Everyone seemed to love Defense Against the Dark Arts, it had been years since they'd had an interesting and capable teacher, the pass two years were pitiful, and for years a teacher hadn't lasted more than a year before something strange had happened.
The story of the Boggart was around and everyone praised Neville except the Slytherins. Draco was heard on more than one occasion complaining about Professor Lupin, but usually he was ignored.
Ursa walked into her first lesson for Study of Ancient Runes, she hadn't been looking forward to this class at all. She wasn't worried it would be difficult but that it would be full of Slytherins, Draco's group of friends. They now made her nervous. She wished she didn't have any problems with anyone in Slytherin, she knew not everyone of them were harsh minded but with her brother leading them, they were bullies. Ursa stood in the door scanning the other students, her brother sat between Crabbe and Goyle, she had no idea how they'd manage to pass the class at all, behind them sat Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode, with Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini at a desk near there the back.
"Sit with us, Malfoy." Zabini winked at Ursa as he patted the space between the boys, she couldn't help but roll her eyes.
On the other side of the room sat Hermione Granger, Hannah Abbott and some Ravenclaw boy that Ursa thought might be named Terry or Terence. She chose to sit in the back of the left side, as she took her seat the Professor stood, "Welcome to the Study of Anicent Runes, my name is Bathseda Babbling, this class will not be a simple elective. It will require effort in order to pass your O.W.L.s in Fifth year and N.E.W.T.s in Seventh if your successful with your O.W.L.s. I believe each of you chose this class because you dream yourselves capable of many powerful things. Runes used properly are indeed powerful magic. Ancient Runes are used in creating many spells we use daily, they're used in the charms to hide and protect our school. The Founders used many Ancient Runes still unknown by even the Ministry of Magic when building this castle to be the incredible structure it is. They're also used in some potions. You'll find them necessary if you want to work in various parts of the Ministry or in healing. I will not make this class easy for you with any excuse. You're expected to attend lessons and I do not tolerate tardiness or laziness in my class." Professor Babbling's eyes crossed over Crabbe and Goyle making Ursa snort in amusement, "Today's lesson will possibly be the most simple. You'll inscribe and define Numerological Runes for me. I hope some of you have already read over your books for this class. Can anyone tell me what Demiguise is?" Ursa raised her hand, watching as Hermione nearly fell of out her chair hoping in effort to be noticed.
"You, blonde boy in the front? And your name please."
"Draco Malfoy, Madam. Demiguise is used as zero, which isn't considered an actual number because it's meant as nothing, emptiness. Zero. It's the Creature's invisibility abilities that represent it." Draco stood up, straight while holding his bandaged arm against his chest.
"Prefect. Ten Points to Slytherin. Next question." The Professor scanned the class, her eyes stopping at Ursa, "You. Gryffindor in the back. What is Salamander?" Hermione moaned in disappointment.
Ursa stood as her twin sat reciting the answer, "Ursa Malfoy, the Salamander represents the magical creature's maximum amount of hours it can survive outside if fire and the amount of legs it has, that would be the number six."
"Ah. Of course, the Malfoy twins. Odd one of you is a Gryffindor, quite intriguing. You've both received many lessons before even arriving at Hogwarts, I'm sure. You'll find nothing difficult in my class until at least O.W.L.s, I hope to see both of you for N.E.W.T.s. Yes, ten points of Gryffindor. You may sit." Professor Babbling smiled for the first time.
"Thank you, Professor." Ursa sat, not without noticing the Slytherin group glaring at her.
The rest of class the Runes Professor used her wand to write notes on the board and asked them to focus on learning numbers 1 through 20.
At the end of class Ursa headed to Charms but felt a hand grab her into an empty classroom.
"It's so embarrassing you're a Gryffindor. Those points you always receive, the praise from teachers. Should be points for Slytherin. It's disgusting. Even many teachers talk about their surprise you're not where you should be. Malfoy's are always in Slytherin. Black's too. Except Sirius Black, even he was a disappointment. I would know, Mother told me. " Draco Malfoy snapped at her as Crabbe and Goyle blocked the door.
"Will you ever just grow up and get over it? Not everything is about you." Ursa rolled her eyes.
"Will you stop being disgraceful to our family? Father will never find you a proper wizard." Draco pushed Ursa against the wall.
Ursa gasped, "A wizard? I'm twelve! That's ridiculous. And I see your arm is fine. I know few who would find that interesting knowledge. Stop being a bully, Draco Malfoy."
"You shouldn't even have the Malfoy name." He spat at her.
"I'm fine with that. Next time I'll just answer to Black." She yelled at Draco.
"You're not noble enough for it either. You're as disgraceful as Sirius Black!" Draco reached for his wand, pointing at his sister before she attempted to respond, "Petrifius Totalus!"
Ursa entire body stiffened after being hit with the Full Body Bind Curse, her eyes watching as the three boys laughed and Draco stormed from the room, leaving her in an abandoned classroom.
Ursa laid in the floor trying to figure out how'd she free herself. She wasn't able to the counterspell non-verbally yet. She was now determined to learn. She couldn't call for help as she couldn't speak. She heard the door creak open, "Dear, Dear Scarlett." She heard Fred Weasley say as he walked in the room.
"Finite." Fred said softly as he pointed his wand at her frozen body. Ursa sat up, coughing slightly.
"Thank you, Fred..." She said taking his outstretched hand, sighing, "I missed Charms..Professor Flitwick will probably give me Detention."
"What happened? You're not usually one to find in such a state. You can hold your own, Scarlett." He asked.
