Title: When All Hope is Lost
Chapter: Three
Author: ~*SerenityMoon*~

Disclaimer:

I don't own anything. I don't own Harry, or Usa, or Hermione. I do however own the plot so THERE!!!!!!!

oooooooo0@_@0oooooooooo

I only got 14 reviews!, only seven per chapter.......... *sob* I think I'm *sniffle* loosing my touch.

10 REVIEWS OR NO MORE!!!!!!

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LAST TIME

"If being good in that class means I have to make up things from soggy tea leaves, I don't think I'll be in that class much longer. That lesson was utterly rubbish compared to my Arithmancy class.", Hermione yelled stalking away, as people began to stare.

"What's she talking about? She hasn't been to Arithmancy yet,", Serenity pointed out with a slight frown. Once again she had a strange feeling that someone knew something she didn't.

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CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES

Ron and Hermione were no longer speaking to each other as the quartet crossed the courtyard to get to Care of Magical Creatures. With a great sigh and a look up to the sky that asked, "Why me?", was how they greeted the fact that they had the class with the Slytherins.

Malfoy was waving his arms and talking dramatically, while Harry was very sure he knew what they where talking about.

Hagrid stood waiting for everyone with Fang by the door of his hut. He soon ushered everyone to the fence, and asked them to open their books. To Hagrid's disappointment, and to Malfoys glee, no one had been able to open them. Malfoy made many sarcastic comments towards Hagrid, and soon Harry got tired of it.

"Shut-up Malfoy.", he hissed angrily. It was Hagrids first lesson, and it was not starting well.

Hagrid strode out of sight to go get their magical creatures a bit depressed, and Malfoy began to cackle.

"God, this place is going to the dogs, him a teach---", Malfoy started but Harry cut him off again.

"Shut-up Malfoy.", Harry retorted beginning to get furious. Malfoy always brought out the worst in him. Weather it was a petty dispute, or a serious argument, the blonde boy caused an unrelenting fury to build inside of him. A fury that he sometimes was barely able to contain.

"Careful Potter, there's a dementor behind you--", sneered Malfoy laughing maliciously.

"Draco Malfoy, if you don't be quiet this instant, we will have round two.", Serenity stated coldly clenching her fists.

Malfoy's eyes widened a bit, and he uneasily shifted away from the silver hared demi-megami.

"These are ye' Hippogriffs!", called Hagrid back in high spirits again.

They were one of the oddest creatures the class had ever seen, with their gleaming coats and proud walk.

Hagrid called them closer, and explained about all Hippogriffs.

The main thing he emphasized, that he said twice over, was that Hippogriffs are easily offended. Never EVER insult one, or it might be the last thing you do.

After all the instructions were given out, and everyone said they understood, Hagrid asked who wanted to try to pet one of the creatures.

"No one?", Hagrid asked in a slightly pleading voice.

Harry saw the triumphant look on Malfoys face and his determination strengthened.

"I will.", he called hopping over the low fence.

"Harry, don't! Remember your tea leaves!", Lavender and Parvati stated closing their eyes slightly.

"Easy, now, Harry,", stated Hagrid a bit apprehensive. "Yeh've got eye contact, now try not ter blink, they don' trust yeh if yeh blink too much........", The tall burly man stated his eyes fixed on Harry.

The entire class seemed to be holding their breath, while Harry approached the creature. It turned it's sleek hawk like head in Harry's direction are stared. Malfoy also stared, but he stared with something akin to loathing hatred in his eyes.

Meanwhile Harry's eyes were watering badly, but he didn't blink he wouldn't let the Slytherins witness his defeat, no matter how small. Suddenly the hippogriff bent the front of his scaly knees into an unmistakable bow.

"Good job Harry!", Hargrid crowed out happily. He was so happy that his first lesson wasn't a complete failure tears began to form in his eyes.

Harry, feeling slightly more nervous than before, reached out to stroke the creature at Hagrids encouragement. The hippogriff closed it's eyes almost lazily and made a small sound, almost as if it was enjoying Harry's attention. The class broke into applause, although Malfoy and his cronies glared maliciously. The hippogriff looked at Harry once more, and the boy looked a bit startled.

"Aye, Harry I think ol' Buckbeak wants yeh ter ride him.", Hagrid advised and Harry nodded with a gulp.

Slowly, carefully he climbed onto the animals back, and without warning the two were off in the air. They went in circles around the paddock a few times, then the hippogriff landed letting Harry off. Shakily Harry stepped off the giant bird like animal, and shuddered. He much preferred the Nimbus Two Thousand to the hippogriff. When he rode on the creature he rocked back and fourth, almost falling off. Once again the class cheered and soon enough students were trying to pet the hippogriffs themselves. Neville ran backwards from his repeatedly, who just didn't seem to want to bend it's knees. Harry watched on while Ron and Hermione practiced on Chestnut. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had taken over Buckbeak, while Malfoy looked at it disdainfully.

Serenity stood a few feet behind Nina who was still attempting to get Lordes to bow to her. Suddenly she felt something nudge the back of her leg. "Wha--?", she started off turning around quickly looking down. To her surprise she saw a tiny baby hippogriff looking her in the eye. It was no more than a foot and a half tall, and a foot and a half long. As it kept staring at her she realized, that the same rules applied to baby hippogriffs as they did to adult ones. She bowed to it
and as if some kind of responsibility was taken off of it's shoulders it's eyes began to twinkle as it bowed back to her. Hiking her robes up a bit she sat down infront of the beautiful young hippogriff. She saw it's pink collar, and read the name on the tag. 'Rosebud.', she mused patting it absentmindedly on the head. To her surprise the creature curled up in her lap, rubbing it's beak against her arm.

"Awww.", Serenity crooned stroking her wings as the animals eyes closed lazily. "You're so adorable. Yes you are!", Serenity continued as the hippogriff, curled up tighter to her. It make a small clucking noise as if in agreement. Suddenly Serenity noticed a large shadow behind looming over her, looked up startled.

"Aye, I think she likes yeh, Miss Moon.", came Hagrids deep booming voice.

"Yeah, I think she does.", Serenity replied inwardly relieved. She had been ready to transform, the shadow had been so huge she had thought it was a youma.

"Rosebud here is Chestnuts lil' one. I'm surprised, she normally don' take well to strangers, but she likes yeh. I'd say she likes yeh alot.", Hagrid commented rounding on her to look at the two.

"I agree Professor, but please call me Serenity.", Serenity replied as the creature stretched and rolled over in her lap.

"Why don' yeh bring her over ter the' others, so they can see her, eh?", Hagrid offered.

Serenity carefully gathered the precious creature in her arms, and stood up. It snuggled up to her chest, and closed it's eyes looking to be asleep. Just as Serenity was about to say something a shrill high pitched scream sounded through the air. Instinct and years of fighting coursed through her veins and she took off at full speed, amazing Hagrid that she could move so quickly. Serenity got there before Hagrid and saw Buckbeak tearing the shreds out of Malfoy.

"Draco!", Serenity called out impulsively, fearing for her newfound enemies life. The classed panicked and feared that the bird would come after them next. They started running around carelessly, and Serenity realized that she couldn't put down Rosebud, she'd be trampled.

"I'm dying!", Malfoy yelled covered in blood, as his arm and wrist were useless. The enraged bird slashed it's talons through Malfoy's robes catching the skin of his stomach. Malfoy cried out in pain, and shock clasping his good hand over his stomach.

"Buckbeak! Stop, please!", Serenity called out tears forming in her eyes. Draco Malfoy did not deserve to die, knocking some sense into him was one thing, killing him was another.

