Dear Reader,

Sorry it has been so very long since my last chapter. I was at band camp (my second year, and a pretty fun time) and then I had a bit of writers block. I'm starting school on Monday, too, and that makes it tougher to update. I'll try my hardest, though. I hope this chapter meets the expectations. (I'm also sorry for all the excuses throughout this story.)

-LunarLitLover

Recap: Minerva is going to the inner-house ball with Albus. She has discussed it with her friends and they understand her motives better than she herself does.

Chapter 7: The Slug Club

The whisk of Minerva's plain, teal robes was drowned out by the roar of music. But even though Minerva was not heard when she entered the enlarged classroom, much of the chatting died away and was replaced by many stares in her direction. The other witches and wizards did not even attempt to hide the fact that Minerva had been the topic of their previous conversation nor did they stop sending glares of disgust in her direction. Minerva, more timid due to this new revulsion directed towards her, let Samantha and Irma proceed ahead of her. Into Professor Slughorn's classroom, Minerva trailed her two friends, still enduring the glances of dislike.

Minerva had never been popular; she'd been a bit unpopular, but never hated. So, now, when such negative response came at her all at once, she was somewhat overwhelmed. Yet the reasoning behind this negativity was still unknown to Minerva; she was truly confused about why so many people suddenly disliked her so much.

"Sam, what's going on? Why is everyone staring at us?" Minerva asked, completely clueless.

Samantha turned around to answer, but before she could the three girls had reached the host of the party, their potions master, Professor Horace Slughorn. He had been talking with a few other students, but turned to greet them, nonetheless. "Ah, Miss Prewett," he said. "Miss Pince and Miss McGonagall, as well." The stout professor acknowledged them each with a smile, his face widening almost to the point of distortion. "I'm glad to see that you all could make it."

The three girls were prepared to linger by Slughorn a bit longer, in the interest of polite conversation, but his next comment was directed solely at Minerva. "So Minerva, I hear your extra transfiguration lessons with Dumbledore are going well? I would think extra potion lessons would also help you in your career advancement, if you would like to take them from me. But I guess you don't really need the extra help in potions. You're quite proficient already." Minerva smiled and nodded at this compliment, finding it the only polite way to respond. "But Albus did mention the fact that you struggled in the beginning." Slughorn fell silent, waiting for Minerva's response. When Minerva realized the comment wasn't rhetorical, she opened her mouth to defend herself but was only silenced by the potions master. "It's alright, Minerva; most subjects are difficult to master when you are just beginning to learn them. But Dumbledore says that you have been mastering Animagism very well lately. Well enough, apparently, to have enough time during lessons for things that are…well…off-topic." The glint in Slughorn's eyes showed Minerva that he had finally reached the matter he most wanted to discuss.

He continued, "The entire school is abuzz about your partnership for the upcoming dance. Tom and I were just discussing it and…" Minerva drowned out the rest of Slughorn's sentence. Tom Riddle had just stepped out the shadows. And he'd just been talking about her date. Now what business of that is his? Or anyone else's for that matter?

Minerva looked behind her for Samantha and Irma, but neither were to be seen given that they had long-since wandered off into the crowd. Minerva returned her attention to the conversation as Riddle began to speak. "Ah, McGonagall, yes, we all have heard that your date for the inner-house ball is Professor Dumbledore. It is common knowledge, you know. I'd be careful, though, if I were you. You never know; he might end up being your long lost father."

Slughorn laughed a hearty chuckle, "That's right! With the talent she has she must have been born at least to one wizard." Minerva mentally dealt with the insult to her muggle parents as Tom grimaced, a sour look on his face.

Tom tried to debate with his professor, "Quite right, Professor! I'm sure you know that magical power is directly related to the blood lines of the wizard. Tomorrow night, if you like, I could show you a survey I have found, proving the exact effects of blood on magical ability-"

Slughorn cut his student off. "Tom, I can't tomorrow night. I'm afraid that I have an urgent appointment that I cannot miss. Maybe some other time, though. But is it truly proven that it does effect…"

This talk was not turning out at all as Minerva had hoped or even expected. Being keen to get away, she made the excuse to need the bathroom, and Minerva exited the packed classroom. Once outside, she could finally breathe and think clearly. Minerva hadn't realized before now what a major event it was for a teacher to go to…well…anything…with a student. She knew it was rare, but how rare, she hadn't known. Now it was pretty clear to her how rare.

Yet as Minerva stood there, she realized that it didn't matter. She had spent too much time in her life worrying. About everything: what others would think, her grades, her status and reputation, and her chances for many opportunities. This chance to go to a ball with Albus, was probably a one-and-only. And she wanted to go with him, that was the main thing. So Minerva resolved, for one of the first times in her life, that she was not going to change her mind about the ball because of how others felt. She would do this for herself. It was time she finally did something for herself.

So, due to this great resolve, and due to the efforts of the day, Minerva decided to turn in. It would be an early night, but a good sleep.

Preview: The next chap goes back to Grindelwald and him making plans for getting noticed.