CHAPTER 2: The School Master

The dog instantly shook himself out as they landed while Harry and Dudley both squeezed their eyes tight. Eventually, Dudley shuddered and gagged.

"My apologies. Though I am intrigued to know how apparition affects you, my boy. Has your nausea lessened at all with exposure?" Dumbledore asked, peering over his half-moon glasses at the boy.

"Well, I'm not bent over dry heaving this time," Dudley remarked, though he still looked rather peaky around the gills. "So that's better I guess."

"How fascinating," Dumbledore remarked before he began leading the way through the small village. They had arrived in an alley behind a bakery just off the high street. It was almost 5 and many of the shops were slowly closing up. No one paid the little group any mind. They probably looked like a pair of brothers and their dog on a walk with their grandfather. "By the way, for future reference in these troubled times, one should always confirm the identity of a wizard before trusting them. This time there is no need to worry, as I entered the wards around Number 4 without issue, but if you should meet me in the street you should endeavour to ask me a question that only I would be able to answer."

"Like what?" Harry asked in confusion.

"Something innocuous, such as 'what's your favourite jam flavour', or perhaps the name of your favourite stuffy growing up," Dumbledore responded.

"How many socks do you own?" Dudley offered with a grin. Dumbledore smiled.

"Precisely! And for your information, my favourite jam flavour is raspberry and my favourite stuffy was a velveteen walrus named Figgbert." Dumbledore remarked. Both Dudley and Harry shared a glance and bit their lip to keep from snorting "As for how many socks I own, why I-" suddenly the man trailed off as he slowed to a stop. "Oh dear." He murmured, face growing stern. The others turned towards the house they were stopped at and blinked in horror. It was a rather large house with a long path leading up to a garden-framed doorway. The door itself was currently blown off of its hinges, and there were various scorch marks around the doorway as well. Dudley looked around at the people walking by in confusion.

"Why hasn't anyone noticed yet?! Shouldn't someone have called the police by now?"

"There is a slight muggle repelling charm over the area," Dumbledore remarked as he drew and waved his wand against a network of wards. "You have mentioned somewhat of a resistance to them in the past."

"Right," Dudley said as Dumbledore began walking towards the door. "Erm. Shouldn't we stay here and wait for the authorities?"

"I think it prudent that we investigate ourselves before involving the ministry." Dumbledore insisted before he stepped over the fallen door. Harry then shrugged and followed, Snuffles leading the way. Dudley huffed before he followed his uncle and cousin into the house. The building was truly a wreckage. Shattered glass crunched underfoot as the two teens followed the headmaster. Snuffles' nose was working a mile a minute as he sniffed around for clues. Suddenly he whined and looked over at Dumbledore and yipped quietly. The man quickly went to the dog's side and stared down at the small pool of blood. Another drop landed on the floor from above. The man hummed in curiosity before he held out his hand, catching a few drops. Then he put his hand to his mouth.

"Oh nasty!" Dudley gripped with a wince "That's unsanitary that is! You could get aids! Or hepatitis!" Dumbledore looked back at the teen with a smile.

"I assure you, Mr. Dursley, that was perfectly safe. I was merely testing a hypothesis." Then suddenly Snuffles began growling low in his throat. The trio looked over to the large dog who was now sunk into a threatening position and bearing his fangs at a suspiciously intact purple armchair. Snuffles opened his mouth to give a louder snarling growl and the chair suddenly began to shiver as if it was afraid of the dog. Dumbledore smiled.

"Well spotted my furry friend." Then the man jabbed the sofa in the stuffing.

"Ouch!" The chair cried in alarm before it suddenly transformed from a purple armchair into a fat, slightly balding old man who was rubbing his stomach with a wince while staring at Snuffles with wide fearful eyes. "Call off your attack dog Albus! You know how I feel about those sorts of things!"

"Snuffles," Harry called before he gave a whistle. The dog sneezed before walking away to Harry's side and sitting down. He was still looking at the old man suspiciously.

