Where Your Loyalties Lie

Chapter Fifty-Five: The Slug Club Gatherings

"Well don't you look all fancy and formal?" Maddie stated as she walked into our dorm. I was wearing a pleated, sleeveless red dress with a frill detailed neckline and a belt that cinched in my waist along with red lipstick, eyeliner, and brown cowboy booties. "Where are you going dressed like that?"

"The Slug Club has a 'supper party' tonight." I put air quotes around supper party.

"So you won't be going to the Great Hall then?"

"No, why?"

"Well I just came to find you so we could walk together," she explained.

"Oh, sorry. Go find Draco. He'll need someone to walk with since Blaise is in the Slug Club too."

She shrugged and walked out of the room. I finished putting my hair in a bun just before there was a knock at the door. Opening it, I saw Blaise waiting for me. "Well don't you look dashing, my good friend!" I laughed.

"Thank you, Madame! You look rather ravishing as well. Shall we go to dinner?" Blaise held out his hand, keeping up the formal act.

I took his hand and replied in a posh British accent, "Oh yes we shall. I dare say it will be an exquisite dinner. I hope there is sparkling water!"

"Oh I'm sure there will be, Darling. After all Professor Slughorn is known for his classiness." I smirked at him and we burst out laughing, not able to keep up the act after such an untrue statement.

~~~~~

The dinner began with Slughorn standing at the head of the table, proposing a toast. "To Hogwart's best and brightest," he called.

"Here, here," Cormac, a cocky Gryffindor cheered.

During the dinner, Slughorn went around the table and discussed with each student about what their parents do as a profession. I zoned out until he asked Hermione what her parents do in the 'Muggle World'.

"My parents are dentists," She told him. Everyone stopped to stare cluelessly. "They tend to people's teeth," she explained.

"Fascinating! Is that a dangerous profession?" Slughorn asked.

"No. Although one kid, Robbie Fenwick, did bite my father once. He needed ten stitches." I had to stifle a laugh from looking at Blaise's face. Harry and I looked at each other from across the table and shared a smile. Both of us were raised by muggles and were the only two who understood things like dentists.

"What about you, Miss Snape?" Slughorn asked. Bloody Hell, here we go again with the Miss Snape thing.

"Sir, I beg your pardon, but it's Brown. I have my mother's last name," I explained once more, willing myself to not grit my teeth.

"Oh yes, my apologies. Now you grew up with your mother in the 'Muggle World', in America for some time I'm told, how was that?"

"Well I was really young when I lived there, but from what I can remember of it, it was great. America's a really diverse place; parts of it are really different than others." I realized how boring that sounded just as the door opened with a groan.

"Miss Weasley, come in," Slughorn greeted.

"I'm sorry, I'm not usually late," she apologized. Her eyes were red, she appeared flustered.

"No matter. You're just in time for dessert, that's if Belby's left you any," Slughorn guffawed at his own joke.

As Ginny neared the table, Harry stood. He was the only one and realized it too late. Embarrassed, he sat back down.

The dinner continued for a while longer until Slughorn realized it was getting late and dismissed us. It was time for prefect duty so I decided to just start patrolling the area, hoping Draco and I would cross paths so we could walk together as usual. A little while later, I saw Harry ahead of me in the corridor. "Hey, Potter! It's a bit late to be strolling around the dungeons, don't you think?" I called out to him. He stopped and waited for me to catch up. "How come you're still around here?"