- - - Ginny - - -

Mia and Dorthea get along splendidly. Not only that, they are, unfortunately for me, much more studious than I am. I mean, Dorthea worries about her O.W.L.s and we have nearly ten months to study, so I'm not sure where the panic is coming from. However, I have been able to convince both Dorthea and Mia - in distinctly different ways - that they need to be able to fly comfortably.

For Dorthea: she only had one chance to fly and so needs more data to make an educated analysis if she does or does not enjoy flying - if the girl is terrified of heights I won't push, but Dorthea has already assured me she isn't, so…

For Mia: you never know if there will be a time we need to go somewhere and apparition or floo travel isn't an option - Thestrals anyone? Not a fun ride. Brooms have more control than a wild creature that we can't see.

There isn't much that I'm decent at, but flying is one of them. Flirting, too, which has the benefits of driving my brothers barmy. Had. Had the benefit... I lean against the tree as Mia and I wait for Dorthea. Percy, on multiple occasions, has taken me aside to remind me about 'proper behavior' - which, for him, meant that I shouldn't snog anyone until I marry, and even then I suspect he simply meant he did not want to know about me snogging, even after I marry. Out of sight out of mind, I suppose. George and Fred merrily pranked anyone who I snogged or anyone who showed interest in me. Ron... I giggle and shake my head at Mia's confusion. "Just remembering," I murmur.

Ron had glared at whoever I was with at the time and muttered loudly enough for them to hear him about how they weren't good enough for me which was very sweet of him, considering I'm speaking about Ron. Bill and Charlie, of course, had moved out by the time I started school, not to mention when I first started finding boys attractive. Though, when I saw my two eldest brothers during breaks, they sat me down and said I shouldn't settle for anyone who's a berk and then they proceeded to teach me spells to use against said berks. My personal favorite came from Bill: the Bat Bogey Hex.

"Gin?" Mia's voice startles me and I glance over at her to see worry in her eyes. "Are you ok?" She gestures to her face and I wipe my hands over my cheeks to find them wet.

I chuckle and quickly clean my face up, along with any smudged make-up. After a quick glance around to find us alone I whisper, "Yeah, but I miss my brothers."

Mia is immediately by my side, wrapping her arms around my waist and her cheek rests on my shoulder. She doesn't say anything and I close my eyes, resting my own cheek against the top of her head.

After a few minutes I ask Mia, "Do you know Occlumency?" She immediately perks up and shakes her head. "Well, I'm going to the Room of Requirement to work on my Occlumency some time soon if you want to join me. I can teach you the little I know."

"I'd like that."

I grin. "Excellent!"

"So you're the Weasley's making waves in Slytherin," a voice calls out.

Mia tenses up and I unwrap myself from her and place myself between her and Sirius and the other three boys with him, one of ... I feel Mia tug on my sleeve and I chuckle softly as the other girl steps beside me with a huff. Right... Mia... I'm so accustomed to having Luna with me who's too soft-hearted to defend herself against another student. Death Eater, sure, but not a kid. Anyway, one of the boys looks like Lupin, the other is a Harry look-a-like who has to be James Potter which means that the fourth boy is Peter Pettigrew.

Thankfully rumors around the school have given me a name to call them. "The Marauders coming to check on us? I'm not sure if we should be flattered. We've heard of your so-called pranks." Mia bumps her shoulder against mine, giving me the go ahead to be the one to take the lead on this batch of knuckle-heads.

"Oh, you've already heard of us." Black - I can not think of him as Sirius, not yet - wiggles his eyebrows, sauntering forward with Potter on his heels and the other two following more slowly.

"What do you mean 'so-called pranks?" Potter asks.

"If the perpetrators are hurting other people - mentally or physically - for a laugh, that's called bullying not pranking." I roll my eyes and I'm sure Mia does the same.

"You seem a bit... nervous." Black sounds so cocky as he smirks at us.

Mia scoffs and I turn to Black when the other boys don't say anything about the bullying - even though Lupin fidgets - who is looking at us critically. I smile sweetly at Black. "We're hardly nervous of you. It's getting old with people coming up to us so we take turns shooting down idiots, berks, and narcissists who refuse to introduce themselves. You are no exception, I'm sure."

"They aren't," Mia mutters.

Black barks out a laugh. He gives a dramatic half bow as he says, "Then let me stop being rude and introduce myself. I am Sirius Black and it is a," his eyes travel the length of my form before doing the same with Mia, "pleasure to meet you both." Pig.

