The day was gray and cloudy; the heavy and dark atmosphere surrounded the entire city. The citizens, going to and fro rushed toward their homes, afraid of the approaching boisterous storm.

The first raindrops soon started to fall, followed by a blunt and heavy rain that in a matter of minutes had all the people taking out their black, dark blue and dark green umbrellas.

Albus Dumbledore walked down a dark alley; it was the only, though less safe, shortcut he could find. His destination was a couple of blocks away from where he was, but with the monstrous rain, the distance had greatly increased.

He never imagined he would find himself in one of those dark, polluted and populated North American cities. But when his last Defence against the dark arts teacher turned out to be evil (Again, he thought bitterly), he needed to find someone capable, strong, unbreakable, and furthermore, someone good for the post. But when he was told the most probable possibility was that pink-clad old harpy, Dolores Umbridge, he had immediately started a search party. In all honestly it was better not to have a DADA teacher than to have Umbridge take the post. He wasn't sure about her intentions, but neither did he like her, nor her teaching methods.

He was not going to give up, and that's why he found himself, finally, standing right in front of the building he had been looking for.

Devil May Cry.

The neon sight was turned off, and the grim appearance of the place made it look inhabited, but he knew better. He knocked lightly on the old wooden door hoping for a positive answer. A thunder rumbled in the distance, and Dumbledore unconsciously tugged his white coat.

The doors opened and Albus immediately entered, cursing lightly when he realized his precious and long beard was completely wet. The white hairs stuck to his clothes and face, and he found himself every now and then wiping them away.

"You could have hurried, Dante."

The tall, silver-haired man that had opened the door rolled his eyes vehemently as he slammed the door shut again. "Old man, you left my floor completely damp."

The place, which was rather empty aside from two couches, one old, yet perfectly crafted desk, a chair, a jukebox and the weird, gloomy and somewhat demonic wall decorations, was completely dark. Dumbledore had to narrow his eyes so he would not trip in order to follow the owner of the place.

Dante walked towards one closed door, opening it boringly. After scanning the contents he finally found what he was looking for; a dark red towel that he threw at the old wizard.

Albus growled a thanks and started to dry himself, starting with his beard.

Dante sat down and popped his legs up on the desk, crossing them at the ankles. "What brings you here? I wasn't expecting visits."

"I know," Dumbledore put the towel around him as if it were a blanket and sat down on one of the couches, letting out a heavy sigh.

"So?"

"Patience is a virtue, Dante." He commented at the younger man's hastiness.

"A virtue I lack – Amongst others…"

Albus laughed and Dante smirked.

The moment was cut short when Dumbledore's tranquil demeanor changed to a worried one. "I need your help."

"That I noticed." Dante knew that if the Headmaster of (And damn, he had a very big pronunciation problem with the name of that school) Hogwarts had paid him a visit; there was a very good reason behind it. He had heard from his nephew and the order that the rates of black magic at the grounds of Britain had increased. He knew Dumbledore's reason had to have something to do with that.

"I want you as a teacher."

Baby blue eyes blinked confusedly a couple of times. "Come again?"

"I know you can do it. If I had any doubt, any doubt about you, believe me, I would not have come here, and let alone would I have asked you."

"Let me guess… Defence against the dark arts, huh?"

Dumbledore nodded, rather impressed. "I'm curious. How did you know?"

Dante shrugged. "It comes with the job. I have my contacts, you know."

"Remus Lupin?"

"Damn right, old man." He had befriended Remus Lupin a couple of months ago. The werewolf had told him everything of what had happened at Hogwarts. He had told him about Sirius Black, Harry Potter and his squad (In all honestly, he had forgotten the names of the other two.), and about how he had lost his job because of the beyond unfriendly… how was it? Ah, yeah; Severus Snape.

"Do you accept?"

"And what is there for me?" Dante asked, absentmindedly looking one of his trophies; a basilisk skin. He had killed it a couple years ago when he was sent on a mission to Scotland, where he had found out about Hogwarts by accident while being mistaken by one of the teachers for a dark creature, which in reality he was, though he meant no harm. He then was taken to Dumbledore, and the old man immediately knew he was an ally.

"Aside from the amount of money we're going to pay you," Albus answered, "Access to the demonic and dark magic books that are in the restricted section of the Hogwarts' library."

It was a nice offer, but Dante was about to decline had it not been for Dumbledore's presence.

There was more to it than just being a DADA teacher.

"Tell me," Dante's voice resounded around the almost empty shop. "Why do you want me in Hogwarts? And stop the act. I know you are hiding something."

"You are right, Dante. It seems you are way sharper than I expected." The old man conceded "Dolores Umbridge wants the post I am offering you, and I, absolutely, cannot let that happen. You know about dark arts, dark magic. And I know you are more than capable of helping the students. I need you Dante, I need your experience and your ability, and while you are there, I need you to protect the kids."

Dante understood, but that did not mean he was going to be convinced that easily. "On one condition, old man."