Calm Handover and Eyes in the Dark

Returning to the castle from the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Lin Yanqing's heart was still pounding from the recent danger. The Kappa's scarlet eyes and foul stench under the moonlight seemed to linger in his senses. He clutched the two bundles of fur, shimmering with moonlight, in his pocket. They felt both light and heavy at the moment—light as physical objects, heavy with the increasingly complex and unspoken connection to Snape they represented.

He could clearly feel that the other end of the soul bond had returned to its usual deathly silence, as if the impatient "Water!" that had exploded in his mind was merely a hallucination born from a moment of life and death. Snape clearly had no intention of discussing the matter, perhaps even wishing Lin Yanqing to forget it immediately.

Back in the Ravenclaw tower, in an unnoticed corner, Lin Yanqing carefully inspected the Mooncalf fur, confirming it was undamaged and its magical luster pure. He didn't seek out Snape immediately. He knew it wasn't the right time. Both he and Snape needed time to calm down and rebuild their defenses.

The next day, everything was as usual. In Potions class, Snape sat in his usual front corner, focused on his cauldron, not sparing Lin Yanqing a single extra glance. Lin Yanqing, as always, prepared his ingredients. It was only when Professor Slughorn mentioned that a certain ingredient required "extremely steady hands for collection, otherwise it's easy to disturb the source" that Lin Yanqing noticed Snape's stirring falter almost imperceptibly.

It wasn't until a few days later, on a Thursday afternoon, under a gloomy, drizzling sky, that Lin Yanqing chose to read in a dimly lit, deserted section of bookshelves near the entrance to the Restricted Section in the library. He knew this was a place Snape occasionally frequented to consult obscure materials.

He waited for about half an hour, and the familiar, gaunt figure in a long black robe indeed appeared at the end of the bookshelf. Snape seemed surprised to see anyone there, especially in such weather. His steps faltered slightly when he saw Lin Yanqing, then he expressionlessly headed in another direction, intending to bypass him.

Lin Yanqing didn't call out to him. Just as the two were about to pass each other, he looked up from his book with extreme naturalness, as if just remembering something. He then took out a small package, carefully wrapped in soft black velvet cloth, from his inner robe pocket and gently placed it on the shelf divider between them.

He didn't speak, nor did he even look at Snape, his gaze returning to the book in his hands, as if he had merely placed an unimportant item there temporarily.

Snape's steps halted. His sharp eyes fell on the black velvet package, piercing as a knife. He could feel the pure moonlight magic emanating from within—the Mooncalf fur he had requested.

The air froze for a few seconds. The sound of raindrops hitting the tall library windows became exceptionally clear.

Snape didn't take it immediately. He stood there, as if conducting a silent assessment. Evaluating whether this "delivery" concealed other intentions, assessing Lin Yanqing's true thoughts beneath his calm demeanor. Through the contract, Lin Yanqing could sense the cold scrutiny and a faint trace of... doubt emanating from Snape.

Ultimately, the need for the materials outweighed the aversion to "interaction" itself. Snape's hand shot out with lightning speed, sweeping the black velvet package into his robe pocket in a blur. Throughout the entire process, he made no sound and didn't glance at Lin Yanqing a second time.

With the item secured, he immediately turned and walked back the way he came, without any hesitation.

However, just as his figure was about to disappear at the end of the bookshelf, Lin Yanqing spoke in an extremely flat tone, as if to himself, his voice so low it was almost drowned out by the rain:

"The puddle on the Kappa's head is a weakness."

Snape's retreating figure stiffened abruptly. Though only for an instant, Lin Yanqing clearly caught it. He didn't look back or respond, merely quickened his pace and disappeared completely into the shadows.

But through the contract, Lin Yanqing clearly received a brief, intense emotional fluctuation—not gratitude, but a mix of annoyance, embarrassment, and a hint of the shame of being exposed. Snape clearly didn't want anyone (especially Lin Yanqing) to mention his forced intervention that night. Lin Yanqing's seemingly casual remark had precisely hit the truth he wanted to conceal.

"Quest [Material Collection II] Complete! Rewards distributed! (★ ω ★)" the System notification chimed.

Lin Yanqing let out a soft sigh. The delivery was complete. He hadn't tried to claim credit or mention his adventure, merely stated a fact. This method seemed to be the best way to maintain this connection within Snape's acceptable boundaries.

He thought this encounter was over. However, as he was about to leave the library, he was stopped in the corridor leading to the main staircase by a figure.

It was Sirius Black.

He leaned lazily against a pillar, arms crossed, with that familiar, knowing smile that seemed to see through everything, his gray eyes flashing with curiosity.

"Hey, Ravenclaw," he greeted casually, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yanqing's face like a spotlight. "Seems like I've been seeing you and our dear Snape 'accidentally' showing up in the same secluded corners lately? Just now in the library too... quite a coincidence."

Lin Yanqing's heart tightened slightly. Sirius's observational skills were indeed sharp. His expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "The library is a public area, Black. Besides, I'm interested in certain obscure magical fields, it's not surprising."

"Obscure magical fields?" Sirius scoffed, taking a step forward and lowering his voice, a hint of mockery and warning in his tone. "Come on. I don't care what kind of 'shady deals' or whatever else you have with that greasy git... stay away from him, it's for your own good. That guy is nothing but trouble."

This wasn't concern, more like a warning based on inter-house rivalry and personal grudges, perhaps mixed with a touch of curiosity and annoyance that "Snape actually has someone approaching him."

Lin Yanqing looked at Sirius without flinching or getting angry. "Thank you for the reminder, Black. I know what I'm doing." His tone remained flat, betraying no emotion.

Sirius raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by his reaction. He stared at Lin Yanqing for a few seconds, then shrugged, his face returning to its nonchalant expression. "Suit yourself. But if you get into any trouble, don't expect Potter or me to clean up your mess."

With that, he whistled an off-key tune and turned to leave.

Lin Yanqing watched his retreating back, his brow furrowed slightly. The Marauders' attention had indeed been drawn. Sirius's warning was just the beginning. It meant that the hidden "connection" between him and Snape would, in the future, not only face internal stagnation and probing but also external prying and potential interference.

He looked up at the continuous rain outside, feeling that the situation at Hogwarts was quietly becoming more complex with the invisible bond between him and Snape.