"The pleasure is all yours. I am Hermione Agosti-Weasley, this is my sister Ginny Weasley." Mia sniffs as she eyes the others, "And you are?"

I adore Mia. The boys are quick to comply with her demand.

"Remus Lupin.".

"Peter Pettigrew."

"James Potter, and didn't you bully the first years?" Good, now that's out of th - wait. What?

I feel like my eyes are going to pop out because I'm rolling them so much. "No, they were only frightened for a few minutes. We were carrying out the Hogwarts tradition of misleading the first years regarding the sorting and afterwards we explained why we did what we did."

A moment of awkward silence stretches before Black asks, "Ginny, not Ginevra?"

"Honestly, he has the attention span of a gnat." Mia huffs as I nod.

"Yes. Ginny. Unless, of course, you wish to be separated from your more," I let my eyes drift down the length of his body to drive my point home, "intimate bits."

"Feisty. I like." Black grins.

Potter doesn't say anything, too busy looking contemplative. Lupin seems uncomfortable and Pettigrew, interestingly enough, looks utterly bored and put off, barely paying attention to our conversation.

I grin. "I doubt you could handle me."

Mia giggles, not bothering to hide her amusement as she says, "I doubt there are many who can, sister mine."

"Ginny! Hermione!" Dorthea is hurrying towards us from the castle, waving an arm over her head. "Sorry I'm late!"

I turn my back on the four boys to call out to Dorthea that she's fine, head over to the tree Mia and I are near, and pick up two of the three brooms I procured from the school, holding one out to Mia. Once Mia holds it, I grab the third for Dorthea.

"You fly?"

I snicker. It's hardly my fault he set himself up. "What can I say?" I look over my shoulder and smirk at Black. "I know my way around a broom." Dorthea squeaks as she finally stands beside Mia and me. "Ready?"

We leave the boys behind so we can fly.

- - - Hermione - - -

Oh no. No, no, no. Bloody wanker. I blink in surprise at my own thoughts and do my best to keep my pace even, while internally I'm screaming, flailing, and running like a coward. Sirius Black has taken our reactions to his abhorrent behavior as some sort of weird, personal, perverted challenge. Any time the git sees us - Ginny and me - he gets that stupid grin on his face and tries to flirt. And the worse part? Sirius doesn't care which of us he is flirting with. He flirts with us both, even when Ginny and I are together... especially when we're together.

Sirius Black is a gormless dog.

And I'm not simply talking about his animagus form. Right. His animagus form. I wonder if they've managed it already? I haven't seen them around. Not that I expect to see a large dog and a stag prancing around in the castle, but still.

Then another thought comes to mind. If these three boys can manage the procedure, how difficult can it be to become an animagus? With all our homework, would it be worth the effort in trying? Possibly. Possibly not.

"Where are you running off to, Hermione?"

"I have not given you permission to use my given name, Black." An arm drapes around my shoulder and my instincts kick in. In one fell swoop, I draw my wand, step into him, and dig the tip of the wood under his chin finding purchase in the soft skin. Being short comes in handy sometimes. I can feel my adrenaline coursing through me as his hands immediately draw up in surrender, even if his grin only widens. I give Sirius the harshest glare I can manage and want to crow when my tone is cold as I warn him, "Put your hands on me again and you'll regret it."

"Woah," Sirius says. His tone is still playful, but his smile - at least - wavers… slightly. "No harm, no foul."

"On the contrary, you are foul," I say with a wrinkle of my nose. Stars, he really is. He smells of wet dog. I wonder if anyone else has noticed. Not important, Hermione! "You seem to believe yourself an adonis. I disagree. You do as you please, regardless of anyone else's feelings. You're narcissistic and..." I scoff, "...I find you lacking."

"Oi!"

"In your merry little group: Lupin is the smart one, Potter is the popular one, and Pettigrew is the quiet mysterious one." I tilt my head and frown at Sirius. "What does that make you besides the fool?"

"Harsh." Sirius pouts. Do girls really fall for that look? His IQ seems to drop a few points every time he opens his mouth. "I'm not a fool. I'm the handsome one, the one that gets the girl."

"Not this girl." I step away from him, but don't stow my wand. "You do not put your hands on a girl, especially one that does not seek your attention. That is rude and could be misinterpreted as an assault. If the latter is the case, I can justifiably hex your nether regions to extinction."

Sirius' grin - if at all possible - widens again. Stars, he is enjoying this. Sirius confirms it when he reminds me, "I did warn you that I like feisty."

