This isn't my best chapter, seeing as how I don't write death, dying, and war very well, but it's all right. Please read the next chapter before you decide to flame me. You're going to hate me for the character death, but I promise I have a plan. Lyrics are from the Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron soundtrack. R&R! :)
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Belinda: "Ay, but you know we must return good for evil."
Lady Brute: "That may be a mistake in the translation."
-John Vanbrugh
As soon as the two armies clashed Sakura teleported away to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. She settled herself into the crook of a branch as quickly as possible, making sure that nothing would get in the way of her arrows' flight, nor the draw.
She deftly nocked an arrow and secured herself before aiming for the nearest Dementor and letting it fly. It struck the specter squarely in the back and it let out a shriek of pain as the robes collapsed.
A quick scan of the field told her that there were about 18 Dementors left and only 11 of her specially prepared arrows remained. A Patronus would drive them off once she had cut down their numbers, Sakura decided. There were plenty of wizards who could do it. Hopefully the overwhelming fear of the battlefield wouldn't stop their army.
Dementors. Little Demons. Not little in size, but in power. Those idiots in the Ministry had no idea what sort of creature they were dealing with.
In moments her arrows were spent, only one missing its mark when the wind blew a small branch in the way. It hit an enemy Red Cap instead, which Sakura thought was rather lucky.
Got to fight another fight
I gotta run another night
Get it out
Check it out
I'm on my way and it don't feel right
The moment she stepped onto the battle field wet with blood, sword drawn, she felt her insides clench and feared she would be sick.
No, she thought fiercely. The moment I show weakness they'll swarm me. She took a deep breath and found her center of calm. Then she charged into the chaos of moving bodies, more concerned with protecting the volunteers than with killing the opposing army outright.
Again and again she thrust and parried, using the Shield often for herself or others. She rarely saw Eriol and Syaoran, and the guardians had taken to the air.
~*~
I gotta get me back
I can't be beat and that's a fact
It's OK
I'll find a way
The moment Harry disappeared Hermione and Ron jumped back with muffled yells.
"He gave me the Invisibility Cloak before he left with Professor Kinomoto," Ron was saying anxiously as Hermione waved her hands in the empty air where Harry had been sitting.
"Where is it?" she asked, turning to him abruptly.
He motioned to a bulge in his robes where he had been keeping his arms crossed.
Hermione glanced around, and seeing no one watching them, she muttered, "Give it here."
"Hermione, you're scaring me again," said Ron as he extricated the Cloak.
She ignored him and had him crouch down until they were partially hidden before flinging the Invisibility Cloak over the two of them.
Draco was going to kill them when he found out, but he was on the other side of the Great Hall and Hermione felt that they needed to go quickly.
They made their way around the edge of the Great Hall silently, almost tripping over several people who were ignorant to their progress.
The two of them barely managed to slip past Professor Sinistra and Professor Sprout, both of whom were guarding the main doors. Relieved and sure they were safe from detection, the two made their way to the entrance hall.
~*~
Minerva was carefully watching the mirrors and checking the Marauder's Map every once in a while.
Clever invention, that, she thought absently as she glanced at it, before narrowing her eyes as she saw two dots leave the Great Hall. They were labeled Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley.
With a scowl she got up and quickly hurried to the entrance hall, map in hands. When it appeared empty she was extremely perplexed and checked the map again. It showed that they were to the right of the doors, but she could see no one.
"Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger," she said sternly, feeling slightly ridiculous, but refusing to show it.
"How did - " came a muttered voice, and then a muffled "oof!" It sounded as though Hermione had tried to keep Ron quiet with her elbow.
"Thanks a lot, Ron," hissed Hermione under her breath as she removed the Invisibility Cloak.
"Er, hello Professor," greeted Ron, looking redder than usual.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Professor McGonagall. "And where did you get that Invisibility Cloak?"
"It's Harry's," replied Ron. Both students wore extremely guilty expressions.
"You haven't answered my first question."
"We...well...Harry vanished and we wanted to find him and make sure he was all right, so....Is that Harry's map?" said Hermione. "Where is he?"
