Thanks for the reviews. Anyway, if anyone wants to look for the page in Order of the Phoenix where a locked locket is described, it's in page 116.

Here's chapter three. Enjoy. As always, read and review!

CHAPTER THREE

THE RETURN OF A DEATH EATER

Months went by and the news of the Muggle Minister's death was still widely talked about. Elections were going around and the Muggle community was all in chaos. The magic world, though, remained still. The Minister of Magic was, as always, very busy thinking about the future of Hogwarts. Five days before September first though, owls were delivered to every student, informing them that Hogwarts was to remain open.

"So Harry," said Hermione on the morning of September first. "You still think that you're not going to school? You told us before 6th year ended that you're not going to school anymore."

"Well" started Harry as Ron stared, waiting for an answer. Apparently, Ron has been dying to ask Harry the same thing. "I have decided that I will still continue studying. I mean Dumbledore said that the Horcruxes were related to the founders of the school so where can I get information about them? At the school they build of course, so I am going."

"Good to hear that, mate" said Ron cheerfully as he stuffed his second hand books inside his trunk.

Harry was still Quidditch Captain of course, but was now a prefect, too. Ron and Hermione though, have been promoted to Head Boy and Girl. Their badges gleamed as they put on their robes. They finally went down the stairs and ate some breakfast.

"So, can you darlings assure me that all of you can apparate properly?" asked Mrs. Weasley as she sipped her tea. "I have no problems with Hermione since she passed the Apparition test but Ron, well, you Ron…"

"Mum," replied Ron. "I know how to apparate. I didn't pass because of a stinking eyebrow. Half an eyebrow, mum."

"Well, we can't be too sure. And Harry's not taken the test yet."

"I know how to Apparate," said Harry weakly. "I apparated Dumbledore out of the cave before he, before he…"

"Well dear, if you say so. Now finish your toast so we can all say our goodbyes."

Soon, the clock read ten thirty so Harry, Ron, and Hermione said their goodbyes. Ginny, of course, was to use the car since she was still unable to apparate. After the many hugs and kisses, the three concentrated hard. A familiar uncomfortable sensation flooded their bodies as Harry, Ron, and Hermione started to apparate. Moments later, they arrived at platform 9 ¾ with the Hogwarts Express greeting them with its billowing steam.

They scrambled onto the train and went to the same compartment. Harry was pleased about this since before, Ron and Hermione had to sit in the prefect's compartment, leaving him alone. Now that he was a prefect, he also gets to sit in the front compartment with the other prefects and the Head Boy and Girl.

As they settled down, they closed the compartment door.

"I'm so glad we're in the same compartment now" said Harry.

"Yeah. I was thinking the same" replied Hermione. "But we have a job. We need to be making rounds. So, well, let's wait till everyone is aboard. I mean it's still early. 10:45am"

Soon enough, the train was full and ready to go. Eleven o'clock struck the clock and on went the Hogwarts Express. Hermione and Ron were now in the center of the Gryffindor prefects' compartment, briefing the Gryffindor prefects on their job. What was nice though, was that Ginny was now a prefect, too.

The prefects roamed around the train with their gleaming badges as the lunch trolley rolled along the train corridor. Harry and Ron walked together, which Hermione disagreed on, and were trying to see Crabbe and Goyle who were now without a master since Draco fled with Snape and the other Death Eaters months ago.

They approached the compartment Draco and his cronies frequently occupied and opened the door. They saw Goyle along with Crabbe. What surprised them though, was that Draco was there.

"What! Potter!" said Draco menacingly.

"Oh nothing, nothing. We were just checking you guys up" said Potter.

"Oh, I bet you were wishing I wasn't going back to school, were you?"

"Obviously!"

"Well, disappointed, are you? Now, go away!"

"He's a prefect now, Malfoy" hissed Ron. "So watch your mouth!"

Malfoy just sniggered and then turned to Crabbe and whispered something. Ron and Harry just ignored it and left them. Night draped its darkness upon the sky when the train stopped at Hogsmeade station. They all went out of the Hogwarts Express and rode on the threstral-drawn carriages that went zooming off to Hogwarts Castle. Once they arrived at Hogwarts, they sat comfortably on their own house tables in the Great Hall and stared at the new line up of teachers sitting by the staff table.

"May I have your attention please?" said McGonagall, who was now sitting in Dumbleodre's seat. This was, of course, expected as she was Deputy Headmistress when Dumbledore was alive. "Before the sorting begins, I need to speak about some matters that will take effect this school year."

Everyone went silent. They were all busy staring at their new headmaster. Even the drenched first years, fresh from the Black Lake, stood fixated at McGonagall.

"Due to recent events" started McGonagall, now standing up. "We will be having a new line-up of professors. For one, I am now going to be Headmistress. Of course, I am still Gryffindor's Head-of-House."

The Gryffindor students beamed when they heard this. They did wonder before on who was to replace her when she becomes headmistress. This news was certainly good for most of the Gryffindors. The Slytherin table looked disappointed though. The idea of having the headmistress as the Head-of-House of the house they so hated was not good news for them.

"Professor Slughorn has consented to fill the post of Slytherin Head-of-House" continued McGonagall. "Also, we have a new professor joining us for this year. He has joined us three years ago but then resigned, actually. Now, we are happy to welcome back Professor Remus Lupin, who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Everyone was caught off guard when McGonagall said this. All clapped with fervor since Lupin has become quite a legend with the students.

"Deputy Headmaster will now be, Professor Filius Flitwick. With that said, let the sorting begin. One more thing, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, please see me now."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other with questioning looks as they walked towards the staff table. McGonagall met them there and walked them upstairs as the sorting was proceeding in the Great Hall. They went up towards the Headmaster's office and sat on a red couch once they were inside.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, I need to speak with you urgently. This is not school related but I believe you must now this immediately," said McGonagall.

"What is it, headmaster?" asked Hermione, apparently caught in suspense.

"Well, this may come a wee bit of a shock. Follow me. And please, when you see him, control yourselves."

They stood up and walked again towards the backroom of the headmaster's office. There, a smaller room stood, apparently used for storage. Once McGonagall opened the door, the sight that greeted them left them speechless.

There, standing inside the room, dressed in black, with familiar curtain-like hair framing a pale face, was Severus Snape.

END OF CHAPTER THREE