HP: For a better world

"Oh! Severus—"

As soon as Winster entered the door, he was still worried about being late, when he heard a voice eagerly greeting them, as if it had been waiting at the door.

A fat old man stood up from a velvet burgundy armchair to greet him with a smile on his face.

Winster didn't arrive early, as the party would last for three whole days.

They arrived on the morning of the second day.

After all, according to Snape, the more important dinner is after the party, so it would be a waste of effort even if you arrive early. It would be enough to just arrive a little earlier.

Because the more important the guests are, the more they like to arrive late, the third day is the important time for the potion masters to gather together.

Winster looked at him curiously.

"It's been a long time." The old wizard, with a rosy face, walked towards Snape with a smile, and teased as if he was very close: "You are finally willing to step out of the comfort zone of Hogwarts. I said you are still young... There is no need to stay in a small place all the time, but you should go out to see the world. After seeing the world, you will know that focusing on a small corner will only limit your achievements - of course, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with Hogwarts," Slughorn said proudly, touching his round belly, "I also miss the teaching life in Hogwarts. It's a pity... I am old, and it's time to retire and give way to the young people."

Slughorn said with a smile. He patted Snape, who stood there expressionless with his lips pursed. His eyes naturally moved away from him and slid to Winston, who was curiously watching him and following Snape closely.

As if he had just noticed him, a surprised expression appeared on his face, "Oh my, who is this - Severus, is he your new student?"

"Yes."

Slughorn maintained his surprised expression, and took a careful look at Winston's face as if he had just heard about it. When he saw his well-proportioned appearance, his eyes lit up and his smile widened.

He waved to Winster and said, "Child, come here and let me see. Which of our academy's little genius is favored by our youngest potion master?"

Winster had already guessed that the old man in front of him was Slughorn, the former head of Slytherin, a potion master who had taught Tom Riddle and knew about the existence of multiple Horcruxes.

He looked at Snape.

Snape managed to avoid looking sullen as he introduced to Winston, "This is Horace Slughorn, the head of my school days, a Potions Master with a 'wide network of friends.'" He emphasized certain words deliberately, and said sarcastically, "If you ever need help or ask for help, you can ask this professor - you never know, you might be able to get some help."

"This is Winster White. My new student."

After a pause, Snape added, "It's rare that someone in Slytherin has a sharp mind in these years."

Slughorn's eyes became brighter, and he kept looking at Winster with a smiling expression, as if he was looking at a new white seedling growing in the leek field that he hadn't taken care of for a long time, and this seedling was taken away by the seedling that he had seen before but didn't pay attention to.

Although I didn’t pick them myself, I can still shamelessly borrow the fragrance of the young shoots.

Hearing Snape's introduction, he quickly "modestly" refused, "I can't say that I have a wide range of friends, Severus, they are just students I have taught before, but most of them have climbed to high positions through their own efforts... The insignificant help I provided to them is enough to make me happy-"

He changed the subject and continued to look at Winster with a smile, as if he had seen a pleasing cabbage, "Of course I will be happy to help you, little Winster - you don't mind me calling you that, do you, kid?"

Of course, Winster couldn't mind.

So Slughorn put his arm around him - his hand was carefully placed lightly on Winston's shoulder. Only outwardly it looked like a friendly embrace.

Winster felt a thorn in his back for a moment, his whole body numb, and he almost jumped out rudely. He forced himself to hold it in, and when he found that Slughorn did not make close contact with him right away, he slowly relaxed.

Slughorn then smiled sincerely, shook hands with Winston, patted him on the shoulder affectionately, and led him and Snape to the inner field.

Another wizard with a dull and gloomy expression was sitting there, turning the cup in his hand and drinking one sip after another. People who didn't know he was drinking tea would think he was drinking wine.

"Damocles, look who I brought for you?" Slughorn smiled graciously and nodded to both sides who noticed his greeting while greeting the wizard.

Damocles raised his head from his teacup slowly, and seeing Snape's expression barely remaining on politeness, he slowly stood up and extended his hand, "Hello, Mr. Snape."

"This is Belby - you guys don't see each other often, do you? You're both reclusive wizards." Slughorn said affectionately, freeing up his other hand to pat Damocles' shoulder, then leaning in to Winster's ear, helping him understand as if they were having a secret conversation, "He's the inventor of the wolfsbane potion. He's gone further than anyone else in werewolf research."

He winked at Winston, gave him a touch of affection, and looked up again.

"In case you don't know, Chris, this child is Severus's newest student - yes, it's a rare one - and what's even rarer is that you might see him in your seat the day after tomorrow," Slughorn smiled and invited the two to sit down.

The surprise on Damocles' face flashed away, and he sat down: "...Is it this child?" He said slowly, "I was a little too surprised. I thought it was Mr. Snape who sent me a letter before. I know that he is studying werewolves recently... After all, it was Mr. Snape who applied to the association."

"Oh, that's hard to say, Chris. It's just a little gossip from me... from a close friend of mine." Slughorn smiled appropriately. "Of course, it's related to Severus for sure."

Damocles and Snape smiled at the same time, and ignored Slughorn's claim that his information was inaccurate.

"It was a rather thrilling incident," Snape admitted, "so I was the one who sent it."

"There is not much substantive content... Fortunately, it has attracted the attention of the association." Snape said slowly, "Later, I asked Winster to submit this part of the content. Some rough ideas, more importantly, will be left to be developed at the questioning meeting." Snape said slowly, "... Of course, if you have any other insights on the ideas that have been announced... Bellby, please tell me, I am also a little curious about your opinion."

