Magical Origins

Author Notes: I know many of you have waited for an update and I'm glad I got this as the new month turns. I'll be working on the Aspect of the Wolf next to get an update as soon as possible. Trying to look into some WoW Timelines (its a mess) so I can do something about the Dragonflight. I hope everyone enjoys.

Year 6: The Potion Master

Harry, Lily, and Artemis had gone to a muggle café, drinking some warm cocoa as they wait for Dumbledore's arrival. Even though Dumbledore wanted to speak to Harry alone. Artemis and Lily came along because they didn't want Harry to be alone during these dark times, even if he could defend himself.

With Fudge now out of office, Harry didn't have to fear the Daily Prophet attacking him daily. The Daily Prophet even reported that Fudge had bribed, threaten, and bullied Prophet employees into discrediting Harry's name throughout the year.

Fudge named had been dragged into the mud, and he had no way of making a comeback. He lost his pension and the respect he had within the magical community. He was able to avoid a stay in Azkaban, but that was clearly so Scrimgeour could keep an eye on him, so he doesn't reveal any secrets to the Death Eaters.

Harry turns and sees Professor Dumbledore on the other side of the station.

Harry and the girls get up and walk over to the Headmaster.

"Evening, Professor," said Harry.

"Good evening, Harry," said Dumbledore. "As Lady Morgan has told you, I seek your help in recruiting my old colleague."

"You know I don't like this," said Harry.

"I know," said Dumbledore. "But this is good for you in the long run, even if you have trouble trusting me. Horace is an accomplished wizard, and his connections will be vital during these days."

"Take my arm," Dumbledore said, raising his right arm. "Time is short, and we must move quickly."

A train was coming, so they did so, knowing the train would mask their departure.

Harry, Artemis, and Lily grab Dumbledore's arm before they were pulled by that tug into a tight empty vacuum shortly before they reappeared in a new area.

"Was that apparition?" asked Lily.

"Indeed," Dumbledore said, looking at the house before them. "Most people tend to vomit the first time."

"Hard to imagine why," mutters Harry.

"I prefer my method of fire," said Lily.

"None of you have asked if I am the real Professor Dumbledore," said Dumbledore.

"It was obvious you're the real Headmaster," said Harry.

"How so?" asked Professor Dumbledore.

"You called me by my first name," said Harry. "You address everyone by their last names. I've only heard you address a few people by their first names, namely Snape, Professor McGonagall, and Fudge. You even address students by their family names."

Dumbledore looks at Harry in surprise.

"Very observant, Harry," said Dumbledore. "That's something I haven't really notice. A habit you can say. In the future, what do I enjoy the most?"

Dumbledore begins walking down the street with the trio following him.

"Muggle snack treats," said Lily. "I've seen you eat them and use them as your passwords to your office."

"Indeed," said Dumbledore. "Now, Harry, I must ask. Your scar; has it been bothering you at all lately?"

"No," said Harry. "In fact, it sorts of disappeared."

Harry raises his bangs to reveal the infamous lightning bolt scar had indeed mysterious vanished.

"Then Severus was right," said Dumbledore.

"What was Snape right about?" asked Lily.

"Severus reported a couple days after the Ministry, Voldemort has undergone some sort of change," said Dumbledore.

"What kind of change?" Artemis asked at once.

"A reversal of time," said Dumbledore. "He still has that sinister look to him, but he looks once again… as a young twenty-year-old wizard."

"He rejuvenates his body back to his prime?" Artemis said in shock.

"Apparently," said Dumbledore. "Voldemort has also acquired… new powers."

"New powers?" Lily repeated. "You mean he's even more powerful than at the Ministry?"

"Possibly," said Dumbledore. "Being constantly defeated may have force Voldemort to take desperate actions. These actions will have consequences, though I cannot say for sure. Miss Gorloisen would know. I'm guessing she knows what Voldemort did and will be returning to Hogwarts as a dueling instructor."

"Why not rehire her as Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor?" asked Harry.

"War has begun, so she'll be returning to the front," said Dumbledore. "She can only return to Hogwarts ever so often. She's also trying to track down Horvath."

"Why would an Earth Elemental serve the Darkness?" asked Lily.

"Horvath loved Gorloisen," said Dumbledore. "She did not love him in return. Her heart belongs to another, and that made Horvath full of jealousy and hatred towards this wizard. Much like Cedric Diggory, he took the Black for vengeance."

