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.

Expecto Patronum

He found her sitting at the top of the Astronomy Tower, shivering in the falling snow. The snowflakes clung to her hair, now in a state of disarray, turning it into a frosty crown. His heart skipped a beat as he hurried towards her.

He pulled off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. "You'll catch your death in this weather," he said.

Hotaru looked up at him, her eyes red-rimmed from the cold, or from tears. She offered him a weak smile. "I needed some space, Harry."

"I can go, if you want."

"No, it's all right." She looked down again. "I needed space from her."

Harry sat down next to her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Ron and Hermione have gone on at some length about her. She's a fraud."

"I thought so, too," said Hotaru. She sniffed. "I went to her, back in first year, when I realized that the ghosts were afraid of me." She snorted in disgust. "She gave me some waffle about a disturbing aura, and I wrote her off. I was interested in Divination, until I met her."

"I'd heard that it was a wooly subject," admitted Harry. "It sounded like an easy O, but I'm glad I went with Arithmancy instead." He sighed. "But you said you'd been dreaming of that girl—the one in your sketches?"

"Nightmares." A shudder went through her frame. "Dreams of war, violence and death, all at the hands of that girl. A girl who looks like me." She shook her head. "Not exactly like me, but like she could be my sister. And I feel connected to her." She looked up at Harry, blinking back tears. "What if she is? The nightmares started after that Dementor on the train, and they got worse after the Quidditch game. Dementors bring out your worst memories. What if this girl was me, in a past life?"

"Doesn't matter," said Harry firmly. "Hotaru, you're in this life now. And in this life, you're a kind girl, with great compassion, and the ability to heal with a touch. You helped Draco, even though he's awful to everyone around him. You helped me, Hotaru, after talking to me just once. And you've shown you're willing to risk harm to yourself to help others. I can't see you becoming this Handmaiden of Death."

"Still...I'm scared, Harry." Tears were now flowing from her eyes, and her voice trembled. "Scared of what I could become."

"Then I'm even less worried for you," said Harry. "Someone who isn't afraid of their own power is far more dangerous."

She smiled up at him through her tears. "Thank you...for believing in me."

"And as far as the Dementors are concerned...I think I know how we can help with that."

"Please, come on in," said Professor Lupin, gesturing for Hotaru to enter the classroom. She glanced up at Harry, seeking reassurance, before stepping inside. Harry closed the door behind them.

"When Harry asked to learn the Patronus charm, I felt it only right to invite you as well," said the Professor. "After all, you seem to be as badly affected as Harry...if not in the same way."

Hotaru nodded gratefully, and drew a breath, visibly gathering the courage to speak up. "They...they give me nightmares," she confessed, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

"Unsurprising," said Lupin. "But I am guessing that they are particularly horrible nightmares."

"Yes," admitted Hotaru. "And worse yet...they're not of anything I've actually experienced. In fact, they aren't of anything I could have experienced."

"Now that is surprising," said the Professor. "I'm afraid it's not something I can help with. But I can help you keep the Dementors at bay, and that should help stave off further nightmares.

"As I've explained to Harry," he continued, "the Patronus is a very difficult spell to cast. It requires a lot of power, and an ability to visualize that is difficult for most. Many adult wizards and witches are unable to cast the Patronus, so don't be too disappointed if you don't manage it."

"Hotaru has an uncommon talent with charms," said Harry. "I'd expect her to get it before me."

"I recall you mentioning that," said Professor Lupin. "Unfortunately, the Patronus Charm is not, in fact, a charm."

Harry blinked. "It's not?"

"A charm is a spell that alters the properties of its target," said Lupin, falling back into 'Professor' mode. "Most spells that we practice in Defence are classed as charms by the Ministry, only because of the positive connotations." He chuckled. "However, Ms Tomoe has plenty of power to burn, plus she clearly has the ability to visualize. After all, she's an artist."

"So how does the Patronus charm work?" asked Harry.

