Disclaimer: I don't own anything, just the plot.
Author's Note: Thanks for coming back. I know I haven't updated in forever, I've been bogged down with school, and now two jobs, but I have managed to write this next chapter.
Summary: Usagi remembers a memory that could have led her to the truth in her sixth year, but because of the circumstances of said memory, she pushed it away believing it to be a happy memory. Now, sitting in the Three Broomsticks she retells the tale to Remus.
Elite Aurors
By: Leanne
Chapter Six: Forgotten Kidnapping
Walking through the busy streets of Diagon Alley, Usagi and her friends came to a stop just in front of The Leaky Cauldron. The warmth of the sun forcing a smile upon the thirteen year old's face. Bright blue eyes danced with excitement as she searched the area.
"I know they're here somewhere. I know Remus said he'd get a hold of Lily and meet us here. Now where are they?" Usagi exclaimed as she spun around to look behind them.
Still there was no sight of the boys and Lily. Usagi grew impatient, and more so agitated that Remus would tell her they would meet to do their school shopping and not show up.
"I wish you'd get this upset when I don't come to visit!" Mamoru whispered in her ear, smiling all the while when she got angry with him about the comment.
Grumbling, Usagi left her friends behind and flung open the door to the Leaky Cauldron. She was livid with Mamoru's comment, and wanted nothing more than to go home, but school started in three days. She really did want to see Remus, James, Lily and Sirius again.
Just before second year had ended, the two groups had made plans to meet three days before the new school year, and spend those three days together before James's parents showed up to with three portkeys. Together they would go to the Hogwarts Express and begin their next year at Hogwarts.
A blast sent Usagi flying through the room, crashing into a table just in front of her. Groaning, she slowly picked herself up off the broken table. Holding her stomach, she glared at the doorway, several people now standing in her way to see what had caused the girl to go flying.
"Find Usagi!" Usagi heard Rei shout to someone, she knew it was to one of her protectors.
Scooting back from the crowd, Usagi found herself up against someone's legs. Daring a look up, she saw dark grey eyes, brown hair, and a twisted grin on the man's face. Suddenly, she felt terrified. The man didn't look friendly at all, the gleam in his eyes, the twinkle of joy, gave away that the man was working for whomever created this fiasco.
"Hireshio will pay a good sum of money knowing you're not dead! The Dark Lord won't be pleased though. He wanted you dead." The man said through gritted teeth.
"What are you talking about?" Usagi managed to push the words out of her mouth.
She was terrified more now than she had been two minutes ago. Someone had paid for her to be killed! That was completely absurd and as soon as her mother found out, she would never be allowed back on the Planet Earth. Usagi had always desired to finish school with Lily and Remus, but if this was how her third year was going to begin, she was sure she wouldn't survive the year.
"Don't play stupid little…princess." He hissed, grabbing her by the shoulder and Apparating away from the building.
Before she could scream, she was gone from the building. Shaken, distraught, and all out terrified, Usagi began to weep. She wanted away from the man, away from the Dark Lord, but more so, she didn't want to me this Hireshio. Why would anyone pay to have her killed? What had she done to these people?
---
"Usagi?" Remus questioned placing a hand on her shoulder. "You alright?"
"Yes, just another memory. I think Hogwarts was out to get me." She laughed, and took the offered butterbeer.
"What was this one about?"
"Do you remember, just before our third year started? Three days to be exact?" Usagi began, "You and the others were going to meet my friends and I at the Leaky Cauldron."
"I remember, you went missing for three days, and miraculously appeared at the platform. You refused to talk about where you had been, what had happened, and who had taken you."
"That's because I never found out WHO took me, I was given a name, but I don't believe it. Then I did, now, I'm not so sure anymore. I'm sure that attack on the Leaky Cauldron was a diversion to get the senshi's attention from what was going on inside."
Slowly, she took a sip of the butterbeer, thankful to not be sitting inside Hogwarts. The Three Broomsticks was much better than the school at the moment.
"So, where were you?"
"I was in some warehouse, I'll give you a detailed story of what happened." Usagi said closing her eyes as if trying to remember exactly what had happened next after she was taken.
---
The warehouse was empty, except for the few shipping crates in the far corner. There was black writing written on a wooden slab, but the smell was unmistakeable. Inside the crate was an animal, soon to be shipped off to the destination given. Otherwise, there was nothing within the stonewalls. There were four high windows, allowing light into the room, and a single door leading to another room.
"Stay here!" the man ordered and walked through the door.
"Right, like I even know where I am!" she grumbled, and looked down at her stomach.
Her pink shirt was ruined. She had been cut in the blast, and her tee shirt had soaked up the blood from the wound. What was worse was the fact that the shirt had acted as a Band-Aid and was stuck to the cut. Annoyed that she had been left alone, injured, and confused, she tried to stand. It hurt to move, but she knew she wasn't hurt seriously; otherwise, she was sure the man would have fun torturing her some more.
