A Forgotten Queen

Chapter Ten

By Chang Liko

Disclaimer: I own nothing. glances nervously as the dark figures holding guns to her plushie's head's I own nothing of this story, except the plot! winces as she sees the men tighten their fingers on the triggers I told them what you wanted me to! You heard me! Give me back the plushies!
Hotaru glanced out from behind Serenity as Draco came running around the corner. She knew she'd probably get in trouble for this, but she couldn't help herself. It had been a perfect opportunity. And besides, he'd called her a runt.

Draco started seething when he saw Hotaru hiding behind Serenity. "You little runt! Get back here!"

"Draco! What's gotten into you?" Serenity exclaimed, frowning at the towel that was draped over Draco's head.

"What's gotten into me? WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO ME?" Draco exclaimed loudly, making Serenity wince slightly.

"Yes! It's a simple question, Draco. It does not require repeatition, or you yelling, for that matter," Serenity stated cooly.

Taking a deep breath, Draco snarled, "That little runt that has decided to use you for cover has done something that I'll never forgive her for!"

Wide eyed, Serenity glanced from Hotaru to Draco, asking, "What could a little girl do, Draco?"

Snarling, Draco ripped the towel from his head, exclaiming, "THIS!"

Serenity gasped, startled. Draco's hair was a bright fushia color. And his face was just red enough to match his hair. Lips twitching, Serenity cleared her throat, trying to keep from laughing. She knew he'd never let it go if she laughed.

Sticking her tongue out, Hotaru growled at Draco, exclaiming, "You deserved it!"

Lip curling slightly, Draco snarled, "I did nothing to require my humliation!"

Clearing her throat, Serenity stated calmly, "Now, children. There is no reason to become hostile."

"I am not a child!" Draco shouted.

The situation finally got to be too much for Serenity as she started to gasp for breath, trying desperately not to laugh, not that it was working very well.

"I'm sorry! It's just...your hair is the same shade as your face!" Serenity exclaimed, falling to the floor, tears of laughter escaping her eyes.

At this, Hotaru started laughing too.

Glaring at the both of them, Draco threw up his hands. "FEMALES!"

Turning, he walked away, glaring at everyone who even snickered once at his hair.

"Do you think we should let her be around him? I mean, he'll only be hurt in the end. Better that we stop this before anything happens," Amara whispered, her head close to her lovers as they conversed softly.

"That is not our choice to make, Amara. It is theirs. We were told not to interfere in her life except in situations that endanger her life. This does not," Michelle stated, her tone telling Amara that she had better not interfere.

Sighing, Amara nodded, glaring across the room at the person they were talking about.

"Amara! Don't glare. You'll scare the poor thing," Michelle chided, laughing softly when Amara slumped back in her chair, pouting.

"I wonder how Hotaru is doing?" Michelle mused.

"That's another thing! Why was Saturn wakened? There must be something that we don't know about, something that requires her presence," Amara exclaimed softly.

"I don't know. She seems strange. She took to us right away. It's kind of cute, how she calls us her mama and papa," Michelle replied, smiling.

"I think she's suspicious," Amara stated, her tone suspicious.

Michelle rolled her eyes, amused. "Love, you think everyone who associates with the Princess is suspicious."

"And I'm usually right! Remember back on the moon? I was suspicious of her new maid, and I was right to be suspicious of her. She was from the dark moon," Amara stated smugly.

Michelle chuckled, shaking her head. "That was one time, love. It does not mean that you are right all the time."

"I was right more than once! What about-" Amara exclaimed, only to be cut off.

"Alright! I admit that you were right more than once. Don't get started," Michelle exclaimed, laughing.

Nodding, Amara pulled Michelle into her arms. "Damn straight."

"Don't curse in front of children," Michelle admonished.

Rolling her eyes, Amara nodded. "I still think he should stay away from her."

"Goddess! Amara! There is nothing going to happen. We haven't got the right to do anything to stop the Princess from seeing whomever she wants," Michelle exclaimed.

"But..." Amara started.

"NO! Leave it alone, or you sleep on the floor for the next two months," Michelle stated firmly.

Immediately, Amara closed her mouth, silently fuming.

On the other side of the room, Harry, Hermoine, and Ron sat gathered together, glancing every now and then at the two new students that had joined their house that day.

"Don't you think it's strange to have four new students join us in the middle of the year?" Hermoine questioned.

"It is strange, but they probably have good reason to join us now, instead of at the beginning of the year, like everyone else," Harry replied.

"Did you see the chick that got placed in Slytherin? Man, she was creepy!" Ron exclaimed, shivering.

"Yeah. She did seem a little off. Her eyes were too cold and wise for someone her age. It almost seemed like she knew what was going to happen to everyone in the school as soon as she looked at us all," Hermoine murmured.

