Digimon: Silver Star Story(Season Two)
Episode One: A New Student Arrives, Part 1
Hogwarts was silent.
Such a thing is unthinkable. The great School was never silent at any time. Even in the still hours of the night, when all was quiet, there was always some kind of movement. A teacher making the rounds to catch students out of bed, those said students trying to avoid said teachers, Argus Filch and his feline alert system, Mrs. Norris. Or students talking amongst themselves in their common rooms, discussing anything that came up.
This night was no different. However, what was unusual was that the entire Castle thrummed with nervous tension. After the disappearance of three of their own two weeks before, the school population jumped at every shadow they saw. And that was brought to a head at dinner in the Great Hall.
Dumbledore finished explaining the situation as he knew it to them. "Now, I must ask all of you not to press any of the Weasley family about this," he informed them," as they know just as much as we do." He looked around, staring at the entire student body in front of him. "Should another crisis arise, I will ask you to inform the Professors immediately. Thank you." He sat down as the students began muttering, rubbing his eyes. Sometimes, he just didn't like being the Headmaster.
Minerva leaned in slightly. "Amelia hasn't found anything?" she asked quietly.
"Unfortunately not." He sighed. "Young Tonks is pursuing some leads that might help, but the events surrounding her group's forced retirement mean that her resources are limited. Right now, we can only hope that Miss Weasley, Miss Granger, and Mister Potter are safe, wherever they are." He looked at her. "How are the Weasleys coping?"
"The Twins haven't committed any pranks, which now worries Filch. The Eldest is trying to keep up a strong front, but he's far more distracted than usual. As for the youngest one…" she gestured to the Great Hall, "he is currently avoiding the Great Hall. Over the last two weeks, I've seen him eat out near the Great Lake or the Library. His schoolwork has improved, but it's coming at a cost."
"Yes, I suspected as much. I believe he will inevitably begin to research ways to find his friends. Hopefully, he'll be successful in his attempt."
She thought differently, but considering how Potter, Granger, and Weasley have dealt with life-threatening situations over the last two years, she also wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.
D:SSSC
It was strange, Ron mused, how much things change when people you care for suddenly vanish without reason. And yet, it was also strange how much they stayed the same.
Harry, Hermione, and Ginny were gone, taken by something beyond his understanding. Aurors were now joining the Dementors, turning the School inside out as they looked for something they probably would never find. And most of the School has been walking on eggshells since it happened. If Sirius Black tried to get in after Harry, it would drive the entirety of them crazy.
On the plus side, his schoolwork was improving quite a bit. It wasn't at the same level as Hermione, but it was still better than before. Mom would be pleased. But what good was that when his best friends weren't here? When his sister wasn't here? Not much, in his opinion.
So, who could he turn to? Seamus and the other Gryffindors were good friends, but they also believed anything that came their way. Last year proved that.
"Hello, Ron Weasley."
"Huh?" He quickly looked to his right, taking in the sight of a young girl about Ginny's age, wearing the colors of Ravenclaw. There were also radish earrings, a necklace of bottle caps around her neck, and her wand stuck behind one ear. It didn't take long for him to figure out who it was. "Oh, hi, Luna."
"Is it alright if I join you? The nargles are getting to be too much inside the Castle."
"Ah... sure." He wasn't sure why, but her presence was preferable to everyone else at the moment. Besides, she was Ginny's friend. Ginny was probably her only friend in the School, as he had never seen anyone else talking to her.
Luna sat down next to him, looking around. After a few moments, she suddenly said, "I always wondered when something like this was going to happen."
"Huh?" He had no idea what she was talking about. Was she talking about this? Or was she talking about something else?
"A greater power taking Harry Potter and Hermione Granger and sending them somewhere else," she elaborated. "They are quite important to Creation, you see."
"Uh… what do yo mean, Luna?"
Luna blinked, looking at him in confusion. "You never thought about why everything happens around the both of them?" she asked as if the concept should have occurred to him.
"I know everything happens around Harry," he replied. "Me and Hermione are usually just around for the ride."
