Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all characters belong to J. K. Rowling. Sailor Moon and all characters belong to whoever they belong to. They are not mine.
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The Potion Master's Wife
Chapter 6: Dante
~*~*~*~*~*~
The bathroom door swung opened. Usagi stood there holding a hairbrush and smiled widely when she saw her husband.
"Sevie, you're back," she exclaimed. Dropping the hairbrush, she ran out of the bathroom and hugged her husband. "That man didn't do anything bad to you, did he?"
"Don't be absurd," Severus responded.
Usagi studied his face.
"I'm fine," he sneered.
A smile appeared on her lips as she absently reached out to stroke his hair. "Good."
"However, there is something I need to discuss with you," said Severus.
"What is it?"
"It has to do with tomorrow night…" He paused. "What is our son doing here?"
"Well, you see…"
"Don't tell me the nanny quit."
Usagi shook her head. "No, nothing like that! She needed the night off and I gave it to her."
Severus glared at her.
"Mummy! Daddy! Look!"
Both Severus and Usagi turn to face their son. He was no longer jumping on the bed. Instead, he was floating above it with a strange aura surrounding his body. A symbol of a crescent moon suddenly appeared on his forehead. As soon as that happened, the room was engulfed with a strange light.
"Dante," Usagi whispered. Her eyes widened.
Severus looked surprised.
"Dante," Usagi cried and ran towards her son. She jumped on the bed and took him in her arms. She held him against her chest and ran her hand through his hair.
"Mummy," he whimpered.
"I'm here, baby," Usagi whispered.
As soon as she said those word the light disappeared and she felt him grow heavier in her arms. The crescent moon faded from his forehead and he closed his eyes to slumber. Usagi slowly got on her knees and pressed her forehead against his.
Severus soon joined her. He sat on the bed and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps, it was a good idea the nanny took the night off," he said, neutrally.
Usagi nodded.
"Serenity, you knew this would happen, didn't you?"
She nodded in reply.
"I see…," he continued. "Our son, he is a special one isn't he? He will probably be a very powerful wizard…"
"It's much too early," said Usagi, softly.
"What do you mean?"
"It's all my fault!"
"Serenity…"
"Severus, don't you understand? It's because of who I am! I just wanted him to be normal but after what happened a few minutes ago…Oh, Severus! His power has just awakened! He's only four years old! He's much too young!"
Tears began to flow from her eyes.
"Are you all right," said Severus, very quietly. Even after all these years, he still had a hard time coping with emotions.
Usagi nodded. "As long as you're with me…"
"I will always be with you."
Usagi leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'm glad," she whispered.
***
Albus Dumbledore stared out of his window. There was something different about the night. The full moon seemed to glow unnaturally.
"Could it be…," he began. He turned to his pet phoenix.
Fawkes gave out a loud screech and was engulfed in flames. A pile of ashes appeared where the creature once stood. Dumbledore waited patiently. Soon a baby phoenix manage to come out from underneath the ashes. It looked up at Dumbledore and gave a small cry.
The old professor closed his eyes. "A new power has awakened."
***
(Somewhere distant…)
A hooded figure looked up at the moon and sensed a great power. It raised a bony fist into the air. "I've sensed a power like this before," the figure hissed. It tightened its fist. "This one won't get away!"
A strong gust of air passed by the figure making its cloak flap madly against the wind. He was going to find the one who possessed this great power.
Voldemort gave out a short laugh which soon turned into uncontrollable laughter. It was a frightening sound filled with sarcasm and wickedness.
***
The next day went by slowly. Usagi tried her best to instruct her classes but half of the time she would space out and forget what she was teaching. Instead, she gave all her students a free class period. She hardly paid attention to what her students where doing. All she could think about was her son.
~Flashback~
She had woken up early in the morning to take him back to Snape Manor. Unlike Severus and any other person for that matter, she didn't need to walk out of the castle gates to apparate. She has always been able to apparate inside Hogwarts or anywhere restricted to apparate without being detected by the Ministry of Magic. She had arrived to the mansion with her son still sleeping in her arms. The nanny had been surprised to see her early in the morning. They exchange morning greetings. Although Usagi tried to sound cheerful the nanny had noticed the worried expression on her face.
"Lady Snape, are you not feeling well," asked the nanny.
"I'm fine," said Usagi. She handed her son to the nanny. "However, Dante wasn't feeling too well last night. If you notice anything wrong with him…I don't care if you only suspect that something is wrong, please inform my husband or myself immediately!"
