Horace Slughorn is the greatest subversion to the "evil Slytherin" trope in the Harry Potter series. The Hogwarts professor is an exceptionally powerful wizard but doesn't have any evil intentions or delusions of grandeur. Moreover, Slughorn is notorious in the Wizarding World for picking future sensations at Hogwarts, and he has a proven record to back up his belief in the Slug Club. The group, named partially after Slughorn, has been active at Hogwarts for over half a century and has notable alumni and members.
Looking at the history of the club, its purpose, and the wizards who were inducted gives a clear picture of the kind of company Slughorn loves to keep and the impact of his induction of certain characters.
1
250 VOTES
The First Set Of Death Eaters Were Part Of The Slug Club
Tom Riddle, AKA Voldemort, was Slughorn's favorite student during his Hogwarts days, and the teacher considered Tom's friends to be just as talented as him due to their association. By the time Tom was a senior, his group were all part of the Slug Club.
During the time before the Death Eaters' name was coined, Tom termed them "The Knights of Walpurgis," and the boys whom Harry sees in Slughorn's memory with Tom are the very same.
2
228 VOTES
Every Slug Club Incarnation Includes A Star Pupil That Slughorn Shapes Meetings Around
The Slug Club always has members with the potential to become powerful later in life, but Slughorn has one witch or wizard in particular whom he keeps as his star pupil. This student is the one Slughorn promotes to people outside the school and the main attraction for his parties.
The star pupil is either seated next to Slughorn or stands next to him in Slug Club photos that Slughorn retains in later life to show to future members. Star pupils are usually the most talented or the most popular, including the likes of Tom Riddle, Lily Evans, and Harry Potter.
3
298 VOTES
The Slug Club Originally Ended Due To Voldemort's First Defeat
The Slug Club is only active as long as Slughorn is teaching at Hogwarts, and his retirement led to its closing. The real reason Slughorn resigned wasn't due to old age but the fact Albus Dumbledore figured out he had unknowingly relayed information about Horcruxes to Voldemort in a Slug Club meeting.
It's stated in Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists that Slughorn was so glad Voldemort was banished after his first defeat at baby Harry Potter's hands that Dumbledore took notice.
Slughorn's resulting shame at Voldemort and Lily Evans's statuses as former Slug Club members and the fact he influenced a star pupil who eliminated another is what led to his resignation and the end of the Slug Club at the time.
4
343 VOTES
Severus Snape And Lily Evans Were Slug Club Members, But The Marauders Weren't
Sirius Black and James Potter would be easy picks for the Slug Club given their families' history and exceptional talent, yet neither of the duo nor the other two Marauders were part of the club. It's more than likely they were uninterested since they were never elitist by personality.
On the other hand, Lily Evans and Severus Snape were chosen by Slughorn to be part of the club, which the two accepted. The pair were star pupils of Slughorn in his potions class, and he made sure to include them despite their less-than-desirable Muggle ancestries.
Snape's status carried forward into adulthood as well, as he was present for the Slug Club's grand party when Lily's son, Harry Potter, was a member.
5
287 VOTES
The Inventor Of The Wolfsbane Potion Was Slughorn's Star Pupil And Slug Club Member
The Wolfsbane Potion is a very new invention created by Damocles Belby, who was once a star pupil of Slughorn and part of the Slug Club. Damocles stands as one of Slughorn's reasons to believe in the validity of the Slug Club because the teacher's faith in him paid off.
Damocles is another part of the Slug Club's induction process since Slughorn later invites Damocles's Marcus Belby under the assumption he's talented like his uncle. Marcus misses out on joining the club because he's not close with Damocles and isn't talented either.
6
231 VOTES
Slug Club Parties Include Invites To Dangerous Beings
The Slug Club has a long reach into the Wizarding World that brings people of different kinds together. Slughorn makes sure to invite the most fascinating people as part of his grand parties, where his guests can bring anyone they want to accompany them.
During the Christmas party that Harry Potter attends, a vampire named Sanguini accompanies Slughorn's former star pupil Eldred Worple who's now an internationally renowned author. Since the Slug Club includes people from other dangerous professions, they can bring beings similar to Sanguini to the parties.
