“Well, how about you join me for dinner this Friday, at Professor Slughorn’s office?” Lucius casually asked.
“Why does Pro-”
“Oh, he likes bonding with his students,” Lucius interrupted.
“Can anyone join?”
“Anyone I invite can join.”
Tanya’s eyes dropped to the floor as she thought silently.
“Stop thinking so much, I’ll see you on Friday,” Lucius said, and hurried off before Tanya could say anything else.
That Friday’s dinner was a special one, as Professor Slughorn had previously informed Lucius that he would be introducing new members to the Slug Club. Did Lucius forget? Of course not.
So, when the day finally arrived and the anticipated hour chimed down the hallways, Lucius met Tanya outside the great hall and walked with her to Professor Slughorn’s office.
“Are you sure about this?” Tanya asked, as they neared the office door.
“Of course,” Lucius said with a grin. “But just to play it safe, I’ll go in first and you’ll come in later.”
“Why? I’m your guest, shouldn’t I-”
“It’s best I inform Professor Slughorn first,” Lucius quickly said.
Tanya did not have much of a choice, so she nodded her head in reply.
As Lucius entered Professor Slughorn’s office, he realized the rest had already arrived. Some of them he did not bother to learn their names, while others he gave a thin smile. Lucius also spotted two new students sitting awkwardly near the fireplace.
He could not see their faces from where he was standing, but when he tried to take a look, Professor Slughorn placed his hand heavily on his shoulder.
“I thought you weren’t going to make it!” Professor Slughorn said.
“I’m really sorry for being late, sir. I was being followed,” Lucius replied.
“Followed?”
“Yes, sir,” Lucius said with a sigh.
“Who is it that followed you?”
“Tanya Lovegood, sir. She wants you to like her,” Lucius answered in a sympathetic tone.
Professor Slughorn gave a chuckle, and just then Tanya walked through the door.
“Sorry I’m late,” Tanya said cheerfully.
Before Professor Slughorn could address her, Lucius quickly whispered to him, “Professor, she doesn’t know what she’s doing. Let’s just carry on to spare her the embarrassment. After all, she’s still new.”
Professor Slughorn thought for a moment before he gave Lucius’ shoulder a squeeze and announced, “Take your seats everyone!”
Everyone quickly sat themselves at a brown oval table that was filled with all sorts of dishes. A tall pudding sat in the middle, two roasted turkeys at both sides, a beef casserole not too far away, sausages and bacon stacked up high at a corner, a large bowl of magically bubbling beef stew that was a little out of reach, a small custard tart by each plate, and a shepherd’s pie right in front of Lucius. The steam was rising from its golden crust and it made his mouth water immediately.
Lucius would have been easily distracted by the food that evening, but when he saw a familiar looking girl staring at him from across the table, Lucius was completely oblivious to the fact that Tanya had seated herself next to him.
“Wow, look at the food!” Tanya whispered.
Yes, the food was good but he was so close to figuring out who the new girl was that he ignored their calls to be eaten.
Finally, when his stomach gave his brain a wake up call, the memory that was trying so hard to stay hidden popped right in front of him.
That first year Gryffindor girl with green eyes, was none other than Severus’ little friend; the one that tried to protect him from Lucius. Ah, that brat! Lucius thought.
As Lucius continued watching her, Professor Slughorn decided to be a little more observant that night and asked, “Aren’t you hungry, boy?”
Just like that, everyone stopped eating and looked at him. Oh, how Lucius hated it when everyone was trying to be the teacher’s pet at the same time.
“I was just wondering, sir, who are the new students that are joining us tonight?”
“Ah, I almost forgot! Thank you for reminding me,” Professor Slughorn said with a smile, before getting up from his seat.
As he stood at the front of the table, he cleared his throat and said, “Today, I’ve invited a few special guests to join us. Most of you don’t know them because they just enrolled, but my eye for spotting talent has not rusted!”
There was a short pause; enough time for everyone in the room to mumble praises, before Professor Slughorn continued, “So let me introduce Ms. Lily Evans, Mr. Dirk Cresswell, and Ms. Tanya Lovegood. Three extraordinary students!”
It was a big mistake to be taking a gulp of sweet sparkling juice at that moment, as Lucius almost spat his drink out. Did he hear him right?
When Lucius turned to Tanya, she gave him a smile and almost immediately he felt betrayed. She played him, and he fell for it thinking he was the game master!
What a fool! Lucius silently scolded himself.
The night went on ignoring Lucius’ raging emotions, but when it was over, Lucius was so tempted to confront her. Except that before he could, sweet little Ms. Evans requested to talk to him.
Now, he had to choose between the bold little Gryffindor and the not so innocent Ravenclaw. Who should it be?
To Be Continued…
(Leave a comment below or vote on who Lucius should pick!)
Jeyna Grace 