Cardcaptor Pandora
Episode XXI
Putting a Stopper in Death
Pandora detested Potions class more and more with each passing day. She told herself it was because of all the hard work which proved to be close to impossible, but if she were being honest with herself, she would know that it was really because of a project that had been assigned the week before. Snape put them in pairs of two. She was stuck with a new student, some weird Slytherin chick named Anna, but to make matters worse, Harry was partners with Persephone Avaran. She had to keep telling herself that she wasn't jealous, that she trusted him and knew he wasn't interested in her and she certainly had no interest him. She didn't know why she felt like she had to reassure herself though.
Ron ended up being put with Draco. Amazingly enough, he didn't complain very much. In fact, he had been acting rather different ever since they had been switched. But Draco made up for all the complaining that Ron usually would have done.
Luckily for everyone, they were coming to the end of the project. The idea was to take a deadly poison, run a number of tests on it to figure out what it was, and then to come up with a potion to make it harmless when mixed with it. The bad part was that, as usual, Snape was going to make each person drink their own after they mixed it. Pandora hoped for their sakes that Snape would be standing by with something to save them if one didn't quite turn out right. Somehow, she doubted it.
That Thursday evening, Pandora sat in the library with Harry while he flipped through some books about poisons. He and Persephone still hadn't even figured out what theirs was. Snape even seemed a little distressed when he discovered that. Harry sighed as he closed the book he was reading and pushed it away. It's hopeless. We're just both going to die, and that's all there is to it.
You're so optimistic, Pandora said with a grin.
At that moment Persephone walked into the library with a large dusty book under her arm. She went right over to Harry and sat down next to him without the slightest of looks at either of them, then plopped the book open.
Harry swallowed as he looked over her shoulder. I... take it that that book has some potions in it that Fifth Years aren't supposed to know about...?
You probably couldn't find a book like this in the Restricted Section even if you tried.
Yeah... That's what I thought.
Pandora felt a pang of hatred towards Persephone, but immediately felt guilty again. There was no reason for it... she hoped. Well, I'm supposed to meet Anna in a few minutes, so I guess I'll see you later, Harry. Bye Persephone.
Bye, Panda.
Persephone nodded slightly to acknowledge that she heard what Pandora said, then Pandora left, and Harry suddenly got incredibly nervous again. Is there any reason you think it might be in that book? Snape wouldn't do anything that mean to us... not to you, anyway.
It might not be Snape's fault. I think there's something in this that he didn't intend. In any case, we probably ought to go ahead and test it more in the dungeons. She stood up with her book and headed out, not even giving Harry a chance to protest even if he wanted to.
****************************************
It was about 5:00 on Friday morning, and Pansy Parkinson felt closer to Misery than she had in quite a while. She was rather debating going outside and waiting for the sun to rise, but that would be a little too dramatic, even for her. As she tried to think of something else to make her feel a little better, she wondered where her old companion Cynders had gone off to. She had been a wonderful little black cat, but Pansy hadn't seen her since she left school. With nothing better to do, she stood up with the intention of going out and finding her cat.
But something else caught her eye first.
In the dimmest of light that ever shows itself in the dark dungeons from the small torches on the walls, Pansy made out something on the ground ahead of her, not too far away from where Snape's Potions Class was, but just hidden enough for nobody to notice it. As she came closer, it looked like a person, but it wasn't moving. Then, when she knelt next to it, she knew exactly who it was. It was Pandora's little Gryffindor friend, Lauren. What in the world happened to you...? Pansy whispered. She reached towards Lauren's neck to check for a pulse, but stopped herself immediately, thinking how she hadn't had anything to eat in almost two weeks and that pulsing blood beneath an unconscious person's skin might be too much to resist. Instead, she touched her outer arm lightly, and could feel Lauren quivering. At least you're not dead. I guess I'll have to take you to the Hospital Wing myself. She began to gather Lauren in her arms, already nervous about making such a journey. It would be hard for her to get away fast being weighed down by Lauren if she were to get caught, and this close to sunrise. So she decided to do something else entirely. She turned around and headed back towards the little room she had made for herself, thinking that afterward leaving Lauren there, she would put her cloak on, find Pandora, and then tell her to take Lauren herself.
She had just finished laying Lauren's limp body down on her bed, when she heard footsteps coming up behind her. She turned quickly, wanting to hide somewhere, but realizing that there was no hope in that. She wondered who might have figured out how to get to her secret corner of the world, unless it was Pandora by some stretch of good fortune, or maybe even Draco, but that was far too unlikely.
The door opened....
...And there was no one there.
