Severus couldn't remember how long it had taken him to produce something, the first time he had tried his hand at it. He had been particularly focused, to be fair; there had been little doubt in his mind as to what to draw on, and it had been the most powerful thing in him for years. It shouldn't have come as a surprise that Draco had nothing comparable, but ... still.
He hid his disappointment - a rare gesture - and put away his wand as the faint white light grew dim and disappeared. "Not bad, for a first attempt. It takes practice, more than anything." And it wasn't essential. "More than we have tome for, I expect."