The dense fog drained from his vision and Harry suddenly felt his feet hit the floor. The room span around before eventually settling in front of him, churning his stomach. He lulled his head back drunkenly, and saw he had returned to familiarity of The Headmasters twilit office.
"Did you know, sir?" he gasped out.
Dumbledore stepped forward from the shadows, his face sober, and replied grimly.
"Did I know that at the time I had just met who would go on to become one of the darkest Wizards of all time?"
Harry nodded, or, he tried to, with his mind and body still playing catchup to all the information he'd just received.
"No… If I had I would have…"
The Headmaster shook his head, but then fell deathly silent. Whether or not he actually intended on finishing the rest of his sentence, Harry couldn't tell, but he didn't try to question him.
"During his time at Hogwarts," Dumbledore started again, this time more into it, "Tom Riddle became close to one particular teacher... Can you guess who that teacher might be?"
Through the fighting smoke and shadows of his mind, a bulb flickered on inside Harry's head and he quickly found a lot of actions this term suddenly clicking into place.
"You didn't bring Professor Slughorn back just to teach Potions, did you, sir?" he answered,
"No I did not… You see, Professor Slughorn possess something I desire very dearly. But he will not give it up easily."
Harry leaned forward across the Pensive, stabilising his hands around the rim of the stone. He could think more clearly now, he stared at Dumbledore attentively.
"You said Professor Slughorn will try and collect me..."
"I did."
"Do you want me to let him?"
"Yes, I do," Dumbledore's answer was quick and his tone was certain.
Though Harry didn't done it intently, he nodded firmly to himself. The thought of this year passing by without something out of the ordinary going on was an improbable one.
The lamps in the Headmasters Office now seemed to glow more warmly than before. Harry's attention drew to the window, where the sky outside was inky black, but small flecks of snow, unusual for this time of year, had begun gently crushing themselves against the glass. Dumbledore noticed their new weather.
"That'll do us for tonight I think, Harry."
After a moment or so, Dumbledore pulled himself from the stone column he was leaning against and clapped his hands together.
Harry moved gently towards the door, but did not leave yet.
"The prophecy… do you really think it has something to do with Voldemort's past?"
"I believe it has everything to do with Voldemort's past. Nobody is born evil, Harry. I think in the right circumstances, even Tom Riddle could have grown up a hopeful man. Finding out what prevented that could be the key to unravelling how to defeat him, and maybe prevent it happening again."
"Again, sir?"
Dumbledore turned away from him and slowly traced his way up the steps toward his desk.
"I wasn't merely attempting to sound dramatic during in the Great Hall this start of term, Harry. Riddle walked these halls just as you and I did. If he could go on to commit such atrocities, then what is stopping…" he paused and turned back to him suddenly, a feeble smile on his face, "... actually… best not play devil's advocate so late into the night. Goodnight, Harry."
"Right…" Harry said, confused yet understanding at the same time.
He turned to go properly this time, but stopped again as another question occurred to him.
"Can I tell anybody what you've told me?"
Dumbledore considered him for a moment, then nodded weakly.
"The Order, yes. And I'd say Miss Granger and Mr Weasley have also proved themselves trustworthy.. Though... I must ask that you keep Miss Greengrass in the dark about our meetings from now on."
"You think Daphne is…?"
Harry's voice had leapt out of his throat without him knowing, and as such came out as an over-the-top squeal. Dumbledore merely dismissed him off with a wave of his hand.
"Goodnight, Harry."
"Time to pack up!" Slughorn cheered. "And that'll be an extra twenty-points to Gryffindor for another immaculate brewing from Mister Potter!"
A unanimous groan swept the Potions classroom.
Embarrassment crept up his back like a giant spider and he was only able to muster an awkward smile at his other classmates. The only person in the room looking at him that was angrier than Hermione was Daphne, who had what look like cat-sick spilled all over her table. Harry mused a playful idea that maybe he could finally talk to her if he offered her some Potions tutoring… He'd be slapped if he said that joke to her in person.
