The Mandatory First Step

The Hogwarts Express slowed in the vast twilight, the wilderness outside the windows gradually replaced by sparse lights. Lin Yanqing walked down the increasingly empty corridor, each step feeling like treading on invisible thorns. The soul bond was like a tightening leash; the closer they got to the other end, the sharper and more piercing the resistance and disgust became.

He finally found Snape in the narrow connecting section at the very end of the train.

The young man had his back to him, his dark silhouette leaning against the cold carriage door, facing the fleeting scenery outside the window, like a frozen, malevolent shadow sculpture. Even from a distance, the "keep away" aura was almost tangible.

"Host, you can do it! Don't get punished! Think about how you'll burp in front of the whole school! (??????)??" System Cub waved its glow sticks in his mind, trying to dispel his nervousness.

Lin Yanqing took a deep breath, suppressing the irregular thumping in his chest, and slowly walked forward. When he was three steps away, Snape suddenly turned his head—his eyes held no surprise, only a complete, ice-like wariness. The contract left him nowhere to hide.

"Get lost." The single word was laced with ice shards, more piercing than the wind outside.

"..." All of Lin Yanqing's prepared opening lines froze in his throat. He steadied himself, forcing himself to meet those bottomless black eyes, his voice as calm as possible: "I just... wanted to talk about what happened earlier. It was an accident, I promise..."

"An accident?" Snape sneered, interrupting him, the sarcasm in his voice sharp enough to cut the air. "Someone who can silently trigger unknown defensive magic tells me an ancient contract that forcibly binds souls is an 'accident'?" He turned, facing Lin Yanqing fully, scrutinizing him like a Flobberworm for experimentation. "Save your pathetic act. Who sent you? What is your purpose?"

Lin Yanqing's heart clenched. Snape's perceptiveness and suspicion far exceeded his expectations, cutting directly into the most dangerous territory. He immediately shook his head, his voice tinged with genuine urgency: "No one! I'm just a new student! Before today, I didn't even know who you were! I have no purpose!"

"Then how do you explain this?" Snape raised his hand, his fingertip pointing vaguely at the air between them. The invisible bond seemed to tremble in response. "And your... strange wand."

"I don't know!" Lin Yanqing could only stick to this point, wrapping part of the truth in mist. "My family... is a bit special. This wand is an heirloom. Perhaps... it was my bloodline or the wand that resonated with your magic when they collided in a way... we couldn't control?" He carefully skirted around the core forbidden zone: "system."

Snape stared intently into his eyes, his gaze like a scalpel, trying to peel away all pretense. Lin Yanqing forced himself not to flinch, striving to maintain the image of a flustered but honest new student.

Silence festered amidst the roar of the train. Snape could sense the emotions flowing through the contract—besides nervousness and a sliver of fear, there was no obvious malice or deception. But this did not allay his doubts; instead, it made the strange connection even more irritating.

"Whatever the reason," Snape finally spoke, his voice low and resolute, "find a way to break it. When I find it, you'd better cooperate. Otherwise..." The unfinished words, laden with cold threats, permeated the air.

"Ding! Mission accomplished! (★ ω ★) Although the process was bumpy, effective dialogue achieved! Distributing rewards..."

The moment Snape finished speaking, the system notification sounded like heavenly music. Lin Yanqing almost collapsed from relief; Snape's threatening warning had been classified by the system as "breaking the ice"!

At the same time, he felt the inner pocket of his robes sink slightly, now containing ten Gold Galleons and a strangely textured package.

Snape keenly caught Lin Yanqing's fleeting expression of relief, his brow furrowing even tighter. This Eastern boy was becoming increasingly strange and unfathomable.

Just then, the train's broadcast announced the need to change robes and prepare for arrival at Hogsmeade.

The confrontation was forced to an end.

"I'll be watching you." Snape dropped his final sentence and, as if avoiding something defiled, quickly turned and disappeared down the corridor, his black robes billowing like the wings of a night raven.

Lin Yanqing leaned against the cold carriage wall, exhaling a long breath, his back soaked in cold sweat. This mandatory first step had, at last, been taken, stumbling through hellish difficulty.

He returned to his compartment and changed into the new student's black robes. Looking out at the deepening night and the silhouettes of the distant mountains, his mood was complex and indescribable.

"Cub, does this contract do anything useful besides sharing emotions and locations? Like letting me instantly comprehend all magic?" he asked with a sliver of hope.

