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 o 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 hurray 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'll 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.

***