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.

The Defence Club

Harry's eyes widened as he took in the state of Hedwig's feathers. The owl was ruffled, several of her flight feathers damaged, and Harry could see a spot of blood on her leg.

"Yada!" He shook his head, forcing himself back to English. "Oh, Hedwig. What happened to you?"

"Looks like she's been in a fight," said Hotaru.

Despite her obvious exhaustion, Hedwig held out the scroll she bore for Harry to remove.

"Yes, Hedwig, you are the best mail owl." Harry picked up three slices of bacon. "Here, munch on these. I'll take a quick look at this, then take you up to Hagrid. He'll set you right."

Hedwig hopped over to Hotaru's arm, and began devouring her bacon. Seiun, Hotaru's mail buzzard, glared at the larger raptor, but decided against making a scene.

"It's from Ted," said Harry. "Looks like he wasn't able to do anything about Umbridge. She was acting in her role as Professor, and the Ministry is holding to the rule that, as long as she thinks she's doing best, she can't be sued or charged." He crumpled up the parchment angrily. "It's the Lockhart situation all over again, except this time, she's got Ministry backing."

"I'm sorry," said Hotaru. "At least now, you'll let me heal your hand?"

"Yeah." He grinned sheepishly at her. "I know you don't understand—"

"Oh, I understand," she said. "I just hate seeing you in pain." She glanced up at the head table. "I won't do it where she can see."

"Let me get Hedwig up to Hagrid, then," said Harry. "Then we'll head to..." He grinned. "'Headquarters', I guess we'll call it."

"Bloody buggering bollocks!" hissed Hermione.

It was so unlike her that Harry's neck cracked as his head swivelled to face her. "What—"

Hermione turned her copy of the Daily Prophet so that Harry could see the headline.

Dolores Umbridge Appointed High Inquisitor At Hogwarts!

"Oh, that can't be good," muttered Harry.

"So we're pretty much stuck with her," said Harry. "Professor McGonagall's made it clear that the Headmaster can't get rid of her. And clearly the Ministry's intent on keeping her in place."

"But that's not tenable!" Hermione jumped to her feet and started pacing. "This is our OWL year! And she's not teaching us a bloody thing!"

Harry nodded. "Trust me, I know. Even Moody, as insane as he was, taught us stuff. Umbridge is as useless as Lockhart."

"More so," said Draco. "At least Lockhart was entertaining."

Hermione considered, then said, "Remember, three weeks ago, when I borrowed your mirror?"

"Yeah?" Harry frowned. "What about it?"

"Well, I asked Sirius a bunch of stuff about..." Hermione glanced over at Draco. "Well, that thing he and his friends made while they were at school."

"You mean the Map," supplied Harry. He glanced in Draco's direction as well. "Either we trust him or we don't, Hermione."

"I understand her mistrust," said Draco. "I was miserable to her—to all of you—all through our first two years. What map?"

"It's a magical map of Hogwarts," answered Harry. "It's pretty cool. I'll fill you in later, though." He glanced back to Hermione. "So you asked him about the Map?"

"Yes," said Hermione. "He said that for what I had in mind, it wouldn't be the best thing, and suggested I look up a few charms." She paused, and drew a deep breath. "Harry, I think that you should teach us Defence Against the Dark Arts."

Harry's jaw fell. "Me? Why me?"

"Because you've had lots of practical experience," said Hermione. "What with the Tournament last year, plus the Dementors the year before that. You've fought Tom three times now, and won. You've got more experience than any of us put together."

"It's clearly your best subject," added Ron. "You consistently get O's, even with the rubbish teachers we've had."

"Hermione's clearly the most studious of us," objected Harry. "Hotaru's barely behind her. I'm ahead of Ron, but only because Hotaru helps me."

"Oh, drop the false modesty, Potter," snapped Draco. "You're consistently in the top five of our year every year. You out-score every Gryffindor save Granger, every Ravenclaw except Tomoe, and every Slytherin, including myself. I've got you beat on Potions, but that's really it."

