Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter.
Shifts in Destiny
Chapter 8
Reports
Since the last Dueling Club meeting, Raye had in a sour mood. To prevent bloodshed between the former friends, Professor Hino to separated them. So Lita traded for Lydia, and Raye for Serena. Raye bit her lip as her eyes lost focus. Lita had no idea what a real relationship was like. She had no right… but… Draco's further actions seemed to vindicate Lita's words. And Raye had been horrible to Lita… but Raye could count on one hand the number or times she had apologized to someone. It just wasn't in her nature. Yet, Draco continued to drift away.
Draco's behavior wasn't making sense. Draco and Raye seemed to have reconciled on the train ride last September but since then he was sending mixed signals. Something was definitely up with Draco.
Raye had a feeling Draco would stay at Hogwarts, and she wanted to stay there for that reason. Without the school full with students as usual, she would be able to corner her him and give him a piece of her mind. Unfortunately, her grandfather got wise about her intentions and insisted that she go spend the holidays at headquarters with her friends. As if she didn't already have enough fuel to her fire. She knew what her grandfather was doing. He wanted to keep her from Draco, a Death Eater. She was getting enough trouble from her friends about Draco. She didn't need it from her grandfather too.
She tried looking at it from all sides. Yes, he was a spoiled brat and really nasty to everyone. He thought he was better than everyone else just because he had money and could trace his magical lineage ten generations. Draco was a lot of things, but he wasn't a murderer. Or was he?
Raye bit harder on her lip as she made her way to the train. When she arrived to the Hogsmeade train station, she saw students dance from foot to foot while waiting to board the train. Already there had been half a dozen Howlers encouraging recalcitrant students to return home for the holidays.
Raye snorted set her trunk down with a loud thump. Like Voldemort would actually attack the school. It would be much too costly for him. It was the kind of obvious observation that caused Raye to doubt the collective intelligence of the world.
They might be right…
She noticed Draco walk up near the other students. He was smiling as he watched other students talk nervously about going home. He found the uneasy atmosphere entertaining. Just like his dad. He liked watching people suffer. Maybe she was just fooling herself. Draco, after all, was a son of a Death Eater. It seemed like she was just wasting her time trying to "save" the scoundrel. She had better things to do, like save those that actually wanted to be saved. Students who really wanted to have a safe place to learn magic. She decided to give him the cold shoulder. It was hard but it had to be done.
She let out a breath. "C'mon, Raye."
As she was about to board the train, Draco spoke up. "So where are you going for Christmas, Raye? Nott's? Zabini's…no, don't tell me, Weasley's? Oh please, you're not going there are you? I've seen it in the paper. It looks like it's going to fall apart sooner or later."
Raye whipped around so fast that she almost fell in the snow.
Draco gave her his best Malfoy smile, but Raye wouldn't have it.
"[None of your business!]" Raye said in Japanese.
Draco's smile fell a bit as he watched Raye stomp off, half dragging, half carrying her trunk. Little cinders and red sparks spiraled out of her long hair in random places. It was mesmerizing.
"You know, you're very beautiful when you're angry!" Draco shouted when she was ten feet away. He smiled as he saw her stiffen and clench her fists. She looked back and gave him a glare. Her eyes were slightly widened, and her hands were so tight they were white. She stood as tall as she could, and it looked like she was trying to set him on fire with her gaze. And the thing was, she probably could.
Oh, God, that was so hot. Draco gave her a stupid grin.
Raye made a frustrated sound, and turned away. She stomped off to the platform. Draco watched her swishing, smoldering hair retreat.
Ever since their fight in dueling class, Raye's body became like a heater on legs. She would turn the chilly dungeon into a sauna in seconds. She got angry at the smallest, pettiest little thing and that's when people knew when to keep their distance. All except Draco. It reminded Draco of what attracted him to her in the first place. That fire, that spark, that heat. It was consuming. It made him want to be closer to her, even though he knew he'd get burned. He would sometimes make her angry on purpose, just so he could see that fire light up in her eyes. It was an escape from his painful reality. He was a Death Eater now and was supposed to do something he'd never thought he'd do. It was driving him mad. How he wished he could just go back to the ways he could before, but he couldn't.
It wasn't just Raye having issues with spontaneous combustion. There was also Raye's former partner, Lita. With her it wasn't fire, but electricity. The tall girl now gave whoever touched her a static shock. Draco could see her from where he stood. She was very tall, after all. From his spot by the carriage depot, he could just make out the frizzy stands sanding up, as if the tall girl had recently encountered an electric fence. Draco frowned, trying to make sense of it. Why was she doing that? Could she be a sailor scout too, like Raye? It would make sense…he tried to picture which one she could be, but every time he tried to compare his face to the scouts', his brain got fuzzy. He never actually had seen them.
Draco was distracted from his musing by the arrival of another carriage. Some Ravenclaws stepped out, but two girls lingered nearby. Draco listened in, just as his father had taught him. Lucius was a bastard, yes, but Draco respected his father's value of information…just as his father had taught him.
"I think we should stay at Hogwarts," one of the Ravenclaw girls said. "Mum might not let us leave again,"
Draco realized it was the Patil sisters.
"No way. Mother would come here and drag us home if we didn't come for Christmas," the one with red trim on her robes said.
"Interesting…" Draco muttered.
"Yeah." Parvati sighed. "I just hope she realizes that we're safer here at Hogwarts."
