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

Shifts in Destiny

Chapter 13

Power Trip

A week went by and Serena and Harry still weren't talking. He tried several times to apologize but she wouldn't listen. When he saw her standing next to Draco at their first Appiration lesson, he was wondering if their relationship was going to end. It was bad enough for Harry to watch his girlfriend sitting next to Draco and helping with Transfiguration. Why was she standing next to him now? Was it possible that Serena would break up with Harry and start dating Draco? Curious and paranoid, he started edging over to them. He had to know what they were talking about.

"I might have had too much at dinner," Serena said, patting her tummy. " I wonder if that make apparating any harder…but that apple crumble looked so good!"

Draco groaned and looked at the door. If he could apparate yet, it would be outside this room.

Twycross, an old, wispy sort of man from the ministry was their apparation instructor. He waved their wand and wooden hoops appeared in front of the students. "The important things to remember when Apparating are the three D's!" he said. "Destination, Determination, Deliberation!

"Step one Fix your mind firmly upon the desired destination," said Twycross. "In this case, the interior of your hoop. Kindly concentrate on that destination now."

For Serena and her sailor scout friends, this wasn't a first for them. Whenever they did a sailor teleport, they all had the same destination in mind. If any one of them was thinking of some place else, their teleport did not work. Serena looked at her hoop, but so many other places were in her head.

The places and people she knew in Japan. The first place she thought of was Darien's apartment. It was always so warm and clean and inviting. She didn't know why, but she missed that place. She didn't like how she ended things. She didn't say goodbye or tell him what she planned to do. After Voldemort returned, the scouts came to Japan to ask the outers for their help. She and Lydia had tried to talk to him but he wasn't home. At the time, Serena was relieved, but now she wished she would have had the chance to speak with him. With Lydia there, he was likely not to flip out. He would listen. Maybe even offer to help, or even tell her he will keep an eye on things in Japan for him. When Molly informed her of his accident, she didn't try to reach out to him. Not a care package or anything.

She thought of all her favorite hangout spots. Crown Game Video Arcade where she would play Sailor V games for hours and flirt with Andrew. Did he miss her? It was crazy to think. He was one of her first crushes, but she wondered if he was still there or if he was working somewhere else. The taste of sundaes filled Serena's mouth when she thought of Fruits Crown Parlor. It reminded her of Lizzy. She was always so nice, and was generous with Serena's orders. Sometimes she gave her drinks on the house.

There was also the Cherry Hill Temple, the usual locations for their scout meetings. What happened to it now that the scouts where in Japan, along with Grampa? He sent Chad off to go form a band. Grampa probably didn't think that Chad had the capacity to run the temple without him. Grampa didn't tell them what he did with it.

Serena chuckled as the place entered her head, but she thought about her old school. Serena wasn't a good student. She hated sitting in class listening to Haruna drone on and on about things that didn't make sense. Serena hated the pop quizzes that the extremely hard tests. Though there was one thing she did like about school, and that was eating lunch with her friends out on the grass.

There was also a destination she could not picture; the location of fellow sailor scout, Hotaru. Where in the world could she be right now? Was she all right? What was happening to her? Though Serena's eyes were on the space within the hoop, her mind was in a dozen places.

"Step two," said Twycross, "focus your determination to occupy the visualized space! Let your yearning to enter it flood from your mind to every particle of your body!"

Serena could not think for the other scouts, but she wanted to be back at Darien's apartment, just one last time—at least to apologize and to tell him that she was okay. She wanted to see how her friends Molly and Melvin and all her normal friends were doing. She wanted to see Hotaru. She wanted to give her a message that they were doing all they could do to find her and bring her back.

There were so many places in her mind, but could she possibly be at them all at once? Though Serena no longer had the ability to turn into Sailor Moon and thus perform a Sailor Teleport, she felt as though she could go anywhere, even back home. The desire to see all her friends was undeniably strong.

