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Ah yes. Hello. *Looks around at angry readers. * Uh . . .did I do something wrong? *Looks up at the update page* Oh . . .that. *Winces* Gomen, for that. It's been such a long time since I have updated. Gomen nasai for that. My deepest apologies.
Anywho. I know all of you deserve to know why it took me so long to update. Well, I am really busy at school as you know. (Being president of 2 major school organizations and Editor of the school paper does not really help) *sweat drop* and currently, I am very sick. Suffering from fever, colds and cough. Am not supposed to use the computer but I couldn't help my self. So anyway, if you really want to know what's going down in my life, I've been keeping an online blog or journals as I call it. Look up in my biodata and I'm pretty sure you'll find what you need. My life really isn't pretty.
I fully intent to finish all my fics. I do. And I will finish them. Now that I am on a one-week vacation I try to update as much as I can. I hope my sickness will go away soon.
And, I wanna thank C-chan for the many e-mails she has sent me through my time of depression. She had really lightened my life and without her I don't know what I would do. Again, I owe her much! And Teenvhgirl, Arigatou for the e-mails. As promised, here the new chapter pf FAND! This chapter goes out to you guys!
A special shout out to Moon Kitty, who I haven't heard from a quite a while! How are you doing girl? This is the big chapter! The one we have been talking about so long ago! I want you thank you for giving out your ideas! They are in here! This couldn't be done without you! Arigatou! This chapter goes out to you too!
You guys have been waiting too long now anyway. . .so, here's chapter 15 of FAND! Enjoy!
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Disclaimer: I'd be filthy rich if I owned any of these characters. HP characters belong to JK Rowling and SM characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I own the plot.
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Chapter 15 "Renewed Hope,"
~In a dark secluded house~
"You failed!" roared Voldemort, his eyes flashing in anger. He glared down at Endymon and what have remained of the senshi. "You have failed to bring me the princess and you lost two of the best senshi! You incompetent fools" he yelled, making Wormtail quiver in fear.
"Master we ask for forgiveness. It's just that. . .we have been outnumbered easily," explained Endymon from his bowing position, not daring to look up to meet the blazing eyes of Voldemort.
"Outnumbered?! Is that your reason?" shouted Voldemort, slamming his bony fist on the armrest.
"Everything went fine My Lord, but three unknown senshi interfered. They easily destroyed the barrier . . . thus causing our failure," said Uranus.
"I know what happened!" snapped the Dark Lord. "Three senshi, which were mere children. You lost against children! How useless can you get?!" he bellowed.
"My Lord, what are we to do with Venus and Saturn?" asked Mercury tentatively.
Voldemort's red snakelike eyes narrowed into slits. "Those traitors shall pay when the time comes," he hissed. Without much hesitation, he pulled out his wand and pointed it at the wide-eyed senshi. "As for you incompetent fools................Crucio"
Screams of pain filled the thick air as the 7 figures crumpled to the ground and withered in agony. In the background, two pairs of eyes flashed briefly before disappearing into the depths of darkness.
~Hogwarts~
The tension at Hogwarts seemed so thick that one could say it could be cut with a knife. The mixture of anxiety and fear filled the halls of the castle. The whole castle seemed to lack life, as the halls were mostly deserted and only soft whispers filled the castle. Classes have been canceled for a whole week for the safety of the students.
Students were requested to stay indoors at all costs and most preferably remain in their Common Rooms. Teachers patrolled the halls and corridors, looking alert and weary at the same time. It seemed as though sleep had evaded them.
However, though fear and anxiety filled nearly every niche and nook of the castle, the Head Office seemed rather warm and welcoming to all. In fact Albus Dumbledore was busy humming some incoherent tune while sorting through Howlers and letters of concern from parents.
"Oh my," whispered Dumbledore as another angry letter shriveled up in his hands. Sighing in exhaustion, the tired headmaster replaced his Quill on his desk and leaned back in his high chair trying to relax for several seconds. 'One week,' he mused with a thoughtful look out the window. Only one week ago utter chaos erupted in the castle and now more or less everything had been settled. Upon seeing the Quidditch pitch, the headmaster shook his head in dismay. It looked like a battlefield, which in fact was the truth. As a result they ended up with having the Moon princess lie unconscious in the Infirmary and three unknown senshi along with two new allies.
Life couldn't be any more troublesome.
Thoughts of the battle ran through Dumbledore's mind. It felt like a harsh stab of reality on how close they were in losing the battle. Growing slightly worried, his gaze traveled out to his window where he could barely see the window of the Infirmary. The Moonchild still did not show any signs of waking up.
"Albus?" came McGonagal's worried voice. She tentatively sat down in front of him and eyed him apprehensively as if expecting him to drop dead any minute.
"Ah, Minerva. I didn't hear you enter . . . of tea?" he asked, with a wave of his wand two teacups and a teapot appeared.
"It's the students Albus," began McGonagal wearily eyeing the teapot fill her cup. "They're scared out of their wits. I've got students that stay in bed and refuse to come out. I heard Sprout's having the same trouble with her students. Charmed the entrance of their Common Room, the poor woman couldn't enter her own house,"
"Aren't we all a little scared?" commented Dumbledore mildly before taking a sip of his tea. "It's natural for the students to be frightened,"
"Yes, but some wish to return to their homes. They are demanding it even," McGonagal said, shakily reaching for her cup. It felt as though history was repeating itself for them. Like the Chambers of Secrets has been reopened and chaos reigning in the castle, now the situation was much worse.
"Then we let them go,"
"But Albus!"
"There are already letter of the parents who wish to withdraw their children from the school. They are in fear that another attack may happen and endanger their child. After Christmas break, some students will not return. Of course, we will abide to the parents requests," said the headmaster. He held up a hand, as McGonagal was about to protest. " . . . Because the situation has already grown out of my control,"
McGonagal gasped and quickly placed her cup on the tabletop in fear of dowsing the headmaster with its contents. "The school will be closed then?"
"Perhaps . . ."
She sighed and wearily eyed the Headmaster; "It just surprises me, on how fast things can go so wrong in short amount of time. One minute everything was fine and the next minute we got a Moon Princess near death,"
"Yes, it's amazing how fate and destiny do their game," mumbled Dumbledore with a long wistful look out the window.
"It just worries me," sputtered the deputy headmistress. "How fast the events went. We almost lost Albus! It would be horrible to think what you- know-who would have done to the poor child if he got her,"
"It just shows how Voldemort really is," said Dumbledore. "How much sleep have you been getting Minerva?"
McGonagal visibly choked lightly at her drink and eyed the headmaster wearily. She stared at the Headmaster for a second before waving a hand to dismiss the subject. "I don't know, Albus . . .I don't count."
"How long,"
"3 hours a night, I don't know Albus! Do you really expect me to keep track of my sleep when I got students locking themselves up in their dormitories?" said McGonagal exasperated.
"No wonder you look so tired," chuckled the headmaster, while watching the Professor stifle a yawn. "I suggest that after we seethe princess you go off to bed,"
"But Albus!"
"No buts Minerva, after the infirmary it's off to you chambers!" ordered Dumbledore with a slight chuckle.
McGonagal sighed loudly and slumped into her chair, obviously defeated by the argument. "Very well then,"
"It would be better if we go and see the princess now. I've got a slight feeling that we'll find something interesting," he said, rising out of his seat.
"You'd think she's up?" asked McGonagal, moving to follow the headmaster.
"Perhaps, we shall go have a look then,"
~Gryffindor Common Room~
"Harry calm down," urged Hermione, peering over her book just as Harry snapped his third quill that morning.
"That was your third quill today and the 15th this week. You'll make a bird bald by now if you continue. Maybe you should consider to calm down and sleep a little," said Ron with a concerned look.
"It's just that . . . it's been a week and still . . ." said Harry running his right hand through his hair, making it more messier that it already is. Apparently he was worried more than ever. They were no longer to see Usagi after the last time they saw her. It had been a long week for him. It felt like an eternity to him with out Usagi.
"I just want to see her," he whispered finally, placing his head in his hands.
Hermione sighed sadly, "I know, we all want to see her,"
'Not as bad as I do,' thought Harry sadly. Blinking back silent tears, he thought back on how hard it was to see Usagi nearly die. Now that she was just within reaching point of him, he wasn't allowed to go to her. It was hard to deal with all the yearning of how he longed to hold her and kiss her. He wished to tell her he loved her. He actually felt her pain of some sort, in a way he felt connected to her.
"Harry? Harry?" called Ron, prodding his best friend with a book. He grinned as Harry stirred and looked up at him. "How long do you sleep each night? You look like you never slept at all this week,"
Harry shrugged and leaned back in his chair, "I don't know. 2, 3 hours maybe,"
"You really should consider sleep," mumbled Hermione, putting her book down and looking thoughtful.
"Or you could consider doing one of these tantalizing essays for class," grinned Ron, waving a piece of parchment in the air.
Harry laughed and shook his head. "I think I'll do the essay later,"
Hermione shook her head in dismay, "Seriously Harry, no sleep won't do any good for you or Usagi. Look around you, every one of here looks much better than you do," she said waving her hand around the room.
Ron laughed at Hermione, "That's funny Hermione, take a proper look. Everyone one here is still scared to the bone, in fear that another attack will happen."
Hermione sighed loudly and slumped back into her chair. "True," she briefly looked around the room before turning back to Ron and Harry. "I guess it's hard to believe that our friends are sailor senshi."
"And wanted by Voldemort," added Harry painfully.
"Will you stop saying that name!" hissed Ron with a shudder.
"Well, the good thing is that the tension died down a bit, with all the assignments they've given us." Said Hermione wistfully. "They keep everyone pretty preoccupied,"
"Assignments are a good thing?! Pha!" Ron made a disgusted face and crossed his arms across his chest.
"I have an idea," said Harry, ignoring Ron and Hermione's argument. "We'll go see Usagi,"
Hermione stopped glaring at Ron and turned to Harry, "You know they won't let us in. Mdm. Pomfrey will kick us out before we can even get a toe into the room,"
"C'mon 'Mione, it'll be great to see Usagi," pleaded Ron, totally agreeing with Harry.
"But . . ."
"C'mon 'Mione. Please, I really do want to see her," pleaded Harry.
Hermione sighed loudly and placed her book on the table. "Alright,"
Harry grinned, jumping out of his seat and leading the way to the portrait hole. He had an odd feeling in his stomach that something good will happen moments from now.
~Infirmary~
"Full house!" giggled Chibi-Moon, laying down her cards on the bed on which she and the others sat Indian style and formed a circle.
"Ah! You're cheating!" whined Minako as she sadly watched the pile of candy of the middle of the bed be taken away by Chibi-Moon.
"We are losing against a bunch of kids," muttered Yaten grumpily, throwing down his cards in frustration.
Chibi-Pluto grinned ruefully, "Now you know how Endy-baka felt,"
"I still don't think it is right for children to play poker. Yet alone teach them how to gamble," said Taiki, peering over his book and starring at the group sitting on the two beds that were pushed together.
"We're stuck where already for a week. A little fun won't do any harm anyway. Besides, we practically did every game imaginable already. And may I add, that these three already knew how to play poker, so we are innocent of corrupting their minds with gambling," Seiya gave the brown haired senshi a cheeky grin.