Luckily, nobody said anything to him as everyone began packing up their things and filling out of the room. Harry dawdled behind them, taking an inordinate amount of time to do up his bag. Hermione stormed out of the room, while Ron, Harry caught a glimpse of, slowed to wait for him outside the door.
He turned his attention to Professor Slughorn, who was still tidying up his equipment.
Last night's dive into Tom Riddle's memories was still slowing working its way round his system. Seeing the Dark Lord - a man Harry had nothing but fear and contempt for - reduced to a crying child in an orphanage just didn't seem like something from this reality. Then it occurred to him that was probably exactly Voldemort's intent. Seeing him exposed like that humanised him in a way he imagined the Death Eaters had never considered. It had certainly left him with a lot to think about last night, and upon re-examination, he almost felt better now having a clear idea of what he was up against.
But why Dumbledore's mission for him was to grow close to Slughorn could be anyone's guess? Knowing your enemy makes sense, but did Dumbledore believe Slughorn had some kind of secret about Voldemort's youth that he wasn't sharing? How close had the two gotten exactly? And, outside the obvious favouritism in lesson, why did he think Harry was the one who could get through to him?
These, as well as the Headmasters not-so-subtle digs about Daphne, made Harry consider a lot of things. Whatever his intentions were, Harry trusted Dumbledore. Whether or not he was right to was a different matter altogether, but frankly at this point, and after his none-appearance all of last year, he was simply happy to be involved with the Headmasters plans.
"Hey, Professor Slughorn? I was wondering if you had any plans for this weekend?"
"Harry, my boy!" Slughorns face lit up at his appearance. "Well now that you mention it, I was actually planning on heading down to Three Broomsticks! Never do really get the chance to wind down with a Butterbeer after classes, you know! Ah... shall I be seeing you there?"
Harry smiled brightly, and patted the Professor on the back.
"You will now, sir!"
The snow that began to fall during Harry and Dumbledore's meeting went on to continue through the week. They were barely a month past terms start, yet the snowfall had struck Hogwarts like it was the dead of winter. It had been a particularly cold summer, so it didn't really come as a surprise to anyone, but this year was definitely running quickly… or at least, it certainly felt that way with no big monsters running around this time.
Harry had his Gryffindor scarf wrapped around his lower face, with the upper exposed part now feeling raw and numb. He wished desperately he had the good sight to bring his Quidditch goggles out with him. Hagrid lumbered slowly beside him, kicking up big mounds of snow with each step. The bitter wind was like knives on Harry's face, but Hagrid marched along joyfully like was a simple breeze to him. Then again, Harry considered, the half-giant probably had so much hair covering his face that he couldn't actually feel it.
"How you feelin about 'ogs 'ead?" the half-giant asked. "Certainly be a lot quieter than Three Broomsticks, as lovely as Rosmerta is an' all."
The Hogsmede trip was here, and again, he'd found Ron and Hermione's presence was an absent one. He couldn't hold this against them since they'd be chaperoning third years today, but the inside of the common room had been driving him crazy and he was determined to have a good time out today. He sent a letter down to Hagrid, who was incredibly happy to have the offer, and suddenly Harry's plans and alibi for the day were provided for him.
"Ah can't believe am takin little 'Arry out for his first pint. It weren't yesterday that I coulda held you in the palm of me hand!" Hagrid cheered.
Deciding to let the half-giant have his fun, Harry neglected to tell him that this would in fact not be his first pint, nor his first time even drinking in Hogsmeade.
"Hagrid, you could probably still hold me in the palm of your hand," he laughed. "And I was actually hoping we could head into the Three Broomsticks?
Hagrid gave a joyous belly laugh.
"Ah course we can then! Will Ron and 'Ermione not joining us ah take it?"
"Prefect duties. We'll probably see them down here with the third years, actually."
"Ahh well, can 'ardly blame them then. 'Ere we are!"
Considering the sudden snowstorm, the streets of Hogsmede were surprisingly busy, with groups of third years being led around by Prefects and older students coming in and out of shops in large packs. He tried to keep an eye out for not just Ron and Hermione, but Daphne was well, as he scanned the crowds around them.
Hagrid pointed a thickly-gloved hand towards the The Three Broomsticks, which was mercifully open, and the two crossed the street in no time.
