When All Hope is Lost

by SerenityMoon

Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Serenity embark on a new friendship, all the while preparing themselves for adventure. Severus Snape is Serenity's uncle, it really is a small world, isn't it?

4. Please Don't Go

When all Hope is Lost
Author: ~*SerenityMoon*~
Chapter: 4

Hi, Minna-chan! I am just ever so happy to know that this fic is loved! Awwww!!!!!! For everyone who reviewed, I thank-you very, VERY much! I promise to consider all your, suggestions and , I hope you like the chapter.

I not only received 10 reviews, I received 16! Ha! *does a victory dance, stops and blows on her nails,"I've still got it!" *
Thank-you, all of you!

Comments:

It really bugged me that no one ever took the time to explain why Severus Snape is the way he is. Everyone has a reason for being the way they are, and think I went about it the right way. Any Objections?

It most likely will not be a Mamoru/Usagi fic, but I won't bash him either. I really don't like full blown bashing much without an explained RATIONAL reason to back it up (the whole Mamo cheated on Usa, and scouts get mad thing is getting old), unless it's a parody. Then the ENTIRE story line is shot to hell, so anything goes. But I've got plans for that little prince ......, plans yes indeed.

Snape just might end up with Setsuna, ya never know. After all, this is ME writing here.

I've also decided to bring Percy out a little more. He truly is a complex character, I mean look at him he's a pompous jerk with years of being good at it. For once let's show the better side of Percy, and let him be FREE!!!!

Yes, I've noticed that Harry seems a bit OCC, but he's not that bad so GET OFF MY BACK! MY FIC MY RULES!

And Dumbledore will play a larger part in this chapter too, I've been ignoring the poor guy.......

And NO Snape is NOT bi polar!!!!!!

And for the last time, e-mailed flames will be used to light the fireplace, or they will be posted and laughed at, because NONE of you who flamed had ANY reasoning WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!!!!!


Disclaimer: I don't own anything, but the plot! Well, most of it anyway, the other 1/4 belongs to the talented J.K.Rowling. *All hail Miss Rowling!*

______________________________________________________________________________


LAST TIME

"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.

______________________________________________________________________________

THREE DAYS LATER

The apprehension in the school died down considerably after the incantation from the Ministry of Magic arrived. It put the students minds at ease, while doing very little for the teachers who were still on guard. It also, thank the heavens, slowed down the number of owls sent to Dumbledore from worried parents. The wise old man sighed as he continued to write back to another parent in beautiful flowing script.

His mind had been continuously wandering back to the children in the infirmary. Angelina and Penelope were being released that afternoon in good health. Serenity had not woken up up since Snape had been there last. The man was in a particularly foul mood these days, as any student could well tell you why. Word had spread quickly about Severus in a 'green dress with a stuffed vulture hat, carrying around a red handbag like wildfire. His mood was already rotten enough because his only living relative was in the infirmary, and when he got wind of the DADA scandal, it threw the man into another fit of rage. Dumbledore would have long ago fired him for his attitude, save for one small detail. The man was good. He always knew exactly what he was doing and knew how to teach it and teach it well. He was powerful, and weather anyone liked to admit it or not he was a great wizard. Smart, powerful, cunning, sly, and seriousness were only some of the many talents the renowned Professor was made up of.

Dumbledore sighed again, and continued to write to the concerned families, trying to push everything else out of his mind. Try as he might, he couldn't get the young hime's current condition out of his head. He was the headmaster of the school and should have been able to block the monster from coming in the first place. With a sudden bit of frustration he stood up, decidedly putting off the rest of the letters until later. His untraditional dark blue robes flowed about him as he walked swiftly out of his office, patting Fawkes on the way out.

He walked through the halls going towards the infirmary, he just needed to check on her to put his weary mind at ease. He nodded, smiling as passing students gave him a polite greeting. He soon noticed a group of people in front of him, obviously going the same way he was, and on closer inspection he noticed the group consisted of none other than Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. Following the two were Ron, Percy, and Ginny Weasely. And trailing them were the Twins. He gave a slight chuckle as he realized even without thinking about it, he himself referred to Fred and George as the Twins. When someone said the words 'the Twins', even though there were several sets of twins in the school, everyone knew that when the Twins were mentioned, it was Fred and George. They were the cause of most of the pranks in the school, and the record keeper's for the most consecutive detentions in a row.

At another glance he realized that they all carried some type of parcel in their arms, no doubt for their injured friends. He decided to stop in on McGonagall for a few moments to give the students some time alone with the people they wanted to talk to. When he walked into the the deputy head-mistresses office, he saw nothing, but a small tabby cat, sleeping on the desk in the sun. Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with mirth, as he quietly crept up to the cat, and gently scratched it behind it's ears. It began to open it's eyes, but closed them again falling into a soft purr. Suddenly, the cat snapped back as if it had just realized what it was doing, and quickly detransformed.

"Headmaster ......... What a surprise to see you here.", Minerva stumbled over her words , a blush covering her face.

"Yes..... I trust you enjoyed your nap?", Dumbledore replied a small smile on his face, it wasn't everyday you caught Minerva McGonagall off guard.

"Oh, yes, well ........ It was my prep period, and ----", she stuttered out embarrassed.

"No need to explain, sleep is essential, and with the lack of it you've been getting lately, I'm surprised you even woke up.", Dumbledore cut her off, his amused smile turning into one of concern.

"What time did you get to bed Minerva?", he continued seeing her yawn unintentionally.

"Not to late....... Only until I was needed.", she replied sitting down in her chair, bags ever present under her eyes.

"What time?", Albus pressed tempted to send her to Poppy for a sleeping pill.

"Ah, six, seven maybe....", she mumbled her blush returning.

"Well Minerva, I order you to your chambers. You are not to leave there until you've had some decent sleep. I will take your last class for you, I think these old bones still have a bit of magic left in them, don't you think?", he continued with a cheeky smile as she stood up ready to protest.

"But--", she started feebly.

"Go.", he interrupted pointing towards the door.

"Headmaster I---", she began again looking exasperated.

"Minerva......", he trailed off warningly pointing towards the door.

"Fine.", she replied walking away with a slight slump, acting less than her actual age. Witches aged slower than muggles, so really she only looked to be in her mid-thirties, but in reality she was older, much, much, MUCH older.

Dumbledore gave a slight chuckle as he decided to visit the little hime after Angelina and Penelope were released, just before dinner. He then flipped open the transfiguration workbook, and with an internal groan he looked heaven ward for help. Transfiguration was something in school that he had just learned to do without questioning, now there were actual NAMES for the spells. He shook his head and with a small speed reading spell, he began his task.

______________________________________________________________________________

OUTSIDE THE INFIRMARY

"Can we please just see her Madame Pomfrey?", Ginny begged her brown eyes watering up slightly.

"No, she's injured and not even awake for heavens sake! First Severus and now you seven!", she grumbled not looking up from her paper work.

"Please Madame Pomfrey?", begged Hermione and Ginny at the same time, they're brown eyes giving off a 'puppy who's just been kicked' look.

"I said--", Pomfrey started looking up at them, but then seeing the two girls faces.

"I said.......", she trailed off as the two girls put the puppy face on to it's fullest extent.

"All right, you can see her.", Poppy agreed sighing as she led them to the room Serenity was currently sleeping in. "But only for a little while! And for heavens sake be QUIET!"

Hermione and Ginny slapped each other high five's, and grinned at the boys who looked dumbstruck.

"Hermione you are a nightmare! Bloody brilliant, but a nightmare!", Ron stated under his breath causing the group to chuckle lightly.

