CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Closing a Door and Opening a Window
The pain started to retreat, and Harry came back to his senses. He was still on the floor, and his body ached. Hermione was there, looking down at him worriedly. Ron came down, and put an arm behind Harry as he lifted himself slowly from the floor. His head was still throbbing, and as he came to a sitting position, he became very dizzy, and almost fell over again. Luckily, Ron's arm was still there, and kept him from hitting the floor again.
`Harry mate, you OK?' asked Ron, Harry seeing the concern on his face. Harry nodded, and Ron and Hermione helped him slowly to one of the chairs in front of the fire. Once he was placed, Ron and Hermione took a seat on the rug in front of the fireplace facing Harry.
`What happened?' Hermione quaked, as she sat cross legged on the rug.
`I don't know. I felt Voldemort's emotions again' Harry breathed slowly. His scar didn't hurt anymore, but his body was still covered in cold sweat, and he was shivering, even with the fire blazing in the hearth. Hermione noticed, and took a blanket from the other chair and placed it over him. Harry smiled at her to say thanks, however she still looked distressed.
`I thought Voldemort was using Occlumency?' Hermione commented, looking at Harry and then Ron. Ron gave her a warm smile, and she lightened a little. Harry could imagine their fight was still fresh in their minds.
`He wanted me to feel it, I know it' Harry answered. Harry could tell that it was true. Voldemort kept using Occlumency on Harry since the end of fifth year. Why would he let Harry feel his emotions now, unless he wanted him to? Especially now, while torturing Malfoy. Ron looked at it through a different light.
`Well, that's horrible that you felt it, but at least Malfoy's getting what he deserves' he commented, leaning back and looking at Harry intently. Hermione's brows lowered, and her eyes snapped over at Ron for the comment.
`Ron, I know Malfoy did some unpleasant things, but no one deserves to be tortured' she stated assertively. Ron's rolled his eyes, and his mouth let out a bewildered sigh.
`Unpleasant? Hermione, this is Malfoy. If anyone deserves it, he does' he replied. Harry's head was beginning to ache again, with the prospect of their fighting making a glorious return. Hermione was about to respond, raising herself off the carpet, when Harry gave a loud, somewhat angry sigh, and closed his eyes, hoping she would notice. He opened them and looked at Hermione, who immediately sat back down, and folded her hands in her lap.
`Can you guys stop please? You're making my head hurt again' he said flatly, looking between the two of them. Both Hermione and Ron appeared displeased with themselves, something that Harry admittedly wanted them to feel.
`Sorry Harry' Ron muttered, Hermione nodding slowly, staring at the carpet. They sat for a few moments, the fire crackling slowly. Harry's head wasn't feeling any better however. After a few more minutes of quiet, Hermione lifted he head, and looked at Harry.
`Harry, what about Professor Terrwynebas?' she asked. Harry raised an eyebrow, looking doubtfully at her.
`Hermione, I don't think he had anything to do with that vision'
`No, no. You said he wants to help you in anyway, right?' Harry nodded, and she continued. `Well, maybe he can teach you Occlumency' she proposed.
`Hermione, I just met him. I don't need another person drilling my head like Snape, especially someone I don't know' Harry exasperated.
`But even you thought Snape was just making it easier for Voldemort. He probably was, but Professor Terrwynebas could be on our side, and he could help you' she said. Harry could hear the encouragement in her voice, and noticed the hopefulness in her eyes. Harry smiled, and realized, like many times before, that she was probably right.
`Alright, I have a meeting with him on Saturday night, I'll ask him then' Harry answered. She smiled, and Harry decided to go to sleep, standing up. He swayed slightly, and Ron and Hermione stood quickly to help him.
`I think I'll go to bed' Harry said tiredly. All he wanted now was to fall onto his bed, and hope that sleeping would allow him to feel better. He made his way slowly to his staircase, and started up, stopping after a few steps. The sound of footsteps from Hermione and Ron exiting through the portrait hole could be heard, and the opening of the portrait a few moments later. Harry made his way back down, to find Hermione taking a seat in front of the fireplace, curling up with the same blanket Harry just discarded.
