Disclaimer: I do not own SM or HP.

Hogwarts Secret Scandal 28

Apologies and Confessions

Knowing how quickly her cousin fled to Darien's office, Mina didn't have to second guess who Serena's mystery man was. Mina smirked to herself as she walked down to the dungeons. All the girls have received their transformation rods, used them and regained their memories. They have been reunited. Now they had to find their advisor cats, Artemis and Luna.

"Artemis," Mina whispered sadly. It was such a long time since she had seen him. She doesn't even remember saying goodbye to her dear cat at her last battle. And Reenie…whatever happened to Reenie? Wait…Reenie…Reenie was already here! She was in her house the whole time.

Mina dashed down to the common room, jumping the stairs. She shouted the password at the stone wall and scanned the common room. In the corner of the common room, sat the pink-haired scout in training.

"Reenie!" Mina exclaimed.

"I didn't do it!" Reenie exclaimed as if she was in trouble.

Mina hurried to Reenie and embraced her. "It's so good to see you again!"

"Nice to see you too," said Reenie.

"You've come to help us remember, haven't you?" Mina asked, bending down and lowering her voice. "You helped me with the costume for the ball. You knew to make the Sailor V outfit and you sent me my transformation pens."

"You remember?" Reenie asked. "Serena too?"

"Yeah, we've just transformed," Mina replied, "we fought with some trolls and acromantulas in the dark forest. Something weird is happening to them. The centaurs told us that everything is changing. We've got to hold a scout meeting."

"Good idea," Reenie said, "I already talked to Trista. She and Amara had already used their transformation pens. We've been waiting for you and Serena to transform."

"Well, we've transformed now," Mina said. "Where're Artemis and Luna?"

"Working for the ministry and they're part of the Order of Pheonix," Reenie explained, "Dumbledore's movement against Voldemort."

"Wait, Dumbledore knows about you?"

"Yeah, he's been helping me," Reenie said, "he's been part of it from the beginning. He hired Darien fresh out of auror training so he could meet Serena."

"But how did Serena leave America? She said her mom just started missing home?"

"Well, I guess I'm guilty of that," said Reenie, rubbing her head, "I used my Luna P as a ghost of your mother to give the message to Serena's mother."

"Wow, you've been up to a lot, haven't you?" Mina inquired. "Okay, we'll have the meeting after the Qudditch Final. There are no classes so we can take our time. I'll talk to Serena."

"I'll tell Trista and Amara then," said Reenie, "where should we meet?"

"Hmm," said Mina, tapping her mouth. "That place where Draco broke up with me…yeah…the room of requirement! I go there sometimes to make out with Harry!"

Reenie stared and Mina groaned.

"I probably shouldn't have told you that…"

Gryffindor won the Quidditch final and instead of going straight to the scout meeting, she went to the common room to celebrate with the team. Thirty minutes had passed when she realized where she was supposed to be.

"I gotta go!" Serena declared while Ron was asking how she was able to make so many goals. "I am so late!"

"late for what?" Harry questioned at Serena's retreating form.

"Sorry guys, I was held up at the party," Serena gasped out once she made it to the Room of Requirement.

"Guess some things never change," Reenie said, "glad you could make it, Meatball Head."

"Meatball Head—wait—who are you?" Serena demanded.

"You don't remember me?" Reenie asked. "Mina told me you remembered."

"I remember being a sailor scout and the Princess of the Moon but I don't remember you."

"Then maybe this will help," Reenie walked up to her and smacked Serena over the head.

"Ouch! Reenie, you brat!" Serena shouted and then gasped. Another set of memories flooded to her head: the memories of her future. She was to be Neo Queen Serenity one day and have a daughter. When Serena had been kissing Darien by the lake back in Japan, Reenie fell out of the sky and landed on Serena's head. Of course, it hurt more then since Reenie's whole weight came on her head and this time she was just struck by her hand. Nevertheless, it got the job done. "R-Reenie? What are yo doing here?"

