[HP] Astringent

Vanessa only felt stiff all over, and unconsciously tightened her arms.Greengrass noticed her strangeness and tilted his head in concern.

"Did something happen?"

"I'm just a little hungry, let's go in."

She lowered her voice, raised her ears to pay attention to the movement behind her, but she didn't hear a single word from Snape.She didn't dare to stay for a moment, and walked straight into the hall.

The dinner hadn't officially started yet, and the guests were drinking and chatting on the balcony adjacent to the auditorium, which was more gorgeous and lively than Slughorn's party.They handed the robes to the house-elf waiting at the door.Only candles were lit on the balcony, and as the lights dimmed, Vanessa became dazzling, and the sparkling silver dress became everyone's focus.

Vanessa enjoyed the feeling, but the thought of Snape being there made her want to cut off her skirt and hide.She wandered around for a while and found the most inconspicuous place, which was a remote four-person round table near the railing, with a flower pond next to it, which was just at the height of her calf.

The two little Greengrass girls were hungry, and he went to take them some snacks.Vanessa waited here idly.She unconsciously searched among the crowd, not knowing whether she wanted to see more of him or not.

Group after group of people came in, but she never saw a familiar figure.Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the three of Malfoy walked in, with Snape behind him.

A month is not long, nor is it short, he is under such a bright light, while she hides in the shadows.

Vanessa felt that she had become very small, as small as a petal, and fell into the dust when the wind blew.

Snape was wearing a black four-piece suit, with a white shirt buttoned up to the top. The waist of the jacket was slightly tightened, and the trousers were straight, making him look extraordinarily tall.A wizard's robe hangs down to the calf, and the hem of the robe is embroidered with silver dark patterns, and the black tie is also embroidered with the same pattern, reflecting each other with the handkerchief in the pocket of the suit jacket.

Malfoy was introducing him to the top officials of the Ministry of Magic one by one, and he greeted them one by one.There was no expression on his face, but the slightly drooping corners of his mouth revealed his impatience.

Vanessa stared straight over there, not noticing two people approaching.

"Hi! Professor Weasley!"

A big furry head suddenly stretched out, Vanessa was startled, and subconsciously grabbed the wand.

"Sorry, I scared you?" Harry's eyes were slightly apologetic, "Why are you so focused?"

"You scared me dear, I'm just in a daze." Vanessa stroked her chest, "Just call me Vanessa when I'm not in school."

"Okay." Harry was happy, "I'm still wondering when I'll see you. Sirius and I are going to be bored to death."

Black sighed: "I don't know when it will end. If it wasn't for Professor Dumbledore's request, I wouldn't have come. I really don't know what's the point of dealing with these evil Death Eaters."

"Keep your voice down!" Vanessa hurriedly stopped him, "First of all, not everyone here is a Death Eater, and secondly, we must try to get as many people as possible to stand on our side, at least neutral."

"Only we can..."

"We can't! This is not a war between Gryffindor and Slytherin, nor is it a fight between two dozen wizards. This is a matter of the entire wizarding world."

Black wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Harry: "Has there been any new incidents, Professor Dumbledore has new instructions?"

"Nothing at all."

This time, Vanessa and Black stood on a united front, ignoring Harry's curious eyes and refusing to answer his question.Harry scratched his hair resentfully: "I said, don't you plan to drink something?"

"I'll go with you." Vanessa got up and walked to the dining table with the two of them.

Harry noticed her tattoo at this time, and exclaimed: "This is even hotter than your short hair, but don't let Fred and George see it. If they follow your example, you will be scolded by Mrs. Weasley too." .”

Thinking of Molly's roar, Vanessa nodded with lingering fear.

"It's very good. I wanted to get a tattoo when I just graduated. Usually, people who ride motorcycles have to get tattoos, or they will look like a layman." Blake said, "I also asked James to go with me, but Lily didn't let me. James tattoo. James is good at everything, but he is afraid of his wife."

