Author: Bunny-chan

Mare Serenitatis

Chapter 7

3/12/05

I love stuff. You should too.

Bunny recommends:

I'm obsessed with music. I love listening to it, I love collecting cds, and I love pretending that I can actually sing (especially in the car). So, I have found a few bands that I'd like to recommend to people of no particular genre.

Brand New – I love them. The guitar strings and the lyrics are amazing. It can be slow or fast with screamy lyrics. Excellent songs include:

1. Sic Transit Gloria… Glory Fades

2. Guernica

The Postal Service – The lead singer is also the lead singer of Death Cab For Cutie. He has a very calming voice and the lyrics are great too.

Download 1. Such Great Heights

2. Clark Gable

Death Cab For Cutie:

1. Transatlanticism

2. Title and Registration

Straylight Run – A singer from Taking Back Sunday is in this band now. I don't remember his name though. :shrug: But, this band is rock-y and emo-ish. I always like a bit of scream in my bands, and they're really good at it.

Download: 1. Existentialism on Prom Night

2. Mistakes We knew we were Making

3. It's for the Best

The Format – They're just good. Hmm…

1. The first single

2. Tie the rope

3. Sore Thumb

Sparta – This is a band my stepbrother recommended to me. They remind me of the band Thursday, a Jersey local. (My bro and I share the same taste in music, so I always mooch off of his cds.)

1. The Guns of Memorial Park

2. While Oceana Sleeps

3. La Cerca

The Dandy Warhols – They have this 60's feel to them, that I love. I really like all different genres of music, but I seem to centralize myself around indie rock. ;;

1. Godless

2. Bohemian like you

3. Solid


A mass of blankets on a bed stirred as the sun slowly crept into the dorm room. It sneaked its way on the floor until it finally reached its destination; the small face of a girl peacefully sleeping away.

The beam of sunlight stretched across the girl's face. Finally, she slowly opened her sleep-filled eyes. Almost unsure of what was happening around her, the cornflower blue of her eyes remained like a drug-like stupor until realization and recognition found itself there.

"OH NO! I'M SO LATE!"

"Well, things couldn't remain peaceful forever, could they?" The small white cat grinned from a corner as he watched the girl panic and try to get her things for class. "Boring is not something Usagi is associated with."

"Artemis! Why didn't you wake me up!" The frustrated blonde asked as she grabbed her bag of books and supplies and flew out the door.

If he had the opportunity, Artemis would've stated that is wasn't his place or business to wake her up for school. But as soon as he opened his mouth, all he saw was a blur and a mess left behind. He settled himself onto her unmade bed with the intent of telling her off when she was through with classes. Afterall, no need to disturb his own schedule. There was still plenty of sleeping left on his things to do list.


Usagi rushed down the stairs while pulling on her robe. She flung her bag over her shoulder and tried to keep her balance as she flew down the stairs. She made it down the Great Hall and plopped down into her seat next to Hermione with a loud sigh.

Harry gave Usagi a smile as she brushed her bangs from her eyes and reached over for a piece of toast. "Good morning, Usagi. Did you sleep alright?"

The blonde witch nodded her head and swallowed down her toast before answering. "Yeah, but my cat didn't wake me up on time so…." She trailed off quietly, unsure if she should really finish her sentence.

Ginny giggled knowingly from her seat next to Ron, who had a horrified and confused look on his face.

"You say your cat, that white furball, was supposed to wake you!"

"Um, no?"

"Anyway," Hermione cut in. "It's a good thing you got down here on time. We've got double potions with Slytherin first thing this morning."

"I can't believe we have double potions with those nasty snakes again!" Ron exclaimed as he stuffed another sausage in his mouth. "It's not bloody fair I tell you!"

"Eww! Ron! Cover your mouth when you do that!" Ginny shouted as she wiped the area where Ron's breakfast sprayed through his rant. She then threw a few napkins at him which landed squarely in his face, eliciting a few giggles from Hermione and Usagi.

Harry laughed at his friends and it felt good to do so. Today was their first day of classes and he was determined to not have it ruined. Although, with Snape as their Professor and double potions with Slytherin, a bad day was sure to happen.

