In the storage room inside the office stood a finely crafted ebony dining table, covered with a dark green tablecloth embroidered with gold thread. Upon it sat steaming cream of mushroom soup.
The soup was snowy white and smooth, with emulsified fat floating on the surface and thin slices of ham mixed within. Its flavor was rich, fresh, and savory, while the freshly picked mushrooms had soaked up the broth, creating a balanced salty-sweet taste.
This was a dish prepared for the End-of-Year Feast.
Professor Snape had not gone to the Great Hall for lunch. Instead, he had asked the Kitchen to send the food to his office. As an assistant, Loren had spent several hours helping grade papers, so it was only natural for him to enjoy a little of his professor's privilege.
Drinking this cream soup by itself was somewhat rich, so Loren preferred having it with something substantial. He dipped some bread into the mushroom soup and found the taste rather nice. Eating as he spoke, he asked, "I didn't see any of the specimen materials from the storage room. Did you move them all to Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets? You said you were turning it into a Potions laboratory. How's the progress?"
"Fine."
"Will the laboratory recruit students separately, or choose from club members?"
"It will recruit students next school year. Club members will be given priority."
"Why haven't you posted an announcement?"
"The preliminary preparations aren't complete. It is expected to be finished by the end of summer break." Snape did not even raise his head. "This year's school funds are still being calculated. Pomona's Greenhouse renovation is more complicated and involves more matters. The Potions laboratory is lower on the list, and the budget approval will take another two weeks."
"Funds, approval..."
Loren repeated