Disclaimer: I don't own Harry or his world unfortunately.

The Apprentice

They were waiting as Harry descended the marble steps outside the great hall. Both were clad in regal black and violet robes, and had an air of royalty about them. Lord and Lady Mortimer, Harry's new tutors regarded him silently, with great interest, as he made his way nervously towards them.

"Harry Potter, a pleasure to finally meet you" he said, extending an elegant hand. Harry shook, feeling the strong grip of the elder man.

"Let me introduce myself, my name is Lucien Mortimer, and this," he said gesturing to the rather beautiful witch beside him, "is my wife Lady Isabelle".

Harry nodded to her, not meeting her eyes. He suddenly felt very small and insignificant in the company of these two very stately looking people.

"Come" said Lucien suddenly, "we shall waste no more of your precious learning time standing idly". He put a hand on Harry's shoulder, steering him out of the great hall, and the castle itself, down the large drive until at last they came to a halt beside the tall iron gates.

"You have used a portkey before?" enquired Lady Isabelle, speaking for the first time as she produced a silver plate from her robes. Her voice was rich and melodic, and Harry could only nod silently.

They all took hold of the plate, Harry glanced up at the castle, but before he could do so properly, he felt a powerful jerk around his midriff and was whisked away.

I f he had looked up, he might have noticed the sad blue eyes behind half moon spectacles watch him go.

Dumbledore stood silently by the great oak doors as Harry disappeared. Looking out onto the grounds he felt strangely depressed.

"You could have just taught the boy yourself Albus, rather than stand there and feel sorry for yourself" said a crisp, disapproving voice behind him.

The headmaster smiled, recognising the voice of his Deputy. "It is better for him this way" he replied, still staring at the spot where Harry had vanished.

"I fail to see how," countered McGonagall, "You could teach Harry far more things than Lucien. Besides you two seemed to get along very well yesterday".

Dumbledore turned and looked at her very seriously.

"Harry is destined to do great things in our world Minerva, but it may be at great cost to himself. If I grow close to him, I fear I will prevent him from fulfilling his destiny by trying to protect him. My actions may well put our world in danger" he said firmly.

Minerva restrained herself from rolling her eyes and filled in the obvious point her employer seemed to be missing.

"If it is his destiny, as you seem to think Albus, then nothing you do will change it, not your protection or your affection. In the end, if Harry is destined to save our world...he will".

Dumbledore opened his mouth to reply and then closed it again, evidently realising that Minerva's logic made perfect sense.

The Deputy headmistress, seemingly satisfied, turned and left, leaving behind Albus Dumbledore with much to think about.

Harry let out a gasp of amazement as the portkey released him at their destination. They had landed at the bottom of a steep-sided valley between two mountains. Ahead of them, veiled in an unearthly mist, stood a large collection of old, ornate looking buildings.

"Welcome to our humble abode Harry" said Lucien quietly.

Harry wasn't sure about humble, the place was about a quarter of the size of Hogwarts and every last detail from the flagstones on the floor to the elaborate oak doors had been hand carved and built to perfection. Although he had barely set foot in the Mortimer's dwelling, Harry could already tell that this place was every bit as impressive and elaborate as the owners who lived in it.

Lucien led Harry through the grand interior, pausing every now and then to explain the history behind one of the many sculptures or paintings scattered in each room. Eventually, they stopped outside two large double doors. The inscription above read eruditio, sapientia.

"This is the learning area where you will be spending most of your time with either myself or Isabelle. Although you are welcome to go outdoors and dine with us in the main hall, I must make it plain that you are not to wander too far from this part of the house, is that understood?"

Harry nodded, gulping slightly at the severity of Lucien's expression. Isabelle cleared her throat slightly, and Lucien, giving her a half glance, smiled once more.

"Now that the formalities are over let us begin" he said leading Harry towards a large desk in the centre of the room. He motioned for Harry to sit down while he took up a position in front of a small blackboard.

"As you do not yet have a wand, we will begin with theory lessons."

Five hours later Harry lay, in the glorious afternoon sunlight, underneath an apple tree in the Mortimer's beautiful fruit orchard. Winter was quickly fading away, and the young wizard was making them most of the premature spring weather. He had spent the best part of the morning learning magical theory with Lucien. They weren't really lessons at all, mused Harry, as he watched a bumblebee drone lazily in front of him. In fact, Harry had spent most of the time listening eagerly to Lucien's fascinating tales of wizarding legends and battles, conjuring in his mind's eye, images of dragons and the great white haired wizard Merlin.

Isabelle had then proceeded to cook them a mouth-watering lunch. Harry found himself slightly overwhelmed sitting in between the large bowls of soups, casseroles, salads, vegetables, sandwiches and blocks of cheese, not to mention the various chocolaty deserts that followed.

In the afternoon, Isabelle had taken Harry into the garden to help her pick herbs for potions. When their baskets had been filled, she let Harry explore the vast expanse of their orchard where he currently lay. Life had never been sweeter for the boy-who-lived, as he lay there exhausted, but wonderfully happy.

Dumbledore sat at his desk, staring at the woman revolving in his pensieve. This was not the first, nor would it be the last time he listened to Sybil Trelawney's fateful prophecy. Minerva's words reverberated in his mind, and he knew that, for all his reasoning about Harry's future, she was right. He had made up his mind and would teach the boy himself.

As though on cue, Minerva walked into his office.

"Albus, the Mortimers have just brought Harry back" she said, frowning when she noticed the image in his pensieve.

Dumbledore, catching her expression replied, "I've been doing some thinking about what you said earlier and I must say, once again it seems, you have proved an old man wrong. I do hope you forgive my poor judgement"

"Well, I don't about old, but you are certainly forgiven," she said smiling, "now come, they're waiting".

Dumbledore and Minerva met the trio in the entrance hall. Harry was positively bouncing with excitement.

"Mr Dumbledore! I had such a great time today."

Dumbledore glanced at his deputy, who silently urged him on.

"Yes...about that-"

"It was so fun! Mr Mortimer told me all about Merlin and -"

"Harry I- "

"They've invited me to a quidditch match tomorrow after my lesson, pleease can I go?"

He stared at the pleading boy in front of him and sighed. He didn't have the heart to ruin the boy's happiness.

"...Of course"

Harry gave a yelp of delight and pulled his tutors, who were both chuckling, into a bear hug.

Dumbledore couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as he watched them.

"Now, now Harry, you mustn't say too much or Albus will think you're not learning anything with us." said Lucien, ruffling his hair fondly.

"We'd better be off" said Isabelle straightening up. The two of them made their way down the grounds, and Harry waved them goodbye.

As they disapparated, the headmaster felt the familiar feeling of depletion wash over him.

"Oh Albus," said Minerva closing her eyes, "I'm sorry".