by Deirdre Blair
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter. Sailor Moon belongs to Takeuchi Naoko and Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. There, said it, now leave me alone.
Summary: With everyone suspecting her, how will Hotaru ever get around to gaining Harry's trust? Plus, when Hotaru nearly kills Harry, the suspicion becomes even greater. But what does Harry think?
Author's Note: Taking a break from my Aggressive Inline video game to write this chapter. I hope nobody is upset about the slash...really, it's very mild. And if you don't like it, you can actually just skip over it. It's not like it's a vital part of this story. I just wanted to put it in here because I think it'd be cute. Heh...to me, anyway. Um, so yeah. Hope you like it and all. Any questions, just review or email me and I'll try to get back to you as quickly as possible.
Melody's Song: Blaise Zabini is a character that was mentioned only once (or was it a few times?) in the HP books, but never given a gender. I made Blaise a boy because I like him being male. But his lack of gender has caused him to be quite a popular boy/girl/it in HP fandom. The most information anybody (except for the all-knowing J.K. Rowling) really knows about him is that he is in Slytherin, same age as Harry, and named Blaise Zabini.
Rating: PG13
Pairing: Harry/Hotaru, Ron/Hermione, Draco/Blaise
Genre: Drama/Romance
Warning: Male/Male SLASH
by Deirdre Blair
Things Are Never What They Seem
Previously on Tragic Angel:
~Hotaru found a compartment on the Hogwarts Express with little difficulty. She sat in the empty area and examined her dark, mahogany wand. "Ten inches, mahogany, Augurey feather, blessed in Re'em blood. Custom made. A rare combination indeed."~
~"SLYTHERIN!!!" the Hat shouted for a reply.~
~Hotaru's eyes didn't even wander towards Hermione or Ron, but kept locked with Harry's. "Charmed," she murmured. "And you're a Gryffindor, no less. Can't say that I'm at all surprised."
"Have you been living under a rock or something? Everyone knows that Harry is a Gryffindor!" Ron said, exasperated.~
~"Everyone, I'd like to welcome Ms. Makoto Kino from Japan."~
~However, before she got out the door, Snape said: "You almost speak as if you know her."
Makoto walked out, shut the door, closed her eyes, and sighed. "I thought I did," she whispered.~
-
The schedules that determined the order in which the students' classes would be taken were passed out the next morning by the Prefects. Hotaru scanned her schedule, her eyebrow rising every so often. Defence Against the Dark Arts with Gryffindor, Mythology while everyone else is taking Herbology, and a double period of Advanced Potions for today. It looks as if they've placed me in double periods of Advanced Potions for five out of six school days. Interesting. When the Dark Lord said this subject took a lot of work, he wasn't joking.
"So? How many classes do you have with Potter?"
Hotaru peered over her schedule card and met with inquiring sapphire orbs. "Why so interested? You've been curious about my business for as long as I have been here."
"It's my obligation to assist you in any way that I can. I don't want you feeling left out," he replied, once again speaking cryptically.
He's smart, I'll hand him that. "All right, Zabini, I'll tell you. I have exactly five out of nine classes with him. Not that it should interest you at all," she answered.
Blaise nodded. "Good. I was beginning to think your chances of making friends with Potter were hopeless. This brings light into the situation."
Hotaru smirked. "For your information, Zabini, I have a fool-proof plan to become friends with him."
"Does it include high-heeled boots and a leather whip?" Blaise asked, sounding very much amused with himself. "I always heard Potter was a kinky one."
Hotaru wrinkled her nose in disgust, balled up a paper napkin, and threw it directly at the sniggering Zabini. "No," she replied. "It was nothing to do with high-heeled boots and leather whips."
"What about feather boas and handcuffs?"
"Zabini!" Hotaru cried in a scandalised tone.
Zabini threw his hands up in mock surrender. "All right, all right. What's your fool-proof plan?"
Hotaru bit into her toast, swallowed, and glared. "Like I'm going to tell you. Leather whips and feather boas...honestly..."
"I was just kidding, Tomoe. Tell me."
"No."
"Tomoe, I'm supposed to be helping you, remember?"
"Good morning, lovebirds," drawled a tired voice.
