This thing's a lot longer than I thought. I'm going to get ya'll to Hogwarts before I finish this particular update.

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura or Harry Potter.

Quote of the Chapter: "She knows what it's like when the one you love doesn't feel the same." –Syaoran Li

Jaded Angels and Silken Blossoms

Chapter 3: Dumbledore and Diagon Alley

***

            After I got a tour of the house, Molly asked us to set the table—outside. Apparently her two oldest sons had also come home. All to meet me. The Weasleys sure knew how to make me feel at home.

            "Hey, this must be the famous Angel," said a really tall guy. He was cute, with long, long red hair and an earring. Another guy, really built and reminding me stubbornly of an older version of Fred and George in looks only, was grinning away.

            "Famous? My name's Angel, yes, but what's this about being famous?" I said. My head cocked to the side.

            "Well, your name's really famous now. Dumbledore's got a really nice welcome for you at school," said the tall one. "I'm Bill, and this is Charlie."

            "Nice to meet you," I said. "What kind of welcome?" That scared me.

            "Well, he's gonna let you fight a dragon, and then swim with the giant squid and—"

            "George!" Molly shouted at him. "Don't worry, Angel, they're doing nothing of the sort. They're simply going to ask you to stand up and have it for the record who you are and why you're here."

            "I'd rather fight the dragon," I said nervously. "I'm no good in front of a crowd. And that's three or more people."

            The Weasleys all laughed.

            "Don't worry, you'll be fine," Molly said. "Now, everyone's here but Arthur and Percy. What is keeping that man?"

            "He's probably wrapping up another raid," said Charlie. "You know Dad, he can't run away from anything Muggle."

            "Including that confounded car he found," Molly said, putting her hands on her hips.

            "Car?" I asked.

            "Yeah, it's an old, old car he bought off some old guy," Ron shrugged. "It runs, but that's about all it does."

            "I could fix it to drive, at least," I said. "I'm pretty good with cars. My dad's got a '63 Valient that I helped him make from ground up. Is it a carapace car, or a unibody?"

            "Uh…no clue," shrugged Ron. "Most magic people don't have any use for a car, unless they've got kids that have to go to a Muggle school."

            "I've noticed," I laughed. "Who needs a car when you can fly a broom or use a fireplace or Apparate wherever you want?"
            "Well, not wherever," Molly chuckled. "You can't Apparate in certain places. And underage wizards can't use magic without an adult nearby."

            "So if I wanted to practice some simple spells, I couldn't?"

            "Around here, you can, as long as Arthur, Bill, Charlie, or I are watching you," Molly said. "You want to practice?"
            "Later, yes," I smiled. "I really want to have a good grasp on some of the earlier chapters of our books."

            "Yes, you would do well to," Molly smiled. "Especially Potions, the teacher of that class isn't exactly easy. You already have your books, right?"

            "Yeah, Uncle Lucius bought my books so I could read them ahead of time," I said. "But I spent the last week with my little brother and Draco. Mostly playing Final Fantasy on our Playstation. Draco was really into it for a while."

            "Yes, he would be," Molly laughed. "I remember when Lily showed me how to play Nintendo. (AN-I think Nintendo was out while they were in school. Correct me if I'm wrong!) Unfortunately, this house was made when there wasn't any electricity, and we haven't much use for it anyway."

            "The city electrical company must be disappointed," I giggled.

            "Hello, Weasleys!"

            "Hey, Dad. Look who got here!" Ginny gestured to me.

            "Angel Indigo, well, hello! I didn't expect you'd be here until later tonight!" said the plump, red-haired man. He was balding, but you could still see his flaming hair, which made him look like his head was permanently on fire.

            "Uncle Lucius sort of rushed me," I said.

            "Well, good for us, right?"

            "Right, Dad!" Fred and George said together.

            "Now, where is Percy?" Molly said. "Oh, there he is! Sit down, sit down, and we'll explain the whole situation."

***

            The "explanation" lasted long after dinner, but the whole story finally came out. My parents had been looking for this chance for a long, long time before I ever found out about it. Ever since I'd even made the suggestion of foreign exchange.