"What do you think I'm doing?" Reenie questioned. "I'm here to make sure I exist in the next ten years. You were worrying me a little, Meatball Head."

"My future daughter playing matchmaker?" Serena questioned. "Ooh, what did you do?"

"Not much," said Reenie, "just sent a few love notes here and there."

"You sent those? I thought they were from Harry! I even accused Malfoy!"

"Can't we proceed?" Amara asked impatiently. "I want to know what we're supposed to be doing. Who is the new enemy?"

"I don't know," said Reenie, "we sent you your new renovation rods in the case we are attacked with a new enemy. Artemis and Luna haven't found anything out either."

"They'll be here to test you on your NEWT's," meowed Diana, who was laying between Reenie's odangos. She looked at Serena. "I hope you're ready, Serena."

"Oh man, the NEWT's!" groaned Serena, remembering how much Luna nagged her to study. "I haven't studied a bit. Luna's going to be so mad!"

"The things that have been attacking us aren't anything from another world," said Trista softly, "I visited the Time Gate and nothing is trying to get here. The attacks are from ordinary magical creatures: helipaths, dragons…but things like this never happened before."

"That's what the centaurs told us," said Serena, "the creatures are getting anxious about something. You guys didn't know it, but the whole school was about ot become spider food."

"Acromantulas stay in the cold and dark places," said Mina, "they never leave their burrow except to maybe hunt."

"What do you think is causing the creatures to panic?" Trista asked.

"The centaurs were saying something about some 'change,'" Mina replied, "the planets are aligning."

"Look at this," Trista summoned copies of The Daily Prophet. "This is what is happening in the news. Many muggles had their memories modified when they've seen magic but recently their memories have been returning. Oblitators keep coming to change their memories but it has no affect."

Luna picked up a copy. "Dodgy dirk! I remember him! He's the guy that saw a dragon at a beach in Ilfrancomb. All the other muggles remember it too."

"The muggles are going public with all this news?" said Serena, looking over her shoulder. "The ministry must be going crazy."

"They can't keep up with them," said Trista, "I believe it has something to do with the prophecy. Professor Trelawney wasn't the only person who said it but every seer around the world did. They spoke of two worlds uniting, the muggle world and the wizarding world. It's already happening. The Muggles are remembering their forgotten memories. No memory spell is strong enough. Scrimgeour believes that the muggle prime Minister has something to do with this, but he insisted he hasn't. He told him that he started getting letters from people being attacked by giant ferrets and things like that."

"So Voldemort must've heard news about this by now," said Amara.

"I wouldn't doubt it," said Trista, "and I'm pretty sure he's doing everything he can to stop it."

"What should we do?" said Mina.

"Try to keep the beasts of the forbidden forest from going even more crazy and trying to attack the school," said Serena, "we may have taken care of the spiders but it might be werewolves next."

"ooh, I don't think we'll have to worry about werewolves," said Reenie with a grin. "Remember that bounty hunter Ashton? He'll take care of those."

"What do you mean?"

"I gave him a cure for werewolfism," Reenie explained. "It took me a while to make it though. Just finished it yesterday."

"What are you doing giving cures to bounty hunters?" Serena demanded.

"Well the man saved my life," said Reenie, "if it weren't for him, I would've been werewolf chow."

"You were fighting on you own?" Serena asked. "That's dangerous, Reenie."

"Hey, if you were stuck on Christmas with nothing to do, you'd go patrolling too!" said Reenie. "You have any idea how bored I was? Besides, I weakened Greyback and turned him human all by myself. You guys should be proud of me!"

"So you're the one who turned him human," said Amara.

"Yup," said Reenie, "I had to use the crystal. It wasn't enough to destroy him but I used chips of the crystal to make the cure. It really works. Darien tried it on one of his werewolf skulls."

"Well, at least we won't have to worry about werewolves then," said Mina, "but there are still dangerous things out there we have to worry about."

