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.

Unmasked Rebellion

"All right, Lavender," said Harry. "Have you got your happy memory?"

Lavender nodded, a smile on her face.

"Sure looks like it," remarked Dean Thomas, producing a round of laughter, including from Lavender Brown.

"All right. Keep that memory in mind, and cast."

Lavender's wand came up and described a half-twist and jab. "Expecto Patronum!"

A puff of silver gas emerged from her wand.

"Not bad," said Harry. "Would you believe that most people don't get even that much on their first try?"

Lavender grinned, and looked to be about to speak, but was interrupted as Dobby appeared with a pop.

"Master Harry," said the Elf breathlessly. "Umbridge is coming!"

"Does she know how to get into the room?" asked Hotaru quickly.

Dobby shook his head. "Dobby doesn't think so, Miss Tomoe."

"That'll slow her down," said Harry. "Dobby. How fast can you evacuate people from here?"

"Dobby can move one person at a time, Master," said Dobby.

"Start with the youngest," said Harry. Dobby nodded, and ran over to grab Colin Creevey's hand.

"Winky!" yelled Hermione. When her Elf appeared, she said, "I need you to start moving people from here to their common rooms."

"Winky does not know where the common rooms are," wailed Winky.

"Oh, bother." She turned to Harry. "Have you got your Map?"

"Of course." Harry unfolded the map on the nearest table. "Winky. Take Luna first. Her common room is here."

He tapped the map, and Winky nodded. Then looked up as Luna Lovegood took her hand, and vanished with another pop.

Harry watched nervously as student after student was apparated out by the House Elves, with Winky occasionally having to check the map to find the next common room. Finally, it was down to him, Hotaru and Hermione.

Which was when the doors started to open.

"Shit, she's figured it out," Harry said. "Dobby, Winky, take the girls out next."

"No!" said Hermione loudly. "Winky, take Hotaru—"

"No, Winky," said Hotaru. "You must protect your Mistress."

Winky looked torn and confused, but her confusion cleared up when Dobby grabbed Hermione's hand and vanished with a pop. A bare second later, Hotaru also vanished as Winky carried out her Mistress' order.

Harry drew his wand and turned to face the door as it opened fully. Dolores Umbridge strode into the room, her own wand in hand, Argus Filch directly behind her.

"So!" Umbridge smiled evilly. "It seems that our informant was correct after all."

"What informant would that be?" asked Harry innocently.

"Oh, no, Mr Potter. You've already done enough damage to her."

Umbridge is a rank amateur at dissembling, he mused. Setsuna makes her look like a simpleton. Sounds like Hermione's trap worked, though.

"Here it is, Ma'am," said Filch. He'd walked up to the front of the dojo, where—

Oh, crap. The list!

"It looks like a third of the entire student body," said Filch. "Just pinned up there."

"'Dumbledore's Soldiers'," read Umbridge. "I knew it. "I knew it! He's planning to overthrow the Ministry." She turned her gaze on Harry. "Come along, Potter. I do believe that we'll need some Aurors as well. Please see to that, Argus."

The three of them were joined by the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, as well as two Aurors, as they approached the Headmaster's office. Harry was pleased to note that one of them was Nymphadora Tonks, Sirius' cousin, whom he knew to be a member of the Order of the Phoenix. The other he didn't know, a rather short man with a pinched face and long, black hair.

Filch peeled off as the Aurors arrived, and the four of them climbed the stairs to the Headmaster's office. Umbridge raised her fist to bang on the Headmaster's door, but before she could, the doors swung open.

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, looking out at them. "Dolores. And Cornelius, as well. Aurors Tonks and Dawlish. And Mr Potter. How may I be of assistance to you this evening?"

"Don't play games," snapped Umbridge. "You know precisely why we are here!"

"Terribly sorry, but I'm afraid I do not," said Dumbledore. "Despite my reputation for omniscience, I am afraid that my knowledge is as limited as that of any other mortal. You might, for example, be seeking a parfait, but if so, you've come to the wrong door. You'll find that the door to the kitchens is—"

"Enough, Dumbledore," said Fudge. "I was informed of an illegal student organization operating here at Hogwarts."

"Indeed?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Illegal in which way?"

"Any unapproved student organization is forbidden under Educational Decree Number Twenty-four," said Umbridge. "As you are well aware."

"And just who was caught in this organization?" asked Dumbledore.

"While some managed a feeble attempt at escape, I successfully apprehended the ringleader, Mr. Potter." Umbridge shoved him forward. "My unwavering dedication to maintaining order in this institution allowed me to single-handedly secure the capture of the primary troublemaker."

"Filch helped," said Harry. Umbridge glowered at him, but he was completely unworried.