            When they finally found a host family (the Weasleys), they started sending letter after letter to the Ministry of Magic and the American Magic Association, the American magical law authority. It was only after a bit of help from my Uncle Lucius and the mysterious Albus Dumbledore that the whole thing came to be.

            That was when I was nine years old

            Then last year, they mysteriously withdrew the "go-ahead" light and put an all-stop on preparations. It was only a week ago that the final green light had been given once again, but it was shaky right now. If I didn't do well in school, the whole program could be shut down.

            "We really shouldn't be telling you this, Fudge told us not to," Molly said nervously. "But you have a right to know."

            "Thanks for telling me," I said. "I would probably have gotten the information anyway, but it's good to not have to work so hard to find it."

            "What I don't get is why Malfoy agreed to help," Ron said. "I mean, he doesn't exactly like us."

            "He doesn't exactly like my Dad, either," I said. "I saw him kind of giving my dad these sideways looks."

            "Mr. Malfoy believes in the 'pure blood' principal," Molly said gently. "He believes that Muggle-borns and half-breeds shouldn't have the right to a magic education."    
            "But that's wrong!" I said.

            "Very. If we hadn't begun to interbreed in the first place, we would have died out," Arthur said gravely. "It kind of limits you to who you get to marry anyway. We're related to you, however distantly, through your father. Even I don't know how closely related we are."   

            "Well, it's getting late," Molly said. "Off to bed, all of you."

            "Good idea, Mum," said Ron. "G'night, everyone."

            "Good night," I said. "Come on, Ginny."

            "Don't stay up too late, you two," Arthur called after us. "I've got a lot of questions for you in the morning, Angel."     

            "Questions?" I said, glancing at Ginny.

            "He's going to ask about Muggles, no doubt," Ginny grinned. "He loves them to death. He collects plugs and batteries."

            "Couldn't he try stamps?"

            "What's a stamp?"

***

            "You got there safe, I take it?" Syaoran Li asked as soon as I arrived on the scene. Once again, Tomoeda showed itself and the scene from three nights played itself out.

            "Yeah," I sighed. "Too many kids in one house. Seven kids plus me, and their parents. And she is such a good cook. I don't know how I'm going to lose weight by the time school starts."

            "Well…let's see if we can't control this solid precognition. I could train you, if we can," Syaoran Li said. "The way I train, you'll lose more than just a little weight."

            "Okays," I smiled.

            Suddenly, the scene went blank and Syaoran Li and I were standing in a blank white void. A set of stairs appeared, spiraling upward in an endless way.

            "Well, that's convenient," said Syaoran Li.

            "What should I call you?" I asked. "Li or Syaoran?"

            "Syaoran's fine. Let's start."

            ***

            Weeks passed by, but each dream came and I lost more and more weight during the night. I played Quidditch, a game that I found a lot of fun, with the Weasleys. I also helped them do chores around the house, and helped Molly do a lot. Reading my books, I practiced the early chapters of my books using Molly's wand (we still hadn't gone to get mine).

            About two weeks before it was time to leave for school, an owl flew through the window, carrying a letter and a bag. Both were addressed to me, from my parents.

            "How'd they get a hold of an owl?" I muttered as I opened the letter.

                        Dear Angel,

            We went to the American wizard store here in Kansas and bought you an owl. Say hello to Sakura. It's Japanese for Cherry Blossom. Her eyes looked just like yours, that's why we chose her. What do you think?

            David misses you a lot. He finally is learning how to read on his own! Write him a letter soon with Sakura, he wants to write you back.

            In the bag are some Galleons (that's wizard money) for your wand and whatever else you want to buy with it. But spend wisely! That's all you get until next year, kiddo.

            How are the Weasleys? We heard they were really nice people. Dumbledore came to visit us and said he would be coming to see you and the Weasleys on Friday.

            We love you, Angel.

            Love,

            Mom and Dad

            "Hey, Angel," Ginny said. "You get a letter from your mom?"  

            "Yeah, and this owl," I said. "Her name's Sakura, what do you think?"

            Sakura was very beautiful owl with mostly white feathers and a sprinkling of gray. Her eyes were blue and green, just like mine. She really did look like a cherry blossom.

