The shade of Voldemort was ready. He had finally found a new servant to help him back to Britain, even if the servant was a simpering fool with illusions of adequacy, a fool who had just failed him once more in acquiring the Philosophers Stone.
"It is time for me to keep a closer eye on you, my dear Quirrell" the shade hissed menacingly.
"M-m-my L-Lord?" Quirrell stuttered. That brought up the once proud man short. He never stuttered. Ever.
Meanwhile the shade of Voldemord finished his incantation to bond himself to Quirrell.
-o-o-o-
"Ah, Quirinus Quirrell, welcome back to Hogwarts," Albus Dumbledore greeted him as he entered the Headmasters office. "How was your sabbatical? Relaxing I hope."
Quirrell looked around and in turn nodded to the other teachers sitting in an arc in front of the headmasters raised desk, like children in front of their teacher. "Fine, fine." he replied crisply. "At least I found what I was looking for. Thanks for asking." he smiled back.
"No surprises or accidents I take?"
"Well, there were a few unforeseen problems near the end of my journey, but nothing I can't handle." Quirrell replied as he sat down next to McGonagall. In doing so he accidentally bumped the bulging pocket of his robes, setting off an angry chirping coming from that pocket.
"Is that a new pet you got there?" Hagrid boomed, as he leaned forward, interesting in having a look at it.
"It is," Quirrell replied trying to calm down the critter. "I only got him last week, but I just wouldn't leave him at home."
Snape snorted and sneered at the new DADA teacher, "A squirrel, Quirrell?"