(A/N: Okay, here's the promised update. Sorry it took longer than I'd expected it to. I haven't been feeling up to writing though. I've had a continuous pain coursing through my head for the last two weeks and it doesn't look like ol' Voldemort is going to let up on using Crucio on my head anytime soon. Evil twit he is. So anyhow, my updates are probably going to be further in between until either I graduate or the headaches let up.

leggylover03: Oh yes, I am a firm believer that all guys should experience that at least once in their lifetimes.

Pure Black: Of course he is! I can't kill off my favorite character.

RavenRose: Embarrassed!Snape is rather amusing to write late at night.

HecateDeMort: Eeee! Of course, of course!

Gryphnwng: Haha, I've had different reactions to the name I picked out. Some hate it and some love it. Personally, I like it, but then again, I like lesser-used names, unlike Harriet.

Mistress-Genari: Hey! No insulting my future child's name! Sorry, couldn't resist!

Dying Angel1: I should really classify this under comedy too, I suppose. I've been receiving reviews saying it's rather humorous at times. Hmm. Just wait. I plan on bringing in an old character that no one suspects to show up again. Muhahaha.

Now, let's continue on with this rather idiotic story!)

The meeting place looked like an old building that hadn't been used in ages, dirt and filth lined the furniture and the lines of Death Eaters stood in between it all. One felt as if he was going to be sick from having to be included in the ranks, but he knew that it was something he needed to do, both for Dumbledore and his daughter.

"Ssseverusss, my loyal ssservant, tell me, what newss do you bring of Dumbledore and hisss useless order?"

"My lord, the bumbling fool has kept me from his side as of late. I'm beginning to suspect that he may think me as a spy." He knelt deeply at his master's feet.

"Fool! I need you to keep tabsss on hissss pathetic little group. You mussst infiltrate hisss trussst assss I do not wissssh to have to find a new ssservant to take your place. Go, and do not return until you have newssss."

Severus nodded curtly and attempted to leave.

"Oh, and Ssseveruss, for your failure, CRUCIO!"

The man writhed on the ground, the pain wracked through his entire body. His existence was a lie as he had to be a double agent and feeding Voldemort false information would only last for so long. As soon as he was able to gather his strength, Severus apparated back to Snape Manor.

Harry's eyes flew open as she saw Hermione looking down with concern in her own eyes. The girl's body was shaking from the long torture that her father had been put under and then transferred over to herself. Hermione grabbed the still rather light girl and helped her up onto the couch and grabbed a wet washcloth to help the growing fever. While it wasn't the entire effect of the curse, it was enough to set Harry's body into a deep sickness. All Hermione could hope was that Severus would return soon and have potions in store for his daughter, who was thrashing about again, pain coming again from yet another Death Eater being tortured.

"Hermione, go get my dad. He apparated back on the grounds but the wards outside the house kept him from getting directly into the room."

She quickly complied and ran out the door, though not before grabbing her wand incase of a surprise attack. On the ground was a large black figure that looked like it was in a copious amount of pain. "Professor!" She screeched, running up to the man and hoping he'd be well enough to get into the house.

"Miss Granger, get inside the house. I wouldn't be surprised if Death Eaters are going to be swarming the area soon."

She grabbed his arm and helped him to his feet and scrambled back towards the door, only hoping that he was following her. Luckily for everyone, Severus had enough strength left inside him to reach the house before collapsing. He took a look to his right and saw Harry still in pain on the couch.

"Miss Granger, would you be so kind as to grab a few potions from my stores?" He directed, telling her exactly which ones he wanted and were they were. She came hurrying back a few moments later and thrust a pain killer potion in front of him. Snape's muscles instantly responded and struggled over towards his daughter's side.

"What happened?"

"I'm not sure, but similar happenings took place last year as well. Ron told me there were times Harry would be thrashing about his bed and in pain. This was the first time I ever saw it happen where she wasn't asleep though."

"Give her the dreamless sleep potion, now. The pain killing potion as well, as there is no doubt tomorrow she'll be even sorer than she was this morning." Severus sighed, rubbing a hand over his own sore body, especially his head. 'Did she see what happened at that meeting?' He mused, hoping that Harry wasn't being subjected to that desperately.

Hermione grabbed the requested potions and helped Harry to sit up enough to sip enough of the liquid to kill the pain as well as get to sleep. It worked almost instantly as her head hit the pillow on the couch, her eyes closed and drifted off to sleep, although this time it was a peaceful rest.