"I wouldn't say that," Zacharias Smith, a Hufflepuff and former member of the DA drawled as he exited from another carriage. "You heard that someone is trying to kill the Headmaster, haven't you? A matter of time until they succeed."
"Professor Dumbledore is the most brilliant wizard in the world!" Parvati snapped.
"He's not getting any younger," Zacharias insisted. "And have you noticed that half the time he's gone? How is he supposed to protect the school if he isn't here?"
Parvati bit her lip, glaring at Zacharias.
"Maybe Professor Dumbledore is doing something really important," Padma pointed out.
"More important than defending his students?" Zacharias asked. "And what about those sailor scouts? They saved Potter at the Ministry of Magic and they saved Eileen Vance from some Death Eaters, but what are they doing to protect Hogwarts? Are they too busy acting like amateur Aurors to give the school some more protection?"
"You shut your mouth, Smith!" Draco hissed, striding up to him. "What do you know about the sailor scouts? Nothing!"
"And you think you know more?" Zacharias sneered.
"You have no idea," Draco said.
"No one knows who they are or where they came from. They just seem to…show up whenever something goes wrong," Padma said.
"Yeah, makes you wonder, don't it?" Zacharias said, turning to the train. "It doesn't really matter where we go. You-Know-Who's going to get us in the end."
"I wonder if Zacharias is right," Padma sighed. "What if You-Know-Who wins?"
"Ha!" exclaimed Parvati. "We've still got Dumbledore and we've still got Potter. So far, so good."
They picked up their bags and started across the platform towards the train. Draco turned and walked away from the train. He knew Smith was wrong. The scouts were at Hogwarts, but not even they could stop Voldemort's plans. Sooner or later, Voldemort would come to Hogwarts. No one could stop Voldemort. Not the sailor scouts, not Dumbledore, not even Harry Potter.
Raye slammed a compartment door shut, threw her trunk up on the rack and kicked the seat. Stupid Draco. She was supposed to be giving him the cold shoulder. He was avoiding her all year. Now he wanted to try to make conversation? That didn't make any sense. But then…That jerk! He was just trying to piss her off! He thought it was funny watching her set things on fire!
"I'm not going to let him get away with this," she said. "I'm going to give him a piece of my mind. Not going to let him use me for cheap entertainment!" She glanced out the window, trying to see if he was still out there where he was standing moments before. But he was gone. Had he already boarded the train? Raye stepped out of the compartment.
She didn't know what she was going to say to him, but she would be damned if she let him have the last word before the holiday break. She'd gone up and down the train. When she was about to give up and leave, she saw fellow Slytherin Blaise open a compartment and she hurried to his. She silently cursed herself for not thinking it before. He slept in the same dormitory as Draco. He had to know.
"Blaise! Where's Draco?" she asked after she caught up to him.
"Weren't you just talking to him?" Blaise asked.
"Yes, but, I don't know if he's on the train," she said. "So, where is he?"
"No idea," said Blaise.
"Did he say if he was staying here or going home?"
"I really don't know," Blaise muttered.
"Oh, come on!"
Blaise sighed. "Raye, you've got to let it go. He broke up with you."
"I know that," Raye ground out. "I know you know something, so spit it out or so help me I'll set your hair on fire!"
"All right, fine!" Blaise cried. "Merlin, you're scary when you're angry."
Raye folded her arms and smirked. Got that right.
Blaise shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Honestly, woman…I know I'm gonna regret saying this but if anyone would know, it would be Crabbe or Goyle. They're the only two he talks to these days."
"They're on the train?" Raye asked.
"Yeah, heard Goyle last night complain about going home," Blaise leaned against the door with a grin. "Apparently his mother is a lousy cook."
"Thanks, Blaise, I owe you one," Raye said. "I'll go-"
Someone grabbed her arm from behind. It was Serena.
"Raye, important meeting," she said.
"I'm busy, Serena," Raye hissed, glaring.
"You can chat with your Slytherin pals later," Serena said. "Sorry, Blaise."
"I'm not the one you're supposed to be apologizing to," Blaise smirked and went into the compartment with Theodore.
"I don't have time for this," said Raye. "The train is going to be moving soon and I have to talk to Goyle."
"Why, you going to spend Christmas with him?" Serena asked, raising a brow.
"No I just wanna talk to him about…it's not any of your business, okay?" Raye snapped, flicking her hair back.
"Okay, fine," said Serena. "Whatever. But this is important. Luna and the others discovered something last night."
They entered a compartment consisted of the other sailors along with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Serena sat next to Harry and he put his arm around her shoulders. She lifted her hand to grasp his. Ray snorted, but then noticed Ron look at Ami. She was sitting by the window; book in hand with, Hermione next to her. Ron was making it obvious that he wanted to be "more than friends with her" but he never made a move. Perhaps he was worried about "scaring" the shy girl off. Apparently, Raye wasn't the only one with relationship problems. It did give her some comfort—but she did however wish Ron would do something about it.
"There you are, Raye," said Mina. "How are you?"
Raye and Lita exchanged glares. Raye didn't sit down. Instead she folded her arms and leaned against the compartment doors. "Hmph. Let's just get this over with." She looked at the floor.
"All right, Luna," said Serena. "Tell them what happened."
"Wait," said Hermione. She stood up and pointed her wand at the compartment doors. "Silenco!"
"Good thinking," said Harry.
"All right," said Hermione. "Go ahead, Luna."
