Title: The Demons in my Dreams
Chapter: 1 - Now I lay Me
Author: Sera Luanma
Disclaimer: Me? Own something? Don't make me laugh! HAH!
A/N: This is an idea that popped in my head when people began commenting on a Usa/Vold match-up for my other crossover.
So, sorry to say the other won't be, but this is my way of making up. I really hope you enjoy since this is really still
my beginning sojourn into the Harry Potter crossover world. Usagi will be 18 in her time, this takes place two years after
Stars and the other senshi have gone their own ways.
-----
Her dark cerulean eyes surveyed the torn ground of the battlefield wearily. Her magic had been used up almost to the draining point, but she had enough left for a simple
healing spell or an apparate if things looked desperate. One thought circled in the woman's mind:
/Must find my husband. He could be wounded or killed!/
Heart speeding up at the thought of her beloved's death, she pushed herself harder, ignoring the warning signs her body was giving off. She could focus on her injuries
later. She heard shouted hexes and ran to where she thought it came from, stumbling only once in her need to get there. /If only Rei could see me now. Not so clumsy
anymore, ne?/ Tears running down her face, she burst through the low foliage and saw her mate standing tall and deadly atop the hill across from his rival. His wild, dark
hair swept back with the sharp wind and his robes fluttered, the only thing marking him different from his enemy was his eyes. It was always his eyes. A shouted curse, him
bending in pain, and the other, the hated other, laughing. She stared uncomprehendingly, then screamed, loud and wordless.
A bright light flared into existence on her forehead and rippled down her body, exceeding her previous transformation and sending her into her final state...The one that
would mean death to her and those that opposed her. The fresh power sent a new surge of speed through her body and swept away all discomfort. The moon sparkled brilliantly
on her daughter's icy wings.
/I am Cosmos, Creator and Destroyer...I shall not see the end to this, will I, mother?/
She saw the green of the final curse /Fitting to be the color of a hero's eyes./ and thrust away her husband, seeing his startled face for only an instant as the fiery pain
washed through her body. She looked at him and let her love fill her eyes, whispering his name "Tom...", and closing them softly as two voice cried out in unison.
"NO! SERENITY!"
"USAGI?!"
-----
It started like most things, quietly. Some would say insidiously, but to the beautiful and pure Usagi Tsukino, nothing in the world could darken her life. Until *that* day.
"Usagi, I can't keep doing this. It's tearing me apart."
The man's girlfriend tilted her head quizzically. "Keep doing what, Mamo-chan?"
"I can't keep up this charade of dating. What we were back in the Silver Millennium isn't what we are today. I just can't love you like Endymion did." Mamoru Chiba clutched
his girlfriend's hands and stared at her, urging her not to ditz out.
Usagi still hadn't fully accepted what he meant. "But...we're going to get married and have Chibi-Usa! We still love each other in the future, so obviously we love each
other now."
"NO!" Calming himself, Mamoru tried reasoning with her again, "Usagi, Pluto was wrong, we won't marry because I can't go through with it. My time in America showed me a lot
of things, and one of them was making my own decisions. What I decided as Endymion doesn't matter because I am NOT him anymore. I am my own person." He took a deep breath
and looked up, meeting Usagi's eyes.
She was beyond shocked. A hazy sense of well-being filled her and she giggled slightly, not knowing why he flinched. "Okay Mamo-chan, I love you too. We're still going to
the Arcade tomorrow, right? You promised." Her empty voice held a hint of fear. "You promised..." she trailed off.
"Usagi! I don't love you anymore! Don't you understand?!"
'Don't you understand?!' rung through her mind. All the old memories of them together and all the happy plans for the future welled up in her mind, popped by a single
phrase. 'Don't you understand?!'
'I...I understand, Chiba Mamoru." She mechanically took off her engagement ring and handed it to him, softly separating their entwined grasp. "I won't...be a nuisance
anymore then..." her voice broke. Not wanting him to see her tears, she turned and fled, retreating to the only safety she'd known...
Home.
-----
Her parents were on vacation and Shingo was at a friend's house, leaving Usagi alone in the house, just what she wanted at the moment. Collapsing on her bed, she buried her
face into the sweet smelling pillow, crying till she fell into a fitful slumber filled with dreams.
...It was dark and Usagi found herself in a Victorian hallway, portraits on both sides that whispered and moved just outside her normal vision. She glanced down and found
herself in a black nightgown, draping and slit up the sides. Doors were on both sides of the hallway and Usagi moved to the first on the left, feeling the sense of
rightness that she be doing this. She opened it and stepped into the beckoning twilight.
A child danced in the rain in front of her, laughing and chatting to an invisible friend and the warm drizzle continued to fall. Usagi smiled at the happy scene and gave a
brief thought to her would-be daughter. She pushed it aside and watched the small boy, noting his looks. He had wild black hair and a cheery smile. She estimated him to be
about five and gave a startle when he looked straight at her with crimson eyes.
'Are you an angel?' he asked innocently, like most children do. Usagi only then noticed her wings spread to either side of her body, shielding her from the rain. The scene
had a sense of timelessness about it as she replied.
'Not an angel. Just someone who enjoys seeing you happy.' The boy's smile widened at her statement. 'What is your name, little one?'
'Tom,' he replied proudly, puffing out his chest. 'What is yours?'
'I am...Serenity.' Trying out her many names in her head, Serenity felt right with this winged body.
'Will you be my mommy, Serenity?'
His innocent question made tears run down her face, mingling with the few raindrops that fell from her feathers. Her voice choked up and she couldn't reply.
'Don't cry. Why are you crying? I'm sorry, whatever I did! Don't leave!' his echoing plea was the last thing she heard as the scene faded, placing her back in the hall,
wings and nightgown still in place. Taking a minute to compose herself, she looked at the door on the left and stepped through, right into the scene from one of her
nightmares.
The place was gray with a pervading atmosphere of gloom. A small plaque was next to the gates, covered in a layer of London filth. Usagi wiped away enough to make out some
words.
Critchon Fields Orphanage
Usagi glance around and noticed a few tired swings to one corner of the yard, the only indication children were about. Slipping in through the gates, she saw a lone figure
behind a tree, playing with a stick. He looked older now, about 11, but Usagi had the feeling it was still the same Tom who had begged her not to go. Her idea was confirmed
when he turned and she saw those eyes turn on her, widening in shock, then swirling with mixed emotions. Before she could say anything, he spoke.
'I thought you were a figment of my imagination. Does this mean I'm hallucinating again?'
Drawing back at the coldness in his voice, she fumbled for a reply. 'I'm not a figment, so I don't think you're hallucinating. Why are you here, Tom?'
He spoke bitterly, 'My nanny died and my father couldn't be found, so they put me here. Even Hogwarts thinks I'm better off here.'
'Hogwarts?'
