Chapter 304 - Perfect Pretense (1/2)
”Yes?” Slughorn opened his office door at the third knock. He looked surprised to see Chris standing in front of him. ”Goodness gracious, Christina! It's almost ten. What are up to this late?”
Chris smiled her practised smile as there was no hint of anger in Slughorn's voice.
”I brought some crystallised pineapple, sir,” she said holding a box up. ”We were celebrating our winning at today's match. I saw the pineapple and remembered you mentioning once that these are your favourite.”
”Oh, did you?” Slughorn laughed looking very delighted.
Chris was half lying. She was really celebrating the Gryffindor's victory when she remembered that Tom Riddle once impressed Slughorn with these crystallised pineapples so she decided to try that too.
”I saw today's match,” said Slughorn taking the pineapple box from Chris. ”Spectacular, especially Harry. I think it's in his blood. Do you know his father was also a great Quidditch player?”
”Yes sir,” said Chris beaming. ”His father was a chaser, Harry told me. In fact, I used to play as chaser too but this year I decided to focus on my O.W.L.s.”
”A wise decision, Christina,” nodded Slughorn. ”But then I must say, you are one of the very few students who are gifted in both studies and games.”
”Thank you, sir,” Chris blushed and acted to look embarrassed.
”Well, there's no wonder you will pass your O.W.L.s with great grades and I assure you, you will achieve Outstanding in potions,” said Slughorn beaming. ”How's your forgetful draught coming along?”
”It is going well, sir,” said Chris. ”I think, I will finish it by this week.”
”And on whom you will use it?” Slughorn asked smiling but Chris could feel the uneasiness his voice. The same uneasiness she saw when she talked about dark arts.
”No one, sir, I will test it the way you asked me to, just to know if it's perfect,” said Chris seriously. ”And if it is then I will try Veritaserum.”
”Veritaserum? Christina, that's Ministry restricted,” Slughorn said shocked.
”Oh, sorry sir but I thought if you and Professor Snape can make it then — but — I am sorry sir. I don't mean to break any Ministry rule,” said Chris. Her voice sounded perfect with a bit of embarrassment, sadness and disappointment.
”Oh girl, I know, I know,” said Slughorn sadly. ”Young minds can be curious. I have seen a few of my very best students to be this enthusiastic and curious. Honestly, I have been there in your place, myself.”
Chris didn't speak, she just looked down. Slughorn sighed.
”Alright, you can try,” he said at last.
”No, sir, it's fine,” said Chris looking defeated. ”I already have a bad reputation with the Ministry.”
”And I have to say, they are mistaken,” said Slughorn. ”Christina, you only live up to your good reputation not the bad. If you really wanted to, you could have kept this secret from me but you didn't, that proves a lot of things. Don't worry, I won't reveal that you are practising Veritaserum. And you will see, one day the Ministry will be eating their own words when you get a big post there. You will go a long way, you will see.”
”Thank you very much, sir,” Chris gave a grateful smile.
Slughorn beamed and they talked a little bit more about potions. Then Slughorn asked her to go as it was past curfew. Chris said goodnight and walked back to Gryffindor Tower.
Well, if I have to take a page from your book to defeat you then that is what I am going to do, Riddle.
Chris had planned out the next meeting with Slughorn. She had brought a heavy wine from Madam Rosmerta and with a little bit of magic and persuasion, she didn't question her. Now that Slughorn trusted her completely she had a big advantage. Slughorn called the next party on Monday when Harry was supposed to be with Dumbledore for his extra lessons. With this perfect condition, Chris went to Slughorn's dinner party, gifted him the wine and acted upset and distracted all evening. To make matters better, Ginny and Hermione were busy talking to Adrian, so she was left alone. At ten o'clock people started to leave and Hermione intentionally took Ginny with her. Chris stayed rooted in her seat and after everyone had left Slughorn noticed her.
”Christina, anything you want to ask dear?” He asked.
Chris acted startled and looked at Slughorn with an apologetic way.
”I didn't realize, sir — I was distracted —” Chris intentionally fumbled with her words.
”Yes, I have noticed that,” said Slughorn frowning. ”You, my girl, is very attentive usually. Exam pressures?”
”No, it's not —” Chris stopped and stared at her wine glass and acted as though she wanted to change the topic. ”Have you tested the wine, sir?”
”Yes, of course,” Slughorn smiled and poured himself a glass. ”Excellent. Where did you get it?”
”It was a Christmas present from Sirius,” Chris lied. ”I forgot about it.”
”Sirius? Sirius Black?” Slughorn took a sip.
”Yes, sir.”
”Are you close?”
”Sort of,” said Chris pretending to drink her wine. ”I have spent a couple of summers with him and Harry.”
”Why?” Slughorn looked genuinely interested. ”What about your family?”
”My Dad is a busy man,” said Chris painfully. Lying about her father literally pained her chest but she continued, ”I stayed with him for a month or so every summer and then went to Sirius or the Weasleys'.”
”I see,” Slughorn finished his glass and poured another one. Chris had made sure that the wine was tasty enough for Slughorn to keep drinking. The plan was finally working.
”Sirius' brother Regulus Black was one of my best students,” Slughorn said. ”Most of the Blacks were extraordinary. I have taught many of them. Even Sirius and Regulus's mother was my student, then there were the three talented Black sisters. Very talented but now —”
Slughorn gulped the wine.
”I think you have heard, Professor, one of the Black sisters, Andromeda was killed last year,” said Chris tentatively. The memory still made her shiver but she had to keep going with the conversation, so she did.
”Yes, yes, at the Ministry, I heard,” Slughorn suddenly looked at Chris. ”Were you there at that time?”
Chris nodded silently then looking down she spoke, ”Bellatrix killed her in front us.”
”My dear, my dear,” Slughorn looked terrified and awestruck at the same time. ”I still can not believe you all escaped.”
”Well, it was mostly because of Dumbledore and Order members,” Chris shrugged lightly like there was nothing she had done but then added, ”though Bellatrix injured me a lot when I was duelling with her.”
”You were? Alone?” Slughorn's eyes widened.
”I had no choice, did I? Everyone was fighting someone,” Chris said making her voice vulnerable.
I could win an award in acting.
Slughorn gave a little shiver and poured more wine. Chris had a feeling she was using magic on Slughorn unconsciously.