This is a very short chapter, but I think I finally got the meeting between Dumbledore and Batman right, or at least satisfactory enough to be published. Right now I'm stuck at the decision of having Dumbledore discuss the aftermath with other members of the Order or to simply show the next meeting and only hint at what might have been discussed in such a meeting at later points. However, I hope this is okay and that the next update will not have to wait several years again. Enjoy.

Dumbledore appeared out of thin air at the designated place for meeting. He had his wand ready, knowing that this meeting could get dangerous. Not only based on what Snape had reported but what he had heard and read about Batman before. He has been following the exploits of meta humans since quite some time now, finding the entire concept intriguing. Most wizards weren't even aware of their existence due to their general ignorance about anything going in the muggle world. After he heard that Batman wanted to talk to him, he had started to do some more in detail research into the man to be prepared for this encounter.

Both Snape and Moody both wanted to accompany him, but he declined their offers. This was something he had to handle alone. He also didn't want to start any more unnecessary fights and he was certain that it would come to such if he wouldn't come here alone. His caution was also the reason why he had come earlier than he was supposed to. After the encounter the others had with the vigilante he wanted to take several precautions including putting several protection spells into place. But as he as soon as he appeared, he had realised that he was too late since he could already see the eyes of Caped Crusader piercing through him from the back.

Turning around he said, "Seems like we both had the same idea, Mr. Wayne," in greeting, with a smile on his face. He hoped to see some kind of reaction on the other man's face but he moved no muscle.

Dumbledore didn't have a very hard time concluding Batman's true identity once he had put his mind too it. He knew that Batman needed to either have a lot of money himself or somebody who backed him up, leaving only a handful of men in the right age in the Gotham area. Among those he looked into their background and Wayne's loss of his parents at a young age and his disappearance in his late teens until early twenties was enough to convince Dumbledore that he was famed Dark Knight. He had a personal motivation, he had the money, according to the tabloids he had no real private life and was jumping from relationship to relationship, leaving his spare time open to operate as a vigilante. Even the appearances of a new Robin always coincided with the timing of Wayne taking in a new ward. Dumbledore was honestly surprised that nobody else seemed to have made this connection and went public with it, since he was certain that some people had to have come to the same conclusions.

Batman himself was waiting for the old wizard to say something else or to make some other move. He was not really surprised that Dumbledore had figured out his true identity. After all he had heard, this man was a genius and despite all the effort he put into hiding his civilian identity, he knew it was not impossible for somebody to figure it out anyway.

Dumbledore broke the silence by joking that great minds think alike and then offered Batman a sherbet lemon, taking it for himself once the American didn't take it. "I must say, I was impressed, there aren't many people who could take on the witches and wizards I had send to retrieve Harry on their own let alone together."

"They weren't prepared," was Batman's simply answer, causing Dumbledore to raise his eyebrows in surprise.

"Really," he asked amused. "As I know Alastor Moody, he's normally always prepared."

"He is, but only for threats he anticipates," Batman replied. "He was prepared to fight dark wizards, magical creatures or maybe even Harry's muggle relatives but not somebody like me."

Dumbledore's slight grin broadened into an actual smile. He was right, as much as Moody famed himself for always being on guard and chastised others for not being so, even he could only really be prepared for things he had already experienced or at least heard about. But he had to ask, "And if he had anticipated it?"

"We probably wouldn't be standing here," admitted Batman coldly.

Now the smile had reached Dumbledore's eyes, which started to sparkle bright like they did most of the time anyway. "After everything I heard about you, you might be a bit too modest, Mr. Wayne." Batman once again ignored the usage of his real name. Dumbledore kept his cheerful demeanour on but he sighed inwardly since he had really hoped that he could extract some kind of reaction out of this man by keep calling him by his given name. "Now, as I understood it, you wanted to talk to me about Lord Voldemort," he asked instead of trying to involve Wayne in some other kind conversation which was obviously futile.

Batman replied with a crude nod, causing Dumbledore to raise his eye browns and letting his eyes do the talking for him. After a few seconds, Batman started to talk, "First, let's make one thing clear, Professor. I'm here as a free agent but with the unofficial support of the American Department of Magic, if you understand what I mean?"

Now Dumbledore was actually surprised. He had been certain that Batman had to have some contact in the American magical community but this was somewhat unexpected. Still, his smile returned to his face and he nodded while assuring the other man that he was absolutely aware of what this meant.

"Good," growled Batman. "Six days ago Voldemort appeared in Gotham. He broke into the Gotham Museum of Antiquities and stole an ancient Greek vase, which legend has it will release the power of the gods once reunited with its twin."

This certainly made Dumbledore's smile disappeared. "I think I heard of that vase," he said flatly. "Do you know where the other one is?"

"No, but I know somebody who might."

Dumbledore nodded. "Wonder Woman, I assume?" Even the mention of the Amazonian warrior who had appeared out of nowhere a few years ago didn't crack the Bat's facial armour.

Instead he changed the subject. "As I understand it, Harry Potter is going to have a hearing about his use of a patronus charm in front of a muggle."

Dumbledore nodded, frowning, wondering what kind of information Batman could have had on that issue.

"If I were you, I'd keep my eyes and ears open within the Ministry," Batman warned cryptically.

"I'm already well aware of that," replied Dumbledore with a knowing smile. "How will we be in touch?"

"Meet me again tomorrow night, here again, alone," Batman said before walking out from under the bridge and disappearing into the night. Dumbledore looked after him for a moment before disapparating into thin air.