"The three of us were walking around the dungeons last night," Luna said, "and we overheard Snape speaking with Draco."
Harry straightened up. "What did they say?"
"Apparently, Snape found Draco wandering the school after hours," Luna continued. "Snape somehow knows that Draco is working on a task for Voldemort. Snape offered to help him and mentioned something about making an 'Unbreakable Vow'"
"Unbreakable Vow," murmured Ron. "If break you it, you die."
Serena gasped. "That's awful!"
"That proves it then," said Harry. "Voldemort has charged Draco for a task—probably to kill Dumbledore."
"Hey!" Raye looked up and glared at him. "You don't know that."
"I guess you don't know Draco as much as you thought you did," Lita chuckled.
Raye turned her gaze to Lita. "He's not a killer."
"We know that someone is trying to kill Dumbledore," Lydia told her. "And it's gotta be someone at Hogwarts."
"Anybody could have sent that package," Raye said.
"Look, if Draco is the one trying to kill Dumbledore," said Serena, waving her hands. "There's no way to know for sure unless he tells us, and I doubt that he's willing to admit it."
"Well, did Professor Snape say what the task was?" Raye demanded. "Did you actually hear him say something about murder?"
"No, we didn't," said Artemis.
"So the task could be something else!" Raye cried.
"Phhhf," Lita muttered. "This is Voldemort we're talking about. What do you think it was?" Lita arched a brow. "Iron his socks?"
Raye sniffed imperiously and looked away. "Oh, please. Draco..."
The train lurched and started moving. Raye looked at the window and sighed. If Draco had been staying at Hogwarts, it was too late for Raye to talk to him.
"There's more," said Lucky. "It seems that Snape is a half-blood Prince... or something. And, he is having an affair with Draco's mother."
Everyone gasped and began speaking at once, except for Raye. Lita whistled.
"Could you imagine what would happen if Lucius finds out?" Lita chuckled.
"He'd probably kill Snape!" Ron excitedly. "They might kill each other off."
"Ron!" Hermione gasped.
"Wait! Are there witches and wizards in royalty?" Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head. "Not since a thousand years ago. Hogwarts, A History says that the wizards and witches closest to royalty were the founders."
"But that doesn't quite answer the question," Lita frowned. "Is Professor Snape really a half-blood Prince?"
"Maybe the royal line comes from his muggle side," said Hermione.
"You think he's related to the queen?" Harry asked her.
"Sounds a little farfetched to me," said Mina. "And say he is a half-blood Prince, what's that supposed to mean? Is that good or bad for Voldemort…or Dumbledore maybe?"
"Well, if a wizard is going to try to get the crown, then it's bad for the country," said Lydia. "Who knows what he'd do."
"Maybe Snape being a half-blood Prince is the reason why Voldemort recruited him in the first place," said Harry. "So he could control both sides."
"But Harry, you've always said that Snape is up to no good," said Hermione, "and you've never been right about that."
"What about Voldemort, then?" said Harry.
Raye laughed. "Come on, you guys sound so ridiculous. It could be just a handle, something Snape made up. I overheard him say that when I stayed at the Malfoys for Christmas last year."
"What, you knew?" asked Serena.
"Yeah, I knew," said Raye. "I knew he used to call himself a half-blood Prince and was having an affair with Narcissa."
"Why didn't you tell us that?" asked Mina with a frown.
"Didn't seem all that important," Raye shrugged. "I reported on more important things, like Voldemort's new pet snake and Draco figuring out that I was Sailor Mars. Why should it matter to the Order if Narcissa and Snape are having an affair?"
The group went silent for a minute.
"I've heard enough," she said. "If there's anything important, send me a memo." Without another word, she left the compartment
"I wonder if this is worth looking into," said Ami.
"I can look over old wizarding documents," Hermione said. "See if I can find a wizard that married muggle royalty or a muggle that married wizard royalty, for that matter."
"When can you do that?" Harry asked.
"I don't think I'll be able to do much over the holiday," Hermione admitted. "I'll be at my Uncle's ranch and they don't have internet out there. Internet access would make the search easier. Maybe I'll see if I can make any progress with my elemagi powers."
"What's an internet?" Ron asked.
"It's just a way most muggles do their research," Ami explained. "That's okay, Hermione. When we get back to Hogwarts, we'll search the old archives in the library. You told me it has everything."
"Thanks, Ami," Hermione said.
"Anyway," that's the report," said Artemis. "Try to be safe this holiday so you can return to Hogwarts in one piece."
"I think now that we've cleaned the Dark rubbish out of the house," Harry grinned, "so that shouldn't be much a problem this year."
The conversation became more light and comfortable as the group shared Christmas plans. Lita leaned back and removed Mrs. Diggory's letter from her pocket.
Lita,
Amos and I really enjoyed having you for Christmas last year. It was no problem at all. We were glad to have you.
Professor Dumbledore has informed us that you are currently staying at the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. We know that it has recently become more livable and you had planned to spend your Christmas there. But, we would love to have you for Christmas again this year. We wanted to surprise you at the train station, but we understand that Professor Dumbledore wants to know where his students are staying for Christmas. We have already run it by him and he said it is all right with him as long as it is all right with you.
We do hope you can be with us. We have a special gift we would like to give you.
Much love,
Sidney Diggory.
