A/N: Chapter 3! Huzzah! Hopefully this is all working and everything is
going up as planned. If not I'll nix everything and start over.
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I work for CLAMP – thus, I own none of this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 3: The Arrival
September 1st, 6:41 P.M., Hogsmeade
The scarlet train pulled into the Hogsmeade station. Hermione had stopped by Sakura's compartment to tell them to leave their things on the train, that it would all be waiting in their rooms once they were assigned to a house. Sakura had found this rather odd, but had left her things nonetheless – except for the cards, that is. The cards were hidden in a special pocket that Tomoyo had sown into her school robes.
Tomoyo and Sakura marveled at their surroundings. The Head Boy was shouting for the first years to follow him, so Sakura asked Syaoran what they were supposed to do. Syaoran went and asked the Head Boy and was told that they would be taking carriages with the rest of the upper classmen.
Sakura immediately liked the carriages for the beasts that pulled them. She petted the one pulling theirs before climbing into the carriage.
It didn't take long to reach the castle. Tomoyo looked out the window of their carriage, "Sakura-chan! Look at this place!"
"Sugoi, Tomoyo-chan! Ne, Syaoran-kun?" Sakura gazed up at the huge castle. Syaoran nodded and glanced at the castle. The carriages came to a halt and the four clambered out. They followed the lines of students heading into the castle.
Sakura noticed that they were getting a lot of stares from the students, and she could hear whispered conversations about them. She took Tomoyo and Meiling's hands for reassurance. The two other girls smiled at Sakura, as did Syaoran.
A tall woman with a pointy hat approached the four and smiled (though the smile looked rather odd on the woman). "I am Professor McGonagall. If you would please follow me, the headmaster would like to speak with you."
The students whispers got louder, and Sakura panicked for a brief moment. Then she thought that the headmaster probably just wanted to talk to them about their transfer. There's no way they could be in trouble already.
The professor led the four transfer students through the halls and up to the statue of a creature Sakura didn't recognize. "Lemon drops," the professor said to the statue, and it slid aside revealing a spiral staircase that was rising up. "Please go up the stairs and to the headmaster's office. I must see to the first years." She turned to leave but stopped, "And welcome to Hogwart's." Professor McGonagall left the four.
Syaoran sighed and went first, knowing that the girls were all too scared to lead the way. He led the way up the stairs followed closely by Meiling, Sakura, and Tomoyo. Once at the top of the stairs, Sakura knocked lightly on the door. "Come in," called a warm, inviting voice. Syaoran opened the door and the four walked into the headmaster's office.
Sakura gawked at all the things in the office. There were portraits everywhere – and the inhabitants were moving! Some of the paintings were even missing their subjects.
"Welcome, children," said the man behind the desk. He was an older man, with a long white beard and kind blue eyes that sparkled behind half moon glasses. "It is an honor to have the four of you here. Please, sit," the headmaster motioned to the four chairs in front of his desk. Sakura, Meiling, Tomoyo, and Syaoran sat down quietly. "I'm sure you are all wondering why exactly you are here," he began. "You all would've been invited to study at wizarding schools much earlier, in fact, but I was informed of certain circumstances which were unavoidable for the four of you."
"What do you mean?" Syaoran asked, interrupting the headmaster. Sakura nudged him and gave him a look that said "be respectful".
Dumbledore just chuckled, winking at Sakura. "I've been in contact with Eriol Hiiragizawa for the past few years, and he informed me of the events which would be taking place for the four of you." Syaoran grimaced at the mention of Eriol. "And may I say right now that I am very honored to have the Card Mistress at this wonderful school," Dumbledore chuckled again. The four students before him looked rather shocked at his knowledge of matters that they had thought secret.
"Thank you, headmaster," Sakura said, blushing. "But may I ask why Meilin and Tomoyo were not invited earlier?"
Dumbledore nodded, "I was told that they were essential to the completion of your mission, Miss Kinomoto, that you could not do without either of them. So all of your invitations were delayed a few years." Meiling and Tomoyo beamed – only Sakura had ever told them they were so important. "Now, Ms. Li, Ms. Daidouji – I need to speak with Ms. Kinomoto and Mr. Li for a moment before we all head to the start of term feast. I ask you one last thing – please do not mention anything about the cards or their mistress to anyone at this school. It is very important that we keep it a secret for as long as possible." Tomoyo and Meiling nodded, "Thank you. Now please wait downstairs. We will join you momentarily."
As soon as Tomoyo and Meiling left the office, Syaoran turned to Dumbledore, "So why are we really here?"
Dumbledore chuckled as Sakura nudged Syaoran again. "It's alright, Miss Kinomoto. Well, Mr. Li, this year is going to be a very difficult year. I have asked you here, to Hogwart's for two reasons. You see, there are plenty of schools in Asia where the four of you could study, but none can offer you what we can – security." Sakura looked quite confused. Dumbledore smiled, but there was a great sadness in his eyes and his aura, "There is a great threat to the wizarding world right now, Miss Kinomoto, Mr. Li. About the time you were born, Mr. Li," the great wizard began, "there was a plague on the wizarding world – and his name was Voldemort."
