A One-Way Messenger and the Chill of Christmas

After that near-confrontational talk in the corridor, Lin Yanqing could clearly sense a subtle shift in Snape's avoidance strategy. It was no longer a pure, plague-like evasion, but had transformed into a more aggressive, scrutinizing vigilance. In the library, if Lin Yanqing sat near Snape's usual spot, Snape wouldn't leave immediately. Instead, he would fix Lin Yanqing with his dark eyes, observing him coldly and continuously, as if studying a rare (and dangerous) magical creature, until Lin Yanqing could no longer bear the pressure and moved away himself.

This was a silent declaration: I'm watching you, don't try any tricks.

System Cub optimistically chimed in, "Host! He's started observing you! This is huge progress! (??????)?? Observation is the beginning of understanding!"

Lin Yanqing remained noncommittal. He was more interested in the A Brief Analysis of Ancient Pacts that the System had rewarded him with. The book was thin, and its content was indeed a "watered-down version" as the System had said. It mainly introduced some widely known types of ancient pacts, such as Unbreakable Vows and the Charm of,] but only had a vague mention of the [Soul Guardian Contract] on the very last page:

"...The Guardian Contract, originating from ancient times, binds souls with the aim of absolute protection. Its bond is tenacious, unbreakable by external forces. The magical cores of the contracting parties may intertwine, and their thoughts may connect, allowing protective power to manifest in times of crisis. However, the specific manifestations and constraints vary with each pact, or differ greatly depending on the traits of the contracting parties..."

Although vague, this passage at least confirmed the phenomena of magical resonance and the protective instinct. Lin Yanqing carefully put the book away, knowing it was a key item that might gain Snape's trust in the future, but now was not the time.

One evening a few days later, Lin Yanqing returned from Herbology class in the greenhouses, his robes still carrying a faint scent of soil. He was cornered by Snape in a deserted corridor leading to the Ravenclaw Tower.

Snape appeared like a black shadow, emerging silently from behind a stone pillar and blocking his path. His face was paler than usual, with faint dark circles under his eyes, suggesting he hadn't slept.

"Ravenclaw," he said, his voice low, showing no inclination to use Lin Yanqing's name, as if it were a word to be avoided.

Lin Yanqing stopped, his mind alert, but his expression calm. "Snape."

Snape got straight to the point, drawing a folded, slightly frayed piece of parchment from inside his robes. It was densely covered in tiny script and complex magical symbol sketches. "Restricted Section," he said concisely, almost throwing the parchment at Lin Yanqing. "I need these books. With your... Ravenclaw privileges, it'll be easier to get borrowing permission."

Lin Yanqing took the parchment and scanned the titles: The Shackles and Bonds of the Soul, A Study of Ancient Magic Pacts, An Investigation into the Phenomenon of Magical Resonance... all sounded dangerous and profound. He immediately understood. This was the result of Snape's "research" over the past few days. He had compiled a list, but as a first-year Slytherin, especially one with little favor, it would be difficult to get Madam Pince's approval to borrow these books from the Restricted Section. Ravenclaw, known for its pursuit of knowledge, would relatively more easily obtain such special permission.

This was exploitation. Naked, unadorned exploitation.

Snape stared intently at his reaction, his dark eyes devoid of any plea, only a cold certainty: "I know you will do it." He was testing how much truth there was to Lin Yanqing's stated willingness to cooperate, and how far this contract could be used to exploit him.

Lin Yanqing was silent for a few seconds, then folded the parchment and put it in his pocket. "I'll try." He made no guarantee, but those simple three words conveyed his attitude.

Snape's lips seemed to twitch infinitesimally, like a sneer that failed to form. He offered no thanks, gave Lin Yanqing another deep look, as if to confirm he wasn't being perfunctory, and then, as silently as he had appeared, vanished into the corridor's shadows.

"Quest [Shared Mystery] progress update! (★ ω ★) Binding target has issued a 'cooperation' request (albeit one-sided)! Reward pre-issued: Temporary permission [Ravenclaw's Proof of Inquiry] (Effect: Small increase in success rate for the next application to borrow from the Restricted Section)!"

Over the next few days, Lin Yanqing used his spare time to visit the library multiple times, carefully negotiating with Madam Pince. He claimed he was writing an extended essay on "The Influence of Ancient Magic Pacts on Modern Spellcraft" (which certainly fit the Ravenclaw persona) and strategically utilized the System's temporary permission. After a rigorous interrogation and assurances, Madam Pince reluctantly granted him limited permission to borrow some of the books on the list, provided a senior student supervised his reading.

When Lin Yanqing handed Snape two heavy tomes (A Study of Ancient Magic Pacts and An Investigation into the Phenomenon of Magical Resonance), borrowed with great effort and carefully wrapped in thick cloth, during another "chance" encounter in the corridor, Snape said nothing. He merely snatched them, stuffed them into his robes with swift movements as if conducting an illicit transaction.

But in the instant of the book exchange, Lin Yanqing, through the contract, caught a trace of an extremely faint emotion, almost immediately suppressed—not gratitude, but a fluctuation akin to "satisfaction." It was as if a handy tool had finally proven its worth.

As time passed, the festive atmosphere in Hogwarts Castle gradually intensified. Holly and mistletoe garlands began to appear in the Great Hall, and the armor was polished to a gleam. Students started discussing whether to stay for the Christmas holidays.

One day at breakfast in the Great Hall, Lin Yanqing overheard several older Slytherins loudly discussing the Christmas ball and family gatherings, their words filled with boasting about classmates who could go home. He subconsciously glanced towards the end of the Slytherin table.

Snape sat alone, head bowed, mechanically eating his food. The aura around him was even lower than usual, as if separated from the surrounding joyful atmosphere by an invisible barrier. Through the contract, Lin Yanqing clearly felt a somber, almost numb indifference, and a barely perceptible... aversion to the word "family."

He suddenly recalled the snippets of information in the original story about Snape's family situation—that unpleasant Spinner's End.

Just then, owls swooped into the Great Hall, bringing mail and packages. A grey owl dropped a small, old, and plain-looking parcel with no decorations in front of Snape. Snape's movements froze. He looked at the parcel, not opening it immediately, but rather as if seeing something unclean. A fleeting shadow of gloom and resistance crossed his eyes.

He didn't open the parcel, merely stuffed it quickly into his robes, then abruptly stood up and left the Great Hall early, his back stiff and lonely.

Lin Yanqing withdrew his gaze, understanding dawning on him. Snape wouldn't be going home for Christmas.

And he himself, an orphan whose "parents were deceased," would naturally be one of those staying behind.

The first snow of Hogwarts fell quietly, blanketing the castle and grounds, adorning the world in silver. As the holidays approached, the castle gradually emptied. Lin Yanqing stood by the window in the Ravenclaw Tower, watching the snowflakes drift down outside, feeling the coldness and loneliness emanating from the other end of the soul bond, a feeling incongruous with the festive season.

He knew that this Christmas, for both him and the boy hiding in the Slytherin dungeons, would be spent in a complex and subtle atmosphere. Their "research," the bond that had forcibly connected them, seemed to have entered a period of frozen stagnation in this cold season.