"Glad you came?" Ron asked as he and Hermione danced to a rather fast tune, she nodded, her face flushed from the exercise. "Good, because so am I."
"And why is that?" she asked as she went at arms length still clasping his hand and then twirled back in again, he then wrapped his other arm around her waist.
"Because I came with one of the most beautiful girls in Gryffindor let alone the entire school," Ron explained nuzzling his face into her well brushed hair that was now half straight and very soft.
"You flatter me Ron," she muttered and blushed, the dong ended the pair made their way over to the Gryffindor table where Harry and Usagi were, both slightly red from either their activities or dancing, maybe both.
"What's not to flatter?" he asked as they sat down, Hermione just sighed and smiled giving him a playful shove on the arm.
"Why don't you two just go out already?" Harry asked, drinking some pumpkin juice out of his goblet.
"Yeh Hermione," Usagi grinned, "the pair of you already argue like an old married couple," she giggled and Hermione went as red as a rose.
"Hermione," Ron drawled in a sing song voice, "ill you per chance, go out with me?" he asked leaning over in his seat so he was looking into her left eye seeing as he could only see the profile of her face.
"Not yet Ron, maybe, just, not now, please don't be mad at me," Ron looked slightly crushed and Hermione wasn't too happy about it either but still.
"Please," he widened his eyes, pushed out his bottom lip and then proceeded to make a whining noise in the back of his throat.
"Ron," Hermione chided hitting him upside the head and giving him a look that clearly said, 'Are-you-insane?' She then massaged her temples, "Boys," she sighed, "and I have to deal with two," she then looked at Usagi, "thank you for taking one of them off my hands."
"Hey I'm not that bad am I?" Harry asked startled.
"No Harry," Hermione laughed along with Usagi, "It's him," she jabbed her thumb at Ron, "I'm worried about."
"Hey Usagi," the blonde looked up at her boyfriend, "shall we tell them?" Harry smiled when Usagi nodded her head vigorously, grinning, her mouth full of mince pie so she couldn't talk.
"Oh no," Ron put a hand to his forehead, "your expecting a baby, Harry I told you to use protection," he then proceeded to fake fainting in his chair.
"Ron," Harry whined going red.
"Stop teasing my boyfriend he," then she stopped both Hermione and Ron were looking at the pair of them with identical smiles creeping slowly onto their faces.
"Did you just say boyfriend Usagi?" Hermione asked grinning slyly.
"Um, well, yes, that's what we wanted to tell you," she explained.
"Congratulations mate but really," Ron grinned, "you do have to use protection!" Usagi coughed, Hermione glared and jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow and Harry kicked him under the table. "Hey, I thought this was a Ball not a 'Let's-all-attack-Ron-Weasley-because-we-can Party'.
"Usagi, you want to dance with me?" Harry asked standing up and holding out his hand for her to take, she smiled brightly and took his hand letting him hoist her up.
"Alright Harry," and he led her onto the dance floor just as a rather slow tune started up. He looped his arms around her waist and hers immediately went around his neck they swayed gently, not moving much but that was the whole point.
---Slytherin Table---
"Oh come on, you come here you can at least dance," Blaise moaned grabbing Hikage's wrist and holding them tightly.
"No I can't," was her reply and tugged at his hands, "can you get off?"
"Please, just one dance then we can sit here and be bored," Blaise growled leaning back in his chair.
"Just remember it wasn't my idea to come, I'm here because I have to be and to be quite honest I didn't need to bring you along," she replied crossing her arms defiantly.
"Then why did you?" he asked smirking.
"Why did I what?" she hissed, not liking the look on his face.
"Why did you bring me?" he detailed still smirking and she scowled in return, it was fun to toy with people and their emotions.
"Because you were there I suppose," she sighed and stood up, "you coming?"
"Where to?" he looked confused but stood up also to stand by her.
"I'll dance with you once," she watching him as his smirk turned triumphant.
"What made you change you mind?" he asked as he led her onto the dance floor.
"The idea that you might leave me alone which no seems ludicrous," she replied and put her arms around his neck and his slipped around her waist.
---Ron and Hermione---
"Why won't you go out with me?" asked Ron whose chin was resting nicely on top of Hermione's head, her arms had now slipped down to his waist.
"I don't know," was her answer.
"Will you ever?" asked he.
"I don't know the answer to that either Ron," she nuzzled into his chest, "I'm sorry," she muttered.
"Well this is a first," he felt her shift unhappily, "Miss I-know-everything Granger finally has found a question to which she does not immediately know the answer."
"Is that a compliment or an insult?" she asked.
