Snape: Give Lucien Some Homework

After reciting that silly candy command to the gargoyle, Snape strode into the Headmaster's Office.

He was dressed in a long black robe, his face as indifferent as ever.

But he no longer wore the black wizard's hat, and his glossy black hair was once again draped over his shoulders, thick and full.

Snape saw Dumbledore leisurely drinking tea and eating snacks by himself.

Without any hesitation, Snape went straight to sit down opposite Dumbledore.

Seeing that Snape was no longer wearing his wizard hat, Dumbledore's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. Had he invented some kind of magical hair-growth potion?

It works very well.

I just don't know if it will be promoted or released.

It's estimated to become a best-selling hair treatment, just like Potter Shampoo, or even more popular...

Dumbledore didn't say anything, but simply waved his hand, and a steaming cup of tea appeared in front of Snape.

"I'm sorry, Severus," Dumbledore said apologetically, gesturing to the few remaining plates of pastries, "I've almost finished eating them all, so I won't invite you to join me. I hope you don't mind."

Snape glanced at the pastries; they didn't look like the sickly sweet candies, chocolates, and cakes Dumbledore usually ate...

However, even if Dumbledore were to offer him food, Snape would refuse to eat.

He had an instinctive aversion to the sweets Dumbledore offered; they were unbearably sweet, so sweet they could make your teeth ache!

The tea was alright, though.

Snape looked away, not paying much attention to the nearly finished snacks, and simply tossed the small box he was carrying onto the table.

"This is a potent Veritaserum." Snape's tone was flat, as if he were talking about something trivial. "Just one drop is enough to make someone spill all their secrets from childhood to adulthood. They'll even remember dissecting a few toads as a child."

Dumbledore picked up the small box, opened it, and looked inside.

Inside, several rows of small crystal bottles were neatly arranged, the liquid inside a nearly transparent pale blue color with a slight sheen.

"Such a powerful effect," Dumbledore, closing the box and looking at Snape, "Wouldn't it damage the brain?"

Snape sneered, "Anyone who knows Voldemort's past and is still alive is usually no good."

His implication was clear—it didn't matter whether those people would be drugged into mentally impaired intelligence.

Dumbledore shook his head helplessly.

Snape's words were directed at more than just one or two people.

But Dumbledore still spoke up, "Could you prepare some more of the regular Veritaserum? Some people are quite innocent; they were just unlucky to know about Tom's past, and very lucky not to have been caught by Tom."

Snape gave a barely perceptible purse of his lips.

Dumbledore liked to insist on "bottom lines" and "rules" even in trivial matters.

As for brewing a regular Veritaserum, Dumbledore could easily do it himself. Although this potion was quite difficult and complicated to brew, it was not difficult for him given his potion-making skills.

However, Dumbledore was indeed very busy; the search for Voldemort and the Horcrux was already a headache enough.

Snape thought for a moment and realized he could help with the task of making the Veritaserum —or rather, he could pass it on to Lucien.

The reason was to check his potion-making skills.

It's perfectly reasonable for professors to check students' academic performance.

Snape silently added an assignment for Lucien in his mind, while taking a rectangular piece of paper out of his pocket.

The thin sheet was entirely silver, dotted with tiny black spots, with rounded, smooth edges and a metallic sheen.

He gently slid the thin slice towards Dumbledore and said in a calm tone:

"Oh, by the way, Lucien made this for me. You might find it useful."