"Hermione, has she ever mentioned to you why she hurts like this?" He asked, almost in a defeated voice, but also shocking the girl by saying her first name.

"She seems almost linked to V-voldemort through her scar. Last year she kept having visions of things, and feeling pain from the curses, but like I said, this is the first time I'd seen her go into pain while being awake."

"So she sees the meetings..."

"Yes."

Snape grimaced; no one should be subjected to that, especially his daughter who'd already been through so much. He vowed to continue the Occlumency lessons as soon as possible so that this time he could actually help. He gathered Harry into his arms as best he could, as he was still weak himself, and took her into her room. It hurt him to see that she was being punished by things she could not control.

Hermione gathered her stuff, realizing it would be best to go back home and leave the father and daughter alone for right now. It was probably the first time she'd made that kind of mistake in realizing that there was no way for her to get there without Snape's help since her fireplace wasn't connected to the floo network.

Snape poked his head into the room with Hermione in it and smirked, "Really Miss Granger, I thought you were more intelligent than that. I'll take you back once I recover a bit more. Send a note to your parents with my owl to let them know you're alright."

She blushed rather profusely as she mentally smacked herself for being so foolish. In a few moments she had the note ready and tied to the large black owl that was hooting softly on her shoulder. She didn't know how long it was going to take so she prepared her parents by saying she might not make it home in time before leaving for school. The owl flew out the window and left her standing in the room alone.

"Would Mistress like me to show her around for the time being?" Trekni asked, popping in out of nowhere and standing by Hermione.

The girl blinked a few times at seeing a house elf there. "I uh, don't want to be a burden."

"No burden at all, Mistress Hermione! Trekni would be delighted at showing the Mistress around the grounds until Master Snape recovered enough to take her home."

Hermione conceded, deciding that Trekni was indeed treated well and noted that she wore a simple black outfit. "Are you a free elf, Trekni?"

"Yes, Mistress, Master Snape freed me once he took over the family manor. But I had nowhere to go so he has me stay here and get paid. Trekni is a traitor to the house elves, but Master Snape is kind enough to keep me here instead of tossing me out where I couldn't find work again."

Hermione visibly relaxed at what she was told and smiled; 'Snape couldn't be all bad if he treated his house elf with respect.'

Meanwhile back in the room, Severus ran his hand over Harry's forehead. It was still burning with fever and he had to charm the washcloth to stay cool since after reapplying it every five minutes was getting rather annoying. He had already administered a fever reducing potion, but it was taking away for it to kick in and until it did, all he could do was make her comfortable.

Night rolled around quickly and he felt his eyes grow heavy with exhaustion. Conjuring a bed absentmindedly, he slumped into it, seeing one last glimpse of his daughter before the slumber overtook him. Hermione had fallen asleep as well, only in a small room near the others incase she was needed.

Harry woke the next morning and was surprised to see her father still asleep on the makeshift bed. Her body was still sore, but that was to be expected. "Dad? You alive?" She joked, shoving him until his eyes fluttered.

"At the moment I wish I wasn't," he groaned, rubbing his aching head with a stiff hand. "And you shouldn't be talking, not after last night."

That shut Harry up and she quickly grabbed an outfit before running into the bathroom. She disregarded the nausea in her stomach as she knew what that was, but the aching in her muscles was enough to make her soak in the tub for a good hour.

"HAZEL SHARA SNAPE! GET OUT OF THAT BATHROOM AT ONCE! OTHER PEOPLE NEED TO USE IT TOO!" Was the next thing she heard. Hermione must have gotten fed up with having to wait and she quickly got out and dried off before putting on her clothing for the day. After the other two raided the bathroom, breakfast was served in the kitchen and as none of them had remembered to eat yesterday, the trio was starving with hunger.

"So, Hermione, are you going to be staying here for awhile, or are you going back to your home?" Harry asked while stuffing her face full of toast, eggs, and half a dozen other items.

"I uh, don't actually know. Professor?"

The man smiled for a change and glanced at the two girls at the table. "Well, would you like to stay Hermione? You are welcome to if you so desire, or I can call one of the Order members to take you home."

"Maybe it'd be best to stay for Hazel's sake. It sounds like she could use some company until school starts. I don't think my parents will be too upset as I've been with them for most of the summer. I mean, that is, if you really don't mind."

