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The trio then started off Privet Drive together. Deanna didn't know why an awkward silence had settled among them. She raised an eyebrow at Harry who was just looking back at her with an awkward smile.

"Keep your wands at the ready, you two," Dumbledore said brightly.

"But I thought we're not allowed to use magic outside school, sir?" Harry asked in confusion.

"If there is an attack," said Dumbledore, "I give you permission to use any counterjinx or curse that might occur to you. However, I do not think you need worry about being attacked tonight."

"Why not, sir?"

"You are with me," said Dumbledore and Deanna in unison, making Harry laugh and the two Dumbledores smile at each other. They really had the same minds.

"This will do now." Dumbledore suddenly stopped at the end of the Privet Drive. "You two have not, of course, passed your Apparition Tests."

"No," said Harry. "I thought you had to be seventeen?"

"You do," said Dumbledore. "So Harry, please hold on to my left arm, if you don't mind, very tightly – as you have noticed, my wand arm is a little fragile at the moment. And come here, love." He spread his right arm and Deanna tucked herself into her father's hold, letting him wrap an arm around her tight while Harry gripped Dumbledore's left arm.

"Very good," said Dumbledore. "Well, here we go."

And there it was, the familiar sensation of Apparition. Deanna had Apparated many times before with Fawkes, Dumbledore and her uncle so this did not come as a surprise to her. She just hoped Harry would be fine because the first time she Apparated, she fainted.

They were then standing in a deserted village with an old war memorial in the center and a few branches around it.

"Are you okay, Harry?" Deanna asked worriedly while holding him to help keep him steady. "It's understandable since it's your first time."

"I'm fine," said Harry, rubbing his ears. "But I think I might prefer brooms..." Deanna chuckled and agreed with that. She did prefer flying with Fawkes.

Dumbledore smiled, drew his traveling cloak a little more tightly around his neck, and said, "This way." They then started on their way around the city. It seemed they spent too much time at the Dursleys because it was almost midnight.

"So tell me, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Your scar... has it been hurting at all?"

"No," Harry said while rubbing his forehead, "and I've been wondering about that. I thought it would be burning all the time now Voldemort's getting so powerful again."

"How about you, love? Any dreams?" said Dumbledore curiously. Deanna hesitated because there had been one dream she had during the summer. She had been in Hog's Head for a week when she dreamt of Voldemort who was just looking into the space. He seemed distracted, but before Deanna could say or do anything, she woke up. And by looking into her father's eyes, she knew he had his answer.

"No." Deanna lied instead and Dumbledore just nodded and smiled slightly, knowing his daughter would tell him about it anyways. "He probably learned from the previous year and closed his mind off."

"Indeed, little phoenix." Dumbledore smiled proudly. "It appears that he is now employing Occlumency against you."

"Well, I'm not complaining," said Harry. They turned a corner, passing a telephone box and a bus shelter. "Professor?"

"Harry?"

"Er — where exactly are we?"

"This, Harry, is the charming village of Budleigh Babberton."

"And what are we doing here?" Deanna asked curiously.

"Ah yes, of course, I haven't told you," said Dumbledore. "Well, I have lost count of the number of times I have said this in recent years, but we are, once again, one member of staff short. We are here to persuade an old colleague of mine to come out of retirement and return to Hogwarts."

"How can we help with that, sir?"

"Oh, I think we'll find a use for you," said Dumbledore vaguely. "Left here, now." They then proceeded up the narrow street where all the windows were dark. It made Deanna shiver and clasp her wand tight. Somehow, she missed Hermione and the warmth she brought.

"Here you go, love." Dumbledore waved his wand and cast a warming spell on Deanna and Harry.

"Thanks, Pops." Deanna held his left hand to warm him up. Her father was an old man so she had to take care of him. Dumbledore smiled softly at his daughter. He knew that the person who they were about to meet would love to see her.

"Thank you. Professor, why couldn't we just Apparate directly into your old colleague's house?"

"Because it would be quite as rude as kicking down the front door," said Dumbledore. "Courtesy dictates that we offer fellow wizards the opportunity of denying us entry. In any case, most Wizarding dwellings are magically protected from unwanted Apparators. At Hogwarts, for instance —"

"— you can't Apparate anywhere inside the buildings or grounds," said Harry quickly. "Hermione Granger told me." Harry and Dumbledore did not miss the slight blush on Deanna's cheeks at the mention of the witch.

"And she is quite right. We turn left again." And the clock chimed midnight, and it made Deanna wonder more about who this old colleague was. Did she know him? Is that why her father brought her?

