Disclaimer: All of Harry Potter belongs to Ms. J K Rowling. I am but borrowing the plot, using it to create another story.
Chapter 5
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"What do you mean she no longer exists?" Salazar yelled, his emerald eyes ablaze with panic. Behind him, Godric held the man firmly in his embrace, he too, disbelieving what his sister had just said. For the past six months, all four Founders had placed all sorts of tracking spells around the entire bloody map of the world, both magical and muggle alike. Hell, they'd even had the elvish settlements in their country covered, but all of them yielded no results.
For the first time in history, all four Founders looked more than haggard, especially Helga Hufflepuff. Not surprising, even despite her being a seer, reaching into the innermost depth of her magic to search for her only niece wasn't something to be done daily for half a year. That, along with juggling her duties as divination mistress, herbology professor, and head of Hufflepuff house had made her more frail than ever.
Biting back the urge to sigh, Helga settled heavily into the nearest seat by the fire, rubbing her arms tiredly. Despite bit being spring, her discovery of Sandrilene's whereabouts left her cold, and she was still reeling from the finding that the Gods had oh so kindly bestowed upon her. She had known earlier on that it was impossible for their spells to go wrong, and since their tracking charms encompassed even the unplottable lands, there had only been one answer - that Sandrilene was no longer in their plane of existance. This was but a vague prediction that the Founder never dared tell the distraught parents, which was why she delved into the other worlds without the others' knowledge. No one, not even Salazar, would agree to this dangerous act. Yet she wanted to know. No, she needed to get to the bottom of why Sandrilene had just disappeared into thin air.
As that fateful day replayed itself in her mind, the blond lady felt her heart wrench in painfully... It had been all Hallow's Eve, and Hogwarts was having a grand ball to celebrate the feast of souls. It had been a beautiful, starless night - the night where shadows reigned free, and even Salazar Slytherin, Shadowmaster of their generation, held no power over them.
In the Founders' Suite, both Rowena and her had dressed Sandrilene in a silky-white dress with a jade green overobe whilst Godric clumsily weaved white roses into his child's smooth hair. Salazar just smiled on indulgently, watching the others busy themselves over his daughter's appearances for the night. Once done, Sandrilene had launched into her father's arms, squealing in delight as Salazar showered her with all sorts of sweets. These Godric had swept up and placed in a small, white pouch that would hold endless items - seeing as the students loved showering the youngest resident of Hogwarts with all sorts of nonsense - for Sandrilene to carry as they slowly made way for the Great Hall.
As expected, the students and professors alike did shower the child with loads of sweets and goodies, and this had Sandrilene smiling happily by the time she went back to where the Founders were seated by the corner of the Hall - all the tables, including the Head Table, had been magicked away to make way for ballroom dancing. Beaming at them, the raven-haired child had then childishly stuffed handfuls of sweets into each of her aunts robes' pockets before pushing the remaining bag of sweets into her fathers interlinked hands, only taking a small candy to suck on once in a while...
All was well then... But disaster just had to strike.
Exactly at midnight, when Sandrilene was giving her father Salazar a peck before allowing Rowena to bring her to sleep, the young girl just dissolved in front of all of their eyes. And by dissolved, it meant disappearing into nothingness - only her clothes, and those white roses remained.
This had raised chaos within Hogwarts that very night. All the residents of Hogwarts had carried out a full scale search for the young child, virtually flipping the castle downside up, but not one sight of Sandrilene could be seen. It was only till sunrise did Helga stop the search and ordered the still-searching students to rest. The professors, however, continued on till night time when all of them went exhausted...
Amber eyes dimmed dangerouly as Helga remembered how and why Sandrilene was gone. As shocked as she was by the daring of the instigators, the person she could not forgive was that pompous... halfblood. Images of a couple still ingered at the back of her mind - of a messy-haired man shouting for his wife to run, of how a red-haired woman held on desperately to her child, and of how a sickly, greenish light hit her. A dark-haired man dressed in a black cloak stood in front of the woman, kicking her aside as he muttered a familiar curse a the infant. Surprisingly, the curse rebounded back at the surprised wizard, and at the latter's death, and child cried. However, he wasn't the child he used to be - he now contained Sandrilene's soul. As to why?