The door opened again, and three men walked in. Two behind the other, both men wore white masks and black robes. Gulping down fear, Usagi looked down at the floor. She knew the two men were Death Eaters and the third, she figured was the Dark Lord. Did a Dark Lord take care of such trivial business? Unless…unless it wasn't so trivial. Had he learned of her mother's crystal? Was this why she was taken?
"What a pretty little thing you are." The man spoke, reaching his hand out touching her cheek, but she didn't move. "A quiet victim, this is a first!"
Seething with anger, she glared up at him. She hated being held hostage, and worse, she hated not being able to defend herself. Her wand, she knew, was back at the Leaky Cauldron, which left her completely defenceless.
"Don't touch me!" she spat at him.
"And she's feisty too. Aren't we the lucky ones? I'll have fun with you my pretty little princess."
"What are you talking about? I'm not a princess. I'm just a third year student at Hogwarts." She wanted to scream, but her voice would barely speak above a whisper.
The Dark Lord knew she was a Princess, and he probably knew that she was the Crown Princess of the Moon. She was definitely in trouble. No one survived when they came face to face with the Dark Lord, or one of his minions; and there was no way she was going to join them.
"Don't play stupid with me girl!" he hissed, his hand moving for her throat.
Quickly taking a step back, Usagi grabbed her locket from inside her pocket, and ran for the door. If she could transform into Sailor Moon, if she could just use one of her attacks, then she could make it out of there and to the nearest teleporter home. If not, her last resort was her communicator.
---
"Are you telling me, that you came face to face with the Dark Lord just before third year and survived?" Remus looked utterly shocked, more like he was going to fall out of his seat, shocked.
"Yes. How was I supposed to know that when I was taken, it was to him? I was just as confused as the rest of you. But I was the one standing there, the Dark Lord trying to strangle me. The only thing I could do was run." Usagi half-heartedly laughed at the comment. Like running had done me any good, she thought.
---
"Stupefy!" Voldemort shouted, the spell hitting Usagi in the back just as she reached the door. "Why do they always try to run?"
Walking over to the fallen girl, the Dark Lord rolled her over to look him in the eye. He showed no emotion, his face was as calm as a warm summer day. Gently, he ran his hand down her cheek, emotion showing.
"Why did you have to run? Now you're making me punish you. I didn't want to hurt you, but you've left me with no choice." He said, allowing sorrow to play on his voice and in his eyes.
If she could have blinked, she would have, but seeing as the option wasn't there, she just continued to stare at the man. He was good looking, a lot like Mamoru, but he was evil, Mamoru wasn't. Voldemort had dark hair, and beautiful green eyes, and a calming face. Had she not been stunned, she might have actually believed he was good, that he was truly misguided and in need of a friend.
---
"Now how did you manage to get out of that situation?" Remus asked thoughtfully.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Usagi replied looking down at the table.
"Try me."
"King Nikorai saved me."
"As in the King that betrayed your mother, had her killed, and now is after you?"
"Yes."
"You were right, I don't believe you."
"Why do I bother?"
"Why don't you explain what happened next?"
"Why you won't believe it?"
"I'm a friend that wants to know what happened to you back then."
"Fine!"
---
The door swung open for the second time that day. Usagi couldn't move her eyes from Voldemort, and was unable to see who was standing in the doorway. The only reason she knew the door had opened was the brief draft of air that ran over her body.
"What are you doing to her?" questioned a man. "Release Princess Serenity at once!"
"Do not order me around." Voldemort hissed standing up, baring his wand in his hand.
Usagi lay between the two men, Voldemort, and she was sure, King Nikorai. How he had found her she wasn't sure, she only hoped he had come with others.
"Let her go. You're sorely out numbered."
Voldemort looked behind the King of Earth to find several men, all baring wands pointed directly at him.
"Finite Incantatum!" another man yelled, and Usagi rolled away from Voldemort.
Running into the awaiting arms of the King of Earth.
"I wouldn't want my son's future bride to be harmed by scum now would I?" Nikorai stated, as the two turned their back on Voldemort. "Don't play too long boys."
There was a soft pop, and the two were gone from sight. They Apparated to the Earth Palace located in Northern Siberia. The palace was made out of grey stone slabs, and the floor the same. The windows in the main entrance of the palace had stained glass pictures of the King and his ancestors. Each King had their own window; those that had been disowned or killed dishonourably had been broken out and replaced. To the left, there was a large archway leading out into the greenhouse and gardens. To the right, was a large stone staircase leading up to the bedrooms. In front of them was another large archway, the sigil of the Earth Family engraved above it as a reminder to all those passing through the arch of who held dominance there.
