The pudding was composed of countless jumbled magical halos; "expired ambition" was a dull gold, and "stale nostalgia" was a murky grey mist.
A blinding light representing "intense possessiveness" and "hoarding" was frantically gathering from his entire body into his "eyes." The light was so bright it almost condensed into physical claws, reaching across the Great Hall toward her.
As soon as the feast ended, Slughorn couldn't wait; holding a glass of wine and puffing out his belly, he walked straight toward the Gryffindor table.
First, he greeted Harry warmly, slapping him hard on the shoulder and loudly praising his mother Lily's talent in Potions.
"Oh, Harry, my dear boy! You are just like your mother!"
Harry was a bit overwhelmed by his excessive enthusiasm and could only smile awkwardly.
Then, Slughorn changed the subject, as if only just noticing Hermione and Lia nearby.
"Oh! This must be the famous Miss Granger? The top student of her year! Headmaster Dumbledore has nothing but praise for you!"
His gaze swept past Hermione and locked onto Lia beside her, his voice turning into an exaggerated, operatic tone.
"And this one... oh, merlins beard! Look what I've found! A companion magical creature with a deep soul-binding to a human Wizard! Snow-white fur, sapphire eyes! This is... this is a miracle never before recorded in Magizoology!"
He rubbed his fat, oily hands together, eyes shining, as he leaned closer to Lia. A nauseating smell, a mix of alcohol and cloying perfume, wafted over.
"Miss Granger, your companion... she... she is truly extraordinary! Unique! I must know more! Her habits, her magical structure... she is simply a perfect work of art!"
Hermione's face darkened.
She placed a protective hand on Lia's shoulder and leaned forward slightly, blocking Slughorn's view and that disgusting smell.
"She is my companion, Professor," Hermione's voice was as cold as February ice. "Not a 'work of art,' and certainly not a 'collection' to satisfy your curiosity."
Rebutted to his face, Slughorn wasn't angry at all; instead, he grinned even wider.
In his mind, it was perfectly logical that the more precious the collection, the more vigilant the guardian.
He pulled an exquisitely patterned invitation from the pocket of his ornate wizarding robes and held it out to Hermione between two chubby fingers.
"Of course, of course! My apologies, Miss Granger. A small party, only for the students I admire most. I know you must have a keen interest in Advanced Potions."
His gaze swept over Hermione's shoulder again as he added pointedly.
"And of course, I would be most delighted if you brought your charming friend along."
Hermione didn't take the invitation; the air around her seemed to freeze.
Just then, a soft voice sounded right against her ear, accompanied by warm breath.
"Hermione," Lia's small mouth almost touched her earlobe, her soft voice tinged with disgust at being ogled, "he smells like he really wants me."
The voice paused, and then Lia looked up, her sky-blue eyes staring calmly at Slughorn. A playful smile curled the corners of her lips as she added the second half of the sentence in a whisper only Hermione could hear.
"He wants to steal me away from you."
Hermione glanced at Lia and saw the teasing look in her eyes.
When did this girl learn to use that tone!
She forced down a smile and kept herself serious.
She glanced at Slughorn's murky eyes, which were full of expectation.
"We," Hermione said clearly and slowly, "are not going."
Having said that, she didn't even look at the invitation, but took Lia's hand and stood up, preparing to leave.
The gesture was equivalent to throwing Slughorn's face on the ground and stomping on it in public.
Slughorn's smile finally froze on his face, and his fleshy cheeks twitched.
He watched Hermione's back and Lia, who was being led away, looking back to give him a provocative smile.
The greed in his eyes didn't fade; instead, it was replaced by an even more obsessive desire for conquest.
"Truly a worthy addition to the collection."
[Every time I go home, I point at my cat and say, "Transform for me!"]
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