Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter.
AN: For those who have read "From out of the Past and into Present Dreams" and "Twins of the Moon, Earth and Sun," you may recognize Vincent and Donya Sandmon. They were created by Mae-E and she suggested that I bring them back for this story. In previous stories, Donya was the younger sibling but I decided to make them twins this story. Vincent is half Jamaican and Scottish and I am going to attempt his accent so if it's typed in the style than Jamaicans and Scots don't speak, please don't be offended. I did do my research and tried my best. It was all in good fun. Thanks Mae-E for your help.
Shifts in Destiny
Chapter 7
Keeper Mina
France
Voldemort and the Death Eaters knew they were dealing with more than just Aurors and The Order of the Pheonix. They now had sailor scouts to be concerned with. To prepare themselves, they needed better gear. Twilfit and Tattling, a clothing store that sold special robes and cloaks, had been destroyed along with the rest of Knocturn Alley. Spo not to draw attention to themselves, Death Eaters did not go to Madam Malkin's to get what they needed. Voldemort sent Alecto and Amycus Carrow to Paris, where the best magical tailors set up shop.
"Isn't this exciting, Amycus?" Alecto asked her brother as they walked down the streets of Paris. "I've always wanted to visit Paris."
"Remember, we've got a job to do here," wheezed Amycus. "We're not here to sightsee."
"I know, I know," muttered Alecto. "Let's go hunt some foreign muggles."
"As tempting as that is, younger sister," said Amycus. "We don't want anyone to know we were here. After we lay The Dark Lord's laws enough in Britain, I'm sure he will allow us to take over the rest of the world. Patience."
The fat brunette frowned. "Oh very well."
The Death Eater sibling stopped at Latil's Wizard Clothing, the store that Pierre's family owned.
"Here we are," said Amycus. "Let's get this done quickly."
They entered the door and a tall blonde approached them, speaking in rapid French.
"Can you speak English?" demanded Alecto.
"Yes," answered the woman. "What can I help you weeth?"
"You have clothing for duels, correct?" said Amycus. "We need the best you have. Empowering cloaks and hats, and such. And invisibility cloaks if you have them."
"Empowering cloaks?" said the shopkeeper. "We don't make such things."
"Then what sort of dueling gear do you make, hmm?" Alecto questioned her.
"Free-moving robes," the shopkeeper answered, walking to a rack of robes. "Zeez make the dueler able to move quickly and move about. Zey don't weigh you down like more traditional robes. Zey also have a great defense charm on them, to ward off nasty curses."
The man eyed the colorful clothes for a few seconds. He picked a pink gossamer robe of the rack and held it to the light. "I'm hardly impressed-" he dropped the robe on the ground "This rubbish is for children," said Amycus.
"Actually, professional dueling champions wear zeez," insisted the woman testily.
"Is that right?" said Alecto. "Well, we will need something more than these. Something to increase a caster's offensive abilities. Do you think you can make that?"
"I…" mumbled the woman nervously.
"And we will need about fifty of them," added Alecto.
"Fifty?" gasped the woman. "Whatever for?"
"Just need the stuff," said Amycus.
"I must say I never have seen you in here before," the woman eyed them. "And if you speak English…" her eyes widened. "Who are you people? What is it you want?""
Her hand went to her wand.
"We've told you want we want," said Amycus curtly. "We want robes fit for those that serve The Dark Lord…and if you don't give us what we want."
"We don't deal with dark magic or those who practice it," said the woman. "Get out of my shop! Stupefy!"
With Amycus stunned, Alecto killed the shopkeeper with the killing curse. "Avada Kedavra!"
"Camile! What's going on?" he stopped when he saw his wife on the floor. "What've you done?"
"Avada Kedvara!"
A blast of green light hit him and fell down. Dead.
"Rennavate." Alecto revived her brother. "That's two for me," she muttered. "You are out of practice, Amycus." She giggled and he rolled her eyes.
"I didn't have time to attack, that doesn't count," he said as he got up and brushed himself up. "So much for doing this secretly. The Dark Lord did not want to draw attention."
"They won't know it was us," said Alecto. "I won't put up the Dark Mark."
"If you think that will work," Amycus murmured, picking off the black dueling robes from a rack. "Let's just grab what we can and get out of here before someone sees us."
