CHAPTER 25 - Teens of the Round Table

"Come in, come in!"

Slughorn met them at the door, beckoning them with a wave of his hand. As Sarah stepped inside, she quickly cataloged the table in front of her. It was quite large, round and made of gorgeous mahogany. While there was no indication of a head chair, there was a place that seemed a bit more ornate than all the others; doubtless that was where the professor was seated.

Already, she could see Narcissa and Lucius sitting together, as well as Lily, Snape, Regulus, and what looked like two Hufflepuffs. Before she could take in any more information, Slughorn spoke up.

"I've taken the liberty of arranging the seating a bit, just a little thing I do in order to fuel conversations you see!" Slughorn's demeanor was cheerful as he announced this, unaware of the dark looks that were being sent across the room. The seated Slytherins were eyeing her group with mixed emotions, but none of them pleasant.

James wasn't helping anything by actually stepping to stand in front of her like a protective pit bull. What a doof.

When the words 'seating charts' actually sunk in Sarah surveyed the table once again, spying small white cards placed neatly at the top of each plate. The two cards in front of her, directly across from Slughorn, read 'Miss Montagnard', and 'Mr. Lupin'. Jenelle and Remus must have noticed as well, for they made their way forward to take their seats.

Lily was seated to the left of Remus, and next to her was Snape. Sarah wondered for a moment if they had come together, but the atmosphere seemed wrong. Historically cannon or not, she kinda wished they had.

Next to Snape was Regulus, then the two Hufflepuffs that she couldn't recall. Obviously, if they were here Slughorn thought they were worth his time but she didn't recognize them. There were only two placements left and James tugged at her arm, leading them both towards the empty spaces.

Sarah found her seat directly next to Lucius Malfoy.

His face had contorted strangely when they had entered, eyes darting between her and James like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Now he watched her out of the corner of his eye, his gaze showing only to smallest hint of astonishment and something vaguely resembling disapproval.

They hadn't spoken to each other since their run-in at the library, mostly due to Sarah walking briskly in the other direction whenever she caught even the slightest glance of green ties and long blonde hair.

She'd accidentally run away from Jenelle a few times by accident, to her consternation and the blonde's amusement.

"Miss Waterbrooke," he nodded neutrally towards her, standing up and moving aside as she took her seat.

I swear to God if I find out he influenced this seating arrangement just to sit us next to each other, I'm gonna slug him.

Contrary to her more violent thoughts Sarah smiled charmingly at him, taking the hand he held out.

"Thank you," she offered, and she was proud to say she only barely dug her nails into his skin, not that he showed a reaction. Malfoy had just moved to push her chair in but James beat him there, his gaze challenging as he took over the role.

"I think I can take care of my own date, Malfoy."

Lily, who had looked to be bursting with questions, could no longer keep her mouth shut.

"Wait," she exclaimed, "you two came together?" Her face was incredibly disapproving, and for a moment it was like Sarah was looking at her own mother after she had done something particularly idiotic.

Sarah immediately jumped to defend her dignity. "Oh no, not like that! Jenelle had already been asked by Remus, and James was kind enough to offer as well. He just didn't want me to go alone. James here can be quite the gentleman when he wants to be." She smiled at James as she said this, who looked momentarily flummoxed before understanding dawned on his face.

"Err, right," he tried to recover, "that's me, always the gentleman." He shot a thumbs-up toward Sarah under the table once he had seated, but Jenelle spied it, snorting.

"Is that what you call it?" muttered Snape from this place across the room. Luckily James didn't catch it. Sarah noticed though that Malfoy had brightened somewhat, looking pleased with whatever he had learned during their exchange.

When everyone had finally sat down, Slughorn brought his hands together in a clap.

"Well," he said as he addressed the room. "Thank you all for coming here tonight, I'm so glad everyone could make it! Let us begin, I'm sure you're all quite hungry!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the candelabras that had been floating in the air above their heads dimmed slightly, creating a more intimate atmosphere. Unobtrusive music wafted in from all around them, a classical piece that Sarah recognized but couldn't put to a name.

Their plates had magically filled as well. Little finger foods were artfully arranged to create simple, floral patterns on the white and gold china. She had to give him props, Slughorn knew how to set a dinner mood.

The professor spoke again. "Now, while we begin with the hors-d'oeuvres why don't we introduce ourselves? I'm sure some of you already know each other, but we have a few new faces here tonight. In fact," he pointed a finger in the air, taken by the idea that had popped into his head. "Why don't we also share an interesting tidbit about ourselves?"

Seeing as the faces around him looked less than willing, Slughorn frowned in mock disappointment. "Oh come, come," he said, "it's all in good fun I assure you. Why don't I go first?"

He leaned in towards the table, playfully. "Now you all know me as your potions Professor, but did you know that before I began teaching at Hogwarts I was quite well known for my skills with warding? Why, I had more than a few high profile clients who asked directly for my services, one of which was a magical artifact trader who came all the way from America to have me ward a summer chateau of his in Georgia!"

Slughorn looked pointedly at Sarah and Jenelle as he said this, chuckling modestly. "Quite the paranoid one, he is. Has this terrible fear that he'll be attacked by a wild rougarou, but he still sends me a request to update his wards every three years, along with a small artifact in appreciation!"

Everyone smiled politely at his story, and he gestured to his left at Narcissa. "Now now my dear, why don't you go next?"

