HP: Those Years Sleeping with the Half-Blood Prince

Ian snorted coldly and offered no further comment.

He reached out and brushed a strand of black hair that had fallen in front of Severus's eyes, his fingertips lingering on Severus's forehead for a moment. "It's alright, we still have time."

When they returned to the cellar, Kevin and Aris were both in their bedroom.

Sure enough, there were several colorful candy wrappers in front of Kevin. He was holding a star-shaped gummy candy that kept changing colors, hesitating whether to take a bite.

Aris sat opposite him, holding a notebook and a quill pen, looking serious as if he were recording experimental data.

Seeing them come in, Kevin immediately stuffed a candy into his mouth and asked indistinctly, "How was it? That glittering golden peacock didn't give you any trouble, did it?"

"We've managed to get through this for now," Ian said briefly, taking off his robe and throwing it on the bed before sitting down next to Severus.

Aris put down his pen. "Lucius Malfoy has personally intervened, and he won't give up easily until he achieves his goal, even if he has to retreat temporarily this time. His invitation will remain there as an invisible pressure."

"I know," Severus said, a wave of exhaustion belatedly washing over him. He leaned back in his chair, the only comforting warmth coming from Ian's body through his clothes.

"Where's that thing? Any new information about Regulus?" Kevin asked, swallowing his candy.

"No. He's been very quiet lately, coming to the medical wing on time, and only looking up NEWTs-related information in the library."

Aris replied, "The Black family seems to have truly accepted the situation and has stopped pressuring him. This is perhaps good news, indicating that our accident and injuries are still being acknowledged, but regarding the clues about that item..."

He shook his head: "The part of the Black Library that he mentioned last time is extremely well guarded, and it is very likely that it has been cursed or triggered by a spell. He dares not make any rash moves."

"What about Slughorn?" Ian asked. "Has he been acting strangely since the last tea party?"

He is more interested in showcasing his "safe and harmless" collections and avoids any topic that might involve the history of black magic.

Aris frowned slightly. "He's afraid, which only confirms that what he knows might be more crucial and dangerous than we thought. Getting him to talk requires the right opportunity, or... a bigger bargaining chip, but we don't have that."

Silence fell over the dormitory. The pressure of NEWTs, the uncertainty of the future, and the ever-approaching shadow of Voldemort weighed heavily on the hearts of every young person about to come of age.

Severus suddenly felt a warmth on the back of his hand.

It was Ian's hand that covered his, his fingertips weaving between Ian's fingers, holding him firmly.

He turned his head and met Ian's gaze.

There was no fear in those gray eyes, only a calm and stubborn determination, reflecting the flickering firelight, as if saying: Look, I am here.

Severus clenched his fist in the back, and the warmth of their palms pressed together gradually dispelled the chill.

"There's still time," Ian repeated, seemingly addressing Severus or everyone else, "Exam season is coming, let's deal with this first."

"That's right!" Kevin sat up abruptly, then slumped his shoulders. "Merlin, the history of magic! How am I ever going to memorize all of that!"

Aris closed his notebook and glanced at him expressionlessly: "If you memorize it according to the timeline chart I made, your efficiency will be greatly improved, instead of trying to make up nicknames and rhymes for each fairy rebellion leader."

"I was trying to make a stronger impression!"

Beside the fire, Ian chuckled very softly, tilted his head, and leaned it on Severus's shoulder.

Severus stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, letting the weight support him.

……

Malfoy didn't reappear, but their pressure didn't lessen.

The NEWTs exam began amidst continuous rain and ended with the first intense sunshine of early summer.

When the bell rang to signal the end of the final magic practice exam, the students walking out of the exam hall wore expressions of relief, confusion, and a touch of disappointment.

The results will have to wait a while, but for seventh graders, their time at Hogwarts is over.

During the days of packing my luggage, the dormitory was filled with a sense of sadness and parting.

Kevin shoved his Quidditch robe haphazardly into his suitcase as he announced, "My parents said yes! I'm going to France! The Bocciono Wranglers gave me a trial invitation, next month!"

His eyes lit up, then he looked at Aris and lowered his voice: "Aris... his family has a distant relative in the French Ministry of Magic who can offer some research assistant positions, he... he'll go too."

Aris's expression didn't change much; he simply hummed in agreement and continued to methodically arrange the books according to their categories.

"The environment for studying magic theory in France is relatively relaxed, and distance can sometimes provide a clearer perspective."

He looked at Ian and Severus, "My parents and Kevin's family have spoken, and they think... leaving England temporarily is a wise choice."

Everyone understands what I mean. In this dangerous place, everyone who can leave is at least one person away.

"Congratulations, Kevin, your dream has come true," Ian said with a smile, patting Kevin on the shoulder forcefully, then looking at Aris. "Keep in touch, the safest way possible."

"Of course." Aris nodded. "The encrypted channel has been tested three times and is stable. You... have you decided?"

"I'll stay in England." Severus put the last notebook into his suitcase and closed the lid.

Ian stood beside him and said to Aris and Kevin, "We'll stay, but not in London or Spinner's End. We'll find a quiet place to continue our research. My parents support us."

"What research?" Kevin asked.

"Herbal medicine, cultivation of rare varieties, and processing of some obscure but legal potion ingredients."

Ian said it casually, "Severus's direction is more theoretical, involving the application of ancient runes and the basic principles of potion improvement. It doesn't involve any sensitive areas, keeping a low profile enough for us to live on."

This is the result of their discussion.

He rejected all offers of help: the research institute enthusiastically recommended by Slughorn, tentative invitations from several potion companies, and even a writing request from the journal "New Discoveries in Potions".

Leaving their parents' protection completely was necessary, and although John and Leah were worried, they understood their decision.

Being away from London, away from the Ministry of Magic, St. Mungo's, and Knockturn Alley would minimize the risk of their families being implicated and give them a relatively free environment.

"Just say so if you need help," Kevin said seriously, his smile fading.

"You too," Severus began, his voice soft. "In France...be careful."

The atmosphere on the Hogwarts Express on the day of departure was more complicated than usual.

The seventh-grade students, dressed casually, chatted about their future plans, their laughter somewhat exaggerated, as if trying to suppress the sadness of parting.

"Keep in touch," Aris said again as they got out of the car, giving Ian a big hug along with Kevin. When it was Severus's turn, he simply shook hands with him respectfully.

Severus returned the handshake briefly but firmly.