The subsequent days flew by quickly when Aine began her Legilimency training with her brother, Aion. Since they were living in Twelve Grimmauld Place temporarily until Aine heads back to Hogwarts, she had plenty of time to learn about the Art of Legilimency and Occlumency and was able to practise with the people there, especially the Order of the Phoenix members. However, the secret she was committed to keeping had ended up being exposed much to her disdain when Snape had let loose to her father about her condition.
Of course, Aine had a string of curses that she had wanted to blast out with but she held them in anyways, not wanting to further agitate the situation. Elliot couldn't hide his disappointment when he found out about his daughter's ability, yet he could understand her on certain levels. She too didn't want to worry him which was why she kept quiet in order to protect her father. That, he was grateful but it still didn't ease the flickering anxiety within him.
To think the seal was already starting to chip away... He didn't think it would be this quick.
Aine's Legilimens power had soon reached the ears of her closest friends, although not all of them knew the full story of how she came to realize that she had such a skill. Though they were itching to press on Aine further, they decided it would be best to not bring it up until she was ready to tell them herself. It was something that Aine was thankful for, the consideration her friends had thought about and their compassion. She was nervous that they would all feel betrayed by her keeping it a secret but even that thought was quickly brushed away when the boys started beaming with joy, and the girls celebrated momentarily for Aine to have possessed such a high proficiency skill.
The younger teens had also learnt of Harry's hearing at the Ministry, which had ended on a successful note when the Hogwarts Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore had interjected the trial to plead for Harry's innocence. No one had known why the Dementors were even after Harry, nor did they know why it had attacked a Muggle. And above all, no one had figured out why the Dementors had even left their post guarding the Wizarding World's prison, Azkaban. Either way, it was good news to all of them, knowing for a fact that their friend would continue studying with them at Hogwarts and not be expelled.
All that's left is to make sure that this new year at Hogwarts would be a smooth-sailing journey, unlike the previous years. As well as...
"Concentrate, Aine!"
"What do you think I'm doing?" she growls, clenching her fists together as her eyes bore ahead at her brother's. It was another day at the headquarters training with Aion. For days, Aine would attempt to control her attempts in reading her brother's mind as well as the other candidates who were lining up to experience the power of Legilimency. For days, she has been failing to control her powers which resulted in her taking over the mind of her opponent.
"I can still feel your consciousness trying to dig deeper into my skull. Are you sure you're trying? You look like you're just staring at me and not doing anything else," Aion questions, his attitude has been relentless to Aine ever since they started practising. Even Lupin who was another of her mentor in teaching her was much more gentle compared to Aion in the lessons.
Aine squeezes her eyes shut, shaking away another thought she had stolen a peek from her brother. Damn it... Her forehead was graced with tiny droplets rolling down from her temples and her brows knitted together as she tries again. She took a deep breath and composes herself again. It was as if ever since she realized she was a Legilimens, seeing people's thoughts came much easier and clearer whenever she has eye contact with them. It allowed her to see what they were thinking alongside delving deeper into their thoughts. It was horrible and she hated the skill even more.
It was as if she was intruding on their profound thoughts, seeing their secrets and their darkest fears that they had locked up in the depths of their hearts and minds. Needless to say, she was in fact invading them. That's why she had to control it so she could choose what to hear and see.
You're losing focus, Lianna.
Her eyes shot open to see a smirk on Aion's face and she grits her teeth, the corners of her lips twitching upwards into a forced smile. This was getting on her nerves to the point she even disliked how her brother was in her training. He was both taunting and fierce to her but it had somehow worked as Aine felt even more determined to show him that she could do it. That she was able to control her powers.
A short hitched breath escaped from Aine as she continues to practice her non-verbal and wandless magic of the Legilimens spell. Her eyes meeting narrowed forest green ones that stared back at her. She eases her muscles and relaxes slightly, her pupils had stopped wavering. Then, almost out of nowhere, the voices from her brother's thoughts were slowly being muffled out, it didn't feel as loud as before but almost like a muted whisper. Howbeit, the visions she was peering into were still as clear as the blue skies above them.
She gradually releases her clenching fists and the images of Aion's mind soon were painted in white patches, concealing away from sight. She watches as her brother's smirk falter to a gaping mouth before he spoke, "What is your answer to the question I've asked in my mind?"