Alecto searched for other appropriate wares. She found a few invisibility cloaks and unable to resist, she took a witch's slimming belt.
"What're you doing?" Amycus demanded, rushing to her with his arms laden with robes.
"I want to see if it works!" she snapped, placing the belt on. She looked as if she had dropped fifty pounds. "Ooh, nice. I think I'll keep it."
"If you're done fluffing yourself,' muttered her brother. "Let's get out of here."
Moments after the Death Eaters had gone, Pierre walked in holding boxed lunches. "Mother, Father, I brought you some lunch."
When he saw his parents dead on the floor, he dropped the boxes and ran to them. Maybe they weren't dead at all. Maybe they just fell. But when he saw how their eyes stared blankly and mouths were wide open, Pierre knew that it was the Killing Curse that had killed them. His parents didn't have a chance. They knew the basics of dueling, but they were clothiers, not aurors. As far as Pierre was concerned, they had no enemies, no links to the war in England. So who would kill a pair of robe makers? He sat and cried, shock over whelming, unable to piece the mystery together. Who had done this?
Pierre glanced at his parents' blank faces again. Death Eaters. It had to be Death Eaters. They didn't leave the Dark Mark, but only Death Eaters would use such a curse. What brought them here?
Pierre pushed his hair back, thinking fast. France had nothing to do with the war in England. What brought them here? Pierre rubbed his eyes and stood up. It was a mess. He pushed himself up and took out his wand, ready to stun whatever moved. He found that their small selection of invisibility cloaks was missing, along with their dueling robes and one woman's slimming belt. He didn't know how many were here, but at least one of them had been a witch.
Pierre wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to run out and get help. He had to alert someone. But he couldn't. It didn't seem like enough. He had to go find the Death Eaters that had done this and put them to justice. Once he had composed himself, Pierre went back to his home to change in the best dueling attire he owned. It was time for the last of the Latils to join the war.
Hufflepuff was also having a problem before the big game. Luke Stebbins, Keeper for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, fell sick at an inopportune time. He received about a dozen doxy bites in Care of Magical Creatures and was sent to the hospital wing. It was the day before Hufflepuff was to play Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw was a very good Quidditch team. They used tactics that the other houses never attempted.
The Captain, Wayne Hopkins was upset and he visited the hospital wing along with the rest of the team. Lita brought along a bowl of chicken soup.
"He's got to play tomorrow!" he kept insisting to Madame Pomfrey. It was just after dinner and he brought the rest of the team to check on him.
"I suggest you get a new Keeper then," Madame Pomfrey said. "Stebbins is far too sick."
"And this is why I don't take Care of Magical Creatures anymore," drawled Zacharias. "You end up having to take care of yourself instead."
"I'm sorry," Wayne said sadly. "I hope you find a replacement soon. They're welcome to use my broom." He coughed loudly in his hand and fell back down.
"Poor guy," said Lita, watching Hopkins snore.
"He flies a Cleansweep seven," complained Zacharias Smith, who had unhappily joined the Captain to check on their teammate. "No one will want to fly that thing."
"Cleensweeps aren't all that bad," pointed out Summerby, Hufflepuff's seeker. "I ride one."
"Which is probably why you can't catch the Snitch in time!" muttered Zacharias.
"Hey shut up, or we'll be using your head as the Quaffle," Lita hissed to Zacharias. He glared at her but held his tongue.
"Who made back up at practice?" questioned Justin Fitch-Fletchy, another Chaser.
"Stebbins was the only one who tried out," sighed Hopkins. "He played so well before that I didn't think…"
"Hey, cheer up," Lita said. "We'll find somebody."
The team went to the common room to put their heads together. They were coming up short. A rebellious third year threw a fanged Frisbee across the room and Mina jumped to catch it before the toy bit anybody.
"Hey, don't you know these are banned?" Mina demanded. She broke the Frisbee with her knee. "You're lucky I'm not a prefect or you'd get detention!"
"Sorry!" cried the third year and he ran up the stairs to the dormitory.
"Hey, Mina, nice catch," said Lita. "I forget what a natural athlete you are."
Mina smiled and combed her hair with her fingers. "Ah, I don't mean to brag but I played just about every sport in the book."
Lita put her arm around Mina's shoulders and turned to Hopkins. "Hey Cap'n meet your new Keeper!"