"How did you know I was still here?" the man demanded.

"Dragon's blood," Albus remarked with a smile as he gestured to the still dripping splatter on the ceiling. The old man scowled. "Also, there was no dark mark above the building. If you had truly been taken by Voldemort-"

"Don't say that name!" the man snapped harshly before he cleared his throat. "Sorry… it's just… I'd rather not risk it."

"Of course, my apologies Horace." Albus assured him "Anyway if you had truly been taken by dark forces they would have left their calling card."

"I knew I forgot something." The fat wizard remarked with a huff "I was in the bath when the wards alerted me. Not as quick as I used to be, you see. Arthritic. Rheumatic. Old age. It comes for the best of us."

"Well you certainly moved speedily enough, we've only been in the town for a few minutes."

"Regardless!" the man cried as he finally got up off the floor "I'm old Albus! I know perfectly well why you're here! And the answer is still no!" The headmaster didn't seem perturbed by the man's rebuke before he looked around.

"Before we discuss anything more, why don't we fix this place back up shall we? I take it this isn't your home."

"Well no." the old wizard admitted "It's a muggle house. They're on vacation. In Switzerland, I believe."

"Well, we'd best set it right again!" Dumbledore insisted. The old man nodded before he drew his wand. Standing back to back the two wizards did a mirrored sweep of their wands. In an instant, before Harry, Dudley, and Snuffles eyes the carnage around them reversed itself as if the hands of time were rapidly spinning backwards. Various thrown objects flew back onto their bookshelves, a torn picture repaired itself. The mutilated piano plinked merrily as its keys returned to their proper positions. A shelf of pictures righted itself, the glass crinkling as it mended back to a smooth semi-reflective surface. Finally, with a smart tap, the piano lid clicked closed and the open book on the coffee table received its bookmark and snapped shut. The two teens watched this before Dudley smiled.

"I love magic." He muttered.

"Ditto," Harry responded.

"My my." The old wizard suddenly muttered with wide eyes.

"Ah yes! Where are my manners!'' Albus cried "Children, this is Horace Slughorn, a dear old friend and colleague of mine. Horace, this Dudley Dursley, the cousin of our other guest who I suspect needs no introduction."

"None indeed," Slughorn said, staring at Harry with a subtle hunger. It made Harry vaguely uncomfortable.

"Do you mind if I use your restroom?" Dumbledore suddenly asked. Horace blinked before he nodded.

"Of course, of course. First door on the left up the stairs." Horace said. Dudley suddenly smiled and stepped forth with a hand ready to shake.

"It's really an honour to meet you, sir. Dumbledore was telling us all about you on our walk." The teen said smoothly. At once Harry was infinitely happy Dudley had volunteered to join him. He'd never been very good about people staring at him. But Dudley took to fame and schmooze like a fish to water.

"Oh, was he now?" Horace said with a sneer "And what did he tell you?"

"Only that you were a very dear friend. And that you were very intelligent. But I'm sure he was underestimating you." Dudley said with a smile "Second-hand knowledge is never very reliable."

"No, it isn't." Horace agreed "Always best to get news right from the source, that's what I always say…speaking of! Your mother? She wouldn't happen to be Petunia Dursley would she?"

"She goes by Evans now." Dudley smoothly corrected.

"Right, right, my apologies. I read her interview in the paper. I must say I was shocked by what I read. I never expected that a sister of Lily would ever allow such a thing to happen."

"Lily?" Harry suddenly asked "You mean my mum? You knew her?"

"Of course!" Horace said with a smile before he led the teens towards the picture-laden shelf "You see! She's there." And sure enough, sitting center stage was a photo of Lily Evans, standing next to Horace at what appeared to be some kind of fancy dress party. She was very young, maybe sixteen, but somehow still commanded the room with a grace beyond her years. "She was an exceptionally talented student. One of my favourites. Quite surprising, considering her upbringing."

"Upbringing?" Harry demanded with a cold frown.