"It's fun," giggled Hotaru, sitting next to Chibi Moon. Even though she still had absolutely no idea about the small senshi, the two became quick friends.
Setsuna laughed and watched the group continue with their poker game. Over the week the mood had gradually changed from depressed to happy. Though mystery filled the air about the three new senshi. They had still refused to dehenshin, persisting to just wait until Usagi awoke. Smiling brightly, she remembered Mdm. Pomfrey announce that Usagi had fully recovered and that it was a matter of time until the young princess would wake up.
"I'm broke," Whined Minako, eyeing her last piece of candy as it was taken away from Moon Knight.
"You ate half of your candy anyway," said Chibi Pluto with a giggle.
"I was hungry," muttered Minako with a glum look. "The hospital food does not please my tongue," she protested and stuck her tongue out at Chibi Pluto.
"Ne, Minako, never stick your tongue out if you're not planning to use it," grinned Seiya while shuffling the cards. Instantly he got hit on the face with a stray pillow.
"Hahaha, very funny Seiya," said Minako sarcastically. "Don't mess with the senshi of love,"
"Senshi of love eh? Well take this senshi of love!" cried Seiya, throwing the pillow back to Minako.
Conveniently, Minako let out a shriek of laughter and ducked the soaring pillow. Instead it hit Chibi-Moon square in the face and in the process falling backwards on the bed.
Seiya, being Seiya, found it totally hilarious and began to laugh his head off. Yaten of course joined in the laughter both oblivious of the glowering Chibi-Moon and the two pillows that soared through the air and muffling their laughter instantly.
Needless to say, a pillow fight had erupted.
Shrieks of laughter filled the air as the Chibis, along with Hotaru tried to defeat the older senshi. Taiki, who got his by a supposedly stray pillow, soon joined the group. Only seconds later, the whole infirmary looked as if it had been snowing inside with all the white feathers that filled the air and littered the ground.
Setsuna shook her head in amusement (And to shake off some feathers) and went back to reading her magazine. It didn't take long before she got hit on the head by a flying pillow, causing her to drop her book. She turned her head sharply to the right, to see a group of tangled up group of teenagers and children giggling.
"Oops?" giggled Chibi Pluto, faking a surprised look.
Sighing softly at Chibi Pluto, Setsuna grabbed the pillow. 'So, being over a century old doesn't really seem too old for these games,' she thought with a smirk and whacked the giggling Chibi on the head. No sooner she joined the group in whacking each other senseless.
The pillow fight would have continued if not an amused chuckle and a loud 'Oh my,' came from the door.
"Ah! Albus!" said Setsuna, her grip tightened on the hold of the pillow which was just inches away from Seiya's head. Several feathers landed on her tangled up green hair.
"Hi!" chorused the three Chibis and three teens. (Taiki found the whole ordeal too embarrassing and remained quiet. Though his hold on the pillow never wavered.)
"The whole world is upside down!" giggled Chibi Moon, half oh her body was hanging off the edge of the bed with her hair reaching the ground. She giggled again as Moon Knight poked her in the ribs before pulling her upright.
"Setsuna, what has gotten into you?" asked McGonagal, in slight shock to see a Hogwarts Professor look so disheveled.
Setsuna laughed nervously and clambered off the bed. "We were just having a little fun, to ease the tension," she said, plucking out some feathers out of her hair.
"I must say, quite enjoyable indeed. If I weren't so old . . ." said Dumbledore wistfully eyeing the feather littered floor.
"Albus!" cried McGonagal in disbelief among the series of giggles of the senshi.
Dumbledore chuckled slightly and moved aside revealing three other surprised teens. "Ah yes, why don't you three sit down?" he said, gesturing to the beds.
"Ah, Harry!" greeted Seiya waving a hand in greeting with Yaten painfully pinned below him.
"Hi," greeted Harry in return with a slight expression of shock.
"What is the meaning of this?!" clucked Mdm. Pomfrey with an agitated tone as she emerged from Usagi's room. Her eyes widened at the sight of her disordered infirmary with feathers littering the ground everywhere. Gasping loudly, she stared at the disarrayed states of her patients. "What by Merlin's beard happened here?!"
"Eh, oops?" grinned Moon Knight, hiding the torn pillow behind his back.
"Oops? Is that all you have to say? This place looks as if a dragon was here!" snapped Mdm. Pomfrey, with hands on her hips.
"Don't worry Poppy, they were just having some good, healthy fun," chuckled Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling merrily.
"Fun eh?" said the nurse with an agitated tone. "Well their 'fun' created a lot of noise!" Her lethal gaze switched to the three Gryffindors. "And what pray tell are you three doing here?"
"We just came here to. . .to. . ." sputtered Ron, squirming under Pomfrey's scrutinizing glare.
"Poppy, we met these three on our way here. We gave them the permission to join us in our visit here," said McGonagal.
"Eh, Mdm. Pomfrey, how is Usagi?" asked Harry tentatively. Wishing dearly to see Usagi, he tried to see past the nurse but found it impossible.
Mdm. Pomfrey watched in utter amazement as everybody in the room stared at her in expectancy. The Lights and the Chibis had finally entangled themselves and eyed her with anxiety. Clearing her throat she continued, "As I was saying, all the 'fun' you created made unbearably loud noise. In the process waking some people, like me fore example," she muttered darkly. Receiving blank looks, she scowled. "And also waking. . ."
Chibi-Moon's eyes widened with excitement. "Mommy!" She yelled loudly while jumping off the bed with Moon Knight in tow. Roughly brushing past the disgruntled nurse and into the private room.
"AHHH!"
A shriek of pain was drowned by the laughter of both twins.
"Wonderful, wonderful!" beamed Dumbledore in delight, quickly entering the room with McGonagal at his tail.
"Thank heavens," mumbled McGonagal s relief washed over her face and followed the headmaster inside.
"She's awake Harry! She's awake!" grinned Ron, shaking Harry's sleeves roughly in delight as everybody quickly pilled into the room.
Hermione let out a sob of happiness before taking a shaky breath. "Wonderful!"
Harry felt his inside do an acrobat stunt as he hear Usagi's soft giggle from the other room. Feeling tremendous relief wash over him, he suddenly felt much better than ever before. He heard her voice for the first time for the whole week. Eyeing the door with concealed happiness, he felt his insides do another flip-flop. Having lost his voice, "Yeah," being the only thing he could muster to say.
"C'mon, let's see her," beamed Ron, pushing both Hermione and Harry through the door.
When Harry entered the room, he was immediately greeted by laughter. Quickly spotting Usagi, he felt his inside drop. She looked deathly pale, as she sat up on bed and obviously very tired as she was heavily leaning on the headboard of her bed for support. Usagi, looking tired and obviously still in pain, smiled brightly as she watched the two Chibi senshi bounce around her bed in laughter. He watched her move and hug the worried Professor Meioh.
"Usagi!" cried Hermione, dissolving into tears of joy. Brushing past Harry and Ron, she latched herself into Usagi's arms. "I'm so happy to see alive!"
Usagi sighed and quickly returned the hug and gave reassuring comfort to the babbling girl. Patting her soothingly on the back, "Hermione, I'm alive. No need to worry," she said with a soft giggle. Feeling happy to see everyone care so much about her made her heart suddenly swell with happiness. Allowing Hermione detach herself from her, she offered the distraught girl a soft smile.
"We were so worried!" said Ron, walking up to the bed and patting Usagi on the hand. "Good to see you up again,"
"Thanks," breathed Usagi, shaking her head slightly. Her eyes feel on the two Chibis who were busy talking with the other Chibi, which oddly enough looked much like Pluto. Feeling a certain presence next to her, she smiled silently and turned around and smiled softly at Harry.
An eternity seemed to slip by for the two lovers as they stared into each other's eyes.
It was Harry who rushed forward and grabbed the blonde into a fierce hug, burying his face into her hair. Hugging her tightly in fear that she may disappear, his hold tightened.
"I was so worried," he whispered. All his worries seemed to disintegrate into nothingness, as he once again felt his beloved in his arms. Her warmth, her scent, her love, it was such an overwhelming experience.
"I'm sorry, so sorry," breathed Usagi, burying her face into his neck. A sob escaped her lips; it felt so good to be back in his arms again. Feeling again his warmth after a long week of darkness and cold reality. His familiar scent invaded her senses, making everything perfect. Tears rolled down her cheeks as another sob escaped her lips.
"I love you," whispered Harry into her ear. He held her tight, feeling more complete than ever before. It felt wonderful to have her back in his arms, they had burned before to just hold her. Sighing contently, he smiled softly into her hair. 'God, how I missed you,'
'He loves me,', a sob escaped her lips and she held on Harry tighter. A smile graced her lips, as her heart was filled with love and happiness. Feeling pain no more of the battle that had inflicted so many wounds on her, she simply held on the boy tighter. She kissed Harry on the cheek, before replying in a soft whisper for only him to hear. "I love you too,"
"Well, now that that's over," said Seiya, watching Harry settle into a chair along with the others. He heard Dumbledore chuckle behind him, and Harry distinctively blush. "Group hug!" He yelled, indicating Yaten and Taiki to follow his suit.
Usagi giggled, as the Lights pounced on her and hugged her fiercely. She could have sworn to see Pomfrey look ready to pull the three off her. Her tears glistened in the light as after a minute the Lights clambered off her as the nurse was ready to jinx the three of them.
"Nice to see you back in the land of the living," grinned Yaten.
Usagi laughed and wiped several tears away. "Mind you, I didn't die yet,"
"Good to see you up and about Usagi-chan," said Taiki with a smile.
"Usagi-chan," Came a very familiar voice from behind the lights. The Lights quickly backed up to reveal a tear stricken Minako and a guilty Hotaru.
"Minako, 'Taru-chan. . ." whispered Usagi, tears brimming in her eyes.
"We're so sorry Usagi!" sobbed Minako, hugging the princess.
"We should have just stayed with you!" cried Hotaru, hugging the princess as well.
Usagi began to cry as well, feeling glad that two of her senshi returned to her. "It's alright, alright. . . I understand what you did. I know you had your reasons. . ." she said, hugging the two senshi close to her. "I forgive you,"
"You do?" whispered Minako in disbelief. "After all. . ."
Usagi shock her head in amusement. "It's the coming back that counts. Minna, welcome back!"
"I must say," said Dumbledore, watching the two senshi detach themselves from Usagi. "It's wonderful to see you once again smiling . . .your highness,"
"No formalities please, it's silly," commented Usagi, with a frown.
"Dear child I must say, you got everyone worried," said McGonagal.
"Oh yes Mum! Everyone was really, really worried!" grinned Chibi Moon.
"Mum?!" cried Harry, along with several others, in disbelief. He stared at Chibi Moon who in turn grinned back cheekily.
"Eh, tell us. . .who are you three?" asked Usagi tentatively, eyeing Chibi Moon grin back at Harry. Sure, she knew that those two were her children. She just wanted to know who the father was. She silently sent a prayer to Kami.
"Yes, kindly tell us who on earth you are," said Setsuna, staring down at the smiling Chibi Pluto.
