~*~*~*~

*Crawls into the room* Hello . . . I just came back from mountain climbing. *sweatdrop* Me and the mountains don't mix. Well, we climbed up a mountain and visited my grandparents. Do you believe how far away from civilization these people are?! No phone, no computer, no nothing! Just a whole lot of plants, vegetation, rocks, dirt and people. Thank kami that electricity is already up there to have a radio and a TV. *sigh* I'm supposed to sleep up there, but luckily I kissed the ground my mum walked on and was able to get back home. *hugs her computer* Ah! My beautiful computer. Anywayz, it was fun, only the part that sucked was that we had to climb down the damn mountain in darkness. We all made fun of playing survivor. . . our one million money were a mouthful of rocks and dirt. *cough* Enough of my adventures, just thank Kami for getting me back down and be able to continue my fics! ^______^

So, here I am yet again with another chapter! ^___^ I hope you all will enjoy this chapter! It's got a lot of heartache and stuff like that. Serena's almost at a breaking point. . . *shakes head sadly* Poor dear.......Read the chappie!

~*~*~*~

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, it belongs to JK Rowling. Also, I do not own Sailor Moon it belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. All hail these people!

~*~*~*~

"Talking"

'Thinking'

~Setting/Place~

~*~*~*~

Chapter 5 "Hope"
~Gryffindor tower~

Harry paced nervously back and forth infront Hermione and Ron. What he saw yesterday night had troubled him greatly. It greatly worried him, as to how a dementor got onto the grounds and attacked her. No one actually knew about the attack, since no one really cared. Which again, made him more furious of the lack of concern of his classmates. He grew even more worried when Serena came out of the infirmary that morning; she stayed up in the girls' dorm and refused to come down. But what greatly confused him, was the white unicorn that he saw last night.

"C'mon Harry sit down, I'm sure she's fine," said Ron, wearily watching Harry pace up and down.

Harry frowned down at Hermione and Ron, "How do you know that she's alright?" he asked.

"I already asked her up there! She said she was fine," said Hermione with a frown. She noted Harry's frustration and her frown deepened. "Why on earth are you so angry?"

Harry frowned but said nothing. 'Because you two are too busy being lovey- dovey to notice their friends anymore!' he thought. "Nothing," he mumbled, sitting down with a huff.

"Well, we'll see you down at the great hall alright?" asked Ron with sigh, standing up. He couldn't understand his friend anymore at all.

"Yes, yes. I'll be down there in a few minutes," said Harry with a thoughtful expression. He blankly stared into the fireplace. He didn't even notice them silently leave the room, as his thoughts went back to last night. He still could remember the horrified expression on Serena's face as she saw the dementor. At the thought of the dementor, his stomach dropped. It surprised him to see the dementor be killed by a unicorn. Though he had an odd feeling that that wasn't just any unicorn. He was sure that there was something special about it.

"Harry?" whispered a small voice from the stairs.

"Serena," mumbled Harry, as he watched the blonde slowly walk down the stairs. He could hear her sniffle slightly, "Are you alright?"

Serena smiled slightly, over the past two months and half she had accepted Harry as her friend. Though what happened last night had caused her to be all shaken up, "You really ask that a lot," she mumbled thoughtfully. Sniffling slightly, she slowly approached him by the fireplace and sat down on the other sofa. "Actually I'm not," she sighed loudly, pulling her legs up and hugging them. After long hours of crying upstairs, mixed with confusion and fear she felt totally lost.

Harry watched her sadly as she let out a little sob and placed her head on her knees. Without thinking, he quickly got up and did something he really wished he did long time ago. He hugged the sobbing girl tightly, pulling her out of the fetal position and into his arms. He silently listened to her heart wrenching sobs, as she cried into his shoulder. He never knew how good it felt to hold the girl in his arms. It was some sort of knew feeling he felt for the blonde, more than protectiveness and friendship. Something he was sure he never encountered before.

"Am I that bad?" whispered Serena, after her sobs subsided. She remained in Harry's embrace, for the first time in her life feeling peace and protected. She tried to contain her happiness, as she realized that she was in his arms. She never knew that it felt so good to have a friend so close to her heart. Yet she silently wished he would feel the same way for her. A silent tear slid down her face, as though ran through her head. 'He'll never love you, he would never fall in love with a evil being,'

Harry pulled her softly out of his shoulder and stared into her eyes incredulously, "How can you say that? You are not bad and you are not evil! You shouldn't listen to what everyone says," he said softly, wiping some tears away. He smiled suddenly, "I didn't listen to everyone when they said I was evil during our second year," he said thoughtfully.

