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There was something quite odd about the feeling of someone being inside your memories, Florence discovered. There was a peace about it, that was when happier memories were seen. And yet the intrusiveness of Legilimency was not felt until the memories were warped, and the intruder made themselves known. At times Florence had not realised Severus had broken into her thoughts and feelings until he made himself known.

'Come on, Florence. You can do far better,' Severus had said after a fierce battle to block him.

Florence collapsed into a chair, panting, 'I'm trying. It's far harder than the Patronus Charm.'

'It is incredibly advanced, obscure branch of magic, but a highly useful one. It is far too risky to attend any of the Malfoys' dinner without knowing Occlumency. Knowing Lucius, he'll be up to his old ways again if Karkaroff is right. All the former Death Eaters will be on high alert to get information about the others.'

'I doubt I'd run into any Death Eaters,' Florence said nervously laughing.

Severus sighed, 'I cannot promise that. I do not know what the Dark Lord's intentions will be if he returns. Knowing Lucius, he'd update the Dark Lord on the developments in my personal life.' Severus did not want to mention the fact Florence's mysterious past and heritage was the reason for that potential update. Normally the Voldemort did not care who his workers married or slept with, as long as they were not Muggle-born or women he wanted for himself.

Florence stood up, and held her wand in front of her ready, 'Okay, let's try again.'

Severus took a deep breath, 'Legilimens.'

Florence attempted to push back the force of the spell but soon the office morphed into images, flicking in her mind. A six-year-old version of her was attempting to catch a Niffler, she couldn't help but smile… she was ten and her grandmother had passed away… she was travelling to Paris with her mother… Lockhart… a puppy version of Misty… then Severus was drunkenly telling her he fancied her…

The montage of memories went back to her grandmother's death. Her mother was talking to someone Severus assumed was a relative. Young Florence was sitting sombrely reading a book whilst her mother was talking.

'… her grandmother wanted her to know the truth when she was older. I'm not so sure. How can someone handle that? I barely could.'

'I don't know Helena. Perhaps Florence could cope, she is showing immense power already.'

Helena shook her head, 'I can't do that to her. It's bad enough with the tabloids attempting to find out as much as they could… and Arnold selling stories and getting arrested.'

'What sentence did he get?'

'Something like tw-'

No… That's private…

Florence tried to push the intruder out of her mind, clearing any feelings of annoyance or upset at the scene. She could feel herself growing tired, despite the feeling of intrusion dying. The inevitable collapse occurred, and Florence groaned in anger, 'I was so close! I could feel you being pushed out.'

'You did brilliantly,' Severus said, helping her into a chair, 'a little more practice and you would have perfected it.'

Florence rubbed her temple, glancing at Eileen who was happily sitting in her high chair, 'I'm not sure. Are the Death Eaters more skilled at Legilimency than you?'

Severus scoffed, 'Many cannot manage the basic form of Occlumency, let alone Legilimency.'

Florence hummed, 'I guess that's okay.'

Severus sat on the edge of his desk, opposite Florence, 'That memory…' he watched as Florence nervously fiddled with her wand.

'Severus you already knew about my heritage,' she said, fiddling with her wand.

'I assume your ability to see flashbacks is the power mentioned?'

Florence nodded, 'My mother never really told me about. I worked it out by myself from trial and error.'

Severus hummed, 'These are the memories they will be trying to find. Anything to throw doubt on my supposed devotion to the Dark Lord or your possible powers.'

Florence rubbed her temple again, 'I do not see how this will benefit them! I can't control it, Severus,' she ran a hand through her hair.

Severus took her hand, 'I know, you're so close to perfecting the technique. We'll leave it for today.'

Florence nodded, 'Do you reckon doing random practices throughout the day could work?'

Severus tilted his head, frowning, 'I suppose I could. Obviously not during your lessons, but perhaps free lessons and meals.'

'And we'll have another go this evening.' Severus could see the urgency in her eyes.

He nodded, 'If that is what you want to do.'

She leant over and kissed him, 'If it means you and Eileen are safe then yes.'

/

Florence and Severus practiced again in the evening until Florence successfully managed to maintain a blank mind and shields, 'I think that's enough for today,' Severus said, seeing how exhausted Florence looked.

