The Keeper

Chapter 29

"Today, there will be a change of pace." Professor Snape started. Yulisa, again, was already standing in the middle of the clearing, awaiting her instructions. "We will start with a hearing exercise, to keep your developing skills in tune; but then we will move onto defensive magic. While Defense Against the Dark Arts is not the top priority of these lessons, a competent repertoire of skill in the subject is equally important, should you find yourself... in harms way." He continued, stepping out from behind his desk and facing her. "We will revisit your previous curriculum at a later date." He concluded, taking out his wand. They spent the next five to ten minutes running hearing exercises, with multiple sounds moving about the room. When she had completed her task to his satisfaction, they continued. Based on the assessment he had given her five weeks prior, he knew she was already familiar with all, if not more, than was expected for a student of her year. Still, they began with a review. After ensuring all her bases were covered, his face grew very serious despite his eyes holding a gleam of excitement. He seemed happy to finally be teaching, what she had recently figured out to be, his favorite subject. "Now, Ms. Carmona, on a heavier note..." he began. "Since you are here to prepare specifically for a confrontation between death eaters, I must point out that the Unforgivable Curses are among their favorites." Yulisa slowly drew her breath in, suddenly listening very closely. "I'm sure you remember your lesson last year, regarding the three?" "Yes, sir." she said quickly. "Did you experience the Imperius Curse?" he asked inquisitively. Her eyes fell to the floor. "Yes, sir... but I was unsuccessful." she almost whispered, a glint of shame dancing through her voice. "I see." he commented. "Since I will not be performing any of the Unforgivable Curses on you, at the present time," she looked up quickly, her heart skipping a beat, "- understanding the theory of defense for these curses will have to suffice." Despite his words, she still felt a sense of fear creeping up inside her. "The Imperious Curse, as you have already been exposed to, is the only one of the three that can be openly resisted. Yet, this takes a great amount of willpower and usually, extended amount of practice. Similarly, a particularly strong willed wizard or witch may be able to resist the pain of the Cruciatus Curse, though I, personally, am unaware of anyone possessing such an ability. In addition, prolonged exposure to the Cruciatus Curse is known to cause permanent mental damage, so I suggest you use an alternative route of defense." he was now walking back in forth before his desk as he explained. "Unfortunately, there is no spell that can defend against the Cruciatus Curse, once it is cast, however, one may dodge the curse by hiding behind a solid object or by preventing the attacker from completing the incantation. Legilimency can be of great advantage in such a situation. Finally, the Killing Curse." The curse that took her mother, and the only curse her crystal could not shield against. "The only known counter spell is sacrificial protection. While the curse is classified as 'unblockable', meaning no spell can hinder it, one may dodge or block it with a physical barrier." he stopped, looking over to his pupil. Her eyes filled with acute interest. "Any questions?" "You said, sir, you may be performing an Unforgivable Curse at a later time?" "I think it would be prudent for you to gain more experience with resisting the Imperius Curse... yet, I do not see the point in performing the Cruciatus or Killing Curse on a student." He seemed to add, probably in response to the sudden defensive shift in her body language. "That is all for tonight, you may go." "Thank you, sir." she said turning to gather her things. She hadn't written down any notes during his mini lecture, however, he had known her long enough to confidently assume she would retain all that he told her without obstacle. "Good night, professor." she said at the door. He didn't respond, but ignored her, writing his notes. Shrugging it off she left.

The following Monday she gave her usual smile during attendance, which he seemed not to notice. She took her notes carefully, and as he made his rounds during application she whispered the common, "Good morning, sir." Again, she went unacknowledged. Feeling the tiniest sting of annoyance, she let it go. Thursday, the same cold shoulder. Friday evening, she walked down to the dungeons following dinner, and upon arriving at the wooden door, knocked. "Enter." he said. She spent her lesson practicing various counter jinxes and disarming methods. The entire time he kept his distance, his tone and body language formal. It was odd, since for the last couple of weeks he had progressively started using her first name. From the middle of her fourth year, they had been on more... relaxed terms. Yet now, he was treating her as if they were unfamiliar to each other. She wondered silently why he seemed to be regressing in his behavior. "You are dismissed." He concluded returning to his desk. "Thank you, and good night, sir." she said on her way out. Again, he gave no response. Over the weekend she felt slightly distracted, as she and Hermione plowed through their mountain of homework. How she disliked O.W.L. year! The boys sat beside them working less productively. When she had finished all her essays and assignments, she tracked down the book Professor Snape had assigned her reading in. She told her friends she was reading it to get ideas for the D.A., which wasn't completely untrue; and as promised she sent out her owl with another letter for Victoria. Monday's potion lesson carried on with his same discounting disposition; and as Yulisa neatly packed away her things, she rattled her brain. Straining to discern if maybe she had offended him.

"Yulisa!" Hermione called, hurrying to catch up with her friend who was walking down a corridor. Yulisa paused, looking back toward the sound of her name. "Do you mind if I walk with you?" Hermione asked. "Of course not!" answered Yulisa; the two starting along their way. "I was hoping I could ask you a question." Hermione started. "OK." Yulisa shrugged in indifference. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but... I was wondering why you would want to be friends with Professor Snape." Yulisa smiled, surprised they hadn't asked this question sooner. "Well, as I'm sure you know, Professor Snape is a very competent wizard. Highly intelligent too. Personally, I think he's brilliant. and he's really not so bad once you get to know him." Hermione held a skeptical expression on her face. "Have you noticed his inclination to the Dark Arts?" The question was a little unexpected. "Not really..." Yulisa lied, choosing her words carefully. "I mean, I know he has a great interest in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and maybe a slight fascination with darker magic... but nothing I would worry about. Why?" Now, it was Hermione who was selective with her words. "Well, you know he can be kinda a bully sometimes... and I was just wondering... for no particular reason... since you know him better, if... you thought it could be possible for him to... hurt a student." Yulisa stopped instantly, turning to look at Hermione with a very serious face. "No. In fact..." She hesitated slightly. "Promise you won't tell anyone?" "Of course." Agreed Hermione, both of their voices lowering, despite being alone. "Remember when I was sick at the beginning of third year?" Hermione nodded. "Professor Snape made me a healing potion so I wouldn't have to go to the Hospital Wing; and you know Umbridge's favorite quill? He healed that too." Yulisa explained, showing the back of her hand. Hermione stared at Yulisa's skin, slightly in disbelief. Though with the way Snape treated 'the golden trio', she couldn't blame her. A wave of relief seemed to sweep over Hermione's face, as she looked up smiling. "I'm sorry I said anything." "Don't be! I know Professor Snape can be... frustrating at times." Hermione gave a chuckle of agreement as the two turned for the library to study. Yulisa hadn't mentioned the fact that it was Snape who had literally saved her life in third year, or the numerous times he had been willing to defend it. It was true he wasn't the nicest person, even with her, but there was something so satisfying about his face twisting into a small smile. Something so rewarding on the occasion that he opened up, even if it was just little bit; and it was then that she realized how much it really hurt, for him to be shutting her out again.