"And we're talking your best subject," said Hermione, echoing Ron. "You consistently place first of forty every year."

"I just..." Harry shook his head. "I don't know that I'm up to it. I don't know if I have what it takes to be a teacher. You're talking about me being in charge of all your grades."

"Not just ours," said Hermione. "I think we should offer this to every student in our year who wants it."

"Every student we can trust," Ron quickly qualified. "No offense to you, Draco, but there's a fair few Slytherins I think we'd be further ahead not teaching."

Draco nodded somberly. "Most won't hesitate to dob you in. I assume that you would not want Umbridge getting wind of this?"

"That's even worse, then." Harry threw up his arms. "We're talking more than thirty students. I don't know if I can do that."

Hotaru laid a hand on his arm. "I think you can."

Harry looked down at her. "I know you've got a lot of faith in me—"

"More than faith," said Hotaru. "Back in second year, when we brewed the Polyjuice Potion. You managed to persuade Hermione to see your point of view. At the World Cup. You kept us organized, and tried to keep us safe, even without a wand. All during Fourth Year. You kept us focused on our tasks, even while Ron was being a prat. Even just now, when you expressed trust of Draco. You're a natural leader, Harry."

Harry looked at her, then glanced around his ring of friends. "You all really think that I can do this?"

"Yes," said Hermione immediately.

"Definitely," added Draco.

"You can't be worse than Umbridge," said Ron.

Hermione immediately slapped his shoulder. "Be more supportive!"

Harry grinned at that. "Okay, then. I'll step up."

"Good!" said Hermione. "I'll pass the word among the Gryffindors I think we can trust. Hotaru, if you could do the same with the Ravenclaws. Ron, I want you to approach the Hufflepuffs—I suggest Hannah Abbott or Susan Bones would be a good choice." She hesitated. "Draco, are there any Slytherins you think can be trusted?"

Draco considered this, then said, "Maybe Tracy Davis. She's a half-blood, and gets a lot of flak from the rest of the House. But nobody else."

"Sound her out. But be careful." Hermione grinned. "Exercise that Slytherin cunning."

Draco gave her a flippant salute.

"Whoever you talk to, tell them to be at the Hog's Head on Saturday at one, next Hogsmeade weekend," said Hermione.

"And tell them to keep mum," added Ron. "The last thing we want is word of this getting back to the Toad."

"So what does this have to do with those charms?" asked Harry. "The ones you talked to Sirius about?"

"We'll need a way to communicate times and places," said Hermione. She grinned. "Sirius and Professor Lupin gave me some very clever ideas."

Harry looked around the crowded bar-room. "This looks like more than all of fifth year."

"Well, I guess word got around," said Hermione weakly.

Aside from the fifth-year students they'd discussed, Harry also saw a fair number of fourth years, including Colin Creevey, Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood. He also saw Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe, two sixth-year Ravenclaws, as well as Fred and George Weasley, Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson, Mizuno Ami and Cedric Diggory, all in their seventh year. As he watched, Katie Bell slipped in through the door as well. There were also more than a few fourth-year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws that he didn't recognize.

He took a deep breath, and stepped forward. "Right. So you all know who I am. And you all know who they've got teaching Defence this year, and how she's doing it."

"Is it true that you fought You-Know-Who?" called out a voice.

"I'm not here to talk about that," said Harry sternly. "If that's all you're here for, you can clear out now." He paused, but nobody moved. "Right, then. It's rather important that Umbridge doesn't get word of this. For that reason, I've had Hermione draw up a magical contract." He waved her forward. "If you sign this, you're agreeing not to tell our secrets to anybody."

He took the parchment and quill from Hermione, and signed his name. "As you can see, my name is now on the contract. So I can't tell you anything more until you sign." He set the parchment on the table in front of him. "So. Who's in?"

Fred and George were the first to reach the table, almost fighting over the quill in order to sign their names. Harry watched with a bit of a grin as the students lined up to sign, one at a time.

"Maybe this will work out after all," he said quietly.