He watched Usagi; his sister; his family, as she inspected a cinnamon roll from a plate on the table. She looked at a few other plates before looking satisfied with her decision and then ate her roll with as much fervor as Ron ate his plate of sausage and eggs.

"Anyways," Hermione's voice cut in through the silence that had overtaken the group. "I'm going to get to class early. You know how Snape is if you're not on time." She rose from her seat and gathered her books, seemingly annoyed with the behavior of her friends.

"Oi, Hermione, can I come?" Usagi stuffed her last piece of toast in her mouth as she too grabbed her books and got up from her seat. "I really don't know where any of my classes are anyways."

Hermione nodded. "Of course. C'mon." She glanced at Harry and Ron. "See you guys in class, alright?"

Harry nodded and watched Hermione and his sister exit the Great Hall. Usagi seemed apprehensive about her first day. Maybe he should have gone with her?

"Hey Mate," Ron placed his hand on Harry's shoulder to shake him out of his thoughts. "Now that the girls are gone, I wanted to talk to you about something."

Harry gave him a confused look. "You couldn't say it in front of Hermione and Usagi?"

"Well, it's not that I don't trust them, but 'Mione gets bloody vocal with her opinions and Usagi hasn't been in the Wizard World long enough to know what we're talking about…" The red-head trailed off, hoping it was a sufficient enough explanation for his friend.

"Alright, Ron, spill."

"With all that happened with bloody Umbridge and the Department of Mysteries… are we still going to have DA meetings?"

"Of course Ron!" Harry leaned in closer and lowered his voice some. "The threat of Voldemort is as strong as ever. We have to do everything we can to defend ourselves."

"Well, do you think this Professor Long will be a good teacher? I mean, since Dumbledore knows about the DA meetings, do you think he might've told that guy?" Ron spared a glance at the new Professor who was carefully sipping his coffee next to Professor Flitwick who seemed to be rambling on about some piece of Hogwarts' history.

Harry followed Ron's gaze and observed their Professor. "We'll just have to see, won't we Ron? After we've had a few classes with him, we can decide whether or not to keep the meetings to ourselves."

"Well, it's just that I was thinking," the red-head grabbed his books and stood up from his chair, following the other students out of the Great Hall since classes were beginning soon. "-that maybe, if he's a good enough professor, we won't have to sneak around the castle at night for DA meetings. Maybe we could convince him to teach us some new defensive spells too! N-not that what you taught us last year wasn't good enough! But you know what I mean, mate?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. I suppose we'll also have to get word around for the first DA meeting of the term; whenever that might be."

The two Gryffindors rounded a corner and took the stairs into the Dungeons where they'd have their first potions class of the term. They opened the large wooden door to the classroom and took their seats behind Hermione and Usagi.

Usagi turned and waved to Ron and Harry and gave a small smile. But suddenly there was a loud smack on her lab table in front of her and she turned around with a surprised scream.

Professor Snape stood towering over her; his pale long fingers were wrapped around the book that he had used to slam on her desk. "Miss Potter, once you enter my classroom, there will be no talking or socializing. That is something you do outside of this class. This is your only warning, do you understand me?"

Usagi gulped down her nervousness and nodded. "Yes, sir."

Snape then moved to the lab table behind her and sneered at Harry and Ron. "And Misters Potter and Weasley, I understand your inability to grasp even the simplest of rules, but I ask you: Is it too hard for your underdeveloped minds to comprehend coming to class on time?"

Harry turned his head slightly as he heard chuckles coming from the Slytherin side of the classroom. Draco Malfoy hovered in close with Vincent Crabbe as they were no doubt laughing at Harry and Ron's misfortune so early in the term.

Professor Snape swiftly turned away from their table and stalked back up to his desk at the front of the classroom, not even bothering to wait for an answer from either boy.

"Today's lesson will consist of a review of last year's potions, so I hope you've remembered them all." He sneered, showing the class his yellowed teeth in an almost demonic smile. "Now, everyone quills and parchment away and pay attention and be ready for question and answer!" He looked over the faces of his students and nearly rolled his eyes. "Yes, Miss Potter? What could you possibly have a question about since I haven't even begun my lesson?" Snape growled.