            "Wow, she's gorgeous!" Ginny smiled. "What's Sakura mean?"

            "It's Japanese for Cherry Blossom. Cute, huh?"

            Sakura was the name of that girl in my dream! The one that Syaoran's sweet on!

            "I wonder…"

            "Hmm?"

            "Nothing. I need to write them back. Can you get Sakura some water?" I asked.
            "Sure. Hey, Percy's got a book on owl care, I'll ask if you can borrow it," she said.

            "Okay, thanks."

            I took out a piece of parchment and a pencil. I'm already used to using a quill and inkbottle, but a pencil's always been easier for me.

                        Dear Mom and Dad,

            Hey! I'm good. Thanks for Sakura, she's absolutely gorgeous, I love her already. Thanks for the Galleons. Mr. Weasley's cool, he's been explaining everything he can think of about the wizarding world. In return, I'm teaching him some stuff about Muggles (that's what non-magic people are called). He's obsessed, but I like him. He's a bit funny. He collects Muggle objects, like batteries and plugs.

            The other Weasleys are all awesome, too. I'm staying in Ginny's room, she's a year older than David. There's Ron, who's my age, and Fred and George, who're twins. Then there's Percy (he gives me the creeps). And Bill and Charlie, but they're already out of the house. Bill works for the Gringotts bank, and he's in Egypt right now cracking curses on the pyramids. Charlie works with dragons. He's really strong, he could pick me up!

            I'm training my body right now, too. I've lost a lot of weight! You wouldn't recognize me, I'm real skinny and strong now. I've also been playing a game called Quidditch with the Weasleys, and it's a lot of fun.

            I've been reading my books and practicing spells, too. I can unlock regular locks and I can fix stuff and change stuff, too. It's really cool. I'll send David a separate letter, okay?

                                                            Love ya!

                                                      Angel Sarai Indigo

            "Well, Sakura, how are you?" I smiled. "You really are pretty, aren't you?" 

            She hooted at me in response. But it really felt like she was talking to me. I took out another sheet of parchment and this time I wrote with a quill. David would think it's so cool. And if he would be following me, he'd need to know how to use a quill, too.

                        Hey, David!

            What's up, kiddo? Have you beaten Final Fantasy IX yet? Guess what I'm using to write this? An old-fashioned quill and inkpot, isn't that cool? We have to write in this for school.

            I found out that I have to get really good grades in order for you to come. So I'm going to study extra hard so you can come here and join me at the Weasleys! I'm sure Molly would love to have you.

            The Weasleys are really awesome. I've been playing a game with them called Quidditch. It's kind of like a cross between basketball and soccer and croquet. Only we play it on broomsticks! Fred and George, the twins, play on the Griffindor House team at Hogwarts. They're Beaters, they make sure that the black balls don't hurt you.

            Quidditch is played with seven players on each team and four balls. There's the Quaffle, which the three Chasers have to put through the hoops. The there's the two Bludgers, which try to hurt the other players. The Beaters have to make sure that they don't hurt them. The Keeper is like a soccer goalkeeper, trying to keep the Quaffle out of the hoops. But then there's the Seeker, who goes after the Golden Snitch. If the Seeker catches the Snitch, the game ends. But it doesn't necessarily mean his team wins. It's all in the points.

            So, how are you doing on your reading and writing? You better get going, kiddo! I'm counting on you!

                                         

                                                      Love you!

                                                  Angel

            The two letters written, I got up to find Ginny. She came into the room with a bowl of water and owl food and a book tucked under her arm.

            "Here ya go," she said. "Percy said you don't have to give it back."

            "Okay," I smiled. "Thanks, Ginny. Well, Sakura, as soon as your rested, let me know when you want to leave for another transatlantic flight. I took that flight, you must be tired."

            Sakura hooted.

***

            "An owl named Sakura?" Syaoran said, an eyebrow raised in surprise.

            "Yeah. She's really pretty," I smiled. "Thank you, Syaoran."

            "For what?"

            "For helping me achieve my goal," I said. "I'm skinnier than I've ever been before. And you helped me grow strong."

