Author's Note: This is part two of two of the current flashback. The next chapter will return to Harry's PoV and the year at Hogwarts. I am not sure how often I will be doing these flashbacks but they will periodically happen. These are certain to involve Nazarick though I cannot say for certain who will be the PoV yet.

RyuujiVantek: Sorry but its not yet time for him to appear. As Albedo said in the previous chapter Ainz was preoccupied. I'm not sure when he will make his appearance as this story has changed in my mind since I first started writing it but he will appear before the end of the fifth year of that I am decided.

Dumbledore was confronted by a sight that caused his body to freeze even as his mind warred with his instincts of whether or not to draw his wand from the pocket of his robes as he was confronted by the sight, and the realization of why this school moved around and why he had never heard of the Nazarick Academy of Magic before. He was standing just inside the entry of the mausoleum at the center of the strange graveyard he had been led to at the heart of the Forbidden Forest. The mausoleum was much of one might expect from a tomb despite its size as stone sarcophagi lined the sides and between them was a clear open walkway that lead to what looked like a stairwell descending down into the earth at the far end. Of course Dumbledore wasn't able to get a good look at the stairs because of the enormous being that had a bluish white body and seemed to be an enormous insect standing in the way. The thing held weapons in its hands and its mandibles seemed to click as it was clearly watching him while a breath of vapor escaped its mouth as if the air over there was cold as strange as that seemed.

The creature was not alone either as it was flanked on either side by a variety of creatures that varied in appearance from one another with the only consistency between them was that they could be termed as Monsters each and ever one. A glance to each side of him where the three representatives of the school who had led him here showed that none of them seemed shocked or surprised. In fact none of them were watching the monsters at the far end but were instead watching him intently. They had known those creatures would be here. Dumbledore could not resist a weak smile as he stood in the jaws of this trap.

"The reason the wizarding world has not heard of your academy is because it is not a school of magic for humans is it?"

The ever beautiful Albedo smiled at him and nodded.

"You are a very clever human. Yes we are a school for magical creatures and humans alike."

This caused Dumbledore to raise an eyebrow in surprise. Human wizards and witches learning alongside magical creatures. Dumbledore was a champion of the rights of magical creatures in Britain but even he had never dreamed of such a thing, British purebloods had an intolerance and xenophobia of halfbloods and muggleborn wizards as well as of course Muggles themselves, to add to it magical creatures Dumbledore had never before considered when the outcome politically was moot given that the reactionaries of the pureblood houses in the Wizengamot were still firmly entrenched. He had done what he could for the rights of magical creatures and had been fair in his dealings but this was something else.

This school clearly was with the intent of bringing together all races of magical creatures, something that clearly made the wizard happy and uneasy all at once when one considered the intolerance with which wizards had denied them magical power. If an outside power upset the balance Dumbledore was not sure of what to say. Then again it was not intolerance that was needed, just to accept the magical creatures of the world. Most could be lived with in peace as long as certain conditions and requirements for their well being were met. Vampires for example as just one type required blood to drink they hardly needed to feed from others as muggle blood banks were an option. Werewolves were trapped by their curse but a simple potion kept them safe. There were many others that could be coexisted with as well with ease and though the muggle world was not ready for most that did not they couldn't live side by side with wizards who were already aware of their existence. But pure blood extremists had been keeping them down fighting wars, and fueling resentment for centuries if not millennia. And here before his eyes was the worst possible situation come to pass, a variety of magical beings aligned together. And in all likelihood teaching each other magic. Wizardkind could not hold against this, not forever, the best course was to create an olive branch and forge a path forward together. If they were further ostracized they would simply turn to Voldemort or another dark wizard like him who would give them what they wanted, no needed.

His gaze slid forward taking in the view of the mausoleum and its occupants. Of course the towering bluish white insect was the most eye catching but it was hardly the only magical creature as there were six other magical and dark creatures at the far end forming a line. One was an elderly gaunt slender man with red eyes who stood to the right of the enormous insectoid being, he was dressed in battle armor that hadn't been seen in hundreds of years looking the image of a knight. To the vampire's side stood a smaller figure. It was a girl judging by her outfit, one that had silver hair although she held a parasol umbrella that kept her face hidden in shadows. Given the child's figure seemed to contrast with her improbable chest he would have been one to scoff if there wasn't this instinct to not take the child lightly. On the child's other side was another vampire that was female dressed quite scantily standing quietly. Was this a family of vampires? Husband, wife, child? He did not know for certain but it might make sense, and if it was the case than it gave him hope that perhaps the magical beings and dark creatures that had been gathered together in this strange and mysterious school were not ready to go to war against wizardkind just yet.