"Yes, of course," said the nanny.
Usagi planted a kiss on her son's forehead who only stirred in response. "I'll be back tonight, baby," she whispered.
"Lady Snape, are you sure you're all right," asked the nanny, worried.
Usagi nodded. "I'm just tired," she said. "Please take good care of my son. I'll see you tonight."
The nanny smiled. "Don't worry, Lady Snape! Dante is in good hands," she said.
"Please, Miss Amy, I have repeatedly asked you to call me Usagi! "
Amy nodded. "Very well, have a nice day at work…Usagi!"
With that said, Usagi apparated back to Hogwarts. Severus had been sitting on the bed when she appeared in the room. Her first reaction had been to run up to him and embrace him as he stood up.
"He'll be fine," Severus said, quietly.
"I know," Usagi replied. She buried her face in his chest.
"We did the right thing," said Severus. "No harm will come to him back at the mansion."
"I know Miss Amy will take care of Dante, but I can't stop worrying about our son. I told her I would be back tonight."
Snape placed his finger underneath her chin and raised her face to meet his. "I know this isn't the time, but there is something I must tell you. Lucius Malfoy gave me an invitation for a Halloween party he is having tonight. I told him we weren't interested but he insisted that we come."
"Is that why he asked you to see him last night?"
"That's another reason besides the fact that he found out I was married."
"What are you planning to do?"
"I'll leave it up to you, kitty," Severus murmured. He trailed his finger to her lips. "Don't say anything yet. You have all day to think about it."
~End Flashback~
Professor Usagi rested her head on the desk. "What am I going to do?"
"Proffesor Usagi, are you all right?"
Usagi looked up to find a worried Hermione Granger starring at her. "Huh? Oh, it's nothing!"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine! I'm just a bit tired, that is all," said Usagi as she straightened herself on the chair. "Is there something you need?"
"I was just wondering if you were going to collect the extra credit assignment you gave us earlier this week," said Hermione.
Usagi gave her a blank expression. "Eh…extra credit?"
Hermione nodded. "You told us to write a one foot essay on--"
"Give me a second, Miss Granger," Professor Usagi cut her off. She grabbed her assignment book. No homework was due that day but underneath 'Extra Credit' she had started writing something but didn't finish it. Instead the had drawn the shapes of hearts and stars. Usagi quickly closed her assignment book. "I had forgotten about that! Why don't you collect the assignment from your other classmates."
"Actually, I'm the only one who did it," said Hermione, blushing.
Professor Usagi sweatdropped. "Eh, then I'll just collect yours."
Hermione nodded her head and placed her essay on the desk. Usagi stared at Hermione as she walked back to her seat. 'She's going to be a great witch,' she thought. She was about to read the essay when someone caught her attention. Harry Potter looked as though something was bothering him. He had a lost expression on his face and his eyes seemed as though they have been missing sleep.
'What's wrong with him,' she thought.
Professor Usagi jumped from her seat as the bell rang to release all the students. Soon, the students began to pack up their belongings. Harry seemed to move in slow motion.
She sighed. "Everyone is dismissed. Mr. Potter I want you to stay."
Harry nodded. He sat on his chair waiting everyone to leave. Hermione and Ron gave him a worried look but they managed to leave with everyone else. Draco Malfoy leaned over to say something to Harry. The green eyed boy only frowned. Draco smirked and signaled for Crabbe and Goyle to follow him. As soon as the trio left, it was only Harry and Professor Usagi inside the classroom.
Usagi walked towards him and sat on the chair next to him. He turned to face her but said nothing.
"What did Mr. Malfoy say to you," Usagi asked.
"Nothing important," he responded.
"I see," said Usagi. "Um, Mr. Potter, you don't look well. Is something wrong?"
"I'm fine."
"You lie," said Usagi, firmly. "Something is wrong with you Mr. Potter. I can see it in your eyes."
Harry shrugged. "Then ask someone else. The whole world seems to know what is going on in the life of Harry Potter." He stood up from his chair. "Is that all professor? I need to head to my next class. Of course, Professor Snape will be highly upset that his wife held me after class but then again, it will always be MY fault," he snapped.
Professor Usagi was shocked. "Mr. Potter!"
Harry realized what he said but tried to keep a straight face.
"This is not like you, Harry," said Usagi, softly. She reached out to touch his shoulder. "You are a strong and kind young man. The way you have been acting these past few weeks is completely out of your character. Something is wrong and you are keeping it sealed away. Let me help."