"Well considering she was a muggleborn," Slughorn said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Snuffles suddenly growled low in his throat. Harry felt his face heat with anger. Slughorn meanwhile had jumped a bit and was now looking at the dog wearily.

"Do you mind terribly putting that creature in the other room?" he asked. Harry tightened his grip on snuffles lead.

"Oh Snuffles is Harry's service dog." Dudley said flippantly "He never goes anywhere without him."

"Ah." Slughorn said before he took a deep breath "Forgive me. I'm not overly fond of dogs... They're rather mangey unclean creatures." Snuffles sneezed, making the wizard jump again. Dudley cleared his throat.

"I must say, sir, you have a very narrow way of looking at things." Dudley remarked coldly "The top student at Hogwarts is currently a muggleborn witch." In an instant Slughorn became flustered.

"Oh, please don't think I'm prejudiced! I know plenty of exceptionally talented muggleborns. Some of the best people I know are muggleborns!"

"I wasn't accusing you of anything Mr. Slughorn," Dudley assured him, once again with a dashing smile. Slughorn instantly relaxed before he looked at his collection of pictures again.

"I taught some truly marvellous people over the years." He said before his voice became touched with nostalgia "Gwynedd Jones, captain of the Holyhead Harpies. Free tickets whenever I'd like. Barnabas Cuffe, editor of the daily prophet, always takes my owls should I wish to comment on the news of the day." Suddenly Harry noticed a familiar face and picked up the picture of Slughorn beside a quidditch team holding the quidditch cup. "Ah yes! Regulus Black! Your godfather must have told you about him. His younger brother. He too was exceptionally talented. I expected great things from him… Sirius was quite talented as well of course, but we never really managed to connect. I was head of house for the entire Black family you know, except for Sirius. It was a shame. I got Regulus of course, but I would have liked the set." Something about that wording rubbed Harry completely the wrong way. Slughorn had said it as though he were a collector of fine porcelain dolls and he'd been outbid by a rival. Snuffles was leaning on him heavily, occasionally licking his pants to give small comfort.

"Ah!" Dumbledore suddenly interjected "Sorry to have kept you all waiting. I'm sure you had a riveting conversation. But unfortunately, it's getting quite late, and Ms. Evans expects her son and nephew back in time for supper." Dumbledore remarked. Harry didn't need to be told twice. Neither did Snuffles, who instantly pulled Harry in the direction of the door. Dudley smiled and turned to the professor, giving him another firm handshake as he walked towards dumbledore.

"It was a pleasure meeting you sir. I wish we could have spoken more. You seem to be quite a fascinating individual." Slughorn was staring after them, gapping like a fish.

"But-I–but I thought-why did-" he stuttered.

"I'm sorry to have wasted your precious time, Horace." Albus said with a grandfatherly smile "I suppose I expected far too much of you. Or perhaps I was too stubborn. I really do need to learn to accept refusals. Farewell. I wish you all the best." Then he turned and led the teens out the door.

"What are we doing?" Harry whispered in confusion "I thought we were supposed to convince Slughorn to come back to Hogwarts."

"Wait for it," Dudley murmured before he slowly lifted up three fingers. As soon as he lifted up the third the door banged open.

"Wait!" Horace wheezed. "I'll do it! I'll take the job!" Harry gapped at Dudley who smirked. Dumbledore meanwhile had turned around and was smiling.

"Wonderful Horace! I'm sure-"

"But I want a raise!" Horace demanded "And I want to set my own hours, not those ridiculous rules the ministry sets! I'm too old for such a rigorous schedule!"

"Of course Horace." Albus agreed with a bow of his head.

"And I want Merrythought's old office, not the water closet I had before! These are mad times I tell you, mad!" Horace cried in exasperation before lumbering back into the house.

"Excellent! Very well done Mr. Dursley if I do say so myself."

"Thanks." Dudley accepted with a gracious bow of his head.

