A big white, spare room, that seemed to be lacking of any walls or ceiling, everything was quite and empty until…
"Mist!"
"Expelliarmus!"
"God of Thunder!"
"Sealing vines!"
"Firey!"
"Desmaius!"
"Darkness!"
Seven auras shone at once, as spells and incantations thrown by their owners found each other, in a mega collision that would have destroyed the China Wall.
Silence reigned, the ticking of a clock could be heard, marking each and every second, almost feeling like an eternity.
And even when the dust and residual energy hadn't yet settled at all, the seven figures leapt at each other. One with a lilac whip, the second with a wand and at the same time trying to maneuver a small sword, the third with a ceremonial sword, the fourth with bare hands, the fifth with a pink staff and a deck of cards, the sixth with a yellow cane and a wand, and the seventh with a dark blue staff.
.---.
While the battle went on in the basement of the mansion, Suppy remained in a sofa, reading, and Nakuru prepared some cookies.
Suddenly the house vibrated a bit, even if only for a fraction of a second, and being so lightly that just they could feel it being right above the room, they knew how serious things were downstairs.
"You imagine what would happen if they were having that battle outside?" Nakuru asked.
"It's obvious that if they were outside they wouldn't be using so much power Nakuru." Suppy replied without taking his eyes of the book.
"Yeah." Nakuru nodded. "It was a good idea Master decided to restore the Training Room. If it had remained the way it was when we just got here, it wouldn't have endured their power this long."
"And still, we're feeling a part of it." Suppy finally paid attention to her.
And as if on cue, in that very moment another vibration was felt.
"This continues vibrations are the only sign we feel of their battle, or training, but with the thick magic limits around that room, if we're feeling this it means their levels are really high." Suppy said as if giving a lecture to someone.
"Well of course Suppy-fool." Nakuru mocked him. "After all Eriol, Tomoyo, Sakura and Shaoran are the Supreme Sorcerers; Hermione and Harry are wizards and also half-sorcerers, and Naoko too, as a Sprite."
Suppy nodded.
All of them, they were really powerful, the most powerful magical-people in the world, with enough magic to vanquish anything that went into their path, to protect their beloveds and the whole world of any danger that might appear. But still, no matter how much power they possessed, they were still children. Were they really ready for such a responsibility?
.---.
After almost three hours of hard training the teens laid sprawled on the carpeted floor of the living room, having some drinks and candy Nakuru had prepared for them, while listening to some music on the radio.
"That training was terrific!" Sakura said excitedly.
"And terribly tiring." Hermione added.
"It was fun." Eriol said with a smirk.
"You say that because all throughout the training you did nothing more than make fun of everyone." Tomoyo scolded him.
Eriol tried to look guilty making a pout, but failed miserably.
The girls couldn't help but laugh.
"I still think I'm not good enough with this sword." Harry said moving the sword around.
"You must be patient, and perseverant." Shaoran told him.
"Practice makes the master." Naoko added.
With them like that, sprawled on the floor, the girls cuddled next to their guys (except for Naoko who remained alone), not caring what anyone might think of their current positions; no one would believed they were the most powerful magical beings of the universe.
.---.
Through dark streets a mother and a daughter were walking, they were wearing dark cloaks and hooded, and turned every two minutes to look over the shoulder, as if fearing someone might be following them.
The mother convinced the daughter to continue on her own, to escape. And as the daughter left, the mother tried to fight off their pursuers, but there were just too many. After battling for what seemed like hours she was finally knocked unconscious, and woke up to find herself before a group of cloaked men.
"No need to use those cloaks." The woman said. "I know exactly who you are."
"Then you know you're in danger now." A man told her.
"I don't fear you." The woman assured him calmly. "Nor do I fear anything you might represent."
"What about fearing me?" a dark voice asked.
She gasped and gave a step back, as if trying to run away, but it was impossible with all those men surrounding her.
"It's impossible." She chocked out.
"No it isn't." he assured her.
"You're gone, forever."
"My physic may be gone, as you say, forever. But my soul will never leave this place."
"You're so evil, you aren't wanted not even in hell."
"Je!" he seemed to find her commentary rather amusing.
"And still." She insisted. "No matter how hard you try, you'll never get your power back. If that's why you brought me here you an begin thinking of another plan, because I will never give you back your powers."
"That's not why I want you here. I once found a new source of power without you, and I have already done it again."
"Then why have you brought me here."
"Even with all this evilness, I've always believed in family traditions."
"No…"
"Where is she?"
"You'll never have her."
"Where is she?"
"Gone. She's safe. Away from you!"
"No matter how far she goes, she won't be able to hide away from me. Just as I found you now, I'll find her, no matter where she goes."
"Even then, she'll destroy you."
"I seriously doubt it. But even then, Would she risk never seeing her dear mother again?"
