A/N: HEEYY GUYS I'M BACK! Well, that took a while, Jesus. Sorry about that. I'll tell you guys more about it at the end of the chapter, ok? Let's get into it.

Chapter 11

Good Intentions

Harry stumbled as he landed, blinking and trying to orient himself in his new surroundings. The achingly familiar office almost made him lose his guard, for in his time it had been smashed and destroyed by Death Eaters in the third war. He shook his head slightly to rid himself of the overwhelming nostalgia, and quickly put up the guise of an excited and nervous first year.

"Hello, Harry," Harry jumped and looked around to see Dumbledore staring at him from his desk, his fingers pressed together as if in prayer.

"H-hello Professor," Harry replied with semi-genuine nervousness. "I got your invitation." He suppressed a wince as he felt a light touch on his Occlumency shields. If he hadn't been such a good Occlumens, he would never have even felt it. Does he do that to all his students? Harry wondered. Such a thought made him feel mildly sick to his stomach.

"Please, take a seat," Dumbledore said in a calm voice, although his eyes had narrowed slightly. Harry sat down warily.

"Sir, if this is about my classes, I haven't even had any yet." Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head.

"No, not at all, my boy," he replied. "I was rather wondering about your familiar." I started in surprise at that. I had left Renso to explore the Forbidden Forest, as I didn't want to draw attention to him or myself.

"My. . . familiar, sir?" Harry asked confusedly. Dumbledore elaborated.

"I asked Remus to make sure you had one, even though a familiar at your age is pretty rare. He informed me that you did, and yet I saw no sign of this familiar of yours. Was Remus mistaken?" Harry shook his head.

"I just. . . my familiar is kind of . . . conspicuous, Professor. I didn't want to bring him to the feast because I didn't want to scare people off." Harry said nervously. Dumbledore cocked his head to one side.

"If I may ask, what kind of creature is your familiar?" Dumbledore asked.

"A snake, sir." There was a beat of silence.

"I see," Dumbledore murmured thoughtfully. "Well, as long as he doesn't attempt to harm any of the students, I don't see a reason why you can't bring him with you. One of the things you will learn, Harry, is that it does not do for a wizard to be without their familiar for too long. It puts a strain on one's magic." Harry already knew this, of course, but he nodded his understanding anyway.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said in a relieved tone. Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling, and he felt another brush on his Occlumency shields.

"I will inform the other Professors of your special circumstances regarding your familiar," Dumbledore said. "And in the meantime, it's about time you got to class. Objects don't transfigure themselves." Harry nodded, glad that the meeting was over, and stood up.

"See you!" Harry exclaimed, and bounded towards the door, eager to escape the ice blue gaze.

"Harry," Dumbledore called after him. Harry paused with his hand on the doorknob. "If you ever need to speak with me, I rather enjoy lemon drops." Harry nodded quickly and left the room. The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes disappeared as he stared after him. He had obviously known about Harry's Occlumency shields from the Sorting, but for them to be that strong. . .

"He had to have had some training," Dumbledore murmured. "What are you hiding, Harry Potter?" There was no reply, except the Sorting Hat snorting as if it were the most obvious question in the world.

A/N: So yeah! There's another chapter! :D I know it was kinda short, but its been a while since I've written something not for school, and I'm kind of rusty. My update schedule will be kinda slow, since high school generally gets in the way of any hobby I try to start. And. I'm also working on my other story, Stranger of the Forest, and that story takes priority over this one. But this story ain't abandoned, guys, don't worry. I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in literally more then a year, but I went through a bit of a rough patch in my life. I'm good now, though, and ready to write.

See you guys next chapter! :D

Adrian