Harry's attention was immediately attracted: "Is my mother fierce?"

"Lily is only as fierce as James."

Vanessa was even more upset when she heard Lily's name so many times in succession.While considering whether to close her ears, she chose a favorite dessert.She has been packing her luggage all day and hasn't eaten much, but now she has no appetite.

Maybe summer night is not suitable for eating such a sweet and greasy cake.Vanessa walks up to the champagne tower.Black and Harry followed, already talking about Quidditch.

"Vanessa, you're going to the Quidditch World Cup, right?"

"Ah...the World Cup..." Vanessa remembered Molly's letter, and she wanted to find an excuse to shirk it.

She first picked up two cups and handed them to the two people next to her. She didn't pay attention. She raised her hand to give herself another cup, but accidentally touched another person's hand. She quickly retracted and moved a little to the side: "I'm sorry. ..." When he saw the person in front of him clearly, his words were stuck in his throat - Snape was holding the slender goblet in one hand, looking at her close at hand.

Vanessa quickly adjusted her expression, nodded and smiled politely: "Sorry." After that, she picked up another glass of champagne.Snape just watched her quietly, indifferently.

Black didn't have any friendship with Peter because he and Snape captured Peter Pediru together. If he was in the form of a dog now, his back must be arched, full of offensive posture.

Vanessa didn't want to cause trouble, and was trying to find an excuse to take the two Gryffindors away, when Greenglass came to her: "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, the two little princesses went to play with Mr. Malfoy."

"It's okay, I just ran into someone I know."

"Professor Snape, thank you for taking care of my little girl." Greengrass shook hands with everyone in turn, "Also, Mr. Black, you are the protagonist of this party."

Snape just curled his lips impatiently, and Black didn't look too pleased.He didn't want to become such a stupid protagonist. In fact, he wanted to break away from the Black family a long time ago.

Vanessa wanted to leave quickly with Greengrass, but he didn't understand, half leaned on the table, took a sip of champagne, and said to Vanessa: "Your dress matches Professor Snape's today, no Those who know will think you are his female companion."

Black and Harry's eyes quickly focused on the two of them.Vanessa also lowered her head to look at the shining skirt that was thrown behind her, and it was close to the corner of Snape's robe, which was also matched with black and silver. The two stood together like a pair of lovers.

Vanessa panicked for a moment, she didn't even dare to look Snape in the eyes - she didn't know if Greengrass' words would annoy him and make him think that she was pestering him on purpose.

"Sorry, I didn't know beforehand..." She murmured, brushing her hand over the skirt, and pulled out the wand strapped to her thigh, trying to cover up the silver on the skirt.But it was woven from the feathers of a fine kingfisher, and magic could not obscure its brilliance.Her hand holding the wand trembled slightly from anxiety.

"Vanessa..." Blake wanted to come and help, even though he didn't understand what Vanessa was going to do.

"Don't bother Miss Weasley, it's because I didn't think carefully." The familiar low figure influenced him, and this was the first sentence he said to Vanessa in more than a few months.Snape took off his robe and handed it to the summoned house elf.Vanessa looked at him in surprise, now he was almost pure black from head to toe.Snape continued: "I didn't expect Mr. Greengrass to misunderstand."

Greenglass became embarrassed: "It's okay, I just said it casually, I didn't expect to make you uncomfortable."

"It's just a change of robe, it's easier than ruining the well-prepared dress." There was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, and he scanned a circle of people, and didn't stop his eyes on Vanessa until the end , "I excuse you first."

Vanessa watched his back disappear into the crowd, lowered her head slowly, her eyes were slightly hot.She closed her eyes hard, and when she opened them again, there was a smile in them: "Do you mind if I go to touch up my makeup?"

