A Memory Of Shadows

10 - Department of Mistrust

"I was born with a disposition, yes, Mr. Robards. Mostly memories, though, strong feelings. Sudden thoughts, sometimes, when I do not shield myself properly." It was an understatement.

Hardly anyone knew of her abilities. It was nothing she paraded around, mostly because Verin did not want anyone to be wary of her presence. Shielding her, pushing her out, especially for those untrained in Occlumency, would have tired everyone around her out very quickly. She did not want to be avoided for a trait she was born with. Thus, she had learned to keep herself out and did not tell people about it. Her parents had known, of course, and her father had trained her brutally in using her skill. She had developed a level of expertise unmatched by most. It was the only thing Verin was really good at.

"Why is it not listed in your file? You do realize the use of Legilimency is to be strictly regulated by the Ministry, Miss Yaxley." Beside her, Draco crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. She almost smiled.

"Yes, I am aware, Mr. Robards. It is harder when a Magic follows a natural intuition rather than a practiced habit, though. I am in control of reading actual thoughts unless I am put under severe stress. Or when my counterpart is under severe stress. I generally do not practice it."

To be fair, she preferred not knowing what people thought. It was loud, messy and, a lot of times, straightforward unintelligent.

"You just said you read mostly feelings and memories. How is that different from thoughts?" Fitzroy again. She had to admit, he really did pay a lot of attention. He might have given off the bored, unchallenged Auror who was trying to get rid of his boring task of questioning her, but he saw and heard more than he let on. "Most people can pick up on the other's feelings, Mr. Fitzroy. It helps us being compassionate, social beings. I happen to be a little better at it than most." "Smart, Miss Yaxley. Answering without answering, hoping to just ship around the obstacle."

"I can see no obstacle to ship around, Mr. Fitzroy. I do see some hostile waters, however."

Something was taptaptapping on her mind. Someone was asking for entrance. Verin smiled at Fitzroy as she let that someone in, building her own bridge back in return.

It was difficult magic and after years of neglect, she'd pay for it with Migraine later. The mind was a muscle, it wanted to be trained. And it got soreness just like the other muscles did when they were forced to jog after years of sitting. Something is awfully off about him. He has never shown this behavior towards me before.

He is trying to divert the conversation away from the topic. Don't let him.

"Ah, Miss Yaxley," Robards cut in, "We are not enemies here. We only want to help you on your way back into society and keep you safe in doing so."

"Safe like Miss Parkinson and Mr. Montague? Or safe like my parents?" Potter sighed at Draco's snarky remark, leaning forward. "Look, Malfoy, we have all been hit by that very hard. More than you know. No one deserves that fate. Let us not bicker at each other and try to work together. Properly. To prevent it from happening again." The face of the young man was as honest in his sorrow and regret as in his will to work for change. It must have been tough, exchanging one evil for the other after one thought the worst to be over. Now Potter was forced to protect the very people he had fought once. His character had always shown a need for justice. Did it not eat him alive, this drive to protect others? The failures along his way must have done horrible things to his soul.

"Fine," Draco said finally, not looking fine with anything. "But just you, Potter. Let us keep this between us for now." Unlike Verin and him, Draco and Potter shared loads of memories. Bad ones. But apparently, also good enough ones for Draco to put trust in him. Unless it was a keep your enemies close kind of situation.