As Madame Pomfrey led them through the Infirmary they saw neither Penelope or Angelina, but figured they would see them soon. Percy especially wanted to see his beloved Penny, but it would have to wait. He had a little guardian angel to check up on first. Poppy led them to a pair of thick soundproof wooden doors, and she slowly pushed them open trying to avoid the squeak.

Harry recognized the room as the one he was in when he had finished dealing with the Chamber of Secrets. In the middle of the vast room sat one infirmary bed, and on that bed laid Serenity. The sun streamed through a stained glass window, glinting off the sleeping girls mane of silver hair that pooled everywhere. It flowed on the bed, the floor, and trailed on for a few feet. Harry's breath was caught in his throat as the shining sun made her look almost surreal, a halo of silver surrounding her. Pomfrey noting their faces, let them to their own devices, as she quietly walked out of the room.

Hermione walked over to the bed and placed her present at the bottom of the bed. It was a white diary that she had purchased in the school order books, it was more of a memory than a book. The bag also contained a card that flashed rainbows across the room when it was opened. She noticed two other cards already there, and she saw them to be from Angelina and Penelope. Red from Penelope, and Blue from Angelina. There was a vase on the side table holding bright red roses and enchanted blue roses.

Percy clutched a card and a small box which contained a pin he had seen in a store window. He had bought it on a whim and the pin had rest in his school trunk ever since. The pin was a guardian angel with bright blue azure eyes, made out of stunning pearl.

Ron had brought her a card and a bag of Bertie Bots Every Flavor Beans, all because he figured she wouldn't mind something sweet (or sour) when she woke up.

Ginny had a card that she herself had charmed to sing a shrill melody. It could only be kept quiet when it was held shut or bound with plenty of spell -o- tape.

Fred and George had made a duel effort for their present, and had filled a black velvet drawstring bag with many MANY jokes and tricks, some from Zonko's others home made. It had from Dungbombs to wet start fireworks, and at least fifty other pranks. Then there was also a leather-bound spellbook containing millions of prank spells. On the front of the book it said 'Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail', written in flowing golden script. The boys had found it in their second year in one of the secret passages. They figured Serenity would have more use for it now because they had most of the spells memorized or copied down.

Harry carried with him a clear glass rose that he had conjured up with a little help from Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick. He had enchanted it to float above a wooden platform with a see through glass case over it. When the light hit it, it gave off rainbows and multicolored lights. He set his gift down next to the real roses on the stand taking great pains to be silent.

The day before he had asked McGonagall for help in purchasing a gift for Serenity, being as the fact that she was a girl, and thus knew what girls liked. The school had magical order books, that allowed you to order something for someone without going to Hogsmeade. It had a limited amount of items in it and really had no selection at all. Soon he had given up and thus he asked Professor McGonagall for help; And with a bit of thinking they produced the glass rose.

Percy walked over towards the head of her bed, placing the box next to Harry's gift. Sighing he leaned over and brushed a long strand of silver hair from her eyes. As he saw her lying there his mind could only recall the muggle fairy tale, and the actual reality of millions of years ago. The tale his mind referred to was called Snow White. She laid there, in all her icy beauty, as if carved out of pure crystal. It looked as if she barely breathed. Her pale face and silver hair gave her the appearance of an ice angel. So close and yet so very far away.

'For what it's worth........ Serenity........ I owe you my life.', Percy thought his hand dropping down to his side.

"You ..... owe... me nothing.", wheezed a small voice causing him to look and see her open eyes.

"Serenity!", cried out Hermione and Ron at the same time, shocked that she was awake.

"I owe you everything.", Percy replied not registering the fact that he hadn't said the words out loud.

'Penny is everything to me, if she died............', he thought giving an involuntary shudder.

"But she.... will live.", Serenity replied softly.

Percy had unconsciously been broadcasting his thoughts since he had entered the room. In the magic realm, if an experienced wizard thought about something hard enough, if they were close enough she could pick up snippets of what he or she was thinking. But it all depended on weather she was awake or not. When she was awake she always had a block up, so she didn't pick up many things. She had began waking up when Percy brushed the hair from her eyes, and her defenses were down.

"How.......", Percy trailed off looking at her strangely, he hadn't said a word.

"When you were thinking, you were broadcasting.", Serenity replied giving him a weak smile. Her body felt like it weighed a ton, her bones made of rusty steel.

"Do you have any bloody clue what their talking about?", Fred asked his twin brother nudging him in the ribs.

"I haven't the foggiest idea.", George replied a little more than just confused.

"Go see her...... she's down the hall.", Serenity replied closing her eyes slightly due to the guilt she felt wafting off of Percy.

Percy nodded at her giving her a sad smile, then turning to leave the room.

"I have the strangest feeling that we were just left out of an interesting conversation.", Hermione stated quietly as Serenity tried to sit up.

Harry, being the closest to Serenity carefully slipped an arm under her back and, wrapped his other arm around her stomach, helping her sit up. He was immediately surprised how light she was, and kept his arms around her for a moment to help her stay upright.

"Thank-you Harry.", she breathed, leaning heavily on him. She felt so weak at the time, like all her energy had been zapped away. She frowned as she realized her uncle must have taken some of her energy to make her fall back to sleep. Her emerald eyed friend removed his arm from her front, and began to support her from the back.

Harry only nodded in reply, as the silky strands of her hair brushed his hands. At that moment he wanted to do nothing more but to run his hands through her beautiful silvery hair. Despite the fact that her hair was so long, it looked as if she had just brushed it all out, not a tangle was in sight. He suppressed the urge to act upon his feelings, and continued holding her up.

"I made you this, I hope you feel better soon.", came Ginny's childlike voice, as she set the card in Serenity's lap.

"Thank-you Ginny, it was very thoughtful of you.", Serenity replied with a weak smile, her eyes showing how tired she really was. She opened the card and it began to sing it's shrill melody. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George all cringed and shrunk back a little from the loud card. Ginny looked as if she were about to cry, she really had tried to make the card right. Serenity, seeing Ginny's face, carefully shut the card, and gave Ginny a brilliant smile.

"Thank-you Ginny, it's beautiful.", the resident moon princess stated her smile as bright as the sun. She leaned over slightly and gave Ginny a hug, while the young girls face transformed into a smile. The red hared girl then hopped back saying she was going to visit Penelope with Percy, and skipped out of the room.

"Harry would you mind?", Serenity asked handing the card to Harry, now able to sit up on her own. Harry nodded and stuck the card under the vase to keep it closed.

The rest of the afternoon passed away quickly while Serenity opened the rest of her gifts, and thanked each one of them individually. Hermione had also brought Serenity's homework for her so the girl wouldn't be to far behind in her studies. Serenity thanked her for that too, and gave both Fred and George a hug and a kiss on the cheek for their gifts. Ron had been shocked to see a devilish grin spread across her face when she had opened the twins gift, then just as quickly her angelic look returned. Just before dinner, when the sky was almost dark Madame Pomfrey, though shocked that Serenity was awake, 'remembered' that they were in there, and forcefully told them they had two minutes to leave or she would call in Dumbledore.

Harry watched with a small grin on his face as Serenity said goodbye to his friends something akin to happiness in her eyes. As Hermione, the last in the room besides himself, gave her final goodbye, Serenity's eyes dimmed a little, sad to see them go. 'My friends.........', she trailed off in her mind her fingers unconsciously brushing the stones on her necklace.

Harry saw the light in her eyes dwindle, and without hesitation suddenly embraced her delicate frame. It was different from the way he had wrapped his arms around her earlier that day. And this time after Serenity recovered from shock, she wrapped her arms around his waist hugging him back. The sensation in the pit of his stomach was back again full force making him shudder slightly as he saw her slender pale arms wrap around his waist. Her face pressed into his shoulder, and he leaned his head against hers tightening his arms around her, to the point where it almost hurt. It was then that she noticed his shaking shoulders.