"Yes. Yes, this will work nicely." Dumbledore muttered as he led the boys back towards the alley they had arrived in. "Harry, there is something I will need you to do this year."

"What?" Harry asked curiously.

"Horace is in possession of something vital. I need you to obtain it for me." Dumbledore said.

"Slughorn talked like he was some kind of old collector." Harry commented quietly "Only… he collects famous and talented people, doesn't he sir."

"Indeed he does Harry," Dumbledore remarked with sparkling eyes.

"So… you want me to let him collect me?" Harry asked wearily.

"It is absolutely vital, Harry." Dumbledore insisted. Snuffles huffed and growled slightly. Dumbledore looked down at the dog and sighed. "I understand your reservations, Snuffles, but it is necessary. Besides, you'll be there to help Harry through his challenges, I'm sure." Snuffles huffed again but looked away in concession "Now! We'd best get back. I for one do now want to know what Petunia has planned for me if we are late."

Harry looked up from his history of magic essay as Sirius flopped onto the couch. The man had insisted on having a shower after dinner 'To wash off Slughorn'. As he sat there he tapped his foot in agitation.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked wearily. Sirius snorted.

"It's that plan of Dumbledore's." He complained "I don't like it. Sluggy always rubbed me the wrong way."

"Why is that?" Harry asked, thinking back to Slughorn's own comments about Sirius seemingly never trusting him. Sirius snorted out a sardonic laugh.

"That man is like a double-sided glass. He shows off this dottering slightly fumbly exterior. But he's cold as ice on the inside. The one that got me was the whole comment about Lily being muggleborn." The animagus scoffed. "And the way he panicked when Dudley called him out. 'Please don't think I'm prejudiced!' I grew up in that world, Harry. I was surrounded by that kind of hate every day. I know all the ways people hide that sort of thing from 'polite society'. Not that my mother thought the sort who hid it was 'polite society'. She insisted they were blood traitors. But trust me, Harry, the subtle supremacy can be even worse than the overt. Overt supremacy is easier to spot. And you can rally against it. But subtle supremacy tricks you into thinking it's ignorance or naivety. You can get away with subtle supremacy. And more horrifying of all, it can convince muggleborns that they really are lesser. Because if someone who insists they're not prejudiced starts going around talking about how different muggleborns are, well then it's not because they're muggleborn. It's because of some other made-up reason." Sirius said, growing more agitated as he spoke. Then he huffed "I could smell Sluggy and his bullshit from a mile away even in human form." then he scowled "And that's another thing! He hates dogs! Who in their right mind hates dogs!" Harry snickered a bit as Sirius crossed his arms and glared straight ahead. "He's almost as bad as Snivellous." Harry frowned before he threw his quill down.

"Alright Sirius, out with it, why do you hate Snape so much? After everything he's done for me, why do you still insist on calling him names and belittling him?" Sirius looked at his godson before he sighed.

"Look… I'm going to tell you this story. I'm not exactly… proud of what we did. But I also know that you deserve an explanation." Sirius said before he folded his legs under himself and sat up straighter "As you know, Snape and your mum were very close. They were best friends."

"More than friends." Petunia suddenly cut in, coming to stand behind the couch with an inquisitive frown "More like siblings. Severus and his mother came to live with us for about a year and a half. Lily and Severus were inseparable."

"That makes it worse," Sirius remarked with a scowl before he cleared his throat. "It was in our fifth year. The same year that I… well… you know." Sirius said with a swallow.

"When you what?" Petunia asked with narrowed eyes.

"He tricked Snape into going to the shrieking shack during the full moon," Harry said before Sirius could wave it off.

"You what?!" Petunia demanded in horror "He could have been killed!"

"I know!" Sirius said with a grimace "It was stupid. But he deserved it!"

"What could he have possibly done to deserve that?" Petunia demanded. Sirius huffed.

"It was just after a defence practice exam. Around march. Your dad, Remus and I were hanging around the big birch tree across the lake when we spotted Snivellus skulking around." Sirius commented "He'd been following us all year, sneaky git. He was trying to figure out where Remus and we all went off to every full moon. So… your dad and I decided to… rough him up a bit."