Alright, you, whoever you are. Take the cloak off... she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
You won't yell at me and tell me to go away? came a familiar voice, but one that wasn't quite familiar enough to match a name with.
Not unless you give me good reason to.
There was a swoosh as the cloak was thrown off, and Ron Weasley stood grinning stupidly before her. What are you doing here, Weasley?! she asked harshly, stepping back and letting her fangs show like a threatened animal.
I... Well... I've been thinking about you a lot... and I wanted to talk to you...
Since when do you think about me? We hardly ever talked except to insult eachother in the past. And how did you know to find me here?
He smiled nervously, taking a few steps forward as he said, Because, that night you thought you were talking to Draco, you actually were- He stopped abruptly as his eyes made out the dead-looking body on the bed. He swallowed hard and looked at Pansy nervously.
She rolled her eyes and said, Don't even start with me! I didn't kill her, she's not even dead. I found her like that. I brought her here because I can't take her all the way up to the Hospital Wing without getting caught.
That's Chris' sister Lauren, isn't it?
Pansy nodded, looking at Lauren and then gracing Ron with a side glance. So... what exactly were you saying about Draco?
Well... that wasn't really Draco. That was me.
Pansy whirled on him, her eyes filled with hate and sadness all at once. But just as suddenly as the storm had come on, it subsided and she fell to her knees. I knew it was too good to be true... she whispered.
Ron walked cautiously over to her, then put his hand on her shoulder. I don't know what went on with you and Draco obviously, but... I really do hate to see you suffer like this. His voice shook as he spoke. She didn't respond, just stared at the ground. Would you... like me to take Lauren to the Hospital Wing?
I would rather you find Pandora and bring her down here, she answered softly. He nodded, grabbed the Invisibility Cloak, and was about to put it on when Pansy asked, Was it a card?
A card? Was what a card?
She shook her head with a small smile. Never mind. Just get Pandora... please...
Ron looked like his little heart melted as she sealed her timid with an equally timid smile. Sure... I'll be right back with her... Bye, Pansy...
***********************************************
Persephone, we just finished a long day of school, and I really need to talk to Pandora because something seems to be wrong with her. Can we work on the potion in an hour or so?
Persephone stared icily at Harry, then said, Of course. I would never want to get in the way of you and your precious Pandora.
Harry walked away without responding, mainly because he didn't know quite how to respond to that. He caught Pandora just before she left the Great Hall. She turned around, seeming surprised but pleased to see him. Harry! I'm so glad you're here, there's so much I've been wanting to tell you but couldn't because of Persephone being around.
Is something wrong?
Yes, terribly. Lauren's incredibly sick. I can tell that it was caused by a Hogwarts Card, but I haven't the faintest idea of what it might be.
Harry nodded, looking very tired and somewhat weak. That's odd. She seemed fine yesterday when she found Persephone and me working on our Potions Project in one of the labs. She hung around for a while, probably because she could tell I wanted someone else there, if you know what I mean. She seemed like her usual happy overly-hyper self, but after about thirty minutes she seemed to get really down and very tired. She even seemed to grow paler. Then she left.
That explains why Pansy found her just outside of the labs by Snape's room.
You mean she passed out? Harry asked, suddenly very alarmed. Panda, illnesses don't just sneak up on people that quickly! That sounds more like...
...a poison... Pandora finished for him.
And it took both of you this long to figure that out?
They turned to see Persephone standing there with her arms crossed with the slightest of smirks on her face. I knew exactly what it was a very long time ago. A Hogwarts Card, yes, obviously. But what's even better, it's a Hogwarts Card whose only purpose until it finds a master is to kill all descendants of Godric Gryffindor.
Our poison from Potions! It found it's way into that, then?
Of course, and most fortunately for it found it's way at last to the main person it was looking for.
You did this to her, didn't you, Persephone! You're controlling the card! Pandora snapped.
Persephone shot her a hate-filled look through slitted eyes. I do not have the card, no. This one is quite difficult to seal. You can't just twirl a staff around and say some fancy magical phrase to call it back. You must first make it harmless, which of course requires someone with the knowledge of what first went into the potion to make it what it was. Unfortunately for you, Little Malfoy, that's a Slytherin family secret, and as of right now, I don't much care to solve it. Not to save that pathetic little Heir of Gryffindor.
Pandora watched angrily as Persephone walked away. I've never genuinely hated someone before...
Harry said softly, touching her shoulder. She looked at him. He seemed to want to say something but didn't know quite why or even what it might be. Finally he sighed and said gently, You were the one who first said there might be more to her than meets the eye. When the other three were eager not to include her, you were the one that would never let that happen. Don't give up on her yet.
