Chapter 3

Recruiting

Wednesday, 21 August 1996

The Weasleys had finished supper when and were in the process of cleaning up, when Professor Dumbledore flamed into an expecting family. He was wearing his normal purple robes, but also a purple glove over his right hand, which to anyone who looked, clearly didn't move.

Molly turned around from the dishwashing to greet him. "Hello, Albus."

Ginny, who had been drying, simply nodded but chose neutral silence. Harry put the last plate away; he turned and leaned on the counter. "Professor," he greeted.

"Thank you, for granting me visitation, Molly. Miss Weasley, Master Potter," he nodded to each.

"You're always welcome, Albus. It is a simple courtesy to give notice so one can plan." Molly replied.

"Indeed, "The grand wizard stepped forward carrying several letters. "As I knew I was coming, I took the liberty of lightening the load of a few owls. Your class registrations. Molly, I think you will be pleased to know, we would like Ron to return as Prefect, Miss Granger as well. And Captain Potter, Mrs Mcgonagall, asked me to tell you, she has become most accustomed to the Quidditch Cup residing in Gryffindor's chambers. She trusts you will maintain that tradition."

Ginny smiled while drying. "So I'm dating the team captain?" Her eyebrows lifted and smiled. "Good for you, babe," She rewarded him with a peck.

"Apparently," Harry replied. "Thank you."

"What do I have to do to get a starting position?" she smiled and batted her eyes.

"Try out like everyone else. You love me because I'm a fair man."

"True, can't blame a girl for trying."

Harry let his grin come out. "I think we can arrange that, sir."

Dumbledore smiled, "Very good!"

Molly finished washing and crossed her hands "So Albus, what is your plan for my son today?"

Harry smiled at being called that.

Dumbledore did too. "Very fair question. There is a Professor, Horace Slughorn, whom I wish to meet with tonight. He previously instructed Potion Making at the school then retired. I would very much like him to return."

"How does Harry help with that?" Ginny asked bluntly.

Dumbledore smiled at the young redhead. "Horace is a brilliant Potions Master, but he appreciates his creature comforts. Most notably, he likes knowing people, important and connected people of celebrity. In the past he has tried to act as a sort of talent scout for the next generation to connect them with logical connections for them to succeed in. Being the man behind the men, so to speak. Horace has been greatly concerned with the resurgence of the wizard war, so I fear traditional offers of employment would be insufficient. But if you will forgive me, I believe if he were given the opportunity to mentor the Chosen One himself, that would entice him enough to return to the school."

"You want Master Potter here, to charm a teacher?" Ginny summarized with a smile.

"Precisely, Miss Weasley. I see you think as fast as you fly."

Ginny was actually taken aback from the compliment. "...Thank you, Professor."

"I will admit in the last few weeks my flirting skills may have improved but but charming a-"

"Harry." Molly cut him off with a wry smile. "Quiet. You can outcharm the devil if you want… and I think you know that. And we don't lie in our house."

Ginny and Dumbledore both held smiles at Harry's direction.

"Yes, Molly." he replied.

Ginny flashed him a wicked grin. "Have fun babe. Just don't forget us common mortals when you are promoted among the elites."

Harry threw his new black leather jacket on and grabbed his wizard pack. "Gin, you are far from common and unforgettable."

"Good answer." She said with a kiss goodbye.

"Molly," looking between Molly and the Professor. "I don't know when I'll be back."

"I don't think I will worry about curfew, tonight Harry. But I will ask if it is past midnight, leave a note so we know you are home safe."

Harry nodded as he headed to the Floo.

"Actually Harry, we will need to apparate. So I believe we need to walk outside a bit?"

"Past the property line, yes."

"Very good. Make sure you have your wand and your invisibility cloak. Molly, it is good to see how well Harry is settling in with you all."

"Harry's family." she simply replied.

Dumbledore left out the door and began heading for the stone wall property line. Harry came alongside him. "Master Potter, you have grown much this summer."