Usagi felt a wave of nervousness wash over her again but shook it away with a mask of determination. She would not be intimidated by the man with the permanent stick up his ass! "Professor, I was wondering if I could take notes."

"And what makes you think that you can duck out and take notes while your classmates are being quizzed on their past potion knowledge?" He glanced at her briefly while speaking, but soon adverted his gaze to somewhere else in the classroom.

"Well, I wasn't here for your potions class last year. If there's a potion I don't know, I'd like to be able to write it down so I can know it." She reasoned. There was a long pause as she watched him consider it. He looked anywhere but her and his face seemed to pinch, almost like the idea of her taking notes was leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

When he did speak, his voice was low and irritated. "You may take notes, Miss Potter." He turned around and flicked his wand at the board. White chalk marks suddenly scratched themselves onto the board. "These ingredients; Dragon's toe, eye of newt, the hairs of a unicorn, and the scales of a mermaid make what potion?"

Usagi quickly scratched her quill over her parchment as she copied the ingredients and listened for the answer of the potion's name. Most of the answers came from Hermione, to which Snape was more than happy to ignore her hand being raised in the air for the majority of the questions. Usagi noticed, with much displeasure, that Professor Snape seemed to pick on the Gryffindors especially. He would take away house points at the drop of a hat, and never award any, but he would award Slytherin house points frequently.

"It's because he's the Head of Syltherin. He favors them over any other house, of course." Hermione informed Usagi as they left the dungeons.

Usagi's eyebrows furrowed. No… there must be another reason why he's so cruel, especially to Harry.

"I'll help you study for potions, okay?"

"Sure." The blonde replied distractedly.

Ron and Harry, who were walking a few steps ahead of the two girls, turned around. "We have a free period before Charms; let's walk the grounds a bit. Usagi hasn't seen them." Ron said, mostly talking to Hermione.

"Yeah! We could also take you to Hagrid's hut if we have some time." Harry interjected happily.


So, that's how Usagi found herself on the bright green grass of Hogwarts staring at non other than the Snake of Slytherin. He stood only a few feet away from her trying to intimidate her, her brother, and her friends with his stance and his cruel words.

"So, Potty," He taunted. "You taking back your place as Seeker this year?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss kicking your arse for the world." Harry smirked only in a way that Usagi had recognized from a picture she saw of her father, James Potter.

Malfoy sneered and stepped right into Harry's face. "Oh yeah? You think you and the Weasels can beat Slytherin? I've got news for you, Potter; you're going to taste a lot of dirt this season!"

The goobers behind Malfoy chuckled, as if they had been queued by some unknown source that their fearless leader had made a joke.

"And you think you're the one who's going to do it? You've barely been able to touch the Snitch!" Hermione ground out, clearly annoyed with him.

Malfoy quickly spun on his heel and glared daggers at the bushy-haired Gryffindor. "What was that! Don't you even dare speak to me, you filthy Mud-Blood!"

Instantly, as if it was the signal that everyone understood but Usagi; Ron, Harry and Hermione had their wands drawn against Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle who brandished theirs almost as fast.

"Watch your mouth, you great ugly ferret!" Ron shouted.

Malfoy flicked his wand at once at Ron. "EXPELLIARMUS!"

There was a surprised shout from Hermione as she ran to check on Ron's prone form as he had been flung back across the grounds some feet. She kneeled next to him, "Ron! Are you alright! Ron!"

"You're next Potter!" Malfoy growled maliciously. He raised his wand in the air and shouted, "STUPEFY!" The curse would've hit Harry head on, but the dark-haired boy ducked out of the way and raised his wand to throw one of his own.

Usagi watched helplessly while she clutched her wand. She didn't know any of these curses! She certainly didn't want to fight on her first day in school, but she didn't want to watch it either!

Her eyes widened as she saw Crabbe and Goyle raise their wands and point them in the direction of an unsuspecting Hermione and Ron. Harry was too busy with Malfoy to notice and Hermione wouldn't see until it was too late. Usagi felt herself becoming more and more angry with herself that she couldn't help.

