Bab 779: Slug Club Banquet Aftermath

Elsewhere within the castle, with a tired sigh, Georgine Prince sits back in her seat and rubs the back of her neck. She had finally finished grading the pile of essays she had assigned to the 5th year students. She had to admit there were more than a few well-written essays, but many left much to be desired for the lack thereof. Still, the only hint of relief that she found was that at long last the month of November was about to end. Tragically, there were exams to be given and graded before the Winter Holidays.

At least, the holidays were blessedly just around the corner, which did not mean much this particular year. Even when Georgine had any respite from her workload as a professor, she was always occupied with preparations for the winter ball. She was coordinating with Dorea, Reginald, and even Fleamont Potter in preparations of the twin's presentation into society. Even more so, since the presentation would take place at the Verninac Chateau. Thankfully, Noebella, Sirsa's cousin had agreed to physically prepare the Chateau according to their instructions despite what Philippe, the head of the Verninac family thought. Philippe was far from pleased, but in the end, he had bowed his head to the familial request owed to the deceased Sirsa. Because no matter, how much one may dislike their in-laws, family is still family.

Georgine lets out a soft groan and lets out another bitter sigh. She desperately cursed her rashness at that time and saddling herself with the blasted position of Defense Against the Dark Arts position. In fact, she was seriously contemplating telling her brother to pay someone to take over the position next year. Under no uncertain terms would she last another year of teaching!

Irritably rising to her feet, Georgine strides over to the window that gazes onto the frozen grounds. Her office on the third floor has a large expanse of windows allowing her to see out onto the grounds. A recent small snowstorm had only dumped a mere inch of snow that was mostly already melted except for clumps here and there. However, it heralded the end of the month and the large snows that were sure to fall in the upcoming days with the start of December. In fact, dark, heavy clouds loom in the distance suggesting that a fierce snowfall would arrive within the next day or so.

Georgine is rudely jolted by a loud door knock from her peaceful observation of the scenery. Her lips curling into a frown as she contemplates whether to open the door or not. Professor Slughorn was hosting his banquet that evening and she had no intentions of attending despite the invitation on many occasions. In fact, she had gone out of her way to lock herself up in her office and have dinner lest Professor Slughorn attempt to catch her unwary.

Another loud knock was heard again causing Georgine to open her office door with a wave of her wand. "My office hours are clearly posted on the door and are long since over. If this is regarding attending the hosted banquet by Professor Slughorn, I am otherwise occupied. To all other matters, well, they better pertain to me, if not I suggest that you see your Head of House or head down to the infirmary to see the matron, Madam Pomfrey."

"My apologies for the late disturbance, Professor Prince," said a young male voice that had deepened more over the summer to sound more like that of a man. "But if I could please have a moment of your time, I would be greatly in your debt," as a tall, thin student with hazel eyes and untidy black hair entered her office. It was James Potter to be precise as he half-closed the door behind him and expectantly waited for a response. The Gryffindor's hazel eyes blinked sincerely at her from behind his round glass spectacles.

Georgine pensively narrows her eyes internally debating whether to hear James Potter out or not. Then again, there was still the incident of the identical Patronus Thestral to consider. The boy's Patronus matched that of her great-niece, Rowan. And though she was not superstitious even she could not deny the potential meaning that therein lay in such a coincidence.

Georgine presses her lips into a line as she recalled the owed marriage from the Percival line that was transferred to the Potter lineage. The Potter boy and her own great-niece were friends, and Fleamont Potter was to be the godfather of Rowan and Severus. Though her brother, Reginald was not in favor of the match, he had not completely ruled the match out. The match still bore consideration, and it could not help to be civil to the boy.

Having made her mind up, Georgine moves towards her desk to take a seat. "Have a seat, Mr. Potter, but first close the door after you."

"Thank you for your generous magnanimity, Professor Prince," James said as he firmly shut the office door behind him, before taking the offered seat directly from that of Professor Prince.

"Enough flattery, Mr. Potter," Georgine pointedly said as she waved his words off with a gesture of her hand. "My time is precious, young man, let us be precise and candid to the point."

"With Professor Dumbledore's leave, I have been permitted to create a club for Defense Against the Dark Art's to be called, the D.A. Club for short. There will be some aspects of dueling, but mostly learning and the use of practical spells. I would like to request that if Professor Prince would be the club's advisor since Professor Prince is the Defense Against the Dark Art's Professor," James candidly laid out his request.

Georgine furrows her brow with more than a hint of displeasure. She most certainly did not want to be a club advisor! She already had enough on her hands, and not to mention the fact that she still had to at times watch over detentions. It was a most unpleasant time spent with the perpetrator of the crime.