HP: Those Years Sleeping with the Half-Blood Prince

"What are you doing here?" Ian frowned, his gaze falling on the package in his hand, then noticing his unusual expression. "What happened? You..." He remembered the letter, "How's things at home?"

Severus's lips moved, but no sound came out.

Ian immediately realized that this was not the place to talk.

He looked around, decisively reached out and put his arm around Severus's shoulder, half-supporting and half-dragging him away from the dark corner. "Come with me."

Severus did not resist, letting Ian lead him, stumbling through the bustling main street of Diagon Alley, turning into another relatively quiet alley, and finally through an inconspicuous doorway back to the Burke house.

Leah was organizing some therapist notes in the living room when she saw Ian bring in Severus, who looked clearly unwell. She immediately stood up, her face showing concern: "Ian? Severus? This is...?"

"Mom, it's okay, Sever is just feeling a little unwell," Ian said quickly, giving his mother a reassuring look. "I'll take him to my room to rest."

Leah keenly sensed that Severus was not just "uncomfortable," but she didn't ask further, simply nodding: "Okay, call me if you need anything."

Ian helped Severus upstairs, into his room, and closed the door.

The room was quiet, and the afternoon sun shone warmly through the window.

Ian made Severus sit down on the edge of the bed, then pulled up a chair from the desk and sat opposite him.

He didn't press him, but simply poured a glass of warm water and handed it to him.

Severus mechanically took the cup, holding it with both hands; the warm touch seemed to relax his stiff body slightly.

He looked down at the slightly swaying water in his glass and remained silent for a long time.

Ian waited patiently.

Finally, Severus spoke, his voice still hoarse, but clearer than before, each word seeming to be squeezed out from the depths of his throat.

"They are dead."

Ian's breath hitched.

Severus didn't look up or continue speaking; he simply gripped the water glass in his hand even tighter.

Ian felt as if something was blocking his chest, causing a dull, aching pain.

He looked at Severus's lowered head, his usually meticulously combed black hair now somewhat disheveled, with a few stray strands falling across his pale forehead.

He recalled the occasional flash of gloom and disgust in Severus's dark eyes when he mentioned "home," but he also remembered the tenderness and concern he felt when he received a letter from his mother.

That was, after all, a home. No matter how unbearable it was, it was still the place he came from. And now, even that unbearable place is gone.

Only the faint sounds of the street outside the window and Severus's suppressed, almost inaudible breathing could be heard in the room.

Ian stood up without offering any words of comfort. He walked over to Severus, half-squatted down, and gently placed his hand on Severus's hand, which was tightly gripping the cup.

Severus's hands were cold and trembling slightly.

Ian's hands are warm.

Severus shuddered violently, as if he had been scalded by the heat.

He raised his head, and his dark eyes, which always held so many emotions, were now empty and filled with barely concealed brokenness.

"It's all in the past." Ian looked into his eyes, his voice low but unusually clear. "Severus, look at me, it's all in the past."

Severus's pupils trembled, and a sliver of focus seemed to appear in the emptiness, landing on Ian's face.

“You still have somewhere to go,” Ian continued, gently pulling the glass of water from between his stiff fingers and setting it aside. Then he took Severus’s cold hands in his own. “Here, Hogwarts, anywhere. You’re not alone.”

Severus's hand, in his palm, gradually calmed down, replaced by a feeling of utter exhaustion and weakness.

He gripped Ian's hand tightly, like a drowning person clutching a piece of driftwood.

He opened his mouth, a faint sound escaping his throat, but ultimately said nothing. He simply lowered his head further, his forehead resting against their clasped hands.

Ian felt a slight dampness on the back of his hand, warm, but it was fleeting.

He didn't move, just squatted there, letting Severus lean against him, using the warmth of his palms to gradually warm those cold hands.

The sunlight outside the window moved silently, casting warm patches of light on the wooden floor.

After a long time, Severus slowly raised his head, his eyes were a little red, but there were no more tears, only deep weariness and a trace of confusion.

"Ian..." he murmured.

"I'm here." Ian released one hand and patted his arm. "Rest first, we can talk about the rest later."

Severus looked at him, and the emptiness in his dark eyes lessened, revealing Ian's clear figure.

He nodded very slightly.

"Um."

……

Severus went to sleep in Ian's room.

Leah quietly brought in food and energy drinks, while Ian sat at his desk, flipping through a Quidditch almanac that held little significance, occasionally glancing up at the curled-up figure on the bed.

Severus slept soundly, but restlessly, his brow furrowed and his eyelashes fluttering intermittently.

Ian noticed that even in his sleep, his hands unconsciously clenched the sheets.

At dusk, Severus awoke.

He opened his eyes, stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling for a few seconds, then his memories returned, and his body tensed instantly.

He sat up abruptly, the movement was so sudden that his vision went black for a moment, and he had to hold his forehead.

"Slow down," Ian's voice came from the window.

Severus turned his head.

Ian closed the almanac, walked over, and handed him a glass of warm water. "How are you feeling?"

"...I'm alright." Severus took the water, his voice still hoarse, but better than before. He drank a few sips, the warm water soothing his dry throat. "How long did I sleep?"

"All afternoon." Ian sat down in the chair next to his bed. "Hungry? There's stew in the kitchen."

Severus shook his head, but paused for a moment and then said, "...a little."

"Wait."

Ian came downstairs and quickly returned with a tray. It contained a simple beef stew, soft-baked bread, and a small bowl of fruit.

The steam from the food filled the room.

Severus ate in silence.

He ate quickly, but not roughly; he was focused, as if performing a task that had to be completed.

Ian didn't say anything, watching him finish the last bite of bread and push the empty bowl aside.

"Thank you," Severus said, his voice lowered.

"Don't mention it." Ian moved the tray to the table. "I'll be staying here from now on. My parents have no objections. In fact, my mom is already tidying up the guest room."

"Need not……"