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.
Shadows and Memories
Harry frowned as he entered the Great Hall. A notice had been posted on the Gryffindor notice board that all students were required to attend breakfast this Saturday. This was only done for significant notices, such as changes in staff. They'd had one last week, when Umbridge had been installed as Headmistress of Hogwarts. Another had been held a bit over a month ago, when Umbridge had sacked Professor Trelawney.
However, the atmosphere in the Great Hall today felt much worse than either of those prior events. Harry made his way over to the Gryffindor table, where he saw Hotaru already sitting. He dropped down next to her, his hand brushing hers as he did so.
"What's going on?" he asked in Japanese. "It feels like someone died or something."
Hotaru looked at him reproachfully, and too late, Harry remembered that the Japanese didn't approve of comments about death. "Sorry," he mumbled.
"Nobody saw Filch anywhere yesterday or Thursday," said Hotaru. "I've heard rumours that he is not in good health recently."
"Oh." And now he felt even worse. "But perhaps he simply quit?" he offered. "After all, I know that Filch was really unhappy with his job. I mean, being a non-magical person in a magical castle, who hates kids, and is cleaning up after magical kids, and he can't use magic himself to do it...well, we all know he's pretty bitter about that."
"True," allowed Hotaru. "And given those points, I am somewhat surprised he stayed here. But if that were the case, the atmosphere wouldn't feel so heavy." She hesitated, then said, "I'd think that people would be celebrating."
Harry glanced towards the head of the room as Dolores Umbridge stood. "Well, whatever it is, we're about to find out."
"Attention, please, students." Dolores' saccharine voice clashed badly with the tension in the Great Hall. "I am afraid that I have some sad news. Our beloved caretaker, Argus Filch, has passed away."
Hotaru gasped.
"As far as we have been able to tell, his passing was due to his advanced age," continued Umbridge. "And, as he was a squib, he had no magic to sustain him."
"Not cool," grumbled Harry. "He didn't want that widely known."
"Of course, a school this size does require a caretaker," said Umbridge. "And so, we have retained the services of Miss Blossom Blackrock, formerly of Boston, Massachusetts."
Another woman stood up, a tall, sharp-featured woman with long reddish-brown hair that fell to her waist. Hotaru gasped again, and Harry glanced at her. Her eyes were wide with shock, and her hands had flown to her mouth.
"That—" She turned to Harry. "You remember that I told you, many years ago, that my father hired a governess? That's her. That's the woman."
Harry's eyebrows rose. "Really? Small world." He frowned. "Though wait. If she's part of the magical world, then she must have known that you were a witch."
"Perhaps not," said Hotaru. "But I'd already had a few instances of accidental magic. So the Ministry was aware...maybe they sent her to keep tabs on me? And Papa found out, and that's why he sacked her?"
"That would make sense," said Harry. But he had the nagging feeling that it wasn't the entire story. And looking at Hotaru, he felt certain that she felt the same way.
Harry skidded to a stop at the bottom of the slope, scattering animal bones from his path. Ami and Hotaru had gone ahead, and Hotaru was applying cleaning charms to Ami's robes. Snape stood a bit apart, scowling at the three teens.
"This is a gloomy spot, yes?" observed Ami. "And you said you fought a giant snake in here?"
"I fought the snake in another chamber, connected to this one by a maze of tunnels," said Harry. "But we're not going that far. I told Pluto we'd meet her here."
There was a flash of light, and Harry saw what looked like a set of doors opening in mid-air. Through them stepped Sailor Pluto, as well as a teenage girl with long, blonde hair in buns and ponytails. The blinding light faded—Harry was surprised that his eyesight wasn't dazzled—and the blonde looked around and wrinkled her nose.
"Ew! Look at all the bones! Couldn't you have picked a different meeting place?"
Harry grinned. "Good to see you again, Usagi," he said in Japanese.
