Hufflepuff boy - Cedric Diggory x male oc x Viktor Krum

54

Cayden, Harry, Ron and Hermione enter the Three Broomstick, Harry glancing around and locate Slughorn at the bar, planted plumply on a stool.

"No. Over here." Harry said, leading them to a dirty table and sitting down before the three of them could complain.

The three of them exchange a glance, shrug, and join Harry on the dirty table. Ron starts to take the chair directly opposite Harry, blocking his view of Slughorn.

Cayden takes notice of Harry trying to look at Professor Slughorn and moves Ron's chair closer to him as he sits down on the opposite side of Hermione. He takes notice of Harry looking relieved by that, sharing a look with Hermione who is also looking at Harry weirdly.

A skinny kid in an apron appears, tossing a filthy rag upon the table-- which begins to wipe the surface on its own. Harry cranes his neck around the kid to keep Slughorn in his view.

"What'll we have?" The kid asked, looking at the four.

"Four Butterbeers. Splash of ginger in..." Hermione looks at Cayden, wondering if he wants it in his Butterbeer too and he nods. "His and mine, please."

The kid whistles and the rag leaps back into his pocket. Harry continues to eye Slughorn, when he sees Malfoy. They lock eyes briefly, then Malfoy exits.

"Aw, bloody hell..." Ron said, glowering at his little sister, who sits in a dark corner with Dean, their faces lit by a guttering candle.

"Oh, honestly, Ronald. They're just holding hands..." Hermione trailed off, seeing Dean kissing Ginny. "And snogging."

"I'd like to leave." Ron said, glowering, rubbing at the back of his head when Cayden smacked his head.

"Leave? You can't be serious." Hermione said, raising an eyebrow.

"That happens to be my sister." Ron said, and Harry perked up at that.

"Cayden's my brother, and I don't leave when they start making out last year." Harry said, Cayden raised an eyebrow at that.

"Yeah, congrats on cock blocking us every time, Harry." Cayden said, shaking his head, making Hermione smile at that.

"I was cock blocking?" Harry asked, completely clueless that he had done that last year.

Cayden sighs heavily, slouching back on the chair.

"Cayden, Harry, m'boy!" Professor Slughorn's voice booms so loudly even Ginny jumps-- and catches Harry looking. As he waddles over, sloshing the mug in hand, Harry rises immediately-- an action so grossly out of character that Hermione regards him with amused curiosity while Cayden looks at him weirdly.

"Hello, sir. Wonderful to see you." Harry said, greeting the man.

Hermione, brow wrinkling, turns to Cayden and Ron, silently mouthing what Harry had said to Professor Slughorn.

"So what brings you here, sir?" Harry asked, looking up at Slughorn.

"Oh, the Three Broomstick and I go way back. Longer than I'd care to admit. In fact, I remember when it was simply One Broomstick!" As Professor Slughorn guffaws, Harry joins in, laughing heartily as well. Professor Slughorn's belly trembles next to Hermione's cheek and his waving mug sloshes over, spattering the table. "Oops! All hands on deck, Granger!"

Hermione smiles thinly, when a whistle is heard and the rag is back, whisking away Professor Slughorn's mess as the skinny kid slides three foaming mugs onto the table.

"Listen, m'boy. In the old days, I used to throw together the occasional supper and invite a select student or two. Would you two be game?" Professor Slughorn asked, looking at both Cayden and Harry.