Cardcaptor Pandora
Episode XVI
A New Year, A New Year, A New Year...
The holidays just didn't seem to want to stop coming. Not that Pandora minded, it just meant less schoolwork and more time with friends, especially a certain boy with scraggly black hair and glasses...
Good morning, Pandora, came the drolling voice of her brother as she walked downstairs by herself. Harry had had Quidditch practice that morning, and she didn't know if Lauren was even awake. It amazed her how long that girl could sleep...
Hi, Dray. I love my pillow! It's really comfy!
He laughed shortly then looked around as if to make sure no one was listening. So, what are you doing tonight? It is New Year's Eve after all, and I'm sure you and Potter have plans.
Of course we do, she answered. When he gets out of practice we're going to eat lunch together, and then he's going to help me learn how to fly my broomstick, and then we'll have tea together to warm ourselves up after being outside in the cold for so long, then we'll play some chess if we can steal Ron's board, then we'll have dinner, then we'll walk outside along the pond as the last rays of sunlight disappear, and we'll probably stay out there for a while, just enjoying eachother's company, but of course we'll be back inside in time for a toast to the New Year, and then we'll go back to Gryffindor Common Room and stay up late talking or playing games or something. Who knows? Maybe when we get ready to go to bed he'll give me a goodnight kiss. She ended this long itinerary with a dreamy sigh and a dazed look.
Draco looked like he was going to hurl. That's pathetic.
Oh? And what exactly are you and Persephone going to do?
I can't tell you, he said with a smirk. You're not old enough.
I'm your twin, Draco Malfoy, but I don't think I really want to hear it, she said, rolling her eyes.
I don't know, it might do you some good, he said with a wink. In fact, he added, placing a finger against his chin as if he were thinking about something, then waved it off and shook his head, laughing. That would be too mean.
She blinked but decided not to ask. With Draco Malfoy, it was always safer that way. Please don't get into too much trouble with Persephone. She can be... well... sort of dangerous...
Yes, I know, he said, his smirk broadening into a wide grin as he added, Lethal, really.
That's nice, Dray, she said, making a really disgusted face. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go find Lauren or someone... I seem to have lost my appetite for breakfast...
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The day went much as she had planned it. Her flying lesson had gone remarkably well, and her romantic evening with Harry even better. He had held her in his arms beneath the moonlight, and even kissed her face a few times. Unfortunately, he had gotten a horrible headache and had to come inside, the kind of headache that usually means trouble. Pandora didn't think much of it, just figured that Persephone was probably up to something, but what else was new? Of course she'd make a point of keeping an eye on her over the next few hours.
Back inside the Great Hall, everyone was already gathering for the New Year, which was still an hour and a half away. There were sweets set out everywhere, and eggnog in their glasses. The teachers had something a little stronger though, judging by Hagrid's increasingly boisterous tone and the fact that Snape was actually smiling at Everest in front of the students.
At the Slytherin table, she saw Draco sitting with Crabbe and Goyle, but no sign of Persephone around him. This worried Pandora a bit, especially since Harry's earlier problems with his scar hurting. But eventually she found her in the corner talking to Pansy Parkinson, and it looked as if they were discussing something rather important and in a very secretive manner. Once again, it was something to worry about, especially now that Pandora knew about Pansy's little Mark that she hid beneath her left sleeve.
You alright, Panda? You look distracted about something.
Huh? Oh... yeah... I'm fine.
Harry shook his head. I know better than that.
It's nothing, I promise, she said with a forced smile to reassure him. I think I'll take some of these sweets up to Rangi. He'll be very upset if he finds out they were here and I didn't share.
Ah, yes. And we wouldn't want a little Hogwarts Beast the size of a rat to be angry with us, would we?
They gathered a pack of sweets and brought it up to the Common Room, where Harry waited as Pandora continued up to her dorm. When she walked in, Rangi was sitting up on a pillow stewing over something. Look what I brought you, Rangi! she said, sitting down on the bed next to him and undoing the little bundle.
He looked over quickly, as if surprised to see her there. I didn't notice that you came in, he said.
Something up? You're usually at least a little more alert than this.
