You-Know-Her

by Cahira of the Dawn

AN: Thanks to all those people who reviewed! I need a little help from you guys. Does anyone know the color of Malfoy's eyes? Its sort of important...

Chapter Two:

Hotaru packed a few clothes, some pictures of her and the senshi, a diary and her favorite lamp. She didn't really want to take anything else. Objects didn't mean much to her.

She wished she could say goodbye to everyone, but Professor McGonagall had insisted that they leave quickly. Hotaru was a bit scared that Death Eaters were going to appear out of nowhere and grab her. She couldn't imagine surviving with a mad father ever again, and it was a very real possibility.

Was she anything like her father? Could she grow up to be a cold blooded murderer?

I've certainly got the power to be a killer, thought Hotaru, I can destroy the whole world.

She pulled her rucksack onto her back and walked out of her bedroom. She looked back for a second before she carried on, knowing it was probably going to be a long time before she saw her room again. Michiru Mama, Haruka Papa and Professor McGonagall were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Michiru Mama looked close to tears, and funnily enough, so did Haruka Papa.

"I'm ready." whispered Hotaru. She hugged both her parents. "I-I'm ready to go."

"We'll miss you Himme-chan." said Haruka in a teasing voice. "How are we going to make the house a mess on our own?"

"Papa!" She hugged Haruka again, hiding her tear stained face in her shirt. "I'm going to miss you."

"We'll miss you too." said Michiru, "Don't forget us Hotaru-chan."

"How could I forget you Mama?" Hotaru asked in a sad voice. "Don't forget me either OK?"

"Its time to go Hotaru." said Professor McGonagall. "Come on now."

Hotaru followed the Professor out into the street. She tried not to look back, but she couldn't help it. The two Outer Senshi stood in the doorway, with only pride to hold back their tears.

I could destroy the world, but I won't.

"Please hurry Hotaru. We don't have time to waste."

"I'm coming!"

I have too many who love me. This world means more to me than anything.

***

They walked for over ten minutes before Hotaru spoke, "How are we going to reach Hogwarts?"

"By Portkey. We will hold onto a chosen object and it will take us onto the school grounds."

Hotaru fell silent after that. It seemed like whenever she asked a simple question, she got a complicated answer. The wizarding world was a strange thing. Hotaru sure had a lot to learn.

They stopped only a few moments later. "Here it is." said the older witch, "We must take hold of it at the same time. Are you ready Hotaru?"

She just looked down in disbelief. "The portkey is a plastic bottle!?"

"Now don't over react dear," said McGonagall briskly, "Just take hold."

Hotaru, deciding that any further weirdness was probably going to give her a headache, took hold of the bottle.

***

Hotaru had a headache.

She and the Professor landed inside an old building made of stone, with torches to light the halls. She guessed it was Hogwarts. Hotaru still felt slightly dizzy and the world was spinning. She staggered to her feet and leaned on the wall, trying to regain her breath.

"Is this the school?"

Professor McGonagall nodded and took her hand. She began to lead Hotaru down a winding passage.

"The students will arrive tomorrow, that should give you enough time to settle in. Right now I need you to meet the Head Master, but first..." She pulled a small vial out of her robes. It contained a strange yellow liquid. "This potion will give you the ability to understand English. It is not permanent, but by the time it wears of you will have probably learned the language." she handed it to Hotaru. "Drink it."

Hotaru did, and felt like spitting it out. Potions evidently did not taste all that good.

They stopped in front of a stone gargoyle. It opened to reveal another passage when Professor McGonagall said, "Butter Beer." Hotaru thought it was a strange password.

"This is the Head Master's office, do sit down Hotaru." said McGonagall. Hotaru did sit, trying to ignore the bizarre looking bird in the corner of the room. "Dumbledore should be here soon."

She hoped he would be. Hotaru hated waiting. Maybe he would be like Professor McGonagall... nah. He was probably old and decrepit and really, really grumpy. It would be just her luck...

"Welcome Dione. I hope the trip wasn't to difficult?"

Hotaru turned round with a start. Dumbledore certainly was old, but he didn't look grumpy. There was a bright twinkle in his blue eyes and he was smiling.

"My name isn't Dione," she said in confusion, "Its Hotaru." She noted with surprise that she was talking another language. The potion must have worked.

"You are both Dione Riddle and Hotaru Tomoe," said Dumbledore gravely. "It is up to you which name you are called by."

Hotaru guessed that it probably didn't matter. They were both given to her by mad lunatics after all.

"I'll stick with Hotaru then." she said.

Dumbledore also sat down and gave her a piercing stare. Hotaru felt like he was reading her mind, or something similar.

"You will be safe here Hotaru," said Dumbledore, "The teaching staff are all very powerful and they will keep an eye on you."

Hotaru nodded mutely. Did she really want to be kept and eye on?

"I must ask you not to reveal who your father is Hotaru. Not because you should be ashamed, but because you would be in danger from other wizards if they knew you were the daughter of Voldemort."

"Dumbledore." interrupted McGonagall, "Shouldn't Hotaru be taught to say You-Know-Who?"

"Hotaru has no need to fear her father's name. She may say Voldemort if she wishes."

There was silence as Hotaru looked at the old man. He seemed so wise... Maybe he could keep her safe. Maybe her evil father would never find her.

"Professor McGonagall will explain more about Hogwarts to you today." said Dumbledore. "Try to learn all you can and adjust to the situation. I'm sure you will find the school interesting."

There was a sort of finality to his voice that made Hotaru stand up and move to leave. "Thank you Professor Dumbledore. I'll do my best."

Dumbledore smiled.

***

Dear Diary,

I found out today that wizards exist and I am the daughter of the most evil one of them all. The one people only refer to as You-Know-Who. Says a lot about me doesn't it? He's after me to. He wants my dark powers to help him rule the world.

I also found out that my real mother was killed by lunatic father number two. He was the one that named me Hotaru, I was called Dione when I was born.

My life is really complicated, and I don't like it.

Professor McGonagall explained loads about the wizarding world today. Tomorrow when the other students come I'm going to be sorted into a house. I don't think I like Slytherin, but it seems like the house most suitable for a weirdo like me.

ChibiUsa would definitely have been a Hufflepuff!

I don't have time to write about how I feel. I'll only start crying again and there isn't any point. Maybe I'll write it all when the sorting is over.

Hotaru. (or is it Dione now?)