A/N: I don't own Harry Potter. This is the part where they go get Slughorn to teach at Hogwarts. However, there will be no Slughorn in the story. This will be a new person altogether.

Chapter Two

It was freezing! Harry could see his own breath as he and Dumbledore marched up the snow covered hill. "Where are we headmaster?" He asked his teeth chattering loudly despite the fur robes Dumbledore had given him.

" We are in Siberia Harry." Dumbledore answered.

"Why?"

"We are here to get ourselves a new professor." Dumbledore answered cheerily. He knew that this man didn't trust him, but of course that's the reason he brought Harry along. Suddenly men in red armor surrounded them their pulsing red swords pointed at them menacingly.

"State you business here old man." One of them commanded.

"I am Albus Dumbledore and this is Harry Potter." Albus said calmly. He could kill them all now, but then Harry wouldn't trust him anymore. " We are here to see Nicholas Crutius."

"Let them through." The commander said. " He's expecting you." With that the red soldiers disappeared.

"Who were those guys?" Harry asked.

"Nicholas's body guards, the Red Bane." Dumbledore answered. "They are a secretive group of mercenaries. Be thankful, Nicholas used to use ice dragons as his guards."

"What happened to the dragons?"

"He gave them to his older sister, to protect her fortress in Germany."

"Who are these people?" Harry asked.

"They are extremely powerful ice wizards, the reason for the overwhelming defense is that the fire wizards tend to attack their homes."

"Fire wizards?" Harry asked.

" Yes Harry, there are some wizards who prefer a certain brand of magic. Like we use light spells, while the death eaters use dark spells." Dumbledore explained.

" Light magic, my ass." Harry muttered.

" What was that Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

"Nothing." Harry noticed the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes increase. A shadow slowly spread across the old wizards face and for a moment it completely changed. For one fleeting moment Harry was face-to-face with a different person altogether.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked. " Are you alright?" Harry came out of his stupor and saw the same ancient wizard that he had always known.

"I'm fine Headmaster." Harry said. He knew that he had just gotten a glimpse of Dumbledore's true form. It isn't enough. Harry reminded himself. Hermione would simply write it off as grief playing tricks on his mind. Perhaps if he consulted the book again.

"Come on Harry." Dumbledore said gripping his arm a little too rough. They trekked up the snowy landscape until they spotted a tower in the distance. Showoff. Dumbledore thought bitterly. The castle Nicholas had constructed for himself was twice the size of Hogwarts and beautifully sculpted from polished azure stone.

"Wicked." Harry gasped. Albus bit his tongue to keep from scoffing. He and Nicholas had known each other since they were children.

He always has to outdo me. Dumbledore thought. When I consume enough souls, that will all change. They approached the humongous door, which was engraved with runes that even Dumbledore had trouble deciphering. The runes began to glow a light purple and the faint clicking of locks could be heard.

A man in a blue cloak emerged from the shadows. His beard, white as glistening snow, stretched past his waist just a little beyond Dumbledore's. Albus shook his head. " Why hello Albus, my old friend." The man said in a clearly forced cheeriness.

"Nicholas." Dumbledore greeted with the same forced smile. Nicholas then set his eyes on Harry.

"Ah Mr. Potter, it is an honor to finally meet you." The old wizard said extending his hand. Harry took it. He could tell that this man and his headmaster had an uneasy relationship. What could have happened? Could it have something to do with what he discovered about Dumbledore?

"It is nice to meet you as well, Mr. Crutius." Harry replied, letting go of the icy fingers.

"Well let's get inside, you two must be freezing." Nicholas said motioning for them to follow him. They passed the outer gates and entered the main hall. Harry couldn't help but stare in awe. The stone glowed brilliantly. He could make out small sapphires imbedded in the stone. Tapestries of onyx and lavender lined the walls containing various images.

The statues that stood on each side of the doors, like waiting sentinels, were made of some form of ice that never melted, seeing as how the place had heated up significantly and there had yet to be a single droplet form.

" You have a very nice home." Harry stated knowing that this was an understatement. Nicholas smiled warmly at the boy.

"It suits my needs." He replied. At this Dumbledore could not hold back the scoff that came at the man's words. Nicholas shot him a glare which he promptly ignored. They entered a large living area, in which a small fireplace, complete with blue flame, warmed the once frozen air.