Hotaru and Blaise's heads snapped up and they both cried their response at the same time.
"What are you talking about?!"
"Draco, you know very well that I don't like g--." Blaise abruptly shut his mouth as several students, including Draco and Hotaru, cast him curious stares. "--her in that way."
Hotaru narrowed her eyes as Draco surpressed internal laughter. "Really, Blaise?" he chuckled.
This time, Blaise threw a paper napkin at Draco, an apparent scowl on his own face.
Draco caught it, with the deft ease only a Seeker could have, but with very little vigour.
"Why so enthusiastic? I'm beginning to worry," Hotaru asked sarcastically.
Draco fell onto his chair, grabbing a full pot of coffee and a coffee mug. With delicate precision and utmost attention, he poured it. When it was full, he emptied sugar into it, stirred, muttered a spell to cool it, and drank it with such tranquility, it made you want to whisper in front of him.
However, Blaise took a spoon and tapped Draco insistently on the head with it, repeatedly. Blaise had already ventured onto that side of the table.
Draco scowled, but continued to drink.
Blaise, while continuing to tap Draco on his head, said in almost an alluring voice: "Draaaacoooo... Oh, Draaaacoooo..."
Draco set his now-empty coffee mug down on the table. He exhaled a noisy sigh, then abruptly turned to Blaise. "What is it?!"
Hotaru watched this exchange with much amusement.
Blaise flashed him a daring grin. "Potter is staring this way. I believe he's staring at you."
Draco groaned and sent a menacing glare towards Harry. Harry looked away with a blush creeping up his cheeks. "No, I think he was staring at Tomoe." A smirk slowly spread across Draco's features. "Oh, does Potter have a little crush on Tomoe? What do you think, Blaise? Might they be doing some kinky things in the Astronomy Tower late at nights? Leather whips, feather boas, handcuffs, ropes? Hm?"
Hotaru glared, obviously unamused. "Malfoy, you sick pervert, you know that's not true--nor is it my intention! I loathe Potter. But my mission is quite clear. Or does your father not trust you enough to keep your obscenely large mouth shut---thus you know nothing of my purpose?" And as an after-thought, she added, "And what is it with you two and kinky sex games?"
Draco fumed. "You're wrong." Hotaru's eyebrows lifted. Draco took the pose of one indignified by something, yet not willing to let it show. "My mouth isn't obscenely large. It's perfectly preportioned."
Hotaru rolled her eyes. "Class is about to start. Defence Against the Dark Arts, first."
"Ugh, and with Gryffindor no less," Draco complained as they gathered their books and left.
Hotaru smirked. "Oh, I don't know...I think it works out for the better."
Blaise grimaced. "You would."
-
Makoto let out a sigh of nerves as she stared at the empty classroom in front of her. She had already arranged the books and gadgets on her desk at least one hundred times that morning. She was never very good at speaking in public. It came from a bad childhood of being picked on and a reputation for a bad attitude--thus, she didn't make friends easily. What made it worse, was that Hotaru was in her first class. How that girl was going to act, she didn't know. It seemed as if she had developed an entirely new persona since she had ventured onto a path of difference.
Makoto was sure that her path wasn't good. She had to help her somehow. This was the only way she could see to do it. Luckily, she also brought along a friend Hotaru would recognise as well--Setsuna. Setsuna was teaching Mythology in place of Professor Sinistra (who also taught Astronomy). Setsuna wasn't announced due to the fact that Sinistra had retired from that position earlier that morning. Setsuna arrived seconds after. Makoto was very thankful. If anyone could help Hotaru, it would be Setsuna.
The sounding of her beeping communicator watch startled Makoto from her thoughts. She shook her head and answered it with a smile. "Hello there, Usagi-chan."
Usagi's bright and beaming face appeared on the screen almost immediately. "Hello, Mako-chan! Has your class started yet?"
Makoto shook her head. "No, it will in about ten minutes, though. I'm nervous. I've never been this nervous before."
Usagi flashed her an inspiring grin. "Don't worry, Mako-chan. You'll be great. Just don't let them push you around." Usagi laughed, knowing that nobody pushed Mako-chan around. "You have the support of the team back in Tokyo!"
