Chapter 27

Occlumency

The next day, I opened my eyes to the sound of yelling.

"Fredrick Weasley, how dare you get drunk!" Mrs. Weasley yelled, "I am absolutely disgusted!"

I rolled over in bed to see if everyone else was awake. Yep, they had all gone downstairs already. I grabbed the necklace George gave me and put it on. Lately I have been wearing it everyday and I don't plan to take it off.

I headed downstairs to have breakfast. Mrs. Weasley was giving Fred and George a lecture still so I didn't go near the living room. Amelia was in the kitchen.

"Morning Amelia," I said to her. She looked dazed.

"What happened to me yesterday?" she asked, "I don't remember much,"

"Um," I started, "you and Fred…"

"I remember that much," she snapped.

"Sorry," I mumbled.
"I can't believe how stupid I was," she said, "I wasn't being careful. Even while drunk, I should have said no but I didn't because-,"

"Because what?"

"Because of the fact I know I will never date Fred. He has a girlfriend already. I'm jealous of that girl. She's so lucky to have Fred as a boyfriend because he's so hot and sweet and funny," she looked at me almost in tears, "and now it pains me to think that his heart might be broken because of me. That one way or another that girl is going to find out what happened that night with the two of us. And that's what hurts the most. Thinking of all the damage I did and how it will affect Fred in the future,"

"Amelia," I said, "this isn't you fault. You were drunk,"

"It was my fault. My fault that I didn't say no. My fault I decided to be so selfish because I have a crush on Fred. It's my entire fault,"

I was about to say something when Lupin (an other member of the order of the Phoenix) came into the kitchen followed by Harry and a hooked nosed man I knew very well. Professor Snape.

"Karina, Professor Snape would like to have a few words with you and Harry,"

"Um, okay," I said sitting down on a chair.

"Amelia, would you mind leaving us for a moment?" Lupin asked.

"Certainly Mr. Lupin," she said heading out of the kitchen.

All of the sudden, Sirius made his way inside the room.

"What is this about Snivellus?" he barked at Snape, "why do you need to talk to Harry and Karina during winter vacation. It's supposed to be a break. A break from classes,"

"I only came here to deliver a message from the headmaster, not to talk to you," Snape sneered at Sirius.

"Then get on with it. And make it snappy,"

"The headmaster," Snape said, ignoring Sirius, "wishes that Miss Rookworth and Mr. Potter take lessons in Occlumency for theremainder of the year,"

"What's Occlumency?" I asked, "Sir?"

"It's an art that will help you against the Dark Lord," he answered, not really answering my question.

"Why do I need this, sir?" Harry asked. Snape gave him no answer.

"You will meet me every Monday at 7:00 for a class on it and whenever else needed, is that clear?" More classes with Snape? I thought. Dumbledore has to be joking. Despite that all, I nodded.

"You are to tell nobody about what these meetings are about. Tell them you have to take Remedial Potions which people will believe because Mr. Potter is in great need of them,"

"What about Karina, Professor?" Harry asked, "what will she say for people to believe her? Her average in everything is excellent,"

"Her second year Potions is slacking," Professor Snape sneered at Harry.

"Am I clear to you both?" Harry and I nodded.

"Monday 7:00," he reminded us. And with that, he headed out.

After Snape left, I left the kitchen and found Amelia. I told her what was happening.

"That sucks!" she exclaimed, "Snape even scares me,"

"I know," I said glumly, "but what could I do,"

"Extra classes with Snape?" said a voice, 'Dumbledore has got to be going mental," It was George.

"Its lessons in Occlumency," I said unhappily, "but what can I do?"

"I guess since its Dumbledore's orders you can't really protest," Amelia said.

"Yeah,"

"Don't worry," George assured me, "it'll be okay,"

"Thanks," I muttered. I looked at Amelia.

"I'm going to go talk to Fred about what happened," she said, "see you," we were alone.

"About last night," George said, "I am really sorry. I lost control of what I was doing. I don't remember anything at all. What did I do?"

"You um," I started, "um,"

"What?"

"You tried to drag me upstairs," he knew what that meant.

"Karina, I am so sorry for it all. I wasn't being careful and I want to thank you for not letting me do anything stupid,"

"Did you hear about what Fred did?"

"Yeah. I still can't believe he was so careless," George said.

"I know. Amelia's beating herself up pretty hard right now. It's like everything is her fault when it's not,"

"You are right. It isn't her fault," George looked at my neck.

"You're wearing it," he said, looking at the pendant.

"I know," I said. He just smiled.

"Can you forgive me?" he asked, "I really didn't mean it,"

"Of course, I said. And I just sat there, smiling.