Ever since that near-confrontational conversation in the corridor, Lin Yanqing could clearly sense a subtle shift in Snape's avoidance strategy toward him. It was no longer a simple retreat, as though fleeing the plague, but a more aggressive vigilance laced with scrutiny. In the library, if Lin Yanqing sat near Snape's usual spot, Snape would not leave at once. Instead, he would watch him with those pitch-black eyes, coldly and relentlessly, as if studying some rare—and dangerous—magical creature, until Lin Yanqing could no longer bear the pressure and moved away first.
It was a silent declaration: I'm watching you. Don't try anything.
System Cub was optimistic about this. "Host! He has started observing you! That's huge progress! (??????)?? Observation is the beginning of understanding!"
Lin Yanqing neither agreed nor disagreed. What concerned him more was the copy of A Brief Analysis of Ancient Pacts awarded by the system. The book was thin, and as the system had said, it was indeed a "castrated edition." It mainly introduced several widely known types of ancient contracts, such as the Unbreakable Vow and the Fidelius Charm. As for the [Soul Guardian Contract], there was only a vague record on the final page:
"...Guardian contracts originated in ancient times, binding souls and intended for absolute protection. Their bond is resilient and cannot be broken by external force. The magical sources of both parties may converge, and their intentions may perhaps be shared. In times of danger, the power of protection will manifest on its own. However, the specific manifestations and restrictions vary according to the contract, or may differ greatly due to the traits of those who form it..."
Though the passage was vague, it at least confirmed the phenomena of magical resonance and protective instinct. Lin Yanqing carefully put the book away. He knew it could become one of the key tools for winning Snape's trust in the future, but the time was not yet right.
One evening a few days later, Lin Yanqing had just returned from Herbology class in the greenhouses, his robes still carrying a trace of earth. Snape blocked his path in a rarely used corridor leading to Ravenclaw Tower.
Like a black shadow, Snape emerged soundlessly from behind a stone pillar and stood in front of him. His face was even paler than usual, with faint dark circles beneath his eyes, as though he had stayed up all night.
"Ravenclaw." He spoke in a low voice, with no intention of using his name, as though it were a word that should be avoided.
Lin Yanqing stopped, alert inside but calm on the surface. "Snape."
Snape did not waste words. He pulled a folded sheet of parchment with rough edges from inside his robes. It was densely covered in tiny writing, along with sketches of several complex magical symbols. "Restricted Section," he said tersely, practically throwing the parchment at Lin Yanqing. "I need these books. With your... house advantages, it will be easier for you to obtain permission to borrow them."
Lin Yanqing took the parchment and glanced over the titles: The Shackles and Bonds of the Soul, A Study of Ancient Magic Pacts, <An Investigation into the Phenomenon of Magical Resonance>... They were all tomes that sounded dangerous and profound. He immediately understood. This was the result of Snape's "research" over the past few days—he had made a book list, but as a first-year Slytherin, especially one with no particular standing, it would be difficult for him to obtain Madam Pince's approval to enter the Restricted Section and borrow these books. Ravenclaw, famed for its thirst for knowledge, was comparatively more likely to receive such special permission.
This was exploitation. Naked, undisguised exploitation.
Snape watched his reaction intently. There was no hint of a request in his black eyes, only a cold certainty that said, I know you'll do it. He was testing him—testing how genuine Lin Yanqing's supposed "willingness to cooperate" was, and testing just how far this contract could allow him to make use of him.
Lin Yanqing fell silent for several seconds, then folded the parchment and slipped it into his pocket. "I'll try." He made no promise, but those three simple words had already made his stance clear.
The corner of Snape's mouth seemed to twitch ever so slightly, like a sneer that had failed to take shape. He did not thank him. He gave Lin Yanqing another long look, as though confirming whether he was merely brushing him off, then vanished soundlessly into the shadows of the corridor as abruptly as he had appeared.
"Quest [A Shared Mystery] follow-up progress updated! (★ ω ★) The bonded target has issued a 'cooperation' request (though it is one-way)! Reward issued in advance: Temporary permission obtained [Ravenclaw's Proof of Inquiry] (Effect: Slightly increases the success rate of your next application to borrow books from the Restricted Section)!"
Over the following days, Lin Yanqing made several trips to the library during his free time, carefully negotiating with Madam Pince. He claimed to be writing an extended essay on "the influence of ancient magical contracts on modern Charms" (which certainly suited the Ravenclaw style), while making timely use of the temporary permission granted by the system. After a round of strict questioning and assurances, Madam Pince finally, albeit reluctantly, approved his limited borrowing of some books on the list, on the condition that an upper-year student had to be present to supervise his reading.
When Lin Yanqing handed Snape the two heavy tomes he had gone to great lengths to borrow—A Study of Ancient Magic Pacts and <An Investigation into the Phenomenon of Magical Resonance>—carefully wrapped in thick cloth during yet another "chance" meeting in the corridor, Snape said nothing. He merely snatched them up and stuffed them into his robes with the speed of someone carrying out an illegal transaction.
But at the instant the books changed hands, Lin Yanqing caught a faint emotion through the contract, one that was almost immediately suppressed. It was not gratitude, but something... close to satisfaction. As though a handy tool had finally demonstrated the value it was supposed to have.
As time passed, the festive atmosphere within Hogwarts Castle gradually grew stronger. Garlands of holly and mistletoe began appearing in the Great Hall, and the suits of armor were polished until they gleamed. Students started discussing whether they would stay or leave for the Christmas holiday.
One morning over breakfast in the Great Hall, Lin Yanqing heard several older Slytherin students nearby loudly discussing Christmas balls and family gatherings, their words filled with the smugness of those able to go home. He instinctively looked toward the end of the Slytherin table.
Snape sat there alone, head lowered as he mechanically ate the food before him. The air around him was even heavier than usual, as though an invisible barrier separated him from the cheerful atmosphere around him. Through the contract, Lin Yanqing clearly felt a gloomy, almost numb indifference, along with a barely perceptible... loathing for the word "family."
He suddenly recalled the scattered mentions in the original work of Snape's family situation—the far-from-pleasant Spinner's End.
Just then, owls came swooping into the Great Hall, delivering letters and parcels. A tawny owl dropped a small, old-looking, unadorned package in front of Snape. Snape froze. He stared at the package without opening it, as though he were looking at something unclean. A flash of gloom and resistance passed through the depths of his eyes.
He did not open the package. He simply shoved it into his robe pocket, then abruptly rose and left the Great Hall early, his back stiff and solitary.
Lin Yanqing withdrew his gaze, understanding at once. Snape would not be going home for Christmas.
And he himself, as an orphan whose "parents were both dead," would naturally be staying at Hogwarts as well.
Hogwarts' first snow fell quietly, blanketing the castle and grounds and turning the world silver-white. As the holiday drew near, the castle gradually emptied. Lin Yanqing stood by the window of Ravenclaw Tower, watching snowflakes drift outside as he felt the coldness and loneliness coming from the other end of their soul bond, so out of place amid the holiday season.
He knew that Christmas would pass in a complicated, delicate atmosphere for both himself and the boy hiding in the Slytherin dungeons. Their "research," and the bond that had been forced to connect them, seemed to have entered a frozen, sluggish period amid the cold season.
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