Chapter 26 - In Another's Shadow

"Occulemency isn't exactly widely taught which may cause some problems but, if we can present a good enough case I see no reason why Dumbeldore wouldn't agree to put it back onto the school curriculem."

"Brilliant Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed happily jumping from her seat and hugging her friend.

"Hang on Gin," hermione laughed, "That's just one part of the plan."

Ginny stepped back to give Hermione some breathing space.

"What's the other part?" Harry questioned not particularly liking the concerned look on Hemrione face.

"Oh, don't worry Harry, it's nothing dangerous," Hermione comforted Harry when she recognised the fear in his voice.

"It's just -- the other part of the plan, the part about exposing everyone to True-Seers, involves --"

"Involves Ron--" Harry ventured, immediately understanding Hermione concern.

"What are saying?" Ginny questioned looking from the one concerned face to another, "That given the opportunity Ron wouldn't want to live a normal life?"

When silence followed her question Ginny felt nothing but disappointment at the two people who supposedly knew Ron the best.

"Harry, don't you remember what Ron said when my parents were here?"

"I do, but," Harry paused not sure how much he should reveal about his and Ron private plans.

"What did he say?" Hermione said slowly taking her seat once again.

"He said that 'there was nothing he wanted more than spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved'," Ginny said pointedly, "So come on Hermione, what's the other part of the plan? 'Cause I can assure you that there is nothing that he wouldn't do to be with you."

Hermione felt the heat rush to her face and turned away from Ginny's piercing gaze.

"You got it all wrong," Hermione said softly, "The other part of the plan requires Ron to do something he might not want to do. So much of his life has been relatively pre-determined, what right do we have to force him to do something that he would otherwise would have a choice."

"You mean," Harry looked up from the fire that he had been staring at, "What he's going to do after we graduate?"

Hermione nodded her head, "Exactly, because the other part of the plan requires Ron to become a teacher."

Hermione turned round when she heard Ginny laugh.

"Why -- what? How on earth did you reach that conclusion?"

"Ginerva Weasley, please try to be serious," Hermione said in an exasperated voice.

"We're talking about live or die here and your sitting there giggling like a child," Harry added, he too was becoming irritated by Ginny's cavalier attitude to the problem.

Ginny felt the sting of Harry's words instantly.

'Don't they understand that I want Ron to live as much as they do. But I don't want my hopes to be raised when they'll just be dashed to pieces anyway.'

Ginny looked up at the faces of her friend and boyfriend, "You're right, I am a child. A child who doesn't want to lose her big brother," Ginny said through tears before disappearing up the stairs.

"Oh dear," Hermione said guiltily.

"Let her be," Harry said coldly.

"What's going on between you two?" Hermione questioned, rather surprised at Harry's cold words.

"What do you mean?" Harry countered in his most innocent voice.

"I know that I've been focusing on Ron lately but you shouldn't feel as though you can't talk to me about things."

"Ginny and I just --" Harry sighed before continuing, "We just have differences of opinion with how to address problems."

"Hmph, a very diplomatic answer Mr Potter."

"Anyway, how does Ron being a teacher help us?" Harry questioned, his head no longer able to think about Ginny or the rising guilt he felt.

"Well, it's just a thought but since there's no one other than Ron or Jessica who are true seers, who better to teach the rest of the world about them."

"So this was what you meant when you said about exposing the world to true-seers."

"Yes, but the thing is I don't want to force this on Ron. It's still all theoretical after all."

"Maybe we could talk to Dumbeldore, see what he thinks," Harry suggested, "that way, if Dumbeldore disagrees with us we won't have to tell Ron."

"You mean to avoid falsely raising his hopes?"

Harry nodded his head in agreement, "But do you honestly think that it'll work?"

"I don't know," Hermione answered softly, feeling her eyes begin to sting, she bit her lip to stop the tears.

'No,' Hermioe thought to herself, 'I need to be strong for Ron.'

Ron dropped the bag ungraciously on the ground, when it did hit the ground Ron heard the distinct sound of metal hitting metal.

'What does learning to fight have anything to do with true-seers?' Ron thought for the hundredth time since Jessica had begun teaching him.

"Open the bag," Jessica ordered as she jumped into the river, taking a moment to balance herself against the flow of the cascading waterfall before walking further into the water.

Ron tipped the contents of the bag on the ground. Several different swords appeared as well as several bows and arrows.