`Are you and Ron alright?' Harry asked quietly. Hermione jerked her head around at the sound of his voice, but her face softened as he came and sat back down in the chair he had only just vacated.
`I thought you were going to bed?' she asked, yawning in the process, showing her sleepiness. She looked calmer than she was earlier, the soft glow of the fire shading her face a warm bronze.
`Well, I thought I'd see if you're alright. That sounded like quite the row when I came in.' Hermione frowned, and looked into the fire, then Harry.
`It was stupid. Ron thinks that because I don't kiss him all the time like Lavender did, that I don't like him. I thought he was more mature than this' she ranted.
`More mature than what?' Harry asked. He knew that Ron sometimes showed the maturity level of a ten year old, but he wondered just how mature she was expecting him to be. She looked back to the floor for a moment.
`Thinking that all people do when they go out is snog and whatnot. What a load of rubbish. I mean, you're a guy, what do you think people would do?' she asked, looking at him. Harry felt a bit uncomfortable answering, but tried to give a good answer none the less.
`Well, for me, just being around the person is enough. I mean, I've only really gone out with Ginny, but with her, just being around each other was the greatest thing' Harry admitted. It was true, his time with Ginny was always best when they just did things like sit in the common room. Of course, at the time snogging was great, but Harry just couldn't get enough of holding her in his arms, and embracing those moments. Harry expected that with anyone he loved, just being around them would bring about the best feelings
Hermione smiled at his response. She looked at the arm of her chair for a moment, then back at him intently. Harry could not stop a pleasant grin from automatically wiping across his face.
`See, that's exactly what I think' she said, glancing at Harry again. She gave a shug, and her smile went away almost as quickly as it came, as did Harry's. `I don't know, maybe if I just explain it to Ron, he'll understand. Thanks Harry.' She beamed gently again at Harry, got up, and gave him a kiss on his cheek. Her hair fell in front of Harry only slightly, but enough to catch a whiff of honeysuckle. His head was momentarily swimming, however he quickly gasped his senses, and looked at Hermione, who gave him an odd look.
`No problem. Goodnight' he said briskly.
`Goodnight' she replied, and went up her staircase to her room. Harry stayed in the common room for a few moments thinking.
It couldn't be what he thought, he couldn't be falling for Hermione. She was dating Ron. It isn't supposed to be like this. Harry should be happy for them, and he should want to get back with Ginny. Of course he thought about it, numerous times, however the more he thought of Ginny, the more he found faults with her. He was fully agreed with himself that Ginny, although as lovely and great she was, just wasn't the girl for him anymore. She would always be a good friend to him, no doubts in his mind there, but the idea of dating again didn't exactly make Harry jump for joy.
Harry tried to reassure himself, he was happy for Ron and Hermione, though not as much as he thought he'd be. He put up with them dancing around the idea for years, and it was about time they finally got together.
However the more he saw of them, the more he thought there were some things out of place. Tonight was a perfect example of it. They always seemed to be arguing. At first, Harry thought they would work it out of their systems, but tonight was proof that it wasn't going away anytime soon.
But the question still remained, was he falling for Hermione? Again, he couldn't be, he shouldn't. She and Ron were dating, and it regardless of how he felt, he had to respect them. After all, they're his best friends. They even asked his permission, and he gave it. He couldn't take it back now, just to say "you can't, because I might like Hermione".
He couldn't even be sure if that was true. Maybe he didn't like Hermione like that. No, there was no maybe out it, he didn't, he couldn't even if he did. He stopped dating Ginny because she would be in danger, and dating anyone else would put them in danger too. Harry didn't have a choice, he couldn't date anyone, especially now. He was convinced, he didn't like Hermione, he couldn't.
`Then why did you smell honeysuckle when you sniffed the Amorentia?' his mind asked. That scent . . . Harry could not describe how wonderful it smelled, or of how it reminded him of holding Hermione in her back yard over the summer. It was calming, but electrifying, forceful but soft, intoxicating but soothing, all at the same time. The number of words Harry could describe went on like this. He stopped himself however, knowing where that road led.
