Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING. Nuff' said.

Author's Note: Arg, this is the second time I've re-written this chapter. I can't "save" it for some odd reason, so I am resorting to a different method… Yeah. ;x Sorry for not updating in nearly 2 months. I've had a lot on my back – Don't ask. But anyhoo, here is the long-awaited chapter (literally).

The Fourth Potter

By: Emerald May

Chapter 25

The incident about the fire was soon forgotten, but suspicion lingered in the air. Sakura was more careful in protecting her cards, her friends in a keen watch as well. But soon it was the week before the Quidditch Tournament, and it was their last game to compete against the school teams. And it was Gryffindor vs. Slytherin.

Flying through the air above the ground was Sakura Kinomoto, fingers outstretched to grasp the golden snitch in her fingers. Honey-auburn tendrils that were dyed from its natural heritage of ebony, were matted against her temples. And then the small sphere was enclosed in her fingers.

A smile broke out on the Gryffindor Seeker's face, illuminating that dire stare of concentration. Cheers from all around erupted for Gryffindor team, with the exemption of Slytherin. Lily and James were not on the school grounds, have been absent from the staff for nearly a month for Ministry of Magic business.

Remus Lupin grinned at Sakura who was landing down on the ground. "She isn't bad, is she, Padfoot? Just like her father and brother." All that responded was a happy bark.

Sakura ran to her other team players, laughing happily as she was hugged by each. "You did great!" Shouted Katie Bell.

"Thanks!" The young card mistress grinned, pearly white teeth visible.

Fred nodded. "Yeah. We are sure to do great in the Tournament!" The Quidditch Tournament was now merely a week away, and the Quidditch players of Gryffindor team were to play against the others schools. This game against Slytherin was to gain them practice – they had already beaten the other Quidditch players at the last game, two weeks ago.

Hermione and Ginny ran down the steps to the ground where Sakura and Harry at, departing away from their fellow teammates to converse with their friends. After all, this would be the last night they would be at Hogwarts, and a week before they would see their friends.

"You guys were great! I'm sure you will win the Tournament," Ginny exclaimed, overly excited for Harry and Sakura as they made their way back to Gryffindor Tower.

Sakura blushed happily. "I sure hope so!" It was a bit amusing in Sakura's head. She'd be rivaling against Syaoran-kun and Meiling-chan yet again. But she was ever so happy that it was to be held in Tomoeda… She'd be able to see her Onii-chan and Otou-san again. And Tomoyo-chan.

It had occurred to Sakura that Tomoyo had not sent any letters to her, and she was having a tug of worry in her heart. She hoped her best friend was alright back in Japan. But of course she would be. After all, she was watched around the clock by her female bodyguards, which the Clow Mistress could not help but envy a bit.

The Quadrupled Four parted to their separate dorms as they were unknowingly being watched… by gruesome filaments of white – the Ghosts of Hogwarts.

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Two nicely packed, pink bags were at Sakura's feet, feet adorned in simple black shoes. She wouldn't be needing those for long, since she'd be sleeping on the airplane that would transport them from London, England, to Tomoeda, Japan. And she was so very excited.

"I can't wait till I see them again! First thing I'm going to do is find my brother and father! Adoptive that is." And she skipped around as Hermione and Ginny were tugging at her collar to drag her away from her Hogwarts room to where the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team were at downstairs, waiting.

"Come on, they are waiting for you. Don't wanna be late now, do ya?" Ginny asked, impersonating an American tongue out of glee for her younger friend. Sakura smiled that cute smile that seemed to capture everyone's heart and brighten the auras around her. "HAI!"

And they dashed down the stairs, giggling madly. And of course, Fred and George took liberty to make fun and point out a comical remark. "Oh no, everyone, Cherry Blossoms of Maddness has arrived, along with her side kicks." Fred grinned.

