A/N: Hello everyone! Welcome to the second story I've started here. Just a
quick note about the following – Yes, it is a Harry Potter / Card Captor
Sakura cross over. Fun, ne? Anyways. I was inspired to write this by
Mikazukino Hikari. We both sorta had the same idea, and we went two
different yet sometimes eerily similar ways with it. So check out her
version as well! I've written 6 chapters so far, and I'm working on the
seventh. I'll post up chapters as soon as I can write them. So I hope you
enjoy this! Please leave me a review and let me know what you think! Thank
you!
Disclaimer: I do not own "Harry Potter" or "Card Captor Sakura" characters, worlds, or anything about them. I do, however, own my own original creations (Alanni Jade, mainly). One day I will be an author, and I will write fanfiction about my own work just so I can say I own it.
Chapter 1: A Long Summer
June 25th, 3:27 A.M., somewhere in the United Kingdom
"Crucio!!!" the hooded man cried again at the crumpled heap at his feet. The man who lay before him writhed in agony again. The hooded man smiled wickedly in the moonlight, then finally lowered his wand. The man at his feet was panting, sweating, but was in too much pain to move, too thankful that the torture was finally over. "There now, Severus, I'm convinced that you are still loyal to me."
Severus Snape shakily moved up onto his knees and bowed before the Dark Lord. "Thank you, my Lord," Snape said in a voice that was hardly more than a strained whisper, "I live only to serve you."
"Yes, you do. I hold your life in my hands. It belongs to me." Voldemort sneered down at Snape. "Now go, Severus, be my eyes and ears at Hogwart's, and keep an eye on that twit Dumbledore."
Snape bowed all the way down to the ground, barely able to keep from crying out in pain, "Yes, my Lord." Snape disapparated from before the Dark Lord and reappeared just outside the wizard town of Hogsmeade. A cloaked figure rushed towards him and quickly knelt next to him. Snape laughed quietly, "He believes me loyal, at least... He bought the story about how I couldn't get away immediately, because who would go through six hours of that kind of torture if they weren't loyal...?"
Dumbledore helped Snape sit up slowly, "I'm so very sorry, Severus." He gazed at the younger man through his half-moon spectacles, "Let's get you back to the castle and I'll make you some tea. Then you can get a good nights rest, and I'll summon the Order day after tomorrow for a meeting. You can tell us everything then."
Snape barely managed to nod in affirmation as the headmaster helped him to his feet. Dumbledore put one of his arms around Snape's waist and put one of Snape's arms over his shoulders, holding onto Snape's wrist. "Thank you, headmaster, I've been looking forward to a cup of your tea for about 5 and a half hours now."
The older man smiled, but there was worry in his eyes. He helped Snape into one of the school carriages before getting in himself. As the carriage headed up towards the school, Dumbledore gazed out one of the windows with a familiar twinkle in his eye. "I think we might need to get a little bit of help this year, Severus."
June 27th, 8:30 A.M., Tomoeda, Japan
"Hoeeee!!!" she cried as the flew down the stairs, "I'm going to be late meeting Tomoyo-chan!"
As she rushed into the kitchen, she tripped and fell. Looking up, she saw her older brother with his foot sticking out. "You shouldn't be running in the house, kaijuu."
"Onii-chan!" Sakura glared as she got up quickly. She then proceeded to stamp down very hard on her older brother's right foot. "I am NOT a monster!"
"Well you sure sound like a kaijuu when you stomp through the house."
"Onii-chan!" She fumed, and glared daggers at Touya.
"Good morning, Sakura-san."
Turning, Sakura looked up at her father with a joyful smile, "Good morning, otou-san!"
"I made pancakes this morning, Sakura-san. Why don't you sit down and have breakfast? You don't have to meet with Tomoyo until 9, right?" Fujitaka smiled down at his daughter.
"Okay!" Sakura sat down at the table, and was soon joined by her brother and father.
"Pancaaaaaaakkkkkkeeeesssssssss! I smell pancakes!!!" Kero cried as he flew into the kitchen.
Touya grabbed Kero by the tail and pulled him down. "Onii-chan! Be nice to Kero-chan!" Touya glared at the sun guardian of the cards before releasing him.
Kero floated over to Sakura and sat down on the table. "Pancakes! Wai! Wai!" Fujitaka set a plate full of pancakes in front of Kero-chan, and the guardian quickly downed half the stack.
Fujitaka smiled at the stuffed animal-like being. "You might want to chew the pancakes before swallowing them, Cerberus." He laughed quietly as Kero began to carefully cut the pancakes into pieces and chew each thoughtfully before swallowing.
