HP: Those Years Sleeping with the Half-Blood Prince

Tuesday night was the first prefectural patrol. Ian and Lily were paired up and responsible for the corridor on the west side of the castle, from the third to the fifth floor.

Lily was very responsible; the tip of her wand glowed as she carefully checked every corner and empty classroom.

“This used to be a key area of ​​concern for Mr. Filch,” she said, pushing open the door to an abandoned classroom. “It’s said that students experimented with unsafe firework spells here.”

"It's much quieter now." Ian looked around. "Everyone's been behaving themselves for the past two years."

Lily smiled and closed the door. "Not entirely. Mary told me that the Ravenclaw prefect caught two first-years using hair-raising potion in the abandoned washroom last night."

They walked and talked, their conversation ranging from assignments to course selection after OWLs.

"I want to choose NEWT for Charms and Potions," Lily said. "And maybe Transfiguration too, the Ministry of Magic's Aurors have very high requirements."

"Great choice." Ian nodded. "You'll definitely be fine."

"What about Severus?" Lily asked casually. "He's probably going to keep making potions, right? Professor Slughorn treats him like a treasure."

"And Defense Against the Dark Arts," Ian said. "And maybe Charms as well."

"Defense Against the Dark Arts..." Lily sighed softly. "Professor Auster's teaching... well, Severus can definitely learn it well on his own."

She paused, then looked at Ian. "Ian, Severus... seems to have become quieter after summer vacation. I know his family..." She didn't finish her sentence, but her eyes showed concern.

Ian paused for a moment. "He's fine, he just needs time."

Lily nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

As they parted ways at the stairwell after their patrol, Lily suddenly said, "Ian, thank you."

"What?"

"Thank you... for being there for him." Lily's smile was warm in the dim hallway light. "Severus sometimes keeps himself too tense. With you around, he seems to be able to relax a bit."

Ian paused for a moment before saying, "We are friends."

"More than friends," Lily said softly, without explaining, waving her hand and turning to walk towards the Gryffindor Tower.

Ian stood there for a few seconds before turning and walking toward the cellar.

When I got back to the dorm, Kevin was already asleep, his soft snoring rhythmically echoing in the darkness.

The lamp by Aris's bedside was still on. He was leaning against the pillow reading a book. He looked up when he heard the noise, then lowered his head and continued reading.

The curtains beside Severus's bed were half-drawn, revealing a glimpse of the wand's glow.

Ian quietly washed up, changed into his pajamas, and as he lifted the curtain of his own bed, the curtain of the bed opposite him moved.

"Still not asleep?" Ian asked in a low voice.

"Looking at something," Severus's voice came from behind the curtain, muffled.

Ian paused, then drew back the curtains of his bed, leaving them partially open.

After a while, the curtain on the opposite bed was lifted a crack, and Severus lay on his side, closing the book in his hand and placing it beside his pillow.

The two stood a few steps apart, gazing at each other in the dim light.

"How's the patrol going?" Severus asked.

"Nothing's wrong. We checked a few empty classrooms, and Filch's list has been updated again." Ian turned to face him. "Lily asked about you."

Severus paused for a moment, then asked, "What did you ask me?"

"She asked how you were," Ian said. "She could tell."

"What did you see?"

"You're quieter now."

Severus didn't reply, but rolled over and lay flat on his back, staring at the curtains above the bed.

"The prefect's badge," he suddenly spoke, his voice very soft, "...must I wear it all the time?"

"It's needed for patrols and formal occasions," Ian replied. "Not usually."

"oh."

Then it quieted down again.

"Ian."

"Um?"

"Will you..." Severus paused for a long time, so long that Ian thought he had fallen asleep, "...become different?"

Ian blinked in the darkness. "In what way?"

Severus fell silent again.

Ian waited a moment, then said softly, "The badge is just a piece of metal, Severus. I am still me."

The sound of fabric rubbing came from the opposite bed, and Severus turned to his side again.

The wand's glow had long since faded, with only the faint moonlight filtering through the window outlining a blurry shape.

"We patrol on Tuesday and Thursday nights," Severus said. "Tuesday nights are usually for going to the library."

"We can reschedule for Wednesday," Ian said immediately, "or Monday."

"……Um."

"Go to sleep," Ian said. "We have a potions test tomorrow, and Slughorn said it will count towards your OWL participation grade."

Severus gave a vague reply.

Ian closed his eyes, but heard rustling noises coming from the opposite bed.

He opened his eyes and saw Severus sit up, put on an outer robe, and get out of bed.

"Where to?"

"Drink some water," Severus said softly, walking toward the table.

Ian listened to the sound of him pouring water, drinking water, and then the sound of footsteps returning.

But it stopped at the bedside.

"Ian." Severus's voice was very close, right between the two beds.

"Um?"

"Scotland..." Severus's voice was so low it was almost inaudible, "...it's cold by the sea."

Ian paused for a moment, then understood. He sat up and lifted the curtain.

Severus stood two steps away, holding an empty cup in his hand. The moonlight shone on his face, making him appear exceptionally pale.

"You didn't say you were cold," Ian said.

Severus looked away. "Now you've said it."

Ian looked at him, then suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist. His skin was cold, and Severus froze for a moment, but didn't pull away.

"Come on up," Ian said, shifting closer to the bed. "It's warm here."

Severus stood still.

"It's just a bit warmer," Ian added calmly, "We have class tomorrow."

A few seconds later, Severus put down his cup, lifted the curtains, and climbed into bed.

The bed wasn't big, and the two boys lay down shoulder to shoulder.

Ian pulled the covers up, waved his wand, and whispered a warming spell.

The heat slowly spread out.

Severus's tense body gradually relaxed. He lay on his side, his back to Ian, but his back was almost touching Ian's arm.

"Go to sleep," Ian said.

"Um."

The next morning, Ian woke up first.

Severus was still asleep, his face half-buried in the pillow, his black hair spread out on the pillow, his brow slightly furrowed, but his breathing steady.

Ian glanced at him for a few seconds, then tiptoed out of bed. Kevin was still snoring on the opposite bed, while Aris was already sitting at his desk organizing his notes.

Seeing the two sleeping in the same bed, Aris pushed up his glasses, said nothing, and simply lowered his head to continue writing in his notes.