Chapter 37: chp
The Slug Club Gathering: A Test of Ideals
The atmosphere in the Slug Club's exclusive room was lively but charged, as it always was when Slughorn brought together the brightest students of Hogwarts. The room was well-lit, with soft golden chandeliers casting a warm glow over the elegant décor. Drinks were distributed on silver trays, and a rectangular table dominated the room, where students representing the elite of Hogwarts sat, conversing in low, refined tones. The Slug Club, known for fostering connections among the gifted, was a hub where alliances were forged, ambitions were laid bare, and legacies were built.
"Today," Slughorn began, his mustache twitching with delight, "we welcome a new, promising member into our circle. Many of you may have heard of her, one way or another—Hecate of House Targaryen."
At the mention of her name, all eyes turned to the young witch seated at the table's far end. There was a myriad of emotions reflected in their gazes—curiosity, envy, admiration, and even thinly veiled hostility. However, Hecate met them all with a calm, poised demeanor. Rising gracefully from her chair, she addressed the room with a voice that was both firm and elegant, her words carefully chosen.
"It is an honor to be here," she said simply, yet her tone carried an unshakable confidence. "I look forward to learning and contributing alongside all of you."
The subtle power in her voice commanded attention, and even those who harbored ill will toward her couldn't help but listen.
As the evening progressed, the discussions meandered through various topics—potions innovations, recent magical discoveries, and the importance of forming alliances. Yet, as was often the case in such gatherings, the conversation eventually turned to politics, guided intentionally by the noble students who sought to gauge Hecate's stance on the wizarding world's current state of unrest.
Lucius Malfoy, the Malfoy heir and a seventh-year Slytherin, skillfully steered the discussion. Leaning back in his chair, his pale blond hair gleaming under the light, he spoke with an air of authority.
"The recent surge in attacks by werewolves and dark wizards has been troubling," he began, his tone calculated and persuasive. "Even the Aurors, as competent as they claim to be, seem to be struggling to maintain order."
A Slytherin student chimed in, nodding vigorously. "It's true. Perhaps the real issue lies in the Ministry's policies. They've been far too lenient. Recruiting Muggle-born wizards into positions of authority? That's where the cracks began to show. They're simply not equipped to understand our world, let alone protect it."
The statements were bait, their true target unmistakable. All eyes turned to Hecate, waiting to see how the mysterious and newly proclaimed heir of House Targaryen would respond. Lucius, in particular, fixed her with a sharp, analytical gaze, his lips curling into a faint smirk.
"What's your take on this, Miss Targaryen?" he asked, feigning polite interest but clearly attempting to test her.
Hecate took a moment, her expression contemplative. She leaned slightly forward, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass as if deep in thought. The room held its collective breath, awaiting her reply. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady and deliberate.
"From my observation," she began, her tone carrying an air of measured authority, "the reality of the current magical world is quite cruel. What it lacks most is equality."
Several students exchanged surprised glances. Equality? That was not a word often heard in such circles.
"If we could provide equality—true equality—regardless of race or upbringing, many of our issues could solve themselves. Take werewolves, for example. Most never chose to become what they are, and yet they are ostracized, feared, and treated as less than human. If we offered them respect and opportunity instead of pushing them into the margins of society, they wouldn't be forced to steal or lash out in desperation. The same principle applies to Muggle-borns. Their upbringing may differ, but magic itself knows no bloodline."
The room was silent, save for the faint crackle of the enchanted fireplace. Hecate continued, her voice gaining momentum.
"The structure of the wizarding world is flawed. To change it, we must be willing to compromise and compensate for the injustices of the past. Change is never easy, but with determination and cooperation from those who dare to envision a better future, the impossible can become possible."
When she finished, the room was left speechless. Many had expected her to align with the pure-blood ideology, given her proclaimed lineage as a scion of an ancient house. Instead, she had delivered a bold and profound critique of the very foundations of their society.
Lucius's smirk had vanished, replaced by a thoughtful frown. The more astute members of the club studied Hecate with newfound seriousness.
"This girl is daring," Slughorn thought, his jovial expression dimming for a moment as he weighed her words. "She will either rise to unimaginable heights—or fall under the weight of her ideals."
Among the Slytherin students, one figure in particular regarded Hecate with an expression unlike the others. Regulus Black, the younger son of the infamous House Black, sat quietly at the table's edge, his dark eyes fixed on her.
