[HP] Astringent

Snowflakes fell on the hood and turned into water dripping along the brim, and Vanessa tore the hood off as soon as she stepped through the gate of the castle.The cloak was waterproof, and she was fine, but the water droplets hit the ground in large swaths.She confirmed that everything was there, and was about to go upstairs to change when Dumbledore's voice came from nowhere: "Vanessa, can you come to the principal's office?"

She looked around and found that Dumbledore was standing beside the columns of the corridor in a snow-white robe. The robe and gray hair blended with the white snow outside.

"May I go back and change first?" She hid the book she bought from Bojinbok behind her back.

Dumbledore's ice-blue eyes flickered behind the half-moon-shaped lenses, but he didn't say anything. He smiled and waved his wand, and Vanessa's whole body became dry and warm.

"I don't mind, but I don't think Mr. Malfoy would be willing to wait another 10 minutes."

Lucius Malfoy was sitting in the principal's room, impatiently tapping the ground with his cane, almost in sync with the speed of the second hand.

Before Dumbledore could explain the situation to her, Malfoy said bluntly, "Miss Weasley, I shouldn't expect a Weasley to dress properly." His tone was drawn out , Hearing this made her feel irritable, squinting her eyes and looking at her attire, as if trying to find gold from the trash.

Vanessa didn't give him a good face either, and said arrogantly: "I always think that I can wear whatever clothes I meet. Obviously, Mr. Malfoy is not worthy of my elaborate grooming."

"Please sit down, Vanessa, would you like a glass of butterbeer?" Dumbledore gently and unquestionably interrupted their hostile gaze.

Vanessa sat in the armchair farthest from Malfoy, took off her cloak and draped it with the huge package on another chair.Holding the butter beer in her hand, warmth welled up from her stomach.

Dumbledore looked at Malfoy again, and said sternly, "Does Mr. Malfoy need another cup of Ceylon black tea?"

"No." He curled his lips critically and moved the teacup away, "I came here because of the attack on my son Draco. I hope you can give me an explanation, principal, after all, I have never supported choosing a half-giants as professors."

"Unfortunately, my opinion on this is the opposite of yours. I think Professor Hagrid taught very well. And it was not Draco who was attacked." Dumbledore said, "I believe Vanessa would like to come Prove for us."

Vanessa knew why Malfoy came here, and it was obvious that the school manager was unwilling to let go of any chance to confront Dumbledore, not to mention that her precious son was almost injured.

She cleared her throat: "The headmaster is right. It was because Mr. Malfoy Jr. disobeyed the professor that he was almost killed, and it was precisely because I rescued him in time that he survived."

"I don't want to listen to a professor who graduated from Gryffindor." Malfoy raised his chin, "I want to see Draco."

"Severus will bring Draco over in a moment, please take it easy."

The office was quiet again, Vanessa was drinking butterbeer leisurely, while Malfoy kept looking at his pocket watch.After a while, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in, Severus and Draco." Dumbledore stood up again, "Sit down, would you like some cockroaches?"

The faces of the two showed disgust when they saw the pile of jumping candy cockroaches.Snape pushed little Malfoy forward: "I brought you here." He found a chair against the wall and sat down, looking at this side quietly.

Malfoy said, "Draco, you can safely tell me what happened in that half-giant's class?"

Whenever he mentioned Hagrid with obvious disgust, Vanessa frowned displeased, not only because of his words, but also because she disapproved of a father showing negative personal emotions in front of his son, His prejudice will seriously affect the growth of the next generation.

Little Malfoy gave his father a hesitant look, and said, "We're in class with Gryffindor...he's brought a bunch of monsters, let's bow to him."

"It's a hippogriff, Mr. Malfoy," Vanessa corrected.

"And then?" Dumbledore encouraged him to continue.

"And then one of the monsters..." Little Malfoy took a look at her and changed his words, "One of the hippogriffs attacked me."

"That's the whole truth of the matter," Malfoy said. "I don't understand why we're wasting our time here, and I hope the Headmaster will give me a fair answer."

Vanessa said, "That's not true, Mr. Malfoy. It hit me, not Mr. Malfoy."

"So even the professor can't stop its attack, and Hagrid wants to teach a group of third-year children how to get along with them? How ridiculous!"

Vanessa, irritated by his blunt words, glared at him.Considering that Mr. Malfoy was still there, she lowered her voice and said, "Listen, I don't want to say these things in front of the children. But you have to figure out that if Mr. Malfoy can follow the professor's advice and not insult the Hippogriff Winged beasts wouldn’t have this accident! And what right do you have to shout here, I haven’t asked you to compensate me for mental damage yet.”

"You should seek compensation from 'Professor Hagrid', Professor Weasley." Vanessa became even angrier when he said the epithet slyly, her hand clenched on the handle of her wand.

