Ardent Adversaries

Chapter 9: Lesson

For what seems like the fiftieth time that day, I make my long descent down into the dungeons to meet with Snape. I do my best to steel my nerves and put up a strong mental wall in preparation for the inevitable legilimency lesson. I trudge wearily over to his door and steel my nerves before opening the heavy wooden door. Snape is standing over a cauldron stirring something, fully engrossed in whatever it is that he's brewing. I cough a little to signal my presence and he looks up.

"I'll be right with you," He drawls. "Take a seat." I sigh a little and plop down heavily into a seat a few tables away from his cauldron. I fidget in my seat a little while Snape finishes up the potion. About ten minutes later he removes the stir stick and steps back, humming appreciatively at his work. Then without warning he grabs his wand.

"Legimens!" He shouts. My barriers crumble as he enters my mind.

I stumbled around the hallway in the dim light. I enter a room that in the dark appears to be Draco's room. Whenever I have a nightmare I sneak into Draco's room and get into his tiny bed for comfort. As the door cracks open instead of Draco's small form bundled under the covers, I see Lucius hunched over his desk with papers spread around him. At the door creaking, his head shoots up abruptly.

"Olivia!" He shouts and I cringe back at the volume. "What do you think you're doing! Get out! Get out!" He stands and makes his way over to me, shooing me out as he goes. I burst into tears and wrap my arms around myself as I sob, the force of my tears wracking through my five year old body causing me to shake violently. Lucius' eyes widen at the sight of me crying in front of him.

"Oh no," He says. He takes a tentative step towards me before kneeling down to wrap me in a stiff hug. I throw my little arms around his neck and stain his fine robes with my tears. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a chocolate frog. "Here," He says, breaking off a piece of its leg. "Eat this, but don't tell Narcissa." My eyes widen and I wipe the tears away with my fists. I take the piece hesitantly and stuff it in my mouth.

"Thanks," I mumble. Lucius gives me a quick nod and then takes my hand and leads me back to my room.

I'm jolted out of the memory as Snape exits my mind.

"Fuck you," I spit out. I don't care that I'm swearing at him. "That was, once again, a private memory." He scoffs at me.

"As I've said, that won't matter! He will not care what is private and what is not," Snape says and his face immediately blanches.

"You keep saying that but I don't know what you mean!" I shout. "Wait, when you say 'he' you mean the Dark Lord, right?" A flash of... something... flits across Snape's face. I realize it's fear.

"I've said too much," He replies. Now it's my turn to scoff.

"No, actually, you haven't said anything at all. I think I deserve to know!" I say angrily. Snape sighs.

"Fine," He concedes. "You're right. The Dark Lord is back and he intends to set up camp at the manor with your family. I'm afraid I can't say more. Your mind is too vulnerable and the Dark Lord won't hesitate to enter it and search your memories for anything he deems to be... traitorous." My eyes widen and fear starts to creep in. Him. At the manor. At my home. Around Draco. I know where the Malfoy's allegiances were during the last war and I'm not sure why it never crossed my mind that they'd be on his side again. The fear starts to leave my body as hot burning rage fills me. I will not let anything happen to my family, let alone Draco. I take a deep breath.

"So then let's do more lessons. I need my skills to be as good as possible before he comes to my home," I say. Snape looks surprised.

"Sounds like a plan then. Let's do Wednesday's as well. Same time," He replies. I nod. "Let's continue then," Snape continues.

We continue for another hour or so before I tap out for the night.

"Thank you Professor," I say as I head out of his room.

"I will see you Wednesday at the same time then," Snape says as he sits down at his desk. I exit his room and breathe out a heavy sigh. My life is going to be an utter shitshow.