A/N: Wow! So I finished chapter 7 more quickly than I'd expected. I'm only
posting it so soon because I'm so excited that people are actually reading
my story!!! Thanks to everyone who has already reviewed! I'm glad that
everyone's enjoying it! I'm going to start on chapter 8 tonight during my
astronomy class (which unfortunately is not in the tallest tower, but in
the basement of a rectangular building). Alrighty. If I think of anything
else before I post this, there'll be another AN at the bottom. Thanks
again!
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I work for CLAMP – thus, I own none of this.
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Chapter 7: The Sorcerers
Sakura woke up before dawn on Saturday morning, even though she had been up late the night before, talking with Syaoran about what Malfoy had said to her in the library. She walked to the window of her dorm room, careful not to make any noise because the other fourth years were still sleeping.
Her thoughts were all focused on trying to figure out what exactly Malfoy knew, and how exactly to tell Harry and the others about her secret.
She watched the sky change colors as the sun rose lazily above the horizon. Perhaps she would go talk to the headmaster today and seek his advice. . . But there was something that told her she would be busy this day with other things.
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Hermione sat in the stands watching the Gryffindor Quidditch team as they practiced early Saturday morning. She cringed every time Ron got hit in the head with the Quaffle instead of catching it. She hoped that Ron would be able to get over his anxiety of playing with the team before the first game.
Harry flew around and came to a halt, hovering in front of Hermione. "Shouldn't you be practicing with the team, Harry?"
He shrugged, "I'm really just here for moral support. We don't use the snitch at practices."
"Do you think he'll do alright?" Hermione turned her head to look at Ron.
"Yeah," Harry nodded, "he just needs to have a bit more confidence in himself."
Hermione sat back and sighed, then grinned. "You better get back to practice Harry. Angelina is on her way over, and she doesn't look happy." Harry grinned and took off, making a quick lap around the Quidditch pitch.
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"I'm never going to be able to catch the Quaffle."
Harry put a hand on Ron's shoulder as they walked off the pitch, "You're doing great, Ron. Just be more confident in yourself. And maybe we'll practice after dinner sometimes. Okay?"
Ron sighed heavily as they approached the castle. "Okay." The red haired boy turned to the entrance as they approached and saw a group of adults entering the castle. "I wonder what's going on. . ." Harry followed his friend's gaze and suddenly felt a searing pain in his forehead, and he sank to his knees. "Harry, you alright?"
His hand went to his scar as he watched the group of adults disappear into the castle, "Yeah." He stood quickly, still staring at the doors to the castle. "My scar just really hurt for a minute." He rubbed his forehead as the pain began to fade.
"That's weird. Maybe you should talk to Dumbledore about it, or write to Snuffles."
Harry shook his head, "It's probably nothing."
"Are you sure? I mean. . . what if it's something?"
"I said it's nothing," Harry snapped angrily.
Ron opened his mouth, then shut it again. He started walking away from Harry, "Sorry." He quickly ran to the entrance and disappeared into the castle.
Hermione came up behind Harry, "What was that about?" Harry looked down, saying nothing, and began walking towards the entrance. "Boys," Hermione muttered under her breath as she jogged after Harry, trying to catch up to him.
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There was a knock on his office door, "Come in." He smiled as the blue haired, blue-eyed man entered and bowed respectfully. The headmaster stood, his blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles, and motioned to the chairs in front of his desk. "Please, come have a seat."
"Thank you, headmaster." The man sat down.
Dumbledore chuckled softly, "You know, it is really I who should be bowing to you, Mr. Hiiragizawa."
Eriol Hiiragizawa smiled kindly, "I wouldn't hear of it, headmaster." He leaned back, relaxing slightly. "So how may I be of service to you?"
The old wizard sighed quietly, "The ministry has passed some new educational decrees, and I am worried that these decrees may soon be having an effect on my staff." Eriol nodded, he had heard about the new decrees already. "There may come a time very soon when I will possibly need you to teach. Would be willing to do that, Eriol?"
"Of course, Albus." Eriol nodded once, his demeanor growing quite serious, "If you have need of me, I will be at your service."
Professor Dumbledore smiled, "Thank you, Eriol. I knew I could count on you." The headmaster stood, with Eriol following suit. "Now, Mr. Hiiragizawa, I have a few things to attend to. If you'd like to stay for the weekend, I'm sure there are a few students and maybe a teacher who would be happy to see you."
Eriol bowed again, "Thank you very much, headmaster. I would enjoy seeing a few people." The half reincarnation of Clow Reed smiled (with the slightest hint of mischievousness glinting in his blue eyes), turned, and exited the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore watched as Eriol Hiiragizawa left his office, thoughts of the Ministry's new decrees plaguing his mind. He sighed as he sunk down into his chair again, then smiled. "Everything will surely be alright."
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Jade walked slowly through the stone halls, her footsteps echoing eerily through the halls. She had just returned from a meeting with Voldemort, and was lost in thought about the coming events. As she wandered up and out of the dungeons she passed the Bloody Baron (the Slytherin house ghost), who bowed to her, "My lady." She nodded absentmindedly, still not paying attention to where she was headed.
Eventually Jade found herself out in the courtyard, where she decided to sit and rest. She sunk down and leaned against the outside wall of the castle. The mid-morning sun beat down on her as she sat, simply thinking about the Dark Lord's plans for the year. He was still completely set on the idea of finding Sakura and either convincing her to join him, or kill her if she refused. Jade was so lost in thought about Voldemort that she did not hear the footsteps that were heading for her. "Mind if I join you?"
Jade snapped out of her own little world, rejoining the real one as she looked up. "Eriol!" She jumped up and pounced the tall, blue-haired man. "What are you doing here?" She hugged him tight.
"I had a meeting with Albus just now. He invited me to stay here for the weekend so I could catch up with a few people." Eriol returned Jade's embrace. They stayed that way for a few moments before Jade took a step back. "How have you been, Lani?"
She shrugged, "Better than usual. You? How's Kaho? And Nakuru and Suppi?"
Eriol grinned. "I'm doing fine, as are Kaho, Nakuru, and Suppi." He put a hand around her shoulders, "Let's go to the dormitories. I need to find a place to sleep for the night."
Jade nodded and began leading the way. They walked in silence for a while. As they neared the entrance to the teacher's dormitories, Jade finally broke down crying and clung to Eriol. They sank down to the floor, resting on their knees. Eriol gently rocked Jade back and forth in his arms, lightly running a hand through her hair in an attempt to comfort her. "It's all just too much, Eriol. I can't do it anymore."
Eriol kissed his close friend on the forehead, "Shhh. Everything will surely be alright."
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After finding Eriol a suitable place to sleep for the night, Jade headed to Dumbledore's office for the meeting. Eriol said that he was going to wander the grounds for a while, and said that he would join Jade for dinner that evening. She quickly made her way up the spiral staircase and into Dumbledore's office, where the headmaster, Professors McGonagall and Snape, as well as Remus Lupin were waiting. "Sorry I'm late. . ." She took the last empty chair.
"Now that we are all here, let us begin." Dumbledore stood. "Alanni," he looked to Jade, "would you please tell us what he said to you this morning?"
Jade glanced around the room, looking at everyone's waiting faces. She sighed internally before beginning, "Well. He did not tell me much, I'm afraid. He did mention that he was planning to break all of his followers out of Azkaban, and to try to get the Dementors back on his side. Other than that, finding a way to get Sakura on his side or at least finding a way to use her powers, and getting revenge on Harry. . . that's all he thinks about."