You ain't gonna take me down no way
"Mister Potter is currently outside battling the Dark Lord." Her mouth was extremely thin at this, which didn't mask her worried expression.
Hermione and Ron gasped. "But how did he get out there? And why?"
Professor McGonagall examined them for a moment before sighing and gesturing for them to follow her before leading them into the room she was using to watch the fighting.
Hermione and Ron looked curiously at the small, cloudy crystal ball and two mirrors which had cleared themselves of whatever images they had held.
"Harry Potter," said their Head of House clearly, and tapped one of the mirrors with her wand. Immediately an image appeared and Ron and Hermione gathered around to look.
"They're trapped," said Hermione in a panicky voice. "Harry's going to get burnt, he doesn't how to make the flames harmless."
But Professor McGonagall was shaking her head. "He won't. Sakura Kinomoto made sure of that when she summoned the flames to keep out any who would try to help them."
"But why?" asked Ron, face pale, as Hermione wrung her hands.
Don't judge a thing until you know what's inside it
Dont push me
I'll fight it
"She said it was to keep anyone from helping," replied their professor grimly.
"But why?!" echoed Hermione. "She's on our side, isn't she? I tried to look up more on sorcerers but all of the books with that kind of information disappeared from the library."
"Well, they did do things properly, didn't they?" Minerva murmured to herself. Then she sighed. "I suppose you can know now, since everyone out there," she gestured at the mirrors, "just found out. She's the Cardmistress, Saoran Li and Meiling Li are members of the Li clan in China, Eriol Hiiragizawa and Sakura's father, Fujitaka Kinomoto, are both half reincarnations of Clow Reed, Yue and Keroberos are the original guardians of the former Clow, now Sakura cards, Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun are new guardians Professor Hiiragizawa created...what else...Tomoyo Daidouji is daughter of Sonomi Daidouji, owner of one of the largest Muggle toy companies in the world. As to your original question," she continued, fighting to keep a straight face as her two students stared at her, agape, "she said it was the only way to defeat You-Know-Who."
She stiffened suddenly as she glanced at the map and tapped the crystal rather harder than necessary. It immediately cleared, looking more like glass than crystal. "A group of dementors and trolls are circling around to the back of the school," she said tersely.
The two fifth years jumped when Syaoran Li's voice spoke through the crystal. "Right. We weren't counting on dementors and it'll be a while before Tonks' group can get there. The shield," there was a bloodcurdling scream that almost drowned out his words, "should let through Patronuses. If there are any people at all who can do one, gather them at the edge of the shield and have them cast the spell."
The three in the room looked paler than usual. Metal clashing against metal and flesh was heard clearly as were incantations and screams.
Syaoran swore violently. "One of the Aurors is down. I've just sent him to the Hospital Wing. Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun are patrolling and sending the wounded there. You might want to find help for Poppy among the students and professors."
The ball grew cloudy once more as Syaoran ended their communication.
Never gonna give in
Never gonna give it up no
"You two find students who are willing to help in the Hospital Wing. I'm counting on you to send only those who won't be a bother, and who will follow instructions," ordered McGonagall.
The two practically sprinted out of the room, faces grim, as Minerva followed on their heels. When a quick glance around the room did not show her the man she was looking for, she beckoned Hannah Hooch over.
"Where's Severus?" she demanded as soon as the woman joined her.
"I haven't seen him," Hannah replied.
"Then you make the announcement. Find anyone who can make a Patronus and have them gather with me here. Dementors are coming at the back of the school and we need to drive them off. Trolls are with them, but the shield should keep them out until a group arrives to deal with them. While we're gone reassure the rest of the students and the staff. You might as well tell them about Sakura and their group since everyone outside knows. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are recruiting students to help in the Hospital Wing. Make sure they can get down there without being challenged."
Hannah nodded and made her way to the High Table.
"Sonorus," she murmured. "Attention." Her voice boomed throughout the hall and the nervous chatting stopped immediately. "Will all who can conjure a Patronus please gather to Professor McGonagall by the main doors."
