James didn't go to the Halloween feast that year. In fact, he didn't remember much of the subsequent week. His dinner in Slughorn's office was, however, entirely unforgettable.

It began when a sharp knock on the door of James' dorm caused all the boys in the room to jump.

They had been playing an incredibly intensive game of Exploding Snap which Philp was, surprisingly, winning. Over the course of just a few months he had become something of an expert at Exploding Snap.

"Who's there?" Lucas called out angrily, annoyed that he was losing by a wide margin.

There was no answer, just the strong sound of persistent and painful coughing.

James looked up, "Sounds like Casper."

"Ugh, not him," Jerry whined. "What's he doing here?"

"I dunno," James got up and opened the door to find Casper with his face buried in a handkerchief.

"James," Casper looked bizarrely stiff and out of place in the relaxed atmosphere. "Hopefully you didn't forget about our Slug Club meeting today."

"No, I didn't forget," James responded, hoping he sounded somewhat convincing.

"Good, then let's get going."

"Uh," James looked over his shoulder to see his friends watching him with a mixture of amusement and interest. "We're going together?"

Casper sneezed dramatically before responding, "Might as well. We've got to be in the same place at the same time, right?"

"Yes," James said hesitantly.

"Great, let's go," Casper turned sharply on his heel and began to head towards the staircase.

James turned, "I guess I'm leaving now."

His friends, already bored, had returned to their card game.

"See you later," James muttered, closing the door behind him as he left the room.

"Casper," James gasped, rushing to catch up. For someone who could barely seem to catch his breath, Casper was a surprisingly quick walker. "Casper, wait!"

"James, this meeting is incredibly important. Please try to keep up," Casper snapped. He stopped and waited until James had fallen into step next to him, and then continued at his original speedy pace.

"What's so important about this meeting?" James asked.

"Every meeting is important," Casper explained tersely. "Let's just say there's a few people I'm interested in keeping a close eye on."

"Like Rebecca," James said. "I saw you following her, you know."

Casper stopped abruptly. James nearly ran straight into him.

"When did you see that?"

"After a Slug Club meeting. I saw you tailing her."

Casper coughed delicately, taking a slight pause before he spoke. "James, there are some things I can't explain to you just yet. Don't worry, all will be revealed eventually."

"Can you explain why you were following Rebecca?" James asked.

"Not fully," Casper sniffed deeply. "But I can say that you might need to start doing the same. There's something wrong with that girl."

"Yeah, she's stuck-up and annoying," James nodded in agreement.

Casper rolled his eyes before coughing again. "There is more going on with that girl than whatever petty first-year drama you've involved yourself in."

"Like what?"

"You'll see soon enough once you start attending more of these meetings," Casper ended the conversation by turning his back on James and briskly walking in the direction of the dungeons.

James sped up to match Casper's pace, "You have to tell me what's going on if I'm going to help you."

"No," Casper continued walking, "I don't."

"How am I supposed to help you if I don't know what's going on?"

"Listen," Casper paused only to let out a hacking cough before continuing at incredible speed, "the best thing for you to do right now is to keep your eyes and ears open and listen to me."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Then you don't have to. But you still have to come to every Slug Club meeting, so you might as well be productive while you can."

James paused to consider this suggestion. He really didn't have anything better to do than to watch Rebecca. At any rate, it was better than listening to Slughorn.

"I'll make you a deal," James called out after Casper.

Casper turned slowly on one heel, sneezing as he did so, "You want to make a deal with me?"

"Yes, I do," James met Casper's gaze with determination. "I'll keep an eye on Rebecca if you do me a favor."

"Depends on what it is."

"I need you to follow someone for me," James said. "My cousin Dominique. I want you to follow her and make sure she's trying to get along with Leo Davies."

"Why?"

"The fate of Gryffindor House rests upon it," James said gravely, conviction written all over his face.

Casper thought about it for a second. Then he pulled out his handkerchief and blew his nose before giving a curt nod, "Fine. I'll follow Dominique and report back to you. Now, is that all? We're going to be late."

"That's all," James said, brushing past Casper and feeling very important. He'd just struck a bargain with a much older boy and ensured a victory for the Gryffindor team.

