Author: ~*SerenityMoon*~
Title: When All Hope Is Lost
Chapter: 1
Disclaimer: I don't own nuttin! I don't own the places, I don't own the people, I don't own Jack! I don't even own Harry I I do own the story idea, not the original one, but this one. (The beginning might sound like someone else's to you, but it was born purely from my tiny brain. I really haven't been on ff.net in nearly two months so I wouldn't know.)
Sorry my other stories took so long, but my Internet got disconnected for like , two months because my house is being remodeled. All I had left to do was to start a new fic. I would have up dated at school, but in case you haven't noticed school computers suck.
NOTE: Harry, Ron, Hermione = 14 years of age. All the third years are 14 or 15.
Fourth years = 15 or 16
Fifth = 16 or 17
Sixth = 17 or 18
Seventh = 18 or 19
Second = 12 or 13
First = 11 or 12
______________________________________________________________________________
IN TOKYO PARK
Seven warriors for the Sol system lay comatose in the muddy puddles of a once safe place to play. They were very much alive, but lacking the will to live. One man, the late ooji of Earth, and six women. Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Venus, Pluto, and Jupiter. The two loyal neko guardians were no where to be found, and the small blonde feared the worst. The Senshi's souls were stripped from them by the devils henchmen, and loyal servants, Dementors. Ten of them flocked around three remaining Senshi, making the smallest shiver and tremble. One would think that because of the crystalline tears that ran continuously down her pale cheeks, she was afraid. She was not afraid, her pure soul could not accept the presence of such darkness. More importantly they destroyed her friends and the man she loved, for those two reasons she began to wish their horrifying kiss would fall upon her. When they destroyed her koibito the beautiful engagement ring on her ring finger disappeared. She felt a burning sensation where the ring had once resided and choked back a sob. The two taller Senshi behind her stood determined to save the smaller girl. They had given her their lives before, and would gladly give them again.
"Be strong hime.", called the elegant soldier, with wavy aquamarine hair.
The small hime looked at her slightly confused.
"We will always be with you, always in your heart.", called the taller sandy hared blonde, brandishing her beloved sword.
"Onegai, run, I beg of you.", the small golden hared child begged pressing herself back to back with her protectors as the hellish creatures came forward.
"SPACE SWORD BLASTER!!", called out the one with sandy blonde hair, using a good portion of her energy.
"DEEP SUBMERGE.", called out the one with aquamarine hair.
Unexpectedly the two attacks bounced off the creatures, and flew directly back at the smaller girl.
"IIE!", both of the taller women cried out pushing the hime to the ground, taking the blasts head on.
The attacks knocked them into two waiting Dementors, who instantaneously removed their souls.
"IIIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!!", screamed the golden hared tenshi dropping to her knees, and crying her pain.
'Why? Why? We've been through so much, why must the gods torture us so?', she wondered painfully.
Unbeknownst to her she was covered in a dark blue cloak, and to the Dementors it felt as if she had disappeared.
~Keep still my child. Stay silent.~ came a soothing voice in her head.
What seemed like hours later the Dementors attention shifted to a point opposite to the girl.
"I only count nine. Where's the brat? Where is SHE?", came a raspy voice.
It was quiet, but it held authority, and contained so much darkness that she shivered. She was glad she couldn't see who ever it was, the Dementors had been horrible enough.
"What do you mean, she disappeared?", the same voice asked angrily.
"Voldermort, sire, we will get her do not fret.", came a sniveling, whiny voice from the same direction.
"Fools! The ONLY reason we got nine of them is because they were unprepared. That girl has more power than you could dream of, and I want it! Take the bodies, they will need disposal.", the voice called Voldermort continued calming himself down.
"Kuso, her moon-witch of a mother must have gotten to her. Damn you Selene! Even though you're DEAD you STILL interfere with my plans!", the voice continued getting angry again.
With a crack of thunder and a flash of lighting the voice, and presence was gone. Steadily rain started to fall, hard pelting rain that billowed from the dark sky. The clear crystal tears on the girls face were no longer recognizable against the element of nature.
~He's gone now just concentrate on the crystal, it will bring you to safety.~ came the same soothing voice that the hime now recognized as her long dead mother.
She nodded, and after a moment of concentrating, a warmth spread though her frozen limbs, and she soon found herself on her home, the moon.
______________________________________________________________________________
THE SORTING IN HOGWARTS ACADEMY
"Brickle, Ashley!", called out the head mistress, Minerva McGonagall. The small brown hared green eyed girl stepped up to the stool, and the hat was placed on her head.
"SLYTHERIN!!!!", called out the old beat up hat.
The Slytherin table clapped politely, and the girl made her way to an empty seat next to a tall red head.
"Callahaun, Kelley !", the stern woman called out, and an extremely short girl stepped up to the stool.
She had layered shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes.
"GRYFFINDOR!!!!", the hat called loudly.
The table cheered loudly, and one of the Gryffindors offered the shy girl a seat.
"Thank-you.", Kelley murmured gratefully.
"No problem, I'm Hermione Granger, and that is Lucrezia Manning.", replied Hermione, pointing to the second year next to her.
The second year had long mouse brown hair, brown eyes, glasses, and braces. "Hi, I'm Lucrezia, call me Laurie, everyone else does.", the girl told the first year next to her.
"Where are you from?", she continued watching to make sure McGonagall, more importantly Snape wasn't watching.
"I'm a transfer second year from Phoenix Flame Academy.", Kelley replied.
"Dude, your in second year?", Laurie asked incredulously, eyes wide.
"Yeah ......", Kelley replied slowly.
"My Lord, no way! You are, so, so, SHORT!", called out Laurie guffawing.
"Shut-up.", Kelley mumbled kicking Laurie under the table.
"Oww.", Laurie muttered shooting back a comment.
Hermione watched the argument with great interest, she was right when she thought the two would get along. She turned to talk to Ron Weasely, who sat to her left, but then rolled her eyes as she realized he was on the brink of sleeping. She elbowed him, and nearly laughed as he shot his head up.
"Come on Hermi, this is prime nap time.", he whispered to her, now watching the magical ceiling change.
It had been a peaceful night last time he looked up, but now lighting flashed across the sky, and rain pelted down, while the noise was kept out.
'Why do we have to be here?', the red head thought to himself.
A boy with black hair, and startlingly clear emerald eyes, watched the sorting blankly. His hand held up his head, while he unconsciously blew stray strands of hair out of his eyes. This action revealed a lightening bolt scar on his forehead. A few moments later he pushed his black rimmed glasses up on his nose, and waited for the sorting to end. He had never remembered feeling so agitated in his life, except for maybe when Ginny was in the Chamber of Secrets. It probably had something to do with the dementor he had encountered on the bus. He gave an unconscious shiver, as he remembered the cold feeling that had entered the cabin, the cold feeling of death.
'This is going to be one interesting year. Third year. Here we go.',he thought as his agitation became worse.
"Hey, aren't you Harry? Harry Potter?", asked a girl seated diagonal to him.
He recognized the girl as the new second year Kelley. He nodded and waited for her response.
"Oh, my Angelica! I was right!", she called down the table to a girl with shoulder length black hair with red tints.
"Did I ever object?", the girl shot back, then continued chatting with the young man next to her.
'And so it begins.', Harry thought watching new first years turn towards him.
