ℒℯ𝓈𝓈ℴ𝓃 ℴ𝒻 ℒ𝒾𝒻ℯ 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ

❀ 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝓉𝓌ℯ𝓃𝓉𝓎 𝒻ℴ𝓊𝓇 ❀

❤︎𝓹𝓪𝔂 𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓶𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭, 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓼𝓯𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰❤︎

"Why did you not apprise me of your plight earlier? Surely, I would have rendered my aid willingly," She lamented, forcing me to shiel my eyes from Minerva's crestfallen gaze with the refuge of my hands.

"I did not wish to burden you further amidst your myriad responsibilities. Your benevolence knows no bounds, and yet I dared not impose upon your precious time," I mumbled, seeking solace in the comforting touch of Minerva's hand upon my weary shoulder.

"Saliah," she interjected, her voice tinged with a blend of fatigue and affection.

Fatigued, I allowed my head to rest against the elder witch's embrace, her presence offering a respite from the weight of the world. I found myself gazing into her emerald orbs, which softened with a tender smile that graced her countenance, so often steeped in sternness.

"Minerva, I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support. Your words resonate within me, a balm for the soul. Know that I, too, shall stand by your side, steadfast in my devotion should you ever require it."

Silent, yet profound, our connection found solace in an ephemeral embrace akin to that of a nurturing mother. As we disentangled ourselves from the tender embrace, a smile touched my lips, worn and fatigued, as I settled into the embrace of the opulent couch, surrendering to the gentle caress of the cushions.

"And how, pray tell, do you intend to remedy the torment of these haunting nightmares?" she inquired, a hint of concern lacing her words.

"Severus- Professor Snape elucidated a method by which the dormant memories can be unearthed using Legilimency," I responded, the name escaping my lips like a whispered secret, laden with a weight of complexity.

"Severus?" she queried, her voice betraying a mix of disbelief and curiosity.

"Hmm," I replied, my tone a veil to conceal the intricacies of our clandestine connection.

"How did he come to possess such knowledge?" she probed, a discerning gaze fixed upon me.

Summoning my waning composure, I endeavored to conjure a plausible explanation, weaving a tapestry of half-truths to veil the truth beneath layers of obfuscation.

"Last night, I chanced upon him after curfew, as the weight of exhaustion caused me to succumb to slumber while engrossed in my studies. Sensing my weariness, he offered a potion, despite my protestations of its futility. Eventually, I relented, and in my vulnerable state, I confided in him," I offered, my words measured and tinged with a calculated vulnerability.

The flicker of skepticism danced within Minerva's eyes, a silent testament to her suspicions. Yet, perhaps sensing the fragility of the moment, she refrained from further inquiry, granting me the respite I so fervently desired.

"Very well. Have you considered whom you wish to embark upon this journey of memory retrieval, or shall I assist you in finding a suitable candidate?" she proposed, her gaze steady and patient.

A wave of unease washed over me, causing me to shift restlessly upon the plush cushion. I had not planned on divulging the involvement of Severus in my quest to Minerva, aware of the lingering scepticism regarding my persona she held towards him. It was a risk I had chosen to undertake, for he was, in my estimation, the pinnacle of Legilimency prowess, unrivaled by any other.

"I have beseeched Professor Snape to undertake this endeavor, for he, in my humble opinion, stands as the paragon of Legilimency mastery," I stated, my voice bearing the weight of conviction.