1AN: Thank you rachel and Miss-Militia for your reviews.

I just want to tell those who are reading my story that it is only here to help better my writing skills. Hopefully soon I will be able to come back to this story and make it much better than what it is now.

Chapter Three: A Missing Slot

Harry and Ron found a few empty seats in the middle of the Gryffindor table. Saving a seat for Hermione, they stacked their plates high with an abundance of food and filled their glasses from a pitcher of butterbeer. Dean, Seamus and Neville were arguing over Muggle and Wizarding sports to Harry's left while Lavender and Parvati were gossiping animatedly about the current couples further down the table to Ron's left. Ginny and some of her year-mates, across from Dean, were talking about the upcoming Quidditch tryouts.

Over at the Hufflepuff table, many of the students were subdued due to the recent death of one of their House mates during the Triwizard Tournament that took place last year. Harry still felt the guilt of Cedric Diggory's death. Ravenclaw, studious as ever, were currently arguing over an obscure charm that Harry had never heard and only Hermione would know where to find information on it. Cho Chang, girlfriend to the late Cedric, briefly glanced up at Harry with tears threatening to spill from her eyes. Obviously she was still in mourning. Over at the Slytherin table, Malfoy smirked smugly in Harry's direction.

I wonder what he is up to now, the Boy-Who-Lived though glumly.

Up at the staff table sat the professors. Most were in deep discussion with one of their colleagues with a few sharp glances to ensure that students weren't causing trouble. Professor McGonagall, professor of Transfiguration, appeared to be berating Hagrid about something as the half-giant sat quietly, looking like a first year being lectured. Apparently she wasn't too happy about the new magical creature Hagrid brought for his lessons earlier that day. Green eyes met black and Snape sneered at Harry before glancing back at the Slytherins.

"Ron, do you reckon we'll ever get a DADA professor?" asked Harry.

"Don't know, mate. I heard one of the teachers whispering about how hard of a time Dumbledore is having with finding someone to fill the position. Maybe people are too scared of the curse on the job," Ron replied.

Suddenly Hermione appeared in front of Ron and Harry, taking her seat beside Ginny.

"Hey, Mione," Harry greeted. "What was so important that had you rushing off to the library before anyone could say Quidditch?"

"I'll tell you later. I haven't been able to find all of the information that I need. When I do, you two will be the first I tell."

The two boys nodded knowing that their knowledgeable friend would drag them off to a private corner after she finished scouring the library for every scrap of information on whatever had caught her interest. All they could hope for was that it wasn't something along the lines of S.P.E.W.

"Well, we better get going. We don't want to be late for Charms, now do we?" Hermione said while grabbing her knapsack and swinging it over her shoulder.

Ron groaned and Harry rolled his eyes at the busy-haired girl's enthusiasm for lessons.

Under watchful, hooded silver eyes, the Golden Trio left the Great Hall for the Charms classroom.

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He reminds me so much of her. He shares those same sparkling emerald eyes as my dearest. Oh love of my heart, my Silvia, how I wished you still graced me with your heavenly presence.

This talk of not being able to find a credible person for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position is the best way to get closer to the boy. I will have to get false but believable credentials without arousing suspicion from the old fool that claims to be a Headmaster of this school. A trip to Knockturn Alley will hold the answer to that particular problem.

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Later that night, under the light of a waning moon, a black-cloaked figure stumbled out of the Forbidden Forest and staggered to Hagrid's hut. Raising a trembling and bloody fist, the figure knocked sharply upon the old oaken door. Fang barked before the half-giant commanded silence from the dog. Warm light greeted the visitor as a shocked Hagrid opened the door.

"G-get . . . A-A-Albus," gasped the pale-faced man before collapsing at the half-giant's feet.

"Professor Snape!" Hagrid cried out, worry tinging his booming voice. "Hold on, Professor. I'll get yer ter Pomfrey real quick. Just hold on a bit longer."

Hagrid gently cradled Snape's broken and bloody body to his chest, and left for the Hospital Wing as swiftly as he could without aggravating the Potions Master's wounds any further.

AN: Sorry to leave it like that. I am still working on the next chapter. Anyone know any good names for an alias name for Salazar? Thanks for reading. Review please.