"You wouldn't dare…"
"First you call me evil, and then you don't believe me capable of using you as bait, you really underestimate me." He turned to the cloaked figures. "Take her to her room." To the woman. "It's been arranged just like the room you used to have, hope you'll be comfortable. My men have been given instructions to treat you decently, but if you don't cooperate…I can't assure you your dear daughter will meet you unharmed."
"No!"
"It's up to you two." He smirked. "Take her."
"No! Leave me!" she yelled. "You'll see. You'll be defeated. In the end you'll loose."
"You'll see in how big a mistake you are soon enough."
"Bastard…"
"I suggest you get comfortable…darling."
With that the men took the woman away, leaving the leader with some of his most trustable advisors.
"Are you sure it is wise to leave it like this my lord?" one asked. "To let her live?"
"You dare doubt me?" the lord sounded colder than ever.
"Of course not my lord."
"Good." He smiled wickedly. "Now we just have to lay back and watch. Things shall get interesting."
.---.
Sakura woke up abruptly, having had a very bad dream, although she could remember it at all, she was sure it had been bad.
"Darkness, both in lack of light and evil power." The sorceress murmured to herself. "A shadow that holds to this world by a tread, still refusing to disappear, too worn out to represent a true danger unless being aid. And that's exactly what worries me. Because if a shadow like that managed to hold, means it once was really powerful, too much o be completely vanquished off this world, and if it gets help it would mean to fight not just one malevolence, but two." She sighed worriedly. "I don't have a good feeling about this."
.---.
Three weeks went by. And Harry could really say he had never enjoyed his vacations this much. Shortly after his arrival to Eriol's he had received a letter from Dumbledore, telling him he knew what had happened. Also they had already received their letters with the list of the materials for their last year, and were planning on staying in the Leaky Cauldron for the last eek to meet Ron and pass some time with, they also wanted to see the twins "Weasley Weezers" store they had opened in that place.
Everyday they trained their magic, Harry could say he was good enough with his Sorcerer abilities, just as Hermione, although he still did poorly with a sword, although Shaoran insisted that he just needed practice.
Eriol and Tomoyo made every minute together worth it, knowing that once inside Hogwarts their time to be together would be severely shorten. Even when they didn't really care if anyone found out about their relationships, still they didn't want to call too much attention upon themselves.
Sakura and Shaoran were happier than ever, their love and devotion for one another could be felt miles around them. If anyone that had last seen Shaoran before he first set foot on Japan and met Sakura saw him now, they would surely suffer a heart attack at seeing so much the boy had changed from that time to the date. And now that they were engaged…they were sure nothing and nobody would be able to tear them apart.
Naoko felt alone at times, but never showed it, it wasn't like she had much time for a boyfriend anyway, it was enough as it was with her duty to guard the urn, and those strange dreams she had once in a while. She was almost sure that those women from the graves: Rose Midori and Rose Tsubame had something to do with the urn she was caring, but what exactly the young sprite did not know.
Also all throughout those weeks they would get calls about a danger, or just feel it right away; They would go and solve it. Most of the times it was fun for them, to try and use their magic to sort out everything, without being discovered was truly a bet, one worth trying. For the muggle world 'strange things' were happing, and happily none of them had seriously affected anyone. For the magical world it was a 'light threat' that need not be considered much for the time being, after all they knew they had the Aurors and the oldest members from the D.A. (those who were already off age, and so could se magic without being punished) to keep everything under control.
And so, even when the small problems here and there, nobody could have ever imagined the real danger laying ahead of them.
.---.
They were supposed to be in Diagon Alley by the afternoon, but Hermione wanted to see her parents once more before leaving to Hogwarts, and Harry wanted to meet his girlfriend's parents, so while Eriol, Tomoyo, Naoko, Sakura and Shaoran got to Diagon Alley, Hermione and Harry took the train to where Hermione lived.
Harry's hands were already sweating by the time they got to the house's door.
"Nervous?" Hermione asked with a smile.
"Must you ask?" hi reply was rather low, his throat being too dry to speak louder.
"Don't worry." Hermione gave his hand a light squeeze. "Everything will be fine."
She took out her key and opened the door.
"Mom! Dad! I'm home!" she announced.
"In the kitchen honey!" her mother called to her.
As they both walked through the house to get to the kitchen, Harry could see Hermione's house wasn't too big, but it was cozy, it looked and felt like he always imagined a true home would.
In the kitchen Emma Granger was getting the meal ready, while Herman Granger sat on a chair, just outside the door that lead to the backyard, reading the newspaper; Harry noticed it was the Prophet.
"My father likes to know both the news of the muggle and magical world." Hermione explained noticing her boyfriend's look. "As sometimes common newspaper doesn't show important things that may affect me, he prefers to know everything."
"That's good." Harry commented.
It was until he spoke that Mrs. Granger raised her head from over the bunch of pans and pots ad noticed his presence.
"Oh good morning Hermy honey, I see you've brought a visitor." She dried her hands. "Herman darling Hermy is home and had brought over a friend." She extended her hand. "Emma Jane Granger, pleased to meet you."