"However you take it but still," he moved his so he could whisper in her ear, "I do hope you find answer soon, I would so like to know," he smirked and she smiled, he kissed her on the cheek.
---Harry and Usagi---
"You really do look exceptionally beautiful tonight Usagi, not that you don't look beautiful all the time anyway," Harry charmed and Usagi smiled warmly up at him.
"Thank you Harry even though you must have made that statement at least a hundred times already tonight I still appreciate the compliment," he grinned.
"Glad to be of service my fair lady," said he and she giggled and blushed, then he had an idea, "Oh and Usagi," she stopped, "there's something I need to give back to you."
"Oh, what's that?" she asked.
"This," he then placed his lips on hers for the second time that day but he didn't press it further this, he drew back and watched, fascinated, as long lashes fluttered as her eyes opened delicately.
"What, pray tell did I do to deserve that?" she asked.
"I stole it from you in the common room, I was only giving it back," he smiled gently but she grinned.
"What if I didn't want it?" she asked looking up into his shining emerald eyes.
"What?"
"Would you take it back please?" she smiled and then realisation dawned on him and he grinned.
"With pleasure," and so, he kissed her again, the emotions they shared sending electricity through their bodies and their fingers tingled.
---Draco and Pansy---
"Oh Draco you're the best, I just know that we'll be together," she smiled dreamily and rubbed up against him in a way she obviously thought was alluring.
"Um how about we get through this dance first," he winced he already has his hands at her waist, hers were around his neck and she was playing with his hair for Merlin's sake. Could life get any more annoying, obviously it could, he'd just spotted Blaise with his arms around Hikage's hips and hers around his neck, Draco growled possessively, sneaky bastard.
---Blaise and Hikage---
"He's watching us you know," she said.
"Who is?" Blaise asked.
"Mr Malfoy," was her reply.
"Oh him, that doesn't matter to you, does it? He's only jealous of us," Blaise explained.
"There is no 'us' Zabini," she growled.
"Can you just call me Blaise for once," he asked pulling her closer.
She rolled her eyes, "What exactly is it that you want with me Z-Blaise," she asked and the hairs on the back of her neck tingled, close.
"That's better," he smirked, "oh and what do I want? You duh!"
She frowned and glared at him, "What purpose can I serve to you Zabini."
"I thought we got over the Zabini thing," he whined pressing his forehead to hers.
"I called you Blaise once Zabini, that's what you wanted, or at least it's what you said," she smirked as he put the tip of his nose to hers.
He sighed, "Your impossible," he inches closer.
"Am I now," she whispered but he heard.
"What are you worried about?" he asked seeing the flash in her eyes.
"I'm not worried, I'm excited," he was barely a centimetre away from her now.
"Is that so? What about may I ask?" he asked as he ran one of his hands up her back to her neck pressing her forwards.
"You'll see," she replied.
"When," their gazes locked.
"In three, two…one," and then the door to the Great Hall flew forwards and fell with a huge bang to the floor. Green and grey smoke poured from the entrance and most of the students had run to the sides, the teachers had their wands drawn. There was an evil cackle and a slightly fat but never the less tall woman strode out of the smoke. Harry growled when he recognised her and pushed Usagi behind his back.
"Who is that woman Harry?" Usagi whimpered from behind him.
"Bellatrix Lestrange," Harry hissed then he growled as she stopped laughing and turned to him.
"Hello, Harry Potter," was all she said her wand was raised at arm's length and pointing at him.
"You killed Sirius!" he yelled drawing out his wand from his back pocket and pointing it back at her.
"Harry put it down, please, don't get hurt," Usagi cried and tugged at his other arm but he shrugged her off.
"What's this, do you want to duel me to Potter? Are you going to meet your end just like that disgrace?" she asked sweetly sneering maliciously at him.
Harry growled, "Sirius was no disgrace, unlike you," he yelled his temper rising, his scar prickled dangerously.
"Oh but he was Harry Potter, he was pathetic even in his school days, the school's biggest Play Boy," she hissed menacingly.
"Don't talk about him that way," Harry cried shaking his head form side to side in an attempt to block her out of his head.
"The truth hurts doesn't it Harry Potter?" she asked slowly taking her time and watching his eyes burn, his hair stand on end, his scar flash and his wand pulsate with magical energy. "Oh well, stupefy!" she yelled but he dodged it, it hit Seamus but Dean easily cured it.
"Expelliarmus," he cried and a jet of red light sped towards Bellatrix, Harry edged into the centre closer to her and away from the crowds which had all stepped back.
"Defendo!" golden sparks appeared before her and the red light ricocheted off of it and back at Harry, it hit him in the stomach and he flew backwards but kept a firm grip on his wand.