Harry lowered his head, and didn't bother trying to answer the daunting question, and went to bed, still thoroughly confused.
*
On Saturday, Harry made his way up to the defence classroom. He spent most of the day in the library with Ron, Hermione, and Neville, working on their Herbology essay that was set for them on Friday. Hermione of course finished first, Neville shortly afterwards. Harry and Ron asked Neville for help, and in turn, they were able to finish early enough to practice the Firewall Charm. Neville and Ron both showed improvement, and could create a fire ring, however they were still hesitant to lower it below their head. Hermione, conjuring the Firewall correctly after a few minutes, decided to return to the common room, to look through the potions book again.
Harry checked his watch, and it showed two minutes to eight o'clock. He knocked on the classroom door, and Professor Terrwynebas told him to come in. Harry entered, and found the room lit with a few torches bracketed on the walls. Professor Terrwynebas was sitting at his desk, leafing through some papers, two candles lit sitting at the corners. He looked up at Harry, and piled the papers, shoving them into a drawer, leaving the desk clean except for the candles. He motioned Harry to a chair set in front of the desk, and Harry took a seat.
`Well Harry, how are you tonight?' he asked.
`I'm alright. How are you?'
`Slightly cross-eyed from reading, but good enough' he said, shaking his head from side to side and giving a light chuckle. He leaned forward and putting his arms on the desk.
`Now, of course I have things I could start teaching you, defence spells, non-lethal curses, and so forth, however I am going to ask if there is anything you want to learn first. Best to start on something you want to learn' he stated, leaning back in his chair and surveying Harry.
`There is something' Harry started, glancing at his hands which sat on his lap. He was twiddling his thumbs, still worried about whether asking for Occlumency lessons would the best thing to ask for his first lesson. Topher leaned forward again, folding his arms on the desk, and looking at Harry worriedly.
`What is it Harry?' he asked calmly. Harry looked up, and Topher smiled at him nicely, however unsymmetrical. When he smiled, only the right side of his mouth would actually incline upwards. The other half would stay level as usual.
`Can you teach me Occlumency?' Harry finally asked. Harry looked at Topher optimistically, hoping that he wouldn't laugh or become overly encouraging. He was glad to see him lean back, look down, and let out a small but understanding laugh. He looked back at Harry, his one sided smile reaching the other side as well.
`Yes, I can. I understand your concern. You only met me a few days ago, and now you're asking me to help you defend your mind. Again, Professor Dumbledore told me of your . . . lessons with Professor Snape. After that, I definitely understand your caution' he expressed. Harry began to wonder just how much Professor Terrwynebas knew about him.
`So, what we will do, which will hopefully allow you to trust me, is have you learn both Legilimency and Occlumency' he stated cheerfully. Harry quirked his brow.
`Both?' he asked. Topher nodded enthusiastically.
`Yes. You can't really learn Occlumency without Legilimency. Now, of course, teaching Legilimency is supposed to be taught only by the Ministry of Magic. It's usually reserved for Aurors and members of Magical Law Enforcement. So, if you want to learn it, you have to promise to only use it in proper situations.' His tone changed, and was now straight forward and stern. He looked at Harry very closely, and Harry nodded.
`I would never use it in a bad way' Harry promised. Topher continued to scan Harry, then nodded.
`Alright. So, we'll start with Occlumency, defence of the mind from outside forces' Topher started. He stood from his chair, and motioned Harry to stand as well. Harry did so, and moved around the desk, where Topher conjured two wooden stools, approximately waist height. Topher and Harry sat down, facing each other.
`Now, we will start very easily. Rushing Occlumency usually works against the learner. If I was to, for example, dive into your mind, you would probably become more susceptible to Legilimency' he informed.
`So Snape was opening my mind more to Voldemort' Harry stated hatefully. He thought it was true at the time, and now he knew it was. His hate towards Snape increased tenfold, knowing that the visions he saw two years ago which led to Sirius' death, were helped by Snape.