Serena blushed slightly as he wiped away her tears and quickly pulled herself out of his grasp. Her heart beat furiously against her chest, she tried to control her feelings. "That was because you knew you weren't evil. But I.......I don't know......." she whispered, staring blankly at the floor.

"I know you aren't evil," said Harry with a frown. "I am positive about that. A girl that nice shouldn't be evil."

Serena blushed slightly, "But...."

Harry grinned at her, "And did I add a girl as pretty as you is definitely not evil!" he said without thinking. Upon realizing what he said he began to blush. 'You find her pretty!' he thought to himself.

Serena blushed furiously and looked away. 'He thinks I'm pretty,' she thought gleefully. "You think I'm pretty?" she asked in disbelief. Nobody has ever given her a compliment, well aside for her aunt.

Harry blushed slightly and nodded his head. "Uh, yes," he mumbled. He saw her blush furiously and look away from him. Truth to be told, she really was pretty.

"Thank you," she whispered a huge blush tingeing her cheeks.

Smiling brightly, Harry nudged her slightly, "C'mon, let's go to the great hall," he said. He grabbed her elbow and pulled her off the couch. "I'm hungry,"

Serena smiled slightly and let herself be led towards the portrait hole. As they crossed deserted common room, she quickly glanced out the nearby window and looked down at the Forbidden Forest. 'Pegasus......thank you,'

~Great Hall~

Garnet eyes lighted up a bit, as they watched Serena and Harry enter the noisy hall. They watched in delight as for the first time they saw the blond smile brightly and laugh. Trista smiled, Harry Potter was a wonderful boy for the princess. Though it was quite amazing how the events have turned. She knew there would be great troubles ailing the boy-who-lived later on. 'If only he knew.........if only she knew,' she thought sadly. She watched them walk up to the Gryffindor table and sit down at the far end.

"She does look much better than before," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling in happiness. He watched the princess and the boy-who-lived talk amongst them.

"Yes, much better," agreed Trista with a bright smile.

"A peculiar combination though, don't you think?" asked McGonagal while eyeing the two skeptically.

"I don't see any pair better than those two," said Trista with a bright smile. "They share so much in common, very much in common actually."

"Wouldn't the boy be in danger?" asked Snape frowning at the time guardian. "What if she might do one of those 'attacks'?"

Trista shook her head; "She would never do that to Harry. She couldn't do it. As for Harry, he probably is in danger, in a way," she answered. "That totally depends on what will happen,"

"About last night," said Dumbledore suddenly. "We can't allow that to happen again,"

"It's a mystery to me how on earth the dementor got onto the schools grounds," said McGonagal with a confused look on her face. "You think it is wise not to tell the students Albus?"

"As agreed, we will not inform the students. As to not cause any fear, it would be for the best. If the ministry would find out about this, they would surely put their noses into something that they shouldn't know about." Said Dumbledore with a frown. "And if they find out about the princess's past, they would surely kill her,"

"Some dementors have left Azkaban already, to join the dark lord. While others remained there, not wishing to return to him. From where do you believe that dementor came from?" asked Snape with a deep frown.

Trista frowned and stared at Snape, "He knows that she is here. He would do anything to get her, or her life essence."

~Down at the Gryffindor table~

Serena sighed lightly and shifted in her seat as she received some odd stares from some older Gryffindors and of the neighboring tables. She poked the last bit of food on her plate before eating it.

"Just ignore them," said Harry, sensing Serena's discomfort. He sent a few ravenclaws dark glares as they began to point at Serena and make faces at her.

Serena nodded numbly and watched her plate disappear in a whirl of golden sparkles. Getting an odd feeling, she looked up and stared past Harry, through the huge windows. Staring directly at the far away forest, she could have sworn she saw something glint. 'Pegasus,' she remembered the winged unicorn save her from the dementor.

"Serena?" said Harry, eyeing the silent blonde as she just stared past him. Craning his neck, he finally understood that she was staring outside. "Serena?"

"Huh?" said Serena, finally tearing her eyes away from the forest. She blushed slightly as Harry looked at her oddly. "Sorry," she mumbled, a blush came across her cheeks.

