"Avoiding my question, Julius?" The man laughed as he brought the young man his glass- and despite the boy's request the crystal-cut glass was well over half-full. "You must have had a very profitable summer in that case. Very profitable if I am any judge or you and your mysterious silences. And of course, telling me would spoil all your hard work." He joked, moving back to his own chair and taking a sip from his own glass, "Savour it and tell me what you think. Should I order a crate for our next meeting?" He asked, head tilting slightly, mannerisms suggesting he valued and appreciated the boy's thoughts and opinions on the subject.
"The House Elves seem keen to feed us all up when we return from summer. Perhaps they believe no one feeds us outside of term?" He chuckled somewhat at the idea, "Although you always look very trim and athletic. I'm very surprised our dear Lucius isn't after you for the Quidditch team." Slughorn said, enjoying this idle chatter, the easy atmosphere it could build that allowed for more intimate conversations. "The butterscotch's are a nice treat, are they not? I have it on good authority that Honeydukes are bringing out a new range, although I admit it seems that the tastiest treats are going to be rather dearer than their usual selection. They refused my suggestion of Pineapple Mango Surprises. A great pity, I thought."