Just Coincidental
Reviewers:
dani: You're welcome times 2 :smiles: and you don't have to wait anymore, cuz here it is!
Manal0: Yay Another person who loves my story! Incredible! Thanksh for the words of encouragement
cherryblossomchick12: Hi, no more waiting cuz it's arrived, finally
caliecookie1991: Thanks. Enjoy.
FireTemptress: YES THE EVIL CLIFHANGER D :smirks evilly: Chibi Harry's just the cuteish thing ain't he? And yes Syaoran will eventually join the cast, I just need a good excuse to throw him in at a good time, Enjoy!
someone: Yup, but not quite yet
bluesints: My story is nice? Thanks for the compliment :feels ego boosting:
PersonaJXT: More interestingness proved! I glad you like it, here's the latest instalment
funkysirius: Hi AC! You finally read it! You ninny, and stop calling me a man d00d I'm completely female silly, and uh go eat prozac!
sendoh11: Naw I won't be that cruel to Sakura, I probably would've but...I didn't so...:pauses lamely and doesn't continue:
A/N: Omg, that's…:counts: Nine reviews :faints:wakes up: I….seriously suck at typing and now…people like my writing…THE WORLD'S GONNA END! I have no talent just a random idea generator. Thanks for the reviews, people. Finals are over and I'm back on the roll trying to fit in with the new classes, I already have a teacher that picks on me :sulks: Oh well, I'll try not to be so procrastinating but it seems homework is much much more this semester oddly enough, anyways enough of my babbling, Enjoy.
Tomoyo sat uneasily on the edge of the chair at Sakura's bedside. It was nearing midnight but she knew she wouldn't be able to catch a wink of sleep. She couldn't get the pained scream and the sudden collapse of her closest friend out of her mind.
FLASHBACKNESS
After the most strangest of feelings, I found that we were in the atrium of the Ministry. This apparition business was interesting. I reluctantly let go of Eriol-san's arm. I couldn't understand why but…I didn't want to let go, not quite yet. Lately I feel as if I've been acting strange around Eriol-san. When he smiles, a warm feeling sort of washes over me. It's not a bad feeling, I admit, I like it. My cheeks feel a little warmer when he's his gentlemanly self with me. I do hope I'm not getting a fever. That would be terribly troublesome.
As always, I turn to look at Sakura-chan the moment I had left go. Her face seemed pale when she looked at me. I do hope she isn't getting sick either.
I must have zoned out for a bit but a wretched scream shocked me back to the present to see my best friend writhing on the ground.
"Sakura-chan?"
She clutched her knees to her chest, a layer of sweat coated her face, and her auburn hair was sticking to her face.
I kneel down with a look of terror and worry.
"Sakura-chan!"
"Nnnnnnnghhh!" her screams were muffled by the cloth of her slacks. Hesitantly, I reach out a hand to touch her forehead, when she started convulsing.
"Sakura-san!" Eriol rolled her over and attempted to pry her arms off of her legs. Only moments later did she lose consciousness, beads of sweat glistening on her skin. Dumbledore had knelt down swiftly and pushed something into her mouth. The convulsing lessened but she seemed to twitch every once or so.
"This will relieve her of the pain for the time being. However, I'm afraid we'll have to go back and get Harry."
"Pardon? I-I'm not sure I understand."
"Come on Tomoyo-san, you can go with Nakuru," Eriol had already picked Sakura up onto his back, shifting her preciously with the help of Nakuru. Kero dove out of her pocket and was rambling consistently to the unresponsive teen.
FLASHBACKNESSSS ENDS
Tomoyo lifted the warmed folded white towel from Sakura's forehead and dunked it in the bowl of cool water. Wringing it dry, she wiped the last of the perspiration from her neck. Sitting quietly, she watched her friend lay there in a restless sleep.
Perhaps she had been there for a long time, though she knew her eyelids slowly began to droop until they closed shut. Her head lolled forwards. She wasn't asleep quite yet, more in a resting state. The time between consciousness and sub consciousness. What happened after might as well be a dream for it could never happen…could it?
