She sat still, fingers hovering over keys. Realizing that she'd just been playing the same two measure melody for five minutes. Sighing, she reached up, stilling the metronome. Olivia cringed at the screech of the bench as she pushed herself away from the piano.

Playing had done nothing to calm her recently. Ever since that night at the Manor, all she felt was a damp, dark cold slithering itself around her and she just couldn't seem to shake it. She still felt his mind gently pressing against hers and it unnerved her. As soon as they'd made it back to the castle, she'd retreated to the bathroom to shower, hoping the hot steam and water would get rid of that feeling.

Studying had become more commonplace than music or art. However, it wasn't her assigned course text that she was focusing on, it was defensive spells and spell creation. Olivia had made a difficult choice to put her all into one subject rather than trying to research what had happened before that caused her to witness the attack at the World Cup or the bits and pieces she caught of the Dark Lord's return. Right now, that wasn't priority for her. She hadn't had any problems since, but felt the urgency to protect herself now more than ever. So she studied.

It had been fruitful; she'd finally been able to cast the more basic defensive spells non-verbally and was in the process of creating a defensive spell of her own. While she had been pleased with her progress in those areas, what still proved problematic was the Patronus charm. Olivia had managed to produce a constant shield form, however, the corporeal form still eluded her.

As she walked back to the dungeons, she thought on the upcoming school year. She was anxious for it to start. Having Draco back where she could talk to him would help them both greatly. Also, the normalcy would make her feel more at ease.

The station was as packed as usual when she'd boarded with Draco. Her father had been unable to accompany her to the train since he had a meeting with Dumbledore; they'd only apparated to meet the Malfoys in London. She had bid the Malfoys 'goodbye' and found her way to an empty compartment.

Draco sat stiffly next to her once he'd closed and locked the door. The silence was stifling until the train began to move. She could see it in his posture that, the further they got from station, the more he relaxed. Olivia took his hand, squeezing it tight, reassuring him that they were indeed going to Hogwarts and he wouldn't have to return until the holiday.

"What's on your mind?" he asked after a long while.

"Just thinking about what we have to do to keep face," she replied with a slight grimace. "I can't do what you do, Draco."

"We have to, Olivia; if we-" he seemed to hiss, frustrated with the subject being brought up.

"I'm not saying that what you do isn't what needs to be done," she began, exasperated. "Trust me. I understand why. I'm simply saying that I cannot. I can't be someone I'm not."

He looked down at their hands, nodding to himself. "What will you do, then?"

"I don't know yet." Olivia sighed. "You do whatever it is you need to, Draco. I have to figure out my own way." He tightened his hold on her. "I've been thinking, though. This...between us...we should keep it private. If he were to know that we... I just don't want something to happen to you because he thinks it will get to me or father and vice versa." She studied his expression; he seemed disappointed, but understanding. "If you have to use Pansy to make people think otherwise, I-"

"I'm not going there again, Olivia." His jaw was clenched. "I get what you're saying, but...," he just shook his head.

"I'm just letting you know I'd understand. I'm certainly not saying I'd like the idea." She turned to face him. "If you do, though, please do not let me see it." Raising her other hand, she pushed the hair away from his eyes. "I really wish you'd gotten a haircut," she laughed lightly.

"You're one to talk," he said, smirking, gesturing to her own hair.

Reaching around behind his neck, she pulled him towards her, their lips meeting gently. The same fire that she felt each time pooled in her belly again as he deepened the kiss, his tongue lightly swiping across her bottom lip. Allowing him entrance, he took over, wrapping his arm around her waist. Olivia could feel him tense his hands, keeping them in place. He pulled back, his breathing unsteady as he pressed his forehead to hers.

As the train came to a stop, he nodded to her, silently telling her to go first. She squeezed his hand once more before sliding the door open. She straightened, putting on a mask of calm, and began her way off the train and onto the platform.

