30
Ian
Despite the valiant effort given during the Battle of Hogwarts, the so called Slug Club was still running without fault and with the same amount of students as the year before. Even Ron Weasley was snubbed a spot although this year he didn't care as much. No one did really. We were all our own heroes I guess.
The first event for the Slug Club was a simple dinner party in Slughorn's office. It had been plenty awkward last year and this year I was even less enthusiastic about going. I almost considered pretending I was sick but I knew I couldn't. I got picked my Slughorn for a reason (my mom) and I couldn't let either of them down. Being Cuban and a favorite pupil was something that didn't happen very often.
So, I dressed nicely, prepared myself for pointless small talk, and walked to Slughorn's office with a sense of dread. When I arrived I wasn't surprised to see the usual victims of Slughorn's praise. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and a few others were all seated around a big table. Slughorn looked absolutely overjoyed.
"Ian, my boy!" He exclaimed, standing and grasping my hand like an old family friend. "So glad you could make it."
"I never would have missed it, sir." I lied with a warm smile. I took my seat and politely listened to boring conversation about excellence and pride. Each student was interrogated somewhat and it was their choice whether to be embarrassed or narcissistic about the whole thing.
"Mr. Valerio, how's your mother doing? I haven't seen her in quite a while." Slughorn said, taking a sip from his goblet. I suspected there was some sort of alcohol in there because with each new cup he seemed to get even more boisterous.
"She's doing well. She's been traveling a lot lately, doing research on another book." I had learned that giving information would get the topic changed much quicker than simply answering and waiting for another question. Slughorn gave a grunt of approval.
"I don't know if you know," He said, looking to the rest of the students that surrounded the table, "but Ian's mother is a very famous witch. At the top of her class at Hogwarts and has done much for the English and Cuban wizarding community. She's absolutely brilliant."
No one looked very interested but I didn't take it personally. Nothing said around this table was exciting and pretending to look enthralled was much more work than it should have been. I nodded gratefully, hoping he would move to the next person.
"But Ian, you're quite brilliant too. Your quidditch skills are exceptional, I must say. Perhaps you'll steal a win for Hufflepuff." Slughorn continued with a grin. I felt a pang in my chest. Quidditch brought back memories of Cedric and I could usually get it out by flying but instead I was stuck at a stuffy table filled with stuffy people and I felt like I couldn't breath.
As Slughorn moved to the next person, I checked the clock on the wall. It had already been an hour and I wasn't sure how much longer I could do this. He had been through nearly everyone at the table which usually meant it was the end but I couldn't bear it much longer. I needed to take a walk or something.
"This group is exceptionally dazzling." Slughorn commented, scanning the table like a proud father. "And not only the people around this table, but your entire year is bright. I see good futures for all of you. I feel like you need a name of sorts, something to remember you by..."
"The Potter Generation."
I didn't mean to say it, but it came out of my mouth as soon as Slughorn trailed off. It was quiet but no one else at the table was talking so everyone seemed to hear. I felt every eye turn to me and I suddenly really regretted opening my mouth. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Harry looking extremely confused while Hermione was glaring at me.
"Hmm, that's very good, Mr. Valerio. I like it a lot. The Potter Generation. It has a ring to it." Slughorn seemed to forget the fact that Harry Potter was sitting at the same table. "On that note, I supposed you all have homework to do."
We all stood, much quicker than was appropriate and made our way out of Slughorn's office. I tried not to make it obvious that I wanted out of that godforsaken room but my legs wouldn't slow down. The thing that kept me from running down the hall was Hermione Granger at my heels.
Before I could turn around she shoved me into the wall with much more force than I thought. I slammed into the wall and was faced with a fuming Hermione Granger. Her friends were nowhere to be found and I was slightly worried that she would curse me into oblivion. I was good with a wand but Hermione was top of our class. Not to mention she helped defeat Voldemort.
"Where did you hear that name?" She demanded in an angry whisper. I knew I could get away from her and she didn't have her wand out but I knew I wouldn't be quick enough to stop her when she did. There was no way I was getting out of this.
"What name?" I whispered back knowing full well what she was talking about.
"The Potter Generation. Where did you hear it?" Now that was an odd question. The document had been a well kept secret so far. How did Hermione know about it? Or what did she know about it?
"I made it up." I said, remembering how adamant Wes was about keeping it a secret. Imagining what Harry Potter would do if he knew we were basically gossiping about him in a documentary was almost terrifying. I had no doubt that he wouldn't be very happy. And apparently, Hermione wouldn't either.
"Don't lie." Hermione answered. I thought smoke was going to start pouring out of her ears.
"I'm not." I argued in the most convincing voice I could. "It's just a simple name."
She gave me a hard glare before backing away, her eyes ablaze. She looked me up and down before shaking her head and striding away. I could hear her mumbling to herself as she disappeared around the corner and I could finally breath again.
It was only 7 o'clock and I already wanted to go to bed.