Note: you'll notice that circumstances have changed from what occurred in Half-Blood prince. This is because many of the Death Eaters were imprisoned after the attack on the Ministry and never escaped. This altered the progression of events. Also because Harry was with Cassandra and Sirius, Dumbledore was unable to access him to go meet Slughorn. I am writing the story as if with new leadership the Ministry is actually competent.

The last days of summer flew by, Harry and his friends practiced their new magical craft and explored the vast library learning both Magic and history that has never been taught at Hogwarts. They catalogued the many ways that the various Dark Lords persued immortality and how they had been defeated. They learned new ways to shape Magic pulled from the bond they shared.

The last week of August, They went to Diagon Alley and bought their new books and then slipped back to Etern Alley for a meal at Witchin Kitchen and a night of Intramural Quidditch.

On the morning of September 1, Harry, Ron and Hermione woke early and gathered their trunks ready for the journey back to Hogwarts. They ate a quick breakfast Dot served them, while Hermione muttered lists of books sure she forgot something. At 9 o'clock they set out, Dot passed them hampers of treats for the ride promising them regular care packages and waving goodbye from the front hall as they passed through the archway to the outside world and the waiting towncar.

They met the Weasley's at Kings Cross. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked a good deal less shabby then usual though both looked somewhat more stressed and Ginny was tanned and sporting new fang earrings much to Mrs. Weasley's dismay. "Hi Harry" Ginny said brightly as Mrs. Weasley smothered Ron in a hug.

"Good summer?" Harry smiled at Ginny and asked

Ginny grinned wickedly "Great Summer, you?"

"Best ever" Harry quickly replied with grin watching Ron shrug off his mother's fussing.

Cassandra and Mr. Weasley shook hands and whispered quietly and then began to usher the four students toward the entrance to the platform.

The first thing Harry and his friends saw that indicated how much Things had changed was when they arrived on the platform, among the mass of students and their families were Witches and Wizards patrolling the platform. All of them had the familiar menace of members of magical law enforcement. Harry shot an inquiring look at Cassandra, who silently waved a hand indicating he should ignore the increased security.

Harry looked around, pulling his trunk behind him and taking in the Platform, he noticed that there was less laughter and smiles among the families and more than a few worried looks and reassuring hugs of parents as children piled onto the train. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione dragged their luggage to the last empty compartment and were quickly joined by Neville and Luna.

"Hullo!" Luna said dreamily, "how was the rest of your summer?"

Ron smiled at the younger girl and went into a long rambling account of the many things they had done since they had seen each other for Harry's Birthday. Just as Ron finished his account they saw a familiar looking auror pass by the window.

"They are on the train too? That's new" Ron muttered.

"Makes sense though" Neville replied "what would terrify the Wizarding world more than an attack on their children, and Hogwarts would be too hard too access."

"And you-know-who is probably pretty determined for a win right about now" Ginny added

"You don't think we are in danger do you?" Hermione asked fretfully.

"Worried Granger?" A voice drawled "you would be, only a matter of time till the Dark Lord comes for you and your kind"

Ron moved as if to attack Malfoy but Neville quickly grabbed him and Ginny moved to assist.

The occupants of the compartment turned to the door of the compartment where Draco Malfoy stood flanked as usual by Crabbe and Goyle. It was the first time Harry had seen Malfoy up close since the events of the previous year. Malfoy's eyes held a rage that had never before been present. Crabbe and Goyle both looked more menacing than ever.

"What put a pixie in your cabbage patch, Malfoy" Ginny said sarcastically, "life not so pleasant with daddy and the rest of the family in Azkaban?

"Sucks when the Ministry is actually paying attention and won't bend to corruption doesn't it" Ron said "I heard your mother has been banned from the whole building. Looks like Minister Pendragon isn't fooled by your kind"

Malfoy was flushed with anger and his lips were thin slashes as Harry's friends taunted him.

"Just wait" Malfoy said with venom "Our time is coming, the Dark Lord will prevail and then he will come for all of you"

As he finished his threats another auror walked into view on patrol, glancing swiftly at him, Malfoy swished his robes and stalked off, his goons following in his wake.

"Drama Queen" Ginny muttered as they all rolled their eyes and chuckled.

"I wonder what else will change at Hogwarts this year, the security is even stronger than when Sirius escaped" Ron said

"I wonder who will be teaching DADA this year" Harry said

"I just hope they are decent this time, NEWTS are just around the corner" Hermione said fretfully

"Oh, C'mon Hermione" Ron said in a long suffering voice " NEWTS aren't till 7th year and we just finished OWLS. Give us a break yeah"

Neville and Ginny laughed and Hermione opened her mouth to retort. To forestall the argument he knew was coming Harry opened the hamper Dot had packed for him and started passing out freshly made cookies and sandwiches.

"So are we going to continue the DA this year Harry?" Luna asked H hopefully.

"Yeah, when is the first meeting?" Ginny added "I learned some wicked new hexes in Egypt"

The whole compartment turned to look at Harry as he finished chewing and slowly swallowed. "I don't know, do we really need to? Umbridge is gone…" Harry trailed off uncertainly.

"Yeah, but who's to say the new teacher will be any better. With you-know-who out there, more prentice is always better and you are a really good teacher." Neville argued quickly.

"Without Umbridge, Dumbledore would probably just let it be a regular group." Hermione put in quickly.

Harry sighed, "I'll talk to the group and see if they want to continue all right? Neville you want a brownie?"

Neville time the treat from Harry and the rest of his friends took the hint and moved onto Gryffindor's chances at the Quidditch cup, Harry had found out over the summer that he was head of the team and Ron has vastly improved as keeper after a summer of steady practice and some frank advice from Sirius about letting people Get to him. Ginny had decided to become a chaser and Harry had every confidence she would make the team.

The rest of the train ride and the journey up to the castle was filled with please the conversation. As they filed into the Great Hall, they all noticed that the head table had only one new teacher a plump elderly man.

Ron shrugged, "must be the new DATDA teacher" he said as they sat down.

"Harry, Ron" Hermione said in an urgent tone "look at Dumbledore's hand"

Ron and Harry turned to follow Hermione's gaze. The headmaster was sitting in his usual spot chatting with Professor Flitwick, however one hand was black and shriveled. Oddly enough There was a light angry looking haze swirling around the blackened hand.

"Cassandra told me about that" Hermione whispered "there is a curse trapped in his hand, it's trying to spread"

Ron opened his mouth to reply but was I interrupted by McGonagal coming into the hall with the sorting hat and a line of the usual nervous looking first years. Oddly enough the line was somewhat shorter than it had been in previous years. The sorting hat was set on the stool and the hall fell silent waiting for the sorting to begin.