Chapter 92: Horace Slughorn's Club
// THIS IS AN OLD CHAPTER. THE NEW CHAPTERS ARE IN VOLUME 2. YOU CAN READ THESE CHAPTERS IF YOU WANT SOME INSIGHT ON WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN LATER BUT SOME EVENTS CAN BE DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW CHAPTERS.
It's been about ten days since Snape showed us the Unforgivable curses and I was just getting out of my Arithmancy class when Professor Slughorn ran into me as I left the room.
"Ha Mr. Bones, just the man I wanted to see."
"Hello professor, how can I help you today?"
"Well, I come to renew in person the invitation to which you still have not responded for two years now." He's probably referring to the half-dozen letters he's sending me every month, since Lockhart got kicked out, to join his club.
"Well, I don't want to offend you but unfortunately I have not enough time to devote to this kind of events. My parents are already forcing me to attend too much of these for me to add another one myself."
"It's a shame, I had just taken the initiative to invite two of your comrades, Rose Potter and Daphne Greengrass, to join us in the hope that this would motivate you. I will be forced to withdraw their invitations if you don't come too. " The devious old serpent, despite his appearances, this club is a true gathering of future influential wizard. Seeing yourself excluded can be disabling when you want to reach certain social circles later, while being a member throughout your schooling is a real asset for creating a network of contact.
"Very well, but in the future, I advise you to accept refusals. I do not like blackmailing attempts at all."
"Wonderful! The reception will take place at eight o'clock sharp tonight." He completely ignores my barely hidden threat, and he is simply walking away whistling.
I go to the great hall to find Daphne eating a slice of quiche absent-mindedly.
"Did you accept an invitation from Professor Slughorn?"
"Um yes, I received it this morning and sent my answer directly. Why ? Is there a problem?"
"Professor Slughorn has basically just threatened to revoke your invitation if I ever decline his." Daphne who isn't stupid and comes from a pureblood family understands the underlying threat and frowns.
"He wouldn't dare to alienate my family just to have you in his little club."
"I don't know how far he's willing to go but if he applied his threat it could have impacted your future."
"So, what shall we do."
"We're putting on our best clothes and pretending to have fun at a boring party."
We find ourselves the same evening dressed in our most beautiful party outfits, a black suit with a very sober white shirt for me and Daphne is wearing a green dress with long white gloves going up a little above her elbows. I knock on Professor Slughorn's office door and open it immediately.
"Ha Mr. Bones and Miss Greengrass, we were just waiting for your arrivals. Please, take a seat."
Around the large round table in the center of the room, almost all the seats were already occupied by the members of the club. Among them are Melinda Bobbin who is in second year, Hermione who has been a member since last year, Cormac McLaggen, Blaise Zabini, Ginny Weasley, Cedric Diggory and Rose Potter. We settle on the last two seats of the table next to each other, we are barely seated that Slughorn snaps his fingers which makes the meal appear. I can see Hermione frowning at the appearance of the food.
"So, tell us, my dear Sean, how you got so famous. I've been waiting for this story for two years so don't be short on details."
"Well, I just took a creation from the Muggles and adapted it to our world. You would be amazed at how much we could create if we didn't limit ourselves to think that they are inferior to us." I can see a smile on Hermione's lips who can for once be proud of her origins.
"And you Miss Greengrass, I heard the news of the end of your engagement with Sean. A real tragedy to see such a young couple from respectable families go their separate ways." Daphne blushes slightly before answering.
"Oh well, we just wanted more time to get to know each other on our own rather than because there was an arrangement binding us. Let's say I'm actively working on our rapprochement even if he doesn't make it easy for me."
"Well, here's a self-confident young girl. I'm glad I might still be able to attend your wedding someday." I choke on my glass of pumpkin juice upon hearing the W word, which earns me a kick from Daphne as a bonus. Rose displays a sad look which she tries to hide by taking a few sips from her own glass.
"Rose, my dear. Maybe you could tell me why Albus forbid your brother from joining us? What foolishness did he do to attract so much animosity from our dear headmaster? "Rose paled as she recalled the memories of that day.
"I ... uh ..." She starts to panic
"Excuse her, but some things shouldn't be discussed among members of respectable families." Professor Slughorn raises an eyebrow, but Rose seems to calm down slightly for now.
"I understand, in that case I won't question you further my dear Rose, rest assured." Rose looks down but I can see relief on her face, luckily Harry isn't here today, or I don't know what I would have done to him.
"Mr. Diggory, tell me, everyone is betting that you will be our new champion at the tournament, are you going to sign up?"
"Yes, and I hope to bring us back the cup!"
"Splendid! Do not hesitate to come and find me if you need help preparing for the trials. We have to put all the chances on our side."
The meal continues quietly with the arrival of the dessert, a huge cup of ice cream. I only eat a few spoonsful of it. Once the meal is over, we return to our dormitory with Blaise, Rose and Daphne.
"Next time he's giving a party, I'm warning you, I'm sick."
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