______________________________________________________________________________
ON THE MOON
"I'm so sorry, none of us, not even Cronus saw this happening until it was to late.", Queen Selenity soothed, as her distraught daughter continued to cry into her dress.
Her daughters hair had become a startling silver, although she retained her clear blue eyes. Her child's dress was of the purest white silks, that had three layers, with an ornate bodice, and off the sleeve shells. A delicate silver chain adorned her neck, and on that chain in a smaller form was the Silver Crystal.
"Please don't cry.....", the long deceased Queen begged, worried for her daughter.
"Please, there is a way to save them.", the Queen continued as her daughters head suddenly shot up.
"I can...... I can get their souls back?", the small hime started hope gleaming in her crystalline blue eyes.
"Hai, you can, but Voldermort must be defeated first. And to do that you must have the schooling to do so.", Queen Selenity continued as the girls tears began to subside.
"I'll do anything, I don't care I must save them. With you gone ........... they're all I have left.", Serenity mused sadly determination shining in her eyes.
"Your not quite as alone as you think, you have a relative at the school you'll be attending. You'll remember him when you see him.", the time wizened queen spoke softly.
"What's going on, those Dementors have been appearing regularly. They steal peoples souls, and the people are left in a coma. A coma while awake.", Serenity started, more than slightly upset.
"Here close your eyes darling, the crystal will show you everything you need to know. It may even release some of your former powers.", the queen instructed.
Serenity did as told and her mind was soon flooded with faces, names, places, and weapons.
'May release 'some' powers?', Serenity thought wryly.
Spells, incantations, and chants were remembered, along with the identity of Voldermort, and all his wrong doings.
"Kassan, why did I forget all of that. Those spells could have helped us in battle.", Serenity asked her mother.
"When you were reincarnated, you and your senshi had a selective memory process. You remember very little, and will not remember all of your past until you are older, much older. I don't know why it is that way, it just happens like that.", Selenity-sama explained ruefully.
"I understand, but now I believe I must go. To Hogwarts?", Serenity stated with faith, hope, and determination shining in her eyes.
"To Hogwarts.", Selenity-sama replied with a wave of her hand.
If anyone had taken the time to look at the ceiling in the great hall, they would have noticed a brilliant white shooting star falling towards the school.
______________________________________________________________________________
IN THE GREAT HALL
"Welcome!", started Dumbledore, the candle light shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it is best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast...."
Dumbledore cleared his throat then continued," As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on ministry of magic business."
He paused, and Harry remembered about what Mr. Weasely had said about the dementors guarding the school.
FLASHBACK
'We had to ask Dumbledor if he minded. He agreed, but he wasn't very happy. Dementors are among the foulest creatures on the planet, Molly, but in this case we need them.'
END
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is allowed to leave the school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises --- or even invisibility cloaks.", he added blandly, and Harry and Ron glanced at each other.
"It is not the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new head boy and girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors.", he said his voice gaining a grave tone.
"On, a happier note Quidditch trials will be held on the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing should contact Madame Hooch.", Albus Dumbledore instructed gazing at all the students over his half-moon spectacles.
"Plus we have two new teachers. Professor Lupin, and Hagrid our former game keeper is now our Care of Magical Creatures teacher...."., Albus trailed off staring at the large doors.
"Also as a reminder, no one is to inflict any kind of torture on Mrs. Norris.", He continued looking at the Weasely twins, who were currently looking around innocently.
"I must tell all of you that you-know-who is still at large. None of you are aloud off the school grounds after dusk, no one should ever be outside alone. Al---", he trailed off as the great hall doors suddenly creaked open.
All the students heads turned towards the doors. Even the half asleep Ron was now at full attention. A light wind blew in through the great doors, and a few of the magical candles flickered out. The doors then closed slowly, while a small ball of light floated down in front of the High Table, more importantly infront of Albus Dumbledore. The small ball of light expanded slowly and a figure appeared, covered in a a solid black cloak with silver trim, with a hood hiding the figures face in shadows. A delicate pale hand with a pearl bracelet on the wrist handed the headmaster a rolled piece of parchment, and the elderly man took it with a nod. As he read the parchment his eyes widened and he glanced at the small creature hidden with in the depth of the robe, a bit of amazement in his eyes. The high princess was attending Hogwarts.
"Are you positive their souls were gone?", Albus asked her seriously while several of the students gasped.
"I am utterly positive Professor.", came the figures feminine voice, twinkling like bells.
The figure reached two pale hands up and removed the hood from her head. Waves of silver hair tumbled from her shoulders and fell to the floor, much longer than her feet.
"Serenity!", boomed out a loud harsh voice. The girl whirled towards the voice in a slight defensive stance, hand on her necklace. Severus Snape stood stiffly, his eyes narrowed at the small nymph. The girl gave a slight smile as the face clicked in her memory and gave him a bow. Snape stalked angrily down to her, fists balled while the tables watched highly confused. Albus watched the display slightly amused as he reread the parchment, obviously from the Queen herself.
"I wonder how Snape knows her?", Ron whispered to Harry who was watching intently, just as confused as everyone else.
"I don't know, she looks familiar to me though.", Hermione mused aloud, staring hard.
"Hey, I've got it! She looks like the woman in the portrait in the Astronomy Tower!", Hermione continued watching the girl.
When she moved a bit of a long white dress showed out from under the cloak, and small glass slippers adorned her feet.
"WHAT are YOU doing here WITHOUT your GUARD?!?", demanded Snape grasping the girl by the shoulders.
'Guard?', mouthed Ron to Harry, who shrugged in response.
"You were sent to Japan to keep you from danger, not to have you jump right back into it.", he hissed eyes flashing.
"He sounds like he's ........ worried about her.", Hermione mused aloud to Ron who gave her an upraised eyebrow.
"Snape, worried about something other than getting Professor Lupin's job? You've got to be joking me.", Ron shot back while Harry stifled a chuckle. His friends always made him feel better even in his current agitated state.
"I should call Mars, better yet Uranus an---", he started then stopped noticing the tears welling up in her eyes.
"I would be in Japan, but Mother sent me here. The Dementors got them all, even Saturn. We were completely unprepared, and we were quickly over powered. None of my spells worked, not even the crystal helped. Mother only knew of the dangers after it had happened. She was almost able to save Uranus and Neptune, but by the time she got there, I was the only one left.", Serenity whispered to him, for his ears only.
"I think I've figured out who they're talking about, but not who she is.", Hermione whispered to Harry.
"I once read a book that had ten protectors of the Solar System. They went by the names of the planets, and were the guard of the tenth soldier.", she relayed as the twins began to eavesdrop.
"That's horrible she must have seen them all die.", Harry murmured feeling immediately sorry for her.
"They never said that.", Ron started confused.
"Yes, she did.", Harry replied slightly confused. The girl had just said it loud and clear.
"My friend all of this is beginning to get to you, there's no way you could have heard what she said.", Ron replied sympathetically, patting the boys hand.
Snape's eyes softened a little, and he began to regret his earlier outburst. He slowly out of pure instinct gathered her in a fatherly hug. "Oh, my lord.", Ron muttered.
"That did not just happen.", muttered Dean Thomas from the head of the table.
"You don't think he's ...... well ........ her fiancée or something do you?", George asked Fred, staring wide eyed.
"No way he's probably twice her age.", Hermione whispered back to them in a scolding tone.
