When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 55: Friends?

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 55: Friends?

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

December, 1996

This had been an idiotic idea, and the moment he walked in, he was reminded why he hated Slughorn's parties. Loudness, gaudy decorations, too many curtained off sections of the room, and teenagers acting either like toddlers or like randy university students. Some looked at him and greeted him in a way they never would outside this party.

Hypocrisy and falseness. He despised it.

One of the more infuriating things was what he was about to do. A few hours ago, Dumbledore tasked him with telling Potter he was leaving and to wish him a good Christmas. He wondered if Dumbledore did that just to annoy him a bit. He could've easily done it himself.

He didn't wish people good holidays if he didn't sincerely wish it for them. And even then, it was rare.

Potter was standing like a statute in the crowd as some people were talking with him. As famous as he was, it was expected, but it irritated him even more that he had to wait to pass the message as if he were waiting to speak to some idol.

His eyes drifted to yet another nuisance of the evening. A seventh year Gryffindor who was behaving like a degrading piece of filth. It was clear from Granger's expression that she was thinking the same as he.

McLaggen's hands couldn't keep to themselves and would randomly touch places on her that showed a lack of respect for the witch. His teeth grinded when he witnessed McLaggen's attempt to lower his hand to an improper area. She slapped his hand away, and he laughed at the look that crossed his face. That boy acted as if he had a right to touch her there.

He'd made a move to intervene, but she'd noticed and shook her head, wordlessly saying she could handle it. It was his responsibility as a teacher to intervene, but he would wait until he finished this task.

She seemed to be handling it well, so he put his focus back onto Potter. He was now talking with Slughorn. This was his chance. He knew the professor wouldn't mind a brief interruption.

He managed to reach the group around Slughorn and his ears caught words about Potter being a prodigy in potions. He wanted to snort at the absurdity. When he arrived at Slughorn's side, the teacher said, "Oh, Severus, we were talking about Harry's skill in potions. You must be proud of him since he was your student."

His eyes turned to Potter with suspicion. When the boy avoided his gaze, he knew he was cheating somehow.

"It must be a talent that developed in a day. I recall he was a mediocre student." Oddly enough, he didn't say it to be cruel rather than to just state a fact. Considering how much he disliked the boy, mediocre was a compliment.

"You're just too strict, Severus."

From the corner of his eye, he saw Potter scurrying to hide behind one of the many golden curtains in the room.