"Arigatou, Fujitaka-san. This is wonderful. I wonder... were you always this good of a cook? I can't remember Clow ever cooking that much." Kero gazed up at the half reincarnation of Clow Reed, now the man Fujitaka, and smiled.
Fujitaka just laughed. Suddenly an owl flew in through the open kitchen window. "Hoe?" Sakura stared at the tired looking owl as it landed on the table next to Kero. Kero glared at it before flying over to Fujitaka and sitting on his shoulder. "Why is there an owl here?"
Touya stared for a moment at the bird. "It's got an envelope."
"Hoe? Oh, it does." Sakura slowly reached out and took the envelope from the owl, and pet it gently on the head. Her father stood, with Kero still on his shoulder, and got a bowl of water from the kitchen for the owl. As he set it before the owl, it hooted gratefully and began to drink. Sakura looked down at the envelope. "Hoe! Otou-san, onii-chan! Look at this!" She pointed at the address that was beautifully written on the front of the envelope.
Sakura Kinomoto,
Table in the kitchen,
Kinomoto Residence
Fujitaka took the envelope from his daughter's hands, "I wonder..."
"Wonder what, otou-san?" Sakura blinked up at her father.
"Oh, nothing. Here, Sakura-san. Open it. It's addressed to you, after all." He handed his daughter the envelope.
She opened it slowly and pulled out two pieces of paper. She read the first piece out loud, so her father, brother, and Kero-chan could hear what it said, "Dear Miss Kinomoto, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is very rare that we invite students older than the age of 10-11 to the school, and we hope that you will accept and be able to attend for the coming year. Enclosed is a list of things you will need, as well as directions to Diagon Alley and King's Cross Station. We expect your reply by owl no later than July 31st. Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwart's."
There was a moment of silence before Fujitaka spoke up, "Well, looks I'll have to make arrangements with your school for the year, Sakura-san." He smiled down at his daughter, who was still a bit stunned.
"You mean you're going to let her go?" Touya looked his father in the eyes.
"Of course, if Sakura-san wants to go, that is." Fujitaka smiled broadly at his children. "Hogwart's is a good school. I went there once for a while, when I was Clow-san." It was at this point that Kero fell off Fujitaka's shoulder and hit the floor.
"Kero-chan! Pay attention to where you're falling!" Sakura picked up the guardian and held him close, just thinking for a moment. "Otou-san, I can really go?"
"Of course, Sakura-san. It will be a good learning experience for you. Besides, you'll be there with other people who have magic... it's magic that is different from yours, but you'll probably have a lot of fun. And if you really get homesick, and you aren't happy there, you can come home any time." Fujitaka put a hand on his daughter's shoulder, "We'll send your reply as soon as this owl has had a little bit of rest, okay?"
Sakura dropped Kero and flung her arms around her father. "Arigatou, otou-san!"
"We'll talk about this more later, Sakura-san. You're going to be late meeting Tomoyo if you don't leave soon."
"Hoe!!!"
"Sakura-chan! You'll never believe it!!"
"Nani, Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura hugged her friend as they met in Penguin Park.
"Sakura-chan! I've got magic!" Tomoyo gazed at her friend with starry eyes, "Now I can be just like Sakura-chan!"
Sakura smiled at her friend. Tomoyo hadn't changed much since the day they met in the third grade. Now both girls were fourteen and finishing middle school. "How do you know you have magic, Tomoyo-chan?"
"I got a letter today! From an owl!" Tomoyo giggled. "I was invited to a school where they teach witches and wizards!"
"Sugoi, Tomoyo-chan! I got the same letter today! Is your mom going to let you go? Have you told her yet? How did she react to it?"
Tomoyo just giggled. "Breathe, Sakura-chan. She was a bit surprised, but she had always suspected something was strange with you, and so she didn't flip or anything. And she's going to let me go! She was hoping you'd get to go too!"
"Otou-san said that I could! And I always TOLD you that you had magic!" Sakura hugged her friend again, "This year is going to be so much fun!" The two girls walked hand in hand through Penguin park towards the mall.
June 27th, 7:50 P.M., somewhere in London
He sat on the worn-out couch in the living room, sipping a cup of Dumbledore's tea. The meeting of the Order had just adjourned, and the members had been sent on their respective assignments. Since he was still recovering from the torture he had received the other night, Snape was resting at the Order's headquarters.
Snape had been informed earlier that Dumbledore had invited four new students to the school as transfers. It was especially odd, in Snape's opinion, that these four students were from Japan and China. There were schools in Asia that could take the four, and the part that really got to Snape was that McGonagall had said the four had never been to a wizarding school. So why exactly were they starting so late? Dumbledore had also mentioned something about trying to find a new DADA teacher before the ministry stepped in, something about some educational decrees that were being lobbied for.
