((A/N: Hey! Lookie lookie! I updated! I feel proud for actually updating now that I'm a graduated high school bum! Besides, I felt inspired to get this chapter up after reading some horribly written fanfic on the site. Now must start to update my other story too as it's been laying fallow for too long. But hey! This is a 3500-word update that's 9 pages long! And I wrote it in one night!
HecateDeMort: Heeeey! I was teasing you for using the same phrase over and over! I definitely appreciate the reviews!
Remo Con: Muhahah, more Lockhart torture yet to come since I don't believe the bloody numbskull has suffered enough yet. Well, continue reading and you'll find out some of the arm mystery.
Dying Angel1: Bah! Not the Dark Mark. Grr, evil evil evil. Not even I'd do that to Harry. Although, similar things, well, I am evil enough to do that.
Gryphnwng: Everything deserves to be at Lockhart's expense! Which is why the fool is back! Cause I needed someone to torture.
athenakitty: Whoa! Where did 'Harriet' come from? As for Severus, of course he's going to go a bit soft! I believe that it would be hard for him to find out that he had a son/daughter, even if it was Harry, and turn them away. Besides, a pretty girl can get many things out of their parents, even if the parent aren't fond of them. Sorry, personal example.
leggylover03: Yes, Lockhart is a stupid git who deserves to be tortured endlessly. Leave prank ideas and I'll add them in!
shrea: Ahh, the reason for the 'hon' thing was I needed a name for Harry/Hazel and it was the best I could think of. But, none of that in this chapter, especially for you.
Makalani Astral: The male unicorn thing was too funny not to use. So, look out.
M'Lady: Ahh...Draco torture is just well, indescribably hysterical. Unfortunately I couldn't find a place for him in this chapter. Although, I did put something else in that you'll like!
moonypadfoot: O.O! Heart attack!? Wait, how old is Harry/Hazel? Oooh, but Moony and Padfoot in one username. Heh, yay!
Okay! Story time! Yay! Oh, and if you have any ideas for Lockhart/Draco torture, put umm down cause I could always use those. :-D))
"Oh hell!" Severus swore, "Why didn't you tell me, or was it that bloody Gryffindor pride that would've been damaged if you'd actually sought out help for a change? Agh! Who found out, and frankly, how is this happening?" He snarled loudly, falling back into his git mode. Hazel's eyes grew wide and backed up fearfully as he was scaring her by being a reminder of Vernon. However, his temper was so enraged that he failed to notice.
"Didn't you think something like this could threaten your entire existence once again, and not to mention put my position as spy into jeopardy?" A loud smack resonated around the room and Hermione glared angrily at the man who was now rubbing a cheek and glowering right back. "Suppose I deserve that... Hazel, please, you need to tell me when this first started."
"Umm, I think it was hurting during the opening feast, and I know it was hurting today during potions and afterwards in your room."
He sighed loudly and gently moved the sleeve up her arm until he could get a good look at the inside of her arm. There was a faint symbol starting to appear, a snake covering a wand with a flame dagger shape in the background. He could feel her body shaking with fear as he ran a finger over it.
((A/N: Okay, it was hard to explain, so I did a quick doodle of it and scanned it into the computer so you'll have some idea as to what this thing looks
img4. photobucket. com/albums/0803/Coresti/DarkMarkcopy. jpg
know, it would be nice if I could put a link onto this damn thing. You just need to take out the damned spaces, sorry.))
This is certainly unexpected... and unfortunately I have no clue what it means or how he's doing it. I know that Death Eater children such as Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle, are easily recognizable with a tattoo of a skull on their lower chest as they were born with it. But this, I've never heard of anything like it. Come, we must leave the room before someone decides to show up. That could spell disaster." He helped her up slowly, making sure that the spasms on her arm were subsiding. Hermione stayed behind to catch up on her homework, even if it was only the first day.
"Licorice whips," muttered Severus, thinking that the old man needed to get off his sugar high and think up a more suitable password.
"Ahh, Severus, Hazel, of what do I owe this pleasure to?"
"Unfortunately Albus, we've come across some rather unsettling news. Hazel, if you would." She sighed and rolled her sleeve back and let Dumbledore look at the still faint mark. His normal cheery visage disappeared, only to be replaced by a man who looked old and worn.
"Severus, are you certain you have no idea as to what this means?"
"I'm almost positive, and asking the Dark Lord could very well be dangerous and deadly."
"This is definitely unsettling. Hazel, I must ask you to always keep your pendant on so your father can reach you as well as having a friend around incase something happens."
