Evening Party

After grabbing something to eat in the Great Hall, the two of them set off for Professor Slughorn's office.

This office was much larger than an ordinary teacher's room. It contained two comfortable wingback armchairs, with another six or seven smaller chairs arranged around them.

Slughorn was holding a small glass of wine and chatting warmly with a red-haired Wizard.

"Welcome, my children!" Slughorn called enthusiastically the moment Snape and Aber entered.

However, judging by his posture and gaze, it was obvious that he had been more eager to see Aber.

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

"Oh, thank you, Severus.

"Let me introduce you. This is the renowned Auror Fabian Prewett. Gideon had work today and couldn't come. What a pity."

The Wizard standing beside Slughorn raised his glass to them. Snape noticed that he wore a watch with faint scratches on his left wrist.

The watch was made of gold. Its face had no hands, only several 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 rather alike."

"You know Molly?" A smile appeared on Fabian's serious face. "She's my sister."

"Ah, no wonder. My mother and I visited her at The Burrow during the summer holidays, and we saw little Percy too. He was adorable."

"That child is clearly going to accomplish great things!" Fabian said proudly. "The last time we visited him, he was listening to the Ministry of Magic broadcast with his eyes wide open. And he had only just turned a month old."

Snape forced his face to remain straight, holding back his laughter.

He hurriedly coughed a few times.

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

While they were talking, the other students gradually arrived.

"Children, come and sit down. Everyone's here." Slughorn motioned for them to sit around him and Fabian. "Lily, sit here."

Lily sat on Slughorn's right.

Dirk Cresswell sat between Snape and her. He was a fifth-year Hufflepuff student who had mastered several languages, including Gobbledegook, Mermish, and Troll.

Lily quickly glanced to the side, then turned her head away.

Slughorn reclined halfway in his armchair and introduced everyone to Fabian Prewett's accomplishments.

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

Fabian rubbed his nose awkwardly. He did not seem particularly accustomed to Slughorn's praise.

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 choosing a career. I have always recommended that you work for the Ministry of Magic. It is an excellent path."

He pointed at Snape with a sugar-coated finger.

"Severus, perhaps you could become an Auror. Don't let such a rare opportunity slip by."

"I'd be happy to have you intern with us next year," Fabian said with a smile. "As long as you choose the appropriate N.E.W.T. courses, leave the rest to me."

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

Snape thanked him repeatedly. Becoming an Auror was not a bad choice either.

"And you, Dirk." Slughorn turned to Dirk Cresswell again. "Your Gobbledegook is so good. In the future, you might consider working at the Goblin Liaison Office. I can introduce you to their director.

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

"Professor, isn't that also a subordinate office of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures?" Dirk looked somewhat confused.

"I think Mr. Fabian will certainly know the answer to that." Slughorn laughed happily and looked at Fabian.

Fabian exchanged a smile with Slughorn. "Centaurs don't like communicating with Wizards. Rather than talking peacefully with you, they're more likely to give you a kick.

"If you get assigned to the Centaur Liaison Office, the most urgent thing you need to do is quickly find yourself another job."

Whether genuinely or merely pretending, everyone seemed amused and burst into laughter.

For the rest of the party, they happily asked Fabian about the work and tricks of being an Auror and working at the Ministry of Magic.

Slughorn added comments from the side. On many matters, especially gossip between the Ministry's various departments, he knew far more than Fabian did.

Suddenly, hurried knocking sounded at the office's front door. Then Filch entered, gripping James Potter by the arm.

"Professor Slughorn," Filch said, panting.

The flesh beneath his chin trembled as he spoke, and his goldfish eyes gleamed with the manic light he always had when he caught students misbehaving.

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

James wrenched himself free of Filch's grip, looking furious.

"All right, I wasn't invited," he said angrily. "I wanted to barge in. Happy now?"

"No, I'm not happy!" Filch said, though his smug expression completely contradicted his words. "You're in trouble! Didn't the Headmaster say students weren't allowed to wander around at night without permission? Well?"

"It's all right, Argus, it's all right." Slughorn waved a hand. "Wanting to attend a party isn't a crime. We'll let it go this time, but don't do it again. Potter, you may stay."

"I don't want to stay! Who wants to be in the same room as him?" James pointed at Snape and raised his voice. "Why is he allowed to attend the party?"

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

"I didn't! I'm not!" James was so angry that he could barely speak. "How dare you spout such nonsense, you stinking Snivellus!"

Slughorn frowned.

Snape drew in a sharp breath, seeming surprised by James's words.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. I never knew you had such deep prejudice against half-blood or Muggle-born Wizards."

"All right," Slughorn said before James could defend himself, pointing at the front door. "Argus, take him back to his dormitory."

"No punishment?" With an expression of indignation and disappointment, Filch turned and twisted James away by the arm, muttering under his breath as he left.

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