Chapter Twelve- Party Invite
"Good evening, Harry. I heard you had some excitement this weekend."
"Hello, sir. It was…exciting but not in a good way."
"Quite right. Turns out Katie was lucky; the necklace brushed against a tiny hole in her glove. If she had held it in her bare hand or put it on, she would have died instantly. As you know, she has been moved to St. Mungo's and I am receiving regular reports on her condition."
"Did Severus tell you my theory about the necklace?"
"He did and you are likely correct. However, that was a weak attempt; makes me wonder if Draco's heart is really into the task.
"Now, tonight we continue the tale of Lord Voldemort. You recall where we left off?"
"Yes, sir. Merope used a love potion on Tom Riddle, they married, she got pregnant, and when she stopped using the potion, Riddle left her."
"Yes. Riddle did not even try to find his son and Voldemort grew up in an orphanage. The locket Merope owned, she sold for some gold as she was in need of money. The shop she sold it to was Borgin and Burkes'."
"Borgin and Burkes'?"
"That's right. The same shop from whence the necklace came. It also tells us her whereabouts, London to be precise. Now, this time we are going to enter my memory which will be rick in detail and accurate."
Harry was a bit taken aback. He had thought Dumbledore had been out acquiring memories, but it would seem he was wrong. So, what has he been doing all this time?
The pair landed in Dumbledore's office and sat to discuss what they saw. "He believed he was a wizard more quickly than I did."
"Yes. Riddle always believed he was, to use his word, 'special,'"
"Did you know- then?"
"Did I know I had just met the most dangerous Dark wizard of all time? No, but I was intrigued by him. His powers were well-developed for a young wizard and, disturbingly, had some control over them. He was using them to frighten, punish, or control people."
"And he was a Parselmouth," Harry added.
"Yes, indeed but that didn't make me as uneasy as his instincts for cruelty, secrecy, and domination. Now, I want to draw your attention to some important points before we part for the night. First, his reaction to his first name, Tom. He loathes having anything that made him ordinary. He later, as you know, shed his name and created the mask of Lord Voldemort.
"He also showed that he is highly self-sufficient, secretive, and apparently friendless. He preferred to operate alone, just as he does now. Lastly, the young Tom Riddle liked to collect trophies. Bear that in mind as that may be important later. And now, it really is time for bed. Good night, Harry."
"Good night, sir." Harry headed for the door and noticed Marvolo's ring was missing from the table, but chose not to comment on it. He had a mate waiting to hear what he had learned.
Harry returned to his room and shared what he learned that night with Severus who listened with fascination. "He was quick to believe the Headmaster. Interesting."
"He said that Voldemort believed him because he always felt he was special. He had extraordinary control over his magic for someone his age."
"Indeed. Not even I had that kind of control."
Harry whispered to Hermione and Ron what he saw in Herbology the next day. Ron found it scary while Hermione found it fascinating to learn about Voldemort's past which Harry and Severus also agreed.
"How was last night's party?" he asked Hermione as they tackled the class' project.
"Not bad. Slughorn droned on about ex-pupils, but all in all, not bad." Silence reigned as they fought their plant and once they stepped back to catch their breath and Harry worked to open the pod, they retrieved, Hermione continued, "Anyway, Slughorn's having a Christmas party before everyone leaves for the holidays."
"Just for Slughorn's favorites?" Ron sneered, obviously still smarting that he wasn't one of Slughorn's favorites.
"The Slug Club, yes but we can bring guests."
Ron appeared to not hear that last part. "Maybe you should go with McLaggen. Slughorn can crown you Slug King and Queen."
Harry focused on the pod in the bowl, trying to tune out his friends but his ears missed nothing. "Look, I didn't make up the name and I was going to ask you."
"You were?"
"Yes, but if you rather I ask McLaggen-,"
Harry stabbed the pod hard enough to crack the bowl and bring the argument to an end. "Reparo," Harry said and pointed his wand to repair the bowl.
"Here. It says you need to puncture it," Hermione said. As she worked on the pod, Harry thought about the party and naturally thought about asking Severus. But that can wait as it is still October.
Snape gave a low growl of frustration and scratched behind a red-tipped ear. It was November, the weekend after the first Quidditch match of the season and it would seem Draco had vanished from the map yet again. It had started last weekend, shortly before the match. One moment, he was there and the next, he wasn't. He had seen Crabbe and Goyle by themselves which was unusual as they were typically together with Draco at school. He also noticed Crabbe and Goyle being stationary in one spot for what seemed like hours but he knew that wasn't the case. He pondered Draco's absence from the map in between classes and breaks and during mealtimes. He further noticed that Draco didn't look well. His skin had a gray tinge to it and there were dark circles under his eyes that Snape noticed whenever he passed the boy in Defense Against the Dark Arts. He had asked Madam Pomfrey what these signs meant and she had smiled gently.
"He's simply spending too much time indoors, Severus. You may want to suggest he spend time outside," she had said.
A rhythmic knocking sounded and Snape smiled. He and Harry had set up a knocking sequence to let him know it was his mate and no Glamour was needed. "Come in, Harry."
The door opened and Harry entered. He saw the map open and active and went over to scan it. He frowned. "I don't see Malfoy."
"I don't either, but I have seen Crabbe and Goyle alone around here." He tapped a spot.
Harry's eyes narrowed. "Hang on. I know that place. That's where the Room of Requirement is."
"Room of Requirement. Isn't that where you held meetings of Dumbledore's Army?"
"Uh-huh. Somehow, Malfoy learned of it. He must have worded it to make the room Unplottable which is why he seems to disappear."
"I see. So, the room becomes whatever the user wants. Very clever, but what is he doing in there?"
"That's the question. Uh, Severus? Slughorn's having a Christmas party before the break and the Slug Club's invited and we can bring a guest. I was wondering if you'd like to go as my guest."
"Harry, I would love to but I'm not sure it would be wise. Most of the school knows that I've hated you for years and, as far as they know, I still do. If I show up as your guest, people will wonder and it may reach V-Voldemort's ears. Besides, I've already been invited and have accepted. Maybe you could ask someone else? Miss Granger or Miss Weasley, perhaps?"
"They're already going and I think both have already invited someone."
"You and Snape are both right," Hermione said weeks later. "Ginny and I both invited someone and Snape can't be your guest as you're supposed to publicly hate each other."
"There's no one else I want to go with."
Hermione stroked his hair with an understanding smile. "I know how you feel, but you better ask someone. The party's tomorrow and there are girls hoping you'll ask them. I overheard them thinking of slipping you a love potion."
Harry swallowed hard at this and frantically thought of who to invite as a friend. Then, it came to him. I'll ask Luna to the party. I'm sure she'd love to go as friends and besides, I know she'll be a lot of fun to have around.