"I know. But that couldn't be right. I mean, she's only about fourteen. There is no way she'd be able to tell what is going to happen to everyone she looked at unless she was a very accomplished seer," Ron stated.

"That's true, but still. I don't think she's trustworthy," Hermoine stated.

"Hermoine. You should at least give her a chance," Harry stated.

"Yeah, I guess so," Hermoine replied.

"Well, now that that's settled, let's talk about the upcoming Quidditch match. Who are we going up against?" Ron questioned.

"Ron! You're on the team and you don't even know who you're playing against!" Hermoine exclaimed, annoyed.

"So I didn't pay attention! Not like I'm going to forget about the game and not show!" Ron replied.

Harry shook his head, stating, "We're playing Slytherin."

"Oh! Well, that's nothing then. We can easily beat them," Ron exclaimed, smug.

Turning to Hermoine, Harry whispered, "Why do I get the feeling that he might be wrong this time?"

"Anyway, I wonder if Serenity has a date to the Christmas party?" Ron mused, head tilted to the side.

Groaning, Harry shook his head, stating, "Ron. She doesn't like you. At least, not that way."

Grinning, Ron shrugged, replying, "That doesn't matter, mate. Just wondering is all."

Fred grinned, watching his prey from the darkness of the shadows. He'd been there for some time, and he wasn't the least bit bored of watching him. His movements personified grace, his gestures flowed like the calmest stream.

Sighing softly, Fred shifted position, nearly cursing when he accidently nudged a desk.

Startled, Snape glanced up from the potion he was working on, wondering who was in his private rooms. Not seeing anyone, he became immediately suspicious.

"Who's there? Show yourself immediately," Snape commanded sternly.

Sighing, Fred stepped out of the shadow, ready to accept whatever punishment that Snape might decide to deal out.

"It's just me, Professor Snape," Fred stated.

"Weasley. I see. And what, may I ask, are you doing in my private rooms?" Snape questioned, his eyes slightly wide from seeing who was in his chambers.

"Watching you," Fred answered simply.

"Watching me. What is it about me that seems to facinate you so much that you would risk getting points taken away from your house?" Snape questioned, curious as to the answer.

"I don't know. Everything about you facinates me. The way you move, speak. Hell, the way your chest moves when you breathe facinates me," Fred exclaimed, blushing slightly.

Startled, Snape could only stare at Fred, wondering what he was about to get himself into. "I see. Well, if you wish to observe me, you may stay. But not if you're going to be hiding in the shadows. Do I make myself clear?"

Shocked, Fred nodded absently. "S-sure!"

"Very well then. You may sit on the sofa," Snape stated, indicating the sofa that faced away from him.

Nodding, Fred moved to the sofa and flopped down onto it, folding his arms over the back and resting his chin on his folded arms, eyes glued to Snape's form. "What is it you are making?"

"It's a potion used to regrow bones. Madame Pomfrey requires it in the infirmary," Snape stated, going about finishing the potion.

"Is that the potion that Harry had to use before?" Fred questioned.

"Yes, this is the potion that Potter used," Snape stated, trying to ignore the young man and concentrate on his work.

"Professor?" Fred questioned.

"What, Mr. Weasley?" Snape inquired.

"Why are you letting me stay and watch you work?" Fred questioned.

Snape sighed, pausing in his work. "I don't know, Mr. Weasley."

"Oh," Fred commented.

Snape went back to his work, hoping he would be able to concentrate.

"Professor?" Fred questioned.

"What, Mr. Weasley?" Snape replied.

"Can I call you Severus?" Fred questioned meekly.

"What?" Snape exclaimed slightly, startled.

"Can I call you Severus?" Fred repeated.

Startled, Snape could only stare at Fred, unknowing of what to say.

"Oh. That's alright then. I'll understand if you don't want me to call you by your given name," Fred stated, sounding slightly disappointed.

Not liking the disheartened tone in Fred's voice, Snape spoke up. "You may call me Severus, but only when we are private."

Ecstatic, Fred smiled at him, nodding. "Alright. But, if I'm going to call you Severus, you must call me Fred, alright?"

Smiling slightly, Snape nodded, replying, "Alright, Fred."

Smiling widely, Fred settled down to watch Snape finish up the potion he was working on, the grin never leaving his face.

To Be Continued...

A/N: I AM SO SORRY! I haven't been able to write on this story for a while because I've had writer's block, then midterms! I'M SORRY! I'll try and do my best to update this story more often, I promise! We got some interaction between Snape and Fred in this chapter, and we still don't know who it is that likes Serenity. Oh well...maybe we'll find out in the next chapter. DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!