Ursa eyes went wide as she realized the two were still holding hands, her cheeks turned a light shade of pink and she jerked it away, "I...I..Draco corned me. He cursed me..I'd never use a spell on him. I..I can't...he's.." for the first time in her life she stumbled over her words.
"Princess, it's okay. I understand. He's your brother even though he's an imbecile." Fred placed his hand on her shoulder, Ursa felt comfort from the Weasley twin and leaned into his chest.
"Thank you, Fred. You're a great friend. I'm glad you happened by," she closed her eyes for a moment, she wasn't used to being embraced at all. It was new and the calm she felt was odd but welcomed.
"Of course, Scarlett. We'll find a way to get him back. I'm quite good at Pranks, you know. We'll enlist my less handsome twin." Fred smiled placing his chin on her head.
"Alright. I believe it's time for dinner. We should go." Ursa whispered, pulling from his warm arms as her heart fluttered.
The two headed to the Great Hall, Ursa saw Draco laughing as she walked to Gryffindor table, she just kept her head down as her cheeks burned. Her head spinning for a moment, she looked over a Fred who was speaking to George and Lee Jordan.
"Why weren't you in Charms?" Neville Longbottom inquired as he sat down across Ursa, she shrugged as she told him about her new class and the incident, she mentioned Fred helped her but left out the embrace as her stomach fluttered again thinking about it.
The next day Ursa made her way from the Common Room down to Severus Snape's office. She was at the top of the stair heading down to the first floor when she heard a squeaky voice, "Missus Malfoy. Can I speak with you for a moment please?" Ursa turned looked down to see the part-Goblin Charms Professor Filius Flitwick.
"Yes, Sir. I have a meeting with Professor Snape, I was going to find you after. I'm very sorry I missed class yesterday. I lost track of time..." Ursa kept eye contact with the short man-goblin.
"I'd like to see you in the Detention for skipping class. Tomorrow Morning, Miss Malfoy." Flitwick said.
"Of course, Sir." Ursa bowed before heading the rest of the way to the cold dark Dungeons. She starts to knock on Snape's office door as it opens on it own and the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore stands inside it, his eye twinkling as he smiles at Ursa.
"Ah. Miss Malfoy, Severus says he's expecting you. Good Luck." He tilts his head, his blue pointed hat shifts as he heads out of the dungeons.
Ursa steps inside finding Snape standing by one of his shelves of various jars.
"Hello, Professor. I hope I'm not too late..it's a long way down the castle from the Tower to here..." Ursa babbled a bit, nervous.
"You're fine. I decided not to mention to anyone I'll be helping you with Occlumency. I have save few things to go over with you. What do you already know?" Snape asked his mentor.
"I know that a skilled in Legilimens is able to read someone's mind. I believe my mother can do this. I know it's usually taught with the Black Family because I read about it in a few family books at Grimmuald Place, and you'd mentioned you've taught a bit to Draco. I read that Sirius Black didn't receive a trial because the Wizengamot believed he'd use Occlumens to ward off Veritaserum. I'd like to be able to block anyone from reading my thoughts so I approached you." She said quietly, holding her hands together.
"Cissa is not overly skilled in Legilimency, not non-verbally but she's quite good at Occlumemcy. There are a few powerful Legilimens aside from myself and the Black sisters, it is said Salazar Slytherin was a powerful Legilimens. You'll find it interesting to know our Headmaster quite enjoys reading the minds of his students. And it was the Dark Lord's pleasure to invade minds," Ursa nodded as suspected as she listened to Professor Snape explain, "I'll be teaching you to magically defend your mind from unwelcome penetration. Eventually you'll be able to suppress thoughts, emotions and even memories. I'll be penetrating your mind today and you need to try and keep me out, clear and control your mind. Do you have any questions?" Snape stilled his voice, watching Ursa, keeping close eye contact.
"No...Sir." Ursa stood straight and waited trying to clear her thoughts until she heard Severus Snape hiss, "Legilimen."
She barely felt it, but she saw it as he slipped into her mind, he worked his way through a few memories, she for a moment she saw her meeting with Augusta Longbottom, then she saw her surprise as she was sorted, she tried to stop Snape, but he seemed to effortlessly push through her mind. She heard his voice again, "Focus, Ursa." She was trying. She couldn't seem to block off her emotions, Severus stopped at memory she wished to forget.
Ten year old Ursa bit her lips as her Great Grandfather Pollux said, "You will learn how to treat elves and other vile creatures like Mudbloods!"
Pollux Black was teaching her to use Unforgivable Curses and he was using a female House Elf to demonstrate, at this moment he was using Crucio on the elf, it was screaming as Ursa trembled against the wall. "Stop...Grandfather..please..Flimsey is my friend. She doesn't deserve this...please" Ursa begged him stop torturing the poor elf.
Pollux Black yelled at her, "They are servants, our slaves, not our friends. They are worthless and replaceable. You will learn, girl. I will teach you." he kept his wand on the house elf, flicking it, "Avada Kedarva!" The jerking elf now stopped lifeless on the floor.
"Worthless, you see." Pollux stated as Severus pulled from Ursa Malfoy's mind.
He was horrified that she was forced to watch such cruelty by the hands of family. He understood now why she'd want to protect herself. He'd had no she was treated in such a way, he knew her brother most definitely was not.
Ursa let a single tear fall. "This might be more difficult than I thought, how do I keep you out? I felt you enter my mind...barely" she tried to ignore what her Potions Professor had just witness. Inwardly grateful her Great Grandfather had died shortly after that incident, she had feared he'd force her torture one of the House Elves next and she could never do that and could possibly be torture as a result.
"You need to clear your mind and emotions. I'll give you a moment before we try again." Severus offered his student a glass of water.