Minerva was surprised at the number of people who could do it, though the group was relatively small. Four seventh years and Professors Flitwick and Vector joined her.
"Follow me," she told them as Hannah continued on to reassure the school and led them to the back of the school, wands drawn.
"A group of dementors and trolls are coming," she informed them. "Wizards are coming to battle the trolls, so it's our job to get rid of the dementors."
You can't take me I'm free
As she spoke the coldness familiar to the presence of dementors descended upon the group. The dementors soon came into view and the shield around the school trembled as Tomoyo, who was closest, felt the effects of their presence.
"Expecto Patronum!"
It was as if the trembling of the shield was a signal, for the seven of them cried it out as one.
Four silvery whisps appeared on the other side of the shield, each vaguely resembling an animal, not quite corporeal, led by a hawk, a wolf, and a lioness.
The dementors hesitated as the Patronuses charged and then glided quickly back into the forest. Several were sent tumbling by the corporeal Patronuses before they disappeared.
Why did it all go wrong?
I wanna know what's goin' on
Minerva leaned heavily against the walls of Hogwarts as two students near collapsed. She always forgot how exhausting producing a Patronus was.
The trolls stared around stupidly, perhaps confused by the retreat of the dementors. Of course, almost anything confused them, so it was difficult to tell.
"Well done," praised Minerva as the students watched the trolls nervously, not quite trusting the shield before they saw it work. "We should go inside now."
"Have you seen Severus?" she asked her two colleagues quietly as they trooped inside.
"I don't believe I've seen him since the students were told to stay in the Great Hall," replied Professor Flitwick thoughtfully.
"I haven't either," said Professor Vector.
Minerva frowned, concerned. She would have to check the Marauder's Map once she reached the Scrying Room, as she called it.
~*~
And what's this holding me?
I'm not where I'm supposed to be
"Hello Potter. It's been a while." Voldemort was grinning at him cruelly, wand held carelessly in his hand.
Harry was clutching his, mind racing.
"No one to save you now, and your pathetic Mudblood mother's sacrifice is useless."
Harry felt his blood boiling and moved before thinking.
"Expelliarmus!"
It hit a Shield Charm as Voldemort's grin widened. "Doesn't that spell get boring, Potter? Try something new. Like Crucio!"
Harry managed to set up a shield at the last second, one that Sakura had taught him as he dreamt. It conserved energy by using only the amount of power needed to counteract the spell.
I gotta fight another fight
I gotta fight with all my might
I'm getting out, so check it out
Voldemort's grin vanished when his curse disappeared. He fixed his gaze on Harry, red eyes boring into green. "You've stood in my way too long and now your luck has run out. No one will rescue you. You'll die by my wand."
Unaware of what he was doing, Harry took one step forward, and then another. The only thing he could see were those glowing red eyes. They filled his vision and his mind.
A tiny voice in the back of his mind was whispering. "Fightfightfighfight."
His eyes were watering and with tremendous effort he blinked. The connection was broken and as soon as Voldemort realized this he shouted, "Diffindo!"
Harry barely managed to dive to the side in time. He felt the passage of the Cutting Curse bare centimeters above his head.
The true battle was on and Harry threw every hex, jinx, and curse he knew, as well as the concentrated beam of power that grazed Voldemort's side drawing blood. Harry was drenched in sweat and his cuts were bleeding heavily. He was often forced to put up the shield Sakura had taught him when Voldemort sent a particularly powerful spell in his direction. His determination never wavered, but Voldemort seemed to have the upper hand and was keeping it. Several times he was thrown back by blasts that just barely missed him. One curse he was unfamiliar with caught him in the chest and at least three ribs felt broken.
He grew desperate as his vision darkened. The pain was almost overwhelming.
~*~
Sakura fought in the mass of bodies, shooting spell after spell, blocking what came her way with Shield and sword, trying to ignore the sickening feeling of her blade sliding through flesh and bone.