Usagi hadn't been there in over four years. Having come to the Palace with her mother on the last Solar Conference held there, she had spent the week with her guardians and Prince Endyimon. Though she wasn't happy about having to spend time with Endyimon, he was their host for a week, and she was forced to make the best of the frigid polar cold and the equally cold company of the Prince.
"I hope you were not injured by the Dark Lord or his minions." Nikorai stated softly as a kind looking woman hurriedly came from the greenhouse. "Suki here will take you to your room and tend to your injured stomach. She will also find you a dinner dress suitable for your beauty. It is not often we are in the presence of the Crown Princess of the Moon. Please make yourself at home."
She opened her mouth to speak, but Nikorai put two fingers to her lips stopping her question.
"When you are healed and on your feet again, I will personally escort you to Hogwarts."
"Yes of course." Usagi said numbly.
Following Suki through the palace was easy enough to do. She had been there before, and the place hadn't changed in some number of years. She knew exactly where her room was; she knew it would have been left in the exact manner in which she had left it. If she was permitted, she would contact her mother and allow her to know her suspicions, but some how she highly doubted that Nikorai would allow her use of the Solar Communicator.
"Princess Serenity, if you'll allow me to draw you a hot bath…"
"That would be nice Suki. Would it be possible to have a hot cup of camomile tea also?"
"Yes of course, you've had a trying day. King Nikorai will be most pleased you are accepting our hospitality while in a weakened state."
"Suki, it was only a scratch. I'm fine, and not weak at all. I just want to go back to the Leaky Cauldron and be with my friends." Usagi grumbled as she stripped off her mini skirt and tee shirt.
"I am sorry if I offended you Milady,"
"Think nothing of it. Just sent word to Sailor Venus to let her know I am alright."
Suki nodded and left Usagi standing in her room in nothing more than her training-bra and underwear.
Once she was sure there was no one in her room, no spy of any sorts, she entered the bathroom. A large tub had been filled with steaming soapy water. A towel with her initials on it was draped over a golden bar on the wall. The room smelt faintly of roses, and as she looked into the tub water, she found red, pink and white rose petals floating within.
Removing her bra and underwear, she slid into the water. The aroma of roses, and the warmth of the water were soothing. Closing her eyes, she drifted off into a light sleep.
---
"For three days you were pampered and treated like a Goddess, while your friends worried about you. Not a single word was sent from Nikorai to them. This Suki woman never relayed your message." Remus grumbled, the feelings of anger and worry had returned with her memory.
"It was not my intention to worry all of you. I tried to send word; over and over again I tried. I wasn't given an option. Nikorai had promised word was given to the Senshi and to my mother." Usagi replied sharply, "that was why I didn't feel it was necessary to discuss what had happened over the three days I was missing."
Standing up, Usagi walked past Remus but was stopped when he grabbed a hold of her wrist.
"You worry about everyone else, but when someone worries about you, you run. Why?"
"Let. Me. Go!" Usagi growled and pulled her arm away from Remus.
Saying nothing further, Usagi walked outside, staring up at Hogwarts.
Her head was spinning, why had he asked her that? She cared a lot about her friends; they were the only family she had. It was the reason the Sorting Hat had placed her in Hufflepuff. The reason why she fought so hard to keep them safe, made promise she couldn't keep; she did it all for them.
She felt his arms wrap around her shoulders, he was a good foot taller than she was. The two stood there, staring up at the vast school before them.
"I'm afraid."
"Of what?" Remus questioned her, holding her all the while.
Looking up at him, she replied, "of loosing you, of failing Harry, of messing up so badly that there is no way to fix it. I failed Lily and James, and I'm so terrified I'll do it again."
"I'll be right here with you. You left me standing in a meadow, a stunned Death Eater and a dead Auror to deal with. Add that to having to explain to Albus why you just up and left, only to then have you contact him."
"I'm sorry." She whispered, "He shouldn't have died. He was foolish and thought he was a pro. I miss him all the same, the stupid prat!"
"Are you ready to head up to the school yet?"
"I can't."
"I'll be right here each step of the way."
"No, really I can't. I need to pick up a few books from Diagon Alley."
"I'm sure Albus has a copy or two of them."
"If your sure…"
"I'm sure."
"I guess so." She said half-heartedly.
She really didn't want to enter the school, but she knew Remus wasn't leaving her until she did. Even then, she was sure Remus wasn't leaving her at all. He was the best friend she had always loved. He was a man that would hold her while she wept for a lost love. He was a man that would laugh with her when one of her students had become spelled into a fit of giggles. He was the man that would sit up late with her listening to her babble on about the next memory that had come along. But more so, he was the man that right from the beginning had captured her heart.