"Pops, Fudge is not the Minister anymore..." Deanna started in a wary tone. She had heard about the disagreement he had with the new Minister and wondered if it was true.

"Correct," said Dumbledore, now turning up a steep side street. "He has been replaced, as I am sure you also saw, by Rufus Scrimgeour, who used to be Head of the Auror office."

"Is he... Do you think he's good?" asked Harry.

"An interesting question," said Dumbledore. "He is able, certainly. A more decisive and forceful personality than Cornelius."

"Yes, but I meant —"

"I know what you meant, Harry. Rufus is a man of action and, having fought Dark wizards for most of his working life, does not underestimate Lord Voldemort."

And Deanna felt a little disappointed that he did not say anything about the disagreement, but she couldn't judge him for keeping secrets when she too kept her own. She just wished he could trust her enough to open up to her as she always did to him.

"And... sir... I saw about Madam Bones." Harry mentioned while glancing at Deanna who just let out a sigh. She immediately sent a letter to Susan after hearing about what happened. Susan had too many people already, but in the last letter she sent to Deanna, it seemed that she was doing well and trying her best to pick herself up again.

"Yes," said Dumbledore quietly. "A terrible loss. She was a great witch. Just up here, I think — ouch." He had pointed with his injured hand.

Deanna frowned at that. "Pops, your –"

"I have no time to explain now," said Dumbledore. "It is a thrilling tale, I wish to do it justice." He smiled at the two teenagers, who just nodded in response. Dumbledore would surely tell them about it in time.

"Sir — I got a Ministry of Magic leaflet by owl, about security measures we should all take against the Death Eaters..."

"Yes, I received one myself," said Dumbledore, still smiling. "Did you find it useful?"

"Not really." Harry shook his head.

"No, I thought not. You have not asked me, for instance, what is my favorite flavor of jam, to check that I am indeed Professor Dumbledore and not an impostor. And I'm surprised you didn't do so too, love. Have you not received the leaflet?"

"I didn't..." Harry began in a nervous tone.

Deanna rolled her eyes. "I did receive it, but I knew it was you, Pops. I mean you had Fawkes with you, and your favorite is raspberry."

"Ah, you still know me well, little phoenix." Dumbledore chuckled in amusement. "Of course, if I were a Death Eater, I would have been sure to research my own jam preferences before impersonating myself."

"Er... right," said Harry. "Well, on that leaflet, it said something about Inferi. What exactly are they? The leaflet wasn't very clear."

"They're corpses, Harry." Deanna explained to him. "They are dead bodies that Dark wizards bewitch to do their own bidding."

"Inferi have not been seen for a long time, however, not since Voldemort was last powerful... He killed enough people to make an army of them, of course. This is the place, just here..."

They were nearing a small, neat stone house set in its own garden, and as soon as they reached the front gate, Deanna's eyes widened.

"Oh dear. Oh dear, dear, dear." Dumbledore said in a grave tone. The front door was hanging off its hinges. Dumbledore looked around and took out his wand. "Wands out and follow me." Deanna took out her own wand and stayed at the rear, looking around for a sign of anyone.

"Lumos." Dumbledore's wand tip ignited, casting its light up a narrow hallway. To the left, another door stood open. Holding his illuminated wand aloft, Dumbledore walked into the sitting room with Deanna and Harry behind him.

It was a complete disaster. The grandfather clock was splintered. The piano keys were scattered across the floor, and the chandelier was a wreck. Dumbledore raised his hand, and dark red liquid were staining the walls. Deanna felt Harry's small intake of breath and knew they were both thinking the same. Whoever was Dumbledore's colleague seemed to have had a hard night. She just hoped that person was fine.

"Not pretty, is it?" Dumbledore said heavily. "Yes, something horrible has happened here." They started moving and looking around. It was a complete mess, but there was no body at all. Just who lived here?

"Maybe there was a fight and — and they dragged him off, Professor?" Harry suggested.

"I don't think so," said Dumbledore quietly, peering behind an overstuffed armchair lying on its side.

"You mean he's — ?"

"Still here somewhere? Yes." And without warning, Dumbledore swooped, plunging the tip of his wand into the seat of the overstuffed armchair, which yelled, "Ouch!"

"Good evening, Horace," said Dumbledore, straightening up again.

Deanna's eyes widened because the armchair transformed back into a man she had known once in her life. The once young and smart looking professor was now a fat, bald and old man with an enormous mustache. It was Horace Slughorn, Deanna's former Potions professor.

