Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Hey guys! So this chapter's a bit shorter and maybe might seem not as interesting, but don't worry, I'll be talking about Lily and *gasp* the rounds in the next chapter (I hope). Do you like the Slughorn's POV or should I stop and concentrate on the students? Anyway, I like writing about the students more, but I thought it would be interesting to have a chapter from a teacher's POV, like Avese23 suggested… Thanks for the reviews, by the way, and I would love some more!

Horace Slughorn

"Good morning Horace, have you heard the news?" inquired a squeaky voice I knew belonged to Filius Flitwick. I looked around in the professor's lounge to make sure no students were listening. Not as if most students attempted to get in, but I wouldn't put it past James Potter or Sirius Black, it's a shame I didn't get them in my house, Slytherin. No, I had to get those two incompetent brothers, Alceto and the one whose name I can't remember Carrow. Really, the Sorting Hat makes appalling mistakes sometimes, for instance, the entire Black family got sorted into Slytherin except Sirius, who got sorted into Gryffindor! Then again, having Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Black was amazing, those are very noble families… My daydreams are interrupted by Filius, who just cleared his throat. I turn to him and say morosely:

"Of course I did, just about everyone has… It's very surprising and deceiving, I can't believe there was a Death Eater among us for an entire year." I shudder, imagining all the horrible things that could and may have happened…

"I can, he was a little bit too interested in the Dark Arts, that one." says Pomona Sprout, shaking her head in disapproval

"Now now Pomona, he had us all fooled. If you had really expected something, you would have informed Albus, wouldn't you?" Minerva interrupts, raising her eyebrow at Pomona as she huffs in indignation. I smile discreetly, Minerva has a strong character.

"It's really too bad about the Fawley family though, they were great people, poor Elizabeth…" laments Flo, the Divination professor. I frown as I try to remember Elizabeth in my classes. Was she shy? Outgoing? Mischievous? I finally picture her in my mind, a rather outgoing Ravenclaw with a lot of friends, not too bad at making potions, although she wasn't in my NEWT class… Poor girl, she must be in a state… I tune back in the conversation to hear Mick, the Astronomy professor ask feverently:

"Who will be the next Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? The class is essential, especially in these times!"

"Albus is currently in his study, trying to find one… So far, he hasn't had much luck." reports Minerva importantly

I find myself growing weary of their jabbering and decide to take a walk around the grounds, maybe pay Hagrid a visit… As I stroll through the grounds, the rainy night I try so hard to forget comes back into my mind.

( 2 days after the start of school )

Horace Slughorn needed a butterbeer. It had been two days since school had started and Black, Potter, Lupin and Pettigrew had already played a shocking prank. This one was out of hand, as Poppy Pomphrey was still healing students at this moment and his favorite student, Lily Evans, was at St. Mungo's, unconscious. Yes, Horace Slughorn was in need of a nice, warm, reassuring butterbeer which he knew he could get at the Three Broomsticks. He ambled around the empty Hogsmeade in the pouring rain, trying to see the bar through the fog. He finally found Madam Rosmerta, the young and attractive barmaid closing up the store, muttering to herself quietly.

"Rosmerta, what's going on? Can I still get a butterbeer?" Horace asked, worried

"Sorry Horace, not tonight. The business is slow, and I've got my nephew to look after." Rosmerta explained

"Oh no… Where am I supposed to get a butterbeer?" Horace said disappointedly

"I doubt you haven't got some in your office, and if you really need one, you can always go to The Hog's Head." she said shrugging

"I guess I'll have to do that." Horace said, grimacing, the Hog's Head was definitely a step down from the Three Broomsticks, being frequented by all sorts of strange people. But a butterbeer is a butterbeer, so he made his way down to the bar. As he strode in, he could see that the bar was even emptier than usual, then again, it wasn't like anyone he knew went there regularly. The Potions professor ordered a butterbeer and looked around, searching for an empty table, preferably at the back, where he couldn't be bothered. He settled down in the creaky wooden chairs and took a sip, sighing as he enjoyed the pleasant sensation. He then opened his bag and started making notes for his "Slug Club": a club made of of people he knew would become very important one day. Lily Evans, James Potter, Sirius Black, Amelia Bones and Severus Snape were his best students, he couldn't afford to let them go. Maybe he could invite the Quidditch star Ludo Bagman, it would certainly interest the boys, who didn't seem to like his meetings, as they often found elaborate excuses not to come. He could also invite the famous singer Celestina Warbeck, he would impress the girls… Maybe he should kindly exclude Barty Crouch Junior from the group, his father was very important in the ministry, but he wasn't especially bright. Remus Lupin had excellent grades, but he didn't know anything about his family… However, Lily Evans was a muggle-born and she was one of the brightest pupils in her year… He was still pondering when two cloaked men shuffled to a table not far from him, starting an obviously private and serious conversation, for they were whispering and casting furtive looks around them, though not seeing Horace Slughorn. Horace frowned as he saw a strand of bright blond hair that was almost white poke out of the hood. He immediately knew who it was, this man had to be Lucius Malfoy, a graduated student in his house he had liked, though he could be rather curt. Horace was about to go and say hello, for they were on good terms, when he saw the second figure remove their cloak partially revealing a handsome face, with dark eyes, a well-groomed beard and wavy hair. Slughorn gaped, this was his fellow teacher, Rodolphus Lestrange! But why was he talking to Lucius, he hadn't known him as a student… And why were they wearing those ridiculous cloaks. Curious, Horace leaned in to hear their conversation.

"So what did you tell the trainees?" Rodolphus asked

"I told them they have to prove themselves by a few acts around the school, to see if they can maintain their discretion, and let the smarter, more skilled ones stand out…" Lucius responded smoothly

"What if they say something? I can't blow my cover!" Rodolphus worried

"Don't make a fuss, they don't know anything about him yet…" Lucius reassured

"So what tasks are you setting? They better not be too easy, we can't afford to have worthless idiots on our side." Rodolphus challenged

"I haven't set them yet, I was thinking about seeing his opinion on this see if he approves. I was thinking an Unforgivable Curse, maybe a duel…" Lucius hesitated

"As if you actually have the guts to talk to him." Rodolphus rolled his eyes

"Anyway, here's a list of the people interested. Bellatrix Black, Theodore Nott, Avery and maybe Severus Snape, though he doesn't seem as motivated as the others." Lucius read from the list Rodolphus had passed him

"I have the feeling we're being eavesdropped on, look around." Rodolphus lowered his voice

Fear shot through Horace's veins and, without thinking he cast a strong Disillusionment Charm on himself, breathing heavily.

As the Potions professor walked back into Hogwarts, still thanking Merlin that Lucius and Rodolphus hadn't seen him, he tried to shake off an uncomfortable feeling. Though they had never said it in their conversation, it was becoming increasingly clear that Lucius Malfoy and Rodolphus Lestrange, two people the wizarding world would have not expected, were Death Eaters. Now the real question was if Slughorn was brave enough to tell someone else…

(Present)

Should I have told Albus? Everyone now knew that Rodolphus was a Death Eater, but Lucius was still lurking around, obviously recruiting more and more people…

Thanks for reading and please review!