It was the day before the students arrived

I came, I saw, I conquered.

By Em

Disclaimer: I am not the owner of any of the characters or of any of the places. As many fanfic authors say, I am just taking them all for a spin. The characters and their personalities as well as many other things I've mentioned were made up by the renowned JKR. Whom I'm sure you're all familiar with.

Authors Note: This is not by any means the end of my other fic. It is just a fanfic that I feel more comfortable writing, seeing as its in more my style. I do not have a beta reader, so there are a lot of mistakes and I don't have any copies of the books of my own, because I borrowed them. This fic is going to mainly be from Dumbledore's point of view, but switch. Don't be disheartened by this, because I have an idea, which will keep you interested…if you are to begin with. I am myself very interested in writing this fic at the moment so I expect the next few chapters will be out quickly. I don't mind feedback, Infact I welcome it. I hope that through reviews I can improve my style. Oh, and on my bio I have a little challenge…can you take it up. One more thing…I got the inspiration for this fic from Dumbledore (not from the book, but from this site) and they've written a wonderful fanfic called 'Harry Potter and the legacy of Merlin' they don't know this yet though.

It was the day before the students arrived. Another staff meeting had to be called. Dumbledore sat at his desk and for the first time since Voldemort's revival he let his face show his true feelings…despair. The ministry had done its best to ignore the growing threat and cover up any attacks that Voldemort had done. Only the Order of the Phoenix and Hogwarts seemed to be doing anything. The old mage felt as if he had the fate of the world on his shoulders. But I don't do I? He thought The fate of the world is resting on the shoulders of a teenage boy. He had great expectations of Harry, but he knew that Voldemort had risen too soon and was much more powerful than even he was. The end seemed inevitable and the rule of darkness and destruction was upon everyone, but Dumbledore's instincts said that the light would prevail and so he went along with his instincts, however unbelievable. He was interrupted by a faint knocking on the door and immediately his face resumed the expression of optimism.

"Come in." He said with kindness and Snape hesitantly entered the room. The look on his face was one Dumbledore had very rarely seen before and was of fear and despair. Snape had always had good control over his emotions. The last time he'd been like this was when Voldemort was at his height of power and had begun suspecting his disloyalty.

"P…P…Professor, I have been given orders to either K…Kill Potter or B…Be K…K…Killed." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at this; he had never heard Snape stutter, especially as much as this. Infact he wasn't just stuttering, he was also shaking slightly. Dumbledore motioned for Snape to sit and when he was seated began.

"Severus, I don't want you to go back there, it's too dangerous." Snape was about to protest, but thought better of it. Dumbledore began again. "There is another matter I want to bring up with you." He paused to see some recognition from his companion. "I won't lie to you, I'm concerned about Harry. You and I both know that he is the key to the defeat of Voldemort. My concerns however is that he's not ready. I want you to privately tutor him, but I want it kept as secret as possible." He finished. Although Dumbledore had been vague, Snape knew exactly what to do. The two continued to talk for a while and just as Snape was leaving the headmaster called out to him. "Don't be too hard on him though." With that their little meeting was over and Dumbledore's grave expression found its way to its owner again. Noticing this, fawks flew over and landed on the desk this seemed to cheer him up considerably.

The teachers had gathered in the staff room and were waiting for Dumbledore to arrive and start the meeting he called. Professor Trelawney was babbling on about McGonnagall dying soon. The fact that McGonnagall's right hand was clasped tightly around her wand she looked like she was about to transfigure Trelawney into a newt. Dumbledore came in just in time and everyone went quiet and looked at him. He smiled inwardly, never had he worked alongside such wonderful colleagues. Then his mood slightly dampened when he realised that he would also have to fight alongside them, not just work. The weather imitated this quick change of mood and a cold gust of wind blew through the room, chilling the air and making the candles flicker. He cleared his throat.

"Hello everyone. I haven't welcomed everyone since they came back, so welcome all. As you know Voldemort" At the mention of this name everyone shuddered. "Has been resurrected and is gaining power. The ministry is ignoring all the recent attacks that have taken place and have done nothing to stop them. We on the other hand are. If you do not want to have anything to do with our struggle to stop Voldemort, then say so now." The total silence that followed was only punctuated by a clatter of plates the other side of the castle, indicating that peeves was getting up to mischief as usual. Filch shifted in his chair uncomfortably at this. "Good. Tomorrow the students are arriving and as we know one student inparticular is more at risk to be attacked than most. I want everyone to keep and eye on him, especially seeing as he's quite prone to wondering off on his own." The memories of the last four years with Harry came back. He was just like his father. "I also propose that we sort out a rota, where two members of staff keep watch." He stopped to see everyone's response and then resumed with the rest of the meeting.

Soon all the students were arriving. Dumbledore sat at his place in the middle of the staff table and watched everyone pile into the hall. The ceiling above showed a clear and starry sky a moon, so bright that it looked like one huge star. Him attention was drawn to Harry. He looked thinner that when he last saw him, but he always did when coming back from the Dursley's. Did I make a big mistake when I sent him there? Dumbledore asked himself, but then changed his mind. It had been a hard decision to make, but it was the right one. Harry also seemed extremely preoccupied and barley seemed to notice Hermione, who was nattering about something to him. It doesn't surprise me he's reacting this way; he's been through a lot. With that final thought he snapped his attention to the first years that were now entering the hall. Each one of them looked terrified beyond terror, except one little boy who had a look of pure glee painted on his face. Much like the one Sirius had when he first arrived at Hogwarts. This child will probably take after the Weasley twin's mayhem wise. I wonder who he'll become friends with? This is something that I am most intrigued about. Professor McGonnagall then went up to the temporary stage and placed the age old sorting hat and stool in the middle. Dumbledore could remember when he first asked her if she wanted the job. The expression on her face that followed the question was something he would never forget. She was so proud to have the responsibility at the time and in a way still is, even after all those years of doing it.

"Bungle, William." Her voice bellowed all around the hall as soon as the song had finished. The boy he had been looking at earlier proudly marched up to the hat, carefully placed it on his head and sat on the stool. A slight chuckle escaped Dumbledore's lips at the boy's antics, but no one heard as the sorting hat bellowing 'Griffindor' drowned it out.

Huge screams echoed the hall from the Griffindor table. Everyone of the brave hearted clapped and made a huge noise. All except one. Harry sat there, barely moving. He was so deep in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed a thing and just looked down at his hands. This however didn't go unnoticed, but no one commented. He'd been distant from everyone since Cedric Diggory's death and even more so since the beginning of the summer holidays. Hermione and Ron were very worried about him. They had no idea about what happened and feared the worst.

The sorting had finished and Dumbledore got up to announce the food. He always felt nervous about this small welcome speech. It was because it was the first time he addressed the whole school each year and always wanted to give off a good impression, which he always did. Yet the anxiety was always there, or was it perhaps the excitement of a New Year mixed with hunger?

"I'd like to welcome you all…"