A/N: Very quickly, I want to apologise for my lacking of writing this year! In March, my engagement was broken off quite horribly and I've been struggling quite a bit since then. However, I am now getting back to myself- I have started a new job, and will soon be moving into my own home and not renting a room off of friends as I have been! I'm feeling much better and more in the mood to write well, thank you for everyone who has not given up on me or my story :)
Chapter 56.
Magnolia had hated leaving Grimmauld Place on the final day of the Christmas Holidays. The final few days Sirius had been in an increasingly bad mood, choosing to spend most of his time hiding with Magnolia or Harry. As they were leaving, Sirius had enveloped Magnolia in a desperately tight hug that Magnolia hadn't wanted to let go of at all.
The journey back to the Hogwarts on the Knight Bus had been rather uncomfortable for Magnolia as well; she had decided not to sit with Tonks, Hermione, Ron and Harry and instead had sat with Ginny, the Weasley twins and Remus by the back of the bus. She knew she wouldn't be able to deal with her brother for the long bus ride back to school, he had been in a foul mood since they found out about the Occlumency classes with Snape.
At the sight of the familiar castle, Magnolia breathed a sigh of relief and felt her entire body relax. All she wanted was to get back to her Common Room, back to her Housemates, back to her friends and Draco. Harry barely acknowledged that the group had made their way through the Castle to where Magnolia would need to split off from the others; George and Hermione both sent Magnolia an apologetic shrug.
Within moments of walking through her House portrait, Magnolia was surrounded by her friends and was being pulled towards the boy's dorm room. Nothing had changed in there at all over the break, Magnolia wasn't sure exactly why that surprised her, but it did. She felt a change in herself over Christmas, since the Malfoy Dinner, and she was surprised that that change hadn't moved to the outside world.
Around her, her friends all spoke at once, questions were being fired across the room from every angle and for Magnolia, who hadn't spoken much since leaving Grimmauld Place, it was quite overwhelming. One thing had kept her grounded though, one voice and one touch. Draco's hand hadn't left hers since he had seen her walk through the Common Room portrait, his other hand currently rested on her opposite hip as she practically leant back into him at the onslaught of her worried friends. His voice in her ear, softly telling her to breath was the only thing that was really making much sense to her.
"Everybody be quiet or get out!"
Magnolia was glad that Draco was finally taking control of their friends, the sudden and shocked silence in the room made it much easier for her breath evenly. She knew they meant well, but none of them had sat through the meal with the Dark Lord. None of them had had to lie to their family because of it. Draco was moving Magnolia now, allowing her to sit on his bed and completely sag into his side.
"Sorry Mags, we just want to make sure that you're ok."
"It was just a tough break, honestly I'm glad to be back." Her voice was hoarse as she spoke for the first time in hours, "If you all really want to have this conversation now, I'm going to need treats and a hot chocolate."
It was almost as if Magnolia's words had kicked her friends into action, like a General's would have as they all nodded at her and started discussing their part in her plan. Magnolia smiled softly at her friends and rested her head on Draco's shoulder as Theo, her Lieutenant, took charge.
"Right, you heard her. Pansy and Daphne, you go to your Dorm and get you girls some comfy clothes. Blaise and Tracey can go to the kitchens and get the food and hot chocolate, I'll meet you there, but first I have another errand to run. Draco and Magnolia, stay here and try not to get up to anything you wouldn't want us walking in on."
"Another errand?" Draco asked, clearly ignoring Theo's last comment.
"Yeah, won't take me long. We should all meet back here in 20minutes. Let's go."
Magnolia sighed as she watched her friends leave to their assigned tasks, before moving herself fully onto Draco's bed so she could almost lie down. It was just seconds before he joined her, wrapping her in his arms.
"You don't have to tell them you know." He murmured.
"It'll be easier to do it now, rather then waiting for a while and having to bring it all back up again. Besides, there are some things that you don't know as well. But there is one thing I need first, and most importantly."
Draco smirked, "Oh? And can I assist with this need?"
"You most certainly can," Magnolia smiled, barely able to keep herself from laughing as Draco repositioned the pair on his bed, "I believe you have my Kneazle? I would quite enjoy a cuddle from her."
Magnolia couldn't stop the laugh escaping her then, as Draco's face fell from the flirtatious smirk and his head dropped onto her shoulder with a groan.