            "You sound like Sakura," Syaoran said.

            "What do you mean?"

            "Well…she told the guy she liked that she loves him and he turned her down," he said. "Then she told me and now she feels better. She spent a week making me a yukata, just to thank me."

            "Aw…" I cooed. "It seems to me that she returns your feelings, Syaoran."

            "Y-You really think so?"

            "Of course!" I said. "There are few girls who would go to that much trouble just to thank someone, Syaoran. Very few."

            "Sakura's just one of them," Syaoran said.

            "Mmm-hmm, sure. Right," I said, smirking. I sighed. "I miss my little brother. He's such a little sweetheart. He's worked so hard to learn how to read and write, just so he can write me letters."

            "He didn't know how before?"

            "He's dyslexic. I think it would have been better if he was Japanese," I rolled my eyes. "At least then he'd be able to read forwards."
            "Oh…I'm sorry."
            "Don't be," I shook my head. "He's coping. I just wish I could see him. Talk to him…"

            The white space suddenly had another body in it.
            "David?" I said, touching his shoulder. I'd recognize that blond hair anywhere. "David!"

            "Who're you? Where am I?" he looked around wildly.

            "David, it's me, it's Angel, babe," I said. He didn't recognize me because of my weight difference.

            "Angel? SISSY!" He leapt up on my neck and hugged me to choking point. "I missed you so much, what happened, where are we, who's that?"

            "Lemme answer, kiddo," I laughed, setting him down. "I missed you, too. I guess because I wished you here, you're dreaming with us, too. You're in what's called a solid precognition dream, and it's controlled by us."

            "Oh, okay," he nodded. "Who's that?"

            This kid has listened to, watched, and done so many weird things, that a weird thing actually happening to him leaves him unfazed. Good grief. I wish I could be like that.

            "This is Syaoran Li. He's been helping me lose weight while we're asleep."

            "Oh…cool! Hi, I'm David."
            "Hello."

            "Huh? Angel, he's talking funny," David said.

            "Angel? I think the Japanese-English understanding that we have doesn't pertain to your brother," said Syaoran. "I can only just understand him, and that's because I'm taking English at school."

            "Oh…" I said, looking at David, who looked really clueless. "David, Syaoran speaks Japanese."
            "Then how come you can understand him, Sissy?"

            "Some kind of magic is connecting our brains or something," I said. "A really powerful magician wanted us to meet. Something like that. I dunno."

            "Oh, okay. I'm glad I got to see you, Angel, but I'd really like to go back and help Zidane fight the Supreme Chicken Overlords," David said.

            "Supreme…Chicken…Overlords???" I muttered. "Okay, uh…Syaoran, how do we wish him back?" As soon as "back" came out of my lips, David was gone.

            "I think you just did. This is a strange, strange dream."

            "You can say that again."

            "Angel, wake up. Dumbledore is coming today!" Ginny shouted.

            "Dumbledore? She doesn't mean Albus Dumbledore, does she?" Syaoran asked.

            "Yeah. I don't know much about him, only that he's the headmaster of my school," I said. "And he helped me get the foreign exchange go ahead."

            "Tell me about it tonight. You need to wake up."

            "Angel!"

            "See ya tonight, Syaoran."

            Ginny's face came into focus.

            "Come on, Dumbledore's coming in half an hour, get dressed! Mom's got breakfast all ready for us."

            I rolled out of bed and glanced at the clock. Eight again. Usually I wake up at six, like normal. I wonder what's going on?

            I pulled on a pair of jeans and a blue T-shirt. I kept my shoes off most of the time; I loved going barefoot. Up went my hair again, in a normal ponytail. It wasn't as hot in England as it was in Kansas, so I left it as is.

            "Now, dear, I want you to look your best for Professor Dumbledore," Molly was saying as I walked into the kitchen. She was smoothing out Ron's hair, and brushing Ginny's. Ginny had gotten used to wearing hers in a ponytail, like mine (I dunno why), but Molly wanted her to keep it down for some reason.

            "How come you want us to look so nice for him, Mom?" Ginny asked. "I know he's a really cool guy and all, but still. Won't he accept us the way we are?"

