He followed the long, winding corridor until he stopped directly in front of an antique, carved door. Draco knocked gently three times, waited patiently for five or six seconds, and finally Horace Slughorn's languid voice came from inside, "Come in."
Slughorn's room was large and filled with a lot of things. It was filled with soft chairs, footstools, drinks, a piano, books, boxes of chocolates, and a bunch of bulging cushions.
At the other end of the room was a writing desk with a pile of gleaming silver photograph frames and a large stack of envelopes—all letters from his students.
Looking at the seemingly chaotic yet orderly arrangement, Draco inexplicably recalled some of his distant great-aunts—those particular, sophisticated, and elderly noblewomen.
It is clear that this place is peaceful, comfortable, and full of enjoyment.
Slughorn sat in a slumped armchair, smiling as he deftly unwrapped the gift box Draco handed him with his chubby fingers.
"Crystallised pineapple! I wager your grandfather told you about them, you old fox! But this stuff is really to my liking."
He picked up a candied fruit, put it in his mouth, and squinted his eyes in enjoyment. "So, what brings you to this old man today?"
"I would like to ask you a few questions about potions, if you have the time," Draco said, bowing slightly to him.
"You can never have too much free time like this!" Slughorn said enthusiastically, gesturing for Draco to sit down. "Ask away, I shall answer anything you know."
"Do you have any research on improved medicines for dragon pox?" Draco asked bluntly.
"Dragon pox? Child, this is no joke; it is a deadly infectious disease." He turned pale at the mention of it and said firmly, "I do not want to touch that word. So many old friends have died from this disease… It is already a miracle that Gunhilda of Gorsemoor has managed to develop even a small treatment! Improving the medicine is no easy task. This research is not easy, and it even carries a certain degree of danger. I have tried it before, and made absolutely no progress!"
He picked up another candied fruit and, with a stern face, advised Draco, "Try something else, child. You are still young, do not aim too high. You are far from reaching that level. There is no need to waste your youth on this."
Draco had anticipated his negativity. For years, the Potions Master had made no progress in this area, and everyone considered him an untouchable obstacle.
No one knew that a few years later, an improved potion would emerge, changing the views of potion masters. However, my grandfather would not live to see that day. The potion appeared a year after my grandfather's death.
It seems that at this stage, we still have to work on this slowly.
"Thank you for your kind advice, but I was just asking casually." Draco appeared nonchalant and said easily, "I am certainly more interested in the problems I encounter whilst learning potions at Hogwarts."
Slughorn's expression softened. "That is right, we need to be down-to-earth and lay a solid foundation in potion-making before thinking about anything else."
Draco nodded, and then asked about the Shrinking Solution, Skele-Gro, and Pepperup Potion—mainly about how to overcome the side effects of the potions.
These questions brought back Slughorn's amiable expression. He patiently answered them one by one.
"That is a good idea for improvement. Potion-makers usually only pay attention to the effects of the potion, whilst ignoring the potential negative effects on the user." Slughorn looked him over appreciatively. "How did you come up with this?"
"Professor Snape improved the Mandrake Restorative Draught when he was making it, so that patients could be spared the aftereffects of cold, stiffness, and fatigue. I was greatly inspired by that," Draco replied.
"Severus has always been quick-witted in this regard," Slughorn said approvingly. "Talented people think about these obscure questions, and that is the starting point for constantly striving for excellence."
Draco smiled knowingly. Then he heard Slughorn ask, "Any other questions? Are there no questions that need answering during the brewing of this special potion?"
"Of course. If I may ask, I have a friend who is very interested in potions. She happens to be in Bath these days. Could you please invite her to come and ask you for advice?" He suddenly thought of Hermione and felt that he should try to give her this rare opportunity.
Slughorn hesitated for a moment, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face.
Draco immediately added, "She is very talented. Last school year, she brewed the Polyjuice Potion all by herself."
"Polyjuice Potion? Is that not a difficult part of the O.W.L. examinations? I remember you only take it in fifth year, is that right?" Slughorn asked doubtfully.
Draco thought to himself, Unexpectedly, this Potions Master, despite having been away from school for so long, is still very familiar with the school's curriculum.
"Yes, it is something that is only required in fifth year. However, she had already mastered it quite perfectly last year," Draco said casually.
Slughorn's eyes suddenly lit up.
A second-year student brewing Polyjuice Potion? Hogwarts really does produce a lot of talented people.
"Oh, child, I would certainly welcome such a talented young wizard any time! Please invite her!" he suddenly said enthusiastically. His face suddenly revealed a sincere expression of eagerness to recruit talent, which amazed Draco at his ability to change his expression.
"Thank you, I shall go inform her straight away." Draco said with a smile as he left Slughorn's room.
Slughorn is a true Slytherin. He is shrewd, opportunistic, and calculating. He is indeed, as my grandfather had described, an old spider who enjoys hunting bright students for prey.
His greatest strength is his emphasis on talent, but it is also his greatest weakness.
This means he is easy to deal with. Anyone who wants to break through his defences can see through him and exploit his weaknesses to achieve their own goals.
For example, I persuaded him to take on another apprentice with just a few words. Even if he did not know her, did not even know her name, or knew her family background and origins, as long as he heard that she "could brew Polyjuice Potion at such a young age," he would eagerly pounce on her.
In a way, Slughorn is fair enough to treat everyone equally—talent is all that matters.
Draco thought absentmindedly as he walked down the long, dark corridor.
It is not all about talent; this old man, adept at self-preservation, has his own bottom line. He avoids Death Eater children like the plague, even though my potion grades in my past life were consistently "Outstanding."
In my past life, I had also resented this matter, but now I have let it go—that is just how Slytherins are; they choose the path that is most advantageous to them, and few are exceptions.
Even a Potions Master like him would benefit greatly from receiving a casual instruction from him. I am only thinking about how to make good use of this opportunity, rather than dwelling on past grievances.
Moreover, Slughorn showed me another path to being a Slytherin: not all Slytherins have to side with the Dark Lord.
In my past life, he chose Dumbledore's side. As shrewd as he was, he did not shirk his responsibilities. He stayed behind during the great battle of my past life to protect Hogwarts, and drew his wand against the former Slytherin students—now Death Eaters.
This seasoned Slytherin still held firm to his principles. His support for Dumbledore did not mean he was going to become a Gryffindor. He skilfully balanced his personal beliefs with the greater good, without abandoning either.
If Slughorn can do it, why cannot Draco Malfoy?
I want to observe this master of diplomacy closely and see how he skilfully navigates the situation.
Besides, he could finally try that Muggle phone number. Draco walked briskly back to his room, eager to find the coaster.