With permission, Draco pushed the door open and entered. Snape sat at the workbench with his back to the door, seemingly sorting potion ingredients.
Draco closed the door. "Professor, it's me. I need your help."
Snape turned around, his black eyes sweeping over him. "You look terrible, Mr. Malfoy."
Snape turned back and continued handling the potion ingredients. "Anxiety, lack of sleep... Madam Pomfrey's stimulants and calming draughts may be more appropriate than my help."
"No, Professor!" Draco hurriedly said, then lowered his voice. "Not that kind of help. It's about... the task."
Snape's hands immediately stilled. He slowly turned toward Draco again, his gaze scrutinizing as he gestured for him to continue.
Draco swallowed. "Professor, I need... Veritaserum."
Snape's expression did not change. His black eyes remained fixed on Draco, as though he could see straight into his heart.
The suffocating silence lasted for more than a minute. Just as Draco felt as if his heart were about to burst out of his chest, Snape finally spoke:
"Veritaserum is an advanced potion. It requires twenty-eight days to brew and several rare ingredients, some of which are strictly monitored by the Ministry of Magic. Its effects force the drinker to speak what they believe to be the truth, rather than absolute objective fact. An overdose will cause mental confusion and may even result in permanent memory damage."
With every sentence Snape spoke, Draco's face grew paler.
"Pro... Professor, I can't think of any other way... I need it. I need it to complete... the task. My dad said I could ask you for help."
Snape moved his chin almost imperceptibly, as though nodding, yet also as though shaking his head.
Draco was deeply uneasy. Without the help of the potion master before him, he could only take the risk of