[HP] Astringent

Vanessa had written down Blake's invitation, and she had already planned a fantastic Christmas trip.Because the winter in London was too cold, Snape was willing to take two days to spend the winter with her on Harbor Island.

The scarf was finished, and in order to make up for Snape's regret that he couldn't go out with him openly, Vanessa forced him to take several photos.These are all put into a newly purchased photo album. Vanessa thinks that when they are seventy or eighty years old, there should be a bookcase of photo albums, and they can lie on the rocking chair and look through these photos when they have nothing to do.that would be nice.

As the time draws to a close, Vanessa looks forward to the holidays more than her students, and nearly shows her absent-mindedness in a Muggle Studies class.Hermione gave her a reproachful look, which made her stop her smirk.

Just before Christmas, Snape also figured out something about Horcruxes.They are used to chatting while lying on the bed together before going to bed, usually Vanessa is talking, and he occasionally echoes.Today Snape took the initiative to talk about the latest discovery: "As far as I know, the heirs of the two pure-blood families trusted by the Dark Lord—Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange have both Was secretly summoned to protect something, and we now know it is a Horcrux. Of course, Bella's one can only be said to be very likely. In addition, Regulus Black disappeared a long time ago, and I suspect it is also It is related to the Horcrux, and it is very likely that something went wrong when saving a certain Horcrux."

"You're right." Vanessa kissed him excitedly. "I also know these clues, but I never thought of connecting them together. Then let's think about it again, what are Horcruxes?"

"Voldemort used the ring from the Gaunts and the diadem from Ravenclaw. Since the sword of Gryffindor is still in Albus's hands, someone should have taken Hufflepuff's things."

"Yes, I think this idea is completely correct. So no matter what, we have to find Little Blake." Vanessa said, "I will write to Sirius early tomorrow morning to ask."

Snape's dislike for Black had long been etched into his bone marrow, and he immediately scowled and looked at her displeased.Vanessa has a good temper and repeatedly promises to read the content she wrote for him. After receiving the reply, she also shows it to him as soon as possible, which makes him look better.

However, before the next morning, they were awakened by Dumbledore's phoenix patron saint in the middle of the night.There was no detailed information in the message, and they hurriedly put on their dressing gowns and rushed to the principal's office.

Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Weasleys were already there, disheveled and panic-stricken, and Ginny threw herself directly into her arms.But they were slightly taken aback when they saw Snape behind Vanessa.Dumbledore helped them out: "Severus has research on potions, maybe he can help."

"What happened, Professor Dumbledore?" Vanessa asked impatiently.

"Arthur was about to be injured by Nagini. Now Sirius has sent him to St. Mungo's."

"What did you say?" The blood on Vanessa's face also faded, her lips turned white, "Is he seriously injured? Could it be dangerous."

"We don't know yet. Molly has already rushed to St. Mungo's, can you take them back to Black's old house and wait for the results?"

"No problem." Vanessa looked back at Snape, who kept his mouth shut the whole time.

Suddenly, a fire appeared in the center of the room, leaving a golden feather floating lightly to the ground.

"It's Fox's alarm." Dumbledore caught the feather. "Professor Umbridge must know the children are out of bed. Severus and Minerva, go and get her away, no excuses."

Snape gave Vanessa a worried look, and followed Minerva out of the headmaster's office.Dumbledore didn't waste any more time, and directly turned the teacup on the table into a portkey, and everyone put their hands on the teacup and were sent to Black's old house together.

They can only sit and wait anxiously.Fred and George wanted to hear more about how Harry had learned about Arthur's injury in advance, but Harry didn't want to say more.He was terrified, afraid that he was possessed by Voldemort.Because he dreamed that he was Nagini and bit Arthur.

Vanessa asked him softly, "Can I see it, honey?"

"Look at what?"

Vanessa gently lifted the back of his head, brought it close to her, then waved her wand, consciousness sneaked into Harry's mind, and quickly found the memory he needed.After a few minutes, Vanessa withdrew from his consciousness: "I understand more or less, don't worry."