Syaoran nodded, "The Elders have told me about this man, the one they call the Dark Lord."
"Yes, the dark lord," Dumbledore seemed to sneer a bit when he said the title, "he was defeated by a baby, banished to a life that barely resembled living. This past summer he restored himself to his full powers." Syaoran was about to say something but Dumbledore held up a hand, "I am almost finished, Mr. Li, just a moment, please." The headmaster sank into his chair behind the desk and took a deep breath, "Now, I brought you all to Hogwart's for your protection. As hard as we tried to keep Miss Kinomoto and her powers a secret, it seems that Voldemort has found out about them, and about you Mr. Li. Hogwart's can offer you all protection that other schools cannot." He paused for a moment, "But I have also brought you here to help protect. Miss Kinomoto, you are the most powerful sorceress in the whole of the world, and Mr. Li, you are only a bit behind her. The baby that defeated Voldemort fifteen years ago is his main target, and I would like for the two of you to do all you can to befriend the boy and keep him safe."
"Who is he?" Sakura spoke for the first time since entering the office.
Dumbledore smiled warmly at the girl, "Harry Potter." A look of understanding passed over Sakura's face and Dumbledore nodded. "Now, I believe it is time for us to go to the feast, and to get the four of you sorted into your houses." The headmaster stood and led the two sorcerers out of his office and down the stairs where they met up with Tomoyo and Meiling. The four students followed their new headmaster through the school towards the Great Hall.
The four transfer students stood at the front of the Great Hall with the first years, but all the eyes of the staff and students were on them while a tattered hat sang a rather dark song, and emphasized the need for the houses to unite this year.
Professor McGonagall stood next to the stood and unrolled a scroll with a list of names on it. She began calling names, and the nervous first years sat on the stool and put the tattered hat on their heads. After a few moments the hat would call out a house, and one of the four great tables would break out in applause.
Tomoyo, Meiling, and Sakura were holding hands, waiting nervously. Sakura noticed that all the students were staring up at her and her friends. She blushed slightly, but her thoughts were interrupted when she heard professor McGonagall call out "Daidouji, Tomoyo!"
Tomoyo nervously approached the stool and sat, tentatively placing the hat on her head. After a few moments the hat called out loudly, "Ravenclaw!" The Ravenclaw table burst into loud applause, extremely excited to get the first of the four transfer students.
Sakura held Meiling and Syaoran's hands now, waiting nervously for her turn. "Everything will be alright," she heard a voice whisper in her ear. She turned to grin at Syaoran and nodded.
"Kinomoto, Sakura!" McGonagall called. Sakura slowly approached the stool and sat, placing the hat on her head.
Ah, the card mistress, hello. It is an honor to have you here, said a voice inside her head. She nearly fell off the stool when she realized it was the hat talking to her. Um, thanks, she thought back. I know just where to put you, said the voice again. "Gryffindor!" the hat cried out. The Gryffindors stood up and applauded wildly. Sakura quickly went and joined their table, sitting by Hermione and across from Harry. She looked over at Tomoyo sadly, but her friend smiled brightly. She returned her attention to the line of students still standing before the teacher's table. She waited nervously for Meiling and Syaoran to be sorted.
Sooner than she thought, Sakura heard "Li, Meilin!" Meiling sat down on the stool and moments later the hat shouted "Hufflepuff!" The Hufflepuff table burst into applause as Meiling joined them.
Sakura looked up at Syaoran as McGonagall called out his name. The hat stayed on his head a bit longer than it did for other students, and Sakura decided that the hat must be talking to him as well. "Gryffindor!" the hat called, and the table Sakura was sitting at burst into applause once more.
Syaoran joined Sakura who hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy Syaoran- kun! I thought I'd be all alone!" They sat down together and they were congratulated by the Gryffindors around them. They hardly paid attention to the rest of the sorting.
When the last first year had been placed into a house (Hufflepuff, by the by), Dumbledore stood and the Hall became quiet. "Before we start the feast and a new term, I will quell the curiosity that is overwhelming the Hall right now. Firstly, you all may have noticed four students who are a bit bigger than the first years. They are transfer students – the three young ladies will be joining the fourth year, and Mr. Li will be joining the fifth years." Dumbledore smiled kindly at Syaoran and Sakura. "Also, you may have noticed a new teacher in our ranks. I would like to introduce to you all to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher – Professor Alanni Jade." Jade stood and waved to the students. Some of the older male students let out a catcall or two (like the Weasley twins). "Now now, settle down. Let's begin the feast, and a new year!" He clapped his hands and a magnificent feast appeared on the table.
Sakura chatted amiably with the Gryffindor students around her. Syaoran remained rather quiet, but then again that wasn't unusual for him. At one point during dinner Hermione rather surprised Sakura by asking, "So what would you prefer us to call you? I realize that in Japan, people usually go on a last name basis unless they know each other well."
The card mistress smiled brilliantly, "That is true. But Granger-san, if you'd like, you can call me Sakura."
Hermione smiled, "Only if you call me Hermione." Sakura nodded quickly. She was very happy to be fitting in with her new housemates. "What about you, mate? What should we call you?" Ron pointedly asked Syaoran.