"I was thinking the same thing, Lita," said Hopkins with a big grin on his face.
"What?" Mina said.
"Doxies nearly turned Stebbins into Swiss cheese in Creatures today," Lita explained.
"Oh my gosh, is he okay?" Mina exclaimed.
"He'll be okay in a day or two," said Hopkins. "There's no one else that tried out for Keeper. You're our only hope."
"I'd like to help you guys," said Mina. "But I'm captain of the cheer squad. I may be good, but even I can't be the cheer captain and the keeper. Besides, I spent the whole summer writing up new cheers
"Give them to Hannah," said Justin. "We need you more."
"'Sides, you always wanted to be in on the team, right?" said Lita.
"Of course I did," said Mina. "All right, you need a Keeper…I'm your girl!"
Commentating on the match were Scottish-Jamaiacn twins Vicent and Donya Sandmon.. Vincent spoke with a mixture of both accents and slang terms, making it nearly impossible for anyone to understand him. To prevent having to repeat herself or to write things down, Donya had practiced her accent so she spoke only in a Scottish dialect when in the British Isles and she would switch to Jamaican when she was visiting Jamaica. She was one of the very few people who could understand a word her brother said. Only when she got upset or excited, her dialect would become hard to understand. Vincent would always ask his twin sister for favors because she was the smarter one, and she was easier to understand. They were both short for their age and had skin the color of caramel. At the slightest smile, Donya had dimples. Vincent had a hint of a mustache. While Vincent's hair was dark brown, her hair was the color of honey. Vincent had to bribe her in order to get her to interpret for him. He was to buy whatever she needed from Hogsmeade at the next visit.
"Welcome to the third match of the season: Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff," said Donya lazily. "My brother will be commentating, and I am going to interpret for him so you can know what he's saying."
"Looks ike Swebbins inae playa Keepeh nodeay," said Vincent. "Insned is da bonnie dotta Mina Aino."
"Vincent said that Luke Stebbins isn't playing," explained Donya, sounding bored. "Mina Aino is playing in his place. Sounds like Vincent fancies her."
"Watcha doin' sayin dat fer?"
"Oh, I guess I wasn't supposed to say that," said Donya. "Just as well. You know she has a boyfriend in France, don't you?"
Down on the field, Mina giggled.
Lita knuckled Mina in the shoulder. "Geez, Mina. When did you get so popular?" Lita smiled.
Mina answered with an arrogant smile. "I know. People are finally realizing how beautiful and kind I am. My lovely traits speak for themselves."
Lita chuckled. "Your massive blush tells me otherwise." Lita gently flicked Mina's pink nose.
"I'm not blushing," Mina said, turning even pinker. She jumped on her broom and ignored Lita's continued teasing as the captains shook hands.
Madam Hooch released the balls and threw the Quaffle. The players rocketed to their positions.
Vincent rolled his eyes at his sister and continued to commentate on the match, mainly on what Hufflepuff was doing. When he wasn't saying enough on Ravenclaw, Donya would speak.
Mina was an excellent Keeper. No matter what the Ravenclaw Chasers came up with, they were not able to make one score. She used maneuvers that no Keeper had done before, inverting some thing she learned from playing volleyball. She spun her broomstick and spiked the Quaffle, similar to her signature dive-and-bump Volleyball maneuver.
Next time, the two Ravenclaw beaters sent both of the bludgers at Mina just as the chaser threw the ball at the bottom ring. Lita caught one bludger and sent it reeling, but the other one headed for Mina.
Mine threw herself to the side and evaded the bludger. She swung down wither her left arm and knocked the qwuaffle away with her right arm. She used her momentum to complete her swing and land back on her seat.
Lita flew over. "Oh my God, Mina- that was amazing!" Lita exclaimed.
Mina panted. "I know. Aren't I?" She smiled.
"Hey girls," their Captain called. "Gossip later. Play now."
The game continued.
"The new Captain of Ravenclaw is Cho Chang, Seeker," said Donya.
"She 'ood get new Chasers," said Vincent.
"Quiet Vincent!" hissed Donya. "Our chasers are fine…they just don't have the same quality as Roger Davies."
Vincent sniggered and covered his microphone. "Dat boy 'ink he's such a boops but he really is a battyboy."
