HP: Those Years Sleeping with the Half-Blood Prince

Severus emerged, paler than usual. Instead of heading to the common room, he turned towards the staircase leading to the library.

Ian waited a few minutes before following.

The library was quiet. Severus sat in a corner near the restricted section, but he wasn't reading. He stared at a point in the air, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, again and again.

Ian pulled out the chair opposite him and deliberately made a noise when he sat down.

Severus looked up at him, his eyes bloodshot.

"Slughorn is looking for you." Ian didn't ask a question.

"Um."

"Malfoy's invitation."

Severus did not deny it, "He wants my research results, or at least, to have his name on them."

"And the price?"

"Take sides, openly and explicitly," Severus said calmly. "Go to the estate, receive guidance, and attend their circle's tea parties."

"You refused?"

I said I'd consider it.

Ian leaned back in his chair. "Guess what Slughorn is doing right now?"

"Write to Lucius Malfoy, describing my prudence and potential, and mention that I have a friend in the Burke family whose parents are both in the system and whose stance remains to be seen." Severus spoke quickly, as if reciting a script.

"Most likely." Ian smiled, but his smile was rather cold. "So, what are your plans?"

"I need those materials." Severus's gaze shifted to Ian's face. "I'll write to Malfoy and only discuss the issues in the book; nothing else."

"It's a dangerous balance, Severus. They'll escalate things step by step, from academics to resources, then to personal connections, and finally to small requests," Ian said with some disapproval.

"I know," Severus said softly, "so it takes time to find another way before things get too much for me to handle."

Ian looked at Severus's serious expression and said, "Just say the word if you need help. I'm always here for you."

"Um."

……

In mid-January, during a Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the new professor, a gaunt old man who always spoke as if reciting a will, was explaining how to identify and defend against evil curses.

The classroom door was suddenly pushed open, and a cold draft rushed in.

Professor McGonagall stood in the doorway, her expression serious. "Excuse me for interrupting, Professor Kalman, Professor Slughorn asked me to take a few students over."

Her gaze swept across the classroom, landing on Severus, Ian, and several other Slytherins.

"Now, please."

Professor McGonagall walked quickly without saying a word.

The people following behind remained silent, their footsteps echoing between the stone walls.

A group of people had gathered outside Slughorn's office, mainly upperclassmen from Slytherin. Flint stood at the front, his expression grave.

Seeing them, Flint stepped aside and whispered, "Go inside, the headmaster is waiting."

Slughorn wasn't the only one in the office. Dumbledore was there too, standing before the fireplace, his gaze behind his half-moon spectacles calm, yet making the air in the entire room feel heavy.

Minister of Magic Harold Mincan sat on the sofa, looking exhausted.

Standing beside him was a male wizard dressed in a deep purple robe, with an Auror Command badge pinned to his chest.

Slughorn rubbed his hands together, his forehead beaded with sweat. "Ah, everyone's here, good, good... This is Minister for Magic, Mr. Minkorn, and this is Chief of the Auror Office, Mr. Crouch. There are some... things I need to ask you."

Minkamp stood up. "Let's get to the point. Last week, there was a vicious attack in Knockturn Alley. Three dark wizards died in a firefight with the Aurors, and this was found at the scene."

Crouch waved his wand, and several phantom images of objects appeared in the air: several bottles of strangely colored potions, some dark magic tools, and an old book with a dark brown cover.

Severus's pupils contracted slightly.

Ian stared at the blurry image of the book, its worn edges exactly like the one on Severus's desk in his memory.

"This book," Minkham's voice was cold, "has been identified as a private collection of the Malfoy family, containing some... dangerous potion recipes. Our investigation revealed that it was loaned out by Lucius Malfoy in June or September to a student at Hogwarts for academic exchange."

His gaze slowly swept over the students standing in a row. "Who received this book?"

silence.

Slughorn cleared his throat, beads of sweat sliding down his face. "Minister, this must be a misunderstanding. The students are just doing research..."

"Horace," Dumbledore interrupted him gently, "let the young man answer for himself."

Severus took a step forward.

"It's me," he said, his voice unusually clear in the quiet room.

All eyes immediately turned to him.

Minkan scrutinized him, his sharp eyes devoid of any emotion. "Name?"

Severus Snape.

"You received this book from Lucius Malfoy?"

"Transferred by Regulus Black."

"For what purpose?"

"For academic research, I am interested in the ancient recipes for soul calming agents."

"Has the research yielded any results?"

"It's still in the theoretical stage."

Minkamp stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly turned to Slughorn: "Horace, what do you know of Mr. Snape's potion-making skills?"

Slughorn pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat: "Extraordinary! Minister, simply a genius! His improved formula for the remedy has already been included in 'The Practical Potions Master,' and he's only in fourth grade! I swear on my honor, this kid is completely focused on his studies, he will never..."

"Then," Minkan interrupted again, his gaze returning to Severus's face, "did you try any unconventional materials or procedures mentioned in the book during your research?"

Severus stood ramrod straight, his body taut like a bowstring beneath his black robe.

"No," he replied calmly. "I thought it would have uncontrollable consequences, so I didn't try it; I only did theoretical simulations."

Crouch suddenly spoke up, "What's the conclusion of the deduction?"

Severus briefly outlined his analysis.

After hearing this, Crouch immediately held out his hand: "The notes, now."

After receiving the notes, Crouch quickly flipped through them, then handed them to Minkamp. The two exchanged a few words in hushed tones, and Minkamp finally nodded.

"Copies of the book and notes need to be kept on file. Any objections?"

"no."

Minkamp's expression softened slightly: "Stay alert, Mr. Snape. It will do you good."

He turned to Slughorn, "Horace, the exchange of private book collections requires more caution."

Slughorn nodded repeatedly, "Definitely, definitely!"

Dumbledore remained silent throughout, simply watching quietly.

He didn't speak until Minkamp and Crouch were about to leave. "Severus, if it's convenient after class, come to my office. I have some interesting materials about your research that might be helpful."

Severus paused for a moment, then bowed his head: "Yes, Principal."

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Ian, Severus, and Slughorn.

The professor patted Severus on the shoulder. "Good boy, quick thinking, very good... I knew you wouldn't let me down... Come to my office tonight, we'll have a good talk and calm down..."

Severus let him pat him, but his eyes were fixed on Ian.

Ian nodded slightly at him.

never mind.

temporary.