"Li," Syaoran said briskly. Sakura frowned only slightly at his rude behavior.
Ron nodded slowly, "Right then, Li. Got it, mate." Sakura smiled brilliantly at Ron, trying to make him feel a bit better – it did.
Sakura was soon distracted from her new friends, because she felt eyes on her. She glanced at the other student tables, wondering if maybe Tomoyo or Meiling was watching her, but they weren't – they were absorbed in conversation with the people around them. Sakura turned her gaze to the teacher's table, and found who was watching her. The new DADA teacher was staring intensely at Sakura, and when the girl caught her eye, she smiled. Sakura smiled back a bit timidly. The teacher made Sakura's skin crawl... she wondered about that.
Jade watched the honey-haired girl intently, feeling a great sadness and heavy heartedness wash over her. That poor, innocent, wonderful girl was being dragged into the middle of a war that was about to begin.
Sakura looked around the hall as Jade watched her. Finally the girl gazed up at the teacher's table and caught Jade's eye. The new DADA teacher was slightly startled, but smiled kindly at Sakura, hoping that she hadn't surprised the young card mistress. However, Jade could tell by the girls beautiful pink aura that she was uncomfortable under the teacher's gaze. Reluctantly Jade averted her gaze and turned to the rather unhappy potions master beside her.
"Why were you staring at her?" he said rather grumpily.
Jade sighed, "Do you think he was right to bring her into this, Severus?"
The potions master seemed a bit taken aback by the question. Jade had always confused him so – she was always so concerned about others, but at what cost to herself? He sighed quietly before answering, "I don't know if he was right or if he was wrong, but it was necessary. From what I've been told, she's a very strong girl... I'm sure she'll be alright."
The newest professor smiled sadly and nodded, "Yes, I'm sure she'll be fine as well." Jade took a sip from her goblet full of water before smiling brilliantly at Snape. "I always knew that you were a sweet guy deep down inside." She winked at him.
He sneered, and his mood darkened even more. He had already been in a foul mood because he was going to have to go see the Dark Lord after the feast... but now, now Jade thought he was "a sweet guy". He glared at the woman with silver eyes beside him, and she frowned, turning away from him.
Dumbledore stood, signaling the end of the feast. He made a few start of term announcements, then dismissed the students to go off to their houses. Snape stood and moved quickly from the Great Hall. He was almost to the entrance of the school when the headmaster caught up to him. "Severus, wait just a moment, please."
Snape stopped and turned to look at the old man behind him. "Yes, headmaster?"
"Severus," Dumbledore began, "I don't think you should go alone tonight. I've been having a bad feeling all day."
Snape shook his head and sighed. "I can't take someone with me..."
"Not to the meeting, of course... but to wait for you when you come back. I have a feeling that you might not be able to make it back up to the castle..."
Reluctantly Snape nodded, "Alright. You obviously cannot come with me, headmaster, so who are you going to send? Minerva?"
"No, not Minerva. Me." Jade stepped from behind Dumbledore. The headmaster smiled at the newest teacher, and there was a kind of awe in his blue eyes. "I know what he's like, Severus... and since he has no need of me to be there tonight... I'll wait for you to come back, just in case."
Snape looked up to the headmaster pleadingly, but Dumbledore just smiled. "Alright. I don't know how long it's going to be, though," Snape began as he started towards the Whomping willow. Jade nodded at the different things Snape was saying to her as she followed closely behind him.
Dumbledore watched the two teachers walk away, his normally warm blue eyes now seemed quite sad and cold. He had a very bad feeling about the night... He feared that his potions master might not come back the same... if at all.
Sakura sat by the fire with Ginny and Hermione, teaching them a bit of Japanese (so they wouldn't be so confused around her) and telling Hermione about how the Japanese school system works (Hermione was fascinated). Syaoran was being fawned over by all the Gryffindor girls, and he looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.
Harry, on the other hand, seemed to be brooding in the armchair by the fire. Ron was going on and on about the upcoming Quidditch season, but Harry only nodded from time to time. Sakura glanced at Harry occasionally during her conversation with the youngest Weasley and the Gryffindor prefect, noticing the agitation in his aura. "Excuse me for a moment," she said to Ginny and Hermione. She rose and walked over to Harry, gracefully plopping down into the chair beside the boy who lived. She leaned on the arm of her chair, moving closer to Harry, "What's wrong, Harry?"
The green eyed boy was a bit startled as his train of thought was interrupted by the gorgeous Japanese transfer student. "Huh? Oh, nothing, Sakura, I was just thinking..."
Sakura gave him a dazzling smile, "Alright... but if you ever need to talk, don't hesitate to come to me. I would very much like to be your friend, Harry-kun..." Her emerald eyes sparkled, and Harry was entranced, enamored. The boy nodded dumbly as Sakura rose. She told everyone goodnight before running over to Li and giving him a quick hug.
Sakura was the first one to go up to the fourth year's room for the night. She guessed that most everyone would stay up a while later, but she was tired from the day of traveling. The card mistress quickly changed into her pajamas and clambered into the four poster bed. She drew the curtains shut around her bed and took out her Sakura Cards.
