Chapter 12
Just as Harry was about to open the door to the Great Hall, he noticed Tomoyo holding the camera and stared at her.
"I thought that electronics don't work in Hogwarts?" he asked Tomoyo. Tomoyo laughed and shook her head.
"Trade secret," she said with a small wink. Harry rolled his eyes and opened the door, ushering them into the Great Hall with a dramatic wave. Ginny curtsied to him equally dramatically, making everyone laugh, and let Harry lead her in. Everyone gasped when they saw the transformation the hall had gone through just because of the ball. The house tables have been removed and the four house banners hung proudly in each corner of the hall. There was a live band playing at the front of the hall and the teachers were seated at the side of the hall, and on the other side was a table filled with food. The middle of the hall was filled with people dancing and Sakura spotted Neville dancing awkwardly with Lavender. Eriol was unusually silent as he watched the Hp gang make their way to the table with food. The CCS gang stayed behind and went to a corner.
"You felt it?" asked Eriol suddenly. Sakura and Syaoran looked at each other and nodded.
"It's very strong. I wager that the final battle's going to take place tonight," said Syaoran. Tomoyo smiled brightly.
"Then my special clothes aren't wasted! Yeah!" Eriol, Syaoran and Sakura looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
"We have to pay attention. The aurora's all around the room and I can't trace it's origins. We just have to pray hard and get ready as soon as it gets stronger." Said Eriol. They all nodded. Eriol turned to Tomoyo.
"And I expect you to be safely hidden somewhere. I don't want you to get hurt." Tomoyo saluted him and grinned.
"Yes sir! I will do as you say sir!" Eriol narrowed his eyes at her playfully and turned to Sakura and Syaoran.
"If you sense any changes in the magic, inform me straight away. Understood?" he asked.
"Oh great one, is there anything else that you want to tell us that we already know?" asked Sakura sarcastically.
"Be nice," chided Eriol and he sighed.
"All we need now is one thing," he said sorrowfully.
"What?" asked Syaoran. Eriol looked at him sadly.
"Luck" he answered as he looked at Harry approaching them with a grin on his face.
"Come on guys! What are you standing there for? Join us!" He invited as he literally pushed them to the other side of the hall where there were chairs and tables all around. The rest of the HP gang were gathered them and Sakura noticed plenty of people looking that way. The guys were ogling at the girls and the girls ogling over the boys. Sakura and Sayaoran looked at each other and rolled their eyes upwards. Tomoyo noticed it and huffed angrily. Eriol and Harry just laughed. They were really attracting a lot of attention with their clothes.
The ball was enjoyable and it lasted over midnight. It was going so well that Eriol thought that the evil presence in the air was just a distraction.
Sakura and Syaoran stood near the deserted window of the great hall, looking out into the black sky. Sakura snuggled up to Syaoran and he put his arms around her, enjoying the momentary silence between them. It had been a hectic week with all the precautionary against the oncoming attack and then came the ball. Everything came and went in a whirl and both Sakura and Syaoran were just contented to be alone in each other's arms, away from the rest of the world.
"I love you, you know that right?" asked Sakura softly as Syaoran looked up. He smiled and nodded his head. Sakura smiled and tightened her grip on his waist, pulling herself closer to his warmth.
"Why did you ask?" he murmured. Sakura just sighed deeply and buried her face into his coat.
"I just wanted you know, just in case… just in case I… I…" Sakura struggled to say the word 'die' but she couldn't. Syaoran silenced her with a kiss.
"You're not going to die," he said fiercely as he pulled her back into his embrace and placed his forehead on her head, inhaling her sweet scent.
"But you should know that this kind of things cannot be helped," Reasoned Sakura sadly. Syaoran closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Not if I can help it," he whispered with determination. "Now shut up about dying and just be with me ok?"
Sakura smiled and sighed.
"Alright."
Just then, there was a loud explosion and screams rang through the great hall…