HP: Those Years Sleeping with the Half-Blood Prince

As Ian watched him finish, the inexplicable tightness in his chest eased slightly, only to be replaced by something more elusive.

He cleared his throat, trying to get back to his usual tone.

"By the way, Little Black hinted again this afternoon that it would be best to stay on campus during the Easter break, saying that a few 'highly respected alumni' might come back to visit and give some guidance to promising young people."

He said with a hint of sarcasm, "I saw Avery and Rozier's eyes light up."

"Guidance?" Severus sat down and flipped through the book. "More like an assessment."

"Pretty much," Ian sat back on the edge of the bed, picked up the book "Quidditch Origins," and held it upright this time. "After that gentleman's visit, the commotion beneath the surface became even greater."

Severus wrote in his book, "Slughorn came to me yesterday and said that a few researchers from the Society might come to Hogwarts for an exchange during Easter."

Ian raised his eyes. "Named specifically?"

"He didn't say it explicitly, but he mentioned twice that one should seize the opportunity and make an impression in the right circles."

Ian sighed. "It seems we can't hold out much longer."

Severus stopped writing. "I can..."

"No need," Ian interrupted him. "Good news, the followers around that man don't include students. We still have time."

But Severus understood that if they didn't take a stand, their situation in Slytherin would become increasingly difficult.

Sure enough, a few days later, one evening, Kevin burst through the door, his face flushed and his hair standing on end in anger. He slammed his gloves to the ground.

"Substitute!" he practically roared, his chest heaving. "I'm a substitute again! The coach said there's a tactical adjustment!"

Aris put down his book. "The specific reason?"

"What bullshit reason!" Kevin kicked the bedpost. "It's because Regulus said that guy's style was more suitable for Slytherin, and he took my place today!"

Severus was wiping his scales when he stopped.

Ian leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest.

"Not just you," Severus suddenly spoke, his voice flat.

Kevin looked at him, panting.

"The list of assistants for the Potions Club's joint practice next week has been changed." Severus put down the soft cloth. "They've replaced them with a few people who have been frequenting Professor Slughorn's private tea parties lately."

"My ancient rune group," Aris said calmly, but his eyes behind his glasses were sharp, "had originally applied for exclusive use of the North Tower seminar room, but it was 'coordinated' and given to a seventh-year pure-blood family review group, on the grounds that 'they need to prepare for .NEWT more.'"

One by one, silently and precisely, they pinpointed what each of them cared about.

It wasn't a direct threat, and it even came with a seemingly legitimate reason.

But taken together, the meaning is crystal clear: if you don't step into that circle, even the position that originally belonged to you will gradually be taken away.

Kevin, as if all his strength had been drained, plopped down on the carpet, clutching his red hair. "...They're serious."

Ian stopped tapping. "It seems we can't drag this out any longer. If we keep dragging it out, next time it might not just be our Quidditch position or the research lab that gets us reassigned."

Severus looked down at his hands, then at his companions, whose expressions varied.

"That bait," he finally spoke, "I accepted the Black family's invitation to access their library."

"Severus..." Ian turned around.

“He wants a statement, a… inclination,” Severus interrupted him. “We’ll show him an inclination, let him read books, let him talk, let them feel… that I’m considering it.”

"Consider joining?" Kevin asked in a muffled voice.

"Consider the value," Severus corrected. "My value, and their value, at least until we find other leverage, must make them feel that this value is something they can use."

He looked at Ian: "You know what to do."

Ian looked at him for a few seconds, a cold smile slowly curving his lips, but something else was in his eyes, deep and unfathomable.

"I see."

Aris quickly understood: "All you need to do is emphasize academic interests."

"Easter break..." Kevin muttered, "Looks like I'll have to stay on campus again."

"Let's stay together." Ian walked back and put his hand on Severus's shoulder. "Go read books, go talk, go listen to their advice, but remember, we're just going to... see what kind of bait is on the other side of the pond."

Severus felt the pressure and warmth on his shoulder, but didn't speak; he simply nodded very slightly.

A few days later, Severus "bumped into" Regulus in the common room.

The other person appeared to have just finished talking with Avery and the others, and wore his usual polite smile.

"Snape," Regulus called out to him, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the few people nearby who were watching the commotion to hear, "Regarding the books we mentioned last time, the family butler has compiled a partial catalog. If it's convenient for you, you can arrange an afternoon during Easter."

"Thank you, Blake." Severus stopped, his tone flat. "I'm very interested in the catalog. We can confirm the specific time later."

"Of course." Regulus's smile deepened, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I look forward to your insights; after all, valuable exchanges are always scarce."

He nodded and gracefully departed.

Avery met Severus's gaze from a short distance away. This time, his smile held less scrutiny and more of an almost "friendly" quality.

……

On Easter, Lily found them in the chapel. She looked at Severus, her green eyes filled with worry.

"Severus, are you really going to go with those people?"

"Just looking up some information, Lily," Severus's voice was flatter than usual. "An academic exchange."

Lily bit her lip and looked at Ian again.

Ian gave her a reassuring smile, though there was little joy in his eyes. "Don't worry, I'm here."

Lily sighed, stepped forward, and gently hugged Severus before quickly letting go. "Be careful, okay?"

"Um."

After breakfast, Regulus approached them. "Gentlemen, if you are ready, we can depart. The family has sent a carriage to wait at the door."

Ian stood up. "Thank you for your help."

Severus simply nodded, finished the last sip of orange juice, and moved as smoothly as ever, as if he were just going to a regular potions class.