"Keep your wands at the ready," said Dumbledore as we walked own Privet Drive.
"I thought we weren't allowed to use outside of school," said Harry.
"If there is a attack-" said Dumbledore. "I give you permission to use any jinx or counter-jinx that comes to mind. However, I do not think there will be an attack tonight," said Dumbledore.

"Why not, sir?"

"You are with me, this will do-" said Dumbledore as he abruptly stopped at the end of Privet Drive.

"You have not, of course, passed your apparation tests, I assume," said Dumbledore.

"No, I thought you had to be seventeen?" Said Harry.

"You do, so Harry grip onto my arm very tightly- my left arm if you don't mind, as you have noticed, My wand arm is a little fragile at the moment," he said. Harry grabbed his arm and then Dumbledore gestured for me to grab onto Harry's. I did.

With that motion a twisting filling went around me, all went black. I felt pressure on me coming from every direction. Suddenly, I felt it all stop and I opened my eyes to see that we were now in the middle of a deserted village square, there was a memorial and some benches.

"We just apparated-" I said breathing in the cool night air deeply.

"Are you alright?" Asked Dumbledore towards both Harry and me. We both nodded. "The sensation does take some getting used to,"

"We're fine," said Harry. "But I think I might prefer brooms," said Harry. Dumbledore smiled at this comment.

"This way," he said. He started down the dark street past a empty inn and many houses. We passed a church that said it was almost midnight.

"So tell me Harry, your scar, has it been hurting at all?" Asked Dumbledore. I looked at Harry who was touching the scar.

"No, and I've been wondering about that. I thought it would be burning all the time now that Voldemort's getting so powerful again-" he said as we continued to walk.

"I on the other hand, thought otherwise. Lord Voldemort has finally realized the dangerous access to his thoughts and feelings that you have been enjoying. It employs that he is now employing occlumency against you," said Dumbledore with a satisfied expression.

"How about you Elizabeth, any dreams or has the scar burned?" He asked.

I thought about it. "I had one dream but that's it. The scar burns often enough," I said calmly thinking back to the last two weeks that we had had to spend at 4 Privet Drive.

"And you make sure not to touch it when it does burn?" He asked.

"Yes," I said.

"Um- Professor, where are we exactly?" Asked Harry as we turned down a street.

"This, is the charming village of Budleigh Babberoon," said Dumbledore.

"And what are we doing here?" I asked.

"Ah, yes, I haven't told you yet. Well, I have lost count of the number of times I have said this in the recent years, but we are, once again, one member of staff short. We are here to persuade an old colleague of mine to come out of retirement and return to Hogwarts," said Dumbledore.

"How can we help with that, sir?" Asked Harry curiously.

"Oh, I think I can find some use for you," said Dumbledore. These words were strange to me.

We continued up a long, steep, and dark hill. There was a ominous chill in the air.

"Professor, why couldn't we just apparate directly inside your old colleagues house?" Asked Harry, he kept looking over his shoulder nervously.

"Because it would be quite as rude a kicking down a front door. Courtesy dictates that we offer fellow wizards the opportunity of denying us entry. In any case, most Wizarding dwellings are magically protected from unwanted apparators. At Hogwarts, for example-"

"-you can't apparate anywhere inside the buildings or on the grounds," continued Harry. "Hermione Granger told me." He added hastily.

"And she is quite right. We turn left again," said Dumbledore as we turned left. I heard the church bell chime midnight behind us loudly. The ominous, tense, feeling in the air had not been lifted and the darkness of the night was most unsettling. Suddenly, I thought abut how we were visiting this old colleague of Dumbledores at midnight. It was odd to think about.

"Sir, I saw that in the Daily Prophet Fudge had been sacked-" said Harry as we continued to walk.

"Correct," said Dumbledore. "He has been replaced, as I'm sure you saw by Rufus Scrimgour. The old head of the auror office," he said.

"Is he... Do you think he's good?" Asked Harry. As we made our way up a steep side street.

"An interesting question. Yes, he is able,certainly. A more decisive person than Cornelius," said Dumbledore.

"Yes, but I meant-"

"I know what you meant. Rufus is a man of action and, having fought dark wizards for most of his life, does not underestimate Lord  Voldemort," said Dumbledore.

"And... Sir, I saw about Madame Jones," said Harry. I looked at him suspiciously... Harry hadn't old me a thing about Madame Bones.

"Yes, a terrible loss. She was a great witch, I think just up here- ouch," said Dumbledore quietly.

