Harry stared out at the woods surrounding his home in contemplation. He'd spent most of the past two weeks since his birthday this way. Ever since Ginny Weasley had kissed him and completely messed up his life. Harry had been stuck between intense frustration and anger at Ginny for doing what she had, and overwhelming guilt for his part in hurting Susan.
Susan had looked so wounded when Harry had discovered her in his door way. Before he'd had the chance to say anything, Susan had lunged at Ginny and punched her right in the face. Ginny fell back like a rag doll, and Harry was sure Susan was going to attack Ginny again, and started to get between them. Susan simply turned and ran right out of the house. Harry was told later that she had gone to Hannah's house.
Susan returned two days later, but she'd been very cold towards him ever since. Harry had tried on more than one occasion to apologize to Susan, but the redhead usually walked away, or just glared at him in stony silence. Harry had finally given up trying to apologize. Susan just didn't seem to want to hear it. With every passing day, Harry's vision of their married life became more and more like his worst nightmares.
Susan's Aunt hadn't said anything to either of them over the matter. Harry guessed that she was staying out of the middle of it all together, opting to let the two youngster figure things out on their own. However, Harry noted a constant look of disappointment on Amelia's face each night when she arrived home.
A few days earlier, their OWL results had arrived. Harry had been in his room reading when he heard Susan shouting joyfully. He went to investigate, and as soon as she saw him, her smile vanished and she disappeared into her room until Amelia came home that night.
To make matters worse, it was affecting his training. His concentration was all but gone, and he couldn't seem to do anything right. Susan still trained with him whenever Tonks came by, and was present when Moody showed up to test the two teens again.
Both Harry and Susan had endured through Moody's onslaught of spells, and then his disappointment that they had clearly not been working together since he'd last seen them. Such was Moody's ire, that he suggested the two just go out and select their caskets right away, as they were quite clearly going to be killed.
As Harry stared into the woods, he couldn't say that he even cared if Voldemort himself showed up and struck him down.
He simply had no idea how he could make things right between himself and Susan, or at the very least make it to where they could be in the same room together. He was sure their short relationship was over, and they were no longer a couple. Harry was truly upset over that. While it hadn't been easy, Harry liked having Susan as a girlfriend. She was fun, and becoming easier to talk to. While he hadn't opened up to her as she wanted, he was warming to her, and he felt that until his birthday party, the same could be said for the redhead.
His feeling had taken him a bit by surprise, and he'd only begun to realize that he was really starting to like Susan, after the incident with Ginny. Though, he had had a lot of time to think about things, as he was constantly on his own.
Harry found Susan very attractive. She was only a bit shorter than he was, with very pretty blue eyes, and long red hair, that was darker than the Weasleys, but still vibrant. Despite laying in the sun all the time, her skin was the color of soft cream. She had an athletic figure. She wasn't fat by any stretch, but she wasn't super skinny. She was well proportioned with a classic hourglass figure. Harry was particularly fond of Susan's legs, and her rear, but could not deny that he was intrigued by her chest as well. He liked the way she smelled. and how she felt when she was curled up with him on the couch.
But more than that, Susan was very intelligent. And when they talked, she kept his attention. That was good, because Harry felt that a relationship based solely on a person's looks was doomed to failure. Cho had proven that.
Susan was also fun. Her smile and her laugh were contagious, and Harry had never laughed as much as he did when he was with Susan. All in all, Susan was pretty much everything Harry liked in a girl. The only thing he could say about her was that she didn't play quidditch, but after Cho, Harry wasn't sure that he wanted to date some one who was a fanatic.
Harry sighed with exasperation as his gaze journeyed to the stream they had yet to swim in. He remembered when they had first come to this house and how she had taken him by the hand and they had waded a little way into the water to see just how cold it was.
Rising to his feet, Harry decided to go down to the stream. Collecting a handful of rocks, Harry began skipping them on the water as he began to think about the coming school year. He'd been looking forward to starting the new year with Susan as his girlfriend. He knew that there was going to be a lot of talk, but he was used to it now. Harry and Susan had talked about what they were going to tell people, and they had agreed to never mention the contract.
