Harry Potter and the Blood of Merlin.

Chapter 3 - An unlikely place

Harry decided there and then that apparition wasn't for him. The feeling of being compressed from all angles in utter darkness made him feel uneasy. The sensation of having all the air pushed out of you like someone rolling up a tube of toothpaste was not something he looked forward to doing again. Broomsticks were his preferred mode of transport and the thought of his broom brought a question to him.

'Sir, what about my things, my trunk, Hedwig?' Harry asked looking up to the tall thin man.

'Don't worry Harry, I have had them sent ahead to the Burrow.' Dumbledore answered though not really paying attention to Harry.

'The Burrow' Harry repeated eagerly, 'are we going there now?' he asked again looking around although it looked very different to what Harry remembered of the Burrow. Ron's home sat in the country side surrounded by green fields. The small hill behind the house with its trees surrounding the little paddock where they practiced quidditch. However they were anywhere but green. Harry looked up to see a tall high rise block of flats before him. Grey concrete pretty much surrounded them on all side. Floors, walls, benches the entire vicinity appeared to be made from the hard grey material. Only small splashes of green weeds poked from between the cracks and graffiti in bright blues and yellows splashed the walls. To his left he saw the nonsensical  word 'PUCKLE' sprayed in bright purple across an expanse of wall, old torn posters frayed from the wall in between more graffiti of various levels of vulgarity.

Dumbledore chuckled to himself at apparently nothing before turning his bright blue eyes onto Harry.

'We, or might I say you more specifically Harry, are about to meet an old acquaintance of mine, someone who I believe could be of great assistance to us at Hogwarts.'

'Like a teacher sir' Harry enquired to which Dumbledore just nodded and set of at quite a remarkable pace.  In the direction of the nearest block of flats.

Whilst hurrying to catch up small droplets of rain began to fall hitting Harry's glasses and blurring his vision, he wiped the lenses with his sleeve and rushed to catch up with the headmaster in doing so Harry noticed the damaged hand hanging by Dumbledore's side. The skin looked blackened as if brushed with coal dust and the thin veins stood jet black against the dark skin. Like ink was running through his veins instead of blood. With a quick jolt the hand disappeared up Dumbledore's sleeve.

'Another story for another time Harry' his stern blue eyes looking into Harrys brilliant green ones. They marched into the lobby. The smell of stale urine and tobacco overwhelmed Harry's nostrils and he let out a little cough.

'Yes it does seem rather an unlikely place for a man who loves comfort to reside doesn't it Harry?' Dumbledore questioned although not really expecting an answer pushing the call lift button.

'Who lives here sir' Harry asked slightly muffled covering his nose with his sleeve.

The lift pinged and they stepped into the confined space. The bulb above them flickered on and off as Dumbledore pushed the button for the fourteenth floor. The smell stronger in this enclosed space, Harry looked up and Dumbledore seemed unaware and sounded like he was humming to himself before he looked at Harry.

'Within this charming block of flats Harry currently resides one Mr. Horace Slughorn. An ex professor at Hogwarts and in these troubling times, someone who I can trust to help at Hogwarts.' Dumbledore told Harry whilst rocking back and forward on his heels.

'So why don't you just ask him sir' Harry asked wondering why he had been brought along.

'He is rather distrustful Harry and in the current climate I don't blame him one bit, also he does have a rather unique collection which he enjoys.'