He was not looking forward to going back for the end of term feast in a few days. Dumbledore had told him to stay at the Order's headquarters for a while to rest, but he was restless. It was going to be a very long summer indeed.
August 27th, 7:45 A.M., Tomoeda, Japan
"You're not going without us!"
"But Yue-san, I can't take you with me." Sakura sighed and sank down on her bed. Her bags were packed, and she was leaving in an hour for the airport. She looked up at the moon guardian, "Yue-san. Yukito is not a student at the school, and I don't want Yukito to be away from onii-chan for that long. It wouldn't be good for either of them, you know."
Yue stared at his mistress who looked so concerned for the welfare of her brother and Yukito. "But what if you need me?"
Sakura smiled, "If I need you, you'll know, and it wouldn't take you that long to get to the school, since you are a magical being."
"But what about me, Sakura? I want to go with you!" Kero whined. "I can pretend to be a stuffed animal! I won't disturb anything or anyone! I promise! Please???"
"Kero-chan. You wouldn't be able to just sit in my room all day while I was in classes. You'd get too hungry, or you'd get too bored, and you wouldn't have anything to do."
"But Sakura, I want to go anyways!!"
She sighed again. "I could put you in the book, Kero," she began, "and if I were in trouble you'd know and you'd be able to get out."
Kero pondered this for a moment, "Why don't I stay in your Star Key instead? That way I'd always be with you."
Sakura smiled, "Good idea, Kero-chan!" She hugged her sun guardian.
"If Cerberus gets to go, then I want to go too." Yue folded his arms over his chest.
"No, Yue-san. Yukito needs to be here. You need to be here, too. I want you to take care of otou-san and onii-chan." Sakura stood and took Yue's hands, "Please, Yue-san. I need you to stay here." The guardian sighed, and finally nodded his assent. "Oh, thank you Yue-san!" She flung her arms around him and hugged him tight. He gave a brief smile and hugged her back. Once she had released him, she turned to Kero. "Okay, Kero-chan, time to go into the wand."
Sakura softly said a chant, and the small key she had been holding transformed into a large wand, which really looked like more of a staff than anything. Kero transformed into his larger form and was surrounded by a golden light. He faded into the light, becoming one with it. The light was then absorbed by the Star Wand. Sakura smiled and the wand turned back into a key. She looped it back onto its chain and put it around her neck.
Yue closed his eyes and was surrounded by his wings. The wings then disappeared and left Yukito standing in Sakura's room. "Are you ready to go now, Sakura-chan?"
"Hai, Yukito-san!" She picked up the smaller of her two bags, and Yukito picked up the other. The two headed downstairs.
It didn't take long to reach the airport. Sakura spotted Tomoyo as soon as she walked in the door.
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo rushed to her friend and hugged her. "I can't believe this! We're leaving in less than a half hour!"
Sakura hugged Tomoyo, who was soon joined by her mother, Sonomi. "Good morning, Sakura-chan." Sonomi smiled.
"Good morning!" Sakura beamed up at Sonomi. "I'm very glad that you're letting Tomoyo-chan go to school with me!"
"Good morning, Sonomi-kun." Fujitaka approached the group of women.
Sonomi glared at him for a brief moment, "Good morning."
"Are you sure you really want to go, kaijuu?"
"Onii-chan!" Sakura glared at Touya, "How many times do I have to tell you I'm not a monster!"
"Hey, I'm not going to see you for months, so I've got to tease you while I still have time." Touya knelt down, and looked up at Sakura. He couldn't believe how his sister had grown. She was fourteen now, and she was starting to get tall. He was still taller, of course, but now when he knelt he wasn't eye level with Sakura, he was looking up to her. "Just take care of yourself, imouto."
Sakura's eyes started to fill up with tears. She flung her arms around her brother and held him tight, "I will, onii-chan. I've been training very hard, and so I'm much stronger with my magic and with my fighting skills. I'll be able to take care of myself. You just take care of yourself, and otou-san, and Yukito-san, okay?" He smiled and stood, "Sure, kaijuu."
"And don't worry, Sakura-chan, I'll keep Touya out of trouble." Yukito hugged her tight, "And Yue will take care of your dad and your brother. Write to us often."
Sakura held Yukito tight, "I will, Yukito-san." She let go of him and turned to her father. "I'll miss you, otou-san." Tears had finally begun to trickle down her cheeks.
Fujitaka knelt down and hugged his daughter tightly. "Don't worry, Sakura-san, you'll be fine. You and Tomoyo have each other, and Cerberus. You won't have any problems, I'm sure. Eriol-san and I taught you two English, and you're magic has become so strong... Just remember, everything will surely be alright."
