Another Beginning
Chapter One

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A/N: Please note that the timeline will be altered slightly in order to fit the story's needs. Instead of 1980, Hazel will be born in 2000, so the invasion of the Chitauri can happen one year before she goes to Hogwarts. It will be an Avengers/HP fic, but it wouldn't happen immediately.

Warnings: Mild swearing within future chapters, Gender-bent main character and AU/Crossover. Semi-abused, and neglected past

Disclaimer: Sadly, these do not belong to me- Marvel And Rowling owns them (Along with my soul) and I'm simply messing around with their characters and lives. Not making any profit off this because it's copyrighted and no one would buy it…A

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The soft spring breeze rustled through the trees, filling the air with a soothing hum that could be only described as the buzzing from a baby bee. Birds twittered away, crickets chirping along in the background. The sun was high up in the air, showering the land with the warm and radiant heat.

The thunderstorm and pounding rain left from the previous night cleansed the forest, leaving a trail of crystal-like raindrops immersed in the strong smell of earth and soil. The unpredictable spring was over- but however the war was not. Right next to the forest laid the remains of an abandoned home, all of its residents having been brutally brought to their death the night before. Death Eater Attacks were growing more and more frequent. It was only a matter of time until they took over- and everyone knew so. Students were let out early from school, many escaping with their families to foreign lands in order to avoid the grasp of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

The Potter and Longbottom family were two of the last light pureblooded family that had remained in Britain throughout this time. Most of the others were either known, or at least suspected followers of Voldemort. Both James and Frank had been determined to stay and fight, their famous Gryffindor courage and loyalty getting the best of them. There was only one problem; both Alice and Lily were pregnant.

Their child would grow up in a world of darkness and war- assuming they made it out of labor. The mothers would not be permitted to fight during this time, due to their unhealthy state and risk of miscarriage. It was like a living nightmare. Knowing this, James did the only thing he could do- he went into hiding.

Not that he wanted to, mind you. He had no other choice but to stay and protect his wife and to-be child. Going under the fidelius charm, they could only hope that the war was to end soon enough to give their child a proper childhood and life.

…

Hazel-Lilith Potter was born on July 31st, a stubborn little thing with fiery red hair and hazelnut amber eyes adopted from James' father. She was the apple of their eyes, a gift from Merlin himself almost. Both James and Lily loved her more than anything else in the world, and would both protect her with their very lives.

And that's exactly what they did.

Halloween, 2002 was the downfall of both Lily Potter nee Evans and James Potter-Stark, along with the dark lord Voldemort. By some miracle, Hazel had survived with only a small scar on her forehead in the shape of a lightning scar. The whole wizarding world was in joyous uproar, celebrating their savior.

Hazel-Lilith, The-girl-who-lived.

…

Hazel didn't know what she was supposed to be doing in the Principle's office that day. She had gotten into trouble before- because of stupid Dudley, of course- but this time she honest to god had no idea what the heck was going on. Clenching her fists around her baggy shirt, she tried her hardest to remember anything that could've possibly resulted in this. For a six-year-old, she thought herself pretty darn smart.

Dudley?
No, that sucker was definitely as surprised as she was.

Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon?
Probably not- it wasn't like either of them cared about her anyway.

The crazy guy who shook her hand in a shop once?
He didn't even know her; he had probably been high on weed or something.

The Police…?
She hoped not.

Glancing around nervously, she scanned for possible escape routes. Not many. With each passing minute, her heartbeat escalated quicker and quicker to the point she could hear it thumping wildly in her chest. She had no idea why she was so nervous- she wasn't a shy kid by nature. She hadn't gotten in trouble (thankfully) in the last week or so. What's the worst that could happen? Pushing away all the horrid possibilities that had just popped up in her mind, she focused on humming a tune to herself instead.

It was one she had randomly made up one day, while doing the chores. For some strange and unknown reason, it made her feel happy and uplift. It was almost as if it was a memory from long ago- but that's crazy, isn't it? For all Hazel knew her mother died giving birth to her while her father had been a drunkard who left her mother a month before she was born. She had been living with the Dursleys since, or so she heard from eavesdropping on Aunt Petunia and the gossiping neighbors.

She doubted more than 60% of it was true, but she sure wasn't bent on finding out. Hazel didn't particularly care for what has happened in the past, after growing up in a household that could be described as 'the living hell of all living hells'. Not to mention finding out just exactly how horrible your parents were isn't exactly no.1 on her bucket list, even though she thought nothing could surprise her about her heritage anymore.

However, within the very next moment she was proven wrong. Her principle had came out her office with a very serious red-headed woman whose shoes were at least three times more expensive than most of Petunia's wardrobe combined.

"Hello. My name is Virginia, or just call me Pepper." The woman stated calmly, while Hazel watched in amazement as the stern look melted into a sincere smile at the sight of her. Due to Petunia's gossiping and Dudley's bullying, she had never really been greeted with anything remotely positive before.

"I- My name is Hazel. Hazel Lilith Potter to be exact." Mentally slapping herself off for sounding like a fool, she tried her best to return a smile to the stranger who introduced herself as Virginia-Pepper. "Uh, so would you please explain why you're here?"

"Yes. In fact, I'm the CEO of your uncle." Hazel nodded disappointedly, preparing herself for the worst. She should've seen this coming; nothing ever good happened to her-Hazel had no idea what CEO even meant, but she had a fairly good guess it was an assistant of some sort. Perhaps uncle Vernon has sent her to get ride of her. She was a fool for even thinking this was remotely good news. Pepper (Virginia?) smiled, somewhat amused. "No, I'm afraid you don't understand. I meant your other uncle."

"…My other uncle?" Now Hazel was really confused, and somewhat hurt. She had been reminded constantly that the Dursleys only took her in because no one else would. She had always assumed in her mind that meant she had no other living relatives, and it hadn't even occurred to her that there were just more people out there who didn't want her. Blinking back tears, she looked away as the hollow feeling filled her chest once again. "…He didn't want me either, did he?" She whispered, stroking her scars absent-mindedly.

Hearing this, the CEO woman gasped in both shock and outrage. "Never! Why would you even say something like that in the first place?" Hazel shrugged, tears now on the verge of spilling. After all this time, she had always wanted to believe that the Dursleys were her guardians because it was the only choice left. She didn't expect to now find out she had another uncle who probably hated her just as much. Who knew how many other relatives she had? Had they all hated her? Was she really just a freak that wasn't meant to exist? Seeing her pained expressions, The CEO woman (Pepper? Virginia?) Immediately softened.

"Oh my god, I… No, your uncle didn't- I mean, he… Oh gosh… He wasn't aware of your existence until yesterday, you see…" She explained, somewhat hesitantly.

"What?" If Hazel thought she as confused before, it was nothing compared to what she was going through now. Apparently he had another uncle, who didn't even know she existed? If he didn't… what…

"I should probably explain everything, shouldn't I?" Pepper smiled kindly, and Hazel couldn't help but feel a warm tinge in her chest.

"Yes, please do." Hazel said, already knowing that this chapter of her life definitely wasn't going to be nearly as sad as the last. After all, this uncle couldn't possibly be worse than the Dursleys.

…

A/N: Please review- constructive criticism welcomed, flames laughed at, and general reviews on your thoughts about the story or my writing would make my day.

Suggestions welcomed, and definitely very appreciated. :D
Until next time,

-Vanilla