"But that's just it. If either one were not here, the events that have happened would not have. For some reason, the Fates swirl around them as if to protect them, or for protection." She frowned. "The Darkness wants to kill Harry. That much is still set… but now it wishes to destroy Hermione as well. I do not understand why, only that it is so."
Now Ron was perplexed, dashed with a hint of concern. Not only for his friends and sister, but for the young girl next to him. "Luna… are you okay? You're not making sense."
"I know." She leaned in, rubbing her eyes. "I don't know how to explain it properly. I can only See impressions, the barest of the barest hints of what is supposed to happen. I feel like Destiny is being broken deliberately… like the Gods themselves are powerless to stop it." She turned to look at him. "Ron, with them gone, you will have to take their place. You are going to have to become Hogwarts's Protector. And you will need the means to do it." She got up. "Meet me in the Library in the morning."
"Any reason?"
"There is a book you are going to need."
For some reason, Ron found himself concerned when she said that.
D:SSSC
A large dog entered the Shrieking Shack, dropping a bag in front of him.
Several seconds later, a man was in the dog's place, pulling out his batch of ill-gotten gains. He quickly began eating the food first, as he hadn't eaten the whole day. Once he was done, he picked up the Daily Prophet, which he had rescued from the garbage, and looked at the front page.
Hogwarts Students taken from School!
Sirius Black sighed as he read the article, brow crinkling with worry. The students at Hogwarts were supposed to be safe. And yet, it seemed they were in more danger than being out in the world. What the hell was going on?
Not only that, Harry was one of the students that had vanished. His Godson, who he had not been able to look after for nearly twelve years. Who had faced not only Voldemort when he was eleven but also fought a sixty-foot basilisk in the year prior.
Sadly, he had a pretty good idea of what was happening. It wasn't the first time this had happened. If James and Lily were still here, they could explain it better, but he knew what this meant.
Creation itself was in danger, and the Gods themselves were moving people around to where they were needed most. Which meant the portals were activating once again. Wherever the other students were now, that was where they were to stay.
Even if he didn't like it.
However, this did change his plans a little. He was planning to go up to the Castle and try and break into the Gryffindor Tower during the Hogsmeade visit, but his mission would have to wait. He would need to find a way to contact Remus. He needed to see if there was anything he could do to help.
It would put him at risk of being sent back to Azkaban, but there weren't any good options on the table.
D:SSSC
She had no idea where she was at the moment, but it was clear that she was dreaming.
The land was dark and gloomy, with an overwhelming depressive air. It had buildings in ruin, signifying that a bustling city used to reside here, but had fallen to time. The skies were completely covered in dark clouds. Lightning forked through the air, thunder following afterward.
And then, a screeching sound occurred from everywhere and everywhen. It burst her eardrums but did nothing at all. She couldn't tell where it was coming from, only that it was close.
And then, a pair of red beyond red eyes suddenly appeared in front of her, razor-sharp teeth showing a second later. Another shriek unleashed, and she screamed…
In the Ravenclaw fourth-year dormitory, Cho Chang woke, gasping for breath. She looked around wildly, expecting the monster to appear right above her. When she realized that she was safe, she finally relaxed. 'Another dream,' she thought. 'Another bloody dream. And it's just as horrific as the last one.'
Getting out of bed and grabbing her dressing robe, she made her way to the Common Room, yawning. Maybe if she got lucky, she could fall asleep in front of the fireplace. That was her go-to approach whenever she had them.
Which sadly, was happening quite often now.
Cho had been having such dreams on and off for nearly two years, ever since Harry and his class year had arrived at Hogwarts in fact. She had no idea why she was having them, only that they were happening. And none of them were happy in any sense.
She didn't know why Harry Potter coming to Hogwarts was the reason for these dreams happening, but she didn't blame him for it. And it most likely was just a coincidence that it happened when he arrived. But it didn't answer why she was having them and no one else.
Sitting down in a chair close to the fireplace, she watched the flames, feeling a sort of peace as she watched them dance across the logs. She could almost feel her troubles fade away.
"Can't sleep?"
Cho's gaze widened at the sudden voice penetrating her bubble. She looked over at the couch, taking in the person sitting there. "Lovegood?!" she got out, shocked. How long had she been sitting there?!
