XXII
Slughorn's Pet Shopping
The next day was Saturday, and Bill quickly agreed to meet Lucky for a walk by the lake. She was there when he got there, sitting near the boathouse and watching the tentacles that sometimes would appear above the surface of the lake.
"You're right, you know," she said after a moment. "About me not wanting to get involved and all of that."
"I guess in a way you were right,too, considering all it got me was trouble," Bill said.
"No, no, amigo, you were fighting the establishment, there is nothing wrong with that. It's your duty as…as a Canadian citizen," Lucky said, then paused. "You know, it sounds better to me when I can say American with that."
"Or British?" Bill said, but Lucky crinkled her nose.
"No, no, the British have no scruples. Besides, all they know how to do is walk in a straight line and act like robots. Where is the emotion behind these people, that's what I want to know?" Lucky scoffed.
"Oh, it's there," Bill said, sitting beside her. "Although really, Lucky, in some ways I wonder about you. You do care about the Snapes, don't you?"
"No, I can't really afford to care. I don't like attachments. People…they just let you down," Lucky said, picking at the grass. "I prefer to be on my own."
"But you're here."
"I wanted to learn magic, and the schools in the States wouldn't take me because of my juvenile record," Lucky said with a grin.
"They wouldn't take you?" Bill gawked. "And because of it you got in here, probably the best school on the planet? Damn, you really are lucky."
"I've been thinking about leaving though," she admitted. "I get tired of everyone telling me what to do."
"I've thought about it too," Bill admitted. "I miss my Mum."
"Man, don't say it like that, you sound like a baby," Lucky said, getting up. "Come on, if I can stick with this, you can. And speaking of that, just why were you in trouble yesterday, anyhow?"
"Oh, that old slug caught me trying to break into the research library…."
"What is with you and that library? Why is it so important?" Lucky asked with exasperation.
"Because it has more than just books in it," Bill said impatiently. "In that room is a special crystal under thick glass…a crystal from another world that belongs to the Headmaster. Around it are three mirrors, set to reflect the images within…secret images, distorted images and yet…and yet it calls to me. It has since I first laid eyes on it."
"Now why didn't you tell me that before when I asked you what the deal with the back room was?" Lucky frowned.
"I couldn't very well say anything with students all around, let alone Boulderdash breathing down our necks," Bill said impatiently. "The Headmaster was using the crystal for some sort of experiment with the mirrors…I think he set them up to see things more clearly, and that's why I want to get in there. I'm hoping it'll give us a clue to how to break the curse."
"You know, I am just going to set aside the obvious question as to how in the hell you know about this crystal in there for now and ask you this. What makes you think this crystal will show you something it didn't show the Headmaster about the curse?"
"Because I'm connected to it somehow," Bill said insistently.
"I would guess the Headmaster is too if he's experimenting with it," Lucky said.
"Yes, but he's been affected by the curse…"
"You've been listening to student rumors again. I told you Vallid said he was all right," Lucky said crossly.
"Well, maybe it needs a different point of view. I need to see it again, Lucky, I need to, but I can't figure out any way in. They have that place sealed with every hex and spell they can think of."
"Did you try the door?" Lucky asked.
"Oh, don't start that now, please, and just listen to what I'm saying for once! I've tried getting in there before, but it's charmed so that only Professors get in. In fact…in fact, I'm the one who helped student proof it," he sighed. "Before the school year, the Headmaster had me help test it." Lucky stared at him.
"You knew the Headmaster before school? But I thought…"
"He knows my mother," Bill interrupted. "Please, I'm not sure I'm ready to tell you any more."
"Well, you can trust in me, amigo…"
"When you yourself just told me to trust no one?" Bill said. Lucky let out a deep sigh.
"All right, all right, I will help you get in there. If there is a door, there is a way past it, chico. All you need is the right key," Lucky said, and Bill grinned.
"Thanks, Lucky, I was hoping you'd help…"
"Now, don't get sentimental! I'm only doing it because, well, I think I owe you one. And besides, maybe you won't accuse me of not caring any more."