"Everything will surely be alright," Sakura repeated softly as she let go of her father. She rejoined Tomoyo, who was being hugged by her mother. Sonomi grabbed Sakura into the hug as well. After a few moments she released the two girls who took their bags and headed off to their terminal.
"They will be fine, won't they, Kinomoto-san?" Sonomi asked quietly as the girls walked out of sight.
"Of course they will, Sonomi-kun." Fujitaka placed a hand on her shoulder.
August 28th, 12:00 P.M., The Leaky Cauldron, London
Sakura and Tomoyo sat in the Leaky Cauldron, eating their lunch. The food was kind of strange, but it wasn't bad. "I can't wait to finish shopping, Sakura-chan!!!"
Sakura smiled at her friend. "Well, we don't have that much left. We've already gotten books, clothes, and supplies for classes. I know that you need to get an animal, at least." Sakura smiled. When they had arrived at the Leaky Cauldron the night before, there had been an owl in a cage waiting for her in her room. It was a beautiful owl that was midnight black with the strangest blue eyes. The card on it said it was a "good luck with school" present from Eriol.
"I think I'm going to get an owl, too, Sakura-chan. I need one to send letters to okaa-san."
"That's a good idea, Tomoyo. I still can't believe Eriol got me an owl! And it's so kawaii!" Sakura giggled as she sipped her juice. "Kero- chan would be so jealous if he knew about Reed-san." Since Eriol had given her the owl, she had named it Reed-san. "So what all do we have left to buy besides your owl?"
Tomoyo pulled out a sheet of parchment with their school supplies written on it. Her eyes went wide when she scanned the page, "We have to go buy our wands, Sakura-chan! I'm so excited! I get a wand of my own!!! Now I'll get to be just like Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo's eyes shone with adoration.
Sakura laughed a bit nervously, "I don't know if I want a new wand... but I suppose I can't very well use the Star Wand at the school." She glanced around the Cauldron, and she noticed a few people staring at herself and Tomoyo... most likely because they were conversing in rapid-fire Japanese.
Tomoyo finished her drink and stood. "Are you ready to go buy our wands, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura nodded and stood, answering Tomoyo in English, "Yes, Tomoyo- chan. Let's go."
The two teenagers wandered out of the Leaky Cauldron and into Diagon Alley. First they stopped at Eyelops Owl Emporium, where Tomoyo bought a honey colored owl with beautiful golden eyes. She promptly named it Saku ("Hoe, Tomoyo-chan! You can't just shorten my name and give it to an owl!!", "But it looks like you, Sakura-chan! Except for its eyes!").
Then they headed to Ollivander's to buy the last of their school supplies – their wands. "I'm so excited, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo held her best friends hand as they walked up to the shop. She gazed up at the sign above the door, "Oh my. They've been in business a long time, haven't they?"
Sakura nodded and led the way in. She looked around the shop in awe. There were dusty boxes everywhere. "New wands...?" An older gentleman came from somewhere behind one of the many shelves on which the dusty boxes were stored. Sakura and Tomoyo nodded. "I don't remember ever selling the two of you wands... Did you lose yours, or did you buy them somewhere else...?"
Sakura smiled, "No, sir, but we do need to get new wands."
He gazed into Sakura's jade colored orbs, "Hm... Alright then. But it seems like I've got a tricky customer in you, miss." The man smiled and turned to one of the shelves. "I think I know exactly what you need." He searched the shelves for a moment before pulling out a box. "Aha, here it is... Try this, my dear." He handed Sakura the wand. Sakura took the wand in her hand, and it felt like it belonged there. She flicked the wand, and out of the tip flowed a shower of pink sparks and cherry blossoms. "I knew it. You are a tricky customer, my dear. This is Rosewood and Holly, 14 and a quarter inches, with a unicorn hair at the core, from one of the most beautiful young unicorns I've ever seen. Rosewood is known for its use in matters of the heart, healing, and divination. Holly is known for its protective qualities, very good for defense." Sakura smiled, very happy with her wand. The shop keep turned to Tomoyo, "How about you, my dear?"
Tomoyo stepped up to the man, ready for her turn. "Ah, and I think I have exactly what you need, dear." He turned to the shelves once again and quickly found the box he needed. He took the wand out of the box and handed it to Tomoyo. "Just give it a swish to try it out." Tomoyo did, and a few purple sparks flew out of the tip of the wand. "Yes, perfect match. It's Red Cedar and Oak, 12 and a quarter inches, with essence of phoenix feather for the core. Red cedar and oak are known to be protective woods, very good for defense against the dark arts."
