A Prologue
Friday the 13th of October
There was a nervous energy in the air in the seventh year classes at Hogwarts. The advanced transfiguration class had been accompanied by a ripple of conversation surrounding the largest friendship group at the school.
The two head students and their respective friends seemed to be uneasy and wired up, a comment Minerva McGonagall had heard from her colleges throughout the day. It wasn't until just before dinner that Horace Slughorn realised that somebody had been in his private collection of potions.
After he has pulled her aside and had a quick meeting with Minerva in the corridor as she left her classroom, confirmed everyone's suspicions. The seventh years were playing The Game.
The Game had been played by a select group of seventh years since Hogwarts began. The book, a small, battered yellow bound book was passed from Head Girl to Head Girls and took a weekend to play.
The yellow book simply outlined the rules and the tradition of the game, but it was the hand written scribbles in the margins that added to each variation. The aim was simple, complete all of the tasks within the allotted time and with the added danger of the truth telling potion, the game could be devastating. It was simply a wizarding version of truth or dare but as the night increased, the dare became worse and the questions more personal. There was also the use of a forfeit charm which had succumbed many in the past.
Minerva herself had played it as a seventeen year old and could remember the weekend in disturbing clarity, even after all these years.
The pair walked to the Great Hall in silence, Horace twiddling his thumbs to bade his nervousness.
"Minerva..." he began as they entered the Hall to the buzz of pre-dinner conversation. He glanced to the Slytherin table and gulped at the predatory look in some of his house members eyes, specifically a huddle towards the centre.
The Head Boy was smirking in the direction of the Head Girl, neither breaking the intense eye contact until the two teachers had strode past. On either side of the Head students, their friends were laughing and joking, pointing and mocking in the direction of the other table.
Horace missed the subtle nod the Headmistress sent to the two Head students as he paced down the walkway to his seat. He slotted himself in besides Professor Vector and helped himself to the vegetables, his eyes still glued to the group of Slytherins.
Professor Vector placed a hand on his arm and he looked down to see his plate overflowing with green beans. He chuckled to himself and set the serving dish back down, glancing towards to the two groups of students every so often.
"I take it that this is the night then," Septima Vector asked Minerva as she took a hearty sip from her goblet. "If Horace's nervous breakdown is anything to go by at least."
"Tonight?" Rolanda Hooch bellowed from further down the long table. "Did I hear that right?"
"Yes Rolanda," Minerva replied, using her wand to top up hers and Septima's goblet. "The potion was taken and I hear they've canceled their plans."
"The pitch was given to Hufflepuff on Tuesday," the Flying Professor informed the other women, confirming their suspicions as the Gryffindor and Slytherin Quidditch captains were notorious in booking every available weekend spot to ensure sporting success.
"I'm not above placing a few galleons down," Aurora Sinistra murmured to the other professors. "All in the name of inter-house unity I mean."
A ripple of laughter went around the colleagues as Horace squeaked in fear at the prospect.
"I'll join you with that Aurora," laughed Pomona Sprout. "Five galleons."
Minerva and Septima both agreed to the bet and looked down the table at Madam Hooch. The Flying instructors yellow eyes were twinkling and she broke out into a dangerous grin after observing the two groups of students for a moment. "Five galleons it is but I am betting something extra. Three galleons on Potter," she declared and the table shared a quiet glance before all turning to look at Harry Potter who was whispering into the Head Girl's ear.
"The bets are settled then," Minerva said with finality. "You all know the rules, no one is to disturb the Heads' dormitory until Sunday night." The headmistress tuned out the chatter of those around her and simply watched the silent interaction between the two tables with a smile she hid in her goblet.
She couldn't deny she was eager as her fellow Professors as to how this year's edition of the game would play out as it was known to have lasting and life-altering consequences.