Harry's aunt

~30~

Jasmine sat in the common room, waiting for Harry and Hermione, so they could walk to the dinner party together. She was wearing a simple long sleeved gray dress that stopped mid-calf with a black belt to accentuate her waist, and a pair of flats, not wanting to be too overdressed, but not too underdressed either.

"Why didn't he ask me?" Ron asked, seething a little. "Even my little sister got invited."

"Maybe it's a sign for you to actually take class seriously," Jasmine said. Ron grumbled something, heading back up to the boy's dorm, just as Harry and Hermione made their way into the common room.

"What was that about?" Harry asked.

"Ron's still upset that he wasn't invited," Jasmine said.

"He'll get over it," Harry said.

"No he won't," Hermione said, looking at the stairs. "Not for a while at least."

"I know," Jasmine said. "We better get going. Can't be late." Harry and Hermione agreed and left the common room with Jasmine.

"Is this something he normally did when he taught here?" Hermione asked.

"He used to...my mom was a part of his club when she went here," Harry confirmed.

"Lily was good in potions?" Jasmine asked.

"Apparently so," Harry said, heading down to the dungeon. The three of them entered the position master's office and were immediately greeted by Slughorn.

"Welcome! Welcome! You're right on time," he greeted. "Do help yourselves. We were just in the middle of talking." The trio joined the rest of the guests at the table, students from all the houses at this table, including Cormac McLaggen and Neville. Jasmine sat in an empty seat beside Neville, sitting across from Blaise Zabini, a student in the Slytherin house, as well as the potions class she mentored. He eyed her quietly, as she took her seat. The dinner was simple, being roasted chicken with green beans and roasted potatoes.

"How are you doing, Neville?" Jasmine asked softly, always trying to check in on the boy when she could.

"Oh, hello, Jasmine. I'm doing good," Neville answered quietly, giving her a small smile. "I'm surprised that he invited me."

"Really?" she asked.

"Yeah, I have no clue on why he did. I suck at potions," he admitted.

"Maybe he sees something that you don't," Jasmine said, before eating some of her green beans.

"Thanks, Jasmine," he said quietly, feeling a little better.

"Of course," she said, talking with him, while Slughorn spoke with everyone else, trying to lighten the awkward situation. Jasmine looked over at Harry, who looked at her, trying not to smile. She ate a forkful of green beans, trying to suppress her own smile, finding the awkwardness almost amusing.

"So, Ms.Potter," Slughorn began, making Jasmine perk her head up.

"Yes, sir?" Jasmine answered, once she had finished the bit of food in her mouth.

"How are you and Harry related?" he asked curiously. "Are you siblings?"

"No sir, I am his aunt," Jasmine said. "I was taken in by his grandparents after...the incident."

"Oh, of course. My condolences," he said, a shocked expression on his face. "And you have no idea of who your birth parents may have been?"

"No, sir," Jasmine said, picking at her potatoes a little. "I have no clue who they are, but it's fine. Family doesn't have to be formed from blood."