Chapter 13.- Noelle.
Two weeks had gone by and under the world's eyes things remained the same, nothing had happened, but that was a lie, and somehow McGonagall could feel that.
"Minnie, what's wrong?" Dumbledore asked the Deputy Headmistress one afternoon, when he saw her just absolutely distressed.
"Oh, I don't know Albus." She replied. "It's just that I feel something's happening. I've felt it since Halloween night. Like there's a grief that just won't go."
"I never thought you were feeling it too Minerva." Albus admitted. "It seems you're even more powerful than you yourself believed."
"What has that to do with anything?" She didn't understand.
"It has everything to do. What you're feeling, that pain, that grief, it's reflect of what's happening in one heart."
"What! Who's?"
"Tomoyo Daidouji's"
"How can that be? What could be possibly causing her so much pain?"
"The rejection of the one she loves the most."
"What? I thought she had a relationship with Professor Eriol."
"That she did."
"But what happened? Last time I saw them they looked so happy together."
"Apparently something has leaded him to believe he isn't the one for her, no matter how hard she tries to make him believe otherwise. And so they're now both heartbroken."
"Both, but then that means…"
"He still loves her."
"Then why isn't he with her?"
"The answer to that question I do not know Minnie, dear. You must remember they are sorcerers, a lot more complicated than the average teenager."
"Sometimes I think they aren't even teenagers."
"Well, in a way you can say they aren't. Most of them have lived a life before; I do believe most of us have past-lives, the difference is that they remember. You could say that in a way they've already gone through all stages of life: infancy, adolescence, adulthood, death…and even if no life is like the previous one some things are still very similar, and the love…"
"Oh Albus…you mean something like soulmates?"
"Yes Minnie, that's exactly what I mean."
.-.
For both Eriol and Tomoyo it was hard, it was impossible to even know for whom it was harder; and even then Eriol's guilt went just too deep for him to accept the past should be left behind and go on with his own life. And Tomoyo, she just couldn't understand what has happening, but it pained her just the same.
Eriol was good at keeping his shields up, because of that no one knew what he was feeling, although those who had sorcerer-powers had but to concentrate a little to see his gloomy aura.
Tomoyo, though good at shields too, there was also the fact she was an Enchantress, her voice was energy and magic; but now her pain was so deep she couldn't sing, and whenever she tried the only thing she managed was to make her own sorrow echo in every wall around her.
And no matter how hard they tried, there was nothing their friends could do to help, because they didn't even know what was wrong in the first place.
.-.
That day they had gone to Hogsmeade, had a wonderful day (well, at least those who could). Harry's smile hadn't erased from his face ever since the day he passed with his parents. His parents, girlfriend and best friend, what else could he wish for?
Hermione and Ron had taken turns to use a magic-camera, taking several rolls of picture throughout the day. And then they had filled an album with moving-pictures and comments about each of them at the sides.
Sakura and Shaoran were walking through the town, trying to keep their minds occupied; Tomoyo had stayed behind in Hogwarts, not believing herself capable of having any fun and not wanting to spoil the day to the rest. Eriol was nowhere to be seen. Naoko was going on her own, again not wanting to be a third-wheel.
It all seemed to be going fine, Harry and Hermione had gone back early, not wanting to be out when the temperature dropped.
They were walking when Hermione stopped all of the sudden.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"Problems." Hermione replied, then she switched to mind-talking. We're being surrounded by D.E., at least a dozen, and I can feel at least half of them have higher magic than that of a normal-wizard.
You mean life us half-sorcerers? Harry asked.
I mean like half-sorcerers. Hermione replied. But I doubt they're anything like us.
Then?
I don't know. What I do know is that we need help; and fast. She turned up the mind-volume so the rest in the circle could hear her: Hey guys, we need help, D.E. and other dark beings attacking the road from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts.
Alright. We'll be there asap.
The rest mind-answered almost immediately; and they immediately left whatever they were doing to go aid their friends.
In that moment Hermione brought a special capsule out of her robe discreetly and threw it to the ground. A second later she and Harry disappeared from where they were and appeared behind some bushes, where Harry immediately brought out the invisibility cloak and pulled it over them.
"Where are they?" one of the D.E. asked getting out of his hiding spot.
"I don't know." Another replied coming out too.
"So they just teleported to Hogwarts?" a third one asked.
"Idiot, no one can apparate at Hogwarts, unless they are an extremely powerful sorcerer." A fourth D.E. shorter and who looked like he was the leader said. "Those two obviously aren't sorcerers."
"Maybe we can attack Hogsmeade and have some fun, call their attention." One of the others suggested suddenly.
"You know, this is the first time I hear you saying something intelligent." The leader said. "Come on."
Hermy, we can't let them get to Hogsmeade. Harry said to her.
You're right. Hermione replied. It would be harder to fight them there, even with those from the D.A. on our side we could end with some of the hurt unnecessarily.
Time to face them. Harry said.
