One hand firmly on James' shoulder, Slughorn steered the young student into his office, where a small group was already sitting around an oval table, food covering every square inch. Despite his reluctance to be there, James could not help but grin excitedly at the decadent spread in front of him.
Slughorn kept a hold of James as he walked him around the table. Pointing to the seat to the right of the head chair, Slughorn said, "You'll be right here m'boy."
James plastered on what he hoped was a convincing smile, and took the seat next to Slughorn. He found himself next to an older student who he only vaguely recognized.
"Arjun Basu, head boy," Arjun offered his hand to James who tentatively took it. "But I'm sure you already knew that."
"Oh, um, I did know that," James shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I just want you to know, James," Arjun looked intensely into James' eyes, "that just because I'm a Ravenclaw doesn't mean I'm looking out for you any less. You need anything, just come to me."
James cleared his throat awkwardly, "I'll, uh, I'll keep that in mind."
"And if your father ever mentions it, I'm very interested in becoming an Auror. He heads that department, correct?"
"Yes, he does," James fought hard to keep from glaring at Arjun. "But my father and I don't discuss his work."
Arjun continued, unphased, "Of course not. I wouldn't expect you to at your age. But if you do happen to overhear anything-."
James cut him off, "I don't talk to my dad about work."
Frowning, Arjun opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by Slughorn.
"Mr. Basu here comes from a rather illustrious family himself, you know. His mother is a very famous fashion designer. And his father is a muggle investor. Imagine that! Of course investments are a very tricky business. I myself have never quite been able to understand smocks."
"Stocks, professor. And my father primarily invests in businesses, not the stock market," Arjun said tersely.
Slughorn appeared not to have heard Arjun, "I had a few smocks myself a while ago. It's all much too complicated. Either the money is there or it isn't, you can't possibly have it both ways. But I do have a second-cousin three times removed who participates in the smock market. Quite talented, apparently. Who knew there was real money in it? But of course your father seems to have found a way."
Arjun turned a bright crimson as Slughorn raised his glass in his general direction. "Of course we can't let Mr. Basu hog all the spotlight. You've already met Mr. Prince. His mother is just about the greatest legal expert in the wizarding world. And, back in the day, a favorite student of mine. You know what they say about how excellence runs in the Prince family!"
Casper attempted a response, but quickly dissolved into a fit of harsh coughing. Slughorn ignored him and gestured excitedly to Teddy, who was doing his best to use his abilities to blend into his chair.
"And your friend Mr. Lupin is here as well, but of course who knows for how long. Now that I've got a real Potter here I'm not sure if I've got room for a surrogate!" Slughorn laughed as if he had said something tremendously funny.
James saw a look he couldn't quite identify cross Teddy's face. It was a mixture of deep embarrassment, suppressed anger, and something else James didn't recognize. He felt his hand ball into a fist under the table.
"Teddy's a Potter," he said, looking Slughorn directly in the eye. "Even more than me. He's been one longer."
For the first time, Slughorn looked taken aback, "Oh, of course. You must forgive old Slughorn and his jokes. But enough about that. Have you met Walter Gromitt? Ravenclaw seeker, I'm sure you know. Earned the position in his second year and now two years later is looking at going pro after graduation! Isn't that right Walter?"
"I don't know about that," Walter objected. "I'd like to play professionally, but first I'd need the opportunity."
Slughorn perked up, "You know, I actually know the head of the Department of Sports in the Ministry. Perhaps you've heard of her? Gwenog Jones. Used to be the captain of the Holyhead Harpies. One of my absolute best students. Never forgot me. Of course they never do!"
Walter blushed, "I wouldn't want to impose."
"Nonsense! I'll see if she would be free for Ravenclaw's next match. I'm sure she could put in a good word for you with the national team!"
Slughorn turned to James, grinning so widely James could count every tooth in his mouth, "You see, James? This is what these little get-togethers are about. Not many students have the opportunity to be recruited like Walter here. But I'm always happy to pull strings for my favorite students!"
Winking dramatically, Slughorn diverted his attention to the far end of the table, "And of course we can't forget our female member, now can we? You already know Miss. Sims, I believe?"
James looked over to see Rebecca sitting quietly as far opposite from Slughorn as possible. "We're potions partners," she explained curtly.
Slughorn nodded, "Such a talent as Miss. Sims is rarely seen as I'm sure you are aware, Mr. Potter. It's almost unprecedented that a descendant of squibs should have such potential, wouldn't you agree?"