"Why did Cedric take the Black?" asked Harry.

Harry's never had any problems with Cedric during their school year, not even during Quidditch.

"You were everything Cedric wanted to be, Harry," said Dumbledore. "You could say he's your darker reflection. Handsome, popular, rich, and has a knack with witches. The difference between you two is that Cedric lives in your shadow, and you have some of the best witches at your side while he has to deal with what he calls second-rate witches."

"You mean those gossip queens who run after famous wizards and don't have much of a brain?" scuffs Harry.

"I've had my fair share of these witches," said Dumbledore.

"Why do you trust Snape so much, Professor?" asked Lily.

"That is a personal matter between myself and Professor Snape," said Dumbledore.

"You have blackmail material over him, don't you," said Lily.

"I don't have blackmail over Severus," said Dumbledore. "We will speak of Professor Snape no more."

"Why did you want to speak to me?" asked Harry. "It surely isn't to recruit your old colleague."

"No," said Dumbledore. "I have come to inform you that I will be given you lessons to you and Miss Morris."

"Me?" Lily said in surprise.

"Indeed," said Dumbledore. "I knew you would come with Harry, as you are unwilling to part from his side. It is no coincidence that you two started this journey together. The bonds you two share, can't be broken by any means."

"What kind of lessons?" asked Harry.

"You will know at Hogwarts," said Dumbledore. "Now, what do you think of the new Minister's guidelines and regulations?"

"Stupid," said Harry. "It's as if they gave the thought a mere second thought."

"Indeed," said Dumbledore.

The new guidelines were something a four-year thought up and passed out. They required specific questions to be asked and to report in any suspicious behavior to the Ministry.

"Wands out," Dumbledore said in a stern voice.

The trio looks up and sees a house in ruins. The house was dark and showed signs of an attack.

Dumbledore looks up at the sky, but the Dark Mark couldn't be seen.

They enter the house and could see as if a battle had taken place. Everything had been destroyed as if a dark creature had attacked. Harry was deeply reminded of the Shrieking Shack.

"Horace?" Dumbledore said as he looks for his old colleague.

"There is someone here," said Lily.

Dumbledore said nothing as he ventures forward.

Artemis stops as she looks at a destroyed paper that had Harry's face on the cover. There was blood on the cover, smearing much of the recent article.

Dumbledore walks forward and puts his finger on the blood before tasting it, find it interesting as if he knew the blood.

Harry pauses as he sees something out of place. A completely unharmed blue armchair, unlike the rest of the furniture in the house.

An ice-cold pillar quickly traps the chair in place, preventing the person from escaping.

"Merlin's beard!" shouted the armchair. "Did you have to go that far?"

Dumbledore places his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"A bit theatrical Horace? Were you expecting someone else?" said Dumbledore.

"I don't know what you're talking about Dumbledore," said Horace. "Can you tell the boy to let me go?"

Dumbledore nods his head to Harry as the ice disappears.

The armchair begins to change into a man wearing a blue nightgown.

"What gave me away?" asked Horace Slughorn.

Dumbledore pointed to the paper with the smeared blood.

"Dragon's blood," said Dumbledore.

Horace looks at Dumbledore before realizing that Dumbledore had worked with Dragon's Blood in the past and knew it taste and smell.

"Awe, yes, introductions," said Dumbledore. "Everyone, this is Horace Slughorn, one of Europe's greatest Potion Masters. He's also my oldest College at Hogwarts, who taught there almost if I have. This is Artemis Wynter, Lilianna Morris, and… well, I don't need to introduce you to Mr. Potter Horace, do I?"

"What's with the theatrics, Horace? Who are you expecting?" asked Dumbledore.

"I don't know what you mean, Dumbledore," said Horace turning away as he closes the door cautiously. He looks back at Dumbledore. "Oh, alright, the Death Eaters have been trying to recruit me since the Triwizard Tournament ended. Do you know what's that like? You can only say no so many times before things turn nasty. I've been running ever since. Moving, never staying anywhere for more than a week. The muggles who own this place are in the Canary Islands."

"Well, we should put it back in order for them, don't you think?" said Dumbledore.

Horace nods his head as Dumbledore flicks his wand.

"Maximus Reperio," said Dumbledore as everything quickly return to normal as the house appears normal. "That was fun. Do you mind if I use the loo?"

