Evening Party

They had barely managed to choke down some food in the Great Hall before setting off for Slughorn's office.

The office was far larger than the average teacher's room, furnished with two comfortable winged armchairs and half a dozen lower chairs clustered around them.

Slughorn was holding a small glass of wine, chatting amiably with a red-haired wizard.

"Welcome, my boy!" Slughorn called out warmly the moment Snape and Aber entered.

But from his posture and gaze, it was clear he was far more eager to see Aber.

Snape handed Slughorn a box of Pineapple Preserves purchased through Owl Post.

"Oh, thank you, Severus.

"Allow me to introduce you—this is the renowned Auror Fabian Prewett. Gideon couldn't make it tonight, he's on duty. A real shame."

The wizard beside Slughorn raised his glass in greeting, and Snape noticed a watch on his left hand with faint scratches.

The watch was gold, with no hands on its face—only a few stars moving across it.

"Good evening, Mr. Prewett." Snape stepped forward to greet him. "I don't know why, but you remind me of Mrs. Molly Weasley. You seem to look quite alike."

"You know Molly?" A smile broke across Fabian's stern face. "She's my sister."

"Ah, that explains it. Over the summer, Mother and I visited her at The Burrow, and we saw little Percy too. He's adorable."

"That boy's bound to go far!" Fabian said proudly. "Last time we saw him, he was staring wide-eyed at the Ministry broadcast. And he was barely a month old."

Snape strained to keep his face straight, holding back a laugh.

He forced a couple of coughs.

"Ahem, ahem—absolutely. Bill, Charlie, and Percy are all wonderful children!"

As they talked, the other students trickled in one by one.

"Come, children, sit down—everyone's here." Slughorn gestured for them to gather around him and Fabian. "Lily, you sit here."

Lily took the seat to Slughorn's right.

Between Snape and her sat Dirk Cresswell, a fifth-year Hufflepuff fluent in Gobbledegook, Mermish, and Troll.

Lily shot a quick glance sideways, then turned her head away.

Slughorn lounged back in his armchair and introduced Fabian Prewett's achievements to the group.

"It's not easy to get a hero like this to visit. If any of you have questions about Aurors or the Ministry, feel free to ask him."

Fabian rubbed his nose awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with Slughorn's flattery.

Slughorn held a small glass of wine in one hand while picking through the box of Pineapple Preserves Snape had brought with the other.

"Children, don't be foolish when it comes to choosing a career. I always recommend working for the Ministry of Magic—it's an excellent path."

He pointed a sugar-frosted finger at Snape.

"Severus, you might consider becoming an Auror. Don't miss this rare opportunity."

"I'd welcome you to intern with us next year," Fabian said with a smile. "As long as you pick the right N.E.W.T. courses, leave the rest to me."

"Thank you, thank you so much, Mr. Prewett."

Snape expressed his gratitude repeatedly. Becoming an Auror wasn't a bad option at all.

"And you, Dirk." Slughorn turned to Dirk Cresswell. "Your Gobbledegook is excellent—you should consider working at the Goblin Liaison Office. I can introduce you to their department head.

"But stay well away from the Centaur Liaison Office. Do you know why?"

"Professor, isn't that also a sub-department of the Beast Division?" Dirk looked a bit puzzled.

"I think Mr. Prewett here must know the answer." Slughorn laughed cheerfully, glancing at Fabian.

Fabian exchanged a knowing smile with Slughorn. "Centaurs don't like communicating with wizards. They're more likely to give you a hoof than a polite conversation.

"If you end up at the Centaur Liaison Office, the first thing you need to do is find yourself a new job."

Whether genuinely amused or just playing along, everyone burst into laughter.

For the rest of the evening, they happily grilled Fabian about the work and tricks of being an Auror and navigating the Ministry.

Slughorn chimed in with additions. On many matters—especially the gossip between Ministry departments—he knew far more than Fabian did.

Suddenly, a frantic knock came at the office door, and Filch walked in, gripping James Potter by the arm.

"Professor Slughorn." Filch panted.

The flesh under his chin jiggled as he spoke, and his fishy eyes gleamed with the mad light of catching a student misbehaving.

"I found this boy lurking outside your door. He claims you invited him to the party and that he was delayed on the way. Did you send him an invitation?"

James shook off Filch's grip, looking furious.

"Fine, I wasn't invited," he snapped. "I tried to crash it. Happy now?"

"No, I'm not happy!" Filch said, though his smug face told a different story. "You're in trouble! Didn't the Headmaster say no wandering after hours? Hmm?"

"That's all right, Argus, that's all right," Slughorn waved a hand. "Wanting to attend a party isn't a crime. Let it slide this time, but don't let it happen again. Potter, you can stay."

"I don't want to stay! Who'd want to be around him?" James pointed at Snape, raising his voice roughly. "Why does he get to come to the party?"

"I think I understand what Mr. Potter means," Snape sighed. "Perhaps he feels that being around someone like me, with Muggle parents, is an insult to civility and breeding."

"I do not! I am not!" James stammered, furious. "How dare you spout such lies, you stinking greasy git!"

Slughorn frowned.

Snape drew in a sharp breath, as if taken aback by James's words.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, I had no idea you held such strong prejudices against half-blood or Muggle-born wizards."

"Enough," Slughorn said, cutting off James before he could defend himself. He pointed at the front door. "Argus, take him back to his dormitory."

"No punishment?" Filch's face twisted with indignation and disappointment. He turned, twisting James's arm, and shuffled away, muttering under his breath.

The door had been closed for some time, and they could still hear James's furious curses echoing from the corridor.