"You're a menace, lack finesse, and are a disappointment for someone that is lauded to be one of the popular boys. Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do." I take a calming breath before looking at the other three that almost always seem to be tagging along with Sirius. James is smirking, Peter is gaping like a fish, and Remus is rubbing the back of his neck while trying to hide his grin. Remus also looks as if he is trying to decide whether he should speak or not. I sigh softly. "Right then," making Remus' decision for him, "Ciao."

I turn on my heel and make my way as far away as I can from that imbecile. That's not a fair comparison to imbeciles around the world, I suppose, but really... Sirius Black is so annoying. James Potter isn't much better, but he's so crazy about Harry's mother that he isn't flirting with us at least. Weird that Professor Snape was right about him. Potter really does strut around the school. Huh, who knew. Peter Pettigrew... I'm not sure what to think about him. He's such a creeper. Twelve years living with the Weasleys as their pet just so he can hide? Who's to say he didn't enjoy sleeping with little boys and I cannot believe my mind went there. EW!

Then there is Remus Lupin. I'm both relieved and disappointed that he didn't speak up. Not sure what he'd say, but the boy is really lacking in self-esteem. I wonder if that is because of his infliction or does he hide behind that as an excuse? Oh right. Lycanthropy. How should I tell Remus that we know about him being a werewolf? Should I tell him? No, probably not. It's much too personal and it isn't as if we're even friends.

I'm up one set of stairs, lost in my thoughts, before I realize that I'm not walking alone. Alastor Moody would be so disappointed if he ever knew that. Constant Vigilance!

Remus is walking beside me with his hands in his pockets. I look at him and huff when I realize that he's actually two steps behind me and we're at eye level. The boy is so bloody tall. Unnaturally so. Our eyes meet and he blushes before looking at the ground, or at the stairs in this case. How amusing. I can't help the teasing in my tone when I ask, "Can I help you, Lupin?"

"No," Remus says quickly and then his ears turn red as well. That's quite adorable, really. Ugh, the broody type. Nope, no, not going there. Stop it, Hermione.

"I see." I don't, but it seems the thing to say. It's what Professor Snape said often when he was trying to make us feel uncomfortable and wanted us to keep rambling to rid ourselves of any awkward silences… and why do I keep thinking about Severus Snape? Honestly!

"Where are you off to?"

"The library," I say, as if that is the most obvious answer ever... which to be fair it most certainly is... I'm a Slytherin, it is a Saturday, and I'm going upstairs and not to the dungeon. Where else would I be heading? "You?"

"Same," Remus says as he adjusts his pace to match mine.

"I see," I say again, but I'm still not sure why he is walking with me. "And you felt it was prudent to go to the library now... with me?"

"It's my way to apologize for Sirius' behavior. We both know he won't stop."

"True, and unfortunate," I agree. I steal a glance at Remus' profile. He is still walking with his hands in his pockets, watching his steps. Why do I feel compelled to make the boy feel better? "You don't have to apologize on his behalf, seeing how Black is anything but sorry for his behavior…" I can't help but smile at Remus when he laughs at my words. It's a pleasant sound. "Still I appreciate the sentiment."

- - - Ginny - - -

Out of my many traits, I have never been patient. So, really, they should be thankful that I waited until after their practice to interrupt. I jump off the edge of the bleachers and fly to the Slytherin Quidditch team with the school broom I procured as the other Slytherins land on the pitch. They all glare at me - not really shocking - and Talkalot - the keeper and Captain with an unfortunate last name - steps forward. "We don't have any open positions."

"So I was told. The lack of try-outs possibly means that you don't think anyone else can make the team stronger - cocky and unwise, but beside the point. That being said," I grin and jump off my broom, "I can outfly your chasers." I glance at Black and smirk. "And your seeker." I chuckle as the boy bristles. Too easy.

Laughter fills the air as the Quidditch team enjoys what they think is all talk, but I lean against my broom and wait. I keep my smirk in place and eventually the laughter peters away awkwardly. "There is no way that a Weasley is better than anyone on this team," Talkalot snaps.

"Oh, good, then you won't have an issue with me trying out. You're all warmed up from playing while I've been sitting on the bleachers. Another fifteen, thirty minutes won't do any of you any harm. Plus, you can then have the pleasure of putting me in my place." I huff and shrug. "And if you all outfly me, you won't have to worry about me arguing with you or dealing with me until next year's tryout. Otherwise I'll be here after every practice."

"Damn Gryffindor," one of the flyers grouses.

