Dear Harry Potter,
Professor Slughorn has roped me into the Slug Club and won't stop pestering me with invites. I don't want to go, at all!! How can I get out of this situation? HELP!
-A terrified introvert
Hello, terrified introvert!
First of all, thank you for the question. I've consulted with my wife and a few friends on the best ways to avoid Professor Slughorn. As you may have heard, we tried many strategies during our time at Hogwarts... Many of them unsuccessful.
I always found that it was difficult to avoid him. He's very persistent, as you know. Your best bet is finding a way to get out of a specific meeting or dinner rather than avoid him altogether.
May I suggest using some of the sweets in the Skiving Snackbox? They're sure to get you out of a tough situation... Just be sure to make it very clear to dear Horace that you want to go to the Hospital Wing. Otherwise, he may try to heal you himself. While I'm sure he could be successful in that, it would defeat the purpose.
Perhaps you could join other clubs. The busier your schedule is, the easier it would be to avoid having to go to meetings. Although... you may want to be sure not to excel at these activities. It may just draw more attention to yourself and make him more determined.
Another thing I am certain of is that the Professor is very fond of gifts. If you would like to stay in his good graces, you could send him a gift or two every once in a while when you (politely) decline one of his invites. It would surely butter him up and make it easier for you to get away with not attending!
My fellow reluctant Slug Club member, I wish I had better advice for you. I really do. But I was horrible at avoiding him, and some of the other suggestions I've received are not... suitable. Horace means well, and as horrible as the meetings can be, attending them might just be the best way to get him off your back.
I truly wish you the best. Hopefully, one of these suggestions will help you out. If not, I hope someone else will be able to reach out with better advice.
-Harry