****Disclaimer: ~holds on to her cardboard box~ Don't take it away!! I don't own 'em!
****Author's Note: Hai, I'll admit that was very cruel on my part...but there's going to be a lot of plot revelation in this chappie...
Silver Moon Goddess: I had to leave it there, 'cause if I kept going, the chapter would've been wayyyyy too long! ^-^
starfury3000: I listened to you! I hurried as fast as my little fingers could type!
Cosmos StarGoddess: This whole chapter reveals A LOT of stuff!
alexz: you know, I wish everyone on ff.net would review all the time like you do, makes an author feel so special ^-^
asellus: hai, I am evil, muhahahahahahahahahaha....
Arabella Silverbell: I hope you don't hate me anymore !! ^-^
Sammie: wow!! You know, your review actually shocked me? He will be coming to the rescue...and hai, let's hope he gets there on time ;)
Water Angel: seriously? I bet you weren't expecting Mamoru to make his entrance here, ne?
Baby Serenity: you know, you're so very sweet ^-^ And to answer your question, hai, this is a Usagi/Severus pairing, for several reasons that should become evident in this chapter. Also, the pairing between Sirius and Makoto has a special reason too, that will be come evident in later chapters. As far as my other fic 'Innocente' goes, it seems people were offended for the reason that I took so many direct excerpts out of J.K.Rowlings' work, so I think I'll just rewrite the whole fic totally in Usa's p.o.v., and not have the excerpts in there at all.
****
~Flashback
Eternal Sailor Moon stood by herself, her blond locks being whipped across her face by the nipping wind that was blowing violently. Hot, salt tears fell down her cheeks, but she made absolutely no sound, the silence being deafening. Before her the cauldron lay, where the darkness and the light of the galaxy came together to form the stars. She knew her choices, Sailor Cosmos, the mysterious ghost had appeared before her, and spoke of the consequences, but she knew not of what to choose. Either destroy it, or let it remain. If destroyed, nothing would ever come back again, no one would be reborn. But if she left it, there would always be evil to fight, wars to win, battles that blood would be spilled upon. Eternal Sailor Moon took a hesitant step forward, stopping to reason with her contradicting thoughts.
''All I ever wanted was to be a normal teenager''. She thought wistfully, ''all I ever wished for''. She took a moment to shut her eyes, and cleared her mind, before she threw herself into the cauldron.
Cold. Cold was all she felt, her eyes slowly opened, and it took several moments before her vision cleared. She went to yell out, but nothing came from her throat, except a few small noises. Her throat was extremely dry. Eternal Sailor Moon let out a long, slow breath, and watched as it formed fog, she rose her eyebrows when she noticed the fog condensing in front of her.
"N...nani?" She questioned, finally her voice starting to return to her. She reached a sore, and bruised arm forward, her tattered fuku did little to guard her from the cold, nippy air. Softly, she ran her fingers down what appeared to be a small ice wall in front of her. Her heart began to beat faster as she reached around her, noticing she was trapped in a coffin-like ice encasement. She began to beat on the ice to see if she could break herself free, but it did her no aid, as tears sprung from her eyes. She stopped her futile attempts, to wipe the now crystalized tears from her pale, bruised face. Wistfully, she regarded her poor looking reflection in the ice wall. Gathering what little energy she had, Eternal Sailor Moon shut her eyes, and cleared her thoughts, placing her hands on the ice, she willed herself to step through it. It worked, as she stepped outside of her imprisonment.
Opening her eyes, Eternal Sailor Moon inspected her surroundings. Again, she felt a pang of fear, when all she saw was more ice, and a layer of fog covering the area.
"Where am I?!?" She yelled out, hoping to get a response, but only receiving an echo in response. "Somebody answer me!" She again tried, but like before, all she heard was herself. "Is any body there?" She asked, her voice more quiet this time.
"Of course there is", came the reply. Eternal Sailor Moon looked around frantically. Now she was confused, that was definitely another's voice, but she couldn't see anyone. Now she believed her mind to be playing tricks on her.
"Then show yourself". She said, just incase her mind wasn't fooling her. She watched, unbelieving as a shadow formed in the fog, slowly coming towards her. She would've readied some sort of attack, but her energy was totally spent, and she was tired of fighting. Her eyes widened as she made out the figure better, this shadow was in the form of a white-haired man with long silk robes. "Who are you!?!" She asked, panicking, afraid to move, for the fear of losing her sanity.
"My name is Albus Dumbledore." The elderly man replied.
"But how?" Eternal Sailor Moon squeaked. "How did you get here?" She clutched her chest, as a pang of pain raced through her.
"Power down, and I will tell you". Eternal Sailor Moon complied, pulling on the brooch, returning to her civilian self, in a high school fuku. "Your mother's spirit summoned me here..." Suddenly Usagi couldn't understand what the other was saying, not having her powers to make her understand any more. Dumbledore noticed this and pulled out a wand from his robes, "translato..." he murmured, and suddenly, Usagi could understand English perfectly. "As I was saying, your mother has asked me to help you decide what fate you will chose for yourself...as you know, you may remain as you are, or chose to remove the burden from your guardians, and become immortal." Usagi remained quiet for several moments, before Dumbledore took her arm and led her through the ice prison. She could see the faces of her senshi in some of them, and felt confusion once again take over as the elderly wizard stopped them in front of Mamoru's. "It is time you knew the truth..."
