The moment they were back in the Slytherin Common Room, the collective tension that had held Severus’s group together in the Great Hall finally broke. A small, self-satisfied smile touched Severus’s lips—the first genuine sign of victory he’d displayed all morning.

"Catastrophic failure on his part," Barty Crouch Jr. declared, collapsing onto the leather sofa with a grin. "The look on Potter's face when you utterly demolished his 'destiny' was priceless. He looked like a house elf who'd dropped the Christmas ham."

"A beautiful rejection," Evan Rosier agreed, leaning against the cold stone wall. "The accusation that he was just continuing the torture under a new disguise? Masterful, Severus."

Narcissa Black, however, remained coolly strategic. She took a seat next to Severus, her expression thoughtful rather than celebratory. "It was a successful opening maneuver, yes. But Potter is not deterred. He is arrogant, obsessed, and fundamentally believes he can force the world to bend to his will. His denial isn't a retreat; it's a declaration of war on your terms."

Severus nodded, the small smile vanishing. He knew Narcissa was right. He had exchanged overt aggression for a maddening, persistent pursuit, and James Potter was dangerously good at chasing things he thought he deserved.

"He'll try again," Severus stated, running a hand through his perpetually messy hair. "He felt the bond, he knows the truth, and now he thinks I am simply damaged or defensive. He won't believe I genuinely feel nothing. He'll believe I'm lying."

"Good," Narcissa countered, her voice low and sharp. "Let him believe you're lying. That is our entire strategy. We reinforce the narrative: The magic is one-sided, and Severus is completely uninterested. We starve the bond of any reciprocity."

Regulus, who had been listening intently, placed a small, heavily bound book of ancient magical ethics on the table. "I did a quick cross-reference this morning," he explained, tapping the cover. "If a soul bond is actively and vehemently rejected by one party, the magic of the bond, particularly the protective elements, is severely weakened. James will feel the pull, but you won't feel the protection, and more importantly, he will receive no comforting magic from you. He will be constantly reminded of his failure."

Severus felt a grim satisfaction at this confirmation. "Then we need to be seen moving on. If he thinks I am isolated and vulnerable, he will try to exploit that with his clumsy 'pity.' We ensure he sees me thriving."

He looked at Evan and Barty. "Barty, I need you to loudly lament to anyone who will listen—particularly those with ties to the Marauders—how distraught I was that Potter would use a sensitive topic like soulmate bonds to launch a new round of psychological torment."

"Consider it done," Barty replied with a wolfish grin. "A bit of teary-eyed dramatic flair is my specialty."

"Evan, I need you to secure exclusive use of the potions lab next Tuesday after curfew. I am perfecting the new anti-Dark Arts potion for Slughorn," Severus continued. "Potter needs to see that my focus is purely on my ambition and my academic excellence, not on his idiotic personal crisis."

Evan nodded. "I’ll charm Slughorn. He loves a bit of extra credit ambition."

Finally, Severus turned to Narcissa and Regulus. "And you two," he said, meeting their steady gazes, "you are my visible shield. If he approaches, you are quick, cold, and dismissive. You remind him of the difference in our stations, the years of torment, and the sheer audacity of his attempts at immediate forgiveness."

Narcissa’s expression softened into a look of fierce, protective loyalty. "We will not allow him to erase the reality of your life, Severus. He must be reminded, constantly, that his privilege and past cruelty are insurmountable barriers. A soulmate bond does not cleanse four years of history."

Severus leaned back, feeling a measure of control return. James Potter had assumed this bond gave him a shortcut, a claim. Severus would ensure that this bond became the longest, most arduous path of James's entire life.

"He wants to pursue me?" Severus murmured, a genuine, cold smile playing on his lips. "Then let the pursuit begin. He will find I am a very unwelcome destiny indeed."