Unexpected | Bill Weasley

~37~ Christmas Party

On the day of the Christmas part, there was a great talk that Harry Potter was taking Luna Lovegood to Slughorn's party.

I was walking through the halls when I heard Peeves singing at the top of his lungs, "POTTY ASKED LOONEY TO GO TO THE PARTY! POTTY LOVESSSSS LOONEY!"

When I saw Luna in class later, I called her to stay after. "I hear you're going to the party with Harry?"

Luna nodded, beaming. "Oh yes, we're going just as friends though. It was very nice of him to ask me."

I smiled back. "Yes he is a very nice boy isn't he."

I was happy to see that Luna was happy.

That night at eight o'clock, I went to Slughorn's office. I was wearing a simple dress. Since I was a teacher, I didn't want to go overboard.

"Fawn!" Slughorn greeted. "Welcome welcome!"

There was already a lot of people, and I felt a bit uncomfortable with the crowd. I made my way to the drink table and made myself some punch.

I was surprised to see Hermione with McLaggen. Hermione said something to him and quickly rushed off. I followed to see her standing with Harry and Luna.

"What's wrong with you?" I asked, motioning to her red face.

"Oh, I've just escaped - I mean, I've just left Cormac," she said. "Under the mistletoe." 

"Serves you right for coming with him." said Harry.

I stayed silent.

"I thought he'd annoy Ron most," said Hermione dispassionately. "I debated for a while about Zacharias Smith, but I thought, on the whole —"

"You considered Smith?" I asked, unable to stop myself.

"Yes, I did, and I'm starting to wish I'd chosen him, McLaggen makes Grawp look a gentleman. Let's go this way, we'll be able to see him coming, he's so tall..." 

The four of us made our way over to the other side of the room, scooping up goblets of mead on the way, realizing too late that Professor Trelawney was standing there alone.

I quickly escaped and went around, seeing who to talk to.

I found myself being pulled by Slughorn. He put his arm around my shoulder and I saw that I was back where I was before.

"Fawn! Come join us!" he said.

Then Slughorn reached out his other arm and seemed to scoop Snape out of thin air.

"Stop skulking and come and join us, Severus!" hiccupped Slughorn happily. "I was just talking about Harry's exceptional potion-making! Some credit must go to you, of course, you taught him for five years!"

Trapped, with Slughorn's arm around his shoulders, Snape looked down his hooked nose at Harry, his black eyes narrowed. "Funny, I never had the impression that I managed to teach Potter anything at all."

I made a noise of annoyance.

"Well, then, it's natural ability!" shouted Slughorn. "You should have seen what he gave me, first lesson, Draught of Living Death-  never had a student produce finer on a first attempt, I don't think even you, Severus-"

"Really?" said Snape quietly, his eyes still boring into Harry.

"Remind me what other subjects you're taking, Harry?" asked Slughorn.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology..."

"All the subjects required, in short, for an Auror," said Snape with the faintest sneer.

"Yeah, well, that's what I'd like to do," said Harry defiantly.

"And a great one you'll make too!" boomed Slughorn.

"I agree." I said, grinning at Harry.

"I don't think you should be an Auror, Harry," said Luna unexpectedly. Everybody looked at her. "The Aurors are part of the Rotfang Conspiracy, I thought everyone knew that. They're planning to bring down the Ministry of Magic from within using a combination of Dark Magic and gum disease."

I tried to not laugh, and Harry started laughing hard. I heard a small commotion and looked over to see Draco being dragged by the ear towards us by Filch.

"Professor Slughorn," wheezed Filch, his jowls aquiver and the maniacal light of mischief-detection in his bulging eyes, "I discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party and to have been delayed in setting out. Did you issue him with an invitation?"

Draco pulled himself free of Filchs grip, looking furious. "All right, I wasn't invited!" he said angrily. "I was trying to gate crash, happy?"

"No, I'm not!" said Filch, a statement at complete odds with the glee on his face. "You're in trouble, you are! Didn't the headmaster say that nighttime prowling's out, unless you've got permission, didn't he, eh?"

"That's all right, Argus, that's all right," said Slughorn, waving a hand. "It's Christmas, and it's not a crime to want to come to a party. Just this once, we'll forget any punishment; you may stay, Draco.

I watched Draco look unhappy at these words, and Snape seemed to look slightly afraid. Filch shuffled away and Draco started muttering his thanks to Slughorn.

"It's nothing, nothing," said Slughorn, waving away Malfoy's thanks. "I did know your grandfather, after all..."

"He always spoke very highly of you, sir," said Draco quickly. "Said you were the best potion-maker he'd ever known..."

Draco looked very ill and that worried me. He had dark shadows under his eyes and a distinctly grayish tinge to his skin.

Draco finally noticed me. "Aunt Fawn!" he said, looking a lot more relieved to see me.

I smiled. "Hi Draco," I pulled him into a hug.

"I'd like a word with you, Draco," said Snape suddenly.

"Now, Severus," said Slughorn, hiccuping again, "it's Christmas, don't be too hard —"

"I am his Head of House, and I shall decide how hard, or otherwise, to be," said Snape curtly. "Follow me, Draco."

They left, Snape leading the way.