Disclaimer: I own nothing…
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! Sorry it took me so long to update! I've been having a bit of a writer's block problem, so if the chapter sucks, that's why…
Harry walked into work a few days after telling Lexi he never wanted to see her out of work again to find her sitting in her usual chair, eating chocolate.
"Oh, gee, thank goodness you're here. I was just starting to worry that you were dead or something," Lexi said, sarcasm apparent in her voice.
"Don't sound too hopeful." Harry said bitterly as he sat down. "You might make me think you wanted me dead and I think that would suffice as the threat needed to get you kicked out of the program."
"I'm so afraid," Lexi said, rolling her eyes. "How's your beloved Elizabeth?" Lexi asked, resentment in her voice.
"Charming and your dog?" Harry asked nonchalantly.
"I don't have a dog," Lexi said.
"Oh, well, so no companionship, huh? Must be tough," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "Then again, I suppose you scare the crap out of dogs, so I suppose it's for the best that you don't have one."
"Are you going to teach me anything or are you going to antagonize me all day?" Lexi asked in annoyance.
"Watch that temper, Reagan. Today, I'll be teaching you how Occlumency." Harry said with a smirk.
"You know Occlumency?" Lexi asked in awe.
"Of course. It's a necessary part of auror training. Fortunately, I've known since I was in school," Harry said, thinking back to his horrible Occlumency lessons.
"Shouldn't I learn Legilimency first?" Lexi asked questioningly.
"Quite frankly, it doesn't matter. However, I'm not really in the mood to have my mind picked today," Harry said with a sigh.
"Harry has a secret?" Lexi asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Lexi, I've experienced horrors you could never imagine. I'm sure you'll see them when you do learn Legilimency, but not today," Harry said with a sigh. Lexi rolled her eyes.
"So, do you care to teach me the basic principles or will you just dive right into reading my mind?" Lexi asked with a smirk.
"You won't be feeling so smug after this lesson so enjoy it while you can," Harry said with a smile. Lexi started to look somewhat paler than usual.
"How about I worry about my mental state and you worry about teaching me the theory?" Lexi asked.
"Whatever you wish. As you know, Occlumency is how one prevents Legilimens from reading their minds and thus finding out weak points of the person. Experienced Occlumens can seal off their mind and only allow the Legilimens from viewing what they wish, but at the inexperienced level can only sometimes completely close off their own mind. Today, I will be teaching you Occlumency in its simplest form," Harry told her. Lexi looked interested.
"How do I seal off my mind?" Lexi asked curiously.
"You basically attempt to drain your mind of all thoughts, more or less making it a blank canvas," Harry said simply.
"That's it?" Lexi asked in a surprised voice.
"It's much harder than it sounds. Chances are you won't even come close to properly sealing your mind today or for that matter, weeks," Harry told her.
"All I do is clear my mind of all thoughts?" Lexi asked.
"Yes, just try not to think at all," Harry said quietly. He watched as Lexi closed her eyes and screwed up her face in concentration.
"I think I'm ready," Lexi said after she had opened her eyes.
"Ok, stand up and take out your wand," Harry said as he stood up and did the same. "Right now, I'm going to look in your eyes and read your mind. You try to prevent that from happening by not thinking of anything. If you become to emotional, you will make it all the easier for me," Harry said. Lexi nodded weakly, closed her eyes for a second, and then opened them again.
Harry looked into her large, bright blue eyes and felt regretful for what he was about to do. He looked deeper and deeper into her eyes and felt that the connection had been made. He could feel that she was tense and apprehensive. Before long, he was looking back into her memory. It was flipping by like pages of a book. He saw a funeral with grieving people. Lexi graduating from school. Two people arguing. A man in his twenties screaming at Lexi and then eventually connecting his fist with her face. Harry blinked in an attempt to shut down the connection. When he opened his eyes again, he found Lexi sitting on the floor, crying. He rushed to her side.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked as he bent down. Lexi nodded. Her face was chalk white.
"So that's Occlumency, huh?" Lexi asked weakly.
"Yeah," Harry said quietly.
"How much did you see?" Lexi asked in a scared voice.
"A lot," Harry said quietly. "Here," Harry said, placing his hand under her arm and helping her into the chair. "Are you ok?"
"I'll be fine," Lexi said weakly.
"Here, have some chocolate. A teacher of mine once told me that it would help," Harry said, reaching into his desk and pulling out a candy bar.
