Chapter 270 - Compartment C (1/2)

The weather beyond the train windows was as patchy as it had been all summer; the train passed through stretches of the chilling mist, then out into weak, clear sunlight. It was during one of the clear spells, when the sun was visible almost directly overhead, that Colin, Ron and Hermione entered the compartment at last.

”Wish the lunch trolley would hurry up, I'm starving,” said Ron longingly, slumping into the seat beside Harry and rubbing his stomach. ”Hi, Neville.”

”Where's Ginny?” Chris asked Colin.

”She stopped to chat with Dean,” said Colin. ”She will be here in a bit, I think.”

Chris nodded and looked out the window. She hadn't gone to looking for Jason, she was angry. Jason hadn't replied to her letters all summer. First Chris thought if something bad had happened to him but then just a week ago a letter came from Jason saying, he was a little busy. That's all.

”Chris, guess who are Hufflepuff Prefects?” said Colin grinning.

”Who?” Chris looked back at him.

”Irena and Melvin,” said Colin.

”Great,” smiled Chris. Irena and Melvin both were their friends from Hufflepuff, they were also in DA last year. ”And Ravenclaw?”

”Remember Jane Chambers? She was in DA too. She and a boy named Adrian Joyce are Ravenclaw Prefect.”

The compartment door slid open again and a breathless third-year girl stepped inside.

”I'm supposed to deliver these to Neville Longbottom, Harry P-Potter and Chris-ti-tina Nor-ton,” she faltered, as her eyes met Harry's and she turned scarlet. She was holding out three scrolls of parchment tied with violet ribbon. Perplexed, Chris, Harry and Neville took the scroll addressed to each of them and the girl stumbled back out of the compartment.

”What is it?” Ron demanded.

Chris opened her parchment and read:

Miss Norton,

I would be delighted if you would join me for a bite of lunch in compartment C.

Sincerely,

Professor H.E.F. Slughorn

”An invitation,” said Harry.

”Who's Professor Slughorn?” asked Neville, scanning his letter.

”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.

”The actual question is why he wants to meet me?” said Chris bewildered.

”No idea,” Harry shrugged. ”Let's go.”

People again were staring at them intensely. Every now and then, students would hurtle out of their compartments to get a better look. 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!”