"What were you looking at?" he asked. His green eyes clouded up in confusion.

Serena shook her head, "Nothing,"

Harry nodded in understanding. Noticing that Dumbledore stood up, he gestured for Serena to look up at the headmaster. He silently watched her nod her head and turn her attention to the Professor.

"I see all of you are wondering what I am about to say," said Dumbledore, seeing that the Great Hall quieted down. "Due to certain occurrences, nobody will be allowed out in the grounds after dusk." He watched as the hall began to buzz with light chatter. He saw Serena shrink back in her seat.

"On a lighter note, the usual Halloween Feast will be canceled. But instead, on Halloween day, which shall be on Sunday, Hogwarts will be having its first ever Halloween dance." The headmaster chuckled as the Hall erupted with loud cheers.

He continued after McGonagal banged her goblet hard on the table to quiet everyone down. "Thank you Minerva. Of course the said ball would have a certain dress code. Since it being Halloween, all of you are requested to wear Gowns and evening dresses for the girls and tuxedos or any kind of formal attire for the boys. This gives you the rest of the week and Saturday to prepare. And with that said, all you should all head back to your towers. Good night," he said finally. Dumbledore smiled as he watched the sea of students disappear through the doors with excited looks on their faces.

"Are you sure that it is wise for us to hold ball in these times Albus?" asked Minerva with a speculative look.

Dumbledore smiled, "Believe me Minerva, it is the best. Now with the times growing dark, the thing that everyone needs are smiles and laughter. And what better way to do so than a ball?" he grinned at the staff. "And yes Severus, we also will be wearing formal attire,"

Snape mumbled something about being in the dungeons and slipped out of the great hall. He found it silly to be wearing such attire for the ball, deciding that he would wear his robes only.

"He doesn't seem so keen about dressing up," said Trista thoughtfully, laughter evident in her eyes.

"Ah, Severus even how rough he may seem at the outside, in the inside he is gentle and friendly," commented Dumbledore with a smile.

At that both Minerva and Trista snorted.

~Gryffindor, girl's dorm~

Serena silently sat on her bed, listening to the steady breathing of her roommates as they slept. She couldn't sleep, it was impossible. Again, the thoughts of last night ran through her head. The screams, the heart wrenching screams of the woman. She felt death; she felt it in her vision. 'Why is this happening to me?' she thought bitterly, tears threatening to spill.

She remembered seeing death, death all around. Seeing women, bodies littered everywhere. She remembered the darkness engulfing her and the light pulling her out. She felt confused, 'What is wrong with me?!' she thought hugging her pillow to her chest. The dark figure crossed her mind, he felt so familiar. His darkness was so welcoming.....so familiar.

Serena fell back on her bed, hugging her pillow tightly. 'Who are those people?' she wondered. 'Where did that happen? On another planet?' she remembered seeing the little orb of planet earth in the background. Clenching her eyes shut, she willed herself not to remember. It was too horrible for her to remember but she found it too hard to forget.

Death......blood.....screams......power.....darkness......light.......

Letting out a sob, she felt the odd feelings of powers rise inside of her. She felt them again, the darkness and the light. She could feel them both of them. Light, comforting and warm. Dark, cold and evil. Both urging to get her attention both wanting to rise and be full in control.

'What am I?' she thought bitterly.

~Friday evening~

"A date?" asked Harry staring at Dean and Seamus incredulously. "We should bring a date?"

"Of course! What else do you think those balls are for? Dates!" grinned Dean. "Well, I am taking Parvati,"

"And I'm taking Lavender," piped Seamus with a huge grin. "You should consider asking someone too!"

Harry sighed and sat back in his chair, he began to contemplate who he was going to take to the ball. 'How about Serena?' he asked himself. It would be nice, just for a friendly gesture. Seeing that there were no more other girls left for him anyway.

"How about Cho?" grinned Ron. "You should ask her,"

Harry frowned, Cho. His long time crush, it would be nice to have her as a date. 'So you're just going to ditch Serena?!' asked a tiny voice. 'I.....no......but.....' He thought. "I don't know, she really doesn't seem interested," he said doubtfully.

"You really don't have any choices, all the other girls are taken anyway," shrugged Dean.

"Go on, ask her!" urged Seamus.

"But........what if......Uh..." sputtered Harry as he was pulled out of his chair by Ron.