"Lucky…"
"No…no, chico. It's not you," Lucky said, putting her hands in her pockets. "And I don't know if I can es'plain it to you…but sometimes when you lose everything, it's easier just to walk away then try to pick up pieces that never fit quite right if you try. And then, if you walk far enough away, you figure out that the only way not to lose anything is not to have anything. Eh, I guess you wouldn't get it."
"No, I think I understand you this time," Bill said. "But I think you must have blundered somewhere, because now you have me as a friend, if nobody else."
"Yeah, it seems I got more than I bargained for," Lucky said dryly.
"Just lucky, I guess," Bill grinned. "Come on, I don't know about you, but I'm getting hungry again."
"Sí, the sun is climbing high, let's go in," Lucky agreed. But as they started for the castle, they suddenly heard the warning hoot of an owl which dove in front of them, dropping a note. "Estupido birds! What do they put in their food anyhow to keep them so wired?"
"They eat mice and moles," Bill said matter-of-factly, picking it up. "It's addressed to you, Lucky."
"Eh? Let me see that," Lucky said, opening it, then rolling her eyes. "It's the Slug again. I'm invited to tea in an hour."
"The Slug? I thought you were one of his special friends…"
"Now don't get all immature on me again, I didn't ask for this," Lucky said irritably.
"But you're going to go, aren't you?" Bill said.
"He's a Professor. I don't have much of a choice, do I?" Lucky said. Bill gave her a cold look and simply continued towards the castle. "Wait…Bill, come on," Lucky said, grabbing his arm. "Let me get this over with, then tonight, we'll try that door, ok?"
"Okay," Bill said after a moment. "Just don't forget me this time."
"I won't," Lucky promised. Bill gave her a wan smile and nodded before the two of them went back inside. But Lucky's thoughts were already wavering a bit. Bill was right, this whole situation with Slughorn wasn't quite right. But at least if he tried to pump her for information about the Snapes, she could truthfully tell him she had none to give.
As Lucky got to the partially open door, she was more than surprised to hear other voices inside. Cautiously she knocked, trying not to open it further.
"Come in! Come in! Ah, Miss Conejo!" Slughorn said, pleased. Beside him, Delia and Cedric turned to greet her as well, but Lucky couldn't help but notice that Delia wasn't quite as enthusiastic. "Welcome! I'm waiting for a few more…ah, and there's Miss Malfoy now." Cedric instantly stood up and Lucky peered around to see Mary standing behind her and quickly got out of the doorway. Sitting close behind the door was Sigiwalt Runestein, who squinted at everyone who came in, but before she could say something to him, a smell so familiar hit her nose that she was immediately distracted.
"It smells like New York in here!" Lucky said with interest, taking a deep breath.
"You don't say?" Slughorn said with an enigmatic smile. "Is that what it smells like to you?"
"Well, yes, but without the fumes," Lucky said, but her thoughts were interrupted by a timid knock at the door.
"Ah yes, my last guest! Come in, come in, uh…on-tray-view-seal-view-play! Yes, I think that's right," Slughorn said as Juliette shuffled in, looking quite pale and nervous. She became even more nervous when she saw Runestein squinting at her. "Someone get the door? Ah, thank you, Mary," he said, but Mary was already quite anxious to close it. It would never do for Weasley to find out that she and Cedric were in the same room together. But once the door was closed, she broke into a winning smile and sat right beside him, Cedric grinning back at her.
"Well, it's hardly our doing, is it?" Cedric whispered to her.
"Hm, what was that?" Slughorn asked.
"We were wondering why we were all here, sir," Cedric said.
"Ah! For tea, of course! Didn't you get my note? Oh, and I have a special treat for those of you not so accustomed to our food as well," he winked then went over to the desk, which was lined with large stainless roasters, and opened the lids, a strange mix of smells entering the room. In the back of her head, Lucky could almost hear the sound of tinkling bells and squeaky wheels from a cart coming down a street.
"Tamales!" Lucky said, and immediately headed for the table. Juliette followed close behind, picking a rolled crepe filled with cheese, while Sigiwalt simply folded his arms.
"Why, Mr. Runestein! I thought you would be the first over there, you'll find all sorts of things you would like," Slughorn said.