"Well, Serenity-sama we're. . ." began Chibi Pluto, but was cut off as Snape barged into the room.
"You called Albus?" he asked obviously annoying beyond imagination.
"Professor Snape!" beamed Usagi upon seeing the Potions Master. "How nice of you to leave the depths of your dungeons and visit little old me,"
"Ah yes, the Moon princess. I see you have awoken," said Snape, taking finally notice of the others around the room.
"Any potions assignment for me?" she asked cheekily.
"Actually, there are quite a lot," said Snape with a smirk.
"I was just joking," muttered the Moon child darkly.
Purposely ignoring Usagi, Snape turned to the headmaster, "Albus?" he asked, expecting an answer to his question.
"Ah yes, well. I just wanted to inform you that the princess has woken up. And also, the little senshi are about to identify themselves to us. I though you might find it interesting," answered the headmaster with a chuckle.
Chibi Pluto nodded her head in agreement and grinned. "Serenity-sama, as you may have guessed we're from the future. We're the new senshi of the White Moon kingdom. We are the senshi-in-training,"
"Moon kingdom," whispered Usagi in disbelief, her eyes shook with emotion. "Dehenshin," she said to the three.
"We go first!" volunteered Moon Knight.
Everyone watched in amazement as silver and gold lights engulfed both Moonchildren. Ribbons and feathers could be seen swirling around them through the light. As the light died down, in the spot of the two Chibis stood two 10-year-old children.
Both were wearing identical white traveling cloaks with gold trimmings and the crescent Moon insignia on the left side of the chest. Chibi Moon no longer possessed the many braids that adorned her head but instead she had two identical braids on either side of her head. Her hair had the usual shade of black with silver highlights. Underneath her cloak she wore a nice blue skirt with matching blue blouse. She smiled brightly at the stunned Usagi.
Moon Knight still had his blonde hair but this time what caught everybody off guard was the set of round glasses on his face. Underneath his cloak, he wore a pair of black pants and white shirt.
"Whoa, he looks just like you," exclaimed Ron, his gaze switching between Moon Knight and Harry.
"Hmm," mumbled Hermione eyeing the two senshi.
'Familiar,' mused Harry, recognizing the glasses that Moon Knight wore as exactly the same as his, aside from the fact that the frame was in the shade of gray.
"Let's introduce ourselves," announced the dehenshined Moon Knight. He nudged the dehenshined Chibi Moon, signaling she should go first.
Bowing slightly at Usagi, then to the others, Chibi Moon beamed. "I am Princess Serenity Hikaru Lily Potter, heir of the White Moon Kingdom. Daughter Neo Queen Serenity Potter of the White Moon and Neo King Harry Potter, the rightful ruler of magical beings,"
"And I am Tomoki James Sirius Potter, heir of the White Moon Kingdom. Son of Neo Queen Serenity Potter of the White Moon and Neo King Harry Potter, the rightful ruler of magical beings." Tomoki grinned broadly and bowed once again. "And may I add, I am the older twin,"
Usagi grinned broadly as stunned silence filled the room. "Well, I get twins in the future," she said. Giggling softly, she smiled brightly. She knew that this time everything would work out, and her future would turn out to BE her future. Knowing that she had her future with Harry.
"Bloody brilliant!" exclaimed Ron at the prospect of his best friend's children.
"Did you hear that Harry?! You're king of some sort! And you got future children!" cried Hermione, staring at the twins. Upon receiving no answer, she turned around to find Harry slumped in his chair. He fainted. "Harry? Harry?"
"I believe the father-to-be took everything quite nicely. He's in shock," laughed Seiya.
"He passed out," mumbled Taiki with a chuckle.
"Dad?" said Hikaru watching Mdm. Pomfrey take Harry to the second bed in the room. Both twins followed the nurse and made themselves comfortable on their father's young form bed waiting until he would wake. It would be fun to scare the hell out of him once again if he would wake.
"Well, that was nice. . ." said Usagi brightly with soft blush while watching Tomoki busy himself in placing an ice pack on Harry's head. 'Harry's children and mine . . .together forever . . .'
"That was quite. . . informative. . ." said Snape with obvious boredom in his tone.
"Ano, Chibi-Pluto, you are?" asked Yaten, ignoring Snape's rude comment.
Chibi Pluto nodded in understanding and took a deep breath, knowing that what she was about to do May break all hell lose. Well, literally that is. Light green light engulfed the little senshi as she dehenshined. In her place stood a 10-year-old girl with shoulder length dark green hair. She wore a black traveling cloak with the insignia of Pluto on the left side of the chest. Underneath she wore a black skirt and red blouse.
She bowed formally and eyed the occupants with twinkling eyes. "I am Princess Celes Kirei . . .Snape. Protector of the Moon twins and future guardian of the gates of time. Daughter of Queen Setsuna Snape of Pluto and King Severus Snape," she finished. She mentally winced, upon hearing complete silence. 'What a bombshell.' she mused with amusement.
"Well, now that something you don't learn everyday," mused the stunned Usagi breaking the heavy silence. Though she had an inking feeling that this was going to happen, she still couldn't get over the shook that her greasy, annoying potion Professor had the ability to produce offspring. A giggle escaped her lips as she saw the priceless expressions from everybody. How she wished she had a camera.
Hermione exchanged baffled looks and switched their gazes between the three.
The three lights found it highly amusing and all doubled over in laughter as they watched Setsuna blush furiously.
Dumbledore twiddled his thumbs playfully and smiled serenely finding the whole scene highly amusing.
McGonagal simply stared at the two professors with utter disbelief.
Setsuna blushed furiously. . .
Snape looked ready to. . .
"What is the meaning of this?!" he yelled loudly, staring at Setsuna for some clarifications. A blush was the only thing he received.
"Daddy!" squealed Celes in delight, latching herself onto Snape's arm.
Snape's eyes widened in surprise as the child held his hand. So it was true. This was his future child. He watched as Celes beamed up at him, he swallowed hard. 'I'm going to be a father,' he thought as reality hit him hard in the gut. It meant only one thing. . .
. . .their secret was out.
Setsuna watched silently as Celes beamed up at her father-to-be. She winced slightly as she realized that their secret was out. 'So I wasn't meant to spent eternity alone,' she thought happily. She still couldn't believe she fell in love with Severus Snape, the man she hated. Turning to Usagi, who smiled knowingly, she smiled softly at the future queen. 'Thank you serenity-sama,'
"Ano Puu. . .you've been keeping secrets!" pouted Usagi playfully.
Yaten sweat dropped, "Eh, she IS the guardian of time . . . she is meant to keep secrets,"
Usagi rolled her eyes, "I know that," she said. "Not that kind of secrets. . .she's been holding out on us! No fair!"
"I can't believe that you out of all people have a child Severus," said McGonagal, eyeing the grinning Celes.
Snape glowered at McGonagal, his grip on Celes tightening involuntarily. "Correction Minerva, I will have a child. Note the will. . ." he snapped.
"Perhaps its time all of you leave," muttered Mdm. Pomfrey darkly as she watched the two professors glower at each other. Having no desire to stop any possible duel between the two, she glared. "Now,"
"Of course Poppy. Of course," smiled Dumbledore. "I believe it is time for us to go, miss Tsukino needs her rest after all."
"It was wonderful seeing all of you. Your visit meant so much to me," beamed Usagi, giving a final hug to both her future children.
"Ja Usagi-chan!"
"About informing the students. . ." said the headmaster, staring down at the moonchild after the senshi and McGonagal and Snape left the room.
"Not now. Tomorrow would be best. That way I can join you in all the explaining," answered Usagi, looking thoughtful for a moment.
"I will not allow you to leave this room young lady!" snapped the nurse while helping Ron and Hermione with the unconscious Harry. ("You are taking that boy with you!" she said, flinging Harry's other arm around Ron's shoulder.)
"Sure Mdm. Pomfrey, what ever you say. . ." beamed Usagi, while watching the nurse fuzz around Harry.
"Are you sure?" asked Setsuna, turning to the princess with laughter in her eyes. "I don't think its wise for you to be walking around now, yet alone tomorrow. I'll be having a senshi to watch over you."
"I don't need a babysitter!"
"Yes you do. It's times like these that you must listen to us," answered the Plutonian with a playful smirk.
"We'll see," muttered Usagi under her breath.
Dumbledore smiled serenely, "Very well then. It's settled. Tomorrow we'll be clearing up all the confusion," nodding his head in agreement with himself. "Have a nice day Usagi. And do follow what ever Poppy might say to do."
"It is a great relief to see you up again Ms. Tsukino. I am expecting your full recovery soon. Take care Usagi," McGonagal smiled briefly before following the headmaster out the room.
"Hime, I'm so happy to see you up again." Setsuna gave the Lunarian princess a quick hug before composing herself. "Do follow what I said. Take care. We'll visit you soon,"
Usagi smiled. "Hai. Thanks Puu. It means a lot." A soft sigh escaped her lips as she watched the Time senshi disappear through the doors.
Her head turned to the bed next to hers. A small smile played on her lips as she remembered the unconscious occupant that lay there only moments ago.
'I'm going to have a future after all. And I'm going to make sure that it'll happen. Even if it costs me everything. . .'
~
A single candle lit her room when Harry silently stepped in at around midnight. Smiling softly to himself, he watched her for a few seconds under his invisibility cloak. She looked tired yet she was awake, it puzzled him as a thoughtful expression etched her face.
Usagi sighed softly as she stared out the window and eyed the waning Moon sadly. She knew that the changing of the Moon meant something. She felt a dark feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something she wished she could not feel.
'I must make sure that everything will happen for the best. I must. With Venus and Saturn at our side, there must be a brighter hope. . .'
She closed her eyes, as sleep slowly invaded her sensed. Slumping back against the headboard tiredly, a soft sigh escaped her lips. 'Hope. . .'
It wasn't minutes later before she felt a soft kiss be placed on her right cheek, waking her up immediately. Turning to the perpetrator, a soft smile graced her lips.
"Harry,"
"Hey," greeted Harry, sitting down on the bed and turning to her. Brushing a stray strand out of her face, he kissed her once again, this time on the lips.
It didn't take long before both realized that the kiss was the only thing they currently needed. It had been something that both missed in their long time absence apart. Perhaps it was a way of making everything up.
"Well," mumbled Usagi, a blush tingeing her face as both broke apart for air. "I'm happy to see you too,"
Harry leaned back slightly and eyed her for a moment as he tried to catch his breath and make his beating heart slow down.
"I'm sorry,"
His face scrunched up slightly and eyed her questioningly. "For what?"
"For everything,"
Harry cocked his head slightly to the right and eyed her. "Everything?"
"Hai, everything."
"If so, then you are sorry for all the good things that happened through this. The very fact that we're going to be together forever is nothing to be sorry about. The fact that we are going to have two beautiful children, is definitely nothing to be sorry about," Harry said, staring straight at her. "I am happy that everything turned out this way, for now I know how much you truly mean to me. And for that I do not accept your apology," he added, with a rueful smile on his face.
"B. But-I lied to you," tears glistened in her eyes. She couldn't believe her ears, he forgave her for everything. The sincerity in his eyes shone brightly in the room.
