The woman in the portrait before her smiled down at her and Sylvi only realized just how much she looked like the deceased Seer. Ophelia Forstrom had a diamond-shaped face, with a small, pointed chin and a sharp nose and full lips. Strong, arched brows sat over almond shaped green eyes. Ophelia's hair was as black as her own, with a slight curl to it. Her pale skin and clear complexion amplified her elegant beauty. Like Ophelia, Sylvi was of average height, with a neat hourglass figure.
"I knew I would be seeing you soon, Sylvi."
"I overheard my dad saying that if I should happen to be showing signs of a certain ability, I should see you." Sylvi felt it best to be honest – there was no point in lying to the portrait, not when she wanted information.
"You have been gifted with the Sight, or cursed with it, depending on your perspective. There will be times in your life when you wished you had never been afflicted with it, and other times you will be grateful." The portrait folded her hands in her lap. "What is it you wish to know?"
Sylvi spent the next hour and a half questioning her grandmother's portrait. The woman had suggested keeping a journal, but getting it warded so that only she would be able to open it. Her father had a few of those, so she would just ask him if she could have one. Most girls her age kept a diary, so it wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary.
Her grandmother's portrait had also told her of books that she could get her hands on, like Unfogging the Future and The Dream Oracle. She had also suggested obtaining books about Occlumency; whatever that was. Sylvi had read a lot of books, but had never come across Occlumency, which meant it was rare magic, and possibly dangerous as well. Ophelia had also mentioned something about Legilimency, and she was going to have to research that one, too.
Ophelia had also told her about meditation, about how it helped focus her mind so that she would better understand details in her visions, to try and determine when and where it would be. Not only that, but it also helped pave the way for her learning Occlumency, which was imperative, apparently. She had also suggested looking into the old ways; not because of the Sight, but because it would supposedly prove useful in the future.
Determined, she set out towards the library to see if she could find any book on the subject.
Sighing, she set The Essential Guide to Occlumency by Arietta Redwood down. It supposedly came with another book, The Essential Guide to Legilimency, but she had yet to find it. She supposed it might be in her father's private library, and according to what she had heard, -if she played her cards right- she would have access to it at the end of the school year.
She had found several books that seemed like they would prove useful, such as The Olde Ways by Cyrena Norwood, as well as The Seer's Compendium by Dante Murik. Later, she would ask her father for a spelled notebook, but for now, she had some researching to do. She picked up The Essential Guide to Occlumency, settled down into one of the many armchairs in the library, and began to read.
Occlumency is an obscure magic, but a powerful one. Used properly, it will allow you to shield your mind from outside influence. It is also a helpful tactic against Legilimency, the art of delving into someone's mind. Occlumency is, however, the art of shielding oneself against such an intrusion. This book is designed to walk you through the steps of learning Occlumency. Know that not many can use it, and fewer still can master it. Because of how dangerous it can be, here is a list of side effects that can come with learning Occlumency…
A few hours later, she set the book down on her lap. So Occlumency was a rare magic that kept people out of your head. Interesting. There were many dangers to learning it, if done improperly, but she was willing to take the risk. The book spoke of meditation and visualization before beginning to even think about shielding her mind, so she made a note to find a book on meditation techniques. Such a task wouldn't be hard. After all, her family's library was immense and meditation was not something that her father would have in his private library.
She got up and looking through the shelves, and was rewarded when she found several books about meditation. One was titled Clearing Your Mind by Hera Kiln and Visualization Techniques for Meditation by Ulrich Jolan. She knew the basics of meditation, but wanted a thorough understanding of it before attempting Occlumency.
Carrying the books back to the armchair, she set the books next to the others, and then sat down in the armchair only to begin reading once more.
That was how Sylvi spent the next three days – in the library. She had acquired several notebooks from her father and had already begun writing in one of them in an effort to record her dreams and visions. Several trips to her grandmother's portrait had also been made as she had come up with questions. There was so much to learn!
It would take her a while to master meditation, so she wouldn't be starting Occlumency until next year at best. She understood why she had to learn these things; if anyone got into her head and found that she was a Seer, it would mean trouble. Not the 'parent' kind of trouble, but the 'you're in danger' trouble. It wasn't specifically Death Eaters or Voldemort sympathizers – she had to keep her ability away from those that were against him as well. It was to protect herself, and her family.
Her grandmother had told her tales of what had happened to those Seers who had not hidden their abilities to those not trustworthy. Some had been family, some had not. All were some tale of tragedy or another.
She was brought out of her musings when she heard her mother's voice calling to her in the hallway. "Sylvi? Where are you?"
"In the library!" she called out, standing from her chair and walking towards the entrance of the library. Her mother rounded the corner and they met just outside the room.
"There you are. Your father and I were planning a trip to Diagon Alley today. Seeing as how you need school supplies, we thought you would like to come with us."
Sylvi smiled, her eyes lighting up. "I want to go, yes! Just let me put some books up." Her mother waved a hand.
"Let the servants get it, dear. I've already spent enough time looking for you as it is, and you know your father." As patience went, Alexander Forstrom had very little. Sylvi nodded and followed her mother to her father's study. They would be traveling by Floo, apparently.
Elise looked down at her daughter and smiled. Sylvi had always been a somewhat reserved child, but she could tell how excited she was just by the wide smile on her face and the way green her eyes glittered with happiness.
Meanwhile, Sylvi's head was rampant with thoughts. She was finally going to get a wand! Maybe she could convince her parents to get her an owl, or a cat. She'd always wanted a cat. And the books! She loved books, and had started a small collection of her own that grew as other people gifted her them or she found them. She'd also be getting robes for school – maybe she could convince her mother to allow her some robes for the weekends as well. And her own potions set! She loved potions – often helping her mother when she decided to brew something.
Just thinking about everything amped up her excitement and she was practically vibrating with it when they reached her father's study. Alexander couldn't help but smirk at his daughter's obvious enthusiasm. He motioned for his daughter to grab some Floor powder. "Make sure you state Diagon Alley clearly."
Sylvi nodded, and tossed the powder into the fireplace, which caused it to erupt into emerald green flames. She walked into them and said, "Diagon Alley." The world spun around her, and although it was highly disorienting, she made sure to keep her elbows tucked in. She'd hit something one time and cracked the bone once – she would rather not have to experience that again.
When the world stopped spinning, she was standing in an overly large fireplace off in a secluded spot in Diagon Alley. There were several other large fireplaces in the area as well. She could hear people chattering, but she resisted the urge to just wander off, and stepped out of the fireplace. While she waited for her parents, she began thinking of what her wand might look like. Out of everything, getting her own wand would be the highlight of her summer.