People over at the Slytherin table stared nervously, afraid their leader was going soft.
"I hate to interrupt this Severus, Albus, but what is going on?", demanded Professor McGonagall, almost at her wits end.
"I'm her Uncle, Minerva. Her name is Serenity Usagi Moon, and she will be attending here. That is all there is to it.", Snape snapped at the older woman, already a bit aggravated.
The students in the halls eyes widened and the nervous chatter immediately started. "A relative of Snape's? More bad news, as if Dementors aren't bad enough.", Percy muttered darkly, staring at the fair hared child.
"Oh my.", mumbled Professor Lupin, as Albus passed him the parchment. 'The poor child.....', he trailed off with a sad frown. 'And with an uncle like that....', he continued a small smirk on his face.
"Do you have all your materials for this year Miss Moon?", Albus asked her over the chatter.
"Yes Professor, I'm sorry I caused such a ruckus.", she apologized dipping her head to hide her flaming cheeks.
"It's no problem, and I understand you'd wish your, alter ego, to be kept secret?", he continued, a small twinkle in his eye.
"If that could be possible, I wish it to be secret. If people know who I am that could put them in danger as well.", she replied turning towards her reincarnated uncle.
"Would you mind?", she asked him pointing to her attire.
"I suppose.", he sighed, wearily definitely intending on speaking with his sister.
He tapped her nose with his wand and in a flash of navy blue sparkles she wore the traditional Hogwarts robes black sneakers, and her long hair was twisted up into a braided bun, while two tendrils of long hair framed her face.
"Who knew you had such fashion sense.", she mumbled to him feeling her hair.
Snape snorted with a small smirk on his face.
"That's not fashion sense, that's common sense. If you left your hair down you'd trip and fall.", he replied in his usual tone, giving the headmaster his attention.
"Well then,", started Albus clearing his throat, gaining the steadily getting louder students attention.
"I'd like to introduce you to Serenity Usagi Moon, she is a transfer student from Japan. As you know she is Professor Snape's niece, and she will now be attending here.",the elderly man announced.
The tables clapped, while Fred and George whistled loudly at the prospect of new game. She was quite beautiful, with her soft features, and milky white skin.
"First you must be sorted Miss Moon.", Professor McGonagall called to the girl, a small smile on her face as she handed the letter back to Dumbledore.
As deputy head mistress she was to know nearly everything about her students, in case the headmaster was ever unable to attend his duties. That included knowing that Severus' niece, was the high princess. How the child could be his niece was beyond her logical knowledge.
"Of course Professor.", the girl replied politely, walking in a fluid movements towards the sorting hat.
She looked as if she didn't walk, but floated off the ground, as her footsteps made no sound. She walked up to the stool and gave a quick bow to the tattered hat, then placed it upon her head.
~Courageous, brave, loyal, loving, smart, deceptive, kind, pure~ mumbled the hat in her mind.
~My my little princess, you are hard to choose for, you see you have a bit of everything!~ it explained sorting through her qualities once more.
~I could place you in Hufflepuff, for your loyalty, loving ,and caring. Ravenclaw for your magnificent mind, Gryffindor for your courage, your love, your kindness. Slytherin for your deceptive craftiness. You would go far there I'm sure, but is that what you want?~ the hat mused giving her a choice.
*I'm not sure I want to be in Slytherin, I think Gryffindor will be best* Serenity replied chewing her bottom lip.
~Right you are, Senshi of Light! Even though your uncle will not approve, it is best~the hat finished, breaking the link between them.
"GRYFFINDOR!!!!!", the hat yelled causing the Slytherin table to glower and frown. Their house leader's niece was in their rival's house, and that would most definitely present a problem.
Meanwhile, the Gryffindor table cheered loudly, and gave a thunderous applause just as they had done for the first years. Serenity's cheeks grew a light hue of pink as she slipped off the stool. She walked down and spied an empty seat next to a boy with unruly black hair, with black wire frame glasses. "Do you think she's part veela?", Ron asked dreamily, glancing at Hermione who looked at her with a scrutinizing stare. "I'm not sure...." , Hermione trailed off.
"Is it all right if I sit here?", she asked softly starling him out of his thoughts. The boy jumped a little, and looked up at her. As if just comprehending her question, he nodded and flashed her a smile.
"I'm sure you know my name, but I'm afraid I don't know yours.", she started smoothing out her robes as she sat.
"Do you mean to tell me that you don't know who he is, scar and all?", interrupted a voice diagonal and to her right.
"I'm sorry, but I have no idea.", she replied to the boy.
"Well, my names Fred---", the boy with red hair started.
"And I'm George.", another boy finished next to him. Serenity smiled slightly in response, suddenly feeling all the weight of the nights events take their toll.
"My name is Harry, Harry Potter.", the boy with the glasses stated smiling at her.
"It's nice to meet you.", Serenity replied smiling, looking across the table.
"Oh and that's my friend Ron Weasley, Fred and George are his brothers. Then that's my friend Hermione Granger.", Harry continued pointing to them respectively.
Serenity replied with a nod and a polite hello.
"Now everyone, we shall dine, so with a few remaining words, twiggly hop, blimblab, ruebbula.", Dumbledore called raising his wand in the air.
The golden plates on the tables filled with every kind of food imaginable, and quickly students dug in.
"Oh, my....", Serenity trailed off looking a bit astonished.
"Well, Serenity, if you don't mind me asking, how are you related to Professor Snape?", Hermione started, passing the pumpkin juice down the table.
"Uncle Severus is my Mothers brother-in-law.", Serenity replied eyeing some type of tart she had placed on her plate.
"Oh, who's your mum?", Ron asked buttering a piece of bread.
"Selenity Moon.", Serenity replied softly, missing her mother more as the talk went on.
"Oh, do you think you'll be going home for the holidays?", Hermione asked personally thinking of staying.
"My mother is deceased.", Serenity started lowering her head and placing her hands in her lap.
'I miss them so much.', she thought twisting the bracelet on her wrist.
"I'm so sorry, If I had any idea, I wouldn't have asked.......", Hermione apologized obviously upset.
"It's quite all right Hermione. She died a long time ago, I'm over it.", she replied rubbing her eyes.
"How do you plan to put up with Professor Snape, he's always in a sour mood.", Ron began, motioning Fred for the pumpkin juice.
"Uncle Severus? He's a bit cold to some people, but he's really nice once you get to know him.", Serenity started finally deciding to eat the darn tart.
"Nice? Professor Snape? NICE?", Harry echoed looking at her as if she had grown another head.
"Yes, nice, why?", Serenity continued eating another tart.
"What year are you going into?", Harry asked wondering if the girl was loosing her mind.
"Third, why?", Serenity replied turning her ice blue eyes on him.
"Good, we're all in Third too. That means we'll all have Potions for the second class after Herbology. Snape teaches that, then you'll understand.", Harry replied noticing suddenly the very deep blue of her eyes.
Breaking away with a slight blush he continued to eat his chosen dinner, listening to the polite chatter between his closest two friends, and Snape's niece. It was hard to believe that she was related to Snape, he was so cruel, yet she seemed so kind, complete opposites. Suddenly it clicked in his head that she said her mum had died. When she was talking to Snape she said her mum had saved her ............ She was probably referring to her adopted mum or something........ He trailed off watching her chuckle at some joke Fred made.