To Serenity's surprise the creature stopped, and pulled away from Malfoy. It's golden eyes flicked between Serenity and Malfoy, and it soon gave a snort of disgust, then it sauntered towards Serenity. It nuzzled her shoulder, and stood next to her, it's eyes glaring at Malfoy. The class watched in slight awe and fear, as the animal listened to Serenity.

"You stupid, ugly, foul beast! You deserve to die!", Malfoy yelled while Serenity had finally calmed down Buckbeak, and Hagrid had strung up the other hippogriffs hastily, and was now heading towards Malfoy.

Buckbeak had been enjoying a massage by Serenity, but the minute it heard Malfoy, it's eyes snapped open, and it's head cocked towards Malfoy.

"Buckbeak no, you're smart, wonderful, and beautiful, just stay here.", Serenity pleaded softly as Hagrid was almost there.

Frustrated Buckbeak stayed put and Serenity continued to stroke his wings again. Then Malfoy made his mistake, and insulted Buckbeak again. In a flurry of feathers and claws the animal was upon Malfoy once more, slicing his face before Hagrid could restrain him. No matter what Serenity said the bird squawked angrily, trying to rip Malfoy limb from limb.

"Twenty-Five points ter Gryffindor, Miss Serenity, for trying to stop ol' Buckbeak.", Hagrid muttered hoarsely, easily lifting up Malfoy and sprinting across the courtyard.

As soon as they were out of sight, everyone formed a circle around Serenity, asking her, 'How she had and more importantly, why she had gotten Buckbeak to listen to her.', or 'Who was the small creature shivering in her arms.' Serenity however didn't answer considering on how she was staring unblinkingly at the blood on the ground. Tears pricked at her eyes, as she held the frightened creature closer to her chest, as if unconsciously protecting it.

"Hey, come on leave her the bloody hell alone!", Harry called pushing his way through the crowd, Ron and Hermione in tow. He saw the frightened look on her face and felt something wrench inside him. She looked as she had the night before, frightened and alone. Harry carefully plucked the hippogriff from her arms and asked Hermione to put in in the pen where a couple other baby hippogriffs resided.

"Hey, Serenity, snap out of it.", Harry stated shaking her shoulders.

She let out a small sob as flashes of the battered, bloody soul-less senshi filled her mind. Harry, unsure of what to do wrapped his arms around her, and Serenity buried her face into the folds of his robes. He wasn't quite sure, how to comfort her, or what to say, so he just held her. He held her the same way a mother would to an injured child. Her small figure was nearly invisible to the people looking at them, although her silver hair, and pale face stood out in stark contrast to the black robes. 'So much blood, so much.', replacing Malfoys terrified face with Rei's. Her hands rested upon his chest as he tightened his grip around her, stroking her back softly. He continued to comfort her the entire way back to the Gryffindor common room, in which they both collapsed on the couch, while Serenity still sniffled, closed in his embrace. Ron and Hermione had immediately headed off to dinner seeing as to how they were being more of a nuisance than a help. After an unrecorded amount of time, he heard her breathing slow, and felt her hiccups subside. Pulling away a little he noticed her red-rimmed eyes were closed, and on closer inspection he realized she was asleep.

Although he was a bit hungry, he stayed still cradling her as she slept. He didn't want to wake her, and to see her haunted eyes, that he somehow knew he'd see. Suddenly Serenity began to shiver, and Harry frowned, she was cold. He slowly pulled her up, intent on carrying her to her dorm, where she would be warmer with her blankets. Unexpectedly she flailed about and before he realized, he fell back down, and she curled up in his lap, head resting just below his chin. His cheeks flamed with embarrassment, and he tried to stand up again, but she gripped her hands tightly on Harry's robes, preventing him from doing much of anything. He shifted and looked down, and saw her peaceful face illuminated by the fire. For the first time in his life he felt something strange in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was, how innocent, and carefree she looked to be while sleeping.

"Hey Harry, where's Serenity?", Ron called out loudly, a while later, noticing his best friends untidy black hair from over the back of the couch.

"Shhhh!!!", Harry replied craning his neck to give Ron a warning glance.

"Oh, I see. Is she all right?", Ron asked quietly, setting the tray loaded with food down on the coffee table.

Hermione came up behind them with another tray, which he assumed to be for Serenity.

"We brought you up some dinner from the great hall, we thought you two would be hungry.", Hermione offered setting the other tray down as well.

"You should have seen Snapes face when he realized you and Serenity were both missing.", Ron continued on sitting on one side of Harry, while Hermione sat on the other.

"He turned as white as a sheet, then left the room.", Hermione supplied beating Ron to the punch of the little story.

"I guess we should wake her up before the food gets cold.", Harry stated a little louder, glancing down at Serenity who was snoring lightly on his chest.

She hadn't eaten very much at breakfast, or lunch, and he didn't want her to end up sick from not eating. He carefully shook her shoulders, and was rewarded with a small moan to come from her lips. He shook her again and this time her silvery blue eyes fluttered open, confused.

"H-Harry?", Serenity asked shakily sitting up slowly.

She then realized she was sitting in his lap, and blushed from head to toe, quickly hopping up and plopping down on the other side of Hermione.

"Hurry up and eat, before it gets cold!", Hermione scolded them both, trying to ease their current embarrassment. Serenity nodded and Harry muttered a weak,"O.K".

Harry numbly took his tray and began eating while Ron oblivious to it all continued chatting away in his ear. Hermione talked conspiratorially on the other side of the room with Serenity while the silver hared girl ate.

"So, Hermione and I were thinking that we could go to see how Hagrids doing.", Ron stated his voice breaking into Harry's thoughts.

"How, we're not allowed outside.", Harry stated nibbling on a french fry. In mere seconds his appetite had left him.

"Well, it seems we got the rules wrong, According to Mione, we're just not aloud out past dark.", Ron corrected glancing at the two girls.

"Mione? I take it you two made up.", Harry observed following Ron's gaze.

"Yeah, we realized our fight was groundless, and just a little childish.", Ron admitted flicking his gaze from Hermione to Serenity, then back to Harry.

"I see.", Harry replied turning back to his food.

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ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM

"Are you really all right?", Hermione asked with her honey brown eyes full of worry.

"Yes, I really don't like blood very much, and seeing all of Malfoys blood brought back one to many painful memories.", Serenity replied swallowing her french fry.

She pointedly ignored the baby carrots that sat innocently on her plate, and wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"What?", Hermione asked an eyebrow raised.

"Carrots, I hate them.", Serenity replied with a glare to the oblivious little vegetables.

Hermione smirked and shook her head in amusement. It was nice having another girl in the group. For the longest time it had only been Harry, Ron and herself in their little circle of friends. Now there was another member of their little trio, making it an even numbered quartet. Serenity could be so happy at times, but then she could also look downright depressed too. She brought a little light into their group, despite being Snape's niece. Snape had however in no way shape or form slacked off of his insults, but he seemed tone himself down when Serenity placed a glare on him. Draco Malfoy, was obnoxious as ever, and even worse to their group than usual. She supposed that it was because Serenity had smacked him around a bit. She had thought that Serenity hated Malfoy, but her display that day showed that she did not. Why HAD she tried to stop Buckbeak from killing Malfoy?

"Serenity, if you don't mind me asking........ Why did you try to stop Buckbeak?", Hermione asked a little loudly, for they had caught the boys attention as well.

"Hermione, no one, not even Draco Malfoy deserves to die. There's a difference between knocking some sense into him, and knocking off the face of the planet.", Serenity replied with a frown.

Hermione nodded in understanding, watching in awe of the silver hared girl. Already Malfoy had been unbearable and rude to them all, but Serenity forgiven him already.

"Are you girls ready to go?", Ron asked dusting off his robes briskly.