"I think Cho and some of her friends are in the library. I saw them as I dropped 'Mione off there," grinned Ron pushing Harry towards the portrait hole.

Harry's stomach churned uneasily at the thought of facing Cho again. Even though how much he wanted to ask her out, his mind just kept screaming at him. 'What about Serena?!'

~Library~

Serena smiled slightly as she though about the idea of Harry asking her out for the party. It would be dream come true for her. Due the fact that last year nobody even dared to ask her out for the Yule Ball, it would be wonderful if Harry asked her. Hermione told her that the boys are more likely to ask the girls out for the ball, since she herself was going with Ron.

'I just hope he asks,' Serena mused with a slight smile while balancing herself on top of the ladder. Though in the inside she knew she shoulder never keep her hopes up, like what she did last year. 'He'll ask, he's been so nice to me! We spent most of our time together!' she thought, grabbing a leather bound book. Though a small dark voice answered, 'Because he has nobody else to go to,'

"What?" she whispered in disbelief. Confusion was written over her face as she stared blankly at her hands.

"Serena? You got the book?" called Hermione in a hushed voice from the bottom of the ladder. She held the ladder firmly at the foot as to not let it roll away with the blonde. Next to her stood a pile of books.

Serena shook her head, pulling her out of her confusion. 'That was weird,' she mused. "Got it," she said moving down the stairs.

"Great, now we can finish our Potions essay and all those other assignments," grinned Hermione grabbing several books from the pile.

Serena nodded and picked up the left over books. "Thank you for helping me with all the homework," she said while following Hermione to their table.

Hermione grinned and placed the books on their table. "No, thank you for tagging along with me," she said. "Harry and Ron were not up to doing homework," she rolled her eyes at the memory at the boys. "Besides it's better for us to do our assignments now than over the weekend, I know we will all be busy with the ball thing,"

Serena nodded and carefully placed the remaining books down on the table. "I guess we'll finish everything tonight huh?" she asked while eyeing the stack of books that Hermione selected.

"Yeah, you alirght with that?" asked Hermione, pulling out her parchment and quill.

"I'm fine with it. At least we are not the only ones who will pull an all- nighter," said Serena gesturing to the other tables around them. Lots of students were finishing up their assignments.

"So Serena, what happened to you that on Monday night? You never came to our dorm," asked Hermione tentatively, wanting to know for sure what happened to the silent blonde.

Serena stopped writing and stared up startled at Hermione. "What do you mean?" she asked, hoping to worm out of the question. She desperately wanted to forget that evening.

"Well, you know. Harry told us that something happened outside......." said Hermione staring curiously at the startled girl. 'She's hiding something,' she thought upon seeing Serena's surprise.

"H-h-he saw?" asked Serena in shock. 'He saw everything!' she thought. Sighing slightly she stared at the expectant Hermione, "It's nothing, really." She said shaking her head. "Really nothing,"

"Are you sure?" asked Hermione, sensing Serena's distress.

Serena nodded her head, "Really, it's nothing." she said. She quickly gave her attention to the pile of books and noticed one missing from their list. "Look, there's one book missing. I think I left it by the ladder. I'll go get it, you just continue with your work okay?" she didn't wait for Hermione to respond as she quickly bolted out of her seat.

'They know,' Serena thought in distress. 'What will they think of me now?' she thought sadly. She quickly headed off the bookshelf that she climbed earlier. "Where's the book?" she mused. She quickly spotted the book at the foot of the ladder. Smiling slightly, she quickly picked it up and started to head back to their table when she suddenly heard a group of girls giggling.

Poking her head out of the rows of bookshelves, she glanced to the left she immediately recognized as the girls as Ravenclaws and Cho Chang's group of friends, what surprised her was that Ron was among the girls. Turning her attention to what ever caught their attention she felt her heart drop. Only standing several feet away from her bookshelf stood a very red Harry and a slightly blushing Cho. She hid her head back behind the shelf and tried to listen.

"Do you want to go to the party with me?" she heard Harry ask Cho. She suddenly felt her heart drop considerably deeper. 'Never get your hopes up,' she though bitterly.

She heard Cho giggle her yes. She let the book drop to the ground without realizing; she stared blankly at the blushing couple.

"Serena?" said a surprised Harry. He watched as Serena looked at them with a startled expression.