Ya
You're in my way
So you better watch out
She tried as hard as she could to defend those on her side, but too often she was engaged in combat while one of their wizards or witches fell.
Mundungus Fletcher - beheaded.
Percy Weasley - dead from blood loss when his leg was severed and back cut open with a Severing Charm. That one especially wrenched Sakura's heart. She had grown extremely fond of the Weasley family.
Malorie Finnigan and Janet Foster - died defending Remus Lupin, who had been down with both legs broken. Ruby Moon had transported the former professor to the Hosital Wing right after, lamenting that she couldn't have gotten there in time to keep the two witches alive.
Aaron Zimmer - tortured to death before Moody was able to reach him.
The list seemed to go on and on, and for all she knew, many more could have died from their injuries in the Hospital Wing.
Twice as determined, she ignored the soreness in her arm and her ragged breathing as she pushed on.
Once she found herself fighting back-to-back with Severus Snape.
"I told you to stay in the school!" she shouted, an attacker's spell ricocheting off of her blade.
"I will not stand by watching while a battle takes place around me," he replied grimly, parrying an Death Eater's sword.
I didn't know he knew how to use a sword, she remembered thinking as the circle of enemies closed in.
"We have to get out of here! It's a death trap!" he'd exclaimed, jabbing at a man fiercely.
Sakura had come to the same conclusion.
"Cover me!" she shouted back and then held Alleivuyae over her shoulder, soldier style, trusting Severus to fend the enemy off for a little while.
She flicked the sword out in front of her, parallel to the ground and wizards were blasted away by an invisible force, so that a path was made in front of her.
"Come on!" she shouted and pulled him behind her to more open ground. They were soon separated.
Not long after Sakura found herself fighting in the same area as Dumbledore and Eriol. She was glad to see familiar faces before being immediately beset upon by werewolves in man-form with exceptional strength (thank God it wasn't the full moon or they'd have much more trouble on their hands), Death Eaters, and even a vampire. They closed in on her, so that when she glanced up to see that two battling giants were causing the ground to shake, she acquired several more cuts and was almost overwhelmed by a well-timed spell.
She almost panicked when she saw Albus Dumbledore fall. the crowd she was trying to fight through was much too large and she felt her eyes fill with tears at the thought of this wizard dying.
"ERIOL!" she screamed, voice raw, as she blasted several of the enemy out of her way, only to have them replaced by more.
Eriol turned and saw Dumbledore about to die upon the blade of a Death Eater and immediately pointed his staff at the fallen wizard, as people hastily scrambled out of the way, thinking he was about to kill them.
Sakura was so relieved that Albus had been protected she almost let her guard down, and a cut on the cheek reminded her that there was much more work to do yet.
She returned grimly to the battle.
~*~
"Albus Dumbledore," said Minerva McGonagall clearly, tapping the mirror on the left. Satisfied that he was all right she turned to the mirror on the right.
"Tonks." She nodded her head at the image that appeared. Apparently the trolls had not been too much trouble, though she could see a few of the volunteers limping away as they followed Tonks to join the fray once more.
"Severus Snape," she said next, and cursed under her breath. It appeared he had managed to join the army before the shield had been set up. The fool. He would be one of the most sought after for being a traitor.
"Syaoran Li." His robes were torn and bloodied, but it appeared that most of it was not his blood.
"Eriol Hiiragizawa." He was in much the same condition Syaoran was. He was near Sakura and Albus while Syaoran had somehow been relocated to the other end of the battlefield.
Minerva was about to check on Sakura when she happened to glance at the mirror that showed Dumbledore just in time to see him blasted by an unfamiliar spell and thrown to the ground, blood soaking his robes and pooling around his body. She let out a small shriek and watched, horrified, as the unknown Death Eater raised his sword, evidently gloating, and bring it down to deliver the killing stroke - but it sliced through the earth and not a body. Albus Dumbledore had disappeared and in the moment the Death Eater hesitated, confused, Eriol blasted a hole through his chest, everything about the teen radiating fury.