"Professor, what happened to your hand?" Asked Harry as he had pointed with his injured hand.

"I have no time now, it is s thrilling tale and I wish, to do it justice," said Dumbledore.

"Professor-" I started quietly. "We received a leaflet from the Ministry by owl about security measures we should all take against death eaters-" I said.

"Ah, yes I received one myself. Did you find it useful?" Asked Dumbledore.
"Not really," I said honestly in sync with Harry.
"No, I thought not you did not, for example, asks me what my flavor of jam was to see if I was a imposter," he said.

"We didn't-" Harry started.

"For future reference, it is raspberry... All though of course if I was a death eater I would have researched my jam preferences before impersonating myself-" he said.

"Er, well, on the leaflet it said something about inferi. What exactly are they? The leaflet wasn't very clear," said Harry. It's true we had talked about what we thought they were but hadn't gotten a very clear answer.

"They are corpses. Dead bodies that are bewitched to do a dark wizards bidding. Inferi have not been seen for a long time, however, not since Voldemort was last powerful. He killed enough people to make a army of them of course. The is is the place, just here," said Dumbledore as we arrived in front of a stone house with a gate. The thought of inferi was haunting me. That was disgusting, I guess they don't rest in peace.

"Oh dear, oh dear, dear, dear," said Dumbledore. The front door was broken and hanging off its hinges.

"Wands out and follow me," said Dumbledore as he glanced up and down the seemingly deserted street. I followed up the path behind Harry,taking up the rear. Dumbledore pushed open the front door.
"Lumos," he said quietly and his wand tip ignited with a small circle of light.

We walked into a living room that was in complete disarray. I looked at it sadly. Dumbledore held his wand a little higher and looked at the walls. Harry gasped slightly at the sight of blood oozing down the walls. I was breathing deeply.

"Yes, not pretty is it, something devastating has definitely happened here," said Dumbledore. He walked around the room prodding at some pieces of wreckage.

"Maybe... There was a fight and-and they dragged him off?" Harry said breathing deeply.

"I don't think so," said Dumbledore staring at a overstuffed armchair laying on its side.
"You mean he's-" I said quietly.

"Still here somewhere? Yes-" said Dumbledore.

Suddenly, Dumbledore poked the chair with the tip of his wand which said ouch.

"Good evening, Horace," said Dumbledore. I stared down at where the chair had been but was now a man. Harry looked just as in awe as I was.

"There was no need to stick the wand in so hard. That hurt," said the man who Dumbledore had called Horace.

"What gave it away?" Asked the man as he clambered to his feet.

"My dear Horace, if the death eaters had really come, the dark mark would have been set off over the house," said Dumbledore calmly.

The wizard put his hand to his forehead. "The dark mark... Ah, yes I knew I was forgetting something, wouldn't have had the time anyway. I had just finished putting on the upholstery when you came in," said the man.

"Would you like my assistance cleaning up?" Asked Dumbledore.

"Please," said the man. Both men waved their wands in the exact motion and the furniture flew into their places. Things went flying and in racking around the room. It was a sight to behold.

"What kind of blood was that, incidentally " asked Dumbledore.

"On the walls? Dragon," said the short man with a mustache. "Yes, dragon. My last bottle and the prices are skyrocketing at the moment. Still, it may be reusable," said the man conversationally.

"Hmm. Bit dusty," he said examining a small bottle on a cabinet. Then he looked at Harry.

"Oho, OHO!" He said looking at Harry's scar.

"This, is Harry Potter and Eliza Potter. Harry, Eliza, this is Horace Slughorn, an old friend and colleague," said Dumbledore moving Harry and me towards the man.

The man named Horace looked at Dumbledore. "So, you thought you might try to persuade me, eh? Well, the answer is no, Albus," said Slughorn.

"I suppose we can have a drink at least, for old times sake?" Said Dumbledore. I noticed a hint of mischief in his eyes. He had a plan that I was catching on to.

"All right then, one drink," said the man.

Harry pushed Harry mad me onto a armchair similar to the one the man had just impersonated. I sat awkwardly on it next to Harry as Slughorn starting pouring drinks into glasses.

"Here-" he gave a drink to Dumbledore and then two cups to Harry and me. I took it gently as did Harry.

"So, how have you been keeping, Horace?" Asked Dumbledore as the short man sat down.

