Chapter One

She stood, staring up at the large castle before her. She had been there before, many times in fact, but that was all in the past. Years of another of her lives had been spent here, back when the school first began, before her powers as a senshi had been needed... Before Chaos had risen.

The thoughts left a sour taste in her mouth, and the eight-pointed star upon her forehead shimmered with power for a few moments before going back to the pale color it normally was. Only during this life, her life as the singing sensation Cosmos, had she allowed the star to be seen. It helped confirm her identity to her enemies, and that knowledge brought a slight smile to her lips, for she could feel their fear just beyond the rest of the world.

Another slight side effect of her change into Cosmos was that her senses were heightened to an extreme, allowing her to understand how the Senshi of Mars must have felt for all those centuries. The barest wisp of pity for the soldier appeared in her heart, though she banished it without a second thought; Rei would hate to be pitied, and she had genuinely enjoyed the abilities during her lifetimes.

Throwing out her senses, she felt the barrier the many wizards and witches protecting this school had placed around it. She also felt the constant touch that evil placed upon it, always searching for a hole, even a crack to seep through and slowly lace its way towards the vulnerable children that attended the prestigious school of witchcraft and Wizardry.

Ah, Hogwarts. It was good to be back.

III

The grand doors at the entrance opened without her touch as the school itself welcomed her back into its heart. She felt a bit of the weight on her soul lift as memories drifted through her mind. Everything she passed held a voice, even if it was not her own. So many people had gone through these halls, each leaving a part of themselves, whether good or bad.

Finally, she reached her destination: the Great Hall. It was evening, the day before the students would arrive back from their summer break. Seemingly endless preparations had been rushed through in previous hours, but it was tradition that all teachers join together for a relaxing meal on the last day of being without their students. That tradition had become more important in the last few years due to rising of evil: anything that good could hold on to and keep strong had to be praised and honored so as not to be lost for all time.

Once again, as if feeling her intent, the doors swung open, and all turned to face the person who had interrupted the cheerful conversation that had been filled with stories of their most lively and interesting experiences. What they saw was a figure draped in a cloak as black as night, its hem sweeping along the stone floor beneath her dark boots with just enough heel to make up for what height she lacked in this lifetime.

As she silently walked up the few steps to the platform at the end of the room, the teachers readied their wands, prepared for any attack this mysterious person might make.

The figure in black stopped in from of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, the only teacher not gripping their wand fiercely, and said in a light, calm voice, "Hello again, my old friend."

Dumbledore's face froze for a moment, a mixture of emotions running across it, before he sprung from his seat, rushing to the end of the table and back down its length until he stood in front of the figure. The rest of the teachers looked on in worry and awe, for it was a rare vision to see the headmaster so worked up about something. What they failed to notice was the happiness that surrounded him.

"Serenity? My dear girl is that you?" His voice was but a whisper, heard by none but the one clothed in black.

With a nod, the figure reached up into its robe, meaning to remove the cloak and let her identity be known, but before she could undo the clasp a voice called out. She felt a surge of power coming at her, and whirled to face it. The energy hit her full force, but in truth it did little. Meant only to stun its victim, the spell was weak, too weak to have any real effect on her, and was merely absorbed by her own powers, being shifted around until it was no longer in existence.

Facing her friend once more, she stated simply, "It appears I am not welcome here."

A chuckle escaped from the old wizard. "They are merely cautious, as they well should be in times such as these. I suppose that is why you are here..."

"There is that... but I also missed you, terribly so." A quick flick of the wrist and her hood hung back, revealing her face. The star was visible, as was her pale skin, clear blue eyes, and silvery-blonde hair that was pulled back into a French braid, wisps hanging into her beautiful face. At the sight of the young woman, and in response to her next actions, the teachers sat in awe, questions racing through their minds.

With a sudden burst of speed, she launched herself into Dumbledore's arms, clinging tightly to him as a few small tears made their way down her cheeks, leaving behind shimmering streaks that brought sorrow to the hardest of hearts. However, she pulled back after just a few seconds.

"She told you, didn't she?"

Silence, then, "Yes. The Guardian of Time spoke with me long ago. She told me that you and I would join together once again, when the time came that you were needed here. I have been waiting for a very long time, while you were off making a singing career," the last being said with a small smile so like those of his youth.

"I am sorry for the wait. I felt that our enemies needed to have proper warning to be prepared, because they will not survive their first meeting with me. And I am awfully glad that you remembered me after all these long years.

"Now, did she tell you anything else? If I know Pluto, she wouldn't hesitate to leave questions unanswered, but I have a feeling she said something else. She told you of my past, who I am, correct?" A nod was her answer, so she continued. "What else did she say? Please, tell me, for then there is much I must tell you in return."

The Headmaster struggled to find the right way to phrase his words, not wanting to disobey the Time Guardian's request of secrecy. "She did speak with me, including all the things you mentioned and others in the conversation, but more than that I have been sworn to keep quiet on."

She nodded knowingly. Her friend had always been very strict when it came to her secrets. "Well, as I said, there is much to be spoken of, though I would prefer it be done in private. Things have... changed, drastically, since last we met, and my list of allies has grown dangerously thin."

"But what of your warriors?"

She took a deep, shuddering breath before saying, "They are gone, Albus. He destroyed them."

"Oh, my dear friend, I am sorry. They were all wonderful people, as you well know."

"They were." Looking back at the row of gaping teachers, she quietly asked him, "They can be trusted?"

"Oh yes. They are some of my dearest companions, I would trust them with my life," he replied, a huge grin lighting up his face.

"That is good to know. Now, before I explain everything, I must ask you a great favor. I am here to help protect you and everyone in the school against Him. To do so, I must be here, at the school…"

"Of course you may stay! We have a teaching position open for Mythical Histories. Would you be interested?"

She smiled at he mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "You know that subject was always a favorite of mine. I'll take it!"

She thought to herself as she embraced her friend in gratitude, 'Who would have thought I'd become a teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?'

III

February 10, 2003