Dumbledore nodded, "I thought as much." He turned to Snape, "Have you anything to add, Severus?"
Snape folded his arms over his chest, "Lucius Malfoy paid me a visit last night. He wanted to meet Kinomoto. Luckily it was nearing curfew, and I was able to dissuade him from the idea, for the moment at least. I have no doubt, however, that he will return soon, and at a time when it would be possible to meet Ms. Kinomoto."
The headmaster nodded again, "Alright, thank you, Severus."
"Albus, what are we going to do about the Ministry's new decrees?"
"Well, Minerva," the wizened old headmaster sunk down into his chair, "I have thought about it, and I have contacted a few who might help us in case any of the new decrees have an affect on the staff, or the school." She simply nodded, not entirely understanding the headmaster. . . but then again, few people ever really understood what went on in that man's mind. "If there is nothing else, then the meeting is adjourned." The occupants of the office, save Dumbledore and Lupin stood.
"I'd like to have a word, if I might, Professor Dumbledore."
The headmaster nodded and smiled, "Of course, Remus." Everyone else exited the office, leaving Lupin and Dumbledore to discuss whatever it was they needed to.
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Jade followed Snape to his office after the meeting. "Yes, Lani?" He sat down behind his desk, and Jade took one of the chairs in front of it.
She smiled cheerfully, "I just thought I'd see what you were going to do. It's almost lunch time, you know."
"Well, I have some essays left to grade. . ."
Jade stood and stepped around to the other side of the desk. She grabbed his right hand in both of hers and tugged on his arm, smiling mischievously, "Let's take a walk before lunch, Severus."
He looked up at her, sighing, "You're not going to leave me alone until I go with you, are you?" Jade shook her head, grinning madly still. Much against his own will he stood up. He managed to unentangle his hand from Jade's, and said grudgingly, "Alright, let's go then."
The DADA professor made a small jump and led the way out of Snape's office. "How about we take a stroll around the lake?" Snape simply nodded. Soon he found that she had hooked her arm around his and was leading him up from the dungeons and out of the school.
They said little as they casually strolled along the edge of the lake. Snape found it rather unusual that Jade was being so quiet. She was almost always trying to get him into a conversation. . . but there was something different going on with her today. He sighed softly, knowing that he was going to regret it, but finally he spoke up, "Lani. . . are you okay? You seem rather. . . distant today."
A few moments of silenced passed between the two of them before she looked up at Snape, tears in her eyes, "I did not have a pleasant night last night, and this morning has not been much better."
The potions master blinked; he was a bit confused. In all the years he had known her, Snape had never seen Jade cry. She'd never shed a tear when the Slytherin girls had beat her for hanging around the entrance to the Slytherin common room; she'd never cried when she'd injured herself playing Quidditch; she'd never even cried when Snape had yelled at her all those times for following him around. His tone softened when he next spoke, "What happened, Lani? Are you alright?"
Slowly Jade nodded, "It's nothing that won't heal quickly. He..." She paused for a moment, gathering her composure and wiping her tears away. "He has been very displeased that I have not had time to come to him sooner. . . I. . ." She looked away, "I am his right hand. . . I am his. . ." Jade trailed off, breaking into silent tears.
Snape stopped, and Jade followed suit. "Lani. . . Are you going to be alright?"
She smiled softly, slightly surprised at his genuine concern for her well- being. "Yes, eventually. As soon as he is gone for good, I will be alright."
Snape nodded, "Then I will do all I can to assure that he will be gone soon." He said that as much for her benefit as for his. He wanted a Dark- Lord free world as much as the next normal wizard. However, there must've been something about the way he said it that caused Jade to turn and face him. Before he realized what was going on, the DADA professor clung to him and broke down crying for the second time that day. Not quite sure of what to do, he lightly pat her on the back. He was very glad that there was no one around to see this scene.
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After lunch, Sakura and Syaoran went to meet with Tomoyo and Meiling in the courtyard. Tomoyo and Sakura talked while Meiling and Syaoran sparred a bit.
"I am so glad Sakura-chan is enjoying Hogwart's."
Sakura smiled at her violet-eyed friend, "Iie, I'm glad that Tomoyo-chan is enjoying school here."
Tomoyo giggled softly, "I'm still in awe that I have magic. It's so sugoi to be like Sakura-chan!"
The card mistress giggled nervously, "Arigatou, Tomoyo-chan." She leaned back against the stone half wall that surrounded the courtyard. Glancing around to make sure the coast was clear, Sakura took off her pendant and recited the familiar chant. The Star Wand came to be it's full size, and Sakura smiled. "Kero-chan, come out." Cerberus materialized in front of the two girls and quickly changed into his smaller form.
"Tomoyo!!!!" Kero flew to the raven-haired girl.
"Kero-chan! I've missed you!" Tomoyo reached into her pocket and drew out a small package, unwrapping it quickly.
"Cake! Caaaaaaake!" Kero ate it hungrily then hugged Tomoyo again. "Arigatou, Tomoyo-chan!" Tomoyo giggled and nodded.
"Sakura, why did you let that stuffed animal out of your wand?"
Kero flew angrily over to Syaoran, "Quiet, you Chinese gaki!" The sun guardian and the future leader of the Li clan glared daggers at each other. Meiling, Tomoyo, and Sakura all exchanged a quick glance before cracking up. They'd all missed the sight of Kero and Syaoran fighting, though they couldn't quite say why. That afternoon was quite reminiscent of their past for the four students and one sun guardian.
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Hermione, Ron, and Harry sat at the same table in the back of the library they always sat at. Hermione was pouring through the same books they'd been looking through the day before. Ron and Harry, however, were simply staring blankly at their own.
"Hermione, why are we still doing research?"
The Gryffindor prefect set her book down, "Because, Harry, we still haven't figured out exactly what's going on."
"But Sakura tried to tell Harry what was going on last night. . . And she would've if I hadn't come down the stairs." Ron slumped down in his seat, looking rather glum.
Hermione sighed, "I know. But what if she's changed her mind now? What if she's not going to try to tell Harry again? We still need to figure it out."
"But Hermione," Harry began, "it's Saturday! And it's a *nice* Saturday! Why do we have to spend all afternoon in the library?"
"Fine, you don't have to then. Go ahead and leave. Let me do all the research by myself."
Ron sighed, "Well now we cant. Not when you put it like that."
Hermione smiled triumphantly, "Now that that's settled, get back to researching." Harry and Ron reluctantly picked up the books in front of them and started reading again.
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"How has your day been going, Harry-kun?" Sakura smiled bright at him as he sat across from her at the dinner table.
Harry forced a smile, "It's been alright. And yours? What have you guys been up to today?"
Sakura giggled and squeezed the stuffed animal she was holding. "I was in the courtyard with Meilin-chan, Tomoyo-chan, and Syaoran-kun. We just talked and spent time together."
Hermione smiled, "I see you've brought your stuffed animal down to dinner."
The card mistress giggled nervously (she seemed to be doing that a lot lately), "Hai, Hermione-chan. . . I thought Kero-chan would like to see the Great Hall."
Ron glanced at the stuffed animal and swore that for a brief moment it glared back at him. He shrugged it off and started eating his dinner.
Sakura was about to say something to Harry when she felt a familiar presence. She looked up and over at the entrance to the Great Hall just as the doors opened. A blue haired, blue-eyed man, wearing glasses and dressed in dark blue robes entered the Hall and started up towards the teacher's table. Sakura, Syaoran, Meiling and Tomoyo all stood as the man entered. "Clow-san. . .?" Sakura stared at the man as he approached herself and Syaoran.
