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

Chapter 87: Final Exams!

As the end of the semester drew ever closer, the students grew increasingly anxious, even Emerick was getting impatient. The end of the semester meant exams, and after the exams, he wouldn't be able to see Severus anymore.

He tried many ways to sneak into Severus's house, but none of them worked, because he didn't want to deceive Severus, nor did he want to wrong him. Besides, even if he got in, he would eventually be thrown out.

"Severus, will you miss me? We won't see each other for two months during summer vacation."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Haven't you caused me enough trouble? Do I need to remind you what I did last summer?"

"I was wrong..."

Emeric silently offered Severus a mutated rose, hoping to gain his forgiveness. It was clear he knew the extent of the trouble he had caused. Leaving aside how the resurrection ceremony had terrified Severus, the fact that he had become a child and constantly clung to him was enough of a nuisance.

Harry and Draco are doing alright; they can spend time together in a few days after their exams, which is much better than Emerick. They could even go home together after their exams if they wanted, showing they've completely forgotten about Lily's return.

So much so that when Lily came looking for Harry to go home, both of them were a little confused.

"Harry, would you like to come with me after your exams?"

"Okay, Professor."

Harry sighed; he wouldn't be going to Malfoy Manor this summer. He was going home with his mother, and this would be their first time alone together since Lily returned.

"It's okay, we can go out and play, and I can come to your house to play too. Don't be sad, you have a potions exam coming up, how's your studying going?"

Draco has grown up a lot. He has learned to consider others and is no longer the child who would cry for his father at the slightest problem. Besides, it wouldn't have helped his father to deal with the problems his lover was going through.

Even with Draco and Hermione highlighting the key points together, Harry was still a bit confused. He would forget everything he had just memorized when he got nervous, and now he could only hope the exam would be easy.

"I hope Professor Snape is in a good mood lately."

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"My young master, please stop tormenting me. What can I do?"

"You yourself said you didn't want to deceive the professor, so all the ideas I can give you are to get in first by lying through the cracks!!!"

Garian was getting a little frustrated. Emeric kept telling him to come up with a solution, but what could he do? He couldn't deceive the professor, nor could he force him. Emeric might as well pretend to be a stray cat; maybe the professor would soften his heart and agree.

"Good idea, but wait, isn't this still a lie?"

Lyra stood silently to the side, minimizing her presence, afraid that Emeric would turn around and torment her.

"Tsk, I knew I couldn't count on you guys. I'll figure it out myself."

Emeric rolled his eyes. He was really stupid. Instead of asking them, he should have gone to the cellar to curry favor. Maybe Severus would have agreed if he was in a good mood.

"Severus, how did my exam go? Have you graded my paper yet?"

Being in the cellar at this time would undoubtedly mean hard labor. Severus was getting a headache from grading papers, and Emeric just happened to be there.

"Once these are approved, you'll know your score."

Severus was ruthless, dumping all the first-year wizard exam papers on Emerick. Some of these children made spelling mistakes, and some couldn't even spell words.

The two men faced each other, each with a quill pen, and began to work, both eager to end this torment as soon as possible.

The number of exam papers on the table decreased one by one, while the pile of parchment on the floor gradually increased.

"No way, how many more approvals are pending? Severus, can we take a break?"

Upon hearing him speak, the man paused with his quill, ink dripping from the tip onto the parchment. After skillfully cleaning up the ink stain, he slowly began to speak.

"If you don't want to work, get out."

The man's cold tone revealed his impatience; he didn't want to hear any noise right now. As if feeling that his tone was too harsh, he added another sentence.

"You go and register the grades; I'll grade the rest."

Emeric sighed, resignedly picked up his quill and continued working. Two people working together would be faster, and he couldn't bear to see Severus suffer.

Finally, before dinner, they finished grading all the papers. Emeric slumped into his chair, somewhat dazed, needing a good meal to soothe the pain of the day.

"Severus, is there anything you'd like to eat? We need to relax a bit, or we'll probably have nightmares tonight."

"Whatever you prefer."

Severus leaned back on the sofa, unbuttoned the top button to reveal his snow-white neck, and closed his tired eyes as if he were about to fall asleep at any moment.

"How about pan-fried steak with rosemary and fried baby potatoes? Add some spinach to cut the richness, and orange juice for a refreshing drink."

Not receiving a reply from the man, Severus fell asleep on the sofa, while Emeric continued speaking while tracing the man's features with his eyes.

He picked up a blanket and covered Severus with it, then adjusted the lights and temperature in the room before leaving the cellar to go to the kitchen to cook.

After he left, the man lying on the sofa shifted slightly to make himself more comfortable. The cool temperature and dim light helped him fall into a deep sleep.

An hour had passed when Emeric returned after cooking. He gently pushed open the door and saw the man still fast asleep on the sofa.

His face was flushed with the light pink of sleep, his usually furrowed brows were relaxed, and the dark circles under his eyes made him look tired. Below that were his thin, rosy lips, slightly upturned.

Emeric's eyes lingered on the lips. After placing the food in his hands on the table, he gently approached Severus, reached out and patted the man's shoulder, trying to wake him up for dinner.

"Severus, shall we eat first and then go to sleep?"

A gentle voice reached the man's dream, waking him with an intimate tone. Severus opened his eyes slightly, threw off the blanket, got up, and went to sit down at the dining table.

The two ate their last dinner of the semester in silence, the only sound in the room being the clinking of knives and forks against plates.

"Severus, what are your plans for summer vacation?"

"None of your business."

"Okay, okay, here's some snacks and some food I prepared in advance in these cufflinks. Eat these if you're hungry, don't forget."

"Ha, I'm not old enough to need your concern."

Although he said that, his hands betrayed him, taking the cufflinks without a second's hesitation. Having been fed like this for so long, Severus now somewhat disdains the restaurants near his home.