Serena quickly looked away as Harry looked at her in surprise. She blushed slightly and tried to act natural. She ignored Cho's stare and quickly moved to pick up her book. "Sorry," she mumbled lightly before quickly rushing towards their table.

Harry stared at Serena's retreating back sadly. He was surprised to see pain flash in her eyes briefly before she turned away. Turning back to the unaffected Cho, they made arrangements as to what time to meet outside the Great Hall. After everything said and done, he should have been delighted to finally have a date with Cho. But why did he feel so miserable in the inside?

Serena placed the book down on the table rather loudly, causing Hermione to look up in surprise. Sighing slightly she gave the girl an apologetic smile, and quickly packed all her things back into her book bag. She felt like crying, she desperately wanted to cry. "I'm so sorry Hermione, but I-I don't feel so good," she said as she received a questioning look from Hermione.

"Are you alright?" asked Hermione, sensing that something was wrong.

'I am never alright!' Serena wanted to yell. "F-fine. I-I feel a l-little light headed. I-I'm j-just going to bed now. Alright?" she sputtered while quickly closing her bag. She slung her bag over her shoulder and sent Hermione one last apologetic smile, "I'm really sorry. I'll try to make it up to you someday," she said before quickly rushing out of the library before Hermione could even respond.

Hermione looked at the library doors confused, silently wondering what had caused the blond to change. Seeing two shadows loom infront of her she looked up from her thoughts and saw an extremely pleased Ron and a solemn Harry. "So you two decided to do your assignments now?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

Ron shook his head, "No! We just came here to get Harry here a date," he patted Harry on the back.

Hermione looked surprised, "With whom?"

"Cho!" grinned Ron.

"Really, that's wonderful Harry. I bet you two would have a wonderful time. It's nice to see you finally do something about your whole Cho situation. Congratulation," Hermione smiled brightly at Harry.

Harry nodded numbly, "Thanks," he mumbled. 'Shouldn't I be overwhelmed or something? I finally got a date with Cho!' he asked himself. A guilty feeling swept over him as he remembered Serena's shocked face. 'Yes, but it isn't Serena,' a voice answered.

~Girls Dorm~

'Never, ever get your Hopes up! Never let your hopes up!' Serena berated herself as she hugged her pillow tightly to her chest. 'When you hope too much, it will never come true!' she said to herself as silent tears coursed down her cheeks. She had the curtains drawn around her bed, so that no one could see her.

'He doesn't love you! How ever could you think that way? He just felt pity for you. That's why he spent time with you,' she heard a voice hiss to her. Feeling her heart ache in pain she let the tears course down. 'He would never would love you, no one would ever love you,' the tiny voice hissed.

'Why did I fall in love with a boy I can't have?' she asked herself. 'He never loved me, he just felt pity for Me.' she thought sadly. She felt her heart wrench in pain, remembering Cho's giggle and Harry's blush. She actually thought that maybe after that night if Harry ever did chose her, things may have change for her. It would never happen.

'Silly Serena, you still haven't learnt that to never get your hopes up,' she thought to herself. 'Harry doesn't love me......He never will,' she thought bitterly.

~Next Day~

Serena watched all the 3rd years to 7th years rush out the castle to go to Hogsmeade. They would all probably buy their necessary things for tomorrow's party. Gowns, dresses, suits, accessories, make-up, shoes, the sorts. She stood silently at the top of the stairs that afternoon, watching Filch check the list for the students who were able to go. She caught sight of Harry, Ron and Hermione, the trio laughing at something that Dean had said. Feeling a pang of pain after seeing Harry, she quickly looked away. Even though she was allowed to head to the Wizarding Village, she had no intention to do so. Instead, she decided to stay put and do anything possible to forget everything.

"Are you not going to Hogsmeade Miss Moon?" she heard somebody ask.

Turning around she saw Professor Meioh standing behind her and look at her with interest. She still felt the odd familiar feeling around the professor and still couldn't shake it off. Realizing that she had been asked a question she shook her head, "I guess not. I don't feel like going anyway," she answered with a slight shrug.

"Aren't you going to tomorrow's ball?" asked the Professor in confusion.

Serena sighed and shook her head again, "I guess not. I still have much to study." She answered. "And besides, I don't have anything to wear to the occasion and I don't have the money to buy anything also," she lied. In truth, she had the red gown that her aunt bought her before the term. She was supposed to wear that but her not wanting to go to the ball left her no choice but to lie to the Professor.

