Two Roses
Authoress: Lalaith Quetzalli
Sequel to: The Hope Spell
Disclaimer: I've said this a few times already, do I really have to do it again? I own neither HP nor CCS. I do own this fic though, and its prequel: The Hope Spell (you might wanna read that one first).
Apology.
I know I've been absent for a terribly long time, nearly five years I believe. I'm sorry. I know it might not be enough, yet there's nothing else I can say. My muse was uncooperative, yes, I continued writing, but I had no inspiration for this fic, and forcing myself doesn't work, I know, I've tried. What I would've written…wouldn't have been good, it would have been an insult to this fic, to myself and specially to all the readers if I didn't give all I have to this work, so I chose to wait until I got my inspiration back. All along I knew what I wanted to happen, I just couldn't find the words to make it happen.
Most of what's to come had already been planned since this fic originally went into hiatus, though a particular sub-plot has gained more importance as it will serve to connect a few things. I've also added some details here and there, to justify some things (something I've noticed I didn't use to do originally…I just made things happen, never giving a reason for it, I'm trying to change that).
So, once again, I'm sorry it's taken this long, but I'm here now, and I promise not to leave until this is done. The chapters will come, tentatively, every other week. Updates will shift to weekly once I've finished writing all the chapters missing (so I'm sure I won't run out of chapters), I'm about a third of the way right now (not counting what was already written).
Next you'll find a summary of the twenty one chapters posted years ago, and soon enough you'll see what's next. (if you don't want, or don't need, the summary, you can move to the next chapter as soon as it is posted, it's the truly new one).
Summary
"There were two sisters, twin sisters. Who were born at the same time. Daughters of an Enchantress and a Sorcerer."
It was with those words that this fic began, followed by some mention of the two sisters: Rose Tsubame and Rose Midori, and their relationship with Clow Reed, the first as a lover, the second as a friend who wanted more. In the end Tsubame dies because of a spell thrown by Midori as she tried to hurt Clow, the woman dies in her lovers arms; Midori is said to have died later, suicide, moved by the grief of what she herself caused.
In Japan, Sakura has informed her family of Shaoran's proposal of marriage, and her acceptance, not everyone agrees. She also ends up recounting some of the battle that took place at Hogwarts at the end of the school-year, the Hope Spell, and lets slip unintentionally the fact that she was dead…In China Li informs his family of his engagement to Sakura, his mother approves. Back in Japan, Naoko remembers having learnt that she's not fully human, she has magic, she's a Sprite.
The Lis visit Japan to see Sakura. During a dinner at the Daidouji Manor Severus visits and it is discovered that he and Yelan know each other, from the time Yelan studied at Hogwarts. Severus reveals that some of the DEs still free are acting suspiciously. The Asians explain him the differences between magical in Britain and in Asia, the way they are found and the way they are trained. During a talk between Yelan and Fujitaka, he reveals to being a Witness, a non-magical human chosen to carry the knowledge of magic and its society from one era to the next. A dream-vision shows a young woman the tombstones of the Two Roses.
In England, Hermione is shopping when suddenly there is a DE attack, and upon realizing she's forgotten her wand at home she's forced to use her sorceress-powers to help the innocents in the mall. Eriol arrives later and chastises for doing something so dangerous, since she's only half-sorceress. Back in Japan it is Rika's engagement party, near the end a group of mercenaries looking to steal the sacred urn Naoko carries with her everywhere appear and she's forced to use some of her powers to put them in their place. Afterwards it is decided they must return to England.
Sakura, Shaoran, Tomoyo and Naoko get to England, to the Hiiragizawa Manor. Shortly after their arrival they have to go aid Hermione in a battle against Magic Devourers, where it is discovered that Tomoyo herself is a distant descendant of someone with the same abilities, it's how she can 'borrow' powers. A girl and a mother on the run, a moment comes when the mother has to convince the girl to go on alone, for her own good, though the girl swears to get her back.
It's Harry's birthday, and he's forced to fight DEs who attack the Dursley home. Once his done the Dursleys decide they've had enough and throw him out. Thankfully Eriol and the others were prepared for such an eventuality and go get him, taking him back to Eriol's manor, where they've prepared a surprise birthday party for him.
Weeks pass. Sakura, Shaoran, Tomoyo, Eriol, Naoko, Harry and Hermione train together in a special room in Eriol's basement. The woman who convinced her daughter to run away is caught by a group of men whom she claims not to fear, though she does fear their leader, some lord who wants her daughter, and she refused him. Sakura has a bad dream she cannot really remember, though the foreboding feeling remains. There are more fights with the DEs, who everyone thinks are just too stubborn to accept their Dark Lord has fallen. Harry meets Hermione's parents and is honest with them about the danger they're all in, though Hermione refused to leave him.