Sakura halted to a stop, blushing madly, embarrassed that she had caused such a scene and commotion. But no one seemed to care – much. They were excited to aboard the train that would take them to another country, so unlike their own – with a Japanese-raised girl there to help guide them. It was, after all, her own hometown. But, as she drew nearer to home, she unknowingly drew danger closer to those she loved.

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All seven members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team had safely packed away in the plane that was on its way to Tokyo, Japan. Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore were the escorts and chaperones to the students, knowing that when trips and teenage students were combined, it would not be a pretty picture.

All except Sakura and the professors were fast asleep. She was able to claim a window seat for herself as she stared out the machinery's window, anticipating their arrival in her country. She smiled inwardly as she had actually missed Touya's never ending sibling tease of 'kaijou'. The Card Mistress of Clow missed her Otou-san's kind smile, always caring for his two children.

Headmaster Dumbledore chuckled as he nudged Minerva in the shoulder, nodding his head in the direction of Sakura. "She seems quite excited to set foot in Japan."

Professor McGonagall nodded as the corners of her taut lips curved upward into a rare smile. "Yes, she does… But who can blame her? She is going to no doubt go and see her friends and family. But she should get some sleep…"

"Sakura, dear child, you must get your rest if you want to be refreshed to re-unite with your friends and family," Professor Dumbledore said, peering at her over his half-moon spectacles with twinkling sapphire blue eyes.

Sakura nodded. "Yes, I know… but I am so excited! Otou-san, my father, said that he and Touya and all my friends were going to wait for me at the gates! I can't wait!" She nearly shrieked in overflowing happiness.

Minerva tried hard not laugh at the giddy expression on her pupil's fair complexion. "Yes, that's true… but you still need your sleep or you will not be prepared to face the day's challenges that awaits you," She said as her eyes darkened just a bit. She didn't know why… but her aging bones told her that something out of the ordinary would happen.

Sakura quirked an eyebrow at her teacher. "Challenges…" And her own eyes had a faraway gaze in them as she stared at the seat in front of her, contemplating one of Kero's favorite 'quotes'. "Expect the unexpected…" She said softly, but loud enough for both professors to hear and exchange strange looks.

But soon, Sakura drifted off into a blissful sleep, as did the professors, and nothing more was said or done. But everything was seen.

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It was late at night and books were piled on a single desk, a figure sitting down, skimming through pages and pages of books before tossing each useless uninformative book behind him.

"Arg… I know I've heard Clow Reed before somewhere. I just know it! But where… where…" That mystery about Clow Reed was driving Professor Severus Snape nearly insane. He just couldn't seem to get that off his mind. He had read through almost all the books in the restricted area of the library, sure that the information lay within the binds of dark arts books.

But the answers were not revealed to his questions. Who was Clow Reed exactly? What was his life like, his field of expertise? Did he have a successor? And if so, who was it?

Then that incident flooded Severus' mind as he recalled the fire that had nearly burned Hogwarts to a pile of ashes; okay, so he was exaggerating, but that fire did arouse some suspicion. And to make matters worse, Draco, Sakura, and her little friends were not at the scene when it occurred.

Dark pools of black bore into the pages of a book, and if looks could kill, the book itself would have been bloodied up by flames.

"Arrogant pest!" He glowered as a fly buzzed past his nose and Snape's hand came in contact with the little 'beast' as it was flattened to its death on a book. Sighing, Severus leaned forward to inspect how much the little creature had 'damaged' the dark arts book when he noticed that right where the bug had been sent to its death… was the single word of 'REED'. In shock, Severus simply stared at the name as it echoed in his mind.

Could this be it?

Or just a figment of his imagination to make it real? Only one way to find out.

Running his figure up to the top of the page, and then flipping it back a few pages or so, his finger stopped at 'Clow Reed: Magician of the Age' and he began to read in depth about his life, his works… and about how his successor would come to possess the cards.

Only problem was, it didn't say who was the successor.