"There was no need to stick the wand in that hard," Slughorn said gruffly, clambering to his feet. "It hurt. What gave it away?"

"My dear Horace," said Dumbledore, looking amused, "if the Death Eaters really had come to call, the Dark Mark would have been set over the house."

"The Dark Mark," Slughorn muttered. "Knew there was something... ah well. Wouldn't have had time anyway, I'd only just put the finishing touches to my upholstery when you entered the room."

"Would you like my assistance clearing up?" asked Dumbledore politely.

"Please."

Deanna was frozen as they talked and cleaned up. It seemed that her old Professor still hadn't noticed she was there, but she was too overwhelmed. It was another person in her old life that was there in front of her. Harry noticed her and nudged her due to worry. "Are you alright, Deanna?"

"Y-Yeah." Deanna managed to speak out. Her gaze was still stuck on Slughorn. The professor was the one she was closest to besides Professor Merrythought and her own father, and to see him in front of her made Deanna think of her old life again. Her heart was aching because everyone did grow except her, and here was Slughorn living in fear due to the Death Eaters.

"Oho!" Slughorn exclaimed, breaking Deanna out of her thoughts. His gaze fell upon Harry and flew to the lightning shaped-scar on it. He couldn't see Deanna because she was behind Harry who covered her since she was taller.

"This," said Dumbledore, moving forward to make the introduction, "is Harry Potter. Harry, this is an old friend and colleague of mine, Horace Slughorn."

Slughorn turned on Dumbledore, his expression shrewd. "So that's how you thought you'd persuade me, is it? Well, the answer's no, Albus."

"Professor." Deanna suddenly said, stepping out from behind Harry. Slughorn's eyes widened in surprise. He had heard the news about Deanna's return but he never believed it. One of his favorite students wouldn't go missing for fifty years without a word and just return. But here was Deanna Dumbledore right in front of him.

"Deanna." Slughorn said and he was surprised because Deanna rushed forward and threw her arms around him while blinking her tears back. Slughorn's eyes softened and he hugged the girl back. It was true. She was back, and hopefully, this time around, she would stay.

"You're still the same you." Slughorn pulled away and smiled at the girl. He had a soft spot for her no matter what, and Dumbledore won this one, but it didn't mean Slughorn would make it that easy for them.

"We have to catch up, Professor." Deanna chuckled softly. "Let's do so once you're at Hogwarts." Slughorn rolled his eyes, always the charmer this one was. She knew just what to say.

"I suppose we can have a drink, at least?" asked Dumbledore. "For old time's sake?"

Slughorn hesitated, making Deanna give him the puppy eyes. "All right then, one drink," he said with a sigh. Harry chuckled at the joyful Deanna and they sat down on the now upright couch. Deanna understood what Dumbledore was trying to do. Horace Slughorn was a man who loved famous and talented students, and that's why he brought Deanna into his Slug Club before. And she and Harry were famous so she knew it wouldn't take long before he would give in.

Slughorn came back with glasses and he set down the tray in front of them. "Here."

"Well, how have you been keeping, Horace?" Dumbledore asked.

"Not so well," said Slughorn at once. "Weak chest. Wheezy. Rheumatism too. Can't move like I used to. Well, that's to be expected. Old age. Fatigue."

"And yet you must have moved fairly quickly to prepare such a welcome for us at such short notice," said Dumbledore. "You can't have had more than three minutes' warning?"

Slughorn said, half irritably, half proudly, "Two. Didn't hear my Intruder Charm go off, I was taking a bath. Still," he added sternly, seeming to pull himself back together again, "the fact remains that I'm an old man, Albus. A tired old man who's earned the right to a quiet life and a few creature comforts."

"Do you still have our Potion kit, sir?" Deanna suddenly asked with excitement.

"Ah, yes. I would never throw that out. Would you like to see it?" Slughorn laughed loudly when Deanna nodded excitedly. "It's just up the stairs. Now, only the potion kit, okay, Deanna?"

"I'm not a kid anymore, Professor." Deanna rolled her eyes when he just laughed, but she went up anyways and her eyes twinkled at the sight of the Potions kit. It wasn't just any Potion kit. It was their Potion kit. Deanna, Aries, Dallas and Lorraine had once made a Potion kit with the help of Slughorn. It was just the basic potions and some of their own inventions. A hair color changing one, a beard growing one and so much more. She did promise to give Fred and George some of her old inventions.

"I could never throw that away." A voice from behind her broke her out of her thoughts. There was Horace Slughorn with a smile of reminiscence. "I remember you, Aries, Dallas and Lorraine, staying up all night in the dungeons making explosions and absolute perfections of potions."