Makoto nodded. "Thanks, Usagi-chan. How's the kingdom? Has anything...changed?"
Usagi's face slowly melted into a very serious one. She let out a sigh. "No. Nothing. If anything, the conditions have gotten worse. More people are dying, we can't find the enemy's hideout. But Setsuna's been able to tell us who we're dealing with. Unfortunately, the ginzuishou isn't going to be enough to save anyone at this point. The enemy has grown so strong. We're worn out...all of us. Rei's been locked up in her room, doing constant fire-readings and dream interpretations. Ami's been locked up in the computer room, researching and researching. Minako's constantly taking care of Chibi-usa, who's been having terrible nightmares. Meanwhile, Mamo-chan, Haruka, Michiru, and I are out there, fighting the demons. But more keep coming. It doesn't matter how many we kill. More always come." Usagi began to sob with exhaustion. "We need Hotaru. Setsuna said so. She said Saturn had an internal fighting mechanism that was placed in her, and only her, that could be unleashed and could destroy anything. We don't know how to trigger it, but the first step is getting her back. Please, Mako-chan...."
Makoto felt tears surfacing in her own eyes, but she held them back. She was going to be strong for her princess. "Usagi-chan, I'll do the best I can. But Hotaru's leading a very different life here. She's working for the other side now. Or at least, I think she is. I can't be sure. She's working for Voldemort, the strongest enemy here. From what Snape told me this morning before breakfast, she's the Dark Lord's pet. She feels a strong sense of loyalty to both him and Lucius Malfoy. She's very good friends with Narcissa Malfoy. And she's making friends with Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. She looks as if she fits in here. I don't know what's going on."
"I know, Hotaru's not like that. She's not evil."
"No, she's not. Or at least, the Hotaru we knew wasn't. But she's changed, Usagi-chan. You can see it in her eyes. Something about her has changed. It might be too late to bring her back. She might be turned for good."
"No! Don't say that! Hotaru's not evil! She can't be!" Usagi cried into the watch.
"I'm sorry, Usagi-chan. I have to go. People are coming in."
Usagi was cut off in mid "MAKOTO!" as Makoto pressed the green button on her watch. She looked up, smoothed herself over, and watched the students enter the room. The first students to enter were Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. Closely followed by them were Hotaru, Draco, and Blaise.
Hotaru and Makoto locked eyes for a quick second, before Hotaru sat down beside Blaise, who was beside Draco. Within seconds, the entire classroom was full and the bell rang to signal the beginning of class.
"Good morning, class. I'm Professor Makoto Kino."
Many of the guys stared at her, blushes on their faces. Draco drew a smirk. Makoto was very beautiful, so this reaction was to be expected. At least she had their attention.
"Well, first we'll start with roll call. Then I'll give you an overview on what we are going to be discussing in this class during the next year. And, I have arranged a seating chart. Everyone stand." The class did so. "Now, I have the seats on this piece of paper up here. Come on up and then go to your respected seat."
The students came up, and then went back to the desks, where a new person sat in each seat. Draco Malfoy sat beside Blaise Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle sat behind them. Lavender Brown, looking just a bit intimidated, sat on the other side of Blaise. However, it was well-noted that Blaise wasn't paying the least of attention to her, but to Draco. Parvati Patil sat behind Lavender, beside Crabbe and Goyle. Ron and Hermione sat together, with Pansy Parkinson on the other side of Ron. Hotaru sat next to Harry, behind Ron, Hermione, and Pansy. Neville Longbottom sat next on the other side of Harry. Dean Thomas sat next to Seamus Finnigan, with Millicent Bulstrode next to him as well. Tracey Davis sat next to Daphne Greengrass, who in turn sat next to Theodore Nott.
Makoto silently checked off who was there and who wasn't. Everyone was there. With a small smile, she went to the front of her desk, leaned against, it and crossed her arms over her chest--and defensive manuvere. "Weclome to your sixth year of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Now, I know some of you may be thinking that just because I'm the new teacher, that means you can try to trick me into signing passes that aren't supposed to be signed, and generally disobeying every rule set out. Well, you're sadly mistaken. I have read, and reread the rule book, and I know every rule by heart. I have made friends with most of the other teachers here, so don't think you can turn them against me." The class stared at her. "All right! Let's go over what we're doing this year. First off, and starting today, we'll be studying how to detect deceit. It may not seem important right now, but as you progress later in life, it'll come to your advantage."