"Thank god," Harry gave a quick shiver as the warm, beer-scented air and the smell of cigarette ash enveloped him. "Let's never leave here."
Hagrid chuckled beside him.
"There you are, Harry!" said a shrill voice from across the room.
Professor Slughorn, who was wearing an enormous fluffy coat and oversized fur collar, was occupying a booth in the corner of the room. Harry made a beeline for him across the crowded room, while Hagrid had to slowly worm his way through the other patrons behind him.
"Good to see you, Professor!"
"Thought you weren't going to make it in this blasted weather! I got you a pint… though, I suspect the head on it's gone down by now."
Slughorn gestured to the butterbeer across from him, and Harry noticed two already-emptied glasses beside him.
It took him a second, but behind Harry, Hagrid finally joined them at their table.
"Now just a secon' 'Orace!" Hagrid said defensively, "I brought 'Arry out so ah could buy 'im his first pint! Only right it gets to be me!"
Slughorn's face light up at Hagrid's arrival, then as he processed his wording, his smile dropped slightly.
"Well I…" he deflated, "I've already bought it for him now, but I suppose if that's what Mister Potter wants then…"
Slughorn went to pull the pint in his direction, but Hagrid's huge paw came into frame and plucked it from the table.
"Ah shan't worry about it 'Orace. Ey'ar 'Arry, I'll ave this and the next round'll be on me, 'ow's that?"
Harry opened his mouth but before he had chance to respond, Hagrid downed the butterbeer in two big chugs. Harry and Slughorn stared at one another, mouths slightly agape. Hagrid tapped the empty glass back onto the table and as quickly as he had appeared from the crowd, the half-giant miraculously disappeared back into the pub atmosphere.
"Always been a card, that Hagrid has been, yes…" Slughorn laughed politely.
Jumping to action, Harry manoeuvred his way around the barstools and took a seat next to the Potions Professor.
"So, how are you finding life back at Hogwarts, Professor?"
"Well it's been very nice, now that you mention it! Teaching here was some of the best years of my life... in fact, I've always said, find yourself a job that you enjoy doing and you'll never work a day in your life!" Slughorn said, poking him gently in the chest.
Slughorn was always quite energetic and hands-on during lesson, but now even more so, Harry noticed. Then again, that was a likely result of the two empty butterbeer glasses already by his side.
With luck, he could he get what he needed and be done before Hagrid even got back. He had been taught how to be thorough and efficient with his words from the very best, and he tried to visualise what she would be doing in his situation right now.
"How many years will that have been you've there now, Professor?"
"Oh, now that's question isn't it… Why, I'd say including this one, a damn sight near fifty years I'll have worked there! Merlin's beard, time flies!"
"You would have taught a lot of people in that time, then?"
"Oh hundreds, easily! Possibly even a thousand, you know… Time really does speed by and, well, I'd be lying if I said faces didn't start to blur together a bit!" he added with a laugh. "Still though, I always remember the good ones. Oh yes! You know, actually... I run this kind of get-together for students that I'm particularly proud of."
Slughorn straightened up in his seat and seemed more sober than he was a second ago.
"A bit of a business opportunity for those up-and-coming to mingle... reserved usually only for students of the most elite. Skye Parkin, the Seeker of the Wigtown Wanderers -though of course you know that already m'boy didn't you? Her father used to be a member! Oh, as did your dear old mum, bless her heart. She was one of my prized pupils, in fact! Your father… not one of my best, admittedly. But, that's not a reason why you can't make up for him!" Slughorn laughed merrily to himself.
Harry couldn't help it, and the mention of his mother, not his father for once, turned his strained smile into a genuine one.
"Meetings are held monthly in my office, we also host a Christmas Party, which I dare say is one of the most prestigious events to happen inside Hogwarts walls! And of course, if you're still unsure, I don't suppose it would be too difficult to convince Miss Parkin to pop in for a visit..."
Way later than it should have taken him, Harry finally caught the Professors intention behind his tangent.
"You want me to come to these meetings?"
