Thanks to everyone who reviewed my first chapter. You all have no idea how much you brightened by day with your kind words. Your encouragement has provided me with the courage to finish the story. For that I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
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Dumbledore lead the small procession to the hospital ward at Hogwarts. As soon as they entered the room, Madam Pomfrey swooped upon them.
"Oh my! The poor dears. Whatever has happened to them? Quick, bring them over to the beds and lie them down," exclaimed Poppy.
As soon as Usagi and Hotaru, who had fallen asleep on Haruka's back on the walk, were placed on the beds, Madam Pomfrey rushed over and started to examine them. Haruka was standing off to the side, glaring at the medi-witch who had just so rudely, in her opinion, pushed her out of the way.
"Well, now. You, young miss, can stop your glaring right now. How was I suppose to look after these two if you were standing there blocking my way? Both of the young ladies are fine. Nothing a good night's sleep won't cure by the look of them. I'll know more in the morning when the wake up and I've had a chance to talk with them," Poppy reassured Haruka. "Now Headmaster, may I enquire of you who are visitors are and how these have come to be in my care?"
"Poppy, I cannot answer your questions. Stop looking at me like that," Dumbledore stated, raising his hand, "It is not because I do not wish to share the information with. It is only because I do not know the answers to your questions."
"I can help you out in that regards, Professor Dumbledore," Setsuna stated calmly. "We will tell you everything."
"WHAT? What do you mean 'we will tell you everything?'," exclaimed Haruka. "We can't tell them everything. We don't know if we can trust these people yet or not. We could be putting Usagi in danger if we tell them everything. Come on, Setsuna, think."
"Haruka," Michiru intoned, "Do you think that Setsuna does not know what's she's doing? Do you think that she would do anything that would place Usagi in danger? Even a little bit? Surely you know better than that."
Setsuna stood off to the side, smiling slightly at Haruka who had begun to fidget. "I know, Michiru. But I just don't want to take any chances. We don't know who we can trust here and…."
Setsuna choose this moment to interrupt. "It's perfectly alright, Haruka, Michiru. I know both of you are concerned for Usagi's safety, as well as our own. However, we are going to need help. And in order to receive help, you have to trust people. We might as well start now. I know how hard it is for you to admit that you need help in anything, Haruka. But we do need help and in return, we may be able to help these people here with their problem."
"And just how do you propose to help us out," snarled Professor Snape, who was standing in the background until this moment. "You do not know what we are facing, who we are confronting. And if you did, you would be cowering in fear. There is nothing you puny muggle women can do to help us out. It would be best if you all left first thing in the morning."
Haruka bristled during Snape's rant and was just about to let loose on him, when Michiru placed a calming hand on her shoulder and slightly shook her head. Haruka restrained herself, but one more disparaging comment out of that greasy haired man's mouth and she would not be responsible for her actions!
"I would not be so sure of what you say if I were you, Professor Snape," Setsuna replied mysteriously. "We know who you are. We know you are all wizards or witches. We know you are currently battling Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. We have seen how they operate and how you are coping with the challenges. Young Mr. Potter over here is doing extremely well. There was no way anyone would have been able to foresee just how well this young man would rise to the immense challenges he has faced. However, you, Professor Snape, do not know who we are, what we are capable of or what we have faced in the past. Perhaps you should withhold your judgment until you know more."
All of this was said calmly and softly. Yet no one in the room missed a single word that was spoken. Silence reigned while everyone took a moment to process what Setsuna had just said.
Harry, who had stepped into the background after lying Usagi on the bed in order to let Madam Pomfrey tend to her, came up beside Usagi's bed when Professor Snape had begun talking. He felt drawn to her side. Harry was just about to tell Snape off when Setsuna had started talking. How could Snape think these women were not brave and strong with all of the injuries they were sporting? With that thought in his head, Harry looked down at Usagi again.
Harry got the shock of his life. There wasn't a mark on her! Before she was covered in scratches and bruises and now there was nothing! He quickly glanced at the other four women and noticed that their injuries now were almost completely healed, as well. How could this have happened? Were they witches?