Aine raises a brow, "What question?" she asks innocently and Aion squinted at her. He couldn't tell if she was feigning ignorance or if she was genuinely curious.
He looks through her golden sparkling eyes, trying to counter-attack the skill just like how he did earlier when he spoke to her through telepathy. However, just when he could reach into Aine's mind, he jerked his head backwards. Impossible..!
Aion attempted to read her mind again but just like before, it was completely closed off. The black steel fence which once had a gate he could just casually walk into her mind was no more. There was no opening at all and the steel fence that stood tall earlier had now additional layers of metal, preventing him from glimpsing a single peek into her mind. His words failed him and all he could do was react with both shock and awe.
"Wow," he cooed and Aine cocks her head.
"What's 'wow', Frère?" she asks and he smiles in return.
"You did it, Aine!" he replies, his stern demeanour falling like a mask, replaced by one that Aine had recognized. His voice became mellower his gaze had softened to his usual look.
Aine's mouth hung open, in disbelief. "No way. You're joking, right? You're just gonna tease me again once I let my guard down!" she exclaims, pouting. She shook her head, "I'm not gonna believe you~"
He walks towards her and pulls her up from the carpeted ground, "You did well, Aine! You really did it! I mean— Did you even hear the question I ask?"
"What question?" she responded with another inquiry and Aion burst out into a light chuckle.
"See! You don't even know! That's because you had controlled your ability to read and see my mind!" he said, patting her head as she gently nudges him away after he started messing up her locks.
"Really?" she asks, sceptical. "You can't trick me again or I'll tell dad!"
Aion grins, "Of course, I won't! He's obviously on your side even before he heard the argument."
"Nonsense," came a voice and the two of them turned to the spitting image of Aion.
"Dad!", "Father!"
Elliot strode towards the two of them and without hesitation, he pulls them both towards him, embracing his children wholeheartedly. He gazes down at Aion and Aine, planting a small kiss on their foreheads before letting them go. "I'm on both of your sides. I'm on the side of our family," he tells them and the siblings glanced at each other, a broad smile creeping on their faces.
"I'm on your side too, dad. Always!" Aine winks and Elliot chuckles, caressing her cheeks.
"I'm on the side of our family too," Aion added on and his father grasps his shoulders, ruffling his son's hair.
Elliot's lips curled upwards, pulling them into another hug as he muttered a small 'I love you both' that they had each reciprocated. Then, they decided to pause training for a short while to catch up with the others, having a small simple meal at the same time.
~~~
Soon, the summer holidays had come to an end and the start of a new term was nearing. Aine had gotten all of her books and fourth-year supplies from Diagon Alley ahead of their departure. Things were going to be much busier for Aine and her friends from the same year since it was their fourth year, they would be starting their preparations for O.W.Ls examinations, also known as Ordinary Wizarding Levels.
Day by day, she was nevertheless improving. Her magical skills were getting better and so was her knowledge. By the time she had to go back to Hogwarts, her Legilimency and Occlumency skills were better than before and she could finally control part of her mind though it still requires much training.
"Oh! Ronald! I'm so proud of you!" Molly Weasley screams, showering her youngest son with kisses all over his head and face as she took his Hogwarts letter. Aine smiles at them from the sidelines as the Weasley mother announces to the group, "Ron has been elected for a prefect! And so is Hermione! Oh my days! I'm so proud of you two!" she shrieks, turning to her husband who wore a huge grin on his face.
"Congrats, you lot," Aine smirks and Hermione sheepishly muttered a small 'thanks' while Ron got all flustered, unable to speak a word. He simply sat down by the chair as his pal patted on his shoulders, giving him a proud smile.
However, unlike the two of his friends from the same year, Harry wasn't elected to be a prefect. He figured that him not being expelled was so much better than becoming a prefect since it wouldn't suit him one bit. He had way more urgent issues to deal with besides the duties of a prefect after all. There was nothing but joy and satisfaction for his friend and not even a single ounce of envy.
The first of September soon came, and much to many's dissatisfactions that the holidays were over, just like the previous years. Along with her friends, a couple of members of the Order of the Phoenix had come along such as Moody, Tonks, Remus and even Black (in his Animagus form, of course). Aion and Elliot had also accompanied her, knowing that they wouldn't see her for a couple of months, they wanted to have more time together before she left.
