Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
CHAPTER FOUR
HORACE SLUGHORN
Despite the fact that he had spent every waking moment of the past few
days hoping desperately that Dumbledore would indeed come to fetch him,
Harry felt distinctly awkward as they set off down Privet Drive together. He
had never had a proper conversation with the headmaster outside of Hogwarts
before; there was usually a desk between them. The memory of their
last face-to-face encounter kept intruding too, and it rather heightened
Harry’s sense of embarrassment; he had shouted a lot on that occasion, not
to mention done his best to smash several of Dumbledore’s most prized
possessions.
Dumbledore, however, seemed completely relaxed. “Keep your wand at
the ready, Harry,” he said brightly.
“But I thought I’m not allowed to use magic outside school, sir?”
“If there is an attack,” said Dumbledore, “I give you permission to use
any counterjinx or curse that might occur to you. However, I do not think
you need worry about being attacked tonight.”
“Why not, sir?”
“You are with me,” said Dumbledore simply. “This will do, Harry.” He
came to an abrupt halt at the end of Privet Drive.
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