`It is possible. The fact that you dislike him, and I was told he didn't exactly favour you either, probably didn't help the situation. However, I must ask you to focus on the now' Topher replied. Harry shook his head slightly, and tried to relax his mind, and calm down. There was no point in getting frustrated about Snape now. Topher took a breath, and returned to the lesson.
`First thing I'll teach you, is to notice when someone's trying to enter your thoughts. Your best defence is the earliest. If you can stop someone before they get in, then you're winning before the fight begins, understand?' Harry nodded.
`Good. Now, I will use my wand, but I want you to try not to. You can hold your wand in your hand, and if you want to stop at anytime, tap the desk, OK?' he asked nicely, motioning to the professor's desk next to them. Harry nodded, and took out his wand. He was glad Topher was allowing him to use his wand if needed, and would start off slowly. Topher took out his wand, which at this distance, was made of a light coloured wood, with inlaid weavings and knots circling it.
`Professor, what kind of wood is your wand made of?' asked Harry. Topher's eyebrows raised, and he took a glance of his wand.
`Birch. Not the strongest of woods, but it works beautifully for me. Twelve inches, with griffin feather.'
`So you didn't get it from Mr. Ollivander' Harry reasoned, since the core wasn't phoenix feather, unicorn hair, or dragon heartstring. Topher shook his head.
`No, it was made by a wand maker in Ireland. He always inlaid his wands with knots and weaves you see, that was his tell. Now, are you ready to begin?' he asked. Harry started feeling bad about all the tangents he was leading Topher down. Harry nodded, and Topher raised his wand at Harry.
`Now, very easy, just focus on your mind. Picture it as a fortress, with walls and boundaries surrounding it. You won't let anything get through the walls; you will remain strong and focused' he instructed. Harry nodded again.
`Legilimens' Topher pronounced quietly.
Harry didn't feel any different. He could see Topher in front of him, looking at him, however nothing was happening. Harry was about to ask if something was wrong, when he noticed it.
It was like a person pushing on a door very slowly. Something was gradually seeping into his mind. Harry closed his eyes, and tried to picture the walls, the castle that encased his mind, his memories, his dreams. The encroaching continued, and Harry tried harder, trying to push back the oncoming outside force. He felt the outside pushing subside, and it finally stopped. Harry opened his eyes to see Topher smiling at him.
`Not too bad Harry, for a first try. What'd it feel like?'
`Like something was slowly reaching in, trying to push its way farther. I tried to push back, but it took a lot of effort' Harry said. He was pleased his head didn't hurt like it did with every session with Snape.
`Yes, well, I backed out' Topher admitted. Harry's face fell slightly. `I could feel you pushing, but you weren't doing it hard enough. You need to train your mind, in order to strengthen it. Right now however, you need to realize that you don't even need to push. Build walls, so that you never need to. Think of it as someone opening a door. All you have to do, is make sure the door stays shut, OK?' Harry nodded, and sat up straight.
`Lets try this again. Remember, I am giving you time to prepare, so make it count. Legilimens.'
Harry immediately started to focus on his own mind, closing his eyes. He felt it as one entity, having the ability to stand by itself, alone. The tiny feeling started trickling in, and Harry stood his ground. The encroaching of another person in his head continued, but Harry focused, as hard as he could, as his mind being one solid block, impenetrable.
The force of the pushing increased, however Harry continued to focus as hard as he could. So far it was working, and Harry was pleased with himself. The pushing continued, and Harry continued to focus. Suddenly, Harry heard a tap in the room, and opened his eyes to see what it was.
Immediately, the pushing crashed in on Harry's mind. A tall black haired boy was standing in the backyard of a fair-sized house, hugging a bushy haired girl. Harry never wanted to leave this hug, it was so great. He could feel her warmth, and just how much he wanted to never let go, and never loose such a wonderful person.
Harry realized what was happening, and tapped his wand hard on the desk. The pushing seized abruptly, and Harry opened his eyes.
He was still on the stool, and could see Topher sitting across from him. Harry could smell burning wood, and was surprised see the professor's desk, which he just tapped, was in fact, on fire. Topher quickly turned his wand, and extinguished the flames, Harry helping.