Dumbledore wiped some of the fog off of the ice, revealing Mamoru's left arm, turned towards them.
"What is that?" Usagi asked, her voice in a barely audible whisper. She was looking at a small black brand on Mamoru's arm, in the shape of a skull with a snake wrapped around it.
"That...is a Dark Mark". Dumbledore said. He noticed the confusion that crossed Usagi's face. "The brand that all of Voldemort's Death Eater's wear."
"Who's Voldemort?" Usagi asked, turning her attention towards the old wizard.
"Voldemort, once known as Tom Riddle, is a very powerful, very dark wizard."
"Then why does Mamo-chan have his mark?" Usagi asked. She brought her hand to her chest, feeling hot tears well up in her eyes.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I do know that Voldemort is no doubt after you". Dumbledore gently took a hold of Usagi's arm and led her away, back into the mists.
"Why?" Usagi asked, causing Dumbledore to gain a small smile of amusement.
"I knew you'd ask me that, I'm already prepared to show you..."
Usagi and Dumbledore disappeared
**Scene change
When they reappeared, they were standing on the white sands of the moon. Usagi's eyes went wide in recognition, as the Moon Kingdom was in all its splendor. She watched as a little princess in a billowing white gown ran across the courtyard away from an older Lunarian woman.
"That's me!" Usagi exclaimed. Dumbledore chuckled.
"Look closer", he said. Usagi did as she was told, and realized with wide eyes as the girl came closer to them, that it wasn't her past self, it was a younger version of her mother.
"Okaasan", Usagi breathed. The young Selenity stopped running for the briefest of moments to yell at her nanny.
"You can't stop me from seeing him! None of you can!" She angrily stated. "I'm not marrying that baka prince, you can't make me...besides...I'm pregnant!"
The nanny's eyes went wide at hearing this, a defiant smirk on the princess face told her that she was telling the truth. The nanny fell over in a dead faint. Then Selenity rushed off again in a flourish of white and lavender.
Usagi couldn't believe what she had just heard, Dumbledore took her arm again, and they disappeared from the moon.
**Scene change
They reappeared again in the mists of the ice world. Usagi was completely silent, she looked up at Dumbledore in disbelief.
"There was a good reason why your mother never revealed to you who your father was...but I'm about to show you who he was, are you ready?" Usagi nodded in response, and once again they disappeared into the mists.
**Scene change
They walked for a little while, through the mists, before coming out into an open field. Usagi looked up and gasped, they were standing in front of what appeared to be another castle.
"Where are we?" Usagi asked, voice full of wonderment.
"We're at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...when it was newly erected. It's still here, even to the present day, let's go inside". And like shadows, they moved through the huge doors and walked along the corridors of the school. After a few more turns around corners, they could hear voices not far off.
"Sounds like arguing", Usagi said. And sure enough, an argument was going on, once they were close enough to determine that.
A handsome man with light brown hair pulled back by a scarlet ribbon was standing in a doorway, it appeared arguing with another man inside that particular room. The clothing was typical for that era, a scarlet tunic and leggings, with knee high boots covered the well muscled body. Another thing that Usagi noticed, was his baby blue eyes, and the sword sitting in a hilt around his hips.
"Go away, Gryffindor, I don't have time to chat with you", the man in the room said, attempting at finishing the argument.
"Not until you agree to stop seeing the Moon Princess, you're going to get yourself in a lot of trouble", Gryffindor said.
"What's going on here?" Another voice interrupted, as a tall woman dressed in an elegant yellow gown entered the scene. She had chocolate brown hair tied up in a tight bun atop of her head, and had brilliant emerald green eyes. "Godric, what's going on?" She asked.
"Helga Hufflepuff..." the man in the room commented dryly, "what business is this of yours?" He drawled, then emerged into the corridor himself.
Usagi gasped.
"Salazar, *really*, you've been getting into too much trouble lately, is she really that worth it?" Helga asked. Salazar Slytherin smirked.
"You've seen her..." Usagi couldn't believe her eyes, it was like looking at the male version of herself. Slytherin had silvery blond hair, tied back as well, his eyes were that of the cerulean blue of her own. There was something slightly different, however, in those eyes weren't the same kindness and love that were in her own, there was something darker...something evil...
**Scene change
Once again Usagi and Dumbledore were inside the ice prison, near the ice encasements of her senshi.
"Now do you understand why your mother could never tell you who your father was? Salazar Slytherin turned evil soon after he and your mother stopped seeing each other. He had a belief that any non-wizard born children who possessed the magical talents weren't worthy to study at Hogwarts. He and Godric Gryffindor had quite the disagreement, and Slytherin soon left. Your mother never married, she chose to raise you by herself on the moon, and chose to abandon what ties she had with the wizarding world for good. That's why you never studied at Hogwarts. If you had received an invitation, it would've read 'Serenity Slytherin'."
"Things are beginning to make a creepy kind of sense..." Usagi muttered.
"So, that brings me back to your choices. Do you chose to remain as you are, or become the immortal ruler of the stars?" Dumbledore held his hands in front of him, his facial expression in a thoughtful manner. Usagi took in the question, and took a few moments to walk past each senshi in their ice encasements.
"I think you know what my answer is", she said, wishing more than anything to give to her senshi what they wanted most in the world, a normal life.