"What did you do?" Harry demanded.

"We hung him upside down and…" Sirius trailed off

"And?" Harry prompted.

"Pulled down his trousers," Sirius said quietly. Harry paled a bit.

"That's assault." Dudley suddenly cut in, looking murderous. "You were a bully."

"I wasn't a bully," Sirius argued. Dudley scoffed.

"Oh trust me, Sirius. You were definitely a bully. I used to do stuff like that all the time, remember? Let me guess? Snape was an easy target, wasn't he? He didn't really have any friends. No one who'd come to his aid." Dudley said.

"No one but Lily," Sirius admitted quietly. Then his face hardened "Until that day."

"What happened?" Harry asked quietly. Sirius sighed.

"Lily did the same thing she always did. She got pissed. Marched over and demanded that we stop harassing him. Then she went to help him up. And do you know what he did to thank her? He looked her dead in the eyes and said he didn't need help from ' A filthy mudblood like you.'" Sirius finished with a scowl. Harry blinked. Petunia meanwhile had relaxed her stance, now looking despondent.

"He said that to her?" she asked in horror.

"Spat it at her, In front of a huge crowd," Sirius confirmed. Harry was silent before he sighed.

"What he said was really horrible, Sirius." Harry finally said, "But he didn't deserve attempted murder."

"I know." Sirius admitted quietly before he fidgeted slightly, "I've been… talking with Dr. Emmeline… about… things." Then he sighed. "She says a lot of my violent youthful tendencies were me trying to gain some control over my own life. A way to escape from the oppression I was suffering under at home." There was a momentary pause before Sirius huffed "I still think what Snape did was reprehensible." He looked at Petunia with cold eyes "If what you say is true and they were like siblings what he did was even worse." He looked down at his hands "Regulus and I might not have seen eye to eye, but I would never betray him like that."

"You have no idea what his life was like at home Sirius." Petunia suddenly cut in looking sad. "No idea at all. I think if you two could settle your differences you'd find you have quite a bit in common."

"The man was a death eater Petunia." Sirius suddenly snapped, "Even if our home lives were similar, that doesn't excuse the fact that he willingly joined that nose-less asshole."

"Do you ever think that maybe all the tormenting drove him to that decision?" Dudley suddenly griped. Sirius blinked before he sighed again.

"Maybe." He admitted "Sometimes I think that if I hadn't…" the man sighed "It's too late now. The past is the past." He looked at his godson. He saw the hint of betrayal in Harry's eyes and drooped. "I am sorry. I know that what I did was wrong. And I'm going to work every day to try and become the person you deserve me to be." Harry smiled as he heard that before he nodded. Sirius perked back up as he saw that. But in his eyes was a glimmer of repentance which made Harry smile a little wider. Sirius was growing. And it was good to see.

A/N: Hello again!

I'm currently sick as a dog (now isn't that ironic) but I still felt like posting this for you all. congratulations!

Now Books is currently in the busiest semester of her program and isn't gonna be able to do any kind of editing. so I apologize in advance for the mess that will be these foreseeable chapters. I will try my extra-special best to get them as polished as physically possible. Just know that she has said she will go back and edit anything as soon as she has the time and mental fortitude. And once that's done these fics will be edited. Until then please try and bear with us.

Rori Potter: Hello again! I'm going to try and keep a weekly-ish update schedule. It won't necessarily be Happy Friday or Happy Saturday. But there should be a new chapter at least once a week.

DLillith21: I look forward to hearing from you again! Reliable feedback is honestly a godsend. It can sometimes help me plan how I portray things. Or just make me even more excited to post the culmination of a really good piece of foreshadowing. ;)

LaViolaViolaRosa & ILoveGeorgeEads: Thank you!

That's all I Have for you this week! See you next week!

Don't forget to keep on reading!

-TTC