Year One - Chapter 15.

—Would you like to explain to me what that was about?

—No. Would you like to tell me why you wanted me to come?

My father sighed and put his fingers on the bridge of his nose, sat in the chair behind his desk and I sat in the one opposite him. The dungeons were even colder than the rest of the castle and the sweater Mrs Weasley made me didn't warm me enough so I hugged my legs, hoping it would warm me up a bit more, but I was still shivering a little.

My father got up and went to his room, I just stared at the door waiting for him to return and when he did I tried to hide my smile behind my knees; after he put the blanket on me, he sat down in front of his desk again.

—Do you know what Legilimency is?

—Not really, it's like reading minds, right? I think I read some of that in the library at the Manor.

—In simple terms, you could say it is something like that, but in reality, Legilimency is something much more complicated than simply 'reading minds'. A Legilimens can extract the memories and feelings of one person and even create memories in the mind of the other person. How would you feel if I used Legilimency to find out what happened a few minutes ago outside in the corridor?

—Well, I don't know... Awful, betrayed, I guess.

—Exactly, it would be an invasion of your privacy.

—But... But, does that mean that anyone can see my thoughts?

—No, Legilimency is not a common skill, it is considered a dark art of magic and is not taught at Hogwarts for that reason.

—Are you a Legili-thingy?

—Legilimens. Yes, just like Dumbledore.

—And are you the only ones who know how to use it?

—I would like to say yes, but it would be foolish for me to think that. There is the possibility that at some point in your life you will meet people who would not care seeing your memories to get what they want and that is why I gave you that book, I want you to learn to empty your mind, that is what Occlumency is about.

—Do you really think someone would try to use Legilimency on me?

—I certainly hope not, but I would rather be sure that you can empty your mind in case that happens. Your... Your mother and I are both masters in Occlumency and I am also master in Legilimency so I do not think you will have a hard time mastering Occlumency, the skill runs through your body.

I was surprised to hear that he finally said something about my mother without me bullying him into saying something or just sending me to my room, I can't even remember the last time he mentioned her.

—Also, every time you want to read the book, I want you to do it here and leave it here, I do not want you to take it out of my office at any time, and you cannot tell anyone that you are learning Occlumency, as I said, it is not taught here for a reason.

—Wouldn't it be easier if you teach me?

—I will do it when you have an idea of how to do it. The book is good, but I feel it lacks some information. And after you read it, I will try to get into your mind for the rest of the year, so you better be prepared.

I took the book out of my backpack and stared at the cover, now I had more enthusiasm to read it, but I couldn't even open it, something was going on in my mind, I turned to see my father, he was already reviewing some essays that he had in his desk.

—Dad?

—Yes?

—Where is she?

I didn't need to mention her name for him to know whom I'm talking about, he stopped correcting the essay in front of him and put the quill aside, but he was still looking at the scroll.

—Why do you insist on talking about her?

—Oh, I don't know, maybe because she's my mother and I don't even know her name? I'm not asking you to take me with her or something just... Well, I don't know, I just want to know something.

—I will tell you when you are older.

—And when will that be? You said the same thing to me when I was 9, then again when I was 10, Aunt Cissy said the same thing to me in the summer when I was 11, I'm 12 now and you keep saying the same thing. When will I be old enough? Why doesn't anyone want to tell me anything?

—Eileen, she is away for a reason and I would rather you did not know.

—But-!

—Enough, Eileen! I will not tell you anything else.

I wiped a tear from my cheek with the sleeve of my sweater, I took the books and locked myself in his room. I lay back on the bed, I wanted to cry so badly but didn't want to, so I took the book my Aunt Cissy and Uncle Lucius gave me and started reading it.

I didn't even know what time it was, but it was definitely late. At some point during the day I had fallen asleep reading, I left the Occlumency book on the bedside table that was next to the bed and the other book I put it in my bag; I had a blanket on top of me that I didn't remember grabbing, I pushed it aside and got out of bed.

