A.N.: I just have to say… as you well know nothing that is familiar belongs to me just whatever pops out of my head next. Thanks for reading. As always, any suggestions, comments and POLITE criticism would be welcome. Any flames will be used to make s'mores. This is my fourth chapter hope you guys enjoy. Just to let you know my text editor is being stupid so I've redone my chapters. Its just separation thing
Chapter 4
Usagi knocked gently on the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom door. The man who had escorted her and her friends to Diagon Alley answer the door.
"Professor Lupin," Usagi said quietly, "Sorry for interrupting. I have a note from the Headmaster."
She showed the note to Lupin and sat down in the desk Hermione had saved for her.
"As I was saying," Lupin continued, "We are going to do a review of the things you should have learned in the past couple of years. We will start at first year and work our way forward. We will skim over a lot but I want to make sure you have everything you need to survive."
Everyone shifted uncomfortably, knowing what he was talking about. Usagi looked around a little confused, no one looked ready to elaborate, so she kept her questions to herself.
"First we will start with the boggart. I believe you all remember it from your third year?" Professor Lupin said.
Everyone except Usagi nodded. Usagi knew what the boggart was in theory, but since her experience in the magical world was limited, she had never experienced one before.
"I asked the Headmaster to save a boggart for us and we are going to be taking a little field trip."
Everyone looked excited and some a bit apprehensive. They got up and followed Professor Lupin out of the room. They walked a bit down the hall and stopped in front of a door.
"Now everyone remember the spell to defeat a boggart?" Lupin asked. Everyone nodded again. Feeling a bit nervous, Usagi raised her hand and shook her head.
Professor Lupin nodded and asked, "Would you care to stand back with me then?"
Usagi nodded and stood over by the professor. At this close proximity, Usagi felt as though there was a line between her and Professor Lupin. A connection of sorts. She wondered what was going on.
Lupin, shook his head, having felt the same thing and said, "Alright class I'm going to be letting it out now. Anyone who feels as though they aren't ready to face it again, come stand over by me."
No one moved and inch. The wardrobe shook a little and everyone's eyes became focused on it. No one dared breath as the wardrobe swung open and a shrouded figure emerged. It pointed a bony finger around the room and stopped on Harry.
"Not good," Lupin mumbled stepping forward. The shrouded figure changed itself into a shining orb. Usagi could feel the energy from it and she wondered why Professor Lupin was afraid of the Moon. The boggart focused on Usagi and she felt a lurch in her stomach as it transformed into a cloaked figure yet again.
"They're right you know," a voice came from under the cloak, "They all are. You aren't fit to be princess. All you do it get people killed."
"That's not true," Usagi whispered.
"You know it is. Why do you think they hate you now?" the cloaked figure asked, "And what about the others. Do you really think they love you either? Or are they just stringing you along, with the same ideas your guardians had?"
"You lie," Usagi gasped, "You don't know anything about them.
"But I know everything about them," the cloaked figure threw back her hood, "I would know Usagi. I am you after all."
Princess Serenity looked at Usagi with cold eyes. Usagi's eyes went wide, "You know it's the truth. You can't deny it. You are weak. And Mamoru said he doesn't like weak girls. You remember don't you?"
"No," Usagi whispered, "you aren't real. You aren't real," she repeated it like a mantra, over and over again.
Usagi collapsed onto the floor crying. She felt someone stand in front of her and she heard they say something. Usagi felt alone, nothing and no one could break through to her now. She could sense the room clearing and she could feel someone lifting her up, but she didn't care anymore. She just waited for the bliss of darkness as she fell into a troubled sleep.
p/p
Orion picked Usagi up and headed for the hospital wing. Harry, Hermione, and Ron tagged along. Orion could tell the professor wanted to as well but he stayed behind to calm the class down.
Harry and the others jogged to keep up with Orion's quick pace. Along the way, they passed by Ginny. She took one look at the group and followed. Her eyes looked confused but determined.
"It seems we have a frequent flier," Madam Pomfrey muttered upon seeing Usagi, "Seems like she's trying to break you record Mr. Potter."