From a young age, Regulus had been taught that true nobility lay in purity of blood and adherence to tradition. Yet, he had always harbored doubts, silently questioning the principles that his family clung to so tightly. Watching Hecate speak with such conviction, he felt a spark of something unfamiliar—admiration.
"True nobility," he thought, "isn't found in titles or bloodlines. It's in the courage to challenge the world's flaws and strive for something greater."
For the first time, Regulus found himself wondering if he had been searching for role models in all the wrong places.
As the gathering dispersed, the murmurs continued. Some whispered about Hecate's audacity, others about her intelligence. But one thing was certain: she had made an impression, and the ripples of her words would not soon fade.
It was late in the evening when Hecate walked through the near-empty corridors of Hogwarts, her mind half-lost in thoughts of the political minefield she had navigated earlier. Her body, however, craved the comfort of her bed. all she wanted now was sleep.
Just as she rounded a corner toward the Gryffindor common room, a voice called out to her.
"Hey there, a daring speech, dare I say," came a playful tone.
Hecate turned to find herself face-to-face with a Gryffindor girl who had distinct Asian features. The girl walked with a confident stride, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"They asked, and I answered," Hecate replied flatly, not bothering to hide her exhaustion.
"You can call me Vicky, by the way. Fifth year, like you."
Hecate raised an eyebrow. "Hecate."
"Right, right, I know. Hard not to, with your reputation preceding you and all," Vicky added with a grin.
Before Hecate could think of an excuse to end the conversation, the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps echoed down the hall. A shadowy figure emerged into view, and Hecate immediately recognized the platinum blond hair of Lucius Malfoy. His piercing gaze was locked on her, and the smirk on his face was anything but friendly.
"Hecate Targaryen," he announced, stepping into their path. "I challenge you to a duel. You're too arrogant for your age."
Hecate's lips curled into a sly smile. "Oho? Fine, then," she replied, her tone as provocative as the smirk now playing on her face.
Vicky's eyes lit up at the prospect of entertainment. "Great! Why don't you two duel tomorrow at the Dueling Club? I'm a member, and it'd be the perfect place to settle this!"
Lucius crossed his arms, clearly pleased with the idea of a public stage for his supposed victory. "Hmph. Fine."
"Fine by me," Hecate agreed nonchalantly.
As Lucius walked away, his robes billowing dramatically behind him, Vicky turned to Hecate, grinning.
"This is going to be fun. I'll be there to cheer for you."
Hecate gave a slight nod before heading off to her room, already planning how to humiliate Lucius in the duel.
---
The next day, as Hecate and Vicky made their way to the Dueling Club's practice room, the air buzzed with anticipation. Students had heard about the upcoming duel, and the hallways were rife with whispers about the clash between the enigmatic Targaryen and the proud Malfoy heir.
Just as they were about to enter the room, a blur of yellow and black came barreling toward them. A girl from Hufflepuff launched herself at Vicky, grabbing her arm dramatically.
"MY HOE!!" the girl exclaimed, her voice filled with exaggerated affection.
Hecate froze mid-step, staring at the scene with a mix of confusion and amusement. Slowly, a smirk crept onto her face. "My... hoe?" she repeated, unable to resist poking fun at the bizarre outburst.
Vicky sighed heavily, her hand coming up to pinch the bridge of her nose. "My name is Ho," she explained, emphasizing the word. "You can guess why she calls me that."
The Hufflepuff girl—shorter, with a round, cheerful face and freckles—beamed up at Vicky unapologetically. "Because you're MY Hoe, obviously," she chirped.
Vicky groaned as if she were in physical pain, reaching out to grab the girl's face with both hands and squeezing her cheeks mercilessly. "This little menace is Sylvia," she said, her voice dripping with mock frustration. "A fifth-year too. Don't let her fool you—she's more trouble than she looks."
Sylvia flailed her arms dramatically, muffled protests escaping her squished cheeks. "Mmmph! Let gooo!"
Vicky finally released her grip, and Sylvia rubbed her reddened cheeks with a pout. Recovering quickly, she struck a dramatic pose, one hand on her hip and the other pointing at herself.
"Sylvia, from ita~ly!" she declared, her voice thick with an exaggerated Italian accent.
Hecate, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange, couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Hecate. Nice to meet you," she said simply, her tone laced with amusement.
Sylvia perked up at the response, her earlier pout forgotten. "Ah! The famous Targaryen! I've heard about you. You're dueling today, yes?"
Hecate nodded.
Sylvia clasped her hands together excitedly. "Good! I'll cheer for you! Vicky owes me snacks if you win!"