"I don't care. As long as I have you, I don't care what you did,"
"B-but,"
"Shhh," he silenced her by placing a soft kiss on her lips.
Now she understood. Now she finally understood what it felt like to love and be loved. Finally, after all these months of mixed feelings with the Harry, she now understood. That even if she kept the most dire, darkest secret within her, he still would love her. He was her soul mate, now and forever, until death would tear them apart. Together they would stand and together they would fall. For their love would conquer all.
"Now tell me, are you really a princess?" asked Harry, love shining in his eyes as he leaned back and eyed her mischievously. "Must I call you, 'Your Highness' now?"
After what seemed like a long time, Usagi giggled softly and leaned back in her bed with a renewed hope . . .and love.
~
A day before Christmas break, everyone was as usual gathered in the great hall to feast on the grand dinner. Like everyday now for the past two weeks, Usagi's incident and the revelation that she was a princess and all those other newcomers were senshi as well, was still the talk of the school.
Rumors on reasons why You-know-who wanted Usagi were spreading like wild fire, yet neither senshi nor teacher made action to clear that subject up. Dumbledore had simply informed them that Usagi and her friends were senshis and would continue to stay at Hogwarts.
Loud clattered filled the hall, as every student indulged in their meals and chattered among friends.
"This school is huge . . ." sighed Minako, a new Gryffindor, as she poked her potato thoughtfully.
"You have been saying that every time now Minako," sighed Yaten exasperatedly, with an annoyed look.
"What happened to you now Minako?" asked Hermione politely, knowing very well that every time the senshi would repeat that statement, something crazy must have happened to the bungling girl.
"Well I was in the library and . . ." Minako rattled off on her tale on how she got lost, again, in the library and ended up at god-knows-where.
" . . . Thankfully this cute bishie came by and rescued me," finished off the blonde with a dreamy look.
"Bishie?" asked Ron, stopping in his eating and staring at the blonde.
"It means, 'cute guy' in Japanese," informed Taiki with a laugh.
"Well now you can add that one up in your vocabulary Ron," grinned Harry, who looked much happier than ever.
"How about we smuggle this into Mum's room?" suggested Tomoki brightly, holding up two sliced of chocolate cake.
"How many times do I have to tell you guys, don't call your mum 'mum' here. People will get suspicious," warned Harry, with an exasperated sigh.
"Sorry dad, err, Harry," muttered Hikaru under her breath.
"Speaking of the Hime, I wonder how Hotaru-chan is holding up with her. I know the Hime has been itching to get out of the infirmary for days," mumbled Celes thoughtfully.
"I believe she got her hands full," grinned Seiya before turning back to his meatloaf.
The feast was nearly over and Dumbledore was ready to give his parting speech to everyone, when the great doors banged open loudly and a loud protest made every commotion in the room stop and stare at the newcomers.
"You can't get out of the infirmary now Hime! Puu will kill us!" whined Hotaru, her purple robes set in disarray. "We'll not you, me perhaps," she added as an after thought.
"So she may stake you, I don't care. I am tired of all these rumors flying around!" snapped the peeved princess, dressed in what seemed to be her nightgown covered by a bathrobe.
Neither noticed the still silence of the hall as both continued to argue, with little Hotaru pulling forcefully on the Hime's arm. Everyone was caught in sheer surprise as the whole student body saw the person behind Sailor Moon for the first time after the incident.
"Besides, I'm hungry," whined Usagi, shaking off Hotaru's futile attempt to stop her. "They deserve the right to know . . . everything."
A heavy silence filled the hall, that is when both Princess and senshi noticed that they were the center of attention.
"Are you sure, Usagi?" asked Professor Meioh, now standing up at the head table and eyeing the princess with pride. It takes a lot of courage to face a crowd as big as this.
Coming over the shock, Usagi shock her head slightly and stared at the senshi of time. "Hai, I am sure,"
And with that, she marched her way up the front of the Hall amongst whispers and hisses from the different houses. Fear slightly gripped her as she realized that she grabbed everyone's attention.
"GO Usagi-chan!" yelled Minako, standing up and cheering loudly at her friend. Waving her hands wildly, she grabbed everyone's attention momentarily. She was pulled down roughly by an exasperated Yaten.
'Thanks,' Usagi thought, shaking her head ruefully at her friend with a timid smile on her face. Looking behind her, she found Dumbledore nodding his head at her in approval and giving her an encouraging smile. And Setsuna smiled at her with encouragement.
'I can do this,' she thought, turning back around and facing the houses. Turning the Gryffindor house, she spotted Harry quickly. He was giving her a thumbs-up sign. Her smile slightly brightened, 'I can do this,'
"Well, I guess, obviously all of you already know who I am or we are," said Usagi, her voice slightly of pitch, as nervousness grabbed her. Wringing her hands nervously, she laughed nervously upon receiving an uproar of whispers and hisses once again.
"Well. . .I. . .we. . ." Usagi tried to come up with the right kind of words to try to explain everything properly, but somehow the wave of whispers were just enough. Stomping her foot in utter frustration, she gave up and pouted. "That's it!"
A faint glow from the front of the hall made everyone shut up. . .
. . . and gape.
Usagi shrugged, "I know, I know. So, I really couldn't stand in front of all you guys in just my sleeping attire." A soft smile appeared on her face as she looked down at herself. "This," she continued, gesturing at herself, "Is what I look like as a princess. This is my Lunarian form,"
Having transformed into Princess Serenity gave her little more courage as she faced the houses once again. "So know that I finally got all of your attention, I hope I can begin,"
"First of, let me introduce myself properly to all of you. You may know me as Usagi perhaps. Which is, well, partly true. However, my real name is Serenity. Princess Serenity of the White Moon." Usagi waited for a reaction, upon receiving whispers from the audience she continued. "I'm Sailor Moon, Professor Meioh is Sailor Pluto, Minako is Sailor Venus, Hotaru is Sailor Saturn and the Three Lights are special soldiers from another Galaxy here to help us. The three little senshi are 'special' senshi also here to help us," Usagi finished in her little introduction of the senshi.
Looking at everybody, she smiled. "I guess you all know that too." Again whispers filled the hall.
Shaking her head sadly, Usagi sighed. "You know guys. It's hard."
Abruptly, whispers and hisses stopped. "The position we are all in. The time that we have. The thing that this world has become. The revolution that is yet to start," her hands formed into fists and started to shake. "It's hard, when everybody just depends on you,"
Shaking her head, a rueful smile appeared on her lips and she faced them once again. "I just can't live with myself if I just let everybody think what they want to think. Wondering doesn't bring us anywhere, all of you deserve to hear the truth."
"Voldemort wants me,"
She closed her eyes as whispers filled the room once more. 'They hate me now . . .they must think I am a threat . . .'
"My mother once told me," Usagi began, ignoring the harsh whispers. She began to walk around a little, her gown moving along with her. "That running never brings you anywhere. It'll just make you realize that you just are standing on the same spot the whole time. I realized that, when I ran,"
"Coming to Hogwarts was one of the best ideas ever," she couldn't help but smile a little. "It is safe, free from evil. It means a new start for my senshi and me. A new life, perhaps. But where ever I go. . .evil follows."
She hung her head sadly, as tears threatened to fall. She had promised herself not to cry. "Being a senshi, means having your life cursed with fighting. Being me, means having a life that is filled with pain, chaos, fighting and death. People die because of me, I hate myself for that . . ."
"But this time it is different. Hogwarts made me realize that there is always hope. People here made me realize that. And for that Professor Dumbledore sir, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart." She turned to the old headmaster and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your hospitality. For taking us in, in our time of need. Thank you so much, the Moon will always shine upon this school."
Turning to the students, she tried to compose herself and took a deep breath, "I know a lot of you may now think that I am a threat to all of you. That my senshi or I may pose as possible danger for this school. Thus I will say, yes. We are danger,"
Uproar of exclamations filled the roar. One could have felt the fear that filled the room. Students began to stands from different houses and yell hotly at the Moonchild.
"You will bring only the death to us!"
"Go look for another school to put in your death spree!"
"Hey princess! None of us want to die here; we don't have a death wish! Get the hell out of here!" Malfoy stood up along with other Slytherins.
Usagi shook her head sadly. "Okay. So I deserve that." Closing her eyes, she tried to stop her frantically beating heart.
"But hear me out, please." She said, opening her glistening eyes. "I can't let you down. I wont let you down. In this time of need, if we are united, darkness may fall. We must stick together. I won't let my people down."
"So," she added, taking a deep breath. She fell to her knees and clasped her hands together, which earned several gasps from the senshi.
"Usagi!"
"I beg for forgiveness," her words rang throughout the hall like silver bells. With her head bowed and her hands clasped before her, tears fell onto her gown.
"Please forgive me and my senshi for all the things we have caused. For all the lies we made and for the trouble. We have brought this school into all this trouble, and we promise to bring it out." Usagi said, her body quivering slightly. She didn't take notice of the senshi leaving their table and henshin.
Looking up upon feeling the others henshin, she found them right in front of her all in a kneeling position with heads bowed. "Minna," she whispered.
'Together, united, we can do this,' she thought upon seeing the senshi along with the starlights and the Chibis. Standing up, she smiled softly. "I hope all of you understand in what situation we are all in. and perhaps, you'll understand us as well."
Amongst all the whisperings, the senshi and Princess Serenity made their way out of the Great Hall.
~
"Great speech there 'your highness'," grinned Fighter, closing the door behind her.
Usagi grinned, "Ah, I can do anything, my 'royal subject'"
"I'm very proud of you Usagi," Pluto smiled brightly.
"I don't remember Mummy being that good in speeches," said Moon Knight thoughtfully.
Usagi laughed slightly and swung both her arms around Minako and Pluto. "As long as we have each other, I'm sure we can do anything."
"I see you gained some knowledge at the infirmary," Healer smirked as the group slowly made their way down the empty hall.
Usagi rolled her eyes, "It's amazing what a girl can learn from a nurse," She laughed thoughtfully.
"So, this means, we'll be together forever?" asked Venus, laughing slightly at the bouncing princess.
"Hai! Together Forever!" everyone cried, their cry echoing through the empty hallways. Laughter soon followed after which.
"Now 'royal subjects', you may accompany me to my 'royal chambers'," grinned Usagi.
"Which would be?" asked Saturn, with a raised eyebrow.
"The Infirmary," informed Usagi airily. "This little princess has been not been feed yet,"
~*~*~*~
^___^ Wasn't the chapter nice? Isn't that a wonderful way for the future? Well, it really isn't much of a cliffhanger but at least I got something out, right?
So, yeah. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I loved writing it. Think it's one of my faves. ^^; So. . .tell me guys. . .how did you like all the revelations and new families? Cool or not?
So why don't you tell me? Drop a review! I need your review on how well I did! So REVIEW! I accept opinions and suggestions. Flames should be sent through e-mail please. Thanks!
Thank you all for reading!
Luv you guys!
*Hugs and kisses*
Elisabeth, the ultimate Harry/Usagi fan . . .
PS: I Can't believe I got over 300 reviews! WOW! Thank you all for reviewing! I'll try from now on to update more often!