She waited for two hours, silently holding her Sakura Cards and waiting for everyone in the Tower to go to bed and fall asleep. She stretched out with her aura and felt that everyone had finally gone to sleep. She sat up, and pulled out the Dream Card. She placed it on the bed in front of her and concentrated on Harry Potter. "Dream," she began quietly, "your mistress Sakura wishes to gain knowledge of the boy Harry Potter through his own memories and the memories of those closest to him. Send me this knowledge, your mistress Sakura commands!" There was a bright flash of light, then Sakura was asleep in her bed.
She was pacing now. He'd been gone far too long. She was starting to worry. Jade sighed and leaned against the tree she was standing under. "Something isn't right..." she muttered to herself.
Just then a figure apparated and collapsed to the ground before her. The man at her feet looked to be barely breathing. She quickly knelt beside him and brushed the inky black strands of hair out of his face. "Severus... can you hear me?" She put a hand on Snape's cheek – he seemed to be running a fever. "Come on, let's get back to the castle and I'll fix you up, and tomorrow you'll be back to your old grumpy self." Snape groaned quietly as Jade heaved him up and half dragged him through town to the shrieking shack.
Sakura woke early the next morning and went to the window of the tower. The sun had still not risen, and the fact that she was awake was quite an odd occurrence. But the young girl was troubled. As she stared out of the tower, she began to cry quietly for Harry Potter. It amazed her that a boy hardly older than herself could have gone through so much and remained such a nice person still. Granted the same could be said about herself and Syaoran, but Sakura never thought about herself like that. Her train of thought was interrupted when she saw two figures walking across the half moonlit grounds – no, there was one figure walking and carrying the second. She stared at the two intensely... one of the aura's she recognized as belonging to the new DADA teacher who creeped her out, but she hadn't met the owner of the second aura. The man Jade was carrying seemed injured, and Sakura was very concerned, even though she didn't know who he was. She hoped he would be alright.
Jade quickly carried Snape across the school grounds and up to the entrance of the castle (she was really much stronger than she appeared to be). She made it all the way to the entrance to the teacher's dormitories without being seen (or so she thought). Just as she was about to say the password she heard someone yell "Students aren't allowed in the teacher's dorms!" A man came running down the hall at her. "Oh, Professor Jade... I'm sorry, I thought you were a student – Bloody hell," Filch looked at Snape, "what happened to him?"
"Long story, Argus. Would you help me get him up to his room?" Filch nodded and opened the door to the dormitory, helping Jade ease Snape through it. He also unlocked and opened Snape's door with a skeleton key, then helped her inside. "Alright. Do you need me to do anything else, Professor Jade?"
Jade smiled kindly at him, "No, thank you Argus. I'd just ask you not to mention this to any of the other teachers. Only Albus can be allowed to know." Filch nodded and left Jade alone with an unconscious Snape. Jade sighed and carried Severus to his bed, then carefully laid him down. She left him for a few moments to go into his kitchen and being boiling water. She also took a small pouch off her belt and set it on the counter before turning and returning to the bedroom.
Silently Jade began to take Snape's boots off, setting them beside the bed. When that was done she stared at the unconscious potions master for a moment, biting her lip. Then she shrugged and took his coat and shirt off, folding them neatly and setting them on his dresser. She re- adjusted the pillows under his head and brought the blankets up over him. She then wandered off to the kitchen again, slightly blushing (she'd never seen a guy look so good with his shirt off before), and made tea.
Snape regained consciousness in the most unexpected of places – his own room. He tried to sit up, but his muscles exploded with pain. He then decided that he would much rather lay. Snape stared up at the canopy of his bed, trying to remember exactly what had happened, when he heard a kettle whistling in his kitchen. Again he tried to get up, but his body refused to cooperate. The whistling soon stopped and was followed by the sound of someone opening a cabinet, taking out some cups and saucers, and in general it was just the sound of someone rummaging through his kitchen. His mind wasn't working enough to figure out who it might be, so he decided it would be safer to just pretend to be unconscious until he figured out who it was.
He heard footsteps coming into his room. Someone set a tray down on the small table beside his bed. "Can't play dead with me, Severus..." said a warm, inviting voice. He slowly opened his eyes to see the smiling face of Jade before him. "How are you feeling?" she inquired as she sat on the bed beside him. "How do you think I feel?" he snapped.
She frowned but nodded, "Fair enough. Here," she gently took his shoulders, "see if you can sit up." He strained against the pain and she helped get him sitting up a bit. Jade wrapped one arm around him and held him as she re-adjusted the pillows with her other hand before letting him settle against them. "I made you some tea." She handed him a cup and saucer, which he gratefully took as the blankets over him slid down. It was then he realized he was shirtless.
"What did you do with my clothes?" he growled through clenched teeth.
"They're on the dresser. Just drink your tea." She stood and headed for the door, "It should ease the pain. I also made you some cookies with some healing herbs in them. Eat those, too. I'll see you at breakfast in two hours. Get some rest." She left without waiting for his response.
He fumed for a moment, then took a sip from his tea. It really did help to ease the pain. In fact, it helped so much that he was able to reach for a cookie without wincing. He made a mental note to thank Jade later... maybe.