I don't know. I think I sense something, but I don't really know what it is. It's very strange. He looked at her, his snake eyes narrowing slightly. And if there is something, then you certainly should be sensing it, yes Miss Cardcaptor?
She blinked at him, feeling a little nervous. He wasn't acting much like himself, so there probably really was something out there that she should be worrying about. It doesn't feel like a card. If anything, I'm worried that Persephone may be getting into trouble, which is probably more of a Deatheater problem than a Cardcapturing problem. She pulled out a pastry and offered it to Rangi.
He turned his face away from the sweet. No thanks, I'm not very hungry.
O.O Do I need to get you to a doctor?
You need to go downstairs and keep your eyes open! Be careful! And most of all, be prepared for anything. Something's up, and there's no telling what it is or when it will reveal itself. It could be right now, it could be months... years... from now. You just need to be ready for it.
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Pandora and Harry joined everyone in the fully crowded Hall once again after she had left the bundle of goodies on the bed for Rangi whenever he felt better. She didn't tell Harry about what had gone on, she didn't want him to worry more than he already was. When she got back to her seat Draco was waiting there with some sort of mischievous smirk on his face. I was wondering where you and Potter had gone off to.
Harry shot him a very annoyed look, but Pandora spoke up before those two could get into any sort of argument. What are you doing over here, Dray? Slytherins to boring for you?
His expression became somewhat darker, but that smirk never faltered. No, of course not. I just thought I'd try to be nice for a few minutes and come see how my sweet sister was getting along. But if you're so anxious for me to leave you alone so that you and Potter can get into trouble, then be my guest. He gave a sort of mock-bow with a sweeping gesture towards her glass of eggnog then left, that stupid Malfoy smirk still plastered to his face. She just wanted to hit him sometimes, but that wouldn't be very nice of her...
Harry seemed to jump slightly next to her. Are you alright? she asked him, turning to him quickly, very concerned.
Y-yeah, I think so. I don't know what it was... I thought I saw something.
What was it?
He laughed and shook his head. Probably nothing at all. I'm just losing my mind, nothing important.
Finally it was only two minutes away. Dumbledore stood up and made some sort of short, amusing speech, and then the students counted down very loudly to the great moment, until finally the shout of Happy New Year! could be heard ringing throughout the Great Hall, and everyone took a gulp of their eggnog.
It was at this moment when Trelawny stood up quickly, her eyes wide and staring at the ceiling as if watching a demon swooping down upon her, then collapsed onto the floor after shouting, It has happened! They are here!
Suddenly, everything was a blur and people were shouting and then there was silence and darkness.
Pandora sat up, but her head was spinning. She felt drunk. She felt the mattress beneath her and knew she was in her dorm bed. After opening her eyes, she quickly closed them again, not quite wanting to see two of everything. Why was her head spinning so? She grabbed her white robe to put over her white nightgown (after missing it the first few times she tried to grab it) and hurried downstairs, tripping on every other step until she just fell down the last eight.
She tried hopelessly to get back onto her feet, especially when she heard footsteps coming from the boy's hall, but it was futile. She was far too dizzy. Two incredibly blurred images of Harry appeared in the entrance. Panda, are you okay? he asked, hurrying over to her.
She couldn't take her eyes from him. There he was, her love, her desired, her idol, and yes, it was time. He knelt next to her to help her up, and as he did so, she caught his face in her hands and gave him a kiss she never would have thought she was capable of. By the time she was willing to give him an oxygen break, his hair was much messier than usual and one side of his glasses had fallen off of that ear.
Pandora Malfoy! Stop that, right now! We don't have time for you to be messing around with your boyfriend, we've got a card to catch!
Harry said. How did...? Why...? Who...? He stopped, cleared his throat, then forced out, What the hell is wrong with Pandora?!
Lauren stepped down from the staircase, glared up at him with her reddish brown eyes, and said in a very annoyed tone, Hm, I don't know. I figured you could tell me, you pervert!
Move over, Lauren ordered, attempting to step between Harry and Pandora, but Pandora whimpered very pathetically as her fingers were pried away from Harry's. Lauren examined Pandora's eyes and face, then said, Just like I thought. The lights are on, but nobody's home.