I don't want to be useless! I don't want to watch people get hurt anymore!

Sparks began to fly from Crabbe and Goyle's wands and Usagi screamed, "NO!" She clenched her blue eyes tightly, missing the strange phenomenon that was occurring at her feet. Blue swirls of transparent mist swirled around her, swirling her skirt and hair. And as if mentally swatting mere flies, Usagi flung her arm out and all was quiet.

Usagi opened her eyes and looked around. A crowd had gathered. When did they get here? She looked back to her brother. He kneeled on the ground, staring at her completely astounded. And she realized why.

Malfoy and his goobers had been flung back a good 15 feet and remained flat on their backs from the impact. She knew they were still alive, but just in shock. The entire grounds were quiet as they stared at what had unfolded.

Usagi just stared at her hands. What did I do?

"MISS POTTER!"

Usagi spun on her heel in surprise. Professor McGonagall stood with a look of complete horror on her face. She brought a withered hand over her mouth and shook her head disdainfully. "I cannot believe on your first day you were fighting, Miss Potter!"

She stalked up to the group with such a furious face that Usagi felt completely scared. "All of you will be coming to my office." She proclaimed in a deadly voice. "And I mean all of you. Misters Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, get up now."


The atmosphere had chilled considerably when the group had reached the Head of Gryffindor's office. She took her seat behind her desk with a deadly glare on her face. "I am completely appalled at your behavior today! Misters Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, you shall receive three detentions each from Mr. Filch as well as 10 points each from Slytherin."

Malfoy silently fumed as he listened to his punishment. I'll make all of them pay!

"You three are dismissed." She said briskly as she sent them from her office. When the door had shut, she turned her disappointed face to the remaining four. "It's only the first day, and yet you've managed to get yourselves into trouble already!"

Ron, who was woozily leaning on Hermione, spoke, "But Professor, Malfoy-"

But McGonagall cut him off, "I don't care who started it, Mister Weasley! You should have been big enough to ignore him. I have no choice but to give you each detention and 5 points each from Gryffindor."

The four nodded and hung their heads as they made their way out.

"Oh, but I'm not finished with you, Miss Potter." McGonagall's crisp voice cut through the air.

Usagi gulped and nodded as she hung back. She nearly had tears in her eyes as she refused to look her Professor in the eye.

"I'm especially disappointed in you, Usagi."

Her words cut through Usagi like a knife and it took all of her strength not to let her shoulders shake.

"It's your first day in a new school, not to mention a new lifestyle for you, and now you've got yourself onto a bad foot by getting into a fight!" McGonagall continued her rant, seemingly unaware of Usagi's distress. "And to make things worse, you used wild Wandless magic on other students! You could've taken off an arm with that kind of power!"

"I didn't mean to, Professor!" Usagi bit out tearfully. She looked up with tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do it! I was standing there and I don't know any spells! And I don't know anything on how to stop spells! I felt so helpless! I didn't know what I was doing! A-and…! A-and it j-just h-happened!" She put her head back down and tried to swallow her sobs.

A hand on her shoulder brought her head back up in surprise. Professor McGonagall was looking down at her with a comforting face. She held out a handkerchief and put on a sad smile. "Dry your eyes, Usagi. It's nothing to be this upset about."

"You're not going to expel me?" She asked meekly, while wiping her eyes.

McGonagall looked surprised at the idea. "Gracious, no!" She squeezed Usagi's shoulder. "This situation is not one that will land you out of this school. But, Wandless magic is very important for you to remember. When a witch or wizard becomes particularly distressed, or they're experiencing intense emotions, they sometimes let off waves of magic without knowing what they're doing."

"Like what I did to Malfoy and the others?"

"Quite. However, yours was particularly strong. Next time something like this happens, you must be careful to not let it out. Wandless magic is a reckless thing. If a witch or wizard uses their Wandless magic without proper training, it's possible to seriously injure someone."

Usagi nodded "Yes, thank you Professor."

"I will speak to the Headmaster about your Wandless magic, Miss Potter, and see what he makes of it. You are dismissed." McGonagall gave her another comforting squeeze on the shoulder and sent her out.

