Sirius Black heard Snape's deranged pronouncement, and what little color remained in his face vanished entirely.
"Oh yes, incidentally—I believe Lupin is also your accomplice, your inside man... Am I correct?"
His finger never slackened on the trigger as Snape rotated the revolver, making the barrel trace circles across Sirius Black's already-scorched forehead.
Blood continued flowing. Sirius felt warmth abandoning his body, consciousness beginning to blur. Having lost all physical strength, he had no desire to answer this man's questions. But hearing his old friend's name, he still forced those sunken eyes open to glare at Snape.
Yet speech remained impossible.
"Sirius is nearly finished. If you want to continue interrogating him, you'd better administer basic potion treatment now."
Through enhanced perception, Glenn had locked onto Sirius Black's position whilst monitoring his physiological activity. His SCAR20 remained trained on the man's right foot—already bearing a hole through the knee—ready to deliver a follow-up shot. Simultaneously, he relayed observations via earpiece, offering the overzealous Professor Snape a friendly reminder.
"...Drink this."
After momentary silence, Snape rummaged through his pockets and tossed forth a bottle of peculiar emerald potion. The glass vial rolled across the floor, spinning to rest beside the fallen Sirius's head.
But Sirius showed no intention of movement, those hollow eyes still boring into Snape.
"If you're seeking death, simply ignore that potion and allow me to finish you. Rather than perishing from blood loss, let me savor revenge's pleasure."
Snape displayed neither sorrow nor joy, showing no reaction to Sirius's defiant stance.
He merely "gently" ground his boot against the man's already-penetrated right knee several times.
"Hiss..."
Excruciating pain struck, though Sirius could barely manage even that sound now.
This damned lunatic truly intends torturing me to death!
But I cannot die yet. I still have tasks—revelations to make!
Therefore... I must survive.
Sirius hesitated no longer. Struggling to turn his head, he bit down on the fallen potion bottle, then expended his final strength clamping his jaws.
"Crack."
The glass vessel shattered instantly, emerald liquid mixed with shards blooming within Sirius's mouth.
Scalding, acrid, nauseating, bitter-foul... accompanied by metallic blood taste from glass-lacerated oral tissue.
In essence, a chaotic symphony of unbearable flavors exploded across Sirius's palate.
Why would Snape carry such bizarre potions?
Preparedness—should Sirius cross his path, these delightful concoctions would prove useful.
"Gurgle, gah! Cough-argh!"
Sirius's expression contorted grotesquely. He clutched his throat, clawing desperately as though attempting to extract the swallowed liquid. Vivid red marks immediately appeared across his neck—futilely.
However, Snape remained a Potions Master. Though his specially-crafted brew for Sirius Black tasted indescribable, its effects proved immediately apparent.
Bleeding ceased. Nearly-extinguished life force rekindled as warmth coursed through his extremities.
Yet previously-numbed pain amplified exponentially.
Sirius nearly bit through his lips suppressing agonized cries.
"Hah... hah... He has... nothing to do with it."
Life barely sustained, Sirius coughed extensively before expelling some pulmonary blood, finally managing labored speech.
"Don't attempt deception. I know truth from falsehood. This isn't inquiry—I wish to observe your reaction... Ah, indeed. How disappointing."
Receiving no satisfactory response from Sirius Black, Snape's brow furrowed. He clicked his tongue disapprovingly, his expression suddenly shifting from perverse satisfaction to irritation.
Was this due to Sirius Black's current demeanor?
Yes and no.
More precisely, Glenn had informed him via earpiece regarding his assessment of whether Sirius Black intended deception.
"Physiological indicators normal. He's not lying."
Through the earpiece, Glenn relayed his enhanced-perception observations.
"Hah... Snape, compose yourself. I must say something... something absolutely essential."
Observing Snape's increasingly displeased expression, Sirius's thoughts—previously stalled by ebbing vitality—began functioning again.
No, I cannot delay further. I must voice that matter. Even should I perish, I must expose the truth of those events.
Even if this damned bastard learns it!
"The delirious ravings of a dying cur? I hope you'll provide something worthwhile. Don't bore me or waste my precious time."
Snape appeared supremely leisurely. With the situation entirely under his control and no interference present, he possessed ample time for recreational torment.
"The one who betrayed Lily and James wasn't me—"
"Bang!"
Before completion, gunfire erupted. The searing bullet pierced Sirius's shoulder blade, causing him to—
"Silence, you mongrel!"
"Should I hear Lily's name or another pathetic lie from that accursed mouth, the next bullet creates a crater in your skull. I guarantee it."
Snape's composure evaporated upon hearing Lily's name, replaced by uncontainable fury.
"I speak no lies! This is truth, you damned Snivellus!"
Converting agony to rage, Sirius Black likewise roared, expelling blood-tinged spray with his exhalation. Drawing strength from unknown reserves, he sat upright despite Snape again pressing the barrel against his forehead, flames blazing within those sunken eyes.
"He's not lying."
Cool, measured tones emerged from Snape's earpiece, momentarily checking his wrath.
What?
Snape understood his exceptional student's uncanny capabilities intimately.
This individual could accurately discern thoughts through mere observation—even against Occlumency, even without Legilimency—as though possessing eyes capable of penetrating flesh to perceive underlying essence.
Terrifying, yet trustworthy.
However...
"Impossible."
Snape calmed marginally under Glenn's intelligence report, speaking with absolute conviction.
"The human body cannot lie."
Glenn responded thus, continuing:
"Naturally, this represents merely my observation. Should you prefer more direct verification methods, Professor, that remains entirely feasible."
Hearing this, Snape's eyes flashed with glacial light.
"Indeed I shall."
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