"Of course, Headmaster," her tone a bit harsh as she was still a bit annoyed at him for the previous year. Belatedly she realized that at some point during the whole ordeal, her body seemed to have regained enough energy to revert her back to fully human.
"Ahh, so much like your father at times, if I do say so myself. I do remember the one day he tried a similar feat as you and ended up walking around on paws for the rest of the day. Of course the golden brown fur stood out from the black robes. And the mane, my dear boy, was such an amusing happening that I do believe that Professor Flitwick still has the picture hanging in his chambers."
"Wait, golden brown paws and a mane? It sounds like you're talking about a lion," with that she saw her father's face go dark crimson with embarrassment. "Okay, you're right that I'd laugh a lot. Who wouldn't if they found out that the Head of Slytherin was a lion Animagus?" She snickered, looking a bit happier than she had moments ago. Severus shut his mouth and refused to say another word.
Well, you knew I was going to find out sooner or later.
Would've preferred later.
Aww, come on, it's not that bad. I mean, you could've been a rabbit or something.
....
What?
Don't call me a rabbit.
Aww, alright... AGHH!!!
Snape broke out of the connection and looked at his daughter who was gripping her arm in pain. Gently, Severus pulled the hand away and looked at the mark. It seemed that with every time her arm convulsed, it deepened the mark, making it more pronounced. Faint colors could already be seen, and he knew it wasn't going to take long to finish whatever it was doing.
"Albus, send for Zabini please. I need to inspect her own arm as I have a hunch now as to what this might mean."
"Certainly, Severus. Fawkes, if you would be so kind."
Harry was back in her terrified state with her hand clamped over the mark with a couple of tears falling over her face from the pain. It couldn't be helped through and Severus squeezed her shoulders in reassurance and placed a numbing potion in her hand. Emerald eyes looked up in thanks after she downed the nasty tasting concoction. He realized that being with Harry when Blaise came in could raise unwanted questions and moved himself to a separate chair.
"Sorry, but we don't need Blaise coming in to see that."
"Quite right Severus, and I do believe that Fawkes has Miss Zabini outside the door if you're ready." Severus nodded. "Good!"
The door opened to show a nervous looking brown haired witch with silverfish eyes that darted back and forth between the room's three occupants.
"Miss Zabini, please have a seat and may I offer you a lemon drop?" Her face was still full of anxiety as she took the proffered sweet. "Now, my dear, we need to ask you a question: Have you recently been having spasms in your arm?"
"I-I..h-how did you know about that?"
"My dear, first we need to hear what you know." She sighed in defeat and looked at the two men in the room.
"Well, ever since the Opening Feast, I've been having the spasms and there is a faint marking with a snake, wand, and odd looking dagger thing. My father told me that something like this could happen, as he was a traitor to the Dark Lord. But how could you know as he told no one of his deception, especially Professor Snape, as he's one of the most inner circle supporters."
Severus looked awkward for a moment. "Your father entrusted me with the task of keeping you safe as he found out that I was indeed a spy for Dumbledore. So in the Dark Lord's eyes, I am a traitor as well, even if he doesn't know it, and the same goes for your father. I suspect now, that the marking that is being placed on your arm is a way for the Dark Lord to either see if his followers are loyal or not through their children."
"What's that got to do with Potter then?" Noting that the black- haired witch was in the back corner and looking half asleep. This didn't bode well in Snape's mind but he figured that if Zabini Sr. was a traitor, he could trust his daughter to be the same.
"Who are you loyal to, Blaise?"
"Evidently not that crazy git whom is making my arm practically useless at the moment."
"Dumbledore then?"
"Even though I'm not fond of the headmaster, sorry sir, I still wish his victory over the Dark Lord's."
"No need to apologize, Miss Zabini, everyone is entitled to their opinions," Dumbledore threw in quickly. This was enough to settle Snape's suspicions.
"I believe her trustworthy. Now, Blaise, what we're going to tell you needs to be kept secret, as it could be disastrous if everyone found out. The reason that Potter is here is that her parents are also traitors to Voldemort, well, her father at least."
"Wait, there were no Potters ever in the ranks of the Dark Lord."
"Correct, Miss Zabini. The reason for that is Potter's parents aren't who everyone thinks they are. In reality, the true parents are Lily Evans and," he took a deep breath, "Myself."
The brown haired witch looked at the man speaking to her with those piercing silver eyes, albeit in a look of disbelief. Her gaze flickered back and forth between the newly proclaimed father and daughter and finally conceded.
"Yes, if you look closely, you'll see the infamous Snape features present in her face. The cheekbones seem higher than normal, and there is a different slant to the eyes. All right, I'm convinced and I'll keep this a secret for you, and if you have any further updates on this mark, please let me know."