But all of that was gone now, thanks to Ginny.
Harry had written to Ron to ask if he knew why his sister had kissed him. Ron had replied saying that Ginny had felt robbed of potentially dating Harry because of the contract. It was Ron's guess that Ginny just wanted to know what she was going to miss to something like that. Harry grimaced when he thought about that. How could Ginny even think for a second that they would have dated? Ginny could barely talk to him for longer than five minutes. She'd been a blushing klutz for most of the time they'd known each other.
Yes, she had calmed down a lot in the last year, but they still had barely spoken to each other, and in all honesty, Ginny just never struck his fancy, and he couldn't imagine that changing.
Then again, Harry admitted that life happens, and it was possible that maybe one day they might have dated. Harry just couldn't see it happening. Especially after what had happened two weeks ago.
Harry turned when he heard the door open and shut. He saw Susan on the deck of the house, looking down at him, though he was too far away to see her expression. He imagined her scowling at him, and he turned back to the water. He'd thrown his last rock, so he sat down on the bank and just let the sound of the water ease his mind.
After a few moments he heard soft footsteps, and turned to see Susan approaching him. She was wearing her favorite pair of cut off shorts and a simple black tank top. Harry's teenage hormones stirred when he saw the strap of her soft pink bra. Fortunately, his mood was to dark to be concerned about that. Mostly.
There was an long, uncomfortable silence when Susan sat down next to Harry.
"I know it wasn't your fault." Susan finally said. "I know that she forced herself on you, and I know why she did it. I don't like it, but I understand it."
"How do you know why she did it?" Harry asked, his voice low as he watched the stream.
"Hermione." Susan said simply. "She's been writing to me and Ginny, trying to play mediator or something. I keep telling her that after that, I just don't think Ginny and I will ever be friends."
Harry just nodded and the silence fell over them again.
"I never meant to hurt you." Harry said after a long time. Susan nodded, pulling her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms around them.
"I know." Susan replied.
They sat quietly for a few moments before Susan took a deep breath and ripped up a handful of grass.
"I've had two boyfriends. Ernie and I dated at the end of third year, but it didn't last very long, and all we ever did was hold hands. Then I went out with Wayne in fourth year, but he and I never connected really. We both decided to go our separate ways after our first kiss. It was weird, and wrong somehow. Like kissing a relative or something. It was not long after that that I started to really like Zach."
"Why are you telling me this?" Harry started to say, but Susan held up a hand.
"You'll understand in a minute. Let me just get through this." Harry nodded and Susan continued.
"I tried everything I could to get Zach to notice me as more than a friend. We had one kiss during a game of truth or dare, and I poured everything I could into that kiss so he would know that I liked him, and that I could be something much more than a friend. But, he wanted Hermione. What I'm getting at is that I don't have a lot of dating experience, and even without the contract that forced us together, I am really starting to like you. When we started dating, it just felt good. It was like there was no contract, and you and I were just normal. And then it all gets flushed down the toilet. I've been having a real hard time trying to figure out just what I'm supposed to do here."
"You haven't been the only one." Harry said.
"I'm sorry for being so mean to you, but I just couldn't figure out how I was supposed to act. I haven't been angry at you, I've been angry at myself, and I didn't want to take it out on you. I was also really jealous of Ginny. Because she did what I had planned on doing that very night. I wanted to be the one to kiss you."
Harry's head shot up and he turned to look at Susan, who was still hugging her knees, her head resting on her knees.
"You wanted to kiss me?"
"I had talked to Hermione and she helped me figure out the perfect way to do it. When we said goodnight, I was going to kiss you. I'd been wanting to kiss you for a while, even before we became a couple, if I'm going to be honest. I just didn't know how to go about it. Anyway, when I saw that Ginny was kissing you, when it should have been me, I just got so angry."
"I'm really sorry." Harry said again.
