"Russet," he says with weary meaningfulness, getting him back for the Severus (after all, that's not Clayborn's name), "I do not believe for a moment that Horace Slughorn is scheming anything beyond a more comfortable retirement plan than hiding from us during the war afforded him. And, frankly, settling down to redecorate Hagrid's old hut would be more comfortable than that."
"Well, yes, that's rather the point," he says, wincing at the amount of salt. "The overrepetition of a single flavor would become dull. Blending adds variety." He takes a careful, evaluating bite, and nods slowly. "It will do," he says judiciously--high praise, if only the waiter knew, although he adds accusingly after a moment, "You ought to serve sliced baked pear with this. As a bed." He's instantly offered such a pear, even if it can't now be served as he suggested, and though he refuses it, he looks mollified.
"Snob," Severus informs him, amused. "Well, I daresay I could keep you busy looking for primarily fauna-based ingredients. I don't suppose the challenge of harvesting without death would interest you? Yes, yes, I know, but anything you can slap a no-kill tag on sells higher in today's market. Do you know," he says, rather entertained by this, "the last one I got was a complaint about using ugly bottles? They're potions, for Livia's sake, not perfume."
My email is being really wonky! In case outgoing is a problem, too, yes, Severus has given Winky a portkey, so either he can meet her at Holmes's place or she can just talk to him alone. Even after sleep I think Winky might best be played as overawed and on the quiet side for this meeting, mind... ;)