Luna, the peculiar second-year student who wore radishes and bottle top necklaces and walked around with a semi-dazed expression, was looking at her. And she did NOT have a semi-dazed expression on her face. If anything, there was a sense of concern, a world-weariness that Cho had never seen before
.
Cho calmed down upon realizing who it was. Luna was no threat to her. She wasn't going to kill anyone. "Just a bad dream," she replied as politely as possible. She knew that the young girl before her was bullied by some of the other Ravenclaws simply because she acted differently. Cho herself never participated in any of that, but she did nothing to stop it.
Call it a fear of being rejected by her friends or that she didn't know how to.
"Your dreams are more than you think," Luna suddenly stated. "They are more than what they appear."
"Huh?"
"You are seeing pieces of the past. The past of an age that no longer exists."
Now Cho was becoming scared. Luna did not sound like a twelve-year-old girl. She spoke more like a wise old woman who had seen too much. "Luna… why do you sound like you've lived that life?"
Luna smiled, shaking her head. "I only see pieces of them, just like you," she replied. "I'm only aware of what they are. The reason you can see them is different from mine, and you are more capable of learning what they mean. I can help you with that, at least." Her gaze grew sterner. "Meet me in the Library tomorrow. There is a book that you will need for what is coming next. In the absence of Hermione Granger, you must become a protector." She got up. "I hope you can get some more sleep. You are going to need it." With that, she headed up to stairs to her dorm.
For some reason, Cho had the sneaking suspicion that she wasn't going to be getting any more sleep tonight.
D:SSSC
Hogwarts awoke as it always did on a weekend morning, very slowly. Students and Professors were enjoying a bit of a lie-in, the House Elves were preparing breakfast, and preparations for the Halloween Hogsmeade visit were made, (which was far more important this time around due to the dementors.)
However, there was one difference this morning. Ron Weasley was making his way to the Library, questioning himself with every step.
Why was he heading for the Library instead of going to breakfast? Why was he even listening to Luna? What book was she talking about? And why him instead of a Professor, or that Auror Tonks? They had far more experience than him.
He was still asking these questions when he reached the Library doors… and slowed down, noticing someone already standing before them, fidgeting nervously. It took him a few seconds to realize that it was Cho Chang, a fourth-year Ravenclaw. He had seen her around the School since his first year, though they had never interacted. He did know that she was the Seeker for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team and was pretty good at it. And... that was it.
As if she had sensed his approach, the young girl turned around, gaze latching on to him. "Ron Weasley?" she asked, as surprised to see him as he was to see her. "What are you doing here? I figured you would be at breakfast already."
Ron had to admit; He was impressed that she knew his name. But he wasn't surprised. Having Harry Potter as your best mate, not to mention helping said best mate save the School two years in a row, tended to help with that. "I'm meeting someone here," he replied. "They said they had something to show me."
"...Let me guess. Luna Lovegood."
"You, too?"
Cho nodded. "She said that I needed to become a Protector now that Hermione isn't here. I have no idea what she means by that." She yawned. "I just hope that I can take a nap afterward."
Ron nodded in understanding. "Not getting a lot of sleep?" he asked as he looked at her more closely. There were bags under her eyes, which she had tried to cover up with makeup.
Cho shook her head. "Not really," she replied. "Too many bad dreams."
He waited, but she didn't elaborate further. So, after a few seconds, he decided to table his questions for later. "Well, let's go in and see what Luna has to show us." He gathered his Gryffindor courage and pushed the doors open. He gestured for her to go first. Cho promptly nodded in thanks.
The two entered the Library, the doors closing behind them as they unknowingly took their first steps to a new future.
D:SSSC
The dementors hovered around the outer perimeter beyond the School proper, continuing their patrols. All they had for company were their orders, and their all-encompassing hunger. Their orders; to locate Sirius Black and recapture him. Their all-encompassing hunger; to drain all positive emotion from someone or devour their souls. But they were forbidden to do either while here. They were denied their reason for existing.
Suddenly, they sensed someone with so much happiness approaching the Gates of Hogwarts. Three of them went to investigate and possibly to get a quick snack. After all, it could be Sirius Black!
