The Raven's Call

The Slug Club

Sunday, December 1st 1996
Slug club get together.

"So tell me, Cormac,"
Slughorn starts as we dig in to our desserts.
"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 of Magic over the holidays."
Cormac McLaggin, a Gryffindor, responds.

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

"Don't know."
Marcus replies, stuffing his face with ice cream.
"Him and Dad don't get on. Probably because me 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?"
He asks, turning towards her, ignoring Marcus.
"What exactly does your family do in the Muggle world?"

"My parents are dentists."
Hermione responds.
"They tend to people's teeth."
She responds, seeing confused looks on most of the other member's faces.

"Fascinating. And is that considered a dangerous profession?"
Slughorn asks, leaning forward in his chair.

"No.. Although, one boy, Robbie Fenwick, did bite my father once. He needed 10 stitches."
She spoke with a smile, letting out a quiet chuckle. I chuckle along with her, though I don't think anyone here knows what stitches are.

A door creeks open as Ginny Weasley walks into the room.
"Ah. Miss Weasley. Come in, come in."
Slughorn greets her.

"Sorry. I'm not usually late."
She apologizes, about to sit down. But for some reason Harry stands.
This is now somewhat awkward.

"No matter. You're just in time for dessert, that is, if Belby's left you any."
Slughorn jokes as the two take their seats.

"Now, where were we.. Ah yes, Mister Gaunt. Tell us a bit about your family, hm? You must have some stories, being a Gaunt."
Slughorn says, turning the attention onto me.

"Which one-"
I mutter into my spoonful of ice cream before Hermione nudges me a little.
"Uh, well.. My father is a muggle, and my Mother, a squib."
I begin, hearing a tut from Slughorn.
"So they sent my sister and I to an orphanage where I was adopted by the Diggory's."

"Oh! How is Amos, I haven't seen him in many years!"
Slughorn booms.

"I don't know. After Cedric passed he wanted nothing to do with me.. so the Weasleys adopted me into their home."
I say, looking over to Ginny who gives me a small smile.

"Oh I see."
Slughorn frowns.

"And now the only living relative I'm aware of, besides my own family, is Tom Riddle, so you can probably agree that my situation is entirely fucked."
I say, standing up.
"Excuse me."
I mutter, leaving the room. I worked myself up with that one, I may have taken it too far. But he wanted to know.

***
Monday, December 2nd 1996

The next day, the Great Hall is bustling with kids sporting their house pride for the Slytherin and Gryffindor match that's happening today. Luna and I sit at the Gryffindor table, as Luna wears a lions' head as a hat. I can't help but giggle every time I look at her.