Chapter 14: The First Victim
I know this is a short chapter but I wanted to leave it off where it was and at least it's been less than a week since I updated right?
"What's going on?" Haruka asks as she and Michiru join the senshi who are listening intently to Rei instead of eating the breakfast the waitress had placed into front of them.
"Rei-Chan had a dream about Usagi-Chan." Minako states.
"We've all had lots of those." Michiru points out sliding into the booth.
"But this wasn't a dream where we watch Usagi doing whatever it is the point of the dream." Ami replies.
"I was actually conversing with her. She was upset about something, she actually told me where she was in the dream. I can't remember it now, but I have a feeling that has something to do with an battle somewhere."
"Is she OK?" Haruka asks quickly, obviously believing that Rei's dream had had real quality to it."
"I seemed like she was before I woke up." And Rei carefully explained what her memory would allow her of the dream.
"I think our tie with Usagi is still so great that when she needs us for help, moral or physical she is able to subconsciously call on our help. Since Rei probably has the highest tuned subconscious competence Rei was the one called on this time to help Usagi. And if out help is needed again we will also come to her aid I believe." Ami states.
"From the sound of it she is preparing for a major battle, I hope she can handle it." Makoto worries.
"She's Usagi-Chan I'm sure she will be able to handle it. If she wasn't Setsuna wouldn't send her in there unprotected." Hotaru points out.
"But she wasn't sent in there unprotected." Ami rationalizes, "The Starlights are with her."
With Ami's words everyone fell silent, a single thought running through their heads, maybe the Starlights were better equipped than they were to protect their princess. Maybe that was why they were not allowed to know where she was too.
By the time Usagi reaches her bedroom the Common Room is empty and she assumes that everyone is down at breakfast and soon will be on his or her way to classes. Quickly changing into her robes and gathering her books Usagi dashes for her Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Ron and Hermione exchange uncomfortable looks back and forth. In Seiya's classroom Hermione sits to the right of Usagi and Ron to the left of Harry. Both Usagi and Harry had greeted each other warmly but when Seiya had walked into the room both of their cheery personalities have vanished; changing into looks of anger with glares directed Seiya's way. Seiya was obviously uncomfortable with both of them being angry at him but he still managed to conduct is class much the same way he normally would.
Both Hermione and Ron knew exactly why Harry was mad at Seiya, and they didn't blame him. Seiya had made a low blow commenting on how it was Seiya who could help Usagi fight her inner demons. They all knew it was true, because Seiya had one thing Harry didn't: Usagi's past. It may not have been as expansive as Mamoru's per say but it was still something Seiya had up on Harry. But as for Usagi's anger directed at Seiya neither Ron nor Hermione could figure it out, they figured she would be grateful. Something had obviously transpired when Seiya went to see her in the hospital wing but they couldn't figure out what it would have been to anger Usagi so much.
Usagi, Harry, Hermione and Ron all sit in the common room with the rest of Gryffindor completing the homework that the teachers have piled on them the month back at school. Ron and Hermione on one side of the fireplaces and Harry and Usagi on the other, Usagi is patiently trying to help Harry with Transfiguration homework while they both glare at the homework they are ignoring and Hermione and Ron are attempting to work through.
"Ron it's not that difficult, honestly Defense Against the Dark Arts wouldn't be so difficult if you didn't…" Hermione begins before she is cut off by Ron.
"Bug off Hermione!" Ron exclaims, "If you are going to lecture me rather than help me with the homework I don't want your help!"
"Would you to just save us the annoyance and kiss all ready?" Bethany, a third year, exclaims as the common room becomes silent.
"Kiss Ron? No way!" Hermione blurts.
"Kiss her?" Ron exclaims, "You've got to be kidding me. I would never ever kiss her!" With his words Ron leaves the common room in a rapid exit toward the common room exit. Hermione blushing a deep scarlet hurries out towards the girls dormitories.
Usagi shakes her head and rolls her eyes at her friends but she and Harry don't bother going after either and continue on with the piles of their homework.
"Harry wake up." Usagi rubs her eyes and the common room comes into focus.
"What is it Ginny?" Harry had obviously woken up before Usagi and his full attention was on the weeping 6th year.
"There's rumors going all around school that there was an attack at school." Ginny has to gasp for breath for a few minutes before continuing, "They aren't letting anyone out of their common rooms, a bunch of us 6th years still had homework to do and we wanted to go to the library early and the Fat Lady won't let us out."