"What did you just do to me?"

"It's called Remembrance, Harry."

Not long after, news came from Black that Arthur's condition was not ideal, but his life was out of danger, and they could visit him tomorrow.The faces of the few children finally showed a bit of distress, but everyone was holding on and refused to go to sleep.Ron's watch showed ten past five, Molly and Blake walked in pale, and Bill took half a day off to stay in your hospital to take care of Arthur.Vanessa immediately gave Molly a hug, and she nearly cried again.

"Sit down for a while, I'll get you some breakfast."

"Kreacher! Kreacher!" Blake tried to call the house-elves for help, but there was no answer.

Vanessa waved her hand: "It's just toast, fry bacon and eggs. Don't worry about it, it will be ready soon." She also heated an extra large pot of warm milk and prepared black tea.

Molly was grateful to Harry, but Harry refused to accept the kindness, and he was still blaming himself.After a quick bite, he took Blake upstairs for a private talk.Molly went home again to get some outfits for the kids, they couldn't go out in their pajamas.

Vanessa was thinking about what to do when a strange gray owl flew to the window.It was wearing an ankle ring from the Fengya brand clothing store, and dropped a huge package.Vanessa opened it, and there were three sets of clothes inside, ranging from outer robes to underwear, and the styles and colors were selected well.Snape was really careful, knowing that all the items sent by the owl were monitored, he simply bought all new ones and asked the store to send them directly.

After lunch they went down to St. Mungo's, accompanied by Tonks and Moody.Arthur has woken up, thanks to the timely discovery, he is fine.It's just because the anti-drug has not been formulated yet, and his wound cannot heal.

Vanessa felt in a trance that she had been immersed in her own happiness for too long, ignoring that the people around her would be in danger at any time.

"Vanessa, you look scarier than me!" Arthur said with a smile.

Vanessa walked over and kissed him on the cheek: "I'm just too worried about you."

The time to visit the patient should not be too long, Molly stayed to take care of him, and everyone else went back to rest.

The next day was Christmas, and Vanessa went out early in the morning.She hadn't slept alone for too long and woke up early in the morning.Molly and the others were exhausted, not to mention that she had been crying almost all night because Percy had rejected her past Christmas presents and hadn't asked a word about his father's condition.Vanessa is really not very good at comforting people, so this job falls to Lupine.She thought that she might as well do something within her power, so she offered to take care of Arthur.

She was about to announce her purpose to the ugly dummy in front of the window of the disguised run-down store leading to St. Mungo's Land.A force pulled her back.When Vanessa was about to pull out her wand, she fell into a familiar embrace, and the faint smell of potion made Vanessa happy.

"How did you know I was here?"

"Albus told me." Snape explained again, "Phineas Black saw you go out through the portrait."

Vanessa was not in the mood to care about this anymore, she hugged each other excitedly and refused to let go: "Merry Christmas, Sev! This is our first Christmas together. Although the location is a bit—" She looked around, There are only a few passers-by around, and there are dilapidated department stores, "—special."

A smile appeared in Snape's eyes, he took out a scarf from the space bag and tied it on Vanessa.Vanessa finally noticed that he was wearing the scarf she knitted and was jumping and jumping happily.

"Where's my gift?" Vanessa looked at him expectantly.

Snape raised his eyebrows at first, pretending to be incomprehensible: "I thought those clothes were enough." Vanessa was wearing the robe that Snape sent, lavender, with silver woven into the cuffs. The silk thread, faintly reflecting light in the sun.She really likes it, but how can this be a Christmas present.Vanessa pursed her lips and looked at Snape reproachfully.Then I saw him raise the corner of his mouth, and took out a heavy package from the interspatial bag. There was no exquisite decoration, and he just wrapped it with parchment paper.

Vanessa couldn't wait to tear open the package, revealing an old, yellowed out-of-print book with "Defense Against the Dark Arts Complete" printed on the cover in large gothic fonts.She was stunned, and asked cautiously: "That's... this?" She thought it was at least a bottle of skin care potion.