Vicky groaned. "I didn't agree to that."
"You will," Sylvia replied with a wink.
Hecate smirked at the duo, already feeling like she had stumbled into a comedy routine.
---
As Hecate stepped into the Dueling Club room, the chatter of the students hushed momentarily, all eyes turning to the mysterious Targaryen. The dimly lit room was filled with an air of anticipation, wands glowing faintly in the hands of eager duelists.
From the far side of the room, Professor Flitwick, the diminutive yet formidable Charms Master, spotted Hecate. His face lit up with excitement as he shuffled toward her.
"Oh my, Miss Targaryen!" Flitwick exclaimed, his voice brimming with delight. "Are you here to join my club?"
Hecate gave him a polite nod, her tone measured. "I would love to, Professor."
"Splendid! Splendid!" he clapped his hands together. "You're just the kind of talent this club needs. Such poise, such potential!"
Vicky, standing off to the side, raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Wait. I thought you were just here to duel Malfoy?"
Hecate shrugged nonchalantly. "I am. But the club seemed fun, so I figured why not?"
Vicky rolled her eyes. "Suit yourself."
---
As the girls moved further into the room, scanning for Malfoy, Sylvia suddenly bounced into view, her exuberance as uncontainable as ever.
"Hmm, Malfoy isn't here yet," Sylvia noted, tapping her chin. Her eyes lit up with mischief as she turned to Vicky. "Hey, Ho, let's duel before the others take all the spotlight!"
Vicky crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "Hmph. Fine. But I'll win this time."
Hecate watched the exchange with mild amusement. "This should be good," she muttered under her breath, stepping back to observe.
The two girls stepped onto the dueling platform, wands drawn, as the crowd began to gather around them in anticipation.
"Begin!" Flitwick announced with a squeaky but authoritative voice.
The duel started off strong. Sylvia opened with a quick Expelliarmus, but Vicky dodged it with a graceful sidestep, countering with Petrificus Totalus. Sylvia blocked it mid-air with a shield charm, the sparks from the clash showering the platform in light.
The girls exchanged spell after spell, the intensity building as the crowd cheered them on. Despite their different styles—Vicky's precision versus Sylvia's raw energy—it quickly became apparent that the two were evenly matched.
Suddenly, Sylvia saw an opening. With a triumphant yell, she cast a perfectly aimed Expelliarmus. Vicky's wand flew out of her hand, clattering onto the floor several feet away.
Vicky froze, stunned. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Hmph! I know taekwondo!" she announced, flipping her hair back dramatically.
Sylvia, hyped up and clearly not thinking straight, responded by throwing her own wand onto the ground. "And I'mma whoop your ass!" she shouted, bolting toward Vicky like a wild animal.
---
The room erupted into laughter as the two girls charged at each other, abandoning all pretense of magical dueling. What followed was less of a duel and more of a flailing, semi-coordinated wrestling match.
Sylvia managed to grab Vicky in a clumsy headlock, but Vicky retaliated by stomping on Sylvia's foot. The two tumbled to the floor in a heap, rolling around as they tried to pin each other down.
Hecate watched, utterly entertained, while Flitwick sighed deeply, clearly used to this kind of chaos. He waved his wand lazily, casting a protective charm to ensure neither girl got seriously injured.
"Miss Ho," Flitwick called out, his voice tinged with exasperation, "as I've said before, you need to focus on dodging and strategy, not standing still!"
Sylvia, who was currently trying to pull Vicky's hair, looked up for a moment. "She stomped on my foot! How is that strategy?"
Vicky, now free and attempting to tackle Sylvia, yelled back. "Because it worked, obviously!"
Flitwick pinched the bridge of his nose. "And Miss Sylvia," he added, turning to the Italian girl, "for the love of Merlin, take the duels seriously! No wand ditching!"
"But Professor," Sylvia protested, pointing dramatically at Vicky, "she said she knew taekwondo! I had to match her energy!"
Flitwick gave her a long, tired look. "Matching energy does not mean abandoning your wand mid-duel."
The crowd, meanwhile, was in stitches, some even crying with laughter as the two girls continued their chaotic scuffle. Hecate chuckled softly, making a mental note that joining this club might be more entertaining than she initially thought.
Eventually, Flitwick managed to separate the two combatants with a flick of his wand, lifting them into the air and setting them down on opposite sides of the platform. Both girls were disheveled, their robes askew and their hair a mess, but neither looked ready to admit defeat.
"That was a draw," Sylvia announced confidently, crossing her arms.