Ginny falls silent and Harry as to urge her to continue, "Ron didn't come back last night, I've talked to Neville. He said that neither Ron nor you came to bed last night, but you're here. But no one can find Ron."
Both Harry and Usagi were on their feet by now and Usagi offers, "I'll go find Hermione and see if she knows anything."
Usagi bursts into her dorm room finding that none of her roommates have risen yet, and glancing at the clock it reads that everyone should be sleeping still. Rushing to Hermione's bed Usagi shakes her awake, "Hermione wake up."
"Usagi? What's going on? And bolting upright, "I haven't overslept have I?"
"No, no it's nothing like that but something's going on." Usagi is sure to whisper so that the other girls aren't awoken and worried about rumors. "Ginny Weasley says that there's a rumor going around that there's been another attack."
"At school?" Hermione's words are louder than Usagi's had been and the other girls are beginning to wake up to the voices.
"Yes. But Hermione listen, here's the thing. When Ron left last night he never came back, Neville said that his bed was never slept in."
Hermione's face pales considerably and she takes Usagi's hand tightly into her own. Her mouth opens and closes trying to find the words she needs, but she doesn't need to say anything. Usagi has seen that expression of pure apprehension written across her face, she had seen it many times before a battle and this time was no different.
"Come on let's go down to the common room and I'm sure we will figure out what is going on soon." Usagi assures leading Hermione out of the room just as the other girls begin to stir.
Walking into the common room they find Harry with his arms wrapped around Ginny who is still sobbing, Harry's expression is that of concern also and one of his hands wanders occasionally to his forehead, rubbing his scar as if it hurts him.
"When are we going to know what's going on?" Hermione asks pacing. It's nearing noon and the only word they had had about the world outside of their common room was what Nearly Headless Nick brought affirming that there had been an attack but everything was under control and that when there was more to be known someone would let them know.
"Hermione calm down we will know something soon." Usagi assures.
"Nearly Headless Nick was here 2 hours ago and we haven't heard anything." Hermione throws her hands up in frustration startling Ginny and Harry who, to take their minds off everything, are playing a poor game, on both their parts, of wizards chess.
"Hermione come sit down." Usagi scoots over on the couch to give Hermione room to sit with her. Wrapping her arm around Hermione she speaks calmly, "Everything will be fine. I'm sure if anything terrible had happened we would know by now."
Hermione is silent for awhile before she whispers, "It's my fault he ran off."
"No it's not." Usagi assures. "You guys were just fighting and Bethany made inappropriate comment."
"It's not so inappropriate Usagi." Hermione murmurs, "We took it so badly because well, we thought everyone new. Last month, when you were in the hospital, we did…"
"You and Ron kissed?" Usagi asks surprised.
Hermione nods but doesn't say anything else about the topic as they wait in silence. The silence was finally broken half an hour when Selene swoops into the open window with a not tied around her feet that read:
What's going on over there? They won't let us out of the house and they won't tell us anything.
-Draco
Usagi reads the not out loud and quickly scribbles a response:
The same is going on over here. Except we think that Ron might have been the one attacked have you heard anything?
-Cassi
Within minutes the twins are corresponding quickly back and forth.
Nobody over here has any idea who it might have been, all we know is that it wasn't a Slytherin…
"There's a surprise." Harry snorts.
Usagi hushes him and continues reading the note.
The silence returns as Usagi finishes up the note and is only broken when Draco and Usagi feel they need to tell the other something.
The silence is so overwhelming and everyone is so caught up in their own thoughts Professor McGonagall is standing right in front of them before the four even notice she is standing in front of them. But the other students notice right away and before she can say anything the entire house is standing around her and Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Usagi.
"Ms. Weasley if you will follow me, we need to talk." Professor McGonagall states softly.
Ginny's tears, which have been gone for hours now, spring forward, "It's Ron isn't it?"
"Ms. Weasley please just come a long with me." Professor McGonagall's voice is softer and her face gives away her concern.
"Harry please come with me, I can't go alone." Ginny whispers.
Harry nods, "Of course." Turning to Usagi he kisses her gently on the forehead, "I'll be back." His fear is written across his face as he wraps a comforting arm around Ginny's shoulder and leads her after Professor McGonagall.
When the three have left through the portrait hole Hermione drops back onto the couch her face deathly pale. Usagi can't even find comfort to offer her, Usagi too knows that the chances of Harry and Ginny coming back and telling everyone that Ron's fine are nonexistent and she can't help but fall back into own thoughts
I know this is a short chapter but I wanted to leave it off where it was and at least it's been less than a week since I updated right?