"Harry," Usagi yelled and she moved to get to him.
"Hold it girly," Bellatrix hissed and pointed her wand at Usagi who looked terrified, "what's your name?" she hissed.
"U-Usagi," she whispered hoarsely.
"Are you sure, it isn't Serenity by any chance is it?" Bellatrix laughed at Usagi's confused expression. "Well no matter, Petrificus Totalus!" and Harry was rigid as a board unable to move, his head thrashed aimlessly form side to side.
Bellatrix was right above him no, no one dared to move why hadn't Dumbledore done something, what was he waiting for? "Well, looks like Harry Potter isn't so great after all," she smiled she was five feet away from him. The tip of her wand glowed green and Draco Malfoy smirked, Hikage narrowed her eyes, Hermione buried her head in Ron's chest and he held her close.
"Goodbye Harry Potter, Avada"
"IMPEDIMENTA," Bellatrix flew sideways off her feet, glaring at Usagi who had her wand out and her eyes wide with fear a hint of anger glistening in her eyes. "Leave him alone," she cried a tear fell down her face and a golden crescent moon appeared, glowing dully in the centre of her forehead.
"Stay out of this girl, Crucio!" and Usagi fell to her knees in pain.
"Usagi!" Harry yelled but Bellatrix was up and turning to him again, his eyes widened as her wand glowed green, his wand a hand's reach away from him but he couldn't get it
"Avada Kedavra!" the acid green light poured from her wand and sped towards Harry, no one moved, there wasn't anything they could do. A high pitched scream echoed through the entire hall and when everyone opened there eyes Usagi was standing in front of Harry, her eyes had gained a silvery tint they bore no emotion she was standing like a star in front of Harry and had apparently blocked the curse, but how?
A high wind picked up and the insignia of her birth began to glow brightly on her forehead, it engulfed the entire room and everyone present was forced to cover their eyes. Harry felt himself freed his wand lifted gently into his hand a girl about thirteen with shoulder length black hair that seemed to be purple and large purple eyes smiled knowingly at him. She was wearing a long, flowing purple dress and in one hand bore a large weapon, a black handle as tall as she was and at the top two arching blades of silver.
"Be careful Harry Potter," she brushed some of his hair out of his eyes and the next thing he knew he had flown backwards and crashed unceremoniously into Professor Snape sending them both toe the floor.
Bellatrix covered her eyes with her arm; she could here a soft ringing melody in a language she didn't understand two women appeared before her, one in a dark green dress with long, flowing dark green hair in a bun and red eyes. She was holding a pearly staff with a red orb at the top in a sort of arch. The other bore a dark blue, navy, dress with short sandy blonde hair and a golden handled, silver and jewel incrusted sword in one hand. Her dark blue eyes were fixed in a glare as the two pointed their weapons at her before vanishing and a whisper lingered in Bellatrix's ears "You are going to die."
Hermione fell backwards into Ron and they found themselves on the floor, then a hand appeared to them, it was gloved, a pale peach colour, the girl, no woman, to whom it belonged was smiling lovingly at them. She was wearing a long pastel orange dress and her blonde hair was held back by a red ribbon, even still it reached past her waist. Her blue eyes twinkled as she pulled to two to their feet, "Do not be afraid."
Draco Malfoy who had been sniggering found himself sitting before a tall girl and one of average height, the tall one in a forest green dress, the other in pastel red. The tallest one had her arms crossed, her dark brown hair that reached to her elbows held up in a ponytail by a green bobble band. Her green eyes flickered from her companion to him but she said nothing.
"Death is nothing to be laughed at," said the other calmly, she had black hair down to her knees and fiery purple eyes and then they both vanished.
Dumbledore was at a loss for words, he was completely surrounded by white along with his fellow staff, "Do not be afraid for her," a melodic voice instructed and they turned to see two woman, one with blue hair and one with aqua marine.
The one with the blue hair had spoken, she was wearing an icy blue dress, her hair was short and ended at her chin, deep and soulful blue eyes showed wisdom beyond her years. The other had wavy hair that cascaded down her back, teal blue eyes and a sea green dress, "They'll be just fine," she whispered and then their disappeared.
The white light cleared and everyone could see again, Harry was groaning form on top of Snape, the Professor pushed the boy off him, and Harry immediately snapped up, where was Usagi?
Hermione was supported by Ron as she gazed forwards to see not Usagi, but someone completely different. Bellatrix was paralysed in fear, "So it is true," she faltered, "You are Princess Serenity."
