Mischievous Glint | George Weasley

Chapter 36

Students leaned into a bitter wind, trudging through the deep snow in Hogsmead.

"For weeks you carry around this book, practically sleep with it... and you have no desire to find out who The Half-Blood Prince is?" Hermione asked as we walked on.

"I didn't say I wasn't curious. And, by the way, I don't sleep with it." Harry replied.

"Yeah. Right." Ron let out a sarcastic chortle as Harry glared at him. "Well, it's true. I like a nice chat before I go to bed. Now you're always reading that bloody book. It's like being with Hermione."

I laughed and this time it's Hermione's turn to glare.

"Well, I was curious. So I went to-" Hermione started.

"The library." Harry, Ron and I finished.

"And?" Harry asked.

"And... nothing. There's no reference to the Half-Blood Prince anywhere." Hermione said.

"Good. That settles it then." Harry said as Hermione and I started to object but we saw Hagrid calling us.

"Hey, you four!" Hagrid emerged out of the trees, beard crusted in white, looking like a crazed Father Christmas. Behind him was deep in the woods, Dark silhouette Aurors could be seen. I eyed them briefly, then nodded to the Pulsating Burlap Bag as Hagrid clutched in his fist.

"What've you got there, Hagrid?" Hagrid tipped open the bag. We grimaced and Hagrid chuckled.

"Stinksap. Burn the whiskers right off yer chin. Trees 'ere are drippin' with it."

"Stinksap? You're not sick, are you?" I asked.

"It's not fer me. It's fer Aragog. Yeh remember Aragog, don' yeh?"

"Spider? About six feet tall? Ten feet wide?" Ron asked frightfully.

"Tha's the one. He's taken ill. I'm hopin' ter nurse 'im back. Keep yer fingers crossed."

Hagrid crossed his fingers. Ron forced a grin and does the same while shaking his head as Hagrid disappeared back into the trees.

"Barking. Does he not remember that raving arachnid tried to eat us? What?" Ron saw Hermione and I staring at the Aurors again.

"The Aurors. I know they're here to protect us, but... somehow I don't feel any safer." Hermione said.

As I was about to speak, Just then Harry started spying Slughorn, heading down towards the Village, passing a weary Flitwick coming the other way.

"Who's up for a Butterbeer?" Harry got our attention.

We entered the three broomsticks and glanced round. I saw Harry located Slughorn at the bar, planted plumply on a stool.

"No. Over here."

Harry pointed as Hermione and Ron was in the midst of seating themselves at a perfectly acceptable and clean table. We saw Harry seat himself at one strewn with the detritus of a previous customer but which put him in direct view of Slughorn. We exchanged a glance and shrugged but got up to join Harry. Ron started to take the chair directly opposite Harry blocking his view.

"No, no. Sit next to me."

Ron stopped exchanged another glance with Hermione and me.

"Okay." He muttered.

A skinny kid in an apron appeared and tossed a filthy rag upon the table which began to wipe the surface on its own. Harry craned his neck around the kid to keep Slughorn in view.

"What'll we have?" The kid asked.

"Three Butterbeers. Splash of ginger in mine, please." Hermione said.

"I'll have the same." I said as the kid whistled and the rag leaped back into his pocket. Harry continueds to eye Slughorn.

I saw Draco as we locked eyes briefly, then Draco exited, his face emotionless.

"Aw, bloody hell..."

We turnd and saw Ron glowering at Ginny, who sat in a dark corner with Dean, their faces lit by a guttering candle.

"Oh, honestly, Ronald. They're just holding hands..." Hermione said as I agreed. Just then they started snogging.

"I'd like to leave." Ron said.

"Leave? You can't be serious." Hermione said.

"Ron, stay it's normal. Ginny's getting older." I said.

"That happens to be my sister." Ron argued.

"So? What if she looked over here and saw you snogging Hermione? Would you expect her to get up and leave?" I shot teasingly as Ron blinked, utterly speechless. Hermione blushed furiously.

"Harry, m'boy!" Slughorn's voice boomed so loudly even Ginny jumped and catched Harry looking. As Slughorn waddled over, sloshing mug in hand, Harry rose immediately. An action so grossly out of character that Hermione regards him with amused curiosity.

"Hello, sir. Wonderful to see you."

Hermione and my brows wrinkled and turned to Ron.

"So, what brings you here, sir?" I joined in.

"Oh, the Three Broomsticks and I go way back. Longer than I'd care to admit. In fact, I remember when it was simply One Broomstick!"

As Slughorn guffawed, Harry joined in, laughing heartily as well. Slughorn's belly trembled next to Hermione's cheek and his waving mug sloshed over, spattering the table.

"Oops! All hands on deck, Granger!" Hermione smiled thinly, when a whistle was heard and the flithy rag was back, whisking away Slughorn's mess as the skinny kid slided four foaming mugs onto the table.

"Listen, m'boy. In the old days, I used to throw together the occasional supper and invite a select student or two. Would you be game?" Slughorn offered.

"I'd consider it an honor, sir." Harry said.

"You'd be welcome too, Granger. And Miss Knight it'd be my honour if you join too." I smiled awkwardly nodding as Hermione was in the midst of emptying her Butterbeer in one long draw and slammed down her mug.

"Be delighted, sir." She replied.

"Brilliant. Look for my owl. Also you're allowed to bring a dates with you. Good to see you, Weasley." Ron frowned as Slughorn waddled away.

I turned to Harry.

"That was a nice play." I said, my voice demanding answers.

"What're you playing at?" Ron asked.

"Dumbledore asked me to... get to know him." Harry replied.

"Get to know him?" I raised my eyebrows and drank my beer.

"Dunno. But it must be important. Otherwise Dumbledore wouldn't ask."

Ron turned to see I had emptied my mug as well. Ron looked at Hermione and gestured to her upper lip.

"Um... you've got a little..." He started and without a thought, she flicked her tongue up, wiped it clean.