Even though Harry's head was spinning with these questions, he felt very relieved to know that Usagi was, in fact, alright. He glanced down at Usagi, again. She was so beautiful. She looked so peaceful, lying there asleep. Surely, she must be an angel, fallen from Heaven. He marveled at how smooth her skin looked, how shiny her hair was. Harry ached to brush her hair away from her face to see if it was really as soft and silky as it looked.
Harry thought back to the walk to the castle from the forest. Usagi was so light in his arms. It was almost as if he had not been carrying anything at all. He blushed to remember that, about halfway back, Usagi and turned her head and laid it on his shoulder. It made him feel comforted, as if he was not alone. It was really the first time he had felt anything since Sirius had fallen through the veil. Harry did not stop to ponder his feelings, instead he reached out and gently took Usagi's hand. Perhaps he would be able to comfort her while she slept, as she did him, albeit unknowingly.
Harry was broken out of his reverie by Setsuna. "Perhaps everyone should have a seat. It may take a while for all of your questions to be answered. As well, we are quite tired from our ordeal."
"Of course, my dear," Professor Dumbledore stated. With that, he and Minerva McGonagall conjured up enough chairs for everyone to be seated. "Now, Mr. Potter, you should be getting back to the Gryffindor common room. It is getting quite late and I imagine Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley are beginning to bet quite concerned about you. We don't want two of Hogwart's prefects out after hours, now do we?"
"But, Professor," Harry began, "I was the one who found them. I should be able to stay and hear their story."
"Potter, you heard the headmaster," Snape hissed. "Now I suggest you leave, as you were requested, before I feel the need to deduct points from you."
Harry was about to retort when Professor McGonagall cut him off. "Severus, there will be no deducting of points tonight. However, Mr. Potter, I agree with Professor Snape. You should be getting back to the common room. Now, off with you."
Harry looked around, and was about to argue more, when he saw it would be of no use. He slowly released Usagi's hand and turned to leave.
"Wait, Mr. Potter," Setsuna called "you should stay and hear our story. In fact, it is very important that you do remain"
"What do you mean, girl, by going against the Headmaster's wishes?," demanded Snape.
Setsuna stood there, looking remarkably unfazed by the glare Snape was directing at her. "I mean no disrespect to Headmaster Dumbledore, but it is imperative that Mr. Potter hear our story. It will not be relayed to you unless he is here."
"Very well then, Harry," Dumbledore interjected, seeing as how Snape was about to go off on Setsuna once more, "you may remain."
"Thank you, Professor, Miss," replied Harry as he once more took his spot by Usagi's bed. He gently took her hand again, not noticing the glaring Haruka was sending his way. Remarkably, though, she didn't say anything about it.
"One more thing, Professor Dumbledore, before we begin" Setsuna stated. "I must request that someone be sent to fetch Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger. It is important that they hear what we have to say, as well. Not only that, but I imagine that Mr. Potter here will tell them everything that happens anyway. They might as well hear it first hand." Setsuna finished with a twinkle in her eye.
Harry blushed at her words and wondered how Setsuna knew that he, Ron and Hermoine were so close. He didn't know any of them at all, how could they know anything about he and his friends?
"As you wish," Dumbledore relented. "Harry perhaps you could go and fetch your friends, please."
"Yes, sir," Harry replied as he got up. However much he did not want to leave Usagi, he figured he shouldn't push his luck. If he fought to hard to stay, he might end up being sent away, no matter how much Setsuna insisted he be there for the story.
As Harry, left the hospital ward, he heard Professor McGonagall exclaim "Albus, you can't be serious! You're going to let these three children stay and listen to what has to be said!"
"Yes, Minerva, I am serious, as I imagine this young lady here is," Dumbledore explained, inclining his head in Setsuna's direction. "I do get the impression that if they are not all present, none of us will discover what has transpired tonight."
All Harry heard as the doors closed behind him was soft laughter coming from, he could only assume, Setsuna.
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Next: What happened to Usagi, Hotaru, Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna?