When Usagi left Professor McGonagall's office, she took the long way to her dorm to grab her Charms and Transfiguration books. She spoke the password to the portrait of the fat lady, ignoring her side comment of "You look tired, dear. Try some Pepper-Up potion!"

She passed the welcoming red couches and chairs of the Gryffindor Common room and made for the stairs to the Girls' Dorms taking the steps two at a time. She resisted the urge to plop down on to her bed and sleep while she exchanged textbooks for her next class. Before she turned to leave, Usagi stopped and pulled a photograph from the trunk at the foot of her bed.

Eternally smiling, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru, and Setsuna stared back at their Princess. It wasn't a moving one like the photos she had seen of her mother and father, or the ones of Harry, Hermione, and Ron during their previous years at Hogwarts. But, Usagi didn't need this photo to move to know what Haruka-san-tachi were saying to her.

"Keep your chin up!"

"Study hard!"

"Enjoy yourself!"

"You can make a future for yourself now."

"Haruka-san, Michiru-san, Hotaru-chan… Setsuna-san… What should I do?" Usagi let out a shaky plea. "I felt you. I felt you today."

I felt you all helping me. The fight, the power I felt; it was you. I know it. I know it with my heart.

Usagi shook her head with a bit of sadness. Her senshi would never be able to talk to her again. There was no use in talking to a photo that couldn't answer you back. She placed it back in her truck, took her books into her arms, and made her way to Charms. Hopefully, she wouldn't get lost.

With the way her stomach was growling, Usagi wasn't surprised that despite her drowsiness during the second half of the day, that she had beat Ron to The Great Hall for dinner. She giggled as she dropped onto the bench and dug into the savory and wonderful smelling food that was put out for them.

"I am the WINNER!" She exclaimed, waiting only a second for Ron to sit down before she attacked the bowl of steaming noodles and sauce that was on the table. "I was SOOO hungry!"

Ron chuckled. "I'll say! Transfiguration does give you an appetite, don'it?" He shuddered suddenly, "Especially if McGonagall spends the whole hour glaring at you!"

"Oh, I know!" She laughed. "She gave me Goosebumps the whole time! I was so nervous that I wouldn't turn that bird into a coat rack!"

"You did really well for your first lesson, though, Usagi." Ron admitted while grabbing his glass of pumpkin juice. "You just have to work on your pronunciation really."

The blonde nodded. "Yeah, both Harry and Hermione have been helping me with English so I can stop using the translation charm. I think in a few weeks, I might be able to go a full day without using it!"

Ron and Usagi continued to enjoy their dinner, but were interrupted minutes later by the sound of Seamus and Dean running frantically into the Great Hall followed by other Gryffindors and some Ravenclaws. Harry, Hermione and Ginny were also in the group towards the back.

"There's been a sighting of Death Eaters!" Dean slapped the issue of the Daily Prophet down on the table for the others to see. He pointed to the article on the front page. "Two Death Eaters were spotted by a group of Wizards in a Wizard community by Liverpool."

"But it says the Ministry is denying any proof that the Wizards truly saw Death Eaters or anything at all!" Harry ground out angrily.

"Bollocks!" Lee Jordon shouted out. "After what happened last year with that horrid Umbridge, they still can't believe that You-Know-Who is rising!" He turned to Harry. "Right? We heard about how she was in league with Him. And we also heard about the Department of Mysteries."

"Yeah." He responded gravely.

That night, when all was quiet and everyone in the Gryffindor common room had staggered to bed, a familiar blonde crept down the stairs from the dorm she shared with Hermione and the other 6th year girls and sat down in a large red chair in front of the fireplace. The fire had begun to die down after the students had left, so there were only glowing orange embers left to speak of.

Only a few minutes after the blonde, another girl crept down the stairs and into the common room. Her fiery red hair looked dark with the dying light and she sat on the couch and looked to the girl sitting on the chair.

A snowball colored white cat stepped from the shadows and approached the girls. It sat by the fire, enjoying the last of the heat before it then turned towards the two girls.

"It sure does get quiet when everyone leaves." Artemis said with a chuckle.

