Chapter 25: The Slug Club Gathering

As the clock neared seven in the evening, Hevin, Aelxiona, Abraxas, and Walburga—four young Slytherin wizards—walked together toward the seventh floor of the castle. That was where Professor Slughorn’s office was located, and where the Slug Club gatherings were held.

Along the way, they wondered how so many students could possibly hold a dance in a small office without feeling cramped.

When they finally reached the professor’s office, they realized their assumptions had been far too modest.

The door to Professor Slughorn’s office stood wide open. Outside, a vivid arrangement of fresh flowers adorned the doorframe, above which hung an elegant sign reading: “Slug Club.”

Stepping inside, all the new students were stunned by the vastness of the space. The office had been greatly expanded by an Undetectable Extension Charm, and was divided into three areas. The entrance opened into a reception space, with a bright green carpet leading inward. Pots of flowers lined either side, reminiscent of a high-end merchant welcoming distinguished guests.

To the left was the banquet area. Two rows of long tables were laden with a dazzling array of dishes, main courses, and desserts—an abundance both sumptuous and tempting. Beside the long tables stood an enormous round table, covered with a white tablecloth trimmed in gold, surrounded by gilded chairs and shining silverware, exuding an air of pure luxury.

To the right stretched the largest space of all, where candlelight shimmered in ever-changing colors, dazzling the eye. A grand stage stood against the far wall, and a band of house elves was already playing gentle, lilting music.

Professor Slughorn was standing in the reception area at the entrance, waiting for the first-year students to arrive. A large number of older students sat chatting cheerfully on the sofas just beyond.

“Welcome to the Slug Club!” Professor Slughorn called out with a beaming smile as he saw the four young wizards arrive.

First to enter were Hevin and Aelxiona, the latter holding his arm. Tonight, Hevin was finally wearing the formal robes he’d bought long ago but never worn. His short, softly curled brown hair and bright blue eyes set off the robe’s deep teal hue. The hem of the robe fell gracefully to his calves, beneath which a pale blue shirt and a loosely knotted, light green tie gave him a slightly languid look. Most striking of all was the deep blue embroidered rose on his left chest, beneath which a line of script read: “Never Fading.”

Aelxiona’s glossy, golden hair was swept up into a beautiful chignon adorned with a few sparkling diamonds. She wore a pale yellow gown, its golden cord embellishments forming a luxurious line down the front, rising to her shoulders and blossoming into a floral motif at the straps.

Following them, Abraxas and Walburga were equally striking. Abraxas’s platinum hair flowed freely behind him, paired with a knightly white formal suit that radiated noble bearing. Walburga wore a pink gown, and though her colors were somewhat overshadowed by Aelxiona, she was no less enchanting.

The members of the club gazed in open admiration at these new arrivals, breaking into spontaneous applause. Professor Slughorn, clearly delighted, beckoned them over to sit.

“This is our first Slug Club gathering of the school year, and I’m very pleased that all our members are present!” Professor Slughorn announced warmly. “Let me introduce our four newest members—Hevin Rosier, Aelxiona Greengrass, Abraxas Malfoy, and Walburga Black!”

The hall erupted in enthusiastic applause.

After a few moments, the professor pressed his hands together, signaling for quiet. “It’s getting late, and I’m sure you’re all hungry. Why don’t we begin our banquet while the food is still hot?”

The older students eagerly made for the long tables to select their meals. For the four newcomers, Professor Slughorn himself guided them through the banquet’s rituals.

It was clear that the menu, prepared by Hogwarts’ most affluent and meticulous Potions Master, surpassed even the offerings of the Great Hall in both variety and taste. The four nearly forgot themselves in their enjoyment, but for the sake of their formal attire, they managed to restrain their appetites.

…

At last, when the final desserts had been cleared away, the long-awaited event began—the dance!

To set the mood, the house-elf band switched to a lively, rhythmic tune. Despite Hevin’s obvious reluctance, Aelxiona seized him by the arm and dragged him to the dance floor. She arranged his posture, then began to instruct him carefully.

“Follow the music. Start by stepping forward with your left foot; I’ll step back with my right at the same time,” Aelxiona explained. “Remember, the emphasis in the first measure is on the left foot, then it’s the right in the second. After that, the beat alternates between left and right.”

Hevin nodded nervously and took his first step, but immediately felt something was off beneath his feet.

“Ow!” Aelxiona cried out. “You’re taking steps that are far too big!”

“Sorry, Aelxiona,” Hevin apologized, letting go of her slender waist. He pulled out his wand and cast a Cleaning Charm to tidy her golden shoes.

“Don’t bother with spells—you’ll just step on them again in a moment,” Aelxiona retorted with a roll of her eyes. “And you can just call me Ael. It’s such a bother when you always use my full name!”

“All right, Ael,” Hevin replied, though he was too focused on the music and his steps to notice the faint blush on her cheeks. He concentrated intently, determined not to step on his partner’s feet again.

Fortunately, his physical coordination and sense of rhythm were fairly good. After a few minutes—and only three or four more missteps—he finally managed to keep up with her, just barely managing to dance properly.

After several lively tunes, Hevin, drenched in sweat, collapsed onto a tall stool and requested a glass of honey water from a house elf. He felt more exhausted than after all his morning training routines.

Ael, on the other hand, sat beside him, perfectly composed, sipping lemon juice with effortless grace.

“Not bad at all—you can hardly tell you’re a beginner!” she said delightedly.

“It’s mainly because I had an excellent dance instructor,” Hevin replied modestly, making Aelxiona laugh even more brightly.

The two sat together, exchanging lighthearted conversation as they watched the other club members spinning merrily on the dance floor, feeling utterly at ease.

At that moment, their pleasant respite was interrupted by an unexpected visitor.

“So, you really did get invited to the very first gathering—just as one would expect from a pure-blood aristocrat,” came a teasing voice beside Hevin.

Hevin turned to see a witch approaching in an elegant black velvet gown. Her soft, silvery-gray hair fell over her shoulders, one lock draped in front of her fair collarbone, a striking contrast to her dark dress. Compared to Aelxiona’s girlish charm, this newcomer possessed a more mature allure and graceful curves. The only flaw was her ordinary black-rimmed glasses, which partially obscured her gentle face.

“Goshawk?” Hevin said in surprise, recognizing the Ravenclaw prefect.

“What, is the Slug Club reserved only for your kind of aristocratic families?” Miranda raised an eyebrow.

“That’s not what I meant…” Hevin replied, touching his nose. Given how Ravenclaw selected its prefects, Miranda was certainly top of her year—and Professor Slughorn would never overlook such an exceptional student.

Yet Miranda’s next words caught Hevin completely off guard.

“Would you care to dance with me?”

Miranda smiled.

…

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