Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter.

Shifts in Destiny

Chapter 5

The Cursed Gift

After everyone had returned from their trip to Hogsmeade, Raye held a scout meeting in the Room of Requirement. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and even though she did not have her sailor powers anymore, Serena was also in attendance. Raye wanted to let the others know about what she found.

"Either Madame Rosmerta is now a Death Eater," said Raye, "or she has been Imperioused by one."

Serena gasped and Raye continued.

"She tried to Imperious me when I used the bathroom at the Three Broomsticks earlier today," Raye went on. "She wanted me to take a package to Dumbledore. Well, naturally, I was able to fight it."

"Whoa," breathed Ron. "She couldn't imperious you?"

"I suppose it's because I'm a sailor scout, or a Shinto priestess," said Raye. "I was able to fight it back when Moody—I mean—Crouch was teaching."

"We were able to fight it too," added Lydia. "Maybe it is a scout thing."

"I don't think being a sailor scout really has anything to do with it," said Hermione. "Harry was able to fight off the Imperious Curse, and he's not a sailor scout. The person has to have a very strong will."

"So what did you do with the package?" Ami asked Raye.

"I just played along," Raye said. "So I wouldn't look suspicious."

"You brought it to Dumbledore anyway?" said Mina. "But how the heck were you able to get past Filch? He confiscated a pair of scissors I bought from Zonkos!"

"You bought scissors from Zonkos?" Lydia inquired, scratching her head.

"I was going to send them to Pierre," Mina said. "They're supposed to be self cutting scissors, so he'd have his hands free, you know."

"Ah," said Lydia with a smirk. "'Free for you, I bet."

Mina blushed and giggled.

"I caused a diversion so Raye could get past him," Lita said. "Made up a story that my shoelaces were cursed." She looked down at her shoes, now without shoelaces. "Now I really need new shoelaces." A pair of brand new shoelaces appeared next to Lita and she bent down to grab them. "I love this room!"

"However," said Raye, looking at her friends. "I had a feeling the package was cursed so I gave it to my grandfather to examine. He is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher after all, and he'll be able to find what kind of curses are on the 'gift' that was intended for Professor Dumbledore."

"Oh it's a good thing that Professor Dumbledore isn't here," sighed Serena in relief as she sat down. "And that no one else was imperioused in your place, Raye."

"Let's not think about what might have happened," said Mina. "I want to know who is trying to kill Dumbledore."

"It's got to be Voldemort," said Lydia. "Isn't he afraid of Dumbledore the most? And he probably hates him as much as he does Harry."

"I'm pretty sure it's Voldemort pulling the strings too," Harry agreed. "But Voldemort must have one of his Death Eaters doing the dirty work. He wouldn't just imperious a pub owner to imperious someone else bringing a cursed item to Dumbledore."

"Yeah, good point," said Ron. "I bet all of the Death Eaters are doing jobs for him that You-Know-Who doesn't want to do himself."

"Let's see now," said Ami thoughtfully. "We know that the Death Eaters that were in the Department of Mysteries are now in Azkaban, except for Bellatrix, who is dead. We can exclude them. There are still other Death Eaters that are at large, Aric Jugson, the Carrows, Fenir Greyback."

"Let's not forget potential Death Eaters," said Harry. "Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, for example."

"Wait, what?" said Serena. "Harry, you don't think they would try to kill Dumbledore, would you?"

"Why not?" Harry said. "Malfoy was furious with me for getting his father imprisoned and Narcissa was just as angry with Sirius for killing Bellatrix."

"But what would that have to do with Dumbledore?" asked Hermione. "They would be after you and Sirius, not Dumbledore."

"They know they'd have to get Dumbledore to get to me," Harry insisted. "Voldemort is afraid of Dumbledore. Dumbledore is so powerful, and he knows more about Voldemort than anyone. He's trying to find ways to destroy him…oh no." Harry immediately sat down, white faced.

"Harry, what is it?" Serena asked him.

"Maybe Dumbledore knows he's going to be killed," said Harry. "Think about it, guys!" he said as everyone looked at him skeptically. "Why do you think Dumbledore is showing me all his memories? He wants me to have all this information about Voldemort in case Dumbledore dies!"

The others were silent as they pondered this. It did seem to make sense. He wanted Harry to be prepared. But Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, Death Eaters?