"What's wrong Harry?", Serenity asked turning her head to look at him. She was surprised to find that his emerald eyes were shining with unshed tears, as he loosed his grip a little.

"What?", she asked again now worried.

"You're my friend, and I-I was afraid.....", he trailed off shutting his eyes tightly.

"Afraid of what?", she pressed seeing his pained expression.

"Afraid that you were dead.", he replied flatly opening his eyes and this time his eyes were dry, yet still sad.

"Oh, Harry.......", she trailed off pulling him down to sit next to her, and holding him tightly against her.

".........", stated Madame Pomfrey in the door way. She was about to tell Harry for the last time to get out, but had caught the two in an embrace. She was tempted to croon and tell them what a cute couple they were, but then realized that they weren't a couple as the conversation progressed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*FLASHBACK*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

James David Potter raced down the hallways of Hogwarts school, breathing harshly. He passed by his classmates a blur as he headed towards the infirmary at lightening speed. He skid to a stop in front of the room, then quickly raced inside face flushed.

"M-Madame Po-omfrey, where's L-Lily.", he huffed bent over his hands on his knees. Sirius had just told him that Malfoy had pushed Lily off of her broom in Madame Hooch's class, from forty some feet in the air. He had quickly lost his best friend in the crowd, and had taken off like a bat out of hell.

"Yes, Mister Potter?", Pomfrey asked a bit of amusement in her warm brown eyes. It was obvious that Lily Evans and James Potter had a relationship going on, and almost everyone knew it, students an teachers included.

"Where's Lily?", he demanded his eyes flashing. He was the angriest he'd ever been at Lucius Malfoy in all his years at Hogwarts. He was going to kill the boy if Remus and the others didn't get hold of him first.

"She's in intensive care, but Mister Potter---", she trailed off due to the fact that he had already taken off down the hall towards the intensive care unit.

"Mister POTTER!", she called after him as she began to chase him down.

James burst through the doors and saw a pale Lily leaning back on the pillow, eyes closed, a hand draped over the side of the bed.

"Lily........", he whispered tears stinging his eyes as he walked over to her bed. He placed a cool hand on her cheek, and stroked it softly. It pained him so much to see her hurt. His eyes fell shut as a wayward tear slowly made it's way down his face.

"James?", asked a soft melodic voice as another warm hand came to hold the hand that was on her face.

"Lily?", He asked his dark brown eyes snapping open to focus on her bright emerald orbs.

"James, why--", she started but was cut off as he heedlessly swept her out of the bed, hands under her knees and back. He spun around in circles hugging Lily closely to himself, laughing happily.

"James! What are you doing?", Lily shrieked clutching his robes, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, as he spun faster.

"Put me down this instant!", she yelled at him amusement in her sparkling emerald eyes.

"Lily...... Lily, Lily, Lily.", he murmured huskily in her ear, letting her feet fall gently to the ground.

"James, what is the matter with you?", Lily asked softly her small hands resting on his chest while both of his arms were wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Lil, I thought I was going to lose you.", he murmured a hand coming up to cup her chin.

"Oh, James I--", she started but the man cut her off with a small kiss on the lips.

"Promise me Lily. Promise me, that you won't ever leave me. I need you, I love you. And I promise you that I would die without you.", he whispered inches from her face.

His voice had taken a serious tone, and his eyes held no laughter, but an emotion that Lily had seen before, and she hoped to see for the rest of her life, the emotion called love.

"James I---", she started, but he cut her off his eyes flashing.

"Promise me.", he stated an almost wild look coming to his eyes.

"Of course I promise you, James. I love you.", Lily replied wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him close. He buried his face in her hair and kissed her temple.

He then pulled away and descended upon her lips, as her eyes fluttered shut. He savored the feeling of her sweet lips under his, and slowly tipped her back some, his one arm supporting her back. He nipped on her lower lip, and slowly ran his tongue along the places that he had bit. Her lips parted slightly and gave him entrance to what he silently begged for. A few moments later he pulled away landing butterfly kisses, not wanting to relinquish his claim on her lips.

"Well I do have one more question for you love.", James started running his eyes over her face, which was flushed red as well as part of her neck.

"And what would that be?", Lily asked in a low voice looking at him from under her eyelashes.

James suddenly let go of her and slid down to one knee infront of her. He dipped his hand into the folds of his robes, and produced the white box he had been carrying around with him for months, waiting for the right moment.

"Lily Evans--", he started as he saw her eyes widen and heard her gasp.

"I've loved you since first year, when you pelted me in the head with a chocolate frog on the train. I loved you in second year, when you turned my hair pink. I loved you when you came down the stairs from the girls dormitory all dressed up in sparkling green dress robes. I loved you when you chased Sirius, Remus, and I out of the common room in your night clothes, trying to kill us for the fake spiders in your bed. I even loved you when you super glued me to my broom stick. What I'm trying to saw is, Lily Evans, would you do me the honor of becoming, Mrs. Lily James Potter?", he finished opening the box with a quirky grin. Inside the box was an engagement ring with a medium sized diamond in the middle, surrounded by little green gems.

Lily opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water. She wanted to talk, but the words weren't coming to her lips. Suddenly she gave up, and started nodding frantically trying not to cry.

"Is that a yes or a no?", James teased climbing to his feet to grasp her left hand.

"For gods sakes James, YES!", Lily shouted happily, her hand shaking as he slid the ring on her ring finger. She then threw her arms around his nexk and began to cry into his robes, while he held her with mirth shining in his eyes.

"FINALLY!", shouted Sirius from the doorway, hopping into the room with Remus and Peter.

"Took you two long enough!", Remus stated happiness glowing in his pale blue eyes.

James rolled his eyes as Sirius glomped him and gave him a huge noggie. Remus congratulated Lily and gave her a friendly hug while Peter did the same. Then they all dog piled on James singing 'For he's a Jolly Good Fellow' in drunk Irish voices. Suddenly Remus pulled a laughing Lily into the fray, and it ended with the five students disheveled on the floor. James pulled Lily into his arms and gave her a tight hug.

"Hey Lil, nice pj's!", Sirius commented eyeing Lily's choice in clothing. A pink shirt with a monkey head on the front, saying 'I want to live like the Animals'. She then had on flannel pink pants to match.

"Sirius!", she groaned sending him a light smack on the arm.

"Ahem!", started Madame Pomfrey from the doorway. She had seen the whole thing and she could barley suppress a smile from forming on her lips.

"I just wanted to say dear--", she started as they scrambled to their feet," Congratulations.", she finished giving Lily a hug, and shaking James' hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~END~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She remembered that day well, almost as if it were forever burned into her memory. Poppy then snapped back into the real world as she blinked and saw Harry and Serenity still hugging each other as if their lives depended on it.

"Eh, Mister Potter....", started Madame Pomfrey quietly, not wanting to break the two apart. Harry and Serenity both jerked away, blushing like mad.

"I'll see you tomorrow.", Harry started backing away from the bed slowly. He felt like he was leaving something behind, something that should always be with him.

"Bye, Harry!", Serenity called one hand on the large silver gem on her necklace, and the other hand was waving at Harry. When he was finally out the door and Madame Pomfrey had left with him, Serenity leaned back on her pillows staring at the ceiling.

'I'm all alone again.', she thought sadly watching the sun finish going down.

"Awful comfortable with that boy aren't you.", accused a furious voice from the shadows.

"Uncle Severus!", Serenity hissed out, already angry with him for the stunt he pulled the last time she saw him.

