Гарри Поттер и Принц-полукровка
Horace Slughorn
Astheysetoffdownthegardenpath,Slughorn’svoicefloatedafterthem,"I’llwantapayrise,Dumbledore!"
Dumbledorechuckled.Thegardengateswungshutbehindthem,andtheysetoffbackdownthehillthroughthedarkandtheswirlingmist.
"Welldone,Harry,"saidDumbledore.
"Ididn’tdoanything,"saidHarryinsurprise.
"Ohyesyoudid.YoushowedHoraceexactlyhowmuchhestandstogainbyreturningtoHogwarts.Didyoulikehim?"
"Er..."
Harrywasn’tsurewhetherhelikedSlughornornot.Hesupposedhehadbeenpleasantinhisway,buthehadalsoseemedvainand,whateverhesaidtothecontrary,muchtoosurprisedthataMuggle-bornshouldmakeagoodwitch.
"Horace,"saidDumbledore,relievingHarryoftheresponsibilitytosayanyofthis,"likeshiscomfort.Healsolikesthecompanyofthefamous,thesuccessful,andthepowerful.Heenjoysthefeelingthatheinfluencesthesepeople.Hehasneverwantedtooccupythethronehimself;heprefersthebackseat—moreroomtospreadout,yousee.HeusedtohandpickfavoritesatHogwarts,sometimesfortheirambitionortheirbrains,sometimesfortheircharmortheirtalent,andhehadanuncannyknackforchoosingthosewhowouldgoontobecomeoutstandingintheirvariousfields.