`I'm sorry Topher' Harry professed sadly. The flames were quickly put out, and Harry looked down at himself. His first lesson and he messed up, setting the professor's desk on fire. Not exactly the best first impression. Topher, in the mean time, was shaking his head.
`It is alright Harry' he chuckled as he turned back to Harry, `you'd be surprised how many things I blew up at my house while I was learning.' Harry smiled, and looked up. Topher was looking up at the ceiling for a moment, then back at him, grinning.
`Now, why'd you loose control? You where doing great, but then it all came down.'
`I heard a tap, or something, and lost my concentration' Harry admitted. Topher took his left hand, and tapped the side of the stool, making the sound Harry heard. Harry understood.
`The first lesson in Occlumency: no matter what is going on, you must stay focused. Don't get distracted by outside events. If you let your guard down, you leave your mind vulnerable.' Topher stood from stool, and Harry did too. He vanished the stools, and put a hand on Harry's shoulder, leading him towards the doorway.
`What I'd like for you to do is try to work on staying focused. Read something in a busy part of the school, and try not to look up, and continue reading. Play a chess match and focus on nothing else, something like that. How about we meet next Saturday, if you'd like?' he proposed. Harry agreed, and turned and left the room, heading back to the East Tower.
Topher, in the mean time, slowly strolled back to his desk, and slumped down in his chair. He put his hands behind his head, leaned back, and smiled to himself, letting a few light chuckles escape, the chair creaking slightly.
`He is in love' he said lightheartedly. He leaned forward, pulled out the papers from the desk again, and continuing his reading, still wearing cheerful smile.
*
The lessons with Topher continued to improve. Harry was very busy, with Head duties and homework, but he managed time to try and maintain good focusing skills, reading Dumbledore's notebook in hallways and the Great Hall. As his lessons continued, he became better at keeping Topher out of his mind. When he did manage to get through though, he still had a hard time pushing him out. Topher was polite about it, and only made Harry relive the memory of him and Hermione hugging. Topher asked one lesson who the girl was, but Harry said it was just a friend, and the young professor did not ask again.
Meanwhile in the school, and outside, things were still not going well. Prefects were constantly coming to either Harry or Hermione with problems, some as mundane as a spill of pumpkin juice in the Great Hall, or food in the dormitories.
Hermione continued to read over the potions and spell books from Dumbledore, however she was being meticulous with all three books, and it was taking sometime to read them all. Harry was still holding out, however was loosing hope in finding anything in them worthwhile. He wished Dumbledore left bookmarks or something, which could have made it simpler. The situation was not helped by the problems Ron and Hermione were still having.
They ended up finishing their argument from the night Harry collapsed. Harry came into the library one day to find Ron by himself. Ron went on about how Hermione was being confusing about things, and how he was trying to get her to calm down and relax for at least some time. Of course, Harry could imagine Hermione was not in the mood to relax. There was a war going on, and the three of them were in the thick of it. Relaxing, even for a short while, was not high on the list of priorities, especially Hermione's.
By the end of September, the Pensieve still sat on the desk where Harry left it, untouched. Every time he passed it in the common room, he felt anxiety in what may sit in the memories. He decided, for the time, since he was overly busy with Head duties and learning Occlumency, something that Dumbledore wanted him to learn anyways, that he would leave the Pensieve. He knew he would have to brave the memories of the former Headmaster someday, but he honestly was not looking forward to them.
The lesson that Harry was looking forward to with Professor Terrwynebas, was on the fourth of October. It was this date that they set for starting Legilimency training. Harry wanted to understand how it felt, and hoped learning it would better allow him to learn Occlumency. As Harry took his seat on his stool, Topher could see the eagerness in Harry's posture.
`Now I know you are interested in this lesson. That's good. But before you go trying to barge into my memories, you must understand what you're doing.
`When you use Legilimency, you'll feel your mind branching outwards towards another. It may be disorientating at first, but you'll get used to it. Once you're in someone else's mind, it works like the opposite of Occlumency. You have to push hard on the defenses someone puts up. Try to look deeper into the persons mind, and yes, into their eyes. Eye contact is sometimes a key to Legilimency. Only pros can perform it without eye contact' Topher stated. Harry was very eager now to try it out.
