HP: Those Years Sleeping with the Half-Blood Prince

"Were you startled?" Leah's voice was gentle, with a hint of a smile.

Severus looked up abruptly, his lips moved, but he didn't say anything.

"That Ian kid, just like his father. He seems reliable, but once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it." Leah shook her head, her tone a mix of helpless affection. "Every time he writes, the thing he mentions most is you. Severus thinks this, Severus did that, Severus got an O for potions again, Severus said the ingredients at that shop in Knockturn Alley aren't fresh..."

Leah smiled. "I was just thinking, this kid has never cared about anyone this much before, not even his father's precious collection."

Severus's ears turned red, and his fingers unconsciously tightened their grip on the bottle stopper.

“I’m not that kind of rigid person, Severus.” Lydia’s voice calmed down. “I’ve seen too much life and death, too many unspoken words in St. Mungo’s. John has also seen too much darkness and helplessness in the Ministry of Magic. We just hope that Ian is happy, safe, and has someone by his side who can support him and truly understand him.”

She paused, looking at Severus's pale face and tightly pressed lips. "You're a good boy, Severus. Smart, hardworking, and with a relentless dedication to what you care about... that's good, but also worrying."

"Ian may seem easygoing, but he's actually quite stubborn at heart. Once he decides to protect someone, he'll do everything in his power. You two... are a good match, but it's also destined to be anything but easy."

Severus finally raised his eyes and looked at Leah. There was no judgment in his grey-blue eyes, only gentle insight and a hint of deep-seated worry.

"I don't know what the future holds. This world... is becoming increasingly incomprehensible."

Leah sighed softly, "But you are safe and accepted in this house. I will talk to John. He won't object. He likes you and says you are much more composed than Ian."

She stepped forward and gently patted Severus's tense arm, as if she were treating a nervous child.

"Don't be afraid, Severus. Make yourself at home. If that brat Ian bullies you, tell me and I'll beat him up for you."

Severus choked up, blinked hard to suppress the sudden surge of emotion, and said in a low, earnest voice, "...He won't. Thank you, Aunt Leah."

"Silly boy." Leah smiled and ruffled his hair, which was as black as a raven's wing. "Go and rest, or go find Ian and relax."

Severus was still a little unsteady on his feet when he left the kitchen. He ran into Ian, who seemed to be "just" passing by, at the top of the stairs.

"Finished talking?" Ian leaned against the wall, looking at him.

"Um."

"What did you say?"

"...It's nothing." Severus turned his face away, but the blush on his ears hadn't completely faded.

Ian didn't press further, and took his hand. "My dad knows too."

Ian said, "He said it was fine."

Severus turned sharply to look at him, his dark eyes filled with disbelief.

Ian smiled and took his hand. "I told you, they wouldn't object. Come upstairs, I'll show you something. I found it in the corner of my dad's study—a 17th-century magic rune notebook. I'm sure you'll like it."

That night, Severus stayed in Ian's room until very late.

The two didn't talk much about the evening's incident or the subsequent conversation; they simply did what they always did: one read a book, and the other organized the data from the day's experiments.

But something in the air is different now; it's calmer and more grounded.

Before going to bed, Severus stood at the door, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "Your mother... she's fine."

Ian walked over and hugged him from behind, resting her chin on his thin shoulder. "Yeah, she knows."

After a moment, Severus's voice was even lower, almost inaudible: "...Thank you."

"Nonsense." Ian mimicked his mother's tone and gave him a light kiss on the side of his neck.

The next day, Ian's birthday was simple but heartwarming.

There was no grand party, just the family gathered around the table. As the candles on the cake were blown out, Ian shook Severus's hand under the table.

A week after his birthday, on a sweltering afternoon, Ian was summoned to the study by Lydia.

John wasn't home. Leah sat behind her desk with a St. Mungo's medical records open in front of her, but she was clearly not reading them.

"Close the door," she said.

Ian closed the door and leaned against it. "Mom."

Leah sized him up, her gaze both sharp and gentle. "Where...are you two at?"

Ian choked, not expecting such a direct approach. "Mom!"

"I'm your mother and your therapist. I need to care about both your physical and mental well-being," Leah said seriously, but with a smile in her eyes. "And I need to know if my silly son has done anything out of line or disrespectful to others."

Ian's ears burned, but he became serious. "We... haven't reached that point. Kissing... only a few times. Severus... needs time, and he needs reassurance. I won't force him to do anything."

Leah looked at him for a few seconds, nodded, and relaxed a little.

"That's more like it. Severus is a thoughtful and guarded boy. It's not easy for him to open up to you like this. You should treat him well."

"I know."

"And," Leah leaned forward, lowering her voice, "have you gotten into any trouble at school? Like with the Nott family in that Knockout Alley incident?"

Ian's heart tightened, but he didn't show it on his face. "Why do you ask that?"

"John said that the Nott family has been making frequent moves within the department lately, inquiring about the handling process of some old cases, and also subtly asking about several transactions of fringe items related to the Burke family that have long been closed. Although it wasn't explicitly targeted, something felt off."

Leah frowned slightly. "Moreover, every time Severus mentions the school or those people from the Slughorn Club, his eyes look strange. It's not just disgust, it's wariness."

Ian paused for a moment. There were some things he couldn't let his parents know too much about, but he couldn't completely hide them either.

"Slughorn likes to gather students with 'potential,' and some people... like Nott and Carlo, whose 'potential' is in a different direction from ours. Severus is too good at potions, so he is easily targeted. We just kept our distance and didn't get involved."

Leah stared at him, clearly not entirely convinced, but she didn't press him further.

"You've grown up and have your own judgment. But remember, Ian, some waters are best kept at a distance. Don't get involved. Our family doesn't seek great wealth or status; we just want peace and stability."

"Also, protect Severus, and protect yourself. If you need any help from your family, just say so."

"I will, Mom, thank you."

Leah waved her hand, as if to shoo him away, "Alright, get out."

Ian walked out of the study, gently closed the door, leaned against the wall, and let out a sigh of relief.