"Well, it's quite simple," said Lupin. "It calls into being a spectral guardian, a sort of 'anti-Dementor', if you will. It's fuelled by positive emotions, and so creatures that feed on negative emotions are repelled by it."

"What does it look like?" asked Hotaru.

"It's distinctive to each wizard," said Lupin. "At the basic level, it just sort of forms a shield. But if you have enough power, it can take on a corporeal form. Typically, this is some sort of animal; one that is important to you in some way. For example, Professor Dumbledore's Patronus takes the form of a phoenix."

"Like Fawkes," mumbled Harry.

"Yes," said the Professor. "The incantation for the charm is expecto patronum, and the wand movement is a half-twist and point." He demonstrated the motion with his own wand. Harry and Hotaru dutifully copied it.

It struck Harry that he'd almost never actually seen Hotaru cast a spell. They only shared three classes, and spells were not needed in any of them.

"All right," said Lupin. "Now, the most important part of the Patronus charm is a happy memory. Think back to the happiest you've ever been, and try to hold that emotion in your mind as you cast the spell. It's that emotion that powers the Patronus, as much as your own magical power."

That was a bit more difficult for Harry. He wasn't exactly overflowing with happy memories. He settled on the first time he'd flown a broom—the feeling of freedom, of finally having something that he was good at, something that the Dursleys hadn't poisoned.

"And go ahead and cast."

He twisted his wand, jabbed it forward, and said, "Expecto patronum!"

A puff of silver gas emerged from the tip of his wand, but nothing else. However, Professor Lupin burst into a broad grin.

"Oh, well done, Harry. I've never seen anybody get a reaction on their first try before!"

"Really?" asked Harry. "It...I didn't really impress myself."

"Perhaps a happier memory would help," suggested Lupin. He turned to Hotaru. "Your turn, now, Ms Tomoe."

"You can call me Hotaru," she said shyly. "After all, you called Harry by his given name."

"Well, I've known Harry since the day he was born," pointed out the Professor. "I'll admit, there's been a bit of a gap, but Harry knows why." He glanced over at Harry. "Would you prefer if I called you Mr Potter?"

"No, Sir," said Harry. "I don't mind if you call me Harry."

"Well, then, Hotaru," said the Professor. "Let's see."

Hotaru glanced down at her wand, then over to Harry. For some reason, her cheeks coloured in a blush, but she jabbed her wand forward. "Expecto patronum!"

As with Harry, she got a puff of silver gas.

"Both of you should feel quite proud," said Professor Lupin. "You've done better than many wizards and witches twice your age, and on your first try. Hotaru, your wand movements aren't quite right; don't forget the half-twist. Harry, do you have a stronger memory?"

"Err..." Harry felt himself blushing. "Sorry, Sir. I got distracted."

"Not a problem," he chuckled. "Hotaru, your grip on your wand isn't quite right for the half twist. If you put your hand here—"

As soon as Lupin's fingers touched Hotaru's hand, she gasped. And Lupin snatched his fingers back in shock.

"Professor?" Hotaru turned to face him directly. "You've been quite badly injured in the recent past."

"I—" He glanced over at Harry, who shrugged.

"I can help, if you want."

"What do you mean?" asked Lupin.

"I can heal your injuries," said Hotaru. She looked down. "I can't control it, so when you touched me, I could feel my magic reaching out."

Professor Lupin frowned in thought, then said, "Hotaru, are you willing to keep a secret about me? Harry already knows, but I can't have anyone else finding out."

Hotaru considered this. "You've had a pattern of illness; you've got several scars on your face, caused by some sort of dark magic; your Boggart, in Defence class, was the moon." She looked up at him. "Don't worry, Professor. I know how people feel about werewolves, and I won't tell anyone."

Lupin sighed in relief. "Thank you." Then glanced over at Harry. "You seem to be gathering all of the intelligent witches as friends."

"It has its benefits," admitted Harry.

Lupin chuckled, then said, "All right. Let's try this again."