Crossing Paths

Disclaimer: *Pandie walks up to the screen* Okay, to anyone reading this and thinking Hazel and I are really the wonderful J.K. Rowling and the equally wonderful L.J. Smith in disguise, this is my response *falls on floor rolling with laughter* *stops, gets up and puts on straight face* Ahem! *clears throat* Sorry about that. Just had to get that out of my system *sheepish grin* NEway, unless you've been completely ignoring the disclaimers for this story so far (and I know yas haven't *grin*), you'll know that the Night World and all its inhabitants are the creations of the wonderful L.J. Smith, and the magical world of Harry Potter and all it's characters are the creations of the wonderful J.K. Rowling. As much as we wish it were so, we would never dream of passing them off as our own. However, I do claim ownship of Sukida and Loki, Hazel claims ownership of Hazel (like she says, she just stole the name to confuse the disclaimer people *grin*), Jessica and Melissa (well Melissa owns Melissa actually, but I think she shares her with her Hazel, doesn't she, Hazel? *grin*), and Hazel and I both claim ownership of Tauren :) If you want to use NE of our characters for yer stories, please ask us first :) Thank you :)


Pandie's E/N: I haven't added anything in, Hazel, 'cause, well, I'm just too darned lazy, atm *lol* Plus that and the fact I still have to work on Chapter 23 of Legends. Anyway, I just corrected some spelling mistakes, added in a much waited for shout out section, and changed 1 word that looked really out of place. I won't say what it was, but I think you figure it out for yerself *grin* Oh oh oh, something I just have to say *grin* I've been reading through this chapter, and there's one line that has me thinking *sings to the Star Wars theme tune* "Star Wars! Nothing but Star Wars" *lol* I have this picture in my mind now of Ginny dressed up as a Jedi, saying in a mysterious voice "The force is strong with you, Harry" *rofl* btw, If NE1 wants to find out exactly what Hazel and Loki's little argument is about in this chapter, go read "It Will Be Me" by my wonderful dragon tiger co-author Hazel Harman, on her solo author account :) Here's a link for the story in case yas have NE trouble finding it :) http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=491115


Hazel's A/N:
I realize I jumped straight to friday Pandz... but it's so much easier to manover during the weekends. If you want to go ahead and maybe put sinnipits in from the rest of the week be my guest. If not then we'll just be weekend writers. *grin* And, I love my books. *hugs books* They are beautiful creations, all of them.

~Shout Outs~

Lex - You were our very first reviewer when you reviewed the first installment of Crossing Paths, as Obsidian :) I'd just like to say a big thank you from myself and Hazel, for being such a loyal reviewer (despite our spelling and writing mistakes *lol*), and for being such a good friend :) To answer yer question (and this is to NE1 else who asks the same thing :)), yes, you'll find out more about Professor James Lupin in a later chapter of Crossing Paths, but I'm not telling yas when that will be *mischievous grin*

Acacia - First of all I'd like to say thanks for all the wonderful reviews you've been sending us so far, Acacia :) We love getting yer response to each chapter we write of Crossing Paths :) Okay, now onto all the over due answers to yer questions *sheepish grin* Are lamia and made-vamps the same as the vamps vaguely mentioned in the HP world? I honestly don't know, sorry :( Maybe they are, maybe they aren't *shrugs* Until J K Rowling gives more detail about vampires in the HP world, we'll never know *sighs* Do they have a book they can show Harry and co.? No, not really, sorry *apologetic smile* Sukida, Loki, Hazel and Tauren are characters Hazel and I created and play in an L J Smith RPG called "The Fellowship" :) Also Sukida and Loki are sister and brother to one of the main characters in a Night World fan fic I'm writing in my solo author account :) If you (or NE1 else reading this) want to check it out, send me an e-mail and I'll send ya a link 4 it :) Do the Nightworlders know Ash and the other couples in the books that Hermione and Ginny have read? Yup, they do :) They are members of Daybreak, after all *grin* Plus, you'll find out from reading this chapter, Hazel (the one in the story, not the one co-writing it *lol*) is related (distantly) to a certain Night World lamia vampire turned good, very popular with many Night World fans *grin*

kittykatt - Hey Kitty :) We haven't heard (yeah, I know you can't hear on the internet *rolls eyes* You guys know what I mean) from ya in ages :( Where are ya girl? :( Okay, about yer dragon question :) I got Spot from The Great Big Dragon Emporium in the north part of Laa Laa Land *grin* *looks at readers giving her funny looks* What?? Yas never heard of The Great Big Dragon Emporium?? Yas never of Laa Laa Land?? *shakes head and sighs* Tsk! Honestly!! btw, About the cliff hanger in chapter 1. Hazel wrote that chapter, not me *apologetic smile* That doesn't mean I don't write cliff hangers *devious grin* Don't worry, though, I try not to leave ya hanging for too long :)