"I think I do as well, but are you sure that's the right choice?" He asked. "Don't you think it would be more fair to your companions, if they remained by your side?" Dumbledore asked. Usagi turned towards him, he had shed a whole new light on the matter just by bringing that up.
"I'm...I'm not sure. I don't know."
"Oh, I think you do". Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. Usagi smiled a small smile, partially of amusement, partially out of sadness. She then stopped at Mamoru's ice encasement again.
"I think no matter what choice I make...things will definitely change."
****
~Last Time
That night, Usagi lay peacefully asleep in her bed. The school was so very quiet now, only a handful of students had remained, along with the original Hogwarts staff. Although she was sure, she'd be hearing plenty of the senshi, they'd make sure of it.
She was so sound asleep, she didn't hear her door opening, or the person moving across the floor to her side of the bed.
In mere seconds, the shadowed person had grabbed the back of Usagi's head and forced the contents of a small crystal bottle into her mouth. Her immediate reaction was to swallow the liquid, even though she didn't know what was happening at that point in time.
The figure put the bottle onto the small table by the bed, and used his other hand to wrap around Usagi's chest, pulling her off the bed, and dragging her out into the corridor. She wanted to scream, but the hand that had held her head, now covered her mouth.
"Voldemort is waiting for you..." The cool, cold voice said, "with the antidote to the poison you just swallowed". At hearing this, Usagi went cold with fear.
After a few more seconds of being dragged, Usagi managed to free her mouth from the hand, and bit into her captor's left arm, right into the Dark Mark tattoo.
Her captor screamed in pain. She knew that voice. And to confirm her fears, Usagi managed to get out of grabbing range, and pulled herself along the floor. She then turned around and stared into angry midnight blue eyes.
"Mamo-chan..." she breathed.
~Present
"Hai, Usako...it's been a while". Mamoru commented dryly. "You know it still hurts...the fact that you decided to leave me."
"I didn't leave you!" Usagi growled. "You left me, and failed to inform me".
"I couldn't tell you, you would've broken down like you always do, and cry over nothing." Mamoru took a menacing step toward Usagi.
"That's right...like I always do", Usagi said, very softly, trying her best to back away some more. Although the fact that she was wearing a sleeveless silk nightgown didn't help matters much. The air was quite cold, and was slowing down her reaction time.
"Don't be stupid, Usagi! Or should I say Serenity! You were born to become Voldemort's mate, not mine, you are the true blood heir of Slytherin, and you know it. So stop wasting time, and come with me, unless you'd rather die".
"I think I'd prefer that fate. I'd never surrender to Voldemort. And I'll never break my promise to Albus, I'm going to protect this school *and* Harry Potter. Even if it cost me my life". Both people in that corridor knew Usagi wasn't lying, and knew she was very stubborn when it came to certain things. She would die from the poison, as long as it meant her power not going to Voldemort. But Mamoru was equally as stubborn, and wouldn't take that answer.
He moved quickly towards Usagi, and grabbed her roughly, proceeding to lift her off her feet, and drag her along the corridor, father away from her room. Usagi could feel the poison flowing through her, and knew as she slowly slipped away from consciousness that she didn't have much time.
****
Sitting at his desk as usual, regardless of the hour, Severus was busy scribbling away on a piece of parchment. Writing out his plans for the new assignments ready for when the students would return from their vacation.
That's when the stinging pain raced through his forearm, and caused him to buckle over, and grasp his arm tightly. Pulling up his left sleeve, he noticed the Dark Mark burning as black as ever, and knew right away that something terrible wrong was happening at that very moment.
It took several moments to regain logical thought, and when it did, something in his mind caused him to think of only one name.
Usagi.
She was in trouble, and he knew it. Fighting off the pain as much as he could, Severus rose from his seat and rushed out of his office. He hurried through the corridor as fast as he could, silently cursing the no-apparation spell within the school.
It didn't take long before he reached the long line of rooms where Usagi's belonged. And his eyes went wide when he saw her limp form being dragged by a cloaked man. Raising his wand, he quickly cast a spell to hopefully disarm Usagi's captor.
"Expelliarmus!" He yelled out with a loud voice. The spell hit it's target, and Mamoru was sent flying back across the floor. Severus rushed forward and kneeled by Usagi's limp form. He went to touch her face to see if she was still awake, but the voice of the Death Eater interrupted him.
"You're too late, Snape, she's already taken the poison", the cool voice said, Mamoru limped towards Severus, wand in hand, a sneer on his face. "Traitor...Voldemort has plans for you..." He spat out. Severus let Usagi lay forgotten for a moment, and gripped his own wand tightly, standing across from Mamoru.
"How did you get in here?" Severus asked, his own voice just as cold, but even more deadly.
"That doesn't matter." Mamoru said, "Voldemort wants her, and he shall have her. Silly Snape. You're not as sharp as your reputation perceives you to be. Didn't even know that Hogwarts' own Headmistress is the only other heir of Slytherin, besides Lord Voldemort himself."
"What are you talking about!?!" Severus yelled out angrily.
"Like I said...that doesn't matter. But if I have to get through you to take Usagi, that's fine by me, I shall give you an early death than planned..." Mamoru inclined his head, his icy midnight blue eyes staring into those of Severus' cold black ones. He then raised his wand, issuing a duel. Severus smirked, and accepted, repeating the small bow and raising of the wand. "It shall be an honor to duel you, Severus Snape, you *were* once the most skilled duelist out of all the Death Eaters. But now no more, now *I* hold that title."
