My Promise

Sesshy's Mistress

Summary: While fulfilling a promise to a friend, Cosmos find's she is in a world of magic far beyond anything she could ever imagine. She will have to help guide and teach the soul of one of her friend's descendants. Will she succeed or will she fail to
fulfill her promise?

Disclaimer: I own nothing, not even the idea; it was all Lawliet's Bride's idea! I do, however, own some pocket lint, want some?

…

Within the first thirty minutes of the 'meeting', Serenity was more than positive that Slughorn had at least slightly wet himself. It's not to say that she did a visual check to back up her hypothesis; however, considering the fair amount of shaking, his paleness, and the way he was struggling to stay conscious, she had good reasons to believe herself correct.

She was also positive that Dumbledore had more than likely spiked the tea and food with truth serum. The only thing that proved to doubt this theory was the fact that Slughorn had not yet said anything to peak Dumbledore's interest. Either Dumbledore wasn't getting the answers he wanted, or he was a really good actor. Serenity had only recently begun to notice subtle changes in Dumbledore's demeanor to point towards the first thought. His lips had fallen from the welcoming smile to the stretched and heavily forced grin. His hands, which were folded upon the desk, were now clenching and unclenching subtly as his eyes zeroed upon Slughorn.

Occasionally, very occasionally, Dumbledore would turn his gaze towards her; however, she had yet to fully recognize the emotion lying behind those aged eyes. She sensed no malice, so she did not feel threatened; however, that was not to say that she felt comfortable. Far from it, actually. The sooner she left the better in her opinion.

Speaking of which, Dumbledore had once again focused his gaze upon her, catching her eyes in an intense staring contest. Neither honestly realized how long this unintentional challenge was lasting until Slughorn stood to leave. Seeing as he would get no answers from Slughorn, Dumbledore nodded his ascent and allowed the Professor to leave.

With Slughorn gone, the atmosphere seemed to thicken. Serenity was finding it slightly harde to breathe now that Dumbledore's full attention was solely focused upon her. Then again, maybe it was just her imagination. She had never been one for one-on-one discussions with any sort of teacher, regardless of the circumstances. A mental picture of Haruna-sensei waving a failed test paper in the air popped into the back of her mind. Serenity had to fight back a sweat drop at the unconventional time in which her mind had to wonder to such early year horrors of her life.

"Are you sure you won't have some tea, my dear?" Dumbledore offered once again. Still, Serenity shook her head, declining the generous offer.

"I thank you, but I must decline," Serenity sent him a small smile, hoping that it didn't come off as too annoyed. She was warned on Dumbledore by Sirius, and she would not take the warnings lightly.

"Of course," Dumbledore finally gave up and used his wand to send the tray away. With a pop, the tray of tea and sweets disappeared. With nothing else to use for small talk, Dumbledore cleared his throat and stood. He moved slowly to walk around the desk until he stood before Serenity.

"I'm sure you have many questions for me as to why you are here and the circumstances of your education and status," Dumbeldore began while eying her for an affirmative. Serenity gave him no inclination to her thoughts. So, Dumbledore continued on without stopping. "I, myself, have been pondering my decision as of late. Many students have written to their parents of the situation, and not many are pleased with what has been shared with them. Of course you realize that with these troubling times, people are scared and prone to jump to conclusions."

Serenity listened but her eyes drifted throughout the room, taking in the decorations Dumbledore had decided to use. They did not hold her attention for long. Instead, her gaze flickered higher to the portraits of all the prior Head masters and Mistresses of Hogwarts. Most were sleeping, or pretending to be, but others had given up the act long ago. Those that did not feign sleep were looking upon her with curiosity.

"Don't you agree?" Dumbledore questioned, drawing Serenity away from her musings. His eyes sparkled behind his crescent moon spectacles. She recognized this emotion clearly. He had believed himself to have caught her unaware.