Naoko seems to be somehow connected to the Two Roses. Harry has a hard time keeping secrets from Ron (everything related to Sorcery and the Asians). Tomoyo and Eriol have a moment when no one's looking, in the Hogwarts' Express, as they've gone back to hiding their relationship from everyone. Dementors and DEs attack the Express on its way to Hogwarts, but are thwarted by members of the D.A.
In Hogwarts, Naoko is called a 'servant of the ancient forces' by the Sorting Hat and placed in Gryffindor. There is also another new student, the same age as her: Eldirr May, who's sorted into Slytherin. Comments are made about there being something strange in the new Slytherin, but no one knows what. The professors learn about the attack on the Express. The D.A. is given an official time and place for their meetings. The next morning Minerva sees the Sorcerers and Half-Sorcerers training and then is allowed to remember what truly happened at the end of the previous school-year, she's shocked and can only wonder what will happen next.
Minerva begins to really notice how much of the Asians image is, in fact, an act. In Potions, Naoko proves to be a very good brewer, enough that Snape even gives her points. Draco tries to boycott her potion and that doesn't work, then Snape orders Naoko to help him correct it, which she does without looking in any book whatsoever, proving that she has a natural talent. Later Naoko also proves to have a talent with Herbology and begins a tentative friendship with Neville. The following day there are duels in DADA, Naoko defeats Draco, while Tomoyo and May tie, with both of them being thrown against walls when similar spells clash together; it is also commented that the stance the new Slytherin used when getting ready is a stance meant for a duel of swords. Yet again a young girl has a dream about the Two Roses' graves.
The attacks from the 'stubborn DEs' begin to happen more often, and at the most inconvenient times, making it so at one point the teens are all almost falling asleep in class. Sonomi substitutes Severus as Potions' Teacher one day, using her maiden-name so as not to allow anyone to connect her with Tomoyo, or the Black Family. It is discovered that Severus has gone back to the DE as a spy, for Dumbledore, though none of the teens, or Sonomi, like the idea in the slightest. There is another battle, it seems easy at first, until more enemies appear, Tomoyo is injured, and then there's a snake, who's looking for a flower. Harry tries to help but doesn't know what to do. The snake moves in for the attack and there is an explosion.
The explosion throws everyone around at the same time it destroys the snake: Nagini. While they're all unconscious another figure arrives, covered in a black-red hooded robe, she talks to Naoko, using an Enchantment to wake up her full power, calling her Dryad; the woman then speaks to someone else, referring to her as sister, and leaves. A Dream-Memory-Vision shows a young woman receiving from the Two Roses the power of a Sprite. Naoko wakes up with strengthened powers and calling Rose Midori her Mistress. There is some talk about the Two Roses, Naoko's Mistresses, who have been reincarnated. Tomoyo takes responsibility for the explosion, as it is a power she unwittingly copied from Voldemort in a prior battle; she also copied Harry's parseltongue in the most recent one. Harry joins the psychic circle.
Eriol is troubled by his memories of Rose Tsubame, of Clow's love for her. Voldemort is back, and he gives Draco the mission of getting rid of the Sprite. Halloween comes, and again spirits are called to the castle to join the living for the night. Hermione pulls Harry and Ron elsewhere, to where Lily and James are waiting for a more private party. Eriol tells Tomoyo he wants to end their relationship.
Minerva can sense the grief Tomoyo is unconsciously projecting, and is worried for the young woman. Neither she nor Albus understand what's going on. The teens fight the DEs during a visit to Hogsmeade (wearing white cloaks and masks). They also discover the DEs have sorcerer abilities, but since they were forced on them, they cannot handle the power. Naoko shows off her full power taking care of a good number of DE herself. Later on, while she's on a walk she finds herself stalked: by Draco Malfoy.
After a long talk, Naoko is able to convince Draco of switching sides. At first the Sorcerers refuse to believe it, but eventually Naoko manages to convince them and the truth among them is revealed. Draco is revealed to be a half-sorcerer, because of the power that was forced on him, though unlike the others, he has somehow managed to deal with it, adapt. It is he who reveals to everyone how a woman Voldemort keeps prisoner gave them the power, how Voldemort wants the woman's daughter, and how little anyone knows about Naoko, her power or the Two Roses (other than Voldemort wants them dead).