The two paid their sums to the shopkeeper and left happy. They returned to the Leaky Cauldron, put Tomoyo's owl safely in their room, then returned to the Alley for the rest of the afternoon to just hang out and shop.
Disclaimer: I do not own "Harry Potter" or "Card Captor Sakura" characters, worlds, or anything about them. I do, however, own my own original creations (Alanni Jade, mainly). One day I will be an author, and I will write fanfiction about my own work just so I can say I own it.
Chapter 1: A Long Summer
June 25th, 3:27 A.M., somewhere in the United Kingdom
"Crucio!!!" the hooded man cried again at the crumpled heap at his feet. The man who lay before him writhed in agony again. The hooded man smiled wickedly in the moonlight, then finally lowered his wand. The man at his feet was panting, sweating, but was in too much pain to move, too thankful that the torture was finally over. "There now, Severus, I'm convinced that you are still loyal to me."
Severus Snape shakily moved up onto his knees and bowed before the Dark Lord. "Thank you, my Lord," Snape said in a voice that was hardly more than a strained whisper, "I live only to serve you."
"Yes, you do. I hold your life in my hands. It belongs to me." Voldemort sneered down at Snape. "Now go, Severus, be my eyes and ears at Hogwart's, and keep an eye on that twit Dumbledore."
Snape bowed all the way down to the ground, barely able to keep from crying out in pain, "Yes, my Lord." Snape disapparated from before the Dark Lord and reappeared just outside the wizard town of Hogsmeade. A cloaked figure rushed towards him and quickly knelt next to him. Snape laughed quietly, "He believes me loyal, at least... He bought the story about how I couldn't get away immediately, because who would go through six hours of that kind of torture if they weren't loyal...?"
Dumbledore helped Snape sit up slowly, "I'm so very sorry, Severus." He gazed at the younger man through his half-moon spectacles, "Let's get you back to the castle and I'll make you some tea. Then you can get a good nights rest, and I'll summon the Order day after tomorrow for a meeting. You can tell us everything then."
Snape barely managed to nod in affirmation as the headmaster helped him to his feet. Dumbledore put one of his arms around Snape's waist and put one of Snape's arms over his shoulders, holding onto Snape's wrist. "Thank you, headmaster, I've been looking forward to a cup of your tea for about 5 and a half hours now."
The older man smiled, but there was worry in his eyes. He helped Snape into one of the school carriages before getting in himself. As the carriage headed up towards the school, Dumbledore gazed out one of the windows with a familiar twinkle in his eye. "I think we might need to get a little bit of help this year, Severus."
June 27th, 8:30 A.M., Tomoeda, Japan
"Hoeeee!!!" she cried as the flew down the stairs, "I'm going to be late meeting Tomoyo-chan!"
As she rushed into the kitchen, she tripped and fell. Looking up, she saw her older brother with his foot sticking out. "You shouldn't be running in the house, kaijuu."
"Onii-chan!" Sakura glared as she got up quickly. She then proceeded to stamp down very hard on her older brother's right foot. "I am NOT a monster!"
"Well you sure sound like a kaijuu when you stomp through the house."
"Onii-chan!" She fumed, and glared daggers at Touya.
"Good morning, Sakura-san."
Turning, Sakura looked up at her father with a joyful smile, "Good morning, otou-san!"
"I made pancakes this morning, Sakura-san. Why don't you sit down and have breakfast? You don't have to meet with Tomoyo until 9, right?" Fujitaka smiled down at his daughter.
"Okay!" Sakura sat down at the table, and was soon joined by her brother and father.
"Pancaaaaaaakkkkkkeeeesssssssss! I smell pancakes!!!" Kero cried as he flew into the kitchen.
Touya grabbed Kero by the tail and pulled him down. "Onii-chan! Be nice to Kero-chan!" Touya glared at the sun guardian of the cards before releasing him.
Kero floated over to Sakura and sat down on the table. "Pancakes! Wai! Wai!" Fujitaka set a plate full of pancakes in front of Kero-chan, and the guardian quickly downed half the stack.
Fujitaka smiled at the stuffed animal-like being. "You might want to chew the pancakes before swallowing them, Cerberus." He laughed quietly as Kero began to carefully cut the pancakes into pieces and chew each thoughtfully before swallowing.
"Arigatou, Fujitaka-san. This is wonderful. I wonder... were you always this good of a cook? I can't remember Clow ever cooking that much." Kero gazed up at the half reincarnation of Clow Reed, now the man Fujitaka, and smiled.
