Nothing had changed. The structure remained the same, though still not entirely predictable. Classes were still run in their strict schedule, house points awarded and deducted in the same fashion, and the end of the year feast was still the moment most looked forward to. Quidditch was still the excitement of the hallways, where students argued about which teams would crush their opponents. And once again, there was a war to be fought.

Eliza stood in front of the familiar gargoyle as memories flooded her consciousness. There were many happy moments. Friends, feasts, and trips to Hogsmede would always be remembered with smiles. But there were also struggles. Her first time at Hogwarts had been in a time of peace, but she had had inner struggles to come to terms with. Could she control herself? Why make friends if you could never see them again? It had been hard to walk away, to disappear after graduation. But then the war began, and she was called back. They needed her help, and she was happy to give it. That was the year she met him. That wonderful, horrible, snarky, brilliant, obnoxious, man. But there would be time for reminiscing later.

The password, just like everything else, was the same. She smiled, despite the grim circumstances. He was expecting her, and he too had bleak eyes hidden behind his smile.

"Good afternoon, Miss Parker," Albus began, rising from his seat. "I truly appreciate you coming."

"I'm happy to help, Professor. The protection of these children is of the utmost importance. Anyway I can help, I offer my service," she assured him. "Although, I am sorry I could not come last year. I hated to disappoint you, but the circumstances-"

"I understand completely," he cut her off, "With Dolores around, it would have been far too risky for you." She nodded and let him continue. "But we find ourselves in a very difficult situation, and I may find myself- unable to protect the students," he said with a sigh," at any given moment."

"May I inquire about your health professor?" she asked hesitantly. She was aware of his condition, for he had disclosed to her some of the facts in their prior meeting. They could only meet for a few moments, afraid of discovery, but in that time he had shared the dark curse that had weakened him, and a terrible event that took place between Severus and Mrs. Malfoy. She had shuddered involuntarily at the sound of his name, but Albus had pretended not to notice.

"It is spreading at a slower pace now, but there is no stopping it," he informed her, his head dropping a moment, but he hastily brought it back up. "And while we are on the subject of bad news, how are you coping, dear Elizabeth?"

"I knew the day would come sooner or later," Eliza replied, shifting uncomfortably. She really did not want to discuss her mother's death at the moment. Even though you learn to prepare yourself, it does not make the pain any easier. "At least it came peacefully in her sleep. I am grateful for that."

"Please sit," he said motioning towards the chair in front of his desk. He took his seat behind the desk, and clasped his hands. She did as she was bade, and plopped down in the familiar seat. "Shall would work out some of the details then?"

"Indeed," she agreed. "Who is privy to what information?" Eliza inquired, hoping he didn't hear the desperation in this question.

"Well Minerva knows almost all," he said matter-of-factly. "About you and myself. The only thing she does not know about it the vow. I saw no reason to add more anxiety."

"Is she still the only teacher who knows about me?" Eliza questioned. Oh please let the answer be yes, she silently begged.

"That is accurate," he assured her, "However, it really is only a matter of time before Severus shall figure out something is not quite right. He is more involved than anyone else, and I would bet he will question your return."

"But he is not supposed to know its me!" she exclaimed, mouth open in shock.

"Elizabeth, you can alter your name, and change your hair color, but you still look enough like yourself for him to question the resemblance. And I would not be surprised if the feelings-"

"Professor, I would seriously like to change the course of this conversation, if you don't mind," she interrupted. "My goal here is not to reopen doors that were shut long ago. I just want to be here in case there is an attack."

"All right," Dumbledore smiled faintly. "Lets start with a name, what did you decide?"

"Eliza," she blurted at once. "He knew me as Bethany, and if I was smart, I would pick another name altogether."

"Like I said, you can change your hair and your name but-"

"Let's talk about basics professor," she interrupted, feeling slightly annoyed. What year am I started out? I feel that I look a bit old for sixteen, wouldn't you say?"

"Its true, I would mark you at nineteen or twenty, but we don't really have a choice. I would like you as close to Harry and Draco as possible. Sixth year it will have to be. We can always make your birthday in September, to give you a little more advance in your age."

"Ok, Sixth year. Am I another transfer student then?"

"It seems the only way," he frowned. This seemed almost exactly like last time. Albus hoped no one would become suspicious. There were only a few teachers still around from that time, but he knew how important anonymity was to Elizabeth. "And I shall have to make sure the hat puts you in Slytherin," he added.

"Slytherin!" she spat. "Why? Wouldn't it make more sense to put me somewhere under the radar, like Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw?"

"Well you have already been in Gryffindor, and Ravenclaw," he said laughing," and lets face it, you said yourself that you made a questionable Ravenclaw. Didn't you finish last in your class?"

"Fine not Ravenclaw," she huffed, now more than a little offended," But why Slytheirn?"

"I need you to be a spy among your peers. I need you as close to Draco as possible to find out what his plans are. And anything you can get from his friends will be a plus."

"Well I don't particularly like having Severus as a head of house, but I will deal with it."

"There is a young woman, Pansy Parkinson, who is a particular favorite with Draco. I will make sure you end up her roommate," he continued, ignoring her last statement.

"Parkinson? I know that name," Eliza tried to remember. "Didn't I go to school with a Parkinson?"

"Her second cousin, I believe."

"Oh wow, she was horrid unpleasant, I remember that much," Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. Dumbledore only smiled, revealing that Eliza was not very far off on her assumption of what the present Parkinson would be like.

"Well, once again, I appreciate you coming. I will see you at the start of the year feast?" Albus questioned.

"You will, Professor," Eliza took her leave. I will see you, and the very man I have spent the last fifteen years avoiding.