"Mr. Potter, I was just coming to find you," Snape growled.

"Coming- to find- me?" he managed to force out.

Snape sneered happily at Harry's bewilderment. "Yes Potter, Dumbledore requested that I fetch you. He seemed to think you might be in trouble, but it seems you are just as 'fit' as usual."

Harry knew that 'fit' hadn't been what Snape wanted to say, but he ignored that, having been reminded why he ran all the way to the front of the train in the first place.

"Dumbledore is in trouble! We have to go find him-"

"Calm down, Potter." Snape held up a hand to silence him. "The headmaster is fine. I spoke with him only two minutes ago. Now, if there are no more objections I think we should go, he is waiting for you."

Harry nodded weakly, wondering how exactly they were going to Ago@ but being afraid to ask. Snape did not enlighten him, but simply held out a scroll. As Harry grasped it he felt a jerk around his navel and he shut his eyes as the world began to spin. He landed with a thud and fell heavily to the ground. Opening his eyes he recognized the living room from his latest home. Before Harry had a chance to move he felt a hand grab the back of his robes and pull him up off the floor. The journey on the portkey had not seemed to ruffle his stern potions master at all, and Snape gave him a firm push forward.

"They were in the kitchen when I left."

Harry didn=t need to be told twice. He reached the kitchen door in record time, as he opened the door he was met with what would have been a funny scene if he hadn't been so worried.

Dumbledore was sitting at the table with a cup of tea in front of him, he looked pale, but his eyes twinkled as he watched the other occupants of the room. Scorn, Trouble, and Tipsy were sitting on the kitchen floor looking mildly annoyed, as was Professor McGonagall. All four were scowling at a plump man in violent pink robes who was doing some kind of ridiculous dance while speaking in a strange whiny cat-like voice. He slowly danced towards one of the corners, and Harry managed to catch a glimpse of Jasper, looking horrified, trapped in the corner. Mrs. Figg tried to get the attention of the man with the pink robes, but he simply pulled her into his dance.

Arabella was standing stiffly by the fridge. She looked up as Harry entered the room and smiled slightly, her smile becoming fixed when she saw Snape enter behind him. She moved towards Snape menacingly, Dumbledore got up from his chair abruptly, but he was too slow. Arabella's tight fist pulled back as she took a full swing at Snape's nose.

Snape tried to move out of her way, but she managed to graze the very edge of his cheek. As she wound up her other fist for a second try Snape grabbed her arms and clamped them to her side. Dumbledore, McGonagall and Mrs. Figg rushed to pull Arabella away from Snape, who, Harry thought, was looking remarkably calm.

"And what was that for?" he asked coolly.

His calmness seemed to anger Arabella more. "You knew, you knew this was going to happen. You knew and you didn't say anything!"

Harry noticed a slight change in Snape. His eyes, which just a minute ago had been defiant and mocking, were now like empty holes.

"I found out Dumbledore was ill after you did," he said evenly.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it!" Arabella screamed at him. "You knew that mum's cat was helping Peter and you never said a word! Damn you to bloody hell, she could have been hurt, killed!"

Arabella struggled against her mother who had a tight hold on her shoulder. Snape looked at her with a blank face.

"I'm sorry."

Harry almost fell over. Snape had just apologized, and more than that, he had sounded sincere. Arabella stopped struggling and Mrs. Figg let go of her. Much calmer, but not looking any more endeared towards Snape, she took a few steps closer to him. He didn't move, but Harry felt him tense up.

"If you EVER endanger my mother again I will-"

She couldn't even finish the sentence. Snape flinched ever so slightly as she moved past him and out the kitchen door with partially contained furry. "Don't worry professor, I know you didn't have a choice." Mrs. Figg moved over to Snape and gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "And you know Bella, she gets upset so easily."

"I know she didn't mean it," said Snape, but he didn't look Mrs. Figg in the eye, and Harry could tell Snape did not really believe what he had said.

"Why don't you come and sit down Severus," said Dumbledore kindly, and then he turned to Harry. "you too Harry, I was worried about you, and I'm guessing that you were worried yourself."

That was an understatement Harry thought, but he took a seat and thanked Mrs. Figg when she set a cup of tea in front of him. The man in the pink robes had been watching the scene with obvious interest, and Harry noticed that the cats had disappeared while they all had been distracted.

"Severus!" the man walked up to Snape and slapped him heartily on the back. "Still charming the ladies I see."

Snape's brow furrowed with anger at the man. "Yes Mundungus. Still a complete git I see."