Totally ignoring the mirrors she frantically searched the map for the Headmaster. Finding him in the Hospital Wing - relief made her legs weak for a moment - she snatched the crystal ball communicator and practically sprinted there, snapping out Hannah's name and telling her to take over watching in the room and, for goodness' sake, don't forget to cast another Speaking Spell.
Minerva burst into the room in time to see Kazemusuko breath lightly upon Dumbledore and a white mist flowed out over him and sank into his body, closing his open wounds. She could tell that the dragon had done this several times before. Hermione and Ron were watching worriedly as Poppy busied herself with another patient covered in blood with Draco to assist her. He turned out to have a surprising talent for healing.
Kazemusuko had apparently decided to take over this healing.
"How is he?" she asked her two Gryffindors quietly.
"Kaze says he should be coming around soon," whispered Hermione.
"Kaze?" asked Minerva, raising an eyebrow at the dragon.
He gave a disdainful snort. "You occidentals are forever making a mess of Japanese names, especially when in a hurry."
She could have sworn his scales took on a very light shade of pink, and suppressed a grin.
At that moment Dumbledore stirred and muttered something unintelligible.
Ron and Hermione exchanged grins before scurrying off to follow Madam Pomfrey's orders when she called for them sharply. Another patient had just arrived in terrible condition. If they didn't work quickly the patient's arm would be lost.
Minerva turned her attention back to Albus, who had just opened his eyes.
"Minerva?" he murmured bemusedly and sat up stiffly.
"Lay down," she said irritably. "You almost died."
He refused and could be just as stubborn as she was.
"I'm needed on the field," he said and struggled to stand.
Minerva looked around for Poppy and saw her washing blood from her hands, her patient in a fitful slumber. "Poppy," she called and the nurse took one look at the situation before hurrying over.
"Albus Dumbledore, you were nearly dead when you appeared. You need rest, and lots of it, before you move around," ordered Poppy.
"Nonsense," he replied. "I am perfectly capable of-"
"You are not." Kaze had decided to step in and flew up to perch on Minerva's shoulder. She flinched at the unexpected action.
Albus apparently hadn't noticed him and looked surprised.
"Your magic is dangerously low, you're weakened by blood loss, and you are so exhausted that you're trembling. Mortals are very foolish when it comes to their strength."
When he still looked rebellious the dragon added, "There is a reason Sakura-san wished for the school to stay within a shield. She does not want people killed, especially friends and children. She made sure to use only those willing to fight for the cause in the army. Had there not been such a large number of enemies she would have done without the volunteer army as well."
Faced with two extremely stubborn women and a dragon, Albus Dumbledore backed down.
Poppy Pomfrey and Kaze immediately busied themselves with other patients.
"Accio wand," said Minerva, and pocketed his wand as he glared at her. "So you won't get any ideas," she explained and sat down next to his bed.
"Who was that dragon?" he asked finally.
"Kazemusuko. He's a friend of Sakura's and came to help."
"Ah."
The two were silent for a while.
Minerva sighed and, to prevent him from doing something foolish, said, "Do you wish to see what's going on outside?"
"Yes," he replied with a frown.
Taking the smoky ball out of another pocket, Minerva tapped it. "Hannah Hooch." The smoke cleared and Minerva said, "How is everything?"
"A mess," came the blunt reply. "I can't tell who's winning and watching for too long makes me feel sick to my stomach. I'll have nightmares for weeks."
"I know," murmured Minerva, a slightly haunted look in her eye. Albus watched her in concern.
Shaking her head she said, "I'm going to summon a mirror. I don't think Albus will be content if he doesn't know what's going on."
He had been listening to this rather cryptic conversation about mirrors and snorted, pretending to be offended.
"Yes, well, tell him he'll answer to me if he gets himself killed."
Minerva laughed. "Will do," she replied and put the crystal away.
"Accio magic mirror."
After a moment a round mirror flew into the room. Albus watched warily as Minerva caught it and turned to him.
