"You're looking quite peaked." Narcissa commented to Lorelei Wednesday afternoon. "And you've hardly eaten anything the last few days."
"I..." Lorelei began, "just haven't been feeling well is all. I think..." the girl took in a breath. "it's some kind of flu." 'Could it be from going through the transformation after so long?' Lorelei wondered. She hadn't felt very well for a little while now.
"Lorelei my girl, been meaning to talk to you."
Lorelei stood up from the table. "As I have for you Professor Slughorn."
"Well it's so good that I came to speak with you then." Slughorn returned. Horace Slughorn was Hogwarts potions professor, and Head of Slytherin House. "Come, walk with me my girl."
"Yes sir." Lorelei answered falling into step with the man. She hated it when he would refer to her as 'my girl'. It wasn't anything personal of course, he referred to them all that way, or rather his chosen few...'my girl', 'my boy', all those who he deemed extrodinairy.
"I'll be having one of my little get togethers this Friday evening." Slughorn began. "I would love for you to come."
"Actually professor. If you grant me my request..." Lorelei began. "I will have to decline."
"Well then, perhaps I'll just have to decline your request." he began. "But out with it my girl, what can I do for you?"
"I have a potion I want to work on." Lorelei replied. "And it would please me greatly if you aloud me access to the potions from this Friday evening."
"Very highly unusual."
"I'm sure my father would be quite greatful if you would do his only child this favor." Lorelei smiled, knowing Slughorn's game, and very well how to play it herself.
"Oh yes, very well then." Slughorn began once more. "How is your father my dear?"
"Quite well sir." the girl answered. "I do so hate to miss your gathering sir, I will of course be sure to attend the next...baring further complications."
"Yes, of my girl." Slughorn returned. "Must be off, I have other invitations to extend." Lorelei nodded her understanding, and the round little man was on his way.
Lorelei ducked into the girl's bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror. Narcissa was right, she did look much more paler than usual. She also hadn't eaten much of late, when she did, it refused to set. 'Nerves', she told herself. 'on top of the transformation.' Splashing water on her face, Lorelei headed out once more, after all, feeling well or not, she still had classes that afternoon.