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I work for CLAMP – thus, I own none of this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 3: The Arrival
September 1st, 6:41 P.M., Hogsmeade
The scarlet train pulled into the Hogsmeade station. Hermione had stopped by Sakura's compartment to tell them to leave their things on the train, that it would all be waiting in their rooms once they were assigned to a house. Sakura had found this rather odd, but had left her things nonetheless – except for the cards, that is. The cards were hidden in a special pocket that Tomoyo had sown into her school robes.
Tomoyo and Sakura marveled at their surroundings. The Head Boy was shouting for the first years to follow him, so Sakura asked Syaoran what they were supposed to do. Syaoran went and asked the Head Boy and was told that they would be taking carriages with the rest of the upper classmen.
Sakura immediately liked the carriages for the beasts that pulled them. She petted the one pulling theirs before climbing into the carriage.
It didn't take long to reach the castle. Tomoyo looked out the window of their carriage, "Sakura-chan! Look at this place!"
"Sugoi, Tomoyo-chan! Ne, Syaoran-kun?" Sakura gazed up at the huge castle. Syaoran nodded and glanced at the castle. The carriages came to a halt and the four clambered out. They followed the lines of students heading into the castle.
Sakura noticed that they were getting a lot of stares from the students, and she could hear whispered conversations about them. She took Tomoyo and Meiling's hands for reassurance. The two other girls smiled at Sakura, as did Syaoran.
A tall woman with a pointy hat approached the four and smiled (though the smile looked rather odd on the woman). "I am Professor McGonagall. If you would please follow me, the headmaster would like to speak with you."
The students whispers got louder, and Sakura panicked for a brief moment. Then she thought that the headmaster probably just wanted to talk to them about their transfer. There's no way they could be in trouble already.
The professor led the four transfer students through the halls and up to the statue of a creature Sakura didn't recognize. "Lemon drops," the professor said to the statue, and it slid aside revealing a spiral staircase that was rising up. "Please go up the stairs and to the headmaster's office. I must see to the first years." She turned to leave but stopped, "And welcome to Hogwart's." Professor McGonagall left the four.
Syaoran sighed and went first, knowing that the girls were all too scared to lead the way. He led the way up the stairs followed closely by Meiling, Sakura, and Tomoyo. Once at the top of the stairs, Sakura knocked lightly on the door. "Come in," called a warm, inviting voice. Syaoran opened the door and the four walked into the headmaster's office.
Sakura gawked at all the things in the office. There were portraits everywhere – and the inhabitants were moving! Some of the paintings were even missing their subjects.
"Welcome, children," said the man behind the desk. He was an older man, with a long white beard and kind blue eyes that sparkled behind half moon glasses. "It is an honor to have the four of you here. Please, sit," the headmaster motioned to the four chairs in front of his desk. Sakura, Meiling, Tomoyo, and Syaoran sat down quietly. "I'm sure you are all wondering why exactly you are here," he began. "You all would've been invited to study at wizarding schools much earlier, in fact, but I was informed of certain circumstances which were unavoidable for the four of you."
"What do you mean?" Syaoran asked, interrupting the headmaster. Sakura nudged him and gave him a look that said "be respectful".
Dumbledore just chuckled, winking at Sakura. "I've been in contact with Eriol Hiiragizawa for the past few years, and he informed me of the events which would be taking place for the four of you." Syaoran grimaced at the mention of Eriol. "And may I say right now that I am very honored to have the Card Mistress at this wonderful school," Dumbledore chuckled again. The four students before him looked rather shocked at his knowledge of matters that they had thought secret.
"Thank you, headmaster," Sakura said, blushing. "But may I ask why Meilin and Tomoyo were not invited earlier?"
Dumbledore nodded, "I was told that they were essential to the completion of your mission, Miss Kinomoto, that you could not do without either of them. So all of your invitations were delayed a few years." Meiling and Tomoyo beamed – only Sakura had ever told them they were so important. "Now, Ms. Li, Ms. Daidouji – I need to speak with Ms. Kinomoto and Mr. Li for a moment before we all head to the start of term feast. I ask you one last thing – please do not mention anything about the cards or their mistress to anyone at this school. It is very important that we keep it a secret for as long as possible." Tomoyo and Meiling nodded, "Thank you. Now please wait downstairs. We will join you momentarily."
As soon as Tomoyo and Meiling left the office, Syaoran turned to Dumbledore, "So why are we really here?"
Dumbledore chuckled as Sakura nudged Syaoran again. "It's alright, Miss Kinomoto. Well, Mr. Li, this year is going to be a very difficult year. I have asked you here, to Hogwart's for two reasons. You see, there are plenty of schools in Asia where the four of you could study, but none can offer you what we can – security." Sakura looked quite confused. Dumbledore smiled, but there was a great sadness in his eyes and his aura, "There is a great threat to the wizarding world right now, Miss Kinomoto, Mr. Li. About the time you were born, Mr. Li," the great wizard began, "there was a plague on the wizarding world – and his name was Voldemort."
Syaoran nodded, "The Elders have told me about this man, the one they call the Dark Lord."
