A query to Slughorn (Horace)

[Ashkir Devereux]

After leaving yet another office, Ashkir turned around and headed back toward the office of Anya Lupin, before he got there he stopped to look at Horace Slughorn's office. Turning to face the door, the fifteen year old knocked on the door four times with his left hand.

The time reaching seven in the evening, he hasn't even been into his common room to do his homework from the classes he has attended that day. He had more important matters to take care of.

Taking a step back the fifteen year old exhaled deeply staring at the door awaiting an answer.

[Horace Slughorn]

I put the last finishing touches to the letter I had drafted. Slipping it into the envelope I addressed it: Ministry of Magic, Department of Mysteries, London. I stamped the back of the letter with a sealed Trio's Hogwarts crest with the five houses on a shield. Piper fluttered down from her perch and snapped the letter from my hand as I flattened it out. "Someone is also keen" I said, giving her a smile and she scratched my hand in reply.

I took the owl on my hand to the window and set her off into the night sky. Looking at the clock on my wall I saw it read seven in the evening. Time to go home. The thought had only just entered when a knock on my door made me snap my head forward. "Obviously not just now" I said and looked at the portrait of Minerva McGonagall. "Ashkir Nightshade" She said, and I smiled back at my aunt as the door opened by its own accord. "Come in Mr Nightshade, have a seat" I said, taking my own seat again. "What brings you to my office at such hours?"

[Ashkir Devereux]

Ashkir stood outside the door patiently for a few split seconds, he was prepared to camp the door for a while in hope to catch the professor, probably perhaps even falling asleep for a bit there only to find himself later awaken by a patrolling prefect. But he didn't have to worry.

The door swung open, Professor Slughorn called him in. "Hello sir," the extemely tired teenager spoke looking up at Horace Slughorn. Walking in taken a clear seat on the other side of the desk. "I come at these hours to make a request, more actually.

"You may have been aware I haven't been in your classes so far this term. I apologize. I am wondering if there is some way I can make it up just to get an acceptable grade, just barely passing is fine." Even though the boy was striken down with an illness that followed his mental breakdown of transition into an actual teenager (realization) which Cole Halliwell helped him through, but he was in no condition to mention it. He didn't want to actually. He felt it was his fault for not sending a note anyway.

Seeing a picture move out of the corner of his eye, he turned his head to face it, "Mcgonnagall," he whispered barely knowing who she is from past studies of Modern Magic History.

[Horace Slughorn]

I looked at the boy as he sat down. He does not look well at all. I gave a small chuckle as he mentioned his classes. "I'm fully aware that you have not been keeping the best of health Mr Nightshade - therefore there is no need to make up your lessons" I then gave the boy a look which said I was not entirely satisfied with his condition. "I can see you are very unwell and I suggest you stay tucked up in bed until you are feeling better"

Was this my father instincts kicking in already?. Normally I would just send them packing out of my office, but I did share a concern for any student who was sick. "There is no need to worry about Charms".

[Ashkir Devereux]

Ashkir looked up at Horace when he stated there was no need to worry about Charms. A bit shocked, "But won't I be behind a bit? Is there anything I should review before I start going to class again?" Ashkir blurted out faster then he thought about it.

Looking down on the floor, he was happy that Horace understood where he was and the work load and pressure was off, but he didn't want to fall behind his classmates.