"What's going on?" Haruka asks as she and Michiru join the senshi who are listening intently to Rei instead of eating the breakfast the waitress had placed into front of them.
"Rei-Chan had a dream about Usagi-Chan." Minako states.
"We've all had lots of those." Michiru points out sliding into the booth.
"But this wasn't a dream where we watch Usagi doing whatever it is the point of the dream." Ami replies.
"I was actually conversing with her. She was upset about something, she actually told me where she was in the dream. I can't remember it now, but I have a feeling that has something to do with an battle somewhere."
"Is she OK?" Haruka asks quickly, obviously believing that Rei's dream had had real quality to it."
"I seemed like she was before I woke up." And Rei carefully explained what her memory would allow her of the dream.
"I think our tie with Usagi is still so great that when she needs us for help, moral or physical she is able to subconsciously call on our help. Since Rei probably has the highest tuned subconscious competence Rei was the one called on this time to help Usagi. And if out help is needed again we will also come to her aid I believe." Ami states.
"From the sound of it she is preparing for a major battle, I hope she can handle it." Makoto worries.
"She's Usagi-Chan I'm sure she will be able to handle it. If she wasn't Setsuna wouldn't send her in there unprotected." Hotaru points out.
"But she wasn't sent in there unprotected." Ami rationalizes, "The Starlights are with her."
With Ami's words everyone fell silent, a single thought running through their heads, maybe the Starlights were better equipped than they were to protect their princess. Maybe that was why they were not allowed to know where she was too.
By the time Usagi reaches her bedroom the Common Room is empty and she assumes that everyone is down at breakfast and soon will be on his or her way to classes. Quickly changing into her robes and gathering her books Usagi dashes for her Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Ron and Hermione exchange uncomfortable looks back and forth. In Seiya's classroom Hermione sits to the right of Usagi and Ron to the left of Harry. Both Usagi and Harry had greeted each other warmly but when Seiya had walked into the room both of their cheery personalities have vanished; changing into looks of anger with glares directed Seiya's way. Seiya was obviously uncomfortable with both of them being angry at him but he still managed to conduct is class much the same way he normally would.
Both Hermione and Ron knew exactly why Harry was mad at Seiya, and they didn't blame him. Seiya had made a low blow commenting on how it was Seiya who could help Usagi fight her inner demons. They all knew it was true, because Seiya had one thing Harry didn't: Usagi's past. It may not have been as expansive as Mamoru's per say but it was still something Seiya had up on Harry. But as for Usagi's anger directed at Seiya neither Ron nor Hermione could figure it out, they figured she would be grateful. Something had obviously transpired when Seiya went to see her in the hospital wing but they couldn't figure out what it would have been to anger Usagi so much.
Usagi, Harry, Hermione and Ron all sit in the common room with the rest of Gryffindor completing the homework that the teachers have piled on them the month back at school. Ron and Hermione on one side of the fireplaces and Harry and Usagi on the other, Usagi is patiently trying to help Harry with Transfiguration homework while they both glare at the homework they are ignoring and Hermione and Ron are attempting to work through.
"Ron it's not that difficult, honestly Defense Against the Dark Arts wouldn't be so difficult if you didn't…" Hermione begins before she is cut off by Ron.
"Bug off Hermione!" Ron exclaims, "If you are going to lecture me rather than help me with the homework I don't want your help!"
"Would you to just save us the annoyance and kiss all ready?" Bethany, a third year, exclaims as the common room becomes silent.
"Kiss Ron? No way!" Hermione blurts.
"Kiss her?" Ron exclaims, "You've got to be kidding me. I would never ever kiss her!" With his words Ron leaves the common room in a rapid exit toward the common room exit. Hermione blushing a deep scarlet hurries out towards the girls dormitories.
Usagi shakes her head and rolls her eyes at her friends but she and Harry don't bother going after either and continue on with the piles of their homework.
"Harry wake up." Usagi rubs her eyes and the common room comes into focus.
"What is it Ginny?" Harry had obviously woken up before Usagi and his full attention was on the weeping 6th year.
"There's rumors going all around school that there was an attack at school." Ginny has to gasp for breath for a few minutes before continuing, "They aren't letting anyone out of their common rooms, a bunch of us 6th years still had homework to do and we wanted to go to the library early and the Fat Lady won't let us out."