"What's wrong my dear? A little angry perhaps? Or just ashamed of your actions?", came his mocking voice as light flooded the room from the candles placed in various places around the room. Snape stepped out of the shadows a horrible grin on his face. He was angry, Serenity knew this without a doubt, but then again so was she.

"Don't mock me Snape.", she bit out coldly, a bit to coldly for his liking.

"Don't talk back to me Serenity.", he retorted eyes flashing angrily.

"HOW DARE YOU!", she bellowed at him clenching her fists. How dare he remove her energy just to make her sleep, how dare he speak to her that way without reason, how dare he! Her crescent moon appeared as she began to grow angrier by the second. His attitude, his remarks, it was not her uncle, not the man that she knew.

"Do not begin a fight that you can not finish Bunny, because I guarantee, that I will finish it for you.", He stated in a soft tone, void of anger or the mocking tone he had used before. Had it not been a threat Serenity would have taken it kindly.

He sighed and walked up to the bed, and then wrapped his arms around her in a fatherly hug.

"I apologize Sere, I had no right to yell at you for that. It was platonic, and I--I just don't want to lose you. Like I've lost everyone else. ", he whispered in her ear with a heavy heart. Sometimes he just couldn't control his temper, especially when it had to do with that boy.

"It's all right, just promise me you won't take my energy away without asking first.", she replied hugging him back, the fire gone from her eyes.

"I you promise that, Serenity.", he answered as a little bubble of joy welled up inside of him that she forgave him.

"Good, now sit down and help me with all this homework!", she commanded happiness in her eyes as she cleared a spot for him on the bed. He sat down obligingly and began to explain the Potions homework he had given.

______________________________________________________________________________


A TIME LATER

Serenity had been released from the infirmary, healthy and well. Surprisingly she was completely on top of all her classes, and caught up with all her work. In no time at all DADA had become most people's favorite class. Only a certain Draco Malfoy and his gang of Slytherins had anything bad to say about Professor Lupin.

"Look at the state of his robes," Malfoy would say in a loud whisper as Lupin passed," He dresses worse than our old house elf."

But no one else cared that Lupin's robes were patched and frayed, because his lessons were just as interesting as the first. They studied Red Caps; nasty little goblinlike creatures that stayed wherever blood had been spilled, and Kappa's; creepy little water goblins that tried to drown unwitting waders in their pond.

Harry only wished he was as happy in his other classes. Worst of all was Potions. Snape was particularly vindictive towards him as of late. He was also beginning to dread Divination, in which Professor Trelawneys bug like eyes filled with tears every time she saw him or Serenity. No body really liked Care of Magical Creatures, which after the action packed first class became exceedingly dull. Hagrid was teaching them how to look after Flobberworms, the most boring creatures ever created!

"Why would anyone even bother to look after them!", grumbled Ron poking lettuce down one's throat.

At the start of October however Harry had something else to occupy him. Quidditch. The season was approaching quickly and the teams captain, Oliver Wood, called a team meeting one Thursday evening to discuss a game plan for the new season. As Harry walked to the meeting he couldn't help but wonder why Serenity had abruptly gotten up and left the common room. Ron and himself had waited under the invisibility cloak for her to come back, and she hadn't come back till nearly eleven. Way past lights out. Harry pushed those thoughts into the back of his head as he walked into the meeting place, to see Wood pacing back and fourth.

Oliver Wood was a burly eighteen-year-old now in his last and final year at Hogwarts. There was a sort of desperation in his voice as he addressed his six fellow team members in the chilly locker rooms on the edge of the Quidditch field.

"This is our last chance--- my last chance--- to win the Quidditch cup.", he told them almost putting a rut in the floor with his pacing.

"Gryffindor hasn't won for seven years now. Okay so we've had some of the worst luck in the word, injuries, then the tournament getting called of last year......", Wood swallowed as though the memory still made a lump in his throat.

"But we we've got the best --- ruddy --- team --- in ---the ---hole --school!", he said pumping his fist in the air, as if they were already victorious. He then went on to say how good they all were, while the twins made fun of him.

"We've got two unbeatable Beaters.", Wood stated his eyes glowing with a bit of pride.

"Stop it, Oliver, you're embarrassing us!", Fred and George said together pretending to blush.

Then Oliver went on to praise Harry, then remembering himself.

"We think you're very good too, Oliver", said George.

"Spanking good Keeper", finished Fred.

The indoor meeting finished with loud cheers from and hoots of encouragement from all present. Full of determination, the team started training sessions three evenings a week. Meanwhile the weather was getting colder and wetter, the nights darker, but no amount of mud could tarnish Harry's thoughts of winning the silver Quidditch cup.

Harry came back to the common room one evening after training, cold and stiff, to find the room buzzing with excitement.

"What happened?", he asked Ron, Hermione, and Serenity who were completing some charts for Astronomy.

"First Hogsmeade weekend,", started Ron pointing to the bulletin board," End of October, Halloween."

"Excellent,", said Fred, who had followed Harry through the portrait hole. "I need to go to Zonko's, I'm nearly out of Stink Pellets."

Harry threw himself onto the couch next to Serenity and groaned, his high spirits ebbing away. Serenity seemed to be able to read his mind.

"Harry, I'm sure you'll be able to go next time.", she started serenely, eyes sweeping over his form, "Blacks already been sighted, they'll catch him soon.".

"Besides Snape is being a bugger and won't let me go either.", Serenity continued with a sour face standing up.

"Uncle Severus can I please go to Hogsmeade?", she started imitating herself fluttering her eyelashes to look cute.

"What? Absolutely not Serenity! Do you have any clue what kind of danger you'd be in?", she started in an overly deep voice, arms folded imitating Snape.

Ron and Fred began to snicker at her while Hermione tried to cover her laughter. It wasn't polite to laugh at a teacher, but it was funny.

"I can take care of myself, thank you very much!", she continued hands on her hips.

"Don't start with me young lady!", she warned her voice that exaggerated deepness of a males.

"I'm not a bloody baby!", Serenity went on while the small group dissolved into giggles.

"Oh yes you are!", she retorted pretending to be Snape with a wicked grin on her face.

"And just who does he think he is!", Serenity raged plopping back down on the couch next to Harry who was still laughing at her antics.

"Hey, Harry, why don't you go ask McGonagall to sign your papers!", Ron suggested ignoring the fact that Hermione was giving him a death glare.

"RON!", Hermione shrieked angrily," Harry is supposed to stay in SCHOOL--"

"Go on ask her!", Ron interrupted waving his hands eagerly.

"Yeah, I think I will.", Harry replied already making up his mind.

Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but at that moment Crookshanks leapt up into her lap a half dead spider in it's mouth. Ron and Hermione argued over the spider while Crookshanks slowly ate the spider, his eyes fixed on Ron.

"Just keep him over there, that's all,", started Ron irritably, turning back to his star chart. "Scabbers is asleep in my bag."

Harry yawned, he really wanted to go to bed. He then realized there was weight on his shoulder and looked over to see Serenity already asleep curled up against him. He smiled at her fondly before pulling his quill, parchment, and textbook out of his bag. He still had his own star chart to do.

"You can copy mine if you like.", Ron offered labeling his last star with a flourish, and pushing the chart towards Harry. Harry nodded and took the chart carefully, not moving his arm much for fear of waking the sleeping girl next to him. She looked so tired even after she got out of the infirmary, Harry had the suspicion she wasn't sleeping well.

Hermione, who disapproved of copying, pursed her lips tightly together and continued to work. Crookshanks watched Ron carefully, and without a warning he pounced.