She's been drugged! Just look at her eyes! Her expression! She's completely clueless! All she knows is that she wants you, which means it was probably a love potion, and who would want to give her a love potion except for you, you pervert!
It wasn't me!
Yeah, right, yuh-huh, I believe you....... Pervert.
-_-
Come on, Panda! Snap out of it! We've got to figure out why everyone was suddenly transported back to their dorm rooms from the New Year's party! Lauren said loudly, slapping the side of Pandora's face lightly.
New Year's party? But that's tonight, Lauren, Harry said, laughing.
Huh? No... we were just there, Pervert! What are you talking about!
Harry was quiet for a moment, closing his eyes and thinking. Well, I must admit, I kind of remember something, but it was more like a dream. He lifted his hand and touched his scar. Yes... I remember... I saw something... and then Dumbledore made a speech, and then we toasted to the New Year and Panda drank her eggnog, and then Trelawny shouted some gibberish about They're here' and passed out, and then... He shook his head. I don't remember the rest.
And then we all disappeared back to our dorms! Unfortunately, your potion hasn't worn off yet.
The one you slipped into Panda's drink.
I didn't do it!
Well who else would have?
I don't know, Draco was standing at our table before we got there, maybe he did something.
Lauren nodded. Sounds like something he'd do. He always thought you and Panda were a pathetic couple, not that I disagree. He was probably trying to spice up your relationship... you pervert.
Okay, so now that we've figured out that it was Draco, can you please stop calling me a pervert?
No, it's fun. Pervert.
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As the day went on, no one else had noticed anything, not even the professors seemed to be aware of what had happened. Only the Cardcaptors knew for certain, and Harry vaguely.
It must mean then, Holly said when she, Panda, Harry, Lauren, and Sydney had met for a discussion, that we're repeating the exact same day, considering that tonight we will be having our New Year's celebration.
Yeah, thanks for restating the obvious, Lauren said. Now say something useful, Genius.
Holly cleared her throat and peered at Lauren over her large glasses, then continued, It also appears that our Beasts have gone missing, so we will have to figure this out on our own.
Be original!
Lauren, if you do not stop interrupting my train of thought, I may just have to do something about it.
Yeah! Right! And what do you think you're going to do, huh?
Vocalis Silenox!
Lauren opened her mouth to say something else, but nothing came out. Holly actually smiled at her misfortune, while Sydney patted Lauren on the shoulder and said, You had it coming to you. Pandora just stared at Harry. Her mind wasn't quite right yet.
Harry, you said that you saw something. What did you see? Holly asked.
Well, I didn't think it was anything at the time, but with Trelawny's outburst and then all of this... They looked like Deatheaters or Dementors... In any case, people in dark robes with hoods hanging over their heads to hide their faces.
That's what I was afraid of, Holly said, turning away. I should have known to expect it! I can't believe we were so blind.
Lauren ripped a corner off of one of Holly's schoolbooks (which she always carried with her) and scribbled Would you mind getting to the point? on it.
I read once that every twenty-eight years, beginning five minutes before the New Year, the spell which bars people from apparating into Hogwarts is disabled until the New Year arrives, which means that for five minutes anyone can come in and out of it. This fact is not widely known though, obviously the professors try to keep it a secret, but I have a feeling the Deatheaters may have found out... and may be here at this exact moment.
But what does that have to do with the day repeating itself? Sydney asked.
I'm... not quite sure...
Perhaps it would help if you actually knew something about the cards, wouldn't it? came a familiar low voice.
Persephone, you really need to break this habit of sneaking up on us all the time like that, Sydney said with a sigh.
I only thought you might appreciate my help, especially the insight I have to offer.
If you know something that you are willing to share, of course we'd want you to help us. But seeing that it has to do with Deatheaters and all and considering who you are related to, I didn't think you would feel like offering us such information.
Diplomatic Hufflepuff as always, aren't you, Lachlan? she sneered. That group means nothing to me. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, my father's business is not mine. Even if he needs to use me for something, it's still his business. Now, about the Time Card...