He nodded and swept out of the room and was back a few minutes later with Lupin trailing at his heels. "He'll be taking you back home for right now so you can gather your things."

Harry giggled softly as Lupin looked rather disheveled like he'd just been woken up a few minutes before. In all reality, he probably had been since it was the full moon last night. Hermione and Harry both ran over and tackled him with a hug to cheer him up and startled him rather good in the process.

"I uh, wasn't expecting that reaction..." He muttered, trying to right himself from the attack. "Come then Hermione, we'll get you back to your parents for a bit and then I'll bring you back."

Harry waved as she walked out of the house and beyond the disapparation wards and dive-bombed her dad with a hug. "Better not be so nice to all the Gryffindors next week like you are now. I mean you can't lose your reputation of being a greasy git." She teased, only to get trapped in his clutches and tickled. She screeched, as she hated being tickled. "You know, ol' Moldy-Voldy should teach his Death Eaters that one since people hate being tickled like that."

"Hmm, I don't think even he's that evil! Not like me!" He joked, catching a foot and tickling it until she was about to smack him in the face. Harry huffed and tried to straighten up her snarled hair.

A bit later Hermione came back with all her books intact with Lupin dragging a rather heavy trunk behind him. "Damn, I'm going to have to stop giving that girl ideas for books to read." He muttered and looking exhausted.

"Hey! It's not my fault that I like to read!"

Harry shook her head, "Why on earth were you not put in Ravenclaw?!"

"The sorting hat wanted me there, it was all set on it, but suddenly changed its mind at the last moment. What about you? I mean, lately you seem to be studying whenever you get the chance."

Harry blushed a light pink, "To tell you the truth, the hat wanted me in Slytherin and not Gryffindor. I'd asked it not to since I'd met Malfoy and didn't want to be with his type of folk."

Severus looked rather startled from the news but kept his mouth shut. 'She was supposed to be in my house? Just how was she able to talk the hat out of placing her were she should have been? Perhaps if she had, I wouldn't have been so awful to her all those years. At least I can make up for it now...' His mind was reeling from so many questions that had been placed into his head.

"Remus, are you going to be staying here too until term starts?" Harry's eyes shining as she looked up into the man's face. He could tell he was wanted, but didn't think Snape would enjoy having his presence any longer than necessary in the Snape Manor. And he was right as he looked at his old rival's expression.

"No, Harry, or Hazel, man that's going to be hard to get used to. I have a few things to work on before you go back."

She looked rather disappointed, but he smiled. "You'll see me sooner than you think."

"You're coming back to teach?" She squealed, mentally berating herself for sounding so girlish.

A quirky grin appeared on his face. "That I am. And I've also been given the task of delivering this message to you." Harry stared at it for a moment and ripped the envelope open. Her jaw grew slack as she finally reached the ending of it. Severus grabbed her as she almost passed out.

"Professor Dumbledore has asked me to help with teaching the first through fifth years in DADA. He was impressed with the DA last year and wants me to continue to teach, although under Remus's help. It wouldn't be all the time, but wow, that's an honor," she stuttered. (A/N: Think of a TA or Teacher's Assistant.)

Severus was stunned; Albus had conveniently forgotten to mention that to him last time they'd talked. He couldn't help but feel a bit of pride for his daughter gaining that honor.

"It's going to be an honor to have you help instruct the classes, Hazel. You're up to it, right?" Remus asked curiously.

"Definitely! I was going to ask the Headmaster if I could continue the group anyhow. Guess he already knew and thought of a way to make it more supervised."

"Brilliant! Don't worry; you won't be in charge of making lesson plans or anything of the sort. Then I'll be off to let Albus know right away. Bye!" He muttered and flooed back to Hogwarts.

"Well, it looks like this year is certainly proving to be interesting already," Harry moaned, slumping back into the chair in the other room. She grabbed one of the DADA books from the table and stuck her nose into it. It wasn't as if she didn't like the offer, quite the opposite, it's just she already had so much to worry about.

The next few days Hermione stayed close to Harry and helped the girl look through the books to find interesting defense skills that could be useful for the class. Hermione was curious about one thing though.

"Hazel, I have a question. You said you know your Animagus form, but why is it that I've never seen you attempt to try it?"

The girl smiled deviously, "That's because I wanted to complete it before showing anyone. But since you asked, I'll show you what I've accomplished so far."

Hermione grinned and waited.

(A/N: There! Be happy! 7 pages since I said I'd be nice after doing such a short chapter last time.)