Somehow what Harry said, though it made sense, only made Pandora hate Persephone even more.
**********************************
The next morning was Saturday, and the day of the final Quidditch match, Slytherin v. Gryffindor. Lauren wasn't getting any better. Rangi stayed down with her in Pansy's room, trying to recall anything that might help her. But as far as he knew, the only cure for her was to seal the card and withdraw its evil magic from her body.
Ron went rather reluctantly to the Quidditch game for once. He didn't understand why Pansy would let him stay with her and Lauren sometimes and then other times he absolutely had to leave immediately, usually whenever Pandora was coming. He didn't care though. At least she was actually letting him stay as well. But he also couldn't help but wonder why they didn't just take her to the Hospital Wing. Surely Madam Pomfrey would have something to stop a simple poison that she picked up from who-knows-where.
He met Harry just before he was about to go get his uniform on and warmup, about an hour before the game. He looked horrible. He had become horribly pale, and his eyes looked so weary and listless. It was nothing like the Harry Potter Ron had become such close friends with. He knew something was wrong.
Harry, if you're not feeling well, then you should hurry up and find a replacement. I mean, yeah, no one's as good as you, but it won't be any good to us either if you pass out off of your broom in the middle of the game and Malfoy doesn't even have another Seeker to compete with.
I can't do that, Harry said, his voice scratchy and barely above a whisper. I'll manage. I feel well enough.
Yeah right, Ron said, rolling his eyes, knowing very well that there was no point in trying to pursue the matter. Well, good luck then. I'll see you after the game if you're not dead!
Harry didn't die during the game, not at all. He at least had the decency to catch the Snitch first and win the game for Gryffindor before he passed out.
***********************************************************************
Persephone was not pleased to see Pandora by Harry's bed in the Hospital Wing when she walked in, nor did she expect anything less. Perhaps it would turn out for the best.
She could see the suppressed glare in Pandora's eyes. Is there something you want, Persephone?
Only to help Harry with this, she answered, holding up the green-backed Poison Card.
Pandora's eyes lit up. You sealed it! Oh, thank goodness! she said happily. Now you can make Harry and Lauren better!
Persephone regarded Pandora silently for a moment, then walked over to the bed where Harry slept and sat down next to him, the card in her hands. She bent down and whispered in his ear, I never thought that the Poison Card could affect you, but now I know another secret because it did. Father will be very disappointed if he finds out about this, so we'll make this our own little secret, Love. Then she stood over him with her staff and cried, Relieve him from your curse, Poison Card. Release!
Harry seemed to radiate a green glow, which suddenly joined into a long strand like a snake's body which slithered into the Poison Card and was gone.
Harry stirred and opened one eye. Pandora cried happily, rushing to his side. You're better! Persephone, thank you!
Persephone crossed her arms, the card being held between two fingers on her left hand. You shouldn't thank me just yet, you know. Your dear friend Lauren is still on the verge of death.
Pandora opened her mouth to say something, but Harry stopped her and said, Persephone, please help Lauren. I know you think it's your purpose in life to get rid of her, but please...
And what does it matter to you?
Because... if it's like you say... she's the only family I have left considering one can hardly count the Dursleys...
For a moment, a shadow seemed to lift from Persephone's features, revealing a vulnerable soft center to that solid shell she had built up, but then the fire crackled loudly and she snapped her attention to it, her usual expression firmly in place. Then she walked briskly towards Pandora, shoved the card towards her, pushing her backwards roughly at the same time, but released it into Pandora's hands. I can't help Lauren, you know that. So you do it. You might as well write your name on it while you're at it too, Little Malfoy. Then she left without ever looking back.
************************************************
She really is close to death... I think it's okay for me to eat her now.
Pansy, don't eat her! Ron scolded, rolling his eyes.
Pansy sighed and stared restlessly at the door. She thought she was going to go insane if she didn't get something to eat soon. You know, vampires can suck someone's blood without killing them...
Yeah, I mean as long as I don't take too much, you'd just feel a little dizzy, but no real harm done.
What's this you' business?
She smirked and moved closer to Ron, leaning her face very close to his. You, of course. Who else? she whispered, just next to his ear.
His eyes grew about three times larger. Pansy, are you feeling alright? @.@
she whispered, her warm breath brushing against his neck. Would you like to see how I feel for yourself?
I know what you're trying to do, Pansy Parkinson, and it won't work! he cried, not moving a muscle. ,
Oh, do you? What am I trying to do then, Ron? Enlighten me.