"I found it hard to believe that a person of your standing in the Wizardry society would allow someone like me to take part in the curricular activity of your school. I was honored, of course, to even be considered a candidate for Hogwarts; however, imagine my surprise when I was given an opportunity to assist with the programs within it," Serenity smiled and crossed her legs as she waved her hands out before her. "Many students and professors have voiced their doubts in my ability to properly participate, let alone assist them in their area of expertise. Yet, I have proven myself capable. I, someone who has just recently appeared before the Wizarding communities' eyes and ears, has managed to survive in this 'sink or swim' situation."

"Yes, you have done outstanding, my dear," Dumbledore grinned wider.

"Your flattery is too much, Professor Dumbledore," Serenity waved a hand, dismissing his praise altogether. "I have merely done what was necessary; however, in doing so, I have upset several people and drawn the curiosity of others, including yourself. I believe that is the real reason behind this meeting. Am I right to assume such a thing?"

"Your seemingly natural talents in the many different areas of magic are truly astounding," Dumbledore spoke as he played with the answer to her question. "Yet, for some odd reason, I feel that you have yet to truly show your full potential. There are many secrets floating about you that have tickled my fancy, one could say."

"If you wished to know more about me, you should not stoop so low as to try and get it out of me using Veritaserum. Poor Slughorn will never be the same, I doubt, after taking such large quantities of it," Serenity sighed as she flicked a stray piece of hair out of her eyes.

"You're right, of course," Dumbledore conceded. "Should I get to the point then?" At Serenity's nod, Dumbeldore gave a slight bow and returned to his seat. "Might I inquire as to how you managed to bring Sirius back from the veil?" Had Serenity not been warned or prepared for Dumbledore and his many mysterious ways, she might have actually faltered; however, she just barely managed to keep a dignified look on her face.

With another sigh, Serenity allowed some of her magic to release and form a barrier around the two of them. She would not have any prying eyes and ears listening in to the conversation any further.

"Impressive," Serenity finally acknowledged Dumbledore. "I was warned of your unique abilities to see what others don't, but I never imagined that your perception would be this strong."

"When you have lived and seen as much as I, you learn to see things as more than the obvious," Dumbledore smiled in mirth as his eyes danced with hidden knowledge.

"Should I be so bold as to believe that Sirius' return and his place in my care are the reasons why you have allowed me to come here?" Serenity questioned with a raised brow. Her blue eyes focused intently upon Dumbledore's face, looking for any sign of a lie.

"Not quite," Again, Dumbledore smiled, but this time it was one of a parent scolding a child. Serenity felt her eye tick as she quickly grew flustered from irritation. Never before had she ever met someone so cryptic and …

"Ah, I see that you have come upon a startling realization," Dumbledore stood once again and walked over to one of the tall cabinets against the wall. Opening it, he withdrew a small picture frame before returning to his desk. He lovingly dusted away the sides before turning and showing it to Serenity.

Held behind protective glass was a picture of a younger Dumbledore and an unmistakable form of Setsuna Meioh. Much like the portraits and photos Serenity had seen since coming to Hogwarts, the two forms in the photograph moved freely. Dumbledore's form waved happily at her while Setsuna's calculating eyes gazed deeply into Serenity's shocked ones.

Seeing that Serenity was speechless, Dumbledore turned the photo back towards him. "I am not sad to say that her company influenced me slightly. I always looked up to her as a friend, but it seemed as if I was missing something. No matter how much time I spent with her, I never could quite figure her out. She was an enigma, and how I do love a good puzzle now and then."

"It sounds like her," Serenity spoke softly as she recalled the last time she saw that woman; it was in the cauldron. Why had Setsuna not said anything then? "But what does this have to do with me?"

"Serenity, do you mind that I call you that?" Though she didn't feel comfortable with it, she shook her head anyway. "Serenity, I know you are not ignorant, so please do not try to assume I will believe you to be. While Setsuna had her secrets, she was not entirely closed lipped. She made it quite clear that her time here was short, but she would not say why until it happened."

