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.

Conflicts of Will

"I'm kind of torn about this game," admitted Hotaru.

"Because you're a Ravenclaw, and I'm a Gryffindor?" asked Harry, grinning.

"Yes, there's that," said Hotaru. "But there's also the fact that Cho Chang is playing Seeker for Ravenclaw."

"Cho..." Harry frowned. "If I recall correctly, she was supposed to be joining the team last year, but was injured."

"Yes," said Hotaru. "Took a Bludger to the head. Madam Pomfrey got her healed right up fast enough, but it threw her off the practice schedule, so they replaced her. But she's back in top form now. She's truly a remarkable flier."

Harry grinned at the look of admiration in Hotaru's eyes. "I take it you're a fan of hers?"

Hotaru blushed, and nodded. "She's quite clever, and nice as well." She looked down. "She's the only person who ever stuck up for me in Ravenclaw. When Li—" She broke off. "—other girls would say that my magic was dangerous, she'd tell them off. 'The only magic she can't control is the ability to heal people, which isn't very harmful to others.'"

I am getting very tired of hearing the name of Lisa Turpin, thought Harry. He kept the scowl off his face only through an effort of will.

"Well, as nice a girl as she sounds," he said, "I'm afraid I must crush her in the game today. Please don't take it too hard." He grinned at her, hoping to raise her spirits.

It seemed to work; Hotaru smiled back at him. "I'll try not to."

"It shouldn't be too hard for you, Harry." Oliver Wood set his silverware on his plate and stood up. "After all, she's riding a Comet Two Sixty."

"It's a good broom," pointed out Harry. "Tight turning radius, and impressive acceleration, even if its top speed isn't the best."

Wood grinned. "Not on par with your secret weapon, though."

Hotaru's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "You got it back? It's good?"

"Yeah," Harry replied, a note of triumph in his voice. Professor Flitwick finished checking it over, and he's confident it's safe." He glanced over at the other tables in the Great Hall, noting the presence of both the Slytherin and Ravenclaw teams. "Perfect. Time to let the cat out of the bag."

Reaching down, Harry picked up the broom case resting at his feet. A mischievous smile played on his lips as he placed the case on the table, undoing the fasteners. With a theatrical flair, he opened the case and extracted the Firebolt, raising it above his head as if it were Excalibur.

A hush fell over the Great Hall. It started with those closest to him, unaware of the surprise, and quickly spread throughout the entire room. Draco Malfoy's eyes widened, while Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, groaned audibly.

For almost twenty seconds, silence reigned.

Then pandemonium erupted, drowning the hall in a wave of excitement.

Harry knocked hesitantly on the door to the Potions Classroom, his nerves prickling with unease. He stole a quick glance at Hotaru, who offered him a reassuring smile, before focusing his attention on the door as Professor Snape opened it.

"Mr Potter," Snape greeted them coolly. "And Ms Tomoe. You are right on time. Come in."

They entered swiftly, feeling the weight of Snape's presence in the room. He strode to the center, his robes billowing dramatically, and then turned to face them, his arms folded across his chest.

"First of all, Mr Potter, I would like to assure you that Mr Flint, Mr Goyle and Mr Crabbe will be...disciplined...for their stunt at the Quidditch match today," Snape stated firmly. "Conduct of that sort is unbecoming of my House, and I shall not tolerate it."

Since when? Harry thought. Flint, Crabbe and Goyle had dressed as Dementors, in an attempt to frighten him. He'd fired a Patronus at them—his first fully successful cast of the charm—and knocked them over. Professor McGonagall had been livid, and hauled all three off the field.

"Now, you believe that you have attained the requisite amount of proficiency with the art of Occlumency?" Snape asked, his tone quiet.

"I do, Sir," said Harry. His nervousness caused his voice to catch, much to his disgust.

"Then let us test that theory," Snape said, his voice dripping with a silky quality. He drew his wand with an air of calculated precision. "You may use your wand, if you wish."

The way Snape said it made it evident that he considered it a crutch, a sign of weakness. Harry shook his head resolutely.

"Very well," Snape murmured, his voice carrying a chilling undertone. He actually smiled, though it was a cold, cruel smile that sent shivers down Harry's spine. "Then prepare yourself, Potter. Legilimens."

Harry felt a sudden pressure against his mind. He held it off for a second, but then the pressure broke through his meager defences. Memories started to play in his mind, as though he had willed them to the forefront.

He saw Hotaru, sitting alone in the library, moments before he approached her. Knowing where their conversation would lead, he forced himself to remember when they recruited her to help with the Polyjuice Potion.

