Disclaimer 1: This is fanfic. That means I do not own any of it. I just borrow it to play with for a little while and let people see the pathetic results if they really want to.

Disclaimer 2: I'm not making any money from it. It's just for fun.

Disclaimer 3: What isn't borrowed is all made up. None of this is real or most likely at all realistic. Please don't trust any of the information in here. Most likely you know more about whatever I'm writing about than I do.

Disclaimer 4: Attitudes, views and opinions expressed by the characters or in the story are not necessarily those of the author. Even when writing Science Fiction or Fantasy I do not tend to attempt to create perfect/better worlds in which everybody gets a happy end ... or whatever is best for them. Please accept that some characters will have a bad ending or be unhappy.

Disclaimer 5: I intend no insult to anyone. If I offend anyone I'm very sorry. Please understand that it was an accident as I tend to be very clumsy in these things.

Notes: Harry overhears some news.

Chapter 11: Aboard the Hogwarts Express

"Actually Filius, I believe that this time Rita Skeeter might be closer to the truth than everybody believes," Harry heard Professor Dumbledore say casually as he passed the head table on his way to the feast.

"If they were real Death Eaters then why did they flee at the sight of the Dark Mark?" Professor Sinistra challenged.

Harry stopped as if to look at the decorations. This conversation was interesting.

"I wouldn't dare claim that it was an outright Death Eater event," Professor Snape said in his usual sarcastic tone, though Harry wasn't sure why this statement should merit it. "But I could have sworn that I recognised some of the individuals as former Death Eaters by their distinctive style. The levitation spell they used on the Muggles, too, was an old Death Eater favourite."

"It certainly wasn't intended as an official Death Eater action and I doubt that any of them really want Voldemort to return," the headmaster said. "Which is probably why the Mark frightened them. It was too serious."

"Oh, so abusing a poor Muggle family and destroying property was all in good fun?" Professor Sprout demanded angrily.

"To a drunk Death Eater they are," Professor Snape stated. "And probably to more than one other dunderhead in the same condition."

"I just hope they don't interfere with the tournament as well," Professor Sinistra said. "That's the last thing we need."

"We certainly won't be offering any alcohol on the institute grounds," Professor McGonagall snapped. "Most of the watchers will be children anyway."

"Headmaster," the voice of Argus Filch, the caretaker, intruded into the conversation. "Professor Hagrid and the new first years have arrived."

Harry frowned. Just when he'd overheard something so interesting!

"Why then, bring them in," Professor Dumbledore said happily.

"They need to change first," the caretaker reminded him. "And Professor Moody still isn't here."

"Ah yes, Amos Diggory did floo me to tell me that Alastair was delayed. Some disagreement with the ministry over enchanted garbage cans. Apparently Arthur Weasley said he couldn't let it slide."

Enchanted garbage cans weren't nearly as interesting as Death Eaters and tournaments and Harry was beginning to draw attention from his fellow students. Ron was even calling to him now. So he decided to give up his listening post and take his seat at the Gryffindor table.

"What's the matter?" Ron demanded immediately "Why did you stop? Didn't you see us?"

"The Professors were talking about some kind of tournament," Harry told him eagerly. "Here at the institute!"