Right. Hermione said. Just let me do something first…
She concentrated, summoning some of Sakura's power the green-eyed sorceress had left them, a second after they were dressed in the silver robes and white masks they used to conceal their identities every times they were going to fight the D.E. in secret.
"Hey you." Hermione called, being the first to come out of their spot. "Where do you think you're going?"
The D.E. didn't answer.
Right then another one emerged from behind Hermione.
"Crucio!" The D.E. attacked her.
But in the last moment Harry came out behind her and protected her with an aura-shield.
"Now these are sorcerers." The leader said with satisfaction.
I wonder what he would say if he knew we're the exact same persons he saw right a minute ago. Hermione mind-spoke to her boyfriend.
Maybe they would drop unconscious and save us the job of getting rid of them. Harry replied humorously.
Yeah, you may be just right. Hermione nodded. But I'm afraid that's not going to happen and in our friend's absence we're gonna have to fight them on our own.
We can do it.
Yes, we can.
Right then they felt a curse going right to them, and to save some magic they decided not to make a shield but just dodge it.
A battle began right then, and even if the difference in numbers was highly unfair Harry and Hermione weren't about to give up.
They continued fighting until unexpectedly one of the D.E. caught Hermione distracted.
"Slasho!"
Hermione cried out in pain, a cut appearing suddenly in her shoulder.
"H…" Harry had to bit his tongue so as not to cry out his girlfriend's name aloud.
"Desmaius!" Naoko arrived right then.
"Expelliarmus!" Followed by Tomoyo.
"Energy-wave!" And Eriol.
And even when he used plain-sorcery, he still hid it with his wand in hand.
They were all at the ready, battle stances, holding their wands, covered in the silver robes and with masks in place.
"Seems the fun began without us." Sakura said as she arrived.
"Good thing it hasn't finished yet." Shaoran added with a light smirk.
And just then they could see how bad the situation was, because in normal circumstances Eriol would be the one joking, not Shaoran.
The battle went on for what seemed forever, even when it had been not even an hour. And still the D.E. just didn't seem to be about to give up.
"Seems they're stronger than most times." Tomoyo commented suddenly.
"And more willing to get rid of us than most times too." Shaoran added.
"This isn't about you." One of the D.E. unexpectedly told them.
"What/ Nani?" This confused the Sorcerers more than any other thing could have.
"We've come here to get the one you call Sprite." The leader said seriously, never stopping the battle. "And no matter what you do or how hard you fight, we won't leave until we have her and that urn she guards."
They're looking for Naoko. Hermione said, quite surprised.
They know about the urn. Harry said at the same time.
This is bad. Shaoran added.
Just how bad? Sakura asked.
That depends on how much they're willing to lose to get it, and on how much we can last against them. Eriol answered plainly.
But aren't we supposed to have more energy than them? Hermione asked. I mean, after all, we're sorcerers.
They too have that kind of powers. Tomoyo explained. Except they weren't born with it, it was imposed to them.
Meaning? Harry asked.
They weren't meant to have this power, so they can't really control it, that's why some of their attacks come out being so strong and others so weak. Shaoran explained.
But also because of that their body is trying to help them endure so much magic, by producing more energy, but this in return is draining their life. Eriol added.
You mean that because of these powers they have, they're dying? Naoko couldn't believe what she was hearing, she didn't want to.
Hai. Sakura answered, she didn't like it either. And I doubt they even know it.
I won't let it happen. Naoko said confidently.
Her friends didn't even have the chance to ask what she was planning, she acted almost immediately.
"If it's the Sprite you want." Naoko said aloud. "Here I am."
She moved her arms violently and the silver robes disappeared, leaving her instead in a forest green asymmetric dress, it had golden thin straps above her shoulders, a low neck, reached the ground and trailed behind her, she was barefoot; the final touch were a flower-crown that looked as if it was braided into her loose hair which had gotten longer (almost to her hips) and lighter, and a necklace made of little white flowers.
Her friends were quite surprised, they didn't know she could turn into her sprite-identity already; being like that wasn't only about a change in clothes, it also meant she was more powerful than when in a human body.
"I am the Sprite." Naoko said seriously eyeing the D.E. before her. "Although one of my Mistresses used to call me Dryad."
"Midori…" One of the Sorcerers whispered without noticing.
And even when the rest turned expecting explanations, there were none.
"And I suppose this is what you want." Naoko added calmly as she brought the urn out-of-nowhere. "This urn, my Mistresses' legacy, the one they gave me to guard and protect until their return."
"Yes." The leader said, his eyes shining.
He extended his hand, almost as if he were foolishly hoping for Naoko to give him the urn voluntarily. Well, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon, or ever.
"Then let me tell you already this is something you shall never have." Naoko declared as she stepped back and again hid the urn into her clothes.
"Then I'll just have to take it forcefully." The leader said, fully trusting his own powers.
"Just try it." Naoko almost spat back. "You will never be able to lay your filthy hands on it, or on me for the matter. You can't even begin to imagine how much power I have in this body, but of course, you had never dealt with a Sprite." She almost smirked. "And I can assure you, in a moment you'll wish you never had."