With Makoto's fixed stare on him, Harry knew she was talking about him. But when her eyes flickered to Hotaru, whose own eyes were narrowed, he became a little confused. He saw Hotaru absently toy with a white-gold ring on her finger.
"Then, we'll work our way into learning many new spells that have only been recently discovered. That's basically what we're doing throughout the whole school year."
Hotaru raised her hand.
"Yes, Ms. Tomoe?"
"It looks to me as if you're subtly preparing us for an all out war," Hotaru said coolly and frankly. "What of those of us who don't want to fight for your cause?"
Makoto fought back the urge to cry out at her and knock sense into the firefly. "Well, Ms. Tomoe," Makoto said evenly, though it took all of her strength. "If you want to pass this class, you will learn these spells. As for the 'all out war', you should all be well aware that the war is coming. If you haven't figured that out, you know now. For those of you who don't want to fight for retaining our way of life, then you don't have to. Nobody will force you."
"Correction, Ms. Kino," Draco spoke up. "It's your way of life. It was ours before you let all of the Mudbloods in." He sneered at the name.
The Gryffindor boys stood up, shouting at him. Hotaru sent a brief glare at Draco before standing up from her seat, met Harry's eyes, turned, and stood beside Draco, Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, Millicent, Theo, Tracey, and Daphne.
"Draco Malfoy! I never want to hear those words out of your mouth again. If I do, you will get an automatic detention."
Hotaru crossed her arms, and stood closer to Draco. "Well, he's right, you know. If we never let them into our world to begin with, then we'd all live in peace. There'd be no war."
Makoto fumed, her chest rising and falling with heavy intakes and outtakes. "Ms. Tomoe, I'd like to see you outside for a moment."
Hotaru shrugged, cast a brief unreadable glance towards Draco and Blaise, and walked out of the room with Makoto.
Before Makoto shut the doors, she looked in on the class. "If I hear or even sense someone doing magic in here while I'm out, I'll make sure you're at least suspended, if not expelled." She shut the doors with a resounding slam.
Makoto met Hotaru's uncaring stare. "Hotaru, what do you think you're doing? In case you've forgotten, this wasn't your world to begin with. Your world is behind mine."
Hotaru smirked, somewhat amused. "It's my world now."
Makoto leaned against the wall. "You cannot honestly tell me that you believe all of that you just said. I know you, Hotaru. You'd never think like that about anyone."
Hotaru's face changed into a very serious, distant one. "Things've changed, Makoto. I've changed. I'm not the same Hotaru Tomoe anymore. I don't fight for truth, peace, and justice. I fight for--."
"For what, Hotaru? Total dictatorship of a psychotic, murderous man who will end up betraying you?"
Hotaru's eyes narrowed once more. "And what makes you think I'm fighting for him?" Makoto blinked. In a very, very low voice, Hotaru said, "I'd make sure all of my facts are straight before I start shouting out accusations."
When Hotaru went to enter the classroom again, Makoto grabbed her wrist. "What are you fighting for then, Hotaru? In case you haven't sensed it, there's a crisis in Tokyo that needs your help. Specifically your help."
"I have sensed it," Hotaru responded in a cold voice. She met Makoto's eyes again. "But I'm tired of that life. I want a new one."
"We all do, Hotaru. But we can't always have what we want."
"You don't understand, Makoto. You never will. Now let me go," Hotaru jerked her wrist out of Makoto's grasp. "You have a class to teach. And I don't think Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter are going to just glare at each other for too long." Hotaru entered the classroom, and sat in her seat.
Makoto stared at her, her lip trembling. She pulled herself together, however, and reentered the classroom. "All right, the bell will ring in about forty-five minutes. Until then, I want you to partner up with someone in this room and practise the hexes you know. If you know how to do them, which is illegal, then restrain yourself from using the Unforgiveable Curses. I'll be monitering all of the activity. If I see any one of you intentionally step out of line, I'll punish you."
