The Dome
Harry paced back and forth unable to think straight for the first time in years. He had arrived to find his usually clean and organized house destroyed. His furniture was thrown, portraits were slashed and even blood had somehow found its way to the walls. From the moment Harry had been given the news, he had hoped that Kreacher had seen the wrong thing, that Teddy was actually safe somewhere in his house, hiding from whatever had attacked Grimmauld Place. However, after much searching and yelling of his name, Harry had no option but to believe his old house elf. Teddy was gone, kidnapped by the unknown enemy.
Ron had been the one to find the sleeping Andromeda underneath his heavy bookcase. Her white crystal orb had been found underneath a large potion book by Neville who was now collecting the little evidence there was around his house.
Harry, on the other hand, felt like a failure.
He had failed Mr. Weasley when Ginny had been attacked and now, with Teddy gone, he felt as if his world was about to collapse all around him. He raked his fingers through his hair trying to think of something to do, a plan of action, but no thoughts or ideas were dealing with an enemy with no known weaknesses that they could use to their advantage, let alone their real motives behind their attacks and now Teddy's kidnapping."Hermione, I've combed through all of this, you can put the bookcase back to its rightful place." Harry was glad that Neville had taken control of the situation, of looking through the wreckage and collecting evidence. He had even ordered Ron to take Andromeda to St. Mungo's as soon as they discovered that she was not dead but just asleep. He was then to pop into the Ministry of Magic afterwards to alert Robards and the Minister of what had happened, not that they could do anything but they still had to be alerted of what was going on.
"Was he your son?" Harry had been so deep in his thoughts, or lack thereof, that he had not seen Haruka and Setsuna approach him.
"No," responded Harry and then shook his head, not happy with the answer. "He's like my son...his parents died in the war trying to fight for his future. However, before they died, Remus and Dora entrusted me with Teddy by making me his godfather, they wanted to give him a family just in case they…" Harry couldn't continue. Remus and Dora had fought in the war to give Teddy a better world, the thought of them dying in vein…
"This is the first kidnapping they've done," Setsuna pointed out as she leaned against wall, her comment dragged Harry back to reality and away from his misery. Her rare garnet eyes bore into Harry's green making him wonder if the woman was accusing him of something or trying to be sympathetic towards him. Regardless of how she looked at him, she spoke the plain truth that Harry's common sense was trying to ignore. "The enemy has had, until now, only taken the victim's crystals, young and old, but never actually physically take someone. Also, I hate to point it out but…there's blood on the floor and wall but that woman did not have any sort of injuries to her, meaning one of two things: either whoever attack this place is injured or your godson is."
"So you think that is still connected, Setsuna?" Haruka asked as she crossed her arms.
"I was told that Teddy would be fine, that nothing would happen to him if I joined forces with you!" Something inside Harry snapped. He felt angry, resentful and most definitely livid at the fact that he had been lied to after he had asked Helios about Teddy's safety. However, he knew that he needed to maintain his anger in check, to keep everything into prospective and not make any harsh decisions. He, unfortunately, had learned that lesson the hard way when he was only fifteen.
"Harry, despite the powers we may possess, we cannot control what the enemy will do or how things will happen," said Setsuna with a heavy sigh. "Things happen that I, sometimes, cannot even foresee and I'm the Keeper of Keys. However, yes, Haruka, I do believe that everything is still connected and that Teddy is alive. Chaos needs him for something. Otherwise, why take a child?"
"Do you think he knows what role Teddy was going to take?" Harry asked. "I mean…Helios told us that Teddy was the one to make amends between the Magical World and the Sailor Scouts and that that alliance would bring the Second Silver Millennium. However, something happened in the time line that made this take place years before its time. Helios pointed out that that's the reason why I was the one to take Teddy's role because I'm his guardian."
"What could they use him for?" Setsuna wondered.
"Could they possibly think that if Teddy doesn't make the deal, that they have a chance at winning?"