Narcissa's own smile was strained, obviously she did not want to participate, but she folded under the expectant gaze of her Head if House.

"I am Narcissa Black, of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. I hold a personal preference for runes."

When it was obvious that she was not going to elaborate any more, Slughorn indicated to the next person, Lucius.

His gaze swept the table as he eyed everyone with a slightly upturned nose. "Lucius Malfoy," he drawled, "heir to the Noble and Ancient House of Malfoy. I am an advocator of purity, in all its forms."

He sent a particularly disdain-filled look towards Lily, who drew up indignantly in response. Before she (or James, who had also looked ready to punch Malfoy in his smug face) could respond Sarah cut in by flicking Malfoy's thigh in irritation and ignoring him when his eyes sharpened on her discreetly.

"Well my name's Sarah, pleased to meet you all." Sarah introduced herself with a happy little head bob to the side. A few members of the table were looking at her like she was crazy, but she ignored them with aplomb.

"One of my pastimes back at home is riding. My job in particular is breaking in new mustangs." She pointedly did not look to Malfoy as she said this, but she was still able to spy a chuff of amusement. The jackass obviously remembered their first conversation but still wasn't taking her threat seriously.

Well, she'd just have to prove him wrong.

The Hufflepuff boy made a sound of disbelief as he eyed her from his seat, clearly not impressed. "Yeah right, what's a tiny thing like you doing training horses? Don't you have something better to do with your time?" He leered at her, "Better to leave those things to experts, sweetheart."

Sarah didn't miss a beat, although inside she was seething. "Considering I've been riding since I was eight I'd like to say that I have some skill, but do enlighten me. How much experience do you have?"

She could have sworn she heard a whispered 'oh snap' coming from her left; Jenelle no doubt. James patted her knee in a sign of approval, not even bothering to hide his smirk.

Slughorn intervened before things could turn more hostile, shooting a reprimand at the incensed Hufflepuff. "Mr. MacMillan, I would have expected a boy of your background to have more manners. Miss Waterbrooke is free to do as she likes and it is not your place to judge what her family considers a respectable pastime."

The now identified MacMillan looked ready to defend himself, but the combined glares and disapproval of more than half of the table had him retreating back in churlish silence. The girl at his side seemed to melt into her chair as she flushed with embarrassment.

"Well I'm James Potter," James spoke quickly, still giving the evil eye at the Hufflepuff boy, "and I think if a girl wants to do something than she can bloody well do what she wants!"

Lily looked startled at that. She stared at him as if seeing him for the first time, her gaze contemplative but he didn't notice. Sarah did however and she mentally applauded James. It was about time he said something smart for once, and it wasn't even pre-planned!

It was Jenelle's turn to speak and she sent her signature polite smile around the table. "Jenelle Montagnard, I like playing the guitar and sometimes doing duets with my friends." She smiled at Sarah who nodded back at her.

Remus spoke up, looking at her with awe, "You play guitar? I didn't know you played music."

"Show you later," she promised with a wink, which sent her date into a pleased flush.

"Yes, well," he cleared his throat, "Remus Lupin, a pleasure. I um, really like DADA. It's one of my favorite classes."

It was Lily's turn to speak next. She looked nervous but when she spoke it was with confidence.

"I'm Lily Evans and I love Charms class. I also love spending time with my friends." Here she shot a quick smile towards Severus who began to smile back but stopped when he felt the weight of Malfoy's judgemental stare.

Composing his face into something more neutral, he ignored Lily as best as he could, which did not go unnoticed if her flashing emerald eyes were anything to go by.

"Severus Snape" he said. "You could say I have a deft hand at potions."

"Greasy-haired fume huffer, who does he think he is, sitting so close to Evans like that." James began swearing under his breath but was cut short when he felt a piercing pain high on his right thigh. Sarah had dug her nails into his flesh through the cloth of his trousers and seemed to be trying to cut off all blood flow to his groin. Wincing, he desperately attempted to pry her hand off, but her grip remained.

His movement had been noticed, hidden by the tablecloth though it was, and a suspicious Lily narrowed her eyebrows. Smiling as best as he could he gave a small wave towards her. Still wary but mollified for now, the redhead turned her attention back to the introductions.

As soon as she did, Sarah let go. Rubbing the abused flesh crossley James flicked Sarah's own thigh in retaliation but was spectacularly ignored. They had both missed Sirius' little brother's speech during the exchange, which Sarah slightly regretted but figured it was no big loss.

It was the condescending Hufflepuff's turn next and he spoke loudly, his arrogance easily suffusing into his tone.

"Bevarius MacMillan, of the Noble and Ancient House of MacMillan. I'm fourth in line for the position of heir and my mother says that I am the best duelist she has seen out of all my brothers." Even Malfoy and Narcissa could not hold back a sound of indulging amusement, inspecting him like one would a tiny, yapping chihuahua trying to take on a greyhound.

It was finally the last Hufflepuff's turn and she stuttered under the pressure of having everyone's gaze on her. "I um- I'm M-Millie, umm, my family runs a c-chain of restaurants in Muggle London." She looks like she would literally faint if she had to say more so Slughorn took pity on her and brought the attention back on himself.

"Wonderful, thank you all so very much!" He nodded in appreciation around the table.

"Shall we move on to the soup?"