Harry rolled his eyes but said nothing. Orion laid Usagi on the bed and stood off to the side. Madam Pomfrey used her wand to scan Usagi and she shook her head.
"This isn't a physical ailment that I can cure," she looked at Usagi's tear-stained cheeks, "her inner demons are what's got her in this state."
"What happened?" Haruka burst in the room. She saw Usagi on the bed and sighed sadly.
"There was a boggart," Ron supplied, "It was weird, Usagi was all the way across the room and it just honed in on her."
"It was a cloaked figure and most of us thought it was You-Know-Who," Hermione said, "Until it spoke with a woman's voice. It spoke in Japanese I think…"
"Then it threw back the hood and it was a woman with long hair," Harry finished, "I didn't get to see her face but it seemed to freak Usagi out pretty badly."
"I saw her face," Lupin said from the doorway. Everyone turned to look at him; he continued, "She had blue eyes and a crescent moon shape on her forehead."
Haruka looked at Lupin sharply, "A black crescent?"
Lupin shook his head, "No a gold one."
"Princess?" Haruka whispered confused.
The Fat Friar floated through the wall into the hospital wing and said, "The headmaster would like to speak to you three and Professor Lupin. He also requests you come as well Professor Tenoh."
"Shall we then?" Lupin asked. His gaze fell upon Orion who was sitting there unnoticed, "You should probably go join your class."
Orion nodded but made no move to get up. He stayed there by Usagi's bed and Haruka stared at him for a while before following Professor Lupin and the others.
p/p
"It seems this school year will be as quiet as the last few," Dumbledore said, amusement shining in his eyes, which where on Harry. Harry grinned wryly and nodded.
"Thank you for relating your accounts to me. You may return to your classes," Dumbledore handed Hermione four notes excusing her, Ron, Harry, and Ginny. They nodded and left.
"I take it you both have free periods at the moment?" Dumbledore asked looking at Lupin and Haruka. Lupin nodded and Haruka said, "Michiru does and she knows my standards."
Dumbledore nodded and said, "You got a good look at the boggart am I correct Remus?"
Lupin nodded. Dumbledore handed him a piece of parchment and said, "I'd like you to do an Impression. And if possible I'd like for you to leave a memory of the incident for me to view."
Lupin nodded and retrieved the memory, putting it into a glass vial. Then he laid his wand tip on the piece of parchment. Colors bled from the wand and formed themselves into a clear picture. Lupin handed it to Dumbledore who nodded and thanked him.
"If you excuse me I have to prepare for another class," Lupin said getting the feeling he was already dismissed.
Dumbledore nodded and Lupin left. Dumbledore put the Impression on his desk for Haruka to look at. She looked at it and nodded.
"From his description I had figured as much," Haruka bit her lip, "That is Usagi's past self, Princess Serenity."
"What do you think I should do with this?" Dumbledore gestured to the glass vial.
"I need to discuss this with the others. In the mean time can you hold onto it?" Haruka said rubbing her forehead, "A lot of this doesn't make any sense and I think we need to hear it from Usagi herself to get the real picture. But if we are unable to break through…"
Dumbledore nodded, "She seems to be quite the strong individual."
"She has lost a lot," Haruka sighed, "I'd kill for a cup of coffee right now."
A loud pop signaled the arrival of a house elf. She was carrying a tray with a cup of coffee and a cup of tea. She offered the tray to Haruka and Dumbledore.
"Thank you Bitty," Haruka smiled.
"Your welcome Miss Haruka," Bitty looked a bit uncomfortable. Suddenly she said, "I hear that Miss Usagi is in the hospital wing. Is that true?"
Haruka nodded and Bitty looked devastated, "Will she be okay?"
"She should be in time Bitty," Dumbledore said soothingly.
"Forgive me Headmaster but I am quite fond of Miss Usagi and her friends. The news that Miss Usagi is hurt makes me very sad."
"She will be getting better very soon Bitty," Haruka said smiling at her, "Don't worry."
Bitty looked uncomfortable again, she looked at the Headmaster and asked, "And do you think it would be okay for me to visit her when I am not working?"
Dumbledore smiled, "I think that would be a grand idea."