Mundungus just laughed and clapped Snape on the back again.

"You always were the joker," he laughed.

Dumbledore saw the look on Snape's face and thought it best to intercede.

"As much as I would like to stay and chat Mundungus, I must be getting back to the school."

"Yes," said McGonagall in a very worried voice. "the students will be arriving soon, and I must be there to meet the first years."

Dumbledore pulled another scroll out of his robes. "Severus, Harry are you ready to go?"

Harry wasn't ready. "But, aren't you going to tell me what's going on?" he gasped.

"Of course," said Dumbledore calmly, "but not until later tonight. We must get back for the feast."

Harry knew they had to get back, Ron and Hermione would be really worried.

"Say now Dumbledore, don't leave quite yet." Said Mundungus's cheerful voice. "I'm sure you've got a few minutes to spare, there is-"

Harry grabbed onto the scroll, as did his two professors. He closed his eyes for the second time he felt a jerk and the sped off to Hogwarts.

Harry hit the ground with a thump. To his surprise Snape help a firm hand on him holding him up.

"Harry," said Dumbledore. "Would you mind coming to my office after the feast tonight, that would be a better time for us to talk perhaps."

Harry nodded.

"Well then, why don't you go out the main doors and try to catch Hagrid, no doubt your friends will want to see you the moment the get off the train."

Harry didn't need to be told twice. He caught up to Hagrid and they went to meet the train together. Harry felt relief when the Hogwarts Express pulled in, and the students started to get off. As Hagrid called for all the first years Harry went in search of Ron and Hermione. It didn't take him long, they were looking for him too.

"Harry! We thought we lost you. Did you find Dumbledore-"

"The conductor said that git Snape took you somewhere, is it true?"

Hermione groaned as Ron called Snape a git, but Harry didn't give her a chance to comment as he launched into the entire story. Which, he realized, was rather short.

"Dumbledore wants me to go to his office after the feast tonight. I think he'll explain to me what's going on then. Now what about Mal-"

Ron interrupted Harry pointing out that they needed to get into a carriage. Hermione was glaring at Ron so Harry decided not to bring up the subject yet. As it turned out he didn=t have to wait long to find out. As they entered the great hall they passed Malfoy. He had a black eye, his nose was giant and red like a clowns nose, and one of his arms was sprouting roses.

"Ron! What did you DO to him?" Harry laughed.

"It wasn't me," said Ron smugly. "Well except for the black eye. The rest was Hermione's work."

Harry looked impressed at Hermione who was half scowling.

"Just remember the nose was meant for you Ron."

Harry sat down at Gryffindor table and hoped the sorting would start soon, he was starving. After a few minutes chatting to the rest of the fifth years about their summers McGonagall came in with the first years. She brought out the old sorting hat and set it on the stool. The hall waited in anticipation as the hat began to sing.

Oh the sorting hat am I, am I, I will say which of the four, houses here will suit you more, Inside your head I'll spy, the sorting hat am I

To Ravenclaw will be your fate, if cleverness you radiate

you are always asking why, the sorting hat am I

In Hufflepuff will you belong, if loyalty in you is strong, stick to friends by-and-by, the sorting hat am I

In Slytherin you may fall, if power is your greatest call, even if you must lie, the sorting hat am I

and Gryffindor I=ll always save, for those of you extremely brave, and not afraid to try, the sorting hat am I

Oh the sorting hat am I, am I, put me on, don't be shy, the sorting hat am I

The great hall broke into tremulous applause as the sorting hat finished singing. Professor McGonagall took out a scroll and gave instructions to the shivering first years. Harry's eyes wandered for a second. Looking over the staff table he jabbed Ron with his elbow.

"Ow- what the-"

"Look who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher is" Harry whispered.

Ron's eyes widened, and Seamus and Dean, who had heard looked in astonishment too. Sitting beside Snape at the head table was Penelope.

"If you two don't put your eyes back in your head you will miss the entire sorting." Hermione hissed at them.

Harry's attention was jerked back as McGonagall called out for Fletcher, Davey. As Fletcher, Davey got sorted into Gryffindor Harry clapped loudly, and he watching as the young boy ran to sit at the table with the biggest smile Harry had ever seen.

The feast was as wonderful as always, but Harry couldn't enjoy it. His thoughts kept wandering back to the train ride, and Dumbledore. Dumbledore seemed fine now Harry thought to himself as he watched the staff table. He wasn=t the only one looking in that direction either. Every male eye in the room kept darting over in the direction of Penelope. She looked great tonight. Her green robes matched her glittering eyes, and her golden hair shone under the candle light. Hermione elbowed Ron for the second time that night.

