Dumbledore groaned as he found his way back into consciousness. The throbbing in the back of his head informed him that he was still amongst the living. The old wizard lay still, knowing that any movement would only intensify the pain. While he willed away the pain, the former Headmaster turned his attention inward trying to piece together the fragments of memories.

"Dumbledore, what do I owe this honor?" The Minister arched an eyebrow as the wizard settled himself down at the table.

"You don't like me very much, Minister. Why is that?"

Snorting, "are you seriously asking me to count the ways?" Shaking his head, "very well then. While I agree to a point that every child should have the opportunity to receive the very best education that is available, I don't agree with allowing a dark creature to be housed in anything less than the optimum security housing. I especially would't allow a group of adolescent children with a history of targeting their fellow students with malicious attacks - Pardon me, pranks!"

Dumbledore bristled, "you're biased based on one piece of the bigger picture! Remus Lupin was an exemplary student who -"

"Who stood by while and participated in those attacks! Lupin was no hurt angel, Dumbledore! You turned a blind eye to the antics of those three students in particular to conceal the fact that not only had you placed every student and staff member in danger but willfully broke one of our laws!" The Minister slammed down his tea cup, "it isn't just Severus Snape's memories that I have gathered my information. You were very fortunate that I was not minister at the time, had I been the Dementors would have been the least of your concerns!"

Leaning forward, "you knew that Tom Riddle was growing ever closer to the dark. You knew that he had cornered Horace Slughorn and learned the dark art of splintering his soul and that he was making Horcruxes before he even graduated! You manipulated the Wizarding World, moving everyone around like pieces on a chessboard. No, Dumbledore, I know all about you and your scheming ways. You've been pulling the strings behind the scenes for well over fifty years!" He snorted, "oh don't look so surprised! The Prince Family has kept tabs on you and your's - nothing but a disgrace to Wizards and Witches everywhere!"

"You won't be satisfied until we completely remove ourselves from the Muggleborns."

"You're a fool." The Minister spat, "the Muggleborns are an essential part of the Wizarding World. Every family needs the new influx of fresh blood, otherwise we'd end up with families filled with the likes of those inbreed Blacks!" Shaking his head, "no Dumbeldore, we need the Muggleborns." Settling back in his chair, "wouldn't you agree Professor Storm?"

"Whole heartedly, Mr. Minister." Stepping out of the fireplace, "I apologize for being late. You know how things go when you have a class full of snot-nosed spoiled brats to deal with."

"Indeed."

Albus Dumbledore stared at the new arrival, it was the first time that he had a good look at the new Care of Magical Creatures instructor. A tick started in the back of his skull as he tried to place the familiar, yet unfamiliar face and voice. "I see the old man has finally decided to find his way down here to the lowly dungeons."

"I have often said that one should not underestimate one's opponents."

"So you have." Turning to the former Headmaster, "phoenix got your tongue? Come now, Dumbledore, surely you remember me."

"I can't say that I do," Dumbeldore replied. "I have never been to the States, yet I feel as though I should know you."

"Here, let me help you." Storm sneered, "finite incantem!" The incantation had barely left his lips before the charm was lifted. The professor smirked in satisfaction, "nothing like a little reunion."

"Harry?!"

"Yes, Old Man." Procuring a seat between the Minister and the former headmaster, "I know, I'm dead. Or at least persumed dead. It's amazing what one can do with well placed friends."

"I don't understand, m'boy?"

"Don't! Don't you call me that! I have never been you're "boy", Dumbledore!" Snapping to his feet, he began to pace. "You left me in the tender and loving care of my mother's sister and her family. A family that abhorred magic and anything magical." Turning to stare at the older wizard, "do you know that I spent my first three years being beaten, starved nearly to death? Do you know if it hadn't been for my mother's friend, Severus Snape, that I would have died when I was nearly five years old from the beatings my loving uncle gave me and the rat poison that my cousin slipped into the sewage that served as water that I was allowed to drink? If it hadn't been for Severus Snape, my loving relatives would have killed me!"

Running his hand back through his hair, "I survived my aunt and uncle's house because Snape managed to find me despite all that you did to try and conceal my whereabouts. It was Snape who forced my relatives to feed me, clothe me and get me medical attention when I needed. After Snape's first visit, neither my uncle nor my cousin dared to lay a hand on me." Glaring into shocked blue eyes, "they didn't dare as I suddenly had a champion in my corner who bullied them for a change." Staring into the fire, "I know you're wondering about my years here at Hogwarts. See Snape knew that he suddenly appearing as my champion, in my corner, was a dangerous thing. It wasn't only Voldemort that he had to keep appeased, but you as well."

Turning to stare back at Dumbledore, "Snape was truly a master at deceiving his masters."

"Impossible!" Dumbledore protested, "Severus Snape was a soldier for the Light! If what you say was true, he would have reported it to me."

"Uh-huh and you would have ignored it." Snorting, "you thought you were so clever. Using Snape's feelings against him to turn as a spy against the Dark Lord when you never had any attention of protecting my parents."

"That's not true!"

"Lier!" Potter's eyes bulged as he glared at the older wizard, a wildfire raging in the recesses of his green eyes. "You wanted the Prophecy to come true! You moved everyone around like pawns on a chessboard and when they were no longer needed, you threw their lives away! You can't deny it, you threw Sirius' life away and you even had the balls to admit it to me! You did the same with my parents and Neville's parents!" Leaning over the former headmaster, "how many people were thrown away after their usefulness expired?"

"We were fighting for our world, for the world our children would inherit - there were bound to be casualties!"

"Perhaps, if you continue to tell yourself such, you will one day come to believe it." The Minister injected, "as for myself, I know different."

"You! You've turned Harry against me!" Dumbledore shouted, his magic swirling around him angrily.

"No, Dumbledore." The Minister calmly regarded the aggravated wizard, "you managed to accomplish that all on your own."

Turning to the younger wizard, "Harry ..."

"You see, Snape never was your man either." Potter shook his head, "I admit at times I found it hard to pretend to be naive and willing to fall into line like a good little soldier - just as you wanted. When Voldemort finally fell, well that was one less obstacle in the way." Slipping his wand out from his sleeve, "there is only one living person left to deal with." Smirking, "lucky me I get to be the one to deal with you."Potter flicked his wrist, summoning chains to coil around Dumbledore's legs and lash his arms to his side.

"Harry?" Dumbledore struggled against the restraints, his energy quickly disappearing.

"The more you struggle, the harder you fight it - the faster the chains absorb your magic." The Minister calmly supplied, "we're on the dawn of a new world for wizards and witches everywhere."

"Relics like you are a just a reminder of what our world was becoming," Potter added.

"Don't look so frightened, Albus. All good things must come to an end after all."

Glancing at the Minister, "you mean all bad things."

Chuckling, "run along now Harry. It's rude to keep the guest of honor waiting on you."

Bowing his head, "come along Headmaster." Potter flicked his wand and Dumbledore floated after the disppearing wizard.

"Do remember to clean up your mess this time." The Minister called after them.