True, Harry had added almost a foot in height and 15 pounds, most of that a muscle. Somehow, Harry didn't think the Professor meant that. Harry simply answered, "It's amazing what happens in a positive environment. Family, nutrition, exercise, study,"

"Acknowledged and agreed."

It is good to see you with Miss Weasley. You two are complementary to each other in the best of ways."

"In that, Professor, you and I completely agree."

"I was surprised to hear of your inquiry and establishing a gymnasium at the school."

"That is from Mr. Weasley. He got me into morning workouts. Punching bag routine does wonders for my … mental state."

"If that is what has helped form the man before me now, a class room is a small price to pay. You mentioned study. May one ask what ?"

"Early on here, I picked up the course work for 6th year, plus 7th year DADA. A couple weeks back I started academically studying apparating. Some basic healing from Mrs Weasley. Been working a lot on combat casting."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Professor, Riddle will always come for me, to think otherwise is foolish. So I'm developing my defensive abilities."

"You make a sound argument, Master-"

"Professor, you can call me Harry. Just not not the 'the Boy' anymore. Fair enough?"

"More than." The Professor gave the walk a moment of quiet. "At our last meeting you requested I determine a means for you and your team, as you phrased it, 'to be put in the fight.'"

"Yes, and I think Diagon Alley helps to show why I feel that way."

"You are not inaccurate. I have personally spoken with Professors Lupin and Moody, and Sgt Tonks. They spoke of you with admiration."

"Tonks is a Sergeant? I didn't know that."

"Recently promoted."

"Good on her."

"Firstly, your assistance and continued interaction with Professor Slughorn, you may consider this your first assignment in me bringing you in."

Harry stopped and looked at Dumbledore very suspectly for a moment.

"I have no ill will against him. Just the opposite. He would be a good ally to our mutual cause and to assist in wooing him to it."

Harry sighed. Not what he was hoping for his first Order assignment, but as he was just a 6th year student, under age, he intellectually understood reality. "Sure, sir."

"Second, It is my wish to begin private lessons with you."

Harry stopped and glared at the grand wizard.

"Harry, I doubt you could speak much more harshly than you could at our last meeting in my office, which you were justified in how you feel. Speak freely."

"It's about damn time!" he spat out.

"I will acknowledge the deficiency is mine."

"Thank you. Well I'm not dead yet, and I'm in a better place now, so.. Let's just move forward."

"Thirdly, I have not fully completed them, but we, Hogwarts, are developing a plan for you and your team. I feel I must warn you. It will not be easy."

"It never is, war is hell." Another silence. "Professor, may one ask about your hand yet?" If you have added the glove one assumes it hasn't healed yet."

"That is a thrilling tale that deserves more time than we have tonight."

Harry rolled his eyes.

Finally they were passing the stone wall and the Professor gave it a few more feet. They were getting far enough from the Burrow and it's light that the darkvision feature of Harry's new birthday glasses was activating. 'Thank you Fred and George.'

"Harry, you spoke of academically studying apprating. You've not tried?"

"Correct, from what I gather, I'm lucky we have the elder Weasleys here for me to get away with my target practice this summer. I push my luck enough of the time. That I felt might be a step too far. Professor, before we leave, is there a specific use for my cloak and wand?"

"Harry, this next year you have my blessing and encouragement to keep with you and use as you see fit."

"That's a pretty broad statement, Professor."

"The War has begun, Harry, and I am trying to embrace some your… pragmatism"

"Thank you, sir."

"Now, for your apprating, please hold my left arm tightly. As you do not not know where we are going I will tell you to focus your thoughts on me. You will feel an arcane energy embrace you, want to move you. Accept it, trust it, embrace it, do not resist it. The more you do the easier your trip will be. "

"Understood." Harry replied. A moment later everything went black, and dizzyingly so His stomach felt like he was falling, his skin felt cold, but didn't feel any wind across his skin or air. Finally as the turning in his stomach peaked, it stopped and the world returned to normal. Even when the world looked normal his legs felt like he was standing on a boat in water. It took a few moments for the earth to feel firm again.