"He's not a sugar daddy and he's not gay either!" Donya exclaimed and some nearby people gasped.
"You liked him, ninnachoo?" Vincent demanded his sister.
"Can we please focus on the match?" Donya groaned, red-faced.
"Fine, we talk this later," Vincent told her. "And no backchat."
"As long as you no backchat me," Donya muttered.
Lita proved to be an exceptional Beater, not only was she good at swinging the bat but she had a keen eye for the Bludgers.
"Blouse and skirh!" gasped Vincent. "Dichu see Linae hi dah Blugeer?"
"He said blouse and skirt," interpreted Donya. "It means 'wow' and he wants to know if you saw Lita hit that Bludger…which I'm sure you all did. It knocked down Bradley before he got to the goal post. Of course, she didn't have to do that because Mina is just too good."
"Yi hu badmine!" cried Vincent.
"I'm not jealous!"
The crowd made laughed, including Mina. While she laughed, she was unable to stop the score made by the other chasers.
"Aww, hoo bad mon," Vincent said, shaking his head.
"What's your problem?" said Donya. "Hufflepuff is already too far ahead for it to make any difference."
"True, true," said Vincent. "She's da baddest Keeper of dem all."
With Mina making it impossible for Ravenclaw to score, Cho knew she had to catch the Snitch before Hufflepuff made any points. Cho spotted the Snitch before Summerby did. Lita saw her fly after the Snitch and knocked a blugher her way. She veered out of the way just in time and grabbed the Snitch before Summerby.
"The Eagle has caught its prey!" cried the Ravenclaw cheerleaders.
"But it's not enough to feed your chicks!" countered Hufflepuff. "WE'RE BAD! WE'RE BAD! WE'RE BADGERS!"
"Oh, Cho got da snitch," said Vincent. "But Hufflepuff still wins!"
"Vincent and Donya Sandmon," said McGonagal, twisting to the twins. "I don't think it would be wise for you two to continue commentating matches. They are too…distracting."
"Oh, thank Merlin!" sighed Donya as she stood up.
Vincent however was upset. "Oh dis is bad, bad, bad," he groaned as he shook his head. He followed his sister from the stands.
"Told you it wouldn't work," Donya said. "You'd better hold up your end of the bargain. I've got quite the list for the next Hogsmeade Weekend. I'm already low on ink."
"Aight," Vincent sighed.
A week before Christmas break, the students from fourth year up gathered in the Great Hall for the return of the Dueling Club.
"Greetings, students! I'm happy begin the first of many all-school dueling practices," Professor Hino called to the assembled students. "You have probably noticed several dozen oval-shaped circles on the ground. These are the dueling areas for today. Professor Dumbeldoor has enchanted them so any stray spells will be absorbed once they pass over the line."
The school buzzed.
"As promised, professor Flitwick and I will give a demonstration duel. We will duel to disarm and incapacitate; not maim or kill. This is the expectation for you all as well. We will now demonstrate. Professor, McGonagall, if you please?"
McGonagall waved her wand and bleachers suddenly lined the hall. Once the school had sat, Flitwick and Hino took their ready positions.
"Are you ready, professor Flitwick?" Hino asked.
"Very," Flitwick said.
"Begin!" Hino cried.
Both duelers stood for five seconds, then ten, then twenty. Suddenly, they moved as one.
Flitwick whipped his wand, and a red stunning spell leapt at Hino. Hino stepped back with his left foot, and turned his shoulders ninety degrees to Flitwick. The red spell sailed past, inches from Hino's chest.
Hino, without speaking, flicked his wand and sent a sound shockwave at Flitwick.
"Protego!" The shockwave rebounded into the barried and disapaited.
Flitwick pointed his wand. "Perfectus-"
"Exeo!" Hino yelled.
In the middle of his spell, Flitwick's mouth snapped shut and his arm pivoted as if it had been slapped to the side by an invisible force.
Hino whipped his wand and sent a four-foot diameter fireball at Flitwick.
Flitwick made a downward yanking motion with his arm.
"Pondus!"
The firball was sucked to the ground and exploded, blowing large chunks of the floor in all directions.
Flitwick gestured again. "Animata Pupa! Golem Petram!"
The rocks on the ground flew up and formed into a ten-foot rock golum.
"Oppugnare!" The Golum lumbered tward Hino.
