Chapter Text
“Ah, hello Harry,” Dumbledore said. Harry was siting against a tree by the lake. “Do you mind if I join you?”
“Go ahead professor,” Harry said. Dumbledore’s bones creaked and groaned as he sat down.
“The disadvantages of getting old,” Dumbledore said. “Are you going to the dueling club tomorrow?”
“Doubt it,” Harry said. “Lockhart’s the one running it. No offense sir, but the man’s a fraud, and I don’t really see why you hired him.”
“He was, unfortunately, the only applicant. Did you know that the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts is said to be cursed. Too many are afraid it will get them, you see.”
“And you can’t just un-curse it?”
“Oh, my boy, haha,” Dumbledore said, then gestured for Harry to lean in, as if to tell him a secret. “I’m not all powerful or all knowing, despite what the rest of the world may think.”
The two sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, before Dumbledore spoke again, “Hmm, you know, Professor Lockhart won’t be the only professor there.”
“Professor Flitwick?” Harry guessed. That might make it a little more interesting. “Hermione said he was a dueling champion.”
“Unfortunately, no. He seems to have the same opinion of the man as you. Professor Snape will be there.”
Harry snorted and then said, “All the more reason to stay away.” Dumbledore blinked in confusion and frowned.
“Surely he isn’t that bad Harry.”
“He seems to hate me.”
“Ah. No, not you. What you represent, I think. But, Professor Snape has my complete trust, and he wouldn’t allow his personal feelings to cloud the judgement of any student.” Harry stared at him in disbelief. It was probably only Dumbledore admitting to not knowing everything or being all powerful earlier that gave Harry the courage to say what he did next.
“With all due respect sir, have you ever attended one of his classes? While invisible so he doesn’t know you’re there? If any Slytherin and I make a potion the exact same way and get the exact same results, the Slytherin normally gets an outstanding, while I get an acceptable at best. And that’s only if he doesn’t ‘accidentally’ drop my vial, or vanish its contents before giving me a zero for the day. And poor Neville’s practically terrified to tears by him every class!”
“I-I’ve heard some complaints about him, but I thought they were just because he was the least liked teacher in the school.”
“Didn’t you ever wonder why he was the least liked teacher in the school?”
“And there is my problem. No, no I haven’t. Is it truly so bad Harry?”
“Yes sir.”
“I see. I hope that perhaps I can convince you to attend the dueling club anyway. I’ll tell you a secret, Harry. The hat nearly put me in Slytherin.”
Harry smiled slightly, “Me too sir.”
“Ah, mmm, that does explain quite a bit. Anyway, Harry, I have a plan. Let’s go see a Ravenclaw.” He got up, his bones creaking again, and held out his hand to Harry to help him up.