`Have you ever been inside a memory?' Topher asked all of a sudden. Harry was confused.
`What do you mean?'
`Well, I mean, have you ever fallen into a Pensieve, with a memory inside it?' he elaborated.
`Oh, yeah, Professor Dumbledore's' Harry replied.
`Dumbledore's . . . that must have been something. Anyways, when you do get past someone's defenses, you'll find that the mind looks like a Pensieve, full of shimmering memories. You can see them, and you chose which one you want to see by pushing your mind toward that memory, kind of how you would push your head in a memory stored in a Pensieve. Understand?' he asked. He was very thorough in these lessons with Harry, and always stopped to make sure Harry understood everything. Sometimes Harry didn't like it, but it had on some occasions allowed for Harry to ask questions without sounding idiotic.
`Now, at the beginning, you were wary about having me enter your mind. I hope you believe I'm on your side. But to understand Legilimency, you'll need a memory of mine. I already chose one for you, and for your first try, I'll have very little defenses for you to get through. When you enter my mind, you'll find only one memory. Push forward, and enter it like it was in a Pensieve.' Topher put his wand in his hand, and Harry pointed his wand at Topher. Harry couldn't believe he was going to do this, actually become a mind reader!
Topher nodded his head, and Harry took a deep breath.
`Legilimens.'
Harry's head swayed a little with the sudden change. His brain felt like it was being extended past his own head. Harry could imagine a fog, a grey shimmering everywhere. He focused on Topher, and tried the best at what he should do, and pushed his mind through the fog.
`You're not focusing enough Harry. Your mind is too clouded' Topher said. Harry understood that it was a literal meaning. `You have to empty your mind, and focus solely on mine' he encouraged quietly.
Harry tried to ignore everything else, and pushed forward as hard as he could, focused entirely on Topher, boring into his pale green eyes. With a surprise, the fog Harry imagined began to lower, and Harry could see a shimmering mirror ahead of him. At least it looked like a mirror.
Harry continued to push forward, his head beginning to ache slightly, and he could feel something pushing back. He continued to fight, and the image became clearer and clearer, until he could see it.
It was something like a silver puddle, with people moving inside of it. The puddle was surrounded by blackness, and Harry focused on the one object imaged in his mind. His eyes were still gazing into Topher's, however he was too focused on the memory to notice anything outside of it. Harry pushed forward again, and the memory enveloped him.
A young boy with auburn hair wearing a brown coat and shorts was running down a dirt path towards a one storey farm house. It was late afternoon, and the sky was overcast, making everything all shades of grey. The boy continued to run down the path towards the grey, wood paneled house at an ever increasing speed. Trees wiped by quickly, and the path entered a small field that preceded the house, when a flash of green light emitted from one of the rooms of the house.
The boy stopped immediately, standing in the center of the path, one hundred meters from the house. Footsteps could be heard against the wooden floor of the house, and the boy dove into the high grass as a person in black robes exited the house, two more in the same attire following.
`What will we do now? She did not give us the information' one of them said. Harry could tell it was a man. The voice sounded familiar. One of the others began to stride away from the house.
`It doesn't matter Avery. The Dark Lord said to either get her to tell us, or kill her. We have done it, and that is that' a woman answered. The other two slowly made their way to the woman, and all three turned back towards the house. The boy in the grass was watching the scene, his face pale and his green eyes open to their full extent, clearly showing how terrified he was.
`For the Dark Lord' the three said, one of them raising their wand, pointing it above the house.
`MORSMORDRE!' the female Death Eater bellowed. A vast green ball shot out of her wand, and erupted in the sky, forming a green skull, a serpent slithering out of its mouth. She slowly lowered he wand, and the three gazed at the skull for a moment.
`Lets go, before the husband arrives' the woman said. The three then disappeared, the cracks of their Apparating coming a moment later. The boy stayed low in the grass for a moment, then, disregarding the green skull above the house, ran for the front door, almost tripping as he vaulted the front porch. He entered, and turned left into a family room, stumbling slightly because his feet were moving too fast.