"OY!", yelled Ron, seizing his bags as Crookshanks began tearing at the bag that held Scabbers. "GET OFF, YOU STUPID ANIMAL!"

Ron tried to pull the bag away from the dyslexic dog, but to no avail it held on spitting and slashing.

"Ron don't hurt him!", squealed Hermione; the whole common room was watching; Ron whirled the bag around and Scabbers went flying out of the top.

"CATCH THAT CAT!", Ron yelled as Crookshanks released himself from the bag and began to jet after the terrified Scabbers.

George Weasely made a lunge for the cat, but missed. It was then that a pale slender hand swooped down and snatched up the cat and held it be the scruff of the neck. Everyone was surprised to see the cat being held by an angry looking Serenity. Harry blinked, he hadn't even seen her move.

"What do you think you're doing?!?", she hissed at it glaring it in the eye. It shrunk away from her and stopped moving completely.

"I don't want to see you down here for the rest of the night UNDERSTOOD! Now go.", she growled out dropping the cat on the ground and pointing towards the girls dormitories.

The cat didn't waste a second and raced up the stairs at lightening speed, head low, tail drooped.

"Come here little fella. I'm not going to hurt you, come here....", they then heard Serenity crooning from her knees infront of the dresser that Scabbers went under. The mouse came out hesitantly slowly sniffing the area. Serenity scooped up Scabbers and pet him gently. The poor thing was skin and bones. She then took out her wand and tapped the mouse a few times, muttering a few choice words. Scabbers gave a surprised squeak as he was covered in orange sparkles, and his fur began to grow back. He was still skinny as ever, but a lot more healthy.

"Here Ron.", she stated dropping the rat in Rons hands, and sweeping past him back to the couch. She then plopped down next to Harry, curled up against his side and went back to sleep, muttering 'baka neko.'

"Hermione Granger! You keep that cat away from Scabbers!", Ron raged, the common room still staring at them.

"Crookshanks doesn't understand that he's doing anything wrong, all cats chase rats!", Hermione shot back her voice shaking.

"It heard me say Scabbers was in my bag! He's got in in for Scabbers!", said Ron, who was trying to get the rat back in his pocket, while people began to giggle.

"Ron he could smell him--", Hermione started beginning to get mad.

"That cat has got to go. Scabbers was here first, and your bloody cat was trying to kill him.", Ron stated in a voice that ended the argument. With that Ron stomped up the stairs of the boy's dormitories and slammed the door shut.

Hermione turned on her heal collected her things and raced towards the girls dorms, face flaming with embarrassment.

"Hermi, wait!", Harry called wanting to help console her. He also wanted to know which dorm was Serenity's so he could take her to bed. Even if the boys weren't allowed in the girls rooms and vice versa, he didn't want to wake Serenity.

"I don't want to hear it Harry!", Hermione shrieked continuing up the stairs.

Harry winced at her tone and tried to look for someone who might know where her dorm was.

"Hey, Fred, Rachel!", Harry called to the two talking in the corner.

"What's up old boy?", Fred asked coming over the shoulder length blonde hared girl in tow.

"Eh, Fred I was wondering if you could take Ron's and my stuff to our dorm.", Harry started while Fred nodded his O~kay. "And Rachel could you show me where Serenity's dorm is and grab her things, I don't want to wake her.", he continued carefully picking up the silver hared girl.

He shifted his hands under her knees, while her head rest on his chest, and he cradled her back carefully. He was surprised at how light she was and waited for Rachel to grab her things.

Rachel led the way up the stairs of the girls dormitories, and passed a few doors down. When they got to the room he noticed that the girls dorm area looked so much cleaner than the guys. 'Well now I know the main difference between the girls and guys dorms. Theirs is cleaner.', he mused in his head as Rachel opened up the door to one dorm.

The carpet was white, and so was the ceiling, while in the middle of the carpet it had the Gryffindor crest. You could almost tell which side of the room belonged to whom. One part was immaculate and the decorations (comforter, lamp, clock, ect) were light yellow, while there were books piled on the bed, and the floor, and Harry assumed it to be Hermione's.

Next to that on the right side the room was a mess, but an orderly mess. It was decorated in shades of purple, and red. Harry knew that wasn't Serenity's side of the room, because of the license plate saying: Danger, Rachel's Room. On the last part of the room it was decorated in white, silver ,and navy blue.

He knew that that part of the room was Serenity's because he saw Rachel putting Serenity's things next to the bed, and pulling the navy blue comforter down.

"Rachel, is that you?", came Hermione's voice from the bathroom while Harry froze, preparing to cover his eyes. He had no doubt that Hermione would kill him if he saw her in her night clothes.

"Yeah, but don't come out if you're in your jammies, Harry's here.", Rachel replied nonchalantly.

"He's what?!", demanded Hermione opening the bathroom door, in her pink robe.

"Fine, let 'em see your jammies then.", Rachel drawled as Harry placed Serenity in the bed gently. Noting an extra clasp around her neck, he realized it was her cloak and carefully removed her cloak from her shoulders.

"Harry, what are you doing?", Hermione cried out horrified.

Harry looked down confused and, saw the he was taking off her--

"Hermione, it's just her cloak for gods sake! If I left it on her she'd be to hot. I thought you'd know me better than that by now.", Harry stated with an embarrassed scowl at the now blushing girl.

"Thanks for bringing her up Harry, she's looked kind of pale lately.", said Rachel ushering him out the door before another mini-war could break out.

"Night girls.", he called out waving. He then turned around and smacked into a seventh year girl.

*SMACK*

"Pervert!", she screeched hurriedly walking down the hall. Harry rushed down the opposite direction holding his cheek and hurried to the boys dorms.

"Where were you?", Ron asked still doctoring Scabbers.

"In the girls dorms.", Harry panted out before he realized what he said.

"WHAT?!?!", called out four other voices while two got bloody noses.

______________________________________________________________________________

THE NEXT DAY

Ron was still in a bad mood with Hermione, while Hermione couldn't look at Harry without blushing by the time Herbology rolled around. Ron hadn't talked to Hermione since the class had started even though he and Hermione were working together on a puffapod. Harry and Serenity were working together, and both were casting sympathetic glances at the duo in front of them.

"How's Scabbers?", Hermione asked timidly while placing the seeds she had gathered in a pot.

"He's in the bottom of my trunk shaking.", Ron retorted coldly sending a small handful of the shiny beans over the greenhouse floor.

"Careful Weasely, careful!", called out Professor Sprout as the beans bloomed before their very eyes.

During Transfiguration Harry was going to ask Professor McGonagall to sign his permission slip for Hogsmeade, when he saw Lavender crying.

"What's the matter Lavender?", asked Hermione as Serenity, Ron, and Harry joined the group.

It turned out that her baby bunny Binky had died. On the 16 of October. Lavender thought that it had been one of Professor Trelawneys predictions, while Hermione thought it was a big bunch of rubbish.

"Don't listen to Hermione, Lavender,", started Ron loudly," She doesn't think other peoples pets matter much."

Perhaps it was a good thing that Professor McGonagall walked in. Hermione and Ron glared daggers at each other, wanting to kill each other. They pushed Harry and Serenity between them and didn't talk for the rest of the class.

After it was over Harry asked Professor McGonagall to sign his permission slip. To his disappointment she refused to sign the permission slip. He slumped as he walked out of the classroom. There was nothing to be done. Ron called McGonagall a lot of names that greatly annoyed Hermione; Hermione assumed an "all-for-the-best" expression that infuriated Ron.

Meanwhile Serenity walked slowly behind them, a blank look on her face. She hadn't said much in their first two classes at all, and Harry was beginning to worry about her too.

