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

Chapter 199 I Have No Grievances

Draco stood at the classroom door, blocking Emeric. He had some questions he wanted to ask, which was also what Lucius had asked him to ask; they were both very curious.

"Professor Thaddeus, I have some questions for you. May I come over here?" In front of outsiders, Draco preferred to use a respectful title when addressing Emeric, for fear that others would complain that he was disrespecting the professor.

"What's wrong?" Emeric stopped and followed Draco to a corner.

He said half-jokingly, "You didn't fight with Harry, did you? By the way, how did your talk go? Have you decided what you're going to do in the future?"

"We didn't argue. I wanted to ask when you and your godfather are getting married. Your father and mother are worried that they won't have time to prepare a congratulatory gift."

"Why are you kids asking so many questions? You'll tell me when you've made up your minds. But you and Harry, have you talked to Lucius? If you follow his demands, you two will definitely break up." Emeric didn't answer him directly, but instead brought up another topic, trying to divert Draco's attention.

"Brother Elie, don't change the subject!!!" Draco clung to Emerick, determined not to leave until he got an answer. "Just tell me, I promise I won't tell anyone. Please grant me this little wish."

Unable to resist his pestering, Emeric reached out and ruffled Draco's hair. "What? Afraid I won't take responsibility for your godfather?"

"Don't worry, I don't have that thought. I just think we're still young and don't need to be tied down by marriage." He pushed the person out, saying forcefully, "Alright, go eat. I remember your next class is Charms, and Felius's classroom is quite far from the Great Hall. Otherwise, you won't get enough to eat."

Unbeknownst to them, Severus listened to the entire conversation from the shadows. His expression was complex; he hadn't expected Emeric to take all the blame upon himself. It was clearly he who had refused the marriage, fearing a repeat of Irene and Tobias's tragedy.

"Severus, sorry to have kept you waiting. Draco was just chatting with me. Let's go eat." Emeric walked over to him, took the book from his hand, and handed him a matcha-flavored Swiss roll.

"What did you two talk about?" The man wanted to know if he would choose to keep it from him or tell the truth.

"We didn't talk about much, just his relationship with Harry. Lucius asked Harry to join the Ministry of Magic immediately after graduation, so I asked him a few more questions out of curiosity."

“I was right next to him just now.” Severus glanced at Emerick indifferently, then continued, “Why didn’t you tell him the truth?”

"This is a private matter between the two of us, why should we tell him? Besides, I don't want to be chased and suspected by Lucius again." Emeric felt a chill run down his spine when he mentioned this.

"Fine, whatever you want." He thought Emeric would use this topic to argue for a formal title, but he didn't expect such a calm reaction, which left him at a loss for words.

The two walked quietly forward, keeping a distance between them to avoid suspicion. Emeric, walking behind, couldn't see Severus's expression and thought the matter was over.

In the short distance, the man thought of many things, big and small. Big things, like how he risked Emeric's life and, even knowing the effects of the contract, still had to continue infiltrating Voldemort's inner circle; small things, like the figure accompanying him in the workshop every day.

"Let's wait until the Christmas holidays," Severus suddenly said.

He decided to take a risk. Emerick wasn't Tobias, and he wasn't Irene; they wouldn't end up like that. Besides, he wasn't a child anymore; he was capable enough to bear the consequences.

"Severus, don't push yourself. We're fine as we are now." Emeric coaxed him into a corner. His first reaction to this was unease, fearing that Severus had heard Draco's words and that's why he said that.

"What? You want to live your whole life without a name or status?" Severus's eyes were filled with laughter as he raised his hand to pinch his cheek, preparing to tease him. "Since you don't want to, then I'll find someone else, because I want to get married right now."

"No!!!" Emeric panicked, clinging to the man's waist and burying his face in his neck. "I didn't say I wouldn't get married, I didn't!!!"

"Then what you mean by saying it's fine as it is now is just a way of saying you don't want to." Severus, always one to hold his tongue, amused Emeric with amusement, finding it far more entertaining than watching a bunch of troublemakers eat in the Great Hall.

"No, I... I'm just afraid you'll feel wronged."

"When have I ever been wronged except for that incident?" Severus understood his implication and his heart softened completely. He reached out and hugged him back. "Remember? I won't change my decisions because of what others say, so be confident. You're worth the change I'm making."

"You'll regret it," Emeric whispered, adding, "After you're married, it'll be too late for regrets."

"The person who dared to sign a partnership contract behind my back is now saying he regrets it." Severus found it amusing. He hadn't seen this person regret it when he was acting crazy behind his back, but this commotion had wiped away the last bit of hesitation that Severus had.

"If I don't see a complete process by November," the man paused deliberately, and seeing Emeric's tense expression, continued, "then I'll have to wait until next summer. As for now, how much longer are you going to let me go hungry? Just let go."

On the way to the auditorium, Emeric maintained a blank expression and didn't say a word, looking as if he had been stunned by the news.

McGonagall saw this and felt a little worried. She turned slightly to the side and asked, "Allie, what happened?" She thought that some students had angered him and that she was going to confront them after hearing what happened.

"It's alright, Minerva, he's just too happy to listen," Severus replied, patting Emeric on the shoulder to tell him to calm down and not scare the others.

After finishing his meal, Emeric finally came to his senses. He pulled Severus to a corner of the rose garden, pushed him against the wall, and kissed him forcefully.

The passion seemed to devour him whole; Severus's lips were already swollen and red, yet the person on his body continued to lick and nibble. Unable to resist, he pushed hard, but after a brief pause, the passion only intensified.

When they finally separated, Severus didn't want to talk anymore; his lips hurt even when he moved them, and he wanted to use ice to cool them down.

"Severus, what color do you want for the wedding?" Emeric pulled him into his arms, his mind filled with images of their wedding.

"Purple." Severus quite liked the idea behind the previous proposal, and since dark green and silver wouldn't look good for a wedding, he chose his favorite flower.

"We should also add sunflowers." He thought of the flowers and plants at home, knowing that Emeric liked sunflowers. This was a wedding for two people, and he couldn't just cater to one person.

"Okay, I'll go design it."