Harry stared at her eyes. He saw nothing but pureness and kindness inside those cerulean eyes. 'I should trust her,' he thought. He swallowed hard.
"What is it, Harry," said Professor Usagi, worried.
"I assume Professor Snape has spoken to you about me," said Harry, with great distaste.
"He has mentioned a few things but he keeps most of it to himself. However, that is not important. I do know that he was giving you Occlumency classes once a week since your fifth year."
"He was," said Harry. "He said that he had given me all the training I could muster and that I no longer needed his assistance."
"I see," said Usagi. "Do you think you needed more lessons?"
"I don't know, professor," said Harry, bitterly. "I hate to admit it, but the training did come in handy. I was doing fine after the training stopped but…" He paused.
"Please continue, Mr. Potter."
Harry looked at his hands. "My scar has been hurting a little after we started school. It is never a sharp pain. It feels like almost a tingle and it disappears in a few seconds. Still, even after it is gone I always have this strange feeling going through me. I can't describe it. I just know it makes me depressed and sick to my stomach."
Professor Usagi bit her lip. "Have you told anyone?"
"You're the first one."
"I see. I assumed you have kept it from Professor Dumbledore as well."
Harry nodded. "I didn't think it was a big deal but last night…"
Usagi jerked her head. "Last night?"
"It was strange," said Harry, a slight quiver in his voice. He ran a hand through his unruly hair. "I felt something that I have never felt before. I sensed Voldemort and he was pleased about something. What frightened me was the inhuman laughter that rang in my ears." He paused and stared at Usagi. "Professor, do you think Voldemort has any humanity left?"
Usagi went cold. "I-I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
Harry closed his eyes. "Last night, I thought I heard the madness of his soul."
~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC…
Who-hoo! Another chapter done! Sorry to keep you waiting but I bought the whole Rurouni Kenshin series (95 episodes) and I've been watching it non-stop!! Kenshin and Saito are so kawaii! Ahem, sorry 'bout that. As for this chappie, I know Harry was a little harsh to Usagi but you gotta understand the poor guy. He's going through so much for someone his age. This chapter might have been a little confusing but I promise that it will make sense in later chapters. Amy will also have a bigger role in the fic besides being a nanny. You just got to wait and see. Well, until next time! PEACE!
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The Potion Master's Wife
Chapter 6: Dante
~*~*~*~*~*~
The bathroom door swung opened. Usagi stood there holding a hairbrush and smiled widely when she saw her husband.
"Sevie, you're back," she exclaimed. Dropping the hairbrush, she ran out of the bathroom and hugged her husband. "That man didn't do anything bad to you, did he?"
"Don't be absurd," Severus responded.
Usagi studied his face.
"I'm fine," he sneered.
A smile appeared on her lips as she absently reached out to stroke his hair. "Good."
"However, there is something I need to discuss with you," said Severus.
"What is it?"
"It has to do with tomorrow night…" He paused. "What is our son doing here?"
"Well, you see…"
"Don't tell me the nanny quit."
Usagi shook her head. "No, nothing like that! She needed the night off and I gave it to her."
Severus glared at her.
"Mummy! Daddy! Look!"
Both Severus and Usagi turn to face their son. He was no longer jumping on the bed. Instead, he was floating above it with a strange aura surrounding his body. A symbol of a crescent moon suddenly appeared on his forehead. As soon as that happened, the room was engulfed with a strange light.
"Dante," Usagi whispered. Her eyes widened.
Severus looked surprised.
"Dante," Usagi cried and ran towards her son. She jumped on the bed and took him in her arms. She held him against her chest and ran her hand through his hair.
"Mummy," he whimpered.
"I'm here, baby," Usagi whispered.
As soon as she said those word the light disappeared and she felt him grow heavier in her arms. The crescent moon faded from his forehead and he closed his eyes to slumber. Usagi slowly got on her knees and pressed her forehead against his.
Severus soon joined her. He sat on the bed and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps, it was a good idea the nanny took the night off," he said, neutrally.
Usagi nodded.
"Serenity, you knew this would happen, didn't you?"
She nodded in reply.
"I see…," he continued. "Our son, he is a special one isn't he? He will probably be a very powerful wizard…"
"It's much too early," said Usagi, softly.
"What do you mean?"
"It's all my fault!"
"Serenity…"
"Severus, don't you understand? It's because of who I am! I just wanted him to be normal but after what happened a few minutes ago…Oh, Severus! His power has just awakened! He's only four years old! He's much too young!"