Dumbldore looked Harry over. "You bore that well. You will be a natural at that Harry."

"Thank you, sir. Where are we?

"The village of Budleigh Bubberton. Follow me." Dumbledore led down the block and turned at a gate already open. When they looked at the house, the door already broken from it hinges.

Harry drew his wand instantly without any instruction, then even rubbed the elbow of his glasses to be able to see arcane auroras. Dumbledore glowed looking like the pictures of what angels were supposed to look like. Knowing the Professor was looking ahead. Harry started looking around.

"Your instincts are commedible Harry."

"My instincts have been trained by too damn many experiences, sir. By the way, if something happens, you realize I'm not caring about the Trace?"

Dumbledore grinned, "I would expect no less, Harry."

"Luminos", the Professor cast and his wand tip glowed to life. A small hall led into a sitting room and already signs of some sort of fight were apparent. Harry could see the broken remnants of a chandelier mixed with feathers on the floor. As they turned the corner they found dripping blood from the ceiling puddling on the ground.

Harry looked at the blood and could see the red aurora emanating from that. "Careful Professor, that blood is not normal."

The Professor looked at Harry briefly, then examined the blood. He knelt and looked at the puddle, then dipped his wand in it, brought it to his nose and sniffed, then finally tasted it. "You are quite right, Harry, good eyes. Please, what else do you see?" Wand ready Harry scanned the room slowly. IT was filled with broken furniture and more refuse, but what was most obvious was an overstuffed armchair glowing orange to Harry. "The armchair, sir. It's transmuted somehow."

"Thank you, Harry. Horace, come out."

Before his eyes Harry watched as the chair itself shrunk and formed around to become a person wearing a bathrobe with his hands up. "There's no need to point wands around so willy nilly."

"Horace, what happened here?

"Oh, well with my charms said I had a wizard approaching I thought it best to put on the show."

"Well, now seeing that we are not here to harm. How about we offer help in cleaning?

Harry relaxed as and holstered his wand as the Professor created a whirlwind of activity. HArry could tell there was going to be a storm of magic so he tapped his glasses again to turn off what he called mage vision. Soon the debris was replaced with a perfectly respectable sitting room with lights on.

"Well as we seem to be in better accommodations, let me introduce, hopefully Professor Horace Slughorn, please meet one of our most promising students."

"Harry Potter, sir," he said, offering his hand.

"Well met," Slughorn said as returning the shake. "So this is how you try to butter me up. Well I admit it is a very good attempt, but, nooo. I would like to live."

"I might as well fly the flag of the Order of the Phoenix off my unlocked front door. It would be less subtle than taking a teaching position."

"Truly? Well then seeing as we've come all this way can we at least share a drink? I've not seen you for a year."

"With good reason I've been hiding."

The conversation drifted on to the war and death eaters. Harry let the adults speak while he looked around at the many many photographs of Hogwarts students over the years. He stood by the fireplace looking at his predecessors. His ears perked up when he hear mention of Ms. Umbridge.

"Never liked her." Slughorn replied to Dumbldore.

Harry smiled and chuckled, and noticed he got the Professors' attention. "Sorry, I didn't like her either. So you have good taste." he smiled.

Slughorn poured a third drink, and gave it to Harry. "You know son, You look so very much like your father…"

"And I have my mother's eyes. Facts I appreciate everytime I look in a mirror."

"Now your mother, Lilly, Lilly Evans back then. She was a rare breed. Brilliant mind, beautiful long red hair. Vivacious, charming."

"Oh wow," Harry said, finally realizing something.

"Hmm?" Slughorn asked.

"Oh well, your description of my mother would also fit for my girlfriend."

"Really? So what young lass caught the eye of the Chosen One."