"I told you that I don't blame you." Susan replied. "Hermione wasn't kidding about your saving people complex. She said you were probably being eaten alive by your guilt."
Harry rolled his eyes at the mention of his personality quirk. He ran his hands through his messy black hair and sighed.
"I've been so confused about why Ginny felt she had to kiss me. When I first met her she couldn't even talk to me. She would always squeak, blush and runaway, not necessarily in that order. I hated it. To me she had become the embodiment of everything I hated about being famous. People falling over themselves to meet me or whatever. It made me even more self conscious and annoyed. When we got to school it got worse, thanks mostly to that ego maniac Lockhart." Harry said bitterly.
Susan was listening closely to him, realizing that Harry was once again allowing her a peek into his soul. This hadn't happened since that night after her house was burned down and they had all nearly died. She turned herself a bit so she was looking at him fully as he continued.
"What I didn't know at the time was that she was pouring her soul into a diary that had been slipped to her by Lucius Malfoy. It was cursed. It had once belonged to Voldemort."
Susan's eyes nearly came out of her head when Harry said this, but she said nothing, knowing Harry was going to explain it all to her. She just had to be patient.
"With every word she wrote in that thing, she was unwittingly giving Voldemort power. I don't know exactly how it worked, only that it was feeding off her, gaining power. It was able to possess her and make her do some really bad things, including opening the Chamber of Secrets."
"It was her?"
Harry nodded. "You can't mention this to anyone. None of it was her fault, but she doesn't need the kind of attention that would give her. No one does. Voldemort possessed her, and made her do it."
Susan nodded that she would not tell anyone what she was being told, and Harry continued.
"Anyway, near the end of the year, Ginny had given enough of herself to allow for Voldemort to become corporeal. He made her go down into the Chamber of Secrets where he could complete his goal and return himself to life. When Ron and I learned about what had happened, we went after her, but it was me that actually found the Chamber and fought Voldemort and a basilisk. I saved her that night, nearly dying myself."
Harry took a breath, and Susan simply waited for him to continue.
"Ron once said that he wouldn't be surprised if Ginny owed me a life debt. He never explained what that was, and I never cared enough to ask about it. Saving her was the right thing to do, and that was all that mattered. I didn't do it for more fame, or anything like that. I did it because it was the right thing to do. Hermione was the one who told me that Ginny had a crush on me. The thing is, and this is true still, I've never felt anything for Ginny more than friends. Part of it is because she's Ron's sister, and part is because of how she always acted. When she kissed me, I was just so stunned that I couldn't even think. I had no clue as to what was happening or why. It wasn't until she tried to make the kiss more that my brain clicked back on, and I pushed here away."
"You did push her away?" Susan said. "I've thought about that night so many times, but I was never sure what I saw."
"I pushed her away, because I was with you. I wanted to be with you, and if you hadn't been there, I would have told Ginny that she shouldn't have done that, and that I was dating you. She needs to get over her feelings for me because her and I will never be."
"You wanted to be with me?" Susan asked, looking into Harry's eyes.
"Yeah."
"Do you still want to be with me? In spite of the contract?"
Harry nodded, not sure where Susan was going with this.
"I still want to be with you too." She said, a hint of a smile tugging on the comer of her mouth. She reached out and took Harry's hand in hers and stared into his eyes as she felt this warmth spread from her chest through her entire body. She ran her thumb softly over the raised lines of the scars he'd been forced to cut into his own flesh and sighed.
Harry was confused by everything that was happening. He looked into her soft blue eyes, hoping to see some sign that would explain it all to him, but all he saw was something that left him with more questions. He opened his mouth to voice his confusion, but his throat cut off the queries before they could be voiced. Then he felt Susan tug his arm softly, and he began to lean towards her. He felt her other hand softly cup his cheek, and he saw that she was leaning towards him, her eyes fluttering closed as she brushed her soft lips against his in their first kiss.
