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.

Whispers of Loyalty

Despite the warmth in the greenhouses, Harry felt as though the air was laden with frost. Hufflepuffs were typically cheerful and friendly, but there wasn't a single hint of that in the expressions of Cedric's House mates. Even Hannah Abbott, who had stuck up for Harry during the Heir of Slytherin mess, turned away from him with a scowl as he entered.

Neville had arrived well before Harry and Hermione, and had been talking with Hannah. He whispered something to her, and she shook her head. Neville sighed, and walked towards Harry and Hermione.

"I told her, Harry," he said. "I know you didn't enter your name, and I told her, but she won't hear it."

"It's fine, Neville," said Harry. "They're Hufflepuffs, not Ravenclaws. Loyalty is their defining trait, isn't it?"

Hermione winced at the acerbic innuendo.

"Re-potting Bouncing Bulbs is a tricky business at best," said Professor Sprout. "You'll need four for this assignment. Mr Macmillan, if you'd work with Mr Potter and—"

"No, Ma'am," said Ernie Macmillan curtly.

"Well then, Mr Weasley—"

"I've got my partners," mumbled Ron.

"Now look," snapped Sprout. "There's twenty students here, and that means five teams of four. Ms Bones, you've got five in your team, so you can—"

"I need all five," said Susan. She glared at Harry, contempt in her eyes.

"Well, Mr Potter," said Sprout. "You've made this bed. You can lie in it."

"I didn't—" He cut himself off. "Fine. Whatever."

"A point from Gryffindor for your cheek," said Sprout. She turned to walk away, which was probably for the best. Harry had turned to show her some real cheek, but Hermione had grabbed his arm and shook her head silently.

There was a knock at the door of the greenhouse, and Ami Mizuno stuck her head in. "Excuse me, Professor Sprout?"

"Yes, dear." All the usual warmth came back into Sprout's voice.

"Professor Meiou said I should audit classes, because we didn't bring a lot of teachers—"

"Yes, I recall," said Sprout. "Professor Dumbledore told me that we should expect you, and your classmates. But aren't you a seventh year?"

"Sixth, as you would consider it," admitted Ami. "However, I'm...not very good at Herbology, and I've got a gap in my timetable."

"Well, you're welcome to join my fourth years, if you think that's where you'd fit in." She glanced around the room quickly. "Mr Potter needs one more in his group. Since you're both Champions—"

"Un." Ami pulled a pair of sandals from her bag, and set them on the ground. She stepped out of her shoes and into the sandals. Neville raised an eyebrow at this.

"Are those sandals made of wood?"

"Yes. We call them geta. They're farmers' sandals." She tilted her foot, showing the risers on the underside. "Good for in dirt."

"I should get a pair of those," mused Neville. "I imagine they take practice?"

"A bit," admitted Ami. "They also look a bit silly if you're not wearing a robe."

"You often dress Muggle?"

Ami nodded. "Of course, in Japan, our traditional Muggle dress is very similar to our school uniforms."

"I've seen pictures," said Hermione. "The kimono looks a lot more ornate than the Mahoutokoro robe."

"Meiou-sensei was wearing kimono when we arrived," said Ami. "So what exactly do we have here?"

"Bouncing Bulbs," said Neville. "We've got to re-pot them, and it usually takes two fully grown adults. We're not yet fully grown, so it'll be harder for us."

"Fascinating," said Ami. "I've never seen a plant like this before."

"You seem to get along all right with Ami," said Neville.

"Out of the four proper Champions," said Harry, "she was the first to accept that I didn't put my name in. In fact, she expressed it in terms of probabilities, and arithmantically proved that I couldn't have."

"Whoa." Neville's eyebrows raised. "That's impressive. And still people believe you did?"

"People are sheep," said Harry with a scowl.

"Well, I noticed something odd," said Neville, his tone thoughtful. "Ami didn't recognize the Bouncing Bulbs. But, you know, they're native to Japan."

"Really?" Harry frowned at that. "I didn't know that either."

Neville nodded. "I know you've learned to speak Japanese, Harry. Not sure why you're keeping that a secret—"

"This isn't the first time I've heard something off about them," Harry interrupted, a touch of suspicion creeping into his voice. "It feels like they're up to something more than just participating in the Challenge."

Neville leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Like what?"

Harry shook his head, his mind swirling with possibilities. "I don't know, Neville. But something doesn't add up. For the Mahoutokoro students—and especially Meiou-sensei—the Challenge seems like a pretext for some other mission or goal. I can't put my finger on it just yet, but we need to stay alert and keep an eye on them."

"Excuse me, Professor Snape."

Snape whirled, and focused a glower on Colin Creevey, who was hovering near the door. "What is it, boy?"

"Er...Professor Dumbledore sent me to fetch Harry Potter. Something about a photographer?"

"Mr Potter can manage his fame on his own time," said Snape.

"It's for the Challenge, Sir."

Snape sighed, and turned to Harry. "Have you finished?"

"No, Professor. Sorry."

Snape waved a wand at the cauldron. "I've put it under stasis. You'll complete it in detention tonight."

Harry swallowed heavily. "Yes, Sir."