"Thank you Headmaster," Bitty bowed low and disappeared with a pop.
"Your friend seems to have made quite the impression on that house elf," Dumbledore said seemingly amused.
Haruka shrugged, "People can't help but like her. People are drawn to her and she is the kind of person who gives your life a purpose."
"Indeed she does seem to have a certain… attraction. Already she fits in with her house and her classmates. I can see how she becomes who she is in the future."
"Unfortunately the future is more clouded than ever for all of us," Haruka sighed, "Without Chiba, there is no Crystal Tokyo, no Chibi-Usa. She has nothing to look for in the future."
"The future has its own ways of writing itself," Dumbledore said, his eyes sparkling.
p/p
Usagi stayed in the hospital wing for another couple of days. She barely spoke or ate. Most of the time she would either sleep or stare off at something.
Orion hardly left the hospital wing. He would leave only when there were a lot of people, then he'd come back freshly showered and in new clothes. Usagi never acknowledged him. In fact she didn't seem to realize he was there. Bitty supplied the food to both Usagi and Orion, making sure to clean up after they were through.
When Haruka was with Usagi, she'd keep one eye on Usagi and the other on Orion, clearly not trusting the Gryffindor. She would try to talk to Usagi about the incident in the class but Usagi hardly said anything.
One night, Orion woke to hear Usagi crying. He moved closer and laid a comforting hand on her. She flinched a little at his touch but she said nothing.
Quietly he said, "You aren't weak."
Usagi turned to stare at him. For the first time in days she really focused on something.
"You speak Japanese?" she asked surprised.
"I lived in Japan for a while," Orion shrugged.
"She's right though," Usagi said.
"No she isn't. I've seen the way your friends look at you," Orion looked into her eyes and Usagi felt a twinge of familiarity, "You are their shining light. Without you, they would be very much alone. Can you imagine how their lives would be without you? Even the other ones?"
Usagi thought about her Senshi. Ami: she had been a lonely girl, always studying and never having any time for her life. She didn't have any friends before Usagi.
Rei: she was a priestess at a local shrine. A lot of people feared her for her powers and some even tried to harm her. Rei was also alone.
Mina: the only thing she had was Artemis. She had no friends besides him until Usagi.
Makoto: she was teased for being such a tough girl. Without Usagi she would have probably fallen into a gang and gotten seriously hurt.
Haruka and Michiru had each other, but they were willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the Talismans. They were indeed very lonely.
Setsuna was a lonely woman by nature but since meeting Usagi, she seemed to have warmed up.
Hotaru would have been dead if it weren't for Usagi.
Usagi sighed. "I'm still alone. Even though I have them…"
"Its okay," Orion said soothingly.
"No its not," Usagi burst out, "You don't understand!"
She flew forward and began pummeling Orion in the chest. Her blows were weak from her not eating as much as she should have in the last few days, so Orion let her vent. She stopped hitting him and collapsed against his chest.
"They took her away from me. The one thing that I would give anything for, even my life. They stole her from me."
Soon Usagi was asleep on Orion's chest. Her tears had soaked through his shirt and her cheeks were again stained with them.
"I'm glad I found you again," Orion murmured.
Harry coughed from the doorway. Orion looked up and said, "I think Madam Pomfrey said she could leave tomorrow."
Harry sat down in a chair next to Orion, "She seems to be carrying a lot of pain doesn't she?"
Orion nodded but said nothing. Harry went on, "Who could hurt someone so pure?"
Orion stood and laid Usagi down on the bed. He turned and walked out of the hospital wing without a word.
"There's something strange about that guy," Michiru commented entering the hospital wing with Haruka and Setsuna.
"Something familiar," Haruka said.
"I feel a presence off him," Setsuna said quietly.
"I think we need to keep an eye on him," Luna said trailing in.
Harry looked over at Usagi's friends. He could have sworn he heard four voices, but there were only the three of them. And the cat of course but cats couldn't talk right? Harry smiled and thought, 'In the magic community I guess anything is possible.'
"Luna?" Michiru said to the black cat that jumped up on Usagi's bed, "Would you like to stay with Usagi? I'm sure Artemis wouldn't miss you next to him too much."