"I vait for dem to see if it is poisoned first," Sigiwalt explained. Both Lucky and Juliette looked up at the same time and stared at him.
"Poisson?" Juliette said after a moment.
"No, not fish," Sigiwalt said, rolling his eyes.
"Well, we know those are all right, but who is going to sample the others?" Mary asked, gazing slyly at Cedric.
"I, of course, shall rise to the occasion," Cedric declared. This time Delia rolled her eyes, going over with him to grab a plate.
"Have students gotten so suspicious of their Professors over the years?" Slughorn asked, troubled.
"Blame our parents," Cedric chuckled, taking a token bite off the plate of sausages and mash in front of him before handing it to Mary.
"Ah, yes," Slughorn said distantly, and then nodded. "Your parents…yours especially, Cedric, went through such trying times when…well when all that business with the dark wizards was going on…"
"Voldemort," Sigiwalt said.
"Mr. Runestein, please!"
"Who's Voldemort?" Lucky asked.
"You are very lucky not to have known that name in any way," Slughorn told her. "He was in many ways the greatest evil our kind has ever known."
"I am no stranger to evil, Professor," Lucky said flatly. "But I learned a long time ago the greatest evil is on the inside of us, not anything or anybody else we run into." Slughorn stared at her a moment with a frown, as if pondering how to answer that.
"Is dat sausage safe?" Sigiwalt asked.
"Safe if you don't mind heartburn," Cedric joked.
"Go right ahead, Siggy, it's a little spicy though," Mary warned.
"Have some kraut to go with it. It matches your sour disposition," Cedric added, getting punched in the arm by Mary. "Sure you have enough sweets, Delia?"
"I like pastries with my tea," she said calmly, sitting down.
"So, Miss Agate, your father is an Owl Keeper for the London Post Office, isn't he?" Slughorn asked, pouring out some tea.
"Head Owl Keeper," Delia agreed.
"I thought so! I've known the current Postmaster for ages, you know, he was one of my former students. In fact, I admittedly helped get him that job," said Slughorn. "He was always quite organized, you know…in Slytherin house, of course…."
Lucky attempted to follow the story at first, but her mind soon wandered to wondering what the others were thinking. Only Delia was listening carefully. Sigiwalt seemed to be making an attempt, but his expression betrayed his boredom. Cedric was nodding and grinning but possibly not listening to a word of it. He was too busy trying to casually get his arm around Mary, who kept looking nervously over at the door. And Juliette didn't bother even the pretense of listening. She was too busy exploring the food selection. Lucky found herself envying the girl. Maybe she should have feigned bad English when she first came to Hogwarts.
"Yes, I've known him for some time, although, as I'm sure you know, he's been talking about retiring soon," Slughorn said. Lucky suddenly became interested again, frowning slightly. "I'll have to put in a good word for your father," he added with a wink.
"Always good to have connections," Delia grinned.
"My sentiments exactly, you're a student after my own heart," Slughorn said, pleased. But Lucky found herself disliking him even more. "Of course, I have had plenty of chances over the years to make connections and friends…why, I even taught Mr. Potter's grandparents…all four of them, actually….and I knew your grandfather as well, Miss Malfoy," he added. Lucky watched as Mary's face suddenly drained of all color and her smile faded as she nodded in response. "I know from advanced potions class that Mr. Potter is going into a field in magical geology, what sort of career were you thinking about? Perhaps one in politics like your father?"
"Oh, definitely not," Mary protested, immediately rebounding. "Actually, I'm not completely certain, but I was thinking of perhaps a career making charmed jewelry or something."
"Ah! Well, that would go nicely together with Cedric's talents, wouldn't it?" Slughorn said with a smile.
"Yes, and she's very good with her hands," Cedric said, then suddenly bit his tongue as Mary gave him a sideways glance. Lucky sniggered softly, and might have been tempted to say something extremely inappropriate had Juliette not dropped her plate. Juliette began exclaiming words in French as she tried to clean it up.
"Oh, dear, I suppose that's my fault. It must be quite dreary listening to someone when you can only understand every other word," Slughorn said, moving to help her.