Ginny falls silent and Harry as to urge her to continue, "Ron didn't come back last night, I've talked to Neville. He said that neither Ron nor you came to bed last night, but you're here. But no one can find Ron."
Both Harry and Usagi were on their feet by now and Usagi offers, "I'll go find Hermione and see if she knows anything."
Usagi bursts into her dorm room finding that none of her roommates have risen yet, and glancing at the clock it reads that everyone should be sleeping still. Rushing to Hermione's bed Usagi shakes her awake, "Hermione wake up."
"Usagi? What's going on? And bolting upright, "I haven't overslept have I?"
"No, no it's nothing like that but something's going on." Usagi is sure to whisper so that the other girls aren't awoken and worried about rumors. "Ginny Weasley says that there's a rumor going around that there's been another attack."
"At school?" Hermione's words are louder than Usagi's had been and the other girls are beginning to wake up to the voices.
"Yes. But Hermione listen, here's the thing. When Ron left last night he never came back, Neville said that his bed was never slept in."
Hermione's face pales considerably and she takes Usagi's hand tightly into her own. Her mouth opens and closes trying to find the words she needs, but she doesn't need to say anything. Usagi has seen that expression of pure apprehension written across her face, she had seen it many times before a battle and this time was no different.
"Come on let's go down to the common room and I'm sure we will figure out what is going on soon." Usagi assures leading Hermione out of the room just as the other girls begin to stir.
Walking into the common room they find Harry with his arms wrapped around Ginny who is still sobbing, Harry's expression is that of concern also and one of his hands wanders occasionally to his forehead, rubbing his scar as if it hurts him.
"When are we going to know what's going on?" Hermione asks pacing. It's nearing noon and the only word they had had about the world outside of their common room was what Nearly Headless Nick brought affirming that there had been an attack but everything was under control and that when there was more to be known someone would let them know.
"Hermione calm down we will know something soon." Usagi assures.
"Nearly Headless Nick was here 2 hours ago and we haven't heard anything." Hermione throws her hands up in frustration startling Ginny and Harry who, to take their minds off everything, are playing a poor game, on both their parts, of wizards chess.
"Hermione come sit down." Usagi scoots over on the couch to give Hermione room to sit with her. Wrapping her arm around Hermione she speaks calmly, "Everything will be fine. I'm sure if anything terrible had happened we would know by now."
Hermione is silent for awhile before she whispers, "It's my fault he ran off."
"No it's not." Usagi assures. "You guys were just fighting and Bethany made inappropriate comment."
"It's not so inappropriate Usagi." Hermione murmurs, "We took it so badly because well, we thought everyone new. Last month, when you were in the hospital, we did…"
"You and Ron kissed?" Usagi asks surprised.
Hermione nods but doesn't say anything else about the topic as they wait in silence. The silence was finally broken half an hour when Selene swoops into the open window with a not tied around her feet that read:
What's going on over there? They won't let us out of the house and they won't tell us anything.
-Draco
Usagi reads the not out loud and quickly scribbles a response:
The same is going on over here. Except we think that Ron might have been the one attacked have you heard anything?
-Cassi
Within minutes the twins are corresponding quickly back and forth.
Nobody over here has any idea who it might have been, all we know is that it wasn't a Slytherin…
"There's a surprise." Harry snorts.
Usagi hushes him and continues reading the note.
The silence returns as Usagi finishes up the note and is only broken when Draco and Usagi feel they need to tell the other something.
The silence is so overwhelming and everyone is so caught up in their own thoughts Professor McGonagall is standing right in front of them before the four even notice she is standing in front of them. But the other students notice right away and before she can say anything the entire house is standing around her and Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Usagi.
"Ms. Weasley if you will follow me, we need to talk." Professor McGonagall states softly.
Ginny's tears, which have been gone for hours now, spring forward, "It's Ron isn't it?"
"Ms. Weasley please just come a long with me." Professor McGonagall's voice is softer and her face gives away her concern.
"Harry please come with me, I can't go alone." Ginny whispers.
Harry nods, "Of course." Turning to Usagi he kisses her gently on the forehead, "I'll be back." His fear is written across his face as he wraps a comforting arm around Ginny's shoulder and leads her after Professor McGonagall.
When the three have left through the portrait hole Hermione drops back onto the couch her face deathly pale. Usagi can't even find comfort to offer her, Usagi too knows that the chances of Harry and Ginny coming back and telling everyone that Ron's fine are nonexistent and she can't help but fall back into own thoughts