Ron tried to cheer both Harry and Serenity up, all the while staying angry with Hermione. Dean Thomas, who was good with a quill offered to forge both Serenity's and Harry's parents signatures, but the two shot that idea down because number one, Snape would be the one to sign Serenity's form, and two McGonagall already knew that his slip wasn't signed. Ron halfheartedly suggested the invisibility cloak, but Hermione stomped that idea out reminding them that Dumbledore said Dementors could see through Invisibility Cloaks.

"They can't see through mine.", Serenity stated a smirk forming on her face.

"Wait, you have one too?", demanded Ron looking at her funny.

"Yeah...", Serenity trailed off reaching into her robes, but in reality pulling it out of her sub-space pocket.

"Why can't they see through yours?", Hermione asked suspiciously, glancing at the navy blue cloak that glittered like stars.

"Because mine if made from moon dust, and star tears.", she replied slipping the thing on. Seconds later she was gone.

"And when someone else is wearing a cloak I can see them, but they can't see me.", Serenity stated taking off the cloak appearing right behind Harry. The boy jumped and blushed red.

"Still, I wouldn't use that, just in case. I've read about Dementors they're not to be taken lightly.", Hermione scolded as Serenity put the cloak away. Serenity closed her eyes with remberance, she knew all to well what they were like.

"True.", they all agreed with a sigh, except Ron who still refused to agree that Hermione was right.

______________________________________________________________________________


HALLOWEEN MORNING

"We'll bring you both back lots of sweets from Honeydukes.", Hermione stated looking desperately sorry for them both.

They were on their way to breakfast, and the feeling in the bottom of Serenity's stomach was back. Ron and Hermione had put aside their squabbling for a time deeming Serenity and Harry's problem more important.

"Yeah, loads.", Ron replied, trying to sound happy.

"Don't worry about us.", Serenity started a smile on her face,"Just enjoy yourselves and have a good time."

"If you're sure....", Hermione started. Earlier she had offered to stay back with them, but they waved her off.

"Staying here Potter?", sneered a voice they knew all to well as Malfoy. "Afraid of passing the dementors?" .

Harry and Serenity both continued past them and walked towards the Gryffindor common room.

"Fortuna Major.", Serenity stated softly, disappointed about Hogsmeade, but not nearly so much as Harry. She had other things to worry about. There was a presence coming. It wasn't good, it wasn't evil, it was darkness.

"Shall we?", Harry asked her holding his arm out to her, and bowing.

"We shall.", Serenity replied a smile playing across her lips. She was glad he wasn't too upset, Hermione was right they'd get to go there someday.

"Harry, Harry, Hi Harry!"

Harry turned his arm still linked with Serenity's to see Colin Creevy waving at him excitedly. Colin was a second year completely in awe of Harry, and never missed an opportunity to speak to him.

"Hey, you're Snapes niece, the one who saved Angelina and Penelope! You're Serenity Moon! I can't believe this my two idols in love!", Colin called a happy look to his flushed faced.

"In lo--", Serenity and Harry started at the same time, then realized they had their arms linked. They jerked away as Colin advanced upon them with a camera.

"Eh- a sorry, but.. a.. we have to do some .. a .. homework .. in ..... the .. ah..... Dungeons! Bye!",Serenity called dragging Harry with her to the girls dormitory in full fledged panic. The boy creeped her out.

Serenity ran into her room as Colin followed them, and slammed the door shut locking it.

"By the moon, that boy is nuts!", she muttered flopping down on her bed.

"So how long do we stay here?", Harry asked her amusement in his eyes.

"Till he goes away!", Serenity shot back hopping up to dig in her trunk.

"You know how to play Quidditch don't you?", she asked Harry falling further and further into the magical trunk.

"Yeah, I'm the Gryffindor Seeker, why?", Harry replied walked over to the trunk.

"Because I--Whoa!", she cried out as she fell into the trunk.

"Sere are you all right?", Harry asked peering into the trunk.

"Yeah, I'm fine and --- What did you just call me?", Serenity asked popping her head out of the trunk, something in her hand.

"Eh-- I --....", Harry stuttered he hadn't meant to call her that, it just slipped out.

"Cat got your tongue?", she teased climbing out of the trunk with a hand up from a blushing Harry.

"Sere.", he mumbled avoiding her gaze. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have---", he started, but she cut him off.

"It's fine I like it!", she waved it of as the blush faded from his cheeks.

It was then that he noticed the broom in her hands. It was quite new looking, but it had to have been the oddest broom he'd ever seen. The wood didn't look to be wood, but some type of crystal. And the broom hairs were white. On the handle was the silver engraving 'Tsuki'.

"What kind of broom is that?", he asked eyes wide.

"Well, I'm guessing it's a Moon. That's Japanese Kanji for Moon. My guardian must have made it for me.", she said as tears began to fill her eyes. She quickly wiped them away before Harry could notice.

"Can I see?", Harry asked holding out his had. She handed it over and the broom was unusually cold in his hands, although it gave him a sense of power.

"I was wondering if you could teach me to play Quidditch. I hear Oliver Wood is leaving next year, and that Katie is switching to Keeper position, so I was wondering if you could teach me to play Chaser, so that I could try out for it next year.", Serenity stated in a rush, a pleading look to her face.

"Of course I'll teach you!", Harry agreed with a bright happy smile. Quidditch was one thing he loved, and he would be glad to teach it to her.

"Really?", Serenity asked happily.

"Really.", Harry replied, surprised as she squealed and threw her arms around him hopping up and down happily.

Harry hugged her back and realized that it was the first time that she had hugged him since being in the infirmary. For some reason the thought made him smile. Harry and Serenity snuck out of her dorm with Serenity's invisibility cloak, past Colin Creevy to go to the Library to get some Quidditch books.

Over the next few hours they poured themselves over the books, so that Serenity could learn the rules before she played. A while later they decided to get up and stretch; their legs were asleep. When they rounded the corner outside the Library they ran into none other than Filch and his cat.

"What are you doing?", spat out the grounds keeper suspiciously.

"Nothing.", Serenity replied innocently, rocking back and fourth on the balls of her toes.

"Nothing!", he snarled out,"A likely story!"

"It's the truth!", Harry protested, he never had liked the old coot.

"Bah! Get back to your common rooms; Where you belong!", Filch bit out refraining from punishing them. He knew the girl was related to Snape, and Snape was not to be reckoned with. Especially if it had something to do with his niece. If you messed with the man himself, no problem. Snape would just make sure that you never saw the light of day again. If you messed with his niece however you'd never see ANYTHING again.

Serenity and Harry didn't go back to their common room, they continued to loiter around, and look at pictures they passed by. "Harry?", came a voice from inside one of the rooms.

Harry and Serenity doubled back to see Professor Lupin, looking around his office door.

"Oh, Hello Miss Moon, I didn't see you there.", Professor Lupin stated his eyes dancing happily.

"My name is Serenity good sir, so please use it.", Serenity retorted turning her nose in the air.

"All right Serenity.", the man replied with a laugh, showing them in.

"Would you two like some tea?", Lupin offered them.

"Yes, please.", Harry replied while Serenity just nodded.

Serenity then spotted a tank filled with seaweed. She got her face close to the tank and tried to peer through the weeds. Suddenly a little hideous creature popped up against the glass, and bared it's teeth. Serenity shrieked and backed up into Harry, who then toppled over, because of the sudden weight pulling Serenity with him. Harry twisted his body so that he wouldn't fall on top of Serenity, and she ended up falling on him in a very compromising position. Serenity had her legs entangled in his, and her hands were tucked under her on his chest. His hands were on her waist from when he had tried to keep her from falling. Her clip that had been in her hair had been pulled out, and her hair covered them both, in a long silvery comforting blanket.