It was indescribably soft, like a whisper in the wind. Their lips just barely grazed against each other at first, and Susan pulled back just a bit. She inhaled softly before capturing Harry's lips ever so delicately again, holding the kiss just a bit longer this time. Slowly she felt Harry's hand slid up her arm and slip to the back of her neck. He didn't pull her closer, now did he push her away. He simply held her there, which sent shivers through her body.
Susan pulled away once more, this time opening her eyes to look at Harry, who for the first time that she could remember looked truly at peace and calm. His eyes were brighter than she'd ever seen them, and he had the softest of smiles on his face. Seeing his expression of hope and contentment made her heart flutter and she released his hand so she could wrap both her hands around his neck and kiss him more properly.
This wasn't anything like the kiss she had shared with Zach so long ago. This was something else entirely, and Susan knew exactly why. Unlike when she kissed Zach, Harry was actually returning her feelings, however unsure of them he was. This was not one sided, nor was it the result of a dare. Harry was kissing he because he wanted to. Knowing that simple fact ignited something within her, and Susan knew that she wanted to see where this would lead.
Over and over, Hermione's words kept repeating in her mind. "Harry will spend his life trying to make you happy."
Harry didn't know why Susan was kissing him, but he didn't really feel that he needed to understand at the moment. He liked Susan a lot. and he liked kissing her. Susan wasn't crying, nor had she surprised him. Well, that wasn't entirely true, but she hadn't attacked him. She had drawn him to her and tested the waters, so to speak.
Harry held her still, not sure what he should be doing, though all he wanted was to pull Susan into his lap and hold her tightly to him and keep on kissing her. He was really beginning to like her as something different from just a friend, and he was sure that with this kiss, they were once again a couple, if they had ever stopped being one in the first place.
And then Harry began to feel something very strange. A tingling in his scar. Not like the kind he usually got when ever Voldemort was angry or happy. This felt different. Almost like when his foot fell asleep. It didn't last long, so Harry didn't think about it too much. He much preferred thinking about kissing Susan anyway.
Unbeknownst to either teen, they were being watch by a very relived, and slightly concerned Amelia who'd just arrived home, and had gone looking for the wayward teens. She had been about to call out to them when she saw them share their first kiss. A wave of hope washed over Amelia as she watched them take their first step towards happiness. The last two weeks had been nearly unbearable with all the tension between the two, and Amelia was nearly at her breaking point. She didn't want to interfere, but she wasn't sure how much more she could stand.
Fortunately for everyone, Susan and Harry had finally figured out their issue, and had gotten themselves back on track.
Amelia decided to allow them a few more minutes of bliss before she broke them apart for dinner. She knew they would have plenty of opportunity to explore this new facet of their evolving relationship. Her only hope was that they didn't push themselves to far too fast. They were still young, and had a couple of years before they had to be married. There would be plenty of time for them to go crazy... hopefully.
Harry sat in his bedroom, reading over a book he'd received that day. He had to replace several of his books after the fire at Susan's home, and he'd been happy when the new books had arrived earlier in the day.
Harry had also received one other piece of mail. Professor Dumbledore had written, asking if he would be agreeable to take part in a rather important errand that evening around eleven. Harry had responded that he would be happy to help, and now all he had was the waiting.
Harry's mind had wandered all day, and he was still having trouble focusing on his reading. His mind kept replaying the kiss he had shared with his girlfriend by the stream the previous day. It was unlike anything Harry had experienced in his life. Harry only wished that it hadn't come as the result of so much trouble.
Harry still had no idea what it was that Ginny had wanted to accomplish by kissing him. He was pretty sure he didn't want to know either. His life was already complicated enough.
Harry still could not stop smiling like a fool whenever he thought about kissing Susan. They had kissed several more times since that first one by the stream, but nothing came close. So far they had only shared a few quick pecks. Harry though maybe Susan was worried about her Aunt catching them or something. He hated that they hadn't been alone since the previous evening. Susan had gone to Hannah's not long after breakfast that morning, and Amelia left for work afterwards.