Serenity nodded and set down her try, which disappeared in orange sparkles. She noticed Harry's was already gone, and assumed that his tray disappeared the same way.

"Let's go!",Hermione exclaimed standing up and stretching.

"We're headed to Hagrids, so that we can see if he's all right.", Harry supplied, running a hand through his unruly black hair.

"Let's get a move on then.", Serenity replied her blue eyes holding a look of concern in them. She straightened her robes, and stretched as well, before following the trio.

They slipped out of the common room, overjoyed that the fat lady was asleep, so that they could avoid her endless questions.

When they got to Hagrids, they found him sitting in his shirtsleeves at his scrubbed wooden table. Fang, his boar-hound made whimpering sounds, with his head in his masters lap. One little look told them that the he had been drinking alot. There was a huge pewter tankard bigger than a bucked infront of him, and he seemed to have difficulty in getting them into focus.

" 'Spect it's a record.", he started thickly when he realized who it was,"Don' reckon they've ever had a teacher who lasted on'y a day before."

"You haven't been fired Hagrid!", Hermione exclaimed forcefully.

"Not yet.", said the man miserably, taking a huge swig of whatever was in the tankard. "But 's only a matter o' time, after all 's Malfoy ...", he continued drinking some more.

"How is he? It wasn't that serious was it?", Ron asked as they all sat down. Hermione sat down in a chair at the table, while Harry and Serenity opted to go for the thick worn couch, as Hermione had taken the other chair.

"Madam Pomfrey fixed him best she could, but he's sayin it's still in agony ....... covered in bandages ...... moanin'", Hagrid trailed off dully.

"He's faking! Madam Pomfrey can regrow anything! She regrew half my bones last year, trust Malfoy to milk it for all it's worth.", Harry stated furiously, his emerald eyes flashing dangerously.

Hagrid went on to tell them that the school governors had been notified, and had said that they said he started to big. Harry, Ron, and Hermione protested all the way, but Serenity sat her hands folded in her lap, thinking deeply.

"I think you've had more than enough Hagrid.", Hermione stated after he released the boys from their bone crushing hug. She tried to move the tankard to dump it out, but found that it was too heavy, so she cast Serenity a wayward glance. Serenity caught her drift and soon the two were carrying the tankard outside to dump it out.

"Ar, I think she's right.", Hagrid replied stumbling a little as he followed the girls outside. A few moments later they heard a loud splash.

They girls came back in dusting their hands off, they had left the tankard outside.

"What's he done?", Harry asked a bit nervously, as Hermione realized her hands smelled like the vile substance that had been in the tankard.

"Stuck his head in the water barrel.", Serenity replied also realizing that her hands smelled like the substance. Out of nowhere she whipped out a small tube, filled with a thick blue speckled cream. "What's that?", Ron asked with a wrinkled nose. "Muggle lotion, may I?", Hermione replied for her, asking for the lotion. As soon as the lotion left the bottle it left the room smelling like blueberries.

Hagrid came back in, his long hair and beard sopping wet, wiping water out of his eyes.

"That's better.", he said shaking his head like a wet dog and drenching them all.

"Listen, it was good of yeh ter come an' see me, I really -----", he started then stopped dead staring at Harry as if just realizing that the boy was there.

"WHAT D'YEH THINK YOU'RE DOIN', EH?", he roared so suddenly making them jump a foot in the air.

"YOU'RE NOT TO GO WANDERIN' AROUND AFTER DARK, HARRY! AN' YOU THREE LETTIN' HIM! SERENITY MOON, YOU'RE NO EXCEPTION! SEVERUS WOULD' KILL ME IF HE KNEW I LET YEH OUT HERE AFTER DARK!", he continued grabbing both their arms and pulling them towards the door.

"I'm takin' yer all back, don't let me catch yeh walkin' down to see me after dark again! I'm not worth that!", Hagrid stated angrily stalking up to the school, Ron and Hermione in tow.

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POTIONS

Malfoy didn't return to classes until nearly a month later, when the Slytherins and Gryffindors were halfway through Double Potions. He waltzed into the classroom, STILL covered in bandages, acting as if he was some great war hero or something.

"How is it, Draco?", Pansy asked fawning over him. "Does it hurt much?"

"Yeah.....", Malfoy trailed off putting on a brave sort of grimace.

"Settle down, settle down.", stated Professor Snape idly, preoccupied with something on his desk.

Harry and Ron scowled at each other; if they'd been the ones to be late, Snape wouldn't have said settle down, he would have given them detention. But Malfoy always had been able to get away with most nearly anything. Serenity frowned as she separated her rat spleen. A familiar feeling was sinking into her being, but she continued to concentrate on the spleen. All through class Severus had Harry and Ron doing most nearly everything for Malfoy, even though it was quite obvious that he was faking. After all it had been a whole MONTH It was beginning to make her a little angry, along with the dark side of her Uncle she had seen in the past month. He was rude, egotistical, and pretty soon he was going to find himself in the doghouse.

"Seen your pal Hagrid lately?", Malfoy whispered to them quietly.

"None of your business.", Ron stated coldly.

"I'm afraid he won't be a teacher much longer....... who knows if my arm will ever be the same again.", Malfoy retorted with a huge fake sigh.

"Keep talking, Draco Malfoy, and I'll give you a real injury to complain about.", Serenity hissed innocently twirling a knife through her fingers. The knife wove expertly through her fingertips, and Malfoy, seeing the knife paled a bit, but continued.

Serenity frowned as a familiar sinking feeling appeared in the pit of her stomach. Something was askew, there was going to be trouble and she knew it.

"He's complained to the school governors, and to the ministry of magic. Fathers got alot of influence you know.", the blonde boy continued with a malicious smirk.

"So that's why you're putting it on.", said Harry angrily, in his fury beheading the caterpillar. "To try to get Hagrid fired."

"Well,", started Malfoy," Partly, Potter. But there are other benefits too. Weasely slice my caterpillars for me."

A few cauldrons away Neville was in trouble. Neville regularly went to pieces in Potions, it was his worst class, and his immense fear of Professor Snape made it worse.

"Orange, Longbottom.", asked Snape more of a statement than a question.

"Tell me boy, does anything get into that thick head of yours?", Snape angrily continued explaining how the potion was supposed to look, Berating the boy at the same time.

"Please, Professor Snape, Hermione and I could help him, we've finished our potion ages ago.", Serenity interrupted trying to save the boy from embarrassment. Neville shot her a grateful look, but Snape pointedly ignored her.

"Serenity is right Professor, If we put all three of our heads together I'm sure---", Hermione started trying to back Serenity up.

"I don't remember asking you to show of Miss Granger.", replied Snape coldly, and Hermione went as pink as Neville.

"Longbottom, at the end of this class we shall try this concoction out on your toad. Maybe that will encourage you to do better.", Snape bit out after a moment setting the ladle back in the cauldron, and walking away.

"Help me.", Neville moaned miserably to the girls, who immediately tried to help him.

Serenity nearly dropped the dragon scales, as a cold aura swept through her, as if the sinking feeling she had felt earlier was growing.

"Hey, Harry!", Seamus Finnigan started leaning over to borrow some of Harry's bird eyes.

"Sirius Black was sighted, it was in the Daily Prophet.", he continued grabbing what he needed.

"Where?", asked Harry and Ron quickly at the same time.

"Not too far from here, he was sighted by a bunch of muggles.", the boy replied rambling on a bit more.

"Not to far from here ............ ", Ron repeated looking worriedly at Harry. He then turned around and saw Malfoy staring at them closely. Malfoy switched his penetrating gaze from Ron to Harry.

"Trying to catch Black single handed, Potter?", he asked eyes shining malevolently.

"Yeah, that's right.", Harry replied rolling his eyes.