"Perhaps that's exactly what they think," Haruka agreed. "From the accounts that Usagi has told us about what happened at the theater, it seems to me that the red haired man that attacked her is from the future. So you're right Harry. Their thinking process seems to be that if they take Teddy out of the equation, they will have a their victory is set in stone. I'm afraid they're right... What I'm worried about right now is what exactly are they going to do with him."
"I just want him back…safe…" Harry was tired of wondering why exactly his godson was taken. He wanted to act. To do something before it was too late, especially since an hour had passed since he had arrived and he had yet to do something that would bring Teddy back home.
Haruka placed a slender hand on his shoulder, startling Harry considering that she seemed to be the kind of woman who refrained from being too touchy or emotional. "Despite of how you feel or think, you should place your hope on Sailor Moon. She'll guide you on your darkest time and will do her best to help you get your godson back. Believe me when I tell you that she will do her best when the planet is in trouble." Harry was about to say something when a familiar terrier appeared in his living room. Ron's voice boomed through his patronus.
"The Ministry has been attacked! We are trapped!" Those words hit Harry hard sending him to a quick deja vu of many years past.
"Harry!" Hermione was the first to approach him. Her eyes were wide with panic as Ron's patronus disappeared. Neville was next; his stern look indicated Harry that they needed to go. Now.
"Right." Harry felt the adrenaline run through his veins. His brain was racing with thoughts of how the Ministry was being attacked, what they could do and who should he call for help. 'Let's assess the situation, then we'll call for help...' his rational side instructed. "Let's go to the Ministry."
"But they're trapped it must mean that the apparation spots are sealed," Hermione exclaimed as she reminded Harry thatthey could not just pop into the designated areas. "We cannot apparate into the Ministry if they're trapped in there. Unless you want us to take the visitors way in…"
"We'll just have to see," said Harry as he offered his arms to Haruka and Setsuna. Hermione took hold of Minako and Michiru while Neville took Usagi and Amy's hand. "Kreacher!"
The loud pop started all the Scouts. "Yes, Master?"
"Kreacher, take the rest of the Scouts to the street across from the Ministry visitor's entrance…just in case." Without being asked twice, Kreacher left with the Scouts while Harry, Neville and Hermione apparated on the same spot with two Scouts each. The commotion was something he wasn't expecting. A barrier of pulsating energy as high as Harry could see separated him and the rest of the group not only from the Ministry's Visitor's entrance but a chunk of London's streets and buildings. Harry watched as a man tried to get past the barrier only to be thrown back with such a force that it launched him through the air before landing in spot Harry could not see.
"What is this…?" Neville asked.
Harry could only shake his head in pure disbelief.
Ministry of Magic
December
After dropping Adromeda off in St. Mungo's, Ron apparated on the designated employee spot in the Ministry's Atrium and began to make his way to Robards' office. He was half way through the Atrium when he spotted a familiar blond figure he had hoped to never see in his life again. He stopped. Ron had not seen Malfoy in years, let alone talk to him…so did he really want to interrupt Robards? A voice inside him told him to do it because it would annoy the Bouncing Ferret, something that would make Ron's day. However, as Ron inched closer, he saw that Malfoy looked distressed…
"Ah, the perfect person to ask!" Unfortunately, for Ron, Robards had spotted him and motioned him to come forward and join the conversation. With a sigh, Ron joined reluctantly, his feet dragging with every step.
"Weasley," Malfoy nodded curtly. Draco Malfoy was taller than what Ron remembered; his hair was shoulder length and kept neatly in a ponytail behind his back.
"Malfoy," Ron nodded once. "Robards, sir, there's been an incident."
Robards sighed, "Another attack?" Apparently, whatever Robards wanted to ask Ron, it had been temporarily forgotten, much to Ron's happiness since he had a feeling it had to do with Harry's investigation about Astoria's attack.
"Yes sir," Ron nodded. "This time it was at Har-Potter's house, Sir."
"Is he dead?" Robards asked, clear concern in his voice despite the fact that he was not Harry's biggest fan.
"No, sir, it was Teddy, his godson, and Mrs. Tonks," Ron explained. "We were in London when Potter's house elf came and informed us of the attack. When we arrived to Grimmauld Place, the house was torn apart. It's clear to us that Mrs. Tonks fought but despite her best efforts, her Dark Crystal was taken."