Hino drew a piece of paper with Japanese writing and chanted a few quick words. With a deft flick of his wrist, the paper flew and attached to the Golem's head. It froze, it's arm only a foot away from Hino.
Hino ran up the golem's arm and jumped off it's head.
"Reducto!"
Hino called as he descended. The golem blew to smithereens.
Flitwick held his wand aloft.
"Reformate liquidas!"
A rapier made of water formed around his wand.
Hino swung the sword at the descending Hino. Hino hit the ground and rolled under the swing.
"Permute flammae!" Hino spung up behind Flitwick with a newly-formed flame-katana.
High! Low! Middle! The two duelers exchanged dozens of sword blows in seconds. Both bellowed a mighty cry and swung at the same time.
Crash!
The swords smashed together and exploded into a torrent of energy. Both men spun with the flow to face each other again.
Silence.
Flitwick had his wand slotted under Hino's chin, while Hino had his wand lightly pressed into Flitwick's stomach.
A draw.
Abruptly, the two duelers stepped back and bowed as the audience burst into deafening applause.
"That was so much better than watching Lockhart fight Snape!" Ron said to Harry.
The teachers stood at the front and began the meeting by asking the students what they noticed about the duel. A few were confused.
"Um…Professor Flitwick used a shielding charm?" said Neville Longbottom tentatively.
"That's correct." Said Flitwork.. "What else?"
"You weren't just using spells," Hermione pointed out. "You were dodging and when you did use spells, you used them on your surroundings."
"Yes, you were paying attention," said Hino. "That is what we would like to discuss today. You have been learning the basics of martial arts in my lessons. In these dueling club meetings we will combine martial arts with magic arts."
A few students cheered while others groaned. "I don't want to do this muggle fighting nonsense."
"Now, I would like you all to practice," said Professor Hino. "Please work with your partner from your Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons."
There was a mad scramble as everyone sought out their friends. Serena worked with Lydia. Harry's partner was Ron. Both boys stood up and strutted like two fencers about to duel. Hermione and Ami, both clever girls, were partners. In an effort to get him and Raye back together, Mina became Draco's partner and purposely chose the oval next to Raye. No Slytherin volunteered to partner with Raye.
Lita approached Raye. They were partners in Defense Against the Dark Arts because they sometimes sparred in Japan. Lita was usually the first person to scout meetings and to kill some time before everyone else arrived; Lita and Raye would practice their martial arts skills. Raye had to admit, it was a nice break from all her chores.
"Hey, Raye. Ready when you are," Lita smiled.
Raye drew her wand and raised it to the guard position. Lita's smile slipped, but she copied Raye's stance.
"Begin!" Hino cried. The room burst into action.
"Expelliarmus!" Raye called.
"Protego!" Lita said.
The jet of purple light lit low on Lita's gossamer silver shield. Lita stumbled back from the recoil as the spell ricocheted into the floor. The ground exploded; Lita used her left arm to shield her face.
Lita coughed. "Jeese, Raye." She shook her wand arm out. "You nearly took my arm off," Lita smirked.
Raye didn't smile. "Huh," she flicked her hair back. "I thought you liked it tough? Don't you like fighting?"
Lita's smile fell. Where the heck did that come from? Lita thought.
"That was- a long time ago." Lita said slowly. "I've changed since then- you know that."
"Oh, really?" Raye said.
Lita stepped closer. "Yes. I've met people. Serena, Ami, you, Mina-" Lita paused. "Cedric-" she whispered.
"Who reminded you of your sempai, I know already." Raye rolled her eyes.
"More than that!" Lita gestured with her arm.
Some of Lita's hair stood on end. Several flakes of electricity flew off her exposed skin.
"My old sempai dumped me, but- not Cedric. Both he and his family accepted me for who I am; not how tall I am- or who my friends are." Lita's eye's narrowed at something behind Raye. "Unlike certain pure-bloods."
Raye glanced over and saw Draco dueling with Mina.
"Memoror!" Mina shouted. Draco put his hand to his head, closing his eyes of Raye filled his head. He opened eyes and they met Raye's for a short moment until she looked back at Lita.
Raye narrowed her eyes. "It's not that simple."
Raye's eyes smoldered- literally. Tiny steams of smoke leaked out of her tear ducts.
