It's so sad. *sniff* The last chapter. *sniff sniff* I've been working on this story for so long, and now it's finally over. I've begun to work on The Road Less Traveled By (the new CCS/HP fic I've been planning), but it probably won't be out for a while. I want to do this properly, so I'm writing it down, correcting/fixing that copy, and then typing it up. It's weird because I never do rough drafts. If it's required for school or something, I do the final draft first, and then the rough draft. Huh. *shrugs*
Thank you everyone who reviewed, especially Silva Sun, who is now Argentum Sol, I believe. Her CCS/HP fic is great. You really should read it, especially if you want more CCS cast as professors fics. I never actually believed I would have over a hundred reviews. It's unbelievable. Once again, thank you everyone and I hope to hear from you when I put up my next CCS/HP fic.
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Two days later Sakura was allowed out of the Hospital Wing. Her magic was extremely slow in regenerating, especially since most of it automatically went toward speeding up her healing. As a result she was almost perfectly healthy, aside from sore muscles.
It was breakfast and there were few people eating in the Great Hall, it being summer break.
"Big brother's watching you," Sakura murmured to Syaoran in between large bites of pancakes. Her appetite lately was reminiscent of Yukito's.
Syaoran glanced down the table and met Touya's gaze, glare for glare. He seemed to be trying to bore a hole in Syaoran's head with his eyes only. Unfortunately, Syaoran's Death Glare, which usually made grown men scream and hide in fear, seemed to be nullified. Touya certainly wasn't running away.
"I'm happy he's leaving today," Syaoran replied under his breath. Since Sakura had almost fully recovered and Fujitaka couldn't really afford to miss work for too much longer, he was going back home after breakfast and taking Touya with him.
Meiling was also leaving, escorted by Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun. The elders requested that she return to be fully trained in her magic. They would rather she didn't lose control again.
Sakura sighed and pushed back her chair. "I think I'm going to pack my stuff."
"But we're not leaving for a couple days at least," protested Syaoran, finally breaking off the glaring contest to look at her.
"I know," she replied, "but I haven't even begun and if I'm going to be running around looking for things at the last minute, I'd rather it not be everything."
"Should I go with you?" he asked.
"That's okay," she standing. With a vague smile at the rest of those eating, she exited and headed to her room. Once there, however, she only half-heartedly threw some items into her suitcase before sitting on the window ledge with her knees drawn up to her chest, staring at the lake.
"See anything interesting?" came a familiar voice.
Sakura yelped, nearly falling off the ledge. "Hasn't anyone told you that you're supposed to knock before entering a room?" she asked Eriol.
"Syaoran tells me that nearly five times a day, and then follows it up with a death threat or two," Eriol replied brightly.
"I think I'll go for a walk," Sakura said suddenly and lowered herself down to the ground, wincing as her muscles protested the movement.
"Outside?" Eriol questioned in an I-know-something-you-don't-know-and-I-don't-think-I'm-going-to-tell-you tone.
"Ummmmm, yeah."
"Shall we?" he said gallantly and with a flourish teleported the two of them to a side door facing the lake.
"What aren't you telling me?" Sakura demanded, hesitating before putting her hand on the door handle.
"Nothing at all," replied Eriol blandly, fingers crossed behind his back.
Sakura slowly opened the door after a sharp glance at Eriol. Immediately she was seeing spots as lights flashed in her face and voices clammered, shouting to be heard above the others. She had no idea what they were asking and slammed the door as quickly as possible.
"What was that?" she asked dazedly, blinking to clear her vision of the after-images.
"Reporters. No matter what Dumbledore does they still seem to crop up. Rather like weeds," Eriol added as an afterthought. "We've been stuck inside for days."
"I think I'll just go pack," said a thoroughly disgruntled Sakura.
~*~
Later that day, after dinner, Sakura was resting on a couch in the teacher's lounge toying idly with her key as she read the letter from her father.
Dear Sakura,
We have finally decided to take your advice and ward the house against unwanted influences (reporters, thought Sakura. How on earth did they find out where I lived?). To teleport home you need a password. I'll only give you a hint should this letter fall into the wrong hands (*coughcoughreporterscough*). The card that worked in you Final Judgement. Have a safe trip home!
Love,
Your Otousan
"Professor Kinomoto?" came a timid voice and Sakura stuffed the letter in her pocket before tilting her head back to glance at the door.
"Call me Sakura," she told Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Draco firmly. "What would you like?"
"We - er - that is," Hermione stuttered.
"Just spit it out already," muttered Draco, nudging her in the side.
She glared at him.
"We just wanted to thank you for, you know, everything," interrupted Harry.
"You're welcome," replied Sakura touched.
"Are you coming back next year?" asked Ron curiously.
Sakura shook her head. "Not to teach. I might come visit now and again, though."
"It's going to be different with Voldemort truly gone," said Harry thoughtfully.
"Yeah. Potter's nearly died every year he's been here. You've ruined the tradition," said Draco with a wicked grin.
Sakura chuckled. "Don't let Eriol hear you say that or he'll remedy your boredom.
Harry looked rather alarmed.
"You're leaving tomorrow morning, yes?" Sakura changed the topic.
The four of them nodded.
"How're you going to get passed the reporters?"
The four of them shuddered at the thought.
"Ron and I are going to Floo home," answered Hermione.
"Professor Dumbledore enlarged my Invisibility Cloak so Sirius, Draco, and I can use it. We're going to get a portkey in Hogsmeade," Harry replied.
"I'll miss you," said Sakura with a lopsided grin as she stood. To her surprise Hermione launched herself at her and hugged her.
"We'll miss you too. Without you none of this would have been possible," murmured Hermione.
Sakura had to work hard to keep her tears from spilling over and down her cheeks.
~*~
Sakura looked around at the professors. They were the only ones left in the school to see the six of them off. It was rather amusing to be honest.
"Uh uh. No way in hell are you controlling this transport. You're just going to stand there nicely and provide us power. Tomoyo can do it, Keroberos can do it, Yue can do it, heck, I'll do it. I don't trust you not to leave us hanging 100 feet off the ground again, especially since Sakura doesn't have enough magic to save herself yet and I'll be damned if I let you get her killed again!" Syaoran was ranting at Eriol per usual.
"Why, I never knew my cute little descendant was afraid of heights," said Eriol with mock surprise.
"That wasn't what I meant and you know it," growled Syaoran.
"Are we leaving anytime soon?" demanded Tomoyo. "I'd like to get back before Christmas if you don't mind."
She grabbed Syaoran and put him in his spot in the circle before doing the same to Eriol.
"All right, children. I'll control where we end up, and don't you dare make me stop this transport."
"Yes ma'am," the two boys muttered rebelliously.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
Everyone waved good bye as Tomoyo rattled off the coordinates. "Windy." Tomoyo ended with the password that allowed them to teleport directly into Sakura's house, and the group faded from view.
"It will be much quieter with them gone," commented Severus.
"No kidding," muttered Minerva.
They weren't fooling anyone. Like everyone else, they would miss the Cardcaptor group.