"So Albus, to what do I owe this little visit?" Nicholas asked. It was clear to Harry that the small talk was over. It was straight down to business.

"As you are aware Nicholas, we at Hogwarts need a new professor." Albus said.

"I've already said no Albus." Nicholas said sharply. "And how dare you try to manipulate this boy into coming with you."

"I did not manipulate anyone I assure you." Dumbledore lied. " Harry came here of his own free will."

"I bet." The wizard said bitterly. " Just like when you manipulated the other one."

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about Albus." Harry sat there in silence as he listened to the two men bicker back and forth. Who was this 'other one' that Nicholas had mentioned? How many people's lives did Dumbledore have his hands in?

"Well I need a drink." Albus muttered. Nicholas raised his eyebrows.

"Through that door, down the hall, take a left, then it will be the third door on the right." Dumbledore got up and made his way to the kitchens. "Well mister Potter."

"Yes?" Harry asked.

"I assume you have questions."

"What were you talking about earlier, when you said he manipulated another boy."

"Do you know of Tom Riddle?"

"Voldemort?"

"Yes, such a nice little snake until Dumbledore got his claws into him." Nicholas sighed. "I only tell you this because I already know you have your doubts about him. Why else would you keep the book in your pocket a secret from him?"

Harry reached down and pulled out the miniature book.

"Yes, these old eyes see more than you know. I would venture a guess that Albus already knows about it as well. He's probably waiting until you leave here to confront you about it."

"What should I do?" Harry asked.

"Keep it in a safe place when you get to Grimauld Place, somewhere he would never think to look. I will be coming to Hogwarts this year, to keep an eye on him, I don't know what he is planing but I'll be there to stop him when he does try something."

Harry desperately wanted to tell him what he had discovered, but he doubted even Nicholas would believe him, even if he did distrust Dumbledore. "I'll try to stay away from him if I can help it." He said.

"No, then he would suspect something. Just do as you have always done, give him no reason to harm you Harry." Nicholas told him. Minutes later Dumbledore walked in carrying a large goblet of what appeared to be firewhiskey.

"So Nicholas as I was trying to say earlier..."

"I've decided to take the teaching job." Nicholas interrupted. Dumbledore looked at him in surprise.

"What made you change your mind?" Albus asked.

"Why young mister Potter here."

"What?"

"He is very respectful and he has a very high opinion of you, plus he looks so much like James, maybe I'll teach for just one year."

"Excellent!" Dumbledore exclaimed beaming at Harry. This was easier than he thought. The boy must really have a gift with words, he would have to find a way to exploit that. "I'll have your office ready for you when you arrive."

"Good. Now I have pressing business elsewhere." Nicholas said standing up. "So I believe you know the way out." Dumbledore thanked him again and turned to leave. Nicholas winked at Harry and motioned for him to follow the headmaster. Harry smiled back and left with the ancient wizard unknowing of the evil plots already forming in the old man's mind.

Grimauld Place

Hermione sat in her room reading over her copy of Hogwarts: A History, when she heard a commotion down stairs. She felt her heart flutter. Harry must be here. She thought. He would make her stay at Grimauld more enjoyable, since her and Ron weren't speaking anymore.

She made her way into the main hall to see Harry and Professor Dumbledore walk in. Molly and Ginny began to fret over how underfed he was, much to her amusement. She glanced over at Ron to see him glare at the happy scene. She shook her head and pushed her way passed the tangle of red hair that blocked her from Harry.

When she finally made it to the boy-who-lived, she flung her arms around him and gave him a crushing hug that would have made Molly proud. "Harry, I'm so glad to see you." She whispered. "I have a lot to tell you about so meet me in my room after you get done being hugged and kissed by Mrs. Weaslely ok?" Harry laughed.

"Ok. Meet you in a few minutes." He smiled. " I have things to tell you as well." He looked at Ron and saw him shoot a death glare at Hermione. His smile instantly faded. What could have happened between them? He guessed that he would find out later, for now he allowed himself to be engulfed in a smothering hug by Ron's mother. Ron looked on in savage jealousy. The murderous thoughts in his mind growing far more dark and deadly.

A/N: thank you for all the reviews so far. They have really made writing this more enjoyable for me. Please continue to review. Next chapter coming soon.