The black cat seemed to glare at Michiru, who was trying not to laugh. Harry shook his head. Sometimes it seemed the cat was almost human. After all cats didn't glare did they?
p/p
Usagi was at breakfast the next morning with Luna following her around. She looked tired but she looked like she was feeling better. Hermione sat next to her and began summarizing all that she had missed. Usagi was quiet nodding in the appropriate places.
"Looks as though she's still a bit out there don't it?" Ron said to Harry.
Harry nodded at stared at Usagi. She was staring off into space, idly stroking Luna's head. Harry followed her gaze and saw Orion. He was eating by himself as always.
Harry's eyes flicked back to Usagi. She was looking at Orion confused. Every once and awhile, she'd tear off a small piece of bread and pop it in her mouth.
"Who is he?" Usagi said absentmindedly.
"He's an exchange student from The States," Harry said trying to be helpful.
"I'm not sure that's what she was talking about," Hermione smiled, "It seems as though Usagi has a bit of a crush."
"Huh?" Usagi asked finally tuning in. She smiled and said, "No its not that its just…"
Hermione smiled and waved it off, "We need to be getting to class."
"Which class?" Usagi asked around a mouthful of bread.
"P.E. with Professor Tenoh, Harry sighed.
Usagi smiled and dusted her hands off, "Let's go." She practically drug Hermione out of the dining hall and out into the courtyard. Harry and Ron smiled and followed.
"Look who's back," Lavender smiled and waved at Usagi.
Parvati smiled and waved too, "Okay so tell us everything you know about Professor Tenoh before we have to start. Including birthday, favorite and least favorite food, favorite color, hobbies, and anything else you know."
Usagi began ticking things off her fingers, "Birthday: January 27th. Favorite food is salad, least favorite is Nattou. And I think blood type is… B. Favorite color is gold and hobbies include racing cars, motorcycles and footraces along with playing piano."
"How romantic," Lavender swooned.
"Heads up here comes the professor," someone said. Everyone fell in line as Haruka came into the courtyard
"Much better than Monday," Haruka smiled approvingly. She quickly called roll and got them started on warm-ups. They did a couple of exercises Haruka keeping them in time.
Usagi took a deep breath. These simple exercises were starting to wear her out. She found herself almost out of breath.
"You doing okay?" Haruka asked quietly.
Usagi sighed then nodded. Haruka instructed them to begin running their circuit as usual. Usagi stood and began jogging. Soon she was well behind the rest. She was gasping for air and she felt like she was going to fall over.
The bell rang signaling class was over. Everyone else in the class had finished their warm-downs and they were already headed inside. Harry, Hermione, and Ron milled about for a little while waiting for Usagi, who wasn't even done with half.
"Go on ahead," Haruka said to the three. They shrugged and left the courtyard. Haruka looked up and noticed another figure jogging next to Usagi. She strained her eyes to see who it was.
"Orion?" she murmured confused.
Usagi stopped to rest for a little. She was about to sit down when she saw Orion standing there.
"You don't have to stay you know," Usagi said quietly, "You finished already."
"I know," Orion said. Usagi followed him as he began jogging again.
"Thank you," Usagi said quietly. She wasn't sure if he heard but she could almost see a smile on his face.
p/p
"How are you feeling Usagi?" Ginny asked.
"Tired of people asking me that," Usagi huffed good-naturedly. She smiled at Ginny, "I feel fine thanks."
"People usually feel pretty crummy after potions," Ginny smiled. She pointed at Harry who seemed to be seething and Ron who looked like he was slowly melting into the table. Usagi laughed.
"I feel just fine after potions," Usagi said thumping her chest, "It takes more than a professor in a creepy old dungeon to get me."
"I'm just glad it's almost dinner time," Ron sighed. He took one look at his potions homework and let his head thump down on the table again. Usagi felt a presence behind her and she turned.
"Hello Luna," Ginny said to the misty-eyed girl. The girl smiled and sat down, "Is that the new edition of The Quibbler?"
