Kindred Spirits

by Tailkinker

This is a work of fan fiction based on the Harry Potter series and the Sailor Moon franchise created respectively by J.K. Rowling and Naoko Takeuchi. The characters and settings belong to their respective owners and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered as part of the official canon of either series.

Seeking Solutions

"All right," said Professor Lupin. "Homework is six inches on the proper defensive charms to ward off a Hinkypuck." He waited out the groans. "We can't try them until we're certain you know them. Six inches isn't that much. Go on now; enjoy your weekend."

The students began to pack up their belongings. Harry waited until they started to move towards the door, then stood and walked over to the Professor.

"Professor Lupin?"

"Yes, Harry." The man looked a bit pale; probably because the full moon was less than a week off.

"I..." Harry sighed. "I seem to have a rather worse reaction to Dementors than some other people."

"Yes, I've noticed that," said Lupin. "It's because you've experienced worse things than most of your peers. They've likely never experienced much worse than some bullying; you have experienced true horrors. Don't be too hard on yourself, Harry; it's a sign of strength, not weakness, that you react as you do."

"That's not it, Sir," said Harry. "Hermione told me that when I fell from my broom, you—and some of the other teachers—cast a spell to drive off the Dementors. Could you teach me that spell?"

"Ah. The Patronus charm," said Lupin. He sat down at his desk with a sigh. "It's not a very difficult charm, but it requires quite a bit of magical power to be able to cast. Most people consider it beyond the capabilities of a teenager, and even many adults cannot cast it." He considered Harry, then nodded. "You, however, have a talent for defensive magics."

Harry blinked. "I do?"

"Indeed," nodded Lupin. "I'm not the only one to notice this, either; Professors Flitwick and Snape have also noted it."

"Snape?"

"Yes, Professor Snape." Lupin emphasized the Potion Master's title. "In fact, he compared you favourably to...well, an old friend of his."

Harry dragged his attention back to the matter at hand. "So the Patronus charm will protect me from a Dementor."

"Yes," said Lupin. "It creates a protective barrier, fuelled by your good memories. It can keep a Dementor at bay, or even drive it off. With even the weakest Patronus charm, you can lessen its effects on you."

"Exactly what I need," said Harry. "Can you teach me this charm?"

"I could," allowed Professor Lupin. "Mind you, it would have to wait until the new year. After all, I'll be...indisposed...in a week or so, and after that, I can try to find a Boggart. We can use that to simulate a Dementor." He paused. "Perhaps your friend, Miss Tomoe, would also be interested in learning it? She seems as badly affected as you."

"Yeah," said Harry. "She probably would. And charms are definitely her thing."

"A language spell?" Professor Flitwick snickered. "Let me guess. Japanese?"

"You know me too well, Professor," admitted Harry with a grin.

"Well, I do happen to know one spell," said Flitwick. "I have to warn you, though. It's a ritual." He rubbed his hands together, as though the very concept of a ritual excited him.

Harry frowned, trying to remember what they'd been taught about rituals. "So it's exacting, and it calls for a sacrifice, right?"

"That is correct," beamed Flitwick. "And, as with any ritual, if it's not done exactly, the sacrifice is still lost.

"The ritual in question comes from our brethren in ancient India, and is called Jihvadhanam danam. At least, that's the closest I can come to pronouncing it. We call it the Gift of Tongues. It allows a person to learn a language from another, and the sacrifice is rather minor: three tokens of friendship, given freely as gifts by the person from whom the language is to be learned. And it goes without saying that they cannot be given for the purpose of the sacrifice; they must be things that were given before either person knew of the ritual."

Harry's heart sank. "I don't know that I can make that sacrifice. Well, thank you, Professor. I don't think that I can use that ritual, though."

Flitwick shrugged. "Then I suppose that you'll have to learn the old-fashioned way."

"Professor Flitwick found a ritual that will let me learn a language," said Harry. "Problem is, it requires a sacrifice. Three things that were freely given by another, from whom I'll be learning the language."

"What language were you thinking of learning?" asked Hotaru softly.

"Japanese," admitted Harry. "Problem is, you've only given me three gifts total. The chopsticks second year, the book for my birthday, and the good luck charm when you came back from Japan. And I kinda don't want to give them up."

Hotaru's eyes widened. "That...I'm not really sure how I feel." She blushed. "Well, I think I do. It's flattering that you'd want to learn Japanese, Harry. I assume that you're a bit torn?"