"The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.' Seeing her disbelieving look, he rolled his eyes. 'You're an angel and you doubt magic? What kind of mythical creature are you?'
'I'm not an angel, I'm a Lunarian, the last member of the Royal Family reborn into this time...well...*my* time. What year is it?'
Truly startled he replied without thinking, 'It's London, 1938.'
Usagi's wings fluttered in agitation. 'I was born in 1985, in Japan.' She felt herself begin to fade, Tom also noticing this.
'You never did answer my question.' His voice was soft and his eyes shiny when he looked up, 'Leaving again?'
She tried to stop the fading, but the almost familiar hallway appeared again. Usagi rubbed her eyes tiredly and felt exhaustions seep into her limbs. She sat in one of the
plush chairs to think. She had somehow found her way here, where she seemed to be interacting with parts of some boy's /Tom's/ life. But was it real? She didn't know yet.
But she found herself drawn to this boy, a strange desire to see where this all led. Her resolve firming, she went to the next door...and stepped through.
It was different this time. She was inside some kind of dungeon room. There was a huge bed in one corner, draped in black and shades of green, and all around was furniture
and touches of life. A boy strode into the room, robes billowing as he slammed the door. Muttering angrily as he walked to the center of the room, he stopped and gaped at
Usagi. She felt naked under the admiring gaze the teenager in front of her showed, even if she was in the same nightgown she had been in the times before.
'Tom...' she breathed, shocked at the differences between this version and the small child she remembered. This one towered over her, muscle covering his frame and making
him seem even more imposing. His hair was longer and his eyes...the same dark windows she remembered were now staring hungrily at her.
'Serenity?'
'Where are we now and how old are you?'
'Hogwarts...and I'm 17, seventh year Prefect.' he replied, making the same strutting gesture she remembered from a innocent little boy. A tear wound it's way down her pale
cheek, caught by a single finger lifting it up to his lips. Flicking a tongue at the salty drop, Tom spoke huskily. 'Why are you always here when I need someone the most?
Just...I don't need a mother anymore...' he whispered. Drawing his angel to him, he kissed her softly. Usagi was too shocked to respond, further inhibited when a cold
feeling spread from his kisses. The cold numbed her and made her legs buckle. Taking this for acquiescence, Tom gently pushed her to the bed, too caught up in need to
notice her lack of participation. In her mind, Usagi was screaming.
/No! This is Mamo-chan's...not you, Tom!/ But another, harsher part of her mind responded. /Mamo-chan doesn't want you anymore, remember? Besides, this feels good...Why not
let it continue...What harm could come from it?/ Darkness spread along the edges of her vision and she languidly reached her arms up to caress his back, feeling the
movement of his muscles when he entered her, feeling the pain of her virginity ripped from her. Tom carefully kissed each tear away as he continued, lost in his own world.
Usagi felt the cliff coming and dove off, feeling a rush of darkness fill her as Tom also spiraled down from heaven, her wings cradling both of their heated bodies.
'Tom...' she breathed, lost in a daze of emotions.
'Yes?'
'Teach me magic.' When she got up, Usagi never noticed his shrewd look and how he fingered his wand at her request.
-----
Usagi woke with the crack of thunder still sounding in her ears, half remembered spell words still floating in the air. Sitting up straight, she saw her own pale face
staring back from the mirror. Her room was dark and the digital clock flashed 12:00 in red strobes. Feeling pain at her wrist, lifted the edge of her sleeve slightly. She
touched the small image tattooed there and winced at the fresh pain the slipped through her system. A small serpent hissed at her prodding before curling back up to sleep.
Not even acknowledging the fact she understood it, she left the room.
Usagi stumbled wearily down the stairs, not noticing her night vision was nigh perfect in the gloom of the house. Going into the kitchen, she felt around in the fridge and
pulled out whatever she could, devouring it quickly and trudging back upstairs, feeling as though she hadn't slept at all. A thin package sat on her bed when she came back
up. Clutching her brooch tightly in case of an intruder, she reached over and pulled it to her, standing back to a wall. Slipping the case top off, she couldn't breath at
the sight of the gift.
A thin, black wand sat on a velvet cushion. A small piece of paper stuck up from the lining.
Dearest Daughter,
If you have received this, I am gone but you have inherited the magic.
I am sorry I won't be there to teach you, but now you must take up
the mantle of power I have bequeathed to you. It is a wand of heart-
wood, ebonstone, and a strand of my hair.
Know only one thing:
When the dark voice sings, do not answer it's call. Your father left
one gift to you that I cannot stop. Please be careful and follow
your heart.
Queen Selenity
Dropping the box and note to the floor, she picked up the wand and felt the coursing magic move through her. Smiling wickedly, though she couldn't see it, she moved her
wand in a circular pattern, pointing it at her chair and muttering one of the spells she remembered from Tom.
"Incendio." A burst of fire and the chair was incinerated, faster than even Tom's performance.
"Perfect, princessss." she heard. Turning swiftly, she scanned the room, lit only by the still smoldering remains of her chair. The voice continued, "Your magic is strong
and Massster hasss taught you well." Noticing the sibilant sound to the words, she acted on a hunch and pulled up her sleeve again. The small black snake had uncurled
itself and was gazing at her with carmine eyes. "I am Celesstiss and am at your command."
Remembering the final spell Tom had cast before she had faded, she wasn't overly surprised at the sight of her. "How do you speak?"
"I am imbued with Masster Voldemort'ss power. He hasss commanded me to look after you, hisss princesss."
"Voldemort? Do you mean Tom?"
"He isss alssso known asss that."
Usagi sighed softly and then laughed at the irony of talking to a tattoo when she was still trying to come to terms she had actually been in the past, following the life of
a boy she was drawn to. "What am I supposed to do now?" she asked herself softly, not expecting an answer.
"Go to Hogwartsss."
Stunned that she hadn't thought of something that simple, she caressed her arm, laughing slightly at the muted hiss of pleasure. "But Tom isn't there and I'm too old to be
a student..."
"Become a teacher. There mussst be an opening."
"Of course! Well, first I'll need to find someway to come into contact with them...then study up on whatever topic I have to teach. Kami-sama, teaching is a long way from a
36 percent on my own tests. Magic just seems easier somehow."
"Thatsss becaussse you're ssso powerful. I can take care of transssporatation. Would you like to go now, princesss?"
"Better get started right away...wait! It's late though!"
"Not in London," came the reply, and with a muted spell, the girl known as Usagi had disappeared.
-----
She reappeared next to an old building in the middle of a busy street. "Welcome to Diagon Alley, Princesss...No one can underssstand me but you, ssso don't talk loudly.
You'll need money firssst. Hold out your hand." Doing as she was commanded, Usagi heard another spell and a small gold key appeared in her palm. Clutching it tightly, she
followed directions to Gringotts Bank. A little nervous at approaching a goblin, she walked up and breathlessly announced herself.