Three dementors moved in… and were immediately repelled by… something. They hadn't even gotten within ten feet either. It was as if that bubble of happiness was a bubble. They flew back to their original spots, not wanting anything to do with it.
In their 'vision,' they watched the bubble walk past the gate and enter the school grounds. If they could have seen properly, they would have seen the small smirk on the person's face.
The dementors would have no idea what was coming for them in the coming months.
D:SSSC
Luna looked up as Ron and Cho approached her table, smiling lightly. "Thank you for coming," she said in relief. In all honesty, she had been uncertain as to whether or not they would show up. She knew how she acted wasn't considered normal, and she wouldn't have bothered them under any other circumstances. Unfortunately, events were not normal, and they didn't have much time.
The two stopped in front of her, watching her for a second. "Alright, Luna," Ron finally said, "we're here. Could you please explain why we're here?"
No fanfare. Blunt like an ogre's brain. She found that refreshing. And she didn't waste time. "Harry Potter and Hermione Granger are gone," she stated pretty obviously, "alongside Ginevra. Sent to a distant reality that we cannot get to. Because of this, the Balance shifts toward Chaos. Harry and Hermione each had a distinct role in the cosmic game. Roles that cannot be properly fulfilled by anyone else. And they are not the only ones. Others are shifting around randomly, taken to realities quite different from what they are used to." She rose. "As such, those left behind must step up and fill those roles as best they can." She rose. "Come with me. You two will need books in the Restricted Section… books that the Ministry of Magic would take if they learned of their existence. And they cannot learn of them."
"So… you chose us to be what? Replacements for them?" Cho asked as they followed her, sounding a little miffed.
"No. No one can replace them as they are people. I didn't choose you to take their places in the Grand Design, either. I think you two are better suited to protect Hogwarts and this world far better than anybody in authority right now, especially from the imminent threats." She smiled as she opened the door to the Restricted Section, moving over to one shelf and removing two books. "Here we are." She handed each of them one. "You will need to read them, learn from them, and practice them. I will help when I can, but I have to undergo my own training."
She watched the two of them look at each other, then at her. She could guess what they were thinking and couldn't blame them. Did she jump from Looney to Crazy? Was this some sort of elaborate joke? And why were they the ones to have to fight these threats when there were competent adults out there?
She decided not to say anything else to convince them. She had told them all she knew at this time. It would be up to them to determine if they would fight or not.
At long last, Ron sighed. "It sounds crazy," he said, "but again, we saw a bloody wormhole open up in the Great Hall. It wouldn't hurt to read these, I guess."
"… … You're right." Cho looked at Luna. "I don't know if any of this is true… but I'm willing to read this at least."
Luna smiled in relief. Things were looking up.
D:SSSC
"So, what do you think? Do you think Lovegood is crazy?" Cho asked as they headed down the corridor, books held tightly to their chests.
"I thought she was looney, but what she was saying… I don't think so." Ron shook his head. "She looked so relieved that we showed up, like she wasn't expecting it. And after what happened two weeks ago, I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt." He looked at his book, noting its deep blue color and gold lining. "I want to know how she even knew about these books. The Restricted Section isn't a place for first or second-year students. Hell, even we third years aren't supposed to be there without a writ." He sighed. "Well, we might as well go to breakfast first. Afterward… I'm going to head to Hogsmeade. Fred and George told me to enjoy myself. Hard to when your best mates are missing."
Cho nodded in agreement. "I agree with them." She smiled slightly. "Can we talk after dinner? If the situation is as dire as she thinks, we can get started on our reading."
He thought about it for a few seconds before nodding. "Sure, why not? After dinner, then."
Cho nodded as they entered the Great Hall, which was only starting to fill up with students, and broke away to their House tables. If they had to become protectors, working together would be a good idea.
It might not help in the end, but at least they would stand a better chance.
D:SSSC
Dumbledore was making his way to the Great Hall for breakfast when he spotted a cloaked figure heading his way. That was a bit surprising. He wasn't expecting anyone to come to the School, especially on the weekend.