"Thanks," Lexi said weakly as she took the bar from him.
"You can go home when you're done and we'll try again tomorrow," Harry said.
"No, I want to get this right today," Lexi said in a determined voice. Harry looked up at her, smiling slightly.
"I felt the same way after my first lesson, but it won't do you any good to keep trying today. The more tired you get, the harder it will be to clear your mind. Go home and get some sleep and we'll try again tomorrow," Harry said. Lexi looked like she didn't want to agree, but was too tired to argue with him about it.
"I suppose you have some questions?" Lexi asked quietly after a few moments of silence. Harry looked up from his paperwork.
"About what?" Harry asked. In all honesty, he was curious.
"You know what," Lexi said in response. Harry sighed.
"Go home and sleep. We'll talk about it later," Harry said simply.
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"Don't you think it's a bit soon for Occlumency?" Hermione asked later that day when she, Harry, and Elizabeth were eating lunch. Elizabeth had met them there.
"Why do you think so?" Harry asked as he put down his drink. He was holding hands with Elizabeth under the table.
"It just seems a bit soon," Hermione said simply. "I mean, most full grown wizards can't do it."
"You can. I can. It's essential," Harry said.
"I can't." Elizabeth said with a weak smile. Harry smiled.
"Ok, it's essential for auror training," Harry corrected himself.
"Don't you think the two of you are moving a bit fast?" Hermione asked.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked questioningly.
"Well, my student and I are no where near Occlumency," Hermione said.
"You don't want to discourage her," Elizabeth added.
"We're not moving too fast, she's mastered everything else so far. And, I'm not trying to discourage her, I'm preparing her," Harry said simply.
"Is she alright?" Hermione asked. Harry thought back to what he had seen in her memories. He couldn't tell anyone. "I mean, I remember after your first Occlumency lesson—" Hermione began. Harry shot her a look, not wanting her to go on. Harry still hadn't told Elizabeth about his past.
"What happened?" Elizabeth asked, interested in the story.
"Well, it was when we were in fifth year and Harry—" Hermione kept going. She obviously hadn't noticed Harry's look.
"Why were you learning Occlumency at fifteen?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"I—it—he," Harry stuttered.
"He had to learn it for certain reasons," Hermione covered. Elizabeth looked confused.
"Oh, well, I would love to know why, but I have to be going," Elizabeth said, looking down at her watch.
"So soon?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I promised I'd be back soon. Goodbye Hermione, it was nice seeing you again. Bye Harry, I'll see you soon," Elizabeth said, giving Harry a kiss and walking off.
"Kissing already?" Hermione asked a when Elizabeth was gone. Harry's cheeks burned red. "Lighten up, I'm just teasing. So, you haven't told her about your past yet?"
"I—I—" Harry stuttered. He knew what Hermione would say.
"Yeah, that answers my question. Don't you think she has a right to know?" Hermione asked in a know-it-all voice.
"She will know," Harry answered, gulping down the lump in his throat.
"When?" Hermione asked, placing her hands on her hips.
"When the time is right," Harry said, avoiding her eyes.
"The time will never be right for you," Hermione said sadly.
"Look, why does she have to know? Doesn't the future matter more than the past?" Harry pleaded.
"Harry," Hermione began in a sympathetic tone. "I know that you don't like to talk about it and that it will be hard for you, but don't you think she has the right?"
~~Well, hope you liked that chapter! Lexi's memories will be explained… Do you guys really hate Elizabeth all that much? I mean, I think she's likable even though I like Lexi more… I dunno… Review if you thought it was good!! Oh, by the way, if anyone wants to be notified about updates and doesn't get it from ff.net, you can e-mail me at Cajun_Rogue@Hotmail.com and I'll e-mail you about updates!~~
Faith456~We all love Lexi! I promise, Liz will be disposed of… Eventually… *Cackle*
Queen of Zan~I'm glad you like it and think everyone's in character!!
PotterChick1~I had to clarify! I was going to write her leaving, but I liked the ending w/Harry lying was better…
Mistik Elf~Well, here's the update! I hope you like this chapter!
Byttmeo7~Interesting new sn… Lol! I hate Cho too… Well, actually, I liked her in the fourth book cuz she seemed really sweet, but after we got to know her, I didn't like her very much. I feel kind of bad for her though…
Sunlight704~I'm glad you like! I update just about every weekend if you were wondering…