"Ahem.", came Professor Lupins voice as he peered at them suppressing a smile. If only James and Lily could be there to see their child now. It was so obvious. Yet he was sure it was so obvious that they didn't even see it. It was obvious of the attraction between the two, Harry reminded him so much of James, and Serenity reminded him of Lily. Not physically, but mentally. The two had been lying like that for the past five minutes just staring at each other.

"Eh,", Serenity stuttered clambering off of him, and helping him up.

"Tea's done.", Lupin announced trying to help them with their discomfort.

"T-Thank-you", Harry stated taking two cups of tea, handing one to his blushing friend.

~His eyes. ~, Serenity mused not quite back in the real world yet. She could still remember them burning into hers, his hands on her waist, his heart beating frantically under her hands. It gave her an odd sort of satisfaction that she could make his heart beat that fast by only looking at him.

Then it hit her, the cruel feeling at the pit of her stomach. She knew where her thoughts were heading, and she would put a stop to them right then and there.

________________________________________________FLASHBACK_________________________

'But for both of us to be happy, I fear you must go on with your life. It may take us years to be restored, and I don't want you to waste your life away. To make me happy, you must be happy, that's all I could ever want. Promise me you'll be happy, promise me? Even if it means that your heart no longer belongs to me, even if it means that you wed another, promise me?', Mamoru implored nearly begging for her answer.

"I'll give it my best, all I can give you is my best.", Serenity replied unsteadily.

_____________________________________________END__________________________________


Her mind registered her former koibito's words, but she still couldn't shake off the feeling that she was betraying him. 'He told me to be happy, and I try. For you Mamo-chan I try.', she thought sipping the tea. The stones on her necklace all glowed happily, except for the sandy yellow one. But when it came to her Koneko she was never happy.

Harry stared at his tea cup, his heart still going a mile a minute. He didn't understand. He didn't understand at all. Her blue eyes, wide and clear as oceans, begged him to stare at her. Begged him to continue looking into the beautiful blue orbs, that had begun to show him her soul. His hands shook, and holding hot tea with shaking hands was not a good idea. He set the tea cup down and looked at his hands, it looked at if there were miniature earthquakes going on in each of his hands.

"Anything wrong Harry?", Professor Lupin asked a twinkle in his eye.

"No", Harry lied trying to hold his his hands still, while the creature behind the glass made a fist at him.

"It's a Grindylow, a water demon.", Professor Lupin stated still looking at Harry.

"Actually there is something wrong.", Harry admitted trying for the tea again. He ended up putting it down again for fear of spilling it.

"What?", Lupin asked his eyes showing a bit of concern.

"Why didn't you let me fight the boggart in out first class?", Harry asked aware that Serenity had just moved closer to the desk, and thus closer to him, causing his heart beat to speed up again.

"I would have thought that would have been obvious, Harry.", Lupin stated sounding surprised.

"Why?", Harry asked, his voice firm. Serenity's presence next to him still made his heart beat faster, but now it was more of a comfort than anything else.

"Well,", started Lupin with a frown," I assumed that if the boggart faced you it would assume the shape of Lord Voldermort."

Harry stared blankly, that was the last answer he had expected.

"Clearly, I was wrong," Lupin continued," But I didn't think that it would be a good idea for Lord Voldermort to materialize in the staff room. I imagined that people would panic."

"I didn't think of Voldermort, I thought of the dementors.", Harry replied honestly. The Dementors were the closest and most immediate threat and thus frightened him most.

"Same here. I hate those things.", Serenity stated from inches behind Harry. He turned to see her shiver, and had the sudden urge to wrap his arms around her. He shook his head in confusion and turned back to Lupin.

"Well I'm impressed.", Lupin started, while Harry gained a surprised look. "This suggests that you two are most afraid of is fear. Very wise."

Harry didn't know what to say or do, so he tried to drink more tea.

"So you've been thinking that I didn't think you capable of being able to handle the boggart?", asked Lupin shrewdly.

"Well ...... yes", replied Harry suddenly feeling alot happier.

He was interrupted by a knock on the door.

The door opened and Snape came in, carrying a goblet that was still smoking. His ebony eyes narrowed as he noticed Harry. Then in turn they softened as they landed upon Serenity.

"Ah, Severus,", said Lupin smiling," Thank you very much, could you leave it on the desk for me?"

Snape set down the goblet his gaze flickering between Harry and Serenity.

"I was showing these two my Grindylow, as they were detained from going to Hogsmeade.", Lupin stated as Snape stared at Serenity.

"Oh, don't give me that look! I SWEAR you are worse than Mars!", Serenity shot at him haughtily, giving him a glare.

"What? I never said a word, Bunny.", Snape retorted with a smirk in her direction.

"Yeah, but I know you all to well. I know exactly what you were thinking!", Serenity replied sticking her tongue out at him.

"Don't be a baby.", he stated a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Oh, NOW you tell me that I'm not supposed to be a baby. I thought that was the reason I wasn't allowed to go to Hogsmeade, because I'm still a baby.", she raged on giving him the evil eye.

"I never said you weren't a baby, I just said not to act like one.", Snape continued a small smirk creeping up on his lips.

"Why you--", Serenity started stalking up to him, robes billowing. Harry decided to ask her later how she got her robes to do that, it looked great when you were walking away from an argument.

"Why me, what? If you keep this up I won't let you go to Hogsmeade next time either.", he interrupted pushing a piece of his long black hair behind his ear. A small habit that he had tried to repress.

"You mean I can go next time?", Serenity cried out happily, eyes hopeful.

Snape nodded and was prepared for her bone breaking hug. She clung to his robes squeezing the life out of him. He gave a small laugh, forgetting who was in the room, and hugged her back.

Harry and Lupin watched the two with extreme interest, as the banter continued on. Harry had never seen Snape look so ........ happy. It was causing him to stare and gawk.

"You should drink that right away, Lupin.", Snape advised looking up from Serenity, the humanity that had been in his eyes gone.

"I made an entire cauldronful, should you need more.", Snape continued, not letting go of his niece.

"I should probably take more tomorrow. Thanks very much Severus.", Lupin stated a smile on his face.

"Not at all.", Snape replied, kissing Serenity on the forehead, then turning to leave the room.

"Did he just laugh, hug you, and kiss your forehead?", Harry asked incredulously looking at her as if she was some kind of goddess.

"Yeah, he's always done it, as far as I can remember.", Serenity replied with a shrug, and a grin.

Harry then turned to look at the goblet wondering exactly what was in it. Lupin gave him a smile.

"Professor Snape has kindly concocted a potion for me,", he said. " I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex." He picked it up and sniffed it, "Pity sugar makes it useless,", he added taking a sip then shivering.

"Why---", started Harry but Serenity cut him off.

"Harry, look at the time Hermione and Ron have been waiting for us for fifteen minutes!", Serenity called looking at her holographic watch. She then grasped Harry's arm and dragged him out of the classroom.

She appeared back a second later to call," Thanks Professor!".

He nodded as she disappeared from his view.

"No, thank-you princess.", he stated with a smile. She must have figured it out, because she had just saved him from having to tell Harry a false excuse for the potion.

______________________________________________________________________________


THE COMMON ROOM

"There you go," started Ron," We got as much as we could carry."

A shower of brilliantly colored sweets fell into Serenity and Harry's laps. It was dusk and everyone looked as if they'd had the time of their lives. Hermione and Ron eagerly explained what they had done and soon asked what Harry and Serenity had done.

