Harry glanced at Little Sirius, thinking that he truly is a good friend of Lupin.
But this fits the identity of good brothers; after all, if the relationship wasn't genuinely close, no one would play around like this.
"It's decided then!" Little Sirius said spiritedly. "I'll go over to Hagrid's later to get some, the full moon is in a few days; hope Moon Face likes them…"
"I…"
Harry thought for a moment and decided to keep his mouth shut.
The older generation loves to play and mess around, so let them do as they please; as the younger generation, there's no need to butt in.
"What's wrong?" Little Sirius asked with concern.
"Nothing." Harry shook his head, mentally confirming that perhaps his Godfather hadn't signed any unfair contracts with Snape.
"Alright, off you go." Little Sirius waved his hand. "I still have to write replies to others…"
Replies?
Harry perked up immediately.
"Is it my new Godmother?" he asked inquisitively.
Little Sirius looked at Harry speechlessly and shook his head: "No, just some pen pals, nothing worth making a fuss over, Harry."
Hearing Little Sirius's answer, Harry was somewhat skeptical.
But he couldn't delve into it, so he thought it over and decided to leave it be.
"I'll go find Professor Snape then, Godfather." Harry stood up, ready to leave quickly.
"Go ahead." Little Sirius took out paper and pen, biting off the pen cap, and began writing fervently on the paper.
Harry quietly used an Observation Spell, hovering above Little Sirius's head, observing what he was writing.
"My dear…"
Forget it, don't bother looking.
Harry was 100% sure he was writing to some woman.
After leaving Little Sirius's office, Harry went to Professor Snape's office.
To avoid delays and prevent Professor Snape from being bribed by Vivi or Cassandra to not teach him the Mind Sealing Spell, Harry decided he must act swiftly.
At least understand the theory first, research the rest at home, right?
After knocking on the door and stepping into Snape's office, he immediately heard a greasy, drawling voice.
"I thought you wouldn't come."
Following the direction of the voice, Harry saw Professor Snape sitting on a chair, still busy grading students' assignments, not bothering to look up at him.
Thinking about Little Sirius's reaction earlier, Harry decided to test Professor Snape to see if he had forced his Godfather to sign any castle-under-siege agreements.
"Sorry, Professor." Harry smiled and said, "My Godfather just returned to the office, and I came over as soon as I received the message…"
"Just returned?"
Professor Snape sneered: "Looks like that black dog wandered off to rummage through garbage after leaving me…"
Harry felt relieved; it seemed just as his Godfather said, Snape agreed readily.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have left so quickly.
"Since your dog of a Godfather came requesting that I teach you advanced applications of the Mind Sealing Spell, I'll reluctantly take on the responsibility, though I hardly expect your dull brain to learn much."
Snape began his lesson with his signature sarcastic opening, which sounded distinctly personal.
The epitome of tough love, Harry had long since grown accustomed to and accepted Professor Snape's personal touch.
Not only Harry, every student at Hogwarts was used to it, even Slytherins were no exception.
"So, what stage have you reached?" Professor Snape suddenly asked.
"Empty the mind." Harry replied succinctly.
Professor Snape nodded, picked up his magic wand from the table, and said to Harry: "Prepare yourself, control your thoughts, restrain your emotions—"
"Legiliments (Mind Reading)!"
A moment later, Snape lowered his magic wand.
He read nothing, just a blank slate.
"This level is already quite good." Professor Snape said expressionlessly: "I have nothing more to teach you—please leave."
Leave?
How could that be?
After all the trouble to get this opportunity, how could it slip away like this?
"But, Professor." Harry quickly said: "This is only the basic Mind Sealing Spell, I learned that advanced Mind Sealing can present false memories to others; I want to learn that!"
Hearing Harry's words, Professor Snape squinted and stared at Harry, making him feel uneasy.
"What's wrong?" Harry nervously asked.
Professor Snape twisted his mouth.
"You're nothing like your father, Potter—he was so arrogant, so lazy…"
"Please don't speak ill of my father, Professor." Harry raised his head in resignation, "At least not in front of me, wouldn't you agree?"
"Heh." Snape returned a thin smile but accepted the suggestion: "In admitting, young wizards—no, I forgot, you're not really in your third year, young wizard."
Harry thought about it and found no issue.
He remembered in his third year a hundred years ago, he was indeed quite playful, especially enjoying being led by Pabi to wander in the Forbidden Forest.
For this, Cassandra would often criticize him as lazy, arrogant, and incorrigible.
Young people being playful is normal, it would be odd if they weren't.
That would mean such a person is a rare talent, having extraordinary self-control from a young age.
"Do you have any advice, then?" Harry tried to guide Snape back to the right topic.
"I have no advice, Potter." Snape tucked his magic wand back into his robe.
No advice?
Harry thought this wouldn't do; without advice, how could you guide me?
Before he could speak, Snape continued: "Brew a potion, Potter."
Harry felt a bit odd, but said nothing, and moved to the cauldron.
"Materials for the Bafei Awakening Potion are on the table, frog brains are in the small bottle below." Professor Snape said succinctly.
Although confused about Snape's instructions, Harry knew the rules; if you want to learn, follow what they say.
Brewing potions was merely manual labor, nothing unendurable, he thought.
He placed the ingredients in the cauldron in order, and half an hour later, a batch of Bafei Awakening Potion was done.
Unexpectedly, Professor Snape didn't even look at it and said coldly: "Too slow, Potter—at this speed, it won't do; make another batch!"
Harry took a deep breath.
Forget it…
He originally wanted to force this Bafei Awakening Potion down Snape's throat but reconsidered and decided against it.
Thus, he returned to the cauldron and began anew.
Meanwhile, in his mind, he thought.
Slow?
I can still…
No, this time I'll show you what speed and efficiency mean!
He thought and acted, pulling out his magic wand, guiding the Ancient Magic Spell to operate the cauldron.
After fifty seconds, a batch of Bafei Awakening Potion was successfully completed.
"Done, Professor."
Harry placed the potion on Professor Snape's desk, speaking without much emotion.
Unexpectedly, Snape still didn't lift an eyelid.
"Seems you remember." He said slowly, "Remember you're like your mother, both inheritors of Ancient Magic."
Harry felt as if he grasped something yet didn't.
Seeing his confused demeanor, Professor Snape snorted through his nose.
"Perhaps you should discuss with Miss Grindelwald how to apply Ancient Magic in your Mind Sealing, rather than pestering your poor old professor to learn some elementary spell applications here!"