After school started again, Vanessa's life was much better.

There were no more "pranks" from time to time, and there were no more whispers and malicious stares.

She started going to the library again, and appeared in the common room and inside and outside the castle. Every time she appeared, there would be a group of boys who would scramble to follow her, and when she turned around, they would all pretend to be doing something else.

Anji and her boyfriend were engaged, and they planned to get married after graduation. As the wedding date approached, they became even more intimate. Vanessa didn't have any other friends, so she kept to herself.

One day, she happened to see Snape on her way back to the cellar. His hair was greasy, his eyebrows were furrowed, and his face was pale. She didn't know what terrible things had happened to him, but his whole body exuded an unapproachable aura. Vanessa was worried that he would fall while walking. He looked … terrible.

"Are you okay?" Vanessa couldn't help but kindly remind him as she passed by him. "Be careful when you walk. Don't fall.

No matter what happens, it will be solved. Don't be too pessimistic, Snape. "

Snape came back to his senses and looked at Vanessa in surprise, as if he hadn't expected her to persuade him.

He wasn't the kind of guy who didn't know how to appreciate kindness. Although he was suffering inside, he still pursed his lips and said, "Thank you."

After that, he quickened his pace and rushed into the common room like a gust of wind. His black robe fluttered, making him look like a bat from the back.

Vanessa shook her head and didn't poke her nose into his business. She also went back to the common room to do her homework.

A few days later, Vanessa met Lily Evans in the library again. Evans took the initiative to greet her, but she didn't look as energetic as before. Her face was as pale as her good friend Snape's.

"Are you okay?" Vanessa hesitated. "You don't look so good."

Evans smiled weakly, shook her head in a hurry, and was about to leave.

After a few steps, she stopped and turned back to ask her in a low voice, "Albert, can I ask you a question?"

Vanessa nodded. "Go ahead."

Evans pursed his red lips and took a few steps back. He lowered his voice and whispered into her ear, "... Do all Slytherin people like black magic?"

Vanessa looked at her in surprise. "Why do you ask?"

Evans frowned but didn't explain. Vanessa saw that she didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't force it. She said, "Black magic depends on the person.

Personally, I don't like it, but I don't hate it either.

Researching black magic doesn't necessarily mean that you need to use it to harm others. Sometimes, it's for self-protection, and sometimes, it's to better defend against it after understanding it. Do you understand what I'm saying? "

Evans stared blankly for a while before saying, "I think I understand."

Vanessa smiled. "That's good.

So, goodbye? "

Evans nodded, said goodbye to her, and turned to leave.

Vanessa carried her bag and walked to her usual spot. After a few steps, she saw Cyrius Black leaning against the bookshelf.

He was wearing a gold and red scarf, which complemented his skin tone and made him look even more handsome.

It had to be said that after coming back from the Christmas break, Blake was once again very popular. If there was anyone who could compete with this junior in terms of looks, there was no one in school, but there might be one or two students who had left school.

Lucius's arrogant figure suddenly appeared in her mind. Vanessa's expression changed. She shook her head and continued walking.

Cyrius lazily raised his eyes and said, "What did Evans say to you?"

Vanessa wasn't sure if Evans wanted others to know about their conversation, so she vaguely replied, "Nothing.

What a coincidence to meet you here. "

Cyrius glanced at her in boredom. He snorted, closed his book, and left.

Vanessa looked at his back and muttered, "Weirdo."

She didn't think that they would meet again so soon.

As Valentine's Day approached, the Hogwarts students were excited. Vanessa had missed dinner because she had to finish her thesis for Potions class. She could only go to the kitchen to find something to eat.

Along the way, she saw many couples holding hands. She couldn't help but feel a little envious when she saw how sweet they were. If only she could have a simple relationship like this. What others thought was normal was a little difficult for her now.

It wasn't that she couldn't have a relationship, but she felt that it was unfair to someone else when she was thinking about someone else.

Perhaps after she attended the wedding in July, she would be able to start a new relationship normally.

Vanessa went to the kitchen with this thought. She took something and was about to go back to the dorm to eat, but something happened that made her happy for a long time.

She met Cyrius Black again.

It wasn't strange to meet this junior. What was strange was that Black was wearing a cloak and a hood. He was sneaky and hurried.

It was still early before the curfew. No matter what he did, he could do it openly. There was no need to be so sneaky. Why was he acting like that?

Vanessa stopped and watched him from afar. Black walked forward with his head down. He didn't look at the people on the side of the road. He strode past them. A gust of wind blew past and ruffled his hood. Vanessa thought she saw … a pair of furry ears.

"Hmm?" she asked. Cyrius, who had already walked a few steps away, stopped in his tracks.

He turned around abruptly. Vanessa was holding a coconut cake in her hand. She hesitated and said, "… Do you want to eat?"