Professor Meioh nodded her head in understanding. "I understand. It's just a shame that you won't be joining it, you would miss out a lot," she said.

"It's alright, I am sure there are other times," said Serena with a sigh. 'There will never be other times,' she said to herself. "Well, gotta go bye," she said as she begun to descend the stairs

Smiling brightly at the blond, Trista came up with an idea. 'It's time,' she thought happily. "Ms. Moon," she called, making Serena stop.

"Uh, yes?" mumbled Serena in confusion. 'So familiar,' she mused.

"I desperately need help with something in my office. Would you be kind enough and pop by later in the afternoon? I need a little help with work and well, with the ball tomorrow," answered the Professor.

Serena shrugged her shoulders, "Sure, I'll be there,"

"Ah yes, wonderful. Thank you Miss Moon," said Trista as she watched the girl walk down the stairs and head for the door. 'Now, to prepare everything,' she thought with a mysterious smile.

~Outside~

Feeling the cool air against her face refreshing, Serena sat down near the lake. She slowly let all her pains be drifted away by the cold November air. 'Why did I ever think he would love me?' she thought bitterly, hugging her legs to her chest. 'No one would anyway,'

"Serena............"

'Pegasus?!' Jumping up from her sitting position she tried to find the enchanted horse. "Pegasus?" she said, hopping to find her friend. She wished to thank him for saving her life the other day. "Where are you?"

"Here," said Pegasus stepping out of the shadows of the Forbidden Forest. He watched the girl race towards him with a smile. 'She's so different,' he mused.

"Pegasus!" Serena smiled happily as she hugged the horse around his neck. "I'm so happy to see you," she whispered into his mane, feeling the comforting warmth radiate off him once more.

"Why are you so sad?" asked Pegasus, cocking his head to the side. He felt the princess's pain and sadness. Much different from what he felt only days ago. 'What caused her to be so heartbroken?'

Serena soon realized that she began silently shed tears. "I'm j-just happy to see you," she mumbled. She let herself be guided into the forest, sitting down under a huge tree. "Just happy," she whispered sadly while watching Pegasus slowly kneel down next to her.

"You seem sad," whispered Pegasus nuzzling his face against the sad blonde in attempt to make her smile. "What caused you to be so sad?"

She patted his head affectionately while staring blankly at the ground. "People hate me," she whispered bitterly, feeling tears well up in her eyes. "I am a monster,"

Pegasus stared at the cry princess in shock, how can anyone say that to her. "I don't hate you," whispered Pegasus, nudging his head against her shoulder. "I never had," he added. "You are not a monster,"

"But nobody likes me, everybody thinks I'm evil," she whispered bitterly. Turning to look into Pegasus's deep red eyes, she asked tentatively, "Am I evil?" She asked, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I don't know what I am anymore,"

He shook his head in disapproval, "You are not evil, you will never be evil. Believe in yourself Serena. Don't let others bring you down, don't let darkness take you," he whispered.

"I don't know what to do anymore," she whispered bitterly. "Everything is so confusing," she held her head in pain. She saw everything again, the girls' dead bodies and all the blood with the dark hooded figure looming in the background. "What is happening to me?"

"Changes," answered Pegasus. He nudged the girl to look at him, "Don't let the darkness bring you down. Embrace your destiny,"

"What destiny?" asked Serena bitterly, "There is no hope for me. everybody hates me, Harry - he doesn't like me. I'm just nothing,"

"There is always hope,"

She looked up and stared at Pegasus with surprise. Her tears stopped and eyed the unicorn in question, "There is?"

Pegasus nodded, "There always is hope," he answered. 'As long as you chose the light, there will always be,' he thought.

Serena nodded her head in understanding, 'There is still hope?' she asked. "Pegasus," she began looking at the unicorn, "What are you doing here in the forest? Isn't the forest too dangerous for a wonderful creature like you?"

Pegasus inwardly smiled, her kindness and concern was exactly as the princess. It was no doubt that this child was the princess. "I am here to be your friend,"

"My friend?" repeated the surprised Serena. A smile crept across her lips as she ran the thought in her head. She had finally a genuine true friend, 'So familiar,' she mused. She let a tears slide down her cheek before hugging Pegasus tightly around his neck. "Thank you," she whispered.