She heard the dull padded footsteps enter the room. A warm breath on her neck.
"You're working a little too hard…..aren't you, Tomoyo-san?" Eriol breathed. There was some shuffling and Tomoyo felt a comfortable weight of cloth shroud her. A brush of skin on the cheek and the footsteps exited the room. The purple haired teen sighed deeply; a smile graced her face as she slipped into the arms of Morpheus and his realm. (Note: Morpheus is like the god person guy of the land of dreams.)
"….To………..Miss……….To……yo………Miss……..Tomoyo…….wake……….up…….."
Tomoyo groaned, a strip of bright sunshine shone across her face. Small hands were nudging her shoulder gently.
Her eyelids cracked open and winced at the light, her violet eyes (are they blue or purple oo?)slowly focusing on her surroundings. Sakura turned over onto her side and mumbled something incoherent in her sleep. Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught sight of the bush of black hair and the glint of emerald green eyes.
"Ah, Good Morning, Harry," she yawned, stretching her arms. She shook her leg to get rid of the tingly feeling and got up to check on Sakura. To her relief, the girl's pale face was now well coloured and her breathing stabilized.
"Breakfast is ready in the dining room, Miss Tomoyo," he said in his sweet childish voice. The mildly suppressed grin was seen by Tomoyo. She let out a short squeal confusing the little one.
"Kawaii!" she squealed and wrapped her arms around the adorable child. Harry blushed when she finally let go. He glanced at Sakura before leaving the room in a scurry.
Tomoyo sighed; she's been doing that quite often recently. She can clearly recall what happened yesterday after such an event.
FLASHBACKNESSSS
Nakuru hopped from foot to foot nervously as Eriol vanished from the spot with a loud crack taking Sakura with him. Dumbledore followed shortly after.
'I hope Sakura-chan's alright….' Tomoyo thought. A dark and creepy feeling welled in her stomach. Nakuru beckoned Tomoyo over to the bench, over to the side. They sat in silence, knowing each other's thoughts quite well. Two loud simultaneous cracks brought their attention to the front. Dumbledore, Eriol, and Sakura were there, but there was the presence of another, curled up in thin but strong arms of the Headmaster.
"Harry…." She breathed. She could see a few beads of sweat make its way down his pale skin. The grimace of pain on his face lit a light in her head. Whatever had happed to Sakura-chan, has happened to Harry too. Footsteps came towards them.
"Albus." She turned to find the aged minister, Millicent Bagnold dressed in satin canary yellow robes which, despite its obvious length, did not brush the ground once as she walked.
Bagnold eyed Sakura and Harry passively. In a calm voice she asked the headmaster of the meaning of this.
"It seems that your apology will have to wait, Millicent, something rather odd has happened and we must find a cure and let them recover, rest assured they will be fine," Dumbledore said, and with the swish of his cloak, which now was draped around his shoulders covering his strange suit, he turn towards us a dead serious look on his face.
"We will bring Miss Kinomoto and Young Mr. Potter back to Eriol's Manor, hopefully we can sort this out soon."
"Tomoyo-san, hold onto Nakuru, will you? And Nakuru, no funny business."
"Hai!" Nakuru held her hand up in a peace sign and winked. She hooked arms with Tomoyo and in a flourished spin, they popped out of sight.
"Nakuru……" Eriol sighed shaking his head. Dumbledore and Eriol exchanged nods and disappeared from the ministry in a loud resounding crack leaving a rather unsettling Minister behind.
FLASHBACKNESS ENDS
She gently shook Sakura's shoulder, talking in a soft quiet voice.
"Sakura-chan…..Wake up, breakfast is ready……"
Sakura mumbled something and shifted, her face buried into the pillow.
"Sakura-chan…"
After a few more tries, Sakura shifted again, peeping open one eye and stared at the purple haired teen with glazed over green eyes. She turned over and pulled the quilt above her head.
