Love is greater than our cause

Chapter 39: The Slug Party

Albus POV:

'I have in fact been invited.' Tom fiddled with the gold piece on one of my many random objects as he told me what he has been doing at school.
'That's great!' I smiled, 'You can get to know people.'
'Yes...How very great.' He said slightly sarcastically, 'Slughorn is a good teacher but I'm debating on whether I should go or not.'
'Of course you should! I've heard the parties are rather exciting.' I encouraged
'You...haven't been invited?' He asked.
'No, no...Horace and I don't exactly get on.' I nodded, 'no matter, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.'
He nodded, 'yes perhaps I should, after all I'm sure people who get invited must be rather intelligent to get into Slughorns good book.'
'I've heard so.' I agreed, 'Thankyou for coming in Tom, what class do you have next?'
'Coincidentally, Potions.' He picked up his bag and walked out the door. It seemed he was doing very well here, something that made me feel hopeful. I wonder what he'll become, a professor? A ministry worker? Something knew? Whatever it will be I'm sure it will be great. I decided to go and read outside today, I love the privacy of my office but it can sometimes get a little too closed off. Whilst captivated amongst the pages of my book I heard a cough, the type that would signal someone was trying to talk to me. I looked up to see Slughorn, his face smiling down at me
'Good afternoon Professor!' He patted his rather big stomach awkwardly.
'Slughorn.' I nodded before trying to get back to my book.
'Nice weather...isn't it?' He spoke again, I lifted my book down in annoyance, realising he wasn't going to go away.
Shutting my book I smiled politely, 'a little on the cloudy side I'd say...is there something you wish to say to me?'
'Yes, yes actually.' He grinned, 'I was wondering if you'd do me the honor of coming to my party next week,'
I was rather surprised, 'id...be delighted to attend.'
'Dress formally and uhhh everyone will need a date.' He nodded, 'it starts at 7 next Tuesday.'
I beamed, 'I'll be there.'
Smiling, Slughorn plodded off, thankfully leaving me in peace. It was true I was rather flattered to be invited, even if there was a reason behind it. But now I would have to find a date...and how am I suppose to do that? It's not like I'm going to be able to take a Male, yes I could go with one of the females professors but who would go as my friend? I'm not too close with any of the Professors if I'm being honest other than...but would she really go with me?

Straightening my tie and doing up the buttons to my shirt I wondered why on Earth I accepted this invitation. It all seemed so...strange, I hadn't exactly been invited to something like this before, the closest thing was that tent party...but this time I feel rather pressured to act a certain way. I admired myself in the mirror, my black suit looked nice I suppose and the black bow tie was neatly in place on the collar of my tucked in shirt. I looked at the vial which was on the table at the other end of the room, walking towards it I hesitantly placed it in the pocket of my blazer, to keep it safe. I wonder who else will be at the party, hopefully no one I despise or that will be unpleasant. I intend to have a good time, I doubt I will be invited to any more of Slughorns parties again, I want to make the most of it. I walked down the corridor, heading to the tents just outside Hogwarts where the party was being held.
'Professor?'
I stopped, looking up to see a confused fellow teacher, 'Good evening.' I nodded.
'That's a very nice suit you have.' He complimented.
'Thankyou...I've been invited to Slughorns party and I thought this would be the perfect occasion to wear it.'
'I see...well have a fun time.' He walked off, leaving me to get to the party. I'm supposed to meet my date just outside of the tents, I hope I haven't kept them waiting. I began to worry as I drew nearer, what if I act strange? What if I'm not able to converse? What if they...I don't usually care about these things...this party has to be worth it. I saw Mcgonagall, looking around for someone hopefully, her stunning long blue dress was decorated with silver embroidery and her dark brown hair tied up at the back with a diamond clip.
'Minerva.' I smiled, holding my hand out.
'Albus.' She smiled in return, taking my hand.
'Again, thanks for agreeing to this.'
'Of course, besides, I've always wondered what Slughorns parties would be like.' She grinned.
We walked in and were immediately greeted by the other few professors that had been invited and some familiar faces of students.
'Dumbledore!' An already drunk Slughorn stumbled over to us.
'Horace.' I grinned, finding the state he was in rather amusing.
'I'm so glad you could make it!' He spilled some mead on the floor without realising, 'Professor Mcgonagall!' He kissed her hand, 'it's a pleasure for you to be here too.'
She smiled politely, 'I'm glad.'
'You know Albus.' He started, 'when I invited you to my party, I wondered whether you were going to find a date!' He laughed.
I brushed off his rudeness, 'and why is that?' I laughed awkwardly, looking at Mcgonagall from the corner of my eye.
'Well.' He shook his head, 'there's been plenty of rumours suggesting you weren't...interested in requiring a women.'
My heart plummeted and my polite smile faded suddenly, 'oh?' I managed to say.
Horace looked as if he was going to say more when his eyes lit up, 'Lily!' He got distracted and wondered over to someone who had just entered the room.
I exhaled sharply as I tried not to panic
'He has no right.' Mcgonagall shook her head, 'inconsiderate-'
'Let's Just...try and enjoy ourselves.' I stopped her, pushing it to the back of my mind as I looked for a distraction. Someone I hadn't expected to see was amongst the crowd so I decided this would be a good time to make conversation, 'James, I didn't expect to see you here.'
The Potter boy turned around and smiled, 'I could say the same for you Professor,'
'Were you invited?' I asked, not expecting that he was a part of the Slug club.
'No, no!' He laughed, 'I'm the date.'
'I see,' not to be rude but that made a lot more sense, 'who's may I ask?'
James pointed to a ginger girl talking to Slughorn, her green eyes shining with admiration as she conversed with the Professor, 'Lily Evans.'
'Very bright young girl.' I nodded, glancing over at the mead on that table. Absolutely not.
'Who did you bring?'
'Mcgonagall.'
'I didn't know you were an item.' James replied sipping his drink which I feared was not appropriate for his age.
'We're not, we're friends.' I shook my head, why did people just automatically assume that?
'Right.' James winked.
My eyes kept going to the mead but I was determined whilst here not to drink, I needed a better distraction. And there he was. From across the room I saw a rather lonely looking Tom sipping from a goblet. After saying goodbye to James I moved swiftly over to him.
'Good evening Tom.' I greeted him.
He looked surprised to see me, 'Dumbledore, I didn't expect you to be here.'
'I was invited...didn't you bring a date?' I asked.
Tom grimaced, 'I don't really like that sort of thing.' He paused, 'I did ask a few but they already had dates.'
'Oh well...enjoying it so far?' I questioned.
Tom shrugged, 'it's interesting watching everyone converse with one another I guess.'
I nodded, 'I'm not exactly thrilled either, ' I started to look at the alcohol and my pulse raced.
Tom noticed, 'don't you drink Professor?'
'I...i do.....just not at events like these.'
'Why not?'
I didn't want to talk about it so I changed the subject, 'how long has Slughorn been drinking for?'
Tom sighed, 'an hour.'
'Why hasn't anyone stopped him?' I asked
'Probably because it'll shut him up after a while.' He suddenly looked distracted by something, 'say Professor...that girl, who is she?'
Tom was pointing at the ginger girl now stood next to James Potter, 'Lily Evans...why do you ask?'
He looked angry but replied, 'no reason.' I heard him mutter something but I didn't catch what it was, 'I can't believe Slughorn let's people like her in.'
I was taken aback, 'like...what?'
He furrowed his brows, 'Never mind, no one seems to understand anyway.'

Tom already hates Lily...damn this is some foreshadowing