AN: And I'm back! I missed you all… in the two days time! *grins* You all love me, that's why you keep coming back for more! Alright, so anyway, who loves Snape? *raises hand* Yep, so bear with me as we mix the jerk Snape with the nice Snape. I totally think I made this work! *frowns* I don't like how it starts though, but I couldn't figure out another way to work it in. *shrugs* Eh… So sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Recap: Paige is Harry's younger sister, she's a year behind him, and she's in Slytherin even though she spends a lot of time with the Gryffidors. Remus and Tonks are her godparents and Sirius and Tonks are Harry's. Remus and Tonks are already married and I shrank the age gap between them because it works better for my story that way. Paige's wand is the twin of Bellatrix's. Sirius is not an escaped convict! And most importantly, Snape is nice towards Paige because she looks like Lily. And she and Neville are dating. *breathes* I think that's all!

Disclaimer: I only own Paige… *looks up* And my extremely long AN…

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Paige sat straight up covered in sweat as she gasped for air. Remus and Sirius burst into the room looking at her wearily. She leaned back against the headboard as Remus sat beside her.

"What is it Paige? What did you see?" Paige shook her head as she looked between Remus and Sirius. "Paige…"

"It was Snape. He was in a room with Narcissa Black and Bellatrix." She bit her lip not wanting to go into it. If this told her anything of the upcoming year, then she knew why Snape was so adamant about her knowing he was loyal to her. "He was making an unbreakable vow with Narcissa. He… he vowed to help and protect Draco and fulfill Voldemort's wishes." Remus stroked Paige's hair.

"He's a Death Eater, again?" Paige shrugged.

"He's been constantly telling me that no matter what, his loyalties lay with Harry and me." Remus frowned, but didn't say a word. A racket sounded downstairs and Paige could hear Harry greet Dumbledore. "Dumbledore's here?"

"Come on, precious. You can go with Harry and Dumbledore." Paige grinned and jumped out of bed. Remus shook his head as he and Sirius trailed behind her. "Good evening, Professor."

"Wotcher, Dumbledore" Paige grinned. Dumbledore smiled at the young witch.

"Wotcher, Paige. Do you plan on coming with us?" he asked holding his arm out. Paige stared at his black hand. Tonks gasped. "Rather unpleasant to behold, isn't it? The tale is thrilling if I do say so myself, but I'm afraid now is not the time to tell it. Take my arm, both of you." Paige grabbed one arm as Harry grabbed the other. Soon they had apparated out of Grimmauld Place. As they landed on the street, Paige doubled over with her hands on her knees.

"No matter how much I do that, I doubt I'll ever get used to it" she muttered as she straightened out. Harry grinned at her as he stood there. Dumbledore starts off down the street as Paige and Harry followed after him.

"Welcome to the charming village of Budleigh Babberton. I assume right about now you're wondering why I've brought you here, am I right?" Paige shrugged as Harry laughed.

"After all this time, we just kind of roll with it now." Dumbledore smiles at them before he turned to face a house. Paige stares at the destruction they could see from the road.

"Wands out" he said as they started forward. Paige stayed at the rear as they entered the completely wrecked house. "Lumos." Dumbledore's wand lights up as he swept it around the shadows, looking for something. "Horace?" They started down the hallway into what used to be the living room. Everything was in pieces and shattered. Paige paused as she watched something drip from the ceiling. She poked Harry as they looked up, the ceiling was covered in a red substance. A single drop fell onto Harry's scar, but before he could wipe it away, Dumbledore wiped it off and licked it from his finger. Dumbledore's eyes narrowed as he looked at the armchair, poking his wand into the cushion.

"Merlin's Beard!" it cried out as it morphed into an elderly plump man wearing lilac pajamas. "There's no need to disfigure me, Albus" the man grumbled.

"You make a very convincing armchair, Horace."

"It's all in the upholstery. I come by the stuffing naturally. What gave me away?" Dumbledore pointed to the ceiling.

"Dragon's blood" he said simply. The man huffed.

"Yes, well, I couldn't very well use wizard's blood, could I? Oh!" He smiled at Paige and Harry, his eyes staring at Paige's face. Dumbledore clapped his hands together once.

"Ah yes. Introductions. Harry, Paige, this is an old friend and colleague of mine, Horace Slughorn. Horace, this is, well, you know who they are." Dumbledore leaned forward and in a mock whisper said, "Apparently there's some thought he may be the Chosen One." Slughorn continued to stare at them. "So why all the theatrics, Horace? You weren't perhaps expecting someone else, were you?" Slughorn blinked as he turned his attention to Dumbledore.

"S-someone else? I'm sure I don't know what you mean." Dumbledore raised his eyebrows as Paige snorted. Liar. "Oh all right! The Death Eaters have been trying to recruit me for over a year. Do you know what that's like? One can only say no to these people so many times before they..."

"Take matters into their own hands?" Dumbledore asked. Slughorn gestured to the ruined house.

"I never stay anywhere more than a week. The Muggles who own this place are in the Canary Islands." Dumbledore nodded as he looked around the wrecked room.

"Well, I think it should be put back in order for them, don't you?" Slughorn nodded and Dumbledore raised his wand and swept it over the room. Paige jumped as everything started fixing itself and going back to its original spot. A squeaking noise was heard and Harry looked down to see he was stepping on a crystal from the chandelier. He lifted his foot and it zoomed back to its rightful spot. "That was fun. May I use the loo?" Slughorn nodded and Dumbledore picked up the ends of his robe as he left the room.