"I asked you a question, Ron" she said tersely.

"What?" he answered looking at Hermione in a dazed sort of way.

Hermione just rolled her eyes and turned away from him.

"Honestly, she's much to old for you Ron."

Ron turned red, but Harry smiled at her with a would-be innocent face "Do I have to remind you about-"

"No!" It was Hermione's turn to blush.

After dinner Harry said goodbye to his friends before heading up to Dumbledore's office.

"The password's 'pothesi'"

Harry thanked her and waved to them as they left. When he reached the stone gargoyle he stopped, unsure about what to do.

"lemon drop," he said tentatively, but the gargoyle didn=t move. "Cockroach cluster?" Still nothing.

"Allow me Harry." Professor Dumbledore smiled fondly at Harry and said "peppermint twist," and the stone wall slid open.

Muted voices were coming from Dumbledore's office. As Harry and Dumbledore entered the office to people pulled apart rather quickly.

"Sirius!" Harry said happily and ran to give Sirius a hug.

"Sorry I wasn't there for you this morning Harry, but I promise to be around more often this year."

Harry smiled and then turned to the other person in the room.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to be our teacher Penelope, er- Professor, sorry."

"Don't worry Harry," Penelope laughed cheerfully. "You don't have to call me professor until we are in class. I didn't know until after practice that day..."

She faded off and her face darkened, as did Sirius' as they remembered Voldemort's appearance.

"Now, Harry, I'm sure that you would like to know what happened today"

Harry nodded at Dumbledore, silently thankful the headmaster had switched the subject.

"I'm not sure I have all the answers for you are looking for, but I will try to explain what I do know. Voldemort has joined forces with Theavolos."

Penelope shuddered.

"Theavolos has been around since the beginning of time, and he usually pops up before dark times. No one knows Theavolos' true power, he is more myth than reality to most people. We had the first attack linked to him today. A muggle train derailed, accompanied by the dark mark."

It was Harry's turn to shudder.

"I was informed about the plan to derail the train, and one of my agents performed a spell to stop it, but it did not work."

Dumbledore's face suddenly got very serious.

"No one was killed in today's attack, but as I was linked to the spell that was supposed to save the train Theavolos was able to get inside my head. I'm not sure if it was something he planned, but he took advantage of the situation."

"Inside you head?"

"The protection spell that was cast drew from my own power, I effectively became the spell. When Theavolos broke it he had access to the spell, to me. I don't know that I can explain it any better than that."

"Why could I see you?" Harry asked curiously.

Dumbledore shook his head, "that I can't answer, but I could see you as well Harry. It seems as if something connected us for a moment. I was so graciously helped by Arabella and Professor McGonagall, who told me you had sent her an owl, so naturally I thought it best to reassure you."

Harry had many questions, but before he could ask any of them the door to the office burst open.

"Headmaster, the camel is here, I think we should start-"

Snape stopped abruptly when he saw Harry and gave him a cold look, and then spared one for Sirius, who was looking rather annoyed himself.

"Thank you Severus," said Dumbledore cheerfully. "Well Harry, I believe that's all. You may head back to your common room now."

Harry didn't dare argue. Snape was glaring at Harry with intense dislike, and as Harry passed him he looked down. Something caught Harry's eye. One of Snape's feet was crooked, it looked as if it had been broken over and over again and never healed properly. Harry chanced a glance at Snape who was still staring a Harry with dislike, but now with a blank mask-like face. He knew Harry had noticed.

"I'd hurry Potter, don't want to be caught out past hours. I would hate for Gryffindor to lose points on the first night." His eyes met Harry's, daring him to talk back.

Harry said a quick goodnight to a fuming Sirius and fled the room. As he made his way to Gryffindor tower he wished Arabella had gotten to take a second swing at his potions professor.

"Slimy git," he said to himself, and then out loud "pothesi" to the fat lady. Happy voices met him as he entered the common room. Harry smiled, it was good to be back.

***

Dumbledore looked up at the moon. Not quite full. Remus would be finishing up in France right now, preparing for his transformation in a few nights.

Severus was leading him at a quick pace, and Dumbledore knew that his potions master was in a hurry. Over the past few weeks Snape had been busy preparing for classes, working for the Dumbledore, subject to Voldemort's whims, and making the potion for Remus as well as experimenting with improvements for it. When Dumbledore had asked him about why he was trying to make improvements Snape had refused any answer besides that Dumbledore couldn't afford to lose one of his group for a week every month. And now Severus would be busy with this.