"Of course if it was me, I would have done something a long time ago. I'd be out there looking for him.", Malfoy taunted, leaning back in his chair.

"What are you talking about, Malfoy?", Ron asked harshly, severely irrated.

"Don't you know Potter?", Malfoy asked his pale eyes narrowing.

"Know what?", Harry asked, now a bit confused.

"If it was me I'd want revenge......", Malfoy trailed off absentmindedly sitting up.

"What are you talking about?", Harry demanded angrily, but was interrupted by Snape. It was time to test Neville's potion. Harry hoped the girls had been able to help him.

After everyone cleaned up, Snape gathered everyone around Neville's cauldron and prepared to test the now acid green potion. After the toad, Trevor, had swallowed the Shrinking Solution, there was a small pop, and there was a small tadpole in Snapes hand. The Gryffindors burst into applause, and Serenity gave Hermione a low five. Snape looking sour glared at the two girls.

"Miss Granger, Miss Moon five points from each of you. I told you both not to help him.", Snape snapped angrily, returning the toad to normal.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Serenity all climbed the steps to enter the hall after class. Harry was still debating about what Malfoy had said, and for some reason, he knew he had to find out what the boy had been talking about.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, and all because the potion turned out right! Why didn't you two lie, you could have said that Neville did it by himself!", Ron seethed, not really angry at the girls, but more at Snape.

"Ron, I can't lie to my uncle. It's a family thing where we can tell when one another isn't telling the truth, and if we had lied he would have only taken more points away.", Serenity replied massaging her temples.

Ron also waited for a response from Hermione, but when he heard none, he stopped and looked around. It was then that he realized she wasn't there. Harry and Serenity both stopped and turned back too, and gasped as they realized she was gone.

"She was right behind us...", frowned Ron who was now peering down the dim corridor they had just left.

"There she is!", called out Harry as he saw her panting slightly, coming up the stairs. Once again she looked to be tucking something down the front of her robes.

"How did you do that?", Serenity asked suspiciously, eyeing the golden chain that hung about her neck. It had something to do with the odd golden chain, she was sure of it.

"What?", Hermione asked rejoining them.

"One minute you were right behind us, then you were back at the bottom of the stairs again, just like before.", Harry stated suspiciously. It wasn't as if he didn't trust Hermione, but he knew there was something going on, something big.

"Oh, I had to go back to Potions for something oh---", Hermione started, but was interrupted by the seam of her bag ripping. Serenity wasn't surprised, it was easy to see she had at least a dozen books crammed in there.

"Why are you carrying all these with you?", Ron asked, as they all bent down to pick up some of her books.

"Oh, Ron, you all know how many classes I'm taking......", Hermione trailed off breathlessly, mending her bag.

"But--", Ron started confused as she pointedly avoided the topic. "We've only got DADA this afternoon."

"Oh, yes.", Hermione replied vaguely, as she continued placing the books back in her bag. "I hope there's something good for lunch today, I'm starving.", Hermione continued nonchalantly walking towards the Great Hall.

"Do you guys get the feeling she's not telling us something?", Serenity asked Ron and Harry, who nodded in affirmative, watching Hermione disappear down the hall.

As they began to follow her, Ron noticed a bit of something shining on Serenity's neck.

"Hey, Serenity, I don't mean to scare you, but all the stones on your necklace are glowing.", Ron started as Serenity frowned and felt the stones.

'Danger .........', they whispered, almost trying to warn her.

"It was a present from some of my friends, they took a bit of their magic and made them into stones, so that I'd never be alone. When something's ....... wrong ........ they glow.", Serenity explained trying to reveal as little as possible.

Harry and Ron nodded and Ron muttered something equivalent to, 'sneakscope'.

"Yeah, it's a bit like a sneakscope.", Serenity replied pushing open the Great Hall doors, and slipping inside the boys following.

______________________________________________________________________________

DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS

Professor Lupin wasn't there when they arrived in the classroom. All the students had taken out their quills, and parchment before he got there. When he did he still looked as shabby as ever, but he looked healthier, as if he had finally had a few square meals.

"Good afternoon, I'm apologize for being late, but today will be a special lesson, you will only need your wands.", he greeted smiling at them all.

"Please, no pixies, anything but pixies.", Ron groaned putting his things away and holding out his wand.

"No, Mr. Weasely, no pixies.", Lupin replied overhearing Ron's comment. Ron flushed bright red, at the thought of being heard. Hermione and Serenity both laughed at the look on his face, while Harry shook his head amused.

"Right then, follow me.", Lupin continued leading them out of the classroom and down the hall. When they rounded the first corridor, the sight that greeted them was Peeves poking gum into the nearest keyhole.

Peeves didn't look up until Lupin was around two feet away, then he wiggled his toes, and broke out singing, being obnoxious as usual.

"Loony, loopy, Lupin, loony, loopy, Lupin.", he sang jovially , while the class watched some amused others not. The class looked to see how Professor Lupin would take it, and to most of their surprise he was still smiling.

"I'd take that gum out of the keyhole if I were you. Mr. Filch won't appreciate not being able to get to his brooms.", stated the Professor pleasantly, although there was a warning clear in his tone.

Peeves blew a raspberry at Lupin, then zoomed over Serenity's head.

"Pretty, little, moonie, pretty little moonie!", he called out as Serenity began to blush a little.

"Peeves please remove the gum from the keyhole.", Serenity asked looking the poltergeist in his ghostly eyes.

"Never, ever, not even for you, pretty little moonie!", Peeves replied turning his head.

"I'll remove it myself.", Serenity replied a wicked grin spreading on her usual angelic face.

"You wouldn't dare!", Peeves shrieked glaring at her upside down.

"Don't make me do it.", Serenity replied taking out her lightly colored wand. It was nearly a pearly white, and was nearly as smooth as marble.

"You can't!", continued Peeves.

"Don't make me do this Peeves.", a smirk playing across her face.

Meanwhile Lupin was preparing to remove it himself, telling the students paying attention to take notes. Serenity however was not paying any attention whatsoever, and when she cried out the spell, she was suprised to hear Lupin's voice with her own.

"Waddiwasi!", they both cried out their wands pointing at the keyhole. With the force of more than a bullet, the wad of chewing gum blast from the keyhole and straight down Peeves left nostril. Peeves whirled up and zoomed away cursing, quite loudly down the hall.

"That was cool.", Dean Thomas stated in amazement.

"Thank-you, but I must ask, what were you aiming for Miss Moon?", Lupin replied smiling.

"The bridge of his nose.", Serenity replied blushing.

"Well, I was aiming for it to go back in his mouth, so I guess it had to compromise somewhere.", Lupin replied smiling at her.

"Five points to Gryffindor, now shall we proceed?", the Professor continued turning down the hall to the staff room.

The room was empty except for many mismatched chairs, and one very peeved Professor Snape. His eyes were glittering and a nasty sneer played around his mouth.

As Professor Lupin tried to close the door, Snape said, "Leave it open, I'd rather not see this."

He got to his feet his black robes billowing out behind him, and at the doorway he stopped and stated, " Possibly no one's warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I warn you not to entrust him with anything unless Miss Granger and my niece are hissing instructions in his ear."

Neville, Serenity, and Hermione went scarlet. Neville and Hermione in embarrassment, and Serenity in pure anger. 'Not only does he act like a jerk to poor Neville in class, now he's doing it infront of teachers too.', Serenity thought her fists clenched tightly. Her eyes shown a deadly blue fire even after Snape walked away, and Lupin had stated that Neville would be his assistant.

After explaining that the lesson for the day was a creature, a creature called a Boggart. Hermione and Harry were both awarded house points for answering questions correctly, and soon enough it was time to begin.

