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.

A Meeting in Hogsmeade

They had managed to get a carriage all to themselves. The day was quite cold, even for early March, and both wore their warmest cloaks. Hotaru leaned up against Harry, her eyes mostly closed, a smile on her lips. Harry had an arm around her shoulder, and stole the occasional glance down at her.

"They know we can speak Japanese," he said quietly.

"Hm?" Hotaru opened her eyes and looked up at him. "The students from Mahoutokoro?"

"Yeah." Harry sighed. "Meiou-sensei cornered me about it, the day before the first task."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" There was no accusation in her voice; merely curiosity.

"I wanted to make sure we were well away from the school before telling you," he said. "Just in case. I don't want prying ears learning any more of our secrets."

"As secrets go, we're pretty tame," said Hotaru.

"Maybe so." He drew in a breath. "She also knew I'd overheard them, when they were talking about killing someone. She said it wasn't you; they're here for someone else."

"A woman?"

Harry considered that. "They used they, not he or she. I kind of assumed that they were looking for a woman, because I thought it was you. But they might be after a man."

"Maybe they're after Voldemort," said Hotaru.

"That would be nice," said Harry. He frowned. "No. I remember at least twice, someone said she, rather than they. It must be a woman.

"But there's still something we're missing," he continued. "They seem to have come a long way to take part in a contest that has never mattered to their school before. And they have code names of some sort."

"Maybe they're a sentai team."

Harry knew the word, which meant something like "task force". But he was certain that he was missing some context. "What's a sentai team?"

Hotaru giggled. "It's a thing from anime. A team of super soldiers, or magical girls, or something like that. There's typically five of them, and they fit certain patterns. Ami would be the brain, Minako's the leader, Rei's the lancer, Makoto's the tough. But Meiou-sensei doesn't really fit in as the heart."

"Maybe they left someone behind," joked Harry. "Maybe the 'Princess' they mentioned? What's the 'heart' do?"

"Inspiration, social networking, healing..." Hotaru shrugged. "Stuff like that. Important to storytelling, but not really a combat machine."

"Yeah, that doesn't really describe Meiou-sensei." Harry chuckled.

They fell into a comfortable silence, Hotaru snuggling back into Harry. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sound of the carriage on the road, and the faint scent of Hotaru's shampoo. It was only when the carriage took a sudden sharp left that he was jolted back to wakefulness.

"What time is it?"

Hotaru checked her watch. "Nearly noon. Why? Do we have a reservation?"

"As a matter of fact, yes."

"You two are a sight for sore eyes!"

Sirius looked a lot better than the last time Harry and Hotaru had seen him. It stood to reason, however. It had been almost nine months since his escape on Buckbeak, and they'd not gotten a chance to see him during the trial. Where before he'd been emaciated, filthy and near crazed, he was now at a healthy weight, well dressed and well groomed.

Harry grinned at him. "Good to see you too, Padfoot." He shook the man's hand, but was surprised when Sirius pulled him into a hug.

"Sorry." Sirius stepped back when Harry stiffened. "I know. Too soon. We don't really know each other—"

"You're my godfather," said Harry, cutting him off. "It's just...I..."

"Harry's not been treated well," said Hotaru quietly. She stepped forward and offered her hand for Sirius to shake, but he grinned and kissed it instead. His grin widened at her blush.

"All right," said Sirius. "I've already talked to Rosmerta—she kept apologizing for believing what people said about me. But she arranged a private table for the three of us." He gestured towards the far corner of the dining room. "I'd like to catch up with you, Harry, if that's all right with you."

"Sure," said Harry. Hotaru shifted a bit uncomfortably beside him, and he hastened to add, "So long as Hotaru can join us?"

"Sure," agreed Sirius. "She helped save my life. And she's clearly important to you."

Harry glanced at Hotaru, worried that he might have misinterpreted, but her happy grin told him that he'd gotten it right.

The three of them made their way over to their assigned table, to find pumpkin juice, bread rolls and Rosmerta waiting for them.

"I'll have everything from page two, Rosie," said Sirius. He grinned at Harry. "Bloody nutrient potions that 'Dromeda has me on. They make me constantly hungry."

"Who's that, then?"

"Andromeda Tonks, my cousin," replied Sirius. "Your barrister's wife. She's a healer."

"Oh." Harry ducked his head. "That's right. I'd forgotten."

"And for you, luv?" asked Rosmerta.

"Roast beef sandwich, please. With gravy."

"Fish and chips, please," said Hotaru. "Thick cut chips, if I may. And do you have apple cider?"

"Sure do," said Rosmerta. "I'll have those out in a jiffy."

Sirius waited until Rosmerta was some distance off, then quietly said, "All right, Pup. Dumbledore told me you were living with Petunia. I know that woman, and her despicable husband. Please tell me they're treating you properly."