Luna nodded and said, "My father and I went all over looking for the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks and we heard a lot of interesting things in our travels. My father wrote a piece on The Loch Ness Monster. We went to The States and Africa and even Japan. I hear that's where you're from am I right?"
Usagi nodded smiling slightly. She could almost see Hermione's eye twitch at the Quibbler's articles. She had taken the magazine and began reading it.
"The Chupacabra? Loch Ness?" Hermione said raising an eyebrow.
Luna nodded, "Some of these stories are a bit strange but Father wanted to get at least a story from each place we visited. We got a good story in Japan though."
Usagi took a sip of water trying to look interested.
"Really?" Ginny said, "Some sort of alien or something like that?"
"No local heroes called the Sailor Senshi."
Usagi choked and sprayed a mouthful of water across the table. Ginny pat her on the back and handed Ron a napkin to clean himself up with. Usagi coughed trying to clear her lungs of the water she had inhaled.
"Something the matter?" Hermione asked handing Ron another napkin.
Usagi shook her head and coughed again. "Just drank a little too quickly."
"So these Sailor Senshi… They aren't exactly…" Hermione tried to look for a word to get around what she really meant, "They aren't exactly well known are they?"
"Actually they are. They've gotten quite a bit of media attention in the last couple of years," Luna got the magazine back from Hermione and flipped a couple of pages.
Usagi glanced at the picture and felt a twinge of sadness. It was a picture of Sailor Moon and the Starlights. On the next page was a picture of Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibi Moon holding hands. Then there was an artist's rendition of each of the Senshi.
Even in her sadness she found it amusing that the person who drew the pictures of the Sailor Senshi had drawn Uranus and Neptune together, like they always were. The pose even gave off a hint of intimacy.
"Luna?" Usagi asked trying to keep her voice steady, "Do you have a copy of this that I can have?"
"You can have that one," Luna smiled, "I have more in my dorm."
Luna got up and went over to the Ravenclaw table as others were milling in for dinner.
"Big surprise," Hermione muttered as soon as Luna was out of earshot.
Usagi sat there looking at the magazine lost in fond memories. She thought back to the first time she met each of them. Then she remembered the first time they all fought side-by-side.
"I'm not feeling very hungry," Usagi said standing up suddenly. She gathered up all of her belongings and crammed them in her bag. She grabbed the magazine and said, "I'm going to be staying the weekend at the apartment."
Ginny nodded feeling a little worried. "You want me to go with you?"
Usagi shook her head, "I'm okay I'm just feeling a bit sleepy." She turned and ran into someone, knocking both of them to the ground. Usagi looked up and her heart skipped a beat as she thought she saw Mamoru.
"Are you okay?" Orion asked from his position on the ground. He got up and offered Usagi a hand.
Usagi let him help her up and began cramming all her belongings back into her bag. Orion picked up the magazine and opened it. "Sailor Moon huh?" he asked.
Usagi nodded quietly.
"I never did like Sailor Uranus as much as the others," Orion commented lightly, "She always seemed to have an attitude problem. Especially with guys."
Usagi froze, how could Orion know about how Uranus didn't like guys? Its not like she interacted much with any in Senshi form.
"I gotta go," Usagi said a little uneasy. Orion handed her the magazine and she hurried out of The Great Hall.
"Usagi where are you off to?" Setsuna stopped Usagi in the hall.
"Off to the apartment," Usagi said, "I feel like laying down for a bit."
"I'll go with you," Setsuna offered.
Usagi shook her head, "Its okay. Go enjoy dinner. Like I said I'm just gonna lay down and catch up on my sleep. No need for you to miss dinner."
"If you need one of us just give a tug," Setsuna said giving her a pat on the shoulder. Usagi nodded and went off for the apartment.
p/p
"I hear you are selling Quibblers," Orion approached Luna before dinner began.
"Since you're a first timer, its free," Luna said handing him one from out of her bag. Luna peered at Orion and said, "The Sailor Moon story has two parts. We thought we'd give a bit of background before we publish the rest."
"The rest?" Orion asked not really interested.
Luna nodded, "Sailor Moon's disappeared it seems. My father and I talked to a few locals and got some insight on it."