Time Card? Sydney asked, her head cocked to one side.
Holly said. Sounds like the right kind of name.
Hm. Yes. The Time Card. Now shut up, I don't have a lot of time here. Whoever is in control of the Time Card is able to shelter certain people with it from true time. This means that when the Time Card pushes the day back at midnight, whoever is sheltered by the card knows exactly where they are and what is going on, and are not affected by it. And of course, the Cardcaptors are aware of what's going on simply because they are Cardcaptors. But as far as the Deatheaters go, they only have a slot of five minutes before midnight each day to do what they need to do. They are, shall we say, frozen in time at the moment. Whether you look for them or not at this moment, you won't find them. They will be active again as planned at five till midnight.
But that means someone is in control of the card, Holly said, narrowing her eyes. Which would be you, wouldn't it! If it's not your business, then why are you helping them?
Anyone can control the Time Card, Persephone said lowly. It's rather submissive to whomever finds it, Cardcaptor or not. But it will obey that master until he abandons it or is captured by a true Cardcaptor. Figure what you will from that, I must go. She walked away slowly, giving Pandora an almost amused look, and then Harry one of those nondescript Persephone glances that could mean she hates him or she loves him.
So now we just have to figure out where the Time Card is hiding, then we can capture it!
Holly... exactly how are you planning on doing that? Sydney asked nervously.
Isn't it obvious? It would hide in the best place to control the time of the area, which must be the huge clock behind the professors' table in the Great Hall!
Um... yes... of course. Precisely what I was thinking.
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Ten minutes to midnight, and the Cardcaptors were in position. Lauren was with Pandora and Harry, trying to keep an eye out for the Deatheaters and also trying to keep Pandora herself out of trouble. The worse effects of the potion had worn off, now she was having a sort of She hardly had her wits about her and was in no condition to catch a card. Lauren was rather pleased about that, though she figured Persephone probably already had it. She never had actually said she did or didn't, but then again Persephone never said anything straight out.
Speaking of the devil, she was talking in the corner with Pansy again. Pansy seemed to be upset, but Persephone shook her head and gestured towards the professors' table--or perhaps the clock--then stormed away towards the Slytherin table, leaving Pansy where she stood in the corner. She looked as if she were likely to break down at any moment, but she turned away and disappeared down a corridor.
Dumbledore stood up to make his New Year's Eve speech as McGonagall tapped her glass with her fork to silence the students. Thirty more seconds...
He began his speech, and was in the middle of apologizing for having to keep the students here for their own safety just as the minute hand move to five till midnight, and nearly twenty cloaked figures leapt from shadows, circling around the students and spouting spells which created a barrier so that none could escape, a barrier which included the professors' table. From their midst emerged one which practically floated across, heading straight for Dumbledore, whose eyes were narrowed at this approaching figure. The students huddles close together as the two stared at eachother, and were relieved to find a wand in Dumbledore's hand. No one would have expected so bold of a move on the part of the Deatheaters, yet here they were, every last one of them.
This was not one of your wisest moves, was it? hissed a low voice from beneath the black hood.
Perhaps you should question your own moves before you question mine.
The figure hissed bitterly, and raised his wand high above his head, taking a breath as if to say something--a curse, perhaps?--but the clock struck midnight, and everything went black.
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How are we going to fix this...? Pandora asked, wringing her hands in her lap as she once again met her friends for discussion.
We're sorry about last night, Panda, Sydney said. We were... well... like everyone... rather taken aback by the sudden attack. How are we going to capture this card though? Obviously everyone will see us.
Yes, but if we capture the card, we will be in control of it and who is sheltered by it. Therefore, all we have to do, is take time back to before the Deatheaters came and then skip the five minutes in which they could come in, and everything will be fine! No one will remember anything! And who knows, maybe the card will fix everything itself once it's sealed.
But Pandora, you still don't look like you're quite up to Cardcapturing... Are you sure you can handle it?
I'll manage, she said, smiling wearily. And if I don't, maybe one of you could help me out.
You bet we will! Lauren said, having recovered from her previous mishap with Holly.