"Not so well, weak chest, wheezy, Rheumatism too. Can't move like I used to. Well that's to be expected, old age, fatigue." Said the man taking a sip of his drink. I looked at Harry who was taking a sip of his drink. As he pulled the glass away from his mouth I saw him make a face that told me the drink was bad. I took a small sip and understood why he didn't like it at once. It was a sour and spicy liquid. I was happy I only took a small sip of it.

"And yet you must have moved fairly quickly to prepare such a welcome for us on nothing more than three minutes " said Dumbledore. I eyes Harry as he did me. I must have looked extremely worried because Harry nudged me subtly and smiled in my direction. I took a deep breath and looked back at Slughorn and Dumbledore.

"Two. Didn't hear the intruder alarm go off. Still, I was in a bath. Still, the fact remains Albus that I'm a old man. A old man who's earned the right to a quiet life with a few creature comforts," said the man. I felt extremely awkward listening to this conversation.

"You're not quite as old as I am, Horace," said Dumbledore.

"Well, maybe you ought to think about retirement yourself. Reactions not quite what you thought I see," said Horace as he looked at Dumbledores hand that was black and burned.

"You are quite right," said Dumbledore. "I am undoubtedly slower than I once was but on the other hand..." He said. I saw a ring on Dumbledores uninjured hand. It had a black rock in the middle of a gold band.

"So, all these precautions against intruders Slughorn, are they for death eaters precautions or mine?" Said Dumbledore

"What would death eaters want with a old buffer swim like me?" Said Slughorn.

"I would imagine that they would want to turn your considerable talents to coercion, torture and murder..." Said Dumbledore. When he met ironed torture I actually had to count from ten to zero and back again to keep my calm thinking about Bellatrix Lestrange torturing people like she had Neville just weeks before.

"I haven't given them the chance. I've been on the move for more than a year. Never stay in a house for more than a week. Move from muggle house to muggle house- this family is on vacation in the Canary Islands- it's been pleasant, I'll be sorry to leave. It's quite easy once you know how, one simple freezing spell on these absurd intruder alarms they use on sneakoscopes instead of and make sure he neighbors doesn't spot you bringing in the piano,"

The rest of the conversation was pretty boring if I do say so myself. Dumbledore excused himself to go to the bathroom so Harry, Horace and myself were left in a room together. We are standing waiting for Dumbledore.

"Don't think I don't know why he's brought you two," said Slughorn as he bent over a fire.

"You look like your father except you have-" started Slughorn towards Harry.

"My mothers eyes, yeah, I've been told," said Harry. I stood next to him calmly.

"Hmphf. Well, you shouldn't have favorites as a teacher but she was one of mine. Your mother," said Slughorn and then be eyed me.

"And you... Are Elizabeth Potter?" He asked me suspiciously.

"Yes," I said grabbing my left wrist.

"And you... Look like Lily but also like another girl who was in your parents year I taught in Gryffindor... She was sadly killed. Her name was-" he started but I interrupted.

"Ellie Welther," I said. "Yes, I know," I said calmly. Slughorn looked very weirded out by this.

"Oh, well okay,"

"Which was your house?" Asked Harry.

"I was head of Slytherin house. Oh now, don't go holding it against me! You will both be a Gryffindor like her I suppose? Yes, it usually goes in families. Ever hear of Sirius Black? You must have done- been in the papers for last couple of years- died a few weeks ago," said Slughorn. I stood very still and looked at Harry he looked slightly pale but kept it together.

"Well anyway, he was a big pal of your fathers at school. The whole Black family had been in my house, but Sirius ended up in Gryffindor! Shame- he was a talented boy. I got his brother, Regulus, when he came along, but I'd have liked the set-" he said calmly.

"Your mother was muggle-born of course. Couldn't believe it when I found out. Thought she must have been pure-blood, she was so good," he said I could practically feel the anger radiating from Harry.

"One of my best friends is Muggle-born," he said ominously calmness in his voice. He was talking about Hermione who had been called the brightest which of her age in their third year.

"Funny, how that sometimes happens? Isn't it?" He said. Now I was getting angry.

"Not really, bloodlines don't always affect people," I said calmly putting emphasis on always.

"You mustn't think I'm prejudiced! No, no, no! Haven't you just heard me saying your mother was one of my all time favorite students? And there was Dirk Cresswell in the year below her to. Anyway, I think it would be to dangerous and prominent to join the order and reveal my whereabouts to the death eater if I were to work at Hogwarts-" he continued.

"You don't have to be a part of the Order Of Phoenix to work Hogwarts-" said Harry hastily.

"Most of the teachers aren't in it-" I continued.

