Dumbledore looked up from his work as his office door creaked open. A shimmering silver fox trotted in and leapt up onto the chair in front of the large mahogany desk.
"Good evening, Cameron." Dumbledore said. The fox nodded and within seconds a tall black haired boy with blazing blue eyes sat in its place.
"Hello Professor." He said.
"I am sure Firenze explained why I've asked you here."
Cameron smirked.
"He tried but he kept getting distracted by the unusual glow of Mars."
"Yes, that is why I find it much easier to speak with centaurs during the day if possible."
"So why exactly did you ask me here tonight? You of course know that my time is limited." Cameron said curtly.
"My sources tell me that Voldemort Plans to attack the school this year. Unless my students find a way to come together Hogwarts is sure to fall."
Cameron leaned back in his chair, lazily putting his hands behind his head.
"What does that have to do with me?"
"You and I both know you have a way of forming unlikely bonds. I am asking you to use that particular talent on my students." Dumbledore studied the teen over the tips of his fingers.
"What's in it for me?" Cameron asked after a beat.
"For most I would think the prospect of saving hundreds of lives would suffice but for you I know this is not the case."
"You know me well Dumbledore."
"Indeed. That is why I am offering you something I know you've been longing for, for many years."
The cocky smirk melted off Cameron's face.
"What?" he said barely above a whisper.
"I will grant you freedom from the Forbidden Forest."
The words crashed into Cameron like a brick wall.
"F-freedom?" he stammered.
Dumbledore nodded slowly.
"Yes, you will be free to move on with a new life or pick up where you left off in your studies."
Cameron nodded fractionally.
Dumbledore sat in silence for a moment as he watched a long diminished light flicker to life in Cameron's eyes.
"Do we have a deal?" He asked. The self-assured smile returned to Cameron's face.
"If you need people tricked into working together, I'm your man."
The pair shook hands just as the clock chimed one o' clock in the morning.
Cameron gasped and his hand shot to his chest.
"The forest calls."
Dumbledore nodded and watched as the teen transformed back into a fox and bound out of the office.