Snape looked stern as it should be: "Yes, I will check your progress after the Christmas holidays."

"Can I return it to you?" Vanessa said with her head drooping. "I shouldn't be too greedy. These clothes are more than enough as gifts. You don't have to give them any more next year, really!"

"If you read the eight ways to deal with poisonous snakes in advance, you won't be helpless when you actually meet Nagini." Snape looked at Vanessa's lowering head, and his tone finally softened , "Practice after returning from vacation."

Vanessa acted like a good student: "Okay, I'll listen to you, Professor Snape." She raised her chin again and added, "Don't forget to give Gryffindor points."

Snape snorted, "Maybe when you master the spells in the whole book, I'd like to give Gryffindor two points."

They chatted for a while longer, and Snape brought over the Christmas presents she was going to give to the others, though he didn't seem too keen on meddling.

Vanessa estimated the time, Arthur was about to get up for breakfast and knew he couldn't stay with Snape anymore.She reluctantly bid farewell to Snape, and asked him to find a chance to write to herself.

Arthur's condition is better today and has been transferred to the general injury ward.He said to Vanessa mysteriously: "I listened to the advice of the new therapist, Smethyk, and tried Muggle suturing, and the effect was not bad. You must not tell Molly."

"I should have thought earlier that the naughty boys in your family must have followed you."

Vanessa made him a cup of tea, moved a chair to sit beside her, and opened the magic book that was difficult to hold.And she had to be extra careful, God knows where this old book had been scoured, every page was torn to pieces.However, Snape had read the book, and he filled in some missing key points.

"What are you looking at?" Arthur threw the Rubik's Cube on the table annoyed.

The Rubik's Cube was a Christmas present that had been prepared a long time ago, when she didn't know that Arthur had an arm that was going to hurt.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts, do you want to watch it together?" She moved the chair closer.It didn't take long for Arthur to give up: "I didn't see that you love studying so much before."

"Hey... this is all forced." Vanessa complained, but the happiness on her face couldn't stop it, "It's actually quite useful, you see Chapter 4 talked about a few spells to deal with the attacks of magical creatures , if you read it in advance, maybe you won’t get hurt.”

Arthur clicked his tongue: "Let's talk about it after I recover."

After lunch, everyone came, and the ward became lively in an instant.Vanessa put down her book to refill everyone's water.Molly still found out that Arthur tried Muggle therapy privately, and was furious.Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny ran out following Vanessa in order to avoid the quarrel.

Along the way, I met many acquaintances by chance, and first met Lockhart who was out of his mind.Then I met Neville and his grandmother who came to visit their parents.His grandmother was a scary old witch in a green gown and moth-eaten fox fur.She had heard a lot about them, and she was very kind, and her good temper ended when she discovered that Neville hadn't told them that her parents had been tortured insane by the Death Eaters.

"This is nothing to be ashamed of! You should be proud." She raised her head proudly, "My son and daughter-in-law were tortured mad by the mysterious man." Vanessa recognized the two people in the ward behind them, They were nothing like the round-faced, affable wizards in the Order of the Phoenix photo, with haggard and emaciated faces and messy, dry hair.

Did you almost become like that?Vanessa felt sorry for them.And all of this is caused by that prophecy, and I feel hard to let go.

"I'm really sorry," Vanessa said to Mrs. Longbottom.

"You are Vanessa Weasley? I heard that you also went through those terrible tortures, and it was not easy to survive." Her attitude softened a little, "Don't feel sorry."

Vanessa has taught Neville for so long, but she actually doesn't like Mrs. Longbottom very much. She thinks that it is her strong character that makes Neville as submissive, timid and shy as he is now.But when he really saw her, all he had was admiration.If she is not so strong, how can she face the cruel reality.

After they left, Hermione finally couldn't hold back her tears."I don't know," she said tearfully. Nobody knew except Harry, and Harry had promised Dumbledore not to tell anyone.Several people returned to the ward with a heavy heart.