So, the reason why Horace Slughorn was so enthusiastic was that he had to invite himself to tonight's party—

Just because a few of his former students are coming over too?

Matthew was puzzled.

Because he couldn't believe this somewhat unrealistic answer.

At this banquet, no matter how he thought about it, he faintly felt that something was not quite right.

......

But even if he thought so, he could only sit down.

With the addition of these successful wizards, the atmosphere of the Slug Club banquet has become more enthusiastic than ever.

Everyone no longer stayed at their desks as before, but gathered around the new guests—

Hermione Granger had gone to find Mr. Wendy Slinka, and she seemed to have too many questions to ask the author of The Theory of Magical Defence......

And Neville Longbottom, along with several Quidditch-loving boys, came to Gwenog Jones and looked at the captain of the Holyhead Harpy team with great admiration......

And then there was the handsome young man named Regulus Black, and a group of girls stood next to him and chattered, curious and excited......

Judging from the current situation, it seems that Regulus Black of this world has not become a follower of Voldemort, but Matthew is a little skeptical, whether his visit to Hogwarts this time has something to do with his brother Siris Black at Hogwarts?

Just as Ma Xian was thinking about what he should do, suddenly the easy-going young man from earlier came to him and sat down.

It was Mr. Dirk Creswell, the young and promising official of the Ministry of Magic...... Matthew has some impressions of the name in his memory, and it seems that he experienced a life of escape after Voldemort came to power in the original book...... So, I'm afraid he's a Muggle-born wizard......

The same background made him feel a little invited.

"Hello, Mr. Chryswell!" he beckoned.

"I remember your name, it's Wick......" Dirk Chryswell said, looking at Matthew.

"Wakefield, sir!" replied Matthew hurriedly.

"Yes, Wakefield, that's right......" Mr. Chryswell nodded, "I've heard Professor Slughorn say that...... He seems to value you very much......"

Yes, I do value me, but I am afraid that this value is not necessarily the same thing as the value of others...... Matthew thought to himself.

"Do you work in the Elven Liaison Office, so don't you come into contact with those elves every day?" but on his face, Matthew made a very curious look.

"Yes," replied Mr. Chryswell, nodding his head, "but the goblins at Gringotts are not easy to deal with, and they still control the use of magic, but they don't have wands in their hands...... They have always considered them equal to wizards, although we don't...... And that's after so many goblin rebellions......"

Mr. Chryswell continued: "...... Goblins, who are greedy, cunning, and arrogant...... If you are not careful, you may be deceived into coming into contact with them...... Honestly, it's not a comfortable errand......"

"I see......" Matthew had a look of sudden realization.

They chatted casually again.

After a few minutes, Matthew asked casually, "By the way, Mr. Chryswell, are you familiar with our Transfiguration teacher, Professor Severus Snape......

If Matthew's judgment is correct: judging by age, this Mr. Dirk Chryswell should not be much different from the real Snape......

"You mean Severus, of course, I'm a year younger than him......" Mr. Chryswell replied easily, "Of course, he's from Gryffindor, and I'm a Hufflepuff ......."

It's really Gryffindor House...... Matthew couldn't help but frown.

“...... I haven't seen him much since I graduated from Hogwarts...... What, you just said he was a teacher at Hogwarts, or a Transfiguration teacher...... I can't believe I didn't know about it......" Mr. Chryswell looked slightly surprised.

The two chatted for a few more minutes.

Just then, Matthew suddenly saw Elaine Shafiq approaching.

Since he began to deliberately distance himself from Horace Slughorn, he has also deliberately begun to distance himself from Miss Shafiq.

There are many mysteries in Slughorn, and Shafiq, a seemingly innocent little girl, does not seem to be bad...... And since "Tom Gaunt" was exposed, he doesn't seem to need any more news from Miss Shafiq.

After a hurried farewell to Mr. Chryswell, Matthew sped away.

......

"Neville!" he walked over to Neville Longbottom.

Miss Gwenog Jones, the captain of the Holyhead Harpys, is a tall, dark-skinned witch.

She spoke passionately about how she represented Wales at the Quidditch World Cup as a batsman two years earlier...... The boys around him burst into cheers.

Neville ...... Neville ......, "Matthew had a hard time getting Neville to distract him.

"What's wrong, Matthew?" asked Neville eagerly.

"I suddenly had a little pain in my stomach, and if Professor Slughorn asked me where I went, he would say I went to the bathroom......" Matthew said calmly.

"Okay, I got it. Neville replied hurriedly, then turned his gaze back to Miss Gwenog Jones.

Clearly, Matthew had sensed that it was impractical to try to get Neville and Hermione out of the dinner early.

But he himself was ready to slip away in advance......

He pretended to pour mead and made his way to the door of the Potions office.

When he saw Slughorn and other familiar faces, out of his sight—

Without hesitation, Matthew opened the office door and walked out quickly.

The air in the corridor was also cold, and at the same time, it was a relief.

He made up his mind that if someone asked him, he would say he was going to the bathroom.

......

The plan to "leave early" went very well.

No one seemed to notice it, and no one chased after them......

The teachers and students in Slughorn's office didn't seem to notice that one of them was missing.

Matthew walked alone in the hallways of Hogwarts, and now he was much more relaxed.

Suddenly, in the corridor ahead, there seemed to be the sound of footsteps on the floor with high-heeled feet-

The familiar footsteps also made Matthew's face change slightly.