"Does Raye and the others know you've transformed?" Reenie inquired Serena.

"Oh, I should have owled her!" Serena gasped. "I was talking to Darien. He doesn't remember anything."

"Still?" Reenie asked in surprise. "What does it take to make him remember?"

"I don't know. Darien doesn't have a transformation stick."

"I sent him the star locket. That should've worked."

"It worked before," said Serena, "he said it was familiar but it didn't give him his memories back."

"I owled Raye and the others," said Mina, "last night, but we should inform the others about this prophecy news. We need our communicators."

"Luna was going to send them to you once you all transformed," Reenie stated, "you should get them by tomorrow."

"I'll go owl the girls then," said Trista, "the rest of you should do your homework."

"Oh, homework," Serena muttered, "right."

Serena wasn't doing her homework. After the meeting she popped into Darien's office for a visit. "Hey, Meatball Head. You played a great game. Congratulations on winning the cup."

"Thanks, Mamo-chan," Serena said, sitting on his desk. "You played Quidditch too?"

"Yeah, I was a Chaser myself," Darien answered. "Then I became Captain in my sixth year."

"Really?" Serena asked. "Captain, huh?"

"Yes."

"Did you throw things at people in authority?" Serena joked, poking in the ribs.

"That's not funny," Darien muttered, scooting back and getting something out of his desk.

"Oh my gosh, you did, didn't you?" Serena gasped. "Let me guess, you threw a paper ball at your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"

"I never threw anything at Professor Quirrell—even if he looked funny in that turban," said Darien, "but sometimes I wanted to throw something at Lockhart and I respected Lupin so I through nothing at him."

"So…it was your potion teacher?"

"He was my head of house," Darien told her. "He'd expel me for that."

"So…I know…it was the Head Boy, wasn't it? You threw something at the Head Boy! Naughty you!"

Serena laughed, jumped off his desk and started picking up things from the room and tossing them around. "What was it? You threw a book? Maybe a cauldron?"

"Put that down!" Darien hissed at Serena. She was tossing an expensive, old relic up in the air. Serena threw it too him, Darien caught it and gingerly put it on his desk.

"Wow, you would make a good Keeper, too, Darien," Serena teased, now picking up a secrecy sensor. "So, what did you throw at the Head Boy, Darien."

"Nothing."

"Yes you did," Serena said, "Ron told me you were rivals with his brother Percy. Percy Weasley wsa the Head Boy, right? Were you jealous of him and decided to knock him out with a Quaffle?" Serena put her hands on her hips and mimicked Darien's voice, "You may be Head Boy, Weasley, but I can throw my weight around too.'"

"He wasn't Head Boy at the time!" Darien yelled in a whisper, turning red.

"Ah-ha!" Serena cried. "So you did throw something! What'd you throw?"

"I threw um…a…flower," Darien looked away.

"A flower?" Serena raised an eyebrow. "You threw a flower at Percy Weasley?"

"We were in our second year," Darien explained, "I just came from Herbology. We were trying to find out how to make the flowers last longer."

"What kind of flower was it? A rose?"

"How'd you know?" Darien asked, turning his face to her.

"Lucky guess," Serena said with a small smile. "I didn't know Professor Sprout used roses in Herbology."

"She doesn't," Darien said, "we were supposed to use Muggle flowers."

"Anyone else use a rose?"

"Yeah, a couple of girls did," said Darien, "anyway, I bought a rose from a Muggle flowershop and I made the flower unable to wilt."

"How'd you do that?"

"I'm not sure," Darien said, "all I did was touch it. Professor Sprout gave me top marks. I left Herbology and saw Percy in Potions. He said I looked like a git holding a rose and I…well…just threw it at him. I cut his cheek pretty bad. I didn't mean too. How was I supposed to know the stem was sharp?"

"You've apologized to him, right?"

"Well, no, I haven't," Darien admitted. "Thought he deserved it—even though I didn't mean to hurt him."

"Professor, it's time for you to bury the hatchet."

