Chapter 144: Dumbledore's Decision
"Harry?" Katie asked, wondering what was wrong with him, Though Harry didn't respond as Dumbledore had stood up and was now talking to the hall.
"Hello everyone!" Dumbledore said, smiling brightly, his voice boomed across the hall as he spread his arms out as if to hug everyone.
"What the hell?!" Katie gasped, along with many people in the hall who saw Dumbledore's right hand, which was now black and dead looking. Harry was not that surprised as he had already seen Dumbledore's hand earlier in the summer, Dumbledore was very tight lipped about what happened.
"Relax everyone, it's nothing to worry about." Dumbledore said dismissively as he hid his hand under his purple sleeve. Dumbledore began speaking, going through his usual welcoming feast announcements. "...also those wishing to play on the house team will have to try out, give your names to your head of house if you are interested. And now we are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year, Professor Slughorn," Dumbledore gestured to Slughorn who had stood up and smiled at everyone. "he is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master." At that many people began whispering, because it was well known that Snape was the potions teacher.
"Please don't be going where I think you're going with this," Harry chanted under his breath. "please don't be going where I think you're going with this, please don't be going where I think you're going with this." He said.
"Professor Snape, meanwhile," Dumbledore had to raise his voice so that it carried over all the muttering, "will be taking the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Fuck!" Harry cursed loudly as he slapped the table before rubbing his eyes, not caring how many people heard or looked his way. He wasn't the only one who had begun protesting and talking, most of the hall had done so, Dumbledore had needed a few moments to eventually get people quiet enough for him to continue speaking.
"Now that I once again have your attention," Dumbledore spoke. " Lord Voldemort is back and at full strength," Dumbledore said instantly everyone became quiet. "there have always been dangers in this world, but now this world has gotten much more dangerous. There are people, both good and bad, who will eventually need to raise their wands for their cause but now is not the time for that. The castles wards and defenses have been increased over the summer, right now Hogwarts is the safest place on Earth, but that does not mean we are not all going to be on guard. A war is coming, that's if it hasn't already arrived.
A few rules will be forced more heavily such as the after hours rule, I'm sure you all can understand why. If any of you even suspect something then I ask you to please tell the staff members, keep vigilant and stay safe. Now that is all for today, you all have lessons tomorrow, night-night everyone." Dumbledore said before returning to his seat.
Harry walked off along with the rest, the first thing he was going to do when he got privacy was mirror call Sirius.
The next day Harry had arrived at Dumbledore's office first thing in the morning after breakfast, apparently Dumbledore wanted to talk to him and now was apparently the best time since he had a free period. When Harry entered the office, after giving a password that just made him hungry, he quickly saw Fawkes perched on his perch and cleaning out his feathers. Fawkes looked up and trilled in greeting when he saw Harry.
Harry smiled and nodded at Fawkes before he also noticed the other three people in the room. The first being Dumbledore was sat behind his desk, but sitting in front of the desk was Hermione and Ron.
"Oh for fuck sakes," Harry said under his breath before he walked in and walking straight to Fawkes, ignoring the others for the time being. "hi Fawkes." Harry greeted him before stroking his feathers, Fawkes appeared to like that and happily trilled.
"I see Fawkes is still very fond of you." Dumbledore commented.
"I'm fond of him too," Harry replied before looking at Dumbledore. "okay, why am I here? And why are those two here?" Harry asked.
"Please sit down Harry," Dumbledore said as he gestured to the empty seat next to Hermione and Ron, Harry took the seat and dragged it so it was next to Fawkes's perch, he sat down and gestured Dumbledore to continue, Dumbledore frowned before doing so. "Harry, I am sure that you understand that Voldemort and his heir are very dangerous enemy's to have."
"I might understand that, yes." Harry nodded.
"But sadly it is not just them that we must face, but also their army of death eaters. We need numbers as well, that's why I have brought you here today, I ask that you please bury the hatchet with Miss Granger and Mr Weasley."
"Fine, fine, they're forgiven." Harry said in a dismissive voice. "Now can they go so we can move onto the important part of this meeting?"
"Harry," Dumbledore frowned. "this is important. I would like it if you could please properly make amends with Miss Granger and Mr Weasley. You will need help with this war, and I believe that the two could be very useful." Dumbledore said, Hermione and Ron appeared to puff up slightly at the compliment.
"Harry," Hermione said. "Dumbledore's not wrong, you can't beat you-know-who on your own."
"So my best bet is apparently working with a know-it-all who can't even say his name?" Harry raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm fine, I've gotten a lot better and stronger ever since I dumped the two of you."
"You've gotten more arrogant too." Ron sneered. "You really think that you can win an entire war on your own?"
"No, of course not," Harry shook his head. "I merely think that I can win this war without your help. I mean if I was still friends with you two then I probably wouldn't have been strong enough to fight Voldemort's heir because I'd be worrying about holding back to protect your delicate feelings. And everything for me in general has gone better since dropping you two."
"Harry," Dumbledore said. "you will need help."
"Agreed," Harry nodded. "but I can find better people to help me than these two."
"If you are referring to Miss Greengrass and Miss Davis, I understand that they are your friends but they're parents, while not death eaters, could still possibly become death eaters seeing as they haven't yet chosen a side in this war."
"That's a fair point but they are not their parents, and we have no guarantee that their parents would join the death eaters, even if they did then there is still no guarantee that the girls would work with them. And even if they did then I still have other people to help me, Tonks and Fleur, Tonk's family, Fleur's family, Sirius. I've got plenty of help available to me. I don't need nor want these two. If you so desperately want them to join in on the war effort then induct them into your little order." Harry said in a tone that said he wouldn't change his mind.
"Very well," Dumbledore sighed, he sent Hermione and Ron an apologetic look. While he would like it if Harry would work with these two, Harry was the priority here, so if he refused to work with them then it was better to not force him to. "Miss Granger, Mr Weasley, you may leave." Hermione gave him a stiff nod while Ron scowled, both stood up and sent Harry a glare before leaving. "Must you make things so difficult Harry?" Dumbledore sighed.
"I have no idea what you mean sir." Harry said in an innocent voice.
"Of course not." Dumbledore said in a dry voice as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"Before we get on with this meeting I have to ask one very important question, what in the name of Merlin's hardened nipples were you drinking when you thought it was a good idea to make Snivelus the defense against the dark arts teacher?"
"You will address him as 'Professor Snape' Harry," Dumbledore said in a stern voice before letting out a small breath. "I needed Professor Slughorn back and he's a potions professor, I also needed a teacher for defense and Professor Snape has always wanted the position."
"Dumbledore, I have Voldemort, Voldemort's heir and Voldemort's army coming after me." Harry reminded him. "What I could really use is a good defense teacher."
"Professor Snape is very knowledgeable in the subject and..."
"He was also very knowledgeable in potions," Harry cut him off. "that didn't mean he could teach that either. You may trust and like him but I'm pretty sure you're the only person who does. If he's the teacher then I refuse to go to that class."
"Mr Potter?"
"I need to keep practicing to stay alive," Harry replied. "I don't want to waste time that could be spent learning important things on a teacher who can't see past the fact that I look like my father."
"Harry, I..." Dumbledore found himself cut off by his fireplace turning green as Sirius's head appeared in the flames.
"Dumbledore! What the hell am I hearing about you making Snivelus the defense teacher?!" Sirius demanded. "There is no way in hell am I allowing Snape to teach my godson!"
Dumbledore sighed, this was going to be a very long day.
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