Elaine Shafiq is a new member of the Slug Club?

Matthew frowned in disbelief. Honestly, that's a bit outrageous!

Although the name of the Slug Club is a bit ugly, its entry threshold is actually very high. At least not all cats and dogs can join.

You must know that this time last year, among the first-year students at that time, the only ones who received Slughorn's invitation were Draco Malfoy and Neville Longbottom, two children from very good families.

If you want to join the Slug Club, you must either be the son of famous and successful people, or the child of a family with good relationships in the wizarding world...... Either a very gifted student.

For first-year students, the latter point is naturally unreliable. And although Matthew didn't have too much in-depth communication with Miss Shafiq, a student who could easily forget even the password in the common room was so talented that he was selected by Slughorn as soon as school started, which was really outrageous.

As for the former point, if it was two months ago, Mr. Shafiq, who was the manager of the Blotted bookstore, might still be considered a successful person...... But now, he is eating prison in Azkaban because of the "smuggling" incident...... No matter how he thought about it, Matthew couldn't imagine Slughorn's reason for taking a fancy to Elaine Shafiq......

Unless—

Matthew glanced suspiciously at the Potions teacher, who was also his headmaster.

......

The applause rang out again, but this time it was noticeably sparse.

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After all, the name Hermione Granger is a little famous at Hogwarts, and Elaine Shafiq is just an unknown freshman.

Behind Slughorn, Elaine timidly glanced at the crowd in front of her.

"Sit at that table, Miss Shafiq!" said Slughorn, still enthusiastically.

Elaine's gaze swept over, and soon she found a familiar face—

"Mr. Wakefield!"

She trotted over and sat on Matthew's other side, in the opposite direction from Neville and Hermione.

"Matthew, do you know Miss Shafiq well?" Hermione glanced at the two men suspiciously.

"I don't know you very well, but at least it's from an academy. Matthew replied briefly.

Then his face turned to Miss Elaine Shafiq: "Congratulations, Miss Shafiq. ”

"Thank you...... In fact...... I didn't expect ...... either," said the little girl, somewhat incoherently, "I heard Miss Farley say that our dean is very picky...... But unexpectedly, yesterday afternoon he suddenly invited me...... He told me that my dad was his protégé when he was a student......"

I have to say that Miss Shafiq was very excited, and she even looked a little incredulous about what was happening in front of her.

Matthew soon began to talk to her eagerly.

The two soon had a lively conversation.

Matthew wasn't stupid, and he was sure to grasp such a once-in-a-lifetime moment when he could have a good relationship with Miss Shafiq.

......

The dinner soon began.

In front of everyone, there were many glittering plates, but there was no food in them, just a small menu next to them.

Ma Jian was very enthusiastic about teaching Miss Shafiq how to use this menu to order food...... It's like how Neville taught him almost a year ago.

It's just that Miss Granger on the other side seems to be in a somewhat unpleasant mood.

Even the joy of joining the slugs club was slightly diluted.

"Hmph, it's just because of my father that I can add it......" Hermione said with some contempt as she glanced at Elaine Shafiq.

"That...... Hermione ...... Neville, on the other side, whispered a little embarrassed, "I...... Me too...... It was because of my parents that I was able to join this club......"

"I'm sorry, I'm not targeting you, Neville!" Hermione glanced at Matthew again.

When she saw the smile on Matthew's face, she seemed a little impatient.

All in all, the whole party was not as pleasant as expected.

Although the food here is much more elaborate than the dinner in the auditorium, Professor Slughorn is very particular about eating and drinking.

Most of Slughorn's energy was still on the upper class of students.

However, he said that the lower grade table had come several times, and he had a toast with the two new members, Granger and Shafiq.

He was very enthusiastic.

Hermione drank half a glass of mead, and her cheeks flushed.

At this moment, Matthew suddenly patted her on the shoulder: "Hermione! Hermione!"

"What's the matter?" she reacted, slightly hostile.

Matthew seemed to remember something on his mind, and asked very seriously, "By the way, that pet of yours, Crookshan...... Has there been anything unusual about it lately?"

Hermione's mood became more unpleasant under the influence of alcohol...... The banquet had started for almost half an hour, and Matthew, who was sitting next to her, had only taken the initiative to talk to her for the first time...... As a result, I actually asked her about the cat?

"No, and it's none of your business!" she said indignantly.

It's a pity that because the voice was too loud at the banquet, Matthew was a little absent-minded and didn't hear the emotions in her voice.

"I met a cat at the staircase on the second floor in front of Professor Slughorn's office, and it looked a lot like Crookshank......" Matthew continued, "So, I suggest you better take care of ......"

"I'll take care of my pet, Mr. Wakefield!" Hermione said coldly, "You don't need to worry about it!"

"Hmm!" Matthew nodded.

Then he turned and looked at Miss Shafiq.

"Elaine," he said very kindly, "I suggest you try this lamb chop, it tastes great......"

Hermione huffed and picked up the goblet and drank the mead inside.

Neville, next to him, stared at the astonishing scene with wide eyes.

......

The dinner lasted almost two hours.

Everyone was well fed and drunk, although some people ate food, while others ate a belly full of fire.

Everyone is leaving, and Miss Hermione Granger is the fastest to go, and she can't wait to get out of this hellish place!

Just as Matthew was about to return to the Slytherin common room with Miss Elaine Shafiq—

"Matthew, wait!" Professor Horace Slughorn called out to him.

"What's wrong, Professor?" Matthew looked up, confused.

"There's something I'd like to talk to you about!" Slughorn said with some meaning.