Since Lita had received Mrs. Diggory's letter a week before, she had read it almost a hundred times. She'd kept in touch with them since last Christmas. She'd send a note about her studies or a thoughtful wish for Easter and she'd receive a treat every so often from Mrs. Diggory. After Cedric's death and the Ministry's conspiracy against Dumbledore and Potter, the Diggory's were the few people who believed Harry. They haven't joined the Order, but they were willing to help where they could. She didn't want to spend the previous Christmas at Headquarters so she "invited" herself to stay with them. She had her fingers bitten enough from the doxies and other pests that infested number 12 Grimmauld Place.
"You're really excited with that letter, aren't you?" Lydia said.
"What?" said Lita. "Am I?"
"She's right," said Mina. "I saw you read it about a hundred times. You must be excited."
"You can say that," Lita said. "Ever since I invited myself over last Christmas, Mrs. Diggory has been sending me treats and giving me some help on my homework."
"It's great that they're keeping in touch with you," said Serena.
"It is too bad that they havn't joined the Order though," said Harry. "We could use some more numbers."
"They help where they can," Lita sighed, folding her letter and putting it away.
"You okay, Lita?" Mina questioned, noticing her faraway look.
"Yeah, I'm fine," said Lita. "Just excited about and Sidney's surprise...
"I wonder what they're giving you," said Mina. "I know…a new car!"
Lita chuckled. "Come on, they're purebloods and I don't think they even know where to buy a car."
"I know, I'm just playing with ya," said Mina. "But I wonder what they're getting you."
After Raye left the group's compartment, she decided to find Goyle and Crabbe. She peeked through each compartment's window until she found them. Once she had, she opened the door and stepped in.
"Hey guys," she said. "Do you know if Draco is going home? I haven't seen him on the train."
Goyle and Crabbe exchanged looks and shrugged. Crabbe grumbled and dug through his bag for his comic. Goyle rubbed his head and looked at Raye.
"He's staying at Hogwarts," he said.
"How come?"
"Well…" Goyle began and Crabbe glared at him. Goyle shook his head.
"Come on you guys," Raye said, irritated. "You are the two people that know Draco best. What's up with him?"
"He just didn't want to go home," Crabbe muttered.
"Yeah," Goyle grunted. "He and his Mum aren't gettig' on."
Now she understood. He didn't have his trunk with him. But why was he standing by the train anyway?
"Oh, okay," Raye said. "Well, er, happy Christmas, I guess." She left the compartment, scowling.
It was only after Raye had left that Goyle noticed the fire on Crabbe's pant leg...
Unsure where to go, Raye returned to Blaise's compartment.
"What'd Tsukino want," Blaise asked her.
"Just some lame girl talk," Raye muttered.
"Were you able to find Crabbe and Goyle?"
"Yeah," Raye folded her arms and leaned back. "Draco's staying at Hogwarts, but they wouldn't tell me why. They're hiding something."
"Well, I guess you're out of luck then," Blaise said.
Raye narrowed her eyes. "Men…"
When the train returned to London, parents lined up to grab their children and go. They didn't linger, despite there were Aurors standing about. Lita and Lydia stepped down the stairs together, hauling their trunks.
"You sure you don't want any help with that?" Lita asked the other girl. Lydia was red-faced and struggling to overcome gravity in the form of her chestnutey-oak trunk.
"No," Lydia set her trunk down at the bottom of the stairs. "But I wish they would get rid of those damn underage magic laws." She scrubbed her face and offered a off-kilter smile.
Someone cleared their throat behind them. When they turned, they saw Amos and Sidney Diggory.
"Hello, Lita," Sidney Diggory said.
"Hey Mrs. Diggory- Mr. Diggory," Lita said. "This is my friend, Lydia."
Lydia shook hands and said hello.
"Lita's told me so much about you," Lydia said.
"She has?" Sidney tilted her head.
"All good, I promise," Lita laughed.
"Are you ready to go?" Amos inquired. "I mean—you can take time to say goodbye to your friend here."
"Sure," said Lita. "Hey, are you all right Mr. Diggory?"
"Yes," he said, though he looked a little nervous.
"Go have fun," said Lydia. "He looks like he's just anxious to get home."
Lydia smiled at her and went to join her parents. Mr. Diggory offered to take Lita's luggage but Lita insisted that she had it covered.
"Thank you so much for coming to spend Christmas with us, Lita," said Sidney. "We have been looking forward to your visit."
"Thank you for inviting me," Lita beamed.
Everyone said their goodbyes and wished each other a Happy Christmas and went to spend Christmas with their families.
Instead of Mina's mother approaching her, it was Fleur.
"I'm here on behalf of the order. I have 'orrible news," Fleur said, looking worried.
"What's going on?" Mina asked.
"I'll tell you at 'eadquarters," she explained. She looked at Harry, Ami and Raye. "I was sent to get you."
"Headquarters, are you in the order?" Harry inquired.
"I was thinking of joining for a while," admitted Fleur. "So I can help Bill…but then…something very bad happened, and I had to join right away."
They left the station and then to a car Mina recognized as her mother's. Harry and the others piled into the car, Mina riding shotgun. "Mom?"
Susan Aino bit her lip and patted Mina's leg before starting the engine before rolling away. "I'm sorry, Mina."
"Sorry for what?"
Susan shook her head and focused on driving. Neither Susan nor Fleur said anything until they got to Headquarters. They walked in to be welcomed by Sirius and the others. Sirius put his arm around Harry and led him in.