"Dark Crystal?" Malfoy asked.
Ron could have kicked himself in the arse for mentioning the Dark Crystal, and Malfoy's as well for still hanging around instead of leaving when this was important and official information. This conversation was meant to be behind closed doors but Robards was not, apparently, worried about keeping the investigation under wraps. It was a way to show everyone who cared that he and his department were working hard to keep everything under control and bring the culprit to justice.
Ever since the war, people have doubted his abilities as Head of the Auror Department for not realizing that Thicknesse was under the Imperius Curse. After much evidence and pleading, Thicknesse had managed to dodge Azkaban and now lived out in a small cottage just outside a small muggle town where hew as regarded as an outcast by many, including witches and wizards. Robards, on the other hand, had escaped from being sacked from office thanks to the plans he had given Shacklebolt on capturing any roaming Death Eaters. It was rumored, however, that people within the Ministry and out were whispering Harry's name as the next Head of the department, giving Robards a reason to dislike Harry. He believed, with every inch of his body, that Harry had been out for his job since the first day of training.
"That's…what they're calling it, Neville and Harry. Much easier than saying shiny, floating orbs…"
Robards nodded, apparently unsure if he really believed Ron. "Any leads as to who attacked Potter's house and took the child?" Robards asked. "It cannot be the same people, they have never kidnapped anyone."
"Kreacher, sir," Ron explained. "He was in the house and heard a nose, when he went to investigate he said he saw Mrs. Tonks and a man dueling. He tried to help but this guy had a monster and managed to finish Mrs. Tonks before running with the child. We fear he might be hurt, sir, there's blood on the floor and walls."
"That settles it, I want-" Robards, however, was cut short by a loud rumbling coming from somewhere above and below the Ministry.
"What in the bloody hell is going on here?" Malfoy exclaimed as the building began to shake. Ron wished he had an answer but nothing came to him. Robards proceeded to help a group of witches who were shrieking in panic while Ron and Malfoy stood on their spot wondering of what was going on. Ron saw how people were yelling, cursing and went into panic mode as they figured out that they could not dissaparate. Those that had figured out that they could not leave ran towards the Floo network in a desperate attempt at escaping but then discovered that even that exit was somehow blocked.
"Weasley, look out!" Before he could react, Ron was pushed to the ground by Malfoy just as a large piece of concrete fell on the spot he had been just a few seconds ago. He had hit his head hard on the stone ground but that was all right when the other option was being crushed to death.
"Err…Thanks, Malfoy…," said Ron as he stood- the shaking of the building made it difficult to stand upright.
"Think of us as even," Malfoy said as he narrowed his grey eyes. Ron followed his gaze and saw Robards trying to make the Floo network work with his wand with no avail. No matter how much the man screamed, cursed and pleaded, the Floo Network would not open for the desperate people trying to leave. When the building began to shake once again, Ron held on to a pillar and wonder if they were having an earthquake even thought he was not sure if it was possible in London. He saw as some people fell to the ground, unable to hold on to something to keep their balance while others held to anything and everything possible for dear life.
"I think we're moving," said Malfoy as he held on a small bust of Albus Dumbledore.
"That's not bloody likely," Ron shouted as the screams and rumble got louder. However, he could not deny the fact that the people that had fallen to the ground were now sliding towards him and that he felt gravity taking over. His body was shifting from one side to another against his will. The building was definitely moving from side to side as if it was trying to dislodge from its underground foundation.
"Weasley, do something!" Malfoy shouted. Ron could not think of anything as he felt the building move up awards. This was not right. Nothing was making any sort of sense and now Malfoy was asking him to do something. They were trapped. They had no way out and no way of asking for help.
"Unless…" he muttered as he pulled his wand out with great difficulty. "Expecto Patronum!" His wand created the silvery mist before it formed his familiar patronus. The terrier slid from one side to another as he waited for Ron's request. "Go! Go and find Harry and tell him that the Ministry has been attacked! We are trapped!" his terrier barked once and trotted away slowly but surely towards the Floo Network before it disappeared.