Professor Lupin pointed his wand at the door of the wardrobe, and out popped Neville's greatest fear. Professor Severus Snape.

"Riddikulus!!!", cried out Neville concentrating on his grandmothers wardrobe, then imagining it on Snape. In a small flurry of magic, Severus Snape was dressed in a vulture topped hat, with a bright green dress, and a big red handbag. The class including Neville erupted into laughter and the confused boggart turned to Parvati.

It turned into a sightless mummy, and began to walk towards her when--

"Riddikulus!", she cried out, and the bandage from the creatures feet started to unravel. The boggart then turned on each person in the room, and with a crack it became their greatest fear.

When the legless spider that Ron had created rolled infront of Serenity's feet she tensed. Slowly the room began to get cold, as the creature on the ground shifted slowly into a familiar form of dread. It slithered, making small noises of shifting organs and bones. Finally it stood at its height just infront of her. The class rooms eyes were wide with freight while Harry began to feel woozy. Serenity seemed to be frozen for a moment but snapped out of it as it reached towards her. She narrowed her eyes at it, and it flew back towards the cupboard, slamming into the door. Lavender screamed in freight as it got up again. Serenity knew that this was a farce Dementor, otherwise she would have never been able to keep her head. Nor would she have been able to blow it back with her mind.

"Here!", Lupin shouted suddenly gaining the boggart - Dementors attention.

"Riddikulus!", he called out almost lazily as it turned into a silvery white ball, and floated towards him. Serenity watched her chest heaving and her hands shaking. She was surprised however to see what Lupin was afraid of. The silvery ball seemed to be a mock form of the moon. Suddenly it changed direction and headed towards Harry, and slowly began to shift, into something of dark colors. Harry readied his wand and was ready to take his turn when he was interrupted.

"Forward, Neville! Finish him off!", ordered Professor Lupin pushing the boy forward.

CRACK!

And then it became Professor Snape again. "Riddikulus!", Neville shouted, and they had a split second where Snape was in his lacy dress before the boy let out a great ,"Ha!", and in wisps of smoke and dust the boggart exploded.

"Excellent!", cried out Professor Lupin, and the class burst into applause. Lupin awarded every Gryffindor who had had a chance at the boggart five points. Harry protested to the points, because he hadn't done anything. Lupin insisted that he had, because he answered the question correctly. Frowning, Harry accepted the answer and left the classroom, taking a small piece of chocolate like everyone else, while they all talked about battling their worst fears.

"Did you see me take that banshee?", Dean asked his eyes glowing excitedly.

"And my mummy?", Parvati continued as well.

"And the hand?", Seamus started wiggling his fingers in the air.

Harry felt very insignificant right then. Everyone else had had a chance at the boggart, everyone but him.

"Not to mention Snape in that dress!", someone shouted, and Harry had to crack a smile at that. He still had a knot in his stomach from when the boggart had turned into a dementor. He knew Serenity was a bit shaken up, even though she smiled and laughed like she wasn't. Her smiles never reached her eyes, and her silvery laughter was hollow and nervous. Suddenly, her head cocked quickly to the left.

"Hey, Ron did you hear something?", Serenity asked making her way past Seamus. Her calm expression was betrayed by her eyes, which showed that she knew something wasn't right.

"No, I didn't hear anything, why?", Ron replied as they unconsciously formed a circle.

"What did you hear?", Hermione asked, eyebrows furrowed, as she watched Serenity's face.

"I swear I heard someone scre---", she started but was cut off by a frightened scream of terror, followed by several loud crashes. The scream echoed from down the hall, and a roar of rage chased after it.

"Oh, God.", Serenity whispered to herself as she started towards the scream. The aura coming from the area felt so familiar. Another scream was heard, different from the one from before, and she broke out into a dead sprint. Harry and Ron both took off after her, while Hermione raced back to Professor Lupin who was still in the staff room. Some students that hadn't went to dinner yet followed them, and more still came from an opposite class room, from down the hall.

When Serenity got to the scene she was greeted by the sight of a youma holding Angelina Johnson (the Gryffindor Chaser) and Penelope Clearwater (Percy's girlfriend) captive high above it's head slowly draining their energy. The youma looked to be like a very scantily clad woman, with huge rough tentacles for arms, rapped tightly around the girls torsos. It looked as if it had slammed them into the wall at some point because there were dents in the ceiling and parts of the wall had fallen down, leaving pieces of granite and and marble all over the floor.

Once again dread raged through Serenity's system, but was then washed away, and replaced by a burst of adrenaline. With a burst of speed she raced over and kicked the youma in it's left tentacle. With a loud screech it dropped Angelina to the floor, and with a groan her eyes opened.

"Serenity! Get away, the teachers are coming in a second!", Harry yelled at her, so very worried for her safety.

'I can't transform ......... too many people.', Serenity mused silently. Sometimes her attacks, and even her transformation gave off a back lash, and she wouldn't let any one end up hurt because of her.

Serenity turned and winked at Harry, then raced towards Angelina. The youma had paused draining Penelope's energy for a few moments, but now, the dark brown hared girl was in the most danger. In danger of being hit with flying rocks, and or being stepped on. She quickly dragged Angelina out of the way towards Harry and Ron. A bit of a crowd had now formed, and Hermione came rushing up, saying Professor Lupin and the other teachers were on there way.

"Hermione? What can we do?!", Ron demanded hastily, thinking through spells that they had learned that might be able to help.

"We can't do anything ....... it's way out of our league.", Hermione replied sadly watching teary eyed as Harry began to go forward to help Serenity with Angelina.

When Serenity felt Angelina was out of danger, and Harry was coming her way, she stopped dragging her, then turned to go back for Penelope.

"Please, Serenity come back!", Hermione called desperately. She was at a loss she had never, never come across something as horrible as the creature before them.

Serenity concentrated on forcing a bit of her power to her hands, and when a silver sheen appeared on them, she rushed at the creatures other tentacle.

"Get away from me you brat!", yelled the youma in a high pitched voice, dodging Serenity's first throws.

Then one punch connected with what seemed to be it's shoulder, and it's empty tentacle went limp. Getting an idea Serenity quickly punched the other shoulder, and the tentacle holding Penelope went limp as well. Penelope began to drop from a very high height, and with a gasp Serenity jumped over the tentacle, and caught the girl just before she hit the ground. The weight and the law of gravity pulled them both down, and Serenity dropped to her knees cracking them both on the hard marble floor, although protecting Penelope from harm. Biting her lip, she dragged Penelope who was quickly waking up towards the opposite hall, pushing her into an empty classroom.

"Serenity! Get away from that youma!", she suddenly heard Severus call angrily, his eyes flashing.

Serenity whirled around and found the youma no more than five feet from her, having dragged itself towards her, it's useless arms dead weight.

"I'm going to kill you.", the youma rasped it's eyes glowing a frightening green.

"GET AWAY FROM IT!!!", Snape shouted again pulling his wand from his robes.

The youma's mouth suddenly opened and then it opened wider to about the size of a bowling ball.

'What......?', Serenity trailed off her energy boost now gone, as she suddenly felt very tired.

Then a green beam started forming in it's mouth, as it's fangs grew longer, it suddenly shot the blast at her which despite coming from it's small space was twice the size of her by the time it reached her.

"NO!!!!", Snape yelled nearly dropping the wand as his heart wrenched. His only family was going to die.

Thinking quickly Serenity raised her arms in a blocking position and forced a bit of her power out of herself to create a type of shield. The green blast flew directly at her small form. Try as she might, she couldn't keep the blast back. She just wasn't strong enough in her current form, and she couldn't, wouldn't show everyone who she was. The blast creeped up on her, and for a second she was able to push it away. Suddenly she couldn't keep the shield up any longer, and the blast engulfed her tiny frame. Dust enveloped the area where the blast had hit, making it so the others couldn't see.

