As they exited the baggage claim area they were stunned to see Severus Snape walking towards them. He was wearing jeans, black sneakers, and a ragged looking muggle t-shirt that read "Do I look like I work here!" Even Teal'c had to raise an eyebrow at the strange sight as the wizard approached them sneering in the welcoming way only Snape could do.

"Jack gave me this thing years ago. It's the first chance I've had to wear it." Daniel bit his cheek trying not to laugh as Snape pointed to his shirt.

"It's a great look for you." Carter couldn't help the giggle that escaped her as she spoke.

Groaning Severus nodded. "I'll change before we get to the school."

"We're just used to seeing you in your normal clothes. This is…different." Always the diplomat, Daniel tried to smooth things over as Snape shrugged his shoulders, leading them out of the airport and to the parking lot.

They stopped in front of a silver Honda and Snape pulled out a set of keys, quickly unlocking the trunk.

"Nice car." Sam inspected the vehicle with jealous eyes.

"Glad you approve. Care to give her a go?" Snape jingled the keys at Sam, who smiled as she gleefully reached for them.

"Just tell me which way I'm going."

Daniel glanced at Teal'c with a worried look on his face as both men watched the eager major slip into the driver's seat, Snape sitting beside her in the front.

"Just follow the signs leading out of the airport and I'll guide you once we get on the main road."

She buckled up then slid the car into reverse, backing slowly out of the parking space.

> > > >

He knelt in front of the dais in the center of the room. His strength was waning, but he struggled to stay upright as he focused his energy on the creature before him. Finally, he succumbed to the darkness threatening to overtake him and let himself fall to the floor.

"Help him, Nagini!" A hoarse voice called from the dais, just as a large snake slithered out from the shadows of the room.

The snake coiled itself around the fallen man's arm, then sank her tear into his warm flesh. A few minutes later he awoke, the snake several yards away, and the creature still planted on the dais.

"Master! Are you alright?" He called out as he fought to sit up.

"I am well, my child."

Getting to his feet, he moved towards the voice, cradling the creature in his arms. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm so out of practice with this sort of magic."

The creature shook his head. "You've done well. Rest up a bit, then we can continue with the potion we will need. We must hurry or it will not be ready in time."

"I don't need the rest, Master." He protested.

"Of course you do. Nagini can care for me while you rest. I want you well, so that you can complete our task."

Nodding he laid the creature beside the snake and turned to leave. He cast one last glance at the pair before he walked out the door, and his only thought was that the two seemed like perfect mates.

> > > >

Snape called for Sam to pull the car over at a small cottage just outside of Ealing. Carter was reluctant to stop, as she was having so much fun, but Snape's expression brooked no argument, and the major did as she was told.

"Let's gather your things and get inside quickly." Snape looked flustered as he ushered the teammates into the small house, swiftly closing the door behind them.

His pulled his wand from his jeans pocket tapped it against a candle on a table in the center of the room, whispering a word the others couldn't quite make out. The candle lit and the room was filled a soft light.

"What is this place?" Daniel asked as he curiously explored the small living area.

Pictures were hung about the walls, a piano filled up the far right corner of the room, and a there was a huge fireplace a few feet from it, the mantle covered with photographs and knickknacks. Some of the faces in the pictures seemed vaguely familiar, but the archeologist couldn't quite place them.

"Don't have time to explain. Dumbledore is waiting for you." Hurrying to towards the fireplace, Severus motioned for them to follow him. "You remember how this works, right?"

Daniel quickly nodded as a handful of gray powder was placed in his hand. "Where are we going?"

"Dumbledore's office. Come on. We haven't got all day." Snape shook his head furiously waiting for Daniel to step into the fireplace.

A moment later Daniel stepped inside, threw the floo powder to the floor of the fireplace and shouted 'Dumbledore's Office,' and the others watched as he was swallowed by a green flame. Severus quickly assisted the other two muggles then flicked out the candle wick with his wand and followed after them.

> > > >

The second task was fast approaching and he had no idea what was going on. As he thought about it, it seemed logical that someone was trying to kill him, but he wasn't sure who. Voldemort was the likely possibility, but there was no way he could be on the school grounds without Dumbldore knowing so, that begged the question who had put his name in the goblet.

Obviously, someone working for Voldemort had to be in the school, though he had no idea who it could be. Instinctively, he wanted to say it was Snape, but Harry knew that Dumbledore trusted the potions master, even if he didn't like the greasy git. Sighing heavily he leaned back against the pillows on his bed, the egg he'd received after the first task in his lap.

"What are you telling me?" Harry opened the egg and the loud warbling sound echoed through the room.

He was quick to shut the egg and grateful that no one else was in the room to see the defeated look on his face as he slammed it shut and tossed it to the end of the bed.

"I don't get it!"

A moment later he saw a familiar creature flying towards the window. He opened it to allow Hedwig entrance. The large owl swooped down, landing on Harry's arm and dropping an envelope in his owner's hand. Smiling Harry reached out rubbing Hedwig's beak and pulled out a cracker from his pocket, letting her nibble at it once she'd hopped off of him.

While the owl ate the cracker Harry set out to open the envelope. To his surprise it was a letter from Remus.

Harry,

I recently heard of your entrance into the triwizard tournament. I do hope you're being extra careful. Dumbledore said you did rather splendidly in the first task. I hope this letter finds you well. I haven't had much time to write as of late, but will do my best to keep in touch more often. Also, Sirius asked me to let you know that he should be sending an owl your way in a few days. I'm afraid I haven't time to write more. I'll write again soon. Take care.

Sincerely,

Remus Lupin

tbc...