Mischievous Glint | George Weasley

Chapter 38

Slughorn's office

"A toast!" Slughorn stood at the head of a table, goblet raised to the students seated before him, which in addition to Harry, Hermione and me include Marcus Belby, Blaise Zabini, Neville Longbottom and the twins. Everyone sat beside each other. I sat beside Hermione as always.

A distinctive crystal hourglass sat in the center of the table.

"To Hogwarts' best and brightest!"

"Here, here!" Cormac joined.

Hermione exchanged a wry glance with Harry, who noticed that one setting was empty. The twins drank their toast in perfect unison. Neville stared hopelessly at the vast array of forks, knives and spoons placed beside his plate.

"Which one do I use for the soup?" Neville whispered as Hermione and I grinned. She looked up and got a wink from Cormac.

Later at the table

"So tell me, Cormac. See much of your Uncle Tiberius these days?"

"Yes, sir. In fact, I'm meant to go hunting with him and the Minister for Magic over holiday." Cormac proudly answered.

"Well, be sure to give them both my best. What about your uncle, Belby? Working on anything new?" Slughorn looked at others. "For those of you who don't know, Marcus' uncle invented the Wolfsbane Potion."

As he spoke, Belby never once looked up from his plate.

"Dunno. He and me dad don't get on. Probably because Dad thinks potions are rubbish. Says the only potion worth having is a stiff one at the end of the day." Marcus Belby said with lowered gaze.

"And you, Miss Granger? What is it your family does in the Muggle world?" Hermione looked up.

"My parents are dentists. They tend to people's teeth."

"Fascinating. And is that considered a dangerous profession?"

"No. Though, a boy named Robbie Fenwick did bite my father once. Needed ten stitches." I wheezed under my breath as Slughorn nodded.

"And Y/N! I know about you. You're parents are Aurors and here's you, a Slytherin. Very nice and a good girl you are. I've heard about you. So much praises. I'm proud you're my student." Slughorn proudly said making me embarrassed. The door then opened and everyone turned to see who was it.

"Miss Weasley! Come in, come in."

"Sorry, I'm not ordinarily late." She faltered, eyes red, uncharacteristically flustered.

"No matter. You'll be just in time for dessert. That is... if Belby leaves you any."

As Ginny moves to her seat, Hermione whispered to me.

"Look at her eyes. They've been fighting again. Her and Dean." I nodded as I passed the news to Harry then stood as Ginny reached the table. The only one. Hermione and I noticed, eyed him with amusement as he sat.

"What?" Harry stared at us.

"Nothing." I shrugged.

As I looked at Hermione, she smiled and lightly stroked the crystal hourglass with a finger.

    ♠️

Later

So. How was it?" Ron asked.

Hermione continued to read the Prophet, unaware of Ron's mood. I sat across them and was reading a book about spells.

"How was what?" She asked.

"Your dinner party." Ron replied with mock refinement.

"Dead boring. Wasn't it, Y/N?" I nodded.

"Though I think Harry enjoyed dessert." I added.

Harry's eyes shifted and find Hermione and me smiling faintly from behind my book and her daily prophet.

"Ol' Sluggy's having a Christmas do, you know. And we're meant to bring someone..." Hermione started as I looked at her.

"I expect you'll be going with McLaggen. Isn't he a member of the Slug Club?" Ron asked.

"Actually, I was going to ask you." Hermione said.

"Really?" Ron looked quizzical.

"Really. But seeing as you have such a distaste for the idea-" she stopped as we saw Lavender brown who was passing by, stopped before Ron.

"Good luck today, Ron! I know you'll be brilliant!" Ron smiles feebly and looked back down at his plate. Hermione stared daggers at her.

"I'm resigning. After today's match. McLaggen can have my spot."

Hearing this, Hermione and I turned back. Harry catched my eye and extended a shaking hand to indicate Ron's mental state.

"Have it your way. Juice?" Hermione blinked surprised by Harry's callousness. Ron was surprised as well and mildly put out. But I wasn't surprised at all. I knew what Harry was up too and so did he knew that I knew and I secretly approve it.

"Sure..." Ron said and Harry poured something in his drink. Luna arrived at the table wearing a hat that beared an uncanny resemblance to a real lion.

"Hello, everyone. You look dreadful, Ron." Her euphonious voice was heard.

Ron nodded grimly and lifted his glass. Luna turned to Harry.

"Is that why you just put something in his cup. Is it a tonic?" Luna asked as The tiny vial of Felix Felicis glinted in Harry's palm.

"Don't drink that, Ron!" Hermione stopped Ron but he was frozen in mid-sip and looked at Harry's palm too. Quickly, he gulped down the rest.

"You could be expelled for that." Hermione fumed.

"Dunno what you're talking about." Harry stole a glance at me then picket the vial and winked at Luna.

"You're awfully quiet." Hermione suspiciously stared at me for answers.

"What's done is done... he drank it. It can't be undone." I muttered to save myself from Hermione's wrath. Ron's face was lit up and was almost gleamering. He rose up and looked at Harry.

"C'mon, Harry. We've got a game to win."

"We'll see. Slytherins are the best anyway." I teased.

"Of course you'll be supporting for your house but Gryffindors will win today." Ron beamed with pride.

Harry was smiling with his teeth out as I smirked at them. Hermione wasn't so happy about it.