Before he had a chance to respond, Rebecca cut in, "My parents are squibs, but they both come from pureblood wizarding families."
"Yes," Slughorn mused, "although it's a shame you don't know which ones. I do have my own theories of course. I've got a wonderful memory for face and talent, and you, my girl, have both. You're quite like a few students who've come through my class. Not to worry, we'll figure out exactly who you are in no time."
Rebecca blinked, "I think I've already got a pretty good idea of who I am. Besides, none of my grandparents went to Hogwarts, they were tutored privately."
"Where are your grandparents now?" Casper emerged from his handkerchief, looking pointedly at Rebecca.
"They're dead," she responded tersely. "I only met them when I was very young."
"But surely you must have some idea of who they were," Casper pressed. "I mean, most pureblood families have an illustrious lineage. My family keeps a rather comprehensive collection of wizarding family records. I've read through a fair number of them. And I don't recall seeing any named Sims."
Rebecca smiled politely and took a slow sip of water, "We aren't a particularly well-known family. Us Sims never quite got the chance to assert ourselves like many of the historical families you are familiar with. I don't think any of your family's records would contain any indication of our family."
"Quite peculiar, wouldn't you say?" Casper mused.
"No," Rebecca glared, "I wouldn't."
The two of them locked eyes, Rebecca flushed, and Casper was seemingly recovered from his cold. Then, he simply shrugged and sneezed into his handkerchief.
Slughorn, still blissfully unaware of any tension in the room, decided to aggravate the situation further. "Perhaps you've got patches of more illustrious families in your lineage. Most purebloods share some common genealogy. Maybe that's why I see so much of-."
Suddenly, the potions master stopped abruptly and busied himself with his food.
"See so much of who, Professor?" Casper's normally wheezy voice had suddenly become strong and cold.
"Well," for the first time, Slughorn was at a loss for words. Normally James would have been glad to hear less of the old man's chatter, but something about this silence felt dangerous.
"Er, I suppose many people," Slughorn stammered. "You know, I get a lot of students."
"Were you going to suggest-," before Casper could finish his thought, Teddy cleared his throat loudly, cutting the boy off.
"Professor Slughorn, I was wondering what my da-, um, Mr. Potter was like as a student?"
Slughorn's shifty eyes lit up, "Oh, he was absolutely wonderful! Truly a talent. Of course he was born with it, you know. No surprise with parents like his. Lily especially. Such a rare find that girl. Such a shame how she came to her end. And I never would have guessed it would be her."
James watched with morbid fascination as Slughorn's eyes misted over, "She was, undoubtedly, the most gracious, beautiful, elegant, intelligent being I have ever had the privilege to encounter. Her work in potions was absolutely beautiful. She truly understood the subtle art of the craft. It inspired me. A week before she disappeared, I got a letter from her, you know. She even included a box of my favorite chocolates. She remembered things like that."
Slughorn jerked his head abruptly, as if just remembering he was in the company of others, "Terribly sorry, friends. When you're as old as I am, sometimes memory can overtake you."
He shook his head firmly, "We must not let it get a hold of us. No, we move on."
Clapping his hands, Slughorn looked brightly around the room, hoisted himself out of his chair, and waddled over to a rather dusty looking bookshelf.
"Here," he handed a photo down to be passed around. "That was taken her first year joining one of these little get-togethers. She was a third year in that photo. If only I knew what a force she would turn out to be."
Slughorn forlornly watched the photo make its rounds through the room, then took it and held it close to his chest, "These small gatherings, they really are a source of joy for me."
He smiled jovially then clapped once more, "That's enough for tonight! Same time next Friday!"
Everyone hastily pushed back their chairs and bolted for the door. Except James. He lingered a moment, waiting for the room to clear out.
"Professor Slughorn?" James began tentatively.
"Yes m'boy?"
"I was actually wondering if you could tell me more about my grandmother. I'm afraid I don't know much about her."
Slughorn smiled sadly, "Another time, Mr. Potter. I'm afraid I'm too tired tonight for that particular story."
"Oh," James looked at the floor. "I understand. Goodnight, Professor."
"Goodnight, m'boy."
Disappointed, James left Slughorn's office. He shut the door softly behind him and turned, just in time to see Rebecca turn a corner down the hallway, Casper Prince quietly following behind her.