"No, of course," said Professor Slughorn. "Don't think I don't know why you are here, Albus. The answer is still no, and no chance am I going with you."

Dumbledore didn't respond as he heads to the bathroom.

Artemis eyes Professor Dumbledore carefully as she watches him disappear down the hall.

"Harry Potter," Professor Slughorn said with a smile. "You look like your father, except your eyes. You have your…"

"My mother's eyes, I know," said Harry.

"Sorry," said Professor Slughorn. "I know you hear that a lot. Lily always a remarkable student. A singularly gifted witch with remarkable talents. She would have gone on to do great things had she lived. I was almost shocked to hear she was a muggle-born."

Harry glares at Professor Slughorn coldly.

"Oh no," said Professor Slughorn hastily upon seeing Harry's look. "I'm not prejudiced. Your mother was one of my absolute favorites. What I would have done to have her in my house, in Slytherin. She learned faster than I could teach, you know. If she had lived, I'm sure she would have bested me as top Potion Master and Professor Flitwick as Charms Master. She was… remarkable. Look, she's in the front."

Harry turns and sees pictures of countless witches and wizards.

"All mine, ex-students, I mean," said Horace. "Taught all of them throughout their years at Hogwarts. Barnabas Cuffe, he's the current Editor of the Daily Prophet. Gwenog Jones, Captain of the Holyhead Harpies. She sends me tickets to her games whenever I want. Regulus Black, talented like his brother Sirius. I wanted Sirius in my house as much as Regulus. I had the entire Black Family in my house for years. Sirius was the only one who wasn't sorted in Slytherin. Sorted in Gryffindor with your father. The pair were always together and loved causing trouble."

"Sirius has told me," said Harry looking at the old Slytherin Quidditch Team with Regulus Black.

"Awe yes, the Wynter's did help secure Sirius's freedom," said Horace. "Sorry, I'm not up to date with much of the events around your life. I don't like to invade into others' personal affairs no more than necessary."

"I take it not many wizards like the fact you adore Lily Potter," said Lily.

"None have ever said so in my face," said Horace. "though I knew many disapproved of having Lily within my personal club. Those who never did join called it the Slug Club."

"What's it called?" asked Harry.

"Never gave it a name," said Horace. "Your mother called it the Hogwarts Society Club."

"Well, Artemis is the best healer of the Century," said Harry. "She was made a Junior Healer before Fudge had her fire in an attempt to discredit me."

"Artemis Wynter," said Professor Slughorn. "I've heard of you. Sorry to hear what your family's been through last year. I know it hasn't been easy. Though I suspect you've been offered to return as a healer."

"They did," said Artemis. "I refused. Fudge bribe and blackmail the board into ruining my family, so we're not returning."

Harry held back his desire to smirk, knowing Saint Mungo's was in a crisis. They had lost one of the best healers in Europe in Olivia Wynter. Olivia refused to come back, even when the Dark Lord had been publicly announced of his return, and they issue a statement of apology for wrongfully terminating her.

Artemis, who was a rising star in her own right, also refused to come back to Saint Mungo's.

Other healers were capable, but Olivia was a specialist who had many fields she could heal in, including the countering the Dark Arts. Olivia was going to be needed in the war to come. Even now, there has been an increase in causalities.

Fudge wisely withdrew from the public, knowing the finger of blame was being pointed at him in his attempt to discredit Harry Potter. Fudge manage to avoid Azkaban, but there were people still after his blood.

"How long have the Death Eaters been chasing you?" asked Lily.

"Well, over a year," said Professor Slughorn. "Since the Triwizard tournament ended."

"Why?" asked Lily.

"You taught Voldemort, didn't you," said Harry.

Slughorn's face falters upon hearing the Dark Lord's name. Turning ghastly pale upon hearing the Dark Lord's name.

"That's why he's interested in you," Harry continues. "He wants your knowledge to help him become stronger."

"Among all my students, there was a time I was most proud of him," mutters Slughorn. "He could have been great, you know. The path he chose to walk, Dumbledore has always been wary of Tom, and I didn't learn why until he started his war against the world."

"Is that why you're hiding?" said Lily. "So, he can't exploit your knowledge?"

"You ask too many questions," said Professor Slughorn.

"Well, I can see now why Dumbledore is trying to have you return to Hogwarts," said Artemis.