Ah yes. Hello. *Looks around at angry readers. * Uh . . .did I do something wrong? *Looks up at the update page* Oh . . .that. *Winces* Gomen, for that. It's been such a long time since I have updated. Gomen nasai for that. My deepest apologies.
Anywho. I know all of you deserve to know why it took me so long to update. Well, I am really busy at school as you know. (Being president of 2 major school organizations and Editor of the school paper does not really help) *sweat drop* and currently, I am very sick. Suffering from fever, colds and cough. Am not supposed to use the computer but I couldn't help my self. So anyway, if you really want to know what's going down in my life, I've been keeping an online blog or journals as I call it. Look up in my biodata and I'm pretty sure you'll find what you need. My life really isn't pretty.
I fully intent to finish all my fics. I do. And I will finish them. Now that I am on a one-week vacation I try to update as much as I can. I hope my sickness will go away soon.
And, I wanna thank C-chan for the many e-mails she has sent me through my time of depression. She had really lightened my life and without her I don't know what I would do. Again, I owe her much! And Teenvhgirl, Arigatou for the e-mails. As promised, here the new chapter pf FAND! This chapter goes out to you guys!
A special shout out to Moon Kitty, who I haven't heard from a quite a while! How are you doing girl? This is the big chapter! The one we have been talking about so long ago! I want you thank you for giving out your ideas! They are in here! This couldn't be done without you! Arigatou! This chapter goes out to you too!
You guys have been waiting too long now anyway. . .so, here's chapter 15 of FAND! Enjoy!
~*~*~*
Disclaimer: I'd be filthy rich if I owned any of these characters. HP characters belong to JK Rowling and SM characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I own the plot.
~*~*~*
Chapter 15 "Renewed Hope,"
~In a dark secluded house~
"You failed!" roared Voldemort, his eyes flashing in anger. He glared down at Endymon and what have remained of the senshi. "You have failed to bring me the princess and you lost two of the best senshi! You incompetent fools" he yelled, making Wormtail quiver in fear.
"Master we ask for forgiveness. It's just that. . .we have been outnumbered easily," explained Endymon from his bowing position, not daring to look up to meet the blazing eyes of Voldemort.
"Outnumbered?! Is that your reason?" shouted Voldemort, slamming his bony fist on the armrest.
"Everything went fine My Lord, but three unknown senshi interfered. They easily destroyed the barrier . . . thus causing our failure," said Uranus.
"I know what happened!" snapped the Dark Lord. "Three senshi, which were mere children. You lost against children! How useless can you get?!" he bellowed.
"My Lord, what are we to do with Venus and Saturn?" asked Mercury tentatively.
Voldemort's red snakelike eyes narrowed into slits. "Those traitors shall pay when the time comes," he hissed. Without much hesitation, he pulled out his wand and pointed it at the wide-eyed senshi. "As for you incompetent fools................Crucio"
Screams of pain filled the thick air as the 7 figures crumpled to the ground and withered in agony. In the background, two pairs of eyes flashed briefly before disappearing into the depths of darkness.
~Hogwarts~
The tension at Hogwarts seemed so thick that one could say it could be cut with a knife. The mixture of anxiety and fear filled the halls of the castle. The whole castle seemed to lack life, as the halls were mostly deserted and only soft whispers filled the castle. Classes have been canceled for a whole week for the safety of the students.
Students were requested to stay indoors at all costs and most preferably remain in their Common Rooms. Teachers patrolled the halls and corridors, looking alert and weary at the same time. It seemed as though sleep had evaded them.
However, though fear and anxiety filled nearly every niche and nook of the castle, the Head Office seemed rather warm and welcoming to all. In fact Albus Dumbledore was busy humming some incoherent tune while sorting through Howlers and letters of concern from parents.
"Oh my," whispered Dumbledore as another angry letter shriveled up in his hands. Sighing in exhaustion, the tired headmaster replaced his Quill on his desk and leaned back in his high chair trying to relax for several seconds. 'One week,' he mused with a thoughtful look out the window. Only one week ago utter chaos erupted in the castle and now more or less everything had been settled. Upon seeing the Quidditch pitch, the headmaster shook his head in dismay. It looked like a battlefield, which in fact was the truth. As a result they ended up with having the Moon princess lie unconscious in the Infirmary and three unknown senshi along with two new allies.
Life couldn't be any more troublesome.
Thoughts of the battle ran through Dumbledore's mind. It felt like a harsh stab of reality on how close they were in losing the battle. Growing slightly worried, his gaze traveled out to his window where he could barely see the window of the Infirmary. The Moonchild still did not show any signs of waking up.
"Albus?" came McGonagal's worried voice. She tentatively sat down in front of him and eyed him apprehensively as if expecting him to drop dead any minute.
"Ah, Minerva. I didn't hear you enter . . . of tea?" he asked, with a wave of his wand two teacups and a teapot appeared.
"It's the students Albus," began McGonagal wearily eyeing the teapot fill her cup. "They're scared out of their wits. I've got students that stay in bed and refuse to come out. I heard Sprout's having the same trouble with her students. Charmed the entrance of their Common Room, the poor woman couldn't enter her own house,"
"Aren't we all a little scared?" commented Dumbledore mildly before taking a sip of his tea. "It's natural for the students to be frightened,"
"Yes, but some wish to return to their homes. They are demanding it even," McGonagal said, shakily reaching for her cup. It felt as though history was repeating itself for them. Like the Chambers of Secrets has been reopened and chaos reigning in the castle, now the situation was much worse.
"Then we let them go,"
"But Albus!"
"There are already letter of the parents who wish to withdraw their children from the school. They are in fear that another attack may happen and endanger their child. After Christmas break, some students will not return. Of course, we will abide to the parents requests," said the headmaster. He held up a hand, as McGonagal was about to protest. " . . . Because the situation has already grown out of my control,"
McGonagal gasped and quickly placed her cup on the tabletop in fear of dowsing the headmaster with its contents. "The school will be closed then?"
"Perhaps . . ."
She sighed and wearily eyed the Headmaster; "It just surprises me, on how fast things can go so wrong in short amount of time. One minute everything was fine and the next minute we got a Moon Princess near death,"
"Yes, it's amazing how fate and destiny do their game," mumbled Dumbledore with a long wistful look out the window.
"It just worries me," sputtered the deputy headmistress. "How fast the events went. We almost lost Albus! It would be horrible to think what you- know-who would have done to the poor child if he got her,"
"It just shows how Voldemort really is," said Dumbledore. "How much sleep have you been getting Minerva?"
McGonagal visibly choked lightly at her drink and eyed the headmaster wearily. She stared at the Headmaster for a second before waving a hand to dismiss the subject. "I don't know, Albus . . .I don't count."
"How long,"
"3 hours a night, I don't know Albus! Do you really expect me to keep track of my sleep when I got students locking themselves up in their dormitories?" said McGonagal exasperated.
"No wonder you look so tired," chuckled the headmaster, while watching the Professor stifle a yawn. "I suggest that after we seethe princess you go off to bed,"
"But Albus!"
"No buts Minerva, after the infirmary it's off to you chambers!" ordered Dumbledore with a slight chuckle.
McGonagal sighed loudly and slumped into her chair, obviously defeated by the argument. "Very well then,"
"It would be better if we go and see the princess now. I've got a slight feeling that we'll find something interesting," he said, rising out of his seat.
"You'd think she's up?" asked McGonagal, moving to follow the headmaster.
"Perhaps, we shall go have a look then,"
~Gryffindor Common Room~
"Harry calm down," urged Hermione, peering over her book just as Harry snapped his third quill that morning.
"That was your third quill today and the 15th this week. You'll make a bird bald by now if you continue. Maybe you should consider to calm down and sleep a little," said Ron with a concerned look.
"It's just that . . . it's been a week and still . . ." said Harry running his right hand through his hair, making it more messier that it already is. Apparently he was worried more than ever. They were no longer to see Usagi after the last time they saw her. It had been a long week for him. It felt like an eternity to him with out Usagi.
"I just want to see her," he whispered finally, placing his head in his hands.
Hermione sighed sadly, "I know, we all want to see her,"
'Not as bad as I do,' thought Harry sadly. Blinking back silent tears, he thought back on how hard it was to see Usagi nearly die. Now that she was just within reaching point of him, he wasn't allowed to go to her. It was hard to deal with all the yearning of how he longed to hold her and kiss her. He wished to tell her he loved her. He actually felt her pain of some sort, in a way he felt connected to her.
"Harry? Harry?" called Ron, prodding his best friend with a book. He grinned as Harry stirred and looked up at him. "How long do you sleep each night? You look like you never slept at all this week,"
Harry shrugged and leaned back in his chair, "I don't know. 2, 3 hours maybe,"
"You really should consider sleep," mumbled Hermione, putting her book down and looking thoughtful.
"Or you could consider doing one of these tantalizing essays for class," grinned Ron, waving a piece of parchment in the air.
Harry laughed and shook his head. "I think I'll do the essay later,"
Hermione shook her head in dismay, "Seriously Harry, no sleep won't do any good for you or Usagi. Look around you, every one of here looks much better than you do," she said waving her hand around the room.
Ron laughed at Hermione, "That's funny Hermione, take a proper look. Everyone one here is still scared to the bone, in fear that another attack will happen."
Hermione sighed loudly and slumped back into her chair. "True," she briefly looked around the room before turning back to Ron and Harry. "I guess it's hard to believe that our friends are sailor senshi."
"And wanted by Voldemort," added Harry painfully.
"Will you stop saying that name!" hissed Ron with a shudder.
"Well, the good thing is that the tension died down a bit, with all the assignments they've given us." Said Hermione wistfully. "They keep everyone pretty preoccupied,"
"Assignments are a good thing?! Pha!" Ron made a disgusted face and crossed his arms across his chest.
"I have an idea," said Harry, ignoring Ron and Hermione's argument. "We'll go see Usagi,"
Hermione stopped glaring at Ron and turned to Harry, "You know they won't let us in. Mdm. Pomfrey will kick us out before we can even get a toe into the room,"
"C'mon 'Mione, it'll be great to see Usagi," pleaded Ron, totally agreeing with Harry.
"But . . ."
"C'mon 'Mione. Please, I really do want to see her," pleaded Harry.
Hermione sighed loudly and placed her book on the table. "Alright,"
Harry grinned, jumping out of his seat and leading the way to the portrait hole. He had an odd feeling in his stomach that something good will happen moments from now.
~Infirmary~
"Full house!" giggled Chibi-Moon, laying down her cards on the bed on which she and the others sat Indian style and formed a circle.
"Ah! You're cheating!" whined Minako as she sadly watched the pile of candy of the middle of the bed be taken away by Chibi-Moon.
"We are losing against a bunch of kids," muttered Yaten grumpily, throwing down his cards in frustration.
Chibi-Pluto grinned ruefully, "Now you know how Endy-baka felt,"
"I still don't think it is right for children to play poker. Yet alone teach them how to gamble," said Taiki, peering over his book and starring at the group sitting on the two beds that were pushed together.
"We're stuck where already for a week. A little fun won't do any harm anyway. Besides, we practically did every game imaginable already. And may I add, that these three already knew how to play poker, so we are innocent of corrupting their minds with gambling," Seiya gave the brown haired senshi a cheeky grin.
