The days before the spring equinox passed amid secret anticipation and tension. Classes at Hogwarts continued as usual, while the snow outside the castle gradually melted, revealing damp earth and newly sprouted shoots beneath. Lin Yanqing and Snape still behaved like strangers in class, but the bond connecting them conveyed a focus poised to strike more clearly than ever before.
With his newly acquired [Magical Perception (Beginner)] skill, Lin Yanqing could more keenly sense the emotional undercurrent coming from Snape—a blend of caution, calculation, and a determination that would not tolerate failure. He prepared in silence as well, checking his wand, confirming several practical spells he might need, and even "consulting" an older Ravenclaw student about a few basic counter-tracking and concealment techniques.
The spring equinox finally arrived. The daytime classes felt especially long. When night fell, the sky was clear, promising a cloudless full-moon night. During dinner, Lin Yanqing noticed that Snape left the Great Hall earlier than usual, his figure vanishing into the entrance leading to the dungeons.
Moonrise was approaching. Lin Yanqing draped himself in his Invisibility Cloak—his only "inheritance" from crossing over, a secondhand item of average quality but enough to handle the inspections of first-years—and silently slipped out of Ravenclaw Tower. Avoiding the occasional patrols of Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris, he made his way toward the Black Lake dock.
Spring nights in the Scottish Highlands were still cold. The damp wind off the lake cut to the bone. The dock was deserted, while the distant castle blazed with light, reflected on the ink-black lake in shattered, swaying patches. Following the note's directions, Lin Yanqing circled east around the dock and stepped onto a stretch of shoreline littered with wet, uneven reefs.
Moonlight spilled across the ground like mercury, bathing the reefs in cold silver-white. Beneath the shadow of a massive wind-sheltered rock, he saw that familiar figure.
Snape was already there. He wore a thicker-looking old black robe, nearly blending into the reefs' shadows. He used no light, simply standing there facing the lake as though listening to the tide. When Lin Yanqing removed his Invisibility Cloak and revealed himself, Snape whirled around, his wand instantly aimed toward the sound, his eyes sharp as an eagle's beneath the moonlight.
Once he saw that it was Lin Yanqing, the vigilance in his eyes eased slightly, though he did not lower his wand. He merely gave a small nod in greeting, then indicated the deeper reaches of the reef cluster with his gaze.
"We don't have much time." Snape's voice was so low that it was nearly drowned out by the gentle slap of lakewater against stone. "Lumos is too conspicuous. Use your perception."
Lin Yanqing nodded, closed his eyes, and focused on activating [Magical Perception]. The world became a map composed of magical currents of different colors and intensities in his "vision." He filtered out the chaotic magical background from the direction of the castle, as well as several powerful, sleeping magical sources deep within the Black Lake, and carefully searched for the faint, distinct fluctuations that might lurk between the reefs.
"Over there." A few minutes later, he opened his eyes and pointed at a barren-looking cluster of reefs directly beneath the moonlight. "There are faint silver-blue traces of magic flickering alternately. They match the description. But... the magical response underwater beside them is strange. It's unstable."
Snape looked in the direction he indicated, his brows drawing together slightly. Clearly, he did not rely entirely on Lin Yanqing's perception. He used some form of detection magic himself, nearly invisible threads of magic winding around his fingertips as they reached toward that area.
"It's a Grindylow nest." A moment later, Snape reached his conclusion, his tone calm. "They're attracted to Moonlight Moss, but they don't dare stray too far from the water. The traces are fresh. They only left recently and may be nearby underwater."
It was a potential danger. Grindylows—small water demons with gray-green skin and long fingers—would be troublesome in large numbers even for two first-years.
"I'll draw them away or make some noise," Lin Yanqing suggested. "You collect the moss." It was the most efficient division of labor.
Snape glanced at him, a flicker of calculation passing through his black eyes. Letting Lin Yanqing face the potential danger suited his principle of "making use" of him, but the contract meant that if either of them was endangered, the other might be dragged in as well.