SunshineJellyBaby - Hey girl, we wrote more *pouts* Where's all those reviews ya owe us? *grin* You've got a lot of catching up to do *mischievous grin*

Missy - How's our special reviewer person doing? *grin* Yer definitely going to love this chapter, Missy *grin* That goes the same for NE other fans of Sometimes Things Change and Today Is All We Have, who are reading this *grin*

luya - Hey Luisa :) We're really glad you like this story, so far :) Along with yers, Ginny Potter's, and Adnap Nottap's comments, certain characters in this story are going to get heads too big to fit through the doorway *coughLokicough* *Loki looks puzzled* ~Loki~ Who? Me? Get too bigheaded to fit through the door? That's never gonna happen *walks through door but gets stuck* Um, a little help here?! *rolling her eyes while helping Loki get unstuck from the door* See what I mean *sigh*

Tessa - Hey Tess :) Glad yer loving each installment of Crossing Paths written by us two hyper people, so far *grin*

Liz Tucker - Write more ASAP? Your wish is our command *wands magically fan fic wand* Ta da! *produces CP chapter 6 out of nowhere and grins* Even better, CP chapter 5 is already up, so that's double chapters for ya to read *grin*

Foxy Pink girl - First of all, I'd just like to say thanks again for the wonderful review you left us :) Now, when are ya gonna read n review the rest of the story? *grin*

Serina - Don't worry, a lot more will be happening in future chapters of Crossing Paths, including a few action scenes (ie kick butt fighting *grin*) :) Hey, the Daybreakers are protecting Harry and his friends from the black wings, remember? *grin* Sooner or later there's bound to be a fight scene between one of the 'student teachers' and one of those evil black wing *grin*

Authoress - I'm glad ya think this story is really good *grin* Hopefully, chapters 5 and 6 won't disappoint ya :)

Sarah - *lol* Hi Hazel's cousin Sarah *waves* *grin* I figured out you were Sarah, since ya loved CP chapter 3, so much *lol* I can guess it was something to do with a certain quote Hazel put in that chapter? *grin* NEway, thanks for all the mad reviews ya sent us *grin* btw, Check out one of the quotes Hazel's put in the start of this chapter *grin*

Haley J. The Bat - Thanks Haley :) We'll do our best to keep this story enjoyable for all our readers :) btw, Good luck with the future chapters of Secrets :) Don't worry, you'll get yer enjoyment for writing back soon enough *kind smile*

Ginny Potter - Okay Ginny, I'm writing this shout out in reply to the e-mail ya sent us, with the full review you gave us for Crossing Path :) Don't worry about the accidental sending an unfinished review :) I've done that myself, from time to time *sheepish grin* So I don't think you were being selfish, and I'm sure Hazel doesn't think so, either *kind smile* About the Animorphs thing :) I don't know about Hazel, but I definitely read the Animorphs books :) The shapeshifter characters (Sukida, Loki, and Hazel) in this story aren't based from the Animorph books, though. They're based on the shapeshifters in the Night World books by the wonderful L.J. Smith, especially Sukida and Loki, who are part arcobaleno drago (rainbow dragon), a species of dragons I invented, based on the most powerful of all the Night World shapeshifters, the dark dragons. They do have some elements from the Animorphs, though *grin* Hmmm, an Animorphs / Night World crossover fic might actually be quite good *grin* *winks* Hint, hint to all you Animorph and Night World fans reading this *grin* btw, Don't worry about Sukida, Loki, Hazel and Tauren becoming Mary Sues or Gary Stus *lol* There's no way that's going to happen *grin*

Adnap Nottap - Well, Addy, after reading all the wonderful reviews ya left us for Crossing Paths, so far, I can definitely tell you really love this story *lol* To answer yer question, you'll just have to wait and find out if it is Sukida who helps Harry find his soulmate *mischievous grin* btw, Just so ya know, Hazel and I will have you and everyone else reading Crossing Paths, turned into Sukida/Tauren and Loki/Hazel shippers, b4 the story's even finished *mischievous grin*

Quotes:
"No guy should wear leather pants... except maybe Damon... Damon and Ash... Damon, Ash and Julian... but no one else!" (Me to Sarah)
"What's the top speed on this thing?" "Mach 3." "Is that faster than a speeding bullet?" (Terry and Bruce) (Alright! I admit it! Comicbook characters (i.e. Batman, Superman, Green Lantern) are a weakness! No need to point fingers and laugh!)

Chapter 6: Of Pasts and Presents


The first week had been rough, but it was once again Friday, and that meant the end of the week. And for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, it couldn't have come sooner.

