I don't own any characters and as far as I'm concerned I won't own any characters. So, with that said, let the story continue!

"Harry!" Hermione shrieked, running into the common room, gripping a copy of the Daily Prophet.

Harry, sitting by himself in a corner, pouring over Quidditch books and studying his regular courses, automatically rushed over to his friend's aid. "What is it? Did Malfoy do something to you?!"

Hermione's face was pale and she looked down at the article. Both of them sank onto a couch and she handed him the paper. He took it and read it thoroughly. The headline was Muggle Bit by Python!

"Muggle parent of Hermione Granger, sixth year Hogwarts student, was bit by a python in the bathroom of a pet shop in Diagon Alley. Apparently, the couple was birthday shopping for their daughter, when Mrs. Granger took a bathroom break. Mr. Granger was worried when his wife didn't return for some time and politely requested a witch assistant in the shop to check up on her. The witch came out, horror-stricken and informed Mr. Granger what she had seen. Mrs. Granger was immediately sent to St. Mungos and is being healed from a Python bite. There are no snakes in the shop, so one can only wonder where the Python came from." That was all the article had given, nothing more. Harry turned to Hermione, who had began crying uncontrollable tears. Harry put his arms around her, at first not knowing what to say.

"Hermione..." he said quietly. This wasn't exactly the right time to let her know how he felt about her, that was for sure. "Let's go see McGonagall."

Hermione just nodded, still crying. They made their way the slowly to the portrait hole when Ron came in followed shortly by McGonagall.

Ron mumbled, looking down at his feet and not at his friends' faces, "She insisted I get back to my common room. It was too late to be in the library. And it was just..." he stopped short when he looked up and saw Hermione crying and Harry trying to console her. "Hermione! What -?"

"Please be quiet, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said strictly. "Hermione, dear," she said in a sweeter tone, "please come. The headmaster would like a word with you."

Hermione slowly walked over to McGongall. The old woman put an arm around the girl and led her out of the room. Ron just looked at Harry with a questioning expression.

"Here," Harry just tossed him a copy of the Daily Prophet and they both sank into the couch.

"Green smoked dung bomb," McGonagall said to the Gargoyle, rolling her eyes at the password. The headmaster seemed to be fascinated with the Weasleys' creations. "Go on in, dear."

Hermione walked up the steps that hid behind the Gargoyle. She soon found Dumbledore sitting calmly at his desk, the bird Fawkes by his side.

"Please, take a seat Ms. Granger," he said. She took a seat at the chair across from him. She just looked at the floor, not wanting to meet eye contact with anyone at the moment.

"I understand that your mother has been bitten by a rather unknown snake - a python, but unknown," he said, still calmly, but his expression was beginning to darken. "Why do I say unknown? The minister of Magic, Mr. Diggory, has decided to keep quiet about some things, which is why the article seems so empty. And for a good reason too."

Hermione was now looking up at the headmaster. "What do you mean, sir?"

"I mean the bite wasn't fatal, wasn't poisonous really. It was just a regular animal bite - but muggles don't often get snake bites do they? There was something strange about this bite, Hermione. This bite formed the Dark Mark."

Hermione gasped. "The D-Dark Mark?"

Dumbledore nodded. "However, your mother is safe from being a death eater, trust me. I believe this is just Voldemort's way of playing with the Wizarding World. He's warning us with this. It had to be him, no one else."

"But professor, how can a snake form the Dark Mark? Or was it V-Voldemort himself? Is he an unregistered Animagus?" Hermione asked all the questions at once.

"Stay calm, dear. As far as I know, he is not an Animagus. But we can't be too sure. However, the snake could've been put under a simple charm to do that mark," Dumbledore nodded knowingly.

"Why haven't they included this in the papers?"

"Because it would frighten the wizarding world even more. They will tell them, just until they figure out a few things."

Hermione nodded.

"You may want to see your parents?"

"Yes."

