(A/N: Hey look! I posted before I said I would! I feel special now. No, not really but enough with that. Let's do one of these since I haven't for a while:
Disclaimer: The bunnies in my brain are telling me to place a disclaimer stating that this doesn't belong to me and that if I attempt to steal Severus Snape again, they shall feed me to the Blast-Ended Skewt. Damn, I really wanted Snape.
M'Lady: Heh, Harry isn't Harry since he/she is confused with her thoughts/emotions at the moment even if she's not showing them.
ennui deMorte: Ahh, I do love a good cliffhanger now and then.
leggylover03: Hey look! It's not quite such a luff moment and actually has some needed plot scenes for the story! But I think that Snape would like Hazel even if she turned back again since he's getting to know her more like this and can see his/her actions are more like Lily than James had. And I have one thing to say about Canon!Snape: If Harry was raised with the Dursley's and had no recollection of his father, how would he come by those traits? If someone is raised in a different situation and such, it makes it near impossible for a person to develop the same traits even if they are related. Take that, Canon!Snape. Ha.
Dying Angel1: Oooh, a request to check out fics. Of course, will have more time after Monday as it's the last day of class. Muhaha.
Gryphnwng: Cough cough, not this year they aren't letting us prank anyone. If caught, they don't let you gradumacate nor attend the prom so yeah. Babble babble babble babble. Hey look! I caught the Babble Hex.
Abby: Hmm, you know, I seem to get flames/negative comments from Anon sources. Hmm, curious, curious indeed. Now if you read properly, the reason I have Harry staying as Hazel is that if she changed back to male, she/he'd look almost like a replica of Severus and since they don't have James's blood anymore, the potion would be impossible to replicate.
HecateDeMort: C&P. Haha.
lillinfields: Hey! You scared me there for a second! Let's see if your acting abilities are better than Mister Snape's.
valanthe: Pushy pushy pushy. And I have one that has been waiting to be released for the past 4 chapters.
Sakura Saisaka: I do love mah cliffhangers as they leave readers coming back. Haha, this little Slytherin/Ravenclaw knows what she's doing. Ahh, as for socking Malfoy, it would be rather fun to do an impression of Hermione from the movie. Alas, I'd need Tom Felton in my room. Hmm, that could be rather ....fun. Muhaha.
Opal: Whoot. Classes are almost finished so then I should have plenty of time to write.
Wpd147: I have a few choice words for you, although I doubt you'll ever see them. Which would make me glad to see you banned from leaving comments like this. Before you flame a story, I'd suggest reading more than the first chapter so you don't make idiotic remarks about things that are then explained within the first few paragraphs. I'll refute two of your claims right off: The letter wasn't what did it: There was a paternity potion included in the second chapter, which can't be messed with, so if you want your goddamn solid proof, there it is. Next time, read further. Now, as for the letter not showing up for 16 years, have you ever even read the Canon series properly to know that Lily was brilliant at Charms so it most likely wouldn't be hard for her to make a letter delivered late. As for your last flaming words, take that up with Severitus as the challenge was created by that brilliant author and if you haven't noticed, there are about 200 of these floating around on ff.net. Now, if you'd be so kind, sod off and don't bother leaving anymore flames on my story as they will be deleted. Flaming isn't profession while constructive criticism is. And you had the audacity to leave this message in Anon.
RavenRose: I shall be updating more regularly starting next week.
Makalani Astral: Uhhh, Harry's sexuality. Good question which I shall be happy to stop right here. I do not plan on having any type of relationship going on with her/him as it would be rather messy, not to mention it would give Voldemort an advantage over Harry at times to be able to torture/blackmail/etc. Now as for Severus, that ol' man could use some love in his life...Muhaha.
M'Lady: O.O!!! That's what I have to say. Nuhuh! No way! Nonononono! No Harry is short shorts! Meep! That would just be scary! Augh! Unless...Muahah! Plot bunny and the new generation of Marauder style Pranksters coming up!
Ahh, now that that's done, on to the story!)
With no prevail, the witch took her wand and conjured a pitcher of ice cold water and dumped it onto Harry. Immediately the girl responded and woke up, although slightly disoriented. Her emerald eyes were wide with fear.
"He, he..."
"He killed Tonks!" Harry was finally managed to get out.
Hermione stared; this wasn't what she was expecting at all. The girl stared blankly at the wall for a few minutes before snapping out of it.
"Voldemort had his Death Eaters capture her in Diagon Alley last week evidently and have had her locked inside the dungeons. Tonight he brought her out and started using the Cruciatus Curse, which is why I saw it since we're connected. His laughing was horrible as he enjoys seeing people in pain. Her body was covered in blood and... He just killed her."