"You dream too big, Host! (￣▽￣*) " The system popped up a "bonk on the head" emoji. "The core of the contract is protection and connection! However, because part of your magic source is shared, you might find it a little easier when learning magic with similar attributes to his! Like... Potions related? He'll be a master in the future! (?? ω ?? )y"

Potions? Lin Yanqing mused. Perhaps this was... a potential breakthrough?

"And also!" the system added, "Because of the absolute protection rule, Host, your healing or support magic used on him will be significantly enhanced! But offensive magic will be severely weakened or even reflected! You can't fight! ╮(╯▽╰)╭"

Well, the path of brute force was completely blocked. Lin Yanqing sighed in resignation.

The train finally stopped at a dim little platform. The night wind, carrying the crisp cold of the Scottish Highlands, blew into the carriage. Lin Yanqing disembarked with the crowd, hearing the booming voice of the half-giant Hagrid. He subconsciously "sensed" the black figure—Snape was walking alone at the edge of the crowd, deliberately distancing himself from the noise, especially from Potter's group. Lily seemed to want to approach but was surrounded by other excited new students.

"No more than four per boat!" Hagrid shouted, pointing at the small boats by the lake.

Lin Yanqing saw Snape quickly board an empty boat, exuding a "do not approach" barrier. He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, under the other's almost tangible icy gaze, he stepped onto the same boat.

Snape's expression grew even more somber in the darkness, but he said nothing. He merely turned his head, staring fixedly at the ink-black lake, his entire back conveying "refusal to communicate." Lin Yanqing was happy for the peace and sat down at the stern of the boat.

"Heads down!" Hagrid shouted as they passed through the cliffs. All the new students, including a very reluctant Snape, lowered their heads.

Then, as the small boat sailed out from behind a curtain, everything opened up—

The majestic Hogwarts castle stood tall against the mountains, countless windows glowing with warm light, its spires pointing directly at the star-studded night sky, more magnificent and grand than any imagination.

An indescribable emotion surged within Lin Yanqing, the shock of dreams becoming reality. He glanced at Snape opposite him; though his face was still tense, his dark eyes, reflecting the castle's glow, showed a fleeting, yet undeniable, hint of longing. This was the promised land he yearned to use to bury his past and seize knowledge and power.

The boats docked, and the new students stepped onto the stone steps, gathering before the massive oak doors.

Hagrid knocked.

The doors swung open, and Professor Minerva McGonagall, in her emerald robes with a stern expression, stood there.

"Thank you, Hagrid. Leave them to me."

She led the new students into a small room off the entrance hall, briefly explaining the houses, the House Cup, and the Sorting ceremony.

"Remain quiet while you wait." Professor McGonagall left, and the room immediately filled with tense whispers.

Lin Yanqing leaned against the cold stone wall, clearly "feeling" Snape's nervousness nearby—a complex emotion woven from pride, inferiority, and a strong desire for recognition. He himself couldn't help but feel his heart race.

Suddenly, a sharp, soul-level pain shot from the other end of the contract! It wasn't physical pain, but more like extreme psychological rejection and humiliation!

Lin Yanqing abruptly looked at Snape. He saw Snape's face turn pale, his lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes fixed on a small group of new students who had just entered the room. Leading them was the pale-haired boy with fair skin—Lucius Malfoy, who was scanning the room with a look of mild superiority, as if appraising merchandise.

Snape's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. It was an instinctive, violent reaction to facing a social stratum he aspired to join but felt deeply humiliated by. Through the contract, Lin Yanqing clearly "read" the overwhelming shame, longing, and profound self-loathing.

Just then, Professor McGonagall returned. "Now, form a single line," she commanded. "Follow me."

They walked through the grand entrance hall again and into the brightly lit Great Hall.

Lin Yanqing was breathless at the sight: four long tables filled with students, thousands of floating candles illuminating the hall as if it were daytime, and a starry sky on the velvet-black ceiling. At the staff table, all the professors sat in formal attire. In the central golden high-backed chair sat Albus Dumbledore, with his silver beard and half-moon spectacles.

As Professor McGonagall placed the four-legged stool and the worn Sorting Hat, Lin Yanqing noticed that Dumbledore, at the staff table, his piercing blue eyes seeming to see everything, was slowly scanning the line of new students.

When the Headmaster's gaze swept over Lin Yanqing and Severus Snape beside him, Lin Yanqing distinctly felt that gaze... pause for an almost imperceptible, nearly non-existent moment.

Dumbledore's fingertips tapped almost imperceptibly on the armrest, and a deep, inscrutable smile, as if he knew everything, flickered at the corner of his lips.