The man robed in blue stopped in front of Sakura and bowed politely, "Sakura-san."
Sakura's eyes widened, "Eriol-kun!" She pounced the tall man and hugged him tight. "Eriol-kun," she began in Japanese, "what are you doing here? I'm so glad to see you!!"
Eriol hugged her tightly, responding in English, "I'm here on some business, Sakura-san. I am glad to see you, too." He let her go and turned to Syaoran, "It is good to see you again, my cute little descendant."
Syaoran glared, growling softly. "Bastard."
The blue eyed sorcerer just smiled kindly and bowed to them both, "I will speak with you all after dinner." Sakura nodded and sat down again, as did Syaoran. Eriol sat next to Jade at the head table, in Professor Snape's usual spot. For some reason, Snape was not present at dinner.
"Who is that, Sakura?"
Sakura smiled, and was about to reply when she remembered she'd dropped Kero right before hugging Eriol. She quickly scooped up her 'stuffed animal' from the ground, whispering an apology to him. She turned back to Harry, "That is Eriol Hiiragizawa, a friend of mine."
"That Hiiragizawa bastard," Syaoran mumbled under his breath.
Sakura laughed nervously, "Don't mind Syaoran-kun. He and Eriol-kun have never really gotten along that well." Harry and company merely nodded as everyone returned to eating their dinner.
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"Eriol-kun!!!" Sakura hugged him once more after dinner when they were standing just outside the Great Hall. "What are you doing here?"
Eriol hugged her tightly once more, "I'm here on business, my dear Sakura- san." He smiled kindly and turned to Syaoran, "And how is my cute little descendant?"
Syaoran glared at him, "You're creepy, Hiiragizawa. Don't call me that."
Eriol simply smiled and turned to Tomoyo and Meiling, "How have you been, Daidouji-chan? And Li-san?"
Tomoyo and Meiling related their joy at being called to Hogwart's to Eriol, and how they were not finding their classes very difficult at all. Sakura stood next to Syaoran, trying to calm him. Over all, it was a very amusing sight to see... And it was seen by the DADA professor who was lurking down the hall. Jade smiled, glad that Eriol had come to the school this weekend. She turned on her heel and headed towards the teacher's dormitories.
Sakura saw Jade-sensei leaving, and was slightly puzzled. The card mistress turned to Eriol, "Ano. . . Eriol-kun. . . do you know Jade-sensei?" The blue haired sorcerer nodded, so she continued, "How do you know her?"
"Well," he brought a hand to his chin as he thought back, "I met Alanni- chan a few years ago. . . She was traveling as a photographer, and she wanted to photograph one of my manors as a historic landmark." His eyes began to lose their sparkle, and his voice grew softer, "She has had a very hard life. I try to help her whenever I can, now, but she is also very proud and tries to take care of everything on her own. She is a very brave woman."
The four watched as Eriol's demeanor became quite serious. They all waited a few moments in silence, wondering if Eriol would continue to talk about the DADA professor. Finally he smiled again, "How about we go down to the kitchens, and I'll have the elves fix us a special desert, and we can talk more while we eat?" The four nodded and followed Eriol as he led them to the kitchens.
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After dinner, the Gryffindor common room was fairly empty. There were a few students doing homework, but most were still hanging out in other parts of the castle. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in front of the fire, working on homework in silence. Their research in the library that afternoon hadn't turned up any new leads, and they were slightly discouraged.
Harry looked up as he heard someone enter the tower. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Sakura come in, smiling happily. Little did he know that she smiled so brightly because Eriol had given her some very good advice. "Konban-wa, Harry-kun!" She sat on the floor in front of him, "Konban-wa, Ron-san, Hermione-chan!" Ron and Hermione nodded, absorbed in their homework.
"How has your day been, Sakura?" Harry watched as Li sat slightly behind Sakura and began to meditate.
"It's been rather enjoyable. I'm very glad to see Eriol-kun!"
Harry looked a bit confused, "Yeah, I was wondering about him. When you spoke about him before, I got the impression that he was about our ages."
"He's finally decided to act his age."
Harry looked at Li as he spoke, and was even more confused than before. Sakura giggled softly, "I will explain it all a little bit later, Harry- kun. I promise!" She held out her pinky to him. He was still confused, but Harry held out his pinky to her anyways. She intertwined their fingers and said again, "I promise!!"
"Okay," he took his hand back and resumed doing his homework.
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It was around ten at night when the Gryffindor common room emptied. Most students decided to head to bed for the night, leaving the five students in front of the fire alone. "All clear," Syaoran said quietly, still in his meditative stance.
Sakura nodded and stood slowly, clearing her throat. "Ano. . . Harry-kun, Ron-san, Hermione-chan?" Her three Gryffindor senpai looked up from their work. "Syaoran-kun and I have something to tell you. . . about us."
"What is it, Sakura?" Harry stared at the honey-haired girl as she reached up and took the key off her necklace. She began to chant something in Japanese, and the key floated in front her, emanating a soft golden light.
"Release!" Sakura cried in English, and the small key grew into a very large wand. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat silently in shock and awe. "Cerberus, come forth!" A golden light shot straight up from the wand, and a winged lion formed from the light. He was quickly enveloped in his own wings, and when they moved back again a small winged teddy bear like creature floated down, stopping in front of Sakura.
"Sakura-chan!" Kero fluttered around his mistress, "Did you bring me cake???" He was suddenly grabbed out of the air by the tail. "What are you doing, gaki?" Li glared at Kero and pointed at the three Gryffindors in front of the fire. Kero stared at the three, and then fell limp, pretending to be a stuffed animal.
Sakura giggled nervously, "Ano, you see. . . Syaoran-kun and I are not wizards. We are sorcerers. I am the Mistress of the Clow." She began to turn red from embarrassment. She quickly grabbed Kero away from Li and poked at the sun guardian, "Kero, quit pretending to be a stuffed animal. I've just told them."
Kero blinked and floated away from Sakura and towards Harry. "Soooo. . . Want to see how cool I am?" Kero struck a few poses and Sakura giggled nervously once more.
"Sakura?"
"Hai, Harry-kun?"
"Could you. . . explain all this a bit more?" Harry watched Kero, entranced.
"I'll tell it!" Kero flew to the center of the group and began to tell the tale of the Clow Cards, Clow Reed, Sakura, and everything else that had happened since Sakura discovered the book.
Hermione, Ron, and Harry sat at attention throughout Kero's tale. When he finally finished telling them all he knew, he flew back to Sakura, "Can I have cake now?"
"Hai," Sakura pulled a napkin out of her pocket. She unwrapped it to reveal a rather large piece of cake. . . They wondered how something so big could've been hidden so thoroughly in her small pocket. "So," she turned back to the three Gryffindors, "is there anything else that you want to know?"
"Why tell us now? Why not sooner? Why not later?"
"Well, Hermione-chan. . . Professor Dumbledore asked us not to tell anyone about our powers. But I want to be friends with the three of you, and there should be no secrets between friends." Sakura plopped gracefully down on the floor once more.
Harry smiled, "I'm glad you've finally told us, Sakura." Sakura nodded. The five students (and one sun guardian) continued talking for another hour or so before Li decided to go to bed. Sakura then returned Kero to her wand before retiring to bed as well, leaving the Gryffindor trio to ponder their newfound knowledge.
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At midnight the fire in the Gryffindor common room crackled and a head appeared in the midst of the flames. "Is it all clear, Harry?"