Harry glanced around the entryway. It was cleaner than he remembered at summer and there were festive decorations on the walls.
"Place looks great," said Harry.
"I do my best to cover up the old house," Sirius said with a heavy sigh. "But it's still full of bad memories. I only stay here to help the rest of the Order."
"We can get a place at Hogsmeade," Harry suggested.
"Yes, if Dumbledore approves," Sirius said. "Come in, everyone. We have important news for all of you."
Harry and the others sat in the dining room and Susan looked at Fleur. Fleur heaved a heavy sighed and began.
"I'm so sorry," she said. "I received an owl from my parents back in France. They said that Latil's Wizard Clothing has been robbed and that…Andre and Camille are dead."
"No!" Mina stood and knocked her chair over. "What about Pierre? Is he all right?"
"We don't know," said Fleur. "He's missing."
"Do you know who killed them?" inquired Harry.
"We suspect Death Eaters," answered Fleur. "No way of knowing for sure."
"You said the shop was robbed," Ami said. "What'd they take? It might give us a clue."
"Yes, we've got a list," said Susan, clearing her throat as she pulled the list to her. "Missing items: fourty-eight dueling robes. Twelve pairs of dragonhide boots and gloves, enchanted. One slimming witches belt, black."
"Slimming Witches belt?" Raye said. "What the heck…are you sure that was part of…the same loot that was stolen?"
"Yes, it was counted with the rest," Susan said. "It wasn't reported stolen at any other time."
"If it had been the Death Eaters…then they're suddenly trying to work on their image," Raye snorted.
"Oh shut up, Raye!" Mina scowled. "It gives us a clue of who took it!"
"Sorry," said Raye.
"And that's why I decided to join the order," Fleur said. "If Pierre was kidnapped, then maybe I can help find him."
"Thank you, Fleur," murmured Mina. "Oh poor Pierre…I've got to do something. Send him an owl…something!"
"That's not a good idea," said Raye. "If he had been kidnapped, Mina, then you don't want the Death Eaters to get your note."
"Damn!" she hissed.
"Is anybody on this?" Raye inquired.
"The French Ministry of Magic is investigating," Sirius explained.
"Well, since we're all giving reports," said Harry, "I suppose we've got some information."
Raye relayed the information about Snape being some so-called "half-blood Prince," his affair with Narcissa Malfoy, and Draco being a suspect in the attempted murder on Dumbledore.
"It's not Draco," sighed Raye. "Everyone thinks it is. Anyway, I don't want to talk about that. What about Hotaru? Has anyone found any clue onto where she might be?"
She looked at Amara, Michelle, and Trista. They sighed and shook their heads.
"We haven't picked up on any of her energy or powers," Trista said. "She's must be drained of all her energy."
"What about Snape?" Harry inquired, sitting up. "He's our spy for the Death Eaters, isn't he? He ought to know where Voldemort is hiding her!"
"I've already asked him," Raye ground out. "He doesn't know."
"But what about their base? They've got to have a Headquarters or something."
"When Voldemort wants to speak to someone, he sometimes goes to them," Raye explained. "Snape believes that he is probably moving place to place."
"Maybe he's got a secret keeper?" Ami suggested. "And Snape just doesn't know who it is?"
"I doubt that Voldemort would trust one person to have that information," Harry said.
"Anybody have some good news?" Mina asked, looking around and wringing her hands.
Trista smiled. "We are doing our part to protect the muggle community, as well as the Wizarding community. I have people coming to see me after they receive threats from the Death Eaters. One person in particular does concern me: Helen Montgomery. She works in the Department of Experimental Spells, and the Death Eaters are trying to get her to help them. So far she has kept them away. I told her to move and she's safe…for now."
"We are helping Dumbledore find the Horcruxes," said Amara. "We've found one so far and I think we are coming close to finding another. Voldemort has a lot of history, and we don't know where he has travelled except here and Albania."
"Dumbledore's been showing me memories about Voldemort when he was younger," Harry said. "I suppose he wants me to know all this, for some reason."
"In case something happens to him," Michelle said. "We know that he's the one wizard Voldemort fears and with Dumbledore out of the way…"
"Then the whole world is in danger," sighed Harry.
After the Order gave their reports, Mina headed to the front doors. She had just grabbed the door handle when her mother grabbed her by the arm.
"Thinking of playing hero, Mina?" she said.
"I've got to find Pierre," Mina told her.
"And just how do you plan on doing that?" Susan pressed. "Do you know where he is? Do you know if was kidnapped, or he's still in France lying low somewhere? Or perhaps…he's trying to track down his parents' murderers?"
"I—I'll figure things out!" Mina hissed, jerking her arm back.
"Say he has been kidnapped and you have to fight through a legion of Death Eaters to get to him," Susan said. "How do you plan on fighting them when you're an underage witch outside of Hogwarts?"
"I don't have to use my wand!" Mina cried. She raised her hand and summoned her change rod. Mina shoved the orange change rod under mother's nose. "See this? This makes me transform into the legendary soldier Sailor Venus!"
"Yes," Susan sighed. "I know about your superhero identity, dear," She pushed Mina's hand aside. "I had my suspicions you had been Sailor V for some time. How you would disappear at night, the news reports…but we're not dealing with petty criminals here, sweetheart. We're talking about an evil wizard here with a multitude of servants and dark creatures at his disposal."
"But I'm stronger now, Mom," Mina groaned. "I've fought monsters and psychotic aliens…things that make Voldemort and his Death Eaters look like Santa and his elves!"