"It's not possible," said Raye sternly. "Why would Voldemort charge a sixteen-year-old boy—not even a legal-aged wizard—to kill someone of Dumbledore's importance?"

"Because Malfoy's the son of a Death Eater," said Harry.

"No!" Raye exclaimed. "It's not possible! That's just stupid! Maybe Narcissa, but not Draco! He wouldn't know the first thing to do. He had nothing to do with that stupid gift to give to Dumbledore."

"You're just saying that because you're infatuated with him!" Harry yelled.

"No I'm not!" Raye yelled back. "Draco wasn't even in Hogsmeade today, you idiot! McGonagall gave him detention for not doing his homework. You should do more investigation before you start pointing fingers, Harry!"

"Raye, maybe Harry's right," Serena said softly. "Even if Draco was here the whole time, someone may have imperioused Madam Rosmerta on his behalf."

"And why defend the jerk that broke your heart anyway?" said Mina simply.

"Because, you guys just don't know Draco Malfoy like I do," said Raye. "Not at all."

Without another word, Raye ran out of the room.

Two days passed and the students did not know what the intended gift for Dumbledore was or what dark curses were placed upon it. Professor Hino was still examining it. In his second lesson with Dumbleodre, Harry brought this to attention. Of course, Dumbledore already knew about it.

"Raye was wise to play along," said Dumbledore. "And to bring it straight to her grandfather to examine."

"What if her grandfather gets hurt examining it?" Harry queried.

"He won't," said Dumbledore confidently. "He has examined dark artifacts before. He knows what he is doing."

"I think I know who is trying to kill you, Professor," said Harry. "I think it's Voldemort, working through Draco Malfoy."

"You believe that Draco Malfoy is a Death Eater, Harry?" asked Dumbledore. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, his father was a Death Eater, sir," Harry said, as if Dumbledore didn't know it already. "The Sorting Hat declared him a Slytherin before it even touched his head. He was so angry at me for his dad going to prison. I'm sure he even asked Voldemort himself to join his ranks just to get revenge."

"If it was vengeance Draco wanted," said Dumbledore wanted. "He would have gone after you in the first place. This is all very interesting; Harry and I thank you for your concern. But let's us get on to why you here before it gets too late."

"Yes sir," said Harry awkwardly.

Dumbledore and Harry entered another memory, Dumbledore's memory of first meeting Voldemort. Voldemort was an eleven year old Tom Riddle then but he was already thinking and acting like the Voldemort Harry feared and hated. Tom Riddle was a bully to the other orphans and he had already discovered his "abilities." He did not know he was a wizard but he could do things the other children could not. He moved objects without touching them and made animals do things that the normally would not do. The way he talked about it made Harry think that Tom actually enjoyed it. It was sick.

Tom stole things from the children. Trophies, as Dumbledore called them. When Dumbledore explained Hogwarts to him, he was excited. He wanted to learn more, perhaps more dark and ugly things, as Harry believed. He was just as rotten and evil in the beginning, just like Draco Malfoy.

Except for the eye and hair color, Harry could see Draco Malfoy in Tom Riddle's place. Handsome, pale, evil. Draco acted like he was high and mighty before they even learned each other's names. And after they did, he only turned out worse. Deciding not to become friends with Draco Malfoy was the best decision he ever made.

"I saw Voldemort as a kid this time," Harry told Serena when he returned to the common room that evening. "When Dumbledore visits him in the orphanage to explain about Hogwarts."

"That must have been interesting," said Serena, who was massaging his shoulders.

"Actually it was disturbing," Harry muttered. "I remember meeting Tom Riddle when he was sixteen, when he was possessing Ginny."

Serena nodded. "Yes, it was like the memory of him or something?"

"A bad one," said Harry. "When Dumbledore told me this would be the first time meeting him, I thought I would see Tom Riddle as an innocent and excited kid. Just like I was when I found out about Hogwarts. But Tom knew he could do magic before Hogwarts, and he knew how to use it. He used it against the other kids, hurting them, scaring them, stealing their stuff."

"That's terrible!" Serena exclaimed.

"Tom was evil even before he went to Hogwarts," Harry said. "I bet he was born evil."

"You don't really believe that, do you?" said Serena.

"Well, he is the heir of Slytherin," Harry said bluntly.