"Of course, my boy!" he gasped. "And you shouldn't worry about not knowing anybody, a few other classmates of yours have also been invited, now let's see there was… Blaise Zabini, of course, his mother makes the absolute - most delightful - hot wings you could imagine, Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger, they're both friends of yours I'm lead to believe? Hm! Yes let's see, who else… Ah, Daphne Greengrass and Melinda Bobbin! No Ravenclaws this time around, that's through no deliberate intention I assure you!" he chuckled.
"Daphne is going?"
"That she is my boy! Both her and her younger sister, actually. Both star pupils, the pair of them… though admittedly Astoria's grades could need a little polishing…" he added that last part with a slight cringe.
The way Slughorn was building this up made it sound like the Yule Ball part two, and Harry remembered how splendidly that night had gone for him. Unfortunately, as unappealing as it sounded, he also couldn't deny it would give him a pretty good chance to get to know Slughorn better. It could be two birds with one stone, as it definitely couldn't hurt being around Daphne so much, either. This could be the opportunity he had been waiting for to try and talk things through with her.
"Sounds brilliant, sir…"
It would be convenient, but at the news he'd be spending one night a month playing kiss-up for as long as it took to get the information, his enthusiasm was beginning to drain out. He didn't know how to move the conversation on from there.
Apparently he'd chosen the wrong wording to fall silent on, as Slughorn suddenly sported an unusually cautious tone.
"You know, Harry… I hope you don't mind me being inquisitive, but... there have been certain rumours making the rounds about yourself and the Greengrass girl…"
"Rumours, sir!" Harry jumped in, forcing out a laugh out of himself. "Purely rumours, probably made up by somebody who doesn't like either of us. Actually, I don't think I've ever spoken to her properly outside of lessons."
"Yes, yes, I expected quite as much!" nodded Slughorn, giving another good-natured chuckle. "I didn't take you for the type to get messed up in that lot."
Harry picked up on his wording.
"That lot?" he repeated back.
"Mmhmm. Yes well… awkward as it is..." Slughorn suddenly seemed less confident, and tapped his fingers patiently against his fur coat, "I've had three generations of Greengrass in my classes and they've always ended up a horrible lot. Was no surprise to me when the Death Eater accusations started that Jarvis and Estelle were found guilty, frankly I haven't the faintest idea how Benedict wasn't also included…"
Then, suddenly more upbeat, continued, "Still, though! Daphne appears to stand out from the rest, an absolute role-model student if I've ever seen one! I have quite a keen eye about that sort of thing. I can usually tell whenever someone is destined for greatness, you know. It's sort of a… a gift, if you will!"
At the Professors tone of voice, words suddenly sprung to life in Harry's head.
The exact words he'd told Tracey Davis the other week on the Quidditch Pitch. About patience, and lying in wait. A seeker is a hunter, and a hunter only attacks when he believes he had a chance. Was it too early to try?
These dinner parties sounded like good opportunities, should he lay in wait, and only attempt it when he was sure? Could he really let such an opportunity pass him up right now? He was Slughorn's favourite, and there was no harm in curiosity, was there?
"Could you tell with Voldemort, sir?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Harry knew his instincts had betrayed him. Slughorn's face dropped into his chin, while his brow rose above whatever little fringe he had left. The Potions Master's mouth fell agape, spluttering into a cough while Harry quickly leapt to fix his wording.
"Forgive me, Professor! it's just I don't really know a lot of people who knew him when he was young…"
"No, no, Harry, your curiosity is completely justified!" Slughorn announced, coughing loudly into his fist while waving his other hand.
The Professor was trying to put on a facade of recovering, but even Harry could see through the act. He'd overstepped his bounds, and would have to work hard to come back from that later on. Slughorn offered him a measly smile, and took a deep sip of his butterbeer pint before continuing.
"Well I… I have to admit that Tom was… a bit of an odd one. A very cunning man, even from an early age. You know, he..."
"There we are!"
There was a glass clunking noise and Hagrid reappeared at their table, dropping down three freshly pulled pints before them. Slughorn lept in surprise, or relief, and cheered at his arrival. Before Harry had chance to push for him to finish his sentence, Hagrid barged his way to the middle and pulled himself a seat beside the two. He slid a pint across the wooden table.