"Close your eyes and let your hand guide you to your weapon."

Ron did as he was told and soon felt the hard cold steel of a sword in his hand. He opened his eyes and turned towards Jessica. He noticed the surprised look on her face when he showed her the sword.

"Now, come into the water, and when you're ready try to attack me."

Ron carefully stepped into the water and was surprised to find that it was rather shallow, even as he slowly made his way towards Jessica he noticed that the water only reached his knees.

Though not deep, Ron still found it difficult to balance himself, the water cascading from the waterfall rushed past him constantly trying to push him forward while he tried to not to slip on the slimy rocks beneath his feet. Even using all his strength Ron eventually fell back into the water.

As he sat drenched and more than a little irritated Jessica spoke.

"You'll never be able to attack me when you're having trouble simply standing."

Ron looked up at his teacher standing over him, her hand folded in front of her and a blank expression on her face. It didn't look like she was having any trouble at all with standing.

Ron groaned and used his sword to help himself stand. He wobbly stood up and unsheathed his sword.

"No, give me the sword. You should use your own," Jessica stated easily taking the sword and sheath from Ron.

"If you were going to take it then why did you tell me to pick my own weapon," Ron questioned unable to keep the annoyance from his voice.

"I honestly didn't expect you to pick the sword," When Ron continued to stare at her annoyed she explained herself, "The bow and arrow," Jessica pointed to the objects lying on the river bank, "You're supposed to be Eros and his preferred weapon was the bow and arrow, that's why I assumed you'd be instantly drawn to those weapons."

"I will not live someone else life," Ron spoke in a low and serious voice, "I will not," Ron griped his hand around the swords that appeared at his side, "I will not let someone else choose my life for me."

With those angry words Ron rushed forward.

Before falling face first into the water.

As he was coughing up water, his eyes caught the flash of silver reflecting on the water's surface. Ron quickly rolled to the left of him just as the sword connected with the water exactly where he had just been sitting.

"Have you gone mad! You could have killed me!" Ron said furiously staring up at his teacher.

Jessica's face was completely blank as she gazed down at him.

Just as Ron stood back up, an image of Jessica swinging the sword at him flashed crossed his mind, he only had a split second to react before Jessica's sword rushed past his ear.

A smile crossed Jessica's face, "Very good, we're finally reaching that hidden potential of yours."

Ron wiped the water and sweat from his forehead before gripping the hilt of his sword.

"Whatever you say, Professor," Ron said steadily standing in a defensive stance.

"Ready when you are."

Jessica's face once again hardened in seriousness. She swiftly moved toward him and Ron had to stop himself from staring in amazement at how effortless she moved through the water, as though it wasn't even there. Ron quickly shook himself from these thoughts and concentrated on where her sword was and prepared himself for an attack from any angle.

Jessica's sword moved to the left of him and Ron instantly followed her movements to block her attack. He thought he had her when the next moment he heard her scream.

"Stupefy!"

Ron didn't even have enough time to react before he once again found himself falling face first into the water.

When Ron came to he realised that he was no longer lying in the water, instead he was lying on the grass beside the river.

"What are you Ronald Weasley?" Jessica's voice spoke from beside him.

"What kind of question is that? I'm me, Ron."

"Really? For I was under the impression that you were a true-seer?"

Ron blinked back at his teacher. What was she getting at? He wondered to himself as he sat up.

"Yeah, I am."

"I see," Jessica looked at him with a mix of annoyance and irritation, "So why is it that when I attacked you just now, you reacted like a muggle, with no thought at all to your magical abilities. Never forget Ron, that not only are you the powerful wizard Eros but that you also have the powers of all the true-seers flowing through your veins," Jessica stood up from the ground and offered him her hand.

He ignored it and stood up with the help of his sword.

"I told you I will not live someone else life, I make my own choices," Ron said determinedly meeting his teachers gaze without hesitation.

"But to make those choices you need to understand who you are, what is this reckless nonsense that you are suddenly babbling about? You are a true-seer and you are Eros, to deny either of them is to deny who you truly are. In battle there can be no hesitation, it's kill or be killed, there's no time for niceties."

"What is this? A bloody lecture!" Ron argued heatedly

"I am your teacher," Jessica replied, "And I think it's time you stop acting like a child and accept that you have responsibilities. I won't be here much longer --"

At those words, Jessica froze as though suddenly realising what she had said.

