"So, Harry my boy what have you been up to this summer?"
The boy-who-lived forced himself not to roll his eyes at the poorly concealed attempt to get information from him by the new instructor. "I took a rather long vacation sir, I had only been on one before with my godfathers, so it was nice to have a longer one."
"I see, and if I may inquire as to where you went?"
"All sorts of places. Camping in the forest, tanning on the beach, visiting different cities across Europe and America, and I even spent a week touring Paris."
The man frowned but nodded regardless. Dumbledore had been correct in how effortless the boy could divert a conversation, but he had to go through with the Headmaster's plan, to pay back the debt he owed the elder Wizard for helping him out a few decades prior.
"Do you have any exciting plans for the future Harry? Perhaps a career goal after graduation?"
That had the teen halt in his musings for a moment. Sure, he had plans, goals that needed to be achieved, and manipulations to be had but the problem was that these seemed to be completed faster and faster as of late. He really hadn't thought much on a career, however.
"I… am not quite sure Mr. Slughorn. I would like to stay busy and happy but…"
For a moment the Potion master forgot he was supposed to be 'interviewing' the teen in front of him, forgot that it was an act to try and get information and manipulate the boy, and even forgot about all the usual tricks he would put on for his own benefit. Instead he saw a student, full of potential and yet lacking in guidance.
"Well, the good news is you have plenty of time to think about it Harry. There are several publishers who work together to post job listings each week along with the skills needed, I will look into getting a few for you so that you can see if anything catches your eye. Remember that if you choose a job you love, you will never work a day in your life."
The boy nodded thankfully, before another student approached and broke up the conversation by asking the older man a question concerning a potion she had attempted to brew over the summer.
...
"Welcome back new students and old to another year at Hogwarts!" the Headmaster declared loudly as the various children and teens looked up at him. "Undoubtedly some of you have noticed that there have been some changes to the staff for this year. First let me introduce our new Potions instructor, professor Slughorn!"
Polite, if a bit morose, clapping from the Slytherin table was overshadowed by the shouts of relief from the remainder of the houses. A raised hand from Dumbledore silenced the cheering, allowing him to continue.
"Unfortunately, due to a family crisis Severus Snape was unable to return to his customary position as Head of Slytherin House, and thus I would like you all to welcome Madam Umbridge as our newest Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and the Head of Slytherin House."
This time there was no hollers or cheers, instead confused, and somewhat nervous, clapping from all four tables while the woman stood.
"Ah hem, thank you all for your wonderful greeting but we will have to do better next time yes? Now then a few announcements are in order hm? I have here a list of decrees, approved by the Minister of Magic himself, to take effect starting on the first official day of classes. These are for your safety in the light of such dangerous criminals being on the loose, you should all write them down and there will be a list posted on every classroom door."
The pink-clad woman paused, allowing her statement to sink in to the ever-growing horrified silence. Dumbledore himself immediately began questioning his own compliance in allowing such a thing to come to pass. True, he needed to stop Harry's growing darkness at all costs, but with these restrictions put in place Hogwarts was starting to become more like a prison than a school.
....
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