What Is Left When All Is Said and Done

Chapter 2

Just then, the carriage door slid open, and the scared little face of a second-year looked in. Hermione hastily shut the book and jumped out of the seat towards the boy.

"Can I help you?" she asked quickly but quietly, hoping that the others wouldn't wake. The student gulped and looked at the still sleeping faces of Harry, Ginny, and Ron.

"I'm supposed to give these to Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, and Hermione Granger," he said, thrusting three rolled scrolls into her hands. Before she could reply, the boy had retreated and was already headed back from whence he came. Hermione looked at the violet ribbon-bound scrolls in her hand and was not surprised to recognize their names written in Professor Slughorn's handwriting. She untied and unrolled the one addressed to her.

Hermione,

I would be delighted if you could join me for a spot of lunch in Compartment C.

Sincerely,

Professor H. E. F. Slughorn

Hermione sighed. Was it still possible that after all that had happened, Professor Slughorn was still running his Slug Club? Then she realized why they had received the invitations. Although he was currently riding this train as part of their protection, once it arrived in London, he would no longer be under the protection of Hogwarts. And with no Dumbledore to hide behind anymore, right now his best bet in terms of safety was to ingratiate himself with the Chosen One and his friends. Hermione couldn't decide whether to feel sorry for Ron or envy him because he hadn't been among the invitees.

"Mmm... What was that about?" Ginny had woken up, which in turn woke Harry up. He seemed a bit embarrassed for having found Ginny tucked up against him, especially given the current status of their relationship. Ginny, however, didn't seem to mind, and stayed where she was. Hermione motioned for them to stay quiet and pointed at Ron to indicate why. She then showed them the scrolls.

"What's that?" Ginny whispered as she rubbed her eyes.

"Another invitation from Slughorn."

"You can't be serious --" began Harry but was cut off by Hermione.

"Look," she addressed her friends, "do you mind if go by myself?

"You want to go?" asked Harry incredulously.

"I...have something I need to speak to him about," said Hermione, cautiously. An idea was starting to germinate in her mind.

"Are you sure?" asked Ginny, who seemed quite content to stay in her present position.

"I'm sure. You two stay here. I'll make your apologies to him."

"You don't have to make any for me. Just tell him he can stick his invitation --"

"And don't tell Ron about this, okay?" finished Hermione, ignoring Harry's comment. "I don't want him feeling left out."

Hermione tried to casually slip the copy of Advanced Potion-Making into her book bag and slipped out into the passageway. Her trip to compartment C was uneventful as no one else was walking around. Most of the carriages that she glimpsed into contained also-sleeping passengers. The strain from the past few days and the funeral had clearly caught up with everyone.

When she reached her destination, it looked as if Professor Slughorn had somehow appropriated half the Hogwarts house-elves in order to make the buffet spread she found in front of her. There were heaping plates of roast beef, shepherd's pie, Cornish pasties, steak and kidney pudding, and for dessert, custard tart, treacle tart, and chocolate éclairs. She suddenly knew how Hansel and Gretel must have felt, and her mouth watered involuntarily.

"Hermione, m'dear!" exclaimed the professor. "Welcome, welcome. So glad you could make it. But where are Harry and Ginny?"

"They couldn't come, sir." Despite being the Slytherin Head of House, Slughorn wasn't able to hide the disappointment on his face.

"Oh, that won't do at all. They must come and partake of some of this marvelous food." He gestured towards the tray that threatened to tip over underneath all the dishes it held. "Perhaps you could go back and let them know? I won't take no for an answer."

"Professor Slughorn, sir, I actually wanted to speak to you privately."

"Ahem...I see." The professor stroked his mustache as he calculated the merits of acquiescing to her request. He seemed to come to a decision and gestured to the seat across from him. "Very well then, what may I do for you, m'dear?"

"It's regarding Professor Snape," she said, as she approached him and sat down.

"Ex-Professor Snape. You must know he is no longer a teacher at Hogwarts," said Slughorn in trying to distance himself from his fellow Slytherin.

"Yes, sir. What I meant to say was, you were his Head of House and Potions professor --"

"Yes, but you can hardly expect that I had any influence over him. Why, I barely even know who he was. That Severus was always such a sullen and withdrawn little boy. I supposed it's true when they say it's the quiet ones you must watch out for."

"But Professor, surely you must have taken some notice of him. After all, wasn't he a brilliant student in Potions?"

"Brilliant? I'd say he was closer to average than brilliant. Half the time he'd be trying his own version of the recipe and messing it all up. No, m'dear, do you know who was the brilliant one of that year? Harry's own mother, Lily Evans. She could've been a Potions Mistress if only she had lived. I would've been more than happy to recommend her." At this point Slughorn looked genuinely sad.

"I see. Thank you, Professor Slughorn." She had gotten all the information she was looking for. A look of panic flashed across his face as she stood up.

"You're not going so soon are you? Me and my bad manners, I haven't even offered you any food --"

"It's all right, Professor. I'm not hungry."

"Well, you must take something back for the others then. Here," he said pointing his wand at the food and packaging it up. "Bring this back to Harry, and make sure you let him know who it's from."

"Thank you, Professor, but I think --"

"No, no, m'dear. I insist!" He loaded her with all the foodstuffs until her arms were brimming.

"Thank you, sir. I really must be going back."

"Yes, yes, of course. And if you'll be wanting any more, feel free to come back, and bring Harry and his little girlfriend with you?" He opened the door to the corridor for her.

"Actually, sir, they've broken up."

"Oh my, and at such an awful time too. That poor, poor boy. You don't think there's anything I can do?"

"Actually, there is." With this, Professor Slughorn's face brightened and she had his full attention. Hermione felt a little guilty for taking advantage of him like this, but she thought it would be for the best. "When we get to King's Cross, could you be there when Harry meets his relatives? They're Muggles, you see, and they --"

"Of course, m'dear. Anything for the dear boy. I've heard about those relatives of his. I would be proud to help Harry in any way." After the slightest of moments in which Hermione could almost see the thought pass through Slughorn's mind, he continued, "In fact, it might be a good idea for me to accompany him back to their home. Make sure they treat him right, y'know?"

"I don't think we'll be staying there that long, sir. We'll be headed back for the Burrow to attend Bill Weasley and Fleur's wedding."

"I see, I see. Well then, I shall see you and Harry at the platform then."

"Thank you, sir." She would have dumped all the food he had given her before returning to her carriage, but she figured Ron would be glad to see it. No point in wasting good food, even if it was from a Slytherin. Halfway back to her friends, she heard her name being called.

"Hey there, Hermione. Where'd you get all that food?" She peeked above the quivering plate of éclairs to see Ron approaching her from the other end of the hallway.

"Ron, what are doing? I was going to come and surprise you."

"Well, when I woke up you weren't there, and I didn't want to be alone with Harry and Ginny, so..." He flushed a little at this. "But here, let me help you with that." He took most of the dishes she had been carrying. "Crikey, 'Mione! Steak and kidney pudding? I know the food cart doesn't carry that." Ron eyed the food as if he couldn't decide whether to start eating it now or carry it back.

Hermione giggled. "Let's just say, I have my sources." In more ways than one, she thought to herself.

"Gee, thanks! I'm sure Harry would appreciate some of this as well," he said as they started making their way back to the other two.

Sometimes Hermione envied how uncomplicated life was for Ron. Although he wasn't always right, being able to see the world in black and white meant not always having to guess at the shadows. She found some measure of comfort in that kind of simplicity. His priorities were clearly his family, in which Harry was included, Quidditch and food. She just wondered where she fit in and hoped it was somewhere above food.