Legilimency
By Raven Jade
"I really don't know why I'm here sir," Those were the first words Jade ever spoke at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Albus Dumbledore, being the headmaster of the school, was looking down at Jade through tiny spectacles perched on the end of his nose.
"Stand up please, Jade," said Dumbledore.
Jade started to stand, and as she did, she could see that she was standing in a rather large room, filled with colored glass bottles, all containing some sort of liquid. Across the room she could see a sliver of a window. Just outside, she could see some sort of game being played on broomsticks.
"Now, Jade," Dumbledore said, folding his hands on top of the desk he happened to be sitting behind, "What can you remember of your life before yesterday evening?"
"Well, er, let's see. I attended Hogwarts last year, and last summer my family and I took a wonderful trip to Bermuda and," But Jade never got a chance to finish because right then Professor Dumbledore interrupted.
"What would you say," Dumbledore asked, reaching into a drawer, "If I told you that the most powerful wizard in the world has been possessing you for the past six months.
"Well I...I wouldn't really know what to say," replied Jade truthfully.
"I do regret that I am the one to have to tell you this, but you have to know. Jade, you have been doing the dark lords bidding for the past six months, and would still be now if we hadn't found you," said Professor Dumbledore, holding out a figure who Jade presumed was her possessor.
"I... what?" What was she talking about? "But what about Hogwarts and...."
"A simple memory replacement charm," explained Professor Dumbledore, "It's a pity you-know-who had time to perform the spell before we could get you out of there."
"But couldn't you just... just reverse the spell?" asked Jade.
"The mind does not want to accept that the memories it has are not true," replied Dumbledore smiling, "Especially memories that are as horrible as yours I'm sure. No, we do not risk trying it and losing you completely. Now, I'm quite confident that you would like to hear more about your situation at the moment, but you really must get a good night's sleep. I'm sure Professor McGonagall will be happy to escort you to Gryffindor tower."
Professor McGonagall had somehow materialized in the doorway of the Headmaster's office. Jade stood up, crossed the room, and walked out ahead of Professor McGonagall. As they walked through the deserted halls of Hogwarts Jade couldn't help but ask:
"So..... I didn't really get an O in Transfiguration?"
"No, I'm sorry dear, you didn't....." said Professor McGonagall, trailing off as they reached the portrait of the fat lady. "Here you are dear. Just up those stairs to the right you will find your room. You will see that your trunk has already arrived. Have a good night's sleep dear."
"I sure will ma'am," replied Jade, as McGonagall slipped out through the portrait hole.
As Jade climbed up the stairs she found herself thinking about what Dumbledore had said. "The dark lord's bidding" kept going through her mind even as she found her trunk and climbed into bed. And it was still there as she fell into an uneasy sleep, filled with scenes that she did not remember experiencing....
