Cardcaptor Pandora
Episode XIV
Santa's Little Helpers
Persephone thought she would never forgive herself. There it was, the power of the Sword Card in her very own hands, and yet she couldn't control it. Was she not strong enough? No, that couldn't be why. But still, it was rather hard to imagine what the cause might have been...
Tasyra hissed, it was a month ago. Please do not dwell on it anymore, there are more cards out there. Besides, she said as she readjusted herself into a prideful stance, you have the Snake Card, what else could anyone want?
You don't understand... I lost it to that... that...
Tangaroa interrupted, speaking in regular English though she was able to understand Parseltongue, Tasyra is correct. It is time to move on. The longer you stay with what is in the past, the less likely it will be for you to succeed in the future. She smiled gently, her dark eyes softening. It has been a very hard month, what with your mother and all. I want you to relax. Christmas break begins tomorrow...
And what does that matter to me? I'm going to have to stay here anyway, unless I want to go home and spend time with my father and his gang of Deatheaters...
Perhaps, but it will be calmer. And who knows? Maybe you will be the only Cardcaptor who stays at the castle, and then limitless possibilities are at your fingertips.
Persephone smirked icily at her small bat-winged cheetah companion. Yes, I suppose you're right as usual, Tangaroa. She stood and stretched, her long black hair falling over one shoulder. The Christmas feast is tonight since we are released tomorrow. I am going downstairs to make sure Dray...co... is planning on going with me.
You must have feelings for this boy.
I have no feelings, you know that. He's amusing, that's all.
Everyone has feelings, Mistress. Only some of us are better at hiding them than others. Perhaps you shouldn't try so hard. With that Tangaroa fluttered over to where Tasyra was coiled next to Persephone's pillow, and curled up within the coils.
Persephone walked coldly downstairs, refusing to respond.
I'm not going with you tonight, and that's final!
Draco, but you promised... Do I mean nothing to you anymore?
Not particularly, no.
So what, it's over? Just like that?
It's been over for a while, Pansy. You've just been to blind to see it.
Persephone froze at the foot of the stairs, watching Draco and Pansy fight it out. She'd known about them, that they had been together, at least before she came along. What was happening now was simply a part of the inevitable.
Pansy saw Persephone first, because Draco's back was to the staircase. She stared at her rival, her eyes first flashing with the deepest of hatreds, but it quickly melted away into an abyss of despair. You have no idea what you've done to me, Draco Malfoy, no idea at all, she whispered in a choked voice before turning and running quickly out of the Common Room into the halls.
I figured you would have solved that problem a long time ago, Persephone muttered.
Draco turned quickly to face her, quite surprised by her sudden appearance. I've been meaning to. I had hoped she would get a hint seeing us together, and because I've been exceptionally mean to her lately. She's very persistent though.
Hm, yes. Well, I can be quite persistent myself.
Draco grinned and moved very close to her, until he finally pulled her into a deep, long kiss.
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Tadaaa! Here I am! Isn't this just the cutest? said the ever-so-modest Pandora as she pranced out of Gryffindor Tower where Harry sat waiting with Lauren, Sydney, and Holly. She was wearing a red velvet female Santa suit, complete with knee-high black leather boots which were still a good foot from the bottom of the fluffy cotton-lined thigh-length skirt.
Oh, Pandora! That's adorable! Lauren cried.
You are the cutest person in the world, Pandora, I don't know how you do it, Sydney awed.
Are you really going to wear that in public? Holly asked.
Pandora smiled and blushed. My mother made this for me two years ago because I had to stay at Smelting's over Christmas break. There were so many people staying that winter that they threw a Christmas dress-up party for us, so that's why I have this. It's gotten a lot shorter though, I hope it's not distasteful or anything... she said, tugging bashfully at the skirt which really was quite short.
I think it looks absolutely wonderful right where it is, Harry thought, but was smart enough not to voice his opinion.
Oh, but you haven't seen the best part! Pandora said with a grin as she pulled her Santa hat off of her head to reveal a very perturbed Rangi with reindeer antlers attached to his head. Santa Panda comes complete with her flying reindeer!
Pandora, that is soooo cute! Sydney cooed, rushing over and scooping Rangi into her hands.
Hm. Well it would be nice if flying reindeer were actually real, Holly said sarcastically.
Yeah, it would be nice if dragons and unicorns and fairies and guardian beasts were real too, wouldn't it? Lauren commented with a wink.
Harry, is your girlfriend finally ready yet? Ron said, coming around the corner with Hermione. Pandora blushed. She loved being referred to as Harry's girlfriend.
Yeah, we're ready, Harry said.
Pandora smiled and took Rangi back and laid him on her shoulder. I can't believe you actually dressed up your stuffed toy, as if that outfit isn't weird enough. And is that apple cinnamon...?
Yeah, I... um... washed him... ^_^;;
You gotta problem with apple cinnamon? Rangi muttered, but Pandora thwacked him over the head to silence him.
