Chapter 1- Back Again

Dumbledore quietly turned the deserted Hogsmeade corner to find the small abandoned shop he had been searching for. He was not surprised to find the door guarded by two dangerous looking wizards. Dumbledore approached them with his hands raised, letting them know he was unarmed.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," said one of the wizards, "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Not under these circumstances," he replied as the other wizard opened the door.

Dumbledore quickly walked into the one room store and listened to the sound of the guards closing and locking the door behind him.

"Lumus," whispered a voice in front of him.

Dumbledore was not surprised to see the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, in front of him. His face was pale and his hand shook as he held his wand.

"What's happened?" Dumbledore asked.

"Another one of my agents was found dead yesterday," Fudge said grimly, "Voldemort is getting much more aggressive."

"I can see that," Dumbledore murmured.

"But let's get to the real reason we've come here. I apologize for the grim settings but with all the threats I've received I thought a secluded place would be best. How's Mr. Potter doing? He's in his 7th year now isn't he?"

"Yes, he's in his 7th year. I'm afraid he's doing as well as can be expected after last year."

"Let's try not to have another ghastly year like that. I don't think we've seen that many innocent children fall victim to Voldemort for some time."

"Yes," Dumbledore said gravely, "Ten first years, five of them from Hogwarts. If it weren't for the Weasly twins prank after that terrible event I think the spirit of Hogwarts might have been finished."

"Ah, those devilish twins," Fudge said shaking his head, "at least you are finally rid of them. Now I believe you had some papers you wanted me to look over and sign?"

Dumbledore quickly took out two pieces of paper. He handed one to the Minister.

"I believe that a new class should be given at Hogwarts. A self defense class."

"Muggle self defense?" Fudge asked, giving Dumbledore a questioning look.

"Some of those first years could have made it if they had known what to do after they were disarmed. I think this class may help the students."

"Well, as much as I don't believe this will help first years, others could benefit from it."

Fudge quickly took out a quill and signed the piece of paper by putting it against the wall.

"Now was that all?"

"Actually," Dumbledore said slowly, "I have something else."

As Dumbledore pocketed the other paper Fudge took the second. He read it slowly and gave Dumbledore a surprised look.

"You know I can't sign this," he said quietly, "No one will let her return to Hogwarts."

"Not everyone knows," Dumbledore pointed out, "and when she returns so does her father. With her also comes John Miffugan. With John Miffugan at Hogwarts his parents and some other families are likely to come to Hogwarts. These people will be able to secure Hogwarts a lot better than any Aurors could."

"I suppose you can't tell me who these fantastic people are?"

"All I can say is that only three of these people saved the professors and students two years ago. They disarmed a whole camp of Death Eaters with hardly any help from other wizards."

"What would these people want in return?"

"In return, the professors and probably some of the students would help these people find their home which has become lost to them."

Fudge stayed silent a moment.

"I suppose it would be for the best," he murmured, "even if you can't tell me more about them."

He quickly signed the paper and handed it to Dumbledore. Dumbledore shook the Minister's hand. As he turned to go he stopped suddenly. For a moment he had thought he had seen a cloaked figure standing by one of the windows. He slowly turned back around, listening carefully. Fudge gave him a questioning look but before he could speak Dumbledore put a finger to his lips. The sound of a rat and scurrying feet filled the room. Screams and shouts were heard outside as the wizards were attacked. The door flew open and Dumbledore tackled Fudge to the ground. A spell flew past them and Fudge gasped as three Death Eaters entered the room. Fudge and Dumbledore stood up and the Minister quickly extinguished his light. Dumbledore and Fudge each disarmed a Death Eater and knocked them unconscious. They ran towards the door only to find it blocked by the third Death Eater. As he raised his wand, a spell was shouted from behind him and the Death Eater collapsed. A rat scurried out the door as Dumbledore recognized the bodies of the wizards that had been guarding the door on the floor. The cloaked figure that had stopped the other Death Eater approached them and threw back his hood. The Minister and Headmaster sighed with relief.

"Sorry about that," Severus Snape said catching his breath, "but I only found out about the plan an hour ago and got here as soon as I could."

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"Have you heard about the latest attempt on the Minister's life?" Hermione asked anxiously as she took her seat next to Ron on the Hogwart's Express. "Sure," Ron replied with a mouth full of Bertie Botts every flavor beans, "It was all over the newspapers last week and my dad could not stop talking about it."

"Voldemort is definitely getting tired of hiding," Harry said quietly staring out the window. Hermione noticed his gloomy appearance and was about to make a comment but was stopped by a look from Ron.

"Why don't you get us some more candy Harry?" Ron suggested gesturing to the empty wrappers of candy, " I'm suddenly in the mood for some chocolate frogs."

"Sure. I'll be right back."

Hermione watched him leave then turned to Ron.

"Why is he being so gloomy? Does he still blame himself for what happened last year?"

Ron shook his head.

"Even Harry knows we could not have stopped Voldemort but that does not stop him from feeling bad about it. I mean I still feel bad about it, don't you?"

Hermione nodded. Ron gently squeezed her hand and Hermione smiled at him. "Well if you just wanted some alone time you could have said so," Harry teased, returning with some boxes of chocolate frogs. Ron quickly let go of her hand and blushed.

"Why would I want to be alone with him?" Hermione replied, rolling her eyes.

"Well I remember a happier time last year when you two…"

"Harry!" Ron and Hermione cried.

Harry laughed as he looked at their bright red faces.

"Let's just hope we have a much better year this year," Hermione replied.

"And to think we actually have to come back to Hogwarts next year for an 8th year," Ron said shaking his head.

"Just think," Harry said with a smile, "We have two more years of excitement at Hogwarts."

The trio shared a mischievous smile before opening the boxes of chocolate frogs.