Tears began to flow from her eyes.
"Are you all right," said Severus, very quietly. Even after all these years, he still had a hard time coping with emotions.
Usagi nodded. "As long as you're with me…"
"I will always be with you."
Usagi leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'm glad," she whispered.
***
Albus Dumbledore stared out of his window. There was something different about the night. The full moon seemed to glow unnaturally.
"Could it be…," he began. He turned to his pet phoenix.
Fawkes gave out a loud screech and was engulfed in flames. A pile of ashes appeared where the creature once stood. Dumbledore waited patiently. Soon a baby phoenix manage to come out from underneath the ashes. It looked up at Dumbledore and gave a small cry.
The old professor closed his eyes. "A new power has awakened."
***
(Somewhere distant…)
A hooded figure looked up at the moon and sensed a great power. It raised a bony fist into the air. "I've sensed a power like this before," the figure hissed. It tightened its fist. "This one won't get away!"
A strong gust of air passed by the figure making its cloak flap madly against the wind. He was going to find the one who possessed this great power.
Voldemort gave out a short laugh which soon turned into uncontrollable laughter. It was a frightening sound filled with sarcasm and wickedness.
***
The next day went by slowly. Usagi tried her best to instruct her classes but half of the time she would space out and forget what she was teaching. Instead, she gave all her students a free class period. She hardly paid attention to what her students where doing. All she could think about was her son.
~Flashback~
She had woken up early in the morning to take him back to Snape Manor. Unlike Severus and any other person for that matter, she didn't need to walk out of the castle gates to apparate. She has always been able to apparate inside Hogwarts or anywhere restricted to apparate without being detected by the Ministry of Magic. She had arrived to the mansion with her son still sleeping in her arms. The nanny had been surprised to see her early in the morning. They exchange morning greetings. Although Usagi tried to sound cheerful the nanny had noticed the worried expression on her face.
"Lady Snape, are you not feeling well," asked the nanny.
"I'm fine," said Usagi. She handed her son to the nanny. "However, Dante wasn't feeling too well last night. If you notice anything wrong with him…I don't care if you only suspect that something is wrong, please inform my husband or myself immediately!"
"Yes, of course," said the nanny.
Usagi planted a kiss on her son's forehead who only stirred in response. "I'll be back tonight, baby," she whispered.
"Lady Snape, are you sure you're all right," asked the nanny, worried.
Usagi nodded. "I'm just tired," she said. "Please take good care of my son. I'll see you tonight."
The nanny smiled. "Don't worry, Lady Snape! Dante is in good hands," she said.
"Please, Miss Amy, I have repeatedly asked you to call me Usagi! "
Amy nodded. "Very well, have a nice day at work…Usagi!"
With that said, Usagi apparated back to Hogwarts. Severus had been sitting on the bed when she appeared in the room. Her first reaction had been to run up to him and embrace him as he stood up.
"He'll be fine," Severus said, quietly.
"I know," Usagi replied. She buried her face in his chest.
"We did the right thing," said Severus. "No harm will come to him back at the mansion."
"I know Miss Amy will take care of Dante, but I can't stop worrying about our son. I told her I would be back tonight."
Snape placed his finger underneath her chin and raised her face to meet his. "I know this isn't the time, but there is something I must tell you. Lucius Malfoy gave me an invitation for a Halloween party he is having tonight. I told him we weren't interested but he insisted that we come."
"Is that why he asked you to see him last night?"
"That's another reason besides the fact that he found out I was married."
"What are you planning to do?"
"I'll leave it up to you, kitty," Severus murmured. He trailed his finger to her lips. "Don't say anything yet. You have all day to think about it."
~End Flashback~
Professor Usagi rested her head on the desk. "What am I going to do?"
"Proffesor Usagi, are you all right?"
Usagi looked up to find a worried Hermione Granger starring at her. "Huh? Oh, it's nothing!"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine! I'm just a bit tired, that is all," said Usagi as she straightened herself on the chair. "Is there something you need?"
"I was just wondering if you were going to collect the extra credit assignment you gave us earlier this week," said Hermione.
Usagi gave her a blank expression. "Eh…extra credit?"
Hermione nodded. "You told us to write a one foot essay on--"
"Give me a second, Miss Granger," Professor Usagi cut her off. She grabbed her assignment book. No homework was due that day but underneath 'Extra Credit' she had started writing something but didn't finish it. Instead the had drawn the shapes of hearts and stars. Usagi quickly closed her assignment book. "I had forgotten about that! Why don't you collect the assignment from your other classmates."