"She was asleep on your bed last I saw her; do you really want me to wake her up?"
"I'm sure the girls would have woken her up by now…"
"Fine, fine. Your wish is my command, Princess."
When Draco walked back in not too long later, he was accompanied not only be Kaida, but by the rest of their friend group as well. Magnolia quickly took Kaida from him, relishing in the feeling of her pet rubbing her head against her and purring. Magnolia and Tracey took turns going into the boy's bathroom to change into the pyjama's Pansy and Daphne had bought them and then they all settled down on the beds around the Dorm.
Magnolia sat, contently, with Kaida on her lap and leaning back on Draco's chest with an assortment of treats surrounding her. They all had a selection, and it seemed that the night would be a long one that would probably affect them in their classes the following day. Sighing in resignation as everyone hushed and glanced at her ready to hear her story, Magnolia took a sip of her hot chocolate only to be left coughing and spluttering as what tasted like Firewhiskey burnt its way down her throat.
"Thought you might need a bit of Dutch courage, or to drown your sorrows either way, Firewhiskey seemed like a good idea tonight." Theo grinned, finally letting the group know where he had sauntered off to when the others were gathering the supplies.
"Warn a girl next time." Magnolia coughed slightly before hesitantly filling her friends in on what had happened at Malfoy Manor and what Professor Snape had had in store when she returned.
The following morning, she awoke in Draco's arms, just as she had fallen asleep the previous night. None of the girls had gone back to their own Dorm, so Theo and Blaise were both asleep on the floor, letting the other girls have their beds. Magnolia moved ever so slightly so she could look at Draco but let out a gasp when she saw he was already awake and watching her. He was gazing at her with a relaxed smile, his fingers playing with the charms of the bracelet that remained on the wrist she had resting on his chest.
"I never thanked you for my Christmas present. I love it." Magnolia whispered, trying not to wake the others.
"Well, I figured since everyone else seemed to be allowed a symbol of themselves on your bracelet, I wanted one too. And actually, the moon charm gave me the idea as well."
Magnolia frowned at Draco; she had never told anyone that the blue-green orb charm was anything to do with the moon. Draco chuckled at her, stroking his fingers through her hair.
"I noticed it back in Fourth Year, how it changes colour. I'm embarrassed to admit how long it took me to realise that the colour change coincided with the cycle of the moon. Since then, I've been thinking it was a clever way to warn you of when the moon is full, and so when you may feel less like yourself. My charm has an ulterior motive too, it will let you know when you're in danger."
"How?"
"It'll move, and hiss." Draco chuckled, "I was hoping it might help you with fear of snakes too."
"What does it count as danger? It didn't do anything when I was at Malfoy Manor."
"I did worry about that when you first arrived, and I saw you wearing it. I suppose, the Dark Lord has always said he doesn't want you harmed in anyway, it makes sense that there was no real danger for you there." Draco told her, before kissing her hair, "We should wake the others if we want to get down to breakfast before class."
Magnolia nodded, she had Double Potions first thing so she knew she would need some food in her to be able to focus properly through the class. As she and the girls went back to their own Dorm, Kaida following closely, Magnolia quietly thought about her day ahead. Tonight, would be her first Occlumency lesson with Professor Snape and her brother, she was hoping Harry would snap out of his bad mood for the lesson and actually take the help he was being offered. Something told her he wouldn't be so happy to do though, if only because of the professor helping him.
Later that day, Magnolia stood by the doors of the Great Hall waiting for her brother. She had spotted him at lunch time with a bright smile on his face, so she felt confident that he would at least be tolerable this evening. When he slowly walked up to her however, she wasn't so sure.
"You seem a lot less chipper than you did earlier." Magnolia remarked as the pair began walking towards Professor Snape's office.
"Yeah, well, it wore off because of this." Harry grumbled.
Magnolia huffed and grabbed hold of her twin's arm to pull him to a stop. The faced each other now, alone for the first time in what felt like a long time to Magnolia. A part of her wasn't sure she entirely recognised the boy stood in front of her; his entire body held a barrier around it, the fire in his eyes stonier than she had ever seen them.
"Harry, please try to be more enthusiastic about this. I know you don't like Professor Snape, but he's teaching us Occlumency to help us- to protect us. Protecting your mind is incredibly important, especially now."