You're trying to turn me into a little melted puddle of horny Weasley mush just so you can suck my blood!
Is that a complaint? she asked, suddenly grabbing the front of his robe and pulling him roughly towards her, grinning widely.
Just as he began the melting process, the door swung open and Pandora rushed in. Pansy sulked back on the bed while Ron staggered to his feet. Uh... hey, Panda. How's it going...? Harry okay? he said, his words just a little detached.
Yes, he's much better, now you need to leave.
Aw! Just when it was getting good, too... he grumbled, then left the room with one more lingering look at Pansy. He hurried out afterwards, because she winked at him and he knew that his cheeks had probably turned the exact same color as his hair.
Pandora called upon her Staff, then summoned the powers of the Poison Card. Pansy watched as a green light grew around Lauren, then completely disappeared into the card Pandora had called out.
Is that supposed to make her better? Pansy asked.
Pandora nodded, waiting to see if Lauren stirred, thinking that it might take longer for her to come out of it since she had been under the influence of the Poison Card for so long. She looked at Pansy while she waited. What's up with you and Ron, by the way?
Pansy rolled her eyes and shrugged. Who can say? I don't think anything, though he is rather amusing to toy with.
I'm sure, Pandora said, but then looked back at Lauren as she slowly began to turn onto her side, facing them. Pandora whispered, rushing over to her side. Lauren, come on, wake up!
Lauren opened her drowsy eyes, and looked up at Pandora. Hey.... what happened...? Why do I have this horrible horrible headache....?
Pansy answered matter-of-factly.
Lauren's eyes grew big.
No no no, don't listen to her, Pandora said, shaking her head. You were possessed by the Slytherin Poison Card. So was Harry. It was in that potion that he and Persephone were making.
If it was in that potion, didn't Persephone get sick, too?
Pandora sighed and smiled. No, the Poison Card only goes after descendants of Godric Gryffindor unless commanded otherwise by a Cardcaptor.
Lauren said, lying back down on her pillow. Then her eyes lit up again. Wait a minute! she cried, sitting straight up in bed. If it only goes after descendants of Gryffindor, then that would mean that Harry... is... WOW!
Pandora laughed. Who knows, maybe a cousin or something. I'm sure that Gryffindor probably has dozens of random descendants running around now, you know.
I know, but still! I actually have a family member! ^_^
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Leave it to Rangi! ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Rangi: Heh-hey-hoo! It's that time again, boys and girls! That's right, time for another segment of Leave it to Rangi! where I, your favorite Guardian Beast in all the world, answer questions that have been left in the Review section about CCP.
Question #1:
Submitted by Segev
You made Persephone Lara Croft's daughter?!
Rangi's Answer!
Yeah yeah, Miss Ashkelon couldn't help it. She wanted to write that ever since the movie came out and she saw Lara Croft with much the same character as Persephone, and it just happened. They even look similar, so hey! It worked!
Question #2:
Submitted by Segev
Just how many things are you planning to cross into this, anyway?
Rangi's Answer!
Heh heh heh... You ain't seen nothin' yet! Just wait till the Hogwarts summer rolls around! ~_^
Question #3
Submitted by Segev
Were there hints that Persephone might not be such a bad girl after all?
Rangi's Answer!
Hard to say for certain isn't it? I personally think she's the worst person that's ever existed on the earth...ahem...but that's just me! ^_^;;
Question #4
Submitted (once again) by Segev
Do I see her betraying her father sometime in the future?
Rangi's Answer!
Thanks for letting me pick on you without your permission, Segev! You do ask a lot of questions, though most were probably meant to be rhetorical questions. But hey, it gave me some material, and I've been feeling neglected so I really did deserve another segment, don't you think?
Kira: Rangi, quit talking about yourself and get on with it! Or I'll replace you with another Guardian Beast!
Rangi: (blink blink) How many Guardian Beasts are actually out there?
Kira: RANGI!!!
Rangi: Okay okay! Sorry! Anyway.... yeah. Betrayal. Um... that would be exciting, wouldn't it? Yeah. You actually can see into the future?! That's so totally cool! You don't take Divination from Professor Trelawny though, do you, Segev? I mean really, you wouldn't know how to do that at all if you did.
Kira: (hooks Rangi around the neck with a cane and pulls him off stage, replacing him with Tu)
Tu: (blinks into the bright lights) Uh........
Kira: Tu. Say something intelligent already.
Tu: Uh.........
Kira: (gives Rangi his job back) Don't screw up again!
Rangi: Teehee.... okay... next question.