"Yeah, Sirius. Everyone's in bed but the three of us."
Sirius Black grinned, or at least. . . the head of Sirius grinned in the flames. "So how is everything going? I haven't got long to talk, so make it quick." They heard a screeching in the background, and Sirius muttered something about as stupid house elf.
"Well, you remember how I wrote to you about the transfer students?"
Sirius nodded in response to Harry's question. Hermione looked to Harry, then to Sirius, "Well, they told us they're sorcerers."
Sirius laughed quietly, "Good, good. I'm glad that's out of the way then. . . I was wondering how long it would take them to tell you three."
"You mean," Harry paused, "you knew all along? And you didn't tell us?"
"Sorry, Harry," Sirius frowned, "I was on orders from the Order not to say anything. Dumbledore said we weren't allowed to discuss it with the three of you until they told you themselves."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, it's alright then." He leaned against the armchair as he sat on the floor, "It's really amazing. I didn't know there were actual sorcerers out there."
Sirius grinned again, "It's more amazing than you know. That girl, Sakura? She's more powerful than even Dumbledore. She's the most powerful sorceress in the world, and yet she's still so very humble. I'm not even sure that she's aware of what she's capable of doing."
"She's really that powerful?" Ron blanched slightly.
The head in the fire nodded again, "Yes, she is. But the most amazing thing about Sakura is how pure of heart she is." He paused, nodding thoughtfully, "Yes, she is like a pure white light, or so Dumbledore has said. And I believe the old man. . . I wish I could leave the house, I'd love to meet her."
"Sakura is very nice," Harry said quietly.
"Hoe? Doesn't fire usually burn?"
All four pairs of eyes turned to the girl on the stairs. "Sakura? I thought you went to bed?" Harry stood.
Sakura slowly came down the stairs, "I felt a burst of magic. Probably because of Mr. Black's head being in the fire." She rubbed her eyes sleepily, and yawned.
"You know who I am?" Sirius looked at Harry curiously. He shrugged, not knowing how Sakura knew either.
"Hai, I saw you in my dream."
Sirius grinned, "She dreamed about me."
"Iie," Sakura smiled, "I used one of my cards, Dream, to gain knowledge of Harry-kun's past, and of this school. I needed to know what has gone on." She turned to Harry, "Gomen, Harry-kun, for viewing your memories without your permission." Sakura bowed to him.
"That's alright, Sakura. . ." Harry smiled, "I understand."
"I'm just glad I get to meet you, Miss Sakura." Sirius smiled charmingly, making Harry and Ron try their hardest to stifle their laughter.
"Iie, Black-san. It is an honor to meet *you*." Sakura bowed to the head in the flames.
"Please, call me Sirius."
"Hai, but only if you call me Sakura."
He smiled and nodded, "Then it's settled, Sakura." She nodded, and Sirius turned back to Harry. "I better get going before the ministry catches on to my trick with the floo lines." Harry smiled. "You take care, Harry." Sirius looked to Sakura, "Make sure he stays out of trouble, Sakura."
"Hai, Sirius-san! I will." She smiled and left the common room, going back to bed.
"I'll write you again soon, Sirius."
"Good, Harry." He turned to Hermione and Ron, "Good night, you two. Behave." The two Gryffindor prefects nodded as the head disappeared from the fire.
"Well this has been an interesting night." Ron stood, "Can we go to bed now?" Hermione smacked him as she stood and made her way to the stairs. The Gryffindor trio went to their rooms and turned in for the night.
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Sunday morning Sakura walked the familiar path to Dumbledore's office. She'd been there quite a few times during her first week at the school. Slightly nervous, she spoke the password to the griffin statue. It sprang to life, revealing the spiral staircase. She hopped onto a step and let the staircase take her up to the office.
She knocked lightly on the door, "Come in." Sakura opened the door and shut it quietly behind her. "Ah, Miss Kinomoto. How may I help you today?"
"Ohayo, Professor Dumbledore." She sat in one of the chairs in front of the headmaster's desk. "Hoe," she said quietly under her breath.
"So you have told Harry, Hermione, and Ron your secret, Sakura?"
Sakura froze like a deer in the headlights. After a few moments she nodded, speaking softly, "Hai, headmaster. I know you said not to tell anyone my secret, but I wanted very much for Harry-kun and Hermione-chan and Ron-san to trust me, and to trust Syaoran-kun." She looked up and met his twinkling blue eyes, "Gomen, Professor Dumbledore. I felt like I had to tell them."
Dumbledore chuckled softly, "Don't worry, my dear Sakura. I am not mad at you. I knew that you could not keep it from them forever. In fact, I thought you would tell them sooner."
"Really, headmaster? You are not angry?"
The wizened old wizard nodded, "Of course not, Sakura." He paused and looked to the door behind her, "There is no need to debate whether or not to knock, Severus. Just come in."
Snape entered the office, "I'm sorry for interrupting, headmaster." He saw that it was Sakura whom Dumbledore was with, and a slight smile touched his lips. "I will come back later."
"Oh, iie, Snape-sensei! I was just leaving." Sakura hopped up and bowed to the headmaster, "Arigatou, headmaster."
"I'll see you later, Miss Kinomoto."
Sakura headed for the door and paused in front of Snape. "Have a nice day, Snape-sensei." She bowed to her potions master.
He smiled again, "Thank you, Miss Kinomoto. Have a nice day as well." The card mistress left the office, shutting the door quietly behind her. The headmaster smiled at how Sakura's presence always managed to bring about a drastic change in the potion master's behavior. Snape sat in the chair that was most recently occupied by Sakura Kinomoto, and began discussing with the headmaster the events of the previous day, mostly inquiring about matters concerning himself and a certain DADA professor.
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Snape decided to finish grading the fifth years' essays after his talk with Dumbledore. The headmaster had given him some good advice on his current situation (a situation which he wouldn't discuss with anyone else), and so the potions master was in a fairly decent mood.
He opened his office door and found someone waiting in one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Ah, Severus Snape," the man, who was robed in blue, stood as Snape entered. He bowed slightly, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Might I ask who you are?"
The visitor, whose hair and eyes matched the color of his robes, smiled bright, "I am Eriol Hiiragizawa."
"Ah," Snape shut his office door, then moved to sit behind his desk. He had heard of the blue haired sorcerer from Voldemort, Dumbledore, and even Jade had mentioned him briefly. "Have a seat, please, Mr. Hiiragizawa." Snape and Eriol sat at the same time, on opposite sides of the desk. "What can I do for you?"
Still smiling, Eriol replied, "Actually, I have come to see what I can do for you, Professor."
"I don't follow you."
"Well," Eriol began, "there are a few people who are concerned about you, and I wondered if there might be something that I can do to help you out." Snape leaned back in his chair. Who in the world would be concerned about him? As if reading his mind, Eriol smiled even brighter, "Sakura-san was particularly worried over you. Lani is quite concerned as well."
Snape folded his arms over his chest. "I see. . ." He pondered for a moment. "I have heard much about you, Mr. Hiiragizawa." Eriol nodded, keeping silent so that Snape might continue. "I believe that the most you can do for me at the moment is to give me a bit of advice." Eriol raised his eyebrows, slightly surprised, but nodded as Snape began to share some of his problems with the blue-eyed sorcerer. Snape could not explain it, but for some odd reason he trusted Hiiragizawa, and knew the man would keep his secrets.