"Tsukino Usagi for vault 12." Understanding her Japanese, it stared over the bridge of it's nose at her, and swept her bedraggled figure disdainfully before answering,
expecting her to be just another trying to get into the ancient vault that this generation and the previous generation of goblins hadn't been able to get into.
"Key?"
Handing him the small golden key, it's eyes widened and called over the master goblin itself. "She wants into vault 12...she has the key."
"Very well, follow me."
A fast cart-ride later had Usagi on the ground, retching up her snack from earlier. Ignoring the hissed question about her health, she straightened and motioned for the
vault to be opened. Inserting the key and running a finger down the door, it swung open and revealed its wealth to the stunned teen. Mounds of gold, silver, and bronze
winked in the torchlight. Piles of jewels lay in one corner, and towards the back was a dusty shelf covered in parchments. She listened to the quiet hiss and walked in
towards the back, shuffling papers and sneezing at decades of dust. She found the few she needed and tucked them away, grabbing a large number of coins to go into a bag on
her way out.
"Thank you." a grumble was her only response, taken good naturedly in light of her new-found wealth. Back on the street of Diagon Alley, she pressed her wand to her throat
and whispered, "Translato," suddenly understanding the conversation around her. Spotting a robes shop, she walked in and was immediately set upon by a smiling woman.
"Madame Malkin. Please stand there. Let me take your measurements...My, but aren't you healthy?" Blushing at the fast comments, Usagi almost missed the last one.
"Well, this silver hair will certainly go nicely with the traditional black." Usagi pulled forward a part of her hair and gasped, it was pure silver, not the customary
moon-kissed gold. Pushing it to the back of her mind for now, she started listing the robes she'd need, based on Celestis's suggestions. "I need three sets of black, two in
traditional cut and one modern; two in hunter green, one with a laced bodice and silver stitching-"
"Slytherin are we?"
"I'm not sure, Madame." Continuing, "One in midnight blue and..." she blushed before adding one last, "Wedding-robes in silver, please." Catching the wink, she smiled
softly. "Hopefully they will be needed."
Charming her bags to lighten and shrink, she hurried in the darkening air to gather up some books, writing supplies, potions supplies, and finally a stop in the Owlery for
a messenger. Choosing a simple northern spotted, she paid the 25 galleons and walked out, exhausted but happy at her days accomplishments. Usagi walked slowly, stopping at
a shop displaying brooms. "Flying? I can fly?...oh, Haruka would be envious. Hmm..." Walking in, she looked around, having no idea at types or differences. She was finally
taken pity on by the salesman.
"May I help you, Miss?"
"Yes...I'd like your fastest broom and one that has the best maneuverability." When he stared at her apprehensively, she softened her voice. "Cost doesn't really matter."
"Uh, the fastest right now is the Firebolt Extreme, but the most maneuverable is the Meteor Strike 2." Picking up the brooms from the back, and the Firebolt from the display
window he asked where they would be delivered to. Thinking a moment, she wrote down the Outer's home and quickly penned a note to her guardians.
Haruka,
Put a hand out, command up, and mount the broom. It is the fastest model.
Since you can't be the wind, I felt you might like going as fast as it.
Love,
Koneko
P.s.
Keep an eye on her, Michiru, Setsuna. She might never come down once she
gets on. Send Hotaru my love.
Attaching it, she accepted the Meteor Strike and reached for her money pouch. "That will be-" the man choked, "489 galleons." Not even blinking (1), Usagi paid her bill and
walked out. "Anything else, Celestis? I want to go home."
"Only one more...the pet shop."
Sighing in defeat, she strode quickly off the almost deserted street and right into a tangle of smells and sounds. Wandering down the reptile aisle, she smiled at the
conversations.
"That one, Princesss." The small serpent uncurled and pointed its tail at a sleeping gray Lancehead. It was almost at maturity and so was about 5 feet in length. Blanking
out the rest of Celestis's lecture, she tapped the glass and jumped back when it darted for where her finger had been. She glared at the snake and subdued it, not noticing
she had slipped into Parseltongue until the salesman dropped a glass case he had just cleaned. She glance up and smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, I had something stuck in my throat. I'd like to buy this one." she pointed to the now calm Lancehead.
The salesman, accepting her excuse in relief, grew nervous again. "Are you sure, Miss? Lanceheads are notoriously aggressive and have lethal bites. That is why this one is
still here even though he's almost full grown. I wouldn't want to see someone as young as you get hurt by one." Usagi stiffened at the clerk's condescending voice.
Her voice was cold when she replied, "I am positive. He doesn't look too aggressive to me." And before the man could stop her, she opened the tank and pulled out the docile
serpent, letting it slide up so it draped around her neck with it's tail curled down her arm. Eyes wide, the man stuttered, "Ten galleons...Miss."
-----
Usagi was happy to be home. After purchasing some supplies for her new 'pet', she had apparated straight home, exhausted beyond belief. She pulled out her packages and
resized them all, stunned by the sheer amount of things she had bought. She absently started to unpack.
"Well, what should I name you, serpent?"
"I am Sinissster, Missstresss. How isss it you speak our tongue?"
Usagi paused, in thought. "I have no idea. Maybe Tom did something that caused this. Why did you want me to buy Sinister, Celestis?"
"I will merge with the snake to better ssserve you, Princesss." Sinister looked wary at this.
"Why should I let you merge with me?"
"Becaussse thisss isss Princesss Serenity and our Massster hasss commanded thisss thing. It will give you the power to use spells."
The Lancehead looked interested at this tidbit and gave his consent. The small tattooed snake slid up Usagi's arm and touched tongues with the other, slowly, the ink merged
with the red forked tongue of Sinister and Usagi watched in fascination as blackness rolled down the snake's body, causing the lighter dorsal triangles to fade into the
gray and disappear. A blink of the membranes across the eyes and Usagi was delighted to see one black and one red. Looking at her wrist, she noticed a faint burn mark still
on the inner arm that solidified as she watched. It was a snake curling out of a skull with a band of gray around the head.
Sinister's voice was different when he spoke again. "I feel strange. I have different memories and power...but I still feel the same."
"Oh no! I lost Celestis? That was something Tom had given me..." tears ran down her ivory cheeks.
Sinister curled up her arm and flicked them away, strangely reminiscent of Tom's kisses during their night together. "Princesss...I am him and yet...myself. Not lost,
jussst changed. That mark on your arm isss the resssidue from the parting. Do not ssshow it to people."
"Alright. Well, time to write to Hogwarts and see if there is a job opening. I think I'm more likely to get it if I tell the Headmaster that I'm the Lunarian Princess...
Probably someone will recognize me anyways." Usagi picked up her new copy of "Hogwarts: A History" and flipped through, finding the name of the current Headmaster easily,
plus the bad luck it had in Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. Smiling happily, she began composing her letter with a new quill and the bottle of rose ink she just
*couldn't* pass up.
