Disclaimer in part 1

A/N: People love me! You don't know how much it warms my heart to see you lovely people reading and reviewing my fic! Mwah! Thank you to Laura Kay, Window Girl, PrincessWitch

Again my lovely Beta Cait has been through with the fic and made it even more lovely!

Chapter 2: An Assignment for Albus

"Albus. Can I have a word, please?" asked Julius Germaine, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His brown eyes were twinkling with happiness as Albus followed him to his office.

The office itself was large and very beautiful. Mahogany and rich reds could be seen everywhere around the room. A plush carpet toned with reds and browns decorated the floor.

Two armchairs that faced each other beside a roaring fire completed the room. Julius motioned for Albus to sit as he conjured up a tea set and offered Albus some tea. Albus politely took it and sipped a little before looking at Julius, questioningly.

"As you know, we've been trying to find a competent Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher after Professor Vixen left us," began Julius sipping his tea, "We may have found a perfect teacher. One that is an active Auror and is not only qualified in DADA but also in Transfiguration!"

Albus looked at him worriedly. Was this Julius's idea of a sacking? Telling him that they had found someone better to replace him.

Folding his hands in his lap, Albus trained his face to look slightly puzzled and asked politely, "I see. What does this have to do with me?"

Julius looked slightly sheepish, "Well, at the moment she lives in Paris, seeing as the dark activity there was at its peak when she started. But now that the situation has calmed, she wants to move back to England," taking another sip, he continued. "I was hoping you could go to Paris and try to persuade her to take up the DADA post. Lord knows we need a competent teacher that has been in the field recently. After all, we're shaping young minds here!"

Albus looked into the fire, seemingly thinking about the assignment given. Mentally, he was cheering that he had not been fired, and that he was asking this new possible teacher to come and teach. It seemed simple enough.

"What if she refuses?" asked Albus, turning back to look at Julius.

Julius's giddy expression faded and was replaced by worry, "If she refuses? Then try again until she says yes. We need her Albus! She's the only one for this job."
Albus stared intently into Julius's pleading face. "I'll try my best, I can't guarantee that I will being her back but I shall try. When am I leaving?" he asked changing the subject slightly.

"Tomorrow. It's late, get some rest, I'll brief you about all this in the morning" said Julius with finality.

Albus stared disbelievingly, then asked, "What about my classes? Who's going to teach the young minds if I'm off trying to persuade a possible teacher to come here? And how long will I be gone for?"

Julius looked smug. That was never a good sign. "It's all been taken care of, Albus. Professor Jones will be looking after your classes. She has your lesson plans to help her and she is qualified in both Transfiguration and Potions. You'll be gone for as long as it is necessary. I expect daily owls about your progress," said Julius in a business like tone.

"Very well. I shall take my leave and retire. Goodnight, Headmaster." said Albus standing up. He then walked out of the room.

As soon as he was out, he headed to the Astronomy Tower. It was his favourite place to think. Along the way, he dispatched many students getting frisky. Finding the Tower blissfully empty, he stared out into the night sky. He would be staring at the same sky tomorrow but in Paris.

Albus wondered what she was like. How could she survive the horrors of her job? If she could last 10 years in Paris, then that in itself said a lot for her character. He wondered how he was going to persuade her to join the staff.

The night sky seemed so simple and beautiful while his assignment did not. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he went to his own room and dressed for bed. Tomorrow would come and he would face it, then.

Right now, sleep was the best thing to put his worries to rest.