It was almost time for the dinner party with Slughorn. Harry and Ron had gotten dressed and were sitting in front of the fire of the Gryffindor common room waiting for Hermione.

The portrait hole opened and Ginny came rushing in, her face bright.

"Harry! I got it." She said waving a roll of parchment tied with purple ribbon. "I just ran into Slughorn and at first he looked surprised to see me but then he invited me to the dinner."

"Great! Now I will have some good company." Harry said smiling.

"I got to go and get dressed." Ginny said happily and ran up the stairs to the girls dormitory.

By 7 o'clock they were all dressed and they made their way down to the dungeons for the dinner.

The room was full of mostly students who took part in the battle of Hogwarts, it was like a reunion for the members of the DA. Everyone chatting excitedly, even Luna seemed to be getting along with Dean and Seamus. Parvati and Padma Patil were smiling and waving at Harry and Ron.

Slughorn was talking to a tall pale wizard who had long hair that fell past his shoulders. Harry suspected he was a vampire because the drink in his hand was blood red.

"Potter! So glad you could come." Slughorn said stopping his conversation abruptly to talk to Harry.

"Ginny dear, I have someone I would like you to meet! It's so good I could get you here today." Slughorn said turning to Ginny.

Throwing Harry a look of surprise she followed Slughorn's lead.

Harry was about to follow when someone grabbed the back of his robes.

"Harry! Pretend you are talking to me." Neville said urgently.

Before Harry could say anything Mandy Brocklehurst from Ravenclaw came up to them.

"Neville! I knew you would be here." She said in a fake high pitched voice. "This gathering for heroes of the war wouldn't be complete without you." She battered her eyelashes at him adoringly.

"Harry need me for something, I'll see you later." Neville said quickly dragging Harry to the other end of the room.

"What was that about?" Harry asked.

"She has been all over me since our return to Hogwarts." Neville said making sure she wasn't around. "Where is Ron and Hermione? I could use some more support."

Harry looked too, he was surprised because they all entered together so where did they go?

Just as he wondered he spotted Ron and Hermione laugh and stumble out from behind the heavy curtains. Their faces were red.

The music went down and everyone gathered around Slughorn who waved his wand and chairs appeared forming a circle.

"Everyone can take a seat, Harry, Ron and Hermione can sit with me." Slughorn said and all eyes turned to them. "You are the guest of honour tonight."

Once everyone was seated Slughorn cleared his throat and a table descended from the ceiling already set with empty plates, spoons and goblets for everyone and set itself in the middle of the circle.

When the food appeared, Harry quickly joined Ron to fill their plates. He needed to keep his mouth busy so he dint have to respond to the ex-ministry wizard who kept praising him for ending the war.

"Who would have thought that a wizard who had just come of age, could defeat the most powerful dark wizard do all time." He said with a look of great admiration. Harry couldn't reply so he gave the wizard a smile with his mouth full of chicken.

"You look awfully quiet." Hermione told Ginny. Harry turned to listen immediately. He hadn't realised how quiet she had become since her conversation with Slughorn.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Never mind, it's not important." Ginny said shaking her head.

"Ginny dear, you might want to go easy on the potatoes. If you plan to rejoin the team by the end of the year. You really need to be your best." Came a voice from down the table.

Those who heard looked up to see who had spoken. It was Gwenog Jones, captain of the Holyhead harpies. Ginny went red and set aside the potatoes.

Slughorn wasn't listening. He was busy recalling the very natural talent Harry showed in potions class their pervious year.

"-Of course these days he probably has other more exciting careers in mind but I always said he would make an excellent potions master." He was saying to the stout witch next to him.

Harry sighed internally, waiting for the dinner to end. This was even more boring than professor Binns class. Atleast there he could close his eyes and doze off for a while.

He looked around the table trying to stay awake and noticed he wasn't the only one miserable. Neville sitting between Hannah Abbott and Mandy Brocklehurst. He looked very uncomfortable.

"-That bring us to you, Mr Conner." Slughorn comtinued. Harry's head snapped to look at Slughorn and followed his gaze to the boy who sad been sitting so quietly that Harry dint notice him before.

Terrence was almost unrecognisable. He looked different without his school robes. He was dressed in dark blue robes and his hair was sleek and combed back neatly. If Terrence hadn't replied, Harry would have still been looking for him.

"Your father is a American Herbology professor, Yes?" Slughorn said.

"Retired sir. He is currently travelling, looking for exotic plants to help patients in St.Mungos." Terrence said.

"Excellent way to retire I believe. If my health permitted me, I would be out in the world looking for exotic things too!" Slughorn said cheerily.

"Why St.Mungos?" Asked the Ex-ministry wizard next to Harry. "Don't get me wrong. It's great he is helping and all but I'm sure there are many American Hospitals who would benefit from his expertise."

"It's where my mother died." Terrence said quietly and nobody said anything.

"That's where I last saw my mother too!" Luna said kindly to Terrence, breaking the silence and then the conversation shifted to Luna and her role in the war.

It was half past midnight before half the group finished sharing. The dinner table had been cleared away.

"Merlin's beard! Look at the time!" Slughorn suddenly gasped, interrupting a sixth year Hufflepuff described his part in the battle of Hogwarts. "Time for bed, I look forward to seeing you all here again! Most of you haven't had a chance to introduce yourselves."

Everyone got up to say their good byes. The ex-ministry wizard shook Harry's hand excitedly. Ginny quietly sipped away when no one was looking.

Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way back to the Gryffindor tower, exhausted.

"It was nice." Ron said. "Too many introductions but it was good to keep in touch with those people."

Harry raised his eyebrow. "He met Galvin Gudgeon, the chudly cannon seeker." Hermione explained yawning.

"That reminds me. Tomorrow is the first quidditch match of the season." Harry said dully. For the first time since he came to Hogwarts he wasn't part of the team.

"Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff" Ron said.

"Are you planning to go watch?" Hermione asked.

"Of course! I want to know how good our new team is." Harry said as he climbed into the portrait hole.

"Especially the captain Carter." Ron said with a look of disgust looking across the room at Carter who was sleeping in his chair, mouth open.

"Let's just hope they beat Hufflepuff. I can't watch them win again." Hermione said before waving good night and going up to the girls dormitory.

*******

Next chapter is about quidditch!! The first match Harry has to watch and cannot play!
Ginny is going to have a hard time too!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
And don't forget to....
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