"Thank you, Blaise, you may go now."
Albus looked over to the man he often thought of his own son and saw the worry in his face. It was quite the sight to see the normally expressionless face filled with emotions that could be contributed to love. A small twinkle came back to his eyes as he appreciated just how much good Harry was doing to Severus and getting him to both live and love again, just by caring about him. He was certain that the original state of mind that each had been in had been quite delicate, but that was changed with Harry's potions accident, that he saw as a blessing in disguise as it smoothed the transition and kept her parentage hidden more easily than being a transfer student would've.
"Severus, perhaps you'd like to take Hazel back to her rooms as it's been a long and tiring day for her. I have no doubt that she's extremely exhausted, and I can see I'm right as she's already asleep in my chair." He smiled softly at the pretty girl draped in the squishy chair, hair fanned out over her back and whimpering ever so quietly. Not knowing what powers the mark was going to hold once completed, he wished that she get as much sleep as possible now incase the results were catastrophic.
The Potions Master complied and picked his lithe daughter up with relative ease, thinking she still too light for her height and made a mental note to have Hermione and Ron get on her case about eating a bit more. Once he got to the Gryffindor common room, he realized that he couldn't just stroll in with Harry in his arms and sighed as he set the girl down and placed a quick charm on himself to look like the bloody werewolf for the time being and said the password to get in. With this disguise, he was able to get her up to the bedchambers without a problem and muttered a few things to Hermione before taking his leave.
Hazel woke with a yawn the next morning as Hermione jabbed her sides a few times so make sure she was up enough to not fall back asleep. Mumbling a few rude curses that could be attributed to her previous male state, she stepped out of the bed and grabbed her robes. Eyes narrowed at the other witch, she stormed out of the dorm in a huff. Last night was tiring and all she wanted to do was sleep for the next year or so, and in the process, earned herself a glare from her two friends who'd finally caught up.
"Hazel! Why did you just take off like that? Didn't Dumbledore tell you last night that you always have to have a friend around now incase your arm spasms happen again?"
She cursed loudly once again and snapped a hasty 'yes' and entered the Great Hall with a scowl on her face. Everyone stared at the intensity Harry was able to get the scowl to, and believed that sooner or later she could give Snape a run for his money. Sick of their stares, she grabbed the paper and put it up infront of her face to avoid them.
My, my, did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?
Oh shut up.
I'll take that as a yes.
Oh, and I'm sure you'd be cheerful after last night and then being rudely woken by Hermione poking you until your sides were tenderized more than a side of beef.
Err, well, you do have classes that you need to attend even if you are in pain and I feel sorry for Hagrid as he has you first today.
Oh bloody hell. Now I get to have my head ripped off by some ruddy creature. This day is shaping up to be brilliant already.
Well, I can't contribute this to 'that time of the month' as you've already experienced that before term started not too long ago. Are you really in that much pain, or is something else bothering you?
No.
Severus sighed heavily, something was definitely amiss and once again she didn't want to share. He hoped this time it wasn't something as crucial as the mark. Perhaps Granger could wheedle it out of her without getting herself transformed into something worse than Malfoy's fate. Shaking his head, he realized that Harry had gotten Lily's temper when angry and that was something that wasn't pretty when at full throttle. It would be hard pressed to find another who could withstand that and the only one he thought could even begin to hold their ground would be Molly Weasley as her own temper could be similar to Lily's. That was something he didn't want to come back and bite him in the arse.
Breakfast ended soon enough and the 6th year Gryffindors filed out of the room along with the others who'd made it to NEWT level CoMC. Harry resigned herself to wait for both Hermione and Ron before taking off to the hut where Hagrid continued his teaching. In truth, she was curious to know what creature he'd had that he didn't want her to see yesterday.
"Ahh, there ya are. Well, gather 'round while I bring 'im back out. Girls, I'd reckon you'd rather 'ave the boys in front like yesterday." He stepped into the Forbidden Forest for a moment and collected a large male unicorn from the trees. Harry smacked herself in the forehead and guessed that being a partly transformed female unicorn could've caused some serious problems during the class.
((A/N: Haha, blame Makalani Astral for that one. I thought it was rather funny when the review came through. Couldn't resist putting it in.))
Hagrid learned quickly enough to leave Harry alone for that class as her mood still hadn't improved and settled on having Hermione answering the questions. Her temper was getting around the class like wildfire and no one could seem to figure out just why she was so touchy. Most of the rumors were that The-Boy-Who-Lived was experiencing PMS for the first time, but Hermione knew better as did Ron who'd heard some of the events from that week.