Pegasus let his wings drop around Serena, as to protect her from the cold and from any harm. 'No princess, thank you,' he thought happily.

~Late in the Afternoon~

Serena smiled to herself slightly, the day she had spent was wonderful. Not only did she feel comforted by Pegasus but also he made her feel different. Like something new was inside of her. 'The day wasn't a waste after all,' she mused. She had completely forgotten all about her heartache about Harry and all the other pains in her life. 'Always will there be hope,' she repeated.

She just returned from the forest and now was on her way as promised to Professor Meioh's office. She still couldn't shake off the funny feeling she got around the Professor and the still familiar feeling of Pegasus. 'I know them from somewhere,' she thought. As she passed the stairs that lead towards the Gryffindor tower she saw the mass of Gryffindors climb their way up, wearing excited, weather worn faces and carrying loads of bags. It looked as though they just returned from their trip.

"Ah Miss Moon! Good afternoon," beamed Professor Meioh as Serena stepped through the doors of her office and closed them behind her. "Finally you made it,"

Serena smiled lightly and nodded her head, "Good afternoon Professor,"

"I say, from the looks of it you had a nice afternoon," commented Trista, taking in Serena's smile and her aura of light. 'Wonderful work Helios,'

"I spent it with a friend, it was nice," answered Serena with a smile. Looking at the Professor she sent her a confused look, "So you want me to do what?"

Giving the expectant girl a sheepish look, she swept her mysterious eyes over a black wooden box. "I must say I am guilty off lying to you miss Moon,"

"Did I do something wrong? Are you punishing me or something?" asked Serena with an alarmed look.

"No, no, no, I apologize for the misunderstanding," laughed Trista, she moved to her desk and picked up the wooden box. Holding it in her arms, she walked up to the confused blonde, "Here," she said, holding out the box.

Serena stared at the black box in confusion. There were carvings in them, designs of all the planets around the box and on the lid, there was a carving of a crescent Moon and around it were planetary symbols. She looked up at the mysterious Professor in confusion, "Excuse me?"

"Here, I want you to have it," said Trista with a mysterious smile. "You earned it,"

"But, Professor, I-I couldn't, really, no," sputtered Serena as she was handed the box. She looked down at it with confusion, wondering what was inside of it.

Trista shook her head and smiled down at the blushing girl. She patted her shoulder and gently pushed her out of the door, "Now, you must promise me that you will open the box once you are in your room," she said, pushing Serena towards the door.

"But, Professor," sputtered Serena as the door opened and she was pushed out.

"Good afternoon miss Moon," smiled Professor Meioh and closing the door infront of the stunned girls face. 'Time has come,' she thought.

Serena stared stunned at the closed door, contemplating on going back inside and returning the box. But instead she decided otherwise and found herself heading back towards the tower. 'What could be inside?' she mused staring down at the intriguing box. It somewhat amazed her on how intricate the design was. Slipping through the portrait hole, she wormed her way through the buzzing common room and quickly entered the 5th years girls dorm.

Gently placing the box onto the middle of her bed, she kicked off her shoes and climbed onto her bed and closed the curtains around her. She really didn't know why she wanted to keep it a secret from the other girls but she felt like she had to. Sitting down infront of the box, with an excited look on her face she slowly lifted the lid.

With a gasp of surprise, she stared into the box with red corduroy cloth lining inside. Twinkling up at her, was an oddly familiar white dress. Sighing slightly, she eyed the gown wearily, 'Looks like I'm going to the ball after all,'
~*~*~*~

^____^ So? What'd yah think? I kinda like it, though I feel bad what I made Harry do. Shame on you Ron for making Harry do that! Wha! Anywayz, the next chapter will be all about the ball.

Ne, Minna? What'd you guys want to happen during the ball? I really want to know. maybe I can incorporate some of your ideas with my ideas. *wink, wink* We'll see! But surely, I want to know what you want to happen with Serena and Harry! ^__^

Any-who, tell me what you think! I am open for suggestions, ideas and opinions! Place them in your reviews or better yet e-mail me! Okay, I need 10 reviews (more) to get me started on making the next chapter! So better click that little button down there!

Thank you all for reading! Don't forget to REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

*Hugs and kisses*

Luv you guys!

Elisabeth the ultimate Harry/Usagi fan . . . . . . . . Harry/Usagi RULE!