'Sailor Moon has disappeared,' Orion thought, 'and I found her. I wasn't sure it was her but now I know. Wait until the others hear about this…'
p/p
Usagi sat in her dorm room staring into a bowl of water. It was Monday night. Usagi had spent the entire weekend resting.
Now she was focused on her Senshi, trying to see what they were doing. She could see the morning light in Rei's temple. Rei was sitting in front of her fire her brows furrowed.
The scene changed and she saw Ami and Minako going through papers.
"We're finding nothing," Minako said, "This is useless."
"You will keep doing it until I say enough got it?" Ami snarled, "And if you have any complaints keep them to yourself."
"Look just because you haven't seen Mamoru since Usagi left, doesn't mean you have to be like that."
"Shut up and keep looking."
The scene changed again. Usagi saw Makoto facing someone who looked very frightened.
"I told you what I wanted and you didn't deliver," Makoto said. Usagi saw a ball of lightning forming in her hand, "Now unless you want to end up the same way as your boss I suggest you get me what I want."
"Makoto!" Usagi yelled. Surprisingly Makoto seemed to hear her. She turned to find the source of the noise. The scared street punk took the opportunity to scurry away.
"Usagi?" Makoto looked around wildly, "Where are you?"
Usagi stayed quiet afraid Makoto would somehow find her. Suddenly the water went dark.
"Now you know why we want you to stop them," an unfamiliar voice said, "You need to do it no matter how much it hurts."
Another voice toned in, "You know what to do. If you don't do it, more innocent people will get hurt."
"I don't understand," said Usagi, "Who are you?"
"In time," another unfamiliar voice said.
"This is not the time for questions," a male voice said, "Now is the time for action."
Usagi got up from her kneeling position. Her legs were asleep from her being in the same position for so long. Usagi crept out of her dorm and down into the common room. She glanced around to make sure no one was there watching. She snuck out of the portrait hole, shutting it softly so that the Fat Lady wouldn't wake up.
Luckily, no teachers caught her. She made it to the apartment and through the door having seen no one.
The Outers were all there in the main room of the apartment. They looked up at her with curious eyes. Usagi knew they felt compelled to be there at that exact moment but they didn't know why. Even Hotaru was there. How she made it out of the tower without Usagi knowing was strange but after all it was Hotaru.
"It is time to punish The Oath-breakers," Usagi said in a clear voice. The Outers looked surprised but they all nodded, "They have abused their powers and have tormented those weaker than them. They will pay for their crimes, but not by my hand."
Usagi had no idea where the words were coming from. It felt as though someone else was speaking through her.
"I cannot take away their titles or birthrights, I can take away the powers they gained by allying themselves with the Moon."
"We can strip them of everything else," a woman's voice said.
Usagi looked toward the source of the voice and saw a beautiful woman with long blonde hair reaching down to her ankles.
"They are after all our blood," a man's voice said. The speaker appeared beside the woman. He was a lithe man with a staff that had two snakes entwined around it.
"They must indeed pay for the crimes they have committed," said a man with a beard. He was taller than the others and very muscular. He wore a gold chain around his neck and on it was a lightning-shaped pendant.
"They have sullied our family's name and for that, there is no forgiveness," a short man in heavy armor appeared on the other side of the woman.
"They have used their powers to harm innocents. An unspeakable crime," another woman appeared. She too had long hair, but hers was brown and her eyes were the most shocking green Usagi had even seen before. "Even though they are our heirs, they have no right to call themselves such any longer," She finished looking sad.
"There are others who are more fit to bear our names," the short man said.
The five strangers positioned themselves around Usagi and began chanting in an ancient language. Usagi found that she too was chanting. She looked at the Outers a little frightened. Haruka and Michiru started forward but Setsuna put a hand on each of their shoulders to hold them back.
A strange light surrounded the group and suddenly the strangers held in their hands colored orbs of light. They closed their hands around the orbs and the light disappeared. Usagi felt an essence leaving her body and she fell to her knees. Haruka went to her and helped her to her feet. More figures appeared in the room.
"Who are you?" Usagi asked finally finding her voice.