"You're going to have to tell someone sooner or later as to why you're so angry at everyone," Hermione stated plainly as the group left after the lesson, making their way back to the castle where they were in for a long session of Transfiguration.
"Neither of you would understand."
"Try us." Ron shot back.
Hazel looked at her friends with bleary eyes as if she'd been crying for too long. "You don't understand, I mean, I've just found my family and already things are getting ripped apart. Yesterday you saw my dad, Hermione, I was terrified and he didn't notice. Then hearing his theory on the mark, and realizing it's probably true, and Zabini now knows about everything and could let it slip at any point and that could be the end of life as how I know it. Do you understand just how cataclysmic that is? I know Snape and I never got along in the past, but how do I explain that feeling of finally being wanted by someone for not fame, but who I actually am. You two are great, but you aren't family like he is. Now he's in danger and it's all my fault for not letting him know earlier."
Hermione sighed deeply and pulled Harry into a hug, Ron doing the same on the other side. "You're right, we don't understand, but you know, talking about things can really help. Keeping them all bottled up inside could damage your mind and think just how terrible your father would feel then."
She was given a look that stated very clearly, 'I don't want him worrying about anything else,' and Hermione grasped the implied message, unlike Ron who'd still been confused by Harry's rant. It was something that couldn't readily be comprehended by the average male and at once, she was glad that Hermione was her friend. Her mood perked up a bit at this and the corners of her mouth twitched as if they were about to attempt a smile.
At that moment, a familiar voice shattered the silent trio with a, "Contrahere anhelare!" Harry's head whipped around and back down at her self as there was a draft playing around her now exposed legs. Lockhart seemed to have been able to master one more spell and gave Harry a pair of short shorts and barely covered her backend. It took less than a split second for her to retaliate with a, "Mutationis struthiocameli!" That left the sodding numbskull as a half transformed Ostrich who was in the middle of molting season and promptly went off, squawking loudly.
((A/N: A special tribute to M'Lady!!!! Ask for the short shorts, and you shall receive!))
"Bloody git, Hermione, would you be so kind as to get rid of these horrid slacks, if they can be called that anymore, and provide me with a more appropriate pair?" The girl submitted a moment later, although it had been rather funny to see Harry in the revealing clothing. Even with the distraction they were able to get to the classroom on time and sit down without having to see Malfoy again.
The class went off without a hitch for a change and Harry sat and caught up on sleep while McGonagall went over more of the basics on Animagi for the rest. Yesterday's actions had left her rather drained, and the attitude she had earlier that day hadn't helped much. Doing any type of magic still drained her and she couldn't help but think that this had something to do with that bloody mark.
Soon enough the class ended and they were able to grab a quick bite at the Great Hall before being scheduled to be in the DADA classroom. This was a relief to Harry once again since it was her best subject, teacher, as well as having no responsibilities unlike the classes she had to help out with. Remus noted the exhaustion the girl was harboring once again and dismissed it to being stretched out over too many classes.
CRACK!!!
A loud sound came from the students and Remus saw Harry laying on the floor with a pool of blood pouring out of her mouth. His eyes widened at the sight and wondered just what had happened.
"Would someone be so kind as to inform me as to what has happened here?"
"Professor! All the sudden she just passed out, although her face contorted into a really odd expression. We couldn't catch her in time and the side of her face caught the edge of the desk which is why she's bleeding." A random Hufflepuff squeaked, looking terrified.
"I need someone to go fetch both the Headmaster and Professor Snape, and ask him to bring a healing potion," He said in a grave voice, dropping to his knees and placing the girl's head in his lap and used a part of his robes to soak up the excess blood that was coating her face.
A few moments later the two requested men appeared in the room, Dumbledore looking old once again and Snape with a look that meant he was having a hard time holding his emotions in check. He knelt down and tipped the potion into her mouth and watched as the blood loss slowed and gave a quick glance to Albus.
"Do you have any idea as to what is happening?" Remus dared to ask. At this point, he'd shooed everyone out of the room with the exception of Ron and Hermione who'd refused to leave their friend's side.
"Her mind... it isn't there. It's with Voldemort and this is something that I cannot begin to fathom on how to help." Dumbledore replied, the pain was evident in his voice. "All we can do is hope that she will be able to withstand him."
((A/N: Oh, I do love being evil at times. Sorry, but this was just too good to pass up as a cliffhanger. Hey, I am evil, probably belong in Slytherin for my actions, and I've taken a few lessons from Snape. Muahaha.
Oh, and if any of you are wondering, all my spells and potions are made up by myself with the help of my Latin dictionary so I guess I can say that I do own those.... ))