"Oh, well you might know of her simply because she recently did some advertising work. Crimson Witch from Nimbus Reign of Fire line."

"Really?"

"Ya, bit of a long story, about the two over the last few years, but we finally got together this summer. Been the best thing for both of us. Ginny Weasley is her real name."

"Weasley? I feel like I know that name also."

"Been to Diagon Alley in the last year? Two of her brothers run a store there Weasley Wizard Wheezes

"Oh, no, too busy for my taste these days."

Harry sipped his drink. "You have no idea, sir. Then likely from the Battle of the Burrow from early July, the Weasley Warriors."

"YES! That's what I'm thinking of. That's who you're dating?!"

"That's my whole family. Ron is my best mate. Whole damn fight was over me."

"So you personally have fought the Death Eaters?"

"Yes sir, several times now. Harry Potter sir, and I am not afraid." Harry said reintroducing himself.

A look of amazement came upon Slughorn. "Please indulge an old man, tell me all about it."

Harry looked over Dumbledore who gave him an approving nod. Harry understood the assignment. "I would encourage you to take a seat Professor, for I have quite the tale to tell." he said with his most cocky grin and took another sip.

So the Professors sat in the cush chairs as Harry stood illuminated by the fire light, recounting starring with the Battle of the the Ministry of Magic, continuing to the Burrow, and then even included Diagon Alley. He routinely looked over to Dumbledore to see if he needed to wrap things up, but every time he smiled and nodded with approval to keep going.

"So tell me Harry, you mentioned you've become adept at Patronus charms, last year? What year are you in now?"

"Starting 6th."

"So Hogwarts was now teaching Patronus to 5th years?"

"Oh no! Not even. Part of all that Umbridge stuff. She didn't believe in the practical application of Defense spells, so Ron, Hermione, and I started a self-study group. Two years prior Professor Lupin gave me some extra lessons, I passed those on. Hermione cracked open the books. We did fairly well."

"My, my, my," Slughorn looked over Harry with thoughts running through his head.

Finally Dumbledore slipped in. "Come now Harry, we've intruded on Horace long enough. Thank you for your time."

"Albus, I want a raise."

"Well, you would need to take the position before I could increase the salary."

"I shall return, Albus. You win."

"I will see you on the 1st of September then."

"Pleasure to meet you, Professor."

Dumbledore extended his arm, "Remember my earlier instructions?"

"Yes, sir"

Just as he left they apparted outside the property line of the Burrow.

"You did very well tonight, Harry. Again I am most impressed with your growth this summer."

"Thank you, sir." They looked out to the Burrow and saw by the lights out they were already well past curfew.

"My apologies for the late hour, Harry. I trust you can find your way from here?"

"My morning jog is further away than this."

"Then I will leave you on your way and look forward to seeing you at school."

Harry started jogging and before long heard the pop of Dumbledore leaving, then quickly got back inside. He looked at the clock, 1:30 AM. He shook his head. And left the requested note. Harry hug up his jacket and headed down to his room, when he did he noticed magical lighting was already on low. He didn't even need to go down the stairs to know who had stayed up for him. When he did, he found Ginny in his jersey curled up on his bed with a copy of 5th year DADA open on her lap.. Her head leaning against the corner of the room.

Harry sat down beside her and gently kissed her awake, who happily kissed back as she did. "Hi, " she greeted.

Harry smiled. "So since I literally woke you let me try to make this easy for you. You tell me where I'm wrong. You were worried about me so came down here to wait for me?

A nod yes.

"Hermione covering?"

A nod yes.

"Bring your work out clothes?"

A nod yes.

"Still love me?"

A nod yes.

Harry got changed and set his alarm up for an extra half hour early as precaution. He did pick Ginny up, the lightweight she was, to stretch her out from the curled ball she was and let her a proper rest. But otherwise, he killed the lights and went to sleep. "Everyone's safe and sound babe, g'night." He could physically feel her muscles relax with just those words.