They began their duel, each proving to be quite knowledgeable of several different curses. And each also being very skilled at creating defenses for themselves. Although after a few minutes, Severus was gaining the upper hand, and was winning. One powerful spell he cast sent Mamoru flying back again, his wand slipping away from his hand. Severus rose his wand to cast one more deadly spell, but a voice cut into the tension like a knife.
"What's going on!?!" Minerva McGonagall, complete in her long night robes rushed into the scene, causing Severus to turn away from Mamoru, to look at her. When Severus regained his senses, he turned to look again to Mamoru. But he had disappeared mysteriously.
Not spending much time wondering on how Mamoru managed to apparate and disapperate in the school, he turned his attention once again towards Usagi. McGonagall moved to help as well, but Severus motioned for her to stop.
"Look in her room, for the empty poison bottle, quickly!" He ordered. McGonagall did as she was told, and went inside Usagi's room. Severus knelt by Usagi, and gently lifted her up into a sitting position. He ran his fingers along her jaw line, trying to determine whether she was too far to save yet. McGonagall rushed back into the corridor, and brought the small crystal bottle to Severus. He took it, and after a few seconds of examination, his eyes went wide in recognition. He then dropped the bottle, and brought his other arm underneath Usagi's legs, lifting her up while he himself stood up.
"Take her to the Hospital Wing..." McGonagall, flushed, said. Severus started moving towards the end of the corridor.
"No time", he said between gritted teeth. "I have to take her to my office...I have the antidote there..." And with that said, he rushed back towards his office.
****
Usagi stirred in her stupor. She felt warm and comfortable at that particular moment. All logical thinking had ceased, and her mind was getting cloudier by the second. She peaked her eyes open, long enough to see that she was in the Potion Master's arms, and was being carried somewhere. She felt so safe and comfortable, that she fell back into a sleep, with a small smile on her face.
****
Cold shock was what Usagi got, when Severus deposited her body on the cold floor of his office. She was propped up against his desk legs as he rushed to the other side of his desk, sifting through his drawers.
Finally when he got the bottle he was looking for, he also pulled out a small bar of Wizard's Chocolate, and sat it on the desk edge near Usagi, as he kneeled down next to her. He opened the bottle and let some of it's contents pour into Usagi's mouth. This time her immediate reaction was to spit the liquid out, accompanied with a violent coughing fit.
Severus cursed out loud this time, quite vulgarly.
He then plugged Usagi's nose with one hand, while dumping the rest of the antidote into her mouth, immediately dropping the empty bottle and covering her mouth with his other hand. This time she swallowed.
Severus took the bar of chocolate and broke a piece off, he was aiming to put it in the princess' mouth, but she shut her mouth and turned her head away, making a whining noise in the process.
"Take it", he said softly, "it's chocolate". Usagi opened her eyes, tears falling freely, and hesitated for a moment, before taking the offered bit of candy. She popped it in her mouth, and was glad for it.
Taking a moment to catch his breath, Severus stood up and leaned against his desk, taking several deep gulps of oxygen. After a few moments, Usagi spoke for the first time that night.
"How did you know?" She forced out, trying not to break out crying in the process.
Severus pulled up his left sleeve and showed her the Dark Mark. Her eyes widened.
"You didn't know I was a..." Usagi shook her head.
"Albus never told me", she said softly, but the surprised expression changed into a softer look, that of which was full of kindness and understanding.
"You're afraid of telling me..." Usagi started, but Severus turned slightly away from her.
"You wouldn't like what I'd have to tell you", he said. Careful not to look Usagi in the eyes. But after a few more moments of silence, Severus moved back over to the princess, and lifted her back into his arms. He carried her out of the office, and just before walking away from the doorway, Usagi's voice interrupted his thoughts once more.
"Where are you taking me?" She asked, her voice becoming more labored as she was growing faint with exhaustion.
"To the Hospital Wing", he said.
"Don't." She said, starting to whimper, trying to stop herself from crying again. Severus stopped and looked into Usagi's cerulean blue eyes.
"Then where?" He asked, "you're not safe in your own room, obviously". He said. Usagi's arms grew tighter around his neck.
"Let me stay with you...you make me feel safe", she said, and fell off to sleep.
Severus did as she asked, and turned around, carrying her to his own room. He lay her down onto the black sheets and stood back, studying her for a few moments. She created quite a contrast in his room, her silver gold hair spilt all around her, the silk white nightgown falling into every curve quite nicely. She was indeed very beautiful. But also, she was keeping many secrets. Ones that he know had a glimpse into, thanks to the Death Eater that had attacked. And he was sure that if he had a way in, then this must've been the man that Usagi had known before...known and loved once.
Taking this into mind, Severus remained keeping watch over Usagi for the rest of the night. Come morning, he would get the answers that he was looking for...
****
AN: short, hai, very, but I wanted to get this out a.s.a.p., 'cause cliffies are cruel, and I wanted to finish of the scene from the last chapter now.