"You know who we are Serenity," a woman's voice said. Her voice was smooth, like pearls on silk. Usagi turned to see a woman with silver hair.
"Selene? Mercury? Venus? Mars? Terra? Saturn? Neptune? Uranus? Pluto?" Usagi asked a little uncertain. Each of them nodded as she said their name.
"Why are you all here?"
Selene stepped forward, "To punish those who deserve it and to give gifts to people who will use them for good. The universe is in danger again my dear. We need warriors to stand up and defend it."
"Is it Chaos again?" Usagi asked.
"No," Selene shook her head, "It is different this time. It is a mortal who is bent upon domination."
"Who isn't these days?" Usagi muttered.
Jupiter chuckled, "Your granddaughter has a sharp sense of humor."
"From her father's side I assure you," Selene smiled, "We cannot linger for too long but we would like to give you new items."
Each of the Senshi was given a box by their ancestors. The others stood back and watched.
"No need to open them now," Selene said smiling, "Just a way to keep in touch with us." Selene smiled wryly, "And to make a few changes."
"Changes?" Haruka asked, "What kind of changes?"
"You'll see," Uranus winked.
"I think it is time to be departing," Pluto said.
"He's right," Selene sighed, "Dawn is approaching. We should go. Blessed be Daughter of Serenity."
"Blessed be," the other ancestors murmured before disappearing.
p/p
"Did you feel that?" Rei said suddenly.
Makoto nodded, "It feels as though something has been taken away."
"That- That…" Ami said seething.
"What?" Minako shouted, "Spit it out already!"
"Usagi somehow stripped our powers and everything else. Watch Rei, try to summon your flame."
Rei closed her eyes and began muttering. Her extended palm however, remained empty.
"How could she do this?" Ami growled, "She could only take away our extra powers. Not our inborn abilities."
"Unless she had help," Minako said with her eyes narrowed.
"Help what kind of help?" asked Makoto.
"I don't know," Ami said, "But I do know she is going to pay."
p/p
"You weren't in the dorm this morning when I went to wake you," Ginny said sitting next to Usagi.
Usagi said, "I know." Then she yawned into her hand.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" Ginny asked, "You look like you didn't."
Usagi yawned again and shook her head, "Not really."
"And why is that?" Hermione sat down looking at Usagi sternly.
"I had some things to take care of," Usagi waved her off. She yawned again and a pop was heard.
"Good morning Bitty," Usagi smiled. Bitty held out a steaming cup to Usagi.
Hermione made a disapproving noise as Usagi took the cup. Ginny smiled and rolled her eyes.
"I heard Miss Haruka say you didn't get sleep last night," Bitty said.
"And you brought me hot chocolate?" Usagi said, "Thank you so much Bitty." Usagi took a sip and said, "Oh you know just how I like it!"
Bitty seemed to blush. She bowed to Usagi and asked if anyone needed anything. Ginny and Hermione shook their heads and Bitty disappeared with a pop.
Hermione opened her mouth to say something to Usagi but before she could say anything, Ron sat down next to them with a thump and let his head rest on the table.
"Seems Ron here had a long night," Harry laughed pointing at Ron.
Ron turned his head to look at Harry, "I had to finish my language homework somehow."
"Ron you told me you finished that on Friday1" Hermione scolded, "You could have been doing that instead of playing chess with Harry!"
"I know?" Ron sighed too drained to really fight back.
"And don't try telling me-…" Hermione continued in her rant. Then she seemed to realize what Ron said and stuttered, "Wait. What?"
"I said I know you're right I need to get on the ball especially if I expect to pass my NEWTs."
"This is a first," Ginny muttered to Usagi, "Ron giving up so easily."
Ginny yawned and Usagi chuckled, "Looks like Ron wasn't the only one cramming last night."
Ginny shook her head, "Its not that. I just had a really weird dream last night."
"Really what was it?" Harry asked.
"I don't really remember it," Ginny said, "I wrote it down in the dream diary I'm supposed to be keeping but right now I just can't remember."
"It will come back to you soon," Usagi reassured her, "We gotta go to class now. Ruka, erm Professor Tenoh, will not like it if we are late."