When Vanessa regained her composure and returned to the auditorium, almost all the guests had already taken their seats.She even wanted to leave the seat and go home immediately after seeing the seat reserved for her - Snape was sitting on the other side of the empty seat next to Greengrass, and directly opposite was Black who was glaring at Snape.While struggling, Greengrass had noticed her and raised his hand at her.She walked over helplessly.

She noticed that Snape had changed into a new tie and handkerchief, dark green in color.She didn't know that Snape cared so much, and she felt a little bit of grievance in her heart.If she knew it would end like this, she would rather never be brave, say nothing, and still pretend to be friends.

"Vanessa, what's the matter with you and Snape?" Greengrass leaned his head over and asked in a low voice.

"It's nothing, haven't we always been like this?" She asked lightly.

Greengrass gave her an inquiring look, but didn't ask any more questions.

"What about the children?"

"They are arranged at another table." He raised his chin at the table at the back of the auditorium, "They can't drink, so they can't sit at the same table with adults."

Vanessa followed his gaze. Harry was just staring at them blankly. When he saw her look up, he waved his hands excitedly.

"Harry must be bored, he's the only Gryffindor there."

Vanessa kept finding topics to talk about, which made her temporarily free from Snape's influence on her, which made her feel better.

The floating white wine glass had already filled Snape's goblet, and now it floated in front of Vanessa.The long and slender fingers knocked on the table impatiently. Vanessa was a little startled, and looked up, and she was bumping into those dark eyes.Snape didn't speak, and Vanessa realized that because she hadn't made a choice, the wine glass was already dancing in front of her, and everyone behind her was waiting for her.Vanessa bit her lower lip and waved the glass over her.

Greenglass said in surprise, "Why don't you drink a little?"

"No, I don't drink very well."

As soon as the words fell, she seemed to hear a very low cold snort.She couldn't help but sneak a glance at Snape, who was so absorbed in sipping his glass of fine white wine that he didn't seem to notice her at all.

Must be hallucinations.Vanessa thought.In the past, Snape would have snorted coldly when he heard her say such words, and would have ridiculed her a few more times when he was in a good mood.She shamefully missed the days when she fought with each other every day.

The appetizer was Vanessa's favorite tea-flavored smoked salmon with avocado cream. She ate two bites and it was delicious.The main course was warm grilled silver cod with spinach sauce, and she basically didn't move.

The banquet was not too late, and Black was just a gimmick to bring everyone together, just a means for a group of nobles to maintain contact.And little Malfoy is almost in fourth grade, it's time to meet girls from other families, this is what they use.

After Vanessa declined the invitation to stay in Black's old house for a few days, Black took Harry and left first.Greengrass's two daughters wanted to stay and play a little longer, so he personally sent her out.

Her stomach was empty, but she didn't feel hungry, only that she was burning.It's a new problem this month. The root cause of the problem is not eating on time. It doesn't hurt too much, but it's just faintly uncomfortable.

When she walked out of the castle, she found that the handbag had been left on the seat. Greengrass offered to help her get it back, and she stood in front of the steps and waited for him.

Even in July, the night in London was still a little cold, and she tightened her coat, and her stomach hurt even more.

Someone behind her handed her a handbag, and she said gratefully, "Thank you, Oston." When she turned around, the person opposite her was not the one she expected, and her voice choked up instantly.

Snape still had that indifferent look, and his tone was so flat that no emotion could be heard: "It seems that I was unnecessary."

"No, thank you." She took a deep breath, making up her mind, "Severus."

She looked directly into his eyes, trying to be like him, without any waves in her eyes.Snape didn't know when he had changed back to the clothes he had when he came back. Although those silver patterns were not as shiny as Vanessa's, the two of them matched each other very well.

This time it was Snape who broke the silence first: "There has been movement over there recently."

"Oh, really?" Vanessa tried her best to behave like a normal colleague who had a phantom in her mind, but under Snape's gaze, the smile on her face was about to be unbearable.

Snape frowned slightly, without another word, stepped into the carriage that had just arrived.