The Return, chapter 2, written by Keeperoliver.

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Once they had got to the Common Room, Hermione and Harry pulled Ginny of to the side to talk to her. Harry did not like this weak Ginny. He was used to the strong vibrant Ginny that he loved. She was always able to bring a laugh to Harry, even in the most serious of moments. The Ginny he was looking at now, was not the Ginny he knew.

"Ginny, what is the matter? You are not one to cringe at a simple thing like a sorting. What has got you so upset?"

"Harry. Hermione, Weasleys have always been in Gryffindor, for as far back as we can remember. My family must be so disappointed in me for failing to keep up the tradition."

Hermione stepped in, "Ginny, does your Mother love you?"

"Of course Hermione. Why would you even ask that?"

"Well then, does your Father love you?"

"Hermione, what are you trying to get at? you know my family loves me. My mom, dad, and brothers. Why are you even asking me this?"

"Because you seem to be forgetting it. They love you. Why would something as silly as a sorting change that. The house you are in is just that, a house, not a home. It is a place to stay while you are away from Home. You were not put here to upset your family, you were put here because you are smart. You like to learn and are very diligent in your studies. Those are Ravenclaw traits, not Gryffindor. It is not saying you aren't brave or adventurous, it is saying you find learning your main objective. Now, why don't you write a letter to your mom, telling her where you were sorted, and that you are with friends. I am sure she will understand, as will your dad."

"Thanks Hermione, Harry for understanding my dilema, and helping me through it. Ya, I think I will write them a letter."

TR-}

Breakfast the next morning had been a bit unnerving to Harry, as he felt several probes to his thoughts. Successfully blocking them, he looked to see who had attempted them. He saw Professor Dumbledore looking at him with curiosity, a raven haired Professor looking at him with concern, and a turbined Professor looking at him with distaste. Around the turbined professor was a black aura, with a gray aura, less prominent. He wondered about that, as it meant two different individuals were fighting for dominance. Who was the second soul, and who was was the real Professor. He asked one of the other students, "Cho, who is that Professor with the turbin?"

'Oh, that would be Professor Quirrell, our DADA Professor. He is kind of creepy, talks like he is scared of his own shadow. I can't understand how he became the DADA instructor. He was the Astronomy instructor last year. Why do you ask, Harry?"

"I don't know, he just keeps looking at me kind of weird is all."

He filed this away for later, for further investigation. He, Hermione and Ginny prepared for their first class, as Professor Flitwick brought around their schedules. Potions first thing with Professor Snape. They would be sharing the class, and all of their classes with Hufflepuff.

They walked down to the dungeons, and found the Potions classroom, with no trouble. They waited, as the door was closed. Soon more students arrived, and the door was opened by The Professor.

Harry sat, with Hermione on one side of him, and Ginny on the other. As the Professor was taking attendence, he came to Harry's name. "So our new celebrity has finally decided to grace us with his presence. Mr. Potter, you will not be given a free ride in my class, just because of your hero status. You will work hard for your grade, and will be marked according to your achievements. Is that understood?"

"Yes Professor."

"Good, now lets get started. As you can see on the board, I have the ingredients for a boil removing potion. Let us see what kind of a class this is going to be. You will work in pairs, and will only talk with your partner. Now begin."

Ginny paired with Harry, and Hermione paired with Michael Corner. By the end of the class, every one had completed their potions, and Professor Snape was impressed by the results. "Well, it looks like I finally found a class that is not filled with Dunderheads. Since you all did so well, their will be no Homework for this evening. Class dismissed."

They had been released 10 minutes early for their next class. Michael had told Hermione thank you for pairing with him, as he was unsure of the reaction of some of the ingredients. She said it was fine, and continued on to her next class with Harry and Ginny. Transfiiguration with Professor McGonagall.

The day went well, with the three getting praises from all of their Professors, except for DADA. It seemed that the Professors distaste spilled over onto the other students, as well as Harry.

After dinner, Harry and the girls headed for the Library, to complete their homework. It took about twenty minutes, as all they had was Transfiguration, and it was really simple. Then Harry brought up his concern for the DADA instructor. "Ginny, Hermione, Did either of you find Professor Quirrell kind of strange. And did either of you see the two distinct auras surrounding him. A small amount of gray being surrounded by a larger amount of black?"

Ginny answered back, "Yes, I did, and I was going to bring it up to you two. He doesn't seem very pleasent, does he?"

"Did you also notice how he is particularly upset with Harry? Why should he be that angry at a person he doesn't even know?" Hermione was in her curious mode.

"I don't know, but at breakfast, I felt three distinct probes, trying to enter my mind. Professor Dumbledore was testing my shields, as was Professor Snape, But Professor Quirrell attacked my mind with force, and was thrown out with just as much violence. That may be why he doesn't like me very well." Harry added.

