December 9th, 1978

Professor Slughorn's office was located on the sixth floor, and by the time Jack I got there, there were already several students present.

"Ah, Miss McKinnon, Mister Trouche!" Slughorn cheered, "So glad that you could make it."

I faked a smile, "Thank you for inviting me."

Jack, who had received an invitation to the Slug Club a few days after me, smiled. "Yes, thank you," He said.

I looked around the office. There was a fireplace with two large sofas surrounding it, a round dinner table big enough to sit ten people, and Professor Slughorn, and there was access to a private balcony.

Jack nudged me in the arm. "All of the snakes are here."

I looked at the corner of the room, where Barty Crouch Jr, Evan Rosier, Emma Vanity, and Regulus Black stood, conversing quietly.

Regulus made eye contact with me, completely ignoring what Emma was rambling on about. I looked away from him, still feeling his eyes on me.

After we kissed while on patrol two weeks ago, we went back to our normal bickering. We didn't acknowledge it, we didn't speak about it, we just went back to our passive aggressive comments and stupid arguments.

I was also completely ignoring the fact that it even happened. Out of sight out of mind.

Pandora and Xenophilius arrived next, their hands intertwined as they spoke to Professor Slughorn.

Pandora spotted me and Jack and drug Xenophilius over to say hi.

"Jack, Meredith," She chimed, "You look lovely in that dress!"

I looked down at my outfit. I had worn a long-sleeved, simple, form-fitting, black dress with polka-dot tights and white ankle boots.

"Thanks, Pandora!" I replied, "You look gorgeous as well."

She was wearing a flowy light blue dress and her long blonde hair fell around her face in loose curls.

"Oh, Reggie is here! I'm going to go say hi to him," She announced, leaving the three of us.

I watched her go up to Regulus, who had left this little group to say hi to her. He smiled as she spoke, responding with something that I couldn't hear.

Xenophilius and Jack were already deep in conversation about something involving the Ministry when the last two guests, Florence Martin and Dirk Cresswell, arrived.

A waiter was walking around with a tray of drinks, and I took one, taking a sip of it before even knowing what it was.

Hm, champagne.

Pandora came back to join us, dragging Florence and Dirk over to our little group.

Everyone already had drinks in their hands as we all found seats at the dining table, Professor Slughorn sitting down first.

People were already starting to sit down, so I quickly took the seat next to Jack, surprised when Regulus Black purposely chose to sit next to me.

"I thought you would've made Rosier sit by me," I whispered to him as he straightened out the cuffs of his shirt.

Regulus glanced at me sideways, "No, I wouldn't make you suffer through that."

Evan overheard this, and hit Regulus on the arm, earning a snicker from Regulus.

Waiters walked out, carrying plates full of food and more drinks. I looked at my empty champagne flute and grabbed another glass off of a nearby tray as the plates of food were distributed around the table.

Once everyone has drinks and food, Slughorn clears his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Thank you all for being here," He began, "Let's eat!"

I glanced at Jack, who was already busy stuffing his face with shepherd's pie. I shrugged, digging into my own food.

As we all ate, Slughorn took turns directly speaking to people, the entire table listening to their conversation. I was already dreading when he would call me out.

"Mister Rosier, what do your parents do?" Slughorn asked.

Evan took a large sip of his champagne, clearing his throat. "Uh, my mum is a court scribe for the Wizengamot, and my dad works for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry."

"Ah, very interesting," Slughorn commented, "And what are your plans post-Hogwarts?"

I glanced over at Evan, who was tugging at the end of his left shirt sleeve.

"I'm not sure, maybe I'll be an Auror," Evan answered, quickly looking at Regulus. Regulus took a large sip of his drink.

Slughorn smiled, "Well I'm interested to see where life takes you. What about you, Mister Black?"

Regulus set his fork and knife down. "What about me, sir?"

"What are your plans post-Hogwarts?"

Be a Death Eater?

Regulus cleared his throat, "I'll probably get a job at the Ministry, maybe the Department of International Magical."

"Sounds interesting, and how is your family? Your brother, Sirius?"

Because I was sitting so close to Regulus, I could see him flinch at the mention of his older brother and his parents.

"Uh my parents are good," Regulus replied, "Sirius lives with the Potter's now."

Slughorn frowned, "That's right, I do remember hearing about that."

Regulus nodded, finishing the rest of his champagne and grabbing another glass. I wasn't counting, but that had to have been his fourth drink of the night.

"And how is your sister, Miss McKinnon?" Slughorn asked, looking at me.

I nodded, "Marlene is good, she's been busy helping James and Lily wedding plan."

Slughorn smiled, "Ah Miss Evans and Mister Potter are getting married?"

"Yes, over Easter holiday," I responded.

"Well that's lovely, tell those two congratulations for me whenever you see her."

I nodded, "Of course, sir."

"And did you have any plans for your future?" Slughorn asked.

He seems to be asking everyone this.

"I'm thinking of being a curse-breaker, but I'm not completely sure," I answered.

"Interesting," Slughorn said, "I heard that's what the Prewett brothers are doing."

Slughorn went around the rest of the table, asking everyone about their families, old students, and plans for the future. Eventually, the party moved from the dining table to everyone mingling throughout the room.

I stood close to Jack, sipping on my third glass of champagne, when I felt a familiar pair of eyes on me.

Regulus was already staring when I looked at him. His face was slightly flushed from the alcohol, but he maintained his perfect composure.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom, I'll be back," I told Jack, handing him my drink.

I slipped out of the crowded office, letting the chilly air of the corridor cool me down. I didn't even have to go to the bathroom, I just needed a break from all of that. I walked to the nearest window, looking outside into the darkness. My head was a bit fuzzy from the champagne and I needed to cool off.

The sound of a door opening and closing made me look up.

Regulus stumbled out of Professor Slughorn's office, walking towards me.

"Hey, McKinnon," He slurred.

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Hi, Black. What're you doing?"

"Just needed some air," He answered, "You look lovely as ever tonight."

"You're drunk," I said, my voice firm.

Regulus shrugged, "Maybe, but you're still gorgeous regardless."

I shook my head at him, rolling my eyes.

We were standing close, our faces about six inches from each other. Regulus smelled like champagne and expensive cologne, his perfect composure rapidly falling.

Regulus leaned in closer to me, our noses nearly touching.

"You're drunk," I whispered.

"So?" Regulus replied. "I just want to kiss you."

I stepped away from him harshly, putting distance between us again. Regulus frowned at me, leaning against the wall.

"I'm not going to play these games with you," I said, "Especially when we've both had too much to drink."

Regulus shook his head, "A little bit of fun wouldn't kill you, Meredith."

I shook my head at him, pushing past him to go back towards Slughorn's office. I entered the office and closed the door behind me, leaving Regulus in the corridor.

Faking a smile, I stood and talked with Jack and Florence, grabbing my drink back from him. I finished it, and grabbed another glass of champagne.