Severus stayed a step behind the headmaster, not sure what the older wizard was going to do. As they neared the raging Centaurs, one of them raised a bow, shooting an arrow in their direction, narrowly missing both of them as it sliced through the air between them.

"YOU!" A loud voice called out causing both Dumbledore to stop, Severus bumping into him a second later. "You told this one to bring that evil into our forest!"

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at the angry Centuar, lowering his wand as he did so. "I have not meant for any harm to come to your people, Bane."

The Centaur trotted forward glaring down at the headmaster. "Your kind often says such things, when in fact they do not care what happens to others."

Albus shook his head. "That is not the case in this instance."

"Then explain this." Bane held out his hand and a small chain fell from his fingertips, landing in Dumbledore's palm.

"I will do so, once your people calm themselves and return to the forest. This has nothing to do with the school or my students. If you would allow me to accompany you, I will answer any questions you have, and if my answers on not satisfactory you may do with me as you wish."

"Headmaster!" Severus blinked at Dumbledore's words, seeing rage still flickering in Bane's eyes.

Bane motioned for the other Centaurs to return to the forest, then turned back to Dumbledore. "Very well. We accept your offer, but this bit of dark magic will remain here. It will not enter our forest again."

Dumbledore nodded in agreement as he reached out to take the necklace from Bane's grasp. He thrust it into Severus's hand, leaning in to whisper in the wizard's ear. "Our young friends will know what this is. Take it to them."

For a moment Snape stood gaping at the Headmaster, a dumbfounded expression on his face. Before he could speak up, Bane motioned for Dumbledore to follow him.

"Come with us."

Albus nodded one then turned back to Severus for a moment. "Return to the school. Daniel and his friends will be no doubt concerned. If you and Minerva would make them comfortable I would greatly appreciate it."

"But sir?" Snape raised a hand to protest, but the Headmaster shook his head and turned away, quickly following Bane back into the Forbidden Forest.

"Go, Severus. Please."

Reluctantly Severus began to walk back towards the school, stopping to cast a quick glance back at the forest just in time to see Dumbledore and the Centaurs disappearing inside the dense wood.

"What's going on?" Daniel called out as he and the others moved swiftly towards the Potion's Master, who looked ready to explode in rage. "Why did the Centaurs attack like that?"

Severus said nothing as he pushed past the three members of SG-1, storming back into the castle.

> > > >

With the potion now brewing his only task would be to assure that his master would be ready when the last ingredients were added to it. Sighing heavily Jack got to his feet, shaking off the tiredness that was threatening to overwhelm him. He was grateful that the combination of snake and spider venom was doing its job of keeping him sane. It was one of the rare times he was thankful for his knowledge of the dark arts. Most times he hated that he knew so much about them.

"Have you heard news from my servant at Hogwarts?" Voldemort's icy voice pierced his thoughts, forcing him to turn around from his spot in front of the steaming cauldron.

"Not since the first task was completed, Master."

"The second task begins in three days. You will travel to Hogwarts to see how young Potter fares."

Jack nodded in silent reply before turning back to his potion. With any luck this would be his chance. The next morning he left Voldemort and headed for Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He apparated to the Forbidden Forest surprised when he ran into Firenze as he made his way to the castle.

"What are you doing here, my friend? It is not safe for you kind to be so far in the forest, even if my kind considers you a friend."

Jack nodded at the Centaur. "I'm on my way to the school. What's wrong?"

"These are dark times, Corrigan. Hagrid was found bringing dark magic into the forest. Bane and the others have brought Dumbledore to stand trial for defiling our home."

"Crap!" The wizard hung his head. "He was only doing that because of me."

"What?" Firenze took a few steps closer to Jack, his displeasure obvious on his face.

"I sent a piece of the Star to Albus and asked him to keep it safe. The forest was the only logical place for him to put it."

"How could you ask such a thing? Bring that kind of evil into the forest?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "Where do you think I found it?"

> > > >

Anticipation of the second task was high, and the whole school was buzzing with excitement as the day drew nearer. Harry had all but given up on figuring out the egg's message. No matter what he'd done, he'd gotten no closer to deciphering what the egg's high pitched screeching meant. Finally, a curious comment suggestion from Cedric sent Harry to the prefect's bathroom where he sat confused in the huge tub waiting for the answer to come to him. It took a while but soon he was listening to the sound of a mermaid singing and once he'd heard the whole song he dressed quickly and returned to his dormitory.

Ron and Hermione were waiting when he returned, both with worried expressions of their faces. Harry was quick to question them, and they told him that Sirius's face had been popping in and out of the fire for an hour. Thankfully the common room was empty save for the three of them so they made their way to the fireplace, checking to see if Sirius was there again.

"Harry?" A familiar voice called out in a soft whisper that made the young wizard jump slightly.

"I'm here, Sirius."

"Good. Sorry to drop in like this, but I want you to meet me in Hogsmeade on your next visit."

Harry gasped not sure he'd heard right. "What?"

"Meet me near the Shrieking Shack. I can't talk much longer. I'll see you then. Good luck on your next task."

"Thanks. I'll need it." Harry shook his head ruefully as he thought of what the mersong suggested his next task would be.

Sirius's face blinked out of the fire and was gone before Harry could say more. He turned back to see Ron and Hermione waiting quietly behind him.

"This isn't going to be easy." He said as he clutched the golden egg to his chest, stepping away from the fire.

tbc...