Dumbledore stopped him and said: "I think the matter is clear, since Vanessa is unwilling to hold Hagrid accountable, and Hagrid has corrected the problem of teaching progress, let the children learn from the stinger , I believe that there will be no similar problems in the classroom in the future. Then this matter will be settled. Mr. Malfoy, do you have any questions?"

Malfoy had a stern face, his eyes were full of energy trying to find something to embarrass them.Snape walked to his side: "Lucius, if there is nothing else, Draco will have time to go to Hogsmeade Village."

Malfoy glanced at Snape vaguely, nodded at Malfoy Jr., and left the office with his head down.

Dumbledore said: "Vanessa, Mr. Malfoy, please. Severus, you stay for a while, I happen to have something to ask you."

Malfoy opened the door rudely and stalked out.Vanessa bid farewell to the two, took her things and followed them out.

Dumbledore watched the two leave, and said to Snape, "Vanessa went to Knockturn Alley today."

"That doesn't mean anything, Albus."

"You are always willing to give enough trust to Vanessa." He looked at Snape with a smile.

Snape said: "It's different, but I think at least an ordinary wizard is more trustworthy than a werewolf with ties to fugitives. Not to mention her origin is your favorite Gryffindor."

"I've never favored any house. But can you keep an eye on Vanessa for me? I'm afraid she's going to do something stupid."

"I'd rather help you keep an eye on Lupine."

"Again, Severus, I think Remus is completely trustworthy."

Snape frowned angrily: "I hope your judgment is always correct."

Malfoy didn't go far, standing in the corridor, seemingly admiring the view of the Black Lake through the flower window.As Vanessa passed, he happened to turn his head and squinted at her.

Vanessa said, "Is there anything else Mr. Malfoy needs to do? I'm not as leisurely as you. If there's nothing else, I'm going to prepare lessons."

Malfoy straightened his face, his eyes were full of malice, and said mockingly: "Of course the Weasleys are always busy making money and not making much money. But I heard that you married a rich man as soon as you graduated. Muggle, why didn't he give you some money so you don't have to come out to work anymore."

Vanessa's face turned ugly instantly, her eyes were tightly locked on Malfoy's face.She never told anyone about her engagement to White, how did he know?If it is known, it may only be the Death Eaters who attacked White at that time!

"How did you know about this?" she asked.

Arthur had already told him in his letter that Malfoy escaped prison because he donated a large sum of money to the Ministry of Magic, and it seemed to be true.Was he really a Death Eater and had something to do with what attacked him?

Malfoy continued, "Ah, sorry, I forgot, your short-lived Muggle didn't make it to the wedding."

She drew out her wand and pointed at Malfoy: "Shut up Malfoy! Who told you this?" There was pain in the hoarse voice.

Malfoy fended off the wand with his cane, and said casually, "I thought everyone knew about it."

"Are you a Death Eater? Were you involved in the attack on a Muggle community that day?"

"What are you talking about, Professor Weasley, how could I have anything to do with Death Eaters? The Ministry of Magic has given me my innocence. If you continue to slander me like this, I have the right to sue you."

"You nonsense! You are with them, otherwise how would you know!"

Malfoy smiled contemptuously, Vanessa couldn't help it anymore, a red light came out from the tip of the wand, and rushed towards Malfoy like a fire dragon.When it was about to burn his face, he was scattered by a green light.

Vanessa looked back to see Snape holding his wand aloft.

"Fighting and fighting are prohibited in the school..."

Before the words were finished, Vanessa sneered and said, "Fighting? I'm doing justice!" Another red light came out quickly.

"Except your weapons."

Vanessa's wand fell from her hand, flew into the air, and finally fell lightly into Snape's hand.

"Why are you stopping me?" She looked at Snape in disbelief.

He didn't answer, but looked at Malfoy instead: "I don't remember that school managers have the right to disrupt the normal teaching order of learning."

"I just want to catch up with Professor Weasley." He nodded and replied, "Severus, thank you for taking care of Draco all the time."

Vanessa just wanted to punch Malfoy in the face now, but Snape stopped her and reminded, "You should go, Lucius."

"What are you stopping me for? He's a Death Eater!"

"He is not."

Vanessa looked at Snape in shock, his eyes were dark and empty, she couldn't see through him: "You lied, you lied to me."

He pretended not to see the warmth passing from her brown eyes, and said in a flat, emotionless tone: "The Ministry of Magic has acquitted Lucius Malfoy."

"What about you, do you also think he is innocent?"

"Why would you question the judgment of the Ministry of Magic?"

Vanessa was disappointed, her eyes were flushed, and she said tremblingly: "He knows John White, I haven't told anyone, I haven't brought him to see any wizards, only the Death Eaters who attacked him .”

Snape narrowed his eyes: "Who is John White?"

She leaned against the wall numbly: "I... my fiance."