On the other side of the enormous insect were different creatures, notably there were three strange and unnerving beings, one was a voluptuous woman with the head of a bird, another was a man that seemed to have the features of a lizard or perhaps even a dragon while the third and final seemed to be a demon though such things should not have existed and been the realm of only superstition. Traditionally demons as spoken of by muggles were the results of magic gone awry but this being was something else as it lacked the traditional signs of a magical spell or potion gone awry, the body was too uniform in its nature and lacked the usual characteristics that Dumbledore had read of in books given he'd never seen a being like that before.

Beside him Albedo walked forward a few steps and in response the enormous insect walked forward. Dumbledore could not help but notice the air growing colder as the being approached across the large mausoleum. The being only stopped in front of Albedo who was looking up at the insect. Given she was turned away Dumbledore could not see her face but he was convinced that smile of hers was quite genuine for now in amusement at his shock.

"Greetings Cocytus. Has there been any security issues since we left?"

The enormous insect rumbled for a second before speaking with a deep powerful voice.

"Negative. The. Centaurs. Have. Not. Reported. Any. Intruders. And. Aura's. Beasts. Have. Reported. The. Same. Nazarick. Remains. Protected. And. Hidden."

Dumbledore could not help but be a little shocked at the creature's manner of speaking, the more shocking thing was that the being known as Cocytus was capable of speech, he had not expected that. And given that name and its implication in muggle mythology it might explain the cold he was feeling. Hearing the mention of the centaurs though caught him off guard and a little more uneasy. He had been thinking to ask the centaur tribe that resided in the forest to keep an eye on this place but it seemed the centaurs had already picked a side though he could hardly blame them for picking the side that firmly stood for the rights of magical creatures. It was unfortunate but a perfectly understandable decision and he did not fault him for such though it left him in a sore spot when it came to finding out more information.

Albedo nodded and turned and looked over her shoulder back at Dumbledore who was still standing between Demiurge and Sebas before taking a step to the side so that nothing stood between Dumbledore and Cocytus himself.

"Cocytus, this is Albus Dumbledore. He's the headmaster of the nearby wizard school in the castle."

Albedo's words weren't even finished as there was a low rumble noise coming from Cocytus who towered over Dumbledore.

"So. You. Are. The. One. Who. Our. Master. Has. Been. Watching. Perhaps. You. Are. Worthy. Of. Consideration. I. Sense. Much. Magic. From. You. You. Must. Be. A. Competent. Wizard. For. You. Have. Strength. To. Rival. My. Underlings. By. Yourself."

Dumbledore felt a chill go through his body as he listened to those words. This Cocytus had a leader. Truly the magical creatures were unifying. Wizardkind was running out of time. Depending on the charisma of this leader whoever or whatever it might be could be a greater threat to the world than even Voldemort. Wizardkind could barely survive Voldemort. They could not afford a two front war. Which meant that Dumbledore had to keep these beings, nay this entire school, on his side. His gaze remained fixed on Cocytus his head tilted upwards to look at the enormous creature's head.

"I am honored to be worthy of consideration."

He had to tread carefully here. This creature had just said he was on par with the being's underlings. And while it was possible that such underlings were stronger than him Dumbledore found it highly unlikely that the person in charge of the defense of this place would be weaker than those that served him. The only way that might be possible was if he was a tactician and strategist. And while that was possible given how strong Cocytus simply appeared to be he doubted it. Dumbledore's mind remained a whirl of thought as he processed everything he was witnessing. And his earlier realization crystallized into a hardened concrete thought. He needed to form an alliance with this school for the sake of the world. He could only curse Fudge's timing in his smear campaign. Fudge was likely to move he be stripped of most of his titles, exactly when he would need them the most to act as a go between between the wizarding community and Nazarick and the magical races it collectively represented. While most pureblood families, even some aligned with the Light would balk at the idea of integrating magical creatures if he had his titles and positions he could at least silence some of the dissent simply by being who he was. But Fudge's actions though they hadn't taken place just yet would stop that. He needed a secure base to handle the protest that would inevitably ensue. And as he had already realized he could not fight both Voldemort and Nazarick at the same time. The same could be said in reverse. Nazarick formed the double bladed sword that no matter if he supported or fought them he would face conflict, and he could not afford that amidst the war with Voldemort. He needed to make these words clear now that much was clearly in his mind.

