Dare - Draco Malfoy

Chapter 37: The invitation

Maeve:
Weeks go by, where Draco and I spend most our weekends together, practicing and devising a plan. We would repeat the same plan over and over again for entire afternoons. He taught me a few simple, but useful nonverbal spells and helped me perfection more complicated ones.

We have a plan B for any unexpected turn and my mind is clear of what my focus is. I feel like I have a chance at this. In his ways, he makes me feel empowered. He gives me the motivation to not give up. With our sessions proceeding into the end of February, school work starts to get seriously intense. All the free time I find, needs to be spent on homework.

I rush to the great hall on a Monday afternoon, I want to eat fast and get time to finish some work before bed. It's too early for anyone to be here, which means I can have some quiet time. As soon as I sit down I hear someone calling me lazily.

"Hey, this is for you".

I turn to see Hestia Carrow standing behind me miserably, holding a white envelope.

"Oh, thanks" I mutter.

She lets it fall on the table, right next to my plate and leaves without a shadow of a smile. I furrow my face in question, but turn to the letter in interest. I notice the purple wax seal has a caldron with the name

'Slughorn' stamped on it.

I break the seal and pull out a beautifully decorated piece of paper.

The sheet is the same colour of the wax, purplish blue with shiny silver foiling all over it. The writing on it, also made of foiling, reads:

'You are cordially invited to the party Hosted by Professor H.E.F. Slughorn.

Saturday, March 1st 1997 at 8:00pm in Prof. Slughorn's office' at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.'

I read it a few times before realising what this is about. I knew Slughorn had his 'Slug Club' thing going on, involving private dinners every now and then, but from the looks of it this would be a more formal party. I am good a potions, mostly better than the average, but I never thought I would be invited to anything like this.

I put the paper back in the envelope and finish eating. As the hall starts to fill more, I pack my things and leave for the common room.

I finish my essays and spell practice, and get to my armchair next to the window to read a while before going to sleep. Aria soon walks in.

"Hey" She greets me.

"Hey, what's up?" I turn and close my book in front of me.

"Ugh I am tired"

She sits on the edge of her bed, and lets herself lie down, arms stretched out

I stand to get next to her on the bed.

"Hey umh.." I start.

Her head moves to look at me.

"I got this invitation today, for a party on the 8th?" I try to sound casual.

"Oh no way! You too?" She responds, lifting herself up.

"You got one?" My eyes widen in happiness, it would be so cool to go together.

"Ah! As if... I suck at potions. No, but Nott did" She rolls her eyes.

"He can't stop blabbing about it.

I laugh and lie next to her.

"Sounds silly doesn't it?" I start more gloomily.

She turns questioningly.