"I never thought this bloody week would end." Ron sighed, heaving his books down on the dining hall table. "I second that." Harry sighed and slumped into a chair. "Why is Snape so bloody cruel to us?" "Because he didn't like your dad. So it's your fault." Harry made a crude gesture at Ron making the other boy laugh and Hermione and Ginny shake their heads. "Boys, boys. Behave yourselves. We have work to do. We still need to work on Harry's little problem." Hermione tapped her fingers impatiently on the table. "And just when I was starting to forget about it." Harry sighed. "This isn't something you can just forget about Harry. Soulmates are serious business." Ginny told him roughly. "You two read romance novels too much." Harry rolled his eyes.

"It's not just the books." Hermione told him, leaning forward. "Ginny and I have been going to the library during breaks, doing a bit of research..." "Why am I not surprised?" Ron muttered in an undertone only Harry could hear. "and we've found out a few things." "Apparently the soulmate theory that exists in our books doesn't exist just in our books. It's real, but very rare. Only people with strong magical ability can handle it. The force is strong and binding. While you don't necessarily have to stay with your Soulmate, you'll never feel complete without them." Ginny said, twirling a fork in her hands.

"I don't CARE if I'll never feel complete without her. I don't want her!" Harry pounded his fist on the table, getting several suspicious looks from his fellow Gryffindors, including Fred, George, Jessica and Melissa. "I just want to be normal for once." Harry told them quietly. "I want to fall in love like normal people my age. I want to have what Fred and Melissa have, or George and Jessica. Bloody hell. I want what Percy and Penelope have. I'm tired of having all this special stuff happen to me." Ginny gave a huge sigh and slammed her cup down on the table.

"You're so STUPID Harry Potter!" Her eyes blazed and her cheeks were slightly flushed. "Most girls would give their right arm if not more to have this happen to them and-- YOU DON'T WANT IT? Well I've had enough! If you don't want to figure this out, if you don't want us to help you, then fine! COUNT ME OUT!"

Harry watched Ginny with mouth open as she did what her brother had done four days ago and stormed out. Harry waited for her to complete the deja vu and storm back in then kiss... him he guessed. Since she wasn't going to kiss Ron and she definitely wasn't going to kiss Hermione. After another minute Harry was forced to breathe. "That wasn't how I planned this to go. I don't understand why she's so upset. How would she feel if she knew there was someone out there who she had to love no matter what she did to try and stop it." "That's the problem Harry, she does." Harry looked at Hermione and sighed. "I thought she'd gotten over that." "Nothing can stop love Harry." Hermione quietly gathered her books and left. "Well, didn't this turn out interesting." Ron sighed, patting Harry on the back.

~~*~~

"Well come on." Hazel pulled at Loki's hand. "Isn't this showing favoritism or something? Isn't that... wrong?" Loki seemed nervous. "Come on. You know you want to. We'll even let you ask him for his autograph." Tauren chuckled. "I'm NOT going to ask him for his autograph." Loki said stubbornly. "Don't be STUPID Whiteash." Hazel laughed at the short banter as she approached the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Relax Loki. Now, what was the password again?" Sukida glanced at Hazel. "Ribisonie." Hazel nodded. "Who came up with that one?" Hazel shrugged and grinned at her best friend. Sukida repeated the password to the Fat Lady and the four clambered inside the portrait hole, Loki with a bit of trouble.

He tripped as he entered the common room, making Hazel sprawl out under him. "Loki, this is hardly the time or place." Hazel chuckled as Loki picked himself up and then helped her. The common room was silent. The four young people glanced at the gaping people.

"What have Fred, George and Jessica done now?" Melissa sighed. Hazel grinned. "They haven't done anything. Not that we know of. We actually came to be civil. We're a bit too loose for the teachers, minus maybe Hagrid and Dumbledor. So we figure a few of the seventh years might work." Loki chuckled and shook his head. "Ignore her, she's rambling." Hazel shoved an affectionate elbow in his stomach. "Ignore him, he's an inconsiderate idiot." "And she's an over-bearing, power-hungry--" "Don't you DARE call me a Slytherin!" Hazel looked shocked.

"Ignore them both." Tauren announced to the room. He took Sukida's hand and walked over to a couch, leaving the two to battle in private. "So, George or Fred?" Tauren looked at the twins. "How did you--" Tauren smiled at whichever twin was speaking. "I've met your sister and younger brother. I rather like your sister. The Little Flame." "So you're the one she's been rambling about all week." "You've gotten another one to fall for you?" Sukida sighed. "What AM I going to do with you?" She shook her head, a slight smile playing on her lips. Tauren mocked a thinking expression for a moment. "I can think of a few things." He chuckled.

