This year, the Christmas feast held a particular note of dissonance for some. It wasn't that the grandeur of the Great Hall had diminished, but rather, certain students felt distinctly out of place amidst the revelry.
Tonight, they belonged to... the Slug Club.
Helmed by Horace Slughorn, Hogwarts' Potions professor, this exclusive circle welcomed only those students he deemed possessed of exceptional talent or promising connections. The club hosted lavish banquets, exclusive parties, and even orchestrated meetings with prominent figures, all intended to provide members with unparalleled networking opportunities.
It was precisely such an event tonight—a Christmas dinner Slughorn had meticulously arranged for his Slug Club initiates, with the added draw of a distinguished guest from the wider wizarding world. Slughorn firmly believed that exposure to influential individuals was an invaluable asset for his chosen few.
What he perhaps overlooked was that, for some of his attendees, this particular "opportunity" held less allure than he imagined, while for others, it was indeed a golden ticket.
The luminary of the evening was none other than Rufus Scrimgeour, the Head of the Auror Office at the Ministry of Magic, and an acquaintance of Harry and his circle. How Slughorn had managed to snag him was a mystery. Scrimgeour's position placed him second only to the Minister for Magic himself within the Ministry's hierarchy.
Ordinarily, a Christmas dinner might seem a minor affair for someone of Scrimgeour's stature, possibly one among many engagements in a busy evening. Yet, Scrimgeour accepted the invitation precisely because he understood the value of Slughorn's network.
Slughorn had dangled the promise of leveraging his connections to bolster Scrimgeour's prospects in the upcoming race for Minister of Magic.
Indeed, Scrimgeour harbored ambitions for the top job.
Logically, he could become Minister without any connections if Tom Riddle gave the go-ahead.
But he was smarter than Fudge. He could see that Tom Riddle didn't care who became Minister, only whether the Minister was obedient; if not, he'd replace him.
Therefore, his competition with Fudge still required the support of some influential people.
And tonight's Slug Club roster was a testament to Slughorn's reach: Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, Flora Caro, Hestia Caro... and, conspicuously, an uninvited guest, Ron Weasley.
"..."
Slughorn fixed a bemused gaze upon the flame-haired Weasley. "Ron, shouldn't you be in the Great Hall at this hour?"
"Professor, it's Ron."
"Yes, yes, Ron, why aren't you at the feast?"
"…"
Ron's face was a study in awkwardness.
Ginny, his sister, stared fixedly at her plate, feigning ignorance of his presence.
The others, beyond his immediate acquaintances, regarded him with undisguised curiosity.
Fortunately, his friends rallied to his aid.
"It's quite alright, Professor Slughorn."
Malfoy, with an air of effortless nonchalance, draped an arm across Ron's shoulders. "Weasley is my guest for the evening."
Harry, too, subtly shifted closer, lending his support.
"…"
Slughorn sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Very well, then."
He then beckoned Scrimgeour, seated beside him, to rise. "Allow me to introduce you to someone you may not have had the opportunity to meet. I trust everyone is familiar with the concept of Aurors? The most coveted profession in the wizarding world?"
"This is Rufus Scrimgeour, the most distinguished Auror of our time, and the Head of the Auror Office at the Ministry of Magic."
Scrimgeour stood and offered a curt nod, his gaze sweeping over the assembled students. He couldn't deny the effectiveness of Slughorn's approach to cultivating connections.
Several individuals present enjoyed close ties with Tom Riddle, and Slughorn's discerning eye had clearly identified other noteworthy talents. Take, for instance, the Caro sisters, attired in Slytherin green, scions of one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight wizarding families.
It was a pity that Scrimgeour didn't bring his closest friend from Hogwarts; otherwise, he would have shown off his recent intensive study of Muggle books, demonstrating the true art of language!
If he could win over that Tom Riddle's favorite student and have him whisper in Tom's ear, wouldn't the next Minister of Magic position be a cakewalk?
Unfortunately, it was just a fantasy. Tom Riddle was there, so he dared not display his "art of language," fearing he'd be accused of "seducing Tom Riddle's student" and become a laughingstock.
But with Tom Riddle not being around, he had no chance to see him.
"Sigh..."
As Scrimgeour's eyes met Harry's, he detected an undercurrent of amusement playing upon their faces.
"Indeed, it is rare we have the opportunity to encounter the Head of the Auror Office," Malfoy drawled, barely suppressing a smirk.
Scrimgeour felt a prickle of discomfort.
Fortunately, Slughorn seemed oblivious to the subtle exchange, and the dinner proceeded.
...
After the meal, Slughorn whisked Scrimgeour away for a private discussion about post-graduation prospects, before returning to preside over a discussion of their studies.
Ron, growing restless and bored, leaned towards Malfoy. "Did you actually understand any of that?"
"What do you mean?"
Malfoy, who had been listening intently, frowned. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did."
"Are you really that brilliant?"
"I can't help it; I've always been this gifted."
"Ah? Right."
Ron slumped back in his chair, feeling a pang of unease and regret. Perhaps he shouldn't have let Harry and Malfoy persuade him to attend.
Merlin, they say you shouldn't force yourself into circles you don't belong in.
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Not for nothing there's more story waiting beyond this page. Written and patient, no cap . Unlock it when you're ready. It won't rush you. Neither will I. Go when you're ready."