He had been talking with Albus for a good fifteen minutes now, trying to persuade him that hey - maybe hiring a drunkard that you only met last night is a Bad Idea. And, it could be just rationality and common sense speaking here, but maybe you shouldn't attempt to hire him as a teacher of innocent school children!
"I could be a criminal, you know. Like - I could totally be after the many priceless treasures that are no doubt hidden within this ancient castle," Harry protested.
"Nonsense, Harry," Albus brushed away his protests. "I am certain that you are a fine, upstanding young man. And as I have witnessed your prowess in dueling, I know that you possess the skill to teach at Hogwarts in the Defense Against Dark Arts position. Which, may I remind you, is vacant due to Galatea Merrythought's retirement and quite likely to remain so."
Glad to see where Britain's education system is headed. Which is down the drain.
"You don't even know my last name," tried Harry with exasperation.
"I'll have you know that I am a very good judge of character," the aged wizard winked.
Oh yes, this shining and baseless trust of dangerous men was definitely what got Snape hired as Potions professor. Though Snape did turn out to be good in the end...and in love with his mum (eeeew)...and that was not the point!
"I threw up on you," was all that he could say.
"A simple Evanesco took care of that in a jiffy!"
"I can't stay. I have to find a way back home!"
"There is no reason you can't sojourn here a while until you do."
"Could you just listen for one moment!" he almost shouted.
Albus fell silent and simply stared at him, patiently as ever.
"Look," Harry licked his lips nervously and hoped he wasn't digging himself into a deep hole that would eventually be his grave. Or prison cell. "I - I don't have the legal papers to be in Britain right now. And I'm not registered as a person either. I'm not supposed to be here."
Albus blinked, "If that is all that you were troubled about, there is no need to be anxious. Many foreign wizards have been fleeing to Britain recently, and consequently, papers are not that difficult to forge. Come, let us see Headmaster Dippet."
Harry despaired at the fact that clearly all wizards had magic where their common sense should be and allowed himself to be dragged away. Maybe Dippet would be an exception...
Armando Dippet was not an exception. He, instead, had agreed. With delight and enthusiasm, in fact. Actually, he was kind of rubbing Harry's face in it.
"We had such a hard time finding a qualified teacher; your timing is truly impeccable!" Armando Dippet said joyously.
Well, Harry supposed killing a Dark Lord could count as a qualification. And heh, don't get him started on time.
"To be so young and yet come so highly recommended by Albus!" the Headmaster continued.
Who still doesn't know my last name, Harry thought darkly. Dippet asks far too few questions for a man in wartime.
"It is unfortunate that you won't be staying permanently, but treat this semester as a trial run. You will be welcome to return from - where did you say you hailed from?" he inquired.
I didn't.
Smiling, Harry said, "A little north of here." In time.
"Well, I am delighted to meet you, Mr...Harry," Armando said as he shook hands with Harry.
Noting that the grip was rather weak and adjusting accordingly, Harry replied, "It was a pleasure to meet you too, Headmaster Dippet."
"Please, call me Armando."
What have I gotten myself into?
Albus hummed.
Harry glared.
"Don't think you've won. I'm leaving as soon as I can. "
"Of course."
"And I'm totally going to use unconventional teaching methods."
"Hogwarts supports originality and expression of individuality."
The green-eyed wizard tossed Albus a suspicious glance, wondering if the last comment had been sincere. The older man just beamed harder.
Looking straight forward, Harry asked, "Why?"
Why do you trust me? Why would you offer me this position?
"Hogwarts knows you," Albus said, a tad more seriously.
Harry waited.
"And I," Harry's Headmaster-turned-colleague touched his chest lightly, "I feel as though...I know you too."
Harry let that touching statement hang in the air between them for a bit before he thoroughly ruined the moment.
"So, I'm the long-lost friend you never had. Awesome. What do you say to discussing all the beautiful memories that we never shared over some tea and cookies?"
"And lemon drops," added Albus, who somehow seemed even more twinkly then before.
Harry had to grin at that.
"Naturally. Where would we be without lemon drops?"
Author's Note: Hey, it came out quicker than last time. I know it's a bit short, but it felt right to end it here. I've already started thinking up the next chapter. Which may actually contain our second main character. Fuuuu, evil genii are so hard to write.
Okay, you know the drill. REVIEWS. Typos, comments on my writing style, ideas on where you want the story to go, shout outs to your favorite characters. Anything goes.