London
December
Dudley Dursley pushed Marigold's pram wondering if his child was able to breath under so many blankets. His wife, Olivia, had insisted that if they were to go anywhere, no only they had to double cover themselves but also virtually wrap his daughter with every possible blanket available in their house. She would have wrapped their daughter with the house curtains if he had not told Olivia that they would need them to keep out the cold. Whatever that did nowadays at least.
"Dudley, are you sure we should be out?" Olivia asked as she looked around. There were a few people out braving the cold to do their Christmas shopping while others were just seeking a much warmer place than home. "Those attacks…oh Dudley, I'm not going to deny it…they frighten me."
"Don't worry, sweetheart," Dudley tried to reassure his wife. She looked at him with worried eyes but she still smiled at him for his bravery. They had met while he had been under protection along with his parents. Hestia and Dedalus, who had been very wary of any new people, advised him to stop seeing anyone due to the danger they were all in. For all they knew, Olivia was part of the group of evil wizards who were going after his cousin but no matter how much he tried, he could not get away from the girl.
After learning that his cousin had survived the battle, Hestia and Dedalus bid the family farewell before disappearing with the blink of an eye. His parents took this as the go-ahead to move back to their old house but he was reluctant. Olivia, who was two years his junior, was still in school and unable to leave. So Dudley did the last thing his parents wanted: he stayed. He took a job, developed a relationship with the beautiful brunette and three years later, he and Olivia got married, much to everyone dislike. His mother was the most reluctant to accept his wedding to Olivia but mostly it was due to the fact that her only son had not only grown up but now had to share him with another woman. They were young, they said, but despite to many people's objections, they got married. The ceremony had been modest but Olivia had wanted something small and meaningful rather than something big and out of control.
They had move back south after they found out that Olivia was pregnant. He needed a better job so his father had helped him with a job in his firm. It paid well but it was definitely something he did not want to do for the rest of his life. Today they were meeting with his parents to discuss a very important matter regarding the 'shameful' family secret just in case their daughter... Olivia had been slightly reluctant to go for her rather strained relationship with his mother. He knew his mother was a handful but he needed Olivia to try to become friends with her for the sake of his sanity.
"Oh darling!" his mother exclaimed as soon as she saw Dudley enter the almost empty coffee shop. For the first time ever, Dudley was not sure to whom his mother was referring, but when his mother ignored him and went straight to his daughter he knew who the 'darling' now was in his family. "Oh, pumpkin, I'm so glad you came." Dudley sighed…unfortunately he was still pumpkin and Dudders, much to his dislike. "Hello, Olivia."
"Hi, Petunia," Olivia said with a smile, "Vernon."
"Olivia, dear," said his father with a smile and a slight awkward hug. "Now, let's sit down and eat. We'll discuss matters after the meal."
"Dudders, you're losing weight once again," his mother noted as she held on to Marigold. "Mari here looks small too."
"Oh Petunia, don't worry," Olivia continued to smiled as she sat on her chair. "Both your son and grandchild are perfect health conditions, including weight; the doctor said so a few months ago when we had a check up"
"Oh…" Petunia pursed her lips before busying herself with her granddaughter. The two couples ate their food peacefully with no arguments, much to Dudley's appreciation. The last thing he needed was another fiasco like the last year's Christmas dinner. However, before they had any sort of chance to contemplate a dessert wine, all hell broke loose.
The building began to shake violently. At first, Dudley had no idea of what was going on let alone how to react to such a random earthquake. Olivia, scared of the shattering windows and the debris falling on them, did the only thing logical which was to snatch her daughter from Petunia's grasp before making her way towards the door. "Dudley, let's go!" Clear panic was in her voice as their daughter began to bawl, scared as well of what was happening around her.