"As I recall," said Dumbledore, "the exact wording of Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four defines a student organization as 'three or more students'. If you only bring me Mr Potter...well, he is only one student."

"There were others," said Umbridge. "We have a witness."

Argus Filch chose that moment to re-enter, dragging Marietta Edgecombe behind him. Harry's eyebrows raised; Marietta's hands were covering her face, but he could see what looked like inkstains on her skin. She dobbed us in, he realized. I never did ask Hermione what the contract would do.

"Please tell the Minister and the Aurors what you know," said Umbridge, her faux-sweet tone returning.

Marietta looked up from her hands, and Harry was shocked—but not surprised—to see the word snitch drawn across her face in what looked like ink. He was shocked, but not so shocked that he didn't notice Tonks, immediately behind her, flick her wand. And Marietta's face suddenly looked confused.

"Tell them what, Ma'am?" she said, puzzled.

"About Potter's club," said Umbridge angrily. "Tell them what you told me!"

"I...I don't remember what I told you," said Marietta. She looked disoriented, and a bit frightened.

"Oh, come on, you stupid girl—"

"Excuse me," said Dumbledore, standing up. His face had turned dark. "I'll not have you abusing the students, simply to gratify your ego." He glanced at Marietta. "You may go, Ms Edgecombe."

Marietta nodded, still looking rather dazed, and turned to leave.

"I'll say when she—"

"No, you will not," snapped Dumbledore. "You might be the High Inquisitioner, but I am still Headmaster, and these children are my charges!"

"Fine," growled Umbridge. "I don't need her. I have further evidence, right here." She slapped the list down on Dumbledore's desk. "You see? This is a list of the members. And the first name on the list, right at the top, is Harry Potter." She crossed her arms, a smug grin on her face. "So he must be the ringleader."

Dumbledore looked down at the list, then up at Harry. Play along, Harry, echoed a voice within him, a voice that seemed to resonate with the Headmaster's calm demeanor. Instinctively, Harry nodded almost imperceptibly, acknowledging the unspoken guidance. He realized that Dumbledore, with his extraordinary Legilimency skills, had woven a strand of influence into his thoughts. The play had been set, and Harry wasn't the lead.

"But his name is not at the top of the list," said Dumbledore. He tapped at the very top of the list. "As you can see, my name is at the top. Dumbledore's Soldiers. Not Potter's Soldiers."

Fudge whirled to Harry. "Is that true?"

"Oh, yeah," said Harry. "I was supposed to do the training, but we hadn't met yet."

"So it's true," said Fudge. "You are building your own army."

"I am," agreed Dumbledore.

"Then that's treason," said Fudge angrily. "Aurors. Arrest him."

"You might find that that is more easily ordered than accomplished," said Dumbledore. His hand flashed up, and four stunners flew across the room, impacting the Minister, Umbridge, Filch and Dawlish. All four fell, looks of surprise frozen on their faces.

"Cor!" Tonks shook her head. "Why'd you have to do that, Prof? Now the Ministry will have a warrant out for you!"

"It's rather more important that Harry remain here at Hogwarts than I do," said Dumbledore. He turned to Harry. "I am sorry that I used Legilimency on you, Harry."

"It's fine," said Harry.

"It does give you an additional layer of protection," continued Dumbledore. "Legilimency leaves a trace. You can later claim that I was giving you subliminal orders, that you realize now that I was wrong."

"I'd rather not—"

"Needs must, Harry, when the Devil drives. Speaking of." He turned to Tonks. "I am sorry, Nymphadora, but I must stun you. We can't have them thinking you're aligned with me."

"Go easy, Professor," said Tonks. "Otherwise, I might wake up later than them."

Dumbledore nodded, and flicked his wand. Tonks crumpled to the ground.

"Now listen carefully, Harry," said Dumbledore. "We are moving into the end game. I have two of your friends from Japan searching for some of Tom Riddle's old school things. Things rather like that diary you brought me in your second year."

"I understand," said Harry. "But should you be telling me these things? I mean, if Voldemort can read my mind—"

"I am confident that you can protect these memories from him," said Dumbledore. "Severus has been giving me regular updates on your progress. I suggest that you try to allow Voldemort to witness my expulsion from the school. It may make him careless."

"Yes, sir," said Harry.

"Things are going to go badly in my absence," continued Dumbledore. "I believe that Voldemort will try influencing your behaviour in the near future. He will likely try to send you false visions. Don't be fooled. And be aware that Dolores Umbridge is far more dangerous than she seems."

"Yes, sir," Harry repeated.

"Then good luck to you," said Dumbledore. He held out his arm, and his phoenix, Fawkes, landed on his wrist. Then both disappeared in a flash of flame.