"Well...yeah," he admitted.

"Then keep them," she said softly. "Remember, I'm more English any more than I am Japanese. And we can figure out another way for you to learn the language." She grinned. "Perhaps I could just teach you? That could be fun."

"I'm not the most studious person in the world," admitted Harry.

"You're far from the worst," countered Hotaru. "Besides, this isn't for grades. So we can cheat."

"Cheat?"

"Let's go talk to Professor Snape," said Hotaru. "Perhaps there is a potion that could help."

Harry grimaced. "I used to think he hates me. Now, I think he just doesn't like me very much."

The air inside the Potions classroom was heavy with the scent of ruined potions as they entered. Harry glanced at one cauldron, and guessed to himself that the First Years had just finished their class.

Snape glanced up from his desk, his eyes narrowing as he observed their arrival. "Mr Potter. What brings you here? And why is Ms Tomoe accompanying you?"

"We have a question, Professor," Harry began. He paused to try to get his nervousness under control. "I'm looking for a way to learn Japanese, and I was wondering if there was a potion that could help."

Snape arched one eyebrow, his expression a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "Japanese, Mr Potter? Quite an unexpected choice. Though that might explain Ms Tomoe's presence." He stood up, and clasped his hands behind his back. "Learning a language through conventional means is a laborious process. One that I would consider to be beyond your...meager talents. There are potions that could potentially expedite the learning process. The most obvious would be a wit-sharpening potion, or a memory elixir. However, both have significant drawbacks."

"The wit-sharpening potion is quite expensive," said Harry. Snape's eyebrow rose again, and Harry quickly added, "You mentioned that one last year."

"I had assumed that you had forgotten," said Snape. He raised a hand and rubbed his chin. "Yes, it is expensive, and you would need many doses. It will allow you to learn more quickly, but not instantly, and you would need to take it until you reach the level of fluency you desire. If you miss a dose, you will find it much more difficult to learn the language thereafter.

"And the problem with the memory elixir is that if you ever stop taking it, you will forget anything you learned while under its influence. It is intended to be a short-term solution only."

He turned away from them, and fell silent. Harry, growing even more uncomfortable, was about to leave, when Professor Snape spoke again.

"There is another way, that you might learn. That is, more quickly than simply learning the traditional way. But it may prove...uncomfortable for you both."

"I'm willing," said Hotaru instantly.

"You might not be," mused Snape. He turned back to face them. "Are either of you aware of the disciplines known as Occlumency and Legilimency?"

Harry shook his head.

"No," admitted Hotaru.

"Legilimency is a means of extracting memories from a person, whereas Occlumency is a defence against the same," said Snape. He tapped his temple. "As it happens, I am a master at Legilimency. I could use it to extract memories from Ms Tomoe, and implant them in Mr Potter. However, both of you would have to learn some Occlumency first. Mr Potter, you would need it to retain the memories that I implant. Ms Tomoe, you would need it in order to ensure that Mr Potter does not receive any...secrets...that you might wish to keep from him.

"I will not lie," he said ominously. "This is a terribly invasive procedure. There is no way, Ms Tomoe, that you could keep me from learning many things about you that you might find...distressing. So if this is an option you wish to pursue, consider that very...very carefully."

"I guess we'll do it the old-fashioned way," said Harry.

Hotaru looked down at the slip in her hand. "Professor Snape gave us the pass to get the book. Why wouldn't we at least try it?"

"You heard what he said," exclaimed Harry. "You really want that greasy old bat rummaging around in your memories?" He scowled. "I don't really trust Professor Snape. Once he's done fishing around in your memories, he's likely to use whatever he finds against you."

"I can't imagine there's anything there that would..." Hotaru blushed. "I mean...If this is something you really want to do, I'm willing to help."

"It's..." Harry sighed. "I don't really know if it's anything more than a whim, to be honest. I mean, I really like you, Hotaru."

Hotaru stumbled, and her blush deepened. Harry turned, and caught her arm.

"You okay?"

"I really like you too, Harry," Hotaru whispered.

He smiled. "So I don't want to do anything that would...distress you, as he put it."

"Thank you." She smiled back at him. "I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll get the book. We'll try the Occlumency. And if, after we've done that, I feel...uncomfortable, I'll tell you. Fair?"

"Fair," said Harry with a grin. "Between Professor Snape and Professor Lupin—" He smacked his forehead. "Right. I nearly forgot. Ever heard of the Patronus charm?"