Susan laughed sourly and shook her head. "Oh, you remind me so much of myself when I was your age."
"Oh please, Mom," Mina said. "Not one of those, 'when I was a kid,' stories."
"I think you need to hear this one," Susan said firmly. "I lost a lot of close friends to Voldemort. Some he killed; some he recruited. I was furious. I wanted to do something. I just couldn't stand it. Roger and I joined the Order around the same time as Lily and James did. The four of us were tracking some Death Eaters. Roger was killed right in front of me. Lily and James saved me."
Mina stared at her in surprise. She felt new tears filling in her eyes. She quickly rubbed her eyes.
"I made a promise to Roger. Roger told me to get out if things got any worse. Because I was Muggleborn, you see. I wanted to keep the Muggleborns safe. I remember pleading with Lily to come with me. But she wanted to stay with James."
Susan forced a tearful laugh. "I thought Lily would be furious with me for leaving and trying to get her to come with me, but she understood. She also seemed to understand that I would come back. She told me we'd see each other again."
Mina calmed herself enough to look up. "What happened?"
"They were killed a year later," Susan said. "That is why we returned to England. I wanted to try to raise Harry. Maybe make it up to James and Lily somehow. But when we arrived and I spoke to Dumbledore, he told me he had Harry stay with his aunt. Even though Petunia was muggle, the protective charm Lily placed on Harry that night was in Petunia's blood. She would serve a more protector than I. I was so angry…I knew Harry wouldn't be happy there. Lily told me how Petunia was jealous about Lily being a witch, and humiliated her for it. Petunia would treat Harry no different. In anger, I told Dumbledore that I wouldn't let you go to Hogwarts and I'd raise you as a muggle."
"So that's why you never told me," Mina said, softly. "I'm sorry, Mom. Um-what did Dad think about all this?"
"He didn't understand much about the magic stuff," Susan admitted. "But he understood promises and friendship. When I explained to him that Lily and James had been killed and their son orphaned, it he convinced me to go back and see what I can do to help. I was afraid but if it weren't for him…well…I don't know what would have happened."
Susan pushed her back. "I know how crazy it is to be here when friends are dying and missing. But trust me; there is a fine line between hero and fool. You can still help Pierre here. You don't have to go out looking for him. Not until you know where he is, and you know you can get him."
"I don't really feel like going to the apartment," Mina said. "Can we stay here?"
"What for?" Susan asked.
"I want to be here in case the Order learns anything about Pierre," Mina explained.
"It's Christmas break," said Susan. "Your father will want to see you."
"I know," Mina groaned. "Maybe he can come here? Please? I want to stay here."
"Surely you don't plan to spend all of Christmas holidays here, do you?" Susan inquired.
Mina wanted to. She wanted to stay at Headquarters and ask everyone every five minutes if they heard anything about Pierre's whereabouts. She would drive them to the point of insanity.
"Well, I'll come home for Christmas," Mina agreed. "I'll just stay here for the night. Will you explain things to Dad? Give him my love?"
"Yes, all right," Susan sighed. "I'll be back tomorrow morning to get you."
Mina glanced at the clock again. 2am. She sat in front of the mirror and brought the brush to her hair. She brushed a few times, but then set down the instrument with a noise of frustration. She got up, pacing in front of the window and glancing out of it every few seconds.
"You don't think…they got him, do you?" she asked Artemis. "What if…he's…dead?"
"Mina, he was one of the Beaxbatons students to enter the Triwizard Tournament," he said. "And we've seen him work spells. I'm quite sure he's fine."
"But he wasn't picked," said Mina. "And we're not just talking about an obstacle course here, Artemis, we're talking Death Eaters and Voldemort…only the worst wizard in the country, maybe the whole world!" She collapsed onto her bed.
"Your mother's right, you know," the cat said. "We don't even know if Voldemort has him. Maybe he's hiding out in France."
"But wouldn't he have sent us a letter or something?"
"Well that would defeat the purpose of hiding, wouldn't it?" Artemis said.
Mina gave him a sour look. "That's not funny."
Artemis put a paw on her knee. "If it helps, I can talk to the cats of London to keep an eye out for him. See if they can find out anything."
Mina raised her eyebrow at him. "What?"
"Hey, how do you think I learned about all the crime in London?" Artemis chortled. "Technology? No, my dear, Venus. I have connections…"
Mina laughed. "Thanks Arty."
As the country was preparing for Christmas, Voldemort was preparing for domination. After Voldemort had been 'reborn,' he decided to remain at the Riddle house and make it the Death Eaters headquarters.
Hotaru was sitting in the drawing room with Voldemort. He was in the middle of torturing one of his subjects at failing to capture Ollivander.
"Out of my sight, Macnair," he hissed. The man stepped out.
"I'm about to run out of Death Eaters," Voldemort muttered. "So pathetic."
"Good help is hard to find these days," Hotaru said. "You know what I think, Voldemort? I think your Death Eaters are getting caught on purpose, so they can get away from you." She gave a sarcastic laugh. "You treat them-"
"Crucio!"
Hotaru slid out of the chair, screaming and writhing. A second later, the pain stopped and she took in a deep breath.
"Like rubbish," she finished with a strained smirk.
"Watch your tongue!" Voldemort hissed.