"You don't know Albus like I do," said Slughorn.

"True," said Artemis. "If Dumbledore was able to track you down, the Dark Lord can't be that far behind. I wonder how safe you really are if you continue to remain alone."

Slughorn paled as he looks out the window for any signs of Death Eaters possibly showing up.

"Wouldn't a wizard, like yourself, benefit at staying at Hogwarts?" said Harry. "Wouldn't you feel safer? I know Hogwarts is getting an intense amount of upgrades this summer to prevent Voldemort from attacking the school."

"Time to go," said Dumbledore.

"You're leaving?" Professor Slughorn said in surprise as he turns to look at Dumbledore.

"Yes, I am," said Dumbledore. "I understand you not wanting to return to Hogwarts, Horace. Such a shame, I would have loved to have you in her halls once more. Professor Flitwick and McGonagall would have been delighted to have you back."

Harry, Lily, and Artemis turn and follows Dumbledore out of the house.

When they reached the front gate, Slughorn appears at the door.

"Alright, you sly old bastard, I'll take the job!" shouted Slughorn.

"You'll return to Hogwarts, and resume your old post as Potions Master?" Dumbledore said, turning to Slughorn.

"Yes, I must be losing my mind to accept, but there's no question I rather have you protecting me instead of the Ministry!" Slughorn shouted at the group. "I want a raise, Albus! I also want Professor Merrythought's old office, not the water closet I had before!"

"Of course, Horace, I shall see you tomorrow," said Dumbledore.

"These are mad times, Dumbledore! Mad I tell you!" Horace said before he walks back inside.

"There are indeed," said Dumbledore.

"Want to explain what that's was all about?" said Harry.

"I'm sorry to have used you like that, Harry, but you see… acquiring Professor Slughorn is vital to prepare against Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore.

"Why?" asked Artemis.

"As you have guessed, Horace once taught Tom Riddle when he was a student at Hogwarts," said Dumbledore. "Tom didn't like Slughorn but knew how to manipulate his former Head of House into teaching me spells, and revealing subjects generally not taught at Hogwarts. Information, we will need to unravel from within his memories."

"Why don't you force it out of him?" asked Lily. "Truth Potions, or Legilimency?"

"Professor Slughorn is a great Occlumency Master," said Dumbledore. "He taught Severus to master Occlumency. Even Grindelwald and I cannot break his Occlumency. As you heard, he's also a Potions Master, and has been one of the best in the early twentieth century."

"That's not the only reason why you wanted him at Hogwarts, is it, Professor?" said Artemis.

"No," said Dumbledore. "You have a sharp mind, Miss Wynter. I also want you at Hogwarts. You see… Horace is… a collector."

"A collector?" repeated Lily.

"He doesn't' collect objects, he collects students," said Dumbledore. "As you saw on the shelf, he likes to acquire favors with students. He has a vast network of information. This year at Hogwarts, he will be seeking to collect you three."

"Why?" asked Lily.

"All three of you are either talented, famous, and powerful," said Dumbledore. "Everything Horace values in his students. He will be seeking to collect all three of you, with Mr. Potter being his crowning jewel."

"The amount of influential people he knows," said Harry. "He can acquire information faster than the Ministry."

"Indeed," said Dumbledore. "Once he returns to Hogwarts, many of his old students and contacts will seek out to talk to him once more. He will be hosting his many gatherings. Horace isn't someone who likes to take power but is more comfortable sitting behind a person with power. He's the person who works in between parties that form connections. You don't have to like him, but you would be wise to accept his invitations. The people you would meet can be very beneficial."

"Have you heard anything about Ollivander's?" asked Artemis.

Ollivander disappeared, and it looked like Death Eaters ransack his shop with many wands being stolen.

"Nothing yet," said Dumbledore. "No one knows if he was taken, or he went into hiding."

"Are we heading back now?" said Lily.

"Before you go," said Dumbledore. "You both have matured greatly, but I still urge you both to exercise caution. I failed your mother and father, Harry. I do not wish you to tempt your curiosity in chasing after a mystery you need to solve. More dangers are lurking in every corner this year than you've ever had to face. That's why I will help you stay alive for as long as I can, to make up to James and Lily."

Harry nods his head as Dumbledore turns and disappears.

"Shall we," said Lily.

Lily cast a fire emblem on the ground as the three disappear.