Without Olivia having to ask him twice, Dudley stood from his chair and followed his wife outside. His parents, a small group of patrons and the staff all followed suit, wanting to get out of whatever danger they were in. Outside, however, it was not any better. It was a sort of chaos that Dudley had only seen in the telly or the cinema when watching an American movie. People were pushing each other as they tried to get to their loved ones, others hugged while crying while some, mostly teenagers, thought it was 'cool' to be in an earthquake and laughed. Their laugh, however, was wiped from their smug faces when a building began to collapse right in front of their eyes.
"There are people in there," someone shouted from behind yet their voice sounded distant thanks to the continued rumbling and shaking of the earth. From afar, Dudley saw the train wreck coming. A car that had lost all control, kept swerving back and forth between the two lanes taking people with it before it stopped dead as it collided into a lamp post. Several people were trapped under the car yet no one was doing anything to help.
"They're dead…," his wife whimpered, tears streaming down her face. As much as he wanted to comfort her and tell her that everything was going to be all right…no words managed to came out of his mouth.
"We've got to get out of here," his father said, his usual composed voice was now an inch away from panic. "Need to steer clear from buildings. Come on kids, Petunia, darling, let us go, no point of staying here. Be careful now, all of you. Move it, come on. " Dudley began to walk as fast as his legs and Olive, who held on to their crying daughter for life itself, would permit him. His father was leading the group as he half dragged his mother past the several scared people.
The earthquake, for Dudley, felt like an eternity. However, was it not suppose to feel that way? Did time not feel eternal to those that cried helplessly on the concrete waiting for the shaking to end, or to those that tried to hold on to something, wishing with all their might that the chaos would just stop?
Dudley's train of thoughts, however, was interrupted by a loud scream and a loud thump sound of a body landing close to him. Dudley could do nothing but stare at the man who had blood trickling down his nose and side temple.
"What the…?"
"There's some sort of barrier," a man said to his father. "He-he-We tried telling that bloke that there was no way out."
"What do you bloody mean that there's no way out?" His father looked around frantically as if trying to make sense of what the man was saying. "That's rubbish. Petunia, kids, let's go."
"You bloody, fat fool!" Dudley did not hear the rest of the argument because Marigold tapped on his shoulder gently, trying to get his attention.
"Dudley, there's a new building…" she said, her voice was shaky.
Dudley followed her gaze and saw that she was right. Where the building had collapsed, a new building, which was much bigger than its predecessor, had been magically unearthed.
Suddenly, he understood. This was not a normal earthquake…
"Sweetheart," Olivia's grip on Dudley's hand got tighter. "There's a person…above the building. He's floating…" Dudley had no words. He could not hope to explain the existence of witches and wizards to a woman who was shocked enough already let alone tell her that he was related to one. It was not the place or time.
Dudley turned his attention back to his father who now had an appalled face.
"Father." How was he supposed to explain that a wizard was behind all of this?
"Dudley," his mother's voice matched Olivia's scared tone. "We-we're trapped. That man," she pointed with her head to the dead man on the floor. "He-he tried but…" his mother could not finish, her small, bony body began to shake with sobs. Letting go of Olivia, who was enthralled, just like many others at the new building and floating man, he reached for his mother and gave her a hug, hoping that it would calm her down.
"YOU!" Dudley heard his father shout at the top of his lungs. "This is your entire fault!" His face was turning purple; a shade Dudley had not seen in years and that was usually reserved for…
"Harry!"
This chapter is such a filler! I had the biggest writer's block in history (well...MY writing history) which made it difficult to continue. I have an idea of what is going to happen, specially Harry's story line. Anyway, I hope you liked this short, slow chapter. I think this is my last chapter for the year...unless I manage to get my butt moving and write the next chapter soon. However, I work retail and with the holidays here it is hard to sit down and write since I have little time now. To answer a question a reviewer had...sadly, I'm not using the Japanese terms because I did not think twice when I was writing it. Once its published though I realized what I had done and decided that it is too late now to change back to the other terms such as Senshi instead of Scouts. Another reply to a reviewer: Don't like it, don't read it. Makes me wonder, if you were 'offended' so much as to WHY in the hell you read all through CH 6. Seriously? Anyway, I hope you guys have a great Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever it is you celebrate and a fantastic New Year!