But they would be back in school soon, and if Susan, Hannah, Seamus, Dean, and many others were to be believed, there were hundreds of places a couple could go for a bit of private time. If he really wanted to, he could take Susan to the Room of Requirement and have several hours alone without the fear of being caught.
Harry grinned to himself as he let his mind picture himself alone with Susan in her bikini.
As he imagined touching her bare skin and what it might feel like, he began to feel the strange tingling in his scar again. It had started the previous night when he and Susan had shared their first kiss, and he'd felt it tingle a couple of time that day.
It wasn't like before whenever Voldemort was happy or angry. This was something else entirely. It didn't hurt at all. It just tingled, like when his foot fell asleep. It was really very strange. Almost as strange as the fact that he'd not felt or seen anything from the Dark Lord's mind all summer. Harry decided that he should probably ask Dumbledore about it, as he seemed to be the only one who had any sort of clue about his scar.
Checking the new watch he'd gotten in London before he'd moved into the cottage, Harry saw that it was only a few minutes to eleven. He placed a place holder in his book, grabbed a light jacket and headed down the stairs.
Amelia was still awake, reading some reports from her office and sipping tea as the wireless played.
"Is it eleven already?" she asked as Harry came down the steps. "Pretty close." Harry said.
"I know you'll be with Dumbledore tonight, but I want you to be careful. Don't lake any chances. Don't be a hero if anything happens." Amelia said, looking at him hard.
"Do you know where it is we're going?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"I don't, but with Dumbledore, you can never tell what kind of errand he might be running."
There was a knock on the door and Amelia rose from her seat and opened it to find Albus Dumbledore standing in the moonlight, and congenial smile on his face.
"A good evening to you Amelia, and to you as well Harry. I'd like to thank you for consenting to accompany me this evening."
"Sure." Harry nodded. "Where is it we're going?"
"We shall be going to call on an old colleague." Dumbledore smiled as Amelia stood aside to allow him to enter the house. "I am hoping very much to coax him out of retirement to come and teach again, as we are in need of a new Potions professor."
"What happened to Snape?" Harry asked a little too eagerly.
"Professor Snape is quite well. He has agreed to take on the post of Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher this year."
"Oh no!" Harry groaned, and Dumbledore smiled.
"It is not as bad as all that, Harry. I am quite aware of the difference of opinion between you both..."
"Difference of opinion?" Harry asked, his anger rising. "He hates me! He's arrogant, disrespectful and childish."
"He is also well versed in the Dark Arts, and will provide you all with the very best education in the subject. I implore you to pay attention to his classes this year, Harry. I have had words with Professor Snape about his attitude, and I am confident that you will find him more tolerable this year."
"And if I don't? What if he decides to use me as a practice dummy when he wants to demonstrate some spell or something?" Harry asked.
"I do not think that will happen." Dumbledore smiled. "But should you have a legitimate complaint about his teaching methods, then you should bring the matter to my attention at once. I will handle the matter at once."
Harry said nothing, but inside he was seething. He wasn't convinced that Snape would be any better to him or anyone else this year. Harry was positive that Snape would see being the Defense teacher as a pass to show off some of the nastiest curses and hexes around.
Dumbledore could see that Harry was still displeased, but there was nothing for it. The decision had been made. The Headmaster figured it would be best to change the topic.
"We should be off. The night will not wait for us, nor will Horace. Amelia, I will have Harry home by one o'clock."
"See that you do." Amelia said, folding her arms across her chest.
"I assume that Susan will be home by the time we return so that we may all speak together?"
"I'll keep her awake."
"Very good. Good evening to you." Dumbledore said with a soft bow, before leading Harry out of the cottage.
"Bye." Harry waved and Amelia gave a wave in return.
Harry and Dumbledore walked in silence until the passed the outer wards and Dumbledore offered his arm to Harry.
"We shall be apparating this evening, so please hold tightly."
Harry obliged and in a very discomforting instant, they were standing in the middle of a small park with a large marble fountain which was shut off at the moment. Harry heard crickets all around them, and a cat yowling nearby.
"Where are we sir?" Harry asked.