The figure stopped when they reached him, then extended an arm, an envelope in hand. He accepted it, opened it, and looked at its contents. "I see," was all he said. It must be pretty bad if They were sending someone here. "Well, we'll get you Sorted after Breakfast. Have you eaten yet?" A negative nod answered his question. "Well, come along, then. The House Elves do make a walloping good meal."
That was pretty much the end of the encounter. But then again, Dumbledore suspected this one would be more comfortable surrounded by their age group.
D:SSSC
"Well, look who decided to join us," Seamus declared in relief when Ron sat down. "We were starting to get worried, Mate."
Ron shrugged, beginning the process of filling his plate. "Yeah, well, I figured that two weeks is long enough to sit alone. Hermione would probably start nagging me to socialize a little more." He paused as a thought came to him. "Or she would sit a book on my lap and tell me to read it."
"Sound about right." Dean leaned in. "Anyway, what's with you and Cho walking in together? I don't think the two of you have ever talked."
"It's nothing." No way was he going to tell them about the Library. He wasn't going to cause Luna any more problems. "We ran into each other, and that's it."
The two boys decided not to interrogate him anymore and settled back down. Instead, they talked about Quidditch, Sirius Black, and the most important topic right now, the disappearance of three of their own. Seamus, who was half muggle, had devised a new theory about what had happened involving an all-powerful entity. Dean didn't think it was correct, maintaining that it just was a new kind of magic. Besides, what kind of name was Q? It sounded more like a codename for a spy than an omnipotent being.
Seamus's theory certainly was plausible, especially since Tonks had given them a brief rundown on her findings. Ron was giving it some thought while he ate. After his meeting with Luna, he wouldn't discard anything.
"Hey, does anyone else think Looney is acting more so than usual?"
Seamus's sudden question startled the redhead, and he almost choked on a piece of bacon. "Bloody Hell, Seamus!" he got out. "Where did that come from?!"
"Well, she just walked in, stopped, looked over her shoulder for some reason, then went over to the Ravenclaw table and sat down as if nothing happened. Maybe she's starting to see things."
"Not funny, Seamus," Dean scolded.
Ron didn't find it funny at all, either. Having dealt with bullying himself, he knew that, eventually, some of those comments would make it to her. And from what he knew of her, she didn't deserve that.
His thoughts shifted when he saw Dumbledore enter the Great Hall. That alone wasn't the reason. It was the fact that there was someone with him.
A rich red cloak covered them, but it was someone his age. That much, he could guess.
The two of them walked down the aisle, only stopping when they were right in front of Ron. "Ah, Mister Weasley," Dumbledore stated in greeting, eyes twinkling. "I am happy to see that you have rejoined us. Perhaps you would like to keep our newest student company for today."
"Um… sure, Professor." What else could he say? Despite how he had phrased it, it was clear even to him that the Headmaster was giving him an order. He moved over to make room.
The cloaked figure sat down next to him, pulling the hood down. And, to the surprise of almost everybody, it was a girl with blonde hair around their age. She nodded to each of them, smiling. "Good morning, everyone," she chirped, revealing a decidedly American accent. "Sorry for just dropping in like this."
Ron had to admit that this wasn't how he expected his day to turn out. It was turning out much nicer. And it didn't hurt that the girl was cute. "Hello," he said after swallowing. (He could almost hear Hermione berating him for lousy table manners.) "I'm Ron Weasley."
"Claire Damont. I'm transferring from the Salem Witch Institute as part of a pilot program between England and the States. Something about seeing the differences between English and American teaching practices."
"And they wanted a student to do that?"
"They also wanted to see how this would affect my education," she elaborated further. "Will I be better, worse, or the same regardless. Honestly, I'm curious about it myself."
"Well, you won't be able to do that if you don't know where to go." Ron thought for a second, an idea coming to him. "How about a tour after breakfast? We don't have classes today."
Claire smiled. "I think I'd like that," she replied.
Ron returned her smile. Perhaps things weren't so bad.
D:SSSC
And here is Part 1 of Season 2. It will remain situated between Hogwarts and Lunar for the most part, and I'm hoping to have the Grangers appear at some point. I'll be heading back to LOL: The Changing of Fate, and I'm almost finished writing the next chapter of Reckoning.