"Now go." He sneered at him. "Mustn't keep the photographer waiting."

Harry gathered his tools and bookbag, and followed Colin from the Potions Lab. Colin let out a sigh of relief as soon as they turned a corner.

"Blimey, he seemed really mad at you, Harry!"

Harry chuckled. "It's mostly for show any more. He's much less unpleasant when there's no audience."

"What did you do to get him to act...well, human?"

"Brewed an illegal potion in a disused lavatory." Harry chuckled again at the expression on Colin's face. "So we're going to Dumbledore's office?"

"Oh, no," said Colin. "Great Hall. Well, that little room off the top, where you and the other Champions went."

"The real Champions," said Harry firmly. "I was drafted."

"I know, Harry," said Colin cheerfully. "But that doesn't mean I won't be rooting for you anyway."

It didn't take them long to reach the room, where Harry saw the four Champions, as well as the various Head Professors and some Ministry people—Ludo Bagman, who he recalled was the head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, and Mr Crouch, the head of the Department of International Magical Co-operation. He also saw Mr Ollivander, the wandmaker, as well as the promised photographer.

"Mr Potter," said Dumbledore. "Well, that completes the set. Now we can begin the Weighing of the Wands." He gestured to Mr Ollivander. "Garrick, if you would proceed?"

"Of course, Albus." Mr Ollivander stepped forward. "Your wand is, of course, your most loyal ally, and the only tool you can be guaranteed will be allowed to you in all four Tasks. Therefore, we must ensure that they are fully functional."

"Excuse me, Sir." Harry raised his hand. "Four Tasks? I was told there'd only be three."

"I believe I can answer that one," said Ludo Bagman. "You see, Harry, we were already considering a fourth Task, because there were four schools competing, and we'd made plans in case we decided to go ahead with that. But we changed our minds, and shelved one of those Tasks.

"But after you were chosen, myself and a few others considered it, and decided that the fourth Task might as well go ahead. Don't worry, though," he chuckled. "I'm certain you'll be able to handle it!"

"Yes, Sir." Harry sighed.

"Thank you, Ludo," said Mr Ollivander. "Now then. Alphabetically, I believe. So first up is Ms Delacour."

Fleur stepped up, and presented her wand. Mr Ollivander took it, and examined it closely. "Nine and a half inches, inflexible. Rosewood and...oh, my..."

"A hair from a Veela," said Fleur proudly. "My grandmother, in fact."

"Veela hair is temperamental for many", said Ollivander. "Few people could produce great results from such a wand. That you are able to speaks greatly for your skill." He waved the wand, producing a bouquet of orchids, and handed it, and the wand, to Fleur. "I see it's in fine order. Now, Mr Diggory."

Cedric handed over his wand, and Ollivander smiled. "Ah, this is one of mine. Twelve and a quarter inches of ash, and a tail hair from a particularly impressive unicorn. One that nearly gored me when I plucked his hair. It's in excellent condition...you've been properly maintaining it?"

"Polished it last night," said Cedric proudly.

"No doubt," muttered Fleur, and Harry stifled a grin.

Mr Ollivander produced a series of smoke rings from the wand, and then handed it back to him. "Next up, Mr Krum."

The Bulgarian slouched towards Mr Ollivander and thrust his wand towards him. Ollivander took it and examined it.

"Gregorovich made this wand, didn't he?" Ollivander nodded. "His style is distinctive, more...primal than mine. Hornbeam and dragon heartstring, ten and a quarter inches, and quite rigid." He jabbed the wand forward, and with a bang like a gun, several small yellow birds burst from the wand tip.

"Quite potent. Mizuno-san."

Ami bowed, and presented her wand.

"I see that Yamazaki-san retains her preference for longer wands." He smiled as he examined it. "Cherry-wood, fifteen inches and flexible. I'll not embarass you by mentioning the wand core."

"Arigato."

Mr Ollivander swept the wand through the air, producing a shower of red flower petals. He frowned. "This wand feels...Did Yamazaki-san incorporate anything...unusual in it?"

"She didn't say so," said Ami.

"Because it has an...unusual feel." He shrugged. "Possibly it's simply that Japanese wand-making styles are quite different from my own. Regardless, it certainly seems to be functioning." He handed it back to her. "And finally, Mr Potter."

"Sir." He stepped forward and handed his wand to Mr Ollivander.

"You've taken decent care of this, Mr Potter, despite your various adventures." Mr Ollivander smiled. "I remember the day I sold you this wand...you were a difficult customer to fit." He waved the wand, producing a spray of wine. "Yes. Eleven inches, holly and phoenix feather. Nice and supple. And it's still in perfect condition." He handed it back to Harry.

"Well, Albus." Mr Ollivander turned back to Dumbledore. "I can confidently say that all five Champions are well equipped for the Challenge."

"Excellent," said the Headmaster. "Now, we were to have interviews with a reporter from the Daily Prophet. However, imagine my surprise when she attempted to enter the school grounds, and a charm left over from last year revealed that she was an unregistered animagus." He chuckled. "So I am afraid that the Prophet will have to make do with only photographs. Gather 'round, you five."