HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 83 Let's give it a try

"Harry? Let's go see Evangeline."

"Okay, let's go to the kitchen and get some food first."

Draco and Harry's recent date spot is to see Evangeline. The living Basilisk is just as rare as Merlin dancing, and not only do they do this, but other couples also come here for dates.

Emeric discovered this little secret and quickly took Severus there, and so all the young couples in the area suffered their misfortune.

"Gryffindor -5 points."

"Hufflepuff deduct five points."

"Gryffindor -5 points."

"Ravenclaw, deduct five points."

......

After circling the entire central lake, the other houses had very few points left, and even Slytherin had lost quite a few, but thanks to the headmaster's leniency, they still had half left.

Having thoroughly enjoyed deducting points, Severus felt a sense of satisfaction, and the frustration of a busy day vanished. Only then did he look at Emeric properly.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Thaddeus, for the tip-off. Now, what do you want?"

Severus spoke in a flat tone, without a trace of intimacy in his words. Since the Christmas holidays, he had become increasingly cold towards Emeric, as if this could control their relationship.

He had never experienced such tender love before, so he didn't know how to face it. He felt that Emeric was still young and that Emeric couldn't bear his love.

"I want you to love me."

"Are you dreaming? Do you need me to help you wake up?"

"Severus, I'm telling the truth, and you asked me, didn't you? This is all I want."

Emeric leaned against the table, tilting his body slightly to the side, and obediently handed over a cup of black tea.

Severus took the tea, trying to mask his panic with drinking it—the panic of being so openly courted for the first time. But as soon as the water entered his mouth, he realized something was wrong; it contained a small amount of truth serum.

"?"

"America Thaddeus, who gave you the audacity to give me truth serum? Very well."

"Severus, what are you worried about?"

A small amount of Truth Essence could still control him. Severus pursed his lips, reached for his wand, and tried to drive the person away.

But Emeric grabbed his hands and hugged him tightly, the woody scent of Emeric enveloping him.

He was sitting while Emeric was standing, so he was now completely nestled in Emeric's arms. The boy, whose voice was slightly hoarse from puberty, bent down, and their eyes met.

"Severus, there's a significant time difference between us, so it's normal that you don't accept me. But you can't deny me even a chance to pursue you. Please try getting along with me."

"You don't need to give anything, just accept it. I won't let anyone else find out. Our time together will only be in the cellar, okay? Besides, if you don't spend time with me, how will you find a way to refuse me?"

"If you're still not reassured, let's add another time limit. After I leave Hogwarts, I won't bother you anymore. During these few years, you can order me around as you please. You'll have a very useful servant, and you can use my resources freely and get everything you want."

Like hearing the whispers of a siren, Severus was bewitched by the last paragraph. From then on, he could study potions in the cellar, hand over all the lower-grade classes to Emeric, and obtain rare materials anytime, anywhere.

稳赚不赔的买卖

"What do you want from me, Emerick?"

"Give me a chance, a chance you'll fall in love with me."

"Good luck then. Now, write my lesson plan."

Emeric couldn't help but laugh out loud; his Severus was too adorable. He took out a notebook and a plate of snacks, placed them beside him, turned the empty ink bottle into a chair, sat down next to Severus, and began writing his lesson plan.

Feeling he had won back a bit, the man sat on the sofa, leaning back to read a book; he certainly didn't want to sit with Emeric.

As he looked around, he noticed a very interesting record. He stood up and walked towards the studio, turning back to give a word of instruction before going in.

"After finishing the lesson plans, come over and work on the orders for the medical wing."

"Okay, can you have dinner with me later?"

"It depends."

----------

"Harry, why is it Ellie teaching us Potions? Something's not right. Let's ask her after class."

"Little Dragon, have you forgotten that it was Brother Ellie who lured Professor Snape here yesterday...?"

"Hmm, let's forget about it then. Let the adults handle their own affairs in a while."

After class, Emeric picked up his books; he was going back to the cellar to have lunch with Severus. He had applied for exemption from his own classes long ago, and now he only needed to take the exams; there were only one or two classes left to attend.

Occasionally, he would have Dumbledore teach the class, and Severus had been eating and resting well these past few days, so he looked even better.

When McGonagall pushed open the cellar door, she thought she had entered the wrong house. The entire cellar was exceptionally warm. Sofas, carpets, fireplaces, lampshades... she had never seen these things before, and they were obviously newly installed. She couldn't help but wonder if Severus had drugged Emeric. Otherwise, why would Emeric be willing to teach Severus and decorate the cellar so comfortably?

"Severus, Ellie is still young... isn't it a bit too much to exploit him like this?"

"Minerva, what are you talking about? He did all of this voluntarily. If you don't believe me, ask him."

Severus silently reached out and pointed to the boy behind McGonagall, letting her ask him herself.

"No, thank you for your concern for Professor McGonagall. This was all done voluntarily by me. The professor's drug development has reached a critical stage, and we can't let anything else distract him."

"Is that so... Hehe... Whatever makes you happy."

Emeric was puzzled. He didn't understand why McGonagall had said those words; he felt like someone was whispering in his ear. Emeric stared intently at the spot where McGonagall had disappeared into the distance.

The upcoming Hogwarts events don't look very peaceful, or rather, they might encounter someone's displeasure.