"I'm honestly touched." Deanna said softly while looking at the several potions. They really did work hard for this, and it made her miss her friends again. "I didn't think I'd get to see you again, Professor."

"I was heartbroken when I heard you were missing." Slughorn sat down beside her. "One of the kindest students? Dead? I couldn't believe it. Even when they said you returned, I did not believe it. It was too good to be true, but you're here now, Deanna. That's what matters."

"Thank you, Professor." Deanna smiled up at him then she smirked. "You do know we could catch up better if you come to Hogwarts."

Slughorn let out a scoff. "Too bad. I already made my decision."

"I know you did." Deanna closed the Potions kit. "Can I take this with me?"

"It was yours in the first place." Slughorn stood up and held in his smile. He was going to have a good year at Hogwarts, especially with the return of the Boisterous Badger.

Deanna just chuckled at his response and held out her hand. "See you on the 1st of September, Professor."

"I'm looking forward to this year, Daredevil." The two of them laughed before making their way downstairs where Dumbledore and Harry were waiting.

"Ah, these knitting patterns are quite lovely, Horace. Let me take care of that, Deanna." Dumbledore smiled slightly and vanished the Potion kit. "I think it is time for us to leave."

"All right, I'll do it." Slughorn suddenly said. Dumbledore smiled widely while Harry looked taken aback at the sudden change of mind. Slughorn seemed adamant on not going to Hogwarts. "I'll want a pay raise, Dumbledore!"

"Wonderful," said Dumbledore with a beam. "Then, Horace, we shall see you on the first of September."

"See you, Professor." Deanna waved to him and the three of them left the house through the dark and swirling mist, the grumbles of Slughorn slowly fading away.

"Well done, love, Harry," said Dumbledore.

"I didn't do anything," said Harry in surprise.

"Oh yes you did. You showed Horace exactly how much he stands to gain by returning to Hogwarts. Did you like him?"

"Er..." Harry glanced at Deanna for help.

Deanna held in her snort at how awkward he sounded. "Professor Slughorn likes collecting students, Harry. Especially the famous and talented."

"He has never wanted to occupy the throne himself; he prefers the backseat — more room to spread out, you see." Dumbledore continued. "He used to handpick favorites at Hogwarts, sometimes for their ambition or their brains, sometimes for their charm or their talent, and he had an uncanny knack for choosing those who would go on to become outstanding in their various fields.

"Horace formed a kind of club of his favorites with himself at the center, making introductions, forging useful contacts between members, and always reaping some kind of benefit in return, whether a free box of his favorite crystalized pineapple or the chance to recommend the next junior member of the Goblin Liaison Office."

"Now, I tell you all this," Dumbledore continued, "not to turn you against Horace — or, as we must now call him, Professor Slughorn — but to put you on your guard. He will undoubtedly try to collect you two. You would be the jewels of his collection; Harry, 'the Boy Who Lived'... or, as they call you these days, 'the Chosen One.' And of course, little phoenix, you were one of his favorite students before. He would surely take you again."

Deanna nodded silently. She remembered the prophecy her father had told her. Her choices would decide what would happen to this war. She felt burdened by that since she had to be wary of the choices she would make. She already knew she would do everything to make their side win and to defeat Voldemort, but it didn't make her worry any less.

Dumbledore stopped walking. "This will do. Now, Harry, if you will grasp my arm, and gently now, love." Deanna hugged him tight and they Apparated to somewhere Deanna did not recognize.

"This is the Burrow. The Weasleys live here." Harry explained to her. Deanna nodded while looking around in amazement. The Burrow looked like a simple home, and it did suit the Weasleys who were a big family.

"If you don't mind, Harry," said Dumbledore, as they passed through the gate, "I'd like a few words with you before we part. In private. Perhaps in here?" He pointed to a stone outhouse. "Would you give us a few minutes alone, love?" Deanna nodded and watched them go into what seemed to be the broom shed. She wondered what they would be talking about, but she knew that she and Dumbledore would probably talk about it later.

"Shall we go now, love?" Dumbledore said as he and Harry got out of the shed. Deanna nodded and they started on their way to the back door of the Burrow. Dumbledore knocked three times, and there was movement behind the kitchen window.

"Who's there?" It was Molly, speaking in a nervous tone. "Declare yourself!"

"It is I, Dumbledore, bringing Harry and Deanna."

The door opened immediately, and there stood Molly Weasley with a smile on her face. She hugged Deanna and Harry quickly. "Harry, Deanna, dears! Gracious, Albus, you gave me a fright, you said not to expect you before morning!"