There were various portions about two particular beings that were not given definite genders, but assumed the roles of males, with 'hidden identities': Keroberus and Yue, the Sun and Moon guardians of the cards. But then, as Severus was just getting interested in this 'Clow Reed', the page was ripped away – as was the rest of his biography.

Clenching his fists, the Potions Master slammed the book shut before taking it to his safe. How dare someone strip the contents of a book away from the library like that. This angered Severus, and he would get to the bottom of this. Somehow. Because he needed that information, all suspicions becoming evident to the slip of parchment found in the forest victim's balled fist, and he needed that information now since danger was exposed to the students from the fire.

And a dread thought crept into his mind. Since Clow Reed was found in a Dark Arts book, did that mean he was 'evil'? And if so… was it possible that whoever had set the fire upon the school part of Clow Reed's brigade? And if that were true… Severus Snape's assumptions were directed to the successor of Clow being a Dark Arts supporter.

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A muffled scream was heard from somewhere deep in the castle walls, somewhere that no one had visited, or possibly know, in years. Frightened amethyst-gray oculars were brimming with tears as a thin line of crimson liquid rolled down the side of her cheek from the scalp.

The hooded figurine stepped forward to lift the chin up to his eyes, concealed by the darkness. "Now, now child… I don't like crybabies…" He said in a cruel voice as looked into a cauldron that showed the sleeping form of the Clow Mistress. A sick smile crept to the pale face of the man. "There goes your friend… your second cousin, Daidouji Tomoyo… And she will die. Soon. But do not worry… after she perishes… you will be more than welcome to join her…" He trailed of in an evil cackle as sobs racked the poor girl's shoulder.

"Don't hurt Sakura! Please, don't hurt her!" She pleaded for the safety of her friend.

"Do you really think I will heed to your pleas? You foolish girl!" And a 'smack' was heard as his hand connected with the side of her face as it was jerked sideways.

This silenced Tomoyo as she feared that her captor would kill her before she could warn Sakura. Oi, Sakura-chan! Be careful for an evil lurks behind you, watching your every move! She silently called out. For once she hoped that her friend would have a precognitive dream about where Tomoyo was… even if it would frighten her, it would at least give her a lead as to what was going on.

She had also left her golden locket behind in her room when that dreaded man had stolen her away into the night. Oh how many days had passed by when no one heard her cries. But she heard all activity outside, and she could have sworn that she had heard Sakura's voice…

But it might not have been her. Young Tomoyo-chan had been delirious with fever. Surprisingly enough, the man had seemed to have a kindred spirit as he nursed her back to health… But that seemed to be a cover up as she was still held captive, and tortured, as if the man thought she had more information than she revealed.

But she soon knew the man's true intentions and she told no more, insisting that she knew nothing more. And it seemed as the man knew she was lying. But she knew that what she revealed would lead Sakura into his trap. Tomoyo Daidouji knew she was only there as a bait… and might be disposed of when her purpose was served. And that was what scared her the most besides Sakura's safety.

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Author's Note: Wee, I finally updated! Well, so much to do, so much to do, and now I've finally gotten rid of that awful writer's block. I am actually having some good ideas. I've decided to speed this story up just a bit. Hee hee. I am grateful to all those that have reviewed, but I am afraid that I may not be setting up a 'mailing list', mainly because it is quite difficult to keep up with the new people that have their e-mail address up for it. But for now, I think I'll just stick to it… but I don't know how long that will last.

ALSO: Some people may have already received this chapter before hand (and any other chapters that follow), mainly because my computer decided to not let me save or load any documents, which includes stories and pictures. My computer ends up freezing and decides that it needs to shut down to spite me. By the time my readers that have not given me an e-mail address (or that I might have mistakenly didn't put on my address book) read this, I will have had a new computer as well as a new internet service, which means ANOHER E-MAIL ADDRESS! Hehehe. I will most likely have Earthlink, but that hasn't been decided yet. Gomen for any inconvenience. Ja`ne till next time!