"Who I am is none of your concern," her hair was gold held in two meatballs and what was left of her hair cascaded down from them. Her silvery blue eyes held no emotion but her lips were set in a scowl. She was taller and wearing a sleeveless dress with golden rings around the rim, a line of pearls under her chest from which cascaded a skirt that also covered her abdomen, it pooled regally around her on the floor.
A golden crescent moon glowed brightly on her forehead.
"Perfect."
"Join us," Bellatrix called, she was looking insanely at Usagi? No, his was Princess Serenity.
"No," she held up her hand and a pink handled wand appeared in her hand, the end had a yellow crescent moon in which was a small dip. It glowed and a shimmering crystal appeared there, Serenity gazed at the wand for a moment before raising it to point at Bellatrix, "Cosmic Moon Power!"
A golden ball of shimmering light appeared before the wand and short towards Bellatrix, a golden ring of energy radiated from it knocking several people done before it dissipated. The light hit Bellatrix, blood flew as it penetrated her abdomen, her eyes were full of pain and her face was screwed up. Shrieks and moans of disgust rippled through the hall as the ball of light, now significantly smaller pierced her back and Bellatrix fell to her knees, a gaping hole in her stomach.
Blood cascaded from her chocking mouth and she fell into a pool of her own filth, Serenity's crescent mark glowed brighter than ever, the wand dropped and vanished before it hit the floor. She dropped to her knees and a grabbed her head in her hands and screamed, golden waves of light and energy radiated from her body and slowly a shield about five metres in diameter spread around her.
Her eyes were closed tightly from whatever was hurting her, "Usagi!" Harry cried scrambling to his feet her ran towards her but when her came in to contact with the shield he went flying backwards, "Usagi."
"Dumbledore can't you do something?" Asked McGonagall as the older wizard pointed his wand at the shield, whatever spell he used no one knew but it rebounded backwards and Professor Flitwick had to duck the tip of his tall pointed hat singed.
"I'm sorry Minerva, there's nothing I can do," he admitted dejectedly.
"Oh Albus," she moaned ringing her hands.
"Hikage what are you doing?" Blaise yelled as the black haired girl made for the shield.
"Miss Tsukiyamino, STOP!" Dumbledore yelled but she paid him no heed, she crashed into the shield but rather than flying backwards she kept pushing against it. Her teeth clenched and she was shaking like mad but her gaze remained fixed on Serenity who was wailing in pain.
"I have to protect you Usagi," she ground out, pushing harder, a dark purple crescent moon sideways on began to form on her wrist and black and purple lines began to curl around her hands and over the shield, like flowing ink. She panted and raised one hand bringing it down in a slashing movement and then, she tumbled forwards and the hole she created was soon gone.
Nearly everyone in the Great Hall had been knocked out by the surge of power, Hermione was with Ron, Draco was still standing, Harry was leaning no Professor Flitwick, McGonagall was ringing her hands, Dumbledore looked indecisive and Lupin was wide eyed.
"Usagi," Hikage muttered as she made her way towards the kneeling Princess, she reached out for her but drew her hand back. The faint golden glow on her hand faded but there was a distinctive burn, "It's too much for her to control," Hikage went wide eyed, something ha gone wrong and this wasn't a good thing.
She grabbed Usagi by the shoulders and shook her violently, the girl only wailed and Hikage found it hard to keep hold, her hands were burning and it was quickly spreading up her arms. "Damn it you," she cried hoarsely, "I can't let you die yet," the crescent mark on her wrist appeared once more and she pressed it too Serenity's mark.
Hikage felt the power leaving Usagi and flowing through her, her back arched, this wasn't the kind of power she meant to hold, this was Lunarian magic, she would have screamed if she hadn't had enough self-control. A final surge of power and the mark faded, the dress went and Usagi's eyes fluttered open momentarily before she fainted.
She fell forwards into Hikage who caught her weakly as the shield faded, where the veins were in her right wrist there was a pulsating golden glow that faded soon after. Hikage staggered, "You will always fall forwards," she muttered to the out cold Usagi, "but I," the breath hitched in her throat and her knees gave way, she collapsed backwards, Usagi falling on top of her.
"Usagi," Harry whispered cautiously and moved towards her but he didn't get there fast enough, Madame Pomfrey was all over them in minutes, they ere on stretchers and heading for the Hospital Wing before Harry could say 'Medic'.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Well there's your update, not as long as I planned but hey, your going to get a nice explanation next chapter so be happy! :-) I'm going to try and write lots so I can post during school time but don't expect much, soz! ;-;
PLZ REVIEW, it's like nobody likes the story *dramatic sniff* come on people a little ENTHUSIASM would be nice!