"Harry? A moment of your time, please, if you would."
Harry stopped just outside of the Great Hall and had to wonder if the Headmaster really did have the ability to know what a person was thinking. It had only been a couple of days since Hermione had come up with the brilliant plan of asking the Headmaster for help with DA club and it looked like Harry wasn't going to have a choice on the matter. Ron and Hermione had already been on their way back to the common room without him, but they managed to sneak in a matching set of pointed looks that Harry couldn't ignore. He had managed to go this long without having to really talk to the Headmaster and he found himself hunching his shoulders wishing he could have gone just a little bit longer. Harry had hoped to spend a little time after dinner with Team 7 and see how they were holding up. So far they hadn't made any progress and it was clear that it was starting to wear on them. Even Kakashi-sensei seemed a bit stressed.
But the Headmaster wasn't exactly someone you could ignore or brush off.
"Yes, sir?"
Dumbledore smiled warmly at him, his hands folded in front of him as he slowly rocked back and forth on his heels. "And how are you transitioning back to the wizarding world, Mr. Potter?" he asked. "I'm afraid you gave us all quite the fright when you disappeared like that."
Harry sighed. He had a feeling he was going to be apologizing for that one for some time to come. He was starting to kind of miss being gone. Things in Konoha had seemed simpler at least. No classes to contend with or uncomfortable questions. "I'm doing okay. More worried about the others, you know?"
"Oh, dear, yes. I've already heard some worrisome reports, particularly from Professor Northstein. While most of the staff understands the situation, I'm afraid we couldn't count on everyone's discretion with the full information, if you understand my meaning."
Harry wasn't completely sure he did, but it was clear that Northstein thought all of Team 7 was worthless and he sure didn't hesitate to make that known. Particularly with Kakashi-sensei. Although, at least when he was picking on Kakashi he tended to leave the others alone. It was grating enough as it was, hearing people Harry cared about and respected being talked about as if they were somehow inferior. It was making what should have for once been a great year in DADA miserable and difficult to concentrate in. But he guessed they didn't really have a choice. The last time Harry had suggested it might be safer for Team 7 to go home, he'd gotten such a glare from Sasuke it was a miracle he hadn't been cursed right there and then. "We'll figure it out," Harry replied, trying to shrug it off for now. He knew he sounded more confident than he really was, but they didn't really have a choice, did they? They had to figure this out.
"Yes, yes, all in good time I'm sure. A fascinating opportunity for all around."
"Actually, about that, sir," Harry interrupted before the Headmaster could get started on that vein or pull the conversation onto something else. And so Harry could get this over with as fast as possible. "We'd really like to start DA club back up again."
"A wonderful idea!" Dumbledore cried, and it was reassuring how genuinely happy about it he sounded. It had always been a bit of a grey area when they had started it, but it was nice to know that the teachers whose opinions he actually cared about were in support of them. They had always hoped Dumbledore would be proud of them for sticking it out, even under Umbridge's threats, but last year had felt so isolating. They had been on their own for so much of it, trying to figure out what to do when it was clear the adults either couldn't or wouldn't help them.
"Thanks," Harry muttered, ducking his head and trying to straighten his hair. "Well, Professor Northstein said we have to have a Professor present. But we've run into a bit of trouble finding someone to – who's – well, someone who would work well, if you know what I mean."
"Hm, yes. I always thought we should have continued with the dueling club, but resources being what they are and staffing changes…. But surely one of your professors would be happy to help, Mr. Potter."
"Sure," Harry agreed because it wasn't exactly polite to contradict your teachers when you were asking them for help. "We're just sort of limited in who's interested – and who has the, ah, right temperament, you know?"
Dumbledore stared at him for a moment, something almost like a smile on his face, if something that looked sort of conniving could be called a smile. "I take it Professor Snape falls into only one of those two categories?"