"Olivia, hey," came a voice from afar. She looked to see Hayden getting off a couple cars down. He ran to catch up to her. "I looked for you, but couldn't find you. Thought you might've just side-alonged with the professor to the castle."

"No, I just found a spot by myself, wanted to read in private on the way here."

"Oh, ok. You want to take a carriage with us?" He looked behind him, seeing Magnus walking towards them.

"Sure," she smiled. She nearly asked how their summer was, but kept quiet. They took the carriage in relative silence. It seemed nobody knew what to say without commenting on recent events.

After making their way into the Great Hall, Olivia noticed three distinct differences. Firstly, Hagrid was not seated at the professors' table; instead, there was an empty chair. Second, there was a stark presence of pink at the end, an obscene smiling blimp of a woman. Olivia could only guess that this was the new professor for Defense this year. Thirdly, it seemed that a large number of students seemed tense, especially among Slytherin and Gryffindor.

She sat stiffly with Hayden and Magnus Mulciber while they waited for all the students to file in. Once all the first year students were sorted, it wasn't long before the Headmaster made his way to the podium and began his usual speech.

"Good Evening, Children!" Dumbledore greeted, "Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We're please to welcome back Professor Grubbly Plank who will be taking care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave. We also wish to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Delores Umbridge, and I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor, 'good luck.' As usual, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you -" A high-pitched 'eh-hem' had interrupted him. Turning, he looked at Umbridge questioningly and she stood slowly, her heels clacking against the floor as she made her way up front.

"She looks like a pink toad," whispered Hayden next to her, which made her have to stifle a giggle because she really did.

"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends." Olivia heard a small mutter from the Gryffindor table, but couldn't tell who it was, but she was sure it was a quip at her statement. "The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each Headmaster has brought something new to this historic school," she said, nodding to Dumbledore. He nodded back with a tight smile, but it quickly turned to an annoyed frown when she turned back. "Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected, and preclude practices that must be prohibited."

As the woman returned to her seat, Dumbledore trying to, at the very least, encourage a small applause, it was apparent to the vast majority that she was not a welcome addition. Olivia was unnerved at the fact that she has obviously been a Ministry plant. She hadn't been out of the loop on how the Ministry was making things appear, Dumbledore and Potter especially. Many were at war with themselves on who to believe, but to those who knew the truth, it was the Ministry that was having the biggest problems.

Olivia was fuming, storming from her last class towards the dungeons. Defense was an utter joke now that Umbridge had been made professor. The Ministry had gone too far in this, limiting the use of magic even in classrooms at Hogwarts.

Not wanting to make a scene in the common room, she bypassed the portrait and went to her father's quarters, throwing her book bag in the corner of her room. She made a point of taking a calming breath before sitting on her bed.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, the door quietly opening to reveal her father's questioning expression. She sighed, having come to the conclusion that the portraits in these rooms reported to him when something seemed concerning. "I'm fine," she said. He narrowed his eyes. "Alright, I'm bloody pissed and didn't want to go to the Common Room like this. I wanted to hex that pink toad all through class." Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose, a gesture she had apparently inherited. This time, she didn't apologize for her language, hoping he would understand.

Severus tightened his mouth into a thin line and stepped further into the room. "You aren't the only one."

She looked up and relaxed at the frustration on his face. "Fudge is going too far. Isn't there something Dumbledore can do?"

"I agree, but I'm afraid it isn't so simple. We must endure it...until he accepts the truth."

"I could practice Defense in the school over the summer since no one was here, but, now, I can't and I'm not even allowed to have a wand out in the class that's supposed to teach it. We can't talk, ask questions, or use magic at all."

"Believe me when I say that I understand the frustration," he said, watching her continue to calm her rage. "Perhaps, in addition to your Occlumency, I could help you when I can. You know you can always come here if you need the privacy. I will see if I can have the room cleared and expanded temporarily."

She was beyond relieved, letting out a breath as she stood. Wrapping her arms around him, breathing in the latent air of Blood Replenishing potion, she thanked him.