"What?"

"Hey, you made me do that horrible detention with Draco Malfoy," said Serena, "you wanted us to stop the Slytherin and Gryffindor rivalry and look—Harry and Draco get along now. You should be able to do the same with Percy Weasley too."

Darien sighed and started putting some files into the filing cabinet next to his closet. "Even if I wanted to, Serena, how would I get Percy to agree with that?"

"Just send him an owl," Serena said softly, following him to his filing cabinet. "He'll see how good of a guy you are." She poked him in the ribs. "Oh come on, Professor…you shouldn't give out orders that you're not willing to do yourself."

"It's different with Weasley and me. Hey…Serena…quit poking me."

Serena continued poking him and Darien started to tickle her. She giggled and the couple continued to tease and joke and then…There was a knock on Darien's door.

Serena gasped. Darien put his hand over her mouth to muffle her voice.

"Who is it?" Darien asked.

"It's Professor Dumbledore."

"One moment please," said Darien, opening his closet and pushing Serena in.

"Darien…it smells in here…" Serena groaned, covering her mouth and nose.

"Shh!" Darien hissed, shutting the door.

Serena tried not to breathe too much but she couldn't help wonder what that weird odor was. 'It could be worse, Serena. You could be locked in Snape's closet. Must smell even worse.'

Serena turned her head and came face to face with the skull of a vampire skeleton. She bit on her lip to keep from screaming.

'Darien!' she thought. 'Why did you have to put me in here?'

Darien let the headmaster in. "Hello, Professor Dumbledore. What can I do for you?"

"I have some information for you regarding the NEWT's," the Headmaster said.

"Oh, why thank you."

"How well do you think the students are prepared for the Defense Against the Dark Arts NEWT?"

"Very well," said Darien. "They should do just fine."

"Brilliant."

Darien should have known that the Headmaster was going to talk his ear off. It was more than just teacher business. Darien had the feeling Professor Dumbledore was checking up on him. He could've just sent a memo instead of bringing the documents to him in person. Serena's legs were getting tired standing in the crapped closet. The vampire's arm fell down onto her shoulder and her face went blue with anxiety. She had a major sweatdrop. Was Dumbledore ever going to shut up?

"I see that you've been acting quite happy, Darien," said Dumbledore, "there must be a special someone."

'Oh no—he knows!' Serena and Darien thought at the same time. Serena leaned back. Wait, was it all right that Dumbledore knew? Reenie told her that Dumbledore helped arrange things for her. But even if Dumbledore was in on it, the teachers wouldn't. What would the parents do when they found out that one of the teachers was dating a student?

"Er..yes…" said Darien.

"Well, I'm happy for you, Darien," said Dumbledore, "it helps to have a little distraction every once in a while, doesn't it?"

"Yes."

"Just don't let it interfere with your work."

"Yes, yes sir," Darien told the Headmaster.

"Enjoy the rest of your day," said Dumbledore.

"You too, Professor," Darien said and the headmaster left. Darien poked his head out of the door and watched Dumbledore leave, then he shut his door and went to let Serena out of the closet. She and the vampire skeleton fell into him.

"I think Professor Dumbledore knows about the skeleton in your closet," Serena said softly.

"The skeleton belongs to the room," said Darien, not understanding her statement. "Quirrel even had it."

"I mean us," Serena said firmly.

"Oh, right," Darien said, clearing his throat and helping her to her feet. He pushed the vampire skeleton back into the closet and accidentally shut the door on its foot. "Stupid skeleton!" he hissed, moving the foot so he could shut the door all the way. "Ever since I accidentally broke it…"

When Darien had heard about Serena and Harry's break up, Darien high fived this same skeleton and made it fall apart. He did his best to repair it but limbs would fall off every now and then.

"What should we do, Darien?" Serena asked. "Next time we might not be so lucky. Someone might come in here without knocking when we're…well…"

"I know," said Darien. "Perhaps it'd be better if you don't come to my office anymore. We'll meet at the Room of Requirement instead."