"This is the charming village of Budleigh Babberton. Please follow me."
The began heading up a well lit street together.
"So, who is this teacher we're going to be talking to?"
"Horace Slughorn. He taught potions for a great number of years. He was offered the position of Headmaster, but he refused it. He has never thought of himself as a leader. He prefers to inspire others to greatness. Horace enjoys a simple, comfortable life, filled with gifts from those he has helped out along the way. Back when he was a teacher, he had a sort of club made of students he felt were destined for greatness. If I am not very much mistaken, Your mother was one of his most favorite students."
Harry perked up at once. He was always interested in hearing anything about his mother and father.
"Not to change the subject terribly, but I confess myself curious as to how things are between yourself and Miss Bones." Dumbledore said, sparing a glance to the young man beside him.
"Good." Harry said simply, his mind replaying the kiss they had shared the day before, and the idiotic grin appearing on his face.
"If your expression is any indication, I would hazard a guess that good is down playing things a bit." Dumbledore chuckled, and Harry found that he couldn't stop himself from joining the headmaster's mirth.
"I guess." Harry shrugged. "We're still learning about each other, but I think we both want a lot of the same things. It was really tough in the beginning, and I'm not stupid enough to believe that it's going to be smooth from here on out."
"A very wise assumption." Dumbledore nodded. "Every relationship, be it a casual acquaintance, or a life long lover requires a certain amount of understanding. I would offer you this small bit of advice. Always tell the truth. No matter the situation, remain one hundred percent honest. Treat your special friend with the same respect and courtesy that you wish to receive from her, and you will find that things become much easier."
"I'll keep it in mind." Harry said flatly.
"Harry, have you told either Mr. Weasley or Miss granger about the Prophecy?"
Harry started, but shook his head.
"I feared you hadn't." Dumbledore admitted. "I think it would be a good idea to do so. You do them a disservice by keeping it to yourself. Have they not proven their loyalty to you?"
"I didn't want to burden them with it." Harry shrugged, looking guilty.
"I think you will find them more than willing to share your burdens, Harry. And Miss Bones as well."
You think I should tell Susan?" Harry looked petrified now, but Dumbledore merely nodded.
"You underestimate those you call friend, Harry, it is admirable that you wish to take on this fight on your own, but you must never forget those who fight with you because they care for you. Trust in them as they trust in you. All of them."
"I'll think about it." Harry said, and Dumbledore let the subject drop. They walked for a moment in silence before Harry spoke.
"Sir, I was wondering about my scar, it's been feeling weird lately."
Dumbledore now stopped and turned to face Harry with a very puzzled expression.
"Weird in what way?" The old man asked.
"Well, first off, I haven't felt anything from it since the end of last year. I haven't had any visions, or even any of the sharp prickling it used to do."
Dumbledore's puzzled expression was replaced by something more pleased.. "I had expected this." Dumbledore said as they resumed their journey. "After his attempt to possess your mind, Lord Voldemort is no doubt using Occlumency against you. You caused him great pain, and he does not wish for that to be repeated. Plus, I do not think he wishes for you to know his plans for the future."
"So there is such things as miracles" Harry said sarcastically. "Indeed." Dumbledore smiled.
"Well, yesterday when Susan and I.. .I..." Harry felt his face get hot. He didn't really want to reveal the very private details of his intimacy with Susan to the Headmaster, but he had to know what was happening. "Susan and I were talking, and I felt this strangeness. It was like this pleasant sort of tingle."
"A tingle?"
"The best way to describe it would be the same as when your foot falls asleep." Harry tried.
"I see." Dumbledore nodded. "And you say you were with Miss Bones?"
"Yeah." Harry confirmed.
"May I ask what you were doing when this tingling first became apparent?"
"Uh... I...That's is to day that we were together, um... talking."
Dumbledore' smiled and his eyes twinkled especially brilliantly. "I see." Was all he said.
They walked quietly for a moment, Harry looking anywhere but at his headmaster and Dumbledore smiling to himself.
