My training sessions in the forest are on hold after unpleasant meeting with unknown creature. I say on hold but that would imply it's just temporary which I am afraid is not true. Best move here is to change the location but I don't want to walk miles away from the castle every single night. Apparition seems to be out from my schedule, and just when there was some progress, shame.
Sitting at the raven table, very early in the morning, I ponder all my notes about legilimency. Might as well make some progress here instead. After reading through all I could find in the library I am ready to start experimenting, so excited. Unfortunately it won't be as simple as just penetrating some random person mind when and where I feel like. No, it seems that depending on the intensity of the invasion both victim and the caster can experience what was only described as 'bad headache'. You would think this is important enough to elaborate on but no, no further description. The whole beauty of mind reading should be having an advantage of knowing what someone thinks while you are talking to them. If someone looks me in the eyes and we both fall in pain it will be more than suspicious.
Bearing that in mind I scrambled notes that pertain to just scanning through the surface thoughts of a person, very subtle.
"What's up Harry?"
I look up and see Weasley brothers. They sit on the opposite side of the table in front of me.
"Why are you meditating over the food? Trying to put it in your mouth with your mind?" – says the one on the left mockingly.
"Just thinking."
"We haven't seen you on any late night expeditions lately."
"Yes, what's with that?"
"I got all I wanted from the library already, I can read in the tower just fine."
"Forget the books. What about the dog?"
"It's not a priority."
"It's the biggest mystery around. Weren't you working on this whole break? What were all those questions for?"
"I was a little curious, nothing more."
"Yeah, right." – respond both twins at the same time.
"If it bothers you so, why not go yourself? You know how to bypass the Cerberus."
"We did actually." – starts twin.
"Got quite far." – adds his brother boasting.
Sounds like a complete lie. This may be good time to try new tricks.
I look the boaster in the eyes and focus. According to the notes I should try to 'push' myself into other persons mind. Legilimens.
'We just looked down the trapdoor and retreated. If we make it sound interesting Potter will explore it with his fancy cloak.'
Absolutely brilliant! I might get addicted.
'Won't he say something? What's with this stare?'
Ops. Let's see what bullshit they came up with.
"What was there?!" – I ask with excitement in my voice.
Twins exchange quick glance and get into their fairy tale.
"You drop into very dark room."
"Yes, and there are voices like something is moving very close."
"And those very elaborate doors."
"Probably enchanted with very advanced spell or maybe even warded."
Wow, what a load of crap. Legilimens.
'Something was moving down there when we looked down the trapdoor. Like snakes or something. I am not going there.'
Where the hell are you sending me?!
"So you didn't get past the door? I don't know if I should bother if my upperclassmen can't beat it."
"Come on, at least take a look."
"We'll see."
As my raven year mates enter the hall, twins give me a conspiring nod for goodbye.
"Got some new friends during the break?" – asks Terry first thing after taking a sit.
"We talked a couple times."
I look in the direction of Lisa and as expected there is a suspicion on her face.
What's her problem? Time after time. That's it, let's see what really bothers you. Legilimens.
'Harry was actually social instead of diving behind another, outside of curriculum, book? Who would have thought?'
Let's get little deeper. Just a little. I add pressure to the connection.
'All those books, with very out of our level magic which he brought back from the library. Nothing's wrong with being interested in those subjects, but why the secrecy? Why not just answer our questions normally, when we ask about them? All Ravenclaws read more than what's required but there is more in Harry's eyes, there is a purpose, like it's not just for the sake of knowing. Does he practice all that magic he reads about? What was that he was reading? Wards? Enchantments?'
"Aaa!" – small yell of pain escapes Lisa as she closes her eyes and moves the hand to her forehead.
Shit! Way too greedy there Harry.
"Are you all right?" – I ask trying to act like I am clueless why she's in pain.
"Got a little dizzy for a moment, I am ok."
"You sure." – joins concerned Padma.
"Yes it's cool."
I should stick to surface thoughts, at least for now.
[]
Days went by and I still refused to visit the third floor corridor. My logic was simple, even if I did manage to get to the stone it's not like I can claim it as mine. All the effort in beating god knows how many ridiculous security measures just to satisfy my curiosity? No Harry, that's beneath you.
As exams drew closer more people flooded the library. With not much space, regulars like me no longer had their own corners and tables. Inevitably it happened.
"C-can I sit here?"
Hermione decides to join me in my secluded corner.
"Sure" – I respond.
It's not like I can refuse, that would be rude and awkward.
"Thanks." – she takes a sit much closer than needed.
I just continue my reading. It's a library, nothing wrong with not making any conversation. In fact, silence is mandatory.
"I didn't get to tell you that before but… "
"Hm?" – I make inquiring noise. Maybe if I don't actually utter a word of reply, she will catch on.
"Thank you for the Christmas present."
"No problem."
Now let's keep quiet.
"At first I felt insulted but then I thought it through and… well thanks."
All I did was sent you a book on basic social behaviour. Take a couple tips and get some friends already.
"No problem, really." – I repeat myself, this time with more air of finality to it.
"So what are you studying?"
She just keeps going.
"Transfiguration." – I reply and turn the book around to show the cover.
"Great, we can work on the homework together."
No we can't.
"I already finished that. Now I am just checking some minor things that picked my interest."
"Me too, let's compare our work." – she gives me huge smile and is already taking out stack of papers.
Damn. We start slowly going over all that boring crap.
You would think that a girl her age would seek girlfriends to gossip with and all that stuff. Why bother me? Should I find out?
At this moment two parts of me started internal debate on whatever it's morally right to demolish her privacy.
"You shouldn't, it's not right! How would you feel if someone went through your head?" – declared Harry who seemed to have much more cheerful and lively face than I usually show the world. His eyes shined with passion and determination.
"This is exactly what you bothered learning this skill for. You need to look at yourself from her point of view. This is about you not her." – stated much gloomier looking Harry with very calm yet confrontational voice.
"You can't just invade someone's mind on a whim." – continues healthy Harry advancing on the opponent.
"He can, that's the point. She won't even notice." – tired looking Harry makes a step forward.
Indeed, I learned this skill for moments like this. If I valued others privacy highly, I wouldn't want to learn legilimency the first time I came in contact with it.
Legilimens.
At the very slow rate I delve into Hermione's mind. Carefully I pass further than just the surface.
'Harry is so calm and collected. He takes his studies seriously, not like those other 'kids'. Not only is he academically gifted, he's also brave and strong, facing and defeating monster at his age. Not to mention so modest, not wanting to make others feel inferior when they hear of his feat. I did notice that he seems slightly annoyed whenever I approach him but he's always nice to me so maybe I am just imagining it.'
This can't be real. Still, I continue, maybe there is more than… this poor joke.
'He looks at me so intensely. Do I have something on my face or maybe he li…"
No. I am done here.
Explaining I promised to help housemate with homework I walk out of the library. This mind reading doesn't always work in your favour.