"Okay."

"Do you have a revealer?"

"Yeah, got one at the last Hogsmead Weekend," Serena replied.

"I'll write the times to meet on your assignments with invisible ink."

"Great idea!" Serena exclaimed. "I'll write you some secret messages too."

"In the meantime, we have to be extra careful," Darien said softly, "and please stop winking at me during class."

"Ooh, does that make you uncomfortable, Professor Shields?" Serena joked, stepping closer to him and grabbing his tie. She winked at him.

"Not really, but the students might notice," said Darien, "and sometimes it gives off the impression that there's something stuck in your eye."

"How about I just blow kisses then?"

Darien looked at her with a "that's not funny" look.

"Don't worry, Professor," Serena said, "I'll behave myself."

"And I'll think about what you said before Professor Dumbledore came," said Darien, "me sending an owl to Percy."

"Really?"

"Yes, I'll ask him to meet me this Hogsmeade Weekend. There are things he ought to apologize for too."

"Like what?"

Darien blushed. "Um…well…it was just stupid really. Especially for Percy. I'd expect it from his brothers but not him."

"What'd he do to you?" Serena asked, defensively.

"He um, pushed me into the girls' lavatory our first year," Darien said.

Serena cracked up laughing.

"Serena, it's not funny!"

"I wish I was there!" Serena exclaimed. "I'd love to see your face!"

"No you wouldn't," said Darien, "a girl slapped it."

Serena laughed even harder and Darien pulled her over to the door. "Shh, be quiet!"

"I c-can't help it! It's just so…hahaha!"

Darien cleared his throat and went into teacher mode, just incase someone was walking by. "Now, Miss White, keep working on that…Tickling Jinx."

"Sure, can I practice on you?" Serena joked over her shoulder.

--

As promised, Serena didn't wink or blow kisses at Darien like she sometimes did. She had always sat in the back when she flirted with Darien so students never noticed. Darien didn't pass homework back in his usual way: giving the stack of papers to the front desks and having the students pass them back. Instead, he took the homework straight to each student. Even though he had left messages for Serena in invisible ink, he still didn't want to make any chances. Those sitting near Serena could still see her papers and ask how she did or what the teacher commented on. Serena waited until the classes were over to use her revealer on her paper.

"Let's meet tomorrow at six."

Serena didn't want to keep the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor waiting. She got there right before six. Darien was a little late due to a staff meeting.

"You're late," Serena frowned with folded arms.

"I'm sorry, Serena. I was held up. I'll make it up to you."

"Oh, really?" Serena asked. "And how do you expect to do that?"

Darien grinned, walked up to her and drew her in his arms. "Like this…"

Serena stood up on her tiptoes to receive his kiss. She kissed him back and brought her hand to the back of his neck. She felt weak in her legs. She forgot how good it felt to kiss Darien. Darien started walking her to the sofa behind her. The sofa made contact with the back of her knees and she fell into it. Darien's lips trailed down to Serena's neck, sending shivers to her spine.

" Darien…Oh…"

Too into it, the couple didn't notice the door open and someone walk in. "Oh…I'm sorry, I didn't know…what the hell?"

Darien pulled away from Serena and looked up to see Harry Potter backing up against the wall in confusion and shock. "Professor Shields? Serena?"

"Uh oh," Serena moaned. "Um…Hi, Harry." She said, unable to come up with anything else to say.

"What's going on here?" Harry pointed at them. "Don't tell me that you're…" He had just walked in on a teacher kissing a student. What if he walked in on them five minutes later? Harry felt like he was going to have a nosebleed.

"Calm down, Potter," Darien said, "forget what you saw here."

"An image like that is kind of hard to get rid of," Harry said, rubbing his head.

"Want some help?" Darien asked, pulling out his wand. Harry's eyes widened as he remembered when Lockhart tried reforming his memory.