            "Good first impressions are the most lasting," said Molly.
            "Actually, it's a bad impression that lasts longer," I smiled. "Don't worry, I'm sure he won't mind."

            "And she's…absolutely correct, Molly," said a voice. It was raspy, but warm. Like…I dunno, like Stevie Wonder. A good bass singing voice, that is.

            "Albus, come on in!" Molly said brightly. The voice was attached to an elderly man with the youngest, wisest blue eyes I've ever seen. He reminded me instantly of David. He had a pair of half-moon glasses, which rested elegantly across the bridge of a crooked nose. It looked like he had gotten into many fights many times. His white hair and beard nearly touched the ground. I instantly liked him.

            "Hello, Weasleys," he said. "Well, you must be Angel Indigo, am I correct? However, I was informed that you were rather overweight. And I was certain you would still be, with Molly's wonderful cooking to eat."

            "I've been playing lots of Quidditch," I said quickly. My face burned in embarrassment.

            "I don't understand it, either, Albus," Molly grinned. "She eats almost as much as Arthur, yet she's losing all her weight."

            "A good achievement, well done, Angel," Dumbledore nodded. "Your cousin will be most jealous." His eyes twinkled. He looked so much like David; it was uncanny. "You know of your predicament, am I correct?"

            "If I don't get good grades, the Ministry will cancel the program," I said. "No worries from me. I've always been a good student."

            "As I've noticed. Straight 'A's in Muggle school, with all of your volunteer work and your hobbies," he smiled. "You'll do well, I've no doubt. In fact, we've chosen you to lead the expedition to Japan. You, along with a team of seven students and our new teacher, will be finding candidates for the foreign exchange program during the Christmas break."

            "Cool. I'm getting a lot of nice surprises, aren't I?" I smiled. "Thank you, sir."

            "Very good. The teacher who will be taking you is Professor Hiiragizawa. He's from England, but his mother is from Japan. He is only twenty years old, so he's fairly young," Dumbledore smiled back.

            "That's cool. So he'll kind of be informed on a lot of different levels—Sakura!" Sakura had just flown into the room, bearing a note.

            Send Sakura back when you leave for train. She will bring our answers then.

            "It appears your parents are keeping well in touch," Dumbledore chuckled.

            "Yes, but I don't think Sakura quite knows what manners are," I laughed. "Sakura was a gift from my parents. They bought her in America and sent over the first letter with her."

            "She's had several transatlantic flights, then," Dumbledore laughed. "A strong owl for a strong witch. A good combination."

            "I'm not that strong," I blushed.

            "On the contrary, you come from a line of very powerful wizards, Angel," Dumbledore said. "I expect great things from you."

            An expectation like that really isn't good for a girl.

            "At the Opening Feast, I will introduce you to the school. I want you to have one student chosen from each house by Christmas holidays. I would like to know whether or not you want me to tell the students?"

            "No, I don't think so," I said, smiling. "I'd like to choose them without having them swarming all over me. I know what it's like to have dozens of other people screaming 'pick me, pick me, pick me'."

            "A good choice, and even better explanation," Dumbledore nodded. "It's always best to give a reason for things. Otherwise curiosity fuels the cat. Of course, wouldn't that set the cat on fire? Hmm…I never did understand that analogy. Then again, curiosity killed the cat, so maybe it was the fire that killed the cat…" By this time, I was rolling on the floor in laughter. Dumbledore smiled as I calmed down.

            "Now I trust you," I said.

            "Why didn't you trust me before?" Dumbledore asked.

            "Never trust a schoolteacher who can't have fun while using the things that they teach," I said.

            "Well, I must be going," Dumbledore stood up. "Is there anything about you that you'd like the school to know?"

            "I am not my namesake," I said promptly. Dumbledore chuckled and nodded.

***

            "You're coming to Japan during Christmas?" Syaoran asked.

            "Yeah. I'm coming with a team of nine, myself included. We're looking for magic potential," I said. "Maybe I'll see you and Sakura."
            "You will see us," Syaoran said. "I saw seven others, but they fell asleep."    