Fujitaka just laughed. Suddenly an owl flew in through the open kitchen window. "Hoe?" Sakura stared at the tired looking owl as it landed on the table next to Kero. Kero glared at it before flying over to Fujitaka and sitting on his shoulder. "Why is there an owl here?"
Touya stared for a moment at the bird. "It's got an envelope."
"Hoe? Oh, it does." Sakura slowly reached out and took the envelope from the owl, and pet it gently on the head. Her father stood, with Kero still on his shoulder, and got a bowl of water from the kitchen for the owl. As he set it before the owl, it hooted gratefully and began to drink. Sakura looked down at the envelope. "Hoe! Otou-san, onii-chan! Look at this!" She pointed at the address that was beautifully written on the front of the envelope.
Sakura Kinomoto,
Table in the kitchen,
Kinomoto Residence
Fujitaka took the envelope from his daughter's hands, "I wonder..."
"Wonder what, otou-san?" Sakura blinked up at her father.
"Oh, nothing. Here, Sakura-san. Open it. It's addressed to you, after all." He handed his daughter the envelope.
She opened it slowly and pulled out two pieces of paper. She read the first piece out loud, so her father, brother, and Kero-chan could hear what it said, "Dear Miss Kinomoto, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is very rare that we invite students older than the age of 10-11 to the school, and we hope that you will accept and be able to attend for the coming year. Enclosed is a list of things you will need, as well as directions to Diagon Alley and King's Cross Station. We expect your reply by owl no later than July 31st. Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwart's."
There was a moment of silence before Fujitaka spoke up, "Well, looks I'll have to make arrangements with your school for the year, Sakura-san." He smiled down at his daughter, who was still a bit stunned.
"You mean you're going to let her go?" Touya looked his father in the eyes.
"Of course, if Sakura-san wants to go, that is." Fujitaka smiled broadly at his children. "Hogwart's is a good school. I went there once for a while, when I was Clow-san." It was at this point that Kero fell off Fujitaka's shoulder and hit the floor.
"Kero-chan! Pay attention to where you're falling!" Sakura picked up the guardian and held him close, just thinking for a moment. "Otou-san, I can really go?"
"Of course, Sakura-san. It will be a good learning experience for you. Besides, you'll be there with other people who have magic... it's magic that is different from yours, but you'll probably have a lot of fun. And if you really get homesick, and you aren't happy there, you can come home any time." Fujitaka put a hand on his daughter's shoulder, "We'll send your reply as soon as this owl has had a little bit of rest, okay?"
Sakura dropped Kero and flung her arms around her father. "Arigatou, otou-san!"
"We'll talk about this more later, Sakura-san. You're going to be late meeting Tomoyo if you don't leave soon."
"Hoe!!!"
"Sakura-chan! You'll never believe it!!"
"Nani, Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura hugged her friend as they met in Penguin Park.
"Sakura-chan! I've got magic!" Tomoyo gazed at her friend with starry eyes, "Now I can be just like Sakura-chan!"
Sakura smiled at her friend. Tomoyo hadn't changed much since the day they met in the third grade. Now both girls were fourteen and finishing middle school. "How do you know you have magic, Tomoyo-chan?"
"I got a letter today! From an owl!" Tomoyo giggled. "I was invited to a school where they teach witches and wizards!"
"Sugoi, Tomoyo-chan! I got the same letter today! Is your mom going to let you go? Have you told her yet? How did she react to it?"
Tomoyo just giggled. "Breathe, Sakura-chan. She was a bit surprised, but she had always suspected something was strange with you, and so she didn't flip or anything. And she's going to let me go! She was hoping you'd get to go too!"
"Otou-san said that I could! And I always TOLD you that you had magic!" Sakura hugged her friend again, "This year is going to be so much fun!" The two girls walked hand in hand through Penguin park towards the mall.
June 27th, 7:50 P.M., somewhere in London
He sat on the worn-out couch in the living room, sipping a cup of Dumbledore's tea. The meeting of the Order had just adjourned, and the members had been sent on their respective assignments. Since he was still recovering from the torture he had received the other night, Snape was resting at the Order's headquarters.
Snape had been informed earlier that Dumbledore had invited four new students to the school as transfers. It was especially odd, in Snape's opinion, that these four students were from Japan and China. There were schools in Asia that could take the four, and the part that really got to Snape was that McGonagall had said the four had never been to a wizarding school. So why exactly were they starting so late? Dumbledore had also mentioned something about trying to find a new DADA teacher before the ministry stepped in, something about some educational decrees that were being lobbied for.
He was not looking forward to going back for the end of term feast in a few days. Dumbledore had told him to stay at the Order's headquarters for a while to rest, but he was restless. It was going to be a very long summer indeed.