Hotaru nearly felt like beaming. Makoto was, for some reason, making it easier for her to make friends with Harry so that she could betray him in the end. Before Harry could ask Neville to be partners with him, Hotaru tapped him on the shoulder.
Harry felt like crying.
"Hey, Potter. Why don't we be partners?"
Harry turned around and glared at her. "Why would I want to be partners with you?" he asked, with nearly as much venom as he would have spoken with Draco Malfoy.
Hotaru smirked and spoke in a language very familiar to Harry's ears: "We would make great friends, you and I. Besides, do you think that Neville Longbottom would challenge you the way I would? You hardly know me, and yet you already pass judgement. Typical."
Even though it was in a quiet whisper, Harry heard every word. His eyes were wide. His mouth, open. "Y-you can speak Parseltongue?"
"It's one of my many talents."
Harry was speechless. Hotaru sighed, shrugged, and turned. "I suppose I could just always go partner up with Neville and turn him into a disease-spreading toad."
"Wait! I'll be your partner."
Hotaru smirked, and turned back around. "Splendid." She brought out her wand. "Now, I don't want you going easy on me just because I'm a girl. Hit me with all that you've got. Even an Unforgiveable Curse, although that's not legal."
Harry, stone-faced yet still very surprised, nodded and took out his own wand. They stood facing each other and locked gazes. "Ladies, first."
"You bet."
They circled each other for a moment before Hotaru surprised him with a Bat-Bogey Hex.
Harry deflected it with a shielding charm and shouted, "Conjunctivitis!"
Hotaru decided to let the hex hit her, and slowly, her vision deteriorated until all she could see was darkness. She closed her eyes. Funny charm that this is... How juvenile. She raised her wand and her eyes flew open, staring Harry directly in the eyes. Harry stumbled back. "Rictusempra!" she cried, knowing her own hex was pitiful. But it did its job enough so that Hotaru could repair her vision. When she could see again, she relentlessly cast another hex. "Aerisevacuo!"
Harry's eyes widened again when he couldn't no longer breathe. He tried gasping for air, but it was no use. He grabbed his throat, and fell to his knees.
"HOTARU, NO!" Makoto cried, knowing which spell she had used.
Hotaru only stared at Harry with a sort of amused curiosity. Everyone gathered around them, Draco cheering Hotaru on. She paid no attention. Harry managed to say, "What did you do to me?" in a few words.
"Relax, Potter. I know you've never heard of this spell. But you now probably know what it does. It suffocates you until you are dead or passed out," she said in Parseltongue.
"H-how do I stop it?"
"As I said before, relax. Panicking only makes it worse. Finite Incantatum will only work if I give the command. Which I won't. Think, Potter. If this spell cuts off your oxygen, making your lungs empty, think of a spell that may bring it back." While saying this, Hotaru's face remained impassive, as if she were cold to the dying boy in front of her.
Harry relaxed, and tried to think before he could no longer hold his breath.
"Hermione, do something!" Ron cried.
Hermione shook her head, tears in her eyes. "I-I can't. Harry has to do this on his own. My spell won't do anything, it'll change nothing."
Harry fell fully onto the floor, unable to hold himself up much longer. He weakly grabbed his wand, pointed at his mouth, and managed to whisper, "Aerisimpleo!" Immediately, he was able to breathe again.
"Well done," Hotaru congratulated, fighting off a smirk.
Harry, gasping, rose to his feet, glaring at Hotaru. He didn't know if he hated her for what she did. After all, it taught him a very good lesson. Still, he thought it pretty appropriate to cast a particularly nasty hex at her. "Furnunculus!"
Hotaru shielded herself just in time. She had been prepared for that. "If all you know are stupid hexes like that, you stand no chance against Voldemort," Hotaru spat in Parseltongue. The bell rang, signalling the end of class.
Harry walked out with Hermione and Ron. They were making sure he was okay. "Blimey, Harry! Where'd you learn that spell?"
Harry looked at Ron, his eyes going wide. He drew a blank. "I don't know." Where had he learned that spell? They didn't teach it in Hogwarts, that he knew of. He didn't even think they taught it to Advanced seventh years.