"My master will be pleased ........ ",the youma hissed narrowing it's eyes at her in triumph.

"Oh, god!", Hermione cried out tears running down her face. She flung her arms around Ron who was in a type of shock, staring at the spot where the dust covered. On pure instinct he hugged Hermione back, as he choked back a sob.

Then, moments to late, the headmaster arrived. Seeing the wreckage in the hall, a drained Angelina, and more than half the students present crying in freight he demanded to know what happened. Then he saw the youma leering over a fallen body as the dust and smoke cleared away. A body with silver hair thrown every which way, with charred black robes, and slightly burnt hands.

'Oh no ........', Dumbledore trailed off in his mind feeling shock race through him.

Harry stared openly, tears pricking at his eyes. She had become, in just a little over a month, more than an acquaintance. She had become a part of their group and a part of their lives, a part of his life, and a friend to them all. It wasn't fair that she had been taken away, it just wasn't fair! 'But the gods never have played fair, now have they?', he thought bitterly brought back to his parents deaths.

Professor McGonagall, Lupin, Binns, Flitwick, and Madame Hooch, who had been in the area were all standing next to Professor Snape, jaws wide open. For once Snape didn't look so menacing, for once he didn't look so mean. He looked as if his world had been taken away, and infact he had dropped his wand, his hands shaking to much to hold it.

With a growl of fury, the handle of a jeweled sword appeared in his shaking hand. Then the blade grew out of the sword pulsing with magic and power. Students that weren't crying were staring in wonder at the long elegant sword held in the potions masters hands. With stunning speed he appeared behind the monster. With another display of skill he swung the sword once, twice, three times. The youma finally noticed Snape behind it, and it whirled around to face it's new toy, to find itself falling apart.

"What's this!?!", it shrieked loudly watching it's limp tentacle fall off. Suddenly it's eyes went dull, and slowly it's head fell off along with the other tentacle. As soon as the head hit the ground, the body disintegrated into dust.

Severus' posture dropped out of the fighting stance, and the sword disappeared. He slowly ambled towards Serenity, no longer as emotionless as he wished to be, as he dropped to his knees and pulled her fallen form to himself. He cradled her in his arms his eyes looking on mournfully, though not a tear fell from his ebony eyes. He held her close to his heart, her long hair falling freely down beside and all around him. With a shaky sigh he buried his face in her hair and closed his eyes.

'No it can't be ......... I....... she ........', he thought mentally his stone cold heart bleeding icy rivers of pain.

'I yelled at her ...... and she's ........... she's ............... de---', he started but cut himself off as he heard a faint sound.

*Thump**Thump*

'What?', he wondered listening closer, and found himself straining to hear what he believed not to be there.

*Thump**Thump*

He had heard it, her heart beat. If her heart beat, it meant she was alive. He quickly grabbed her wrist, and felt for her pulse. Finding one steady and strong, he looked up, reaching his hand towards his fallen wand. The wand flew to his hand, and with a few choice words he conjured up a stretcher.

"Severus, what are you doing?", McGonagall asked staring hard at him, her eyes glassy.

"She's alive.", he stated a smirk playing across his lips.

"She's WHAT?", shrieked Hermione loudly jumping off of Ron and towards Snape.

"You heard me Miss Granger, she's alive.", Snape snapped his eyes boring into the tear streaked girl.

Hermione broke out into a bright smile, and was tempted to hug him, but opted for Ron again throwing her arms around the blinking boy.

"McGonagall, Miss Clearwater is in that classroom, if you please...", Snape trailed off pushing through the crowd, the stretcher trailing off after him.

Professor Flitwick had already collected Angelina in a stretcher, and was quickly following Snape, as fast as his little feet would go.

Dumbledore assessed the damage done to the hall, and in the blink of an eye it was repaired. McGonagall had gotten Penelope, and soon enough she went off after Snape and Flitwick. The other remaining teachers tried to calm the fears of the students there, and sent them off to dinner, after checking their well being.

"Everyone, please there will be an announcement after dinner in the great hall. Please precede to the great hall.", Dumbledore announced as the students soon made their way to the great hall.

Friends comforted friends, boyfriends put a tough guy facade up to fool their girlfriends, to assure the ones they loved, that everything was going to be all right.

"Harry? Did you hear him? She's all right!", Hermione called to Harry excitedly, waving her arms in the air happily.

"Yeah ....... I heard........", Harry trailed off wiping his eyes, and sniffling a little.

"Oh, Harry come on, she's all right! We'll go see her after dinner, and then, maybe Madame Pomfrey woke her up!", Hermione stated happily, eyes shining, as she dragged both boys down the hall.

"Didn't you guys see it?", Ron asked when they were almost there.

"See what?", Harry asked in a thick voice, his heart about to burst from his chest.

"Snape! I thought he was going to cry! Maybe he is human ..........", Ron trailed off while Hermione shook her head exasperated.

"You shouldn't be worried on weather he's human or not, but where that sword came from.", Hermione replied pulling her hair back with a scrunchie she had on her wrist.

Harry and Ron both nodded, but Harry was more concerned on other matters.

"I'm glad she's going to be all right.", Harry stated out of the blue, still trying to convince himself she wasn't really dead.

"Me too.", Hermione and Ron replied in unison, pushing the great hall doors open, where the hall was alive with commotion.

______________________________________________________________________________

IN THE INFIRMARY

"Severus, out!", Madame Pomfrey ordered pointing towards the door.

"But-- ", Severus started, heading for his niece.

"No buts, Mister! I healed your bones, don't think I won't break them!", Madame Pomfrey threatened glaring at Professor Snape for all she was worth.

"She's my niece!", bellowed out Severus angrily.

"I don't care if she's the Queen of England, OUT!", Pomfrey ordered her wand sparking.

"She'll be Queen of more than just England.", Snape muttered darkly, sulking out the door, as Pomfrey slammed it and locked it behind him.

"That WOMAN!", Severus raged taking out his anger in the poor unsuspecting wall.

"I should've been there ...............", he trailed off leaning his forehead against the walls cool surface.

"Now, now Severus, you've learned long ago not to blame yourself for the inevitable.",came a rich sounding voice from behind him. Severus spun around to face someone he'd never thought he'd see again.

"P-Pluto?", he stuttered eyes wide.

"At your service my Lord.", Pluto replied standing up leaning on her time staff.

"You were kissed by the dementor ............. How?", Severus asked awestruck.

"My, my you are a bit rusty aren't you...........", Pluto trailed off her maroon eyes looking at him, a tad bit of amusement showing in their depths.

"Are you mocking me?", Snape asked aggravated. He was in no mood for such foolish games.

"Of course not. I was only stating the fact that you seem to forget that the gates of time can not survive without it's guardian. And I am always needed, I will always watch over everything, always as the solitary protector. Dementors cannot contain my soul. It is forbidden, even to Voldermort.", Pluto explained a bit of sadness coming into her eyes.

"I understand, what of the others?", Severus asked realization finally hitting him.

"Saturn is the only one who will joining Serenity-hime as of yet. As you know light cannot live without the dark, and so the hime's soul unconsciously extracted Saturn's from the dementors, all because her soul yearned for the dark.", Pluto explained in the same cryptic way she always had.

'You'd think after a thousand years, she'd finally give people straight answers.', Severus stated in his mind, just barely grasping what she had said.

"Severus, if I gave straight answers, how would you ever learn anything?", Pluto questioned, having unconsciously read his mind.

"You, are impossible!", he replied leaning against the cool white wall.

"I know.", Pluto replied, a smirk playing across her ruby red lips.