Serena stopped rubbing his shoulders and sat back on the sofa, pulling her legs up. Harry turned around to look at her.

"What about his mother?" Serena asked softly. "You believe she was evil, just because she had Slytherin blood in her?"

Harry had to think a minute. Merope didn't say anything in the memory he saw of her. Her brother and father however, they acted just like any other pureblood maniac he knew of. He sighed. "No, not really. I felt sorry for her, actually."

"Do you think if his mother lived, he would have been different?" Serena inquired.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe."

Serena was quiet, until she started sobbing. Shocked, Harry sat down next to her in an attempt to calm her down.

"Serena what's wrong?" he asked. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so…"

"T-that's not it," Serena blubbered. "I hate Voldemort too, for all the bad things he's done. It's Hotaru. It scares me to think that someone like her is with someone like him, and there's nothing I can do!"

"Serena," Harry mumbled, rubbing her back. "Don't worry. Voldemort will regret kidnapping Hotaru. Does he think he can turn her against all of us? She's stronger than that. You all are."

"I know," Serena said, her eyes tearing and voice shaky. "But she must be scared out of her mind. We don't even know where she is, or what he's doing to her!"

"Torture, probably," said Harry gravely. "But I don't like to think about it."

"I wish we knew what he planned to do with her," said Serena. "I mean, why Hotaru?"

"The sailor scouts are powerful," said Harry. "He wants one on his side. She must've been in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have been any of you. We'll get her back, somehow."

Harry patted her shoulder and gave her a comforting smile. She smiled back and excused herself to bed, apologizing for becoming upset. Harry sat back in the sofa and wondered; if was able to sense Voldemort's emotions time to time, could he enter his head and find out what he is doing to Hotaru? If there was a way, how would Harry learn it? This was a question for Dumbledore.

Several days later in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Hino presented a record player on the desk, asking if the students wanted to listen to any music while they did the lesson. Some were pleased by the suggestion, but Professor Hino did not begin playing any records.

"There is something you need to know about this record player," he told the class. "It's not an ordinary model. My granddaughter here," he nodded to Raye, "acquired it in your last visit to Hogsmeade. Of course, she had no idea what it was at that time. She visited the restroom and before leaving, Madame Rosmerta accosted her and placed her under the Imperious Curse."

There were a few gasps in the room. Professor Hino began pacing the room. Raye frowned and put her hand to her face. She didn't like being put on the spot. The majority of the students watched him with interest. Draco Malfoy kept his eyes on his desk.

"As some of you have witnessed in your lesson with Crouch—who was posing as the Auror Alastor Moody—Raye fought against the Imperious Curse and she did this time around. She decided to play along and do as she was told: bring the package to Hogwarts. It was intended as a gift for our Headmaster. Raye knew something wasn't right, so she brought it to me to examine." Professor Hino gestured to the record player. "This record player is cursed to lull the listener to never-ending sleep. It drains the listener of all his or her energy, and eventually, the listener dies. Had anyone else been imperioused, we probably would not have our Headmaster today. It's possible that the deliverer could have been killed too."

Parvati Patil raised her hand and Professor Hino called on her.

"You were able to remove the curses, weren't you, Professor?" she asked meekly.

"Naturally," he said. "It was difficult but the record player is safe to use. I spent half my life removing curses from dark items so that they can be safe."

Parvati sighed in relief.

"What about Madame Rosmerta? Will she be all right?" inquired Ron Weasley. Hermione rolled his eyes. Of course, he would be concerned about the well-endowed barkeep of The Three Broomsticks. Ami however, did not seem to mind. She was also concerned.

"She is in St. Mungos," Professor Hino stated. "We have reason to believe that Madame Rosmerta is not a Death Eater, but she was also Imperioused and by a Death Eater. Unfortunately, the Imperious Curse is designed so the Imperioused individual cannot remember anything. She does not know what it was she had to do, or who put her up to this. She cannot recall at this time any Death Eaters or suspicious individuals in her pub. Perhaps she will soon remember so we will have a lead. It is quite possible that we will no longer hold Hogsmeade Trips."

All the students were shocked by this. Padma Patil said to herself, "but what will I do when I run out of parchment?"

"You're kidding me!" exclaimed Lydia.

"I'm afraid not," said Professor Hino. "The staff believes that Hogsmeade is not safe for students."