He could feel Snape's disdain at the attempt, and found himself recalling the battle with the Basilisk instead. That one he considered safe; he allowed the memory to play, but Snape quickly realized that that was exactly what Harry wanted.

His memory switched again, to Hotaru and Tomoe-sensei visiting over the summer, then to the Dementor attack on the train. Then to George and Fred talking about the Marauder's Map—

He had to protect that secret, as well as many others tied to that memory. He attempted to throw Snape out of his mind, but found that the man's force of will was far too strong to be overcome.

One glimpse of the Quidditch pitch, as the Dementors closed in on him, then on to the aftermath of the game, in the Hospital Wing. Following Hotaru out of the Great Hall, on Christmas—

With considerable effort, Harry locked down that memory, then tried again to eject Snape from his mind. This time, Snape left, though Harry was left with the impression that it was voluntary on his part.

Harry discovered that he was gasping for air, on his hands and knees, with Hotaru kneeling beside him, a look of concern on her face.

"It's not pleasant, is it?" asked Snape.

"No, Sir," said Harry. His voice quivered with bitterness. "I feel...dirty. Violated." He glared at the man, trying to put as much venom into his gaze as he could.

Snape seemed amused by Harry's anger. "While your defences are laughably weak," he murmered, "you showed some creativity in trying to redirect my attention.

"The more important thing, from your point of view, is that you have sufficiently developed to allow you to retain foreign memories."

"Thank you, Sir." He didn't bother trying to put too much sincerity into the thanks.

"And now, Ms Tomoe, it is your turn." Snape turned to face Hotaru. Harry could feel Hotaru trembling beside him. But she stood up, and nodded.

"Your circumstances are rather different from Mr Potter's," Snape said quietly. Unlike when he spoke to Harry, his voice did not carry any disdain. "I will be extracting many memories from your first six years. If there is anything from that period of your life that you do not wish to share with either Mr Potter or myself, you must do your best to guard them. Do you understand?"

Hotaru nodded. Her face betrayed obvious nervousness. Harry stood up, and took her hand.

"If this is too much for you, we don't have to do it," he said quietly.

"It's all right, Harry," she whispered. "I want to do this for you." More loudly, she said, "Go ahead, Sir."

"Hotaru—"

"Legilimens."

Hotaru froze, and Snape reached forward with his wand, the tip of it touching Hotaru's temple. When he pulled it back, a silvery thread appeared, as though he drew it from her mind. Snape turned his wand on Harry, and again said, "Legilimens."

The pressure returned. From instinct, Harry's hand dropped to his wand, but the pressure ended before he could draw it.

Hotaru dropped to the floor like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

"Hotaru!" Harry moved to catch her, barely getting his arm under her head before it hit the ground. He glared at Snape, who was watching dispassionately.

"Excellent reflexes, Potter," noted the Professor.

"We should get her to the Hospital Wing," said Harry quickly.

"No need," said Snape. He indicated Hotaru, who was starting to stir. "This sort of overload rarely lasts more than a second."

"Harry-kun." Hotaru's voice was a bit groggy. "Wakarimasu ka?"

It tickled his memory. Harry felt like he should know what she said, but just couldn't bring the word to mind. "I don't think it worked."

"Of course it did," snapped the Professor. "You simply require time to assimilate the new memories. A week or two, provided you have Ms Tomoe's assistance, and you will be speaking Japanese at a child's level. Assuming that you have the will to continue learning, you should progress at a reasonable rate thereafter."

"Thank you, Sir," said Hotaru. She still sounded quite groggy, but she was struggling to get to her feet. Harry helped her stand upright, one arm around her waist to help her keep her balance.

"Yes, thank you, Professor," said Harry. "We appreciate your help." He turned to help Hotaru towards the door.

"Mr Potter," said Professor Snape.

Harry turned back to face the man. "Yes, Sir?"

"Your Legilimency shows promise," said Snape. He looked as though he hated saying it. "If you persist in your practice in that field as well, you might just be able to defend your mind after all."

"Thank you, Sir."

"And Ms Tomoe," continued Snape.

"Sir?"

"The girl in your nightmares..." He frowned. "Who is she? And why do you associate her with your bouts of accidental magic?"

"I..." Hotaru bit her lip. "I only started dreaming about her after I encountered Dementors for the first time. But in my nightmares...she has...I don't know. She's...uncontrolled."

"I see." Snape seemed to consider this, then abruptly turned away from them. "Dinner will be starting in fifteen minutes. You had best hurry."

"Come on," he whispered to Hotaru. She nodded, and Harry helped her from the classroom.