"It's simple enough," Lita said. "If he cared for you- he wouldn't have abandoned you."
The air in front of Raye's wand exploded. "I said-"Smoke also billowed out of the tip of her wand, which was pointed down. Her knuckles were like white pebbles showing through a river of billowing miasma.
"-It's not that simple!"
Raye pointed her wand. "You don't know anything about real life relationships," she said.
"Stupefy!" Rayed shouted.
Lita ducked the curse.
"You've been living in a junior high fantasy for the last two years!" Raye shouted.
Lita rocked back, but then aimed from one knee. "Dammit, Raye! Why don't you get it?" Lita shouted, stabbing her wand at Raye.
"Expelliarmus!" Lita shouted. Bits of electricity fell off from Lita's arm, wand, and her zooming spell.
Raye whipped her wand. "Protego!" A shield snapped into place. It was made of fire.
Lita's green spell smashing into the red shield. The spells exploded with a flash of lightning. After the burst of light, only a billowing cloud of flames remained.
Lita's breath caught. "Oh my God," she said.
After a moment, the clouds whirled in the opposite direction. Inside, Raye's shape could be made out. Lita couldn't tell if Raye was burning.
Suddenly, the flames gathered into a ball in front of Raye; leaving her completely unburned. Raye flicked her wrist, and the flame sphere split into a dozen smaller globes.
"Raye," Lita whispered.
"You! You don't know what it's like to work though problems with a real person!" Raye's hair caught fire, but her skin didn't burn, nor did she react.
She gestured with her whole body, and the flames rocketed at Lita.
Lita gritted her teeth and waved her wand. "Aguamenti!" The flame balls exploded when they smashed into the cold water from her wand.
"Aspergo!" A sphere of fog surrounded Lita and insulated her from the boiling steam. Even so, Lita's left shoulder caught fire.
She ignored this and said slowly, "At least your- boyfriend," she spat the word out, "is still alive!"
She swished her wand, headless of the fire. "Fumotum Locomotor!" The steam congealed together into a seven-foot Chinese dragon. It crackled with green energy. "Oppugno!" The luminescent steam dragon rushed at Raye.
Raye calmly pointed her wand at the beast. "Reducto! Diffindo!"
The steam dragon blew apart, but the steam carried its momentum. Spears of steam and energy cut into the floor and ceiling near Raye. One projection sheared off a two-foot swath of her robes.
Raye was livid.
Lita stepped closer and waved her wand. "Deprimo!" The various chucks of floor and ceiling rose up and swarmed Raye.
Raye didn't use a spell; however, not a single piece hit her skin. Raye closed her eyes- and moved.
She predicted the trajectory and dodged each rock before they hit. She'd never used her physic powers to foresee evens in this way.
She spun in a full circle and flung out her wand.
"INCENDIO!"
Each rock burst into flames, and vaporized. Ash rained down on Raye's torn schools clothes.
The two witches squared off, not ten feet apart.
"Lita!"
"Raye!"
Both teens pointed their wands. "Expelliarmus!" They didn't miss.
Lita was yanked to her hands and knees. Raye's wand got stuck in the ceiling, and Lita's was lost in the rubble.
Both girls stood among the carnage. The entire school gazed at the panting combatants.
Raye talked down to Lita. "You never knew the real Cedric. You knew the fantasy Cedric."
Lita leapt up, one arm cocked back. Lightning sparked in her fist. She raised it to strike, but suddenly, she put it down.
Slowly, Lita took a deep breath. Her voice was quite now. "Dammit, Raye. How could you be so- cold?"
As Lita walked away, a pocket of ozone trailed in her wake. Despite this, water threatened to spill from her eyes.
Lydia traded a look with Serena, summoned Lita's lost wand and then followed Lita out of the room.
After a moment, Raye addressed the gawking room. "What are you looking at?"
The entire school flinched back when Raye flung out her hand- but she only caught her wand when it suddenly fell from the ceiling. She turned on her heel and stomped out of the room. Each of her steps ignited the floor.
Serena hesitated, and then followed her out.
No one said anything.
Then, "Bloody hell," Ron said.
Not even Hermione corrected him.
Mina eyed Draco. "You're not going to go after her?" she demanded him.
"You didn't see Serena do that?" Draco drawled.