"I'm afraid I do not have enough information, but I would make a guess that the connection you share with Lord Voldemort could be weakening. I would suggest that if you felt this when you spent time with Miss Bones, that perhaps it is her presence that has started this weakening.. But it is only a guess. You should tell me if this tingling persists or gets better or worse."
"Ok." Harry said quickly, now regretting mentioning the matter at all.
"Here we are." Dumbledore said. He was about to pass through a wrought iron gate when he stopped suddenly, and peered around them.
"Wand out, Harry." He said before silently moving towards the house.
The moved through the door and into the house itself, which was a rather impressive with it's large manicured lawn and the brick and iron fence. Harry thought it would be a nice place to live, until he stepped inside and beheld the grizzly sight.
It was clear to Harry that there had been a fight of some sort. There was broken crockery all about the floor, and scorch marks on the walls. Harry saw what looked to be blood on several waits, and devastation all around.
"Maybe he wasn't here." Harry said softly, but Dumbledore shook his head.
"He was, and he still is."
Harry noticed that Dumbledore was examining a rather ugly looking chair quite closely. Harry was stunned when Dumbledore stabbed his wand into the chair and it gave a rather loud "OUCH!"
The chair morphed into a rather rotund bald man with a thick walrus like mustache.
"Good god, Albus, did you really need to poke so hard?" The man who Harry guessed must be Horace Slughorn said irritably.
"A rather clever disguise, Horace." Dumbledore smiled. Slughorn shook his head.
"Not clever enough. I had very little time. I was in the bath and I didn't hear my intruder ward go off. I thought for sure it was those blasted Death Eaters. They've been tracking me for months."
"Perhaps now my offer is sounding much better now?" Dumbledore asked, and Slughorn glared at the old man.
"Oh, alright." Slughorn sighed. "I will admit that it would be nice to remain in one place for more than a month. Every time I seem to get comfortable, I have to leave. It's becoming harder to find suitable accommodations. The Muggles who own this house are in the Easter Islands for only another week."
"Perhaps it would be nice of us to tidy up." Dumbledore smiled, and Slughorn agreed.
Harry watched in utter amazement as the devastation reversed itself. Mirrors and plates healed themselves, and furniture that had been knocked over stood up right and moved back to it's original place, in seconds, the house was immaculate, and Harry was grinning at it all in wonderment.
"I really love magic." He said to himself.
"And who are you, lad?" Slughorn asked, turning to face Harry.
"Horace Slughorn, I would very much like you to meet Harry Potter." Dumbledore said. Harry offered his hand and Slughorn took it, his eyes widening as they found the scar. But even more surprising to Harry was the way Slughorn seemed to be staring at his eyes.
"A pleasure, Mr. Potter." Slughorn said, then turned on Dumbledore. "And you thought by bringing him I would fall over myself to return to Hogwarts?"
"No." Dumbledore said. "I had hoped my letters would be enough to convince you. That and the fact that if I could find you this easily, it will not be long before the Death Eaters find you. Did you not just say yourself that it was becoming harder to find acceptable accommodations?"
Slughorn bristled, which was rather comical looking to Harry. He noticed the slight smirk on the headmaster's face as well.
"You are quite adamant to have me return, aren't you?" Slughorn glowered, but Dumbledore simply smiled back.
"I will admit that I brought mister Potter along to help me persuade you, but after what I have witnessed this evening, I am now convinced that you were going to say yes anyway."
Slughorn bristled again, and then deflated.
"Alright, Alright." He said, throwing his hands in the air. "But I have some conditions, Albus. I want Professor Merryweather's old office. And I want Professor Ogden's old quarters. And I would like a raise."
"All are acceptable conditions." Dumbledore smiled, offering his hand. Slughorn took it, and for the first time, smiled.
"Well then, as September the first is just around the comer, I suppose I should prepare to leave then shouldn't I?" Slughorn smiled. "I should also get to work on lesson plans."
"We shall leave you to it then." Dumbledore smiled, and motioned for Harry to head out.