"Step three," called Twycross, "and only when I give the command…turn on the spot, feeling your way into nothingness, moving with deliberation! On my command, now..one—"

Many people looked confused and alarmed to being asked to apparate, but not Serena. She couldn't wait to have a go, whether she was too full from dinner or not. She wanted to- had to see her friends. She wanted a break from Hogwarts and the fear of Voldemort's reign of terror, just for a moment.

"two—"

Serena closed her eyes. She could picture Darien's apartment so clearly and she her old school and all her favorite hang out spots. As for Hotaru, she could see her sitting in a cold, dark cell with Voldemort torturing her into madness. She mouthed their names.

"Darien. Andrew. Lizzy. Molly. Melvin. Hotaru."

"THREE!"

Everyone spun around and over half of them lost their balance. No one made it in their hoops, even the sailor scouts. Harry glanced at Serena's spot.

"Serena?" Harry looked at her hoop. She wasn't standing in it or anywhere near it. Draco was lying flat on his back, gazing open-mouth at where Serena had been standing moments before.

"Malfoy!" Harry shouted. "What've you done with Serena?"

"N-nothing!" Draco said. "She just disappeared!"

"Why isn't she in her hoop?"

"Damned if I know," Draco pushed himself up. "She started glowing as bright as day and then her hair started moving-,"

Harry pulled out his wand and fired a Stinging Hex at Draco's mouth. Draco stumbled, backing up as he grabbed his mouth. Harry advanced on him as he got about a foot away from Draco, Harry was flown backward. Draco took out his wand and was about to use a curse of his own when the House heads intervened.

"Enough!" they shouted.

"Professor McGonagal!" shouted Harry as Ron and Hermione were helping him up to his feet. "Serena's gone! I think Malfoy did something to her!"

"I told you," Draco said, rubbing his mouth. Speaking felt weird to him, much in the way some people feel after they go to the dentist and the Novocain started to wear off. "I didn't do anything! She disappeared on her own!"

"Enough!" Professor McGonagall approached them.

"Professor," said Harry. "Something happened to Serena. She-,"

"I saw Potter," she said. "And if you weren't so quickly to put the blame on Draco, you would have noticed that some people couldn't apparate at all!"

She nodded to five girls laying flat on the floor. They were the sailor scouts. Their neighbors and a few teachers were trying to get them on their feet. Noticing that one was Raye, Draco took a step forward then stopped himself.

"What is going on?" he demanded. "People don't pass out when they're trying to apparate."

McGonagall didn't reply. "Now if you want to pass your apparation test," McGonagall warned. "You pay attention to Professor Twycross and not each other! If I will have to tell you again, it will be detention for both of you!"

Harry glared at his nemesis, which he returned. Neither of them wanted to continue the training. Twycross cleared his throat and then called for everyone's attention. It wasn't easy. People where chatting about their performance, laughing at themselves and of their classmates.

Professor McGonagall left the Great Hall to contact Professor Dumbledore. As busy as he was trying to find the Horcruxes, he instructed McGonagall to contact him in case of an emergency. Whether the scouts were going to wake up in five minutes or five days, or if Serena was on the other side of the world or just outside the school, McGonagall was not going to take any chances.

Serena opened her eyes and found herself in Darien's apartment.

"I don't believe it!" she exclaimed. "It actually worked!"

She walked over to the counter, expecting to see a picture of them together but the picture frame was gone. Serena sighed. She shouldn't be surprised. He might have thrown it out after their big fight and the break up the last couple of years. She walked about the apartment, looking for something new. She began to wonder if she was even in the right apartment. Was it possible that Darien didn't survive that accident? Maybe he had passed away in the hospital and someone else had moved into his apartment? She looked around the apartment. It had been a long time since she had seen it but she had been there many times. She couldn't had forgotten what the interior looked like could she? She looked around the apartment. The bed looked the same. There wasn't anything on the top shelf of his bookshelf next to his bed. There were some self-help books on the coffee table. She stepped over to look at the titles but before she could look at them, she was standing outside the Cherry Hill Temple. The place was packed, more so than ever before. She stepped forward but she didn't see anyone dressed up as Shinto priests and priestess. People were standing in line, some of them dressed pretty fancy. They were all talking fast. There was someone standing at the front looking nervous.

