Twenty Galleons was a little below the market price, and Brian had no objections. He reasonably guessed that Snape did not want to owe him a favor for the mirror-it seemed he rather liked the Happiness Mirror.
But-an Enhanced Memory Potion?
Brian dared say there was a ninety-nine percent chance that Snape had developed this potion to "crack open Quirrell's brain." "Forty Galleons."
Snape returned and tossed Brian two bottles filled with silvery-white potion as though throwing apples, saying coldly,
"As a matter of professional responsibility, I must warn you-you can only take one bottle of Enhanced Memory Potion within a fortnight. Of course,
"if you wish to test your limits-
"I would be delighted to buy a bouquet of larkspur and place it before your gravestone."
Larkspur was a plant with an unusual shape, its petals on either side resembling swallows taking flight. It looked beautiful, but actually symbolized arrogance and recklessness.
Well, apparently this Potions professor could not speak without making a snide remark. Brian had actually wanted to have a normal conversation with Snape, but since the other man was unwilling, he could hardly force him.
And from his extensive experience, he knew perfectly well that when Snape opened his mouth to deliver some knowledge-based mockery he thought terribly clever, all one needed to do was calmly play dumb, and Snape would become the uncomfortable one.
So Brian nodded calmly, stuffed both bottles into his pocket, tossed over a small money bag, and asked, "Thank you. There are a hundred Galleons in there. I'd like-"
Sure enough, Snape looked thoroughly uncomfortable. He drew the wand tucked at his waist and flicked it, took forty Galleons from the bag, then impatiently threw it back and said condescendingly,
"I do not accept advance orders. I am very busy. I