They stood outside the waiting room and Aine watches as the black shaggy dog that was Black's Animagus form had turned back into a human. She smiles slightly when Harry went in after him and Moody quickly shuts the door, keeping an eye on the crowd who only seemed to notice his odd appearance. Not that he had cared about how others were looking at him.
Aine plays with her hair as she stands next to Aion and Ginny, Elliot opposite them. He grins at his children bickering about as Aion began to play with his sister's hair, braiding it together. "You got everything you need, sweetheart?" he asks, breaking the squabble of the Estoileon children.
She nodded, "Wand, check. Books, check. Clothing, check—" Aine pauses, showing her bracelet that he had gotten for her, it was filling up with tiny stones that each held its own significance. It had become something Aine treasured a lot after gazing at it, each and every stone was special and unique, and they were all given by someone dear to her. It also included the necklace her father had given to her that once belonged to her mother. Though she had hated it at times after knowing that her mother had left her, she still found it hard to take it off. It was the only thing she had that reminded her of her mother after all. "— Bracelet, check. Necklace, check. Preparedness? Not really," she added.
Aion chuckles and gave his little sister a small squeeze on her hand, "You'll be all right, Lianna. The year's gonna fly past real quick and you'll be home in no time!" he heartens and she smiles.
"I hope so. It's just that every single year I'm back, things just keep happening. I'm sure that this time around would be no different," she sighs, looking down at her boots. It was going to be a ride for sure now that Lord Voldemort was back.
Elliot patted her shoulder, his lips fell into a thin line and he nodded to her, "Everything's going to be just fine, sunshine. We'll make sure it will be," he promises.
"Really?" she asks timidly.
"Mmhm. We'll be keeping a close eye on the school on Dumbledore's order too," Lupin chimes in from the side and Aine turned to him.
"Thank you for everything during the holidays, Professor— Remus," Aine said, changing her words at the end. He had been such a good teacher along with her brother and Snape, teaching her to control her mind and powers.
Lupin's lips curled up, "You take care of yourself, okay? And... Try not to tease Severus too much too," he reminds. She has taken in some of Black's bad habits of teasing the Potions professor during her time at the Grimmauld Place, though it wasn't as bad as his best mate.
"No promises!" Aine smirks and they all burst into a peal of laughter.
The clock at the station rang and the students began to head to the platform, saying their final farewells to their family and loved ones as they embarked on the Hogwarts Express back to their school. It was bittersweet, yet, everyone had tried to leave with a smile on their faces so that they wouldn't worry those who watch them go.
"See you soon, sweetheart," Elliot bids, kissing his daughter's forehead before pulling her in for a hug. Aine cuddles her father, snuggling into his coat as she smiles at him.
"See you soon, dad. I'll miss you, both of you," she replies, looking over to Aion who grew all bashful. He gave her one tight embrace and swings her around before meeting the eyes of Draco Malfoy in a distance, he nodded to him and smiled.
"If Malfoy ever bullies you, I'll make sure to send him one of Fred and George's new prank toys for him to try," he told her and she giggles, nodding. "Gonna miss you, Lianna," he added, squeezing her close before letting her go as the train whistled.
Aine boarded the train with her friends and into a compartment, waving their hands enthusiastically, Hogwarts Express began moving and leaving the platform. She gave Lupin and Black one last smile before they began to diminish away. The last she saw was Black in his Animagus form, the black shaggy dog running behind the train, smiling as he wags his tail.
Everything was going to change this year.
─── ⋆⋅☀⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☀⋅⋆ ───
A really short chapter! I just wanted to write one more to close the opening arc of this book before we make it to the second part which features Aine's time at Hogwarts.
A little side note I wanted to point out. As you guys have read, Aine was practising Legilimency and Occlumency during her holidays at Grimmauld Place. Yes, I know! In a way, she's performing Underaged magic and would be apprehended since it was against the magical law. I'd like to think that she didn't quite break the law (I know, weird but pardon me) due to the fact that she was subconsciously controlling it (?) and that Kingsley Shacklebolt had made some arrangements that pardoned her in the Ministry (Again! Weird. Odd. I know!). I'd think that since word has gotten out to some of the adults about Aine's gift, they would want to use her indirectly to face off Voldemort. That's why Elliot had allowed Aine to train her skills and hone her powers better so that she could really control them properly and use them when the time is right.
What do you think? I'd like to hear your theories on this one! >< So leave some comments!
- Zeneria