"The shadows have taken her to another era. So in essence, Sandry no longer exists in our time." Helga replied in fatigue, more upset than ever. Beside her, Rowena stiffened at the implication, and both Godric and Salazar paled.
"The shadows?" The dark-haired mage asked in disbelief.
"Yes. A group of them transferred Sandry's soul there in the belief that she might help in the defeat of a certain... dark wizard." The last words were almost spat out, and Helga looked morethan angry. Turning smouldering eyes towards her brother-in-law, though her anger she continued angrily, "And that bastard thought himself to be your heir."
"The shadows?" Severus murmured aloud, startling his companions from the looming silence. Both Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall, as well as the potions master himself were on their way to seeing Harry, and now that the depuy headmistress had been briefed of Harry's... change, all three of them had walked in comfortable silence until Severus uttered those two words.
"What of the shadows?" Dumbledore asked, knowing that his previous ward, and now, a good friend, had been in a trance ever since they had left his ofice. Minerva too, had recognized it, hence her not persisting to ask the questions that now filled her mind. Beside her, Severus just shook his head, "nothing."
He had no wish to give away his recent discovery, not that he was selfish whatsoever, but he still did not understand how the shadows managed to pull such a feat, and to disclose the truth without all its details isn't exactly what the potions master liked doing. So for now, it was best to keep this memory aside for further pondering. Understanding as ever, Dumbledore left the subject to rest, as did Minerva, who opened the door to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey, who had been busying herself with the restocking of her cabinets, nodded tersely at the trio, gesturing them to go over and check on their new patient without a word exchanged.
After the initial outburst yesterday, the mediwitch had been in a rather melancholy mood, for she felt herself to be blamed for Harry's current condition. He hadn't been totally healed then, but the boy's - now girl's - puppy eyes had made her go against her better judgement to ward her for the summer. And look what this resulted...? Pomfrey thought bitterly, carefully taking five vials from her cache as she walked over to Harry's bed.
Quietly, she placed four of the potions into Severus's hands, voice surprisingly soft, "Severus, let Harry take these when she up."
Then, placing the fifth vial - the smallest one containing dreamless sleep - onto the end table, she continued, "Let her take this only when you see fit. I'd like to check on Virginia."
Said man agreed readily, and the mediwitch left the room to allow the three professors some private time once more. Examining the potions, Severus was mildly alarmed to see a strong pain reliever present in the four vials, as well as a dark vial of precious healing potion that held phoenix tears as its potent ingredient. It did not look as if the child's injuries were going to heal soon, and Severus sighed. Turning over to speak to Dumbledore about the child's conditions, he stopped immediately on see the gaping transfiguration mistress, "What now Minerva?"
Minerva McGonagall just shook her head, pointing her finger to the object of her shock, who was just behind the strict potions master, "That's, that's..."
It was seldom to see the strict woman this shocked, much less stuttering, and Dumbledore chuckled, "That's a royal ice phoenix. And yes Minerva, I do not know why she's here too."
This had a tinkle of laughter filling their mind, and both Dumbledore and McGonagall jumped slightly whilst Severus looked at the phoenix with a raised eyebrow. The phoenix, who'd felt his gaze, returned it with a piercing stare of her own, her silvery-blue eyes looking as if they were searching for something in his soul. Seemingly satisfied with what she'd found, the same voice sounded once more in all of the professors' heads, "Yes light mage, I am an ice phoenix, and have been sent here by my master to guide young mistress in her magic. However, there are many aspects of her magic that I cannot teach. This is where I will need all of your help."
"I am sure we are all honored to help train Harry, good lady." Dumbledore replied courteously, and the other two professors agreed readily, "But who is your master?"
"She's Salazar's familiar. I've heard him talking about possessing one." Severus replied, and the phoenix nodded her head, "Yes. Salazar Slytherin is my master, and I am Ithil."
Turning to stare at Minerva, Ithil continued, "I see that you're an animagi. Would it be possible for you to teach Sandrilene this form of art? She ought to have learnt it by twelve."
