Snape just took one look at Lucien's Draught of Living Death and nodded.
"No need— this potion's spot on."
As a potions master who'd basically watched Lucien's brewing process from start to finish, Snape didn't even have to test it to know it was way above classroom standards.
"Lucien Grafton, failing to follow the professor's instructions—Ravenclaw, minus three points."
"First to complete the potion, with proficient technique and correct method—Ravenclaw, plus eight points."
Lucien pursed his lips at Snape's deduction-then-addition routine, couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Just give me five points straight up, why be so twisty about it?
If Snape could just be a bit more straightforward and drop the attitude, maybe all that old drama from back in the day wouldn't have happened.
...
"Class dismissed. Pack up your equipment properly—no leaving anything behind in the classroom."
Snape was about to sweep out of the room when he suddenly added:
"Grafton, come to my office."
Lucien had no clue why Snape was singling him out.
Did I tick him off just now?
But he still gave me points, though.
"Am I going to have to ask you twice, Grafton?"
See? Getting snippy already.
Lucien packed up his tools anyway, letting them float behind him as he followed.
Into Snape's office.
That gloomy, shadowy vibe hit him like a Bludger right in the face.
First thing you saw were two rows of shelves crammed with all sorts of jars and bottles.
Lucien glanced around curiously.
Huh, fits my idea of a classic wizard's den perfectly.
You could spot bat wings, dried frogs, weirdly scented herbs everywhere...
Whoa, what's that?
Lucien spotted a jar with what looked like a full, intact unicorn horn.
Next to it, something that seemed like a fire dragon's heart? And over there, was that a phoenix tail feather?
Before long, he noticed an entire shelf lined with rare, precious magical ingredients.
Not bad for a potions master—guy's loaded, with a collection like that.
"Have a seat."
Snape said it flatly to Lucien.
Lucien sat across from him.
"Who taught you that method for brewing the Draught of Living Death?"
Snape's direct question made Lucien's brow furrow slightly.
Why's he asking that? The recipe came from the system—shouldn't be any historical baggage, right? Can't tell it's got some old acquaintance vibe to it, can he?
His mind raced, but Lucien answered:
"Saw the original in a book. While practicing, I tried a few tweaks—got lucky, and the potion didn't lose any potency."
But Snape wasn't satisfied with that. He said stiffly:
"Let's cut to the chase. Your method's excellent—not only does it use less ingredients, but it amps up the effect. I'd say two to three times stronger."
"This is a basic potion. If you really improved it yourself, I'd like to incorporate your method into the curriculum going forward."
"Of course, I'd compensate you fairly in exchange. I'm not the type to steal a student's work."
"If you learned it from family or an elder, you could pass along the offer to them—the pay would be just as good."
Snape's words left Lucien stunned.
Incorporate my improved recipe into the textbook... and pay me for it?
This recipe was a loan from the system—now I get a chance to "sell" it to Snape?
Hang on, I haven't paid off the loan yet. The requirement was to brew five potions, and I've only done the improved Draught of Living Death so far.
If I hand the recipe to Snape but don't finish paying off the loan and it gets reclaimed, what happens to the one in Snape's hands?
Plus, I'd at least have gotten the reward from Snape already.
Whoa, this is like borrowing money to start a business, making a profit, then the lender just takes back the principal—but hey, I'm still ahead with the earnings.
"System buddy, what if I..."
After hearing Lucien's idea, the system:
[&!#¥~"" ]
[A kind and upright host shouldn't exploit loopholes like that (ಥ﹏ಥ)]
"Alright, alright, just kidding. I'll pay it off."
Lucien was more than happy to pick up new knowledge—learning a few potion recipes was no big deal for him.
Paying off the loan means I get the improved recipe, brew new potions, and snag a reward from Snape on top.
Total win-win-win situation.
"Professor, I did improve the recipe myself."
"I'm Muggle-born, not like what you said—from family or elders."
Snape started to nod at Lucien's response, then froze.
"You're really Muggle-born?"
"Yep."
"So you're saying a first-year newbie wizard improved a potion recipe?"
"That's right, me."
But Snape's face darkened—he thought Lucien was lying, just some kid desperate to prove his talent by claiming the work as his own.
"Oh? Then walk me through how you perfected the improvements, step by step."
Lucien didn't flinch. Good thing he'd practiced the Draught last night, and today in class, combining it with the old bat's explanations, he'd gotten a deeper grasp on it.
He organized his thoughts and started breaking down the key tweaks to the recipe.
As he explained methodically, Snape's skeptical gaze turned serious.
"...Honestly, my potions talent's pretty average. Just got lucky, and since the Draught's a basic one, I managed to pull it off."
Lucien didn't think he was fibbing—compared to his SS-level talents in Transfiguration, Dark Arts, and magic power, that A-grade in Potions was totally average.
But Lucien's words made Snape's mouth twitch.
No formal training, and he improves a potion recipe.
That kind of inspiration and intuition most wizards chase their whole lives—and he calls it average? Blames it on luck?
Lucien's humility actually reminded Snape of those Slytherin brats who got a whiff of talent and stuck their noses in the air.
As head of house, Snape suddenly felt a surge of irritation, his face growing stormier.
Seeing Snape's expression sour like that, Lucien was baffled.
What? Did I say something to set him off?
"Ahem, no need to downplay it. Your potions talent is... quite good."
Lucien let out a quiet sigh of relief.
So the old bat's not mad. Then why's his face going from black to green?
"Thanks for the recognition, Professor. Inspiration or luck's just a flash in the pan—I'll keep studying steadily."
Lucien replied politely, already mulling over what to ask for as reward.
Potion ingredients might not be useful right now, and ready-made ones might not be what I need.
Hmm, short-term, stuff I'd use is auxiliary potions for getting close to or observing magical creatures—like scent-removing ones, or lures. Maybe ask Snape if he's got any of those.
As Lucien schemed about the reward, he didn't notice that after his last words, Snape's eyes went totally vacant.
Inspiration or luck's just a flash in the pan...
In a daze, Snape suddenly thought of that girl with the fiery red hair, looking at him with those emerald eyes.
"Thanks for the encouragement, Severus, but inspiration or luck's just a flash in the pan. Hard work's what lasts, right?"
She was Muggle-born too, a potions prodigy who stayed humble even with praise...
"Professor, I'd be happy to trade the recipe..."
Lucien looked up at Snape, only to see the man's face twisted in a weird half-smile, half-cry, with a totally blank stare.