So, what do you think of the plot twist? Surprised?? Tell me!! ^-^ (If I get lotsa inquiring reviews, I'll make the next chappie a more revealing one, and much, much longer, promise!!!! No pressure ;))
****Author's Note: Hai, I'll admit that was very cruel on my part...but there's going to be a lot of plot revelation in this chappie...
Silver Moon Goddess: I had to leave it there, 'cause if I kept going, the chapter would've been wayyyyy too long! ^-^
starfury3000: I listened to you! I hurried as fast as my little fingers could type!
Cosmos StarGoddess: This whole chapter reveals A LOT of stuff!
alexz: you know, I wish everyone on ff.net would review all the time like you do, makes an author feel so special ^-^
asellus: hai, I am evil, muhahahahahahahahahaha....
Arabella Silverbell: I hope you don't hate me anymore !! ^-^
Sammie: wow!! You know, your review actually shocked me? He will be coming to the rescue...and hai, let's hope he gets there on time ;)
Water Angel: seriously? I bet you weren't expecting Mamoru to make his entrance here, ne?
Baby Serenity: you know, you're so very sweet ^-^ And to answer your question, hai, this is a Usagi/Severus pairing, for several reasons that should become evident in this chapter. Also, the pairing between Sirius and Makoto has a special reason too, that will be come evident in later chapters. As far as my other fic 'Innocente' goes, it seems people were offended for the reason that I took so many direct excerpts out of J.K.Rowlings' work, so I think I'll just rewrite the whole fic totally in Usa's p.o.v., and not have the excerpts in there at all.
****
~Flashback
Eternal Sailor Moon stood by herself, her blond locks being whipped across her face by the nipping wind that was blowing violently. Hot, salt tears fell down her cheeks, but she made absolutely no sound, the silence being deafening. Before her the cauldron lay, where the darkness and the light of the galaxy came together to form the stars. She knew her choices, Sailor Cosmos, the mysterious ghost had appeared before her, and spoke of the consequences, but she knew not of what to choose. Either destroy it, or let it remain. If destroyed, nothing would ever come back again, no one would be reborn. But if she left it, there would always be evil to fight, wars to win, battles that blood would be spilled upon. Eternal Sailor Moon took a hesitant step forward, stopping to reason with her contradicting thoughts.
''All I ever wanted was to be a normal teenager''. She thought wistfully, ''all I ever wished for''. She took a moment to shut her eyes, and cleared her mind, before she threw herself into the cauldron.
Cold. Cold was all she felt, her eyes slowly opened, and it took several moments before her vision cleared. She went to yell out, but nothing came from her throat, except a few small noises. Her throat was extremely dry. Eternal Sailor Moon let out a long, slow breath, and watched as it formed fog, she rose her eyebrows when she noticed the fog condensing in front of her.
"N...nani?" She questioned, finally her voice starting to return to her. She reached a sore, and bruised arm forward, her tattered fuku did little to guard her from the cold, nippy air. Softly, she ran her fingers down what appeared to be a small ice wall in front of her. Her heart began to beat faster as she reached around her, noticing she was trapped in a coffin-like ice encasement. She began to beat on the ice to see if she could break herself free, but it did her no aid, as tears sprung from her eyes. She stopped her futile attempts, to wipe the now crystalized tears from her pale, bruised face. Wistfully, she regarded her poor looking reflection in the ice wall. Gathering what little energy she had, Eternal Sailor Moon shut her eyes, and cleared her thoughts, placing her hands on the ice, she willed herself to step through it. It worked, as she stepped outside of her imprisonment.
Opening her eyes, Eternal Sailor Moon inspected her surroundings. Again, she felt a pang of fear, when all she saw was more ice, and a layer of fog covering the area.
"Where am I?!?" She yelled out, hoping to get a response, but only receiving an echo in response. "Somebody answer me!" She again tried, but like before, all she heard was herself. "Is any body there?" She asked, her voice more quiet this time.
"Of course there is", came the reply. Eternal Sailor Moon looked around frantically. Now she was confused, that was definitely another's voice, but she couldn't see anyone. Now she believed her mind to be playing tricks on her.
"Then show yourself". She said, just incase her mind wasn't fooling her. She watched, unbelieving as a shadow formed in the fog, slowly coming towards her. She would've readied some sort of attack, but her energy was totally spent, and she was tired of fighting. Her eyes widened as she made out the figure better, this shadow was in the form of a white-haired man with long silk robes. "Who are you!?!" She asked, panicking, afraid to move, for the fear of losing her sanity.
"My name is Albus Dumbledore." The elderly man replied.
"But how?" Eternal Sailor Moon squeaked. "How did you get here?" She clutched her chest, as a pang of pain raced through her.
"Power down, and I will tell you". Eternal Sailor Moon complied, pulling on the brooch, returning to her civilian self, in a high school fuku. "Your mother's spirit summoned me here..." Suddenly Usagi couldn't understand what the other was saying, not having her powers to make her understand any more. Dumbledore noticed this and pulled out a wand from his robes, "translato..." he murmured, and suddenly, Usagi could understand English perfectly. "As I was saying, your mother has asked me to help you decide what fate you will chose for yourself...as you know, you may remain as you are, or chose to remove the burden from your guardians, and become immortal." Usagi remained quiet for several moments, before Dumbledore took her arm and led her through the ice prison. She could see the faces of her senshi in some of them, and felt confusion once again take over as the elderly wizard stopped them in front of Mamoru's. "It is time you knew the truth..."