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((A/N: I love Eriol! Hehehe! Poor Snape. . . Poor Jade! You'll find out why she's so stressed in the next chapter or two, I promise! Also, the Gryffindor trio reacts so calmly to the news about Li and Sakura because they'd almost figured it out completely by themselves. And why does Snape trust Eriol? Cause with Eriol you either trust him, or you distrust him – and apparently Snape is inclined to trust him.))
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I work for CLAMP – thus, I own none of this.
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Chapter 7: The Sorcerers
Sakura woke up before dawn on Saturday morning, even though she had been up late the night before, talking with Syaoran about what Malfoy had said to her in the library. She walked to the window of her dorm room, careful not to make any noise because the other fourth years were still sleeping.
Her thoughts were all focused on trying to figure out what exactly Malfoy knew, and how exactly to tell Harry and the others about her secret.
She watched the sky change colors as the sun rose lazily above the horizon. Perhaps she would go talk to the headmaster today and seek his advice. . . But there was something that told her she would be busy this day with other things.
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Hermione sat in the stands watching the Gryffindor Quidditch team as they practiced early Saturday morning. She cringed every time Ron got hit in the head with the Quaffle instead of catching it. She hoped that Ron would be able to get over his anxiety of playing with the team before the first game.
Harry flew around and came to a halt, hovering in front of Hermione. "Shouldn't you be practicing with the team, Harry?"
He shrugged, "I'm really just here for moral support. We don't use the snitch at practices."
"Do you think he'll do alright?" Hermione turned her head to look at Ron.
"Yeah," Harry nodded, "he just needs to have a bit more confidence in himself."
Hermione sat back and sighed, then grinned. "You better get back to practice Harry. Angelina is on her way over, and she doesn't look happy." Harry grinned and took off, making a quick lap around the Quidditch pitch.
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"I'm never going to be able to catch the Quaffle."
Harry put a hand on Ron's shoulder as they walked off the pitch, "You're doing great, Ron. Just be more confident in yourself. And maybe we'll practice after dinner sometimes. Okay?"
Ron sighed heavily as they approached the castle. "Okay." The red haired boy turned to the entrance as they approached and saw a group of adults entering the castle. "I wonder what's going on. . ." Harry followed his friend's gaze and suddenly felt a searing pain in his forehead, and he sank to his knees. "Harry, you alright?"
His hand went to his scar as he watched the group of adults disappear into the castle, "Yeah." He stood quickly, still staring at the doors to the castle. "My scar just really hurt for a minute." He rubbed his forehead as the pain began to fade.
"That's weird. Maybe you should talk to Dumbledore about it, or write to Snuffles."
Harry shook his head, "It's probably nothing."
"Are you sure? I mean. . . what if it's something?"
"I said it's nothing," Harry snapped angrily.
Ron opened his mouth, then shut it again. He started walking away from Harry, "Sorry." He quickly ran to the entrance and disappeared into the castle.
Hermione came up behind Harry, "What was that about?" Harry looked down, saying nothing, and began walking towards the entrance. "Boys," Hermione muttered under her breath as she jogged after Harry, trying to catch up to him.
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There was a knock on his office door, "Come in." He smiled as the blue haired, blue-eyed man entered and bowed respectfully. The headmaster stood, his blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles, and motioned to the chairs in front of his desk. "Please, come have a seat."
"Thank you, headmaster." The man sat down.
Dumbledore chuckled softly, "You know, it is really I who should be bowing to you, Mr. Hiiragizawa."
Eriol Hiiragizawa smiled kindly, "I wouldn't hear of it, headmaster." He leaned back, relaxing slightly. "So how may I be of service to you?"
The old wizard sighed quietly, "The ministry has passed some new educational decrees, and I am worried that these decrees may soon be having an effect on my staff." Eriol nodded, he had heard about the new decrees already. "There may come a time very soon when I will possibly need you to teach. Would be willing to do that, Eriol?"
"Of course, Albus." Eriol nodded once, his demeanor growing quite serious, "If you have need of me, I will be at your service."
Professor Dumbledore smiled, "Thank you, Eriol. I knew I could count on you." The headmaster stood, with Eriol following suit. "Now, Mr. Hiiragizawa, I have a few things to attend to. If you'd like to stay for the weekend, I'm sure there are a few students and maybe a teacher who would be happy to see you."
Eriol bowed again, "Thank you very much, headmaster. I would enjoy seeing a few people." The half reincarnation of Clow Reed smiled (with the slightest hint of mischievousness glinting in his blue eyes), turned, and exited the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore watched as Eriol Hiiragizawa left his office, thoughts of the Ministry's new decrees plaguing his mind. He sighed as he sunk down into his chair again, then smiled. "Everything will surely be alright."
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Jade walked slowly through the stone halls, her footsteps echoing eerily through the halls. She had just returned from a meeting with Voldemort, and was lost in thought about the coming events. As she wandered up and out of the dungeons she passed the Bloody Baron (the Slytherin house ghost), who bowed to her, "My lady." She nodded absentmindedly, still not paying attention to where she was headed.
Eventually Jade found herself out in the courtyard, where she decided to sit and rest. She sunk down and leaned against the outside wall of the castle. The mid-morning sun beat down on her as she sat, simply thinking about the Dark Lord's plans for the year. He was still completely set on the idea of finding Sakura and either convincing her to join him, or kill her if she refused. Jade was so lost in thought about Voldemort that she did not hear the footsteps that were heading for her. "Mind if I join you?"
Jade snapped out of her own little world, rejoining the real one as she looked up. "Eriol!" She jumped up and pounced the tall, blue-haired man. "What are you doing here?" She hugged him tight.
"I had a meeting with Albus just now. He invited me to stay here for the weekend so I could catch up with a few people." Eriol returned Jade's embrace. They stayed that way for a few moments before Jade took a step back. "How have you been, Lani?"
She shrugged, "Better than usual. You? How's Kaho? And Nakuru and Suppi?"
Eriol grinned. "I'm doing fine, as are Kaho, Nakuru, and Suppi." He put a hand around her shoulders, "Let's go to the dormitories. I need to find a place to sleep for the night."
Jade nodded and began leading the way. They walked in silence for a while. As they neared the entrance to the teacher's dormitories, Jade finally broke down crying and clung to Eriol. They sank down to the floor, resting on their knees. Eriol gently rocked Jade back and forth in his arms, lightly running a hand through her hair in an attempt to comfort her. "It's all just too much, Eriol. I can't do it anymore."
Eriol kissed his close friend on the forehead, "Shhh. Everything will surely be alright."
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After finding Eriol a suitable place to sleep for the night, Jade headed to Dumbledore's office for the meeting. Eriol said that he was going to wander the grounds for a while, and said that he would join Jade for dinner that evening. She quickly made her way up the spiral staircase and into Dumbledore's office, where the headmaster, Professors McGonagall and Snape, as well as Remus Lupin were waiting. "Sorry I'm late. . ." She took the last empty chair.
"Now that we are all here, let us begin." Dumbledore stood. "Alanni," he looked to Jade, "would you please tell us what he said to you this morning?"
Jade glanced around the room, looking at everyone's waiting faces. She sighed internally before beginning, "Well. He did not tell me much, I'm afraid. He did mention that he was planning to break all of his followers out of Azkaban, and to try to get the Dementors back on his side. Other than that, finding a way to get Sakura on his side or at least finding a way to use her powers, and getting revenge on Harry. . . that's all he thinks about."
Dumbledore nodded, "I thought as much." He turned to Snape, "Have you anything to add, Severus?"