"And I'm Herman Peter Granger." Hermione's father announced entering. "Who are you?"
"My name is Harry James Potter, pleased to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Granger." Harry greeted the politely.
"He's my boyfriend." Hermione added.
Harry remained straight and unmoving as he felt Hermione's parent's eyes scrutinizing him, as if deciding if he was worthy of their daughter.
Hermione noticed how deep her parent's gazes were on her beloved but there was nothing she could do about it, she turned to look at him in silence, as if asking for forgiveness for the situation in which she had gotten him.
When noticing the look Hermione was giving him Harry turned slightly to her, he could her concern, and a bit of embarrassment for the situation. Using what he had learnt about his sorcerer's power he let some of his aura embrace Hermione, and when she gave signals of having felt him, he smiled at her lightly.
Emma Granger's eyes were the first to leave Harry's figure and notice the looks the two teenagers were exchanging. She cleared her throat, calling her husband's attention who then too noticed the looks.
"So." Herman finally spoke. "You're Harry, my dear daughter's boyfriend."
"Yes sir." Harry nodded. "I'm here in hope to get your approval to our relationship, making you know I truly love Hermione."
Hermione blushed at the direct and doubtlessly sincere words Harry was pronouncing.
For her mother, that way of talking was considered a good signal.
"Very well. I must say I don't know you as much as I would like to." He admitted. "But I trust my dear daughter knows how to choose the man to share her life with."
Now Hermione felt embarrassed, her father spoke as if Harry had just asked her hand in marriage…although she had to admit she did like that thought.
.---.
A young woman was standing in the middle of a small room, it was almost empty, except for a small sleeping bag, and a backpack with some things. There she was moving slowly, precise and smooth movements, almost as if practicing some kind of secret choreography.
"No matter what I'll be the most powerful of all." She murmured continuing her movements non-stop. Her voice turned colder when she seemed to remember something, or maybe someone. "No matter what, I'll destroy you."
.---.
After having invited Harry to eat something, the young couple and her parents were having a serious talk in the sitting room.
"Hermione told us about that fight you had against the Dark Lord at the end of last year." Herman commented.
"I presume she also told you that some Death Eaters still refuse to give up and have been causing problems." Harry said.
"We know." Emma nodded. "We read the Prophet, we know what happens and that you do everything you can to sort it out. Hermione has also told us about your different abilities."
Harry nodded, he supposed Hermione would have told them.
"I still don't understand what she meant with that." Herman insisted.
"Being half-sorcerers?" Harry guessed. "It means we have a power that surpasses that of an average wizard or witch, because we don't depend on the magic in our wands, because we have magic of our own."
Saying that Harry moved his hand and whispered a spell in a low voice, immediately a bouquet of flowers appeared in his hand, he handed it to Emma.
"Wow…" Emma had to admit she was amazed at that.
"We aren't the only ones." Hermione added. "We have friends, the ones who have taught us how to use this powers, they are full sorcerers. They come from Asia and are here to lend us their aid, so we can learn, and to help fight the DE that still try to hurt us. Some of them seem to get more powerful with every day, we must work all together."
"More powerful, it means that you're in danger." Emma words called her husbands attention.
The worried parents turned to look at the teens in silence, almost wishing for them to say things weren't that bad, but at the same time knowing that wouldn't happen.
"Yes." Finally they both said it.
"But, isn't there a way for you not to be in danger?" Herman asked.
"Not even those who don't fight against them are safe from this evil." Hermione said.
"Believe me, if I knew of any way to keep Hermione away from this danger I would do it, even if that meant to push her away from me, but I know it would be useless." Harry said really serious. "So I'll do the next best thing: protect her, with my life if need be."
"Come on Harry, don't get so gloomy." Hermione murmured with a hand on his shoulder. "You know that no matter what I will never leave you, never."
And when looking at their daughter in her eyes they knew that they shone with true love, Hermione really loved Harry with all her heart, just as much as he loved her. Their love could be seen, felt in the air, just as those of the true soulmates.
I'm here! I can't believe I was able to write all this chapter on one go. Hope you like it. As you may have seen I'm already giving some clues as to who the villain will be in this sequel. I know you may be thinking that it's taking too long for them to begin the new year but it's just that there are so many things that must happen before they can actually get back to Hogwarts. Anyway, in the next chapter I hope to get at least to their trip on the Hogwart's Express.
About the votes I had asked for, up to know almost everyone wants Malfoy to be on the good side, I'm already working on him that way; but about Snape you don't seem to be able to decide, half the votes were for him on the good side, and half on the bad one, so the votes shall continue a bit more.
I was so deceived to see so few reviews on my last update, it really encourages me to receive your opinions, even if they are to criticize my mistakes (just don't flame me please, I'm open to constructive criticism). Hope I will receive more reviews in this chapter.
Also for those fans of Inuyasha I've uploaded a new fic of that anime, it's called the trap, a One Shot, and if you would read it I would be very glad.
That's all for now.
Mata ne.