Dumbledore wiped some of the fog off of the ice, revealing Mamoru's left arm, turned towards them.
"What is that?" Usagi asked, her voice in a barely audible whisper. She was looking at a small black brand on Mamoru's arm, in the shape of a skull with a snake wrapped around it.
"That...is a Dark Mark". Dumbledore said. He noticed the confusion that crossed Usagi's face. "The brand that all of Voldemort's Death Eater's wear."
"Who's Voldemort?" Usagi asked, turning her attention towards the old wizard.
"Voldemort, once known as Tom Riddle, is a very powerful, very dark wizard."
"Then why does Mamo-chan have his mark?" Usagi asked. She brought her hand to her chest, feeling hot tears well up in her eyes.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I do know that Voldemort is no doubt after you". Dumbledore gently took a hold of Usagi's arm and led her away, back into the mists.
"Why?" Usagi asked, causing Dumbledore to gain a small smile of amusement.
"I knew you'd ask me that, I'm already prepared to show you..."
Usagi and Dumbledore disappeared
**Scene change
When they reappeared, they were standing on the white sands of the moon. Usagi's eyes went wide in recognition, as the Moon Kingdom was in all its splendor. She watched as a little princess in a billowing white gown ran across the courtyard away from an older Lunarian woman.
"That's me!" Usagi exclaimed. Dumbledore chuckled.
"Look closer", he said. Usagi did as she was told, and realized with wide eyes as the girl came closer to them, that it wasn't her past self, it was a younger version of her mother.
"Okaasan", Usagi breathed. The young Selenity stopped running for the briefest of moments to yell at her nanny.
"You can't stop me from seeing him! None of you can!" She angrily stated. "I'm not marrying that baka prince, you can't make me...besides...I'm pregnant!"
The nanny's eyes went wide at hearing this, a defiant smirk on the princess face told her that she was telling the truth. The nanny fell over in a dead faint. Then Selenity rushed off again in a flourish of white and lavender.
Usagi couldn't believe what she had just heard, Dumbledore took her arm again, and they disappeared from the moon.
**Scene change
They reappeared again in the mists of the ice world. Usagi was completely silent, she looked up at Dumbledore in disbelief.
"There was a good reason why your mother never revealed to you who your father was...but I'm about to show you who he was, are you ready?" Usagi nodded in response, and once again they disappeared into the mists.
**Scene change
They walked for a little while, through the mists, before coming out into an open field. Usagi looked up and gasped, they were standing in front of what appeared to be another castle.
"Where are we?" Usagi asked, voice full of wonderment.
"We're at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...when it was newly erected. It's still here, even to the present day, let's go inside". And like shadows, they moved through the huge doors and walked along the corridors of the school. After a few more turns around corners, they could hear voices not far off.
"Sounds like arguing", Usagi said. And sure enough, an argument was going on, once they were close enough to determine that.
A handsome man with light brown hair pulled back by a scarlet ribbon was standing in a doorway, it appeared arguing with another man inside that particular room. The clothing was typical for that era, a scarlet tunic and leggings, with knee high boots covered the well muscled body. Another thing that Usagi noticed, was his baby blue eyes, and the sword sitting in a hilt around his hips.
"Go away, Gryffindor, I don't have time to chat with you", the man in the room said, attempting at finishing the argument.
"Not until you agree to stop seeing the Moon Princess, you're going to get yourself in a lot of trouble", Gryffindor said.
"What's going on here?" Another voice interrupted, as a tall woman dressed in an elegant yellow gown entered the scene. She had chocolate brown hair tied up in a tight bun atop of her head, and had brilliant emerald green eyes. "Godric, what's going on?" She asked.
"Helga Hufflepuff..." the man in the room commented dryly, "what business is this of yours?" He drawled, then emerged into the corridor himself.
Usagi gasped.
"Salazar, *really*, you've been getting into too much trouble lately, is she really that worth it?" Helga asked. Salazar Slytherin smirked.
"You've seen her..." Usagi couldn't believe her eyes, it was like looking at the male version of herself. Slytherin had silvery blond hair, tied back as well, his eyes were that of the cerulean blue of her own. There was something slightly different, however, in those eyes weren't the same kindness and love that were in her own, there was something darker...something evil...
**Scene change
Once again Usagi and Dumbledore were inside the ice prison, near the ice encasements of her senshi.
"Now do you understand why your mother could never tell you who your father was? Salazar Slytherin turned evil soon after he and your mother stopped seeing each other. He had a belief that any non-wizard born children who possessed the magical talents weren't worthy to study at Hogwarts. He and Godric Gryffindor had quite the disagreement, and Slytherin soon left. Your mother never married, she chose to raise you by herself on the moon, and chose to abandon what ties she had with the wizarding world for good. That's why you never studied at Hogwarts. If you had received an invitation, it would've read 'Serenity Slytherin'."
"Things are beginning to make a creepy kind of sense..." Usagi muttered.
"So, that brings me back to your choices. Do you chose to remain as you are, or become the immortal ruler of the stars?" Dumbledore held his hands in front of him, his facial expression in a thoughtful manner. Usagi took in the question, and took a few moments to walk past each senshi in their ice encasements.
"I think you know what my answer is", she said, wishing more than anything to give to her senshi what they wanted most in the world, a normal life.