Severus had, if possible, become even more withdrawn than usual the past month. He hardly spoke unless asked a direct question, and his answers were no longer than absolutely necessary. Dumbledore had tried to get Severus to open up over the last 11 years. But finally when he thought progress had been made, Voldemort had returned, and Snape had returned to his introverted self.

Sirius and Penelope followed Dumbledore and Snape. For once Sirius had acted like an adult and had given Snape some distance. Penelope was probably responsible for that. The two talked in low voices as they were led out onto the grounds.

A tall man stood by a warm looking cabin, and tied next to the cabin was a camel. The camel looked annoyed, but munched away on it's leather lead while watching the four humans approaching lazily.

"Hello Hagrid," said Dumbledore cheerfully "welcome back."

"Open his mouth Hagrid, let's get this over with."

"Good ter be back professor Dumbledore, sir."

Hagrid nodded at Dumbledore with a wink and did as Snape told, but not without protest from the camel. Snape pulled a small vile out of his robes and forced it down the camel's throat. Hagrid picked up five buckets and handed one to each person, and then waited. Before a minute had passed the camel got a look of disgust on his face and spit suddenly. Five buckets lunged towards the spot where the camel spit, but Penelope got there first.

"One point for me," she said happily.

Dumbledore chuckled, the camel spit again. Five buckets again flashed towards the spot. This time Dumbledore caught the slimy substance in his bucket.

"Aha! We are tied now," he said, but missed the next spit entirely while bragging.

"not anymore," Penelope said again sticking her tongue out.

The camel spit again. Snape glared at the other four, daring them to congratulate him on winning that round. Dumbledore was not intimidated.

"One for you Severus. Perhaps we should keep a scorecard?"

The camel spit again and Sirius pushed Penelope out of the way, but Snape had set down his bucket. He was fuming.

"Is that all this to you," he spat. "A game? I have many things I could be doing right now, I think you four can handle this yourselves. The potion will wear off in a half hour, bring the buckets to my office when you are done," and he stalked back towards the castle.

He stalked off. Dumbledore set his bucket down too as Hagrid pushed both Sirius and Penelope away to collect the next ball of spit.

"Excuse me, I will be right back." Dumbledore followed after the irate Professor. "Severus, wait for a moment."

Severus stopped and turned on his heel, but Dumbledore was surprised to see fatigue on his face instead of anger.

"Severus, I think you are working yourself too hard."

Snape stared at Dumbledore, as if he couldn't quite comprehend what the headmaster had said. After a minute Snape let out a long breath.

"I have to finish this tonight," his voice was heavy.

"You must be careful Severus, you can't stretch yourself too thin."

"Everything I do I'm doing for an important reason, and you know that." This time Snape snapped the words out.

"Even so, I can not afford to lose you Severus, and you must know that."

The temper brewing in Snape's eyes relaxed. "Yes headmaster. Hopefully I will be able to get some extra sleep after my classes tomorrow."

"Very well, now, go and finish up Remus' potion and I will bring down the buckets when we are through."

Snape nodded and headed back towards the castle. Dumbledore returned back to the small group around the camel.

"What was his problem?" asked Sirius in a sarcastic voice.

"What's the score?" asked Dumbledore ignoring the question, and catching the next ball of spit in his bucket.

***

That night Harry told Ron and Hermione what Dumbledore had told him, and about Snape's interruption.

"A camel?" asked Ron.

"Theavolos," said Hermione. "Oh Harry, that's horrible."

"I don't even know who he is," admitted Harry. "Dumbledore just told me he was bad."

"He's been involved with nearly every powerful dark wizard there ever was. Some people think he might even be the devil."

She shivered, and Harry felt Goosebumps crawling up his arm.

"But surely he can't be worse than Voldemort," but Ron's voice cracked as he said it.

"Theavolos has amazing power, they say he can do almost anything, except use his power by himself. He only works through other Wizards."

Harry sat quietly for a moment and digested what Hermione had said. To Harry's surprise it was Ron who spoke up.

"We'll just have to stop him," he stuck out his chin stubbornly. "Harry, you face Voldemort almost every year and come through alright. Now you've got Dumbledore on your side, and Sirius, Remus, Arabella, Mrs. Figg and Hermione and I behind you. We'll just have to beat him, that's all, you won't fail now."

Harry felt a surge of gratefulness to his red headed friend. Ron had dispelled every single fear Harry had felt. He had promised to himself that he would stop Voldemort, and would, Theavolos was not going to stop him.