Cardcaptor Pandora
Episode XXII
Is There a Doctor in the House?
Ron headed down to the dungeons as soon as he had finished his dinner, his usual nightly routine ever since Lauren had gotten over her illness a month before. His heart still felt somewhat fluttery as he neared his room, if she truly was even that. With someone like her, one really can't tell. His heart also might have been aflutter with fear. Pansy loved to get him in the most uncomfortably situations, and just when he was least expecting it, she'd take a little bite out of him. If he had to be honest, he rather liked it, but it did scare him. He couldn't help but wonder if one of these nights she might lose control, and then there would be no more Ron Weasley.
But he had a special surprise for her this evening, two to be exact. One she would really be happy about, and the other... he wasn't so sure, but it would be for her own good, and his own.
Cynders, Pansy's black cat, squirmed in his arms and growled a low kitty-growl. Cynders, behave yourself! I'm just taking you to Pansy!
The cat settled down, as if understanding what he had said, but still didn't seem very pleased whatsoever to be carried by this annoying redheaded stranger. She rubbed her head against Ron's shoulder, polishing a beautiful purple gem that she had acquired at some point in her adventures outside. Ron figured she'd always had it, because he'd never really seen Pansy's cat. He just knew by the name on her collar that it was the right one.
He knocked the secret knock on Pansy's door when he got there, shifting Cynders to one arm and making her even more irritable. Come in, Ron, came Pansy's weak voice from inside.
He walked in with Cynders, and as soon as Pansy saw her cat, her paler than usual face lit up and seemed to have a bit of color to it for a moment as she jumped off of her bed, hurried over, and scooped Cynders into her arms. Cynders! My sweet kitty! You poor thing, out there all alone in the world, having to be rescued by Ron Weasley... What in the world do you have on your head?!
You mean she didn't have that before?
Pansy didn't answer Ron, she was too busy staring at her kitty's new decoration.
Ron smiled. Well, it's good to see you happy, even if it did only last for a second.
Pansy looked up at him and grinned, holding Cynders in her arms. I'm happy, I have Cynders back! Where did you find her?
She was just wandering about the castle. She seemed to be following these three new girls around, you won't know them. Their names are Anna, Beth, and Carolyn.
They must have been feeding my precious kitty-witty! Pansy baby-talked Cynders, who responded with a loud rumbling purr.
Ron rolled his eyes. I'll never understand females and cats.... Anyway, I have something else to tell you about. It's rather important, because it could really help you.
Yeah... You know how my dad works with the Ministry of Magic?
She nodded, still looking baffled.
Well, he knows this one doctor lady who specializes in helping and treating as much as she can non-humans, especially ones who weren't born non-humans, such as yourself. In fact, I think she actually is a vampire herself. But a lot of people go see her, and I hear she's very good, and-
You're saying that you think I need to see a shrink. -_-
Not necessarily! I just think that she might have something that could help you maybe! So... she's going to be here tomorrow...
You already asked her to come?!
Pansy, calm down! Really! It's not that bad. There's some other strange things going on too, like some of the students are getting sick all of a sudden, even some professors, and Madam Pomfrey can't tell what it is, nor can she treat it. So it's not like she's here just for you, but she is if you... well... decide to go see her... which I really wish you would.
She sighed and looked down into Cynders' big green eyes while she rubbed her underneath her chin. She could swear that she felt the blood pulsing in Cynders' neck.... You really think she could help me, as in physically as well as mentally?
I do.
She grinned and said, Well, if that's really what you want. I honestly thought you rather enjoyed our little sessions. ~_^
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Welcome to Hogwarts, Dr. McKarrick, though I know you've been here before, greeted Professor Everest, escorting the well-known doctor-genius who looked to be in her mid-twenties to her quarters.
McKarrick sighed with a tired smile which revealed to small pointed teeth. Yes, it was quite a while ago though. I am very sorry to hear about your professors falling ill...
So are we. It's very mysterious, which usually leads to something evil around here.
McKarrick shivered slightly as followed Everest down the many stairs leading to the dungeons. Deatheaters, likely?
That's what we're most afraid of. Which means you probably have to work fast.
You don't feel ill yourself, do you?
No, not at all! she answered happily. I do hope this room will work. You requested a room with no windows and the most promising ones are in the dungeon, but they are also the rooms that tend to be neglected as far as cleaning goes. One was fixed up though, I hope to your liking.