Minerva's eyes widened slightly at the supposed age to study animagi, but replied in a calm tone, "I will, lady Ithil. Do you require a deadline?"
At this, the phoenix laughed, a tingling melody that surfaced in all of their heads, "Take your time, transfiguration mistress. Light mage, I'd like you to help with her balancing of powers. She's both Lightbringer and Waterbearer, you see, and it's crucial for her to learn control."
"She's a master of two?" Dumbledore gasped in shock. The others were surprised too, and Ithil chose to ignore the outburst, continuing, "Yes, light mage. She isn't the child of the two most powerful masters in the entire history for nothing." Then, turning over to face Severus once more, her voice became sombre, "I hope you'll keep your promise to my master."
This left Snape in much chagrin, and the man muttered under his breath, "I don't think Slytherin will let me off if I did that..."
The words, though soft, had the group of two humans and one phoenix laughing wholeheartedly, and it was admidst the rich laughter that Harry woke up, bleary-eyed. Reaching over herself to find her glasses, she was startled to find that her vision wasn't blurred... which was why she blushed on staring at three concerned faces whose laughter had faded on noticing her awakening.
"Good morning." The girl started shyly, looking down at her blanket. Inwardly, she tried remembering what had happened, but the surge of events had her shuddering slightly. The shiver did not escape the ex-Death Eater's eyes, and silently, Severus passed a vial of potions to the quiet girl, his eyes compelling her to drink up. This, Harry did without much thought, causing Dumbledore to smile at the child's complete trust in Snape, clearing his throat, the wizened wizard started in a gentle voice, "Harry, Poppy will be making you stay here for at least another two more weeks."
"How did you know that I am...?" Harry burst out, surprised that someone was able to recognize him. McGonagall, who was nearest to the child, chuckled as she brushed aside the young girl's bangs, "The infamous lightning bolt is a dead give-away. Harry."
This had Harry's face coloring a pale pink as the transfiguration mistress pass her Hogwarts letter to her, "Harry, you can always find me for help." Understanding eyes gazed at her through the frameless glasses, "My door is always open."
"Thank you." Harry mumbled softly, then, on remembering something, stammered anxiously, "Professor, can you turn me back?"
Her plea had all three adults glancing around in unease. It was possible to cast a charm on her, but it wasn't foolproof, nor was it entirely safe. Hence, as Harry fidgeted around, Severus finally started, "No, it isn't possible."
His words crushed the hopes out of Harry, and the raven-haired girl's face crmpled. Pained for her, Minerva gathered the child in her arms, stroking her hair in a comforting manner as Harry broke down into tears. Beside them, Dumbledore and Snape looked on, feeling hapless as the girl choked out, "What's going to happen to me now?"
The lost look on Harry's face did little to ease the guilt out of the potions master, and the man finally started, "Albus, Minerva, mind if I have a private word with her?"
Despite it being a question, both professors knew that a 'no' would never be accepted, and quietly, they left the place. Before leaving, however, McGonagall gave the girl a reassuring hug, promising softly that she'd hex her colleague should he snipe at Harry. This, Severus accepted with a bemused glare, and when they were finally gone, the man started, "Po... mind if I call you Sandrilene?"
Harry nodded her head dully, not speaking a word. This made the potions master slightly concerned, but his voice never betrayed his emotions as he started, "You do know that you're Slytherin and Gryffindor's child?" The girl jumped slightly at the direct statement, and nodded to the elder wizard in silence. Satisfied that she at least knew who she was, Severus continued, "I have a rough idea as to why you're here, Sandrilene."
"What?" Harry gasped, emerald eyes meeting coal-black orbs. The potions master just looked on, a faint smile playing on his lips as he continued, "It seems as if the shadows have brought you here in the hopes of defeating Voldemort. In a way, they've succeeded."
"The shadows?"
The man sighed on realizing that the girl was pretty much oblivious to the entire matter of elementals. Ithil, who was still present, murmured a later shadowmaster and Severus nodded gratefully. He was never one with enough patience to give an explanation for matters, and the subject of elementals would require an entire thesis to explain clearly. Returning to the subject at hand, Snape asked, "I suppose the name Harry Potter will no longer be valid for your current... form. What do you wish to be called now?"
