HP: Those Years Sleeping with the Half-Blood Prince

The platform was bustling with noise.

Parents craned their necks to find their children, and Ian spotted the parents in the crowd at a glance.

"Dad, Mom!" Ian pushed his luggage cart and squeezed through.

"Ian!" Leah stepped forward and hugged her son, then her gaze immediately turned to Severus behind him, her smile growing even warmer. "This must be Severus, right? Welcome! Was your journey safe?"

"Good day, Mrs. Burke, Mr. Burke." Severus nodded stiffly, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the handle of his suitcase.

Lydia's gaze was very friendly, and John Burke nodded to him, his tone steady: "Mr. Snape, Ian often mentions your dedication to Potions. You are welcome to come to our home."

The casual greeting made Severus's throat tighten.

He whispered a "thank you" and then didn't know what else to say.

On the other side, Kevin was being patted hard on the shoulder by his equally red-haired, loud-voiced father, Aris was exchanging something at a rapid pace with his father, who was dressed formally and wore gold-rimmed glasses, and Lily had snuggled into the arms of a woman with the same long red hair and a kind smile.

"We'll be going now! Ian, remember to write! Severus, have a great summer vacation!" Kevin shouted back as his father dragged him along.

"Keep in touch. Contact me if you need any books, Severus," Aris said seriously.

Lily waved goodbye to them, hugged her Mibu Mibu, and disappeared into the crowd with her mother.

"Let's go too, the car's outside," John said, naturally taking the heaviest suitcase from Ian's hands, while Leah gestured for Severus to follow her.

Instead of using Floo Powder, they went through the wall and arrived outside King's Cross Station.

A dark blue car that looked a bit old but was in excellent condition was parked on the side of the road.

John opened the trunk and put the luggage inside.

"The conditions are limited, not as comfortable as magical vehicles, but also less conspicuous," John explained, opening the car door for Leah.

Severus silently got into the back seat, and Ian sat next to him.

The car smoothly entered the traffic flow of London.

Soft classical music played in the car. Leah turned around in the front seat and asked casually, "Severus, Ian said you have a lot of experience in improving the remedy? If you're interested in the summer, I have some ideas for improving the St. Mungo's standard remedy. Maybe you can take a look, just as a way to expand your thinking."

Severus paused for a moment, then his familiarity with his field of expertise overshadowed any slight unease.

"...It would be an honor, Mrs. Burke. If there is anything I can refer to."

"Just call me Leah, no need to be so formal at home." Leah smiled and turned away.

John glanced at Severus in the rearview mirror as he drove and said, "The simplified filing with the Ministry of Magic's Patents Division is complete. If any formal documents require a guardian's signature, or if there are any inquiries regarding rights, Ian can let me know anytime. Although the Enforcement Division doesn't directly handle this, he's still more familiar with the procedures."

"Thank you, Mr. Burke," Severus said, his voice more composed this time.

"John," Ian's father corrected succinctly.

The car drove out of the city and soon arrived in front of a three-story building.

"We're here," Ian said, his voice relaxed with the relief of returning home.

As soon as the car came to a stop in front of the door, accompanied by a soft pop, a house-elf wearing a printed hat appeared by the door. He had big ears and eyes that bulged out like tennis balls, and he looked at Ian excitedly.

"Master Ian is back! Dora has been waiting! This must be Mr. Snape! Welcome! Welcome to the Burkes!" Dora exclaimed, bowing deeply, her head almost touching her knees, before snatching the suitcase from Severus's hands without a word.

"Give your luggage to Doraemon! Doraemon will deliver it to the guest room! Mistress Leah instructed us to prepare the best one, with an east-facing window that gets sunlight in the morning, it's quiet, and close to young Master Ian's room and workroom!"

Severus was somewhat bewildered by the elf's overly enthusiastic manner and looked at Ian.

Ian suppressed a laugh and whispered, "You'll get used to it. Dora is just... more energetic, but he's absolutely reliable."

Leah and John also got off the bus.

John carried the remaining luggage, while Leah stepped forward and gently patted Dora's big head. "Alright, Dora, don't scare the guests. Put the luggage away first, then prepare some afternoon tea and take it to the backyard balcony. The weather is nice."

"Yes, Mistress! Dora will get right away! Cookies! Lemon cake! And raspberry jam, which little Master Ian likes!" Dora bowed again and disappeared with her suitcase with a snap.

Leah pushed open the heavy oak door. "Your room is on the second floor, next to Ian's."

Leah told Severus, leading him upstairs, "The workshop is in that little separate house in the backyard, Ian knows it. Settle in first, wash up and rest, no rush. Dinner is at seven, and if you get hungry, Dora can bring you some snacks anytime."

She pushed open a door.

The room wasn't large, but it was bright and clean. There was a single bed with light blue sheets, an old desk with many drawers, a comfortable armchair, and a window facing the back garden.

His clothes from his suitcase were neatly arranged on the bed, and an empty ink bottle, a stack of parchment, and several new quill pens were even placed on the desk.

"Take a look and see if you need anything else, just say so." Leah stood at the door without going in, giving him ample private space.

"That's already very good, thank you... Aunt Leah." Severus stood in the middle of the room, somewhat flustered.

"Then you should rest first." Leah smiled and considerately closed the door.

The footsteps faded into the distance, and the room fell completely silent. Only the faint chirping of birds outside the window and the rustling of leaves in the garden in the wind could be heard.

Severus walked to the window and looked down at the lush green garden. In the distance, he could vaguely see a detached little house with a sloping roof and huge windows—that was his workshop.

He slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, his fingers brushing against the soft, clean sheets.

There were no cobwebs, no musty smell, and no curses or crying coming from downstairs.

Only silence, a safe silence that almost makes your eardrums throb.

A strange, bittersweet warmth welled up in my chest without warning and got stuck in my throat.

He quickly lowered his head and blinked hard a few times to ward off the untimely dampness.

After a while, there was a soft knock at the door, followed by Ian's voice: "Severus? May I come in?"

"……Come in."

Ian pushed open the door, poked half his body in, and held two cups in his hands, steam rising from the rims.

"Doraemon's lemon tea tastes pretty good. How about I show you around the area?"

Severus stood up, took a cup of tea, the warm porcelain cup comforting his palm. "Okay."

Ian showed him around the house briefly.