"We were lucky," said Dumbledore, ushering the two over the threshold. "Slughorn proved much more persuadable than I had expected. Deanna and Harry's doing, of course. Ah, hello, Nymphadora!"

Deanna turned around and saw Tonks at the table with a large mug in her hands. "Hello, Professor. Wotcher, Harry, Deanna." She smiled slightly at them, but Deanna could immediately see that the smile she had was forced.

"Hello, Tonks." Deanna and Harry said in unison.

"I'd better be off," Tonks said quickly, standing up and pulling her cloak around her shoulders. "Thanks for the tea and sympathy, Molly."

"Please don't leave on my account," said Dumbledore courteously, "I cannot stay I have urgent matters to discuss with Rufus Scrimgeour."

"No, no, I need to get going," said Tonks, not meeting Dumbledore's eyes. "'Night —"

"Dear, why not come to dinner at the weekend, Ria and Mad-Eye are coming — ?"

"No, really, Molly... thanks anyway... Good night, everyone." Tonks hurried past Deanna, Dumbledore and Harry into the yard; a few paces beyond the doorstep, she turned on the spot and vanished into thin air. Deanna noticed that Molly looked troubled.

"Well, we shall see you at Hogwarts, Harry," said Dumbledore with a bow to Molly. "Take care of yourself. Molly, your servant. Come on now, love."

"Take care, Harry." Deanna hugged Harry tight then waved to Molly. "I'll see you soon, Molly." She and Dumbledore made their way out of the Burrow and Apparated out of the Burrow as soon as Deanna held Dumbledore's left hand. They appeared right outside the Hog's Head.

"Now, I must tell you, little phoenix. I am so proud of how you had been doing this past year." Dumbledore smiled gently at her. "After everything that had happened, you have been doing so well."

"Thank you, Pops." Deanna beamed at the compliment. "It was because I had you."

"And with that, I apologize for being absent for the most of your summer. I would like you to come stay in Hogwarts on the last week of August if that would be all right with you?"

"Sure, Pops. I did miss everybody." Deanna smiled softly at the thought of her friends at Hogwarts. "What have you been doing this previous month anyways?"

"That is a story for another time, love." Dumbledore said vaguely which made Deanna even more curious. "Now, listen. About your prophecy, love. Only the two of us know what that prophecy is about so let us keep it that way. You may tell Aberforth and Ariana about it, but only them. Do you understand? The less people that know, the better."

"Yes, Pops. I promise." Deanna held up her hand to show him that she had no fingers crossed.

"Also, I wish that you join me in private lessons this year with Harry."

"Lessons with you and Harry? About what?"

"Yes. You'll find out when we have them." Dumbledore just laughed when his daughter pouted. She couldn't help it. She was too curious for her own good.

"Fine." Deanna just grumbled and crossed her arms.

"Well done, love." Dumbledore stroked her hair and chuckled. "Now, I'll let Fawkes stay with you. Be careful, love. After all, there are still a lot of Death Eaters who are roaming around."

"I'm not surrendering to them, Pops. Not to them or Voldemort. I'm fighting with everything I have." Deanna said with a determined look on her face. "I've fought them once, and I'll fight over and over again. Even if it means my demise."

"I know you will, love." Dumbledore ignored the aching in his heart at her words. He knew it was true. Deanna would die before she would let them win. Dumbledore took his daughter into his arms and sighed. "I love you, little phoenix."

"And I love you too, Pops." Deanna hugged him back just as tight, just happy to have her father by her side. And she just had to wait a few more weeks before they would be together at Hogwarts again. She did love Aberforth and Ariana, but being with her father was just different.

Dumbledore blinked back his tears as he waved goodbye to his daughter who went back into the Hog's Head. He knew there was no chance at all, but he couldn't help but hope. Hope that fate would be kind to Deanna Dumbledore.

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"What? She was here and you didn't think of telling me?" Hermione glared at Harry and Ron who laughed loudly at Hermione's reaction. Harry had just told them about what happened a few hours ago, and Hermione felt betrayed that she couldn't get to see Deanna. She couldn't help the feeling. She missed the girl so much that the letters from Deanna would make her miss the badger even more. Her feelings kept on growing and all she wanted to do was to kiss Deanna and confess her feelings.

"And do you know? Dudley likes Deanna." The words had escaped Harry's mouth, and he realized he shouldn't have said that because the glare Hermione had directed at him was absolutely murderous. And Harry didn't really feel like The Boy Who Lived at that moment.

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