McKarrick opened her mouth to say something along the lines of I'm sure it will be perfect, but suddenly tripped on a jagged stone and fell, sending her bag flying against the wall and scattering a few of its contents onto the floor.
Dr. McKarrick! Are you alright? Everest cried, quickly helping her back to her feet.
She grinned and shook her head. Yes... I'm sorry. I was just thinking... and sometimes that takes so much effort, one forgets to pay attention to where one is going.
Everest laughed and quickly began to gather everything and put it back in the bag. Nothing seems to have been hurt. At least this kit of supplies seems to be in order, she observed, opening the lid while kneeling on the ground, her back to McKarrick. Her arms moved as if she were looking through everything.
McKarrick walked over to her, and she quickly shut the kit and put it back in the bag, then handed it back to the doctor. Thank you for helping me with that, McKarrick said, then they continued down to the dungeons.
Everest opened the door when they arrived into a very nicely set sort of apartment, with even a large room connected that McKarrick could use to put patients in. It's perfect, Professor Everest. Thank you very much.
Thank you for making the trip out here. I know it's late, and since no one seems to be anywhere close to death beyond a nagging headache that magic should cure but won't, I think it would be fine if you rested for this evening. We'll send people down in the morning.
That is fine. Thank you again, Professor, and good night.
Tyrie McKarrick sighed deeply as she sat down in the dark, lonely room. Evening wasn't exactly her usual resting time, but neither was morning or afternoon. Vampires didn't need sleep, and someone like Professor Everest, who now taught Defense Against the Dark Arts among other things, should know that very well. So she had to assume that she knew the other reason why she was here.
She pulled out of her travelbag a map that Mr. Weasley's son had sent to show her where to find Pansy. She wasn't too far off, but there were a few little tricks to finding the exact spot. She left immediately, taking nothing with her but what looked like a bottle of lotion and a large closed mug that people usually use to keep warm drinks from getting cold until they're ready for them.
Once she found it, she knocked just as Ron had told her to in his note. She couldn't help but smile at that detail. Children were so cute that way, with their secret messages and such. Shame she would never have any of her own.
A boy opened the door, whom she knew had to be a Weasley. You must be Dr. McKarrick! he said enthusiastically, still standing in the doorway and not quite letting her in. He leaned closer to her and whispered, If she doesn't seem very friendly, I apologize. It took some persuading to get her to see you in the first place.
McKarrick smiled openly and nodded saying, I completely understand. Thank you for showing such concern for a friend of yours, though I'm afraid it would probably be best if you left us alone.
Ron's shoulders drooped. But... she might not want to talk to you all by herself! he said as a pathetic excuse.
She smiled, her dark eyes twinkling, and said, Sometimes it is easier for people to talk more freely when there is no one around that they really know, because they don't have to worry about secrets getting out or of being embarrassed about what they say.
He sighed and grumbled something to the effect of he understood what she was saying, but he still wasn't happy about leaving when he actually did.
Dr. McKarrick walked in alone and saw Pansy on the bed, holding her knees up to her chest. She looked incredibly pale and frail. It was obvious that she hadn't had a decent bite in quite a while. Hello, Miss Parkinson. I am Dr. McKarrick, she greeted, holding out a hand.
Pansy regarded her suspiciously for a moment, but finally accepted it and shook her hand. I don't want to talk about anything. Ron said that you might have something that will make me feel better, and that's all I want. I don't need to talk.
McKarrick smiled again. May I sit down next to you? She did so when Pansy nodded, then brought the two things she had carried with her onto her lap. You know, we're practically neighbors, you and I! My quarters aren't too far from here.
That's because dungeons are nice and dim, and far away from the sun.
Exactly, but do you miss the sunrise?
Pansy glanced at the doctor, not saying a word through her lips but giving her a look that admitted all. It's been a long time... I don't really think about them anymore. I mean, I still see them sometimes, if I'm willing to wear this hideous black cloak that even has to go over my face. It's hard to see the sunrise all that well through it... I just try not to think about it anymore.
You don't have to worry about the sun anymore, though it will probably still be uncomfortable to look at, especially around noon. But this will protect you from the sun. She held up the bottle that looked like it contained lotion, which she quickly explained that it did. This lotion, once you rub it on, is effective for twenty-four hours. Nothing can take it off of you, not water or anything, until it wears off on its own. It will protect you from the sun.
Pansy took it from her timidly. You mean... I could walk out in the sun wearing a normal robe if I wanted to?