"It could be, Harry, but I think there is more to Professor Quirrell than meets the eye. Perhaps we should talk to Professor Dumbledore, and let him know of our feelings?"

"I think you are right Hermione. "Ginny put in, "We need to let him know, before we go any further, in case something happens."

So they headed for the Headmasters office, and the gargoyle styanding guard there, moved out of the way, as soon as they approached. Harry was curious about that. Can't be much of a guard, if he lets people just walk right up and enter with out questioning them.

They climbed the steps, and the door opened as they approached it. Again Harry questioned the security of the Headmasters office.

As they entered the office, Professor had them all sit. "Well it is not often that I have students visit me after the first day of class, but I am happy for the chance to talk with you."

Harry was about to say something, when Hermione shouted out, "STUPIFY!"

Harry looked at her, as she got up, and reached down to pick up a rat by his tail.

All three looked at the rat, and knew immediately, what it was.

Hermione conjured up a cage, and placed the rat in it, with a secured charm, that prevented the rat from changing, and escaping.

Harry thought on it for a minute, and knew what was going on. Professor Dumbledore saw Harry looking contemplative, and asked. "Harry, is something bothering you? As big as Hogwarts is, it is hard to keep down the vermin, as much as we would like to."

"That's not it Professor. This particular rat is not just any rat, but an Animagus. Peter Pettigrew to be exact. If you will notice, he is missing a patches of hair all over his body. That was because of a prank that Sirius pulled on him back in their fouth year. He was the secret keeper for my parents, and is the cause of my father's death. I think he is in league with another person in the school, trying to gather information. I also think I know who the other individual is. Professor Quirrell."

"Harry, that is quite a drastic charge you are making about a Professor, can you tell me why you would be making it?"

"Yes sir, this morning, I felt the attempts to probe my mind by you and Professor Snape, testing my shields, but, I also felt someone attacking my shield with force, and threw him out with the same force he tried to attack me with. Professor Quirrell was that other Person, and he was quite upset with me for that, and did not mind letting me know in class today."

"I see. And that is why you are here this evening, to tell me this?"

Ginny answered this, "Yes sir, as we all saw the same thing as Harry. He had a dual Aura. A small gray one, surrouding a larger black one. I know you are familiar with auras. The black one being dominant, show the evil intent this person has. There are two souls hidden inside of Professor Quirrell, and the evil one is taking over."

"And Miss Granger, what alerted you to this rat being in my office?"

"I saw a black aura coming from a corner, and then saw the rat trying to escape. I stunned him to prevent this."

"Excellent, all three of you are becoming quite the team. I believe that you being chosen as the golden ones was the correct choice. I want you all to know that I was aware of of Professor Quirrell's dual aura, and was trying to figure out what his game was. I felt the best way to keep an eye on him, was to keep him near to watch him. I have Professor Snape keeping a close eye on him. Do you have any thoughts on how we could force his hand?"

Hermione was in in her brilliance mode, "Yes sir, I do. Suppose we give him something to go after. Something so powerful, he couldn't pass it up. But we have to protect it, to make sure he knows of it's importance. If we could get him to after this, he would be tipping his hand, and giving us cause to capture him."

"You three are amazing me with your constant ability to come up with these brilliant ideas. How do we let him know about this item you speak of?"

"Well, that is your part of the plan Professor. We just come up with the map, you have to figure the best route." Harry stated. "But what are we going to do with this rat? I know a certain Dog and Wolf who would like to get their hands on him."

"Yes, I am sure you do, however, I don't think that would be a good idea, as he could prove to be useful. For right now, I believe he needs to be kept in a secure place with no hope of escaping. Fawkes, would you mind playing guard to this poor creature. I fear he may become lonesome, if left alone too long?"

Fawkes gave a soft sounding shrill, which probably only Albus knew what it meant.

"Thank you my friend." And Peter was now sleeping at the bottom of Fawkes cage, with Fawkes sitting on the top, peering down inside of it looking menacing.

"Now, is there anything else I can do for you? It is quite late, and I don't want you to get into any trouble with Mr. Filch."

"I think that's it for now Professor Dumbledore. We should probably heading for our common room. Oh, would you please find out how Mr. and Mrs. Weasley feel about Ginny's sorting. She was worried about that last night, and I don't think she slept too well."

"I forgot to tell you, in all the other thoughts we were having. Molly flooed me this morning, and told me to tell Ginny that her being in Ravenclaw was absolutely Brilliant. She would have figured that Percy would have been the one to break the tradition. She told me to tell you that her and Arthur are very proud of you."

It looked like a 100 lb. weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Ginny thanked the Professor, and the three left, to return to their common room.