Talkalot harrumphs, but nods. "We'll begin with the chasers. Then Regulus." She turns to her players and points at the other four before stating, "I expect you to trounce her." She looks back at me. "You have five minutes to warm up."

I don't attempt to keep the glee off my face as I shoot up into the air with a whoop of excitement.

- - - Hermione - - -

Usually when I enter the dorm room the other girls are busy doing whatever it is they're doing and ignore me entirely. Not a problem, really. I'm used to being ignored. Lavender, Parvati, and Fay would ignore me all the time... unless I did something spectacularly noteworthy. If it was something deemed stupid, they would loudly 'ignore' my existence. If the girls thought my actions worthy of commentary, they'd discuss my actions where I could conveniently hear their opinions… or interrogate me mercilessly. Well, to be fair, that's what Lavender and Parvati did. Fay is - was, will be - as much a loner as I am.

Tonight is different. One of the girls is standing with her arms crossed, leaning against her footboard, and tapping her foot looking as if she's been waiting for something/someone for an eternity. I have no idea what is wrong with her and I pause to look behind me when she throws a glare in my direction. The girl huffs and I close the door when I realize no one is in the hall waiting for me to move aside.

As I make my way across the room towards my bed, the waiting girl huffs again… loudly. And I can see her flail in my peripheral vision. What in the hell is her problem? "Are you really going to ignore me?"

I set my bag on my bed and frown, looking around the room. All occupants of our dorm room are present. She could be talking to any one of us. Most likely, not me. I mean… None of these girls have bothered to speak with me yet. I don't even even know her name. I look at her and realize that she is talking to me. Me? What? "Beg your pardon?"

"I've been waiting for you to show up and, now that you're finally here, you ignore me!"

The room is silent. The other girls are openly watching us. From their reactions, they're just as confused as I am. That's encouraging at least. "And you are?"

The girl blinks in surprise, but she answers me, "Lucinda Talkalot."

I'm surprised she answered me and… Talkalot? Yikes. What an unfortunate surname. "I see." I seem to be saying that quite a bit since coming back to school and, just like the other times, I really don't see at all. I'm still confused. "And what is it you think I should be doing or saying now that I'm here?"

Talkalot frowns in confusion. Her arms drop to her sides and Talkalot gapes at me. What did I miss? It must have been something big for this type of reaction. "You're not going to gloat?"

"Should I?" I ask. I haven't a clue why I would. "I don't recall doing anything noteworthy lately." Talkalot rolls her eyes and I simply sigh. Oh honestly. "Perhaps we can save some time and you can simply tell me what it is you believe I should be so proud of?"

"Your sister is on the quidditch team."

Talkalot has her arms crossed again and there's a sort of challenge in her gaze. I'm still missing something here. I wait for her to continue and when she doesn't I shrug. "Lovely. I'm sure she is rather chuffed."

I look around at the other girls. Some are smiling, others look calculating. Slytherins. What could I gain from Ginny being on the team? Nothing, really. Talkalot is watching me with narrowed eyes and asks, "Is that it?"

"Yes," I assure her because I'm entirely through with this conversation. Huffing, Talkalot finally relaxes and I smile at her. "Though I'm rather certain my sister will be quite the handful for your team. I wish you luck."

- - - Hermione - - -

While Ginny is busy at quidditch practice, I go to the Black Lake to enjoy what is left of the decent weather before winter claims the land with its frigid wind. I'm sitting in a practiced yoga pose of comfort near a birch tree - barefoot on a small transfigured blanket in a pair of trousers and a nice jumper that is perfectly modest yet stylish - opting for the weak rays of sunshine rather than the tree's shade. I picked this location intentionally. I want some place distant from most others with peaceful surroundings.

I had no idea pretending to be a pureblood comes with so many rules. Thankfully the Weasley family is more lax than others. Ginny is a surprisingly willing tutor, so long as I can keep my endless questions to a minimum so she can actually speak about whatever subject we're currently covering. Things such as proper clothing choices, colors and styles; vocabulary choices, formal and familiar; and etiquette, formal and familiar. These are things I thought I knew, only to learn that I have only the barest of knowledge. Thankfully I'm getting better.

I have done some self reflection. I know I tend to go overboard with my homework, writing more than is required. I know I eagerly learn everything I can about every subject that we cover. I know I strive to be smarter, prove to others that I am a witch and that I do belong at this school. All of these points I have faced and set aside as the past Hermione Granger… and it makes me sad to realize that I was such a nightmare of a friend. As much as Ron's words hurt during our first year, he wasn't wrong... not completely. Ron could have been a tad nicer when he said it, if he had indeed needed to say it at all, but I really was a nightmare back then.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I set up a magical ward - not bothering with any type of repellant, just some warning spells and a salvo, naturally - so I feel safe to close my eyes as I begin my new mantra: I am Hermione Agosti-Weasley. I am Hermione Agosti-Weasley. I am Hermione Agosti-Weasley.