"But you wished you decided to go, didn't you?" Mina said. "I saw your leg twitch. You were thinking about it, and I saw how relieved you were when Serena followed Raye out the hall. She was waiting for you to do it!"
Draco made a grimace. He didn't retort because he knew she was right. But she was pissing him off.
"What happens between me and Raye isn't any of your business."
"Raye's my friend," Mina muttered, tightening her hand around her wand. "So it is my business!" She aimed her wand at him and cried "Carpe Retractum!"
Draco felt as though a giant hand grabbed him and began pulling him to Mina. Mina raised her fist and punched him in the jaw.
Draco grunted in pain. "What the?"
"Be grateful I didn't kick you in the nuts!" Mina hissed.
When Draco had control of his body again, he countered with "Depulso!"
Draco's banishing charm shoved her out of the ring, making her nearly lose her balance. "Why you…"
"Enough," said Hino, his voice echoing around the room. All the students' wands ceased their current spells. "Well I think you did quite well for today. Don't forget what you have learned here. You may go."
Draco walked away, ignoring Mina's jeers. Ami walked over to her to see if she was all right.
"I'm cool," she said. "I was able to stop myself from falling down."
"You shouldn't goad him on like that," said Ami. "It's a good think Professor Hino stopped the match when he did, or something bad would have happened."
"Goad him?" Mina demanded.
"Asking him about Raye," Ami explained. "You can't force them back together, you know. They've got to do it on their own."
"I don't see them doing any of that," sighed Mina as they joined the students piling out of the Great Hall.
"Then maybe they're just not meant to be," Ami said simply.
"That's what I'm afraid of," murmured Mina.
"Lita, wait up!" Lydia called to her once they were out of the Great Hall. "You left your wand back there."
Lita slowed her pace. "Hey…thanks."
"You showed great restraint," Lydia said as she caught up with Lita. "I'm impressed." Lydia's eyes softened. "Are you-are you all right?"
"I guess," said Lita. She groaned and shook her head. "Maybe Raye's right. We didn't date. I didn't know the real Cedric. He didn't know the real me either."
"Oh hogwash!" barked Lydia.
Lita looked over, eyes wide.
"You didn't know him very long, that's true, but you did know him. You made that dinner for him and even though he already had a date for the ball, he saved the last dance for you. How many blokes here would do that?"
Lita smiled at the memory. "Yeah. Cedric also helped me with me homework sometimes." She paused. "I've never heard anything bad about him from Professor Sprout or the other Hufflepuffs- or anyone." Lita paused again.
Lydia stepped to Lita's side and gently rubbed her back.
Lita chuckled. "Even- even the bloody Slytherins respected him. He was really- genuine- and fair- and… I-" Lita choked up. "He- oh, damn it! Why did he have to-" Two fat tears leaked out of Lita's scrunched eyes.
"Shhhh," Lydia moved to hug Lita. Lydia continued to rub Lita's back.
After a minute of cooing and rocking, Lydia wiped her eyes and took a step back.
Lita gave a great stuttering sigh. "Sorry," she said.
"It's fine. My Gran used to do that for me all the time. You know- because of my parents."
Lita barked a laugh. "Ha. Listen to us- what a bunch of whiney kids. Cedric would definitely sock me a good one to see me blubbering like this."
"I think he would understand," Lydia said, giving Lita one last squeeze.
Lita and Lydia continued to walk in silence for a while. She rotated her sore arm. "I used to spar with Raye back in Japan. She usually isn't this fierce."
"She's upset about her and Draco," Lydia sympathized. "And she took it out on you."
"Well until she apologizes to me," said Lita. "I'm not going to be her partner in Defense anymore."
"Knowing Raye's temper," Lydia said, glancing back at the Great Hall. "You're going to have to wait a while."
Raye heard someone running behind her. She spun around, pointing her wand. "Back off, Lita!"
Serena screamed and threw her arms up in the air. "Whoa! Raye, it's me! Don't shoot!"
Raye groaned. "What do you want, Meatball Head?"
"Just checking on you," answered Serena. "Why did you have to be so…intense with Lita like that?"
"Thought she liked it that way," said Raye, stowing away her wand as she turned back around. "Always said when we practiced our martial arts together that I had to amp it up."