Headmaster Dumbledore,
I have heard of your difficulty in finding good Defense teachers and feel
our situations are related. I am the reincarnated Princess Serenity XX of
the Silver Kingdom, but am known as Usagi Tsukino in public. I haven't
had any formal education, but have been trained up to the standards of any
Hogwarts graduate, mostly self-study. If it is still open, I'd like to apply
for the Defense Against the Dark Arts opening. My resume and credentials are
attached. I hope to hear back from you soon.
With Regards,
Usagi Tsukino
Satisfied with the result, she attached the sheets of parchment that she had recovered in Tom's vault, made long ago for her to verify what she had written. Smiling
slightly, she wondered about her lost lover as she sent out her owl into the still storming air. Usagi calculated on a spare piece of paper and found Tom to be 76...if he
was still alive. Resolving to find out more, she got ready for bed and started reading "Great Events of the Modern Era". She fell asleep that way, book falling to the floor
and Sinister curled up under the covers with her, tongue occasionally touching her skin in communion.
-----
Before Usagi had even opened her eyes, she could guess where she was. It was the feeling of heaviness that weighed on the soul that tipped her off. Gazing around at the
paintings, she noticed that this time they moved while she was looking. The bowed and curtsied as she passed, moving down the hall till she came to the doors again. Looking
at the three she had previously visited, she noticed they had silver locks on them...banned to her gaze. A soft voice startled her musings.
"Princesss? Why are we here? It smells...odd." Sinister was at her feet, but being noticed, quickly slid up her body and wrapped himself around her waist, pushing under the
mass of silver hair to drape his lance shaped head over her shoulder. Usagi caressed his head absently as she replied, moving towards the next door.
"We go to see my..." she hesitated, trying to think of what to call him. "lover." And she walked through the passageway, glorious smile gracing her lips as she came out...
That died a quick death when she saw where she was. Usagi stood in the middle of a yard filled with darkly robed figures. She gave a tremulous, "Tom?" when people began
turning to her. A tall, dark figure pushed his was through the crowd of onlookers.
"Serenity...Come to see my night of glory?" he opened his arms and she rushed into them, wings fanning out to enclose them softly. Tilting her head up, she was rewarded by
a deep kiss. Pulling away, she fingered the strands of white to each temple. Burying her face in his robes, she whispered to him softly. "How long was I gone this time?"
"It has been thirty-six years...I thought you had gone for good." he murmured, stroking her skin softly. Usagi sighed in contentment and closed her cerulean eyes, not
noticing the coldness in him, only the slight coolness of him. He pushed her away slightly. "Fold you wings. Time to meet my family of loyal Deatheaters." Startled at his
command, she nevertheless obeyed, drawing to his side. Sinister hissed dangerously to a robed figure that came a little too close.
"Don't even think about it, I'm deadly."
Before Voldemort could say anything, the circle of followers closest were stunned into silence by Usagi's actions. She hissed loudly, telling Sinister to shut up in front
of her Tom and Celestis's master. Quietly muttering to himself, he slid his head around her neck and gazed blankly at those in front of them.
"This, my loyal Deatheaters, is my mate, Serenity. You will accord her the same respect you give to me. Now, on to our night of glory! Lucius, Severus, to me!" Clasping her
hand firmly, he waited while two men came up to him and bowed. "Severus, you will follow me and keep watch on Serenity. Lucius...tonight you will become my second when we
complete our task."
The one called Lucius smiled and pushed back the hood of his robe, startling Serenity. His malicious smirk was at odds with his beauty. His hair was a couple shades darker
than hers and his eyes were the color of finely honed steel...and just as sharp. Giving her a admiring glance that left her feeling naked. She drew closer to the one
ordered to look after her and took comfort in his slightly warmer grin. He pulled out his wand and transfigured her nightgown into a full gown, back gone to give her wings
access. She murmured her thanks as she followed her lover and his followers into the house, unknowing of what she would soon see.
Voldemort flung open the door and let loose a barrage of hexes, ending with a loud, "Avada Kedavra!" Usagi, hearing the screams from inside, rushed in against Severus's
shouts otherwise. Coming up behind Tom, she felt sick as she saw the tortured face of the one he had killed.
"Darling, I told you to go with Severus. I can't keep you safe right now."
She stood up to him and pulled out her wand. "I can keep myself safe!" Ignoring the shocked look of Lucius, she kept her eyes locked firmly with Tom's. "Why are you killing
these people? What have they done?" Thinking carefully, he leaned down and kissed her.
"They tried to destroy me." Usagi's reaction was exactly as he thought and she sank back with a feeble "Why?".
"I am powerful and a threat to Dumbledore, so he tried to have me killed. This is the home of the perpetrators." And with that, he continued upstairs, leaving her shaking
on the floor. She was hissing softly to Sinister.
"But...I'm going to be working for Dumbledore..." her companion's reply was lost in the feminine shriek and the bellow of rage that came from upstairs. Not even knowing how
she did it, Usagi found herself in the room of origin, completely ignoring the woman on the ground in favor of her lover. He was being shredded by the sheer power of his
rebounded curse. Crying out, she tried to draw him into her arms, but he was fading away. The baby was screaming, but Usagi didn't care. In the depths of her need, a light
flared into existence on her forehead. Ebony light filled the room from the upside down crescent on her head. Her wail filled the house and the roof exploded outward from
the force. Severus and Lucius grabbed the door frame to keep themselves anchored and could only watch in awe at the small woman's transformation.
Her wings snapped outwards and filled with the light she emitted, slowly turning black. Cradling the last thing she had of her mate's, she held both wands as her gown
ripped from her body, curves obscured by creeping ribbons not unlike those of her transformation. Her hair was unbound in the gale of the room, fluttering in a silver
waterfall as tears poured from the depths of her eyes. Only the baby's wailing pierced her grief. Moving slowly to the cradle, she picked up the little boy and rocked him
gently, wind dying down as she crooned a lullaby. The baby stilled and quieted. She set him down and gazed with eyes that contained the depths of the universe. "You have
killed my beloved...So live now in your fame, but know you are mine one day. I will have you replace him since it was you who took him from me." She leaned down and kissed
his forehead, searing a lightning-shaped mark there. Her eyes glowed when she turned to face the men next to the door. "If he dies, you two will meet me on the battlefield."
With a final look at her Chosen, she faded, clutching only her wand.
-----
(1) Usagi doesn't really understand the value of money in the wizarding world, especially with all of Tom's fortune at her disposal.
TBC?
Well? Give me your reviews or you won't see another chapter of this. I'm making a nice little tangle for Usagi when she sees that Voldemort is back but has Chosen Harry, she left
the mark and that is binding. So...Feedback needed!!
