HP: Those Years Sleeping with the Half-Blood Prince

Ian paused in tying the ribbon, then made a tight knot. "The Forbidden Forest has been rather turbulent lately."

He looked up, his grey eyes reflecting the flickering light from the fireplace and Severus's face. "Dumbledore has increased the patrols, and Quirrell himself is panicking. He knocked over the sugar bowl twice in the faculty lounge today."

"The main soul is influencing him, and it's becoming more and more obvious." Severus's voice was almost inaudible as he let Ian tidy his hair, tucking a few stray strands of black hair behind his ear.

"When Potter was put in solitary confinement today, the scar looked normal. But..."

"But you think it's too soon?" Ian cupped his face, his thumb tracing the faint dark circles under his eyes. "Because he needs to regain his strength as soon as possible, and Hogwarts has what he wants, and also the people he... 'marked'."

Severus nodded slightly without saying a word.

"So we watch, we wait, just like before." Ian leaned in and kissed his forehead, then the tip of his nose, and finally his lips—a brief but warm touch.

"But now, let's go home first. The meat pie will get cold, and you need to rest. You have two second-grade classes tomorrow. I heard they're learning about Babo tuber pus, which smells awful."

Severus smirked. "You seem to be really looking forward to me coming back smelling terrible."

"I can prepare a bubble bath in advance, and add some of your favorite pine essential oil."

Ian smiled, picked up the wicker basket, and tightly grasped Severus's hand with his other hand, his fingers interlacing with Severus's. "Let's go, Professor."

They turned off the lights, left the office, and walked along the familiar stone steps toward the passageway leading to their private cellar rooms.

The corridor was deserted, with only the flickering shadows cast by torches on the walls.

Ian's hands were warm, tightly enveloping Severus's slightly cool fingers.

"Kevin wrote again today," Ian said as he walked, his voice unusually clear in the quiet corridor. "He's bragging that Aris got him the training schedules of the top teams for this year's World Cup and asked if we wanted to go see them. I replied that it depends on whether a certain professor can find the time from a bunch of 'monster masterpieces'."

"...Quidditch." Severus grunted, but did not object.

"Just consider it a break. Besides, I might run into some 'old friends' and see which way the wind blows," Ian said meaningfully. Although Lucius Malfoy was low-key, he might still show up at such a large social event.

Back in their hut in Hogsmeade, the fire was burning brightly, immediately dispelling the chill that had drifted in from the cellar.

Ian placed the basket on the small table, lifted the cloth, and the aroma of meat pies mixed with the smell of slightly charred pastry filled the air.

He poured two glasses of milk and then magically produced the jar of candy.

"Eat first." Ian pressed Severus into the armchair by the fireplace, handed him a pie, and then sat cross-legged on the carpet, leaning against Severus's legs.

Severus ate in small bites. Lydia's cooking was as solid as ever, the meat was juicy and the heat spread from his palms to his stomach, dispelling the long-standing chill of the cellar.

Ian munched on his biscuit while looking up at him, his grey eyes appearing especially soft in the firelight.

"How's Harry? Aside from the potions, are you settling in well at school?"

"He's always by the Weasleys's redhead's side, whispering in class, and got points deducted by Flitwick," Severus stated objectively. "McGroom said his Transfiguration skills are decent."

“Sounds like a normal eleven-year-old boy.” Ian laughed, tilting his head back to rest on Severus’s knees. “As long as he stays away from Quirrell and the fourth floor.”

"Besides me, McGonagall is also paying close attention to Potter," Severus said, finishing the last bite of his pie and taking the milk Ian handed him, which was at the perfect temperature. "It's Dumbledore's instruction."

"Hmm." Ian turned around, buried his face in his lap, and took a deep breath. It was the unique scent of Severus, a mixture of potions, old books, and the family's shampoo.

"So don't be too tense, Severus. The worst is over. This... is just a tail that needs cleaning up."

Severus ran his fingers through Ian's hair, gently combing it. "I know."

He paused. "I just don't want to see anyone else get hurt. Lily, and that reckless kid..."

"No, he won't." Ian raised his head, his eyes resolute. "We're all here, Dumbledore, the Order of the Phoenix, we... He can't win this time."

Severus looked at him for a long time, then gave a soft "hmm" and lowered his head to kiss Ian's forehead.

Ian pulled him into his arms, and the two sat embracing on the carpet by the fireplace.

Ian's arm was around Severus's waist, gently stroking his back. Severus had his eyes closed, his face half-buried in Ian's shoulder, his breathing even.

"Severus," Ian whispered his name.

"Um?"

"That Malfoy kid looked at Harry strangely during Potions class today."

"Lucius will teach him how to do it," Severus said sleepily. "As long as the bottom line isn't crossed, professors shouldn't interfere too much in internal conflicts within the academy."

"You didn't get this kind of treatment back then."

“Times have changed.” Severus shifted, finding a more comfortable position. “Besides, Potter… Harry, he has his friends, the recklessness of Gryffindor… and protection. As long as Quirrell and that thing on his head don’t directly interfere, let the kids fend for themselves.”

Ian didn't say anything more, but simply spread out a blanket and covered their legs.

The fire crackled and popped, filling the room with warmth.

He could feel Severus's weight resting entirely on him, and his breathing gradually becoming deep and even.

A long time passed, so long that Ian's legs began to go numb, before he carefully moved.

Severus didn't wake up, but frowned and buried his face even deeper into his neck.

Ian smiled, gave him a light kiss on the top of his head, then put one arm around his back and the other under his knees, and used some strength to stand up.

Severus looked heavy, but Ian held him firmly.

He walked barefoot across the carpet toward the bedroom, his steps extremely light, as if afraid of waking the person in his arms.

The bedroom lights were off, with only a faint light coming in from the hallway.

Ian laid Severus on the bed and took off his shoes, socks, and robe.

Severus instinctively shrank deeper into the covers in his sleep, his black hair spread out on the pillow, making his face appear even paler.

Ian stood by the bed for a moment before going around to the other side to lie down and pulling the person into his arms.

Severus was always cold, so Ian hugged him tightly and warmed him with his body heat.

In the darkness, he could hear the gentle breathing of the person beside him and the distant hooting of owls outside the window.

Everything was peaceful.