" Darien, put that down," Serena muttered, pushing her hand on his. She looked at Harry. "What are you doing here?" Serena asked. "Are you meeting Mina?"

"Well, in a bit. But I also use the room for homework."

"Does anyone else use this room?" Shields asked.

"Filch does sometimes," Harry replied, "and the houselves."

"I guess this room isn't so safe for us after all," Serena said, looking at Darien.

The door opened again and in walked Mina. "Hey…oh…uh oh…"

"Mina," said Harry, pointing at Serena and Darien, "did you know about—about Professor Shields and Serena?"

Mina looked over at her cousin. Serena shrugged. She wasn't sure what to tell her.

"Nope," Mina lied, "news to me."

The mood for Darien and Serena was destroyed. Darien decided it was best to leave. "Potter, Lovegood, you are not to tell anyone anybody out Serena and me, understand?"

"Yes, sir," Harry answered shakily.

"No problem, Da—I mean—Professor Shields," Mina said.

Darien walked out of the room of requirement and Serena rubbed her head. "Darn it, first his office, now here…"

"Office?" Harry demanded. "You've been meeting him at his office?"

"Well, he's there most of the time," Serena said. "Professor Dumbledore almost caught us so we came here. Now where else are we supposed to meet?"

Harry and Serena looked at each other. "Hey, Harry, didn't' you say you know how to get to the Shrieking Shack? Serena and Professor Shields can meet there?"

"Shrieking Shack?" Harry gasped. "Are you crazy? That's where Professor Lupin would go every full moon when he was going to school here. The place is a mess. It's not exactly romantic."

"I can fix it up," said Serena, standing up from the sofa. "So how do you get into the Shrieking Shack exactly?"

After Harry gave Serena the instructions into the Shrieking Shack, she went to go check it out. Harry was right about it being unromantic. There was dust and cobwebs all over the place. The walls and bed had claw marks.

"Wow," Serena said, "this place is going to need a lot of work." She sat down on a chair. The leg broke and she fell down. "A whole lot of work."

It was a good thing the next day was a Hogsmeade weekend. Serena picked up flowers, sheets and other things to make the Shrieking Shack more homey. As she passed The Three Broomsticks, she saw Darien sitting at a table waiting for Percy. Serena waved at him but he didn't see her. He was looking at his notes—possibly what he was going to say to Percy once he arrived. Once Serena got all she needed, she took the secret tunnel into the Shrieking Shack and started arranging.

Darien sat in the pub for nearly an hour. He didn't set up a time with Percy. Percy didn't even write back but Darien told him he'd be waiting for him if he ever wanted to meet with him. Darien should've known better than write to his old rival and asks for a chat. Percy Weasley was working for the Ministry now. Darien was a teacher and they were both busy men. Darien didn't have time for this.

"Percy, what are you doing here?" asked Ron.

"What the?" Darien glanced up. Ronald Weasley was talking to his brother. He couldn't believe it. Percy Weasley actually came?

"I've got a meeting," Percy said in his usual business-like voice. He ignored his youngest brother as he scanned the pub for Darien. Feeling awkward, Darien held up his hand. Clutching his briefcase, Percy approached Darien's table and sat down. "I've only got an hour, Shields, so you had better not take up my time."

"This won't take long," said Darien, "I just want to…to apologize for some things,"

"Oh?"

"I'm sorry for, hitting you with a rose in our third year. I didn't mean to make you bleed. I hope you can forgive me."

"That's it?" Percy demanded

"What's it?" Darien asked.

"You apologize just for throwing a stupid rose at me? You did more to me than that."

"Like what?" Darien questioned.

"You cheeked me on the train ride to Hogwarts our first year."

"I didn't cheek you."

"Oh yes you did!" Percy shouted. "You said that I got my robes out of a garbage heap!"

Darien gasped. "Liar! I said no such thing!"

"Yes you did!" Percy stood up and slammed his hands on the table. "You said something about my robes!"

