Chapter 5

She was there first thing on Monday. The students came in as usual putting their robes and shoes on some hooks and shelves along the wall. Dressed in comfortable clothes they each took their place at an overstuffed mat and waited for class to start. "All right we will begin as always.." I looked at Minerva, "with our breathing and stretching exercises." The class stood and did them along with me. After seeing the way they were dressed and my curriculum she left the room.

I took a deep breath and began the lesson. "Today we are going to explore the nature of our magical core. How to see it and interpret what you see. Around your body is a corona of electrical discharge know as a biofield. This biofield is displayed in many colors and patterns. The placement and intensity of each color will tell you about your health, both mental and physical, stress levels, personality traits, magical ability and much more."

I uncovered a device on a table at the front of the room. "This is a Kirlian camera. It is a photographic plate with a mild electrical current. This machine was invented by a muggle in the last century. It was an inspiration, but mostly ignored. I find it an invaluable teaching tool. You will all come forward and put your hand into this box and touch the plate. There is no pain or any sensation except for a faint gooey feeling on your fingers from the photograph. Who's first?"

Emily was the first to come forward. She was quickly becoming my favorite. "Okay Emily. Put your fingers gently on the plate and don't move for a few seconds." I clicked and held the button for exposure. "Now take your hand out carefully." I removed her photograph and handed it to her by the edge, asking her not to touch it until the image appeared.

With a new plate ready to go I asked them all to line up for their own. It took most of the class time to get everyone's picture done. The students were a bit excited and noisy as they watched the beautiful images appear. Around each digit was a halo of many colors, often with a white spike of what looked like lightning between. Each one as different as their fingerprints.

"Alright everyone settle down. I'm glad to see you so enthused. There's not enough time for us to go over them today. I want you to write your name on the bottom and then pin them to the corkboard. Do not let them touch. When you come in next class, retrieve them for discussion. That's all for today." Some of the more gifted students stared at the photo a moment longer. It felt good to know I was reaching some of them at least.

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I didn't see Hermione or Severus for nearly two weeks. At dinner I was told they often eat in their rooms. Hermione was glowing and Severus was extremely attentive. She must have asked him and it went well. I was very happy for them both. As I stared at him I noticed a slight shadow. Like an after image at his shoulder that wasn't there before. I wondered if I could talk with them privately. I needed to tell them. I didn't know how he would take it and I was glad Hermione would be on my side. Severus was a very private and reserved person. He would not want to hear what I had to say let alone believe it.

I waited until I saw them get up before I began to leave myself, hoping for a conversation. I nodded my head in their direction, "Hermione, Severus, that was a lovely dinner don't you think?"

Hermione was smiling like the sun was in her back pocket. "Yes it was." Suddenly she put her hand on my arm. "Thank you Lydia. You were so right." She dropped her hand and looked up dreamily at Severus, taking his hand as they walked away.

Damn! Do I chase after them? "Hermione?" They stopped in the entryway as I caught up. "Do you remember our talk about… well when I asked you about…" My eyes shifted between her and him. "Forgive me but I must speak with you both privately. Can I come to your rooms later? Say about 7:30?" Hermione looked confused but agreed after glancing at Severus for his approval.

I arrived exactly on time and knocked. Hermione met me at the door and welcomed me in. They had a lovely set of rooms despite being in the dungeons. I took a seat by the fireplace as they settled on the couch. "Thank you for letting me come. I need to speak with you about something you may not understand or simply will not believe. I do this because I must. Because it's who I am. Forgive me for being blunt but I've never been a very good diplomat." I looked up at them with all the worry I had in me.

"Lydia, please don't distress yourself. I have told Severus what you said to me. He is still skeptical, but he has a brilliant mind and is open to learning new things."

Severus came to me then with a glass of wine. "Thank you Severus. Then you must know what I told her about her friend Fred. That he was not moving on because of the grief of his family."

He nodded but his tone was not what I would call welcoming. "She told me what you said."

I smiled hoping to make this easier. "Grief is not the only reason a soul doesn't pass on." Finally I decided I should just say it. "Severus you have been touched by darkness, by true evil, most of your life. So far you have been physically free of it, but there are dark souls that have attached themselves to you. They are there, and their power is growing. They are feeding off of your magic, and they poison your subconscious. They speak through your anger. They whisper to you in the dark of night."

He looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. "I know you don't believe me, but there is one here that wants me to give you a message. She says it will help me to convince you. Will you let me prove it to you?"

Hermione sat next to him and took his hand. "Please Severus, Give her a chance."

The baritone of his voice danced along my nerve endings. "What do you want me to do?"

I stood and asked Hermione to move so that I could sit next to him. "Give me your hands, close your eyes and breathe with me." He was hesitant at first, but one look at his wife convinced him. I cupped his hands in mine and we began to breathe.

As soon as I felt he was ready I pulled at his core gently. He was the most powerful wizard I had ever touched and it took all my skill to harness it. "She is giving me an image of two children next to an old willow tree. She'd been chased and tormented by her sister. You gave her dancing leaves to comfort her. You know her, but you do not understand her. A young woman, beautiful. Tall, thin, long red hair, emerald eyes."

Severus eyes flew open and he tried to take his hands back, but I held on tight and Hermione calmed him. "She wants to say thank you for watching over her son. She is glad that you have found peace and love. She asks for your forgiveness as she happily grants you her own. Be well. Goodbye."

I released his hands and he jumped up as if I were on fire. "Get…Out…Now!" I needed a few moments to recover and sat back on the couch. Balancing that kind of power was exhausting.

"Was I wrong? Did you not know her?" He was so angry his magic was flashing around his coat in sparks.

"I will not dignify that remark with an answer."

"Yes." Hermione answered me softly. "He knew her."

I nodded, "How long did you grieve for her? You were not the only one or she would have passed on."

"He grieved for nearly two decades." "HERMIONE DON'T! You will not pander to this woman's trickery."

He turned his back to me as if it were a steel wall. I sighed and sat up regaining some of my strength. "It's not a trick Severus. You're the best Occlumens in the country. Did you feel me in your mind? No! I don't cheat. She was here and now she's gone, at peace after saying what she needed to."

I needed to explain. "You must believe me. The souls around you now are darkness and evil, and I am afraid for you. You must let me help you to remove them. If not for your sake then for Hermione's. Please…" Silence. He would not budge. I gave up and went to the door. "Please think about it. Good night."

I left their rooms and went to my own. He had to see sense. I hoped Hermione could talk to him.

A/N Kirlian photography is a real thing. Check it out. A little magic in our muggle world.