"When is the show going to start?"

"How long do we have to wait?"

She looked at a banner hanging at the entrance: "Fire River Theater Presents: Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

"What the?" Serena murmured.

A large razor flashed right in Serena's face. She gasped and backed up. A man with crazy black hair was trying to get passed her.

"Sorry…bit late! I'm coming I'm coming!"

The man hurried and the person at the front sighed in relief. Serena chuckled and then she found herself on the school grounds watching her school buddies eat lunch.

Melvin was trying to get Molly to eat some organic super health food bars that sounded like it was made in a science lab rather than a kitchen.

"Nope, I'll just have my peanut butter and jelly," Molly insisted.

Melvin turned to the other girls. "Won't you like to try some Vit Five bars? It has something from the five basic food groups!"

"And which ones would those be?" questioned one of the girls. "Dairy, meat, fruit, grains and yuck?"

"You guys are missing out," he said, taking a bite of the bar. "Serena would try it."

"I absolutely would not!" Serena exclaimed.

Melvin and the others gasped and looked up to Serena. Melvin started choking on his bar. Molly shrieked and jumped to her feet.

"Serena!" she ran to her and embraced her. "When did you get here?"

"Just a few minutes ago," Serena said.

"Are you moving back?" Molly asked.

Serena shook her head. "No, I just wanted to drop in on you guys to see how you were doing. Um, Melvin, you all right?"

Melvin put his hands around his neck. Molly went to him and was asking him questions while the other girls tried not to laugh. Serena glanced around and then she was whisked away to Crown Parlor. Darien was sitting in a booth with Lizzy, their heads together and looking cozy. Serena gasped. She knew that he had given her rides on his motorcycle, but she never dreamed they'd become a couple. Next to the booth was a wheelchair.

"Ready to go, Darien?" Lizzy asked.

"Yeah," he said.

Lizzy stood up and positioned the wheelzhair closer to Darien's seat. He pushed himself out of the booth and into the wheelchair, Lizzy guiding him. Serena gasped. Why was Darien in a wheelchair? Whatever happened to him?

"D-Darien, what happened to you?"

Lizzy wheeled the wheelchair around. She smiled. "Hi, Serena! I haven't seen you in a long time!"

She pushed the wheelchair to Serena. Serena was staring at Darien in the wheelchair. Darien was looking at Serena, she looked familiar but he couldn't' place her.

"Visiting from England?" Lizzy asked.

"Er, yeah," said Serena. "Darien, what happened? I heard about your accident…are you going to be okay?"

"Have we met?" Darien said politely.

"You don't remember?" Serena asked. "We used to date."

"Oh, right," said Darien, shaking his head. "I might remember a picture of you."

"Don't worry, Serena," Lizzy said. "He's got a touch of amnesia, but I think his memory is coming back. After the accident, he was paralyzed from the waist down. He's getting better though. On Christmas he was able to stand up out of his chair on his own. It was amazing!"

"Still a mystery though," said Darien. "I haven't been able to stand on my own since."

Lizzy squeezed his shoulder. "You will soon. I know it."

Darien placed his hand over hers softly.

"Are you guys a couple?" Serena asked before she could stop herself.

Lizzy blushed a little. "Well, I—I—I'm not sure." She tried to pull her hand away, but Darien kept onto it.

"I don't know if we could call ourselves that," said Darien. "But she sure has been a big help to me lately. Anyway, I've got to get to my physical therapy appointment. It was nice seeing you, Serena."

"Yeah, bye," said Serena.

They strolled out of the diner and Serena was at Game Crown Center. She was watching Andrew show a new hire the ropes. He looked like a nerd right out of high school.

I used to come here all the time my friends," the guy said enthusiastically, "now I get to actually work here!"

"You'll love the tournaments we have with the employees after hours then," Andrew said. He noticed Serena and stopped. "Hey Serena, what a surprise!"