Sighing, I give up and dig out a book. Honestly, I am rather pants at 'clearing my mind' and had hoped that silly mantra would help. No luck. Perhaps there is something in this book that can help me.

My privacy is invaded, sooner than I expect. It hasn't even been an hour yet. What I do find surprising is that it isn't a person that has found me... not exactly, anyhow.

A large black dog is sniffing the air as he slowly approaches. I watch him calmly. The dog lowers himself to his belly, tail wagging slowly, cautiously as he shuffles closer to appear less threatening. It's as if the beast is testing my reaction. I'm not sure what he's expecting me to do, but I'm not afraid of him. Not in the least. I have no reason to be.

He's taking forever to reach me and I huff impatiently. "Come on then," I say, patting the ground beside me. It's not as if I don't recognize him upon sight. He is being absolutely ridiculous. On the other hand, I can't tell him I know who he is. That is the trouble with time travel: knowing things you shouldn't and not being able to act upon your knowledge... even though we have been, but this time it's smarter to act as if I haven't a clue.

The dog creeps closer and lays down beside my leg, pressing his large frame against me, sharing his warmth and my blanket. I sigh softly and rest my hand on his head. "You're disturbing me." I explain, "I'm trying to read." His fur is warm and soft to the touch as I rub the top of his head. "So long as you can be still and silent, you can stay. Otherwise go play elsewhere."

With one last scratch to his jaw, I go back to reading the book about Occlumency. Snuffles lays his snout on his paws, pressing his head against my knee, but otherwise he leaves me alone, falling asleep in the stillness of the afternoon.

- - - Hermione - - -

"If I was anyone else, I'd say you're moping. But I'm not, and I know that can't possibly be what I'm witnessing right now."

I try to smile, I really do. It just seems impossible right now.

"Oh, I know that look." Dorthea is snapping her fingers a few times as if it will help her memory. Apparently it works because she's soon pointing at my face. "That's the 'I'm humoring you now but if you push I will hex you' look!"

I blink at Dorthea and ask Ginny, "I do that?"

Ginny snorts, "Yes. I've never labeled it quite like that, but she's not wrong."

"I had no idea."

"That's not important right now."

"Hmm?" I look at my sister. "Okay, what is important then?"

Ginny pulls something from her pocket and sets it on the table before me. "You are."

"I am? Why-" My words are caught in my throat as I see what Ginny put in front of me. It's a small gift wrapped package.

"Father sent it to the headmaster, who gave it to me yesterday, to give to you today." Ginny sets another present down. "That one's from me." She hugs me tightly and whispers, "Happy birthday, Mia."

- - - Ginny - - -

We finally make it to the room. We spent too much time outside flying - Dorthea enjoying it immensely and Mia not so much, but at least she tried a few times - and playing a low, slow game of tag to have enough time to go to the Room of Requirements to Occlude with Mia. Though, to be fair, I should probably see what Mia knows of Occlumency.

I stare at the room and grin. "Excellent." It's a cozy little space with different places to sit, a crackling fire, and reminding me of the Gryffindor common room. I sit on a fluffy armchair, my feet curling under myself. Mia looks absolutely eager as she sits on some cushions on the floor. She seems to be literally vibrating with excitement. I laugh a little as she brings out a notebook and biro from somewhere, ready to take notes.

I don't bother to beat around the bush. "Do you know how to Occlude?"

"No, everything I've read is that I need to clear my mind to start with. The books I've read give a description of Occlumency as a way to shield your mind, to protect it. One of the books went so far as to compare a probe to the feeling of bugs walking on your skin, but inside your brain instead. They all claim that without Occlumency, most don't know if someone is intruding unless the other person wants them to know. That's all theory, of course, because I haven't experienced it yet."

"Well, that's true when someone is casting Legilimency on you. But what about what it feels like to just Occlude?"

She shrugs. "Nothing I read could properly describe it. Or rather they claim that they can't describe it. They essentially say the same thing, in their own convoluted way: I have to experience it myself in order to know what it is truly like."

Oh, wait, there's a part I totally skipped over. "I just assumed you wanted to learn how to Occlude. Is that right or did you just want to talk about it?"