Ron just sort of nodded in a confused manner and began to head the other direction. I'll see you guys at the party! Pandora said, hurrying after him hand-in-hand with Harry.
Once the party started with the feast, Pandora was sitting with Harry, Ron, Hermione, a dateless Lauren, and Lauren's older brother, Chris, who was more or less coming with Ginny. Pandora didn't know if they were going out, but then again, they didn't really know either. She saw Sydney off in the distance with Crabbe, Holly in a corner somewhere reading a book, and then finally she spotted Persephone with her brother, but she quickly averted her eyes. She wondered what had ever happened to Pansy Parkinson since Dray had been going out with her before Persephone showed up, especially now that Pandora couldn't find her anywhere in the entire Great Hall. She sighed and decided not to worry about it. She was with Harry, and that's all she needed to think about.
The meal had just begun when Dumbledore stepped up to give his speech, but he looked much more forlorn than usual. I hope all of you are quite comfortable with who is here, he began, a faint smile working onto his face, but his heart didn't seem to be into it, because I've got a bit of bad news for you. You're not going to be able to go home for Christmas break. He held a hand up as a steady drone began throughout the Great Hall as kids gasped and protested. I'm really very sorry, but it's for your own safety. We may be magical, but we cannot control the weather. It would be far too dangerous to send the train out into such snows. In fact, owls are not even going to be able to make through such a mess, so there will be no messages coming in or going out. I apologize, but I suppose you will just have to wait until after Christmas to get your presents. Please cheer up though and have a good time, and I promise I will make your Christmas at Hogwarts worth your while! he said with a wink.
The students were everything but cheery. There were grumbles and moans all over the place. Pandora sighed and looked up at Harry. It looks like you'll have more company than you expected.
You don't think it's a card, do you? he asked lowly so that no one else could hear.
Pandora sat silently for a moment, her eyes closed and her head bowed. Eventually she opened them and shook her head slowly. If it is, I can't sense it.
I don't sense it either, Rangi said from her shoulder. He had become quite a good ventriloquist.
Later that evening Pandora sat alone with Lauren, Sydney, and Holly, talking about the problem. I mean the weather doesn't seem too much worse than usual...
It's very likely that there are really other problems that Dumbledore won't tell us, Holly said softly, especially now that You-Know-Who's around again...
Sydney gasped. You don't think there's a Deatheater threat on the school, do you?
No, the school itself is far too protected. But a train would probably be very easy for them to overtake.
Then why are they so worried about the owls?
Because it would be very easy to sneak something dangerous in along with all of the presents that would be coming.
My, Holly, you've got it all worked out. Sometimes I wonder if you're really the evil mastermind behind it all! Lauren giggled.
This is horrible... Pandora whispered. I was so looking forward to seeing my mother... I've missed her a lot... Everyone's going to be so sad.
Pandora, you're so nice, Sydney said with a sigh. But there's nothing we can do...
But there has to be! Pandora cried suddenly, somewhat angry. We can't let those horrible people ruin Christmas for everyone!
What are you going to do, go take down Voldemort yourself? an icy voice interrupted.
Dumbledore was very smart to keep the students here, believe me. Father had everything worked out.
I'll bet he did, Lauren said.
Shut your mouth, Gryffindor.
Eeek! Please stop fightiiiing! Sydney squeaked nervously.
I've got it!
Everyone turned and blinked at Pandora. What is it this time?
We'll get everyone's presents to them!
You mean... go get them ourselves...? Whatever you say, Panda...
That rocks! Let's do it!
I think I'm going to be sick...
((The point of this game is for you to figure out who said what ~_^))
We can use the power of the Little Card to sneak out of here, find and shrink everyone's presents, and bring them back!
Don't you think that's a little dangerous? Holly said nervously.
Of course it's dangerous! That's why it's so cool!
Lauren, you're not making me feel any better.
Well, you kids can have fun saving Christmas, Persephone said, turning the other direction, but I've got better things to take care of.
Pandora cried, rushing after her and catching her hand. Please come with us...
Persephone turned and stared at Pandora, her eyes glistening slightly with uncertainty. Why... why should I...?
Pandora answered with a smile, you're a part of the team, aren't you? It wouldn't be a proper adventure without you!
Persephone stared silently at Pandora for a moment, her eyes softening slightly. Finally, she sighed deeply and said, Fine, I guess it's better than waiting around here for something to happen...
That's great! Now to start on the costumes...
Calm down, Persephone. Yes, we have to have costumes in case we get caught. That way we at least look like we should be messing with people's presents. I can wear this Santa outfit. Now if we only had some green material...
Hey, do all of the houses have colored drapes in their Common Rooms? I know Hufflepuff has yellow... and a lot of it, Sydney said.
Yeah, Gryffindor has red... Why?
Because Persephone could get the green ones for us from Slytherin! Sydney suggested.
Persephone paled slightly. You've got to be kidding. Wear drapes? And even more-so, me steal them? This is getting ridiculous...
Oh, come on, Lauren said. If the Van Trap kids can do it, so can we!