As they made it to the courtyard, Hermione said suddenly, "She was mistaken?"
"Who?" Ron asked.
"The house elf. Earlier this morning a house elf named Bitty brought Usagi hot chocolate."
"They never do that for me," Ron pouted.
"And she said MISS Haruka. But Professor Tenoh is a man…"
Usagi looked at Hermione and chuckled, "No she's not."
Harry, Hermione and Ron all stopped dead in their tracks. Usagi looked back and laughed at the looks on their faces.
"You really thought all this time…?" Usagi said laughing so hard she was barely able to breathe.
"What's so funny?" Lavender and Parvati walked into the courtyard and as usual they were early.
"They thought that… Professor… that Professor Tenoh was a man all this time," Usagi said between giggles. She straightened and wiped a tear from her eye. "Granted it took Michiru telling me she was a woman but I wasn't very perceptive. I thought you of all people would have realized Hermione."
Hermione flushed pink.
"Wait a minute. You are trying to tell me that Professor Tenoh is a WOMAN?' Parvati said shocked.
"That's just not possible," wailed Lavender.
Usagi was sent into another fit of laughter. She held her sides and tears leaked out of her eyes.
She stood up after she was done and said, "That is the best laugh I have had in… a very long time."
'It's been the best laugh since the fight with Galaxia,' Usagi thought, 'since my Senshi changed.'
Everyone noticed a change in Usagi but she put on a smile and got in line ready for the beginning of class.
p/p
Monday seemed to drag on and Tuesday started out normally enough. No one expected what would happen that day.
"You don't have to hang out with the Mudblood and the Weasel," Usagi heard a voice behind her. She turned to see who was speaking and came face-to-face with Draco.
"Watch your mouth," Ron said through gritted teeth.
"You look pretty enough to be a pure blood to me," Draco went on, "I'm sure we'd accept you. Even if you are a Gryffindor."
"What's he talking about?" Usagi asked Hermione. Hermione looked furious and a bit hurt.
"He's talking about whether your family is all wizards," Harry said.
"I'm not sure about my first mother… but my Mama and Papa weren't wizards."
Usagi began walking away and she asked in a voice louder than she intended, "What moron cares about something like that?"
Harry saw Draco's face turn red. Harry laughed and joined the others. They were almost to the Great Hall when Ginny joined them. She and Usagi began laughing and talking.
Draco appeared out of nowhere and said softly in Usagi's ear, "I bet you mother was filthy blood. A low filthy dog doing nothing but breeding endlessly."
Ginny watched as Usagi's eyes filled with tears. Then she got a look on her face wasn't just mad, Usagi looked pissed! With a scream of rage, she planted a kick in Draco's stomach. Ginny felt her jaw drop. She had never seen Usagi mad like this. At least never in the short time she had known her.
"Say it again I dare you," Usagi said planting a well-aimed kick into his shoulder. The kick knocked him to the ground and Usagi poised her foot above his throat.
"Take it back. You take it back right now."
"What is going on here?" Usagi felt herself lifted off the ground. A large man was holding her up off the ground and a group of teachers and students had assembled.
"Usagi what do you think you are doing?" Haruka said glaring at her sternly.
"He insulted her," Usagi cried in Japanese, tears running down her face, "He insulted Queen Serenity."
"As her guardian I request that I decide on the punishment," Setsuna said to McGonagall.
"I don't think that is such a good idea," McGonagall said hesitatingly.
"We won't be going easy on her," Michiru said, "She might be our friend, but she must be responsible for her actions. She knew they had consequences."
Haruka nodded and said, "Our punishment will be tougher than anything you can think up."
"What did you have in mind?" McGonagall asked.
"During the day, at break times or early in the morning, Usagi should be made to run laps on the same course I lead my class on."
"That seems a bit too easy," Snape said.
"Would you care to try running it six times a day? For a week?"
Usagi felt her insides drop out from under her but she held her head high.
"I'll escort this student up the hospital wing," Haruka said helping Draco up.
Before she left him in the care of the nurse, Haruka whispered in Draco's ear, "Be glad she got to you before any of the rest of us did."