Potter Sibling Trilogy Plus One Book 2 (continued from Book 1)

Chapter 19 - Confidence Booster

~Bella's POV~

Me, Harry, Hollie, Cormac, Hermione, Neville, Marcus Belby, Blaise Zabini, Flora and Hestia Carrow, and Melinda Bobbin are sitting around Slughorn's table in his office.

"So tell me, Cormac," Slughorn says. "Do you see anything of your Uncle Tiberius these days?"

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

"Well, be sure to give them both my best. What about your uncle, Belby? For those who don't know, Marcus' uncle invented the Wolfsbane Potion. Is he working on anything new?"

"Don't know," Marcus says. "Him and dad don't get on. Probably because my dad says potions are rubbish. Says the only potion worth having is a stiff one at the end of the day."

"What about you, Miss Granger? What does your family do in the Muggle world?"

"My parents are dentists."

There's silence.

"They tend to people's teeth."

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

"No. Although, one boy, Robbie Fenwick, did bite my father once. He needed 10 stitches."

They all stare at her and I can see she's uncomfortable but then the door opens and Ginny walks in.

"Ah. Miss Weasley. Come in, come in."

"Look at her eyes," Hermione says to Harry. "They've been fighting again, her and Dean."

"Sorry. I'm not usually late," Ginny says as she pulls out her seat.

Harry stands as she sits down and I realise he has feelings for her.

"No matter. You're just in time for dessert, that is, if Belby's left you any."

When she sits, so does Harry.

After dessert, as Slughorn shows the others out, me, Harry and Hollie remain behind.

"Mr Potter, Miss Swan, Miss Potter," Slughorn says in surprise when he turns round.

"Sorry, sir," I say. "We were just admiring your hourglass."

"Oh, yes," he says as he goes over to it. "A most intriguing object. The sand runs in accordance with the quality of the conversation. If it is stimulating, the sand runs slowly. If it is not..."

"I think we'll be going," Hollie says.

"Nonsense. You three have nothing to fear, my dears. As to some of your classmates... well, let's just say they're unlikely to make the shelf."

"The shelf, sir?" I ask.

"Anyone who aspires to be anyone hopes to end up here," he says as he points to a load of photos. "But then again, you three already are someone, aren't you?"

"Did Voldemort ever make the shelf, sir?" I blurt out.

"You knew him, didn't you, sir," Harry says. "Tom Riddle? You were his teacher."

"Mr Riddle had a number of teachers whilst here at Hogwarts."

"What was he like?" Hollie asks.

"I'm sorry, sir," I say. "Forgive my sister. It's just he killed our parents."

"Of course. It's only natural you should want to know more. But I'm afraid I must disappoint you, children. When I first met Mr Riddle, he was a quiet, albeit brilliant boy committed to becoming a first-rate wizard. Not unlike others I've known. No unlike yourselves, in fact. If the monster existed it was buried deep within.