A Deeper Connection: A New Beginning

A Deeper Connection - Part II

"You know that entering a minor's mind without permission is illegal," a voice cut through the silence of the Great Hall like a knife, forcing the presence in his mind to retreat.

"Miss Hawthorne," Dumbledore said, his eyes having lost most of their usual faked warmth as Tom looked up to the old coot, blinking, making a great show of slowly regaining consciousness, "I was merely Reviving Thomas and checking if he is unharmed after the fall he too-"

"I know Legilimency when I see it," the Historian laughed darkly, her voice lacking any humour as her eyes pierced the lying Headmaster, "I also saw the wand moving under the sleeve of your robe."

"You are mistaken," Dumbledore tried to defend himself, "your accusations lack any evidence since you clear-"

"I know what I am talking about since I am a practitioner of the Mind Arts myself," Bridget Hawthorne sneered, her eyes never once leaving the Headmaster, "although I refrain from invading the minds of others, children and adults alike. Also, I was not the only one to notice. Severus saw it as well."

In the background, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Professor Sinistra, but also Professor McGonagall were clearly shocked by the Headmaster's actions.

Refusing to comment on the mental invasion for now, the Potions Master first ensured that his ward was well, "Thomas, are you hurt? I looked like you landed on your left shoulder."

"I am okay," the Dark Lord mumbled, as he slowly sat up, massaging his left shoulder, "I... I have been worse."

"Should you require a Pain Reliever Potion, or anything else, let me know," Severus said, before focussing on the Headmaster, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Albus, what were you thinking? Please, do not tell that you are still questioning Thomas' identity. The Inheritance Ritual was performed thrice, and the French Ministry also confirmed that Thomas is who he claims to be."

For a moment, the Headmaster appeared to be unable to respond to the accusations, as he simply stared at the group of horrified teachers in front of him, before he once again tried to deny his actions, "Neither do I question the service of the Goblins nor the work of the French Ministry and I would never perform Legilime-"

"You can deny it for as long as you want. I certainly know what I saw," Bridget Hawthorne spoke up, before turning to the Dark Lord, "maybe we should ask Mister Prince here what he felt after he was hit by the Stunner, which I must point out is not first-year but third-year Defence Against the Dark Arts material."

For a moment, the Great Hall remained quiet as all eyes were glued on the slightly trembling form of Thomas Prince.

"Thomas, it is alright," Harry finally said, kneeling next to him, patting his back, carefully avoiding his aching shoulder, "just tell them what you can remember."

"When... when I woke up... I... I... all I saw where blue... blue eyes," the Dark Lord stuttered, his nervousness once again having returned, "the... then, I... I felt this... weird pre... pressure in my head... li... like an... an advancing headache..."

"The clear symptoms of experiencing a Legilimency attack," Bridget Hawthorne pointed out, her eyes narrowed to slits as she stared at the Headmaster, "which could easily land you in Azkab-"

"I think this is just a misunderstanding," Dumbledore tried to worm himself out of the situation, sensing the danger the Historian, who would certainly not surrender, posed, "it must be the aftereffect of the Revivi-"

"Liar," Bridget Hawthorne spat, her wand now in her hand, "maybe we should call the Aurors and have them determine whether Thomas here experienced the aftereffects of your Spellcasting, or of you illegally invading his mind. Shall I?"