Good... because I'm not looking forward to repeating this day anymore. I've had quite enough.
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At five till, the evening started out as it had before, but Pandora used the Invisibility Card to hide behind the professors' table next to the clock. Unfortunately, they had neglected to discuss how to stop You-Know-Who from his already begun action of throwing some curse at Dumbledore. As soon as he appeared, he promptly resumed, shouting, as soon as he appeared.
Everyone was very relieved as Dumbledore dodged the curse just in time, warding it off with a spell of its own. Unfortunately, it hit Pandora instead, who fell to the ground, the card immediately losing its effect as she appeared on the ground, writhing in pain.
the Dark Lord hissed thoughtfully. A little roach trying to mess with the clock. That will never do.
You will not hurt her! Harry shouted, standing up from the Gryffindor table, wand in hand.
Time- STOP! Voldemort demanded, and everyone froze where they were, everyone except for him, the Deatheaters, and the five Cardcaptors. He practically slithered to where Harry stood, staring ahead like a statue. His eyes sparkled as if he was trying to get beyond the Time Card's work, but it was no use. You-Know-Who hissed happily, quite pleased with himself. Now we'll finish what we should have very long ago. He held his wand in the air and prepared for the curse...
Father, no! I won't let you! Persephone shouted, hurrying over to the clock, her Sealing Staff already in hand.
Oh, really, my Princess... And you think you shall stop me?
She whirled to face the clock, her staff held high as she cried, Time Card! Return to me, the Master of the West demands it! Hogwarts Card, RETURN!
As soon as she said this, a light shown from around the clock and a mist seeped from within it into the shape of a rectangle at the tip of her staff, until it transfigured into a green-backed Hogwarts Card.
Immediately the Deatheaters and their master disappeared, and time began to run where it had left off before their tampering, just before the first toast to the New Year. The professors weren't quite sure what Pandora was doing on the floor behind them though, but they knew one of the three forbidden curses when they saw one and she was rushed to the Hospital Wing.
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Persephone, wait just a minute, please! Harry called to her the next day after leaving the Hospital Wing to visit Pandora. I... had a question for you.
What is it, Potter? she asked icily.
Harry ignored the slight sting her glare sent into his scar and continued. Why did you save me? You're father's probably terribly angry with you, and... well... I know you claim that I'm his problem and all, but you certainly don't seem to like me enough to put yourself into such danger. So... why?
She looked away from him, casting her dark eyes to the ground as she answered slowly, It was too easy. He was at a rather despairing moment when his first curse missed, he had to resort to stopping Time. That's what a coward would do, and I know that if he actually remembered the entire event he would be ashamed of it, as he should be. As for his anger, he doesn't remember a thing, so no harm done. But that's all Potter, don't start thinking I like you. I can't wait until he finally beats you.
She walked away, not bothering to look back at him. Everything she had just said was a lie, she knew it. To be honest, she still didn't know why she bothered to save that pest.
She knocked at the door to Dumbledore's office when she arrived there, surprised that the gargoyle immediately hopped to one side.
Persephone Avaran, what a pleasant surprise, he said from his desk, his blue eyes twinkling. And what, my dear, brings you to these parts?
I apologize for intruding, Professor, but there is something I think you should know.
Well, I'm sure there is. I mean look at me, I'm this old and I still don't know everything. I don't know how Professor McGonagall does it...
Sir, this is serious. Do you remember anything from last night, anything strange?
He watched her silently, then smiled and nodded his head once. Of course I do, everything is always strange in a place like this. I've come to expect it.
he said, somewhat sternly, as he stood, I do know vaguely what happened, though not nearly as much as I wish I did. I am quite aware that you probably know more, but I would rather not have to expel you from school. You have potential to be one of the greatest witches of all time, and...
It's not me you should worry about, Professor. It's that Pansy Parkinson girl. You should consider calling her in some time to look at her left forearm.
Dumbledore stared at his desk, then heaved a sigh. Perhaps I will. Until then, Miss Avaran, it would probably be best for you to stay out of such affairs as best you can. Remember, I'm always here for you. He smiled gently and added, I hope you have a wonderful year.