"I don't remember saying that," said Darien, following suit and leaning into Percy's face, "but if I did, I'm sorry!"

"Oh you think that—really?" Percy leaned back.

"Yes," said Darien, "really. I apologize for whatever insults I gave you."

Percy paused, thoroughly deciding whether to accept Darien's apology. Ron was sitting with Hermione at a nearby table.

"I hope Professor Shields doesn't fail me if Percy decides not to forgive him," Ron said to Hermione.

"Oh, Ron, don't be stupid," Hermione groaned, "Professor Shields wouldn't fail you over his rivalry with your brother."

"All right, Shields," Percy sat down. "Apology accepted. We're both men now."

"Good. So, since I apologized for things I did...is there something you want to apologize for?"

"Excuse me?" Percy questioned stiffly.

"The lavatory scene, for instance," Darien whispered, his hand by his mouth.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't pretend that you don't remember!" Darien hissed.

"Well you'll have to jog my memory, Shields," said Percy.

"You…you humiliated me!"

"You mean when I beat you in OWL's? Becoming Head Boy? NEWT's?"

"That's not what I'm talking about, you idiot!"

"Then what are you talking about, Shields?"

Darien didn't want to say it but he was going to have to. "You…you pushed me into the girls' bathroom."

"I did what?" Percy questioned.

"I said, you pushed me into the girls' bathroom!" Darien shouted, far, far too loud. Everyone in the pub heard him.

"Percy," Ron gasped, "you pushed Professor Shields into the girls' bathroom? Not even Fred and George went as far as that!"

"Ooh, yeah, that's right," said Percy, leaning back and grinning. "I remember now. I did push you, didn't I?"

"That was uncalled for, Weasley!" Darien muttered. "There could've been a spell on the bathroom! What if I was transfigured into a girl or something?"

"That would be wild to see," Percy rubbed his chin.

As Darien and Percy was talking in the Three Broomsticks, Mina was sitting cozily with Harry in Madame Puddifoot's. In the far corner, someone was watching them. Mina and Harry were talking about Quidditch, the NEWT's, what they wanted to do after Hogwarts and other small talk. But what really caught the ears of the spy was what Mina said about her many relationships before Harry, and finally being with Harry.

"I know I said this before," Mina said, giving Harry a small smile as she placed down her teacup. "But I'm so lucky to be with you now. After Seamus Finnegan dumped me, I thought no Gryffindor would want to date me again. It was hard being a witch in Slytherin House and finding love."

Slytherin? The person thought, looking at Mina carefully over his teacup. Mina and Harry were wearing muggle clothes instead of their school robes, so he did not know her house. Her being a Slytherin made things quite interesting.

"And that's why you dated a lot of Slytherins," said Harry.

"And everyone else in the other houses…but those relationships were hard too because of Slytherins' reputation. Nobody wanted Slytherin to win the House cup, you know."

"Yeah, but that really doesn't matter anymore, Mina," said harry as he took Mina's hand. "We're together now. Things are getting better—even Malfoy and I get along."

The spy's eyes widened. Malfoy? Would that be Lucius Malfoy's son? Wasn't he going to become a Death Eater soon? What was Draco Malfoy doing becoming friends with the enemy?

Mina laughed. "I know. It's amazing. The whole Slytherin and Gryffindor rivalry is starting to end. Well, I guess silver and gold does go together, doesn't it?"
"I never really thought of it that way," Harry said with a shrug. "But you're right. They do go together." Harry kissed his girlfriend and thinking he had enough information, the spy stood up and walked out of the pub before anyone recognized him.

"Master, I have returned," said a short man with dark hair.

"Ah, yes, Bletchley, what is it?" Voldemort hissed.

"I know who the Silver One is," Michael Bletchley, the newest Death Eater announced. "It is Harry Potter's girlfriend, Mina Lovegood."

"Potter has a girlfriend? What makes you think she's the silver one?"

"She's a Slytherin, Master," Bletchly answered.