"Yeah, I was wondering too. I never heard of that spell, Harry," Hermione informed. "The one I thought of to use was Finite Incantatum."
Harry shook his head. "She told me Finite Incantatum would only work if she cast it. Oh, and she can speak Parseltongue."
Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. "I knew it!" Ron exclaimed. "She was speakly really, really softly, and I thought that was why I couldn't understand what she was saying. But she was speaking Parseltongue."
"Well, I'm just glad you're all right, Harry. Even if I've never heard of that spell before," Hermione replied. "I've never seen Aerisevacuo in action before. I've read about it. Does it really empty out your lungs?"
Harry nodded. "Damn fast, too."
-
Hotaru found out that Harry, Hermione, and Ron were taking Mythology, too. It made sense, as Mythology was offered in replacement of one other class to sixth years and seventh years. She kept a smooth pace towards the Mythology classroom, knowing the Terrible Trio was behind her, muttering about the duel earlier. She listened keenly, boredom otherwise consuming her.
"It's just so...strange. She seems to hate you for no particular reason, Harry. Maybe you should talk to Dumbledore about it," Hermione suggested.
Harry shook his head. "No, I don't think she hates me. At least...I half don't think she does. What she did in there earlier...it was as if she was preparing me for something much worse. She even commented that I was never going to defeat Voldemort if I kept using the weak spells I have been."
"What?" asked Ron.
"Yeah, it's true. I don't understand it. There's something about her that I can't put my finger on. Somehow, I don't think she's as bad as she tries to be."
"You're so naive, Harry," Hermione sighed. She didn't mean it in a cruel way.
Harry didn't seem to take offence. "Maybe I am."
Hotaru smirked. It was working. All working according to plan. Now all she had to do was put the next plan into action. She was going to--what? Setsuna? Hotaru stopped in her tracks when she entered the classroom and noticed Setsuna Meiou standing before the desk. Setsuna locked eyes with her, a knowing expression on her face.
Hotaru fought the impulse to run up and embrace Setsuna. Her old self would do so, whenever Setsuna got a break from guarding the Time Gates. Hotaru looked away and went to her seat. So they were all ganging up on her? What was next? Usagi teaching Advanced Potions? Hotaru nearly laughed.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron walked into the classroom shortly after, seating themselves on the opposite side of where Hotaru was sitting. This way, they were all looking at her, she was looking at them. Hotaru didn't seem too focused on that, however.
Hotaru took out her parchment, ink, and quill. She also took out the textbook for this class, Exlporing Dvinity: A Guide to Mythology.
When the bell rang, Hotaru looked around to see that many others from different houses were seated in the classroom. There were a few Hufflepuffs of whom she didn't recognise, there were five Slytherins (Millicent Bulstrode, Tracey Davis, and three seventh years named Xavier Denton, Loki Hudson, and Sam Paris), seven Ravenclaws (two of which she recognised from Death Eater parentage: Su Li and Stephen Cornfoot), and five Gryffindors (Ron, Hermione, Harry, Lavender, and Parvati). Loki and Millicent sat on either side of her.
"Before we begin, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Professor Setsuna Meiou. I took the place of Professor Sinistra in this class due to the fact that she resigned herself to do only Astronomy from now on," Setsuna's voice was calm, and she didn't look at all nervous. It was the same as Hotaru always remembered it. Setsuna never showed fear. "First, I'd like to take roll call. When I call out your name, please raise your hand or shout your attendance."
The class remained silent.
"Terry Boot."
"Here."
"Mandy Brocklehurst."
"Here."
"Lavender Brown."
"Oh, here."
"Millicent Bulstrode."
"Here."
"Stephen Cornfoot."
He raised his hand.
"Tracey Davis."
Sigh. "Here."
"Xavier Denton."
"I'm here."
"Hermione Granger."
"Here."
"Loki Hudson."
"That's me."
"Su Li."
"Here."
"Morag MacDougal."
She raised her hand.
"Samuel Paris."
"It's Sam."
Setsuna scribbled that down in her notebook. "Padma Patil."
"I'm here."