"But I must tell you that your timing could have been better. Voldemort has returned but the Ministry of Magic is in denial. The Minister of Magic is preparing a smear campaign against me. I will not be able to fight for you politically."

He was restraining a sigh before he was suddenly interrupted by Demiurge who was standing beside him.

"We know. These actions are well within our Headmaster's predictions. It is no matter, He will deal with your Ministry when the time comes but for now he is content to simply focus our efforts here with you."

That caused Dumbledore's head to snap to the side staring at Demiurge, the black haired man was visibly smiling and no one else present seemed particularly surprised, in fact there was no surprise at all. Was it possible they had predicted he would choose to work with them to avoid a war that the world, magical and muggle, alike could not afford? Voldemort was a powerful entity that few could match by himself but the true strength he wielded had always come from the followers that had supported him. Magical creatures were such beings given their dislike for the current status quo. Had Voldemort already contacted them in his power bid. He had to ask.

"Has Voldemort already contacted you?"

This produced a curious laughing sound from the insect and both Demiurge and Albedo were restraining the urge to smile. Demiurge luckily spoke helping to clear some of the mystery behind that laugh.

"He does not know of our existence yet. He has met with some of our representatives not realizing our own plans for him."

Dumbledore could not fully suppress the flash of fear that coursed through his body in that moment.

"And just what exactly are your plans for him?"

Demiurge and Albedo both seemed to glance to each other then at Sebas who gave a silent shake of his head before Demiurge finally spoke.

"In truth we are not yet decided. Our Headmaster has not yet formed his position. Let us simply say that he will pick the side that will support our plans the best."

Dumbledore visibly paled but nodded. It was hardly a surprise in the end.

"Clearly you are still considering fighting against him given you have contacted me. How can I be of assistance?"

Demiurge and Albedo shared a smile.

"Several ways. The first is that you will admit several of our students to your school. We have already selected which. They have been chosen for both their magical abilities and for their humanoid nature. Three of them will be under the effects of glamours to hide parts of their natures that are more apparent but they will blend in better than most of our other students. That will come for future years once your school is ready for the shock that will follow."

Dumbledore couldn't resist sighing in relief at the idea of the students who would be the first to cross over into Hogwarts would be human in appearance.

"Each will be sorted into your houses by your sorting hat. Further more since they are not the same skill and age as your first years the hat will determine their class levels as well. One of them will be placed in each house and all will serve the dual purpose of remaining alert for moves by Voldemort or his supporters. Our predictions indicate it is unlikely he will make a direct move against your school just yet. Instead his efforts are likely to be focused on discrediting you and building his supporters while he searches for the prophecy regarding him and one Harry Potter. In addition we will station several individuals throughout the grounds of your school in the event that an attack is made your school will be defended long enough for Cocytus to lead out our forces to defend it."

This was a surprise. They still had not decided who they would side with and they would act this much against Voldemort? Then again if Voldemort did act and he saw the power they wielded it was likely he would want Nazarick all the more. Still this was a better deal than he could have hoped for. Clearly Nazarick's Headmaster whoever or whatever that person was, was aware of his own position. He knew the bargaining power he had but he was being surprisingly generous offering more. Dumbledore had decided to accept whatever terms they required to avoid a second war. But it seemed this being was sincere in its intent? Regardless the course ahead was clear.

"I accept. Of course there are some details that will need to be cleared as we approach them but your students will transfer to Hogwarts for the coming year."

Albedo moved back in front of him stepping in between him and Cocytus. "Excellent. We will provide you with the necessary information soon so you have time to make what preparations you need on your own end. We shall be in contact soon. Sebas will be your escort out of the forest."

Dumbledore turned looking to the old man who gestured with an arm for Dumbledore to proceed back out the doorway of the Mausoleum before stepping off and moving ahead of him to act as guide and escort. Dumbledore exited the mausoleum with a final glance back at the magical beings and dark creatures within before following the old man back through the forest. His mind was a whirl of thoughts as he ran through all the preparations he would need to make as well as the fact that he would need to give orders to the Order to keep watch in the Department of Mysteries to protect the prophecy. He would have a busy year ahead clearly.