"Learn, definitely."

"Ok." I shift a bit to relax more fully in the armchair "I'm not going to bore you with describing it or defining it for you since you already read that in the books." Mia smiles at me and I grin in response. "So the first step is clearing your mind - which is bollocks."

Mia snorted. "Really?"

"I mean, honestly, the way that the books describe it, one would think you need to stop thinking." I wave a hand in the air before poking my forehead. "My mind never shuts it, so that was utter rot and extremely unhelpful. The best way that helps me meditate is just to let the thoughts come and flow away. Flit from one thought to another. Not to focus on the thoughts. Just... like water. Ebb and flow, float with your thoughts and your senses." I nod and say, "It might not be the same for you, but once you meditate more often, you'll understand what you need."

"Oh thank the stars. That's sort of what I'm already doing and I was worried." Mia sighs in relief before beaming at me. "Now I'm not going to worry!"

Worrying that she was doing something wrong probably didn't help her meditating one bit. I giggle. "Anyway, the reason Occlumency is so difficult to describe is that it feels different for other people, affects them differently, so it's hard to put down in words what it feels like."

"Which is why the books insist I have to experience it first hand. Good." Mia nods, tapping her fingers on her notebook. "I was worried the books were utter rubbish for not explaining, but this - at least - makes sense to me."

"Yeah, I was lucky Bill taught me."

She perks up. "Bill taught you?"

"Yeah. Bill started learning when he was five because he is the Weasley heir. Mum and Dad taught Charlie and Percy, but after that they didn't really have the time for the rest of us because there were so many kids. Bill and Charlie took turns teaching us . Bill helped the twins, and Charlie Ron. Bill had more time when I was younger so he helped me."

"Ron knows Occlumency?"

I giggle at the shock in Mia's voice. "Kind of. He wasn't good at it. Neither was Percy. They didn't have the patience to learn and didn't want to waste the time on the subject. Bill started teaching me when I turned four, at least meditating. He had to stop when I turned seven because of his work with the goblins. I stopped practicing as much when Bill started working, but I threw myself back into it after my first year. The diary…" Anyway… I sigh. That blasted diary. "Once Bill heard what happened he visited as often as he could to help me…" I frown as a thought occurs to me, "he's the only one I fully told what happened. Mum and Dad just knew about the possession, not me nearly dying. At least… I don't think so. I heard Bill arguing with them about them not caring." I shake my head. I'll have to think about that later. I'm getting way off topic. "Anyway, learning how to Occlude doesn't take long once you figure it out, but to Occlude well you need years of practice. So, once you're comfortable with meditating, we'll go to the next step."

"What's that?"

"If you trust me, I can perform Legilimency on you so you can see what it feels like to have someone actively looking through your thoughts and memories."

Mia's eyes widen and she leans forward. "You know how to perform Legilimency?"

"Some," I shrug, "I've been working with Bill on it for almost a year. That's the next step, you see. That way you know what it's like to look through others' memories. It helps to know what to look for so you can hide your memories better."

"Fascinating." She blinks before tilting her head at me. "And of course I trust you. Why wouldn't I?"

"The mind arts are really intimate, Mia." I have to make sure she understands. That it isn't something just anyone can do. If either pair doesn't trust each other, the training can be painful. I trust Mia. With my life, my memories, my family, everything . "The amount of trust you have to put in someone when performing any of the mind arts… I'll be learning all sorts of things you may not want me to know. Not only that, but it can hurt if you don't trust each other."

"Of all the people in this school, this world… I trust you the most." She holds out a hand and I slip off the armchair to sit next to her and we hug for a moment before she continues, "Ok, those are the steps and I trust you. When do you go to the second step?"

I grin at Mia. "When you can keep a meditative state throughout a class period."

"What?!"

I shrink back a little at her shriek in my ear, though I do chuckle. I explain, "You have to be able to keep a calm, sedate state so that Occluding is possible. If you can only meditate or calm your mind in a controlled setting, Occlumency will never help you."

"But what if I need to know an answer? Or if I need to remember which book I found a source? Or -"

"Mia," I interrupt softly. "Occlumency helps with that."

"It will?"

"When you're trying to find an answer, just let your mind slip from one thought to another, it will naturally lead you to where you want to go. If you constantly are trying to think of one specific answer, our brains tend to shut out everything else around us."

"Oh."

"Yeah." I nudge her shoulder with mine. "So, let's meditate."

A/N-Elipsa: So Talkalot is literally a person in the HP lore. Lucinda Talkalot. Poor girl.