She nodded, 'I think I'll take a bath. Eileen's already asleep so maybe you could join me?' She'd already started to unbutton her dress, tempting Severus along to the bathroom. He hurriedly started undressing.

Before they could step into the bath a series of loud crashes followed by Filch cursing echoed in the corridor. Both Severus and Florence sighed as Eileen started crying and calling for Florence, 'I suppose you should see to Filch, and I'll settle Eileen down.'

'I won't be too long,' Severus said, grabbing his pyjamas and a dressing gown, 'Filch better have a good excuse for disturbing me.' He mumbled, glancing back at Florence who was wrapping herself in a dressing gown.

'I'll still be here,' she laughed, 'but in the bedroom. Waiting.'

He groaned, slamming the door behind him.

/

By the time Severus returned, Florence had fallen asleep reading. She jolted awake when she heard a door slam shut. She closed her eyes waiting for Eileen to start crying but was pleasantly surprised when Eileen did not wake up. She heard the drinks cabinet being slammed closed and Severus muttering.

'It's not his bloody business… nosey bastard…' she heard him mutter as he attempted to quietly make his way around the bedroom without waking her up. He cursed as he knocked over a lamp.

'You do not sound very happy,' Florence said sleepily.

'Someone broke into my supplies cupboard and Moody naturally questioned why Dumbledore trusts me,' Florence sighed as Severus took a large swig from the whiskey bottle, 'It's none of his business! He should be more concerned who has been taking ingredients to make Polyjuice potion. Probably Potter and his friends…' Severus paused to drink, 'I am sorry our evening did not go to plan.'

Florence smiled, 'It's not your fault. It's the second task tomorrow isn't?'

He groaned, 'Yes. The task is under water, so we will spend the majority of the time staring at the Lake.'

'Misty will enjoy that. Free day out for her.'

Severus snorted, 'At least someone will enjoy themselves.'

/

As Severus predicted, the waiting for the task to finish was tiresome for those who were indifferent to the results. Even the diehard supporters grew restless as the hour ticked away.

'Gillyweed! I told you the Potter brat stole from my supplies,' Severus hissed on the way back to the quarters, 'and he had the audacity to make it known!'

'Come on Severus, perhaps he found it somewhere?' Florence said, trying to reason with him. Misty whined, yawning, 'Don't you start too.'

'A plant native to the Mediterranean Sea which I have to order in bulk? No, no, he stole that last night. Something the vigilant Moody failed to notice,' Severus sat back in his chair, satisfied.

'Maybe someone stole it and gave it to him?' Florence suggested.

Severus shook his head, 'Potter has stolen from me before, so why shouldn't he do it again?'

Florence sighed, 'I guess you have a good point.'

The rest of the waiting was done in relative silence, with the Weasley twins collecting bets on who would be victorious. Misty ended up wandering around with the twins who made the most of the excitable dog and collected more bets by raising the spirits of the crowd.

'Karkaroff will dispute defeats Krum,' Severus muttered, 'especially now Fleur has been withdrawn. It's typical tactics, especially after the last task.'

Severus proved to be right, again. Karkaroff tried to contest the extra marks Harry received from trying to save the other Champions' loved ones. Karkaroff looked furious about the merpeople's report, but still smug that Viktor Krum was seating comfortably in first place.

'That man is awfully competitive. I thought he was going to put in a complaint at one point,' Florence said, scratching Misty's ear.

'He would've had Harry came first.' Severus said, scowling at Harry.

Florence elbowed him, 'Stop it! If you had some definite proof, you could scowl and bitch as much as you like. Until then, stop it and pick up Misty's poo.' Severus scowled again and waved his wand, causing the mess to vanish.

'You never said how to pick it up,' he smirked as she narrowed her eyes.

When they returned to their quarters, Severus heard the familiar tapping of the owl at the window. He opened the window and the owl dropped the mail and patiently waited for a treat, 'Florence, there's a letter for you,' Severus said, as the owl happily took the treat and flew off, 'Rita Skeeter has written a nasty story about Hagrid being a giant. That's going to cause outrage amongst some parents.'

'Poor Hagrid. He's so lovely and the students adore him,' Florence said, reading the letter. She collapsed onto the sofa.

'What's wrong? Is it bad news?' Severus asked, putting down The Daily Prophet.

'My father is being released from Azkaban.'