There, in the center of the room, a woman was lying dead. Her shoulder length dark brown hair partially covered her face, and her lilac and periwinkle summer dress unmarked. The boy fell to his knees, and began to cry over the still, lifeless woman, his sobs quietly filling the empty house.
All of a sudden, Harry could feel his mind blanking again, and being pushed outwards by a very strong force. The boy and the woman slowly decayed into darkness. Harry was pushed out of Topher's mind, and he almost fell backwards. Topher, luckily, grabbed his arm to prevent it. Harry pulled himself back to sitting, and Topher stood up, and motioned Harry to sit in front of his desk.
`I'm so sorry' Harry said, realizing that the boy in the memory was, of course, Professor Terrwynebas as he took his seat. Topher sat down, and gazed at the desk for a moment.
`That's the memory I chose to show you, so don't be sorry for seeing it. And don't worry' he added, seeing Harry's expression not changing, `you can ask questions.' Harry was glad he said it was OK, rather than feeling awkward having to ask.
`Who was the woman?'
`She was my mother. She worked for the Ministry, although I'm not sure where exactly. That day, I had spent at a friend's, who lived a few minutes walk from my house. I was running back home, because she was supposed to return from work early to spend some time with me. Of course, as you saw, when I arrived, she was not alone' he added darkly.
`So your mother was killed by Death Eaters?' Harry said, more than asked. Topher nodded anyways.
`Yes, and as you can hear, they wanted information from her. I've been trying my whole life to find out what the information could be, but I haven't found anything. I hope, however, that shows you one the reasons I want Voldemort to fall' he mentioned. Harry noticed his wording.
`One of the reasons?'
`There are others of course, but those can wait for another day. Now' he started, changing subjects back to their lesson, Harry realizing it was his polite manner to say he asked enough questions. `What did Legilimency feel like?'
`Well, at first, I was dizzy. My mind was all foggy, and I couldn't really think straight' Harry explained. Topher nodded as he spoke. `Then you told me to focus more, and I tried, and my mind cleared a bit, and I tried to push forward, and I saw your memory, and continued pushing.' Topher leaned forward.
`Yes, all very good Harry. When your mind is weary, it will be foggy like it was. When you use Legilimency, you have to focus right from the beginning. If you don't, you can get lost in the fog. Your pushing forwards was excellent though. I put up a bit of resistance, and you got through it nicely' Topher complimented. Just as Topher leaned back in his chair, a knock at the classroom door came.
`Come in' Topher said loudly, and Hermione entered the room quickly, the old potions book in her hand. She slowed her pace as she approached the desk.
`I'm sorry Professor- sorry, Topher, for interrupting, but can I talk to Harry, it's important' she asked sounding winded. Her hair was quite mess, and Harry could tell she must have ran all the way from the East Tower.
`Don't worry Miss Granger, Harry and I are finished for tonight. Harry, your homework is to continue with Occlumency training, and start to understand how to clear the fog, OK?' he asked like so many other times. Harry stood up, nodded, and left to room, Hermione walking briskly in front of him.
`What is it?' Harry asked anxiously, however only received a shushing motion from Hermione as they continued their quick pace through the castle. At last, they entered the East Tower, and Hermione sat at the desk, Harry standing behind her.
`Hermione, what's going on?' Harry asked, starting to worry if something was wrong. Hermione opened the potions book, and started leafing through the pages.
`I found something Harry, about Horcruxes' she said methodically, as she slowed her search, and finally pointed to the right hand side of the book, were a page of hand written instructions was listed, the top in one person's scrolled and even spaced hand writing, the bottom in another's, more angled and darker printed. The bottom, for some reason, reminded Harry of something he read before, but he couldn't exactly place it.
`What is it?' Harry asked, pulling up a chair and sitting next to Hermione. Harry only noticed now that Ron wasn't in the room, which lately, was becoming more the normal.