"It's fun," giggled Hotaru, sitting next to Chibi Moon. Even though she still had absolutely no idea about the small senshi, the two became quick friends.
Setsuna laughed and watched the group continue with their poker game. Over the week the mood had gradually changed from depressed to happy. Though mystery filled the air about the three new senshi. They had still refused to dehenshin, persisting to just wait until Usagi awoke. Smiling brightly, she remembered Mdm. Pomfrey announce that Usagi had fully recovered and that it was a matter of time until the young princess would wake up.
"I'm broke," Whined Minako, eyeing her last piece of candy as it was taken away from Moon Knight.
"You ate half of your candy anyway," said Chibi Pluto with a giggle.
"I was hungry," muttered Minako with a glum look. "The hospital food does not please my tongue," she protested and stuck her tongue out at Chibi Pluto.
"Ne, Minako, never stick your tongue out if you're not planning to use it," grinned Seiya while shuffling the cards. Instantly he got hit on the face with a stray pillow.
"Hahaha, very funny Seiya," said Minako sarcastically. "Don't mess with the senshi of love,"
"Senshi of love eh? Well take this senshi of love!" cried Seiya, throwing the pillow back to Minako.
Conveniently, Minako let out a shriek of laughter and ducked the soaring pillow. Instead it hit Chibi-Moon square in the face and in the process falling backwards on the bed.
Seiya, being Seiya, found it totally hilarious and began to laugh his head off. Yaten of course joined in the laughter both oblivious of the glowering Chibi-Moon and the two pillows that soared through the air and muffling their laughter instantly.
Needless to say, a pillow fight had erupted.
Shrieks of laughter filled the air as the Chibis, along with Hotaru tried to defeat the older senshi. Taiki, who got his by a supposedly stray pillow, soon joined the group. Only seconds later, the whole infirmary looked as if it had been snowing inside with all the white feathers that filled the air and littered the ground.
Setsuna shook her head in amusement (And to shake off some feathers) and went back to reading her magazine. It didn't take long before she got hit on the head by a flying pillow, causing her to drop her book. She turned her head sharply to the right, to see a group of tangled up group of teenagers and children giggling.
"Oops?" giggled Chibi Pluto, faking a surprised look.
Sighing softly at Chibi Pluto, Setsuna grabbed the pillow. 'So, being over a century old doesn't really seem too old for these games,' she thought with a smirk and whacked the giggling Chibi on the head. No sooner she joined the group in whacking each other senseless.
The pillow fight would have continued if not an amused chuckle and a loud 'Oh my,' came from the door.
"Ah! Albus!" said Setsuna, her grip tightened on the hold of the pillow which was just inches away from Seiya's head. Several feathers landed on her tangled up green hair.
"Hi!" chorused the three Chibis and three teens. (Taiki found the whole ordeal too embarrassing and remained quiet. Though his hold on the pillow never wavered.)
"The whole world is upside down!" giggled Chibi Moon, half oh her body was hanging off the edge of the bed with her hair reaching the ground. She giggled again as Moon Knight poked her in the ribs before pulling her upright.
"Setsuna, what has gotten into you?" asked McGonagal, in slight shock to see a Hogwarts Professor look so disheveled.
Setsuna laughed nervously and clambered off the bed. "We were just having a little fun, to ease the tension," she said, plucking out some feathers out of her hair.
"I must say, quite enjoyable indeed. If I weren't so old . . ." said Dumbledore wistfully eyeing the feather littered floor.
"Albus!" cried McGonagal in disbelief among the series of giggles of the senshi.
Dumbledore chuckled slightly and moved aside revealing three other surprised teens. "Ah yes, why don't you three sit down?" he said, gesturing to the beds.
"Ah, Harry!" greeted Seiya waving a hand in greeting with Yaten painfully pinned below him.
"Hi," greeted Harry in return with a slight expression of shock.
"What is the meaning of this?!" clucked Mdm. Pomfrey with an agitated tone as she emerged from Usagi's room. Her eyes widened at the sight of her disordered infirmary with feathers littering the ground everywhere. Gasping loudly, she stared at the disarrayed states of her patients. "What by Merlin's beard happened here?!"
"Eh, oops?" grinned Moon Knight, hiding the torn pillow behind his back.
"Oops? Is that all you have to say? This place looks as if a dragon was here!" snapped Mdm. Pomfrey, with hands on her hips.
"Don't worry Poppy, they were just having some good, healthy fun," chuckled Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling merrily.
"Fun eh?" said the nurse with an agitated tone. "Well their 'fun' created a lot of noise!" Her lethal gaze switched to the three Gryffindors. "And what pray tell are you three doing here?"
"We just came here to. . .to. . ." sputtered Ron, squirming under Pomfrey's scrutinizing glare.
"Poppy, we met these three on our way here. We gave them the permission to join us in our visit here," said McGonagal.
"Eh, Mdm. Pomfrey, how is Usagi?" asked Harry tentatively. Wishing dearly to see Usagi, he tried to see past the nurse but found it impossible.
Mdm. Pomfrey watched in utter amazement as everybody in the room stared at her in expectancy. The Lights and the Chibis had finally entangled themselves and eyed her with anxiety. Clearing her throat she continued, "As I was saying, all the 'fun' you created made unbearably loud noise. In the process waking some people, like me fore example," she muttered darkly. Receiving blank looks, she scowled. "And also waking. . ."
Chibi-Moon's eyes widened with excitement. "Mommy!" She yelled loudly while jumping off the bed with Moon Knight in tow. Roughly brushing past the disgruntled nurse and into the private room.
"AHHH!"
A shriek of pain was drowned by the laughter of both twins.
"Wonderful, wonderful!" beamed Dumbledore in delight, quickly entering the room with McGonagal at his tail.
"Thank heavens," mumbled McGonagal s relief washed over her face and followed the headmaster inside.
"She's awake Harry! She's awake!" grinned Ron, shaking Harry's sleeves roughly in delight as everybody quickly pilled into the room.
Hermione let out a sob of happiness before taking a shaky breath. "Wonderful!"
Harry felt his inside do an acrobat stunt as he hear Usagi's soft giggle from the other room. Feeling tremendous relief wash over him, he suddenly felt much better than ever before. He heard her voice for the first time for the whole week. Eyeing the door with concealed happiness, he felt his insides do another flip-flop. Having lost his voice, "Yeah," being the only thing he could muster to say.
"C'mon, let's see her," beamed Ron, pushing both Hermione and Harry through the door.
When Harry entered the room, he was immediately greeted by laughter. Quickly spotting Usagi, he felt his inside drop. She looked deathly pale, as she sat up on bed and obviously very tired as she was heavily leaning on the headboard of her bed for support. Usagi, looking tired and obviously still in pain, smiled brightly as she watched the two Chibi senshi bounce around her bed in laughter. He watched her move and hug the worried Professor Meioh.
"Usagi!" cried Hermione, dissolving into tears of joy. Brushing past Harry and Ron, she latched herself into Usagi's arms. "I'm so happy to see alive!"
Usagi sighed and quickly returned the hug and gave reassuring comfort to the babbling girl. Patting her soothingly on the back, "Hermione, I'm alive. No need to worry," she said with a soft giggle. Feeling happy to see everyone care so much about her made her heart suddenly swell with happiness. Allowing Hermione detach herself from her, she offered the distraught girl a soft smile.
"We were so worried!" said Ron, walking up to the bed and patting Usagi on the hand. "Good to see you up again,"
"Thanks," breathed Usagi, shaking her head slightly. Her eyes feel on the two Chibis who were busy talking with the other Chibi, which oddly enough looked much like Pluto. Feeling a certain presence next to her, she smiled silently and turned around and smiled softly at Harry.
An eternity seemed to slip by for the two lovers as they stared into each other's eyes.
It was Harry who rushed forward and grabbed the blonde into a fierce hug, burying his face into her hair. Hugging her tightly in fear that she may disappear, his hold tightened.
"I was so worried," he whispered. All his worries seemed to disintegrate into nothingness, as he once again felt his beloved in his arms. Her warmth, her scent, her love, it was such an overwhelming experience.
"I'm sorry, so sorry," breathed Usagi, burying her face into his neck. A sob escaped her lips; it felt so good to be back in his arms again. Feeling again his warmth after a long week of darkness and cold reality. His familiar scent invaded her senses, making everything perfect. Tears rolled down her cheeks as another sob escaped her lips.
"I love you," whispered Harry into her ear. He held her tight, feeling more complete than ever before. It felt wonderful to have her back in his arms, they had burned before to just hold her. Sighing contently, he smiled softly into her hair. 'God, how I missed you,'
'He loves me,', a sob escaped her lips and she held on Harry tighter. A smile graced her lips, as her heart was filled with love and happiness. Feeling pain no more of the battle that had inflicted so many wounds on her, she simply held on the boy tighter. She kissed Harry on the cheek, before replying in a soft whisper for only him to hear. "I love you too,"
"Well, now that that's over," said Seiya, watching Harry settle into a chair along with the others. He heard Dumbledore chuckle behind him, and Harry distinctively blush. "Group hug!" He yelled, indicating Yaten and Taiki to follow his suit.
Usagi giggled, as the Lights pounced on her and hugged her fiercely. She could have sworn to see Pomfrey look ready to pull the three off her. Her tears glistened in the light as after a minute the Lights clambered off her as the nurse was ready to jinx the three of them.
"Nice to see you back in the land of the living," grinned Yaten.
Usagi laughed and wiped several tears away. "Mind you, I didn't die yet,"
"Good to see you up and about Usagi-chan," said Taiki with a smile.
"Usagi-chan," Came a very familiar voice from behind the lights. The Lights quickly backed up to reveal a tear stricken Minako and a guilty Hotaru.
"Minako, 'Taru-chan. . ." whispered Usagi, tears brimming in her eyes.
"We're so sorry Usagi!" sobbed Minako, hugging the princess.
"We should have just stayed with you!" cried Hotaru, hugging the princess as well.
Usagi began to cry as well, feeling glad that two of her senshi returned to her. "It's alright, alright. . . I understand what you did. I know you had your reasons. . ." she said, hugging the two senshi close to her. "I forgive you,"
"You do?" whispered Minako in disbelief. "After all. . ."
Usagi shock her head in amusement. "It's the coming back that counts. Minna, welcome back!"
"I must say," said Dumbledore, watching the two senshi detach themselves from Usagi. "It's wonderful to see you once again smiling . . .your highness,"
"No formalities please, it's silly," commented Usagi, with a frown.
"Dear child I must say, you got everyone worried," said McGonagal.
"Oh yes Mum! Everyone was really, really worried!" grinned Chibi Moon.
"Mum?!" cried Harry, along with several others, in disbelief. He stared at Chibi Moon who in turn grinned back cheekily.
"Eh, tell us. . .who are you three?" asked Usagi tentatively, eyeing Chibi Moon grin back at Harry. Sure, she knew that those two were her children. She just wanted to know who the father was. She silently sent a prayer to Kami.
"Yes, kindly tell us who on earth you are," said Setsuna, staring down at the smiling Chibi Pluto.
