CLASH
Chapter 12
Minako resisted the urge to cackle evilly. Usagi's plan was working wonderfully. In a few quick interludes, she had everyone thinking she was a complete, incompetent moron.
The urge died away as she reflected on how easy it all was. These people were supposed to be the smartest, most suspicious, and generally the best bet against Voldemort, who was the biggest fear to those who had never remembered or been alive during the attack on the Silver Millenium by Queen Beryl and Chaos, as well as those who hadn't faced down Chaos directly.
Essentially, everyone but the senshi. She could chalk it all up to the fact that they were so worried about Voldemort, and Harry and Hermione, who were still out in the field, but she just couldn't. Add that with the fact that she wasn't sure how much she could trust the small group that knew just how stupid she wasn't, and she got seriously worried.
The fact that the Asteriod Senshi had been on their part of the mission for nearly a week and a half now wasn't helping, especially considering that it had taken the others a maximum of three days (her score, because they had to wait for Lupin to go through his cycle) to get their charges to Crystal Tokyo. Everyone was on their third or fourth assignments, save for her.
Minako groaned into her pillow, her mood having gone from happy to depressed in less than a minute.
She hated being inept.
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Jadeite thought Usagi and Mamoru were insane. Just one look at Rei's face and you knew that you had a ticking time bomb on your hands, one that would be all too eager to explode.
"So, sir, as we incapacitated your Defense Against the Dark Arts and Muggle Studies teachers, we have been sent by the Emporer and Empress to take their places."
"I already have been given replacements."
"Severus Snape, I do believe it would be in your best interests to just give us the damn jobs," Rei snapped.
One look at the murderous expression on Rei's face, and he agreed.
"Good. I will be taking the Defence Against the Dark Arts post--" because the last thing they needed was Rei in a position where she could easily hurt some kid (most likely the first person who insulted Muggles in her presence) and pass it off as an accident or part of class-- "and she will take the Muggle Studies job."
"If that is all...?" he drawled, knowing that the sooner they got away from him, the better. Rei didn't look happy to be there,
"Not quite, Snape. The Empire also extends you full pardon in accordance with your crimes, for when the time comes."
What Snape wanted to do, more than anything at the moment, was scream out 'When the time comes for WHAT?' but he knew he wouldn't get a clear answer, if he got one at all.
He nodded his understanding, nevertheless, and waited for them to leave the headmaster's office before breathing normally again.
"You handled that admirably, Severus... I do believe that they just told you that they know of your true alligences."
Snape turned to look at the portrait behind his desk. "I think they know everything, Albus."
The former headmaster nodded serenely, as though he expected that all along. "I would not be surprised."
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"Welcome to Muggle Studies. I will be your new professor. You may call me Professor, or Professor Ares, or ma'am. Never anything else. Are we clear?"
A few students mumbled yes, a little resentfully.
Rei rolled her eyes. "So lovely to see such enthusiasm in students. I think I might faint from all of the excitement."
Her blatant sarcasm earned her a smile out of a few of the Gryffindors.
"Alright, someone, anyone, tell me something about muggles."
A few Slytherin hands shot into the air, ready to share what they obviously felt was their expertise.
"Yes, Mr. Goyle."
"Muggles are filthy pigs--"
"You will refrain from insulting anyone in my class," Rei interrupted.
Goyle gave her a blank look, but continued as though he was reciting something. "They live in squalor and they all have brains the size of peanuts, if they're lucky enough to be blessed with a brain that size."
"Unlike yourself, who has a brain smaller than a piece of gravel," Rei retorted harshly. "Twenty-five points from Slytherin for even thinking to spout such obviously bigotted, biased, useless drivel, especially in my presence. Next time, think before you talk. That is, of course, if you even have the mental capacity to do so.
"Now, can anyone tell me anything true about muggles?"
Neville rose his hand, encouraged by the show of blatant dislike for the Slytherins.
"Mr. Longbottom. Care to enlighten the rest of the class?"
"Um... Muggles are actually really clever and resourceful, and have thought up ways to get around not having magic, like telephones."
"Very good, Mr. Longbottom. Fifteen points for Gryffindor. Now, let me tell you all something. I was born in Tokyo, at a Shinto shrine called Hikawa Jinja. Do any of you have any idea what Shintoism is?"
Most of the class shook their heads no, but in the back, a very hesitant Parvati rose her hand.
"Ms. Patil."
"Isn't it a sort of muggle religion that revolves around natural spirits?"
"Thirty points to Gryffindor. Yes, in a manner of speaking, it revolves around the belief that anything especially beautiful in nature has a spirit living inside of it, one that must be honored and treated with respect. Hikawa Jinja was devoted to the spirit of fire. I was raised as a priestess by my grandfather, who was the priest in charge of the shrine, and I will take that note, Ms. Parkinson."
She stalked over to where Pansy had been attempting to pass a note to Daphne Greengrass and opened it.
"Hm... 'She's a filthy mudblood!'... Detention, Parkinson, for passing notes and disrespect for a teacher, as well as fifty points from Slytherin. And I will bless you with the knowledge that I am the Eris, Empress of Mars and her Twin Moons, Phobos and Deimos, protector and soldier of Mars and protector to the Lunarian Queen, Serenity. I am one of the most powerful people you will ever meet, including your pathetic 'Lord.' I will not permit myself to be insulted by you, and if you wish to continue to do so, I will fight you for my honor, and I will win. Hardly a filthy mudblood, wouldn't you agree?"
She paused, to let everything she had just said sink in. "Does anyone else have anything to say?"
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Sorry this took so long. I changed something last chapter, just Usagi's hair and eye color, so no need to re-read.