It took quite some time before the girl finally murmured, "Sandrilene Slytherin-Gryffindor."
The idea of her no longer being Harry Potter, the person whom she had lived as for sixteen odd years weighed heavily in her heart, but Sandrilene shook the feeling off. She knew not what to think, much less what to decide upon, yet a voice had spokent that name in her head and she had just followed it, not bothering to argue that the name would raise several questions.
Severus smiled slightly at her words. It was understandable why the child had chose the name, but still... there will be complications should she truly use it. Hence, the man pointed out idly, "The name is a little too eye-catching. Any other suggestions?"
"Sandrilene Slytherin then." The girl mumbled softly, feeling the 'voice' look on approvingly. The name would still stand out in the crowd, but it was definitely less peculiar than two of the Founders' surnames woven together. Hence, the potions master accepted her answer and passed the remaining vials over to the puzzled child.
"Drink these up. It'll help you heal faster." Severus replied gruffly as he ignored the confused look on the girl's face, "I'll get Poppy over."
Making way for the exit, he was still pondering over his next moves with regards to Sandrilene's education when a insecure voice stopped him mid-way.
"Sir, why are you so nice to me?"
Pausing whilst contemplating about an answer, Severus frowned before turning over to walk back to the child. It amused him slightly when he saw the girl fidget under his gaze, but unknown to him, it was his presence - so oddly forboding yet soothing - that had Sandrilene shivering. Sitting by the raven-haired girl's bedside, Severus finally started, "I am not a kind man Sandrilene. Yes, two years of advanced potions with Granger and you, as well constandly teaching you the skills Dumbledore thought might be useful had been a torture to me. Merlin knows how much I've them... Well, I was, to put it lightly, displeased after our first bout of lessons -" here, Sandrilene blushed at the thoughts of their disastrous occlumency lessons. It had continued on even despite much protestation from both sides, and thankfully, it had gone well even if there was much sniping between professor and student.
"-But after that, when I was ordered to teach you DADA and be the private tutor to the original members of the DA, I've seen how you've gotten the group together, and even accept Millicent, Draco and Blaise into the group after they defected to the light. I might have looked aloof still. but I'm grateful; more than you can think."
Ignoring Sandrilene's incredulous stare, Severus smiled slowly as he patted the girl's head in an awkward manner, "You were like James, yet not like him. James can lead, oh yes, he can. But no one can deny that he's an arrogant prick; taunting the Slytherins who were even half-decent. That idiot was blinded by his prejecdices, not you. You were civil to the Slytherins whom you knew might stand a chance to become allies. Indeed, if you hadn't talked Draco out of joining Voldemort in the middle of sixth year, he might not have known what to do. I'd been blinded by my hate towards James, but you showed me who you are through your actions. You've got bravery, but also cuning, ad Slytherin's most famous trait - survival."
His speech - possibly the longest he had in years - done, the man stood up, brushing the imaginary lint from his robes, "Dumbledore had been counseling me since a long tme ago, and I've finally got over it. Now, I'm teaching you something once more, and I do hope that it'll be as we've had DADA tutoring. Don't let me down, Sandry."
That finally done, Severus swept out of the room, robes billowing behind him as Sandrilene stared at the exiting figure with shock. She'd never expected Snape - of all people - to tell her all these... Seldom would the potions master explain things without sarcasm held in his words, and this incident is possibly as rare an occassion as the next rise of a Dark Lord. For Sandrilene, it was as if she could see light once again after a lengthy period of darkness.
Does that mean that Snape no longer hates me? A small spark of hope lit in the girl's heart as she settled back in the fluffy pillows. With the sleeping potion starting to take its effect, Sandrilene smiled sleepily, the faint lullaby that was present in the depths of her mind brought her to a dreamless sleep.
Ithil just smiled as she ended her song, murmuring to Hedwig, "Sandrilene's found peace."
"Yes, milady."
End of Chapter 5
Phew, it's finally out! *embarassed* I'm so sorry about the delay! Well, a little bit on Severus and Harry for all those of you who like the pairing, even if it's not slash >.three times. *shudders at the memories* All my fic information had been lost, and crying wasn't enough!