Harry blanched. He hadn't even thought to think that the Headmaster might suggest such a thing and the very idea was horrifying. What was he going to do if that's what the Headmaster 'recommended' they do? They'd have an even harder time figuring out another solution if the Headmaster already thought that he had given them a perfectly good one. Thank god, the Headmaster didn't drag out his misery too long before continuing. "No, I suppose not. Professor Snape does have a very busy schedule at the moment. I am surprised, however, Mr. Potter, that you haven't tried recruiting a bit closer at hand. Surely, Professor Kakashi would be happy to supervise such an activity. As I understand it, you and Ms. Granger arrange most of the actual substance of the club already, so you would only need a bit of oversight and guidance, hm?"
"That's just it," Harry said, feeling flush with both relief and hope that maybe the Headmaster would pull a solution out of thin air for them. "Professor Northstein specifically forbade us from using him. Something about him not being qualified, but that's ridiculous. Can't you-"
"Oh dear, then I suppose that isn't an option."
Harry's heart sank again. "But surely-"
"Now, now, Mr. Potter, if Professor Northstein was quite firm on the matter, then I would hardly wish to contradict him on such a thing. Why not simply have him oversee your meetings?"
It was the obvious, natural choice. And Professor Northstein seemed like a competent enough teacher, he would probably actually be a benefit to them. But there was one simple reason none of them had considered him for the job. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea, sir," Harry tried, scrambling to find a way to put this as politely as possible. "You see, we were kind of hoping to work more closely with Team 7 on helping them figure out how to cast spells or at least make it look like they were a bit more competent in DA meetings so people won't ask so many questions."
The Headmaster arched one fuzzy eyebrow. "And you believe that Professor Northstein will ask those uncomfortable questions?"
I think he clearly hates them and enjoys making them all look like idiots in class, Harry thought to himself but he had learned long ago to be very careful what you said to the Headmaster. "I don't think it would make for a very comfortable environment," he tried.
And you could never tell for sure with Dumbledore just how much he already knew, how much he managed to infer from what you said, and when he actually had no idea that there was a problem. "I see," he finally announced, pensively and completely opaquely. "Well then, nothing for it. We'll just have to have both DADA professors attend. That ought to make it much more convenient. And then Professor Northstein can rest assured that everything is being managed well. Yes, I'll speak to him tomorrow morning on the matter. I think it might be an excellent opportunity for him and Professor Kakashi to learn more about one another."
Harry was beginning to think the sudden bouts of horror were actually going to make him sick. Northstein and Kakashi work together? Not in a million years. "I don't know if they would like that very much," Harry said faintly, trying to somehow salvage this disaster.
The Headmaster gave him a hard look. "Why would they not, Mr. Potter? Unless there is something you would like to tell me?"
"No, sir," he gritted out. If the Headmaster hadn't figured it out already then Harry wasn't going to be the one to tell him. "I just don't think it's a very good idea."
The Headmaster patted him on the shoulder. "You need to learn to make the most out of the strengths of the people around you, Mr. Potter. People will surprise you with what they are capable of. Now then. Now that that's settled, perhaps we could talk about the matter I stop you for. I was wondering, Mr. Potter, if you would like to come assist me with a small task."
Harry hesitated, staring back at the man in surprise. "Sir?" he asked tentatively. Because he was pretty sure the Headmaster hadn't stopped him to ask for something as mundane as a bit of community service or school boy errands. It had to be something to do with Order business. Which of course meant that Harry would help in any way that he could. But he wasn't used to the man actually asking him bluntly like that. Usually it was more of a case of a series of breadcrumbs made up of off-handed comments and details slipped during other conversations that lead Harry in the direction the Headmaster needed. To be out right asked was novel. Slightly flattering. And worrying.
Dumbledore seemed to understand his confusion. His smile was suddenly a bit rueful, or looked like it was trying to be rueful. "I understand now that my efforts to…shield you from what was happening last year were perhaps not the most effective method of managing your talents. And as it happens, we have a somewhat difficult situation on our hands. I am not sure how much you are aware of how difficult it was filling the DADA position this year."