"Sakura made this for me to watch what was happening. If you say the name of who you want to see and tap it with your wand," at this point he glared at her and she reluctantly handed his back, "it will appear in the mirror. As long as any trace of Sakura's power remains in that area. She figures she's been just about everywhere around and in the school, so that shouldn't be a problem."
He nodded. "Sakura Kinomoto." He tapped the mirror with his wand.
~*~
Sakura felt hope fill her heart even as she tripped over a bloody corpse and rolled beneath a spell. The moon was in the same position as in her dream and Syaoran was nowhere near her. She could feel his aura on the opposite end of the field, steady and strong as silver auras around him flickered and died.
The future wasn't set in stone, after all. Perhaps it could be prevented.
She should have known better.
The Dark Lord's army was being beaten back, slowly but surely. Their inability to see and communicate with their leader had affected their organization and morale.
"Fly!" Sakura took to the air in an attempt to see which area needed the most help. Mimicking Yue, she drew a bow in the air before her, the moon strengthening this ability. Drawing back she aimed at a group of wizards ganging up on Severus, their traitor, and let fly, confident she wouldn't hit the Potions professor.
There was shouting coming from her left and she called out, "Shield!" in the knick of time as a jet of red light collided with the bubble of protection.
Fed up, she sent a particularly nasty explosion at the witch, Bellatrix, and then dismissed her, making sure to keep her shield in place.
Just then Hannah's voice came out of nowhere said, "People from the Ministry of Magic are coming. What should we do?"
Sakura gritted her teeth, extremely vexed. She wanted to scream.
"Make sure they come around over the lake if they're flying. Otherwise I'll get Meiling and them to let the shield over the school down for a moment so they can Apparate. You might want to be on the lookout in case a Death Eater or something gets in at the same time."
"Will do," came the strained reply.
"What happened to Minerva?" questioned Sakura quickly as she shot a stream of fire at a vampire beneath her.
"She asked me to take over when Dumbledore was hurt."
"Ah."
Sakura felt their connection end and immediately explained the situation to the four who were holding up the shield. They agreed almost as soon as the shimmering cocoon around the school disappeared Ministry officials appeared outside the main doors with several pops.
Immediately the shield was up again.
She continued her patrol, passing Spinel Sun who was on the lookout for fallen soldiers, and assisting those who needed it.
It was pretty much a one-on-one battle, where before it had been 2 or 3 to one in the Dark Lord's favor.
A particular strong jet of light attracted her attention and she turned in time to see Sirius Black fly into a tree and pass out.
"Cowards," she whispered as Malfoy and Crabbe (both senior) detached themselves and went slowly for him, in no hurry and probably eager to get rid of him in as painful a way as they could devise.
"Cowards!" she shrieked, diving at them and dropping her Shield so she could kill them.
It happened so quickly she had no time to change course.
Bellatrix Lestrange blasted her with a Cutting Curse as soon as Shield disappeared.
Sakura's spell had blasted Malfoy and Crabbe into a large boulder the same instant a gaping wound on the right side of her chest, above her breast, appeared.
Her expression was one of surprise as she fell, her wings lasting only to soften the impact of the ground before disappearing into card form. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed. The pain was so intense that she nearly passed out as her lifeblood poured out upon the earth.
She had enough presence of mind to keep her cards contained. They struggled against her, wanting to rip, to tear, to kill the ones who had done this to their beloved Mistress.
No, she told them. You have not killed for me before and I refuse to let you do so now.
Still they struggled with her as her magic leaked from her body with her blood.
The moment seemed to stretch into eternity.
"Zettai...daijoubu......dayo." Her last words rang out over the battle field.
Syaoran was kneeling on the ground gripping his sword that he had struck into the ground to support him. He looked as if he had been physically wounded.
Tomoyo screamed and the shield collapsed as her magic flared and responded to her distress by cracking the earth. A deep crevice began at her feet and stretched across the grounds catching many wizards by surprise. They fell to their death.
Eriol blinked furiously, trying to hold back tears and looking, for once, lost.
Meiling had immediately transported herself to the middle of the fighting, striking everyone near her.
Touya would have joined them but for his father.