"None of them have ever been killed- well, unless you count Quirrel but he had it coming for him working with Voldemort," said Harry. Slughorn gasped at the name of Voldemort.

"I reckon the staff is safer with Dumbledore as headmaster than most people, he is supposed to be the only person he's ever feared, right?" Said Harry.

"Well, yes that is true, after you-know-who had never sought a fight with Dumbledore," thought Slughorn out loud.

"And I suppose one could argue that as I have not joined the Death Eaters, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named can hardly count me a friend . . . in which case, I might well be safer a little closer to Albus. . . . I cannot pretend that Amelia Bones's death did not shake me. . . . If she, with all her Ministry contacts and protection . . ." He said. I saw Dumbledore enter the room from behind him.

"Oh, Albus you've been in there a very long time. Upset stomach?" Said Slughorn.

"No, I was merely reading the muggle magazines. I do love knitting patterns. Well, Potters, I think we have trespassed in Horace's hospitality long enough: I think it is time for us to leave," he said briskly.

"You're leaving?" Asked Slughorn.
"Yes, indeed. I think I know a lost cause when I see one..." Said Dumbledore.
"Lost...?"

"Well, I'm sorry you don't want the job, Horace. Hogwarts would have been glad to see you back again. Our greatly increased security notwithstanding, you will always be welcome to visit, should you wish to," said Dumbledore as he fastened his traveling cloak.

"Yes... Well very gracious... I should say"

"Goodbye then," said Dumbledore.

"Bye," said Harry happily.
"Bye!" I said.

We were walking at the front door when we heard a shout from behind us.

"All right, all right, I'll do it," said Slughorn.

"You will come out of retirement?" Asked Dumbledore.

"Yes, yes, I must be mad, but yes," said Slughorn. I smiled.

"Wonderful, I dare say Horace we will see you the first of September," said Dumbledore.

"Yes I dare say you will, and I want a pay raise," he said as we walked down the garden path.

We set down. The street as Dumbledore chuckled.

"Well done you two," he said happily.
"We didn't do anything," said Harry surprised.
"Oh yes you did. You showed Horace exactly how much you would gain if he returned to Hogwarts," he said happily. Harry still looked confused.

"Harry, it was what we were saying to him about Slytherin and Gryffindor and our parents and all-" I laughed.

"Exactly, well dos you like him?" Asked Dumbledore.

"Er..." Said Harry.

"Horace... Likes his comfort. He also likes the company of the famous, the successful, and the powerful. He enjoys the feeling that he influences people. He has never wanted to occupy the throne himself; he prefers the backseat — more room to spread out, you see. He used to handpick favorites at Hogwarts, some- times for their ambition or their brains, sometimes for their charm or their talent, and he had an uncanny knack for choosing those who would go on to become outstanding in their various fields. Horace formed a kind of club of his favorites with himself at the center, making introductions, forging useful contacts between members, and always reaping some kind of benefit in return, whether a free box of his favorite crystalized pineapple or the chance to recommend the next junior member of the Goblin Liaison Office," said Dumbledore calmly.

"I tell you all this, not to turn you against Horace- or as you must now call him, Professor Slughorn- but to be on your guard. He will undoubtedly try to collect you both. Harry you'd be a jewel to his collection "the boy who lived" or as they call you now a days "the chosen one". Eliza from what I'm told you have a knack for your potions and academics like your mother you'd be a prize to," he said.

We stopped walking in front of the Christ we had passed earlier.

"This will do. If you'll grab arms," and with that i grabbed Harry's arm and we were being pulled and compressed in complete darkness. We were apparating again.

We were suddenly staring at no other place than the Burrow. The Weasleys home that looks like it was held up by magic. Excitement grew in me as I heard Dumbledore say he wanted to talk to Harry in private. I nodded and stared at the building in the darkness of early morning light.

Harry walked up beside me.

"I'm taking private lessons with Dumbledore this year," he said with a small sniffle. I nodded and looked at him slightly. His eyes were slightly red. I turned and faced in front of him and wiped them.

"Should we go inside?" I asked happily.

"Let's go..." Said Harry as we started towards the building.

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Hey Friends!
It's a lovely day a little bit to warm for me but still lovely. Anyway, I wanted to get up another chapter quickly so here it is friends. Please comment any feedback you have for this story. I love to read all of your comments (wether they are corrections or just saying hi). Y'all make my day daily. Please vote for this chapter and add this story to your reading list/ library! I love you all! Thank you for your support!
-mkkn454