Hogwarts's Youngest Assistant

Chapter 74: Hoarce Slughorn

Horace: What gave me away?

Dumbledore: Well the dark mark wasn't over the house, so I knew you were fine

The two men clear up the mess together, repairing all the furniture and such while me and Harry watched in confusion. Once they were finished, Dumbledore properly introduced this Horace to us.

Dumbledore: Blue this is my good friend Hoarce Slughorn. Hoarce, this is Harry Potter and Blue Light

Slughorn: Yes I know who they are, you're not using Harry Potter to persuade me out of retirement are you Albus?

Dumbledore: Let us have a drink, Hoarse

Dumbledore wheedles him into a drink while Slughorn goes on about how old and tired he is, and how he certainly can’t be called upon to teach again.

Dumbledore: I'm old as well Hoarce, and you don't see me retiring

Slughorn: Well I think you should Albus, look at the state of your hand. Are you sure you can continue?

Dumbledore: I'll admit I'm not as fast as I used to be but I'm not going to laze around when the Wizarding World is in danger.

Dumbledore spreads his hands and it draws mine and Harry's attention to a ring with a cracked black stone on it that we have never seen Dumbledore wear before.

Slughorn: I'll admit I've been on the run for about a year now. I've been squatting in the houses of Muggles who are on holiday. I have heard about what happened with Umbridge and I would never consider returning to Hogwarts if that’s what going on these days.

Dumbledore: Trust me Hoarce, Blue wouldn't do the same to you as long as you do not do what she did for the year

Blue: Yeah, he is right. I like all of the other teachers, I can see that you are a good guy so I'm looking forward to seeing you teach.

Slughorn thanks me and Dumbledore suddenly has to use the bathroom and excuses himself.

Slughorn:........

Blue:..........

Harry:.........

Slughorn: So, Harry. The more I look at you, the more I can see your mother Lily.

Harry: You knew her?

Slughorn: Why yes I did, Lily was one of my favorite students. I wanted her for my house, I was the Head of Slytherin back in the day.

Blue: Wait what?

Slughorn: Don't hold it against me, houses usually run in families as I'm sure you have seen.

Blue: Well I don't mind Slytherins because all of them liked me at first but now some don't hold the same love for me

Harry: Which is absolutely ridiculous

Slughorn: I also wanted Sirius Black in my house but just like your parents, he was in Gryffindor

Harry: You knew Sirius as well?

Slughorn: I do but I want to know how you know the infamous killer

Harry: Well....he is my Godfather

Slughorn: He is?

Blue: Yeah and he isn't a killer, that was just a misunderstanding

Slughorn: I see....well as I was saying. I wanted him in my house but I did get his brother Regulus.

Harry: He has a brother?

Slughorn: He had a brother, I preferred the family set though

Damn this guy likes to talk about his students like a collector, I mean maybe that's how he rolls? I think of them as friends but I think mine is normal compared to his view.