"Parvati Patil."
"Me too."
"Harry Potter."
Harry was shocked she didn't say his name with a little more enthusiasm. "Um, here."
"Hotaru Tomoe."
"Hai," she spoke in her native tongue. She smirked when Setsuna didn't pause. Always the same.
"Lisa Turpin."
She raised her hand.
"And Ronald Weasley."
"It's Ron."
"All right," Setsuns said, making a note. "That's everyone." She set her notebook down, then faced the class. "I'd like to welcome you all to your first year of Mythology. For those of you who are in your sixth year, I hope you like this class enough to take Advanced Mythology next year. For those of you who are in your seventh year, it is possible to take Advanced Mythology, but it'd have to be as an apprentice with a scholar. However, I am almost positive you'll enjoy this class. This year od Mythology deals with a long time spent on Greek and Roman Mythology, as well as an overview of Norse Mythology. We'll also be studying Japanese, Chinese, and Aztec myth."
Hotaru raised her hand.
"Yes, Ms. Tomoe?" asked Setsuna, part of her already knowing the question and answer.
"When will we be studying Astrological myth?"
"Next year," Setsuna replied.
Hotaru nodded, a smirk spreading on her features. She knew that this would baffle some students into asking questions, thus Setsuna would have to explain it.
Sure enough, it was Lavender Brown who raised her hand next. "What's Astrological myth?"
Setsuna sighed, leaning against her desk. "The myth that Ms. Tomoe had previously asked about is the most ancient type of myth, except for perhaps Greek and Roman. Or, as I should say, it's recording is just about as old as Greek and Roman myth. But in fact, those three myths have been circling each other for ages, even beyond the creation of the universe."
"Can't you tell us a little bit about it? Maybe it will inspire me to go to Advanced Mythology," Parvati bargained.
Setsuna forced a smile. "I suppose. As with Greek and Roman mythology, Astrological mythology had gods as well. Only, all of these gods were female, or just goddesses. However, there is one male god. They were the daugthers--and son--of the Greek and Roman gods. The most is known about the ones of this solar system. There is Chiba, the ruler of the sun and of Earth. There is Mizuno, the ruler of Mercury. Hino, the ruler of Mars. Tsukino, the ruler of our moon. Kino, the ruler of Jupiter. Tomoe, the ruler of Saturn. Tenou, the ruler of Uranus. Kaiou, the ruler of Neptune. And Meiou, the ruler of Pluto."
"Wait!" Ron cried. "You're named Meiou, that Slytherin over there is Tomoe, and we have a Ms. Kino at this school. Are you telling me you're the goddesses of these worlds?"
"As usual, you git, you're shooting off at the mouth with nonsense," Hotaru sighed, loud enough for everyone to hear. Setsuna's head jerked up and she stared at her. Hotaru continued before Ron could defend himself. "I am a direct descendent of the Temple Guardian, Aiko Tomoe--originally Aiko Matsushita. The Temple Guardians would take the name of their Goddess or God and then use it as a last name. The way the two would be told apart is by putting "-kami" at the end of the name. For instance: Aiko Tomoe is the Temple Guardian while Tomoe-kami is the Goddess of Saturn. Do you understand now?"
Ron glared at her. "Yes, perfectly. But why are all of the names Japanese?"
Hotaru shrugged. "There's a simple answer for that, Weasley. The original Japanese language did not exist until a long time after the Goddesses and Gods were named. The Japanese were the most firm believers in this myth, therefore they held temples around the world. But it isn't recorded Muggle history because the text and evidence of their existance isn't able to be seen by people who do not have magic circulating through their veins. All in all, the Japanese Guardians have kept this name throughout history, even those who aren't guardians have it. The temples are in ruins now, however. And they definitely cannot be seen by those without magic."
Setsuna narrowed her eyes. "Last time I checked, Ms. Tomoe, I was the teacher here."
Hotaru shrugged. "Sorry. I got carried away."
Setsuna shook her head. "All right, let's get out our textbooks and turn to the section on Greek Mythology, chapter one. We'll be studying this for about two months. Then we'll move onto Roman mythology for two monthes. Japanese mythology will be studied for a month and a half. Norse mythology will be overviewed for half of a month. Chinese myth will be taught for two months, and then we'll end with two months of Aztec myth."
