A Magical Speculation

Chapter 3
Rated PG-13
By: Resident Goddess

Disclaimers: Harry Potter and all it's corresponding characters, events and elements belong to J.K. Rowling. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon and all it's corresponding characters, events and elements belong to Takeuchi Naoko. This story belongs to me :P

A/N: Okay, so I'm trying something new. The senshi get letters from Hogwarts...what a surprise...just go ahead and read it, it's kinda...different. Beware, Haruka/Michiru ahead. Ignore spelling and grammar errors, I suck. Hehe.

Thanks to: Rings of the Cosmos, Elven-Princess, Xtreme Rebel Angel, Girl-chama, Deni, JudgeDP, Elenhiril, and Silent Whispers for reviewing!

Ages
Michiru and Haruka- 16
Hotaru, Usagi, Rei, Minako, Makoto and Ami- 15
Chibiusa- 11
Setsuna- Appearance of 26
Harry and the gang- 15

***

Finding her way to the common room that night was easily done for Hotaru. Her mind wasn't clouded with pumpkin juice as Michiru's seemed to be, and she hadn't eaten so much that she couldn't think straight. Ami muttered the password at the portrait ('littulins'), which was of a silver bell, ringing when they entered the quiet common room.

Decorated in bronzes and blues, the common room had a nice atmosphere to it, a large fireplace stood far from the door, and several armchairs cluttered closely around it. Michiru breathed in deeply, claimed it as home and went to sit down. Hotaru sighed nervously, still a bit wary of the new people and situations, and let herself sink into an armchair as well. Ami remained standing, and others littered themselves in various armchairs. Some went upstairs to the dormitories and others threw themselves around tables to do some early studying.

"What do we have tomorrow, Ami-san?" Hotaru asked Ami, looking up at her, since the blue-haired girl was standing.

"Potions with Slytherin, Transfiguration with Gryffindor, History of Magic with Slytherin, Divination with Huffelpuff, and Defense Against the Dark Arts with Gryffindor. Tomorrow we have Charms with Gryffindor, Herbology with Huffelpuff, Care of Magical Creatures with Huffelpuff, and Astronomy with Slytherin." Ami informed her, and Michiru looked at her schedule.

"I have some classes with Haruka, but most Gryffindor is with Slytherin and Ravenclaw is with Hufflepuff." She muttered, sighing slightly. Hotaru smiled sadly, thinking of Setsuna. A group of first year Ravenclaws passed them, walking up the steps, each one with a tired expression and some with yawns. Michiru looked at her watch. "Etou...jyu-ichi gi!" She exclaimed, drawing stares from a quiet group of girls sitting near them, "It's nearly eleven o'clock," She said, "We should be heading to bed, your first class is at 9:00, Hotaru." Hotaru sighed as she let Michiru 'tuck her under her wing', so to speak, and she shrugged to Ami and followed her up the stairs.

***

"Isn't this exciting, Minako-chan?!" Usagi yelled as she skipped rather clumsily up the steps, she had had quite a bit of food, and she was more clumsy then usual. Minako was drowsy. She thought that one of those other innocent Huffelpuffs might have spiked the pumpkin juice, and she responded half hartedly with a nod of her head. Chibiusa was holding Minako's hand as not to fall backwards off the stairs, despite the state that she was in. The three senshi didn't notice when they followed the throng of other Huffelpuffs into the black and yellow common room, nor did they notice when they walked up to their dormitories, found their respective beds, and fell into them with soft thuds. Moments later, Usagi could be heard snoring. Loudly.

***

"I wonder how Usagi's doing. I wonder what Michiru's doing. Hotaru might..." Haruka was saying, but Rei cut her off with a glare and a point in front of them. They had arrived at the door to the Gryffindor common room. "Ooh, what's this?" Haruka said, looking at the painting of the fat lady. She walked around it, her hand on her chin, expecting the woman who was asleep. "She needs some diet pills. How do we get in?"

"We say the password. But wake her up first, Haruka." Makoto said with a smirk. She crossed her arms, and Rei did the same, waiting. Haruka looked around hurriedly.

"How?"

