Unknown: Lies

Horace Slughorn

4 Privet Drive

After adjourning to the Dursley's living room, and conjuring a few glasses of Madam Rosemerta's finest oak cured mead, Dumbledore gets down to business of Sirius's will and what was left to Harry. 

"His god father's dead?!" Vernon said 

"He left you all his possessions, including 12 Grimmauld Place." Dumbledore said almost bitterly

"He's been left a house!!!" Vernon demanded, his eyes shinning with greed

"Yes. Now Harry, the Order has abandoned Headquarters until the business of ownership is settled" Dumbledore continues

"How do we do that?" Harry asks with a slight ache in his head again

"Simple, if you are truly the owner of 12 Grimmauld Place, that means you are also the owner of Kreacher" Dumbledore says calmly as he summons the elf

Kreacher threw himself on the floor and began throwing a temper tantrum expressing how he didn't want to belong to Harry and how he wanted to go to 'Miss Cissy' and 'Miss Bella'

"If you did indeed inherit Kreacher, the he will be forced to follow any command you give him." Dumbledore says

"Ok..umm, Kreacher STOP" Harry says looking at Kreacher who immediatly sits up and glares at Harry. Dumbledore grins and says "Well it looks like Sirius knew what he was doing after all. Well Harry, have you finished packing?"

Yes Professor" " Good. Go fetch your things while I talk to you Aunt and Uncle" 

Harry leaves to get a jacket from his room. Once he is out of sight, Dumbledore turns an icy cold stare to the Dursleys. Petunia cowers even further into Vernon's side, with Dudley shaking in fear. Knowing his time is limited, Dumbledore casts the Dursley's a threatening look and says " The boy will need to return next summer before he is to complete his task. If he is not weakened by then there will be severe consequences." And with that he walked to the hall unaware that Harry heard the entire thing. Harry scowled but composed his face as he met his Headmaster. Harry thinks back to the letters he got, one from Hermione and one from Gringotts. he will have to read them when he has time alone. Dumbledore had Harry  grab hold of his arm and they Apparted to a deserted road. 

Professor, where are we?" Harry asked slowly 

"We are on our way to meet up with an old colleague of mine to try and convince him to come out of retirement" was all Dumbledore said. A curious Harry continued, "How can I help with that Professor?" Dumbledore almost rolled his eyes at the never ending questions, but kept his face plain as he said "I'm sure we'll find a way my boy" 

They continued until Harry brought up the pamphlet he'd received over the summer. Dumbledore dutifully answered his questions, although there was an annoyed undertone that Harry didn't miss. Soon they came upon a house, that looked as if it had been the scene of a battle. This seemed to scare Dumbledore as he ordered Harry to get his wand out and to stay close, and if he feels he need to, to cast any spell that comes to his mind. They slowly entered the house, Harry spotting what looked like blood on the walls. Skin crawling, Harry followed Dumbledore with his wand lit and the Disarm Charm on his tongue. Suddenly, Dumbledore pokes an armchair with the tip of his wand, causing it to shout and transform into a pot-bellied man.

"Did you have to jab so hard Albus?" the man said'''

"Apologies Horace. You make an excellent armchair"

The man, Horace, dusted his self off while looking at Harry "What gave it away"

"Horace, if the Death Eaters had come calling there would've been a Dark Mark in the sky"

"Ah, knew I forgot something"

"Well, i must say it was impressive. You couldn't have had more than 5 minutes"

"3 actually, Darn Sensory Charm didn't go off. Well would you like to assist in the clean up?"

"Together."

Both men waved their wands and to Harry's astonished eyes, they put the entire house back to it's original form. Once done Horace locked eyes with Harry once again.

"Ah, Harry this is my good friend and old colleague, Horace Slughorn. Horace, this is Harry Potter."

"I know who he is. And I know why you are here. My answer is still no"

"Well, if you insist Horace.would you mind if I used the restroom? Long journey."

"Well, I guess that would be ok"

Dumbledore walked off to the restroom while Harry thought about the letter he was yet to open from Hermione when Slughorn suddenly spoke to him

"I know why he's brought you here"

"Care to explain to me then. Cause I have no idea." Harry replied

"He's hoping you'll convince me to come back. Well I won't"

"Good for you"

Dumbledore suddenly makes his reappearance barely hiding his distasteful look

"Do you mind if I take this Horace?" holding a magazine, no doubt taken from the restroom

"What? Oh not at all Albus" Slughorn said still looking at Harry in awe

"Well let's go Harry. We've imposed on Horace long enough"

"Wait, that's it? You're leaving?"

"Oh yes. I can see you have made up your mind, and Harry has somewhere to be"

Just before they could walk out the door Horace called out to Dumbledore

"Alright Albus, I'll do it" 

"Splendid Horace"

"But I want a raise, these are mad times we live in mad. And I want Merrythought's old office"

Dumbledore looked annoyed but quickly agreed and ushered Harry out of the house before the old man could ask for anything else