two rings and bad things

50_ sectumsempra

Ed went to to study in the library one day after school, one of her favorite places.

She loved being surrounded by all the books and the magical feeling it gave her.

Deciding to do potions first, she opened up her book, causing a small piece of parchment paper to fall out of the pages.

She picked it up from the ground, curious because she definitely did not put it there.

She opened the note and noticed the neat handwriting immediately—it was from Draco.

He must've slipped in in her book when she wasn't looking during class...

You were right, there is something you can do to help, it read.

She shook her head at his stubbornness, it took him long enough to admit she was right.

Check out the library book called 'The Secret to Occlumency' and learn this magic. I know you'll have no problem with it, like always. Snape knows about us, and he could tell my parents at any moment. I need you to be able to defend yourself, just in case. Otherwise, this will all be for nothing.

I love you, darling.

Ed paused for a second, taking in everything he just said.

How did Snape know? They weren't even affectionate in public at all.

No matter the reason, it was dangerous. Snape was known to have been a Death Eater, and surely he was now, too, meaning he could tell You-Know-Who whatever he liked.

Ed immediately got up and searched for the book Draco told her to check out.

She searched the shelves throughly, but couldn't find it anywhere, and neither could the librarian when Ed asked where it was.

Occlumency... occlumency... I've never even heard of that, she thought as she skimmed the titles of hundreds of books.

She was getting very worried now, but wouldn't give up.

If this is what Draco wanted her to do, then she would stay up all night until she found the book.

At last, on a shelf tucked away in the corner, Ed found it after brushing a thick layer of dust off the spine.

She smiled to herself, glad that something with such valuable information was here in her hands.

She opened the book up to the first page, reading the introduction.

Apparently, Occlumency was used to oppose of Legilimency by blocking out emotions.

Ed chuckled to herself, no wonder Draco picked this specific book out.

Not a book on anything about Defense Against the Dark Arts, but instead how to block out emotions and repel magic with your mind because he knew that was her strength.

She was reminded of fourth year when she resisted the Imperius curse, and thought Occlumnecy shouldn't be much different.

Except this time, Draco wasn't by her side.

_______________

Draco didn't sleep well at all one night, constantly tossing and turning.

He was at the Malfoy Manor, but it was colder than usual. There was nothing about it that felt like home—it was distant and unwelcoming.

But perhaps that was only because the Dark Lord was there.

"Have you succeeded, Draco, in what I told you to do?" He demanded.

"Not yet, my lord, but-" he responded.