"It?"

"The night James and Lily Potter were killed."

…

Sirius' big paws padded down the familiar hallway that would lead him to the Quidditch Field; it seemed like a millennia since he had walked these halls to watch someone dear to him play. In some ways, it had been. As Sirius' large form moved through the hallway, lingering students stopped to stare and some even to pat him on the head.

This was the downside to choosing a dog form as an Animagus; it was as if he wore a sign that said, 'Pet Me'. While fighting the urge to growl, Sirius' pace quickened until it was a full out run. He didn't stop until he felt the grass of the pitch under his paws.

Harry had already begun practice and everyone was in the air, doing drills and readying themselves for the next game. Though Sirius knew it was not a good idea, he wanted to watch his godson play. If he could no longer be a part of Harry's life, he wanted to at least keep an eye on him from within the shadows.

As the practice continued, Sirius moved closer to the stands, using the shadows they cast as a way to hide himself from view; it wouldn't do to distract Harry at a time like this. So, while he waited for Serenity to return from her meeting, Sirius would enjoy this time he had to watch over and protect Harry.

Sirius stayed and watched Harry throughout the entire practice and even after the field was clearing out. He just couldn't bring himself to leave yet, not when he was drowning in memories of the past. Images of James soaring around the pitch flooded his mind. Harry had no idea how much of a carbon copy he was to James. Of course, he had some of Lily's characteristics. Harry had her sense of justice and need to protect people. Those were some of Lily's best qualities.

"Sirius," Serenity called to him, pulling him from his reverie. "What are you doing out here so late?" Sirius turned his giant head towards the sky. He expected to see the sun, but was surprised to find the moon hanging high instead. Had he really lost track of so much time?

Serenity walked closer to him and reached out to brush her fingers over the star mark upon his brow. The gently touch soothed Sirius' nerves and he leaned his head towards her touch. Sensing his need for comfort, Serenity sat down and began to run her fingers through his black fur.

"I'm sorry," She whispered, knowing he could hear it. Sirius didn't acknowledge hearing her. After a few more minutes of silence, Sirius stood and grabbed a hold of Serenity's sleeve with his mouth. He tugged until she stood. Serenity understood.

Standing up, she led him out of the Quidditch pitch and back into the hallways. All of the students were in the Great Hall, enjoying supper. Serenity was starved, but she had to tell Sirius what happened during the meeting. "Do you know where the Room of Requirements is?" She questioned him.

Sirius bobbed his large head and moved to lead her in the general direction. Eventually they came upon a hallway and Sirius stopped to eye one side of the wall. "Is it around here?" Sirius bobbed his head again before sitting and looking at her expectantly. Serenity closed her eyes and thought of a safe heaven for her and Sirius to talk and meet in the future. When she opened her eyes, Serenity was surprised to find a door had appeared out of nowhere. Sirius had already started to walk towards it, leaving Serenity to follow.

Opening the door, Serenity gasped as she immediately recognized the room to be a replica of the Crowne. One half of the room was situated with booths and the other half equipment from headquarters. Even the Sailor V game was sitting in a corner, begging to be used again. Serenity leaned against the closed doors as her wide eyes scoured the room. Sirius, in the meantime, was transforming back to his normal self.

"What is this place?" He questioned her while walking over to one of the machines and running his fingers over it. "And how did you know about the room?"

"This is where my friends and I used to meet when we were younger, or, at least, a replica of it," Serenity walked to the booths, laying a hand over the cool surface of the table. "Andrew made the best milkshakes. We would always come to have one while we talked about scout business."

"Still, how did you know about the room?"

"Dumbledore told me I may find use for it in the future. I figured now was as good of a time as any to try and find it," Serenity slid into the cushioned booth and enjoyed the feeling of déjà vu that washed over her.