Feeling very superior, James boldly knocked on Slughorn's door.

Slughorn greeted him with his trademark enthusiasm.

"James, hello! And, Casper, it is such a delight to see you as always. Come in! Come in! Everyone else is already here."

Gesturing wildly, Slughorn welcomed the two boys into his office where everyone else sat uncomfortably around the meeting table.

Rebecca was sitting directly on Slughorn's left. Casper, without any pretense of discretion, pushed James towards the seat directly to Slughorn's right, which was still open. Slughorn had noticed Casper's nudge and seemed delighted at the prospect of having James right next to him.

"Ah! Young Mr. Potter, you will be on my right, of course. We have much to discuss. I just received the most interesting letter which I'm sure will delight you," Slughorn steered James to the head of the table before taking his own seat with great pomp and circumstance.

Slughorn turned excitedly to James, "Mr. Potter, I hope I'm not overstepping when I tell you how proud of you I am. The talent you've shown since arriving has been quite remarkable."

"Does this have something to do with the letter you mentioned?" James asked, straining to keep his tone as polite as possible.

"Excellent memory!" Slughorn exclaimed as if he hadn't brought up the topic merely a few minutes before. "It ties into it, yes."

Slughorn turned excitedly to Rebecca, "This actually concerns you as well, Miss. Sims."

Rebecca looked at Slughorn with great interest, "Really?"

Slughorn nodded. "It's an internship at the Ministry in the Minister's office. They're looking for a promising young first year student with an interest in government to come in and learn a thing or two over the summer!"

Slughorn beamed at Rebecca and James like he'd just offered them the key to unlocking a great and wonderful life. James sat up with sudden interest. He'd never thought much about a career in government, but working for the Minister would be an incredibly cool way to spend his summer.

James looked over at Rebecca and was surprised to see she didn't look at all happy.

"Of course you'd have to submit an application," Slughorn continued, "but rest assured I would be happy to serve as a reference for either of you. Unfortunately it's only available to one student, but with my connections I'm sure you two will emerge as clear frontrunners for the position should you want it."

"Professor," Rebecca's response was slow and measured, "I am very flattered. But I'm not sure I'd be qualified for the internship."

Slughorn dismissed her with a wave of his hand, "There are no qualifications required, my dear. This internship is specifically for first years with no relevant experience, but strong interest nonetheless. Personally, I think you would be perfect!"

Rebecca shook her head, "Really, Professor, I don't think I would be a good fit for the position. I'm sure Potter would be much better suited."

James couldn't contain himself any longer, "What on earth are you talking about? You're just as likely as I am to get the internship. You're talented and well-connected. What could stop you?"

Rebecca stared at James in shock. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Casper cut in.

"Exactly what I was going to ask. I have to say, Miss. Sims, I am shocked that someone with your talent and ambition wouldn't jump at a chance like this."

"Are you really?" Rebecca took a delicate sip of water.

"Yes," Casper looked at Rebecca intently. "I can't imagine why you wouldn't want a summer position at the Ministry."

"Your concern is very much appreciated," said Rebecca rather dryly.

Casper leaned forward intently, "Perhaps you have unpleasant memories of the place."

A slight blush began to creep up on Rebecca's face, "I'm not quite sure what it is you're trying to suggest."

Casper's voice had taken on an icy edge, and his cough had ceased altogether. "Sometimes," he said slowly, "a person's family can have a significant impact on how they view the world. Which, of course, extends as far as our very own Ministry."

Rebecca met Casper's gaze with such intense ferocity James was surprised Casper didn't wilt away right then and there, "My family are loyal supporters of the Ministry."

"And I suppose they always have been?"

"That's enough!" Slughorn cut it, raising his voice angrily.

James stared at the potions master. He hadn't thought Slughorn capable of such rage, but the man's face was practically purple as he heaved himself out of his chair and swept his arms wide.

"I will not have this sort of innuendo at my table! Especially when it is altogether unfounded."

Casper coughed, "I apologize, Professor. I was out of line." He turned to Rebecca, "Perhaps we can continue this conversation when the circumstances are more appropriate."

Everyone stared at Rebecca, nervously awaiting her response.

"No thank you," she responded. "I think we've both said everything we need to."