Turning Time (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

The Mirror of Erised, pt. 3

After losing publicity to the Marauders’ Christmas Eve Party, Slughorn recruited seven students in their fourth or fifth year to his Slug Club. Among the recruits, for her skill in Potions and traits as a person—her wit and kindness—Lily was chosen. For having been the first 11-year-old Quidditch player in eighty years and decent enough at Potions, Harry was chosen. Severus was also recruited, for being one of the best, if not the best, Potions students in the school. Aluria was the last to be chosen the day after she hexed a Ravenclaw, though several of her famous distant relatives had influenced Slughorn’s decision.

The first meeting with the new members was a formal Valentine’s Day Party, and everyone could bring a plus one. All of the staff was invited as well.

Severus and Harry jointly counted Raven and Remus as their guests, and of course Lily chose James.

Few people were excited for the party, even those with dates. Most boys could recycle their dress robes from the Christmas Eve Party, some scrambled to have some sent in. Harry had brought most of his wardrobe in Hermione’s purse, which included dress robes from his fourth year and a pair he wore to all events he was invited to as The Boy Who Lived. 

Most girls, on the other hand, had the same conversation over finding new dress robes as they had for the Christmas Eve Party. Only a few people from each year attended, so Harry and Severus only had to listen to it in passing.

On the night of the event, the boys waited in the common room for their plus ones. Remus pulled at a loose thread in his tattered sleeve and informed them, self-consciously, that the robes had been his father’s.

Raven and Lily walked down the steps together. Lily wore a knee-length white dress with shimmery, pink tights. Her hair and make-up were done similarly to Raven’s.

“Hi.” Raven curtsied to the boys, a little sarcastically. She shifted in her black shoes and looked between Harry and Severus, unable to meet Remus’ eyes. “Ready to go?”

“Really nice,” Remus managed, as he cleared his throat.

“What?” She turned to him in surprise. It was the first time he’d spoken to her in months.

He swallowed. “Er, you look nice.”

Raven smiled. “Thank you.” To fill the uncomfortable silence, she added, “Cassandra did all the girls’ hair and makeup. She would’ve let me borrow her dress, which is pink, but it was too short on me.” Raven glanced at Severus, who was staring at Lily, then back at Remus, who was staring at her.

Harry considered Raven. “I like the black.” Honestly, though, Harry couldn’t have cared less, especially when there were more important things to worry about. But it mattered to her.

Slughorn’s Office was draped with deep ruby, light pink, and silver hangings. Fairies flitted overhead, gravitating toward the chandelier in the middle of the ceiling. House-elves weaved between the staff and students with platters of food lifted high above their heads. Charmed, musician-less instruments played from the corner of the room.

Soon after they arrived, Sirius (brought by Aluria) dragged James, Remus, and Peter (who was brought one of James’ fans) away to talk to a man with a rugged, athletic appearance. Lily joined Aluria and the two of them half-talked, half-sulked in the back of the room.

Remus returned twenty minutes later. “He was a Quidditch player they like. I couldn’t hear very well.”

Raven nodded and asked Remus, “Do you want to get some air?” He shrugged, taken by surprise, and followed her into the corridor.

After a minute or so, Harry and Severus, both bored, decided to join Raven and Remus outside of the party. Remus had spent the past months not talking to her, supposedly to protect her, but Harry knew there was more to it. After shutting the door, Harry spotted them down the hall. They were talking, quite close, and Raven was fidgeting.