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

Chapter 215 Extra: Prank

"I'm going to Russia for a potions seminar. You'll be staying home for a few days. Don't buy anything." Severus held onto Emeric, making sure he would behave and not change the house's decor while he was away.

Thinking about it again, he still felt uneasy, after all, this person had quite a few past offenses. Severus pondered for a long time, chin in hand, and finally decided to pack the person up and take him away, to prevent Emeric from going against his wishes.

The president of the Potions Association has a high opinion of Severus and wants him to be his successor, which has attracted a lot of hatred towards him. But geniuses are always envied, so something always happens at each seminar.

Just like now, double rooms are suddenly overbooked, and there isn't a single vacant room in the entire hotel. Even the most expensive suites are booked.

"I'm so sorry, this was our hotel's mistake." The receptionist looked at them apologetically, wondering why the system showed that the hotel was fully booked for the next few days and that not a single room could be vacated.

"Forget it, let's find another hotel." Severus didn't want to argue with them. He looked at another hotel in the distance. Since the association's accommodation was no longer available, he could always pay for it himself.

They walked the entire street but couldn't find a single empty room, making it clear that someone was deliberately messing with them. The two decided to find a restaurant to eat first; they couldn't let those people make them starve.

"This cream stew is pretty good, have a taste." Emeric pushed the plate over, reached for the teapot and filled their cups. "After we finish eating, you go to your meeting first, I'll look for a place to stay, and then I'll come pick you up."

“No need,” Severus shook his head. He didn’t want to attend the so-called social gathering. He would rather sit with Emeric and daydream than engage in meaningless socializing. “It’s a ballroom dance. Do you want to see other people ask me to dance?” He raised an eyebrow provocatively.

"!" Emeric immediately put on a wronged expression and said pitifully, "If Severus wants, I can stand here. It's just... you're married, you can't be too intimate with other people."

"Alright," Severus grinned wickedly, knowing how to break Emeric's defenses. "There's a little boy who keeps asking me to dance. He's quite good-looking, but I've always refused because I was afraid you'd be upset. Since you're willing, I'll say yes this time." He waited to see what the performance would entail.

"Where did this kid come from? When did the Potions Association start allowing students to participate?" Emeric moved closer to the man. "Is he as good-looking as me?" His jealousy was almost palpable.

"It's alright. I haven't looked at it closely yet. I'll take a good look at it at this party." Severus couldn't help but laugh when he saw Emeric's jealous look. It was fun to tease him occasionally.

"I remember we can bring family members, Severus, can you take me in?" Emeric deliberately softened his voice, sounding extremely harmless. "I'll dance with you, and I know the female steps so I can coordinate with you. Maybe that person only knows the male steps." He subtly tried to sow discord.

After watching the show for a while, Severus finally agreed, "I'll go in when the banquet is almost over. Some of these academic parasites are disgusting, and I don't want to get entangled with them."

"So, there's no such person at all, right—" Emeric said in a flat tone, sounding devoid of emotion. "Severus, are you deliberately trying to provoke me?" He shoved Emeric against the wall and leaned down to silence his infuriating mouth.

Severus wasn't surprised at all; he had already guessed the outcome of his prank. He smiled and opened his mouth to accept the aggressive kiss. The thought of that person, who was always pretending, being provoked into a rage but unable to bring himself to scold him, could only kiss him in helpless fury.

The feeling of being favored was so wonderful that Severus would occasionally want to play such a prank, but of course, if he did, he would be bothered all night, so he would restrain himself.

After their antics, the two continued to look for accommodation, but most places were not for short-term rentals, and the remaining ones were too small and uncomfortable.

"There are houses for sale there, why don't I just buy one? That way I'll have a place to stay when I travel in the future." Emeric chose to solve the problem with money, since the seminar would be over soon if he waited any longer.

"Tsk, don't let me find out who it is." Severus had no choice; after all, tents weren't allowed in this place. But since it only needed to be used once every two or three years, it wasn't a waste, so he didn't stop it.

After settling into their accommodations, the two changed into formal attire and headed to the seminar venue.

The smell of alcohol wafted from under the door, reaching Severus. He frowned, resisting the urge to turn and leave, and pulled Emeric inside. Ignoring the stares of others, the two went straight to the president's side. This place was, in a way, a safe haven, with few people standing there like idiots.

Emeric stood against the wall with a glass of champagne, his eyes fixed on Severus, admiring the light in his eyes. Severus seemed to glow at the mention of potions, drawing attention to everyone else.

"Hey, young man, why are you standing here all alone?" A woman reeking of alcohol suddenly approached Emeric. She reached out and grabbed his arm, trying to lead him to them. "Come on, come with me. We have a lot of veteran potion masters around. You can benefit from just listening to a few words."

"No need, ma'am, I'm not a potions master," Emeric subtly stepped back, pulling out his sleeve. "Please stay away from me, thank you," to avoid smelling the alcohol on him.

"This is boring." The woman staggered away, ready to move on to her next target.

Fearing that Severus might get thirsty after talking for a while, Emeric stopped a servant and asked him to bring two drinks, and also took out a plate of biscuits and placed it on the small table next to him.

At first, Emeric could understand the conversation, but as the two talked for longer and the topics became more profound, he could only stand aside as a background figure and, incidentally, stop anyone who came to bother him.

"Thank you, President Grano."

"I would be most grateful if you were willing to take my place." Grano looked at Severus with anticipation, but his plan failed once again.

"If there's nothing else, we'll be going now." Severus pretended not to hear and waved to Emerick, who was not far away, signaling him to come over.

After leaving the banquet hall, the two felt alive again; the smell of alcohol had almost overwhelmed them. They decided to go straight back to their accommodation, where Fufu should have finished cleaning.

As soon as they got back, they rushed into the bathroom to shower, threw the two formal dresses into the laundry basket, and changed into comfortable loungewear, only then did they feel completely refreshed.

They lounged lazily on the sofa. The room was decorated the same as their home. It was a rare moment of rest, and no one wanted to do any work. Washed fruit and snacks were laid out on the coffee table.