Snape folded his arms over his chest, "Lucius Malfoy paid me a visit last night. He wanted to meet Kinomoto. Luckily it was nearing curfew, and I was able to dissuade him from the idea, for the moment at least. I have no doubt, however, that he will return soon, and at a time when it would be possible to meet Ms. Kinomoto."
The headmaster nodded again, "Alright, thank you, Severus."
"Albus, what are we going to do about the Ministry's new decrees?"
"Well, Minerva," the wizened old headmaster sunk down into his chair, "I have thought about it, and I have contacted a few who might help us in case any of the new decrees have an affect on the staff, or the school." She simply nodded, not entirely understanding the headmaster. . . but then again, few people ever really understood what went on in that man's mind. "If there is nothing else, then the meeting is adjourned." The occupants of the office, save Dumbledore and Lupin stood.
"I'd like to have a word, if I might, Professor Dumbledore."
The headmaster nodded and smiled, "Of course, Remus." Everyone else exited the office, leaving Lupin and Dumbledore to discuss whatever it was they needed to.
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Jade followed Snape to his office after the meeting. "Yes, Lani?" He sat down behind his desk, and Jade took one of the chairs in front of it.
She smiled cheerfully, "I just thought I'd see what you were going to do. It's almost lunch time, you know."
"Well, I have some essays left to grade. . ."
Jade stood and stepped around to the other side of the desk. She grabbed his right hand in both of hers and tugged on his arm, smiling mischievously, "Let's take a walk before lunch, Severus."
He looked up at her, sighing, "You're not going to leave me alone until I go with you, are you?" Jade shook her head, grinning madly still. Much against his own will he stood up. He managed to unentangle his hand from Jade's, and said grudgingly, "Alright, let's go then."
The DADA professor made a small jump and led the way out of Snape's office. "How about we take a stroll around the lake?" Snape simply nodded. Soon he found that she had hooked her arm around his and was leading him up from the dungeons and out of the school.
They said little as they casually strolled along the edge of the lake. Snape found it rather unusual that Jade was being so quiet. She was almost always trying to get him into a conversation. . . but there was something different going on with her today. He sighed softly, knowing that he was going to regret it, but finally he spoke up, "Lani. . . are you okay? You seem rather. . . distant today."
A few moments of silenced passed between the two of them before she looked up at Snape, tears in her eyes, "I did not have a pleasant night last night, and this morning has not been much better."
The potions master blinked; he was a bit confused. In all the years he had known her, Snape had never seen Jade cry. She'd never shed a tear when the Slytherin girls had beat her for hanging around the entrance to the Slytherin common room; she'd never cried when she'd injured herself playing Quidditch; she'd never even cried when Snape had yelled at her all those times for following him around. His tone softened when he next spoke, "What happened, Lani? Are you alright?"
Slowly Jade nodded, "It's nothing that won't heal quickly. He..." She paused for a moment, gathering her composure and wiping her tears away. "He has been very displeased that I have not had time to come to him sooner. . . I. . ." She looked away, "I am his right hand. . . I am his. . ." Jade trailed off, breaking into silent tears.
Snape stopped, and Jade followed suit. "Lani. . . Are you going to be alright?"
She smiled softly, slightly surprised at his genuine concern for her well- being. "Yes, eventually. As soon as he is gone for good, I will be alright."
Snape nodded, "Then I will do all I can to assure that he will be gone soon." He said that as much for her benefit as for his. He wanted a Dark- Lord free world as much as the next normal wizard. However, there must've been something about the way he said it that caused Jade to turn and face him. Before he realized what was going on, the DADA professor clung to him and broke down crying for the second time that day. Not quite sure of what to do, he lightly pat her on the back. He was very glad that there was no one around to see this scene.
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After lunch, Sakura and Syaoran went to meet with Tomoyo and Meiling in the courtyard. Tomoyo and Sakura talked while Meiling and Syaoran sparred a bit.
"I am so glad Sakura-chan is enjoying Hogwart's."
Sakura smiled at her violet-eyed friend, "Iie, I'm glad that Tomoyo-chan is enjoying school here."
Tomoyo giggled softly, "I'm still in awe that I have magic. It's so sugoi to be like Sakura-chan!"
The card mistress giggled nervously, "Arigatou, Tomoyo-chan." She leaned back against the stone half wall that surrounded the courtyard. Glancing around to make sure the coast was clear, Sakura took off her pendant and recited the familiar chant. The Star Wand came to be it's full size, and Sakura smiled. "Kero-chan, come out." Cerberus materialized in front of the two girls and quickly changed into his smaller form.
"Tomoyo!!!!" Kero flew to the raven-haired girl.
"Kero-chan! I've missed you!" Tomoyo reached into her pocket and drew out a small package, unwrapping it quickly.
"Cake! Caaaaaaake!" Kero ate it hungrily then hugged Tomoyo again. "Arigatou, Tomoyo-chan!" Tomoyo giggled and nodded.
"Sakura, why did you let that stuffed animal out of your wand?"
Kero flew angrily over to Syaoran, "Quiet, you Chinese gaki!" The sun guardian and the future leader of the Li clan glared daggers at each other. Meiling, Tomoyo, and Sakura all exchanged a quick glance before cracking up. They'd all missed the sight of Kero and Syaoran fighting, though they couldn't quite say why. That afternoon was quite reminiscent of their past for the four students and one sun guardian.
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Hermione, Ron, and Harry sat at the same table in the back of the library they always sat at. Hermione was pouring through the same books they'd been looking through the day before. Ron and Harry, however, were simply staring blankly at their own.
"Hermione, why are we still doing research?"
The Gryffindor prefect set her book down, "Because, Harry, we still haven't figured out exactly what's going on."
"But Sakura tried to tell Harry what was going on last night. . . And she would've if I hadn't come down the stairs." Ron slumped down in his seat, looking rather glum.
Hermione sighed, "I know. But what if she's changed her mind now? What if she's not going to try to tell Harry again? We still need to figure it out."
"But Hermione," Harry began, "it's Saturday! And it's a *nice* Saturday! Why do we have to spend all afternoon in the library?"
"Fine, you don't have to then. Go ahead and leave. Let me do all the research by myself."
Ron sighed, "Well now we cant. Not when you put it like that."
Hermione smiled triumphantly, "Now that that's settled, get back to researching." Harry and Ron reluctantly picked up the books in front of them and started reading again.
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"How has your day been going, Harry-kun?" Sakura smiled bright at him as he sat across from her at the dinner table.
Harry forced a smile, "It's been alright. And yours? What have you guys been up to today?"
Sakura giggled and squeezed the stuffed animal she was holding. "I was in the courtyard with Meilin-chan, Tomoyo-chan, and Syaoran-kun. We just talked and spent time together."
Hermione smiled, "I see you've brought your stuffed animal down to dinner."
The card mistress giggled nervously (she seemed to be doing that a lot lately), "Hai, Hermione-chan. . . I thought Kero-chan would like to see the Great Hall."
Ron glanced at the stuffed animal and swore that for a brief moment it glared back at him. He shrugged it off and started eating his dinner.
Sakura was about to say something to Harry when she felt a familiar presence. She looked up and over at the entrance to the Great Hall just as the doors opened. A blue haired, blue-eyed man, wearing glasses and dressed in dark blue robes entered the Hall and started up towards the teacher's table. Sakura, Syaoran, Meiling and Tomoyo all stood as the man entered. "Clow-san. . .?" Sakura stared at the man as he approached herself and Syaoran.
The man robed in blue stopped in front of Sakura and bowed politely, "Sakura-san."