"I'm not through with you yet mister! I've got a few things from the past up my sleeve. I still want to know why you were REALLY in that damned tree!" "I want to know why you hit me!" "You were being a chauvinistic pig!" "I was drawing birds!" "Why don't I believe--"

Sukida shook her head. "They're so annoying when they get like this. They don't do it very often, but when they do, it gets ugly." "I'm George." The twin said finally. "Which means he's Fred." Jessica supplied. "They never tell the truth. Half the time not even Melissa and I can tell them apart. Besides, the real George has his hands in quite an interesting place. So I hope it's Fred you have there." Jessica snickered, extracted George from the floor, where he was apparently trying to do a one handed hand stand and sat up so they could see her better.

"I'm Jessica Collins. And you're the new student teachers. I hope you like your rooms. The Twins, Melissa and I spent an entire Saturday fixing them up." "Yes, they're lovely." Hazel sat down in a chair, beaming. Loki wasn't far behind, blushing like mad. "What did you do to him?" George's... no wait.. Fred's eyes were wide. "I made him tell me the truth." "About what?!" Fred... no that was George... George asked. "About what he was drawing up in that tree." "It's about time." Sukida grinned. "Oh shut up." Loki growled, picking Hazel up out of her chair and sitting down in it with her in his lap.

~~*~~

Hours went by. The four student teachers remained in the common room reliving old tales to the students, waiting for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny to show up. They were no where to be found.

"So Loki jumps on this guy's back as Tauren throws his fist forward. He hits Loki square on the jaw, knocking him out. Sukida wound up knocking the bad guy out while I cursed at Tauren and woke Loki up." Hazel laughed, the seventh years chuckling. "So, why were you after this guy anyhow?" George asked, still laughing. "Oh, he'd jumped my cousin in an alley." Hazel laughed. "Boy was Ash pissed that we'd beaten him up. He wanted to do it."

"You're cousin's name is Ash? Interesting. What's his last name?" The group turned towards the portrait hole. An almost languid Hermione and Ginny walked through, with an upset looking Ron and Harry trailing. "Ash 'pain in the ass' Redfern." Hazel smiled. "We've been waiting for you! Where have you been?" Fred and George had jumped up and yelled at the four in unison. "Library." Ginny and Hermione replied without faltering.

"You're serious?" Ginny raised an eyebrow at the four student teachers. "His name is Ash Redfern?" Hazel nodded. "Yep. It sure is. He's only distantly related, but we've always been close." "Interesting." Hermione smiled. "Very interesting." "What's interesting?" Loki looked confused. "Ash isn't interesting. He's a complete bore, but don't tell him I said that." Hazel laughed and slapped his arm lightly.

"Might we-- er-- inquire as to your reason for being here?" Ron looked uncomfortable and pulled at his collar. "Oh!" Suki smiled. "We came to meet some of the students. We already met you and Harry, but we thought it might be nice to meet the other two people who have been staring at us during meals." Both Hermione and Ginny blushed lightly and Harry and Ron laughed. "Told you they would notice!" Harry gasped.

~~*~~

"So, Tauren, how was Snape?" Hazel grinned cheekily at her brother. "An absolute... word I can't say because I'm in the presence of minors." Tauren grinned. "He was rude, and egotistical and... a really big jerk." Tauren shook his head. "Although it was funny to see some sort of color appear on his cheeks when Ginny answered one of the questions right. It was... hilarious to say the least." Ginny flushed at the compliment and bit her lip. "I never would have had the chance to answer the question if you hadn't pointed me out to Snape. It was completely worth him picking on me the rest of class."

Sukida suddenly began to giggle for no reason. Loki shook his head. "Oh no, she's getting hysterical, it's time for bed." "But it's only midnight!" Hazel objected. "I'm not sl-sl-sleepy." She muttered, yawning. "You're a really bad liar." Loki chuckled and scooped Hazel up in his arms. "I am n-not." She hit his shoulder with no more force than a feather. "I repeat, bad liar." "Okay, but at least I'm not--" She trailed off as she closed her eyes. "Kitten, you're so weird." He whispered. "Alright," he announced a bit more loudly, "we're off to bed, you four had best get up to your dorms." With this Tauren picked Sukida, who was still giggling, up and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Come on Suk, stop that giggling. Let's get back to our room, you need sleep."

~~*~~
Hazel's Second Note: Alrighty. There was chapter 6. It wasn't as long as the others... but I worked buck hard on it! So please review!

Pandie's Second Note: Okay, here's a couple of philsophical questions from Hazel and myself (which means they're completely insane questions *lol*), for you guys to answer in yer reviews if yas want to *grin* Here they are (btw, I know Hazel's question has been asked before, but who cares *grin*) :)

~Hazel's Question~ If a fly didn't have any wings, would it be called a walk?

~Pandie's Question~ When ya read the phrase "They rolled their eyes", do ya ever think "What? Like, they took their eyes out of their sockets, rolled them along a table or something, and popped them back in, again??"?