~ooO Support: Horace Slughorn Ooo~

Horace Slughorn knew he was a coward. At the core he was a survivor, a pragmatist, a Slytherin. Few outside Slytherin House understood and accepted those facets of his character. After the War Hermione Granger had been the only one to choose to form a relationship with him. She had always been a soft-hearted and forgiving girl, always willing to give everyone second chances, even those who didn't deserve it.

Complete strangers had walked up to Horace and spit in his face after the Daily Prophet published That article about the Dark Lord's origins. But not Hermione Granger, she had instead walked up to him in Diagon Alley and told Horace that he was brave, making a difficult choice in hard times. Because if he had tried to do the right thing years ago and been killed there would have been no one to provide the information that led to the Dark Lord's defeat. She had forced Mr. Potter into giving a detailed interview that listed everyone who had helped defeat the Dark Lord, and Horace had been among them.

The old Horace would have been a proud pygmypuff, boasting about his achievements. The new Horace was content to stay in Hogwarts and work off his debt, for inadvertently helping Tom Riddle on his quest for immortality, for telling him about horcruxes. It was guilt that made him accept Minerva's request to keep teaching potions. It was guilt that had initially kept him from resigning but eventually the guilt had faded. Then it was respect and pleasure that kept him teaching. And Hermione Granger's visits.

Unlike most alumna -who were more than happy to leave Hogwarts, and never think about it until they had children- Hermione kept in touch with the staff, visited her old teachers. At first it was only to see Minerva and Filius or Hagrid, but after a few visits she made a detour to the dungeons and asked to speak to Horace, to get his advice. Horace had been initially wary, worried she was seeking to use him, like Tom and Albus and Harry, but very quickly he saw she was genuinely interested in his opinion and experience in networking and plotting. She wanted the Ministry to reform and was seeking allies who would help her in that quest. After several conversations over tea, Horace had eventually introduced her to contacts that helped her form her own faction in the rebuilding efforts.

Now seeing her stand beside her Fates-Match, Horace Slughorn felt genuine pride for his contributions, his hand in shaping the witch who would now shape the British Wizarding World. He had done the right thing and his latest protégé was Queen and what a Queen she would be. She was Matched with a Founder! Salazar Slytherin himself!

Horace smiled smugly, lacing his fingers over his ample belly as he watched. The old Horace would have pushed into the crowd to get to the front, to draw the attention of the new Royal Couple. The new Horace was content waiting and watching because he knew he was well ahead of the pack. Because he had helped her long before she became Queen and Lady Slytherin. And Hermione was nothing if not loyal.

The Head of Slytherin House watched as his House Founder leaned down and brushed his lips against his wife's ear, whispering something that made her blush and smile.

Oh yes, Horace was most content to continue watching, to see how her coalition would grow as she grew into her new powers and title.

~ooOoo~ooOoo~ooOoo~