Harry then told them about the goblet when Serenity had went upstairs to change her clothes. They didn't have to wear Hogwarts clothing to the Halloween feast. In fact they were encouraged to wear what they considered more normal, but more formal. Hermione and Ron changed their clothes as soon as they got back, while Harry had raced up quickly. Hermione wore, like most of the girls, a black skirt than went to her ankles, with a white blouse. Ron wore a maroon knitted sweater with black slacks and dress shoes. Harry wore a loose emerald green sweatshirt, and dark black baggy jeans.

Hermione quickly deduced that Snape wasn't trying to poison Lupin, because he wouldn't have done it infront of two witnesses.

"Hey, Herm, you want to go check on Sere, she's been up there an awfully long time.", Harry asked looking at his watch, they had fifteen minutes before they were going to be late for the feast.

Ron gave him a funny look after he called Serenity, 'Sere', but was silent otherwise.

Hermione nodded and raced up the stairs to their dormitory.

"Serenity? Are you almost done?", she asked opening the door.

"Yeah, hold on.", Serenity replied tying up her other black ankle boot. She wore a light blue angora sweater, with the sleeves pushed up, and a short pleather skirt that came up to three and a half inches above her knee. Her hair was in a tight french twist, little ringlet of hair falling out here or there.

"Wow, I love your hair.", called Hermione wide eyed, as the girl finished tying her shoe.

"Really? I know this spell that can do your hair in seconds flat, however I want it. Mind if I do yours?", Serenity asked pulling out her wand.

"Sure.", Hermione replied turning around.

A few choice words and seconds later Hermione's hair was back in an elegant bun.

"See, cool huh?", Serenity replied walking out the door with Serenity.

"Yeah, I've never seen that spell before. Can you teach me?", Hermione asked as they descended the staircase.

"Sure.", Serenity replied as she stepped off the last stair.

"Yeah Harry, that was smart sending another girl after a girl.", they heard Ron say sarcastically.

"I thought it was a good idea.", Serenity interrupted with a light lofty voice.

Ron and Harry both whirled around and turned to look at the two girls. They both gaped , and as the girls walked past them, they shut the boys mouths.

It then occurred to them both that they had been left. "We've been duped.", Ron groaned racing with Harry to catch up with their friends.

When they got to the great hall, they saw that it had been decorated with pumpkins, clouds of live bats, and flaming orange streamers. The boys found the girls sitting next to two second years. On closer inspection they noticed them as Ginny's friends Laurie and Kelley. The girls were sitting across from each other, Laurie next to Serenity, Kelley next to Hermione, and Ginny on the other side of Laurie. Harry quickly claimed the seat next to Serenity, while Ron did the same with Hermione. In the middle of the feast their esteemed headmaster stood up and shot red sparkles in the air. Everyone quieted down, as he began to speak.

"Due to a small fire in the Tokyo School of Magic, a young second year will be joining us until further notice. She has already been sorted into the house of Gryffindor. Please welcome Hotaru Tomoe.", Dumbledore stated as a small girl with a trendy bob cut stood up next to him. Her violet eyes gleamed with excitement, as she searched the faces at the tables, looking for someone in particular.

________________________________________________________________________


There is the fourth chapter of 'When All Hope is Lost'
I hope you all like please review!

Much Love SerenityMoon

(Scroll down or else you'll miss something good)
































































































































______________________________________________________________________________


Are you guys nuts? Do you think I'm that mean? Well I'm not here's the rest of the chapter.

______________________________________________________________________________


IN THE GREAT HALL

Serenity choked on her pumpkin juice as she heard the name. Harry began patting her back softly, hoping it would go down soon.

"Did he just say Hotaru Tomoe?", she wheezed clutching her throat.

"Yes, why?", Harry replied looking her over carefully.

Serenity then looked up at towards Dumbledore, and her blue eyes met violet.
Hotaru made her way from the high table to Serenity a huge grin on her face, her eyes dancing happily. As she approached her princess she threw her arms around her, and Serenity hugged her back, tears falling from her eyes.

"Sere-mama....... I missed you so.", Hotaru whispered all the while ignoring the odd looks they were getting.

"Hota-chan ............ I thought you were dead.", Serenity replied hugging her again forcefully.

"Hey Harry, would you mind moving down a seat?", Serenity asked as the boy shrugged and moved down to the empty seat. Serenity moved down too and soon enough they traded plates, and when they were situated, Harry sat in the once empty seat, Serenity sat where Harry used to, and Hotaru sat where Serenity used to.

"Sere-mama?", Harry questioned looking at Serenity with a skeptical glance.

"Ah, you see some friends of mine adopted Hotaru when she was a baby, and since I was always around her she began to call me Sere-mama and it just stuck. My friend Haruka was her 'papa', even though she was a girl. Then Setsuna, Michiriu, and I were her 'mama's'.", Serenity explained to the bewildered faces.

The rest of the feast continued normally with the occasional out burst from Serenity about how she was going to kill her Uncle for 'withholding information'.

It had been such a pleasant evening that Harry's good mood couldn't have even been spoiled by Malfoy, who shouted as he left the hall, "The dementors send their love Potter!"

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Serenity, and little Hotaru followed the rest of the Gryffindors to the common room, but when they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady the hall was crammed with students.

"Why isn't anyone going in?", asked Ron curiously.

Harry peered over the heads infront of them, and it looked like the portrait was closed.

"Let me through, please,", came Percy's voice as he came bustling through the crowd. "What's the hold up here, you can't all have forgotten the password!", Percy scolded till he got to the painting.

A silence fell over the crowd as a chill seemed to spread down the corridor. Hotaru clung to Serenity, suddenly afraid. Then came Percy's voice sharp and quick," Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick."

The small group of friends got closer to the portrait until Serenity grabbed Harry's arm. "Oh my......", she whispered.

The fat lady had vanished from her portrait, which had been slashed so viciously that great chunks of it were missing.

Dumbledore took one quick look at the ruined portrait and his eyes turned somber, to see McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape hurrying towards them. Serenity walked over to Snape with Hotaru, who took one look at them and knew they were frightened. He wrapped his arms around Serenity tried to assure her with out words, while Hotaru continued to cling to Serenity.

Dumbledore gave out orders that the Fat Lady needed to be found, when Peeves appeared.

"You'll be lucky to find her yes you will.", he chortled happy with the mayhem.

"What do you mean Peeves?", asked Dumbledore calmly, and Peeves grin faded a little. He didn't dare taunt Dumbledore.

"Ashamed your headship sir. She doesn't want to be seen. Saw her in a landscape dodging between trees, crying something dreadful.", he continued the grin still on his face.

"Did she say who did it?", Dumbledore asked quietly.

"Oh yes, Professorhead,", said Peeves then pretending to lock his lips.

"Who was it Peeves?", asked Dumbledore a bit louder.

Peeves still said nothing, and then Serenity got angry, it was no time for games.

"Peeves, I'm not joking with you! You answer him right now or I'll NEVER speak to you again! Understand?", Serenity bellowed making Peeves drop to her level.

"Is the pretty little moonie mad?", asked Peeves looking genuinely upset. When Serenity glared at him he sighed and flew back in the air.

"He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in you see.", Peeves stated turning towards Serenity. "Nasty temper he's got that Sirius Black."

______________________________________________________________________________




O.K this is the real end. Remember 10 reviews or no more! Hope you all like it!
I wrote nearly 30 pages in 6 hours, my fingers are SO cramped!

Much Love SerenityMoon

Sorry this is the same chapter, but a few of my helpful loyal viewers pointed out horrid spelling errors, and I had to fix them. I did a quick sweep ot the chapter and fixed itto the best of my ability. Thank-you all, especially to esteemed new editor, who by request shall not be named.