Sooner than they expected desert came up, and after that they followed the prefects to their common room. Up three flights of stairs, through two secret passages, up another flight of stairs, then through another portrait. They walked down the hall till they stopped infront of a portrait of a fat lady in a pink silk dress.
"The password is Kaput Dracaenas!", announced the head prefect, as the portrait swung open.
The sleepy group walked slowly into the common room, and soon wandered to their dorms.
"Hermione, excuse me but where do I go?", asked Serenity confused, following the bushy brown hared girl.
"I'm not sure which room you'll be in, but if you'll allow me to drop off my things, I'll help you find yours.", Hermione replied brightly, having taken a liking to her most hated professor's niece.
As she walked in the big oak doors, she saw the nameplate on the four poster bed next to hers.
"Hey, Serenity, look no further! You'll be rooming with me, and Rachel.", Hermione exclaimed pointing to the sign above the bed.
"Thank-you Hermione.", Serenity replied gratefully, dropping to her knees to get into her large trunk.
She dug out a pair of nightclothes, and raced to the bathroom. When she came out her hair was down, shining in a river of molten silver.
"Good night Hermione.", whispered Serenity as her newfound friend sat up reading with a small light.
"Good night Serenity.", called back Hermione, wishing to know more about the mysterious girl.
Something about her was a bit off. Not bad, just as if she hid a secret, a secret that could change the world.
______________________________________________________________________________
SERENITY'S DREAM
'Good-bye Koneko, we'll always be with you.', whispered the wind playing in her hair.
"No, please don't go!", she found herself calling as Haruka materialized.
The sandy blonde hared woman swept her into a hug as the scene changed from a white void to a garden with a pond. A cherry blossom tree behind them began to let it's petals drop as the wind began to blow.
'I'm sorry, but I must go. Take care of yourself.', the figure stated before fading away.
'Ondango, you better not slack off!', called a fiery voice from her right.
"Rei?", she asked turning to see her friend, dressed in miko robes.
'Of course, remember we'll always be there to guide you.', Rei smiled fading away.
'You better not let all those kawaii bishoonen slip through your fingers!', came a playful voice to her left.
"Minako!", called Serenity happily turning to see her beloved cousin.
'Let love be your guide.', called Minako fading away, just like Rei and Haruka.
'Hey girl, you better practice your skills! We don't want you getting rusty!', Makoto stated from directly behind her.
"I'll practice.", Serenity replied as Makoto faded away.
'You should exell in all of your classes. Magic is what you do best!', came Ami's soft voice from next to the tree, where Serenity saw her reading a geography book.
"I'll try my best.", Serenity replied watching the girl fade away.
Serenity turned as she heard cheerful music being played from a violin. Michiru stood on the other side of the pond, bouncing a lemon off her violin, and playing it at the same time.
'Music soothes the soul, don't you think?', she asked and caught the lemon.
'Be careful.', the aqua hared girl continued fading away.
"I'll try Michiru, I promise.", Serenity replied.
'Hime, the future looks bleak, but with your light it can be bright.', came the voice of Setsuna from the high branches of the tree.
"Will you all be saved Setsuna? Onegai, tell me?", Serenity asked her heart tearing apart as the woman faded away.
'Don't be sad Sere-mama!', called a small voice.
Serenity looked down to see Hotaru hugging her legs, looking up at her with playful violet orbs.
"I can't help but be sad, I miss you all.", Serenity replied blinking back tears.
'Now, Now don't cry! We'll be back, it's a promise!', Hotaru called out fading away.
Serenity closed her eyes as she felt hot salty tears fall down her face.
'Hotaru was right Usako, don't cry.', started a deep masculine voice from in front of her.
"Mamo-chan!", she called out throwing her arms around his solid figure.
'I will always love you.', he started a smile crossing his features.
'But for both of us to be happy, I fear you must go on with your life. It may take us years to be restored, and I don't want you to waste your life away. To make me happy, you must be happy, that's all I could ever want. Promise me you'll be happy, promise me? Even if it means that your heart no longer belongs to me, even if it means that you wed another, promise me?', Mamoru implored nearly begging for her answer.
"I'll give it my best, all I can give you is my best.", she replied unsteadily.
'That's all I could ever ask of you.', Mamoru replied kissing her forehead.
Then her eyes, then her nose.
'A parting gift.', he murmured capturing her lips with his own.
'Woo-hoo, you go girl!', came Minako's exuberated voice as she whistled a ghostly sound.
The other senshi appeared in transparent forms surrounding them.
'Never knew you had it in ya!', crowed Makoto while Michiru shook her head smiling.
Haruka glared at Mamoru, even while in death, no one, no one touched her Koneko.
Serenity blushed under their comments, but was startled when Mamoru began to fade from her fingers.
"Good-bye my friends.", Serenity stated softly steeling her resolve not to cry.
'Bai-Bai, Sere-mama!', Hotaru called waving until her little fingers faded away.
With a soft smile of his face Mamoru backed away and stood next to Rei, waiting to disappear with the others.
"I love you all!", Serenity called as only their torsos were left.
'We love you too.', Rei called as a ghostly tear ran down her face.
'We leave you with a part of ourselves, so that you may never be alone.', Setsuna's voice came as each of the senshi began to glow their respective color.
Little balls of colored energy flew towards her and hooked onto her necklace forming tiny colored stones.
'Good Bye.', they called in unison as they all faded away for good.
The wind blew and the scene changed back to the white void, and then she was alone.
END
______________________________________________________________________________
IN THE OFFICE OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
"Severus, explain how that young woman can be YOUR niece!", Minerva ordered not accepting one word answers.
"Well I'm her mothers brother-in-law, so that would make me her uncle.", Severus drawled for the tenth time.
"But to be her uncle you'd have to be a-a --", Minerva sputtered slowly.
"A god.", Professor Lupin provided.
"Not only that, but thousands of years old.", Minerva continued regaining her posture.
"I am neither a god nor thousands of years old. I was reincarnated, just like she was.", Severus commented sitting lazily on the couch.
"You, Severus Snape are utterly IMPOSSIBLE!", Minerva snapped crossing her arms and glaring at him.
"Please, Minerva, calm down, I'm sure Severus has his reasons for not explaining things. It will all make itself known in due time.", Albus interrupted, his young looking gray eyes contrasting with his time ridden face.
"Now because classes will start tomorrow, I suggest you all get some sleep.", Albus stated motioning towards the door.
Professor Trelawney, Professor Bins, Professor McGonagall, Madame Hooch, Madame Pomfrey, and the rest of the staff all dubiously left the room.
"Severus, Remus, I understand that you all did not get along in your years here, but I trust that for the sake of your niece,", Dumbledore started looking pointedly at Severus," And for the sake of all the students here, you two will be able to get along.", he finished leaving an unsaid message in the air.
"Snape you do understand that you must continue to make the potion for Remus, despite your disagreements.", he added suddenly his half-moon spectacles gleaming in the moon light through the window.
Both professors nodded and turned to walk out of the room; the discussion was at an end. Dumbledore's phoenix squawked and nipped affectionately at Severus' shoulder as he passed. Turning to the animal with hard eyes he stared at it. His harsh gaze softened and he patted the bird on the head, then turned to go out the door.
'There's still hope for him yet.', Albus thought observing the stoic aloof professor.