Alright, sad thoughts aside, here's some replies for the reviews!
Sabriel-chan ~ Thankie! Hope you like this chapter!
Furies ~ Hehe, I too, am glad that I've actually decided to continue it. Such plots had been intriguing to me for a lo-ong time!
Petunia ~ Yeppers, they are coming, it's just that the times are irregular... ^_^
Fyre ~ Yeah, that BIG plot hole is something I've realized only after you've told me about it. I'm still finding a way to solve it... So any ideas? My mind seems to be in a blank, and the only statement in my defence is that the girl Harry took the professors' gaze away from Harry's disappearance. And you'll find out the connection between Draco and Rowena very soon... In the next chapter I believe :) Hope you can wait till then. As for Lupin's reaction? I'm still pondering over that... so any ideas are always welcome!
athenakitty ~ The Dursleys will get their share of the pie sooner or later. As for Godric and Salazar's coming over... I'd say soon, but not so soon :)
Zaeria ~ Yes, Ithil and Hedwig remembered about Harry's diary :รพ How can they not? *lol* Harry will kill them if they didn't... nah, just joking. Heheh!
Maxennce ~ *grins* Okie doke, the chapter's out!
Nora Lena Potter Thank you! *ego swells up before getting burst by an intruder* Hey, stop it Salar! *lol*
loki ~ I'll continue this, but I cannot really promise a regular update >_MistWalker ~ *beams* I've read about stories with Harry being the reincarnation of Salar, and most of them are very good! I'm glad that you like this too, it was something that just popped up in my mind one day when I was reading about Harry being a girl in some fanfic I've read off ff.net :)
selua ~ Ooh! Someone recommended this to you? *grins* Hope you still like it!
chibi ~ Aww, this isn't that bad a cliffhanger... In fact, I've left even worse ones in my other fics! *lol*
asa-chan ~ Heheh, the slash won't be that obvious - I don't really know how to write them ^_^! - so hope you won't mind!
MarsMoonStar ~ *grins* You remind me of a professor I've had up at VH, he always says, 'rightio'. Glad you like the story!
merryfurry ~ I'm still wracking my brains on how to continue on the elemental mages too. Let's hope I'll do it to above your standards!
samson ~ Thank you! Here's more, and though it might not be original, I still hope you'll like it!
Ann ~ Aww, *pats Ann's shoulder* there there, I've gotten the newest chapter out!
biblios ~ Don't worry, I haven't stopped it... at least, not yet! Harry will be going back as a girl, and Voldie's already dead, so we don't have to worry about his existance!
Silv3r4ng3l ~ Yep, I'm updating even as I'm typing this. Don't worry, I have the basic outlines for the next three chapters out, but it'll take some time before I'll write them out, as I have... erm, *counts finger* five or six fics to update, and one of them has been left hanging for practically half a year!
godric 4 sal ~ Hehe, updated! Hope you're still alive! *lol*
marleen ~ Glad you like it, and here's the newest chapter, hot from the oven... er... floppy disc!
Shea Loner*blink blink* *whistle* Woah. Thank you. *huggles* (love the simple words, made a huge impact :)
insanechildfanfic ~ Thank you! Hope this will be up to your standard of 'great' >.Princess Hermion ~ True, there might be a suspicion, but I suppose Dumbledore's words had muddled him a bit. After all, without a proper explanation, one will probably be insane to think that a child who's born thousands of years ago is in their era ne?
texasjeanette ~ *apologetic* I'm sorry for updating so late. But a lot of things cropped up...
ficfan ~ Aww, don't kneel. It's out now!
Night-Rose14 ~ Their entry into the future will be quite a few chapters later. I'll be focusing on Sandry's education first! Hope you won't mind!
Alrighto! That's all for the reviews. If you have any questions, do ask eh? I'll be more than happy to reply. Also, I've sorta e-mailed my updating this story those who'd written their emails down in the reviews sector, so if you want me to update you guys about when the story chapts are out, do leave your addy there ne? *huggles everyone who've read this story*
Toodles,
Ephirel
