A.N/ The second chapter is up!

Chapter Two

Dumbledore and Harry walked silently down Privet Drive. Harry couldn't help but feel a little awkward as Dumbledore continued to say nothing. He seemed to be very pensive and Harry longed to know what he was thinking about.

A little while later Dumbledore spoke, "Now Harry, I intend to do a side-along apparition, as you are not old enough to apparate yourself. However before we do, there is something I must speak to you about."

Dumbledore raised his hand to stroke his beard thoughtfully. Harry noticed it had been burned pretty badly; the flesh was shriveled and black.

"Professor, what happened to your…"

"Now Harry, I think we should send your things to The Burrow as there is no need for them now." Dumbledore intersected, and with a wave of his wand they were gone.

Dumbledore now turned to look at the sidewalk; he seemed to be looking for someone. He flicked his wand again, and a bench appeared.

"Shall we?" Dumbledore asked politely, gesturing towards the bench.

Harry nodded and sat down, still curious about his Headmaster's hand.

"Now Harry, I came to collect you for two very important reasons. The first is that I wanted a talk with your Aunt and Uncle, the second, is I have four things to share with you."

Harry waited for him to continue.

Dumbledore sighed and began, "This is not easy for me to discuss and I doubt it will be easy for you to hear. However it must be dealt with and I'm guessing it'd be easiest to hear it from me. Now, as you know Sirius," At the mention of Sirius, Harry's stomach lurched, "had no sons, and his younger brother Regulus died young. So as a result, Sirius's will states that you will get all of his possessions, including 12 Grimmuald Place and Kreacher, his house elf."

Harry groaned, Kreacher was well…not his favorite house elf.

Harry didn't know how to tell Dumbledore this, so he asked tentatively, "Professor, I don't-I don't HAVE to keep Kreacher, do I?"

Dumbledore thought for a few moments and replied, "No, if you would like, you could order him to work at Hogwarts in the kitchens, there is just the issue if he will in fact obey you, as you are not a blood relative of the Blacks. We will need to test this." Dumbledore snapped his fingers and Kreacher appeared, a scowl etched on his face. He pointed to Harry.

"You," Kreacher growled, "befriending blood traitors and mudbloods alike, what would the noble Mistress say?" Kreacher looked very upset, but Harry felt no sympathy.

Kreacher went on, "I won't be your house elf. I won't!" He went off on a long line of 'won'ts' and Harry rolled his eyes.

Then he yelled in frustration, "Kreacher, just shut UP, will you?" And instantly Kreacher's words stopped, he kept mouthing them, but no sound came out, he looked frantic, pointing at his throat in desperation.

Dumbledore smiled, "Well that settles that doesn't it?"

Harry nodded silently, and then turned to Kreacher, "Kreacher, you can speak, but you must go to Hogwarts and work in the kitchens." He said, he felt awkward and angry ordering him around.

Kreacher then left them, and Harry sighed with relief.

Dumbledore continued on brightly, "On a much lighter note, I shall tell you the second thing I must warn you about. You see Harry we will be having a new teacher at Hogwarts, Professor Slughorn." Harry expected this, ever since his first year, the Defense against the Dark Arts post at Hogwarts had a different professor each year.

"Now Professor Slughorn is not new to Hogwarts, I have convinced him to come out of retirement. However I must warn you, while Horace has my utmost respect, he has the tendency to pick out favorites. I suggest you be careful, as you will no doubt be one of them."

Harry groaned, just what he needed, a star struck teacher.

Dumbledore was not finished talking however, "The third thing I must tell you, is that this year you will be taking private lessons with me, to teach you about Lord Voldemort. You heard the prophecy, I expect?"

Harry nodded, then a thought occurred to him. "Does this mean I can stop taking occlumency lessons with Snape?" he asked brightly.

Dumbledore looked uncomfortable, "Professor Snape Harry, but yes, your lessons with Severus will stop.

Harry cheered inwardly.

Then he remembered something, "Professor? What was the last thing you needed to tell me?"

Dumbledore looked at him blankly, "The last thing, Harry?"

Harry nodded, "You said there were four things…"

Dumbledore's face lit up in understanding "Oh yes, the fourth thing Harry, this year I need you to do a little favor for me."

Harry looked at him, expectantly.

"Harry, I need you to befriend Draco Malfoy.