"That's not what I meant!" Serena spat. "You were cruel to her; humiliating her in front of everyone. See what being in Slytherin house has done to you?"
"Not all Slytherins are a bunch of pureblooded punks, all right?" Raye retorted. "I've actually made some good friends in this house."
"If you say so," Serena muttered. "I'm sorry things didn't quite work out with Draco, but you don't need to take it out on your friends."
'I didn't mean too," Raye said. "I just had an argument with Draco earlier today and…"
"And what?" prompted Serena.
Raye sighed and shook her head.
"He was late to Runes class," said Raye. "Professor Babbling called him over when class ended and I…hung back by the door to listen. He used to be really good at Ancient Runes, and his grades are failing. So after Professor Babbling spoke to him, I asked I could help him and he snapped at me. Told me to stay out of his business."
Raye's eyes began to brim with tears. "I was okay at first, really, after Draco and I talked on the train. I was glad we could talk, and get some things out. But now, I'm really, really worried about him Serena. He's in real trouble, I'm sure of it but he won't talk to me!"
Serena put her hand on Raye's shoulder. "Have you spoken to Professor Dumbledore about this?"
Raye shook her head. "No, and even if I wanted to, he's hardly here."
"Oh, right," Serena said, remembering that Dumbledore had already left. It seemed like the only time he was at school was for Harry's lessons. "Then perhaps Professor Snape. He's your head of house."
"I don't know," said Raye.
"Well, if you said something to him," Serena suggested. "Maybe he could help. He's a Legilmens, right? Draco might be able to hide from you, but not from Snape; unless he knows Occlumency."
"All right," said Raye. "I'll do it."
The night before students left for the Christmas holidays, the guardian cats were roaming the halls. They always did that after students went to bed. It was quiet and they used the time to find anything out of the ordinary.
"I wonder what the girls are going to do for the holidays," said Artemis.
"Snowball fights, looking for boys," said Lucky casually. "Wild parties.
"I do hope the girls don't slack off and do as Professor Hino said," Luna told Lucky and Artemis. "His advice in the dueling club meeting will be helpful for them."
"Our girls have been sailor scouts for a long time," Artemis said brightly. "They know what they're doing. It's the other students you oughta worry about. But don't worry; we'll make sure the girls don't waste their vacation. I don't doubt Dumbledore has tasks for them when they return to home."
They were passing Professor Snape's office when they heard voices. The cats ceased their conversation and stood closer to the door.
"You're acting really careless, Draco," Snape was saying. "Walking about at night. If Filch had found you instead of me then do you know what trouble you would be in?"
"Well he didn't," Draco grunted.
"What are you doing out of bed?"
"None of your business," snapped Draco.
"I am your head of house," Snape reminded. "I've been told that your grades are dropping."
"Who told you that?" Draco shouted.
"Does not matter who," said Snape. "You have a brilliant mind. This isn't like you, Draco. This has something to do with your task with the Dark Lord, isn't it? You are a suspect in the case of Katie Bell."
"I had nothing to do with it," Draco said."
"I made a promise to your mother to help you. I made the unbreakable vow. I can help you."
"I don't need your help."
"What are you hiding from your master, Draco?" Snape inquired.
"I can ask you the same thing, 'Half-Blood Prince!'" Draco cried.
There was a silence and then Snape said softly. "What are you talking about?"
"It's true, isn't it?" Draco demanded. "You're a half blood, aren't you? Does He know about this? Does my mother? I knew you and my mother are having an affair but couldn't you at least have the decency to tell her you were a halfblood before you tried to sleep with her?"
"She knows," said Snape, trying to keep his voice calm. "She always knew."
"But my father doesn't, does he?" said Draco. "Or The Dark Lord? You just wait until they find out the truth about you!"
"Draco, calm down," said Snape. "Where are you going?"
The cats were down the hall by the time Draco reached the door. They looked at each other with the exact same expression: shock.
"Voldemort gave Draco a task?" said Luna.
"Snape's a half blood prince?" gasped Artemis.
"And he's having an affair with Draco's mother," said Lucky with a smirk. "Go Snape."
"Lucky!" Luna hissed.
"What?"
"Shh!" said Artemis. "We've got to tell the girls about this!"
AN: thanks to Ducks-Go-Aflack for doing the professors' battle and Lita and Raye's battle.
TO BE CONTINUED