Harry's eyes went hollow again; the ghosts behind seemed to increase as she looked at Hermione. Everything went out of focus for Harry and she crashed onto the pillows, breathing growing ragged and shallow.
Hermione ran down to the Common room, which was slowly filling with students, and she ran over to the Weasleys. "Ron, Ginny! Go get help! Something is wrong with Hazel!"
The two flew out of the room not even a second later and Hermione went back to her friend who was still laying with her eyes glazed over. Hermione sat next to her and softly rubbed the girl's delicate hand. A few moments later Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Severus burst into the room, the last getting the surprise of the students. McGonagall closed the doors so none of the other students could entere. Immediately Snape was next to his daughter, stroking her back and trying to get her to snap out of the attack.
"Sir, what's going on?" Hermione squeaked, looking at Dumbledore.
"Harry is having a panic attack, although I don't know why at the moment. Sit with her and just speak calmly and try to bring her breathing to a normal speed again."
About ten minutes later the glazed look passed and Harry's ridged breathing settled down and tears began to stream down her cheeks. Not caring what the others thought, Harry buried her face into her father's robes and cried, letting everything out.
"Hazel, hon, I need you to tell me what happened," Severus said, running a hand through her snarled hair. He knew she was distressed, but they needed to know what had happened.
Harry repeated the story of what went on to the surrounding group and saw as their gazes turned grave. Dumbledore's eye lost the twinkle immediately and put a hand down on the girl's back in an attempt to relax her.
"They are growing more daring with each passing day, and I fear that new restrictions are going to have to be placed on the school. Minerva, if you will, I think it's time to take our leave."
The Transfiguration professor curtly nodded and headed out the door, followed closely by Dumbledore. Hermione started for the door as well, but was stopped.
"Hermione, I need you to stay here. I think she'll be alright now as long as she takes some of the Dreamless Sleep Potion," He mentioned while fiddling around with the folds in his cloak until he extracted a small vial. "Hazel, I need to leave since it would look rather suspicious if I remained here any longer. But you knew where to find me." He smiled and patted her pendant. Harry nodded slowly and withdrew herself from the heavy robes and smiled awkwardly. Severus walked out the door, placing the evil glare back on his face. A soft hand was placed on her shoulder, followed by a voice.
"I'll be right back Hazel, I'm joing to ask the rest of the dorm mates to wait a bit before coming up." Harry looked grateful and laid back down after swallowing the horrid tasting potion. Moments later she was dead asleep.
"You know Hazel, I'd suggest waking up unless you'd like to miss all your lessons on the first day." Hermione's voice came, although too soon in Harry's opinion. She rolled over and swatted the air, shooing her away. "Well, don't blame me when daddy gets mad at his precious ickle daughter for missing his own lesson." That did it; Hermionen smirked as she knew just how to rub Harry's nerves the wrong way.
A few incompressible mutters came from her mouth as she threw the covers back and picked out her robes for the day. Hardly surprising, was Harry's hair, as it was a tangled disaster from the previous night. Hermione's eyes gleamed with ideas and pulled out her supply of hair care products. Harry's own eyes went wide.
"Nuh-uh. No way, no how. I let you do that once, but that was enough!" She said, sprinting out of the room, hair still a disaster, and didn't stop until she ran head first into a large body.
"You know Hazel, it's called a comb and it might just help you see where you're going." The figure said, the voice easily recognized as Remus's. He transfigured a nearby rock into a small comb and started desnarling the black and coppery locks much to Harry's protests. A few minutes later and many scratches on arms from Harry's nails, he bound the hair into a simple ponytail to keep it out of her face.
"There now, can't have my assistant not being able to see where they're going, can we?"
Harry shot him a glare that reminded him much of Severus.
"Hey, it was your decision, mind you. Come on, it's time for breakfast and I need to find out when I can have you as my assistant in lessons."
She threw her hands up in defeat and followed him into the Great Hall.
Good Morning Hazel, I trust you're feeling better?
Hazel blinked at the sudden voice in her head and grabbed the pendant around her neck.
Dad? I thought we both had to be holding them to work.
Ahh, my mistake, explained it wrong I see. If we are both wearing them, we are able to send thoughts as long as you are holding the pendant. You don't need to be touching it if you aren't saying anything or replying. So say I'm in another room such as now, I can hold mine and send you a thought to get your attention so you'll touch your own.
Ahh, okay thanks for clearing that up.
Back to my question- How are you feeling?