Question #5:
Submitted by (gasp!) Segev
What is Persephone's little hang-up about letting Harry die?
Rangi's Answer!
As you pointed out earlier, she might not be such a bad girl after all. Maybe Mr. Potter is exactly what she needs to be pulled back into reality... or FicWorld.... or whatever... Or maybe it'll all end up completely different! It's a secret!
Kira: Don't think for a second that he has any idea what he's talking about, because he doesn't.
Rangi: Hm... well... Next question then...
Question #6:
Submitted by Slytherin Goddess (wow, it's not Segev!)
Is the DADA/Incantations professor (Everest) a baddie... or a cardcaptor helper... or something.... or a card herself...?
Rangi's Answer!
Insightful, aren't you? What exactly is Professor Everest, you ask... well... (turns around to make sure Kira's not listening) I'll let you in on a secret. She's really an alien from outer space... uh... yeah! From the planet of... uh... uh.... Ni! She is one of a race of aliens called The Aliens Who Say Ni!
Kira: RANGI! That's it! You're fired from this segment!
Rangi: But...! But...!
Kira: Maybe next time, but for now... (yanks him off the stage and replaces him with a little rat with nervous twitchy whiskers) (coos at her little rat) Here you go, Peter... now you get to run the show! My cute little pet Deatheater. ^__^
Peter: (blinkblink) Uh... yeah... right... whatever.... (nervous little squeaky voice) Anyway... um... next question....
Question #7:
Submitted by Segev
Does Harry have a life away from Pandora?
Peter's... answer... yeah...
Well.... Let's see.... (twitches whiskers) I'm supposed to tell you that yes he does, and that hopefully it's becoming more apparent. But, just to let you know, if my colleagues and I are successful soon, you will have no need to worry about Harry's life anymore at all!
Question #8:
Submitted by Sorceress Jade
Why was the tunnel (that led to the Hogwarts Card Book) under the Dursleys' house?
Peter's answer:
Besides the sake of convenience, if you think about it, when they were originally trying to get rid of the book hundreds of years ago, there probably weren't any houses there at all, so they made a random tunnel and hid the thing there. It's just luck or fate or whatever as always that just happened to make that house that was built end up being the home of dear wonderful little Harry Potter. Too bad they just couldn't bury him down there too....
Kira: Peter, Sweetie... that's the second time you've said something mean about Harry. Now, if you do it one more time, I might just have to get rid of you.
Peter: (gulp!) Yes, ma'am.
Question #8:
Submitted by Talfryn Calhoun
What's up with Persephone? (after the little I love you incident)
Peter's answer:
................................You know.................I don't know..........But somehow or another it will probably end up being my fault when Master finds out, and then what?! (rips up little piece of paper with question on it and eats the pieces while he shouts) DIE POTTER DIE!!!!
Kira: (releases Cynders the cat from random bag and watches as Peter is slurped into the kitty's mouth to be brought back to life at a later date when and if he is needed for another episode) Alright, Rangi. One more chance....
Rangi: Oh thank you, thank you, Miss Ashkelon! I won't let you down this time! And now, for our last question! Drum roll, please!
(insert sound of crickets chirping here)
Rangi: Okay... Fine... Don't...
Question #10:
Submitted by Sorceress Jade (who is not Segev cross-dressing, I checked)
Wasn't Herm suspicious of 'Ron's' sudden wise cracks that we all know Draco was spitting out?
Rangi's Answer!
You asked this after a desire to have seen more of how each character was while they were switched. Yes, you are probably very correct, but it's possible that Hermione didn't talk much with them anyway since it was previously mentioned in that episode that they hadn't been talking much ever since she and Ron had gotten into a little argument about a letter from Victor Krum. And if Hermione wasn't talking to Draco, I'm sure he wasn't complaining very much. Harry was bad enough. As far as your other desire to see the Ron/Pansy relationship progress, Miss Ashkelon was already there, just not in that particular episode. ~_^ Hope you enjoyed it!
That's it for this segment of Leave it to Rangi! Please, everyone ask a lot of questions so that we can continue these little discussions, because it's the only airtime I get! ^_^;;
If you have any questions you can leave them in the review or email Miss Ashkelon with them at:
SailorXenex@diaryland.com
Come again!
((Please excuse me if the last half of the episode on through the Leave it to Rangi segment seemed a little... strange. You see, I just started four different medications tonight for sinuses and I'm a little... floaty... or something... Cursed Med-Head. It might also have something to do with it being after midnight and something of this stuff is supposed to make me drowsy... so... I think it's time to call it a night! ^_^;; ))