"Yes, the dark lord," Dumbledore seemed to sneer a bit when he said the title, "he was defeated by a baby, banished to a life that barely resembled living. This past summer he restored himself to his full powers." Syaoran was about to say something but Dumbledore held up a hand, "I am almost finished, Mr. Li, just a moment, please." The headmaster sank into his chair behind the desk and took a deep breath, "Now, I brought you all to Hogwart's for your protection. As hard as we tried to keep Miss Kinomoto and her powers a secret, it seems that Voldemort has found out about them, and about you Mr. Li. Hogwart's can offer you all protection that other schools cannot." He paused for a moment, "But I have also brought you here to help protect. Miss Kinomoto, you are the most powerful sorceress in the whole of the world, and Mr. Li, you are only a bit behind her. The baby that defeated Voldemort fifteen years ago is his main target, and I would like for the two of you to do all you can to befriend the boy and keep him safe."
"Who is he?" Sakura spoke for the first time since entering the office.
Dumbledore smiled warmly at the girl, "Harry Potter." A look of understanding passed over Sakura's face and Dumbledore nodded. "Now, I believe it is time for us to go to the feast, and to get the four of you sorted into your houses." The headmaster stood and led the two sorcerers out of his office and down the stairs where they met up with Tomoyo and Meiling. The four students followed their new headmaster through the school towards the Great Hall.
The four transfer students stood at the front of the Great Hall with the first years, but all the eyes of the staff and students were on them while a tattered hat sang a rather dark song, and emphasized the need for the houses to unite this year.
Professor McGonagall stood next to the stood and unrolled a scroll with a list of names on it. She began calling names, and the nervous first years sat on the stool and put the tattered hat on their heads. After a few moments the hat would call out a house, and one of the four great tables would break out in applause.
Tomoyo, Meiling, and Sakura were holding hands, waiting nervously. Sakura noticed that all the students were staring up at her and her friends. She blushed slightly, but her thoughts were interrupted when she heard professor McGonagall call out "Daidouji, Tomoyo!"
Tomoyo nervously approached the stool and sat, tentatively placing the hat on her head. After a few moments the hat called out loudly, "Ravenclaw!" The Ravenclaw table burst into loud applause, extremely excited to get the first of the four transfer students.
Sakura held Meiling and Syaoran's hands now, waiting nervously for her turn. "Everything will be alright," she heard a voice whisper in her ear. She turned to grin at Syaoran and nodded.
"Kinomoto, Sakura!" McGonagall called. Sakura slowly approached the stool and sat, placing the hat on her head.
Ah, the card mistress, hello. It is an honor to have you here, said a voice inside her head. She nearly fell off the stool when she realized it was the hat talking to her. Um, thanks, she thought back. I know just where to put you, said the voice again. "Gryffindor!" the hat cried out. The Gryffindors stood up and applauded wildly. Sakura quickly went and joined their table, sitting by Hermione and across from Harry. She looked over at Tomoyo sadly, but her friend smiled brightly. She returned her attention to the line of students still standing before the teacher's table. She waited nervously for Meiling and Syaoran to be sorted.
Sooner than she thought, Sakura heard "Li, Meilin!" Meiling sat down on the stool and moments later the hat shouted "Hufflepuff!" The Hufflepuff table burst into applause as Meiling joined them.
Sakura looked up at Syaoran as McGonagall called out his name. The hat stayed on his head a bit longer than it did for other students, and Sakura decided that the hat must be talking to him as well. "Gryffindor!" the hat called, and the table Sakura was sitting at burst into applause once more.
Syaoran joined Sakura who hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy Syaoran- kun! I thought I'd be all alone!" They sat down together and they were congratulated by the Gryffindors around them. They hardly paid attention to the rest of the sorting.
When the last first year had been placed into a house (Hufflepuff, by the by), Dumbledore stood and the Hall became quiet. "Before we start the feast and a new term, I will quell the curiosity that is overwhelming the Hall right now. Firstly, you all may have noticed four students who are a bit bigger than the first years. They are transfer students – the three young ladies will be joining the fourth year, and Mr. Li will be joining the fifth years." Dumbledore smiled kindly at Syaoran and Sakura. "Also, you may have noticed a new teacher in our ranks. I would like to introduce to you all to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher – Professor Alanni Jade." Jade stood and waved to the students. Some of the older male students let out a catcall or two (like the Weasley twins). "Now now, settle down. Let's begin the feast, and a new year!" He clapped his hands and a magnificent feast appeared on the table.
Sakura chatted amiably with the Gryffindor students around her. Syaoran remained rather quiet, but then again that wasn't unusual for him. At one point during dinner Hermione rather surprised Sakura by asking, "So what would you prefer us to call you? I realize that in Japan, people usually go on a last name basis unless they know each other well."
The card mistress smiled brilliantly, "That is true. But Granger-san, if you'd like, you can call me Sakura."
Hermione smiled, "Only if you call me Hermione." Sakura nodded quickly. She was very happy to be fitting in with her new housemates. "What about you, mate? What should we call you?" Ron pointedly asked Syaoran.