"You must keep it to yourself, however. I can't be sure what would happen should Umbridge find out students are practicing outside the classroom."

"Of course."

"Now, if I remember correctly, I assigned an essay this morning, due on Friday."

She laughed. "Daddy, that's too easy. I'll have it in Wednesday."

"Well, since it is not so challenging for you, perhaps, in addition, you will have for me a comprehensive list of spells and hexes, both offensive and defensive, that you can perform and to what degree you can perform them."

The air was starting to cool as she sat outside, the grounds clear due to the obvious chance of rain judging from the clouds. Olivia sat alone on the stone bench, taking advantage of the quiet, quill scratching away at the parchment.

Her list was growing, nearing two feet at the moment. She'd first listed the obvious spells that were taught up to her current year and had started on lesser known hexes she'd learned from books of her father's or books that were gifted to her, some certainly more 'restricted.'

As she looked up from the list, she noticed a figure slowly walking in her direction. It was Potter. He seemed to be taking his time, likely trying to focus his mind. Olivia couldn't even begin to understand what he was going through.

Harry looked much worse than he had when she last saw him over the summer. She tried not to stare too long, but he did seem to notice her presence, almost hesitating in his step. She just went back to her list, which seemed to satisfy him since he continued to walk past her in silence. He seemed so lonely that day and she briefly wondered why he was alone. Where were his friends? Then again...maybe he wanted to be alone. She could relate sometimes.

Sighing, she refocused on her list, moving on to those that had a darker nature. Olivia understood what they actually meant to do, but she also knew that, in certain circumstances, she could use them if she absolutely had to. She also included the spell of her own.

Severus sat in his quarters, reading over the list that was left on his personal desk. He was impressed, to be honest, that she had managed so many, as well as moved on to non-nerbal. He had not missed 'sectumsempra'...his own creation, marked 'proficient.' Then there was the mention of a spell he'd never heard of, likely her own. He would need to see it.

Flexus – two modifications; creates a reflective shield, sending unfriendly spells back towards the opponent; proficient, moving to non-verbal.

The Patronus Charm was marked 'poor' by her, but he disagreed, seeing that she elaborated that she could only cast shield form. It was apparent that she wasn't happy with her progress there.

Merlin, she's not yet fourteen, he thought in her defense. He looked over her list again, noting all the 'proficient' and 'non-verbal' marks, some even in the darker spells. It was an extensive list. He should have expected such, but, admittedly, he didn't realize that he would feel both proud and pained at the sight, that she felt the need to learn so many and such dark ones. She's not yet fourteen...

At such an age, to have as much skill in spell casting as she did, was not common. There were few that could say that. He imagined that many during times of war ended up at that level earlier than most. Olivia was also as skilled in Occlumency as he was at that age, possibly more, but only time and test would tell.

Granted, he'd known much darker arts at an early age, but it was different, seeing his own child straddling that proverbial line. She's not yet fourteen...

"Whoa," she said under her breath. The room was much bigger than she was used to. "Dumbledore agreed to this?" she asked, walking inside.

"Well, he wasn't exactly happy about it, but he would rather this remain private practice instead of elsewhere with the risk of Umbridge finding out," he explained as he closed the door behind them. The room was empty, save for a fireplace. "The walls have absorption charms on them and any noise created here will not escape to the outside."

Olivia started pulling her hair away from her face, giving herself a ponytail. "So, where do we start?" she asked, anxious to begin.

"Have you dueled anyone before?"

"Only what we practiced in class the past two years, really."

"Let's start there, then. I want you to be able to stand even in a duel against me by the end of the school year." He saw her eyes widen. "You can," he assured her, taking stance, wand overhead.

She took the same stance, it being the only one she knew. It was natural, with experience, that many modified their stances to their style and comfort. Internally, she counted her breaths, calming herself, focusing.

With quick movement, she cast first, the non-verbal disarming spell easily deflected. It was immediately followed by his own attack, which she deflected easily enough, but she could tell he was going easy on her. He seemed to give her enough time to react. Casting after casting, she'd decided it was starting to make her mad.