Chapter: 1 - Now I lay Me
Author: Sera Luanma
Disclaimer: Me? Own something? Don't make me laugh! HAH!
A/N: This is an idea that popped in my head when people began commenting on a Usa/Vold match-up for my other crossover.
So, sorry to say the other won't be, but this is my way of making up. I really hope you enjoy since this is really still
my beginning sojourn into the Harry Potter crossover world. Usagi will be 18 in her time, this takes place two years after
Stars and the other senshi have gone their own ways.
-----
Her dark cerulean eyes surveyed the torn ground of the battlefield wearily. Her magic had been used up almost to the draining point, but she had enough left for a simple
healing spell or an apparate if things looked desperate. One thought circled in the woman's mind:
/Must find my husband. He could be wounded or killed!/
Heart speeding up at the thought of her beloved's death, she pushed herself harder, ignoring the warning signs her body was giving off. She could focus on her injuries
later. She heard shouted hexes and ran to where she thought it came from, stumbling only once in her need to get there. /If only Rei could see me now. Not so clumsy
anymore, ne?/ Tears running down her face, she burst through the low foliage and saw her mate standing tall and deadly atop the hill across from his rival. His wild, dark
hair swept back with the sharp wind and his robes fluttered, the only thing marking him different from his enemy was his eyes. It was always his eyes. A shouted curse, him
bending in pain, and the other, the hated other, laughing. She stared uncomprehendingly, then screamed, loud and wordless.
A bright light flared into existence on her forehead and rippled down her body, exceeding her previous transformation and sending her into her final state...The one that
would mean death to her and those that opposed her. The fresh power sent a new surge of speed through her body and swept away all discomfort. The moon sparkled brilliantly
on her daughter's icy wings.
/I am Cosmos, Creator and Destroyer...I shall not see the end to this, will I, mother?/
She saw the green of the final curse /Fitting to be the color of a hero's eyes./ and thrust away her husband, seeing his startled face for only an instant as the fiery pain
washed through her body. She looked at him and let her love fill her eyes, whispering his name "Tom...", and closing them softly as two voice cried out in unison.
"NO! SERENITY!"
"USAGI?!"
-----
It started like most things, quietly. Some would say insidiously, but to the beautiful and pure Usagi Tsukino, nothing in the world could darken her life. Until *that* day.
"Usagi, I can't keep doing this. It's tearing me apart."
The man's girlfriend tilted her head quizzically. "Keep doing what, Mamo-chan?"
"I can't keep up this charade of dating. What we were back in the Silver Millennium isn't what we are today. I just can't love you like Endymion did." Mamoru Chiba clutched
his girlfriend's hands and stared at her, urging her not to ditz out.
Usagi still hadn't fully accepted what he meant. "But...we're going to get married and have Chibi-Usa! We still love each other in the future, so obviously we love each
other now."
"NO!" Calming himself, Mamoru tried reasoning with her again, "Usagi, Pluto was wrong, we won't marry because I can't go through with it. My time in America showed me a lot
of things, and one of them was making my own decisions. What I decided as Endymion doesn't matter because I am NOT him anymore. I am my own person." He took a deep breath
and looked up, meeting Usagi's eyes.
She was beyond shocked. A hazy sense of well-being filled her and she giggled slightly, not knowing why he flinched. "Okay Mamo-chan, I love you too. We're still going to
the Arcade tomorrow, right? You promised." Her empty voice held a hint of fear. "You promised..." she trailed off.
"Usagi! I don't love you anymore! Don't you understand?!"
'Don't you understand?!' rung through her mind. All the old memories of them together and all the happy plans for the future welled up in her mind, popped by a single
phrase. 'Don't you understand?!'
'I...I understand, Chiba Mamoru." She mechanically took off her engagement ring and handed it to him, softly separating their entwined grasp. "I won't...be a nuisance
anymore then..." her voice broke. Not wanting him to see her tears, she turned and fled, retreating to the only safety she'd known...
Home.
-----
Her parents were on vacation and Shingo was at a friend's house, leaving Usagi alone in the house, just what she wanted at the moment. Collapsing on her bed, she buried her
face into the sweet smelling pillow, crying till she fell into a fitful slumber filled with dreams.
...It was dark and Usagi found herself in a Victorian hallway, portraits on both sides that whispered and moved just outside her normal vision. She glanced down and found
herself in a black nightgown, draping and slit up the sides. Doors were on both sides of the hallway and Usagi moved to the first on the left, feeling the sense of
rightness that she be doing this. She opened it and stepped into the beckoning twilight.
A child danced in the rain in front of her, laughing and chatting to an invisible friend and the warm drizzle continued to fall. Usagi smiled at the happy scene and gave a
brief thought to her would-be daughter. She pushed it aside and watched the small boy, noting his looks. He had wild black hair and a cheery smile. She estimated him to be
about five and gave a startle when he looked straight at her with crimson eyes.
'Are you an angel?' he asked innocently, like most children do. Usagi only then noticed her wings spread to either side of her body, shielding her from the rain. The scene
had a sense of timelessness about it as she replied.
'Not an angel. Just someone who enjoys seeing you happy.' The boy's smile widened at her statement. 'What is your name, little one?'
'Tom,' he replied proudly, puffing out his chest. 'What is yours?'
'I am...Serenity.' Trying out her many names in her head, Serenity felt right with this winged body.
'Will you be my mommy, Serenity?'
His innocent question made tears run down her face, mingling with the few raindrops that fell from her feathers. Her voice choked up and she couldn't reply.
'Don't cry. Why are you crying? I'm sorry, whatever I did! Don't leave!' his echoing plea was the last thing she heard as the scene faded, placing her back in the hall,
wings and nightgown still in place. Taking a minute to compose herself, she looked at the door on the left and stepped through, right into the scene from one of her
nightmares.
The place was gray with a pervading atmosphere of gloom. A small plaque was next to the gates, covered in a layer of London filth. Usagi wiped away enough to make out some
words.
Critchon Fields Orphanage
Usagi glance around and noticed a few tired swings to one corner of the yard, the only indication children were about. Slipping in through the gates, she saw a lone figure
behind a tree, playing with a stick. He looked older now, about 11, but Usagi had the feeling it was still the same Tom who had begged her not to go. Her idea was confirmed
when he turned and she saw those eyes turn on her, widening in shock, then swirling with mixed emotions. Before she could say anything, he spoke.
'I thought you were a figment of my imagination. Does this mean I'm hallucinating again?'
Drawing back at the coldness in his voice, she fumbled for a reply. 'I'm not a figment, so I don't think you're hallucinating. Why are you here, Tom?'
He spoke bitterly, 'My nanny died and my father couldn't be found, so they put me here. Even Hogwarts thinks I'm better off here.'
'Hogwarts?'
