Chapter 353: A Rare Opportunity, an Ambush [bonus]
Regulus gave Cuthbert a nod and told them to go ahead.
Regulus had expected Dumbledore to be the first to pull him aside after the holidays. Slughorn beat him to it.
He walked to the front of the room and gave a polite nod. "Professor."
"Come. Let's talk in my office."
Regulus followed.
The Potions office door stood to the right of the lectern. It swung open onto a rush of complex scents, a dozen rare ingredients blending into something unidentifiable but unmistakably expensive.
Shelves along the walls held rare materials. Regulus recognized a few. Others he couldn't place.
Slughorn settled into his oversized chair, his round body sinking into the cushion with a soft creak. He pulled open a drawer, produced a box of Crystallised pineapple, popped the lid, took one for himself, and pushed the box across to Regulus.
"Try one. Christmas gift." His voice was muffled around the sweet, his tone pleased. "A former student in the Department of Magical Games and Sports sent them. Probably hoping I'll remember when his promotion letter comes up next month."