            "What? I've never seen seven others, wearing robes like the ones I wore that first night," I said. "What did they look like?"

            "I can't be certain, but three wore red crests with a lion, two wore green crests with a snake, one wore a yellow crest with a badger on it, and one wore a blue crest with a raven."

            "All from the four houses," I said. "What color crest did I have?"

            "It was blurred. I never caught what it was. Why, what's so important?"

            "I just thought for a second that I might know what my House is before I go to Hogwarts," I shrugged. "Eh, figures. Well, either I'll be in Griffindor or Slytherin. Slytherin, most likely, my bloodline leads back closest to it. Of course, I've got the sort of Weasley rub-off, so maybe I'll end up in Griffindor. I'd like that."
            "What about the ninth person?" Syaoran asked. "I didn't see him."

            "Or her," I pointed out. "That's going to be the teacher. He's only twenty and he's new. His name's Hiragana or something like that. He was born in England, but his mom's Japanese."

            "Good. So, what say we go back to the original dream? Maybe we'll get somewhere."

            "Okay," I nodded. And we were back, in the darkness, and screaming all around.

            Sakura was falling again.

            "WIND SUMMONS!"

            And another Syaoran was catching her in a pillow of wind. Another me was running around, helping Tomoyo and the teenage boy who had fallen.

            "What…what's going on? Why are we…"

            "It's the purpose of a solid precognitive dream," Syaoran said. "We're able to see ourselves outside or inside our bodies. Since we wandered into the Zero Zone, we are outside our bodies."

            "Gee, thanks for warning me."

            "Syaoran!"

            Syaoran looked like he was going to faint.

            "Tut tut…it's reckless to use magic…in such a state," said Eriol.

            "SYAORAN!"

            "If you want to save him and the others…you must break my spell…"

            "He's lying," I murmured. "I can see it in his eyes."

            "What?" Syaoran said.

            "Clow Reed…Eriol…whatever his name is, he's lying," I said. "I think there's something up here, something more than just an attack on Sakura."

            "Both entities of Clow Reed have always helped Sakura before," Syaoran said. "It is sort of strange that he will be attacking us."

            "SAKURA!"

            "But what is he lying about?"

            "STAND ASIDE!"

            "I don't know, Angel."

            "Are you all right?!"

            Sakura nodded and held the nineteen Clow Cards in her hands. She stared at them.

            "How is she changing those cards?"

            "She's using the magic of her Star," Syaoran answered, smiling. "Her own brand of magic. They used to be Clow Cards. Now they are Sakura Cards."
            "They have the power of Sakura in them," I nodded to myself. "She's gotta change those other two cards. That's what he wants."

            "He wants her to change the Clow Cards? Why?"

            "Like I know? I just know he wants her to change them."

            A bright light interrupted me. I looked back, and Cerberus and Yue were gone. Sakura was changing the cards, but having difficulties doing it. Syaoran wrapped his arms around her and held the staff, too.

            "Aw…that's so sweet!" I smiled. "You ought to do that all the time, Syaoran. She looks like she likes it."

            "LIGHT!"

            The light blinded me for a second. And then everything went dark again.

            "Syaoran? Syaoran!"

            "I'm here," he said. The blank white space was back again. "Someone doesn't want us to see past this point."

            "You're right," I nodded. "Who?"

            "It may be Clow Reed."

            "It may also be Dumbledore."

            "Why do you say that?"

            "Dumbledore is strong," I said. "Really strong. He could…take over the world, if he wanted to."

            "He's strong in Western magic," Syaoran corrected. "If he went up against Clow Reed, or even Sakura, he'd be powerless. Eastern magic and Western magic doesn't mix well, but when it does, it's very powerful."

            "Could you teach me?"

            "Eastern magic? I could, but I won't," he said. "You'll have enough to do with all you're doing right now."

            "True. You're definitely on my list for foreign exchange, Syaoran," I grinned. "You and Sakura. She's still got some learning to do."

            "You can say that again."

            "Angel! Angel, come on, we're going to Diagon Alley! You need to get the rest of your supplies!"

            "Bye." I waved. Ginny's face came steadily into focus.

***

Grr….still not done!