"Touya, we need to hold the shield," reminded Fujitaka softly, pushing his daughter's death to the back of his mind, refusing to deal with it. "We're the only two who can and will do it."
Reluctantly Touya stayed, fury still etched in every line of his face.
The cards burst free and streamed into the air, speeding toward the stars, keening their sorrow.
Minerva turned away from the mirror and Albus let it slip from his fingers, glass shattering as Sakura's life had.
"She can't be," whispered Minerva as Albus tried to comfort her. "She can't be."
Sakura had been an endless source of happiness and humor. She saw to the heart of a person and greeted everyone with cheerfully, no matter who you were. Without her it seemed as though all the happiness had fled and left behind a darkened, gloomy world.
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*cowers in a bomb shelter, hands covering head* WAIT! Don't kill me! Wait until the next chapter, please! No flames yet! I guarantee you'll like what's going to happen next. *thinks for a moment* Unless you dislike Sakura of course. If you hate her you probably liked this chapter and will flame me for the next. NO FLAMES!!!! PLEASE!!! Once more, hold all flames until after the next chapter. Thank you. I'll stop rambling. Really.
Oh. Almost forgot my excerpt/teaser for my up and coming fic:
This one was Harry's bed. Sakura had figured that much out. The parchment wasn't anywhere around it, and she was sure he didn't have it with him. Perhaps in his trunk?
She knelt down in front of it and studied the keyhole. A fairly easy lock to pick, she decided, bringing out a skinny stick of metal and a hairpin, and inserted them in the keyhole. Immediately she jerked them out. The ends were smoking.
Cursing under her breath, Sakura studied the trunk more closely. She hadn't expected a student to spell his or her lock, but it made sense if they had a war going on. No telling who might get in the school and for what purpose.
Sakura placed several layers of protection over the hairpin and metal. It wouldn't disturb the spell and her lock picking tools wouldn't melt.
After a moment's work she felt the lock pop open and lifted the trunk. Her search should be fairly easy since there were few things tucked inside.
She felt around, careful to leave everything exactly as she found it, and grinned. There, in the pocket of his green robe, she felt parchment crackle and pulled it out.
Sakura closed the lid part way and sat down on the side opposite of the door to the dormitory. If she was caught unawares she would have enough time to become invisible and nothing would look disturbed.
She got out her wand and tapped it against her hand, thinking. Perhaps an incantation, like with her staff and Cards?
"I, Sakura Kinomoto, would like to know the secret of this parchment," she chanted, and then as an added measure, tapped it with her wand.
Almost immediately writing appeared and Sakura cocked her head to the side.
This can't be it, she thought. Harry seemed to have known that a professor would be coming around the corner, and wizards are hopeless at sensing auras. He had said..."Mischief managed," tapped it with his wand, and stuffed it in his pocket.
It was only then she actually read what was written on the page, and grinned.
Mr. Prongs would like to know what a pretty girl like you is doing in a place like this?
The message disappeared to be replaced by another.
Mr. Moony would like to remind Mr. Prongs that he already has a girlfriend, the lucky dog.
And so on.
Mr. Padfoot is astonished that Mr. Moony is so forgetful as to who the dog actually is, and asks whether Miss Kinomoto would like to go out with him.
Mr. Wormtail apologizes, but cannot tell Miss Kinomoto the secret. She must already know, you see.
"Please?" said Sakura desperately. The pattern of magic on this parchment was so thick and confusing it would take weeks to sort it out, even if she had Eriol-san and Syaoran-kun's help.
Mr. Padfoot would like to inform Miss Kinomoto that all she needs to do is tap the map with her wand and say, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," my beautiful lady.
Sakura suppressed her giggles as one last message appeared.
Messers. Moony, Wormtail, and Prongs would like to express their extreme disgust with Mr. Padfoot, the hormonal traitor, and bid Miss Kinomoto good-bye.
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I'm actually quite proud of this idea. It's one of the funnier ones, especially since the fic is going to be on a more serious note.
Ja mata!
~Mystical Magician