"You can't just discontinue Hogsmeade visits, professor," said Seamus Finnegan. "What happened isn't our fault."

"I understand that," Professor Hino insisted. "It is not up to me, but to Dumbledore and the rest of the staff. We can vote on it, but Dumbledore has the overall decision. This isn't to control you, but to keep you safe."

"But what if there was a way we could be more careful?" Serena suggested. "A buddy system or something, so we can still visit Hogsmeade?"

Some of the students nodded in agreement, stating they'll do anything so they continue

"Any suggestions or ideas will be taken to account," said Professor Hino. "The next Hogsmeade visit is not due for some time, so we do not need to be concerned with that right now."

"So why even bother showing us this?" Pansy Parkinson demanded, nodding to the once cursed record player. "What's this got to do with 'Martial Arts?'"

"To remind you that the Death Eaters are still out there," said Professor Hino. "Hogwarts is not as safe as you think it is, children. They came very close to our school. They placed an unforgivable curse to one of the business owners in Hogsmeade, a village that students frequently visit. Someone wants the Headmaster dead and if you want to make sure that Hogwarts remains intact, that you take the Dark Arts more seriously. Dumbledore is one of the most powerful wizards of the age and the only wizard that this Voldemort fears. We lose Dumbledore; we lose everything."

The students remained silent, trying to take all the news in. The silence was broken when Professor Hino began playing soothing Zen music. Some of the students gasped in surprise.

"Well, now that's out of the way," said Professor Hino. "Let's begin the lesson!"

Though Raye knew her grandfather meant well, she was slightly peeved he talked about her in class. She gave him the 'why did you have to bring me into this?' look when she left her desk. He shrugged at her and looked at her as if to say, "I'm your grandfather. It's my job." Draco waited at the doorway for her and grabbed her arm.

"Draco!" she cried.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," he said softly. "Look, I'm sorry what happened to you in Hogsmeade. I'm glad you're not hurt. You're not scared or anything, are you?"

"No, I'm fine," said Raye, smirking.

"You sure?" he said.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry it had to be you," he said.

"What do you mean?" she demanded. "If it wasn't me, then they would've taken it straight to Dumbledore and he'd be dead. I'm glad it's me. I'm glad we were able to stop the player from getting to Dumbledore."

"Oh, right. Sorry, Raye. Really, I'm so sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" Raye asked. "It's not like you had anything to do with it. Right, Draco?"

"Huh?" Draco murmured. "I—uh—just wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you. I'll see you later."

Draco walked away and Raye stood perplexed as she remembered what Harry said in the meeting. Harry suspected that Draco was behind this. Could be he be right?

Draco couldn't focus on anything after the lesson in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Before going to bed that night, Draco remembered how his life changed when his father was sent to Azkaban after getting caught at the Department of Mysteries. The Dark Lord had a task for him. He offered a way to avenge his aunt and father and gaining The Dark Lord's favor. He had to kill Dumbledore and arrange away for the Death Eaters to break into Hogwarts. He glanced around the dormitory, watching his roommates sleep soundly. Zabini was the only one whose father was not a Death Eater. Why did Voldemort have to choose him? Why not Crabbe, or Goyle or Nott? Draco pulled up his left sleeve to look at his new tattoo. The Dark Mark. Draco sighed as everything became afresh in his mind.

FLASHBACK

Draco was standing in a dark room. The Dark Lord was sitting on an ornate chair of skulls and snakes. Beside him was a girl of eighteen years with short black hair. The chair she sat on was identical except for the fact she was chained to it. She hardly looked at Voldemort and there was a permanent frown on her pale face. Draco had no idea who she was or why she was there.

"K-kill Dumbledore?" Draco asked.

"And bring Death Eaters into the school," added Voldemort. "I trust you can do this, can't you Draco? You are your father's son, of course."

"I am—but I don't know how to kill Dumbledore."

"There is a simple spell," said Voldemort lazily. "I'm sure you know it."

Draco swallowed hard. The Killing Curse. He had seen it before. It probably would be simple enough to use on a spider, but someone like Dumbledore? Could Draco actually point his wand at Dumbledore and say "Avada Kadava?"

"T-there might be a way," Draco stammered. "There's a cursed necklace at Borgin and Burkes and a Vanishing Cabinet. It shares a link with the one in Hogwarts."