Oh umm, better than yesterday anyhow I guess. Can't believe he actually was able to get Tonks though. Don't feel safe anymore either, like someone could be waiting to kill me around the corner at any moment, err, that isn't Remus anyhow.
Lupin mentioned that to me; might I suggest that you actually brush your own hair or I may be forced to come and do it myself or set Hermione on you again.
You're mean.
No, I'm an evil, greasy potions master who has your class first period.
Damn.
Severus settled back into his chair with a smirk on his face that would send any first year flying, as it looked exceptionally devious. Potions was definitely going to be interesting as he had to act like a snarky bastard as always, but he knew Harry could hold her own, and it would be rather amusing to tease her gender since he wasn't supposed to have known about it before the start of term. Although, he needed to do something about Draco as this was NEWT level potions and knew that the boy would try to sabotage the other's potions in an attempt to better himself and get them kicked out of the class.
"Severus, if you keep your emotions changing on your face like that, someone might mistake you for an actually human." Remus joked, trying to keep from laughing hysterically.
"Oh shut up, you insufferable werewolf."
"Temper, temper."
Severus was steaming, to say the least.
Harry grinned to herself as she saw her father's face going redder than a body steamed by a dragon, from Lupin's tormenting.
Oh, be quiet you.
Why? It's funny.
Because you have my class first period and I can make your class a living nightmare.
I'll repeat what I said earlier: Damn.
The timetables were passed out moments later, confirming that it was indeed potions first. As much as she wasn't afraid of her father really doing anything, that didn't mean the Slytherins wouldn't, especially after the threat on the train. She and Hermione entered the dank dungeons moments later, only to be followed by Malfoy and his Slytherin cronies.
As everyone settled in, Malfoy smirking maliciously at Harry, Snape barged through the door, his sneer present on his face.
"Welcome to 6th year potions. Evidently you've learned something to have been placed in this class. Now, partners! Malfoy and Zabini, Boot and Abbott, Bones and Turpin, Parkinson and Brocklehurst, Thomas and Finnagan, and, ahh, Miss Potter and Granger. Now how you've been placed in this class after having made an illegal potion over the summer and managing to turn yourself into a girl is quite beyond me. Let's hope that the switch did your potion capabilities some ...good."
Sorry, you know I have to act like the bastard...
It's all right dad. Thanks for at least partnering me with Hermione.
He gave a quick nod to acknowledge her last thought and began the lesson with the directions on how to make a Dreamless Sleep Potion, as he had ulterior motives for using that one for their lesson. It'd be nice to have an excess supply of it handy for Hazel when Voldemort went on one of his rampages.
Not that the two girls knew it, but he'd constructed an impenetrable shield around their potion so that Draco's 'misguided' potion supplies wouldn't land and wreck the substance. Secretly, he was glad that there were at least two other Gryffindors besides the girls so that he could take the needed house points from them instead of Hazel, and instead assign her a detention which would please them both more.
"Passable, Malfoy, next time use a bit less powdered unicorn horn. Parkinson, I'm still trying to understand how you managed an O on your OWLs, even if you are in Slytherin. It would explain why your potion is neon green when it's supposed to be dark violet. Granger, Miss Potter, what have you done here? Start over! And detention tonight." He sneered as he waved his wand and the contents of the cauldron disappeared.
Sorry hon needed an excuse to give you a detention. Hermione can bring her schoolwork along to do. The potion was excellent though and I just transferred it to a different area where no one can see.
All right, thanks for explaining. If I can't tell it's an act, I doubt anyone else can either.
Harry put on her best scowl and stared angrily at Snape, hoping that the others would catch on and see that she was fuming from his actions.
"Class dismissed!" He barked, issuing the students to leave as soon as possible with the exception of his daughter only. "Miss Granger, I believe your Ancient Runes class is beginning in a few moments so I'd suggest getting a move on."
He shooed her out the door and closed it gently. "You okay? Malfoy hasn't been bothering you, has he? I wasn't that horrible, was I?"
"Umm, kinda, no, and not bad anyhow."
Severus's lips flickered into a smirk
"Ahh, and I have something to tell you. Tomorrow Hogwarts will be receiving a surprise visit."
"From who?"
"Now, it wouldn't be fun if I told you exactly who it is now, would it?"
(A/N: Eeeeeek! Don't kill me for killing off Tonks! I just needed a character Harry was familiar with enough to make it a shock, but not a big enough one that I'd end up needing them later on in the story. She was the first that came to my mind and the same as a friend of mine.
As for the surprise visitor, it really would wreck the surprise if I told you that, wouldn't it?
And err, I've found out that the horizontal line thingy-maggy makes it easier to tell where I have the Pendant conversations going on.
So, read and review!)