You could walk in the sun in your underwear as long as you've got this on, McKarrick answered with a wink. And now... something else. I don't know what you'll say to this, some vampires love it and others hate it, but it really is the best option, and the most legal. She held up the thermos and unscrewed the lid, then handed it to Pansy.
Pansy sniffed what was inside, then closed her eyes and held it away. It smells like blood... but that would have to be dead blood, and that's not good at all...
Well... it is blood... in a way. It's a synthetic blood, and it works just the same for vampires as the real stuff, granted it's not nearly as satisfactory for some of the other instincts that come about with vampirism, but... at least you won't starve.
Pansy peered into the thermos distrustingly, but finally put her lips to it and drank some... and then a little more... then chugged the rest.
McKarrick smiled. See, it's not that bad, at least when viewed next to starvation.
Pansy nodded, but couldn't help but think that Ron tasted better. So how do I get more of this stuff, and the lotion?
I send you enough blood for six weeks, as long as you drink the right amount daily. As for the lotion, I'll give you one more and whenever you have to start on it, send me an owl and I'll get you more.
Pansy thanked the good doctor, and then she left to go back to her quarters.
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The patients started in early the next day. Many students and professors were complaining of a headache and a rash on their backs. She trusted that Madam Pomfrey had already tried the usual charms and spells to make such symptoms go away, but Dr. McKarrick had something that Pomfrey didn't have, something that she didn't really know she had either. She had found it in her medical kit that morning, a small bracelet, made from a golden chain. It really was a pretty little thing, but McKarrick couldn't imagine how it got there. Nevertheless, she put it on, and the patients started coming.
Another symptom seemed to begin with the people who had first gotten it. They were incredibly thirsty. Most carried water with them, but one little first year ran out, not knowing how to charm her jug to carry more than it looked like it could. Don't worry, dear, I'll get you a glass of water, said the Dr. McKarrick, wanting to get out of the room which seemed to be growing ever more crowded. And she didn't have the first idea on how to fix it. But she got the little girl some water, which she promptly drank down.
the girl exclaimed. My headache went away!
McKarrick stared at her, a little confused. Was it something about water that helped the headache...? But no, because a lot of people were drinking water and they were still suffering. May I look at your back?
The little girl nodded, and sure enough, the rash had disappeared.
I... think I need a glass of water... Dr. McKarrick said shakily to the patients and walked back to where she had gotten a drink for the little girl. The water tasted like water. It looked like water. It felt like water. But it was water, for crying out loud!! Water has no real healing values.... But whatever, if it would cure her patients, then she wasn't going to complain.
Soon every person in the room had had a sip of McKarrick's Miracle Water, and were saved, hallelujah! Not long afterwards the room was completely empty, and McKarrick stood there staring at the door like everything that had happened had just been a dream. A very freakish dream.
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Later that evening while Dr. McKarrick sat in her study area reading a book, a knock sounded from the door. A girl of about fifteen walked in, with beautiful long silvery-blonde hair and very fair skin. She was also carrying a strange looking staff. Good evening, Dr. McKarrick, the girl said politely. My name is Pandora.
Hello, Pandora. Is there anything I can do for you?
Nothing really, Pandora answered, raising the staff higher and moving it in a circle. Just relax... and Sleep....
When she woke up she didn't remember the incident with the girl at all. All she could think about was how strange it was for her to fall asleep like that. She never slept anymore. That's when she noticed that her bracelet was missing.
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Did you get it? Harry asked when Pandora walked back into the Common Room.
She smiled and held it up after making sure no one else was around. It was a Ravenclaw Card, the Heal Card. It was in the bracelet. I guess it's good that she had it though, or everyone might still be sick. It always amazes me how these cards can be so much trouble, and then every now and again there's one that actually does something right.
Harry watched as she put the card away, then looked at the clock and said with a sigh, Don't tell me we're going to have to go get Ron again... Does he have no sense of time?
Not when he's with Pansy.
Harry shuddered. Pandora laughed at him.
Just then the door opened, and in staggered a very happy looking redhead. Good evening, dear friends! How goes life?
Ron... your hair is messed up more than mine, and that's really saying something, Harry grumbled.
Oh is it? he said casually, turning a light shade of pink as he ran a hand nervously through his hair, only making it worse.
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((I don't know if I've provided a link yet to this picture of Vampire Pansy and Cynders, but here it is anyway:
http://sailorxenex.diaryland.com/images/pansyvamp.jpg
My friend actually drew this for another fic I wrote where Pansy is a vampire, so Cynders doesn't have the purple gem on her head, so just pretend it's there.
