Perfect Pretense

"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.

Whatever it takes.

"But well, it was nothing like Harry's parents," said Chris suddenly getting to the point. "He told me how they —"

Chris closed her eyes and apologised to Harry's parents silently before faking the pain on her face.

"Has he?" said Slughorn finishing her wine and again refilling. "Then you are close to him, I guess."

"Yes, we are," Chris acted perfectly hesitant then said, "Voldemort killed her father first then he tried to kill Harry but his mother got in between to save him."

Maybe at the mention of Voldemort or Harry's mother, Slughorn stared at Chris horrified.

"He told her to get out of the way," said Chris remorselessly. "He told us she needn't have died. He only wanted Harry. She could have run."

"Oh dear," breathed Slughorn. "She could have . . . she needn't . . . That's awful. . . ."

"Everyone asks Harry, what made him 'The Boy Who Lived', but no one knows except a few," said Chris looking Slughorn straight in the eye. "This — the fact that his mother gave her life for him made him 'The Boy Who Lived'. It was his mother's sacrifice."

"You are telling the truth, Christina?" Slughorn said, his eyes unfocused and fearful. The wine was working. "Lily? Lily's sacrifice? My dear. . . what a terrible. . ."

"Yes, sir," Chris nodded solemnly. "And now Harry has to save the wizarding world. He has to stop Voldemort. I am worried about him, sir. From the moment he had told me the truth. From —"

Chris wiped her fake tears.

Slughorn turned paler than ever; his shiny forehead gleamed with sweat.

"So he is the Chosen One?"

"Yes, sir, but I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but I couldn't keep it anymore," said Chris mournfully. "What's the point of me being a potion genius and good at everything if I can't help. I want to help him, sir, with anything I can. But so far I have failed. Dumbledore is already helping him and I can't think of something that I can help him with but Dumbledore can not. That's impossible but I want to help him so badly."

Chris sobbed and Slughorn sat frozen in her seat.

"But you won't tell anyone, would you sir?" said Chris with a perfect fearful tone. "I can't tell this thing to everyone. Please don't tell anyone, sir. I admire and trust you, sir. Harry really admires you. And I am sure so did his mother. Please, sir, don't —"

"Christina, my girl, dear, I won't tell, I promise," tears filled Slughorn's eyes. "I want to help them too but —"

"But you have nothing that can help him, just like me," Chris murmured with a painful smile.

Slughorn didn't look away from Chris and as she stared at him, she could see the inner battle inside Slughorn. Chris was just waiting for this. Being smart didn't work but being a damsel in distress will definitely work.

"Do you have something, Professor?" She asked, lighting up her tearful face like a little kid.

"Christina, I —" Slughorn hesitated.

"Professor, do you know a way to help Harry? Can I help him?" Chris said showing her excitement. "Do you know anything important about Voldemort?"

"No, no," Slughorn looked away and gulped some more wine. "I can not."

Chris let her face fall instantly.

"You don't want to help sir?" she whispered with fear in her voice.

"Christina, of course, I do, but —"

"You're scared he'll find out you helped Harry?"

Slughorn said nothing; he looked terrified.

"I understand, Professor," Chris nodded gravely but then as if an idea had occurred to she looked up, "But sir, what if I don't tell Harry it was you, who gave me the information. It could work —"

"It won't work, Christina," said Slughorn painfully.

"Then you won't help, Professor, even though you can," said Chris mixing anger to her sad voice.

"Christina, you don't understand —"

"People died, Professor," said Chris forcefully, but looked like she was about to cry again. "Harry's mother, father, Andromeda, her husband Mr Tonks, Sirius' brother Regulus and so so many people. . . He is still killing. . . He killed your students, sir. Your students, who faced him and his followers with bravery and you don't care? You won't help? You just won't?"

Slughorn raised a pudgy hand and pressed his shaking fingers to his mouth; he looked for a moment like an enormously overgrown baby.

"I am not proud . . ." he whispered through his fingers. "I am ashamed of what — of what I have done. . . I think I may have done great damage when I was teaching Him, Christina. . ."

"Then you can fix it by doing a good job sir," said Chris slowly. Her voice was almost hypnotic. "Please tell me what is it? What have you done?"

Slughorn stared at Chris and Chris stared back.

"I have told Him about many things that I should not have. . . He was charismatic, smart and a talented orphan boy. . . like every Professor, I pitied him and liked him. . . I never knew he will take advantage of it. . . Never that thought crossed my mind. . . He asked me a lot about dark arts. . . I thought he was curious just like everybody else . . . But then one day he asked me about something that made me uneasy. . . If only I had stopped that day. . . I will never forget. . . That sinful act. . . The thing I have refused to tell Dumbledore. . . he asked and I knew. . . it was terrible. . . I have done wrong. . ."

Slughorn was mostly talking to himself than Chris, then, very slowly, he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out his wand. He put his other hand inside a drawer on the side table and took out a small, empty bottle. Still looking into Chris' eyes, Slughorn touched the tip of his wand to his temple and withdrew it, so that a long, silver thread of memory came away too, clinging to the wand-tip. Longer and longer the memory stretched until it broke and swung, silvery bright, from the wand. Slughorn lowered it into the bottle where it coiled, then spread, swirling like gas. He corked the bottle with a trembling hand and then passed it to Chris.

"Thank you very much, Professor."

"You are very brave, my girl. Very good girl. You have a heart of gold," said Professor Slughorn, tears trickling down his fat cheeks into his walrus moustache. "Please don't think too badly of me once you've seen it. . . . forgive me. . ."

He put his head on his arms, gave a deep sigh, and fell asleep.

"I am not really sure about that, Professor," said Chris sadly. "Maybe, you judged me wrong too."

With a sigh, Chris pointed her wand at the sleeping Slughorn.

"Obliviate."

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To be continued. . .