𝐢. 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐂 ; harry j. potter ( UNEDITED )

075. "yeah, I figured this was something I deal with my whole life"

"What is it?" Ron demanded, as they unrolled it.

"An invitation," said Harry.

Miss DiFiore,

I am delighted and cordially would like to invite you for a bite of lunch in compartment C.

Sincerely,
Professor H.E.F. Slughorn

"Who's Professor Slughorn?" asked Neville, looking perplexedly at his own invitation.

"New teacher," said Harry. "Well, I suppose we'll have to go, won't we?"

"But what does he want me for?" asked Neville nervously, as though he was expecting detention.

"What does he want us for, Neville," corrected Lucia, eyes quivering anxiously. "I'm practically as useless as a rock, why in the heavens would a professor want with me?"

"No idea," said Harry, before adding quickly, "You're quite the contrary to useless, Luce,"

"How lovely," said Lucia sarcastically.

"Listen," Harry began, seized by a sudden brain wave, "let's go under the Invisibility Cloak, then we might get a good look at Malfoy on the way, see what he's up to."

Lucia and Neville exchanged looks before complying, until they got a good peek of the very crowded corridors.

"Tough luck," said Lucia as Harry stowed away his Invisibility Cloak with a frown. "Looks like we can't go discreetly..."

Harry didn't want people staring at him. They walked down the train together, all three felt extremely uncomfortably by the stares that were headed their way. Lucia had made sure to even slow in her steps so that she could get away from the glares her way, which seemed to have increased in intensity ever since she and Harry had last walked down the train.

Students were hurtling their heads out of their compartment just to catch the sights of Harry, though Cho Chang didn't, as she didn't even look at them, talking to Marietta. It wasn't much of a secret that Harry felt that it was amusing to see Marietta wearing heavy makeup as he smirked slightly. Lucia felt slightly (just a tiny bit) guilty and worried for the girl's face, wondering if there were any concoctions she could produce for the girl. When they reached compartment C, they saw at once that they were not Slughorn's only invitees, although judging by the enthusiasm of Slughorn's welcome, Harry was the most warmly anticipated.

"Harry, m'boy!" said Slughorn, jumping up at the sight of him so that his great velvet-covered belly seemed to fill all the remaining space in the compartment. His shiny bald head and great silvery mustache gleamed as brightly in the sunlight as the golden buttons on his waistcoat. "Good to see you, good to see you! And you two must be Mr. Longbottom and Miss DiFiore!"

Neville nodded, looking scared; Lucia breathed out a nervous laugh as she shook Slughorn's hand. At a gesture from the said professor, they sat themselves along with the other invitees. As Harry and Neville sat across from one another, however Lucia was not graced by luck as she uncomfortably found herself sitting beside Blaise Zabini, one of the many she had punched in the face last year in their grand escape to the Ministry, and as well as a brawny, wiry-haired boy who was smirking at her.

Ginny, who so happened to be squashed beside Slughorn, stared at Lucia in pity. Harry stole occasional glances toward the girl's way, regretting his decision in entering the compartment before she did. If he didn't make that mistake, Lucia would surely be sitting beside at his place, much more comfortable instead of sitting with them.

"Now, do you know everyone?" Slughorn asked Harry, Neville, and Lucia. "Blaise Zabini is in your year, of course —"

Blaise did not make any signs of recognition or greeting, as did Harry or Neville. They loathed each other with their house loathing each other's principles. However, he shook Lucia's hand in front of them to spite Harry, Neville, and Ginny. Lucia was oddly confused by the gesture; however, her handshake did not falter, smiling as she did.