______________________________________________________________________________
Title: When All Hope Is Lost
Chapter: 1
Disclaimer: I don't own nuttin! I don't own the places, I don't own the people, I don't own Jack! I don't even own Harry I I do own the story idea, not the original one, but this one. (The beginning might sound like someone else's to you, but it was born purely from my tiny brain. I really haven't been on ff.net in nearly two months so I wouldn't know.)
Sorry my other stories took so long, but my Internet got disconnected for like , two months because my house is being remodeled. All I had left to do was to start a new fic. I would have up dated at school, but in case you haven't noticed school computers suck.
NOTE: Harry, Ron, Hermione = 14 years of age. All the third years are 14 or 15.
Fourth years = 15 or 16
Fifth = 16 or 17
Sixth = 17 or 18
Seventh = 18 or 19
Second = 12 or 13
First = 11 or 12
______________________________________________________________________________
IN TOKYO PARK
Seven warriors for the Sol system lay comatose in the muddy puddles of a once safe place to play. They were very much alive, but lacking the will to live. One man, the late ooji of Earth, and six women. Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Venus, Pluto, and Jupiter. The two loyal neko guardians were no where to be found, and the small blonde feared the worst. The Senshi's souls were stripped from them by the devils henchmen, and loyal servants, Dementors. Ten of them flocked around three remaining Senshi, making the smallest shiver and tremble. One would think that because of the crystalline tears that ran continuously down her pale cheeks, she was afraid. She was not afraid, her pure soul could not accept the presence of such darkness. More importantly they destroyed her friends and the man she loved, for those two reasons she began to wish their horrifying kiss would fall upon her. When they destroyed her koibito the beautiful engagement ring on her ring finger disappeared. She felt a burning sensation where the ring had once resided and choked back a sob. The two taller Senshi behind her stood determined to save the smaller girl. They had given her their lives before, and would gladly give them again.
"Be strong hime.", called the elegant soldier, with wavy aquamarine hair.
The small hime looked at her slightly confused.
"We will always be with you, always in your heart.", called the taller sandy hared blonde, brandishing her beloved sword.
"Onegai, run, I beg of you.", the small golden hared child begged pressing herself back to back with her protectors as the hellish creatures came forward.
"SPACE SWORD BLASTER!!", called out the one with sandy blonde hair, using a good portion of her energy.
"DEEP SUBMERGE.", called out the one with aquamarine hair.
Unexpectedly the two attacks bounced off the creatures, and flew directly back at the smaller girl.
"IIE!", both of the taller women cried out pushing the hime to the ground, taking the blasts head on.
The attacks knocked them into two waiting Dementors, who instantaneously removed their souls.
"IIIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!!", screamed the golden hared tenshi dropping to her knees, and crying her pain.
'Why? Why? We've been through so much, why must the gods torture us so?', she wondered painfully.
Unbeknownst to her she was covered in a dark blue cloak, and to the Dementors it felt as if she had disappeared.
~Keep still my child. Stay silent.~ came a soothing voice in her head.
What seemed like hours later the Dementors attention shifted to a point opposite to the girl.
"I only count nine. Where's the brat? Where is SHE?", came a raspy voice.
It was quiet, but it held authority, and contained so much darkness that she shivered. She was glad she couldn't see who ever it was, the Dementors had been horrible enough.
"What do you mean, she disappeared?", the same voice asked angrily.
"Voldermort, sire, we will get her do not fret.", came a sniveling, whiny voice from the same direction.
"Fools! The ONLY reason we got nine of them is because they were unprepared. That girl has more power than you could dream of, and I want it! Take the bodies, they will need disposal.", the voice called Voldermort continued calming himself down.
"Kuso, her moon-witch of a mother must have gotten to her. Damn you Selene! Even though you're DEAD you STILL interfere with my plans!", the voice continued getting angry again.
With a crack of thunder and a flash of lighting the voice, and presence was gone. Steadily rain started to fall, hard pelting rain that billowed from the dark sky. The clear crystal tears on the girls face were no longer recognizable against the element of nature.
~He's gone now just concentrate on the crystal, it will bring you to safety.~ came the same soothing voice that the hime now recognized as her long dead mother.
She nodded, and after a moment of concentrating, a warmth spread though her frozen limbs, and she soon found herself on her home, the moon.
______________________________________________________________________________
THE SORTING IN HOGWARTS ACADEMY
"Brickle, Ashley!", called out the head mistress, Minerva McGonagall. The small brown hared green eyed girl stepped up to the stool, and the hat was placed on her head.
"SLYTHERIN!!!!", called out the old beat up hat.
The Slytherin table clapped politely, and the girl made her way to an empty seat next to a tall red head.
"Callahaun, Kelley !", the stern woman called out, and an extremely short girl stepped up to the stool.
She had layered shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes.
"GRYFFINDOR!!!!", the hat called loudly.
The table cheered loudly, and one of the Gryffindors offered the shy girl a seat.
"Thank-you.", Kelley murmured gratefully.
"No problem, I'm Hermione Granger, and that is Lucrezia Manning.", replied Hermione, pointing to the second year next to her.
The second year had long mouse brown hair, brown eyes, glasses, and braces. "Hi, I'm Lucrezia, call me Laurie, everyone else does.", the girl told the first year next to her.
"Where are you from?", she continued watching to make sure McGonagall, more importantly Snape wasn't watching.
"I'm a transfer second year from Phoenix Flame Academy.", Kelley replied.
"Dude, your in second year?", Laurie asked incredulously, eyes wide.
"Yeah ......", Kelley replied slowly.
"My Lord, no way! You are, so, so, SHORT!", called out Laurie guffawing.
"Shut-up.", Kelley mumbled kicking Laurie under the table.
"Oww.", Laurie muttered shooting back a comment.
Hermione watched the argument with great interest, she was right when she thought the two would get along. She turned to talk to Ron Weasely, who sat to her left, but then rolled her eyes as she realized he was on the brink of sleeping. She elbowed him, and nearly laughed as he shot his head up.
"Come on Hermi, this is prime nap time.", he whispered to her, now watching the magical ceiling change.
It had been a peaceful night last time he looked up, but now lighting flashed across the sky, and rain pelted down, while the noise was kept out.
'Why do we have to be here?', the red head thought to himself.
A boy with black hair, and startlingly clear emerald eyes, watched the sorting blankly. His hand held up his head, while he unconsciously blew stray strands of hair out of his eyes. This action revealed a lightening bolt scar on his forehead. A few moments later he pushed his black rimmed glasses up on his nose, and waited for the sorting to end. He had never remembered feeling so agitated in his life, except for maybe when Ginny was in the Chamber of Secrets. It probably had something to do with the dementor he had encountered on the bus. He gave an unconscious shiver, as he remembered the cold feeling that had entered the cabin, the cold feeling of death.
'This is going to be one interesting year. Third year. Here we go.',he thought as his agitation became worse.
"Hey, aren't you Harry? Harry Potter?", asked a girl seated diagonal to him.
He recognized the girl as the new second year Kelley. He nodded and waited for her response.
"Oh, my Angelica! I was right!", she called down the table to a girl with shoulder length black hair with red tints.
"Did I ever object?", the girl shot back, then continued chatting with the young man next to her.
'And so it begins.', Harry thought watching new first years turn towards him.