"Don't think I don't know why you're here, Albus! The answer is still no! Absolutely, unequivocally no!" Dumbledore didn't respond. Paige shifted nervously as the three stood staring at each other awkwardly. "What in bloody hell happened to your face?" he blurted out. Harry narrowed his eyes at the man.

"I was attacked by a werewolf" Paige said simply. Slughorn nodded.

"You look like your parents, except your eyes. Your eyes are…"

"Switched. We know" Harry said interrupting him. Slughorn smiled kindly at Paige.

"Lily. Lovely Lily. She was exceedingly bright - your mother. Even more impressive when one considers she was Muggle-born." Harry stiffened.

"One of our best friends is Muggle-born. She's the best in our year" he argued. Slughorn shook his head.

"Oh, but you mustn't think I'm prejudiced! No, no, no! Your mother was one of my absolute favorites! Look, there she is. Right up front." He pointed to a group of pictures. The three stepped forward, looking over them. Paige stared at the one of her mother. She did look exactly like her except now she now had nasty scars covering the left half of her face. "All mine, each and every one." Paige frowned.

"They aren't property, sir. They are people, your students." Slughorn nodded at Paige's declaration.

"Ex-students, I mean. You recognize Barnubas Cuffe, of course, editor of the Daily Prophet." He picked up a photo of a man shaking hands with him. "Always takes my owl should I want to register my opinion on the news of the day. And there's Ambrosius Flume of Honeydukes. Sends a hamper of chocolate to the house each birthday. That is, when I had a house. And Gwenog Jones, captain of the Holyhead Harpies - free tickets whenever I want them. Of course, I haven't been to a match in some time..." Paige looked at all the pictures. He truly did think of them as property. Harry picked up a picture and showed it to Paige.

"He looks like Uncle Sirius" she said. Slughorn smiled at them.

"Ah yes. Regulus Black. You apparently know of his older brother Sirius. I taught the whole Black family except Sirius. Shame. Talented boy. I got Regulus when he came along, of course, but I'd have liked the set." Paige glared at him. They weren't a set. They were PEOPLE!

"Mind if I take this? I do love knitting patterns." Paige turned to stare at Dumbledore as he held up a magazine. She was glad to see him, but knitting patterns?

"Of course. But you're not leaving?" Dumbledore nodded.

"I think I know a lost cause when I see one. Regrettable. I would have considered it a personal triumph had you consented to return to Hogwarts, Horace. You are, like my friends here- one of a kind." Paige and Harry follow a humming Dumbledore out of the house and down the walkway. As they reach the street, the front door of the house swung open.

"All right! I'll do it. But I'll be wanting Professor Merrythought's old office, not that water closet I had formerly. And I expect a raise! These are mad times we live in! Mad!" Slughorn stomped back inside as Dumbledore winked at the kids.

"Indeed they are." They walked back towards the village in silence. Finally Harry spoke up.

"Sir, exactly what was all that…?"

"You both are talented, famous and powerful - everything Horace values. Professor Slughorn is going to try to collect you, Harry, Paige. You would be his crowning jewel. That is why he is returning to Hogwarts. And it is crucial he return..." Paige frowned.

"We aren't trophies. We're people." Dumbledore nodded.

"Very special people, Paige. Horace doesn't think like that though. He collects famous people so later he can collect on them." Paige nodded.

"Next new teacher can they not ogle me or have a personal vendetta against me?" Dumbledore chuckled.

"I shall try, Ms. Potter. Now come, I have to get you to the Burrow." He held out his arms for them.

"But what about our owls and trunks?" Dumbledore smiled, a twinkle in his eyes.

"They will be waiting for you." Paige shrugged and grabbed Dumbledore's arm as Harry grabbed the other one. He apparated them to a small pond a little ways from the Burrow.

"That man has lousy aim" Paige muttered as they waded through the water towards the house. As they opened the door Harry and Paige heard Ginny yelling up to someone.

"Apparently they're wandering the house" she said.

"Really?" Paige smiled as she heard Hermione's voice.

"Really" Harry said. Ginny spun and grinned at them as the others came downstairs. They stared at the waterlogged siblings.

"Looks like Dumbledore landed you in the water" Remus said with a grin as he, Tonks, and Sirius stepped into view. Paige shrugged.

"Get told I'm a trophy and get dumped in water all in one night. Couldn't have a better way to spend it" she said. Remus laughed and waved his wand. Paige felt the warmth of the spell hit her as her clothes and hair dried. "Much better." George stood next to Hermione, staring at her mouth. She looked at him curiously.

"You've a bit of…" he gestured to her mouth. Hermione blushed as she wiped it off, her eyes drawn elsewhere. Paige chuckled.

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"When'd you get here?" Harry asked as the four sat in a small circle. Hermione shrugged.

"A few days ago. Though... for a bit, I wasn't sure I was coming." Harry and Paige looked at her as she glanced at Ron. Ron shrugged at the two Potters.

"Mum sort of lost it last week. Said Ginny and I had no business going back to Hogwarts. That it's too dangerous. Dad stepped in, told her she was being barmy. Took a day or two, but she came round." Hermione nodded.

"She's not alone. Even my parents- and they're Muggles – know something bad is happening." Paige shrugged.

"But we're talking about Hogwarts. Dumbledore. What could be safer?" she asked. Hermione sighed.

"There's been a lot of chatter lately. That he's gotten... old." Paige sighed.

"We really need to get the Daily Prophet at the Dursley's" she muttered. Harry ignored her.

"Rubbish. He's only - what?" Ron smiled slightly.

"A hundred and fifty. Give or take a few years." It was silent for only a heartbeat before the four broke into fits of laughter.

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AN: Alrighty so there is the beginning of Half-Blood Prince. Did you like it? Let me know what you thought please! No flames!