Ginger Juice

"Ah, so here you are." Professor Horace Slughorn stopped in front of a booth near the corner, holding a goblet filled with oak-aged mead. "Lisa Torrance, Louis Torrance, how lovely to see you."

"Professor Slughorn," the pair of second-year Slytherin twin witches answered at the same time. Their voices seemed utterly devoid of feeling, and for no reason at all, they sounded gloomy and oppressive to the ear.

The two sisters, dressed in green woolen vests, rose at the same time. Their long brown hair fell down, covering a small half of their faces. The two witches stood there ramrod straight, hands hanging at their sides, their expressions looking rather somber.

"I must congratulate you on gaining a new little brother over the summer. What did Jack name him?" Professor Slughorn showed no reaction to the twins' lifeless expressions and remained full of warmth.

"Danny," the twin witches answered in identical pitch and rhythm, without the slightest hint of joy.

Horace rubbed his temples. After three straight days of excitement that had kept him from sleeping, he had never had enough time to make up for the sleep he had lost. Once he had gently eased the throbbing in his nerves, he continued, "I've organized an informal little group called the Slug Club. I occasionally hold a few dinner parties, and I'd like to invite you to dine with me. I would be delighted if you could come."

"Don't be in a hurry to refuse, children. Your father, Jack Torrance, was also a member." Seeing the twins glance at each other, Horace quickly raised a finger. "That Overlook Hotel your family runs—he once invited me there for a holiday, only I never found the time. Does he still love writing as much as he did back then?"

"When there are