"And what of the others?", Snape asked with a sigh. No matter how much he tried he'd never have one up on the time guardian. Only his niece and Endymion had ever been able to put the guardian through a loop. And from what he knew on numerous occasions.

"After Serenity-hime's soul retrieved Saturn's soul, she began to retrieve Mars's soul, but Voldermort caught on. He quickly locked the souls away somewhere, somewhere even I am forbidden to go. On the the good side the senshi are all right, but on the down side we can't reach them until Voldermort takes them out to use them.", Pluto explained while Snapes face got stony, and his eyes hardened.

"I understand Setsuna-san.", Severus replied his eyes closing in exhaustion.

"Remember, no one can know that I was here, not even Serenity-hime. I'm already bending the rules as it is.", Pluto warned creating a portal.

"Thank-you for your assistance Pluto, I'll see you soon I trust?", he replied cracking an eye open.

"Quite correct my Lord. Until next time.", Pluto called stepping into the portal.

Severus closed his eyes standing against the wall, digesting the information. His fatigue and the days events began to take a toll on his body, as he soon drifted into a light slumber. A slumber while standing up.

______________________________________________________________________________

IN THE GREAT HALL

"I understand that you're all wondering what happened today if the reflection corridor.......", started McGonagall waiting for Dumbledore to arrive. Moments later he walked in a grim look on his face. For once his eyes showed his actual age, as they had lost part of their sparkle, and their youthful sheen.

"Today, to my deepest regrets a follower of you-know-who entered the castle. The follower as some will tell you, was undoubtedly, not human.", the old wizard started, his clear voice resounding throughout the silent hall.

"The creature attacked two of our students, Angelina Johnson, and Penelope Clearwater.", Dumbledore continued watching the students faces change from apprehension to horror in a few seconds.

Percy buried his face in his hands, and began to shake. His two normally obnoxious twin brothers both placed a hand on either of his shoulders, giving him silent support. Ron looked over at his brother and nudged Hermione, who also glanced down at Percy. Her eyes began to water as she kicked Harry lightly from under the table, who immediately stopped fidgeting with his pumpkin juice, and looked at her. She shook her head towards Percy and he looked down towards the end of the table, where Percy sat shaking. They couldn't tell if he was crying or not, because he made no sound, but Harry could guess the way Percy was feeling.

"Those two students are recovering nicely in the infirmary, and should be out by the day after tomorrow.", Dumbledore explained his half-moon spectacles glaring off the candle light.

"Although, Miss Clearwater and Miss Johnson are all right, the student responsible for their well-being is not. Miss Serenity Moon purposely put herself in danger to save the lives of those two girls, and although she accomplished her goal, her own life is threatened. For those of you who saw the event, you understand I'm sure, why everyone is forbidden to be alone. The Ministry of Magic was contacted and an incantation is being owled as we speak to keep anymore accidents like that from happening.", Dumbledore finished watching Percy Weasely continue to shudder and shake although his brothers continued to comfort him. Harry, Hermione, and Ron looked crestfallen as well at his last announcement.

"Everyone, I must now insist that you go straight to your common rooms, lead by your head boy and girl. There is to be no wandering the halls alone after dark, or even during the day. Anyone breaking the law will be severely punished.", McGonagall announced as the students cautiously stood up and headed towards their Head boy and Girl. In Gryffindor's case Sean Simitoski, a sixth year prefect, took over Percy's position as the boy was a little to shaken up.

"Percy!", Ron called out racing towards the young man, Hermione and Harry right behind him.

"Yes, Ron?", Percy replied crisply, although his eyes told the anguish he was feeling.

"Oh, Percy, we saw the whole thing! It was horrible!", Hermione cried out launching herself at Percy hugging him tight.

Percy's eyes widened slightly, but he soon hugged her back, realizing she was just as scared as everyone else. Although she was more scared for the others than for herself.

"Oh, come now Hermione, they'll be all right.", Percy soothed, trying to forget the fact that he hadn't been there for Penelope.

'But she'll be all right.', a little voice in his head told him. He knew it in his heart that his dear Penny would be as good as new in a few days, but now he began to worry. He began to worry about the girl that had somehow, unknowingly, wormed her way into everyone's hearts. He had heard so much about her from Ron, and she had always been polite and kind to him. He hadn't known her very well, but had already begun to think of her as another younger sister.

The quartet walked all the way to the Gryffindor common room in silence, save for Hermione's occasional sniffles.

"Now, all three of you were there right?", Percy asked as his younger twin brothers leaned over the edge of the couch, and Ginny had scrambled into Percy's lap. It was her second year, and she was frightened. Ginny was unusually small for a twelve year old, but she didn't mind, it was just the way she was.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione all nodded grimly, and Percy nodded as well.

"Good then, now you can tell us exactly what happened.", Percy replied wrapping his arms around Ginny who buried herself deep in the folds of his robes. Her legs swung back and fourth slightly as she leaned comfortably against Percy. She always had loved her older brother, no matter how much of a pain he could be.

"We had just gotten out of Defense Against the Dark Arts, when Serenity thought she heard something. She was going to tell us what it was, but then she took off down the hallway like there was no tomorrow.", Hermione started her tears finally once again subsiding," I went to go get Professor Lupin, and the boys chased her."

They went on to explain what had happened in detail. Even how Serenity had saved Penelope from a near fatal drop.

"But then, Professor Snape showed up. He told her to get away from the creature, but she looked to tired to move. The creature said it was going to kill her and she just, kind of, stood there......", Harry trailed off his fists clenched.

"It shot a blast, or beam of some sort at her. It was too large to dodge so she tried to block, but the blast was too strong, it swallowed her up.", Hermione continued folding her hands in her lap.

"Then Snape did something, bloody incredible. He yelled and this really wicked sword appeared in his hand. It was actually him that killed the creature.", Ron pointed out looking at Percy's skeptical face.

"Then he walked over to Serenity. She looked horrible, her body was burnt and bruised, her robes still smoking. He held her for a minute then suddenly got his wand and put her on a stretcher, telling everyone she was alive.", Harry finished sitting back on the plush leather couch.

Ginny had fallen asleep in Percy's arms, while Fred and George had hopped onto either side of Percy, listening intently. Percy sat thoughtfully, his chin resting atop Ginny's head, while Hermione was beginning to drift off for some much needed sleep.

"I think it's time for all of you to get to bed.", Percy started, shaking Ginny lightly.

"Aww, come on Percy it's only ........... 11:00 o'clock!?!", Fred stated in shock looking at his watch.

"Come on Fred, we still have a Potions paper to write! And a test tomorrow in Transfiguration!", George stated panicked. If their marks got any worse he'd hate to know what his parents would do. Probably send a howler. Fred and George both shuddered at the same time, howlers were the ultimate humiliation.

"Fred, George wait!", Ginny called drowsily, chasing after them. "Yes, Gin?", Fred asked turning to his sister.

"I love you guys!", Ginny cried out throwing her arms around them both. She was frightened. Afraid that her brothers would be taken away or hurt just like Serenity and Penelope had been.

"Well, we love you too.", George replied ruffling her hair. Normally he would have made a snide comment about it, but he knew that now was not the time.

"G'night", Fred called dragging George up the stairs.

"Percy, Ron, I love you guys too!", Ginny continued launching herself at Ron, then at Percy. Percy swept her up into his arms, and held her in a tight bear hug.

"Oh, Gin, we love you just as much as Fred and George, if not more.", Percy replied smoothing her hair out of her eyes.

"Yeah, don't worry we love you.", Ron called smiling at her. He could tell she was uneasy, and patted her back. Percy let her down and she wiped her eyes. She then turned to Harry and Hermione and threw her arms around them both.