Harry scoffed and opened his mouth to throw a retort at his sister, but Magnolia was too quick for him. Throwing her hand in the air as a signal for him to not speak, she began walking again, and only spoke when she felt her twin's presence beside her.
"So, why were you so happy at lunch?"
Next to her, Harry's step faltered a little as the grin returned to his face, "The Hogsmeade trip on Valentine's Day."
"What about it?"
"I'm going with Cho."
Magnolia laughed at the giddy look on her twin's face, how his entire body seemed to stand taller as he told her. It was only moments before Harry laughed with her.
"Look at you, getting a romantic life." She chuckled at her brother, feeling for the first time in a long time some resemblance of how they used to be.
The rest of the walk, Harry filled Magnolia in with exactly how he had come to ask Cho on the date, causing Magnolia to laugh at her brothers complete naiveness. By the time they reached Professor Snape's office, they both felt a lot lighter. Magnolia knocked and pushed the door open, walking into the dark room with her brother following. The pair sat down on the chairs in front of the professor's desk, staring in confusion at the Pensieve that stood upon it.
"Well, you know why you are here. The Headmaster has asked me to teach you Occlumency." Professor Snape began, "As I told you back in your dear Godfather's kitchen, this is a branch of magic that seals the mind against magical intrusion and influence."
"And why does Professor Dumbledore think we need it sir?" Harry asked, tersely.
Magnolia glanced between her Head of House and her twin brother almost shocked, how could Harry not know why they were here?
"Surely even you have worked that out by now, Potter? The Dark Lord is highly skilled at Legilimency-"
"What's that, sir?
"It's the ability to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind-"
"He can read minds!?" Harry cried, looking towards his sister.
"You have no subtlety, Potter." Professor Snape drawled, "You do not understand fine distinctions. It is one of the shortcomings that makes you such a lamentable potion-maker."
Magnolia sat quietly as the two went back and forth, Professor Snape explaining exactly why Harry needed to be taught Occlumency and how it would protect him against an extremely dark wizard who can look into his mind and can tell when almost anyone is lying to him, and Harry snarking back at his teacher like he hasn't been touched by this before. Even Magnolia was shocked to find out that things had progressed though, that Tom Riddle knew that her brother could share a link with him and that he had shown Harry the attack on Mr Weasley.
"The important point is that the Dark Lord is now aware that you are gaining access to his thoughts and feelings. He has also deduced that the process is likely to work in reverse; that is to say, he has realised that he might be able to access your thoughts and feelings in return-"
"And he might try and make me do things?" Harry asked, quieter than the rest of the time he'd been speaking.
"He might. Which brings us back to Occlumency."
"What about Maggie? Why does she have to learn it, she's never seen into his mind." Harry asked, angrily.
"No, however as the Dark Lord has no interest in seeing Miss Potter dead it seemed pertinent to the Headmaster that she also learn to protect her mind from attack or manipulation."
Professor Snape stood then, bringing his wand out of his pocket before telling Magnolia and her brother to stand and retrieve their own wands, effectively ending Harry's questions about Magnolia. Magnolia watched as Professor Snape invaded her brother's mind and Harry was powerless to stop it, until it was her turn. She stood in front of her professor, her wand in her hand and thought about all the times Draco had helped her to empty her mind. Slowly, she felt her mind beginning to drain of everything, but it was just moments until she heard Professor Snape cast the spell.
Her mind felt too full, like there was too much trying to squeeze into one area. She could feel Professor Snape rooting through her memories, she could see the flickers of the scenes as he paraded through her mind. One of those flickers hit her like a tidal wave though, just one voice floating through her mind between all the others.
'Breathe, Lia."
Magnolia grasped on to the voice in her mind, centring herself and forcing every other memory away, behind a large ornate door that she could lock and only she could unlock. Letting the voice echo in her mind, she used as much strength as she could to push the invading mind of her Professor away, until she felt completely alone in her mind again.
Magnolia opened her eyes, catching Professor Snape's quick smile as she realised, she had performed Occlumency. Something her brother had been unable to do that evening as Professor Snape hadn't gone easy on them at all. Her entire body was tense from the effort, but she couldn't help as her own smile grew; she had done it.