Perhaps many external factors required consideration, but for extracting truthful information from the tight-lipped as swiftly and conveniently as possible, Veritaserum was undoubtedly the wizarding world's optimal choice.
Colorless, odorless, requiring merely a few drops—once the potion achieved its intended effect, it compelled the drinker to speak truth.
Veritaserum's mechanism functioned by forcing subjects into sedated hypnosis, wherein the brain could no longer adequately control behavior.
That said, numerous methods existed for resisting Veritaserum—employing spells like tongue-tying curses to seal one's throat, or as previously mentioned, using magic to transform the potion upon oral contact. Naturally, Occlumency proved an excellent defense. Even if incapable of completely negating Veritaserum's effects, it could significantly diminish its potency.
This didn't diminish Veritaserum's status as an extraordinarily powerful potion.
Even wizarding luminaries like Dumbledore or Voldemort might reveal their deepest secrets after consuming Veritaserum—provided, naturally, they'd completely lost resistance capacity and couldn't employ magic upon themselves or tamper with the Veritaserum destined for ingestion.
Its formidable effects meant the Ministry of Magic had established exceptionally strict regulations governing this potion's usage.
However, as the old adage stated: unseen and uncaught meant no rule violation.
Moreover, those preparing to utilize Veritaserum here were a grief-stricken soul focused solely on vengeance—caring little for anything else—alongside a former assassin who regarded laws as meaningless.
As a Potions Master, he naturally maintained various potions constantly. Veritaserum proved no exception. Snape turned his palm, producing a bottle of crystalline, transparent, colorless and tasteless liquid.
"What... Veritaserum! Snape, you cannot... mmph!"
Sirius Black naturally recognized what Snape held, displaying terrified expression. But before completing his protest, Snape uncorked the Veritaserum bottle and brutally forced it into Sirius's mouth. Simultaneously, a Stunning Spell struck Sirius, rendering him immediately unconscious.
With consciousness loosened, Snape clearly felt decreased resistance from the bottle mouth. He immediately raised the potion vessel, hurled it skyward, and with a casual spell made it vanish completely.
Being a Potions Master meant such extravagance.
Snape had fed most of that bottle's Veritaserum into Sirius Black's stomach. Typically, Veritaserum usage required only one or two drops for desired effects. Excessive Veritaserum could potentially cause brain damage to users.
So what?
Snape reasoned that if Sirius's brain suffered damage, so be it—what concern was it of his? He merely wanted to hear desired information. To prevent Sirius Black from tampering with Veritaserum, what harm existed in administering additional potion?
It wasn't entering his own mouth, after all. As long as the quantity entering the man's oral cavity wouldn't transform him directly into an imbecile, that sufficed.
Reasonable and convincing.
Hardly.
If preventing Sirius Black from interference before potion activation was the goal, why not employ a Stunning Spell for unconsciousness first, then administer the draught?
Glenn had reason believing Snape was simply settling personal grievances.
But what did it matter to him?
After confirming Sirius Black's genuine unconsciousness, Glenn stowed his sniper rifle.
The next instant, space beside Snape began swirling and undulating as Glenn's figure materialized there.
"...Not Apparition?"
Snape frowned slightly, returning his M1917 revolver to his robes.
"A technique from the Dragon Kingdom—Shrinking Ground to Inches."
Glenn explained, then observed Sirius prone upon the floor.
Snape inquired no further, turning toward Sirius lying unconscious with vacant gaze. He cast the Stunning Spell's counter-curse, restoring Sirius to consciousness.
Affected by the counter-curse, Sirius shuddered on the ground, indicating awakening.
Yet his gaze remained vacant, mind still unclear.
"Were you the one who betrayed Lily back then?"
Snape cut directly to the heart of matters, viciously voicing his question whilst maintaining unwavering focus on Sirius Black sprawled below.
"No."
An emotionless voice emerged from Sirius's slightly parted lips—identical to his previous response.
Snape's expression grew increasingly sinister, though he didn't explode consequently. He remained silent, contemplating something for several seconds before speaking again.
"...Who betrayed Lily?"
"Peter."
The emotionless voice drifted forth once more. The surrounding silence rendered this statement perfectly audible—no possibility of mishearing existed.
Invisible pressure suddenly erupted from Snape's form—magical power unconsciously released as emotional control slipped. The Shrieking Shack began trembling slightly, dust cascading sparsely.
Standing beside Snape, Glenn's eye-concealing bangs were blown backward, revealing those calm obsidian orbs.
Peter Pettigrew—killed whilst attempting to prevent Sirius Black's escape, a wizarding hero who'd received the Order of Merlin, First Class.
This represented information Glenn had discovered whilst reviewing Sirius Black-related materials.
Now it appeared those year's events might not have unfolded as people witnessed or understood.
Of course, merely "might."
"Impossible! Peter Pettigrew perished in that explosion you orchestrated!"
Nearly shouting, Snape angrily voiced his incredulity, eyes now visibly bloodshot.
"I once believed so too, but he truly didn't die."
Contrary to Snape's current tone, Sirius spoke woodenly under Veritaserum's influence.
"...Provide me proof."
Snape breathed heavily. After recognizing he was currently venting meaningless emotions upon someone under Veritaserum's effects, he forced himself to suppress displayed fury.
"Recently, I glimpsed him in a newspaper. I'd never mistake him—he was Peter Pettigrew."
"Precisely why I chose escaping Azkaban twelve years after that incident."
"I intend finding and killing him."
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