When everyone turned in their books to the first section, Setsuna told Hermione to read first. This section was on the development of the Greek culture. Then, it would take everyone into the mythology.
Setsuna was rather surprised by the lack of disturbance from Hotaru. Except for calling Ron a git, she remained civil to everyone. When the class was over, Setsuna wanted to hug Hotaru. She wanted her little girl to come home. But she knew this was impossible. The bell rang and everyone got up.
Xavier Denton, who was a rather handsome young boy with spiked black hair and hazel eyes, walked up to Hotaru. He put two hands on her shoulders, her back facing him, and bent down towards her right ear. "Loki put a letter from him under your pillow," he whispered very quietly.
Hotaru turned around, smirking, and placed a hand on his face. She cupped his jaw. "I'll see," she purred as if he had asked her out for a date.
Xavier, knowing the routine, smiled softly and took her hand. He kissed it soflty before walking out of the room. Hotaru closed her eyes as if a teenager in love and walked out as well. Hopefully, the whole scene would look as if a young romance was blossoming.
Hotaru had gone over this earlier that morning with all of the Death Eater children--namely the Slytherins. If it were a boy, they would look as if they were coming onto her. Girls would look as if they were whispering gossip about either a new boyfriend, or a very cute guy. Hotaru would play her part as well. It was decided that only Xavier, Draco, and Sam would play as if coming onto her, as it was regular behaviour for them. And only Pansy, Loki, and Tracey would play as if gossiping, as it was their regular behaviour as well.
Hotaru walked out of the classroom, giving Setsuna a look that wasn't really nice, but not unfriendly either. She walked into the Great Hall with Tracey at her side. Tracey was blabbering on about nonsense, as usual. Hotaru was relieved when she made it to the Slytherin table.
She found Blaise sitting across from Draco, helping himself to his lunch. Crabbe and Goyle sat on either side of Draco, and Pansy sat on one side of Blaise. Hotaru took the other side. She had grown a liking to Blaise, even though he was sometimes annoying. It seemed as if he were one of the smarter Slytherins at that table.
"How did Mythology go?" he asked her casually.
"Uneventful. I didn't get a chance to interact with Potter, although I did get to call Weasley a git. Other than that, it was basic learning."
Blaise shrugged. "That's to be expected. You can't have just come all the way here to make friends with Potter, right?"
Hotaru nodded. "That was the sole reason, yes. But my guardian said that I needed to interact with children my age--instead of hanging out with men old enough to be my father."
Blaise grimaced. "Why would you even want to do that?"
Hotaru giggled without meaning to. "Hey, sometimes hanging out with 'grown-ups' isn't so bad. You can learn a lot from them."
"Ugh," groaned Draco. "Now you're sounding like that Mudblood, Granger."
Hotaru shrugged. "It's the truth. Anyway, what do you two have next? I have Advanced Potions."
"So do we," said Blaise. "A double period of it."
"Yeah," Hotaru said. "What luck. I know Snape. He's...interesting. There are some things about him, though, that I have a hard time believing."
"Such as?" Draco inquired, eager to hear about his favourite professor.
Hotaru shook her head and put a hand up. "It's nothing. Very, very unimportant details that need not be discussed in a room with so much food."
Blaise and Draco exchanged glances, getting what she meant. They both shuddered at the same time.
Hotaru smirked. Good, they believed that. I really shouldn't be discussing Snape being a spy in front of two people who could ruin him completely.
TBC...
Author's Note: *gasp* Hotaru knows Snape's a spy. Will this be the end of Professor Snape? Heh...not likely. This chapter was pretty...okay. I don't know if I like it as much as the others. But, things will happen, my dears. Don't you worry about that. Things will happen. As for the possible Snape/Makoto, I've decided to just make them flirt without anything really happening. Too much going on for them to be snogging in corners. Besides, Snape's a little old for Makoto. Now, back to playing my Aggressive Inline game... Please review! (P.S. Can you believe there are roughly 6260 words in this document? I've never written so much in one chapter!)
-Deirdre Blair