Sakura and Tomoyo were really surprised now; being the ones who had Naoko the longest they knew her as a shy and quite girl and had never imagined to see her so open, so brave, so challenging; it looked almost as if she were wishing to fight her enemies right away.
I never imagined seeing Naoko like this. Hermione confessed.
Neither did us. Sakura spoke for both her and Tomoyo.
She is always so shy, so…fearful? Shaoran guessed.
She's not fearful. Tomoyo denied. It's just that never before had she the need of fighting for anything.
But now she's going into the fight by her own will. Hermione insisted.
It's Noelle-san. Eriol said suddenly.
What? This time Harry voiced (or thought) everyone's doubt.
Noelle-san. Eriol explained. Her past life, the one who received the powers and the urn from the two sisters.
They all wondered how he could know that, but that was a question no one dared ask.
And right in that moment Naoko's fight with the remaining D.E. (still more than half a dozen) distracted them.
The Sorcerers used a bit more of their powers to help Naoko fight off the wizards. And it still went on for a long while.
But just as Naoko had predicted no one even had the chance to touch her, she had become just too powerful for them to defeat her.
And it was all a consequence of what that woman in the dark-red cloak had done in their previous fight, when she awoke Naoko's full power, her side as Noelle. And that had many consequences: because now Naoko had more powers, feelings, memories; and now more than ever she knew exactly what her mission was: to make sure the contents of that urn she carried reached her Mistresses, only then they would recover their full power, only then would they have a chance of finally defeating the darkness that threatened them.
"Enough is enough." Naoko said, finally running out of patience. "Draining weeds."
The weeds she summoned immediately wrapped themselves around the various D.E. that still remained on their feet, draining what little energy they had left.
"Did you kill them?" Hermione asked, doubtful.
"In fact, no I didn't." Naoko shook her head. "I drained their extra energy, but they've still got some, at least enough to survive. Although if they don't get some serious treatment soon they burn down that energy on their own and die anyway."
"I'll send them to Azkaban and make sure those in charge get to know the circumstances they are in." Eriol assured everyone.
And with that he disappeared, along with the passed out D.E.
Tomoyo too disappeared without even saying a single word.
The rest exchanged silent looks at this and sighed.
"Well, we should be on our way." Harry said.
"Yes, it's cooling down already." Hermione added.
"Well then, we're still going to dinner." Shaoran announced them.
"Matta ne." Sakura added.
"Yes." Harry nodded.
"Alright." Hermione added.
And with that both couples left, each in a different way; they would walk for a while, until reaching a hidden spot where to change back into their normal attire.
Naoko on the other side decided to take a walk through the limits of the Forbidden Forest, never straying too deep so as not to get lost or in trouble; although, being a sprite, there was very little chance in any of the two happening.
But what all of them had failed to notice was that one of the D.E. hadn't gone down, he was still up and fine, and following Naoko at the moment.
.-.
Naoko went on walking for what seem like an hour, maybe more, maybe less. Walking surrounded by trees and nature helped her soothe her, calm her temper, and recover the energies she had lost while fighting.
She was just some minutes away from Hogwarts (if she hadn't reached before it was because she had been walking in circles in purpose), she decided she had to change back into her normal self; she couldn't exactly get into the castle still like a sprite, some of the students would get scared, and most would certainly not understand.
Naoko stopped walking as she closed her eyes and concentrated in getting back on her normal clothes, the Hogwarts's uniform; she was about to quit playing around and go straight to the castle when she could suddenly hear a gasp, and right a second later she could feel the gray aura right behind her. Why hadn't she noticed it earlier?
Behind her the D.E. decided it was the moment to attack, before she got somewhere where she could be protected by her friends, he raised his wand and right when he moved in for the kill he noticed how she suddenly changed; and when he noticed right how she looked now (even from behind) he couldn't help but stop in shock and gasp.
Naoko turned right in that moment and couldn't believe what she saw:
"Kami…" she gasped. "Draco Malfoy…"
Here! I'm done!
So, will he will her, or will he not? (Although I really believe the question should be: Will he try to kill her?)
I hope you like this chapter, some drama, a little bit of action, suspense… Another cliffhanger! I do believe I've been doing that a lot lately (putting cliffs I mean), I just hope you won't kill me because of that. But I can tell you something. I've been really inspired lately (being in vacation helps too of course), I'm already beginning the next chapter, so if I see a good enough reaction to this chappie I might even update before I usually do.
Now I have three announcements to make: The first, I'm beginning a new story, it's in Spanish and it's called "Aihana" of Yu Yu Hakusho, anybody interested I would be very pleased if you read it; the second, I have various projects I my profile, under the banner of 'Coming Soon' I would like you to vote on any of them, with a review or a personal message, so I know which of them you'll like to see published first; and third: I'm planning on translating 'Hope Spell', but I first would like to know if there would be anyone really interested in me doing that, if not there's no use in taking the time doing it.
Well, having finished with the announcements I do hope you leave reviews (many reviews please), and you will read other stories of mine.
Arigato and Matta ne!