"What-- what do you mean?" Ron said slowly.

Following a rather long silence, Jessica picked up her own sword from the ground and made her way back towards the water.

"Simply a reality of our lives, Ron."

Ron stared at her back as she walked away, a twinge of panic rose inside him.

'How long did he have before he too would have to leave his friends and family behind. Not to mention his Hermione.'

A sigh escaped his lips as he looked down at the sword in his hand. It suddenly felt incredibly heavy.

"Don't sigh," Jessica's voice cut through his inner turmoil, "You'll scare away all your good luck."

"What?" Ron looked up at her in confusion.

"It's an old saying, now are you coming in or are you just gonna stand there daydreaming about a certain brown-haired witch?"

Ron face reddened and he coughed to cover his embarrassment. He instantly jumped into the water and waded towards Jessica.

Jessica watched his progress before speaking.

"Stop," she ordered causing Ron to instantly freeze just as he was about to take another step.

"Stop fighting the water. Stand up," she waited for Ron to follow her instructions before continuing, "Feel the water flowing around you, feel its movements, its strength, weaknesses and--"

"What are you talking about? Water doesn't have strengths or weaknesses? It's not a living creature."

Ron received a cold glare reminiscent of Snape, which caused shivers to pass through his body.

"Sorry, Professor, please continue," Ron apologised quietly.

Jessica nodded her head in acceptance before continuing.

"Listen to how it moves around you, how it's glides around the rocks and pebbles in its way, it doesn't fight it but shifts and changes to take advantage of it."

Ron nodded his head and tried to stand up straighter, he closed his eyes to help himself concentrate. He focused on the cool water rushing through and around his legs, the way it made his clothes shift and sway, he listened to the sound of the water rushing down the waterfall behind him. He noticed the sounds the water made when it hit the rocks and water below it before merging and becoming one. He listened for the longest time to the water movements before he could picture the water moving around him and predict how it reacted to rocks and small insects or leaves falling into it.

"Good, now walk towards me," Ron heard Jessica's soothing voice say.

Taking a deep breathe, Ron opened his eyes and slowly took a step forward, moving with the water rather than trying to fight against it.

A smile spread across Jessica's face and Ron too realised that he was smiling.

"Now, think you can keep up with me to be able to attack me?" Jessica said before she swiftly moved behind him.

Ron on reflex turned round to defend himself but tripped on some slippery rocks beneath his feet, he was able to catch himself though before he fell into the water which was a definite improvement.

"Concentrate, remember you have to consider all angles, magic, physical attacks and of course the environment around you. Use your powers as a true-seer like you did before to predict my movements."

'That explains the image that flashed through his mind just seconds before Jessica attacked me before.'

Ron nodded his head at his teacher and steadied his breathing, he watched Jessica move elegantly towards the waterfall before following her.

'You can do this,' Hermione's voice echoed around him and a new surge of strength coursed through him.

'Yes, I can. I'll make you proud.'

Ginny looked up when she heard a soft knock on the door followed by some tentative steps.

"Hey, Hermione," Ginny said without taking her gaze from the photo in her hands, "Sorry about before, he's been awful ever since--"

"Umm, Gin," Hermione said softly.

"Oh it doesn't even matter, I'm pretty sure he's going to break it off anyway --"

"There, there, dear, I'm sure it's not as bad as all that."

Ginny had to stop herself from screaming in horror when she saw Professor McGonnagal standing beside her bed, Hermione next to her with an apologetic look.

"Oh hello, Professor," Ginny squeaked in nervousness and embarrassment.

"Now, let's hear it, what information do you have about Professor Lavina?"

Ginny looked at Hermione in surprise, but Hermione looked as shocked as she did.

"Professor how did--"

"No use denying it girls, I was sent here by Professor Dumbeldore himself to allay any concerns you may have."

At this Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, clearly Hermione was thinking what she was, 'Why go to all the trouble of justifying to two students the choice of teachers, after all Snape has been at Hogwarts for years without so much as an explanation.'

Professor McGonnagal seemed to catch the look that Ginny shared with Hermione because the next moment she said, "I'm surprised as you are girls, but as I'm here on the Headmasters orders I have little choice in the matter."

The Professor conjured three chairs for each of them, locked the door before placing a silencing spell on the room.

"Now, let's hear it girls, what's suspicions do you have?"

