A teacher's business was his student's business

Silan walked into the office and found that Snape, after a good night's rest, was in excellent spirits and looked at him with bright, alert eyes.

However, he seemed a little too radiant; Silan sensed something strange in his gaze...

Before Silan could speak, Snape asked first, "Did you sleep well last night?"

"There's something else going on in those words..." Silan muttered to herself, then pretended nothing was wrong and said, "Thank you for your concern, Professor. I slept very well last night."

Snape turned his head, glanced out the window out of the corner of his eye, and asked bluntly, "So, what do you want?"

"You've been busy researching the Wolfsbane Potion these past few days; it must have been exhausting. I thought I'd help you finish up your work," Silan said sincerely. "You're the teacher, and I'm the student. If the teacher has something to do, then the student has something to do, so I thought I'd come and check on you..."

[Silver Tongue: Proficiency +1]

Although Snape knew it was just empty words, he still felt quite pleased to hear them from one of his favorite students.

However, he still gave a cold snort and glared at Silan with annoyance, "Speak quickly if you have something to say!"

"You really can see right through anything," Silan said flatteringly, deliberately changing her form of address. "Dean, besides visiting you, there is indeed a small matter I'd like to mention."

Under Snape's watchful eye, Silan briefly explained the background of his involvement with Pippin in the Potions.

But when asked about the reasons, they would invariably be. "I'm destitute and want to learn Potions but don't have the money to buy the Potions Ingredients." Or: "I'm penniless and want to prepare gifts for my teachers and students for Christmas, but I can't afford them."

She also added, "Not to mention preparing a birthday present for Miss Granger..."

In short, he was miserable and pitiful, and was forced to turn to selling Potions out of desperation.

"This was all a mistake I made in a moment of weakness." Silan bowed her head in remorse, looking utterly regretful. "I was really confused for a moment, that's why I used your name, Dean, to sell Potions."

"However, so far, only one batch of Baruffio's Brain Elixir and Hemostatic Healing Potion have been sold; the second batch of Potions hasn't even been sold yet..."

"No need to say anything more, I already knew about this." Snape waved his hand dismissively.

He knew very well that Silan had long since mastered the art of using Baruffio's Brain Elixir and the Hemostatic Healing Potion.

Moreover, Silan was personally trained by him, and their Potions styles were exactly the same. The quality of the two Potions was also comparable, so it couldn't really be considered reselling counterfeit potions.

Anyway, there was no actual loss.

But Silan was secretly taken aback by Snape's words. "The Headmaster already knew? Lucius wrote to him asking?"

Lucius and Snape knew each other long ago, so it's not surprising that they had a connection.

"Perhaps Lucius wrote to the Dean to verify this after discovering these Potions?" Silan thought to herself.

"I knew I couldn't hide anything from you," Silan said with a sigh, still appearing resigned and accepting of punishment.

"No need for compliments." Snape glared at him, but his tone wasn't harsh. "You're someone I taught, someone I taught. I know your Potions skills are quite good, and this subject requires a great deal of dedication."

Snape stood up from his chair, walked to the window, and his voice was carried to Silan's ears by the cool breeze.

"It's perfectly understandable for you to sell some Potions for money; I never intended to interfere." Snape said, then turned to Silan and asked meaningfully, "However, you summoned me here for more than just this, didn't you?"

Silan for a moment and said, "I originally started reselling Potions just to ease my financial burden and also improve my Potions skills. I never expected Lucius Malfoy to find out about it."

Snape nodded silently, gesturing for him to continue.

"Lucius has found Pippin of Hogsmeade, who is my business partner," Silan explained. "Lucius wants to partner with me in the Potions business."

Snape understood, nodded slightly, and thought to himself, "Prewett does know the rules."

Previously, Silan had been selling Potions under Snape's name, but it was just small-scale business to earn some pocket money, and it wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't been told.

But if we were to partner with Lucius Malfoy and venture into the Potions business, that would be a serious matter.

To try and act first and ask questions later in this matter would be disrespectful to Snape; Silan isn't that stupid.

Moreover, Silan and Snape were teacher and student, not mortal enemies. Informing Snape in advance and gaining his support would bring even greater benefits.

"Lucius has wanted to collaborate with me for a long time, with me making the Potions and him handling the sales..."

"But I never agreed. I didn't expect him to still be so persistent and find you again." Snape frowned as he recalled the past, shaking his head helplessly.

Silan asked curiously, "With the Dean's abilities, he could have easily partnered with Lucius to establish a renowned Potions trading company and amass countless fortunes. Why didn't he agree?"

"Wealth only means me money to buy Potions Ingredients. But often, I don't need money to get Potions Ingredients," Snape said arrogantly, glancing at him dismissively.

The translation is. "Money means nothing to me."

Silan thought so too.

Professor Snape had been single for many years, with neither a wife nor children; he was a lone wolf.

In addition, he teaches at Hogwarts year-round, and doesn't even leave during Christmas. Apart from buying materials, there doesn't seem to be anything else he needs to spend money on.

Furthermore, Snape didn't seem to have many material needs, and given that he was Potions Master, even if he wanted to spend money, he probably wouldn't be able to.

After all, if he wanted to, those who wanted to befriend him would probably fight tooth and nail to give him money.

In a sense, Potions were Snape's universal currency.

"Let's put that aside for now." Snape stared intently at Silan, then asked with interest, "What do you think of Lucius?"