`A potion. Now, it doesn't actually say it's for Horcruxes, but I'm pretty sure it is' she explained. Harry furrowed his brow at her.
`Why do you think that?' he asked. She placed her finger at the top of the page, were it had the title of the so-called potion:
CASSUS ANIMUS
Harry still didn't understand. `What does it mean?'
`Well, when I saw the name, I looked it up. "Cassus" means to destroy, which in itself isn't much help, however "animus" means the soul Harry! This potion is a soul destroying potion!' she declared joyfully, looking up at Harry brightly.
Harry couldn't believe it, Dumbledore did give them a helping hand. They had a potion that could destroy a soul, or at least parts of one. Now they could make it, and finally destroy the Horcrux they found over two months ago. Harry was so cheerful, he leaned over and gave Hermione a huge hug, which she eagerly embraced and squeezed back.
`This is amazing Hermione! You found exactly what we need!' he expressed, moving back and beaming at her. She was smiling very brightly, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.
`The only thing is Harry,' she said, not sounding too content, `is that this is a very difficult potion. They don't even sell some of these ingredients, and some I've never even heard of. How will we make it?' she asked, now not looking cheerful at all. Harry was hesitant to say it, but Dumbledore also provided for them there also.
`Remember Dumbledore said that I would need help with a potion from Slughorn. He must have known it would be this potion' Harry said, sounding more confident. He stood up straight, and grabbed the potions book. Hermione still was sitting as he turned around in front of the desk, heading towards the portrait hole.
`Where are you going?' she asked hastily.
`To ask Slughorn' Harry smiled back.
`Now?' she asked, sounding reluctant as she stood and came around the front of the desk.
`Well, what other time would you go. Com'on' he said, waving her to follow. She gave a sigh, and followed Harry out the portrait hole, and towards Slughorn's office. It was late, however Harry hoped he would be there, so that Hermione wouldn't berate him for dragging them all the way to find he wasn't there. They came to his office, and knocked. To the relief of Harry, muffled footsteps could be heard emanating from the other side of the door. The door opened, and the large bellied Professor Slughorn stood in the doorway, looking at the two Heads.
`Harry m'boy, what brings you down here at such a time? Oh, Miss Granger too!' he said jovially, beckoning them into his office. Harry and Hermione sat down in front of his desk, as he made his slow waddle behind, and sat down in his chair, the buttons on his waist coat again, begging to be set free.
`I need help for my project. My out of school project' Harry specified. He opened the potions book to were his thumb had marked the page with the potion, and eyed Hermione. She glanced down at the potions book, the nodded. Harry handed it slowly to Slughorn, whose sausage like fingers grabbed it, and he looked at the potion.
`hmmm' he remarked, as he read. Harry and Hermione gave each other a skeptical look, before Slughorn placed the old book on the desk.
`Well, this is a complicated potion. Must be quite the project you're working on. I must say though, I'm not surprised you're making it. I am very surprised however that you have this book. It must be filled with interesting potions, although I wonder why these two worked together. They didn't exactly get along' he explained. Harry was very confused.
`You know who wrote this book?' Hermione asked. Slughorn looked at the two of them dumbfounded.
`Well, of course I do. I could never forget the writing of my two best students. I thought that's why you had it Harry' he said, propping up the book to Harry and Hermione could see where he was pointing.
`You see, this top set of hand writing is your mother Lily's, and bottom set, is . . . ` he wavered as he saw the reaction on Harry's face. Harry was still, unable to speak, staring at the handwriting. Hermione leaned forward in her chair quickly, noticing Harry's expression, trying to get Professor Slughorn to continue.
`Who's the bottom sets professor?' she asked hurriedly. Slughorn tore his gaze from Harry and looked directly at Hermione.
`Severus Snape's.'
Spell / Name Meanings -
Just for a kicker, thought I'd mention that Topher's wand is made with Birch, because I was born in January,
and that is the wood for that month in the Celtic Tree Calendar (another connection there). The fact that his core is a
griffin feather is important in the future.
Cassus Animus - L. casso: to destroy or bring to naught, animus: the soul (Cassus Animus = to destroy
the soul)
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