"No, it wasn't. I won," Vicky shot back.
Flitwick groaned, muttering something about "theatrics" as he waved them both off the platform.
Hecate smirked as she stepped forward, glancing at Vicky. "Your friends are... interesting."
Vicky sighed. "Welcome to the club."
As the room settled down, the doors opened, and Lucius Malfoy entered, his presence as dramatic as ever. Hecate straightened, her smirk growing wider.
"Time for the main event," she murmured, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
As Hecate and Malfoy squared off in the dueling arena, the room buzzed with excitement. The students gathered around the platform, eager to see a clash of talent and arrogance.
On the sidelines, Vicky and Sylvia had taken it upon themselves to organize a betting pool.
"Alright, people! Place your bets!" Vicky called out, her voice cutting through the noise like a bell. "The genius Animagus Hecate versus Mr. 'I'm Too Perfect' Malfoy!"
Sylvia, standing beside her, added enthusiastically, "Bet on Hecate, and you'll thank me later! Trust me, she's gonna roast that Slytherin brat!"
The bets began pouring in. Many of the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors put their galleons on Hecate, impressed by her reputation as a prodigy. However, some of the Slytherins, blinded by house loyalty and Malfoy's status as a seventh-year prefect, bet on him instead.
"Malfoy's been dueling for years!" one Slytherin sneered. "That Targaryen girl doesn't stand a chance."
Sylvia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Keep dreaming, Snake-boy. You'll be eating your words soon enough."
---
Professor Flitwick, practically bouncing with excitement, raised his tiny arms to quiet the crowd. "Duelists, take your positions!"
Hecate strolled to her side of the platform with a casual elegance, her wand twirling lazily between her fingers. Malfoy, on the other hand, strutted to his spot with an air of superiority, his robes billowing dramatically as if he were in a staged production.
The tension was palpable as Flitwick raised his hand. "On my count: three... two... one... begin!"
---
The duel began with a flurry of spells. Malfoy immediately launched a Stupefy, but Hecate sidestepped it effortlessly, flicking her wand to deflect the spell into the air.
Hecate yawned theatrically. "Is that all you've got, Malfoy? I thought you were supposed to be smart."
Malfoy's face reddened. He fired off a rapid series of spells—Expelliarmus, Incarcerous, and Rictusempra—but Hecate countered each one with the precision of someone who wasn't even breaking a sweat.
"You're just toying with him, aren't you?" Vicky whispered to Sylvia on the sidelines.
Sylvia grinned. "She's giving him hope before crushing it. Classic."
---
As the duel continued, the crowd's cheers grew louder. Some shouted for Malfoy, others for Hecate. But the loudest by far was Sylvia, who had taken it upon herself to be Hecate's unofficial cheerleader.
"Hecky! Hecky! Peg him! Peg him!" Sylvia hollered, cupping her hands around her mouth.
Hecate froze mid-dodge, her wand halfway raised. She turned her head toward Sylvia, her expression a mix of disbelief and suppressed laughter.
"Sylvia!" Vicky hissed, smacking her friend on the shoulder. "What the hell are you yelling?"
Sylvia, entirely unbothered, shrugged. "What? It's motivational!"
Hecate, unable to hold it in, burst into laughter. The sound echoed through the room, momentarily breaking the duel's tension.
---
Composing herself, Hecate decided it was time to end the duel. Sylvia's absurd cheer had inspired her to add a dramatic twist.
With a graceful flick of her wand, Hecate fired a blast of fire toward Malfoy. He dodged to the side, the flames missing him by inches.
"Is that the best you can do?" Malfoy sneered.
Hecate smirked. "Oh, I'm just getting started."
As Malfoy prepared to counterattack, Hecate quickly cast a silent Transfiguration spell. The ground behind Malfoy shifted and twisted, forming a long, pointed stick that jutted upward ominously.
Malfoy, unaware of the trap, stepped backward—and right onto the stick.
What followed was an ear-piercing shriek that could rival a banshee's wail. Malfoy's face contorted in pain as he clutched his behind, his wand clattering to the ground.
"What in Merlin's name—?!" someone from the crowd gasped.
Malfoy stumbled forward, collapsing face-first onto the platform. A collective gasp swept through the room as everyone stared at him in stunned silence.
Everyone, that is, except Sylvia, who was practically in tears from laughing.
"She did it! She pegged him!" Sylvia shouted triumphantly, clapping her hands.
