Since the return from London it had been clearly obvious that Anders was aware that he wouldn't be staying on at Hogwarts but no formal discussions had as yet taken place between he and the Headmaster.

Yet as the term was nearing its end, either party couldn't put off the inevitable any longer.

Therefore, one morning at breakfast, Dumbledore had said to Anders.

"Anders, I would appreciate if after you have finished your breakfast you could come along to my office."

With that he left the table and waited for the young man to join him.

He'd known it was going to happen, of course he had known.

Didn't make it any less nerve-wracking as the young Professor walked along the corridors towards Dumbledore's tower, stopping at the bottom and waiting for the Professor to admit him. When the Professor was admitted, he took his time ascending the stairs. This might, after all, be the last time he went up to Dumbledore's office - and for some reason that made him rather unhappy.

He knocked gently on Dumbledore's door.

"Come in, Anders my boy."

Anders smiled. The Headmaster always referred to him as 'boy'. That helped a long way towards the feeling of family he'd got in his year at Hogwarts. He stopped that train of thought as it left him feeling choked.

He pushed open the door and entered the Headmaster's study, sitting down in the chair indicated by the Headmaster. He looked up at Dumbledore and smiled nervously.

"I...think I know what this is going to be about," he said, softly. As he spoke, his eyes automatically found themselves drawn to the Sorting Hat sitting in pride of place in the Headmaster's Office. He ripped his eyes away from it.

There'd be time for that later.

"Yes." the Headmaster sighed, "I am afraid I have no alternative in the circumstances."

The words themselves need not actually be said.

"I did wish to say that I do appreciate that what exists between you and Miss Hawkwood is very special and was not a relationship that either of you undertook lightly.

Given her age I also think it would be more painful for you to stay here in a teaching capacity and be severely restricted in the amount of contact there could reasonably be between you. There is enough peripheral awareness of the relationship already, even if Miss Skeeter's rather dramatic hints seem to have been discounted.

However, the fact remains that it would take very little to become a scandal. I must protect the school as well as the two of you from such an occurrence."

He went on, "Trusting that in time you will be in a more formal relationship with her there would be questions asked if that courtship took place while you were both resident at Hogwarts. As things stand you are not only the son of one of her father's close friends and the brother of her best friend, but also the man who saved her life. I doubt there will be any great shock when in a few years time ..."

Dumbledore looked kindly at Anders, "All very logical and no doubt you've been over this ground in your head a hundred times in the last couple of weeks.

For my part, I will ensure that you are paid severance pay, which will provide you security for a time. Have you made any plans for your future?"

At the words 'severance pay' Anders winced visibly. Severance. Cut off. Set adrift. "I..." he began, then shrugged lightly. "I haven't made any concrete plans, and I haven't said this to anybody - not even Nimue. Dmitri Georgious has suggested that I might like to consider apprenticeship to law...and I'm actually rather tempted."

He glanced again at the Sorting Hat. "However," he continued. "There is the issue of my...memory. I need to regain some of the knowledge that my Da...that Dafydd took from me. I was rather hoping... um..." He blushed furiously and got to his feet, pacing a little. "That...maybe with some of the compensation money that Dmitri has said is coming to me...I could pay for some private tuition...?"

"The Law?" Dumbledore's face brightened, "I think that would be an excellent choice. I know Dmitri was hoping one of his own family might have followed in his footsteps as he came to retirement but they seem more interested in the more lucrative fields of wizarding law and not his particular campaigns associated with issues of prisoners' rights.

Plus with what you've experienced first hand you know where the faults lie in our system."

He smiled, "I expect Dmitri will work you very hard. As for the idea of private tuition, yes certainly though I am reluctant to take any money from you for it. We can discuss such details later."

He paused, "Here is an idea for you to consider - it has been many years since I've undertaken the training of anyone myself. However, if you were willing I would certainly enjoy taking on a formal mentor role to oversee your regaining of that knowledge. We could draw on the skills of others at the school if necessary."

He looked at Dumbledore hopefully. "There is one other thing I would be grateful for, Headmaster... it's kind of silly...but it means a lot to me, see." His eyes fixed again on the Sorting Hat. "I have to know," he said, simply.

He noted Anders' interest in the Sorting Hat. "I think I can guess why you keep glancing at our old friend. Keen to know where you truly belong eh?"

Behind his half-moon spectacles Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Shall we see?"

Anders blushed furiously. "I know I'm...ten years older than Sorting age, but...I want to know."

Dumbledore nodded, the same twinkle in his eye and picked up the hat. "Are you sure? What will you think if the Hat sorted you back into Slytherin again?"

"I'd accept it," he said, honestly. "Because then I'd know."

Dumbledore nodded and placed the Hat on Anders' head. A rush of memories. Eleven - no, NINE years old. Sitting in the Great Hall. The Hat gibbering confused nothings in his ear, uncertain of what it was seeing in the boy's mind, finally placing him into Slytherin.

"Well, well, well," came a dusty voice in his ear. "I remember you, young man. You gave me all that trouble so many years ago."

Anders said nothing. He was barely breathing.

"Hmm...let's see. Nasty temper you have there, but you can learn to control and channel that anger. Bit of a paranoid streak...large gap in your knowledge, but a thirst to learn and succeed...compassionate, loyal...yes, and oh - quite a lot of bravery and courage there, too! This time I'm sure. You belong in Gryffindor!"

The Hat, as always, shouted the last out, and Anders could have cried. "All those years," he murmured, shaking his head. But what had happened was in the past, now. It was too late to be unhappy.

To his surprise, the Hat spoke to him again. "Remember that you have always been a Gryffindor where it counts, young man. In your heart."

Dumbledore removed the Hat and there were tears shining in Anders' eyes. Tears of happiness and pride.

Dumbledore was delighted with the results of the Sorting.

"Excellent! Now for the rest, take your time in consideration. Nothing need be decided today and these are important decisions.

However, no matter what you decide in terms of my offer or Dmitri's you are under strict instructions *not* to become a stranger! Your life is changing but some things remain constant Anders - friendship and love as well as the kinship of blood."

Anders could be sure that even though he was soon to depart Hogwarts that he was still highly regarded by the Headmaster.

Anders composed himself, his heart pounding with excitement at the news he wasn't a Slimy Slytherin after all - yet maybe he'd always truly known that. It was still nice to get the confirmation, though.

He grinned shyly at the Headmaster. "I don't need to consider at all, Professor," he said, a tone of total joy in his voice. "I accept your offer with grateful thanks - and I promise I won't let you down." He was now, of course, only half-listening, so excited was he about getting the news to Nimue about being a Gryffindor.

"Excellent!" said the Headmaster, "Again the details can be settled at a later time and of course once you've made your other arrangements."

He then smiled, "Which brings me to another matter. I have recently received some very interesting news that I should like to discuss with you."

<fade out....... as news not to be revealed until next term>