Hospital Wing.

"Liv, are you alright? You've been acting strange ever since you came back with the ingredients." Pomfrey stretched, standing up after several hours of continuous research. She walked over to the workbench where Olivia was standing, listlessly stirring a potion.

Olivia snapped out of her daze and shook her head. "I'm fine. Poppy, look, I've brewed it successfully, haven't I?" Pomfrey nodded, pleased. "It's certainly better to have two people helping each other. Although there's usually no one, during exam season, the children come in with all sorts of minor ailments."

She smiled, pouring the finished product into small vials. "I think this happens every year, so you must be very used to it."

Pomfrey watched Olivia deftly pour the potion into vials, put the medicine on the shelf, and then clean the equipment. She suddenly said, "I think I can start thinking about retirement." She was too old; in Muggle years, she would be near the end of her life.

"Poppy, you know I can't handle everything here by myself." She went to Pomfrey's desk, used her wand to pull a chair from her own table, and sat down.

Pomfrey's warm, wrinkled hand took hers. She patted it gently, her kind eyes shining with trust. "Liv, I have watched you grow up in this school. I know you better than you think. I am not just certain, I know that you will be a wonderful Healer. Of course, I won't just leave you with a mess. I will stay until you are ready to take over everything."

"Yes, I will do my best." Olivia had long considered Pomfrey her second mother, though she never called her that. During her years at Hogwarts, it was Pomfrey who guided and encouraged her to step out of the darkness and integrate with everyone.

The lunch bell rang, and from the Hospital Wing, she could hear the students excitedly heading to the Great Hall.

"Poppy, come have lunch with my mother and me."

"I think we have plenty of time. I suspect you and your mother have private matters to discuss." She winked and continued, "I'll eat here this afternoon; there are still a few things I need to think about."

Olivia understood. She stood up. "Then I'll have a house-elf bring lunch to you later."

"Oh, I haven't had your cooking in a long time. I'm looking forward to it."

"Then I'll be off."

Olivia quickly prepared four meals. She asked Nala to take Pomfrey's and Severus's portions first, followed by hers and her mother's. When the task was done, Nala happily reported that all missions were complete.

"Thank you, Nala. Well, I'll..."

"Wait, Miss Olivia," Nala interrupted. "Professor Snape asked Nala to give this to you." The house-elf opened her tiny hand. Lying in it was a sparkling, star-shaped candy. For a moment, Olivia's breath caught in her throat. She stared at it, and the whole world around her seemed to fade. The memory came flooding back, as vivid as if it were yesterday. "...Thank you, Nala." She managed to get the words out, taking the candy, which felt both warm and heavy in her palm. He still remembered. After all these years, he still remembered.

~~~

10 years ago

On Olivia's second day at Severus's house, she could only sit in one spot on the chair by the fireplace. Severus had gone out to buy things since the morning, saying he had just returned home yesterday and needed more food.

With too much free time, she could only speculate about him. From his voice and height, she guessed Severus was no more than 25 years old. He lived alone here, as there was only one bedroom, which he had now given to her. Perhaps he worked far away and only came back for the holidays. She calculated that the winter break was almost over; Severus would have to go back to work.

"I wonder if I can ask him to let me stay here?" But if she stayed, could she manage on her own when she couldn't see anything? Thinking of this, she sadly wrung her hands.

The sound of the door unlocking was heard; Severus was back. Olivia quickly sat up straight, watching the figure approach. Severus brushed the snow off himself and then used his wand to cast a warming charm, instantly dispelling the cold.

"I'm back. I brought a present for you too, Liv." He took a small jar from his bag; it was a box of candies containing many colorful sweets.

He took one out and placed it in her hand. "I believe that when you taste this, you'll be able to guess its shape. From now on, this will be a reward for when you accomplish something."

Olivia felt the candy with her fingers; it was star-shaped. "But I didn't accomplish anything today." She had just sat still like a statue. Severus ruffled her hair. "Because you were a good girl, Liv. You stayed alone in a place where you couldn't see your surroundings clearly. That was very brave."

"I hadn't thought of that..." That's right, why hadn't she felt any fear here? Ever since she lost her sight, she had become more sensitive to her surroundings. She chose to hide in the dead-end alley because it was a discreet and safe place.

"I also bought you some personal items." His voice was a little awkward. He placed each item into her hands one by one, letting her feel their shapes. "This is a drinking cup, with a little yawning owl carved on it. The pajamas are sky-blue, and the fabric is very soft. And this is a wooden comb..."

Olivia listened to his deep, warm voice describe the world she couldn't see, her small hands caressing each item. He had not only given her a place to stay but had also cared for her with an unexpected meticulousness. A warm feeling welled up inside her, a gratitude so deep that no words could express it.

"And finally, your new friend. It's a stuffed animal. I think it's a black cat. You can name it." She took it; the stuffed animal's fur was indeed very soft and wonderful to sleep with. But why did his voice sound so proud when he gave it to her?

It wasn't until many years later, when Olivia's sight returned, that she realized the truth. The stuffed companion she had thought was an adorable black cat was actually a young hunting panther. The features on its face were exquisitely embroidered, exuding a hidden fierceness and pride.

It was a perfect miniature version of him. A predator hiding in the shadows, dangerous, but also her own gentlest protector.