The red-head laughed. "Well, we Gryffindors are a boisterous bunch. Loud and obnoxious too, I've heard, but that's mostly the opinion of Slytherins."

The cat smiled. "I know. I've come to realize that. But, for the reason why I asked you girls down here; I've been experiencing weird vibrations from this castle. I've tried exploring to find where the source might come from. But it's not concentrated in any one particular spot. It also seems to shift from moment to moment."

Usagi remained unmoved by this piece of information as she stared absently at the embers. But Ginny looked to Artemis.

"Well, Hogwarts IS a school for Witchcraft and Wizardry. It's only natural that this place should have all of that magic in its walls. Just take the staircases for example. They move of their own free will!"

"You're right, Ginny. It's just unsettling to feel so much magic here. The only place and time I've ever felt so much magic in one place was the Moon Palace during the Silver Millennium." The cat replied.

"Artemis," Usagi finally spoke after listening to his and Ginny's exchange. "Did you feel Uranus again today?"

The cat looked to the blonde, wide-eyed. "Yes, Usagi-chan, I did. In fact, I was just about to mention that to you. You felt it this morning?"

Usagi nodded, but Ginny remained confused.

"What's the power of Uranus, and why's it so important?"

"Uranus was one of my beloved Senshi, Ginny." Usagi responded automatically, her voice was strangely devoid of emotion, as if she was trying to separate herself from the present world. "Tenoh Haruka was her real name, and as Sailor Uranus, she was a master of the wind."

The cat nodded in agreement "That's right. Sailor Uranus was a powerful Senshi and a master of her element. But what I don't get is why are we suddenly experiencing her power? Has she been reborn again in this world so soon?"

"No, Artemis. I think I might know what's going on." Usagi muttered quietly. She finally turned towards her cat for the first time that night. "This morning, I got into a fight with Draco Malfoy and his lumpy friends."

The furball looked astonished. "Usagi-chan, you were fighting! I can't believe you would do anything like that!"

Ginny giggled. "I heard about that, somehow, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle got knocked flat on their asses by some hex you threw at them!"

Usagi smirked, thinking of the look on their faces when they were laying flat on their backs. "But, the only problem with that story, Gin, is I didn't hex them."

"Did Harry?"

"Nope." She shook her head. "Actually, I didn't even know what I had done until McGonagall caught us and lectured me on the improperness of wild Wandless Magic."

Ginny's eyes looked like they might pop out of their sockets at any moment. "You used Wandless magic on Malfoy! Are you mad!"

It was now the cat's turn to look confused, and noticing his look, Ginny explained. "Wandless magic is very dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. You could take someone's arm off, or make them disappear if you're not focused enough. That's why everyone needs a wand to perform magic; it's safer when you have it going through that rather than just sending off waves of reckless magic."

"So, Usagi-chan, you just…?"

"Well, I was there in the middle of that fight, and I had no idea how to perform any spells to help… and I just felt so useless. So, when I saw Hermione and Ron about to be attacked by Lumpy One and Two, I got angry and the only thing I knew was that I had to stop them. I felt Haruka… I swear I did! I don't know how she's been helping me, but I know she is. So, I flung my arm out at them, and when I opened my eyes, they were flat on their backs and didn't know what hit them."

Ginny's eyes were wide. "So, you think the power of your dead friend helped you today? Sorry to sound so blunt, but it sounds awfully strange."

"How else can we explain this power? I've never been able to do these things before Ginny!"

"Well, we'll discuss this more later. You girls should get to bed, you have classes tomorrow." Artemis replied, before making his way back up to the girls' dorms to bed.


Dear Okaasan, Otousan, and Shingo,

My first day of classes at Hogwarts was more interesting than anything I've ever experienced. The professors here are all very interesting. Professor McGonagall can change into a cat at will! Professor Binns, my History of Magic professor is a ghost, and Professor Flitwick is half elf or something! Basically, even I'm taller than him!

Harry has been good to me. He's been showing me around and telling me about all sorts of customs that wizards and witches have. Hermione Granger is one of Harry's best friends and she's so smart! She's going to help me catch up to everyone else in sixth year. So, I hope I can do well.

Wish your Usagi luck!