"The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.' Seeing her disbelieving look, he rolled his eyes. 'You're an angel and you doubt magic? What kind of mythical creature are you?'
'I'm not an angel, I'm a Lunarian, the last member of the Royal Family reborn into this time...well...*my* time. What year is it?'
Truly startled he replied without thinking, 'It's London, 1938.'
Usagi's wings fluttered in agitation. 'I was born in 1985, in Japan.' She felt herself begin to fade, Tom also noticing this.
'You never did answer my question.' His voice was soft and his eyes shiny when he looked up, 'Leaving again?'
She tried to stop the fading, but the almost familiar hallway appeared again. Usagi rubbed her eyes tiredly and felt exhaustions seep into her limbs. She sat in one of the
plush chairs to think. She had somehow found her way here, where she seemed to be interacting with parts of some boy's /Tom's/ life. But was it real? She didn't know yet.
But she found herself drawn to this boy, a strange desire to see where this all led. Her resolve firming, she went to the next door...and stepped through.
It was different this time. She was inside some kind of dungeon room. There was a huge bed in one corner, draped in black and shades of green, and all around was furniture
and touches of life. A boy strode into the room, robes billowing as he slammed the door. Muttering angrily as he walked to the center of the room, he stopped and gaped at
Usagi. She felt naked under the admiring gaze the teenager in front of her showed, even if she was in the same nightgown she had been in the times before.
'Tom...' she breathed, shocked at the differences between this version and the small child she remembered. This one towered over her, muscle covering his frame and making
him seem even more imposing. His hair was longer and his eyes...the same dark windows she remembered were now staring hungrily at her.
'Serenity?'
'Where are we now and how old are you?'
'Hogwarts...and I'm 17, seventh year Prefect.' he replied, making the same strutting gesture she remembered from a innocent little boy. A tear wound it's way down her pale
cheek, caught by a single finger lifting it up to his lips. Flicking a tongue at the salty drop, Tom spoke huskily. 'Why are you always here when I need someone the most?
Just...I don't need a mother anymore...' he whispered. Drawing his angel to him, he kissed her softly. Usagi was too shocked to respond, further inhibited when a cold
feeling spread from his kisses. The cold numbed her and made her legs buckle. Taking this for acquiescence, Tom gently pushed her to the bed, too caught up in need to
notice her lack of participation. In her mind, Usagi was screaming.
/No! This is Mamo-chan's...not you, Tom!/ But another, harsher part of her mind responded. /Mamo-chan doesn't want you anymore, remember? Besides, this feels good...Why not
let it continue...What harm could come from it?/ Darkness spread along the edges of her vision and she languidly reached her arms up to caress his back, feeling the
movement of his muscles when he entered her, feeling the pain of her virginity ripped from her. Tom carefully kissed each tear away as he continued, lost in his own world.
Usagi felt the cliff coming and dove off, feeling a rush of darkness fill her as Tom also spiraled down from heaven, her wings cradling both of their heated bodies.
'Tom...' she breathed, lost in a daze of emotions.
'Yes?'
'Teach me magic.' When she got up, Usagi never noticed his shrewd look and how he fingered his wand at her request.
-----
Usagi woke with the crack of thunder still sounding in her ears, half remembered spell words still floating in the air. Sitting up straight, she saw her own pale face
staring back from the mirror. Her room was dark and the digital clock flashed 12:00 in red strobes. Feeling pain at her wrist, lifted the edge of her sleeve slightly. She
touched the small image tattooed there and winced at the fresh pain the slipped through her system. A small serpent hissed at her prodding before curling back up to sleep.
Not even acknowledging the fact she understood it, she left the room.
Usagi stumbled wearily down the stairs, not noticing her night vision was nigh perfect in the gloom of the house. Going into the kitchen, she felt around in the fridge and
pulled out whatever she could, devouring it quickly and trudging back upstairs, feeling as though she hadn't slept at all. A thin package sat on her bed when she came back
up. Clutching her brooch tightly in case of an intruder, she reached over and pulled it to her, standing back to a wall. Slipping the case top off, she couldn't breath at
the sight of the gift.
A thin, black wand sat on a velvet cushion. A small piece of paper stuck up from the lining.
Dearest Daughter,
If you have received this, I am gone but you have inherited the magic.
I am sorry I won't be there to teach you, but now you must take up
the mantle of power I have bequeathed to you. It is a wand of heart-
wood, ebonstone, and a strand of my hair.
Know only one thing:
When the dark voice sings, do not answer it's call. Your father left
one gift to you that I cannot stop. Please be careful and follow
your heart.
Queen Selenity
Dropping the box and note to the floor, she picked up the wand and felt the coursing magic move through her. Smiling wickedly, though she couldn't see it, she moved her
wand in a circular pattern, pointing it at her chair and muttering one of the spells she remembered from Tom.
"Incendio." A burst of fire and the chair was incinerated, faster than even Tom's performance.
"Perfect, princessss." she heard. Turning swiftly, she scanned the room, lit only by the still smoldering remains of her chair. The voice continued, "Your magic is strong
and Massster hasss taught you well." Noticing the sibilant sound to the words, she acted on a hunch and pulled up her sleeve again. The small black snake had uncurled
itself and was gazing at her with carmine eyes. "I am Celesstiss and am at your command."
Remembering the final spell Tom had cast before she had faded, she wasn't overly surprised at the sight of her. "How do you speak?"
"I am imbued with Masster Voldemort'ss power. He hasss commanded me to look after you, hisss princesss."
"Voldemort? Do you mean Tom?"
"He isss alssso known asss that."
Usagi sighed softly and then laughed at the irony of talking to a tattoo when she was still trying to come to terms she had actually been in the past, following the life of
a boy she was drawn to. "What am I supposed to do now?" she asked herself softly, not expecting an answer.
"Go to Hogwartsss."
Stunned that she hadn't thought of something that simple, she caressed her arm, laughing slightly at the muted hiss of pleasure. "But Tom isn't there and I'm too old to be
a student..."
"Become a teacher. There mussst be an opening."
"Of course! Well, first I'll need to find someway to come into contact with them...then study up on whatever topic I have to teach. Kami-sama, teaching is a long way from a
36 percent on my own tests. Magic just seems easier somehow."
"Thatsss becaussse you're ssso powerful. I can take care of transssporatation. Would you like to go now, princesss?"
"Better get started right away...wait! It's late though!"
"Not in London," came the reply, and with a muted spell, the girl known as Usagi had disappeared.
-----
She reappeared next to an old building in the middle of a busy street. "Welcome to Diagon Alley, Princesss...No one can underssstand me but you, ssso don't talk loudly.
You'll need money firssst. Hold out your hand." Doing as she was commanded, Usagi heard another spell and a small gold key appeared in her palm. Clutching it tightly, she
followed directions to Gringotts Bank. A little nervous at approaching a goblin, she walked up and breathlessly announced herself.