"You guys are great, all of you, don't ever leave.", Ginny sniffled, as Harry and Hermione hugged her back awkwardly.

"Come on Ginny I'll walk you to your dorm.", Hermione offered holding out her hand.

Ginny nodded and grasped Hermione's hand tightly, grateful she didn't have to walk by herself.

"Well boys off to bed you go.", Percy told Harry and Ron sitting back down on the couch his head in his hands.

"Yeah, Perce, we'll see you in the morning.", Ron called worriedly motioning for Harry to follow him. They made foot steps like they were walking away, but in reality we're in the shadows of the common room, watching Percy. Soon the boy began to shake, and as he sat up, they realized he was crying.

'Poor Percy.', Harry thought as he and Ron quickly, quietly made their way upstairs, leaving the young man to his own misery.

______________________________________________________________________________

IN THE INFIRMARY

"Severus? Severus? Oh, do wake up.", a voice called through his subconscious. His eyes flew opened and he was met by the warm brown eyes of Madame Pomfrey.

"Ah, your awake I see.", Pomfrey stated pulling away from him as he followed her into the infirmary.

"I was only thinking.", Severus protested passing a lightly snoring Angelina.

"You snore when you think, and mumble Setsuna?", Pomfrey interrupted an eyebrow.

Severus had the decency to blush and made no comment to Pomfrey's retort.

"Are they all right?", Snape asked passing Penelope's bed.

"Yes, they should be fine by evening tomorrow. They just need a little sleep.", the magical medical witch replied pulling back a curtain.

There his beloved niece lay, wearing a white hospital gown. Her long hair piled down on the floor behind her, spilling over the edges of the bed, creating a halo around her body. A sliver of the crescent moon showed through the window, illuminating her body. Her skin and hair glowed, making her look like a fallen angel. But scarring the angel were light bruises on her face and arms.

"Why are the bruises still there?", Severus asked not removing his eyes from her.

"They'll fade in a few hours, it just takes time because I concentrated on fixing her bones, and closing up any open wounds first.", Pomfrey replied waving her wand. A comfortable chair appeared next to Serenity's bedside and Snape looked a her questioningly.

"I'm just getting you a comfortable chair, I know you'll be here all night. And I'm only letting you stay because, I know you'll raise the devil and wake up the whole castle if I don't.", the old witch continued, and began to shuffle towards her own quarters.

Severus gave her a small nod of gratitude, and then sank into the chair with a slight sigh. He watched over Serenity for a few moments, but then after making sure she was really alive his thoughts began to drift. Serenity was the only one left, the only part of his family, past or present left alive. She was like a daughter to him, and he, couldn't, wouldn't let her get hurt. Everyone else he had ever cared about had left him, but there in the cot, laid his hope, his light, his reason to live.

His thoughts were drawn from Serenity to Harry, and when he thought of the boy in made him want to yell. He could see how close the boy and his niece were getting. He wouldn't let Harry take Serenity away from him.

"U-Uncle Severus?", he heard a raspy voice whisper.

"Serry?", he asked hope in his eyes.

"Why do you hate Harry so much?", Serenity asked him slowly. She had felt the hate for Harry rolling off him in waves, and it had woken her up.

"Hate Harry?", Severus asked a cruel smirk on his face.

"Yes, why do you hate him?", Serenity continued watching Severus intently.

__________________________________--*FLASHBACK*--____________________________

"Hey Lily!", called a sixteen year old Severus Snape. Lily Evans was a girl with ruby red hair, and bright shining emerald eyes.

"Hi Severus, how are you!?!", Lily replied with a smile, jovially walking over. She always had a smile for everyone, regardless of how she felt on the inside.

"I'm all right, and you?", he replied his voice not nearly as cold as it is in the future. He had his hair long, cut to about his shoulder, pulled back in a black tie. A few stray wisps of pitch black hair fell in his face, that held happy ebony orbs.

"I'm as good as ever!", Lily replied her eyes twinkling in the bright sunlight.

"Lily?", asked Severus shuffling his feet, and wringing his wrists.

"Yes?", she answered offering him a piece of toffee candy as she popped one in her own mouth. He took it, but placed it in his pocket.

"I was wondering, if you would be, eh, interested in, um, going to the Hollow's Eve ball with me?", he asked quickly blushing from head to toe.

"Severus, don't you know? Didn't anyone ever tell you?", Lily asked her emerald eyes looking worried, as she peered at him.

"Know what Lily?", Severus questioned his heart beginning to sink.

"Oh, Severus, James and I have been dating for almost a year now!", Lily cried out, feeling horrible as his face crumbled.

"I see.", Severus replied in a monotone, his eyes losing their spark.

******************************************************************************************

"Do you swear you allegiance to me?", hissed a voice to a seventeen year old Severus.

"Yes, of course Master.", Snape replied his eyes blank. Lily and James were getting married as soon as they graduated. He had no hope, his love, loved another. Without her his life no longer mattered.

******************************************************************************************

"I swear to you Dumbledore, you-know-who is after Lily and James Potter.", Severus told the headmaster of Hogwarts, now nineteen.

"Severus, as much as I'd like to believe you, you were once a death eater.", Albus replied sadly looking at one of his top students.

"Give me the Truth Potion, I'll tell you everything. Just, please put them into hiding!", Severus begged, desperate. He couldn't continue as a death eater once he realized how many innocent people they were going to kill. He then found out the next targets were James and Lily Potter. Voldermort was going to kill them one of them to stop a prophecy from coming true, and ensure his future position. He couldn't take the possibility of his precious Lily being destroyed. Although she was married to and still loved James Potter, his rival, he loved her more than anything.

"All right, the truth potion never lies.", Albus agreed a grim smile on his face.

At the end of the day Lily and James Potter were hidden away with their secret keeper as Sirius Black.

******************************************************************************************

"I've just gotten word that Lily is going to have a child!", Minerva McGonagall crowed out rushing into Dumbledore's office, face red with excitement.

'A child. A symbol of their undying love.', Severus thought bitterly putting a smile on his face for the benefit of the people around him.

Dumbledore glanced at a now twenty-one year old Severus and instantly knew he was faking, but said nothing.

******************************************************************************************

"They've been killed! Voldermort was after their child, not them!", Minerva cried out burying her face in her hands.

"He was after their child?", Severus whispered, now twenty two, numb inside. Sirius Black, the man who had pledged his life to his two best friends, had sold them out to Voldermort.

"We were told that Voldermort first killed James, then went after Lily who was fleeing with Harry. Lily died to save Harry. Voldermort said that she needn't have died, but she died for him. Harry however is alive. The curse bounced off of Harry and hit Voldermort. Voldermort is gone! Harry is alive!", Minerva continued heart brokenly.

'Lily died for Harry. Lily died BECAUSE of Harry.', Severus thought furious.

Harry should have never been born between James and Lily. He should have been the father, and then none of the problems would have occurred.

'I will not accept a symbol of their love. Harry Potter is that symbol.', Snape thought viciously, his hatred for the boy growing.

END
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"Well?", Serenity asked weakly waiting for an answer. The hatred rolling off of Severus had increased in the last few moments, and soon Serenity was cringing away.

"What, Sere?", Severus asked snapping back to reality, the hate lessening.

"Why do you hate Harry?", she asked again watching her uncle with worried eyes.

"No reason, no reason at all.", Severus replied a sick twisted grin forming on his face.

"Sleep.", Severus murmured, before she could accuse him of lying. She promptly fell asleep, and her breathing became even and soft.

"I don't hate Harry at all. I have no reason to, no reason at all.", Severus continued talking to no one, the same evil grin ever present.

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The THIRD chapter of my HP/SM, go me, go me!
I hope you like!
Review or else!





Much Love SerenityMoon