"Or what, you'll torture me some more?" Hotaru demanded, pushing herself up. "You know you don't want to torture me too much, or my mind will turn to mush and then what good would I be to you? Let's face it, Voldemort. You need me."
Voldemort lowered his wand and if he had any eyebrows left, they would be furrowed in frustration. He knew she was right. But could she be trusted? Ever since he had abducted her she was putting up a good fight. Her mind was getting softer so he didn't torture her as often as he had in the beginning.
"I'll make you a deal," said Hotaru. "You let me go get this Ollivander for you, and I won't escape. Merlin knows I can do better than your Death Eaters, and I'm supposed to be one of the good guys."
"You think I'm a fool?" Voldemort said.
"I know you're a legilmens," said Hotaru. "Do I sound like I'm lying?"
Voldemort didn't answer. He couldn't tell, but he didn't want to admit it. "Why would you do this? You have resisted me for some time. Say I let you go to Ollivander and find the Order protecting him. What will you do? Will your former alliance be a problem? Won't you just return to them?"
"What alliance?" Hotaru said, combing her hair back. "I don't remember making some kind of oath or something. I was just there because I had no where else to be. And let's be honest…there are so many order members, that the headquarters was packed. He's got nine sailor scouts helping him. Who've you got? A handful of pathetic Death Eaters that are beginning to think a lifetime in Azkaban is more beneficial than a lifetime licking your boots? Dementors? Undead? Perhaps I ought to remind you I'm the scout of death in destruction and such creatures would follow my command more likely than yours."
"I have used dementors and inferi before," said Voldemort.
"Oh yes, and I'm sure they followed you…blindly," Hotaru said. "But that was before I came into the picture, wasn't it? Time is running out you know, and you're running out of help. You don't have your most faithful servant anymore."
Voldemort pretended not to care. He didn't care about his followers, but Bellatrix had been the most faithful of his servants.
"You don't want my help, fine. Then torture me until my mind is gone. Kill me. Then when no one else is around to help you rule the world, the sailor scouts will destroy you. You would be wise not to underestimate them."
Hotaru sighed. "I will go to my room now. Let me know what your decide."
When Hotaru made it to the doorway, Voldemort told her to wait.
"I will send you," Voldemort said. "Fetch me the wandmaker and we'll see if you have a future here. I'm sending some Dementors and Death Eaters to assist you. Fail and I shall kill you myself."
Hotaru looked at him over his shoulder. "I'll have him by sunrise."
Moody and his partner Indigo had been Ollivander's guards since the incident with Tonks. They had already stopped two attempts to abduct Ollivander. There had not been an attempt for weeks. It was the night before Christmas and people were doing last minute shopping. Indigo volunteered to leave early so she could make them a meal at her flat near Diagon Alley. Ollivander was not safe at his home and Moody's home was too far away from Ollivander's business.
Ollivander was helping his last customer, Oliver Wood, find some wand polish.
"My dad's wand's pretty old," he said. "And he just ran out of polish."
"Ah, I know the one, Mr. Wood," said Ollivander. "Cedar, unicorn hair and twelve inches…yes, cedar must be polished regularly."
"Might want to hurry up," growled Moody, who was on guard duty. "It's about closing time."
"Er, I'll just get his usual," said Oliver, pointing at a jar of wand polish.
"Better get home before it gets dark, boy," muttered Moody as Oliver paid for the polish.
"Thanks for your concern, Mr. Moody," said Oliver, "but I can take care of myself."
Suddenly, Moody straightened. "What the bloody-" Moody trailed off and he looked at the door leading through the shop. "I don't believe it."
Moody's arm hairs curled. Oliver got goose-bumps. The windows crackled with frost.
"Dementors…" Ollivander whispered
"There's dozens of Dementors coming from the front- we can't go that way." Moody growled. "And, there're shapes coming in the back," Moody paused. "Bugger! They have something blocking me eye. I can barely make anything out."
Moody grabbed Ollivander and spun in a circle, but nothing happened.
"So, they've blocked apparition," He muttered. He tapped his wand to a stool and examined it for a moment. "Portkeys too, obviously."
"You, boy!" Moody hissed to Oliver. "Stay here with Ollivander. Call Dumbledore with a Patronus."
"I can't cast a Patronus!" gasped Oliver.
"Damn!" Moody muttered, but he didn't have time to argue with the Quidditch player. He pointed his wand and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!" a silver owl flew from his wand and out of the shop. "Find Indigo!" he ordered his Patronus. It flew out through the chimney.
Outside, Sailor Saturn lined up her troops.
"They're sending a message to the Order!" yelled a death eater.
"A message they won't get in time," said Saturn, her voice sounding detached.
She raised her voice, and said, "Can you hear me, Garrick Ollivander? The Dark Lord demands your company. Surrender now."
"I don't believe it," murmured Moody. "It's one of them..."
"Who?" said Ollivander.
"You are outnumbered, surrounded and outmatched," Saturn continued. "I'll give you one chance to come surrender, or we'll come take you. You have until the count of three… One…"
"I'm going out there," Moody said to Oliver. "When I have them busy get the hell away from here!"
"W-What?" Oliver said.
Moody pushed the door open and sent his Patronus at the dementors in front of the Death Eaters. The dementors scattered and Moody stunned the Death Eater nearest to him. He raised his wand at Sailor Saturn who raised her glaive.
"Silent Wall!" purple iridescent wall appeared in front of her. Moody's hex bounced off her shield.