"Not as dreary as when we can understand every word," Lucky muttered in a low voice to Delia, earning a scowl in exchange.
"Here, let me get you a translation potion, Juliette," he said, looking at the potion shelves beside him thoughtfully.
"Professor Veaseley has forbidden us to use such t'ings, Professor, so dat we vill improve our English," Sigiwalt said.
"Oh, well, yes, of course, but we're hardly in a school situation, this is a social event! I'm sure a little rule bending won't hurt anyone," Slughorn said smoothly. "Besides, I've been dying to talk to her about another student of mine who married the Headmaster of Beauxbatons. Now, where would that potion be?"
"You know Hagrid as well?" Cedric asked with open curiosity.
"Professeur 'agrid?" Juliette said with open interest.
"Of course, of course…although he wasn't much for my subject…tragic what happened…I tried to get Dippet to change his mind and let him stay…"
"Really? I thought that was Dumbledore," Cedric interrupted.
"Oh, well, him too," Slughorn said. "But what's important is it worked out all right in the end…"
"Uno momento…just who is it that you know that this boy knows?" Lucky asked suspiciously, jerking her thumb at Runestein.
"Now that you mention it, I happen to have had his current Headmaster and his wife both as students…"
"I thought so," Lucky said, putting down her plate and getting up. "Adios."
"I'm sorry?" Slughorn said.
"I don't think I fit into this group of yours," Lucky said bluntly. "I think I'm here because you know the Headmaster is my guardian, but my total time with him outside of a courtroom was no more than the time it takes to eat two helpings of pancakes and on his part some smelly fish on toast. I have nothing to offer you."
"My dear girl, you are getting the complete wrong impression of me! You are not here because of who you know, far from it! I just happen to know a great many people! Why, there is hardly a student here at the school that doesn't have someone I know connected to them," Slughorn said with a tolerant smile. "You were invited, along with the others, because I always make it a point to get to know students of the school who have the most promise and potential to see how they're planning to use their talents, perhaps provide some advise and wisdom…"
"Why isn't Bill here? He is the top first year," Lucky said. Slughorn smiled wanly.
"My dear, there is a distinct difference between a student who simply makes good marks and one that has true merit. Anyone capable of going to this school can do the necessary work to get those marks, but that is no measure of talent or creativity. Your friend is a very good student, but I'm afraid he lacks general potential."
"In other words, either you don't know his parents, or you have no use for Canadian connections."
"Miss Conejo, that boy is no more Canadian than I am, and regardless of any circulating rumors, I can assure you from my true Canadian connections that there is no Auror Kingfisher in that country…in fact, they don't even use the term Auror…they call them Flyers. And if that doesn't convince you, Mr. Kingfisher has on record a London address," Slughorn said.
"I knew there wasn't something right about that boy," Delia said triumphantly.
"Do you know you are not only calling my friend a liar but you are calling Judge Vallid a liar?" Lucky said angrily.
"I am not calling anyone a liar, Miss Conejo, I am merely stating facts," Slughorn said, the smile even more false than before. "And although this is a friendly gathering, I might remind you that it isn't wise to speak in such a tone to a Hogwarts Professor."
"You're no Hogwarts Professor. You're just an old man who is so far removed from youth you think we're dumb enough to fall for such tricks. And maybe some of these others don't know what the real world is like, but I do. You will have to do your pet shopping elsewhere. I got better things to do," Lucky declared, then walked out. Juliette's eyes darted around the room and then she hurried out after her, leaving Slughorn staring after them with the bottle in his hands and his face as white as a sheet. Delia shook her head.
"She's a loose wand, that one. Really, she flies off the handle at every given opportunity," Delia declared.
"Amazing that the Headmaster would have sponsored such a girl," Slughorn agreed.
"She does have spirit," Sigiwalt agreed. "Can I have more?"
"Help yourself," Slughorn agreed. "Unless anyone else wants to leave?"
"I'm not going anywhere," Cedric said with a grin, but it was obvious to the other students there that he had a different agenda, and Mary chuckled at him knowingly.