"Potter found himself a Slytherin girlfriend?" Voldemort questioned.

"Yes, master. And it's not just that—he and Lucius' son have become—friends. It looks like they are already changing the world."

"Changing the world by starting with Hogwarts," Voldemort grunted, "when I have worked so hard to finish Slytherin's noble work. We will have to act quickly then, during the NEWT's. I will give Harry a test that no amount of studying will enable him to pass."

In the end, Darien was able to get Percy to apologize to the things he had done to him. AFte rthat, the two men had a civil conversation and was able to end their rivalry—at least somewhat. Darien wasn't about to call Percy Weasley his blood brother now. Darien walked over to his office and was surprised to find his mother arguing with Snape. He paused at the door before entering. Why would his mother be here? And why was she talking to Severus? He wasn't even under the impression they knew each other.

"Maria, the man's dead," Snape muttered. "It doesn't matter anymore."

"Yes it does!" Maria yelled. "Haven't you been reading The Daily Prophet? It's happening already, Severus? My son has the right to know!"

"I have the right to know what, Mum?" Darien demanded, opening his office door and stepping in. He looked at his old head of house and at his mother. Maria Shields looked back in surprise and Snape walked to the corner, shaking his head.

"What's going on here?" Darien questioned. "Mum, what are you doing here?"

Maria glanced at Snape. "Severus, could you give us…"

"No," intervened Darien, looking at Severus, "If you're part of—whatever—this is, I want you here too, Professor. Now pleaes, tell me, when did my office become the place to discuss conspiracies?"

" Darien, this isn't a conspiracy," said Maria, "I just…I just…had to see you, son and Severus saw me coming in and he tried to stop me."

"From doing what?"

Maria took in a deep breath. "I…I don't know where to begin. It's just so hard…"

"Just tell him, Maria," Severus muttered, " Darien's already here."

"I made a mistake, son," Maria said, "I've been, keeping something from you, from the beginning. I never planed on telling you this but now things are happening, things are changing and I have to let you know."

"What's that?"

Maria smiled sadly. "You're just so special, Darien. You've always been special. Since the day of your birth…the midwife, she told me, that you were destined for something great."

"What was she, some kind of seer?" Darien demanded.

"Yes," Maria nodded, "she made a prophecy about you. You've heard about the prophecy all the seers around the world said a couple months ago?"

"Yeah, it was in The Daily Prophet," Darien said, "strangest bit of news I've ever read about. But what does that have to do with me?"

"It has everything to do about you, son," Maria said, "because it is very similar to the same prophecy made at your birth." Maria withdrew a glass ball from her robes. "Your father found this while working the Hall of Prophecies today," she said, "he shouldn't have taken it but he knew when he saw it that it had something to do with you. Watch closely, Darien."

"Maria, don't!" Severus shouted but Maria had already thrown the prophecy on the floor. A woman with a heavy face appeared in the rising mist.

This golden child, born from pure and traitor blood will rise to unite two worlds. This golden child, eyes of the ocean and strength of from the Earth, this golden child shall defeat the dark forces of the world. When gold meets silver and black meets white , darkness will come to an end.

Darien stared at the mist as it floated away. That made about as much sense as the other prophecy did. "This prophecy is about me? And you believed it? Mother, you never believed in prophecies!"

"I know, Darien," Maria said, "I thought the midwife was mad. I paid no heed to the prophecy. But then, I saw how….how special and unique you were. I was beginning to think that she might have been right. That is when I asked Severus for help."

"And what do you have to do with this?" Darien demanded. "You knew about this the whole time and you didn't tell me? Why not?"

"Because I hated your father," Severus muttered, turning around.

"You barely even know my father!" Darien said. "He transferred to Hogwarts his sixth year and--."

"No, Darien," Maria said softly, "we mean your real father."

"W—what?" Darien stepped back.

"Adrian Shields is not your real father," Maria told him. "Your real father is…Sirius Black."

TO BE CONCLUDED