______________________________________________________________________________
ON THE MOON
"I'm so sorry, none of us, not even Cronus saw this happening until it was to late.", Queen Selenity soothed, as her distraught daughter continued to cry into her dress.
Her daughters hair had become a startling silver, although she retained her clear blue eyes. Her child's dress was of the purest white silks, that had three layers, with an ornate bodice, and off the sleeve shells. A delicate silver chain adorned her neck, and on that chain in a smaller form was the Silver Crystal.
"Please don't cry.....", the long deceased Queen begged, worried for her daughter.
"Please, there is a way to save them.", the Queen continued as her daughters head suddenly shot up.
"I can...... I can get their souls back?", the small hime started hope gleaming in her crystalline blue eyes.
"Hai, you can, but Voldermort must be defeated first. And to do that you must have the schooling to do so.", Queen Selenity continued as the girls tears began to subside.
"I'll do anything, I don't care I must save them. With you gone ........... they're all I have left.", Serenity mused sadly determination shining in her eyes.
"Your not quite as alone as you think, you have a relative at the school you'll be attending. You'll remember him when you see him.", the time wizened queen spoke softly.
"What's going on, those Dementors have been appearing regularly. They steal peoples souls, and the people are left in a coma. A coma while awake.", Serenity started, more than slightly upset.
"Here close your eyes darling, the crystal will show you everything you need to know. It may even release some of your former powers.", the queen instructed.
Serenity did as told and her mind was soon flooded with faces, names, places, and weapons.
'May release 'some' powers?', Serenity thought wryly.
Spells, incantations, and chants were remembered, along with the identity of Voldermort, and all his wrong doings.
"Kassan, why did I forget all of that. Those spells could have helped us in battle.", Serenity asked her mother.
"When you were reincarnated, you and your senshi had a selective memory process. You remember very little, and will not remember all of your past until you are older, much older. I don't know why it is that way, it just happens like that.", Selenity-sama explained ruefully.
"I understand, but now I believe I must go. To Hogwarts?", Serenity stated with faith, hope, and determination shining in her eyes.
"To Hogwarts.", Selenity-sama replied with a wave of her hand.
If anyone had taken the time to look at the ceiling in the great hall, they would have noticed a brilliant white shooting star falling towards the school.
______________________________________________________________________________
IN THE GREAT HALL
"Welcome!", started Dumbledore, the candle light shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it is best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast...."
Dumbledore cleared his throat then continued," As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on ministry of magic business."
He paused, and Harry remembered about what Mr. Weasely had said about the dementors guarding the school.
FLASHBACK
'We had to ask Dumbledor if he minded. He agreed, but he wasn't very happy. Dementors are among the foulest creatures on the planet, Molly, but in this case we need them.'
END
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is allowed to leave the school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises --- or even invisibility cloaks.", he added blandly, and Harry and Ron glanced at each other.
"It is not the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new head boy and girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors.", he said his voice gaining a grave tone.
"On, a happier note Quidditch trials will be held on the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing should contact Madame Hooch.", Albus Dumbledore instructed gazing at all the students over his half-moon spectacles.
"Plus we have two new teachers. Professor Lupin, and Hagrid our former game keeper is now our Care of Magical Creatures teacher...."., Albus trailed off staring at the large doors.
"Also as a reminder, no one is to inflict any kind of torture on Mrs. Norris.", He continued looking at the Weasely twins, who were currently looking around innocently.
"I must tell all of you that you-know-who is still at large. None of you are aloud off the school grounds after dusk, no one should ever be outside alone. Al---", he trailed off as the great hall doors suddenly creaked open.
All the students heads turned towards the doors. Even the half asleep Ron was now at full attention. A light wind blew in through the great doors, and a few of the magical candles flickered out. The doors then closed slowly, while a small ball of light floated down in front of the High Table, more importantly infront of Albus Dumbledore. The small ball of light expanded slowly and a figure appeared, covered in a a solid black cloak with silver trim, with a hood hiding the figures face in shadows. A delicate pale hand with a pearl bracelet on the wrist handed the headmaster a rolled piece of parchment, and the elderly man took it with a nod. As he read the parchment his eyes widened and he glanced at the small creature hidden with in the depth of the robe, a bit of amazement in his eyes. The high princess was attending Hogwarts.
"Are you positive their souls were gone?", Albus asked her seriously while several of the students gasped.
"I am utterly positive Professor.", came the figures feminine voice, twinkling like bells.
The figure reached two pale hands up and removed the hood from her head. Waves of silver hair tumbled from her shoulders and fell to the floor, much longer than her feet.
"Serenity!", boomed out a loud harsh voice. The girl whirled towards the voice in a slight defensive stance, hand on her necklace. Severus Snape stood stiffly, his eyes narrowed at the small nymph. The girl gave a slight smile as the face clicked in her memory and gave him a bow. Snape stalked angrily down to her, fists balled while the tables watched highly confused. Albus watched the display slightly amused as he reread the parchment, obviously from the Queen herself.
"I wonder how Snape knows her?", Ron whispered to Harry who was watching intently, just as confused as everyone else.
"I don't know, she looks familiar to me though.", Hermione mused aloud, staring hard.
"Hey, I've got it! She looks like the woman in the portrait in the Astronomy Tower!", Hermione continued watching the girl.
When she moved a bit of a long white dress showed out from under the cloak, and small glass slippers adorned her feet.
"WHAT are YOU doing here WITHOUT your GUARD?!?", demanded Snape grasping the girl by the shoulders.
'Guard?', mouthed Ron to Harry, who shrugged in response.
"You were sent to Japan to keep you from danger, not to have you jump right back into it.", he hissed eyes flashing.
"He sounds like he's ........ worried about her.", Hermione mused aloud to Ron who gave her an upraised eyebrow.
"Snape, worried about something other than getting Professor Lupin's job? You've got to be joking me.", Ron shot back while Harry stifled a chuckle. His friends always made him feel better even in his current agitated state.
"I should call Mars, better yet Uranus an---", he started then stopped noticing the tears welling up in her eyes.
"I would be in Japan, but Mother sent me here. The Dementors got them all, even Saturn. We were completely unprepared, and we were quickly over powered. None of my spells worked, not even the crystal helped. Mother only knew of the dangers after it had happened. She was almost able to save Uranus and Neptune, but by the time she got there, I was the only one left.", Serenity whispered to him, for his ears only.
"I think I've figured out who they're talking about, but not who she is.", Hermione whispered to Harry.
"I once read a book that had ten protectors of the Solar System. They went by the names of the planets, and were the guard of the tenth soldier.", she relayed as the twins began to eavesdrop.
"That's horrible she must have seen them all die.", Harry murmured feeling immediately sorry for her.
"They never said that.", Ron started confused.
"Yes, she did.", Harry replied slightly confused. The girl had just said it loud and clear.
"My friend all of this is beginning to get to you, there's no way you could have heard what she said.", Ron replied sympathetically, patting the boys hand.
Snape's eyes softened a little, and he began to regret his earlier outburst. He slowly out of pure instinct gathered her in a fatherly hug. "Oh, my lord.", Ron muttered.
"That did not just happen.", muttered Dean Thomas from the head of the table.
"You don't think he's ...... well ........ her fiancée or something do you?", George asked Fred, staring wide eyed.
