After Matthew returned, he did not hand the potion directly to Lupin. After all, Lupin had only just had his blood drawn.
After parting ways with Lupin, Matthew went straight to Snape's office.
Snape seemed rather busy. It was already ten at night, yet he was still refining potions, and quite a few finished bottles were already sitting on the table.
"Good evening, Professor." Matthew picked up a bottle of potion and sniffed it. "Pepperup Potion?"
Snape glanced at him without stopping what he was doing. "There have been quite a few students with colds lately. You came at the right time. Madam Pomfrey's order won't be finished in time, so come help."
Pepperup Potion was highly effective against ordinary colds. Those who drank it would have steam pouring from their ears for several hours, and once the effects wore off, the cold would be gone as well.
Matthew began refining potions at another table.
"Has there been an influenza outbreak recently?" Matthew remembered that his roommate had caught a cold these past few days as well.
It was January, the coldest time of the year. In previous years, this was also the peak season for influenza.
He himself did not feel anything. With his current physique, ordinary viruses could not make him ill.
"Madam Pomfrey says it's influenza, but it's more severe this year than in past years..." Snape snorted. "Students raised in peaceful times are getting weaker and weaker."
Matthew brought up his purpose. "Professor, the Magic Newspaper is opening an academic section. I would like to invite you to publish some articles there."
Building an academic section required support from influential scholars to create publicity.
As a master in the field of Potions, Snape was naturally someone Matthew could not overlook.
Snape asked, "Haven't academic journals already