Damocles recalled what the association had revealed when he invited him, and he paused with interest, "If you don't mind telling me more now--"

Winster took the initiative to lean forward, wanting to know in advance some of the content that the potion masters might be interested in. Although Snape also helped him simulate it, perhaps others would ask some questions that they had not thought of.

"How did you come up with the idea of ​​using boomslang skin to add to this potion? You see... the more common application of boomslang skin is in compound potions - a type of potion whose circulation is controlled." Damocles asked carefully, with curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"The amount you can buy is definitely not enough for your experiment. How did you come up with this rare and precious potion? I believe you already have a complete idea before you dare to start."

Of course, Winster couldn't say that he threw the African brush snake skin out of spite from the beginning. He just wanted to try the high-quality materials.

Afterwards, it was indeed the complete involvement of thinking that preserved the meaning contained in this material.

"'Intertwined identities', sir." Winster said slowly, "A shedding exterior and a reborn interior. I think this has some similarities to the transformation of a werewolf."

When talking about his potion, Winster became energetic, the smile on his face unconsciously deepened, and he talked about it with great interest.

Damocles also listened cooperatively, occasionally revealing an encouraging smile.

It was not until Winster was getting more and more excited about the core source of inspiration and was getting more and more immersed in the discussion with Damocles that Snape reached out a hand and pressed down Winster's excited little head.

"Well, I think we should go now, Belby, Slughorn..." Snape stood up and greeted them, "I'm also going to take him to other parts of the party... After all, it's his first time here."

Damocles sat, looking away from Winston, who was being pulled to his feet, and onto Snape's face.

"Oh... yes, most of them came for the material you submitted. Not many of them came here because they believe there is a wizard who can really cure lycanthropy... There are confirmed cases of survival after being bitten..." He laughed in a low voice, "I didn't believe it at first... But now after talking with this 'creator', his inspiration has also touched on one of my researches. I changed the angle... and converted the cure for lycanthropy into preventing harm... It's similar to my original idea but completely different..." Damocles lowered his eyes slightly, as if he was thinking of his once lofty ambition to cure lycanthropy, but ended up making the wolf poison potion, which became a useless thing that he couldn't use even if he wanted to.

A large part of the information that Winster revealed just now was about more common herbs, and the rest seemed to have not been put into practice. There were many assumptions, but some were just superficial. The content revealed so far does have a feasible idea.

"Don't worry, Severus. I won't give him a hard time at the inquiry," Damocles promised. "You should be more worried about those wizards who denounce werewolves as not a curse but a symbol of their inherent inferiority... Of course, the Society didn't invite many of those people this time."

"That's very kind of you," said Snape.

"Oh, wait... wait Severus!" Slughorn shouted, and stuffed a piece of dessert from the plate into his mouth with his walrus-thick fingers, and said, "I guess you don't mind if I let you take care of you. I dare not say anything else, but when it comes to the wizards who may come this time, I know much more than both of you--" He stood up, and his trough nose on his face blushed with delight.

(Damocles showed some helplessness in his eyes)

Of course Snape did not refuse. Slughorn's research direction was more like studying whichever one could bring him into contact with more potion masters. Although it was somewhat derogatory to say that he had a wide range of friends, he was also a potion master. Compared to Snape who took Winston alone to explore and inquire about possible problems, Slughorn was better at socializing and understood what different wizards cared about.

Snape hoped that the questioning Winster received would focus more on potions rather than his age. This would require Winster to communicate with some people in advance to impress them with his real talents.

"Go! Go!" Slughorn called cheerfully, urging them on.

"Aren't you afraid that they will say bad things about you? Using the back door or something..." Winster said quite uncomfortably as he was pushed away by him.

Slughorn was too enthusiastic for him to bear, and Winston repeatedly looked back at Snape for help.

Snape gave him a mocking look in response.

"It's a pity that I didn't meet a cute kid like you when I was teaching at Hogwarts. But no matter what, I am the head of Slytherin." Slughorn was amused by this subtle concern. He leaned close to her again and said, "Let them say whatever they want. Seeing another outstanding Slytherin has already filled me with joy."

"But how can I repay you?" Winster's puzzlement was real. He believed that Slughorn was so enthusiastic because he knew about the potion in advance, but he was willing to help him through some difficulties before the inquiry even started. Now he was also asking for some presence in his growth.

He asked for too little, which made Winster a little...

Slughorn was genuinely surprised, then his smile became more amiable. He took Winster to greet some people before saying, "If you're willing, Winster." He made a few gestures.

"A box of my favorite pineapple preserves is enough to make me happy--" he said in a long and smiling tone, and his face with a walrus-like silver beard showed a kind smile. "Little Winster."

Winster smiled in agreement, flattered. No matter how skeptical he was, he had no choice but to accept it.

"Oh," said a calculated voice, "look who it is - Severus, my dear friend!"

"I'm glad you're here too." Lucius stood aside, raising his cane and greeting them from a distance.

Draco also came here. The two golden-backed heads, one big and one small, both showed reserved and deliberately intimate smiles.

"Winster," Draco greeted.

"Draco." Winster nodded, and the two minors exchanged greetings.

"Horace, Severus. It's a pleasure to see you." Lucius smiled and strode over.

Slughorn looked over without much interest. "Oh, it's Lucius." He said indifferently, "I haven't heard that they are going to donate any funds this time. Why are you here?"

"It's not about that potion, is it? It's not even there yet," Slughorn said calmly. He no longer looked as confident as he had just been.