"No way he's probably twice her age.", Hermione whispered back to them in a scolding tone.
People over at the Slytherin table stared nervously, afraid their leader was going soft.
"I hate to interrupt this Severus, Albus, but what is going on?", demanded Professor McGonagall, almost at her wits end.
"I'm her Uncle, Minerva. Her name is Serenity Usagi Moon, and she will be attending here. That is all there is to it.", Snape snapped at the older woman, already a bit aggravated.
The students in the halls eyes widened and the nervous chatter immediately started. "A relative of Snape's? More bad news, as if Dementors aren't bad enough.", Percy muttered darkly, staring at the fair hared child.
"Oh my.", mumbled Professor Lupin, as Albus passed him the parchment. 'The poor child.....', he trailed off with a sad frown. 'And with an uncle like that....', he continued a small smirk on his face.
"Do you have all your materials for this year Miss Moon?", Albus asked her over the chatter.
"Yes Professor, I'm sorry I caused such a ruckus.", she apologized dipping her head to hide her flaming cheeks.
"It's no problem, and I understand you'd wish your, alter ego, to be kept secret?", he continued, a small twinkle in his eye.
"If that could be possible, I wish it to be secret. If people know who I am that could put them in danger as well.", she replied turning towards her reincarnated uncle.
"Would you mind?", she asked him pointing to her attire.
"I suppose.", he sighed, wearily definitely intending on speaking with his sister.
He tapped her nose with his wand and in a flash of navy blue sparkles she wore the traditional Hogwarts robes black sneakers, and her long hair was twisted up into a braided bun, while two tendrils of long hair framed her face.
"Who knew you had such fashion sense.", she mumbled to him feeling her hair.
Snape snorted with a small smirk on his face.
"That's not fashion sense, that's common sense. If you left your hair down you'd trip and fall.", he replied in his usual tone, giving the headmaster his attention.
"Well then,", started Albus clearing his throat, gaining the steadily getting louder students attention.
"I'd like to introduce you to Serenity Usagi Moon, she is a transfer student from Japan. As you know she is Professor Snape's niece, and she will now be attending here.",the elderly man announced.
The tables clapped, while Fred and George whistled loudly at the prospect of new game. She was quite beautiful, with her soft features, and milky white skin.
"First you must be sorted Miss Moon.", Professor McGonagall called to the girl, a small smile on her face as she handed the letter back to Dumbledore.
As deputy head mistress she was to know nearly everything about her students, in case the headmaster was ever unable to attend his duties. That included knowing that Severus' niece, was the high princess. How the child could be his niece was beyond her logical knowledge.
"Of course Professor.", the girl replied politely, walking in a fluid movements towards the sorting hat.
She looked as if she didn't walk, but floated off the ground, as her footsteps made no sound. She walked up to the stool and gave a quick bow to the tattered hat, then placed it upon her head.
~Courageous, brave, loyal, loving, smart, deceptive, kind, pure~ mumbled the hat in her mind.
~My my little princess, you are hard to choose for, you see you have a bit of everything!~ it explained sorting through her qualities once more.
~I could place you in Hufflepuff, for your loyalty, loving ,and caring. Ravenclaw for your magnificent mind, Gryffindor for your courage, your love, your kindness. Slytherin for your deceptive craftiness. You would go far there I'm sure, but is that what you want?~ the hat mused giving her a choice.
*I'm not sure I want to be in Slytherin, I think Gryffindor will be best* Serenity replied chewing her bottom lip.
~Right you are, Senshi of Light! Even though your uncle will not approve, it is best~the hat finished, breaking the link between them.
"GRYFFINDOR!!!!!", the hat yelled causing the Slytherin table to glower and frown. Their house leader's niece was in their rival's house, and that would most definitely present a problem.
Meanwhile, the Gryffindor table cheered loudly, and gave a thunderous applause just as they had done for the first years. Serenity's cheeks grew a light hue of pink as she slipped off the stool. She walked down and spied an empty seat next to a boy with unruly black hair, with black wire frame glasses. "Do you think she's part veela?", Ron asked dreamily, glancing at Hermione who looked at her with a scrutinizing stare. "I'm not sure...." , Hermione trailed off.
"Is it all right if I sit here?", she asked softly starling him out of his thoughts. The boy jumped a little, and looked up at her. As if just comprehending her question, he nodded and flashed her a smile.
"I'm sure you know my name, but I'm afraid I don't know yours.", she started smoothing out her robes as she sat.
"Do you mean to tell me that you don't know who he is, scar and all?", interrupted a voice diagonal and to her right.
"I'm sorry, but I have no idea.", she replied to the boy.
"Well, my names Fred---", the boy with red hair started.
"And I'm George.", another boy finished next to him. Serenity smiled slightly in response, suddenly feeling all the weight of the nights events take their toll.
"My name is Harry, Harry Potter.", the boy with the glasses stated smiling at her.
"It's nice to meet you.", Serenity replied smiling, looking across the table.
"Oh and that's my friend Ron Weasley, Fred and George are his brothers. Then that's my friend Hermione Granger.", Harry continued pointing to them respectively.
Serenity replied with a nod and a polite hello.
"Now everyone, we shall dine, so with a few remaining words, twiggly hop, blimblab, ruebbula.", Dumbledore called raising his wand in the air.
The golden plates on the tables filled with every kind of food imaginable, and quickly students dug in.
"Oh, my....", Serenity trailed off looking a bit astonished.
"Well, Serenity, if you don't mind me asking, how are you related to Professor Snape?", Hermione started, passing the pumpkin juice down the table.
"Uncle Severus is my Mothers brother-in-law.", Serenity replied eyeing some type of tart she had placed on her plate.
"Oh, who's your mum?", Ron asked buttering a piece of bread.
"Selenity Moon.", Serenity replied softly, missing her mother more as the talk went on.
"Oh, do you think you'll be going home for the holidays?", Hermione asked personally thinking of staying.
"My mother is deceased.", Serenity started lowering her head and placing her hands in her lap.
'I miss them so much.', she thought twisting the bracelet on her wrist.
"I'm so sorry, If I had any idea, I wouldn't have asked.......", Hermione apologized obviously upset.
"It's quite all right Hermione. She died a long time ago, I'm over it.", she replied rubbing her eyes.
"How do you plan to put up with Professor Snape, he's always in a sour mood.", Ron began, motioning Fred for the pumpkin juice.
"Uncle Severus? He's a bit cold to some people, but he's really nice once you get to know him.", Serenity started finally deciding to eat the darn tart.
"Nice? Professor Snape? NICE?", Harry echoed looking at her as if she had grown another head.
"Yes, nice, why?", Serenity continued eating another tart.
"What year are you going into?", Harry asked wondering if the girl was loosing her mind.
"Third, why?", Serenity replied turning her ice blue eyes on him.
"Good, we're all in Third too. That means we'll all have Potions for the second class after Herbology. Snape teaches that, then you'll understand.", Harry replied noticing suddenly the very deep blue of her eyes.
Breaking away with a slight blush he continued to eat his chosen dinner, listening to the polite chatter between his closest two friends, and Snape's niece. It was hard to believe that she was related to Snape, he was so cruel, yet she seemed so kind, complete opposites. Suddenly it clicked in his head that she said her mum had died. When she was talking to Snape she said her mum had saved her ............ She was probably referring to her adopted mum or something........ He trailed off watching her chuckle at some joke Fred made.