"Well, Serenity-sama we're. . ." began Chibi Pluto, but was cut off as Snape barged into the room.
"You called Albus?" he asked obviously annoying beyond imagination.
"Professor Snape!" beamed Usagi upon seeing the Potions Master. "How nice of you to leave the depths of your dungeons and visit little old me,"
"Ah yes, the Moon princess. I see you have awoken," said Snape, taking finally notice of the others around the room.
"Any potions assignment for me?" she asked cheekily.
"Actually, there are quite a lot," said Snape with a smirk.
"I was just joking," muttered the Moon child darkly.
Purposely ignoring Usagi, Snape turned to the headmaster, "Albus?" he asked, expecting an answer to his question.
"Ah yes, well. I just wanted to inform you that the princess has woken up. And also, the little senshi are about to identify themselves to us. I though you might find it interesting," answered the headmaster with a chuckle.
Chibi Pluto nodded her head in agreement and grinned. "Serenity-sama, as you may have guessed we're from the future. We're the new senshi of the White Moon kingdom. We are the senshi-in-training,"
"Moon kingdom," whispered Usagi in disbelief, her eyes shook with emotion. "Dehenshin," she said to the three.
"We go first!" volunteered Moon Knight.
Everyone watched in amazement as silver and gold lights engulfed both Moonchildren. Ribbons and feathers could be seen swirling around them through the light. As the light died down, in the spot of the two Chibis stood two 10-year-old children.
Both were wearing identical white traveling cloaks with gold trimmings and the crescent Moon insignia on the left side of the chest. Chibi Moon no longer possessed the many braids that adorned her head but instead she had two identical braids on either side of her head. Her hair had the usual shade of black with silver highlights. Underneath her cloak she wore a nice blue skirt with matching blue blouse. She smiled brightly at the stunned Usagi.
Moon Knight still had his blonde hair but this time what caught everybody off guard was the set of round glasses on his face. Underneath his cloak, he wore a pair of black pants and white shirt.
"Whoa, he looks just like you," exclaimed Ron, his gaze switching between Moon Knight and Harry.
"Hmm," mumbled Hermione eyeing the two senshi.
'Familiar,' mused Harry, recognizing the glasses that Moon Knight wore as exactly the same as his, aside from the fact that the frame was in the shade of gray.
"Let's introduce ourselves," announced the dehenshined Moon Knight. He nudged the dehenshined Chibi Moon, signaling she should go first.
Bowing slightly at Usagi, then to the others, Chibi Moon beamed. "I am Princess Serenity Hikaru Lily Potter, heir of the White Moon Kingdom. Daughter Neo Queen Serenity Potter of the White Moon and Neo King Harry Potter, the rightful ruler of magical beings,"
"And I am Tomoki James Sirius Potter, heir of the White Moon Kingdom. Son of Neo Queen Serenity Potter of the White Moon and Neo King Harry Potter, the rightful ruler of magical beings." Tomoki grinned broadly and bowed once again. "And may I add, I am the older twin,"
Usagi grinned broadly as stunned silence filled the room. "Well, I get twins in the future," she said. Giggling softly, she smiled brightly. She knew that this time everything would work out, and her future would turn out to BE her future. Knowing that she had her future with Harry.
"Bloody brilliant!" exclaimed Ron at the prospect of his best friend's children.
"Did you hear that Harry?! You're king of some sort! And you got future children!" cried Hermione, staring at the twins. Upon receiving no answer, she turned around to find Harry slumped in his chair. He fainted. "Harry? Harry?"
"I believe the father-to-be took everything quite nicely. He's in shock," laughed Seiya.
"He passed out," mumbled Taiki with a chuckle.
"Dad?" said Hikaru watching Mdm. Pomfrey take Harry to the second bed in the room. Both twins followed the nurse and made themselves comfortable on their father's young form bed waiting until he would wake. It would be fun to scare the hell out of him once again if he would wake.
"Well, that was nice. . ." said Usagi brightly with soft blush while watching Tomoki busy himself in placing an ice pack on Harry's head. 'Harry's children and mine . . .together forever . . .'
"That was quite. . . informative. . ." said Snape with obvious boredom in his tone.
"Ano, Chibi-Pluto, you are?" asked Yaten, ignoring Snape's rude comment.
Chibi Pluto nodded in understanding and took a deep breath, knowing that what she was about to do May break all hell lose. Well, literally that is. Light green light engulfed the little senshi as she dehenshined. In her place stood a 10-year-old girl with shoulder length dark green hair. She wore a black traveling cloak with the insignia of Pluto on the left side of the chest. Underneath she wore a black skirt and red blouse.
She bowed formally and eyed the occupants with twinkling eyes. "I am Princess Celes Kirei . . .Snape. Protector of the Moon twins and future guardian of the gates of time. Daughter of Queen Setsuna Snape of Pluto and King Severus Snape," she finished. She mentally winced, upon hearing complete silence. 'What a bombshell.' she mused with amusement.
"Well, now that something you don't learn everyday," mused the stunned Usagi breaking the heavy silence. Though she had an inking feeling that this was going to happen, she still couldn't get over the shook that her greasy, annoying potion Professor had the ability to produce offspring. A giggle escaped her lips as she saw the priceless expressions from everybody. How she wished she had a camera.
Hermione exchanged baffled looks and switched their gazes between the three.
The three lights found it highly amusing and all doubled over in laughter as they watched Setsuna blush furiously.
Dumbledore twiddled his thumbs playfully and smiled serenely finding the whole scene highly amusing.
McGonagal simply stared at the two professors with utter disbelief.
Setsuna blushed furiously. . .
Snape looked ready to. . .
"What is the meaning of this?!" he yelled loudly, staring at Setsuna for some clarifications. A blush was the only thing he received.
"Daddy!" squealed Celes in delight, latching herself onto Snape's arm.
Snape's eyes widened in surprise as the child held his hand. So it was true. This was his future child. He watched as Celes beamed up at him, he swallowed hard. 'I'm going to be a father,' he thought as reality hit him hard in the gut. It meant only one thing. . .
. . .their secret was out.
Setsuna watched silently as Celes beamed up at her father-to-be. She winced slightly as she realized that their secret was out. 'So I wasn't meant to spent eternity alone,' she thought happily. She still couldn't believe she fell in love with Severus Snape, the man she hated. Turning to Usagi, who smiled knowingly, she smiled softly at the future queen. 'Thank you serenity-sama,'
"Ano Puu. . .you've been keeping secrets!" pouted Usagi playfully.
Yaten sweat dropped, "Eh, she IS the guardian of time . . . she is meant to keep secrets,"
Usagi rolled her eyes, "I know that," she said. "Not that kind of secrets. . .she's been holding out on us! No fair!"
"I can't believe that you out of all people have a child Severus," said McGonagal, eyeing the grinning Celes.
Snape glowered at McGonagal, his grip on Celes tightening involuntarily. "Correction Minerva, I will have a child. Note the will. . ." he snapped.
"Perhaps its time all of you leave," muttered Mdm. Pomfrey darkly as she watched the two professors glower at each other. Having no desire to stop any possible duel between the two, she glared. "Now,"
"Of course Poppy. Of course," smiled Dumbledore. "I believe it is time for us to go, miss Tsukino needs her rest after all."
"It was wonderful seeing all of you. Your visit meant so much to me," beamed Usagi, giving a final hug to both her future children.
"Ja Usagi-chan!"
"About informing the students. . ." said the headmaster, staring down at the moonchild after the senshi and McGonagal and Snape left the room.
"Not now. Tomorrow would be best. That way I can join you in all the explaining," answered Usagi, looking thoughtful for a moment.
"I will not allow you to leave this room young lady!" snapped the nurse while helping Ron and Hermione with the unconscious Harry. ("You are taking that boy with you!" she said, flinging Harry's other arm around Ron's shoulder.)
"Sure Mdm. Pomfrey, what ever you say. . ." beamed Usagi, while watching the nurse fuzz around Harry.
"Are you sure?" asked Setsuna, turning to the princess with laughter in her eyes. "I don't think its wise for you to be walking around now, yet alone tomorrow. I'll be having a senshi to watch over you."
"I don't need a babysitter!"
"Yes you do. It's times like these that you must listen to us," answered the Plutonian with a playful smirk.
"We'll see," muttered Usagi under her breath.
Dumbledore smiled serenely, "Very well then. It's settled. Tomorrow we'll be clearing up all the confusion," nodding his head in agreement with himself. "Have a nice day Usagi. And do follow what ever Poppy might say to do."
"It is a great relief to see you up again Ms. Tsukino. I am expecting your full recovery soon. Take care Usagi," McGonagal smiled briefly before following the headmaster out the room.
"Hime, I'm so happy to see you up again." Setsuna gave the Lunarian princess a quick hug before composing herself. "Do follow what I said. Take care. We'll visit you soon,"
Usagi smiled. "Hai. Thanks Puu. It means a lot." A soft sigh escaped her lips as she watched the Time senshi disappear through the doors.
Her head turned to the bed next to hers. A small smile played on her lips as she remembered the unconscious occupant that lay there only moments ago.
'I'm going to have a future after all. And I'm going to make sure that it'll happen. Even if it costs me everything. . .'
~
A single candle lit her room when Harry silently stepped in at around midnight. Smiling softly to himself, he watched her for a few seconds under his invisibility cloak. She looked tired yet she was awake, it puzzled him as a thoughtful expression etched her face.
Usagi sighed softly as she stared out the window and eyed the waning Moon sadly. She knew that the changing of the Moon meant something. She felt a dark feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something she wished she could not feel.
'I must make sure that everything will happen for the best. I must. With Venus and Saturn at our side, there must be a brighter hope. . .'
She closed her eyes, as sleep slowly invaded her sensed. Slumping back against the headboard tiredly, a soft sigh escaped her lips. 'Hope. . .'
It wasn't minutes later before she felt a soft kiss be placed on her right cheek, waking her up immediately. Turning to the perpetrator, a soft smile graced her lips.
"Harry,"
"Hey," greeted Harry, sitting down on the bed and turning to her. Brushing a stray strand out of her face, he kissed her once again, this time on the lips.
It didn't take long before both realized that the kiss was the only thing they currently needed. It had been something that both missed in their long time absence apart. Perhaps it was a way of making everything up.
"Well," mumbled Usagi, a blush tingeing her face as both broke apart for air. "I'm happy to see you too,"
Harry leaned back slightly and eyed her for a moment as he tried to catch his breath and make his beating heart slow down.
"I'm sorry,"
His face scrunched up slightly and eyed her questioningly. "For what?"
"For everything,"
Harry cocked his head slightly to the right and eyed her. "Everything?"
"Hai, everything."
"If so, then you are sorry for all the good things that happened through this. The very fact that we're going to be together forever is nothing to be sorry about. The fact that we are going to have two beautiful children, is definitely nothing to be sorry about," Harry said, staring straight at her. "I am happy that everything turned out this way, for now I know how much you truly mean to me. And for that I do not accept your apology," he added, with a rueful smile on his face.
"B. But-I lied to you," tears glistened in her eyes. She couldn't believe her ears, he forgave her for everything. The sincerity in his eyes shone brightly in the room.