"Daddy, don't...don't do that. If I'm going to stand on equal footing, then give me equal footing. I can take a hit if I don't deflect in time," she said, taking stance again.

Severus nodded, understanding. She was right. He couldn't go easy on her. She had to get this. He didn't take stance, but cast as quickly as he could.

She deflected three before taking a hit in her shoulder; she hissed at the stinging burn, but continued to deflect the spells he cast at her. He was casting too fast for her to turn offensive, but she needed to give herself the time. Olivia knew her spell could give her the time, but she wouldn't use it like this. She needed to get this with skill, not spell work.

Another spell grazed her side, but she was determined to keep going until it- Gasp. The spell hit her chest and the sting seemed to knock the breath out of her. He gave her a moment to catch her breath. "Again," he said simply as he started casting again.

Time wore on and, while she was getting better at deflecting, she still couldn't get a spell cast. She'd taken many hits. Olivia knew she needed to get one spell cast before this was done for the day. Her determination was growing more and more.

Growling in frustration, she dodged one, it flying past her shoulder, and sent a disarm his way. He deflected it. Olivia slumped a bit with disappointment, but satisfied that she was getting somewhere. As she caught her breath, rubbing her arm where the stings were mostly going. "Good. Again."

During the constant deflection, he would give her little tips. "Angle yourself. Make yourself a smaller target. Don't forget your balance arm. Deflect less; dodge more." She took everything to heart, trying to incorporate it all.

When she took a hit in the chest for, probably, the tenth time, he stopped. Her arm felt numb and her wand arm felt as if it would fall off. She wiped the sweat from her brow and leaned against the wall, calming her breathing again.

"That's enough for today. Practice your stances. You fall out of them and it throws your balance." Olivia could only nod at his suggestion. "Olivia," he said, grabbing her attention, "you did well." He could tell she wanted to argue, but was too tired.

Severus saw his own frustration and determination in her then. He'd never been satisfied with anything less than perfection at that age and was determined to best everyone who dared try to cross him. There was one difference. The reason behind his own determination had been to spite those around him; her reason was to protect those around her. He knew the look. He'd seen it in Lily.

"This spell you created," he began. "Show me." She took one more deep breath before standing tall again. "Explain your process."

She knew what he meant. It was something he did when creating potions from scratch. It all started with an idea, then what the idea needed to perform, and lastly, the result. "I had the idea to create a shield, literally, but a shield that would send the spells back towards the caster. It needed a barrier," she explained, making a swiping motion diagonally with her wand, "a reflective one, and the ability to reflect the spells or 'bend' them," twisting her wrist, she drew her wand around and inward, "back towards the opponent." She finished the movement by bringing her other arm up as if holding a shield. "Flexus, a charm/hex combination, is the result, a reflective shield." Olivia performed the spell in a swift movement while verbalizing the incantation.

The shield was near invisible to the naked eye. He crossed the room, opposite her. Casting a lesser stinging jinx, he watched as the shield mirrored it, a slight silvery ripple expanding from where the spell hit. He deflected the spell as it came back to him. Testing it, he used his full ability, casting and deflecting at intense speed with Olivia never having moved.

She smirked, seeing the slight movement in his brow. Impressed. "It served the purpose I wanted. However, It takes a lot of focus to keep it in full shield form and it is a long wand movement, which could give an opponent too much time, so I decided to modify it. Quicker wand movement, like a simple deflection, but using the same intent and incantation, provides a smaller shield, still bending the spell back towards the caster. She took her stance, nodding for him to cast. This time she used the spell non-verbal. "Protego is quite similar, but the bounce-back effect is unpredictable. Flexus will always reflect the spell back."

"Why did you not use it? That would have given you ample time to gain the upper hand."

"I shouldn't need to rely on it. I should be able to stand on equal footing by skill alone. I need to learn that."

"In here, yes. Any other time, use it."