"No need." He ultimately rejected the suggestion, his tone stiff. "We go together. You watch the water, and I'll collect it. If anything happens, use Protego or the Firework Charm to drive them off. Don't get drawn into a fight."
This was the first time he had given a specific "cooperation" order during an operation. Lin Yanqing had no objections.
Using the reefs' shadows as cover, the two cautiously approached the target area. The closer they got, the clearer the silver-blue motes Lin Yanqing sensed became. They grew at the bottom of a narrow crevice formed by several interlocking reefs, clinging to damp stone like condensed moonlight and giving off a chilly aura. In the dark water beside them, several dark green clusters of magic representing the Grindylows slowly drifted about, carrying malicious and restless emotions.
Snape took a specially made silver trowel and a glass vial from inside his robe, then began collecting the moss with light, swift movements. His technique was exceptionally professional, ensuring that he did not damage the Moonlight Moss's roots or its fluorescent properties. The entire process made almost no sound.
Lin Yanqing, meanwhile, watched the water with complete focus. He gripped his wand tightly and pushed [Magical Perception] to its limit, feeling a dull ache at his temples. He could "see" those dark green clusters of light seemingly drawn by the disturbance on shore, beginning to rise uneasily.
"They're coming up," Lin Yanqing warned in a low voice.
Snape moved even faster, almost becoming a blur.
The first wet Grindylow, with sharp horns and bulging eyes, suddenly thrust itself out of the water with a hoarse cry. Its long fingers clawed toward Snape, who was still collecting the moss!
"Protego!" Lin Yanqing swung his wand almost the instant it appeared. An invisible barrier sprang up between the Grindylow and Snape. The water demon slammed into it with a dull thud and was flung back into the lake.
Then the second and third Grindylows surfaced from different directions.
"Firework Charm!" The instant Snape dug up the final clump of Moonlight Moss and placed it in the glass vial, he flicked a spell toward the water without looking back. Though it was not a true blasting spell, a dazzling burst of fire and a thunderous noise erupted across the lake, sending water spraying everywhere.
The startled Grindylows let out terrified shrieks and swiftly dove into the deep water, disappearing from sight.
Silence returned to the surroundings, broken only by the sound of rippling water.
Snape quickly sealed the vial and carefully put it away before standing up. His breathing was slightly hurried from the tension and rapid movements just now, but his face remained expressionless. He only swept a glance over Lin Yanqing to make sure he was unharmed.
"Go," he said curtly, taking the lead as he quickly headed back the way they had come.
Lin Yanqing followed close behind. The two hurried silently along the lakeshore until they had left the reef area far behind and returned to the relatively safe ground near the dock.
Snape stopped, checked once more that no one was around, then pulled out the glass vial from his robe. Beneath the moonlight, the Twin Moonlight Moss inside gave off a soft, pure silver-blue glow, breathtakingly beautiful.
He stared at the vial for several seconds, then clenched it tightly in his hand and looked up at Lin Yanqing. Moonlight illuminated half of his pale face, and complicated emotions filled those black eyes—relief at the mission's success, satisfaction at obtaining precious materials, but above all, a deep consideration that was difficult to decipher.
This cooperation had succeeded. There had been no conflict, no mistakes, and even a brief but effective coordination when facing the Grindylows.
"Next time," Snape said, his voice still low but lacking some of its usual cutting sharpness, "when we need Tranquil Spring Water, I'll notify you."
After saying that, he did not linger. He turned and swiftly disappeared into the castle's shadows, as soundlessly as he had arrived.
Lin Yanqing stood where he was, feeling the cool spring night breeze brush across his face. From the other end of the soul bond came an emotion settling into calm, carrying the steady reassurance of having achieved their goal.
"Phase Mission Updated! [Stabilize Contract - Material Collection] (1/2) Complete! (★ ω ★) Cooperation coordination between the host and bound target has increased! Rewards will be distributed once all materials have been collected."
Next time... Tranquil Spring Water...
Lin Yanqing knew that they would continue down this thorn-strewn road they had been forced to travel together. And tonight's moonlight no longer seemed quite so cold.
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