HP: Those Years Sleeping with the Half-Blood Prince

Nott and Carlo clearly recognized them.

They not only recognized him, but also used this subtle method to convey a certain message to those in the know, while observing the reactions of others.

Slughorn may not have been completely ignorant, but he chose the "security precautions" argument.

Ian felt a chill.

This isn't an open conspiracy; it's an unspoken test and selection process within the circle. Recognizing it and remaining silent might be a tacit "qualification."

His and Severus's silence, stemming from their earlier "timely abandonment" of the dangerous research, could be interpreted by those with ulterior motives as either caution or ignorance.

After the party, on the way back to the castle, Severus remained silent.

"That brooch," he suddenly said as they reached the bridge, "is cursed with its gemstone. It was banned in the 18th century because three wearers suffered mental breakdowns due to sudden magical outbursts within six months of each other."

"Nott knows," Ian said, his hands clenching in his pockets.

"Carlo knew it too, and Malfoy certainly knew it too." Severus's voice was cold in the wind. "Slughorn... he may know, or he may pretend not to know, but the important thing is that they brought it out as a 'little Easter egg'."

"This information is only circulating within their circle..."

……

That evening, the House of Response.

The fire was burning brightly, and Kevin and Aris were there too. Kevin was trying to use magic to trim a biting cabbage, but Aris separated them with a book.

"Its sap is corrosive, Kevin, and I don't think your aesthetic trimmings are within its comprehension."

Ian closed the door, cast a soundproofing spell, and turned to look at the three people inside.

"We need to talk about something," he said, his tone unusually serious.

Severus had put down what he was holding and was looking at him.

Aris closed the book, and Kevin stopped his "struggle" with the cabbage.

"About that brooch from today?" Aris asked.

"Not only that." Ian walked to the workbench, his fingers tapping the surface unconsciously. "It's about how we can avoid being dragged into some pitfall without realizing it, or stepping on landmines out of ignorance, over the next year or so."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Severus before turning to Aris and Kevin.

"Our existing network of information—my parents, John's news at the Ministry of Magic, the rumors Leah heard at St. Mungo's, even the gossip at the Slughorn Tea Party… is not enough."

"Some things only circulate within the innermost circle, and only the most steadfast... followers, or those caught up in the situation against their will, can know about them immediately."

"You want to contact Regulus Black," Severus said, not as a question.

"Yes," Ian admitted. "He has the information channels we need, and he's right at the center of the vortex, knowing the undercurrents better than anyone else. More importantly, he doesn't want to sink."

"The last time he contacted me, it wasn't so much asking for help as it was... a plea for help. We could give him a rope, and he could tell us where the reefs were."

"The risk is huge." Aris analyzed calmly, "The Black family has a clear stance, Regulus himself is in an unstable state, and having too close contact with him in private will be seen as an unstable factor by both sides if it is discovered."

"Furthermore, we cannot fully trust the authenticity of the information he provides, or whether he has the ability to transmit information without exposing himself."

“I know,” Ian said. “So it’s not a one-sided demand. We’re giving him real help, not just vague directions in knowledge. He has a solid foundation in potions and ancient runes, but he lacks high-level guidance and certain… unconventional but crucial ideas.”

"Severus can help him. We've already gained some insights into soul magic defense and identification, which we can share. More importantly..."

Ian looked at Severus: "He needs a place where he can catch his breath. Black's old house, Slughorn's parties, even the Slytherin common room are battlefields for him. The Room of Requirement could be a... safe house for him, even if only for an hour or two a week."

Severus remained silent, his dark eyes swirling with emotion.

He hates risk, hates the uncontrollable, and hates being too closely associated with the surname Blake.

But Ian is right, they can't keep walking blindfolded along the edge of the minefield. Regulus is currently the only one who can and is willing to provide an inside view.

"...How do we begin?" he finally asked.

"I'll talk to him on the next patrol," Ian said. "To be direct, his warning last time was well-intentioned, and so is our proposal this time. It's a win-win situation, but based on... perhaps becoming friends in some sense, not involving factions, just about self-preservation, and a little... understanding."

Things went more smoothly than expected.

The next time Ian and Lily were on patrol, they "bumped into" Regulus again in a secluded corridor.

Ian let Lily go ahead for a while, then told Regulus about their proposal.

After hearing this, Regulus's pale face remained expressionless, except for a few violent tremors in his eyelashes.

"Why?" he asked.

"We need news, you need help and a breather," Ian said bluntly. "And, I think we're kind of the same kind of people in some ways, people who don't want to be swept away by the tide."

Regulus remained silent for a long time, so long that Ian thought he would refuse.

"Saturday night, in that abandoned corridor below the Astronomy Tower, the third empty classroom," Regulus finally said in a low voice, speaking quickly. "Take only Snape. Don't tell anyone, including your other two friends, for now."

The atmosphere was tense at the first secret meeting.

The abandoned classroom was filled with dust, with only a tiny glow flickering at the tip of the magic wand.

Regulus leaned against the dusty podium, Severus stood near the door, and Ian was in the middle.

Regulus first offered "reward"—an internal message about a draft bill to be released next month by a peripheral department of the Ministry of Magic, concerning "strengthening the control of the circulation of dangerous dark magic items among the public."

This draft may seem ordinary, but several seemingly insignificant clauses could severely restrict family businesses like the Burkes that deal in special items, and could even become a pretext for investigation.

"The Nott and Carlo families pushed through some of the terms," ​​Regulus said flatly, "not targeting Burke, but Borgin-Burke, and all the middlemen who might not comply. Your family might be affected."

Ian's pupils contracted slightly; this was the true intention circulating within the inner circle, while the outside rumors would only say "strengthening security management."