"Tsukino Usagi for vault 12." Understanding her Japanese, it stared over the bridge of it's nose at her, and swept her bedraggled figure disdainfully before answering,
expecting her to be just another trying to get into the ancient vault that this generation and the previous generation of goblins hadn't been able to get into.
"Key?"
Handing him the small golden key, it's eyes widened and called over the master goblin itself. "She wants into vault 12...she has the key."
"Very well, follow me."
A fast cart-ride later had Usagi on the ground, retching up her snack from earlier. Ignoring the hissed question about her health, she straightened and motioned for the
vault to be opened. Inserting the key and running a finger down the door, it swung open and revealed its wealth to the stunned teen. Mounds of gold, silver, and bronze
winked in the torchlight. Piles of jewels lay in one corner, and towards the back was a dusty shelf covered in parchments. She listened to the quiet hiss and walked in
towards the back, shuffling papers and sneezing at decades of dust. She found the few she needed and tucked them away, grabbing a large number of coins to go into a bag on
her way out.
"Thank you." a grumble was her only response, taken good naturedly in light of her new-found wealth. Back on the street of Diagon Alley, she pressed her wand to her throat
and whispered, "Translato," suddenly understanding the conversation around her. Spotting a robes shop, she walked in and was immediately set upon by a smiling woman.
"Madame Malkin. Please stand there. Let me take your measurements...My, but aren't you healthy?" Blushing at the fast comments, Usagi almost missed the last one.
"Well, this silver hair will certainly go nicely with the traditional black." Usagi pulled forward a part of her hair and gasped, it was pure silver, not the customary
moon-kissed gold. Pushing it to the back of her mind for now, she started listing the robes she'd need, based on Celestis's suggestions. "I need three sets of black, two in
traditional cut and one modern; two in hunter green, one with a laced bodice and silver stitching-"
"Slytherin are we?"
"I'm not sure, Madame." Continuing, "One in midnight blue and..." she blushed before adding one last, "Wedding-robes in silver, please." Catching the wink, she smiled
softly. "Hopefully they will be needed."
Charming her bags to lighten and shrink, she hurried in the darkening air to gather up some books, writing supplies, potions supplies, and finally a stop in the Owlery for
a messenger. Choosing a simple northern spotted, she paid the 25 galleons and walked out, exhausted but happy at her days accomplishments. Usagi walked slowly, stopping at
a shop displaying brooms. "Flying? I can fly?...oh, Haruka would be envious. Hmm..." Walking in, she looked around, having no idea at types or differences. She was finally
taken pity on by the salesman.
"May I help you, Miss?"
"Yes...I'd like your fastest broom and one that has the best maneuverability." When he stared at her apprehensively, she softened her voice. "Cost doesn't really matter."
"Uh, the fastest right now is the Firebolt Extreme, but the most maneuverable is the Meteor Strike 2." Picking up the brooms from the back, and the Firebolt from the display
window he asked where they would be delivered to. Thinking a moment, she wrote down the Outer's home and quickly penned a note to her guardians.
Haruka,
Put a hand out, command up, and mount the broom. It is the fastest model.
Since you can't be the wind, I felt you might like going as fast as it.
Love,
Koneko
P.s.
Keep an eye on her, Michiru, Setsuna. She might never come down once she
gets on. Send Hotaru my love.
Attaching it, she accepted the Meteor Strike and reached for her money pouch. "That will be-" the man choked, "489 galleons." Not even blinking (1), Usagi paid her bill and
walked out. "Anything else, Celestis? I want to go home."
"Only one more...the pet shop."
Sighing in defeat, she strode quickly off the almost deserted street and right into a tangle of smells and sounds. Wandering down the reptile aisle, she smiled at the
conversations.
"That one, Princesss." The small serpent uncurled and pointed its tail at a sleeping gray Lancehead. It was almost at maturity and so was about 5 feet in length. Blanking
out the rest of Celestis's lecture, she tapped the glass and jumped back when it darted for where her finger had been. She glared at the snake and subdued it, not noticing
she had slipped into Parseltongue until the salesman dropped a glass case he had just cleaned. She glance up and smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, I had something stuck in my throat. I'd like to buy this one." she pointed to the now calm Lancehead.
The salesman, accepting her excuse in relief, grew nervous again. "Are you sure, Miss? Lanceheads are notoriously aggressive and have lethal bites. That is why this one is
still here even though he's almost full grown. I wouldn't want to see someone as young as you get hurt by one." Usagi stiffened at the clerk's condescending voice.
Her voice was cold when she replied, "I am positive. He doesn't look too aggressive to me." And before the man could stop her, she opened the tank and pulled out the docile
serpent, letting it slide up so it draped around her neck with it's tail curled down her arm. Eyes wide, the man stuttered, "Ten galleons...Miss."
-----
Usagi was happy to be home. After purchasing some supplies for her new 'pet', she had apparated straight home, exhausted beyond belief. She pulled out her packages and
resized them all, stunned by the sheer amount of things she had bought. She absently started to unpack.
"Well, what should I name you, serpent?"
"I am Sinissster, Missstresss. How isss it you speak our tongue?"
Usagi paused, in thought. "I have no idea. Maybe Tom did something that caused this. Why did you want me to buy Sinister, Celestis?"
"I will merge with the snake to better ssserve you, Princesss." Sinister looked wary at this.
"Why should I let you merge with me?"
"Becaussse thisss isss Princesss Serenity and our Massster hasss commanded thisss thing. It will give you the power to use spells."
The Lancehead looked interested at this tidbit and gave his consent. The small tattooed snake slid up Usagi's arm and touched tongues with the other, slowly, the ink merged
with the red forked tongue of Sinister and Usagi watched in fascination as blackness rolled down the snake's body, causing the lighter dorsal triangles to fade into the
gray and disappear. A blink of the membranes across the eyes and Usagi was delighted to see one black and one red. Looking at her wrist, she noticed a faint burn mark still
on the inner arm that solidified as she watched. It was a snake curling out of a skull with a band of gray around the head.
Sinister's voice was different when he spoke again. "I feel strange. I have different memories and power...but I still feel the same."
"Oh no! I lost Celestis? That was something Tom had given me..." tears ran down her ivory cheeks.
Sinister curled up her arm and flicked them away, strangely reminiscent of Tom's kisses during their night together. "Princesss...I am him and yet...myself. Not lost,
jussst changed. That mark on your arm isss the resssidue from the parting. Do not ssshow it to people."
"Alright. Well, time to write to Hogwarts and see if there is a job opening. I think I'm more likely to get it if I tell the Headmaster that I'm the Lunarian Princess...
Probably someone will recognize me anyways." Usagi picked up her new copy of "Hogwarts: A History" and flipped through, finding the name of the current Headmaster easily,
plus the bad luck it had in Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. Smiling happily, she began composing her letter with a new quill and the bottle of rose ink she just
*couldn't* pass up.