Voldemort raised his wand and cried, "Crucio!"

Draco started screaming. The pain was intense. He felt like he was on fire. He writhed and shook on the ground, as if trying to smother the invisible flames. The girl looked away, grimacing.

"Fool, don't you know that Knocturn Alley is in ruins?" Voldemort hissed.

"Stop! Stop!" the girl next to Voldemort shouted, jerking her face at him. "How dare you attack this boy for something I did! I'm the one who destroyed Knocturn Alley! If you want to hurt someone, hurt me!"

She attempted to stand up, shaking the chains that held her bound. "I'm not afraid to fight you again, Voldemort!"

Voldemort remove the curse from Draco. Draco gasped, looking up. "Who—who are you?" he asked the girl next to Voldemort.

"I—," the girl began but Voldemort made a quick motion of his wand to stop her from speaking.

"You address your future lady," said Voldemort. "Unfortunately, she doesn't know her place as of yet. But she will learn. She is death incarnate, the soldier of death and destruction."

"She's a sailor scout?" gasped Draco.

"No longer," said Voldemort said. "She is one of us now."

The girl glared at Voldemort in disagreement.

"Now, we are discussing your duty," said Voldemort. "Do you accept? If you refuse, or fail, then you and your family shall die."

Draco bit his lip. He really did not have much choice in the matter. He reluctantly nodded. He couldn't seem to speak.

"Good," said Voldemort.

The girl began moving her head, squirming toward Voldemort and motioning to her mouth.

"Ah, you wish to speak, my lovely?" Voldemort asked. "I will let you if you promise to behave."

She let out a breath and nodded. Voldemort flicked his wand at her throat.

"Let me help him," she said. "If he manages to find a way for Death Eaters to come to Hogwarts, I want to come."

Voldemort raised the eyebrows he did not have. "What's this? You want to be with the Death Eaters already? Why?"

"Because, Hogwarts has more security," she said. "The other Death Eaters may overwhelmed. Draco needs my help."

"And how do I know you won't use this as an opportunity to escape?" said Voldemort coolly. "You would return to those traitorous sailor scouts the moment you had the chance."

"No, I wouldn't," said the girl. "I just want to make sure Draco succeeds.

"Do not lie to me," Voldemort said curtly. "Lord Voldemort can always tell."

She gasped. "But—"

"I am not letting you out of my sight until you are completely loyal to me. Once you are, I may let you accompany the Death Eaters." He turned his eyes away from her and focused on Draco. "So, you are one of us now, Draco. Let us make this official. Approach."

Draco pushed himself up off the floor and came to Voldemort.

"Hold out your left arm," Voldemort ordered.

Draco held out his left arm, shaking. He knew what was coming. Voldemort pressed his wand to Draco's forearm.

"Watch closely, my dear,' said Voldemort and Draco saw the girl's head turn to his arm. "Someday you will receive this dark gift as well. Morsemorde!"

Draco cried out as the Dark Mark became imbedded into his very skin. It hurt like hell and it looked just as bad.

"Welcome to the circle, Draco," Voldemort said. "Your father would be proud."

Draco looked up at the dark haired girl and noticed that a tear was falling down her cheek.

END FLASHBACK

Draco sighed again and pulled down his sleeve. How did he get mixed up in all of this? How could he possibly do as Voldemort says? He was searching for tunnels within the school and he found nothing. Had Knocturn Alley not been destroyed, then the Vanishing Cabinet in Burgin and Burkes could still exist. He could have asked Mr. Burgin how to fix the broken cabinet at Hogwarts, but he had died in the destruction.

He thought about that girl he saw sitting by Voldemort. She was the one who had done it. He remembered the article from The Daily Prophet. It was a sailor scout. By the sign that was left behind on the street, she must be Sailor Saturn. Draco had envisioned a very strong sailor scout but the girl he met that day was completely different. She had looked defenseless and weak, though furious. Draco had never seen someone yell at Voldemort before. She did not fear him. Though she looked like she couldn't take on a muggle, she looked ready to tear Voldemort apart by that look of determination in her eyes.

Draco hoped that she would become loyal to Voldemort. Maybe even pretend to do so, just so he could have her help. Draco could not do this alone.

TO BE CONTINUED