Sooner than they expected desert came up, and after that they followed the prefects to their common room. Up three flights of stairs, through two secret passages, up another flight of stairs, then through another portrait. They walked down the hall till they stopped infront of a portrait of a fat lady in a pink silk dress.
"The password is Kaput Dracaenas!", announced the head prefect, as the portrait swung open.
The sleepy group walked slowly into the common room, and soon wandered to their dorms.
"Hermione, excuse me but where do I go?", asked Serenity confused, following the bushy brown hared girl.
"I'm not sure which room you'll be in, but if you'll allow me to drop off my things, I'll help you find yours.", Hermione replied brightly, having taken a liking to her most hated professor's niece.
As she walked in the big oak doors, she saw the nameplate on the four poster bed next to hers.
"Hey, Serenity, look no further! You'll be rooming with me, and Rachel.", Hermione exclaimed pointing to the sign above the bed.
"Thank-you Hermione.", Serenity replied gratefully, dropping to her knees to get into her large trunk.
She dug out a pair of nightclothes, and raced to the bathroom. When she came out her hair was down, shining in a river of molten silver.
"Good night Hermione.", whispered Serenity as her newfound friend sat up reading with a small light.
"Good night Serenity.", called back Hermione, wishing to know more about the mysterious girl.
Something about her was a bit off. Not bad, just as if she hid a secret, a secret that could change the world.
______________________________________________________________________________
SERENITY'S DREAM
'Good-bye Koneko, we'll always be with you.', whispered the wind playing in her hair.
"No, please don't go!", she found herself calling as Haruka materialized.
The sandy blonde hared woman swept her into a hug as the scene changed from a white void to a garden with a pond. A cherry blossom tree behind them began to let it's petals drop as the wind began to blow.
'I'm sorry, but I must go. Take care of yourself.', the figure stated before fading away.
'Ondango, you better not slack off!', called a fiery voice from her right.
"Rei?", she asked turning to see her friend, dressed in miko robes.
'Of course, remember we'll always be there to guide you.', Rei smiled fading away.
'You better not let all those kawaii bishoonen slip through your fingers!', came a playful voice to her left.
"Minako!", called Serenity happily turning to see her beloved cousin.
'Let love be your guide.', called Minako fading away, just like Rei and Haruka.
'Hey girl, you better practice your skills! We don't want you getting rusty!', Makoto stated from directly behind her.
"I'll practice.", Serenity replied as Makoto faded away.
'You should exell in all of your classes. Magic is what you do best!', came Ami's soft voice from next to the tree, where Serenity saw her reading a geography book.
"I'll try my best.", Serenity replied watching the girl fade away.
Serenity turned as she heard cheerful music being played from a violin. Michiru stood on the other side of the pond, bouncing a lemon off her violin, and playing it at the same time.
'Music soothes the soul, don't you think?', she asked and caught the lemon.
'Be careful.', the aqua hared girl continued fading away.
"I'll try Michiru, I promise.", Serenity replied.
'Hime, the future looks bleak, but with your light it can be bright.', came the voice of Setsuna from the high branches of the tree.
"Will you all be saved Setsuna? Onegai, tell me?", Serenity asked her heart tearing apart as the woman faded away.
'Don't be sad Sere-mama!', called a small voice.
Serenity looked down to see Hotaru hugging her legs, looking up at her with playful violet orbs.
"I can't help but be sad, I miss you all.", Serenity replied blinking back tears.
'Now, Now don't cry! We'll be back, it's a promise!', Hotaru called out fading away.
Serenity closed her eyes as she felt hot salty tears fall down her face.
'Hotaru was right Usako, don't cry.', started a deep masculine voice from in front of her.
"Mamo-chan!", she called out throwing her arms around his solid figure.
'I will always love you.', he started a smile crossing his features.
'But for both of us to be happy, I fear you must go on with your life. It may take us years to be restored, and I don't want you to waste your life away. To make me happy, you must be happy, that's all I could ever want. Promise me you'll be happy, promise me? Even if it means that your heart no longer belongs to me, even if it means that you wed another, promise me?', Mamoru implored nearly begging for her answer.
"I'll give it my best, all I can give you is my best.", she replied unsteadily.
'That's all I could ever ask of you.', Mamoru replied kissing her forehead.
Then her eyes, then her nose.
'A parting gift.', he murmured capturing her lips with his own.
'Woo-hoo, you go girl!', came Minako's exuberated voice as she whistled a ghostly sound.
The other senshi appeared in transparent forms surrounding them.
'Never knew you had it in ya!', crowed Makoto while Michiru shook her head smiling.
Haruka glared at Mamoru, even while in death, no one, no one touched her Koneko.
Serenity blushed under their comments, but was startled when Mamoru began to fade from her fingers.
"Good-bye my friends.", Serenity stated softly steeling her resolve not to cry.
'Bai-Bai, Sere-mama!', Hotaru called waving until her little fingers faded away.
With a soft smile of his face Mamoru backed away and stood next to Rei, waiting to disappear with the others.
"I love you all!", Serenity called as only their torsos were left.
'We love you too.', Rei called as a ghostly tear ran down her face.
'We leave you with a part of ourselves, so that you may never be alone.', Setsuna's voice came as each of the senshi began to glow their respective color.
Little balls of colored energy flew towards her and hooked onto her necklace forming tiny colored stones.
'Good Bye.', they called in unison as they all faded away for good.
The wind blew and the scene changed back to the white void, and then she was alone.
END
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IN THE OFFICE OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
"Severus, explain how that young woman can be YOUR niece!", Minerva ordered not accepting one word answers.
"Well I'm her mothers brother-in-law, so that would make me her uncle.", Severus drawled for the tenth time.
"But to be her uncle you'd have to be a-a --", Minerva sputtered slowly.
"A god.", Professor Lupin provided.
"Not only that, but thousands of years old.", Minerva continued regaining her posture.
"I am neither a god nor thousands of years old. I was reincarnated, just like she was.", Severus commented sitting lazily on the couch.
"You, Severus Snape are utterly IMPOSSIBLE!", Minerva snapped crossing her arms and glaring at him.
"Please, Minerva, calm down, I'm sure Severus has his reasons for not explaining things. It will all make itself known in due time.", Albus interrupted, his young looking gray eyes contrasting with his time ridden face.
"Now because classes will start tomorrow, I suggest you all get some sleep.", Albus stated motioning towards the door.
Professor Trelawney, Professor Bins, Professor McGonagall, Madame Hooch, Madame Pomfrey, and the rest of the staff all dubiously left the room.
"Severus, Remus, I understand that you all did not get along in your years here, but I trust that for the sake of your niece,", Dumbledore started looking pointedly at Severus," And for the sake of all the students here, you two will be able to get along.", he finished leaving an unsaid message in the air.
"Snape you do understand that you must continue to make the potion for Remus, despite your disagreements.", he added suddenly his half-moon spectacles gleaming in the moon light through the window.
Both professors nodded and turned to walk out of the room; the discussion was at an end. Dumbledore's phoenix squawked and nipped affectionately at Severus' shoulder as he passed. Turning to the animal with hard eyes he stared at it. His harsh gaze softened and he patted the bird on the head, then turned to go out the door.
'There's still hope for him yet.', Albus thought observing the stoic aloof professor.
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