Author's Note: I want to thank you guys for my first review. Thank you so much (You know who you are, pm me if you are ok with me putting your name here). Also I feel like this is just the very end of the first act sort of prelogue of my story. We are about to dive into the real action very soon. Follows, reviews and favs are always appreciated. They really help motivate me so much to get chapters out that much quicker! Anyways, enjoy your irregularly unscheduled programming folks!

"You have once again managed to create an uproar before making it to the gates of Hogwarts, Potter. Is a regular train ride getting too tame for your celebrity?" Snape stated in a cold, calculated fashion as if trying to draw a reaction from Harry who stared back into Snape's eyes with pure hatred.

"Where the hell are Malfoy and the others? They're the ones that started it!" Harry retorted, his feelings starting to get heated again.

"Language Potter!" warned Snape, ignoring Harry's question before curtly turning around and walking towards the carriages.

Harry made to say something but Ron put a hand on his shoulder.

"Play the game mate. We can't keep losing our heads. You know Snape would use anything you say or do to make our punishment worse." he whispered to Harry as the two started to make their way, following their professor.

They were forced to walk briskly to keep up with the potions master who kept a quick pace. The moonlight shining down on Hogsmeade made the shadows dance around them and made the man they were following look like a bat wading his way through the night. All the horseless carriages had departed to take the students back to Hogwarts, all except two. Harry and Ron made their way inside. Snape made a strange motion in the air in front of the carriage as if petting an invisible horse before making his way inside. To say the ride to Hogwarts was uncomfortable in the presence of this particular professor would have been a gruesome understatement.

*HPTOR*

Cedric Diggory had enough on his mind as it was without having to deal with this juvenile house rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin. He reflected on his day, first having to stop a fight and dealing with the crowd on the train. Then questioning the culprits before reporting back to Hogwarts and if all that wasn't enough work, he had to babysit the boys on the train and escort the Slytherins from the train to Dumbledore's office. What a troublesome day. He had missed the majority of the feast but thankfully Professor Snape had relieved him of his prefect duties for the night so he made his way to the kitchens to fill up.

On his trek to the kitchen, the torch lit corridors flickered back and forth with shadows as Cedric was buried in his own thoughts. He reminded himself of his main objective for this year. The Triwizard Tournament. His father was the one who had told him about the event and the glory that accompanied the school champions. Cedric was not the type of person who would want to win a tournament for adulation or for whatever prize they would be offering, maybe that was why he was in HufflePuff. The reason he had wanted to participate however was because despite his carefree personality, behind his laid back nature and Hufflepuff friendliness and charm, he had a desire. A desire to make his papa proud.

*HPTOR*

Weasley, Potter, Crabbe, Goyle, Malfoy and Carson. The boys all sat silently in Dumbledore's office awaiting the arrival of the Headmaster who was currently at the feast. Severus Snape sat at Dumbledore's desk, flipping through what looked like a book on potions, though he didn't seem very interested in the contents.

The Slytherins had arrived a couple minutes prior, being escorted by Diggory who looked very tired. Everyone in the room now sat in silence, no one daring to make a sound and possibly pissing off the professor in the room. Harry noticed that Carson had his nose healed, probably by Diggory, though there was still a good amount of dried blood he hadn't bothered to clean off his face. He actually looked somewhat bored sitting there. Harry saw him look up at Draco and give him a smirk as Draco shook his head and smirked back. This made no sense whatsoever in Harry's mind and apparently Ron was thinking the same thing as he also looked very interested in the mannerisms of the four boys sitting across from them. Well maybe only two of them, Crabbe and Goyle couldn't really be described as complex or interesting creatures when being observed as they just sat there, grunting every so often.

The sound of the gargoyle spinning to let someone in startled all the boys in the room. Their eyes darted up to see Dumbledore entering his office. Carson in particular stiffened up as if raising his guard.

"Good evening gentleman" he said as his eyes swept around the room, seeing the boys who had been involved in the incident on the train.

"I shall take my leave then, Headmaster?" it was Snape who had put his book back in his robes and was now standing.

"Very well Severus...oh and if you are ever in need of some relaxing music, might I suggest 'Rondo in A Mirror', it really is quite a beautiful muggle piece." his eyes twinkled as he made this bizarre suggestion.

If Snape was confused by what the Headmaster suggested like the boys were, he didn't show it. He nodded before sweeping out of the room, his robes billowing in his wake.

"Now then gentleman.." Dumbledore stated as he took a seat at his desk, facing the six boys.

"I have been made aware of the unfortunate happenings on the train..." he continued.

Harry and Ron looked down at their feet, not wanting to face the Headmaster. They could tell that Dumbledore was disappointed with them. Even though Malfoy had egged them on and was pretty much asking for an ass-kicking, they should have handled the situation differently.

"I think that perhaps it would benefit each one of you tremendously to spend some more time in the presence of your rivals."

"What!?" it was Malfoy who had retorted in concern, but it was a concern they all shared.

What the hell was Dumbledore talking about. They were going to have to spend detentions together weren't they. Dammit, this year was getting off to a terrible start.

Dumbledore cleared his throat with a small cough and Malfoy seemed to take the hint, sitting back down.

"Now then, you shall all be informed of when your first meeting will be for, how shall I say, your first task as a group." he finished.

Everyone raised an eyebrow in a confused manner. They were getting some sort of detention and that was it? No lecture, no other repercussions?

"That's it professor?"

"Yes Harry, that will be all."

"I don't understand sir"

"Take the words of a wise old fool how you may Harry, but sometimes understanding something is what makes us most confused."

Ron and Harry stared at Dumbledore in shock while Malfoy and the twin boulders snorted, though Malfoy tried to pass it for a violent cough when he caught the eye of the Headmaster.

"Sir."

"Yes Frode?"

It was the first time the boy had spoken since entering the room. Now he had everyone's attention.

"Is this punishment we face supposed to act as some sort of catalyst for the greater good?" Carson asked, emphasizing the last part.

A smile formed on Dumbledore's face as he made an almost thoughtful expression for a second before replying.

"No, I would say not."

"You're crazy old man" Carson retorted. An almost angry expression on his face now.

Harry, Ron and Malfoy stared at the situation unfolding in front of them. What in the world was happening. How was Frode talking this way to the Headmaster. Harry almost thought Dumbedore was about to snap.

"So I've been told, Frode, so I've been told.." Dumbledore chuckled, stroking his lengthy white beard.

"Now, I know it is late and you must all be starved. So make your way to the great hall and off to bed right after. I'm sure there is a great deal your friends would love to share with you in the morning."

And with that, the boys were dismissed. Carson and the Slytherin pack quickly made their way to the great hall. Harry could see Carson lean over and whisper something in Malfoy's ear.

"Well, Dumbledore may have lost his marbles, but he is right about one thing." Ron said.

"Ya, and what's that?"

"I'm starving" he said, as he threw an arm around his best mate and they walked towards the great hall.