddenly, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead head. That was it. He hated Ron and his stupid brothers, Harry, Cho, Draco—all of them! Heck, he hated ALL Gryffindors. Burning with rage, he made up his mind. He would play Seeker in the Quidditch match, and win! What better way to ruin their pathetic lives, than by winning the Quidditch Cup for the Slytherins, or most importantly, for himself?
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