"It was nice to meet you sir." Harry said, and Slughorn smiled at Harry.
"I am sure we will get that chance to speak at length at the castle." Slughorn said, and Harry had the sensation that Slughorn was eyeing him greedily, like a goblin would stare at a pile of gold.
"Goodnight Horace." Dumbledore said, and he and Harry head back into the night.
"That was odd." Harry said, and Dumbledore nodded.
"I had thought it would be much harder to convince Horace to return, But it seems clear that he has not been enjoying his retirement. Especially in the last few months."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"As I told you, Professor Slughorn, as we must now call him, likes his comfort. Having to move around a lot has undoubtedly worn on him. I noticed that many of his most prized possessions were absent in that house, and I am certain that above all else, He is frightened."
"Why should he be anymore frightened than anyone else?" Harry asked.
"Because Professor Slughorn is the only other person alive, besides myself, that remembers Lord Voldemort as he was at Hogwarts as a student."
Harry had no time to ponder that statement as Dumbledore took Harry by the arm and apparated him back to his own home.
There were still lights on in the windows, and Harry followed Dumbledore back up the hill towards the house, where Amelia opened the door, looking relieved that he had returned.
"Your late." She said. Dumbledore retrieved a pocket watch and frowned.
"My apologies." He said. "It was a bit further than I had anticipated."
"Come in." Amelia said, and Harry and Dumbledore went inside the house. Susan was sitting on the sofa, and embraced Harry when he came in.
"Have fun while I was away?" She asked with a soft smile.
"I'm not really sure how to answer that." Harry said looking confused and Susan snickered.
"If you would both have a seat, we have something to discuss with you." Dumbledore said, taking a seat himself.
"What's going on?" Susan asked, looking worried.
"The first thing I wish to talk to you about is the continuation of the Defense club." Dumbledore said looking at Harry. "Many students benefited from their involvement in it, and given our current situation, it would be good if you would be willing to teach more students."
"How many more?" Harry asked skeptically.
"However many would like to learn." Dumbledore smiled. "You would be given a teacher advisor to oversee things in case of an accident, but you would be in charge of the club."
"So long as it isn't…Professor Snape." Harry said, choking on the title. Dumbledore nodded in understanding.
"Professor McGonagall has agreed to be the staff liaison. Is that acceptable?"
"Perfect." Harry smiled.
"Now, As you are both in a very unique situation, I am going to grant you both some unique privileges. These are not to be abused, or I will be forced to take them away, and I do not wish to do that. So, You are both to maintain your schoolwork, and do try to stay out of trouble." Dumbledore said, giving Harry a very pointed look. "I will also ask that you both continue special lessons with Auror Tonks and Alastor Moody."
Both teens nodded in agreement, and Dumbledore smiled.
"Very well. The two of you will have extended curfews. You will have the same curfew as our Head Boy and Girl. You will also be granted access to each other's houses. You are not under any circumstances to reveal the passwords to any other student."
"Sir, Why are we being allowed these things?" Susan asked curiously.
"It is to allow you both time for each other. I promise you that you will find your sixth year quite busy, and I believe that given your circumstances, you will need time to spend with each other."
"You know, I'm starting to wonder why you are so concerned with how much time we spend together. I think there might be more going on with this contract than you've told us." Harry looked at Amelia and Dumbledore who just smiled back at the tens.
"I simply wish to see you happy, Harry. You more than anyone I've ever met, deserve to have a good life." Dumbledore said. A few minutes later, the headmaster bade them goodnight. When Amelia walked him to the door, Susan turned to Harry looking a bit worried.
"You really think there's something we're not being told?" She asked.
"I'm not sure, but after five years, I've learned that Dumbledore isn't always forthcoming with bad news. He prefers to save your feelings rather than be one hundred percent honest."
They were silent for a minute, and Susan grabbed Harry's hand, making him look into her blue eyes.
"Will you promise to always be honest with me?" She asked.
"So long as you promise to always be honest with me, no matter what."
Susan nodded and kissed him softly.