It's the middle of December. Tomoyo dreams about Tsubame, a dream that confuses and somehow hurts her. Shaoran receives a letter from Hong Kong, his mother is sick and he must return home immediately. He and Sakura inform everyone of the situation and leave that very day. In China they make sure Yelan is comfortable before beginning to investigate what may have her sick. Sakura and Shaoran attend a Council meeting, where he introduces himself as the new Leader of the Eastern Council, and then introduces Sakura as his future wife. Those in England later receive a letter informing them Sakura and Shaoran are marrying in a week.
The British are surprised by the suddenness of the marriage, but the Asians assure them its alright, and explain it some. Harry and Hermione will be traveling along with their friends to Hong Kong, to attend the wedding and spend the Winter Break, while Ron is going with his family to France to visit Fleur's, his brother Bill's fiancée's family. They arrive shortly before Shaoran and Sakura emerge from a meeting with the Elders of the Council, they refuse to acknowledge Sakura as a worthy bride of their new leader and she will have to go through the Crests' Trials to prove her worth. They, of course, do not know she is the Card Mistress, or a Supreme Sorceress, as Sakura wishes to gain respect for being herself, and not just Clow's Heiress. Sakura goes through the Trials a few days later, defeating both of her challengers with relative ease. Everyone is shocked.
When an Elder demands to know the truth about Sakura, she finally reveals herself as the Card Mistress and a Supreme Sorceress. This revelation is followed by more as Shaoran, Tomoyo and Eriol are acknowledged as other Supreme Sorcerers and the others introduce themselves as well. Tomoyo dreams of Tsubame again, and through the dream learns about who she was, her relationship with Clow and her death. Somehow, right as she's waking up from her dream, Tomoyo ends up stepping off a tower, Eriol saves her just in time. Later on the two talk and Tomoyo manages to set Eriol straight as the two get back together.
Sakura and Shaoran marry, they also are Bonded, as is tradition. Yelan is better, and they all remember that the plant they needed (which they couldn't find) was sent to them by none other than Rose Midori. Some facts about the Supreme Sorcerers are revealed: like the fact they're supposed to be five, that they're the incarnation of Light Magic, meant to fight against the Darkness and Evil Incarnate: Voldemort. Ron is visited in France by a woman who won't say her name, who offers to reveal to him what he needs to be on par with his friends, Ron agrees.
Ron appears at the gates of the Li Estate, causing alarms to ring everywhere. When things more or less calm down, things are explained to Ron, and he's allowed to remember what happened in the last battle against Voldemort. It is also revealed that is was Rose Midori who visited him in France and got him to Hong Kong. There is an attack on the Li Manor, they all go to fight, the greatest enemy is an Hydra, and for a while it seems like they might not be able to win this one, until an Enchantment is pronounced: a call for Rose Tsubame to awaken…
Tomoyo is revealed as the reincarnation of Rose Tsubame, she used her power to put the Hydra to sleep, allowing the others to slay the creature. More of the Two Roses is revealed, like the fact that they were chosen by the ancient forces to be the Keepers of Balance (hence Naoko, Noelle's reincarnation, as their servant, being considered a servant of the ancient forces herself). It was the Two Roses duty to make sure the energies (human, magical, etc.) remained balanced. Tomoyo senses Midori near and finds the Eclissi crest, with a magical message of her once-twin, they talk, Midori blames herself for their past death, and Tomoyo can only cry as she insists it wasn't her fault, that she never blamed her sister…
New Year Passes. Harry, Hermione and Draco are offered Magical Adoptions, through which they will become part of Eastern Clans as well as full sorcerers. Ron doesn't have that option, while Rose Midori did make him a half-sorcerer, he was never meant to have that kind of power and his body is having a hard enough time dealing with what power has already been given to him, he won't be able to handle anymore. Ron and Draco begin to make their peace. Harry and Hermione go through with the Magical Adoptions, becoming part of the Shin and Sheng Clan respectively, though while still being Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Draco, on the other hand, chooses to forsaken his past, his family and his name, becoming Long Kido of the Kido clan: new name, new person. Then the ceremony comes to an end.
And for the upcoming chapter: one last Council Meeting, the Sorcerers return to England and quite a few revelations all around…
Final Notes:
So, that's it as far as this is concerned, you'll be able to read the next chapter soon enough. Hope you'll enjoy it. There's a lot more to come in this fic (and trust me, right now I'm writing as fast as I possibly can, which isn't always good, considering at times I should be working on my papers, after all this is my last term for my Masters' Degree…) Anyway, see you in the actual new chapter, hope you'll enjoy it.