"Oh, hi," said Serena with a wave.

"Serena, this is Zeke," Andrew said. "Today's his first day. Zeke, this is Serena, she was a regular here a while ago."

"Hi, Zeke," Serena said. "I think I remember seeing you here before."

"You probably have," Zeke admitted.

"So, the arcade getting busier?" Serena inquired.

"A bit," said Andrew. "But you see, I'm switching jobs now that Rita and I married."

"Wow, congratulations!" Serena exclaimed. "Sorry I couldn't be there."

"It's all right," said Andrew. "I know that you moved. Say, how are things in England now?"

"Oh, good," she answered. "I'm just here on a short visit. I missed everyone."

"You'll have to keep in touch more," said Andrew. "Well, got to finish showing Zeke around. See you, Serena!"

"Bye!" said Serena and she walked out of the arcade. Instead of seeing the busy street, she was standing in a forest in the middle of nowhere.

"What the heck?" Serena scratched her head. "I don't remember thinking about this." Serena walked around, thinking hard. What were the places on her visiting list? Darien's apartment, check. Cherry Hill Temple, check. School, check. Arcade, check. Café, check. She was able to see the people she had hoped to see in Japan. The last person on her list was Hotaru. Serena stopped walking. Was she perhaps in Hotaru's surroundings? Was Hotaru close?

"Hotaru!" Serena exclaimed. "Hotaru, can you hear me?"

There was no answer. She tried calling again, but then stopped. If Hotaru was out here, there was a chance she was not alone. What about Death Eaters? What about Voldemort? Gulping, Serena took out her wand and cautiously walked around. There was no sign of life anywhere. If she was near where Hotaru was hiding, there was a chance there Voldemort had traps laid out and charms to prevent anyone from finding his lair. Hotaru could be anywhere.

"I'm sorry, Hotaru," Serena whispered. "We'll find you, somehow." Not wanting to be wandering in a strange place anymore, Serena thought of Hogwarts and appeared just outside the gates, which were closed

"Ah, dang it," Serena groaned and raised her wand. "I hope they can see this. Expecto Patronum!"

About half an hour passed when Hagrid came bustling to the gate, looking excited. "Oh we're so glad you're all right, Serena," he said. He looked like he had been crying. "Where've you been? Hurt?"

Serena shook her head. "I'm okay, Hagrid. I didn't mean to worry anyone. I was just thinking of my friends in Japan and I ended up there."

"Li'l homesick, eh?" he said, fiddling with the gate.

Serena nodded. He let her in and she followed him up the road. "Quite a stir after you disappeared. All the girls fainted right when you were gone."

"Oh gosh, are they all right?" Serena exclaimed.

"Madame Pomfrey reckons so," he answered. "It's like they have been Stupefied, but there's no spell or potion that can get them to wake up at the moment. They will wake up on their own soon enough, I'm sure."

Serena sighed and shook her head. "Oh it's my fault."

"You had nothin' to do about it," Hagrid said.

"Yeah, I did," Serena insisted. "Whenever I do something that requires a lot of energy, and I don't have any of my own, I 'borrow' from the other girls. They'll be out of days just so I can take a quick trip home."

"Now don't worry about it," said Hagrid. "The girls will be fien and you're back safe and sound. McGonagall's got a hold of Dumbledore. He'll want to see you when you get in, I'm sure."

"I'm expelled, aren't I?" Serena questioned.

"Now don't go thinking that," said Hagrid. "Dumbledore's a good man. He won't expel ya."

"Thanks Hagrid," said Serena.

After saying goodbye to Hagrid, Serena took the spiral staircase to Dumbledore's office. He stood up and smiled.

"Ah, Serena, enjoyed you trip?"

"I'm so sorry, Professor Dumbledore!" Serena cried, plopping in her chair. "I don't know how it happened! I was thinking about how much I missed my friends back home, and somehow I took energy from the other scouts and went to Japan instead of my hoop!"'

"It's quite amazing yes," said Dumbledore. "We'll look into it."

