How Voldemort Made His Comeback

Aboard the Hogwarts Express

Thick rain pounded the windows of the train, wizarding weather. Another year had arrived, the buz over the death eater threats at the World Cup had died down. Harry listened to the bickering of his two best-friends, this was going to be a great year. He gained not one but two father figures last year -Remus and Sirius- who basically forced his remaining family -Dudley, Uncles Vernon, and Auntie Petunia- to give him his freedom. Having a convict and werewolf as uncles has it's advantages, life really can't get any better.

"Honestly Ron, did you do any of your homework over the summer?" Hermione scolded him for the 4th time, he always received this talk at the beginning of every year; it was comparable to a ritual. Every year... "No! You had plenty of time! 120 days! I am so disappointed in you, how do you plan on passing your O.W.L.'s? or N.E.W.T.'s?"

"'O one does their 'omework during 'ummer vacation 'Moine!" Ron attempted to explain his reasoning while stuffing his face with chocolate frogs. Every year... "Yes I had plenty of time, but I having fun. Something smart people don't do."

"Ronald! Are you implying that I don't have fun? I went to-" She stopping speaking and put a finger to her lips, a familiar voice approached their compartment.

"... Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know. And you know his opinion of Dumbledore, the man's such a Mud-blood lover - Durmstrang doesn't admit that sort of riffraff. But mother doesn't like me going to school so far away. Father says Durmstrang takes a more sensible line then Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not the defense rubbish we do..."

Hermione scowled slammed the compartment door shut, "He thinks Durmstrang would have suited him does he? I wish he had gone."

"Durmstrang is another wizarding school?" Harry stole a chocolate frog from Ron and took a peek at the card, Dumbledore. Always Dumbledore. "It sounds like a band name."

"Yes, it's got a horrible reputation according to An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe. I'm surprised it hasn't been shut down yet after what happened last year." She took in the blank looks on the boys faces, "Are you two living under a rock? According to the Daily Prophet, a group of students, ages 15-17, attempted to practice various Satanic and Dark Arts spells on other students. They had most of the teachers imperioed!"

"I think I've heard of it," Ron thought back to his father's ministry rants. "Where is it? What country?"

"Well, nobody knows, do they?" Hermione stated this obvious fact, "Durmstrang and Beauxbatons like to conceal their whereabouts so nobody can steal their secrets. But I think Durmstrang must be somewhere in the far north, they've got fur caps as part of their uniform."

Ron smiled dreamily, "Ah think of all the possibilities. It would have been so easy to 'accidentally' push Malfoy off a glacier."

"Shame his mother likes him." Harry chuckled, then returned his stare to the window. Rain continued to pour down endlessly, for some reason began to rethink his plans for a good year. Friends stopped by as the ride went on, Seamus, Dean, and most curiously Neville.

"Hey guys!" Neville popped in beaming at them and struggling to keep a grasp on his slimy toad, "Guess what?"

"What is it Neville?" Hermione looked up from The Standard Book of Spells: 4th year, seeming a bit annoyed at the pudgy boy's presence.

Harry shot her a little glare, Ron remained completely obvious to her rudeness.

"My grand transferred my cousin over to Hogwarts! You've got to meet him! He's-Nico?Nico!" Neville spun around in circles trying to find his cousin. "Oh my gods! I've lost him!" Then he dropped the toad. "No!"