A small figure slipped out from the shadows surrounding the door to the first year's Potions classroom, many minutes after the bulk of students had rushed out into the slowly dimming light of the late afternoon, excited to explore and make the best out of their first stretch of free time in their new home. This excitement, though palpable, did not quite manage to breach the dejected slump that the thin boy wore as he trod methodically down the dungeon corridor. It was all so brutally unfair, Rory decided suddenly, kicking the bottom of a suit of armour with a riotous clang. His musing was momentarily interrupted when the metal figure began to hop up and down in mock pain, clutching its injured foot, but as Rory moved on his brief interlude of bright shock and wonder faded back into the dull grays of depression. Bitterly, Rory wondered to himself what the point of magic was if it couldn't actually do anything important. Feeling tears well up for at least the third time since he left home, Rory found a small alcove next to a window and sat staring out over a portion of Hogwart's Quidditch pitch. He had to admit to himself as he heaved big breaths in an attempt to stave off sobs that the players zipping about in the air were much more interesting than watching footie on the telly... his eyes were drawn to the lone figure in front of the three hoops, dipping and rolling as she threw her limbs in front of balls that Rory had been sure were going to go through one of the goals. She looked so fluid, and wasn't even that big! Maybe size wasn't as important in- β¦ but there he went again, getting distracted from what was really important. Rory cursed to himself, using words for which his father would have washed his mouth out if he'd overheard, and felt indescribably lonely.
ten-minutes-earlier
Horace Slughorn bent over his desk, his back creaking a warning that Horace too often ignored these days, and peered down at the inquisitive young figure in front of him. He struggled to remember the boy's name without having to check the roster list, but his memory had began to fade at the same pace as his girth, leaving the substantially thinner man having to rely more on notes and lists than his historically impeccable mind. Luckily, a name came to him out of the depths of his mind, causing the old Professor to grin. He still had it! Putting on his kindliest smile, Horace beckoned the boy closer.
βCome closer, young Rory. You're one of my snakes, after all. Muggleborn, if I remember correctly... how are you finding Hogwarts then?βRory paused, a little intimidated by the earnestness of the Professor, before sounding his response.
βUmm... it's good! It's all a little big, but I have so many questions β I don't even know where to begin...β He trailed off, suddenly nervous in front of the Head of Slytherin House. Professor Slughorn smiled a well-practiced yet dismissive smile as he began to sort his papers for the night, his voice carrying the warm tone of a life spent faking sincerity.
βMy boy, questions are the heart of learning. It may seem overwhelming now, but you'll quickly come into it. Why, some of my best students were Muggleborn β why, I was a close mentor and friend to the developing mind of the great Hermione Granger, don't you know, and she was as Muggleborn as they come!β Slughorn's voice shifted slightly as he switched out of his eager storytelling and shook his head, staring down at Rory.
βBut, have no fear, young... Rory. It is but the first day of classes, your questions will be answered in due time. Go on and explore and make friends!β Slughorn smiled, gesturing dismissively. He'd handled that well, he thought. Young children were so confusing, though, never predictable...
βIt's just... a question about potions, sir. You said today that potions could be used to cure all sorts of sicknesses, and it's just, you see, me ma...β Rory spoke in a rush, but was cut off by the dry heaving cough of Slughorn as the latter raised his hand to stop the young student from continuing.
βAh, I'm afraid it's frankly out of the question. Your mother is a Muggle, correct? Ah, yes... Muggles unfortunately lack the superior constitution of wizards, and our potions and remedies so rarely work well on them. I must applaud your dedication though, very caring. Come, boy, think of happier things than that on your first day of school!β Slughorn wheezed his way through the sentence, increasingly losing his voice as he devolved into another round of hacking coughs. Rory stood awkwardly as Slughorn gained control of himself, but earnestly continued the moment that his Professor stopped.
βWell, sir, I was just reading in my books, just a wee bit, and it say that some wizards could... uh... extend their life through magic! That's an option too then, innit?β Rory was stunned by the sudden change in Slughorn's face as the decrepit figure suddenly seemed to gain two feet in height in straightening up from the desk, the ancient face darkening with a dangerous expression.
βYoung man, you must put these dangerous thoughts out of your head. Out, I say! No good has ever come of such dabbling! Go, attend to your studies, and speak of this no more.β Rory, recognizing that continuing the conversation would expose him more to the unpredictable emotions of Slughorn, promptly nodded a meek agreement and fled. As he left, he overheard Slughorn muttering to himself:
βMy word, on the first day of school... what have children become these days...βpresent-day
Rory was torn from his reflection by a gentle cough, and raised his tear-stricken face to see a regretful and kindly expression on the face of Horace Slughorn. The older man brushed the dust off his coat self-consciously, and bowed his head ever so slightly in apology. His voice carried the slight tone of remorse, but still retained the firm tenor gained from a lifetime of teaching.
βI must express my deepest apologies, young man, for being too harsh on you. You must forgive an old man for getting lost in his memories. I meant neither to discourage nor dissuade you, who no doubt had only the best of intentions.β Slughorn paused, then awkwardly patted Rory on the shoulder.
βThe truth is that magic is complex and unreliable at the best of times, and I would urge you not to go experimenting without too much practice. The best way that you can help yourself and those around you is to work hard in your classes, learn the basics, and make them proud. Come talk to me in a few months, and maybe I can give you some books to read, hmm? Sound good, boy?β Rory cautiously nodded, feeling slightly better. That earned him a hasty pat on the back from Slughorn, who rose and began to totter off back to his office.
βRun along now, find something to occupy yourself. You won't help us win the house cup sitting in an alcove, and Merlin knows Slytherin needs all the help it can get...β Slughorn's voice trailed off, as he began muttering about Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs and the unfortunate year of 1984. Rory couldn't help but smile a bit wider at the old Professor's back, and hopped off the window ledge. He did feel better, if only a little bit. But, there was so much to learn, and there was only so much time in the day! Rory sighed, nodding to himself as his brain began to mentally organize all the books in his trunk in order of how interesting their titles looked to read.
Hogwarts: A History seemed a bit dull, though the picture of the giant basilisk on the cover was certainly appealing. Basic Transfiguration seemed even worse, but Basic Charms was an invitingly slim text that sparkled a bit when opened. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was flat out dangerous, though, and Rory quickly relegated it to the bottom of the pile. Humming to himself as he completed this task, Rory barely even noticed the voices coming from the open door up ahead.
Hogwarts, as usual, had a habit of sending absentminded students to places that they should be, and Rory was no exception. He found himself suddenly and inexplicably standing in front of a doorway (that Rory could have sworn moved to get in his way), and was brought out of his musing by the realization that he had stumbled into a room and was being faced with a sudden question.
"Were you thinking on joining us, or just chewing the scenery?"Rory bristled, his mind already working out a set of most impolite responses, and the most aggressive one was already on his tongue before he realized that the question hadn't been directed at him. His intended retort died a horrible croaking death in Rory's throat, and overall made him feel like he'd have been better saying it out loud after all. At least there weren't any Slytherins in the room β he'd been intimidated enough last night by the casual ease that most of his dorm-mates had settled into living in Hogwarts that he didn't want to make any further errors in front of them.
βUh... t'is... sorry ta intrude! Got lost, ye know?β Rory smiled a big smile, losing his carefully practiced "proper" English in his frustration, and made to step out of the room again.