Please, Persephone? I'll make all of the costumes if you'll just get me the material.
Pandora said, hopping into the air once and clapping her hands. Then I'll need everyone to give me their measurements. Oh! And measure your little beasties' heads!
What? Why? Holly asked.
We're going to need reindeer, aren't we?
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Christmas Eve at last. For most every other student it was a terrible terrible day, knowing that in the morning they would wake up just like every other morning, no surprises for them. But for the Cardcaptors, they were busily finishing up every last thing they needed to do to prepare. Sydney and Lauren had made a sleigh together, which was going to be plenty big enough for the five of them and the presents (at least when everything was shrunk by the Little Card), because they added a secret, flat, weightless compartment using magic, where they could dump all of the presents every time the bag got full. Each of the beasties had their antlers put on, and Rangi even received a charmed shining nose.
Finally it was sunset. The four Heirs looked very cute in their green elf costumes, even Persephone whose pointed elf hat was just a little to big for her, causing the jingle bell at the top to often drop over her left eye. Pandora used her powers to shrink the Cardcaptors, then attached the Beastie team to the sled, grabbed her bag, and off they went.
It really was a horribly cold night. The wind pierced their skin as they flew as quickly as they could. Persephone had managed to get hold of the addresses of every student, so they were quite prepared.
Everything went quite smoothly at first. They would land on the roof of someone's house, Pandora would fly down the chimney using the Fly Card and her staff, she would turn large while she belittled the presents she was taking for the students, then she would shrink again, put them in her bag, and fly back up.
Her first adventure occurred on 243 Sailor Way. It was some kid named Bunny's house. There were a lot of Christmas presents for her under the tree. Pandora began to shrink them, when suddenly a small voice from behind her said, What are you doing...?
Pandora turned to see a small pink-haired girl staring at her. Um.. I'm... taking Bunny's presents to her...
The little girl smiled suddenly. You must be Santa Claus! I didn't know that you were a girl...
Yes, well... I'm... actually one of his helpers...
Oh, I see! Well will you make sure Bunny gets this? the little girl asked, bending over next to the tree and picking up a small box. Tell her it's from Rini, and tell her I love her!
Of course I will! Now... why don't you go back to bed while I finish up, okay?
Okay! G'night! Rini said, then scurried back to bed.
The next adventure occurred on number four Privet Drive. Pandora knew this house all too well, and also figured that she wouldn't get out of it without something out of the ordinary happening.
She dug for quite a while around all of the gifts labeled under the Christmas tree, until she finally spotted a small... very small... gift way in the back for Harry. She reached out for it, but in doing so accidentally bumped the tree, sending crashing over on its side.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Pandora didn't know what to do, where to go. For lack of any better ideas, she hopped to the other side of the tree and laid down.
Alright, criminal, a familiar voice said, you'd better show yourself now, or much worse is going to happen to you later. It was Dudley.
Pandora knew that if she waited for his parents to come down she'd be in even more trouble. Dudley she could sway...
She stood up slowly, holding a finger to her lips hoping that he wouldn't call out for them. He gasped when he saw her, then shouted upstairs, It's nothing, Dad! The tree just fell... He came closer as she stayed right where she was, then he reached out and took both of her hands in his. Pandora... what are you doing here?
I... am going around to everyone's houses with some friends... to get their presents... You see, they're snowed-in at the castle, no one can come in or even receive mail... so we thought we'd surprise them in the morning.
He smiled, his cheeks still a little plump even though his diet had paid off quite well everywhere else. That sounds like something you'd do... I must admit, I was a little surprised when I got that letter from you saying you were going to school with my cousin. But... if you're happy... I guess I'm happy for you.
That's very nice, Dudley. I... should get going though... we're only about halfway through...
He turned and tiptoed back upstairs, then came back with a small box in his hands. I... got this for you before school started back for me... before I got your letter... He opened it to reveal a choker made of pale pink beads.
She took it and smiled. Thank you very much Dudley... it's probably the only thing I'm actually going to get. Good night, now. And she disappeared up the chimney, full size, with Harry's gift.
They hit the final house an hour before dawn. It was her own. She flew down the chimney, and as she landed on the ground, sure that no one was around, grew to her normal size. It took her quite a while to shrink down everything that was for Draco. Indeed, the tree looked quite empty by the time his were all in her small bag. She found three that were for her, all from her mother. One was a box that seemed to be the size which would hold new clothes, another seemed like a jewelry box, but the last one was oddly shaped. She shrugged, shrank them down, and tossed them into the bag with the rest. Then from her pocket she pulled out her present to her mother, wrapped in a pearlescent pink paper. She placed it under the Christmas tree, wishing that she could see her mother before she left. But no. There wasn't enough time for that. They still had to fly back to the castle and send the presents to their owners.
Once back at the castle, she gave each of them the powers of Little, Fly, and Invisibility, so that they could deliver each of the gifts to their owners in full-size. It had been quite a long night by the time they had finished, and each collapsed into their respective beds. They would have to save seeing the happy looks on the students' faces for another day.