Crossword Genius

Hound small girl heading north (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

harass

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'hound' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'small girl heading north' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'small' could be 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size) and 's' is found in the answer.
'girl' could be 'ara' and 'ara' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for harass that I've seen before include "distress" , "Trouble or annoy continuously" , "bait" , "Vex - persecute" , "Trouble and annoy continually" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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