"Because of the curse?" Harry asked. Because really, six years was starting to get a bit ridiculous.
"That among other things. Now is not a time when many people feel comfortable taking on a new role in life."
Harry frowned but he could sort of understand that. "But Professor Northstein agreed?"
"As a personal favor," Dumbledore explained. "Something of which I find myself running short on each and every year."
"He…seems like a good teacher," Harry offered. He wasn't sure if it was his place to comment on the quality of his professors, but it also seemed like the Headmaster wasn't as confident in having to take on Northstein. Harry had mixed feelings about the man himself. He could be as cruel as Snape when he wanted to but at least he seemed to know how to teach. His rule about DA club had rather spectacularly blown up in all of their faces, Harry thought, but at least it meant he kind of cared. That was more than Harry could say for a lot of his previous teachers.
"Old Aurors are a surprisingly difficult thing to come by. Professor Northstein retired some years ago, after lengthy service both in the field and training new Aurors to take his place. I had to ask him to come out of retirement for this job, and to be honest, I believe he only took it because he found the events at the Ministry last year so offensive."
Harry did not want to talk about last year. Particularly not about what happened at the Ministry. He wasn't stupid. He knew something like that was going to happen again, it was only a matter of time. And he was terrified he was going to lose yet someone else. The best he could do right now was focus on being as prepared as possible. "Yes, sir," he agreed. He suddenly didn't care where Northstein came from or how well qualified he was or was not. Harry was more than ready to just talk about something else. Anything else.
The Headmaster hummed thoughtfully. "Well! Fortunate for us that everything worked out well on that front. I had been getting to the point of considering more drastic options, right before you left us so suddenly this summer."
Harry grimaced and tried to apologize again but the Headmaster waved it off. "Clearly, things have changed since then, and I think Professor Kakashi will be an excellent addition this year. Perhaps exactly what we need. Something unexpected might just be the thing. But I was just thinking, it might not be a bad thought to still continue to nurture certain relationships, you know. I thought I might go visit one of those gentlemen I had had some hopes of convincing to join us here. Would you perhaps like to accompany me? I will be sure to have you back in your dormitory before curfew."
It took Harry a moment to even understand what the Headmaster was even asking of him. He wanted them to go on a trip. To see someone. Right now. Students didn't go on trips. Not during the middle of the week, not to a stranger's houses, and not with the Headmaster. But most students didn't do lots of the kinds of things that Harry did.
And Harry couldn't deny that he was now very curious.
"Alright, sir," he agreed. "I – ah- should probably let someone know that I'm gone. Yes?"
"Oh, no need for that right now, Harry. I think the more we keep this just between me and you the better."
And alright, Harry could wager what that meant. Don't tell Team 7. Which, now that Harry thought about it (because he hadn't actually until now) him leaving the castle grounds was not something Sasuke was going to be comfortable with. Knowing the other boy, he'd probably even try to forbid it. Which he didn't have the right to do, and Harry certainly wasn't going to listen to him, but it was a fight he really didn't want to have to have if it wasn't necessary. But leaving without telling Sasuke was probably going to lead to an even bigger row once he got back.
Assuming Sasuke even found out he was gone.
"I would like your assistance with this, Harry," the Headmaster continued. "But I am afraid it is a matter of the utmost discretion and I must insist it be kept between you and I. No one else."
"I – I don't really know what this is even about." Or why the hell it involved him.
The Headmaster frowned thoughtfully. "This, Harry, might be one of our best chances to actually do something about what's been happening around here, and not just react to it."
Now that had Harry's attention. There was only one thing he and the Headmaster both worried about and no one had ever talked about how to actually stop him before. And now that Harry knew it had to be him, that he was going to have to be the one to kill Voldemort, he had even more of a vested interest in doing everything he could to make that happen.
"Alright, sir. Let's go."
Harry would just have to explain it to Sasuke later.
…maybe much later, if he could get away with putting it off. Or maybe even never, if he could manage to go and come back without the other boy even finding out.