August 27th, 7:45 A.M., Tomoeda, Japan
"You're not going without us!"
"But Yue-san, I can't take you with me." Sakura sighed and sank down on her bed. Her bags were packed, and she was leaving in an hour for the airport. She looked up at the moon guardian, "Yue-san. Yukito is not a student at the school, and I don't want Yukito to be away from onii-chan for that long. It wouldn't be good for either of them, you know."
Yue stared at his mistress who looked so concerned for the welfare of her brother and Yukito. "But what if you need me?"
Sakura smiled, "If I need you, you'll know, and it wouldn't take you that long to get to the school, since you are a magical being."
"But what about me, Sakura? I want to go with you!" Kero whined. "I can pretend to be a stuffed animal! I won't disturb anything or anyone! I promise! Please???"
"Kero-chan. You wouldn't be able to just sit in my room all day while I was in classes. You'd get too hungry, or you'd get too bored, and you wouldn't have anything to do."
"But Sakura, I want to go anyways!!"
She sighed again. "I could put you in the book, Kero," she began, "and if I were in trouble you'd know and you'd be able to get out."
Kero pondered this for a moment, "Why don't I stay in your Star Key instead? That way I'd always be with you."
Sakura smiled, "Good idea, Kero-chan!" She hugged her sun guardian.
"If Cerberus gets to go, then I want to go too." Yue folded his arms over his chest.
"No, Yue-san. Yukito needs to be here. You need to be here, too. I want you to take care of otou-san and onii-chan." Sakura stood and took Yue's hands, "Please, Yue-san. I need you to stay here." The guardian sighed, and finally nodded his assent. "Oh, thank you Yue-san!" She flung her arms around him and hugged him tight. He gave a brief smile and hugged her back. Once she had released him, she turned to Kero. "Okay, Kero-chan, time to go into the wand."
Sakura softly said a chant, and the small key she had been holding transformed into a large wand, which really looked like more of a staff than anything. Kero transformed into his larger form and was surrounded by a golden light. He faded into the light, becoming one with it. The light was then absorbed by the Star Wand. Sakura smiled and the wand turned back into a key. She looped it back onto its chain and put it around her neck.
Yue closed his eyes and was surrounded by his wings. The wings then disappeared and left Yukito standing in Sakura's room. "Are you ready to go now, Sakura-chan?"
"Hai, Yukito-san!" She picked up the smaller of her two bags, and Yukito picked up the other. The two headed downstairs.
It didn't take long to reach the airport. Sakura spotted Tomoyo as soon as she walked in the door.
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo rushed to her friend and hugged her. "I can't believe this! We're leaving in less than a half hour!"
Sakura hugged Tomoyo, who was soon joined by her mother, Sonomi. "Good morning, Sakura-chan." Sonomi smiled.
"Good morning!" Sakura beamed up at Sonomi. "I'm very glad that you're letting Tomoyo-chan go to school with me!"
"Good morning, Sonomi-kun." Fujitaka approached the group of women.
Sonomi glared at him for a brief moment, "Good morning."
"Are you sure you really want to go, kaijuu?"
"Onii-chan!" Sakura glared at Touya, "How many times do I have to tell you I'm not a monster!"
"Hey, I'm not going to see you for months, so I've got to tease you while I still have time." Touya knelt down, and looked up at Sakura. He couldn't believe how his sister had grown. She was fourteen now, and she was starting to get tall. He was still taller, of course, but now when he knelt he wasn't eye level with Sakura, he was looking up to her. "Just take care of yourself, imouto."
Sakura's eyes started to fill up with tears. She flung her arms around her brother and held him tight, "I will, onii-chan. I've been training very hard, and so I'm much stronger with my magic and with my fighting skills. I'll be able to take care of myself. You just take care of yourself, and otou-san, and Yukito-san, okay?" He smiled and stood, "Sure, kaijuu."
"And don't worry, Sakura-chan, I'll keep Touya out of trouble." Yukito hugged her tight, "And Yue will take care of your dad and your brother. Write to us often."
Sakura held Yukito tight, "I will, Yukito-san." She let go of him and turned to her father. "I'll miss you, otou-san." Tears had finally begun to trickle down her cheeks.
Fujitaka knelt down and hugged his daughter tightly. "Don't worry, Sakura-san, you'll be fine. You and Tomoyo have each other, and Cerberus. You won't have any problems, I'm sure. Eriol-san and I taught you two English, and you're magic has become so strong... Just remember, everything will surely be alright."
"Everything will surely be alright," Sakura repeated softly as she let go of her father. She rejoined Tomoyo, who was being hugged by her mother. Sonomi grabbed Sakura into the hug as well. After a few moments she released the two girls who took their bags and headed off to their terminal.