"Five more……minutes……"
Tomoyo could not suppress a grin here. Sakura was acting normal; she must be feeling better. She tossed the thick quilts off and pulled Sakura out of bed. The clow mistress ambled around the round sluggishly and was guided down the hall to the bathroom. After a good washing she seemed more inspective of her surroundings.
"Ne, Tomoyo-chan?" she asked, her voice muffled through the closed door as she slipped out of her bed clothes.
"What is it?"
"How…how did I get back here? The last thing I remember was the ministry and…" she paused, the moment of pain prickling her body flashes in her head.
"Eriol-kun and Dumbledore-san apparated you and Harry-chan back to the manor last night," Tomoyo said leaning against the wall next to the door casually. She ran a hand through her silky tresses.
"I see…" There was some shuffling and the sound of clothes rustling.
"Wait…did you say Harry too?"
"Yes," Tomoyo answered. The door swung open, Sakura's white blouse was ruffled as she tugged one stocking up to her knees.
"Where-waaaaaaah! Where is he now?" the flustered girl asked as she straightened up and smoothed down the black skirt. Tomoyo reached forwards with a hairbrush and ran it through her hair a few times. Sakura's short hair wasn't exactly the same anymore. The back was a tad longer and the strands of hair near the front were longer, brushing over her collar bone. Her bangs were trimmed evenly by Tomoyo a few times before. Such a seemingly minor change felt somewhat significant to her, as her best friend was growing up along with her.
"I believe he is having breakfast as we speak. Let's go see the others now."
"Un!"
Harry sat nervously in the presence of the tall old man. He could feel the glances from the others as he chewed his soggy cereal. He was really grateful to be back here at the manor and not with the Dursleys. Though there was this strange nagging feeling there was a more complex reason behind all of this and it has something to go with the unexpected pain he felt the moment the Dursley had taken him back to his cupboard under the stairs.
He had collapsed and in a fit when they reached the door. He could remember his Aunt and Uncle yelling at him. His chest felt like it was bursting. His head pounded and throbbed and pain came like a cascade of pins and needles. Drilling and pricking and piercing. He shuddered at the thought. All's well now but for how long?
A light rapping on the door announced the arrival of the last two inhabitants of Reed Manor. The doorknob turned and the door swung open slowly. A strand of purple hair swayed into view momentarily as Tomoyo's face appeared.
"Excuse us," she said politely. Walking behind her into the room was a slightly dazed looking Sakura. When she caught sight of him, she offered a kind smile which Harry noted, seemed a little tired too. Harry smiled back brightly. Dumbledore and Eriol did the same.
After the two were settled down and the cluttering of wooden chairs silenced, Dumbledore leaned backwards into his chair, resting his chin on his clasped hands held in front of him. His elbows balanced on the arm rests of the out of place armchair that appeared in the dining room from who knows what room.
His expression deepened and creased, changing the calm and playful mood that filled the room earlier. His eyes roamed from one side to the other. First at Eriol, pass Nakuru to Tomoyo for a second, then over to Sakura and finally lingered on Harry.
"I assume you would all be wondering why I have decided to bring Harry back to the manor and most of all curious of what happened at the Ministry yesterday." We all leaned in closer, hoping our befuddlement could be cleared.
"After the odd incident yesterday, Miss Kinomoto and Young Mr Potter suffered from a strange unknown pain. I had and have concluded that this is most likely the work of a binding contract spell," Dumbledore paused as we stared confused at his deduction.
"Did something happen, anything strange? Did someone cast a spell on you? Wizards catch spells with an item called a wand," Dumbledore withdrew a long polished stick from his sleeve so Sakura could look.
A dark stranger stopped just outside the alleyway. In the dim glow of the setting sun and the appearing moon, she could see, even if not clearly, the oddly dressed person.