From a distance that wasn't too close, she seemed to see the corner of his mouth twitch fiercely. Then, he walked over angrily and pulled her empty wrist to hide in the corner of the wall.

"How many people are there in front?" he asked fiercely.

Vanessa was shocked by his tone. She replied, "There were a lot of people when I came, but they should all be out on dates now."

Black seemed to be relieved. He pulled his hood tighter in annoyance and turned to leave. Vanessa tried to hold it in for a long time, but she couldn't help it.

"Are those … dog ears?" she asked dryly.

Black's slender back stiffened. After a while, he turned around and said fiercely, "You're seeing things!

How is that possible! "

"But …" Vanessa held the cake in one hand and pointed at the edge of his hood with the other. "I can see that those ears are too big. You can't hide them."

Black's face turned green. He pulled his hood harder and squeezed the gap under his chin. He only showed his face to warn her. "Shut up. Haven't you heard that the more you know, the faster you die?"

Vanessa cast a spell to shrink the cake box temporarily and put it away. She freed her hands and said, "No, I've only heard that a person can only eat nine tons of rice in a lifetime. Whoever finishes eating first can leave first."

Black stared at her speechlessly. Vanessa wasn't worried that this junior would hurt her. If it were any other Slytherin Black, she wouldn't dare to be so blunt. Even if it were a second-year Regulus, she would still stay away. But Cyrius Black … He was different.

Ever since he entered Gryffindor, he was different from the other Blacks.

No, maybe they were different since they were young.

"It's black."

Vanessa raised her hand and fiddled with the ears that Blake had left out of the hood. Dog ears were standing up, and now that they were squashed, they still felt good to the touch. She couldn't help but purse her lips and smile.

Black was angry and embarrassed. But when he saw her smile, he didn't know why he loosened his grip a little. Then … the hood loosened. Then, his ears couldn't be covered.

"They really are dog ears."

Vanessa hadn't laughed so happily in a long time. She had to admit that Cyrius Black's handsome face and his pair of ears really made him look like a dog-like boyfriend. Even though his gray eyes were cold as usual, he didn't look fierce at all.

"Enough, stop touching."

Cyrius avoided Vanessa's hand in annoyance. Vanessa's white hand unconsciously stroked his ears. He said angrily, "What's there to touch? It's ugly."

Vanessa shook her head. "Ugly?

How can it be? It's not ugly at all. It's very cute. "

She wasn't stingy with her compliments, as if they were close friends. Cyrius stood there and stared at his senior in a daze. She was four years older than him and was about to graduate from Hogwarts. She had a complicated relationship with his cousin-in-law and was a Slytherin. He shouldn't have anything to do with her. She had all the qualities that he hated the most, but …

"Are you done touching?"

Cyrius's face turned pale. He said angrily, "I'm going back. It's going to be curfew soon. Do you want to get me deducted points?"

Vanessa was stunned and said, "You've already had a lot of points deducted.

I'm afraid Gryffindor will be last in this year's School Championship. "

Cyrius was speechless. "I don't want to get deducted points either. I'm leaving. Let go. Go away!"

He rudely put on his hood again and left in a hurry after taking one last look at her.

Not long after, Vanessa seemed to hear Potter's voice outside. She walked out but didn't see anyone. The voice was clearly nearby.

She was puzzled for a moment but didn't think too much about it. She quickened her pace and returned to the dormitory. After all, she didn't want to lose points because of a night trip.

After she walked away, Potter blinked and stared at Cyrius from under the Invisibility Cloak. "Why is your face so red?"

Cyrius said irritably, "Don't worry about that. Where's the thing? Did you get it?"

Potter nodded and took out a magic potion bottle from his pocket. "You don't know how hard it is to steal this from Slughorn. I might as well just ask him for it. Drink it and see how it works."

Cyrius drank it without hesitation. Not long after, the dog ears on his head disappeared. Potter sighed in relief. "It's gone!

That's great. Otherwise, how are you going to class tomorrow?

If we're sent to the Medic Wing, then we'll be discovered for secretly practicing Animagus! "

At this point, he frowned again and said uncertainly, "But this thing does not seem to be safe. Should we continue?"

Cyrius raised his hand and touched his ear. After making sure that it had changed back, he took off his hood and returned to his usual lazy and calm appearance. "Of course we should continue. This was just an accident. It won't happen again."

After saying that, he took one last look in the direction that Vanessa had left and pulled Potter away.

Valentine's Day arrived as promised.

As usual, Vanessa received many love letters. The owl came and went, tirelessly leaving behind beautifully wrapped letters. Even though it had been seven years, she still wasn't used to receiving love letters in such a high-profile manner in the auditorium.

"Nisha, if you ask me, it's because you're single that you attract so much attention. If you find a boyfriend, you won't be bothered by these things every year."

Anji rescued Vanessa from the love letters. Vanessa breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It's okay. I'll be graduating soon. I won't have to go through this again next year."