Moody twirled, dodging a green curse, and stunned another Death Eater. Dementors swarmed towards him.
"Now!" he cried and he cast his Patronus at the dementors. Several black-scabbed hands tried to reach past the silver aspiration.
"Bombarda!" The side wall of Ollivander's shop exploded. Through the dust and debris, two shapes ran out.
"After them!" Saturn exclaimed. "Take them alive!"
Several figures pursued Oliver and the wandmaker up Diagon Alley. Halfway down the next street, Oliver opened a door with a flick of his wand.
They found themselves in… Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"Find a place to hide," Oliver whispered
"Alastor told us to…"
"I know. But maybe we can hold their attention long enough for him to double back and punch a hole for us."
"I see. We'd be wide open in the streets, but we have cover in here."
"Right," Oliver nodded his head with confidence. A fleck of sweat dropped off.
Oliver mopped his forehead with his robes as he fingered his wand. He'd gotten an Acceptable on his Defense OWL… and he hadn't taken NEWT level Defense. Why did Dumbledore hire such pathetic teachers for Defense?
"Bollocks," he muttered. He was a professional Quidditch player, not a bloody secret agent. All he really did was catch flying balls for a living.
Through the windows he could see robed figures breaking into the surrounding shops. He had, perhaps, thirty seconds, until they busted in. He couldn't feel the chill of the dementors. They must have stayed back at the wand shop.
Oliver rubbed his slick hands on his pant legs as he looked around the shop for inspiration.
Elbow pads. Service kits. Golden Snitches; beginner, intermediate, and professional speeds… bloody good a crate of Beater bats would do him now.
Oliver furrowed his brow, and thought, Wait!Beater bats… but by that logic, that means…
"Reducto!"
The doors exploded inwards.
Oliver ducked behind a broom case and waited for the dust to clear. Through the glass of the case he was hiding below, he counted five figures trooping inside in tight formation.
"Point me," one of them said.
"Bollocks." Oliver whispered. Suddenly, he saw something. He smiled.
"Hey!" The one who had spoken said. "I've got some-"
"Reducto!" Oliver yelled.
A crate exploded into a million wooden projectiles, and a dozen black Bludgers thundered out.
Several of the figures screamed and collapsed. Some of them simply dropped. Bludger to the head tended to do that.
Most of the balls escaped outside, but two of them bounced around inside, destroying everything.
Oliver stood up and pointed his wand at only attacker who was still moving.
"Expelliarmus!" Oliver said.
"Protego!"
Oliver's spell bounced back and hit him in the chest. The Quidditch Keeper flew backwards and smashed through several display cases.
Oliver's head rang and his vision wavered as he cast about for his wand. His fingers landed on a small, wooden object. He crawled off in another direction.
"They're here!" Someone yelled.
"Bollocks… Bollocks… Bollocks…" Oliver muttered as he hyperventilated. "I'm not cut out for this."
There was a flurry of activity from the other side of the shop, and then, nothing.
His vision had settled and the ringing had retreated to a quiet white-noise in the back of his sinuses. He couldn't hear any activity, so he peered around the corner.
Ollivander was held at wandpoint by a tall man, who was flanked by half a dozen other men.
"You are coming out now, da," the tall one said. "Or ve cut off ze vand-maker's arm."
"You've got to be kidding me," Oliver muttered.
"Vun…"
Oliver glanced at the object in his hand. Not a wand… a beaters bat. "Well, bugger me and God save the Queen…"
"Two…"
"Okay! Don't shoot!" Oliver got up and held up his empty hands. "I'm here, don't-"
The tall one pointed his wand. A bright green light rushed at him. Oliver dove to the side…
Moody stood, wandless, his back to a wall. Surrounded.
"Give up," Saturn said.
"Why don't you give up," he panted.
"I think I've given up enough," Sailor Saturn said icily.
Moody thought a moment. "Girl… If you had a choice… is this where you would be?"
"If I had a choice?" Saturn echoed.
Greyback, who stood next to her, made a laugh like a growl. "Choice? Coming for Ollivander was her idea." The other Death Eaters chuckled, nodding their heads.
"What?" murmured Moody.
"It is true," Saturn said. "I volunteered to get the wandmaker and destroy any auror that stands in my way."
"I don't believe you," said Moody.
"Well, I don't quite care what you believe," Saturn muttered. "Allow me to give you a parting gift. The gift of eternal silence!"
Moody reached for his backup…
"Silence Glaive!"
The Death Eaters laughed as Moody's body fell to the ground. The dementors came near her.
"You've done well," she said to them. "You may have a soul or two…but leave soon."
The wall between Diagon Alley and The Leaky Cauldron opened up to reveal several people. Out rushed Indigo, Lupin, and Sirius. Sailor Mars and Mercury followed from the rear.
"Can you find Alastor?" Indigo asked Mercury.
Mercury opened her visor. "That way. Eighty meters." She pointed.
The others took off in the indicated direction.
When they got close, Mercury said, "There's some interference from all the magical fallout, but I think there's someone in the alley over there…"
Mars and Mercury entered the shop, while Indigo rushed down alleyway, calling for Moody's name. She found him against the shop's wall.
"No," she collapsed beside him and leaned forward to touch his face. The others crowded around her.
Remus checked his neck. "We're too late," he muttered. "He's dead."
"And Olivander's gone," said Mars.
"What a fine Christmas this will be," said Sirius, "when everyone learns that England's best Auror is dead."
TBC