Hogwarts awoke the next day with owls flying in, covered in snow from last night. "Wow,"Ron breathed, "Snow at Hogwarts is magical,"

Hermione laughed, "I can't believe you Ron, of all the words!"

Everyone was in a surprisingly good mood, it being Divination first thing. They finished breakfasting on the food, the house elves had made a special effort today to make the breakfast loook festive. "They really shouldn't bother!" Hermione said, "if we want cool food then we should make it ourselves."

Harry shrugged, "We could go down and thank them, is that fair?" He asked, a bit wary. Dobby was intense most of the time, he'd be like a firecracker in the morning.

But as expected, Hermione took to the idea like extra homework, "That's a wonderful idea, Harry, I'm sure we could make it before first period!"

Harry and Ron had Divination and Hermione had Arithmancy, and so they left the table, rushing down to get to the kitchens.

They walked along down the corridor, past some Hufflepuffs who'd gone down to check last minute things.

"Lovely morning!" A voice shocked the trio who were just in front of the Fruit Bowl Picture.

They turned around presently, seeing Dumbledore. "Hello Professor!" Harry smiled.

"We must have had the same idea of thanking the house elves for Breakfast?" He asked peering down his spectacles.

"Yes, that's exactly the same idea we had!" Hermione answered, "Would you like to buy a S.P.E.W badge?"

"S.P.E.W badge? Well, I suppose so actually. In fact, why don't you Three come to my office? I have to speak about a different matter to you all but that can fit in," he led the way back to his office.

They walked with Dumbledore down to his office, going up the gargoyle protected stairs and comfortably settling in chairs at the top.

"As you know," The Headmaster started, "Lord Voldemort is alive,"

Alive and well, as Harry knew. Unfortunately he'd given blood for the important resurrection.

Dumbledore continued, "Last night, Voldemort arrived at my office. In fact, he was sitting in the same chair your bottom finds itself on, Ron,"

Ron gave an involuntary shiver, and looked uncomfortable.

"My scar was hurting yesterday," Harry said, "It wasn't a bad hurting though like when I have a violent insight into Voldemort's life, it was different,"

Dumbledore smiled, "That is perfectly normal, Harry because he was here last night and he made a deal,"

"A deal!" Hermione said loudly, "Did you make a deal with Voldemort?"

Professor Dumbledore looked uncomfortable and didn't answer for a minute, "Lord Voldemort repents. I have never seen him like this. He is tired of fighting and if he has a good position in the Ministry or School, then I believe it would help all of us."

"You don't mean to say you would let Voldemort into Hogwarts! The parents wouldn't let him teach! The Ministry wouldn't let it," Harry argued.

Ron nodded, "He has a point,"

"The Ministry we are talking about does not believe he exists at all, so that's one thing. He would be Professor Riddle, so that's the second box. After all, it is what he's always wanted," Dumbledore added.

Hermione frowned, "What do you mean, what he's always wanted?"

"When I knew Tom Riddle, he wanted to be a DADA teacher. I refused saying he was too young. Afterwards, all the DADA teachers have only lasted one year until they go," Dumbledore explained.

"Voldemort cursed the teachers!?" The trio were shocked. They didn't know that the current Dark Lord wanted to be a DADA teacher. It seemed so absurd.

"Voldemort has invited me to dinner and I am taking select people from the Order of the Phoenix."

"Will that include us three?" Harry asked. He secretly, although afraid, wanted to go to a dinner like this. It was important and concerned him.

"It may very well," Dumbledore scratched his head.

Hermione was leaning down and she picked up a piece of heavy parchment. It had a Slytherin seal, and words written on it:

Dinner will be served at 18:00 in Riddle Manor, Little Whinging. Please come with select Order of the Phoenix members.

T.M.R

"I think Lord Voldemort left this, last night when he came," Hermione handed over the note.

"I think he did." Dumbledore pocketed the note after reading it, "Now I think you three need to go back to class. Here's a lemon drop each," he added, giving them each one. He smiled and closed the door behind them.

The rest of the trio's day went smoothly along, with them wondering all the time about the dinner. Hermione wasn't so sure about this whole idea and neither was Ron. Surprisingly, Harry looked hopeful.