Sakura's eyes widened, "Eriol-kun!" She pounced the tall man and hugged him tight. "Eriol-kun," she began in Japanese, "what are you doing here? I'm so glad to see you!!"
Eriol hugged her tightly, responding in English, "I'm here on some business, Sakura-san. I am glad to see you, too." He let her go and turned to Syaoran, "It is good to see you again, my cute little descendant."
Syaoran glared, growling softly. "Bastard."
The blue eyed sorcerer just smiled kindly and bowed to them both, "I will speak with you all after dinner." Sakura nodded and sat down again, as did Syaoran. Eriol sat next to Jade at the head table, in Professor Snape's usual spot. For some reason, Snape was not present at dinner.
"Who is that, Sakura?"
Sakura smiled, and was about to reply when she remembered she'd dropped Kero right before hugging Eriol. She quickly scooped up her 'stuffed animal' from the ground, whispering an apology to him. She turned back to Harry, "That is Eriol Hiiragizawa, a friend of mine."
"That Hiiragizawa bastard," Syaoran mumbled under his breath.
Sakura laughed nervously, "Don't mind Syaoran-kun. He and Eriol-kun have never really gotten along that well." Harry and company merely nodded as everyone returned to eating their dinner.
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"Eriol-kun!!!" Sakura hugged him once more after dinner when they were standing just outside the Great Hall. "What are you doing here?"
Eriol hugged her tightly once more, "I'm here on business, my dear Sakura- san." He smiled kindly and turned to Syaoran, "And how is my cute little descendant?"
Syaoran glared at him, "You're creepy, Hiiragizawa. Don't call me that."
Eriol simply smiled and turned to Tomoyo and Meiling, "How have you been, Daidouji-chan? And Li-san?"
Tomoyo and Meiling related their joy at being called to Hogwart's to Eriol, and how they were not finding their classes very difficult at all. Sakura stood next to Syaoran, trying to calm him. Over all, it was a very amusing sight to see... And it was seen by the DADA professor who was lurking down the hall. Jade smiled, glad that Eriol had come to the school this weekend. She turned on her heel and headed towards the teacher's dormitories.
Sakura saw Jade-sensei leaving, and was slightly puzzled. The card mistress turned to Eriol, "Ano. . . Eriol-kun. . . do you know Jade-sensei?" The blue haired sorcerer nodded, so she continued, "How do you know her?"
"Well," he brought a hand to his chin as he thought back, "I met Alanni- chan a few years ago. . . She was traveling as a photographer, and she wanted to photograph one of my manors as a historic landmark." His eyes began to lose their sparkle, and his voice grew softer, "She has had a very hard life. I try to help her whenever I can, now, but she is also very proud and tries to take care of everything on her own. She is a very brave woman."
The four watched as Eriol's demeanor became quite serious. They all waited a few moments in silence, wondering if Eriol would continue to talk about the DADA professor. Finally he smiled again, "How about we go down to the kitchens, and I'll have the elves fix us a special desert, and we can talk more while we eat?" The four nodded and followed Eriol as he led them to the kitchens.
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After dinner, the Gryffindor common room was fairly empty. There were a few students doing homework, but most were still hanging out in other parts of the castle. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in front of the fire, working on homework in silence. Their research in the library that afternoon hadn't turned up any new leads, and they were slightly discouraged.
Harry looked up as he heard someone enter the tower. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Sakura come in, smiling happily. Little did he know that she smiled so brightly because Eriol had given her some very good advice. "Konban-wa, Harry-kun!" She sat on the floor in front of him, "Konban-wa, Ron-san, Hermione-chan!" Ron and Hermione nodded, absorbed in their homework.
"How has your day been, Sakura?" Harry watched as Li sat slightly behind Sakura and began to meditate.
"It's been rather enjoyable. I'm very glad to see Eriol-kun!"
Harry looked a bit confused, "Yeah, I was wondering about him. When you spoke about him before, I got the impression that he was about our ages."
"He's finally decided to act his age."
Harry looked at Li as he spoke, and was even more confused than before. Sakura giggled softly, "I will explain it all a little bit later, Harry- kun. I promise!" She held out her pinky to him. He was still confused, but Harry held out his pinky to her anyways. She intertwined their fingers and said again, "I promise!!"
"Okay," he took his hand back and resumed doing his homework.
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It was around ten at night when the Gryffindor common room emptied. Most students decided to head to bed for the night, leaving the five students in front of the fire alone. "All clear," Syaoran said quietly, still in his meditative stance.
Sakura nodded and stood slowly, clearing her throat. "Ano. . . Harry-kun, Ron-san, Hermione-chan?" Her three Gryffindor senpai looked up from their work. "Syaoran-kun and I have something to tell you. . . about us."
"What is it, Sakura?" Harry stared at the honey-haired girl as she reached up and took the key off her necklace. She began to chant something in Japanese, and the key floated in front her, emanating a soft golden light.
"Release!" Sakura cried in English, and the small key grew into a very large wand. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat silently in shock and awe. "Cerberus, come forth!" A golden light shot straight up from the wand, and a winged lion formed from the light. He was quickly enveloped in his own wings, and when they moved back again a small winged teddy bear like creature floated down, stopping in front of Sakura.
"Sakura-chan!" Kero fluttered around his mistress, "Did you bring me cake???" He was suddenly grabbed out of the air by the tail. "What are you doing, gaki?" Li glared at Kero and pointed at the three Gryffindors in front of the fire. Kero stared at the three, and then fell limp, pretending to be a stuffed animal.
Sakura giggled nervously, "Ano, you see. . . Syaoran-kun and I are not wizards. We are sorcerers. I am the Mistress of the Clow." She began to turn red from embarrassment. She quickly grabbed Kero away from Li and poked at the sun guardian, "Kero, quit pretending to be a stuffed animal. I've just told them."
Kero blinked and floated away from Sakura and towards Harry. "Soooo. . . Want to see how cool I am?" Kero struck a few poses and Sakura giggled nervously once more.
"Sakura?"
"Hai, Harry-kun?"
"Could you. . . explain all this a bit more?" Harry watched Kero, entranced.
"I'll tell it!" Kero flew to the center of the group and began to tell the tale of the Clow Cards, Clow Reed, Sakura, and everything else that had happened since Sakura discovered the book.
Hermione, Ron, and Harry sat at attention throughout Kero's tale. When he finally finished telling them all he knew, he flew back to Sakura, "Can I have cake now?"
"Hai," Sakura pulled a napkin out of her pocket. She unwrapped it to reveal a rather large piece of cake. . . They wondered how something so big could've been hidden so thoroughly in her small pocket. "So," she turned back to the three Gryffindors, "is there anything else that you want to know?"
"Why tell us now? Why not sooner? Why not later?"
"Well, Hermione-chan. . . Professor Dumbledore asked us not to tell anyone about our powers. But I want to be friends with the three of you, and there should be no secrets between friends." Sakura plopped gracefully down on the floor once more.
Harry smiled, "I'm glad you've finally told us, Sakura." Sakura nodded. The five students (and one sun guardian) continued talking for another hour or so before Li decided to go to bed. Sakura then returned Kero to her wand before retiring to bed as well, leaving the Gryffindor trio to ponder their newfound knowledge.
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At midnight the fire in the Gryffindor common room crackled and a head appeared in the midst of the flames. "Is it all clear, Harry?"
"Yeah, Sirius. Everyone's in bed but the three of us."
Sirius Black grinned, or at least. . . the head of Sirius grinned in the flames. "So how is everything going? I haven't got long to talk, so make it quick." They heard a screeching in the background, and Sirius muttered something about as stupid house elf.
