The True Half-Blood Prince

Chapter 9: Slug Club

"Why, when anything bad happens, it's always you three?" Professor McGonagoll asked Harry, Hermoine and Ron as Snape took a closer look at the jewellery that had just paralysed Katie Bell.

"Trust me, Professor," Ron said, "I've been asking myself that question for the last six years."

Percy gave a small smile, standing next to Annabeth at the side of the room. Six years of mischief, he thought, and Hecate only decides to send us now.

"Katie Bell," Snape stated, lifting the necklace up with his wand, "is lucky to be alive."

"It's Draco!" Harry blurted, "Has to be."

Percy stared at him curiously. Draco? Draco Malfoy, Slytherin? Harry and Ron had been talking about him sometime about how horrible he was. He had heard worse stories about Draco's father too. Maybe Draco was like Hogwart's very own Clarisse? Except Percy wouldn't blame Clarisse for cursing someone.

"That is a very big accusation, Potter," McGonagoll said, concerned.

"Indeed," Snape agreed, "Do you have any evidence?"

"No," Harry admitted, "I just...know."

"You just...know," Snape repeated slowly.

Percy studied Harry's movements. He could tell that he felt confused and there were a lot of things that he wanted to find out. Percy knew that whatever Harry needed to sort out in his life, it might get him in deep trouble.

Percy sighed and thought, Gods, keeping this guy alive will be harder than I thought.

* * *

Horace Slughorn invited certain students from his potions' class to join him for a short 'meeting'. They called it 'Slug Club'. It included special desserts and all members were obligated to wear fancy clothing. Harry, Annabeth, Hermoine and Percy were invited.

Percy could not take his eyes off Annabeth. She wore a light-grey dress that complemented her eyes. Annabeth blushed each time he smiled at her for he was wearing a suit and she personally believed that he wore it much better than any other boy in the room, although Harry was the exception.

During the feast, Harry had taken off his glasses to clean them and his hair had fallen over his scar. Annabeth then realized how similar Percy's features were to Harry's with both their dark hair and green eyes. Percy was just a bit taller, but they could pull off as brothers if ever they wanted to trick someone into believing they were related.

"Sir," Percy asked Slughorn as they ate their dessert at the table, "not to be rude or anything...but why did you invite me to this gathering?"

Annabeth eyed Percy wearily from the other side of the table, also wondering why Percy was there. Don't get her wrong, but Percy wasn't really the brightest star in the potions' class.

Slughorn laughed, "Percy, m'boy, I see a lot of good potential in you."

Harry raised his glass to his lips, paying full attention on why Percy Jackson deserved a place in the group. Good potential? As the potential of all the other students in potions' club was rubbish?

"You know, Percy," Slughorn continued, "Dumbledore told me that you make an exceptional leader. You're strong, loyal...like the Hat said, I presume?"