As soon as she finished speaking, a majestic golden eagle appeared in the auditorium. Vanessa recognized it as a Malfoy family at a glance. Her heart jumped to her throat, but …

The golden eagle, like its owner, flew over her head arrogantly and indifferently, and landed on the long table in front of Narcissa. It left behind a beautifully wrapped gift box and an exquisite letter.

"Tsk, the Malfoy family is really different. That letter looks more extravagant than your pile of gifts."

Anji sighed and took a sip of pumpkin juice. He even asked Vanessa if she wanted one.

Vanessa did not change her expression and said, "I'll have a glass."

Anji handed her a glass. She took it and drank slowly as if she loved it, but in fact, she did not even taste it.

She did not expect to receive anything, but when reality confirmed her guess, the contradiction in her heart was indescribable.

She shouldn't expect these things, and she didn't expect them in the first place. But when she saw that Narcissa could receive his gifts openly and receive the envious gazes of others, she couldn't help but feel depressed.

Hunter Rozier sat opposite Narcissa and watched her gently open the gift box. Inside was a Valentine's Day gift from L.M. It was a necklace enchanted with defensive magic. The gem was so bright that it almost blinded him.

If Narcissa liked it, he could give her these things, but she did not allow him to send her a love letter or a box of chocolates.

"Sissy." Rozier called her with a complicated tone.

Narcissa looked up with a smile and said to him, "Do I look good, Hunter?

I really like it. Lucius always knows what I like. "

That was what she said, but he could tell that she wasn't really smiling.

She did not like it.

But she gave Malfoy enough face.

Rozier only felt bitter in his heart. He lowered his voice and said in a tone that only the two of them could hear, "I've also prepared a gift for you …" He said softly, "I'll be waiting for you in the Room of Requests tonight. You must come."

Narcissa did not answer. She turned to talk to Parkinson about something else. But he knew that she did not refuse because she agreed.

At the long Gryffindor table opposite, Potter was debating whether to ask Evans out. He had just faced the fact that he paid so much attention to Evans because he liked her.

His already messy hair became even more unbearable to look at. Lupin comforted him from the side.

"Go if you want, although I know you'll definitely be rejected." Lu Pin said seriously, "But you can try a few more times."

Potter said irritably, "I'm not afraid of Evans rejecting me. The problem is that snotty guy. I'm worried that he'll beat me to it. You know — Evans always protects him." He said reluctantly.

Lu Pin said helplessly, "If you're worried about him beating you to it, why don't you hurry up and give it a try? Maybe he hasn't invited Evans yet."

"Yes!"

Potter's eyes lit up. "You're right, Limes. Why didn't I think of that? I'm so stupid!"

He immediately stood up and ran to where Evans was sitting. Lu Pin wanted to say, "You're just blinded by love."

Peter Pediru was carefully sneaking glances at Vanessa, as if trying to confirm something. After Cyrius Black watched Potter leave, he noticed Peter's gaze.

He glanced at the pile of love letters Vanessa had received and said in an exaggerated tone, "Don't tell me you're in there, Peter?"

Peter was exposed by his words. He waved his hands in a panic and said, "Of, of course not …"

"Then why are you staring at them so intently?

Aren't you trying to see if Albert took your love letters away? "

Cyrius smirked and said, "If you ask me, Peter, you really shouldn't have written her love letters. Look at the love letters on her desk. They're almost drowning her. She'll probably clean them up."

Peter said weakly, "She, she won't."

"Is that so?" Cyrius pursed his lips.

"Every year … she'll put them away properly."

Peter looked longingly at Slytherin's long table again. As he said, although there were a lot of love letters, Vanessa still used the Shrinking Spell and swept them all into her schoolbag. Not a single one was left out.

Peter was satisfied and happy. He drank a whole glass of pumpkin juice in one go and almost choked.

Cyrius frowned and moved away a little in disgust. He looked at Peter with an inexplicable dislike.

"So annoying."

Cyrius muttered and picked up his schoolbag to leave. Lu Pin glanced at him and said, "Cyrius, it's History of Magic this morning. That's not the direction of the classroom. Where are you going?"

Cyrius threw a sentence from afar. "Who wants to go to such a boring class? Help me take attendance. Limes, I'm going to skip class and go to sleep."

Lu Pin held his forehead with a headache.

Vanessa went back to the dormitory and was going to put down the love letters before going to class. She poured the letters, which had shrunk into the size of cards, into the drawer. She was about to leave when she saw an ordinary owl fly into her dormitory.

Startled, she reached out and took the package on the owl's foot. The package looked very ordinary. She thought it was a Valentine's Day gift from a student, nothing more than chocolate or something. But after opening it, she saw a high-end gift box hidden in the simple packaging.

"…"

Inexplicably nervous, Vanessa opened the gift box. There was no jewelry or letters inside, just a mirror.