Tea Party Ripples and Trust Trials

Slughorn's tea party invitation, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirred ripples in the warm atmosphere of the Serene Residence. Tom immediately entered a state of readiness, practicing his etiquette and manners more rigorously, carefully considering his choice of words for conversations, and even dragging Ares to simulate various social scenarios. He valued this opportunity far more than any of his usual classes.

Ares, on the other hand, appeared more contemplative. He cooperated with Tom's rehearsals but spent most of his time thinking. How had Slughorn pinpointed their location in Hogsmeade? Was it merely student gossip, or a probing test orchestrated by Dumbledore? The secret of the Blood Pact within him, and the existence of the System, made him uneasy about being exposed to more scrutiny.

[Host, don't worry! (???) You are the chosen one blessed by this System! A mere tea party is no big deal!]

[Temporary Mission: Elegant Appearance]

[Mission Requirements: At Slughorn's tea party, engage in meaningful conversation with at least three guests from different backgrounds, and ensure the target individual obtains at least one piece of valuable information or a promise.]

[Mission Rewards: 'Social Butterfly' temporary charisma boost (Duration: one tea party), and an exclusive, custom-made 'Privacy Protection' tips (Theoretical Edition) that prevents privacy from being spied upon!]

The System's encouragement slightly eased Ares's tension, but the "theoretical edition" of the tips made him want to laugh and cry at the same time.

On the day of the tea party, they wore their neatest school robes (meticulously maintained with magic) and arrived at the lavishly decorated cottage Slughorn had temporarily rented in Hogsmeade. Seven or eight people were already gathered inside. Besides Slughorn himself and Abraxas Malfoy, there was a wizard working as an editor for the Daily Prophet, an official from the Ministry of Magic's Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and a strangely dressed scholar rumored to be researching ancient alchemy.

"Ah! Our young geniuses have arrived!" Slughorn greeted them enthusiastically, introducing Tom and Ares to the others as if showcasing rare specimens. His gaze lingered on Ares's heterochromatic eyes and the markings for a few extra seconds, filled with unconcealed curiosity.

Tom immediately became the center of attention. He was composed and spoke eloquently, capable of discussing the history of the Secrecy Law with the Ministry official and engaging the alchemy scholar on the obscure symbolic meaning of the Philosopher's Stone. Occasionally, he would inject just the right amount of humor to make the editor burst into laughter. He skillfully guided the conversation, eventually extracting vague information from the official from the Department for Magical Creatures regarding "the Ministry's focus on investigating certain rare magical creature smuggling cases" – undoubtedly valuable to Tom, who aspired to collect rare materials.

Ares, following the System's mission and his own style, chose a more understated approach. He listened quietly, occasionally posing a question at a crucial moment with his unique, direct perspective. This often sparked deeper discussions, earning him admiring glances from both the editor and the alchemy scholar. When Slughorn boasted about an ancient ring he owned, said to "faintly sense emotions," Ares, drawing on his knowledge of Runic script, accurately pointed out that a rune on the ring had been misinterpreted and its true function was more akin to "emotional memory storage," much to Slughorn's astonishment and praise.

The tea party seemed to proceed smoothly. However, just as the atmosphere was at its most convivial, the alchemy scholar, an old witch with sharp eyes named Eleanor Peverell, suddenly fixed her gaze on Ares's face, particularly the golden chain pattern beneath his left eye.

"Mr. Phoenix," her voice carried an ancient cadence, "forgive an old scholar's curiosity. This marking on your face... it's quite unique. I seem to recall seeing descriptions of similar symbols in an extremely ancient, fragmented alchemical manuscript concerning 'covenants' and 'bloodlines.' It is said to be related to a kind of 'oath' power... that transcends ordinary magic."

In an instant, the entire living room fell silent. All eyes focused on Ares. Slughorn's eyes widened, and Abraxas also showed a look of interest. Tom, holding his teacup, tightened his grip almost imperceptibly, his dark eyes instantly becoming unfathomably deep as he stared intently at Ares.

Ares's heart leaped. It's here! One of the things I feared most!

He maintained his outward composure, his heterochromatic eyes meeting Professor Peverell's probing gaze. His tone was nonchalant, "Is that so? Professor Peverell. I regret to say I don't know its origin. It's been there for as long as I can remember." He used the "amnesia" excuse again, his universal fallback, but he could feel how weak it sounded under such professional scrutiny.

Professor Peverell nodded thoughtfully, not pressing further, but her sharp eyes seemed to have already marked Ares as a "puzzle to be solved."

The tea party concluded shortly after this minor interlude. On the way back to the Serene Residence, both were silent. The atmosphere was considerably more somber than when they had arrived.

As soon as they returned to their safe haven, Tom immediately waved his wand, casting several silencing charms. He turned to face Ares, his perfect smile from the tea party gone, replaced by a cold, scrutinizing expression.

"That marking," Tom's voice suppressed a certain emotion, "'oath power'? Ares, how many more things are you hiding from me?"

He didn't erupt in his usual direct fury, but this cold questioning, tinged with the feeling of being kept in the dark and excluded from secrets, put even more pressure on Ares. He could feel Tom's trust beginning to waver.

Ares knew he couldn't reveal the truth about the Blood Pact or the System. He took a deep breath and chose partial honesty, shifting the focus to their emotional connection. "I can't explain all of it, Tom. But I can swear," he met Tom's eyes, his tone utterly serious, "this marking, and all my 'differences,' are related to the bond between us. It... protects me, and perhaps, it truly awakened because I met you."

This was the closest explanation to the truth he could offer, placing Tom at the very core of the causality.

Tom stared at him intently, as if trying to discern the truth in every word. Ares didn't avoid his gaze; his heterochromatic eyes held a look of openness and... a barely perceptible plea.

A long silence stretched between them. The firelight in the hearth flickered, casting their faces in shifting shadows.

[Alert! Alert! (;′??Д??`) Trust crisis! Host, think of something quickly!]

Finally, the tense pressure radiating from Tom slowly subsided somewhat. He looked away and walked to the window, his back to Ares.

"I don't like being kept in the dark, Ares," his voice remained cold. "Especially, I don't like looking like a fool in front of others because I know nothing about you."

"I know," Ares said softly. "But this is all I can tell you. And it's all true." He walked forward, stopping a short distance behind Tom. "We're in this together, Tom. No matter what secrets I have, that will never change."

Tom didn't turn around or speak. But Ares saw his hand, resting on the windowsill, slowly unclench its fist.

This tea party had yielded valuable information but had also attracted deeper attention and suspicion. Professor Peverell's words were like a thorn in Tom's heart, and they foreshadowed that Ares's extraordinary origins would undoubtedly stir greater waves as they moved forward. Trust had undergone another severe trial; though it hadn't broken, cracks were beginning to show. The tranquility of Summer Haven was being gradually eroded by the encroaching undercurrents from the outside world.