"Poke the painting or something...I don't know, yell, make noise!" Makoto said, still standing with the same determined look on her face that she had worn moments earlier. Rei was getting a coy smile on her face now, it was almost coming to the point of laughter.

Haruka was about to go up and prod the woman in the painting, but she need not have, because a trio of 5th year students came up behind them. The one with black hair and glasses glanced at them, smiled and walked up to the portrait. He hit the frame with his hand three times, and the fat lady shook herself awake.

"How rude!" She said, "I was just resting my eyes! You didn't have to knock me, I wasn't sleeping!"

"Ah, sure you weren't." The redhead said, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his robes. "I'm Ron Weasley. That's Harry Potter, and she's Hermione Granger." Ron said, sticking a hand out to Haruka. She looked at it for a moment, and when he put it down she shrugged.

"Konnichiwa, watashi no namae wa Haruka desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu." She said with a smirk.

"Excuse her." Makoto said, stairing dreamily at Harry, "She said that her name's Haruka. I'm Makoto, and she's Rei. Thanks for your help, we might've been stuck out here all night."

"No problem." Harry said, and turned back to the portrait, "Aristos," he muttered, and the portrait swung open. He nodded his head inside, and the three senshi, Ron and Hermione followed him.

***

Hotaru awoke with a start, quickly dressed, and walked down to breakfast, noticing that Michiru and Ami were already gone. When she reached the table, Michiru quickly stood and straightened her tie and badge, Hotaru blushed and felt several eyes on her, not only from the Ravenclaw table, but from others as well. 'I hate being the new girl,' she thought, and sighed, sitting down next to Ami. Before Hotaru had a chance to grab even a piece of toast, Professor Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throught.

"Ah, the start of new classes and new rules." He said with a clear voice, but his eyes held sorrow. "You are not children any more. None of you, not even the first years, so small and alone. I beleive that you have a right to know what will happen in the future at this school . I believe that you have a right as citizens of the Wizarding world, to know what threats await you in the future." He paused for a fleeting moment. "Voldemort has arisen to power once more. Those of you that know him as 'He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named' shutter as I say his name clearly in this hall. If you shutter now, then I fear for you when the Wizarding world and Muggle world comes under his power, for it will come. And you are safe here, for the time being, because we have very powerful Witches and Wizards in our midsts. This year, you must not stray off the Hogwarts grounds. There will be no trips to Hogsmede, and you shall not leave the school. Am I understood?"

A deadly silence passed, and then choruses of 'yes' were heard throughout the hall. Clangs of forks against plates were heard, and everyone collapsed into socalizing.

"Who is Voldemort, Michiru?" Hotaru asked, looking at the aqua haired senshi.

"A very evil wizard in this world, Hotaru." Michiru said, "He killed countless Muggles and Witches and Wizards, and finally, fifteen years ago, he was put to a stop. But now he's back."

"What happened fifteen years ago?"

"Voldemort went into the Potter's house. Killed James and Lily Potter and turned on thier son, Harry. Apparently his spell backfired and he was doomed to wander bodyless across the world. He's been trying to come back ever since."

"Harry Potter did you say?"

***

Hotaru and Ami passed Usagi and Minako in the hall on thier way to Potions. Usagi and Minako were on their way to Astronomy with the Gryffindors, and as Hotaru walked down the steps towards the dungeons, she mildly thought about Voldemort and Harry Potter. Hotaru let her mind skirt around the idea of them being at Hogwarts this year, when all this trouble was arising...did Setsuna know about this? Had she sent the senshi to protect Hogwarts?

All thoughts and questions left Hotaru's mind as she entered the cold dungeon, and she immediately decided that she didn't like the place. It was filled with all sorts of different smells, and jars crowded the walls. Students gathered in small groups about the room, and suddenly a door opened, one that Hotaru didn't even notice was there. A professor came out, greasy haired and sharped nose, he wore a smirk.

"Don't bother sitting down, any of you." He said, "I will have a seating chart." Students groaned and some sighed at the all too farmiliar ways of the Professor. He looked down his list of names, putting people in odd spots, Slytherins with Ravenclaws, Slytherins with Slytherins, Ravenclaws with Ravenclaws. When he came to Ami's name, he raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Do you speak English well enough?" He said, with a raised nose.