Headmaster Dumbledore,
I have heard of your difficulty in finding good Defense teachers and feel
our situations are related. I am the reincarnated Princess Serenity XX of
the Silver Kingdom, but am known as Usagi Tsukino in public. I haven't
had any formal education, but have been trained up to the standards of any
Hogwarts graduate, mostly self-study. If it is still open, I'd like to apply
for the Defense Against the Dark Arts opening. My resume and credentials are
attached. I hope to hear back from you soon.
With Regards,
Usagi Tsukino
Satisfied with the result, she attached the sheets of parchment that she had recovered in Tom's vault, made long ago for her to verify what she had written. Smiling
slightly, she wondered about her lost lover as she sent out her owl into the still storming air. Usagi calculated on a spare piece of paper and found Tom to be 76...if he
was still alive. Resolving to find out more, she got ready for bed and started reading "Great Events of the Modern Era". She fell asleep that way, book falling to the floor
and Sinister curled up under the covers with her, tongue occasionally touching her skin in communion.
-----
Before Usagi had even opened her eyes, she could guess where she was. It was the feeling of heaviness that weighed on the soul that tipped her off. Gazing around at the
paintings, she noticed that this time they moved while she was looking. The bowed and curtsied as she passed, moving down the hall till she came to the doors again. Looking
at the three she had previously visited, she noticed they had silver locks on them...banned to her gaze. A soft voice startled her musings.
"Princesss? Why are we here? It smells...odd." Sinister was at her feet, but being noticed, quickly slid up her body and wrapped himself around her waist, pushing under the
mass of silver hair to drape his lance shaped head over her shoulder. Usagi caressed his head absently as she replied, moving towards the next door.
"We go to see my..." she hesitated, trying to think of what to call him. "lover." And she walked through the passageway, glorious smile gracing her lips as she came out...
That died a quick death when she saw where she was. Usagi stood in the middle of a yard filled with darkly robed figures. She gave a tremulous, "Tom?" when people began
turning to her. A tall, dark figure pushed his was through the crowd of onlookers.
"Serenity...Come to see my night of glory?" he opened his arms and she rushed into them, wings fanning out to enclose them softly. Tilting her head up, she was rewarded by
a deep kiss. Pulling away, she fingered the strands of white to each temple. Burying her face in his robes, she whispered to him softly. "How long was I gone this time?"
"It has been thirty-six years...I thought you had gone for good." he murmured, stroking her skin softly. Usagi sighed in contentment and closed her cerulean eyes, not
noticing the coldness in him, only the slight coolness of him. He pushed her away slightly. "Fold you wings. Time to meet my family of loyal Deatheaters." Startled at his
command, she nevertheless obeyed, drawing to his side. Sinister hissed dangerously to a robed figure that came a little too close.
"Don't even think about it, I'm deadly."
Before Voldemort could say anything, the circle of followers closest were stunned into silence by Usagi's actions. She hissed loudly, telling Sinister to shut up in front
of her Tom and Celestis's master. Quietly muttering to himself, he slid his head around her neck and gazed blankly at those in front of them.
"This, my loyal Deatheaters, is my mate, Serenity. You will accord her the same respect you give to me. Now, on to our night of glory! Lucius, Severus, to me!" Clasping her
hand firmly, he waited while two men came up to him and bowed. "Severus, you will follow me and keep watch on Serenity. Lucius...tonight you will become my second when we
complete our task."
The one called Lucius smiled and pushed back the hood of his robe, startling Serenity. His malicious smirk was at odds with his beauty. His hair was a couple shades darker
than hers and his eyes were the color of finely honed steel...and just as sharp. Giving her a admiring glance that left her feeling naked. She drew closer to the one
ordered to look after her and took comfort in his slightly warmer grin. He pulled out his wand and transfigured her nightgown into a full gown, back gone to give her wings
access. She murmured her thanks as she followed her lover and his followers into the house, unknowing of what she would soon see.
Voldemort flung open the door and let loose a barrage of hexes, ending with a loud, "Avada Kedavra!" Usagi, hearing the screams from inside, rushed in against Severus's
shouts otherwise. Coming up behind Tom, she felt sick as she saw the tortured face of the one he had killed.
"Darling, I told you to go with Severus. I can't keep you safe right now."
She stood up to him and pulled out her wand. "I can keep myself safe!" Ignoring the shocked look of Lucius, she kept her eyes locked firmly with Tom's. "Why are you killing
these people? What have they done?" Thinking carefully, he leaned down and kissed her.
"They tried to destroy me." Usagi's reaction was exactly as he thought and she sank back with a feeble "Why?".
"I am powerful and a threat to Dumbledore, so he tried to have me killed. This is the home of the perpetrators." And with that, he continued upstairs, leaving her shaking
on the floor. She was hissing softly to Sinister.
"But...I'm going to be working for Dumbledore..." her companion's reply was lost in the feminine shriek and the bellow of rage that came from upstairs. Not even knowing how
she did it, Usagi found herself in the room of origin, completely ignoring the woman on the ground in favor of her lover. He was being shredded by the sheer power of his
rebounded curse. Crying out, she tried to draw him into her arms, but he was fading away. The baby was screaming, but Usagi didn't care. In the depths of her need, a light
flared into existence on her forehead. Ebony light filled the room from the upside down crescent on her head. Her wail filled the house and the roof exploded outward from
the force. Severus and Lucius grabbed the door frame to keep themselves anchored and could only watch in awe at the small woman's transformation.
Her wings snapped outwards and filled with the light she emitted, slowly turning black. Cradling the last thing she had of her mate's, she held both wands as her gown
ripped from her body, curves obscured by creeping ribbons not unlike those of her transformation. Her hair was unbound in the gale of the room, fluttering in a silver
waterfall as tears poured from the depths of her eyes. Only the baby's wailing pierced her grief. Moving slowly to the cradle, she picked up the little boy and rocked him
gently, wind dying down as she crooned a lullaby. The baby stilled and quieted. She set him down and gazed with eyes that contained the depths of the universe. "You have
killed my beloved...So live now in your fame, but know you are mine one day. I will have you replace him since it was you who took him from me." She leaned down and kissed
his forehead, searing a lightning-shaped mark there. Her eyes glowed when she turned to face the men next to the door. "If he dies, you two will meet me on the battlefield."
With a final look at her Chosen, she faded, clutching only her wand.
-----
(1) Usagi doesn't really understand the value of money in the wizarding world, especially with all of Tom's fortune at her disposal.
TBC?
Well? Give me your reviews or you won't see another chapter of this. I'm making a nice little tangle for Usagi when she sees that Voldemort is back but has Chosen Harry, she left
the mark and that is binding. So...Feedback needed!!