Harry looked down at the table. "I'm...doing okay, I suppose." Hotaru laid a hand on his arm, and he glanced up at her, a wistful smile on his face. "It was bad...like, really bad. But then I met Hotaru, and she got a teacher involved. And after that, me and the Dursleys have agreed to live and let live."

Sirius frowned. "It sounds like you'd be better off living elsewhere."

"Professor Flitwick says that I have to stay there for a fortnight every year," said Harry. "Because of a magical protection of some sort. But as soon as that fortnight is over...well, second year, I spent at the Burrow. Third year, I was at the Leaky. And fourth year, at the Burrow again."

"Well, this summer, if you want, you can stay with me." Sirius grinned. "That is only if you want. It's not much; just a flat in Clifton."

Hotaru gasped. "Clifton's near Bristol! Harry, that's where we live!"

"Guess that settles it," grinned Harry.

Sirius gave a bark of laughter. "I'll talk to Dumbledore about that." He sobered. "So tell me about this bloody Challenge you're in."

"I didn't enter my name," said Harry quickly.

"I believe you," said Sirius. "So does Dumbledore, so you know. I heard you out-smarted a Norwegian Ridgeback, escorted a pretty girl to the ball, and then rescued her from the Merfolk."

"Well..."

"He also rescued a nine-year-old from the Merfolk," added Hotaru.

"Not helping," he mumbled. Hotaru giggled.

"When's the next Task?" asked Sirius.

"April First," said Harry. "It's a co-operative Task. And we get to score each other, instead of the Judges handing out points."

Sirius nodded, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Co-operative, huh? That sounds like they're trying to change things up a bit. And scoring each other? That's an interesting twist. So, how's it going to work? You and the other Champions have to team up or something?"

"They won't tell us," growled Harry. "Just that we have to work together, and I get to bring one magical artifact."

Sirius snorted. "You've still got your Firebolt, right? And knowing you, you'll find a way to use it to its fullest. Just remember, Harry, these challenges might be tough, but you've got what it takes. You're resourceful, quick on your feet, and you've got a good head on your shoulders."

They'd just left the Three Broomsticks when Harry spotted Draco Malfoy. The other boy was walking quickly up the main street, his hand in front of his face.

"Hold up." Harry strode towards Draco. "What happened?"

Draco scowled; only his eyes were visible above his hand. "Got into a...disagreement...with Nott. Don't worry too much about it; I'll get him later."

Hotaru was right behind Harry, and was frowning. "Your speech is slurred. What did he do to you?"

"Nothing too bad," said Draco.

Harry didn't like the response; it sounded too much like something that he'd say himself. "Draco. Move your hand."

Draco winced, and lowered his hand. Hotaru gasped in shock; the blond boy's face was swollen and puffy.

"Stinging hex," said Sirius, who'd come up behind the three of them. "Has it ended?"

"Yeah," said Draco. "The swelling will go down eventually."

Hotaru pulled off her glove, and splayed her fingers across Draco's face. The swelling immediately started to fade. Draco sighed in relief.

"Thanks."

Sirius was frowning at him. "You're Lucius Malfoy's son, aren't you?"

"I am," said Draco warily. "And you're my cousin, Sirius Black, right?"

"Guilty," said Sirius. Then winced. "Or more properly, Not Guilty."

Draco snorted at that. "Mother was quite upset to learn that you weren't a mass murderer, Mr Black."

"Oh? Nice to know that Cissy hasn't changed." Sirius looked rather disgusted. "And what about your father?"

"Father always knew you were innocent," said Draco. "Of course, that's only because he was one of Voldemort's Death Eaters. The bloody idiot."

"Draco's not his father, Sirius," said Harry quietly.

"I'm getting that impression," said Sirius cautiously. "Of course, impressions can be misleading."

"Says the first Black ever sorted into Gryffindor," responded Draco.

"Fair," allowed Sirius. He glanced to Harry. "So can you tell me one thing that Draco, here, has done that goes against the Malfoy grain?"

"He apologized to a House Elf," said Harry.

Sirius' eyebrows rose. "Well, that is certainly un-Malfoy-like." He turned his gaze back on Draco. "So you and my godson are friends?"

"Yes, Sir," said Draco. "We weren't, so much, at first. But after I got over myself, we decided we could get along."

"Draco's been taking a lot of grief from the rest of Slytherin House as a result," said Harry quietly. "Especially from the Junior Death Eaters."

"What about from your family?" asked Sirius.

"Father's considering my points," said Draco. "Mother...not so much."

"Well, I might despise your parents, but you're still a Black," said Sirius firmly. "If you need refuge from your parents, let Harry know. He'll get ahold of me forthwith." He glanced at Harry. "You're okay with that, yeah?"

"Yeah," said Harry. "I owe Draco one."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Please. Everybody in the school owes you."