"Yes, Professor. Hotaru and I are both fluent in English."

"I beleive I was referring ot you Miss...Mizuno, not your friend. Take a seat next to Miss Parkinson." He pointed to a girl with a pug-like face, a Slytherin. As Professor Snape went down the class list, he commented on some people, others he rolled his eyes at. Most were Ravenclaws, though some were Slytherin. "Tomoe Hotaru...." He looked at Hotaru and smiled curtly. "Hopefully you are not as obnoxious as your friend. Have a seat by Malfoy." He pointed to Draco, though Hotaru already knew who he was. She mumbled something under her breath in Japanese which no one heard. To us, if we could hear it, it would have been 'Snape no baka'.

Professor Snape thought it fitting to remind them all of the rules, which was a good thing, because Ami and Hotaru didn't know any of them. For the first half hour, Snape lectured them on potions, mistakes and more mistakes, using quite a few examples, some of which included the use of student's names. Hotaru felt very sorry for the boy named Neville Longbottom, he seemed to have gotten himself in quite a bit of trouble in the last few years he had been at Hogwarts.

"Today you will begin working on a truth potion, not nearly as powerful ast the Veritaserum potion, but still something important to know. This will be an on-going project, and you shall work with the person next to you, when you have completed your potion, you shall test it. Open the Potions book in front of you, look up the potion Erfuiniel. Everything you need is in this room. I will be watching." With that, Professor Snape put his arms behind his back and walked to the open spot behind his desk, watching the students as they scurried around getting the materials they needed.

Hotaru looked at Draco and sighed.

"Do you know what everything on this list is?" He asked, looking down at the list, "Mungle weed, Dorfil tears, Gold spruce?"

"I think I can figure it out, Draco." Hotaru said, and got up to go to one of the shelves, Draco's eyes followed her for a moment, then he went to work on clearing out the cauldron for their use and setting the fire under it. Hotaru searched around for the supplies, coming up with all of them (though the Dorfil tears were hidden behind large amounts of Posperous Foam), and headed back to the table. She caught a glance of Ami looking into a jar, and found that she herself would love to get a look around this place without Snape hovering over everything they did.

"Got everything?" Draco said with contempt in his voice, he looked irritated at something, and Hotaru decided that lip wouldn't get her anywhere in this situation. She nodded, and then began reading the directions.

All too soon it was time to clean up, and Snape had them put their not-so-finished potions in the back of the room, telling them that if their potion was green, pink or blue at this time, they had failed the class. Draco and Hotaru smiled with relief. Their potion was clear.

***

"Welcome, class, to Transfiguration." Professor McGonagall said, standing at the head of the classroom. This year you will be transforming things to animals and animals to things. You will transform cats to dogs, dogs to cats, rats to mice and mice to rats. You will find this year hard and testing, but most of all you will find it rewarding. Today, we copy terms. But first, the seating chart." Professor McGonagall said and smiled a crooked smile, devoid of all humor. She put them in alphabetical order, and Hotaru ended up sitting by Ron Weasley. Throughout the class, while copying terms, Hotaru noticed Ron's continuous note-passing behind her back, obviously to Harry, who sat just a few seats to her left. On one such occasion, Professor McGonagall almost caught them, and Hotaru advised Ron to 'knock it the hell off' otherwise suffer the consequences.

After class, Harry caught up with Hotaru and Ami, stating that he'd heard Hotaru was going out for Ravenclaw Seeker.

"My, my, but good news travels fast." Hotaru mumbled, a blush rising to her cheeks.

"I have inside connections," Harry said with a smile. "Not only am I friends with Cho Chang, but I make it my business to know who my adversary is."

"Gryffindor Seeker? I'm not surprised." Hotaru said, hugging her books to her chest.

"Why is that?" Harry asked, he seemed hurt, and Hotaru felt bad for a fleeting moment, but it was true. Harry had a confident air about him, the same that Muggle jocks had. Draco had slightly the same air, only mixed with the fierce pride of something else, something Harry didn't have.

"It's just the way you act. I didn't mean to insult you."

"You didn't," Harry assured her, "but you might have put Ron out a little." Harry said, nodding to Ron on his other side, he looked miffed for some reason.