"Really? What else did Dumbledore have to say?" Sirius questioned while walking to Serenity and sitting across from her.

"He knows who you are," Serenity replied while eying the top of the table, tracing the edges of it with her fingers. "You were right about his abilities."

"How did he figure it out? I thought you had magical abilities that prevented people from recognizing me. You said it would work!" Sirius exclaimed with shock.

"It does, but it doesn't work against someone with the blessings of one of my people," Serenity defended with a sharp look towards the still fuming male. "I hadn't known it before, but one of my protectors had come here to find and watch over Lily Potter."

"Lily having been the host who housed a portion of your friend's soul?" Sirius questioned her. He still could not believe that Lily who had detested violence in school, was in fact a reincarnation of a soldier from another world.

Serenity nodded. "Somehow, a large portion of her soul if not all of it, was separated from the rest of us, resulting in her rebirth here while we waited our turn. She lived without her memories like the rest of us until a need arose. That need would be met by Voldemort, but from what you have said about her, she never showed any hidden power. I don't think the threat of Voldemort was enough to activate her star seed until he attacked her family."

"Seeing James die and knowing that Voldemort would go after Harry next must have done it," Sirius thought allowed to himself while also voicing Cosmos' beliefs.

"Yes," Serenity nodded while leaning forward. "That protective feeling and need to defend others was what Jupiter was known for in my world. Pluto was never in the Silver Millennium. She was never killed by Beryl. The outers were stationed at their posts, never to leave, but with the involuntary separation of Jupiter from the rest of us, someone had to go to watch over and retrieve her should the need arise. Pluto could easily watch and check in as needed."

"Wait, you mean that woman would have taken Lily away if she had not been killed?" Sirius growled. "She would have taken her away from Harry and James? Made her go off to fight and die in another war?"

"Lily Evans was destined to die protecting Harry. Setsuna would have never had to force her to leave," Serenity spoke though she was not a hundred percent sure of what she spoke. Would Setsuna have had a choice in the matter herself? Fate was known for it's cruelty.

"That still doesn't explain how Dumbledore knows her," Sirius changed the topic. Thinking of his friend and her death was still too painful. "What would that woman have to gain by associating with Dumbledore?"

"Not even Dumbledore knows, but I have an idea. Setsuna was always a step ahead of the rest of us. She managed to make plans and prepare for the inevitable. I think that befriending Dumbledore was a way to help us now," Serenity said as she rubbed her temples. A migraine was beginning to form. One always arose whenever Setsuna was concerned.

"You think she knew you would come here and help fight?" Sirius asked in disbelief. Serenity nodded. "Isn't that against some cosmic rule though?"

"She had a set of rules to follow, but she could always find a way to work around them. I don't know all of the rules, just a handful. She couldn't change the past or stop time, they were taboo. No one was allowed to pass the Time Gates, but we did because there was a loop hole. I think she found another one here," Serenity tried to explain, but Sirius never knew Setsuna, making it hard for him to understand what she was capable of in full.

"All I know is that Setsuna hinted to Dumbledore about things to come and how to proceed," Serenity sighed and mentally wished she really was at the Crowne. One of Andrew's famous milk shakes would be delightful, especially after the day she had to suffer through. With a soft pop, a chocolate milkshake with whip cream and a large cherry on top appeared before her.

"How so?" Sirius questioned while he watched in amusement as Serenity gently approached the milkshake. After a small, unsure sip, she greedily gulped down the sugary treat.

"She told him that when she was in doubt of things, she would look to the moon for inspiration and guidance," Serenity spoke while her eyes went distant. Sirius recognized the look on her face. He made it more often now than ever as he lost himself to the memories of his friends.

"She was referring to you?"

"Yes."

…

Okay, sorry this is so short, but I feel like adding more would take away from what I wanted you to get from all of this. You know? Tell me what you think and I'll be working on the next chapter. I promise to double the length of it!

RxR

Sesshy