"Li," Syaoran said briskly. Sakura frowned only slightly at his rude behavior.
Ron nodded slowly, "Right then, Li. Got it, mate." Sakura smiled brilliantly at Ron, trying to make him feel a bit better – it did.
Sakura was soon distracted from her new friends, because she felt eyes on her. She glanced at the other student tables, wondering if maybe Tomoyo or Meiling was watching her, but they weren't – they were absorbed in conversation with the people around them. Sakura turned her gaze to the teacher's table, and found who was watching her. The new DADA teacher was staring intensely at Sakura, and when the girl caught her eye, she smiled. Sakura smiled back a bit timidly. The teacher made Sakura's skin crawl... she wondered about that.
Jade watched the honey-haired girl intently, feeling a great sadness and heavy heartedness wash over her. That poor, innocent, wonderful girl was being dragged into the middle of a war that was about to begin.
Sakura looked around the hall as Jade watched her. Finally the girl gazed up at the teacher's table and caught Jade's eye. The new DADA teacher was slightly startled, but smiled kindly at Sakura, hoping that she hadn't surprised the young card mistress. However, Jade could tell by the girls beautiful pink aura that she was uncomfortable under the teacher's gaze. Reluctantly Jade averted her gaze and turned to the rather unhappy potions master beside her.
"Why were you staring at her?" he said rather grumpily.
Jade sighed, "Do you think he was right to bring her into this, Severus?"
The potions master seemed a bit taken aback by the question. Jade had always confused him so – she was always so concerned about others, but at what cost to herself? He sighed quietly before answering, "I don't know if he was right or if he was wrong, but it was necessary. From what I've been told, she's a very strong girl... I'm sure she'll be alright."
The newest professor smiled sadly and nodded, "Yes, I'm sure she'll be fine as well." Jade took a sip from her goblet full of water before smiling brilliantly at Snape. "I always knew that you were a sweet guy deep down inside." She winked at him.
He sneered, and his mood darkened even more. He had already been in a foul mood because he was going to have to go see the Dark Lord after the feast... but now, now Jade thought he was "a sweet guy". He glared at the woman with silver eyes beside him, and she frowned, turning away from him.
Dumbledore stood, signaling the end of the feast. He made a few start of term announcements, then dismissed the students to go off to their houses. Snape stood and moved quickly from the Great Hall. He was almost to the entrance of the school when the headmaster caught up to him. "Severus, wait just a moment, please."
Snape stopped and turned to look at the old man behind him. "Yes, headmaster?"
"Severus," Dumbledore began, "I don't think you should go alone tonight. I've been having a bad feeling all day."
Snape shook his head and sighed. "I can't take someone with me..."
"Not to the meeting, of course... but to wait for you when you come back. I have a feeling that you might not be able to make it back up to the castle..."
Reluctantly Snape nodded, "Alright. You obviously cannot come with me, headmaster, so who are you going to send? Minerva?"
"No, not Minerva. Me." Jade stepped from behind Dumbledore. The headmaster smiled at the newest teacher, and there was a kind of awe in his blue eyes. "I know what he's like, Severus... and since he has no need of me to be there tonight... I'll wait for you to come back, just in case."
Snape looked up to the headmaster pleadingly, but Dumbledore just smiled. "Alright. I don't know how long it's going to be, though," Snape began as he started towards the Whomping willow. Jade nodded at the different things Snape was saying to her as she followed closely behind him.
Dumbledore watched the two teachers walk away, his normally warm blue eyes now seemed quite sad and cold. He had a very bad feeling about the night... He feared that his potions master might not come back the same... if at all.
Sakura sat by the fire with Ginny and Hermione, teaching them a bit of Japanese (so they wouldn't be so confused around her) and telling Hermione about how the Japanese school system works (Hermione was fascinated). Syaoran was being fawned over by all the Gryffindor girls, and he looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.
Harry, on the other hand, seemed to be brooding in the armchair by the fire. Ron was going on and on about the upcoming Quidditch season, but Harry only nodded from time to time. Sakura glanced at Harry occasionally during her conversation with the youngest Weasley and the Gryffindor prefect, noticing the agitation in his aura. "Excuse me for a moment," she said to Ginny and Hermione. She rose and walked over to Harry, gracefully plopping down into the chair beside the boy who lived. She leaned on the arm of her chair, moving closer to Harry, "What's wrong, Harry?"
The green eyed boy was a bit startled as his train of thought was interrupted by the gorgeous Japanese transfer student. "Huh? Oh, nothing, Sakura, I was just thinking..."
Sakura gave him a dazzling smile, "Alright... but if you ever need to talk, don't hesitate to come to me. I would very much like to be your friend, Harry-kun..." Her emerald eyes sparkled, and Harry was entranced, enamored. The boy nodded dumbly as Sakura rose. She told everyone goodnight before running over to Li and giving him a quick hug.
Sakura was the first one to go up to the fourth year's room for the night. She guessed that most everyone would stay up a while later, but she was tired from the day of traveling. The card mistress quickly changed into her pajamas and clambered into the four poster bed. She drew the curtains shut around her bed and took out her Sakura Cards.