"Tonight, then. I would hate for you to miss your classes tomorrow. I know that sounds shallow, but your parents are all right, dear. And Voldemort in power or not, you can still become a great witch." Dumbledore smiled at the young woman. "I will ask Minerva to accompany you."

Hermione was just about the get up, when the headmaster asked, "May I ask you two questions?"

"Yes, of course," Hermione said, a bit surprised at the headmaster's question.

"Well, that was the first one," his eye's twinkled behind those half-moon spectacles. "Has Harry had any pains - in his scar particularly?"

Truth be told, Hermione really had no idea. But when she was with him, he seemed to have always been rubbing his forehead, not knowing it. Probably too busy with other business to fuss with his pains. "I don't think it's been hurting excruciatingly, Professor. But sometimes I see him absentmindedly rubbing his forehead."

"Ah," Dumbledore nodded. "Curious. Most curious." He paused before saying, "Oh, you may tell Ron and Harry, just don't say anything to anyone else."

Just then McGonagall came popping in. Dumbledore asked the Professor to accompany Hermione to St. Mungos for the night. The deputy headmistress agreed immediately and they were making their way by floo powder to St. Mungos.

Now it was Friday, the day of Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts. Harry was relieved when Hermione had actually told them what happened Thursday night after the meeting. She wasn't speaking the whole day, still saddened by what had happened to her innocent mother. She informed Harry and Ron that she had visited her parents and they assured her they would both be okay and that she should go on with her studies. They agreed to exchange Owl posts for the time being.

Harry wanted to start tryouts at six pm, right before dinner. He didn't want people throwing up all over the place after a good long meal - given that he might've been one of those people. Anyway, at the start of tryouts Harry gave one of those captain speeches.

"Now, you realize that by being on this team you are to meet specific obligations," usually the young man wouldn't speak like that, but he had read that somewhere in a book the night before. "This year, we're training harder. Not as much practice - four days a week I would say, I know most of us do have studies to focus on as well, but they will be hard practices."

He finished his speech and the tryouts began. The Creevey brothers had been there also trying out for chaser, some second years and a few third years. Ginny proved to be a better Chaser than Seeker, so she was definitely chosen. To Harry's utter horror - and surprise - the Creevey brothers weren't that bad at Chasing. They were actually pretty good. He had a hard time admitting that they would be permittable on the team. So, the team had one girl and six boys. After he had chosen the new Chasers, he made another speech.

"Alright, we start practicing next week. Five to Six, is that good with everyone? Alright. Now, the first game is Slytherin versus Hufflepuff in two weeks. Keep an eye out - I heard Hufflepuff has some good chasers. And Slytherin, well you all know how Slytherin is - and I heard Malfoy's now the new captain, good grief. Anyway, two weeks after that is our game against Ravenclaw. They have Cho as captain. As far as I know, she plays pretty fair." It went on like this for a while, and finally Harry dismissed them to lunch.

Harry was preparing to leave along with Ron. He grabbed his broom when suddenly he dropped to the floor, rubbing his forehead furiously - not just his forehead - his scar. It was hurting incredibly, as if it had burst open like it did in June at the Ministry of Magic. Ron rushed to his side.

"Are you all right, Harry?" he helped him up, looking mortified.

"He's - angry -" Harry began, panting. But after he screamed in terror, but not before he tried to retaliate. He looked like he was trying to block something from entering his mind, but to no avail. Ron didn't back away, as this was his friend and he wasn't just going to let him be in pain because he was scaring him.

"Harry!" Ron shrieked, trying to pull his friend together.

But Harry just replied, in a voice so unlike his own. It was cold and malicious - it was Voldemort. He looked like he was there, fighting with himself, but at the same time in a trance. "Mudbloods shall die first!" And then the voice laughed and left. Harry just collapsed to the ground, unconcious.

A/N: And did you like that? No? Well more mysteries will come your way, I promise.;) Until then, keep reviewing. Thanks to those who have been! You keep me writing! :) Sorry for the delay... fanfiction had me on probation! But I've written two more chapters in addition to this one... review if you want me to put it up!