The Girl Who Was Forgotten

Chapter 57

Chapter 57.

"He smiled? Merlin Mags, you must have done well."

Magnolia was laying on her bed, completely exhausted, discussing her evening with Pansy, Daphne and Tracey. The boys were still out at Quidditch practice, but Magnolia hoped they would be back soon, it was already dark by the time she had left Professor Snape's office. She was looking forward to telling Draco about her accomplishment but if the boys were going to be much longer Magnolia didn't know if she'd be able to stay awake.

Professor Snape hadn't let up on Magnolia after her first attempt; he had invaded her mind time and time again throughout the rest of the evening- eventually scolding her for using Draco's voice as an anchor. Luckily for Magnolia, her head of house had been discreet enough to not let her brother know who's voice it had been she was clinging on to. After that, she hadn't been able to focus at all, partly through her own frustration that he had picked up on what she had done wrong and not even commented on her being able to resist him, and also through pure exhaustion.

The twins unofficial lesson had ended when Harry saw a corridor that he was sure was the Department of Mysteries. Professor Snape had all but thrown the pair out once Harry had started firing questions at him. Magnolia couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed, no matter how tired she was, at the end of the evening. Her brother may not understand the urgency for them to learn Occlumency, he may not understand the danger they were in, but she did. One thing that Professor Snape had said had stuck in Magnolia's mind, even coming up as he rifled through her memories.

Professor Snape had told Harry that it was important for Magnolia to be able to protect her mind from 'attack and manipulation'. It had never occurred to Magnolia that her own thoughts or feelings towards Tom Riddle could have been a result of Legilimency. Her dreams, of course she had considered, especially after Harry's. Her confusing feelings of safeness and the easy way she could be around Tom- maybe that wasn't her own though.

Maybe someone had been manipulating her mind all this time? Or maybe it was just wishful thinking. When her Professor had been in her mind, she had felt his presence there like she had felt his physical presence in front of her. She had never felt that in her mind before, except with Barty Crouch Jr.

The following morning, Magnolia finally saw Draco, who had spun her around the empty Common Room as she told him about the night before. She was still tired, but luckily had slept well. As Magnolia and her friends reached the Great Hall, they were greeted by stunned students, shocked and fearful faces and worried quiet chatter. It was just moments before Magnolia saw her brother storming towards her, the Daily Prophet in his hand. As he approached, he practically threw the paper at her.

"I bet you're all happy." Harry spat at her friends, as Magnolia gasped at the papers headline.

Mass breakout from Azkaban. Ministry fears Black is 'rallying point' for old Death Eaters.

Along with the headline, ten photos took up the entire front page. Magnolia quickly read through all of the names of the now free Death Eaters, one standing out to her. The photo showed a crazed looking witch, her dark curly hair a tangled mess and a menacing grin on her face. Magnolia felt a chill go down her spine. Draco's aunt and Sirius's cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, had broken out of Azkaban.

Magnolia ignored the quarrel that was going on next to her, instead scouring through the article. She grimaced and practically growled as she read Cornelius Fudge was placing the sole blame on her God Father although she was sure that Sirius found it funny. He enjoyed reading the articles about his latest whereabouts and the Ministry's theories on what he was doing. At least twice in the Summer break, he had laughed out loud and wished he was where the Ministry was placing him- 'Nicer weather then here, that's for sure!'