She waited for two hours, silently holding her Sakura Cards and waiting for everyone in the Tower to go to bed and fall asleep. She stretched out with her aura and felt that everyone had finally gone to sleep. She sat up, and pulled out the Dream Card. She placed it on the bed in front of her and concentrated on Harry Potter. "Dream," she began quietly, "your mistress Sakura wishes to gain knowledge of the boy Harry Potter through his own memories and the memories of those closest to him. Send me this knowledge, your mistress Sakura commands!" There was a bright flash of light, then Sakura was asleep in her bed.
She was pacing now. He'd been gone far too long. She was starting to worry. Jade sighed and leaned against the tree she was standing under. "Something isn't right..." she muttered to herself.
Just then a figure apparated and collapsed to the ground before her. The man at her feet looked to be barely breathing. She quickly knelt beside him and brushed the inky black strands of hair out of his face. "Severus... can you hear me?" She put a hand on Snape's cheek – he seemed to be running a fever. "Come on, let's get back to the castle and I'll fix you up, and tomorrow you'll be back to your old grumpy self." Snape groaned quietly as Jade heaved him up and half dragged him through town to the shrieking shack.
Sakura woke early the next morning and went to the window of the tower. The sun had still not risen, and the fact that she was awake was quite an odd occurrence. But the young girl was troubled. As she stared out of the tower, she began to cry quietly for Harry Potter. It amazed her that a boy hardly older than herself could have gone through so much and remained such a nice person still. Granted the same could be said about herself and Syaoran, but Sakura never thought about herself like that. Her train of thought was interrupted when she saw two figures walking across the half moonlit grounds – no, there was one figure walking and carrying the second. She stared at the two intensely... one of the aura's she recognized as belonging to the new DADA teacher who creeped her out, but she hadn't met the owner of the second aura. The man Jade was carrying seemed injured, and Sakura was very concerned, even though she didn't know who he was. She hoped he would be alright.
Jade quickly carried Snape across the school grounds and up to the entrance of the castle (she was really much stronger than she appeared to be). She made it all the way to the entrance to the teacher's dormitories without being seen (or so she thought). Just as she was about to say the password she heard someone yell "Students aren't allowed in the teacher's dorms!" A man came running down the hall at her. "Oh, Professor Jade... I'm sorry, I thought you were a student – Bloody hell," Filch looked at Snape, "what happened to him?"
"Long story, Argus. Would you help me get him up to his room?" Filch nodded and opened the door to the dormitory, helping Jade ease Snape through it. He also unlocked and opened Snape's door with a skeleton key, then helped her inside. "Alright. Do you need me to do anything else, Professor Jade?"
Jade smiled kindly at him, "No, thank you Argus. I'd just ask you not to mention this to any of the other teachers. Only Albus can be allowed to know." Filch nodded and left Jade alone with an unconscious Snape. Jade sighed and carried Severus to his bed, then carefully laid him down. She left him for a few moments to go into his kitchen and being boiling water. She also took a small pouch off her belt and set it on the counter before turning and returning to the bedroom.
Silently Jade began to take Snape's boots off, setting them beside the bed. When that was done she stared at the unconscious potions master for a moment, biting her lip. Then she shrugged and took his coat and shirt off, folding them neatly and setting them on his dresser. She re- adjusted the pillows under his head and brought the blankets up over him. She then wandered off to the kitchen again, slightly blushing (she'd never seen a guy look so good with his shirt off before), and made tea.
Snape regained consciousness in the most unexpected of places – his own room. He tried to sit up, but his muscles exploded with pain. He then decided that he would much rather lay. Snape stared up at the canopy of his bed, trying to remember exactly what had happened, when he heard a kettle whistling in his kitchen. Again he tried to get up, but his body refused to cooperate. The whistling soon stopped and was followed by the sound of someone opening a cabinet, taking out some cups and saucers, and in general it was just the sound of someone rummaging through his kitchen. His mind wasn't working enough to figure out who it might be, so he decided it would be safer to just pretend to be unconscious until he figured out who it was.
He heard footsteps coming into his room. Someone set a tray down on the small table beside his bed. "Can't play dead with me, Severus..." said a warm, inviting voice. He slowly opened his eyes to see the smiling face of Jade before him. "How are you feeling?" she inquired as she sat on the bed beside him. "How do you think I feel?" he snapped.
She frowned but nodded, "Fair enough. Here," she gently took his shoulders, "see if you can sit up." He strained against the pain and she helped get him sitting up a bit. Jade wrapped one arm around him and held him as she re-adjusted the pillows with her other hand before letting him settle against them. "I made you some tea." She handed him a cup and saucer, which he gratefully took as the blankets over him slid down. It was then he realized he was shirtless.
"What did you do with my clothes?" he growled through clenched teeth.
"They're on the dresser. Just drink your tea." She stood and headed for the door, "It should ease the pain. I also made you some cookies with some healing herbs in them. Eat those, too. I'll see you at breakfast in two hours. Get some rest." She left without waiting for his response.
He fumed for a moment, then took a sip from his tea. It really did help to ease the pain. In fact, it helped so much that he was able to reach for a cookie without wincing. He made a mental note to thank Jade later... maybe.