"Down the 'atch, 'Arry!"
Harry feigned a smile and took the beer in his hands, necking a few swigs of the butterscotch drink.
"Ma 'ickle 'Arry, all grown up! Why, yer gonna bring a tear to an old giants eye."
He slammed his mug down the table and again, did his best, not-at-all-over-the-top smile at his Potions Professor.
"Sir, you were saying…"
"Yes, yes, of course, Harry! Slug Club meetings are at the end of every month, I absolutely insist on having you as the guest of honour!"
"No, I meant about-"
"Sorry it took so long! Can you believe 'ow busy it is in 'ere?" Hagrid gestured around them. "And ah tell you what, ah've 'alf a mind to call Flich down 'er and get 'alf of this lot checked fer ID!"
Harry could feel his opportunity slipping away from him, and reluctantly, decided to let it go.
It was probably for the best the subject changed. He hadn't planned on Slughorn having such a bad reaction to the topic, and be honest, using The Dark Lords name was probably an oversight on his part. It wasn't like he wouldn't have the opportunity to bring it up at these new dinner parties he was now invited to, and now he knew how not to approach the subject.
With a sigh, he took another couple of swigs from his pint. The tangy sweetness did a lot to relieve his heavy soul.
The rest of their pub visit played out by the numbers and Harry even caught himself enjoying it eventually. The topic of Voldemort never arose in conversation again, but he was satisfied knowing he'd get more chances to try again. The weather outside never let up, and by the time had come for them to make their way back up to the castle, they found themselves trudging through over a foot of snow. The wind had died down thankfully, so the trio had no problem conversing on their way up to the carriages.
"Big Quidditch match coming up, isn't that right Harry?"
"Yes sir, Gryffindor against Slytherin. Week before Christmas break."
"Well, you have my best wishes, but of course, my loyalties are bias! Do remember that offer about Skye is still on the table, just in case you needed a little extra convincing!"
"Thank you, Professor."
"A good line up this year? Ginny Weasley as Chaser, I believe?"
Harry nodded stiffly.
"She's one of the best."
"So I hear! Still, I hear the mess of the Slytherin team won't make it too difficult a match… though you didn't hear that from me, of course! I'll still be in the stands cheering for my house! Baring this weather improves!"
Hagrid shook his head.
"Lookin' ter be a big one, she is! Giants 'ave already begun ta migrate down south, they always 'ave a keen sense with these things, they do. Winters come early they're sayin."
Slughorn didn't look phased.
"I've seen matches played in storms that have torn roofs from houses! And I doubt any storm will hamper the skill of the great Harry Potter, ey?"
Harry gave an expressionless smile.
At that exact moment, an impact of snow collided with the back of his head, exploding over his robes. He flinched in surprise, Slughorn took an alarmed step back and Hagrid swung his giant figure in the direction the snowball had come from.
Harry followed his eyeline to see Tracey marching through the snow towards them, with an unfamiliar Slytherin trailing behind her.
"Hey, Captain!" Tracey beamed, and then noticed his other company. "Alright, Professor Hagrid!"
Hagrid growled back at her.
"Now, now, then! I will not be toleratin' any bullyin', even off of 'Ogwarts grounds!"
Harry's hand leapt to Hagrid's side.
"She's playing Hagrid, don't worry... Really."
"Ah, well in that case... good ter see you again Davis!" The half-giants mood did a sudden one-twenty. "An' you must be Dom'nic Flamel! Don't suppose Madame Maxime 'as mentioned me at all?"
He was talking to the other Slytherin girl, one Harry had sworn he'd never seen in all his years at Hogwarts - and apparently that was why. She must have come from Beauxbatons? Harry had never heard of a student transferring wizard schools before, but he couldn't think of a reason why that was an unusual thing to hear. Maybe it was the fact that Hogwarts was actually a school sometimes that surprised him?
"Oui, Professor 'Agrid! Though ah've to say she described you as… taller."
Hagrid, if possible, looked both immensely happy and incredibly disappointed both at the same time. The girl, Dominique, didn't leave him chance to follow it up, as eagerly she leapt over to Harry and flashed him a radiant smile.