"I think I do as well, but are you sure that's the right choice?" He asked. "Don't you think it would be more fair to your companions, if they remained by your side?" Dumbledore asked. Usagi turned towards him, he had shed a whole new light on the matter just by bringing that up.
"I'm...I'm not sure. I don't know."
"Oh, I think you do". Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. Usagi smiled a small smile, partially of amusement, partially out of sadness. She then stopped at Mamoru's ice encasement again.
"I think no matter what choice I make...things will definitely change."
****
~Last Time
That night, Usagi lay peacefully asleep in her bed. The school was so very quiet now, only a handful of students had remained, along with the original Hogwarts staff. Although she was sure, she'd be hearing plenty of the senshi, they'd make sure of it.
She was so sound asleep, she didn't hear her door opening, or the person moving across the floor to her side of the bed.
In mere seconds, the shadowed person had grabbed the back of Usagi's head and forced the contents of a small crystal bottle into her mouth. Her immediate reaction was to swallow the liquid, even though she didn't know what was happening at that point in time.
The figure put the bottle onto the small table by the bed, and used his other hand to wrap around Usagi's chest, pulling her off the bed, and dragging her out into the corridor. She wanted to scream, but the hand that had held her head, now covered her mouth.
"Voldemort is waiting for you..." The cool, cold voice said, "with the antidote to the poison you just swallowed". At hearing this, Usagi went cold with fear.
After a few more seconds of being dragged, Usagi managed to free her mouth from the hand, and bit into her captor's left arm, right into the Dark Mark tattoo.
Her captor screamed in pain. She knew that voice. And to confirm her fears, Usagi managed to get out of grabbing range, and pulled herself along the floor. She then turned around and stared into angry midnight blue eyes.
"Mamo-chan..." she breathed.
~Present
"Hai, Usako...it's been a while". Mamoru commented dryly. "You know it still hurts...the fact that you decided to leave me."
"I didn't leave you!" Usagi growled. "You left me, and failed to inform me".
"I couldn't tell you, you would've broken down like you always do, and cry over nothing." Mamoru took a menacing step toward Usagi.
"That's right...like I always do", Usagi said, very softly, trying her best to back away some more. Although the fact that she was wearing a sleeveless silk nightgown didn't help matters much. The air was quite cold, and was slowing down her reaction time.
"Don't be stupid, Usagi! Or should I say Serenity! You were born to become Voldemort's mate, not mine, you are the true blood heir of Slytherin, and you know it. So stop wasting time, and come with me, unless you'd rather die".
"I think I'd prefer that fate. I'd never surrender to Voldemort. And I'll never break my promise to Albus, I'm going to protect this school *and* Harry Potter. Even if it cost me my life". Both people in that corridor knew Usagi wasn't lying, and knew she was very stubborn when it came to certain things. She would die from the poison, as long as it meant her power not going to Voldemort. But Mamoru was equally as stubborn, and wouldn't take that answer.
He moved quickly towards Usagi, and grabbed her roughly, proceeding to lift her off her feet, and drag her along the corridor, father away from her room. Usagi could feel the poison flowing through her, and knew as she slowly slipped away from consciousness that she didn't have much time.
****
Sitting at his desk as usual, regardless of the hour, Severus was busy scribbling away on a piece of parchment. Writing out his plans for the new assignments ready for when the students would return from their vacation.
That's when the stinging pain raced through his forearm, and caused him to buckle over, and grasp his arm tightly. Pulling up his left sleeve, he noticed the Dark Mark burning as black as ever, and knew right away that something terrible wrong was happening at that very moment.
It took several moments to regain logical thought, and when it did, something in his mind caused him to think of only one name.
Usagi.
She was in trouble, and he knew it. Fighting off the pain as much as he could, Severus rose from his seat and rushed out of his office. He hurried through the corridor as fast as he could, silently cursing the no-apparation spell within the school.
It didn't take long before he reached the long line of rooms where Usagi's belonged. And his eyes went wide when he saw her limp form being dragged by a cloaked man. Raising his wand, he quickly cast a spell to hopefully disarm Usagi's captor.
"Expelliarmus!" He yelled out with a loud voice. The spell hit it's target, and Mamoru was sent flying back across the floor. Severus rushed forward and kneeled by Usagi's limp form. He went to touch her face to see if she was still awake, but the voice of the Death Eater interrupted him.
"You're too late, Snape, she's already taken the poison", the cool voice said, Mamoru limped towards Severus, wand in hand, a sneer on his face. "Traitor...Voldemort has plans for you..." He spat out. Severus let Usagi lay forgotten for a moment, and gripped his own wand tightly, standing across from Mamoru.
"How did you get in here?" Severus asked, his own voice just as cold, but even more deadly.
"That doesn't matter." Mamoru said, "Voldemort wants her, and he shall have her. Silly Snape. You're not as sharp as your reputation perceives you to be. Didn't even know that Hogwarts' own Headmistress is the only other heir of Slytherin, besides Lord Voldemort himself."
"What are you talking about!?!" Severus yelled out angrily.
"Like I said...that doesn't matter. But if I have to get through you to take Usagi, that's fine by me, I shall give you an early death than planned..." Mamoru inclined his head, his icy midnight blue eyes staring into those of Severus' cold black ones. He then raised his wand, issuing a duel. Severus smirked, and accepted, repeating the small bow and raising of the wand. "It shall be an honor to duel you, Severus Snape, you *were* once the most skilled duelist out of all the Death Eaters. But now no more, now *I* hold that title."