"Will my friends be all right?" Serena asked. "I didn't wipe out all their energy, did I?"

"I don't' think so," Dumbledore answered. "Professor McGonagall noticed that the symbols on their foreheads were glowing when you apparated. It was quite bright, but we don't know if the brightness have anything to do with the magnitude of the energy they were putting out. We will see in time."

Serena nodded.

"For the next lesson, just focus more on the inside of your hoop than anything else. You're lucky that you didn't splinch."

"I'll be sure to do that," said Serena.

"So, how was Japan?" Dumbledore asked.

"Oh, things are great," Serena said. "My friends are doing well. Everything is about the same—except that the Cherry Hill temple is a theatre house now."

"Really?" Dumbledore said. "I do like theater myself. You know Hogwarts had put on a play a few years back on one of the tales of Beedle the Bard…perhaps we should do that again."

"Yeah, that might be pretty cool," said Serena.

"Well, anything else?" Dumbledore looked at her and his blue eyes looked searching. Serena bit her lip.

"Y-yeah," Serena sighed. "I was thinking about Hotaru. I wanted to know if she is okay. I'm sorry, that might have been dangerous. If I wounded up in Voldemort's lair, I would have been in big trouble!"

"Oh I don't think anyone can access Voldemort's lair by apparation besides himself," said Dumbledore. "When he wants his Death Eaters, he sends for them."

"Oh, well that's good," Serena breathed a sigh of relief. "But, wouldn't I go anywhere near where he is?"

"Not likely."

"But I was thinking about Hotaru," said Serena. "Not Voldemort, but instead of appearing in some dungeon like I was thinking, I ended up in a forest somewhere. There was nobody around. It didn't look like the forest on the grounds either."

"If Hotaru was in the same vicinity as Voldemort," said Dumbledore. "You would not be able to apparate to her either. I'm sorry."

Serena sighed.

"I would advise you not to try apparating to her again," Dumbledore said. "You were very lucky."

"Wait, so I can still take the lessons?" Serena asked.

"Yes, you weren't meaning to do any harm," said Dumbledore. "Since you are unable to transform, you will need work on your witch skills. There may be some hidden sailor power within you that you may need to balance, same for the rest of the scouts."

"Ok sir, thanks," said Serena. "Can I go visit my friends?"

"You may," said Dumbledore.

Serena walked down to the Hospital Wing. As she was about to walk in, Draco stepped out. "Hi Draco!"

He glared at her. "You ought to be careful when you're apparating."

"Yes, I'm sorry," she said. "Is Raye and the others okay?"

"Go see for yourself," he said, walking off. As Serena stepped in, Hermione telling Harry off.

"He just wanted to check on Raye," she said.

"Oh, don't tell me you're starting to get sweet on him too!" Harry said. "First Raye, then Serena and now you? Why don't you become his tutor in Potions or something?"

"Stop it!" Serena exclaimed.

Harry turned around and his face softened. "Serena!" he ran to her, trying to hug her but he pushed his arms down. "You okay? I thought Malfoy had-,"

"Gosh, Harry, every time something bad happens," Serena hissed, "you try to pin the blame on Draco! He had nothing to do with it, okay? I disappeared all on my own!"

"Are you all right," Hermione asked. "Where'd you go?"

"Japan," Serena said stiffly and Ron wolf-whistled.

"Wow, have time to bring back any snacks while you were out?" said Ron.

"Ron!" Hermione chided. Serena shook her head.

"Look, guys," said Serena, "I'm okay…can I just be alone with them?"

"Sure," said Hermione. "Let's go, Ron. Harry…Come on, Harry!"

Harry lingered behind. "Can we talk later?"

"Just go," said Serena, not looking at him. Harry sighed and walked out. Serena looked at her friends in the beds.

"Sorry about this, guys," she said. "I didn't mean to. I hope you're not angry with me. I hope you get your energy back soon. Maybe things would be easier, if I could still turn into Sailor Moon."

TO BE CONTINUED