"I don't think anyone can waste so many of us waiting for him." Shabini said in a flattering tone. "I think we can start." He seemed to be looking forward to something.

McClagan didn't agree, but it seemed that he was also dissatisfied with others being late. When a Slytherin made a suggestion, if Gryffindor didn't object, it would represent Gryffindor's strongest support.

Harry and Neville sat in their seats in a confused manner, not knowing what to say about it - but Belby of Ravenclaw obviously did not agree with the proposal. He was shaking his body in the chair uncomfortably, as if he wanted to accumulate courage to say something.

"Bris Shabini, I really hope you can say this in front of me." A familiar voice from Harry came from outside the car. "I met two little guys in grades fighting on the way here and took some time to deal with the dispute between them. I don't think Professor Slughorn would be angry about it, after all, I really fulfilled the responsibilities of the chief.

It was Jack Silver, his voice no longer hoarse and a refreshing look. Slughorn stood up and gave him a warm hug.

"I'm so glad to see you again, Jack," Slughorn said enthusiastically, "Sit down."

Slughorn pointed to the position to his right, and Harry noticed that the position was always empty.

Silver cast a cold look at Shabini, but Shabini did not dare to respond.

But Silver obviously did not intend to let Shabini go. "It seems that Professor Slughorn has invited you, Shabini. Maybe you are complacent for defeating Draco Malfoy now? I have to say that there is another reason why Professor Slughorn did not invite Malfoy, not because you are better than him, Shabini."

Brees Shabini suddenly became interested in the plate in front of him, and seemed to be unwilling to respond to Silver.

"Okay, Jack, this is my party, don't mess it up." Slughorn said with a smile, not saying anything about blame Silver. "Since everyone is out, let's start. It's a pleasant party, which gives me a chance to know you all more. Give me, a napkin. I brought my lunch myself, and I remember that the food on the food truck was always too scented with the licorice wand, a poor elderly man whose digestive system couldn't stand it... Come on some quail, Belby?"

Belby was surprised and immediately accepted something like half a cold quail.

"Harry and Neville came a little late, and I have to introduce myself to these two gentlemen," said Slughorn. "I am Horace Slughorn, an old man who has retired, was arrested by Dumbledore when he should have enjoyed his happy retirement."

Slughorn nodded at Silver, "Ha, Jack knows this most. Anyway, I will be your potion teacher this year."

"Devil, potion?" Neville raised his hand tremblingly, "Where is Professor Snape?"

"Severus will serve as the teacher of the Dark Magic Defense," said Slughorn. "To be honest, although Severus has a high level of attainment in magic potions, his research on the Dark Magic Defense is deeper than most wizards. I was also Severus' teacher, and I know the most about this."

Neville shut up, but it seemed that he was much more afraid of the teacher who had taught Snape.

"I was just telling this young Marcos that I had the honor of teaching his uncle Damocles," Slughorn said to Harry, who was passing a basket of bread rolls. "A great wizard, very outstanding, and his Merlin medal is definitely worthy of it. Do you often see your uncle, Marcos?"

Unfortunately, Marcos had just eaten a big bite of quail, and he was eager to answer Slughorn's question. He swallowed too quickly and his face turned into a pig's liver, choking and speechless.

"Cough-free." Slughorn pointed at Belby with his wand and said calmly, Belby's trachea seemed to be unblocked at once.

"No... I didn't see him very much." Belby said gasping, his tears choked out.

"Yes, of course, I dare say he must be very busy." Slughorn said to Belby inquiringly, "I think he must have put in a lot of effort to invent the wolf poison potion?"

"I think so..." Belby said, not seemingly daring to eat quails again until he was convinced that Slughorn had finished his interrogation, "Well... that's it, he has a bad relationship with my dad, so I don't actually know much..."

His voice fell down as Slughorn sneered at him and turned to McLaggan.

"Where are you, Kommie," said Slughorn, "I happen to know that you see your uncle Tiberus often because he has a picture of you both... let me think about it, isn't it?"

"Oh, yeah, that's fun," McLagan said. "There were Betty Higgins and Rufus Sclinger with us."

"Ah, do you know Betty and Rufus?" Slughorn immediately smiled and picked up a small plate of pie and gave it to everyone. Somehow Belby missed. "I don't know you still know our new principal. Tell me, how is Sclinger? I have to find a way to get along with my boss..."
Chapter completed!