They began their duel, each proving to be quite knowledgeable of several different curses. And each also being very skilled at creating defenses for themselves. Although after a few minutes, Severus was gaining the upper hand, and was winning. One powerful spell he cast sent Mamoru flying back again, his wand slipping away from his hand. Severus rose his wand to cast one more deadly spell, but a voice cut into the tension like a knife.
"What's going on!?!" Minerva McGonagall, complete in her long night robes rushed into the scene, causing Severus to turn away from Mamoru, to look at her. When Severus regained his senses, he turned to look again to Mamoru. But he had disappeared mysteriously.
Not spending much time wondering on how Mamoru managed to apparate and disapperate in the school, he turned his attention once again towards Usagi. McGonagall moved to help as well, but Severus motioned for her to stop.
"Look in her room, for the empty poison bottle, quickly!" He ordered. McGonagall did as she was told, and went inside Usagi's room. Severus knelt by Usagi, and gently lifted her up into a sitting position. He ran his fingers along her jaw line, trying to determine whether she was too far to save yet. McGonagall rushed back into the corridor, and brought the small crystal bottle to Severus. He took it, and after a few seconds of examination, his eyes went wide in recognition. He then dropped the bottle, and brought his other arm underneath Usagi's legs, lifting her up while he himself stood up.
"Take her to the Hospital Wing..." McGonagall, flushed, said. Severus started moving towards the end of the corridor.
"No time", he said between gritted teeth. "I have to take her to my office...I have the antidote there..." And with that said, he rushed back towards his office.
****
Usagi stirred in her stupor. She felt warm and comfortable at that particular moment. All logical thinking had ceased, and her mind was getting cloudier by the second. She peaked her eyes open, long enough to see that she was in the Potion Master's arms, and was being carried somewhere. She felt so safe and comfortable, that she fell back into a sleep, with a small smile on her face.
****
Cold shock was what Usagi got, when Severus deposited her body on the cold floor of his office. She was propped up against his desk legs as he rushed to the other side of his desk, sifting through his drawers.
Finally when he got the bottle he was looking for, he also pulled out a small bar of Wizard's Chocolate, and sat it on the desk edge near Usagi, as he kneeled down next to her. He opened the bottle and let some of it's contents pour into Usagi's mouth. This time her immediate reaction was to spit the liquid out, accompanied with a violent coughing fit.
Severus cursed out loud this time, quite vulgarly.
He then plugged Usagi's nose with one hand, while dumping the rest of the antidote into her mouth, immediately dropping the empty bottle and covering her mouth with his other hand. This time she swallowed.
Severus took the bar of chocolate and broke a piece off, he was aiming to put it in the princess' mouth, but she shut her mouth and turned her head away, making a whining noise in the process.
"Take it", he said softly, "it's chocolate". Usagi opened her eyes, tears falling freely, and hesitated for a moment, before taking the offered bit of candy. She popped it in her mouth, and was glad for it.
Taking a moment to catch his breath, Severus stood up and leaned against his desk, taking several deep gulps of oxygen. After a few moments, Usagi spoke for the first time that night.
"How did you know?" She forced out, trying not to break out crying in the process.
Severus pulled up his left sleeve and showed her the Dark Mark. Her eyes widened.
"You didn't know I was a..." Usagi shook her head.
"Albus never told me", she said softly, but the surprised expression changed into a softer look, that of which was full of kindness and understanding.
"You're afraid of telling me..." Usagi started, but Severus turned slightly away from her.
"You wouldn't like what I'd have to tell you", he said. Careful not to look Usagi in the eyes. But after a few more moments of silence, Severus moved back over to the princess, and lifted her back into his arms. He carried her out of the office, and just before walking away from the doorway, Usagi's voice interrupted his thoughts once more.
"Where are you taking me?" She asked, her voice becoming more labored as she was growing faint with exhaustion.
"To the Hospital Wing", he said.
"Don't." She said, starting to whimper, trying to stop herself from crying again. Severus stopped and looked into Usagi's cerulean blue eyes.
"Then where?" He asked, "you're not safe in your own room, obviously". He said. Usagi's arms grew tighter around his neck.
"Let me stay with you...you make me feel safe", she said, and fell off to sleep.
Severus did as she asked, and turned around, carrying her to his own room. He lay her down onto the black sheets and stood back, studying her for a few moments. She created quite a contrast in his room, her silver gold hair spilt all around her, the silk white nightgown falling into every curve quite nicely. She was indeed very beautiful. But also, she was keeping many secrets. Ones that he know had a glimpse into, thanks to the Death Eater that had attacked. And he was sure that if he had a way in, then this must've been the man that Usagi had known before...known and loved once.
Taking this into mind, Severus remained keeping watch over Usagi for the rest of the night. Come morning, he would get the answers that he was looking for...
****
AN: short, hai, very, but I wanted to get this out a.s.a.p., 'cause cliffies are cruel, and I wanted to finish of the scene from the last chapter now.
So, what do you think of the plot twist? Surprised?? Tell me!! ^-^ (If I get lotsa inquiring reviews, I'll make the next chappie a more revealing one, and much, much longer, promise!!!! No pressure ;))