"Well, you remember how I wrote to you about the transfer students?"
Sirius nodded in response to Harry's question. Hermione looked to Harry, then to Sirius, "Well, they told us they're sorcerers."
Sirius laughed quietly, "Good, good. I'm glad that's out of the way then. . . I was wondering how long it would take them to tell you three."
"You mean," Harry paused, "you knew all along? And you didn't tell us?"
"Sorry, Harry," Sirius frowned, "I was on orders from the Order not to say anything. Dumbledore said we weren't allowed to discuss it with the three of you until they told you themselves."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, it's alright then." He leaned against the armchair as he sat on the floor, "It's really amazing. I didn't know there were actual sorcerers out there."
Sirius grinned again, "It's more amazing than you know. That girl, Sakura? She's more powerful than even Dumbledore. She's the most powerful sorceress in the world, and yet she's still so very humble. I'm not even sure that she's aware of what she's capable of doing."
"She's really that powerful?" Ron blanched slightly.
The head in the fire nodded again, "Yes, she is. But the most amazing thing about Sakura is how pure of heart she is." He paused, nodding thoughtfully, "Yes, she is like a pure white light, or so Dumbledore has said. And I believe the old man. . . I wish I could leave the house, I'd love to meet her."
"Sakura is very nice," Harry said quietly.
"Hoe? Doesn't fire usually burn?"
All four pairs of eyes turned to the girl on the stairs. "Sakura? I thought you went to bed?" Harry stood.
Sakura slowly came down the stairs, "I felt a burst of magic. Probably because of Mr. Black's head being in the fire." She rubbed her eyes sleepily, and yawned.
"You know who I am?" Sirius looked at Harry curiously. He shrugged, not knowing how Sakura knew either.
"Hai, I saw you in my dream."
Sirius grinned, "She dreamed about me."
"Iie," Sakura smiled, "I used one of my cards, Dream, to gain knowledge of Harry-kun's past, and of this school. I needed to know what has gone on." She turned to Harry, "Gomen, Harry-kun, for viewing your memories without your permission." Sakura bowed to him.
"That's alright, Sakura. . ." Harry smiled, "I understand."
"I'm just glad I get to meet you, Miss Sakura." Sirius smiled charmingly, making Harry and Ron try their hardest to stifle their laughter.
"Iie, Black-san. It is an honor to meet *you*." Sakura bowed to the head in the flames.
"Please, call me Sirius."
"Hai, but only if you call me Sakura."
He smiled and nodded, "Then it's settled, Sakura." She nodded, and Sirius turned back to Harry. "I better get going before the ministry catches on to my trick with the floo lines." Harry smiled. "You take care, Harry." Sirius looked to Sakura, "Make sure he stays out of trouble, Sakura."
"Hai, Sirius-san! I will." She smiled and left the common room, going back to bed.
"I'll write you again soon, Sirius."
"Good, Harry." He turned to Hermione and Ron, "Good night, you two. Behave." The two Gryffindor prefects nodded as the head disappeared from the fire.
"Well this has been an interesting night." Ron stood, "Can we go to bed now?" Hermione smacked him as she stood and made her way to the stairs. The Gryffindor trio went to their rooms and turned in for the night.
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Sunday morning Sakura walked the familiar path to Dumbledore's office. She'd been there quite a few times during her first week at the school. Slightly nervous, she spoke the password to the griffin statue. It sprang to life, revealing the spiral staircase. She hopped onto a step and let the staircase take her up to the office.
She knocked lightly on the door, "Come in." Sakura opened the door and shut it quietly behind her. "Ah, Miss Kinomoto. How may I help you today?"
"Ohayo, Professor Dumbledore." She sat in one of the chairs in front of the headmaster's desk. "Hoe," she said quietly under her breath.
"So you have told Harry, Hermione, and Ron your secret, Sakura?"
Sakura froze like a deer in the headlights. After a few moments she nodded, speaking softly, "Hai, headmaster. I know you said not to tell anyone my secret, but I wanted very much for Harry-kun and Hermione-chan and Ron-san to trust me, and to trust Syaoran-kun." She looked up and met his twinkling blue eyes, "Gomen, Professor Dumbledore. I felt like I had to tell them."
Dumbledore chuckled softly, "Don't worry, my dear Sakura. I am not mad at you. I knew that you could not keep it from them forever. In fact, I thought you would tell them sooner."
"Really, headmaster? You are not angry?"
The wizened old wizard nodded, "Of course not, Sakura." He paused and looked to the door behind her, "There is no need to debate whether or not to knock, Severus. Just come in."
Snape entered the office, "I'm sorry for interrupting, headmaster." He saw that it was Sakura whom Dumbledore was with, and a slight smile touched his lips. "I will come back later."
"Oh, iie, Snape-sensei! I was just leaving." Sakura hopped up and bowed to the headmaster, "Arigatou, headmaster."
"I'll see you later, Miss Kinomoto."
Sakura headed for the door and paused in front of Snape. "Have a nice day, Snape-sensei." She bowed to her potions master.
He smiled again, "Thank you, Miss Kinomoto. Have a nice day as well." The card mistress left the office, shutting the door quietly behind her. The headmaster smiled at how Sakura's presence always managed to bring about a drastic change in the potion master's behavior. Snape sat in the chair that was most recently occupied by Sakura Kinomoto, and began discussing with the headmaster the events of the previous day, mostly inquiring about matters concerning himself and a certain DADA professor.
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Snape decided to finish grading the fifth years' essays after his talk with Dumbledore. The headmaster had given him some good advice on his current situation (a situation which he wouldn't discuss with anyone else), and so the potions master was in a fairly decent mood.
He opened his office door and found someone waiting in one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Ah, Severus Snape," the man, who was robed in blue, stood as Snape entered. He bowed slightly, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Might I ask who you are?"
The visitor, whose hair and eyes matched the color of his robes, smiled bright, "I am Eriol Hiiragizawa."
"Ah," Snape shut his office door, then moved to sit behind his desk. He had heard of the blue haired sorcerer from Voldemort, Dumbledore, and even Jade had mentioned him briefly. "Have a seat, please, Mr. Hiiragizawa." Snape and Eriol sat at the same time, on opposite sides of the desk. "What can I do for you?"
Still smiling, Eriol replied, "Actually, I have come to see what I can do for you, Professor."
"I don't follow you."
"Well," Eriol began, "there are a few people who are concerned about you, and I wondered if there might be something that I can do to help you out." Snape leaned back in his chair. Who in the world would be concerned about him? As if reading his mind, Eriol smiled even brighter, "Sakura-san was particularly worried over you. Lani is quite concerned as well."
Snape folded his arms over his chest. "I see. . ." He pondered for a moment. "I have heard much about you, Mr. Hiiragizawa." Eriol nodded, keeping silent so that Snape might continue. "I believe that the most you can do for me at the moment is to give me a bit of advice." Eriol raised his eyebrows, slightly surprised, but nodded as Snape began to share some of his problems with the blue-eyed sorcerer. Snape could not explain it, but for some odd reason he trusted Hiiragizawa, and knew the man would keep his secrets.
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((A/N: I love Eriol! Hehehe! Poor Snape. . . Poor Jade! You'll find out why she's so stressed in the next chapter or two, I promise! Also, the Gryffindor trio reacts so calmly to the news about Li and Sakura because they'd almost figured it out completely by themselves. And why does Snape trust Eriol? Cause with Eriol you either trust him, or you distrust him – and apparently Snape is inclined to trust him.))