"And you are 'Arry Potter! Ah am a friend of Gabrielle, ah 'ave 'eard so much about you!" she sang with an almost fangirl-squeal to her voice.
Harry's stomach bubbled uneasily. He nodded uneasily back at her. Maybe he was just unused to so many friendly Slytherins?
Slughorn lingered awkwardly on the border of their conversation.
"Well, this is really no place to stand and catch up… Why girls, the three of us were about to catch a carriage up to the castle, if you care to join us?"
The trio, now a quintet, joined together and set up the snowy path to the Hogwarts carriages. It was still early enough in the day that they had time before darkness fell, but nobody was willing to linger around and be sure. It would little more than twenty minutes before they'd all be crossing into entrance hall with the smell of dinner on the horizon.
Hagrid lumbered subtly closer to Harry.
"'Ope yer not back in 'ta market for 'nother one, 'Arry."
It took Harry a second to catch his meaning.
"Hagrid! I tutor her in Quidditch!"
"Mmhmm."
Hagrid didn't say anything further, but Harry could tell he wasn't thrilled about the prospect of him associating Slytherins. Given their reputation, and Harry's history with them, he didn't even necessarily blame him, either. In fact he wasn't entirely sure when he became onboard with the idea of it himself, come to think of it. Tracey hadn't heard Hagrid's comment, or if she had, she was playing ignorant to it.
Harry threw a half-smile back at her.
"You guys alright?"
Tracey smiled and nodded back.
"Hogsmeade date. You on one too?"
Harry guffawed and his eyes shot to Slughorn and Hagrid.
"Not exac-"
"Et iz not a date! Stop telling people zhat..."
Dominique jumped in to clarify, but then seemed to catch how harshly she'd spoken and dissolved her words into a chuckle. Harry and Hagrid exchanged an uneasy expression. Tracey shrank away under her scarf.
The whole awkward exchange was cut off when, about six meters in front of them, a horrible shriek pierced the landscape.
All sets of eyes snapped forward.
They had barely passed anyone on their walk, but on the path ahead of them, someone was floating twenty feet in the air. Dominique latched instinctively onto Harry's arm and he had to forcibly untangled himself from the girl.
The persons hair was being whipped around by imaginary wind, their eyes were wide and held a haunting expression. They were screaming. Not small, regular shouts, but one, long and continuous demonic scream, sounding like it was being torn from their throat in slow motion.
The body stopped screaming all of a sudden, then began spasming out. Their arms, legs and torso began twisting and undulating in an inhumane manner, before finally snapping back into place and the broken body dropped feebly to the floor.
Tracey rushed forward to the body, but Hagrid howled fiercely at her.
"Get back! Stay back!" he yelled. "Let me!"
Hagrid reached the girl - who Harry could now distinguish as Katie Bell from the Quidditch Team - and without a word he bent down and scooped her into his arms. He took off instantly up the path towards the castle and despite his size and the harshness of the weather, the speed he achieved discouraged Harry from attempting to follow.
He looked around; the landscape was deserted. If this was some kind of attack, whoever was the culprit had fled the scene. Within seconds, Katie's piercing screams had long died away and the only sound was the roar of the returning wind.
"Stop, Harry! Don't move a muscle!" Slughorn barked at him.
Harry instinctively froze up. He traced the eyelines of the people around him. He'd backed onto a package on the ground. It was brown-paper parcel that had been split down the middle, revealing a greenish glittering necklace poking out. He leapt quickly away from it.
"Wingardium Leviosa," Slughorn muttered under his breath.
The necklace rose slowly off the ground. Everyone cautiously closed in around it, trying to get a better look. As Harry stared at it, his scar tingled progressively more and more. Maybe he was just in-the-moment, but he could swear he heard whispers coming from the object.
"This necklace has been cursed… by dark forces."
"Why would somebody curse Katie?" Harry asked absent-mindley. "She doesn't have any enemies, everyone loves her..."
Tracey, who had remained involved, though completely silent, took a step forward. The look on her face was a bleak one.
"Goin' to take a wild guess and say it probably wasn't meant for her, Harry."
