"Sir, why would peppermint counter the Euphoria Elixir's side-effects?"
"...I am not your Potions Master."
A sheepish smile. "Well, Professor Slughorn is less inclined to humor me."
Severus schooled his face. Here was Dumbledore's apprentice, gazing at him with trust. His Vow sat heavy on his heart, demanding he engineer distance.
Don't you know what I'm set to do?
But, for all that Severus was ruled by duty, he was - surprisingly - a man of sentiment. And they two knew the truth.
She'd always been more his apprentice.
"...what are your theories?"
Her smile widened.