"I don't care. As long as I have you, I don't care what you did,"
"B-but,"
"Shhh," he silenced her by placing a soft kiss on her lips.
Now she understood. Now she finally understood what it felt like to love and be loved. Finally, after all these months of mixed feelings with the Harry, she now understood. That even if she kept the most dire, darkest secret within her, he still would love her. He was her soul mate, now and forever, until death would tear them apart. Together they would stand and together they would fall. For their love would conquer all.
"Now tell me, are you really a princess?" asked Harry, love shining in his eyes as he leaned back and eyed her mischievously. "Must I call you, 'Your Highness' now?"
After what seemed like a long time, Usagi giggled softly and leaned back in her bed with a renewed hope . . .and love.
~
A day before Christmas break, everyone was as usual gathered in the great hall to feast on the grand dinner. Like everyday now for the past two weeks, Usagi's incident and the revelation that she was a princess and all those other newcomers were senshi as well, was still the talk of the school.
Rumors on reasons why You-know-who wanted Usagi were spreading like wild fire, yet neither senshi nor teacher made action to clear that subject up. Dumbledore had simply informed them that Usagi and her friends were senshis and would continue to stay at Hogwarts.
Loud clattered filled the hall, as every student indulged in their meals and chattered among friends.
"This school is huge . . ." sighed Minako, a new Gryffindor, as she poked her potato thoughtfully.
"You have been saying that every time now Minako," sighed Yaten exasperatedly, with an annoyed look.
"What happened to you now Minako?" asked Hermione politely, knowing very well that every time the senshi would repeat that statement, something crazy must have happened to the bungling girl.
"Well I was in the library and . . ." Minako rattled off on her tale on how she got lost, again, in the library and ended up at god-knows-where.
" . . . Thankfully this cute bishie came by and rescued me," finished off the blonde with a dreamy look.
"Bishie?" asked Ron, stopping in his eating and staring at the blonde.
"It means, 'cute guy' in Japanese," informed Taiki with a laugh.
"Well now you can add that one up in your vocabulary Ron," grinned Harry, who looked much happier than ever.
"How about we smuggle this into Mum's room?" suggested Tomoki brightly, holding up two sliced of chocolate cake.
"How many times do I have to tell you guys, don't call your mum 'mum' here. People will get suspicious," warned Harry, with an exasperated sigh.
"Sorry dad, err, Harry," muttered Hikaru under her breath.
"Speaking of the Hime, I wonder how Hotaru-chan is holding up with her. I know the Hime has been itching to get out of the infirmary for days," mumbled Celes thoughtfully.
"I believe she got her hands full," grinned Seiya before turning back to his meatloaf.
The feast was nearly over and Dumbledore was ready to give his parting speech to everyone, when the great doors banged open loudly and a loud protest made every commotion in the room stop and stare at the newcomers.
"You can't get out of the infirmary now Hime! Puu will kill us!" whined Hotaru, her purple robes set in disarray. "We'll not you, me perhaps," she added as an after thought.
"So she may stake you, I don't care. I am tired of all these rumors flying around!" snapped the peeved princess, dressed in what seemed to be her nightgown covered by a bathrobe.
Neither noticed the still silence of the hall as both continued to argue, with little Hotaru pulling forcefully on the Hime's arm. Everyone was caught in sheer surprise as the whole student body saw the person behind Sailor Moon for the first time after the incident.
"Besides, I'm hungry," whined Usagi, shaking off Hotaru's futile attempt to stop her. "They deserve the right to know . . . everything."
A heavy silence filled the hall, that is when both Princess and senshi noticed that they were the center of attention.
"Are you sure, Usagi?" asked Professor Meioh, now standing up at the head table and eyeing the princess with pride. It takes a lot of courage to face a crowd as big as this.
Coming over the shock, Usagi shock her head slightly and stared at the senshi of time. "Hai, I am sure,"
And with that, she marched her way up the front of the Hall amongst whispers and hisses from the different houses. Fear slightly gripped her as she realized that she grabbed everyone's attention.
"GO Usagi-chan!" yelled Minako, standing up and cheering loudly at her friend. Waving her hands wildly, she grabbed everyone's attention momentarily. She was pulled down roughly by an exasperated Yaten.
'Thanks,' Usagi thought, shaking her head ruefully at her friend with a timid smile on her face. Looking behind her, she found Dumbledore nodding his head at her in approval and giving her an encouraging smile. And Setsuna smiled at her with encouragement.
'I can do this,' she thought, turning back around and facing the houses. Turning the Gryffindor house, she spotted Harry quickly. He was giving her a thumbs-up sign. Her smile slightly brightened, 'I can do this,'
"Well, I guess, obviously all of you already know who I am or we are," said Usagi, her voice slightly of pitch, as nervousness grabbed her. Wringing her hands nervously, she laughed nervously upon receiving an uproar of whispers and hisses once again.
"Well. . .I. . .we. . ." Usagi tried to come up with the right kind of words to try to explain everything properly, but somehow the wave of whispers were just enough. Stomping her foot in utter frustration, she gave up and pouted. "That's it!"
A faint glow from the front of the hall made everyone shut up. . .
. . . and gape.
Usagi shrugged, "I know, I know. So, I really couldn't stand in front of all you guys in just my sleeping attire." A soft smile appeared on her face as she looked down at herself. "This," she continued, gesturing at herself, "Is what I look like as a princess. This is my Lunarian form,"
Having transformed into Princess Serenity gave her little more courage as she faced the houses once again. "So know that I finally got all of your attention, I hope I can begin,"
"First of, let me introduce myself properly to all of you. You may know me as Usagi perhaps. Which is, well, partly true. However, my real name is Serenity. Princess Serenity of the White Moon." Usagi waited for a reaction, upon receiving whispers from the audience she continued. "I'm Sailor Moon, Professor Meioh is Sailor Pluto, Minako is Sailor Venus, Hotaru is Sailor Saturn and the Three Lights are special soldiers from another Galaxy here to help us. The three little senshi are 'special' senshi also here to help us," Usagi finished in her little introduction of the senshi.
Looking at everybody, she smiled. "I guess you all know that too." Again whispers filled the hall.
Shaking her head sadly, Usagi sighed. "You know guys. It's hard."
Abruptly, whispers and hisses stopped. "The position we are all in. The time that we have. The thing that this world has become. The revolution that is yet to start," her hands formed into fists and started to shake. "It's hard, when everybody just depends on you,"
Shaking her head, a rueful smile appeared on her lips and she faced them once again. "I just can't live with myself if I just let everybody think what they want to think. Wondering doesn't bring us anywhere, all of you deserve to hear the truth."
"Voldemort wants me,"
She closed her eyes as whispers filled the room once more. 'They hate me now . . .they must think I am a threat . . .'
"My mother once told me," Usagi began, ignoring the harsh whispers. She began to walk around a little, her gown moving along with her. "That running never brings you anywhere. It'll just make you realize that you just are standing on the same spot the whole time. I realized that, when I ran,"
"Coming to Hogwarts was one of the best ideas ever," she couldn't help but smile a little. "It is safe, free from evil. It means a new start for my senshi and me. A new life, perhaps. But where ever I go. . .evil follows."
She hung her head sadly, as tears threatened to fall. She had promised herself not to cry. "Being a senshi, means having your life cursed with fighting. Being me, means having a life that is filled with pain, chaos, fighting and death. People die because of me, I hate myself for that . . ."
"But this time it is different. Hogwarts made me realize that there is always hope. People here made me realize that. And for that Professor Dumbledore sir, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart." She turned to the old headmaster and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your hospitality. For taking us in, in our time of need. Thank you so much, the Moon will always shine upon this school."
Turning to the students, she tried to compose herself and took a deep breath, "I know a lot of you may now think that I am a threat to all of you. That my senshi or I may pose as possible danger for this school. Thus I will say, yes. We are danger,"
Uproar of exclamations filled the roar. One could have felt the fear that filled the room. Students began to stands from different houses and yell hotly at the Moonchild.
"You will bring only the death to us!"
"Go look for another school to put in your death spree!"
"Hey princess! None of us want to die here; we don't have a death wish! Get the hell out of here!" Malfoy stood up along with other Slytherins.
Usagi shook her head sadly. "Okay. So I deserve that." Closing her eyes, she tried to stop her frantically beating heart.
"But hear me out, please." She said, opening her glistening eyes. "I can't let you down. I wont let you down. In this time of need, if we are united, darkness may fall. We must stick together. I won't let my people down."
"So," she added, taking a deep breath. She fell to her knees and clasped her hands together, which earned several gasps from the senshi.
"Usagi!"
"I beg for forgiveness," her words rang throughout the hall like silver bells. With her head bowed and her hands clasped before her, tears fell onto her gown.
"Please forgive me and my senshi for all the things we have caused. For all the lies we made and for the trouble. We have brought this school into all this trouble, and we promise to bring it out." Usagi said, her body quivering slightly. She didn't take notice of the senshi leaving their table and henshin.
Looking up upon feeling the others henshin, she found them right in front of her all in a kneeling position with heads bowed. "Minna," she whispered.
'Together, united, we can do this,' she thought upon seeing the senshi along with the starlights and the Chibis. Standing up, she smiled softly. "I hope all of you understand in what situation we are all in. and perhaps, you'll understand us as well."
Amongst all the whisperings, the senshi and Princess Serenity made their way out of the Great Hall.
~
"Great speech there 'your highness'," grinned Fighter, closing the door behind her.
Usagi grinned, "Ah, I can do anything, my 'royal subject'"
"I'm very proud of you Usagi," Pluto smiled brightly.
"I don't remember Mummy being that good in speeches," said Moon Knight thoughtfully.
Usagi laughed slightly and swung both her arms around Minako and Pluto. "As long as we have each other, I'm sure we can do anything."
"I see you gained some knowledge at the infirmary," Healer smirked as the group slowly made their way down the empty hall.
Usagi rolled her eyes, "It's amazing what a girl can learn from a nurse," She laughed thoughtfully.
"So, this means, we'll be together forever?" asked Venus, laughing slightly at the bouncing princess.
"Hai! Together Forever!" everyone cried, their cry echoing through the empty hallways. Laughter soon followed after which.
"Now 'royal subjects', you may accompany me to my 'royal chambers'," grinned Usagi.
"Which would be?" asked Saturn, with a raised eyebrow.
"The Infirmary," informed Usagi airily. "This little princess has been not been feed yet,"
~*~*~*~
^___^ Wasn't the chapter nice? Isn't that a wonderful way for the future? Well, it really isn't much of a cliffhanger but at least I got something out, right?
So, yeah. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I loved writing it. Think it's one of my faves. ^^; So. . .tell me guys. . .how did you like all the revelations and new families? Cool or not?
So why don't you tell me? Drop a review! I need your review on how well I did! So REVIEW! I accept opinions and suggestions. Flames should be sent through e-mail please. Thanks!
Thank you all for reading!
Luv you guys!
*Hugs and kisses*
Elisabeth, the ultimate Harry/Usagi fan . . .
PS: I Can't believe I got over 300 reviews! WOW! Thank you all for reviewing! I'll try from now on to update more often!