"They will be fine, won't they, Kinomoto-san?" Sonomi asked quietly as the girls walked out of sight.
"Of course they will, Sonomi-kun." Fujitaka placed a hand on her shoulder.
August 28th, 12:00 P.M., The Leaky Cauldron, London
Sakura and Tomoyo sat in the Leaky Cauldron, eating their lunch. The food was kind of strange, but it wasn't bad. "I can't wait to finish shopping, Sakura-chan!!!"
Sakura smiled at her friend. "Well, we don't have that much left. We've already gotten books, clothes, and supplies for classes. I know that you need to get an animal, at least." Sakura smiled. When they had arrived at the Leaky Cauldron the night before, there had been an owl in a cage waiting for her in her room. It was a beautiful owl that was midnight black with the strangest blue eyes. The card on it said it was a "good luck with school" present from Eriol.
"I think I'm going to get an owl, too, Sakura-chan. I need one to send letters to okaa-san."
"That's a good idea, Tomoyo. I still can't believe Eriol got me an owl! And it's so kawaii!" Sakura giggled as she sipped her juice. "Kero- chan would be so jealous if he knew about Reed-san." Since Eriol had given her the owl, she had named it Reed-san. "So what all do we have left to buy besides your owl?"
Tomoyo pulled out a sheet of parchment with their school supplies written on it. Her eyes went wide when she scanned the page, "We have to go buy our wands, Sakura-chan! I'm so excited! I get a wand of my own!!! Now I'll get to be just like Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo's eyes shone with adoration.
Sakura laughed a bit nervously, "I don't know if I want a new wand... but I suppose I can't very well use the Star Wand at the school." She glanced around the Cauldron, and she noticed a few people staring at herself and Tomoyo... most likely because they were conversing in rapid-fire Japanese.
Tomoyo finished her drink and stood. "Are you ready to go buy our wands, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura nodded and stood, answering Tomoyo in English, "Yes, Tomoyo- chan. Let's go."
The two teenagers wandered out of the Leaky Cauldron and into Diagon Alley. First they stopped at Eyelops Owl Emporium, where Tomoyo bought a honey colored owl with beautiful golden eyes. She promptly named it Saku ("Hoe, Tomoyo-chan! You can't just shorten my name and give it to an owl!!", "But it looks like you, Sakura-chan! Except for its eyes!").
Then they headed to Ollivander's to buy the last of their school supplies – their wands. "I'm so excited, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo held her best friends hand as they walked up to the shop. She gazed up at the sign above the door, "Oh my. They've been in business a long time, haven't they?"
Sakura nodded and led the way in. She looked around the shop in awe. There were dusty boxes everywhere. "New wands...?" An older gentleman came from somewhere behind one of the many shelves on which the dusty boxes were stored. Sakura and Tomoyo nodded. "I don't remember ever selling the two of you wands... Did you lose yours, or did you buy them somewhere else...?"
Sakura smiled, "No, sir, but we do need to get new wands."
He gazed into Sakura's jade colored orbs, "Hm... Alright then. But it seems like I've got a tricky customer in you, miss." The man smiled and turned to one of the shelves. "I think I know exactly what you need." He searched the shelves for a moment before pulling out a box. "Aha, here it is... Try this, my dear." He handed Sakura the wand. Sakura took the wand in her hand, and it felt like it belonged there. She flicked the wand, and out of the tip flowed a shower of pink sparks and cherry blossoms. "I knew it. You are a tricky customer, my dear. This is Rosewood and Holly, 14 and a quarter inches, with a unicorn hair at the core, from one of the most beautiful young unicorns I've ever seen. Rosewood is known for its use in matters of the heart, healing, and divination. Holly is known for its protective qualities, very good for defense." Sakura smiled, very happy with her wand. The shop keep turned to Tomoyo, "How about you, my dear?"
Tomoyo stepped up to the man, ready for her turn. "Ah, and I think I have exactly what you need, dear." He turned to the shelves once again and quickly found the box he needed. He took the wand out of the box and handed it to Tomoyo. "Just give it a swish to try it out." Tomoyo did, and a few purple sparks flew out of the tip of the wand. "Yes, perfect match. It's Red Cedar and Oak, 12 and a quarter inches, with essence of phoenix feather for the core. Red cedar and oak are known to be protective woods, very good for defense against the dark arts."
The two paid their sums to the shopkeeper and left happy. They returned to the Leaky Cauldron, put Tomoyo's owl safely in their room, then returned to the Alley for the rest of the afternoon to just hang out and shop.