Chapter 1
Waking with a gasp, Serverus Snape rubbed a weary hand across his eyes, trying to awaken his sleep-dulled senses.
'What just woke me up...?' He pondered to himself as he dragged his feet to the floor, then stumbling out of bed. Reaching for his wand, he light the torches around his room, then conjured up a cup of strong black coffee.
"Shit...its 4:00 in the morning....ugh..." moaning to himself Snape idly paced to his window that faced the Forbidden Forest, sipping on his mug of steaming caffeine.
Listlessly he gazed out at the tops of the trees, not really registering what he was seeing, as he tried to remember what had jolted him awake.
Then, an unusually bright light streamed from the sky straight into the forest, lighting up the whole sky before dissipating leaving the dark night once again.
Astonished, Snape just stood there, staring at the trees, before hurriedly grabbing a robe then dashing out of his chambers.
Running down the hallway to the entrance hall, he spotted Dumbledore, also hurrying to the great doors.
"Did you see what I saw Serverus?" Dumbledore asked him as they met before heading outside.
"I suppose sir. Do you know what it was?" Snape inquired, while pulling the wooden door open and stepping into the chilled morning air.
"I have a theory, but I can't be certain until I see for myself Serverus. If I may inquire, what were you doing up at this hour anyways?" Dumbledore asked with a slight twinkle to his soft blue eyes.
"I honestly am not sure Albus. Something disturbed my sleep, that is when I noticed the strange light that came from the sky." He replied.
"Ah...I see. Actually the light seemed to come from the moon, if I saw it correctly, which is why I have a theory. Have you ever heard of a kingdom on the moon Serverus? It is actually a wonderfully tragic story." The headmaster rambled as the pair hurried into the cover of the Forbidden Forest.
"I learned about it briefly when I was in school. Why do you ask? I was lead to believe it was a myth, legend, or something of the sort. It is hard to imagine that such a wild tale could have basis in fact." Snape answered, looking around at his surroundings while whispering a soft lumos.
Soft greenish light filled the leaf strewn path allowing both intruders to see some ways ahead of themselves as they walked.
The silence was deafening in the forest, the crunching of the head and potion masters feet seemed to echo in the deep darkness that surrounded the pair.
"It is strange that it is so quiet...this worries me somewhat..." Snape muttered to himself as he walked cautiously along the path stepping as light as he could, the crunching noises unnerving him.
"Yes...yes it is..." Albus muttered while whispering a tracing spell, then following it deep into the forest.
After walking for about 15 minutes, they happened upon a clearing that seemed to be in the middle of the forest. The moon shown directly at the center of the clearing, bathing the crumbled figure of a girl within its silver light.
A young girl, wearing what looked to be once a white silk dress lay unconscious on the forest floor, her long silver hair spread all around her. Pale skin seemed to glow in the ethereal light of the moon, her hair giving of a lustrous shine.
Upon closer inspection, they could see numerous bruises and gashes adorning the pale body, her dress shredded and burned in places, and soaked in drying blood.
"This, my dear Serverus, is, I believe, all the proof we will need to accept that said moon kingdom as fact. If I am correct, I believe that this broken young girl, is Serenity the IX, Princess of the Moon and heir to the Silver Millennium." Albus spoke with soft authority as he walked toward the small girl.
Snape just stood at the edge of the forest, mouth slightly agape, staring at his Headmaster.
'He has finally snapped. Gone crazy. Moon princess indeed. This is absolutely insane...' Snape thought to himself as he watched Dumbledore gently turn the body over onto her back and checking her pulse. He was brought out of his impromptu to stupor as Dumbledores voice called out to him.
"She seems to have a pulse, though I believe that she has gone into shock. If you would be so kind as to carry her to the medical wing, I would be very appreciative. I have something I must check up on before I join you there." The headmaster hurriedly stated as he started to leave the clearing. "I will meet you soon. Thank you for your assistance Serverus."
Snape just nodded his head toward Dumbledore, and then started toward the figure of the girl.
Looking down at her pale face, he noted a golden crescent moon shinning brightly on her forehead, and full pink lips turned into a pained frown. Even unconscious she seemed to be in great pain. Curious as to how she would have arrived in the middle of the forest, rather brutally beaten, and unconscious.
Then with a noncommittal shrug of his shoulders he slung the girl over his shoulder then strode toward the hospital wing.