He, we'll call him a he for now, was breathing heavily, wearing a long black cloak, the pointy hood had fallen off revealing a head of messy hair. He was clutching a large bundle wrapped in a black cloth. The face was covered by a strange white mask, which Sakura couldn't see properly. A few yells were heard. Apparently he was being chased.
The man turned and noticed Sakura and Harry further down the alley. Sakura watched as the man pulled out a long black stick from his sleeve and pointed it at them. A deep voice from behind mask began to speak, mumbling a strange phrase but was cut off when a jet of purple light nicked his wide sleeve.
A flash of white propelled itself towards Sakura and Harry. Sakura grabbed on tighter to Harry, trying to shield him from whatever it was. The light hit them but oddly enough, nothing happened.
"Sakura-chan?"
Sakura blinked and looked towards the direction of where her name was issued from. Her best friend gazed worriedly at her.
"So, did anything happen to you and Harry, Miss Kinomoto?"
Sakura bowed her head slightly and explained about the man in the cloak and the flash of white light that had hit them.
Dumbledore took a few moments to contemplate this in silence. Eriol seemed to frown slightly as he thought. Finally someone spoke up.
"Then this is most likely an incomplete binding spell." Some of the faces remained puzzled.
"The basic common binding spell results in binding a person to prevent movement, the same as one would do with a rope. Binding people to inanimate objects such as poles and heavy objects can provide a rather conventional escape tactic which is used commonly during these days to flee from ministry wizards, like the Death Eater you met,'
'However there are binding contract spells that are very similar to the basic binding spell. These binding contract spells prevents diversion of the selected people, therefore, forcing them to be in each other's presence. Many binding contracts need specific requirements to work properly, as your caster was interrupted and perhaps one of the requirements were fulfilled, you were thus binding together as of then till further notice. Rest assured, we will find a solution to this," he explained. Sakura took a moment to let it sink in properly.
She was bound to Harry, therefore, cannot leave him by a certain distance. Meaning they should go everywhere together practically. But that would make Sakura stay here until it is fixed and if it's prolonged she'll have to stay even after the vacation. On the other hand, bringing Harry would be difficult as Harry is young and does not speak a word of Japanese and she could not bring herself to take the boy away from his home so selfishly to her own.
Harry seemed to be able to see the dilemma as well; he was chewing his bottom lip thoughtfully, his green eyes darkened somewhat.
Nakuru pouted; she could not make a comment to this situation as pretty much anything she thought of saying wouldn't help the dilemma so she instead sat astonishingly quietly, looking back and forth between the odd old man and the young Japanese teen. There was a wiggling in her pocket.
"I think we should dive into this problem ASAP!" announced the tiny yellow guardian who managed to escape from Nakuru's pocket by popping the button off. He hovered just above the table staring straight at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore smiled coyly, the twinkle in his eyes came back. He stood up suddenly, startling them. His dark grey robe swished through the air as he turned and reached into the folds. When he finally spoke again, he had pulled a leather bag tied with a drawstring out. The bag that contained the magical dust called Floo Powder.
"Then we shall leave at once," he said.
Tomoyo dared to ask, " Where to?"
And then he smiled that smile he always smiled (lol that sounds stupid).
"Why to the one place in the world as far as I know that is as safe as it is knowledgeable, the castle and school to many great witches and wizards, Hogwarts."
To Be Continued
A/N: I'm sooooo lazy…my friend has come to the conclusion that my muse is Hughes from FMA cuz he drinks coffee in one of her DPs and I said my muse went for coffee a week ago and isn't back yet. Moo from Tactics is very very awesome. Yam bring those rocks!
Editors Notes (Yam's) : Wow, instead of reducing commas this time, I usually had to add some. I think you donated too many to Mr. Lange. And YES, I'll bring those rocks! Oh, and yeah, Moo does rock. When Dumbledore talks a lot, he makes too many run on sentences. He's getting old, man. Well g2g BYE!
Thanks for reading chapter 7 of Just Coincidental, drop a review for the collection if you have the time, I'll see you next time for chapter 8!