Flitwick, trying his best to maintain professionalism, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Miss Sylvia, please refrain from such... colorful commentary."
---
Malfoy was carried off the platform by a group of concerned Slytherins, his pride—and possibly other things—severely injured.
The room erupted into chaotic chatter, half the students horrified, the other half struggling not to laugh.
Vicky turned to Hecate, shaking her head. "You're insane, you know that?"
Sylvia grinned. "Insane, but effective."
Hecate stepped off the platform, her smirk firmly in place. She glanced at Sylvia and Vicky, her tone dripping with amusement.
"Well, that was... eventful."
Sylvia huging Hecate said. " Hecky!, you made my dream come true "
----
The aftermath of the duel spread through the castle like Fiendfyre. By breakfast the next morning, it seemed everyone at Hogwarts knew about "The Pegging Incident," as it was now informally called. The Slytherins, predictably, were furious.
Lucius Malfoy's humbling defeat had shaken their house pride to its core. For decades, Slytherin students had taken pride in their dueling prowess, with Lucius being one of their shining stars. That he was bested by a fifth-year was nothing short of scandalous.
The Slytherin house rallied quickly. Letters flooded in from the Malfoy family and other influential pure-blood families, demanding that Hecate Targaryen be banned from the Dueling Club.
"This behavior is unbecoming of a Hogwarts student," one letter read. "An individual who resorts to humiliating tactics such as... well, that, has no place in structured dueling."
Another letter was far less diplomatic: "We demand the immediate expulsion of this so-called Targaryen girl. Her presence tarnishes the reputation of this institution!"
The backlash grew so intense that Dumbledore himself had to address the matter.
---
In his office, Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his fingers steepled as Professor Flitwick stood before him.
"Albus, this is absolutely absurd," Flitwick squeaked, pacing back and forth. "Miss Targaryen demonstrated remarkable skill and ingenuity during that duel. She's a natural! Banning her from the club would be a travesty!"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, though there was a hint of weariness in them. "I understand your frustration, Filius, but we must consider the political ramifications. The Malfoys and their allies are quite... insistent."
"Political ramifications be damned!" Flitwick retorted. "The Dueling Club is meant to nurture talent, not cater to bruised egos!"
Dumbledore sighed, his expression softening. "It is not an easy decision, my friend. But for the sake of maintaining peace within the school, I am afraid Miss Targaryen will need to step back from the club—temporarily, at least."
---
The news was delivered during dinner in the Great Hall. Professor Flitwick stood up at the staff table, looking uncharacteristically grim.
"It is with great regret that I must announce a temporary suspension for one of our Dueling Club members. Miss Hecate Targaryen will no longer be participating in club activities until further notice."
The room erupted into whispers.
"They actually banned her?" a Gryffindor muttered in disbelief.
"Malfoy must've cried to mummy and daddy," a Ravenclaw sneered.
The Slytherins, meanwhile, looked smug and satisfied. Lucius Malfoy, who had returned to classes with a noticeable limp, smirked from his seat.
---
Among the Dueling Club members, the reaction was mixed.
"Thank Merlin she's gone," one Hufflepuff muttered. "She was way too intense."
"Intense? She was brilliant!" countered a Gryffindor. "Malfoy just couldn't handle the heat."
Vicky, who had been sitting beside Sylvia, slammed her goblet down. "This is complete nonsense! Hecate's the best duelist this school's seen in ages."
Sylvia, munching on a piece of bread, nodded solemnly. "Justice for Hecky. She pegged a Malfoy, and they couldn't handle it."
---
Back in his office, Flitwick slumped into his chair, looking despondent. He stared at the collection of dueling trophies on his shelf, many of which had been earned under his mentorship.
"She could've been the best duelist Hogwarts has ever produced," he muttered to himself. "And now they're tying her hands because of politics."
---
Hecate, for her part, was unbothered. When Vicky and Sylvia found her in the Ravenclaw common room, she was lounging on a couch, calmly reading a book.
"Did you hear?" Vicky asked, flopping down beside her. "You've been banned from the club."
Hecate shrugged. "I figured they'd pull something like this. Malfoy's ego was bruised, and his parents couldn't stand it."
Sylvia plopped down on Hecate's other side. "You're taking this way too well. I'd be flipping tables if I were you."
"It's just a temporary setback," Hecate replied, smirking. "Besides, who needs the Dueling Club when I can practice on my own? Let Malfoy enjoy his hollow victory. I'll be back when it matters most."
The three girls shared a conspiratorial grin, already plotting how to turn this setback into an advantage.