"Actually, I'm the only one who did it," said Hermione, blushing.
Professor Usagi sweatdropped. "Eh, then I'll just collect yours."
Hermione nodded her head and placed her essay on the desk. Usagi stared at Hermione as she walked back to her seat. 'She's going to be a great witch,' she thought. She was about to read the essay when someone caught her attention. Harry Potter looked as though something was bothering him. He had a lost expression on his face and his eyes seemed as though they have been missing sleep.
'What's wrong with him,' she thought.
Professor Usagi jumped from her seat as the bell rang to release all the students. Soon, the students began to pack up their belongings. Harry seemed to move in slow motion.
She sighed. "Everyone is dismissed. Mr. Potter I want you to stay."
Harry nodded. He sat on his chair waiting everyone to leave. Hermione and Ron gave him a worried look but they managed to leave with everyone else. Draco Malfoy leaned over to say something to Harry. The green eyed boy only frowned. Draco smirked and signaled for Crabbe and Goyle to follow him. As soon as the trio left, it was only Harry and Professor Usagi inside the classroom.
Usagi walked towards him and sat on the chair next to him. He turned to face her but said nothing.
"What did Mr. Malfoy say to you," Usagi asked.
"Nothing important," he responded.
"I see," said Usagi. "Um, Mr. Potter, you don't look well. Is something wrong?"
"I'm fine."
"You lie," said Usagi, firmly. "Something is wrong with you Mr. Potter. I can see it in your eyes."
Harry shrugged. "Then ask someone else. The whole world seems to know what is going on in the life of Harry Potter." He stood up from his chair. "Is that all professor? I need to head to my next class. Of course, Professor Snape will be highly upset that his wife held me after class but then again, it will always be MY fault," he snapped.
Professor Usagi was shocked. "Mr. Potter!"
Harry realized what he said but tried to keep a straight face.
"This is not like you, Harry," said Usagi, softly. She reached out to touch his shoulder. "You are a strong and kind young man. The way you have been acting these past few weeks is completely out of your character. Something is wrong and you are keeping it sealed away. Let me help."
Harry stared at her eyes. He saw nothing but pureness and kindness inside those cerulean eyes. 'I should trust her,' he thought. He swallowed hard.
"What is it, Harry," said Professor Usagi, worried.
"I assume Professor Snape has spoken to you about me," said Harry, with great distaste.
"He has mentioned a few things but he keeps most of it to himself. However, that is not important. I do know that he was giving you Occlumency classes once a week since your fifth year."
"He was," said Harry. "He said that he had given me all the training I could muster and that I no longer needed his assistance."
"I see," said Usagi. "Do you think you needed more lessons?"
"I don't know, professor," said Harry, bitterly. "I hate to admit it, but the training did come in handy. I was doing fine after the training stopped but…" He paused.
"Please continue, Mr. Potter."
Harry looked at his hands. "My scar has been hurting a little after we started school. It is never a sharp pain. It feels like almost a tingle and it disappears in a few seconds. Still, even after it is gone I always have this strange feeling going through me. I can't describe it. I just know it makes me depressed and sick to my stomach."
Professor Usagi bit her lip. "Have you told anyone?"
"You're the first one."
"I see. I assumed you have kept it from Professor Dumbledore as well."
Harry nodded. "I didn't think it was a big deal but last night…"
Usagi jerked her head. "Last night?"
"It was strange," said Harry, a slight quiver in his voice. He ran a hand through his unruly hair. "I felt something that I have never felt before. I sensed Voldemort and he was pleased about something. What frightened me was the inhuman laughter that rang in my ears." He paused and stared at Usagi. "Professor, do you think Voldemort has any humanity left?"
Usagi went cold. "I-I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
Harry closed his eyes. "Last night, I thought I heard the madness of his soul."
~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC…
Who-hoo! Another chapter done! Sorry to keep you waiting but I bought the whole Rurouni Kenshin series (95 episodes) and I've been watching it non-stop!! Kenshin and Saito are so kawaii! Ahem, sorry 'bout that. As for this chappie, I know Harry was a little harsh to Usagi but you gotta understand the poor guy. He's going through so much for someone his age. This chapter might have been a little confusing but I promise that it will make sense in later chapters. Amy will also have a bigger role in the fic besides being a nanny. You just got to wait and see. Well, until next time! PEACE!