The Journal of Regulus Arcturus Black

Chapter 19. Slytherin vs Gryffindor

Draco had come to the conclusion that Professor Slughorn was a very busy man from way before the first 'Slug Club' meeting. Professor Slughorn moved around Draco's potions class like a fish in water, so very in his element and completely comfortable. Draco didn't turn a blind eye at the way Professor Slughorn ignored Theo and blatantly chose to only speak to Draco in the Hogwarts corridors and pretend that Vince and Greg weren't there.

The fact that he made sure to never look at any 'Death Eater' children in the eye spoke volumes about the man. It also irked Draco in a way that seemed to sizzle just under his skin. Brought the tiny hairs on the back of his neck up and sometimes Draco would find himself breathless in the blatant disregard Professor Slughorn showed his peers. His Slytherins.

It was annoying trying to fight both sides. One that cared deeply for his friends who didn't deserve any sort of silent disrespect from a professor that liked to 'collect' children. But Regulus was fond of Professor Slughorn, or at the very least, respected the man enough to write about him in his journal entries. Draco didn't know who to pick, his friends or his godfather.

Professor Slughorn was someone that Draco didn't know how to manipulate.

It was really infuriating.

Draco sat back in his seat, watching everyone in the Slug Club talk about their accomplishments whilst also dining on some exotic foods from the middle east that Professor Slughorn had prepared. Draco was sitting next to Blaise and the both of them snuck secret little glances at each other, smirking at the way most of the students seemed to be completely out of their element.

Granger and Potter were also present.

Draco rolled his eyes when the girl-Weasley decided to join their dinner. He did tilt his head in interest when Potter seemed to question her more and put the poor girl in a spotlight. Especially because anyone could tell that she wasn't the most comfortable. Her eyes were red rimmed and puffy and her lips seemed to wobble after she answered questions.

"And you Draco, now Lord Black in case anyone here didn't notice."

Draco looked up, giving Professor Slughorn a polite smile. He sat up a little straighter and reached forward to curl his fingers gently around his goblet of pumpkin juice. "That's correct, Professor."

"And for anyone that didn't know, Draco here actually got the position because of his godfather."

Draco narrowed his eyes, trying to remain polite as the grip on his goblet tightened. "That's also correct. My godfather Regulus Black... I obtained the Black vaults and named them after my Fourth year."

"You emancipated the Malfoy name," Potter said, looking at Draco with wide and all-seeing eyes.

It was disturbing.

Draco didn't falter too much, he blinked and nodded along with Potter. "I did. I denounced the Malfoy name and ultimately my heir status."

"You know," Potter said, taking a spoonful of his rice and chicken tikka, "My godfather's Sirius Black."

Draco watched with an irritable expression as Potter munched happily away whilst he fought to find some sort of answer. Obviously Potter was trying to heckle him. "Right. Sirius Black. Who could forget the Black brothers? It's quite a shame that Sirius was blasted off the family tapestry... then maybe he would have had a little help for future problems along the way."

"I don't think so," Potter said, sitting back and pushing his plate away. "Sirius hated his family. He wouldn't accept help from the likes of them—"

"Wouldn't he?" Draco asked. "Wouldn't he accept their house if asked? Wouldn't he use their house-elf if need be? Would he not need a certain Great Uncle's money to pay for his things because he left when- how old was he? Fifteen? Sixteen?"