She didn't seem like the reincarnation of the Crown Princess of the entire solar system. Harry had been surprised, when he'd met her in Japan, to find that she was a very care-free, cheerful and friendly girl. She was also a bit ditzy at times, which could be amusing.
"Setsuna told me that we were just picking you three up. I hope that where we're going will be nicer than this." She grinned at Harry. "Is the rest of the castle nice?"
"It's not bad," chuckled Harry. "Maybe we can give you a tour, after everything's settled."
"As nice as it would be to stop for a cup of tea," interjected Setsuna, "we do need to get a move on." She spoke in English, out of deference to Professor Snape's lack of Japanese.
"I did not recall saying that we would need so many people," said Snape. "Why is this girl here? For that matter, Ms Mizuno, why have you come along?"
"They have another mission," said Setsuna. "I am merely transport today." She waved her staff, and the doors opened again. "Everybody, please, through the Gate."
Harry was the first to step through...and found himself in a large chamber of white marble. Some parts of it appeared to have been carved and shaped; others were still natural stone. He stepped to the side, mindful of the fact that others would be coming through, and glanced back. The doors, on this side, were ornate marble with gold fittings. The phases of the moon were carved into panels on the doors.
Ami stepped through, followed by Hotaru, Usagi, Snape and finally Pluto. The doors closed behind her as she crossed the threshold.
"This is one of the most powerful places ever made by the Moon Kingdom," said Pluto. "It's also one of the most secret. I would ask you to never speak of it to others." She glanced at Harry, then at Snape. "Are we clear?"
"Perfectly," said Snape quietly. Harry simply nodded.
Pluto turned back to the doors, and waved her staff. "The doors will open to a storage closet at St Mungo's," she said. "It will be a bit of a tight fit for the two of you." She glanced at Ami. "Don't let Usagi play with anything in there," she said sternly.
Ami nodded.
"I will be back in fifteen minutes to collect you."
The doors opened, and Ami and Usagi walked through them.
"This procedure will take considerably longer than fifteen minutes," pointed out Snape.
"I am the Mistress of Time," said Setsuna. "When I pick them up, it will be fifteen minutes later for them. Regardless of when I pick them up."
"Time travel is a headache," growled Snape.
Pluto chuckled, then turned back to the doors again. A wave of her staff, and they opened once again.
"This is our stop," she said.
Again, Harry was through the doors. And found himself in the chamber from which they'd just left. However, he noted that the chute that led to Myrtle's bathroom was still sealed.
"We should not leave this chamber," said Snape. "If we are, in fact, in the year 1920, then the basilisk is still very much alive."
"It won't come unless it's called," said Harry quietly. "And I'm the only one here who could do so." He turned, to see that Setsuna was not there. Only he, Hotaru and Snape were present. "Where did—" He frowned. "Does she know how long this will take?"
"I do not even know how long this will take," said Snape. "However, if she is truly the Mistress of Time, she must already know the answer." He flicked his wand, and a mattress appeared atop the various animal bones. "Lie down."
Harry did so, and Snape knelt beside him. He held out a phial. "Drink this."
Harry took the phial and drained it. And almost gagged; it tasted like rotten fish mixed with essence of polecat.
"It will take effect in just a few minutes," said Snape. "Ms Tomoe, if you would please kneel next to Harry and keep a hand on him? I see no reason why this procedure should cause him harm, but since you are here anyway, we might as well take advantage of the fact."
Harry was feeling a bit woolly-headed already. He grinned weakly. "If nothing else, she's moral support."
Hotaru blushed lightly, and knelt beside him. Snape stood up, and took a step back. He drew his wand.
"If this is done properly," said Snape, "it will take an hour or two. If you resist me, it will take longer. While you are unconscious, you will likely try to resist instinctively, despite the potion doing everything possible to remove your defences."
"I...guess I'll try not to?" said Harry. It really was getting difficult to concentrate.
"Keep it in mind as you fall asleep," said Snape. "Which should be happening any..."
He did not hear the rest.