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other uncertainly before either of them spoke.

"Well, first of all, what's her relationship with Professor Snape?"

"Ah, Severus, I was rather hoping you would stop by," Dumbedore said standing from his seat to greet Snape.

Snape took a seat silently.

"I am rather busy, but I wanted to ask you something," Snape spoke with some hesitation.

"If it's about the boy, I already know," Dumbeldore smiled kindly at Snape, "I only hope his friends are as understanding."

"I don't concern myself with such trivial things," Snape said offhandedly.

"And what 'trivial things' do you refer to Severus? Friendship? Or perhaps -- Love?"

Snape looked up at the headmaster and met his piercing eyes. Without waiting for an answer, Dumbeldore continued, "Love is the greatest weapon we have against Voldermort and those that stand with him."

"I'm not a student, Headmaster," Snape replied but his voice lacked the coldness that it often maintained.

"We are all students, continually learning from our faults and mistakes."

Snape turned his gaze towards the books around Dumbeldore's office rather than attempt a response. The result was a rather tense and awkward pause, at least Severus thought so, he knew for certain that the Headmaster wasn't the least bit fazed by the silence that elapsed.

"Ah. Severus my boy, she is no longer a child --"

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Severus cut Dumbeldore off before he could continue.

Dumbeldore smiled sadly at him and Severus felt himself deflate slightly, it was hard to keep up the fascade around Dumbeldore.

"I would like you to keep a closer eye on Miss Hermione Granger."

Snape's forehead furrowed in confusion. 'Why the girl? Surely if we concern ourselves with any of the students it would be Potter.'

In response to Snape's silent question, Dumbeldore explained.

"It would appear that Mr Weasley has performed a, albeit altered, 'Everlasting Bond-Of-Blood' spell on Miss Granger."

"Wh--WHAT!"

"Indeed, that was my same reaction when I too was informed."

"Reckless, completely and utterly reckless. How did he even know about it? There have only been theories about that particular spell and further it was outlawed by the Ministry when all those people died! What a fool!" Snape spat angrily, the depths of the idiocy of those three students never did cease to amaze him.

"Yes, yes, Severus, dangerous and some might say reckless, but it is done now and cannot be undone as you well know. I can only assume that young Mr Weasley thought that since he was going to pass away in a short few years that he would protect Miss Granger. An undying declaration of his love and affection, I find it admirable, reckless yes, but admirable none the less."

"And the fact that Miss Granger is literally sucking the life out of him doesn't concern you at all?" Severus asked in disbelief.

"That does concern me, but what is of greater concern is whether he will endure through the training that Jessica has informed me of."

Snape head shot up at these words.

"You knew! And yet you let her lead a student into the forest knowing what he was going to have to do to get back out!"

Severus stared at the Headmaster incredulously.

"It is regrettable but I will continue to believe that Mr Weasley will persevere and maintain his sanity through the process. But you of all people Severus must know the fate of the 'friend of Harry Potter' or anyone for that matter that stands with Harry, the one destined to defeat Voldermort."

"That is true," Severus agreed, " but killing is not in their nature."

Dumbeldore sighed sadly before replying.

"Despite all this, I fear that Jessica may use extreme methods to persuade Mr Weasley otherwise. But in relation to Miss Granger…"

"Yes, alright, I could hardly refuse and order from the Headmaster."

"Severus, you always have a choice."

Snape held Dumbeldore's gaze for a moment before the sound someone moving up the spiral staircase halted their conversation.

"I do believe that young Mr Potter has come to pay me a visit as well," Dumbelore stood from his seat and walked with Severus back towards the door.

"Potter. How did you know the password to get up here?" Snape questioned suspiciously.

Harry racked his brain to cover the truth, that he had followed Snape and that's how he knew the password.

"Now, Severus, I'm sure Mr Potter has a very good reason to want to see me. Come in Harry, Come in," the Headmaster said stepping to one side to let Harry in.

Harry watched Dumbeldore and Snape talking quietly beside the door before Dumbeldore closed it behind him.

"Now, Harry, how were you planning on asking me to teach Occulemency?"

Harry's eyes widened in surprise in shock.

"Professor, how did--"

"You forget Harry, that the castle is teeming with my spies ," Dumbeldore joked nodding towards the portraits above them.

"Now, shall we discuss these plans of Miss Granger's?"