I left the room and I didn't see my father in his office or his study so I opened the door that led to a mini kitchen and saw him sitting in front of a small table, drinking coffee and reading The Daily Prophet.

—Hey. —I said as I sat in a chair in front of him

—Ah, it seems that someone finally decided to wake up.

—Did I really sleep for that long? —I stifled a yawn while rubbing my eyes with the sleeves of my sweater.

—You missed dinner.

—Oh, it's okay, I think I'd explode if I eat something again. I'm still full after the feast.

My father smirked and continued reading the newspaper, I stared at the table, I really wanted to tell him everything that was going on, everything Harry, Ron and Hermione were thinking about him, and I also wanted to know what he was doing on the third floor and why he was there, why he got bitten by the dog, but for that, I would have to explain many things that I didn't even know or understand, I would have to tell him the day those four (and I would have to put poor Neville in trouble) were out of the common room after curfew and that not only were they in that corridor but they also opened the door and found that huge dog, probably knowing they shouldn't be there.

Also, knowing him, he would wonder what Fred has to do with all this and the truth is that I don't know either, I just know that I feel different when I'm with him than when I'm with George or Neville. I know his smile is contagious and it makes me smile too, I know that in some way he is completely different from George and so I can tell them apart when they are not together.

—Is the table that interesting, Eileen?

—Ah? Oh no, I was just uhm... thinking, you know, homework and stuff.

—Oh, sure. I recommend that you think about... 'homework and stuff' in your common room, it is late. Or would you prefer to spend the night here?

—No, it's okay, but I think I'll be here all day tomorrow, see you, dad.

—Goodnight, Eileen. Do not go somewhere else other than your common room.

I took my now almost empty backpack and left my father's office, it was already dark and it was too cold, so I started walking as fast as I could. Halfway, surprisingly, I got a little hungry, so I took out the chocolate bar I had saved and started eating it.

I was already on the other side of the corridor, seeing the portrait of the Fat Lady at the end of the corridor when I saw it open, I thought about hiding somewhere, hoping it wasn't Fred who came out of the tower, but no one came out of there, I only heard the shriek of the Fat Lady asking who was there, but I had the feeling that someone was watching me.

—Girl! —Shouted the Fat Lady.— Did you see anyone getting out of here?

—No, I only saw that the portrait was opened, but there was no one behind it.

—That's what I thought... Password?

I looked behind me, I still felt that there was someone there and that they were watching me, but the corridor was still alone.

—Password?

—Dragon blood.

The portrait opened and I went through the hole, luckily there was no one in the common room and since I was not sleepy, I decided to sit in the armchair in front of the fireplace. The fireplace was completely off, but as soon as I sat down on the couch, flames appeared, heating the common room. I love magic.

I opened the spellbook to a random page and started reading about the Vermiculus Jinx.

This jinx allows you to transform certain creatures into simple orange worms that are weaker to spells and hexes. Some creatures, such as Vampyr Mosps, must be hit with this spell multiple times to achieve transformation.

To cast this spell you must point the wand directly at the target and clearly say Vermiculus.

I took a pencil that was on one of the study tables and put it on the floor, took out my wand and pointed it at the pencil.

—Vermiculus!

Nothing happened, the pencil was still a pencil. I kept trying several times but nothing happened, I was about to try again when I saw that the portrait opened again, but then again, no one was behind it, probably the Fat Lady dreams of passwords and that is why she opened the door even if nobody said it.

—Vermiculus!

Again the pencil was still a pencil and again, I had the feeling that someone was watching me.

—It probably only works on animals... Maybe I'll grab Scabbers for a few minutes and try it on him.

I could swear I heard someone gasp behind me, but when I turned around there was no one. I grabbed the book, with the pencil I made a small note above the title of the spell, it only works with animals, I put the book in my bag, put the pencil back in its place and went up the stairs to the girls' bedroom, I wasn't so sleepy, but that was probably the reason why I was hearing things.