Disclaimer: Again, I canonically do not own DC nor do I own the Harry Potter series
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Chapter two: The Proposal
Nodding to Alfred, Bruce turned back to the fire to await the Arrival of his mysterious guest.
Listening intently, he caught glimpses of this conversation from the front door:
"Ah, Professor. How nice to see you again."
"Yes, It has been quite a long time has it not?"
"I am afraid I have been quite out of touch, attending to the young master"
"Speaking of your master, is he... ready to receive me"
"I am afraid I haven't had time to properly warn him about your... specialties"
His interest aroused, diferent thoughts buzzed around Bruce's head. Clearly, the accent he heard was english, which would explaon how Alfred knew his visitor.
However, He never heard Alfred mention a "Dumbledore". He did not really know much about Alfred's social life, but he kept records of all their family acquaintances, and this was one name he never encountered.
"Strange..." Bruce muttered to himself
Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned to see Alfred at the doorway to the living room.
"Master Wayne, might I present to you Prof. Albus Dumbledore of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"
After these words, an old, long bearded man stepped into the room. He was clothed quite peculiarly, with long robes speckeld with moving figures of cosmic bodies.
He looked ancient indeed, but that did not reduce the effect of his eyes. Bruce knew a lot about judging character and he knew that there was steel within this man, hidden beneath the guise of an old professor.
Of course, most people would have been astounded at the sight before them. However, most people were not members of the Justice League and most people did not encounter strange beings in a regular basis.
The professor was impressed by the fact that the man before him did not look shocked as most muggles did when he met them. In fact, Bruce Wayne looked annoyed. "I wonder why?" Dumbledore asked himself
"Forgive my intrusion Mr. Wayne, I came here on a matter of great urgency."
Keeping his cool, Bruce gestured to a seat near him and spoke.
"Please have a seat... professor, is it? What might this matter be, and how can Wayne Entreprises help you?"
Waiting until his guest was seated, Bruce commented "That's a very interesting costume... might I ask where you got it?" He let just a hint of the coldness of the Bat leak into his question.
Seeing the direction that the conversation was going, Dumbledore answered in a very grave voice. "I am sorry, but Alfred mentioned that it would be pointless to try to deceive you, so I decided to come in this attire."
Bruce assumed as much, but he did not let any emotion show in his perfect poker face.
Continuing, Dumbledore locked eyes with Bruce and said "I have no need of the help of Wayne Enterprises. I came here to ask help from you"
Finally dropping all pretenses, Bruce faced the professor.
"What exactly do you want, Professor?" A hint of sarcasm emphasized the title.
"Let me explain." Dumbledore answered him calmly. "But first, I think you need a drink."
Dumbledore wiggled a couple of his fingers, and a bottle of what looked liked rum materialized out of the thin air. Pouring some into two glasses which likewise appeared, Prof. Dumbledore offered one to Bruce Wayne.
Bruce took the glass but did not drink. "If Alfred talked to you about me, then I am sure you would understand why I will not drink this."
"Ah, of course. You do not want anything to affect you reasoning. Pity, that is one of Rosmerta's finest Red Currant Rum."
"Please, just get on with your story." despite being sorely tempted to snap at the old man, Bruce remembered that this old man was Alfred's acquaintance, and he had to be careful.
"Because of your line of duty, you have come across wizards and magicians pleanty of times." Dumblecore took care not to mention Batman explicitly, for Alfred warned him about the consequences of that.
"Hogwarts serves as a training ground for the Wizarding World. Generally, we keep away from the muggle -that's our term for non-magical- world."
"However, war has erupted, and a very powerful dark wizard has risen to destroy the world we have worked so hard to protect."
"And how exactly does this concern me?" Bruce interrupted
"The enemy uses many methods to kill innocents. I am afraid that the training students receive from Hogwarts may prove to be insufficient should they fall prey to the Dark Forces."
Dumbledore paused, hoping that his plan works
"I am thinking of upgrading the curriculum. I am offering you a teaching position at Hogwarts."
"As tempting as that sounds, I think I'll pass" Bruce answered with bitter sarcasm.
"Alfred told me that you were very qualified to teach children. He said you had... experience."
"This conversation is over... Professor." Bruce stood up and started to walk away.
"You need to understand." The professor's voice suddenly took on an authority which caused Bruce to stop. "Voldemort's forces are targetting one boy, Harry Potter. Voldemort killed Potter's parents, but in the process of trying to murder him, Voldemort lost his powers. Now he is back, and he wants revenge. He already killed one student."
At this, Bruce's mind turned back to the memories of a dark alley. He remembered the popcorn, the pearls, and the blood.
Without turning around, Bruce said these 5 words:
"Come back in one week."
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What will happen next? How exactly does Alfred know about Hogwarts? Batman, a teacher? Where the heck is Harry Potter? Ask these questions and more will be coming your way... In other words, REVIEW PLEASE... 3 will get the story rolling