***

History of Magic, Hotaru decided, was the most boring class that she had ever been to. The teacher, Professor Binns, was not only boring, but he was dead. And Hotaru found it very hard to concentrate on a teacher whom she could see right through.

Apparently, however, being dead didn't stop him from giving them homework, and give him homework he did.

Divination was perhaps, the only class that Hotaru felt slightly anxious in. She had no trouble in believing in the stars, and she couldn't stand that this woman was completely off-base in her claims. Having Usagi and Minako in the class did make it easier for both Hotaru and Ami, but both were completely stricken with fatigue as this woman droned on and on about usless knowledge that could not possibly be fact. In fact, Usagi fell asleep, and her snores filled the classroom for a small moment until Minako placed a hand over her nose. Not completely devoid of reason, however, Professor Trealawny, she too gave them homework.

***

In their next class, a bit of excitement was in the air. Neither Hotaru or Ami knew why, and Harry had to explain that this was the fifth year in a row that they had had a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. No one knew who it would be this year, for the teacher hadn't shown up at the opening ceremonies, nor had he/she been at breakfast that morning. Their questions were soon answered, however, when the door swung open and a middle aged man walked in, his hair already showing grey streaks. As if in unison, one large gasp filled the room, and the room held it's collective breath.

"Professor Lupin!" Harry said when he had gained his tongue, "What are you doing here? I thought you were hiding out with--" Harry stopped, a surprised look on his face, "the owls or something."

"No, Harry, Professor Dumbledore insisted that I come back due to the current circumstances with Lord Voldemort."

"But what about...third year...we'd thought you'd..." Hermione stuttered, stumbling over her words, her hand flew up to her mouth.

"Calm down Hermione. I'm sure you'll figure it out once you get your mind set to it. Now, let us begin." Professor Lupin said, and motioned for them to sit down. Everyone sat in random seats, and somehow Hotaru ended up between Harry and Hermione, Ami two seats away from her.

"Do you know him, Hermione?" She asked the brown haired girl,

"Yes, he had this position in our third year, but he resigned once everyone found out that he was a....Werewolf."

"Oh." Hotaru said indifferently. Harry looked at her, surprised that her reaction was so mild. Professor Lupin went over the syllabus for that year, and he, like Professor McGonagall, handed out a list of terms for them to define, as well as homework.

Once class was dismissed, Hotaru stood up, ready to go find Mark about Qudditch, though she was very nervous. Suddenly she realized that she didn't know where the Quidditch field was, so she quickly grabbed Harry's sleeve. He looked at her in surprise and then looked down at her hand, which was holding firmly to his robes.

"Could you show me where the Quidditch field is?" Hotaru asked, and Harry nodded.

***

"Here you are," Harry said as they arrived on the field, Harry nodded to Mike, who came up to greet them. The two exchanged a few words and then Harry departed, mumbling something about homework. Mike turned to Hotaru.

"Let's get you on a broom, Tomoe, see how you do." He said, and handed her a school broom. "If you do all right, we'll get you a proper broom, but for now this will do." He showed her how to call the broom and mount it, and then he took her over to a large chest. "These are the balls we use," Mike said, and he named the bulgers, quaffle and snitch. He took out the golden snitch and showed Hotaru it's speeding wings. "We'll see if you can catch this, then we'll practice. Watch, I'll let it go. When I tell you, you can go look for it." He said, and let the snitch go. It sped off to the left, and about thirty seconds later, Mike looked at Hotaru. "Go." He said. Hotaru kicked off the ground and felt a little shaky at first, but soon she got the gist of it as the air flew around her. Getting a grip on herself, she decided to look for the snitch, and squinted her eyes off to the distance. Something buzzed past her ear and she realized that the snitch had just missed her head by inches. Catching it in her sight, she sped after it, her broom climbing up, up, up into the now crystal clear sky. She was inches away, her hand, inches from touching the snitch. It was so close she could feel the air from it's beating wings fluttering softly against her hand. She couldn't let this beat her, and she made one final grab for it, and found it in her grasp. Her knees buckled as she heaved a great sigh and let herself relax, gliding softly to the ground.

"Well, I'd say you've made the team, Tomoe. We might actually have a shot at the cup this year."

[End Chapter 3]