Chapter 33: Ministry of Magic. Part 2. Surprise
For the next hour, Severus did exactly what he had described: he gave a lecture, working through the alchemy that had been drilled into him by his teachers across a lifetime. Somehow he held the attention of all three examiners throughout, and they listened with genuine focus, especially the old man, who nodded steadily and worked hard to keep the surprise off his face.
"During my research I also identified several additional properties in alichocia leaves, which are primarily used in laughter potions. For instance, if you combine them with white vine root, you can produce a powder that, when inhaled, improves mood almost immediately. It works even in cases of depression and similar conditions, and it does so without the side effect of uncontrolled laughter. Alternatively, alichocia combined with owl's eye, lyre root, and moonstone powder produces a night-vision potion, and the effect is doubled by the combination."
"That is enough, young man. You have passed." The old man smiled and stroked his long beard. "Slughorn is raising a worthy successor."
"You know Professor Slughorn?"
"How could I not? Before him, from 1920, it was I who taught Potions at Hogwarts. And it was I who introduced him, a young man and the last of his line, to this craft."
"And please do not hold us to account," the two men on either side of the old man said, looking at Severus with something like embarrassment. "Applying pressure to candidates is simply part of the job."
"It was obvious from the start. You were trying to look formidable, but your eyes gave it away."
"All right, that is quite enough, we have more candidates waiting." The old wizard raised a hand and squinted with quiet humour toward the exit. "Congratulations. You have passed. Give Slughorn my regards from the stupid old fart."
Both of the other men coughed in unison. Severus only nodded, let the corners of his mouth lift very slightly, said his goodbyes, and left.
Outside, Slughorn was waiting with the barely contained energy of someone pretending not to be waiting at all.
"Everything went well. I am a Master."
"I would not have expected anything less," Slughorn laughed, lifting his chin. He clapped Severus on the shoulder.
"Congratulations, Mr. Snape," Andrew said, with a calm nod.
"Thank you. By the way, Professor."
"Yes?"
"They asked me to pass on regards from the stupid old man."
The joy left Slughorn's face in an instant, replaced by a sudden pallor.
"H-he is still alive?!"
"Are you not pleased to hear it?" a cheerful elderly voice called from inside the room, and Slughorn flinched visibly. Without further consideration, he bolted, leaving behind a slightly stunned former student and several dozen people who had been watching from the corridor.
"Well," Andrew said, after a beat. "Since that seems to be settled, follow me for the registration."
Once the paperwork was complete and logged in the Ministry's records, Severus received a sheet of parchment bearing the official seal and, handed over by a somewhat dazed employee, a gold badge with a silver cauldron. He did not have time to linger. He said his goodbyes, went down to the first floor, and found Slughorn peering out from behind the fireplace, scanning the corridor in both directions with the wariness of a man expecting ambush.
"Professor. Are you all right?"
"Oh! Severus! Yes, perfectly! Let us leave immediately!" Slughorn grabbed his hand, threw a handful of Floo Powder into the nearest fireplace, and the flames flared green. They stepped in together.
Hogsmeade. The Wizarding Trinket Shop.
Back in the familiar room, Slughorn finally let out a long breath.
"Professor, why exactly did you run from that old man?"
"The less you know, the better you sleep. Now show me."
Severus sighed and pulled the badge from his pocket.
"I still do not understand why, when I—" He stopped. Slughorn had gone completely still, face locked in genuine shock. Severus raised an eyebrow. "Professor, are you feeling unwell? I can go with you to St. Mungo's if you need."
"This badge. Sixteen years. And a silver cauldron."
"Should I get you some mandrake root tincture?"
"Why would I want a laxative?" Slughorn blinked, still staring at the badge.
"Oh good, you are back. Here is the tincture, by the way." A glass vial of unpleasant brown liquid appeared in Severus's hand.
"STOP. Put that away, stop waving it at me, and why do you even have it on you?! Merlin! Not that! Look: that is a silver cauldron!"
Severus put on a sober face and leaned in to examine the badge closely.
"Hm. You are right."
"Are you laughing at me?"
"Slightly."
"I am your teacher!"
"You are the one making a scene. Can you explain what is actually wrong?"
"That is a silver cauldron!"
Severus leaned in and looked at it again, thoughtfully. Slughorn's eye twitched.
"There are four ranks of badge: bronze, silver, gold, and black," Slughorn began, releasing a weary sigh. "There is exactly one black badge in this country, and it belongs to my teacher, the man who just examined you. Gold badges number three in total, one of which is mine. Silver badges I cannot count, but they are not awarded before thirty as a rule. I received mine at twenty-six. Everyone starts with bronze." He took Severus by the shoulders, eyes blazing. "And you." He gave him a slight shake. "A genius. If my teacher, who is famous for his strictness, assessed you at silver, his judgement is not wrong. You are a genuine GENIUS."
"Professor, I understand, truly, but please do not stand quite so close." Severus pressed Slughorn's face gently back with one hand, opened the door, and walked out.
"Severus! From now on you come to me every evening for extra lessons! I will have you at gold before you graduate, and you will fulfil my dream and surpass that insufferable old man! Knock him off his pedestal!"
Severus climbed the stairs listening to Slughorn's delighted laughter behind him, eyes closed, wondering at what point exactly the senility had set in.
"What is wrong with him?" Mark asked, looking toward the basement with mild concern.
"Dementia. Call St. Mungo's quickly."
"Who has dementia?! And what does call mean?"
"A miracle recovery. Call is a Muggle expression, pay it no mind."
"Severus, come down to the basement. I want to show you something remarkable." Slughorn appeared at the bottom of the stairs, smiling warmly, fist clenched with purpose.
"I cannot, I am afraid. Nagini is hungry and waiting. Monday, I promise. Oh, and Professor, one more thing." Severus took the badge Slughorn held out.
"What is it?"
"Could you arrange for me to leave Hogwarts this evening? I need to find a manager for the shop and finish a few things in Diagon Alley. I will be back tomorrow evening."
"Strictly speaking, that requires parental permission." Slughorn muttered, then after a moment nodded. "All right. I will speak to Albus. And with this badge, you are officially recognised as an adult, so you no longer need to wait until you are seventeen. Though technically it does not come into effect until Monday. That is the rule."
"Thank you, Professor."
"No need. I expect you Monday after classes. I am going to put everything I know into that head of yours."
"Certainly."
The shop owner, who had been watching them leave, stood quietly for a moment after they had gone.
"After what happened with Tom, I have not seen him that happy in a long time. I can only hope it does not end the same way."
Severus did not put the badge on. He had no interest in drawing attention. After parting from Slughorn, he went back to his room, where Nagini was waiting. Snoring.
You are going to be the death of me. He kept it to himself, looped her around his neck, and headed out. He had business to deal with before evening, and Bella was due to come today. He could not miss that.
He did not even make it to the stairs. Regulus was standing in the corridor, blocking the way, with the face of someone who has been rehearsing an argument.
"Have you forgotten something?!"
"Morning, Regulus. I do not have time right now. Monday evening, let us talk then."
"You said that the day before yesterday and never came!"
"Slughorn kept me. What was I supposed to do?"
Regulus tried to summon the indignation back and found he could not. Severus was right, and he knew it.
"I. I am sorry."
"Good. I would spend time with you today, but I genuinely cannot. I need to get home, and I will not be back until Sunday around seven or eight."
"I see." Regulus paused. "I just remembered something about Cousin Bella. But once you are—"
He did not get any further before Severus's hand landed on his shoulder.
"You should have led with that," Severus said, smiling brightly, and steered him along by the shoulder. "I will find an hour today."
"Idiot."
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