I also have another link for you to another of my fics that's all about Dr. McKarrick if you're interested. No one's reviewed it yet and I would love for someone to read it:
http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=440589
Anyway, I have tacked on another random straying story from Pandora in my CLAMPish delerium, and I thought I'd put the first part here and see what you think of it. It's supposed to just be humorous, don't try to look too far into it. It's based off of Magic Knight Rayearth, just renaming the characters: Hikaru=Carolyn, Umi=Beth, and Fuu=Anna. These characters may be used in CCP, but if you don't really feel like reading this randomness, you won't miss anything. But if you want, you can tell me what you think and if you want me to make more random segments of it! Otherwise, I might just put it up as another story entirely, which I may do anyway, I dunno yet. It was written in a nice script-form on my computer, but html-ing it might make it look weird, so I apologize ahead of time if it does. Basically the stuff in italics and in parenthesis are actions and descriptions. Buh-bye!
PS- This incredibly random non-plot was conceived by a friend and me rather late at night when we were both in a delerious state of mind after watching about three hours of Magic Knight Rayearth and everything suddenly was funny. So now that you know where it's coming from... I do hope you enjoy! ^_^;; ))
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The Magic Knights
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WARNING!
Written Under the Influence of Cheesecake and TheraFlu
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Three: Aaaaaaaaah!
The three girls sit up after landing rather roughly on a hard stone floor in a dark room
Carolyn: (nervously, trying to see through the darkness) Bethy? Anna?
Anna: (wearily) We're here, Miss Carolyn.
Bethy: (whining) Where did the big scary monster go?
Anna: We appear to be in a dark room away from the big scary monster, Miss Bethy.
Bethy: (frustrated) Good job, Anne! Now can you for once say something that's not completely obvious?!
Anna: Um... There appears to be no one else around...? ^_^;;
Bethy: .....................
hears something drop to the ground
Ohmigosh! Someone's here!
Three: They look nervously into the darkness. Their eyes are finally adjusting and they see that they are in something similar to a small apartment with elegant decor. On the ground ahead of them, they see two green eyes glistening in the dim light of a window.
Bethy: Not another monster....
The small creature steps entirely into the light from the window, revealing itself to be a grey tabby cat.
Carolyn: (eyes turn into little hearts as she gasps happily) KITTY!!! (glomps the Cat)
Cat: (fur stands on end, but doesn't escape quickly enough and is glomped)
Bethy: Thank goodness! I thought it was going to be something with drool--or worse--dripping off its big sharp scary fangs! But that pathetic cat doesn't look like it could hurt a fly!
Carolyn: (is bitten and clawed) OUCH!
Cat: (hops off and scurries into a corner to regain her composure)
Anna: (smiling) How strange that you should receive that bite just after Miss Bethy made that comment. It is as if the cat wanted to prove you wrong.
Carolyn: (looks deeply offended as she crawls over to the Cat who is now making faces as if she is concentrating) I'm sorry that Bethy made that mean comment, Kitty. Are you alright?
Cat: (suddenly transfigures into Professor McGonagall)
Three: (stare in disbelief)
McGonagall: What are you three students doing out of bed, and in my quarters, no less?
Carolyn: Students?
Bethy: We're not...
Anna: ...students.
Carolyn: Can you please...
Bethy: ...tell us where...
Anna: ...we might be?
McGonagall: (impatiently) Wait wait wait! Stop talking like that this instant! It's three o'clock in the morning and I can't handle it...
Three: (Blink. Blink blink.)
McGonagall: As for the other question, you know very well where you are or you wouldn't be here. You're at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.
Carolyn: I didn't know they had a magic school here in Orifec...
McGonagall: Orifec? Where's Orifec?
Bethy: You mean we're not in Orifec anymore?
McGonagall: No, of course not! I have no idea what in the world you're talking about!
Anna: Then would you please tell us where we are, besides being at this school?
McGonagall: You're in Great Britain, of course.
Bethy: (grabs McGonagall's arm excitedly) You mean we're back on Earth?!
McGonagall: (looks at her like she has a screw loose) Yes, of course you're on Earth! Where else would you be?
Three: (rejoice happily)
McGonagall: (sighs) I don't know if you are telling me the truth or not, but in any case I don't recognize you, but you must have magic to be here in the first place, so I guess I should get the three of you sorted... in the morning. For now, find a nice spot on the ground and sleep. Good night.
(Lights out)