The Other Black Book 5

Chapter 23 - Occlumency

Kreacher, it transpired, had been lurking in the attic. Sirius said he had found him up there, covered in dust, no doubt looking for more relics of the Black family to hide in his cupboard. Though Sirius seemed satisfied with this story, it made Harry uneasy. Kreacher seemed to be in a better mood on his reappearance, which had started Olivia and Taylor, his bitter muttering had subsided somewhat, and he submitted to orders more docilely than usual, though once or twice Aurora caught the house-elf staring avidly at him, always looking quickly away when he saw that Aurora had noticed.

Aurora did not mention her vague suspicions to Sirius, whose cheerfulness was evaporating fast now that Christmas was over. As the date of their departure back to Hogwarts drew nearer, he became more and more prone to what Mrs. Weasley called "fits of the sullens," in which he would become taciturn and grumpy, often withdrawing to Buckbeak's room for hours at a time. His gloom seeped through the house, oozing under doorways like some noxious gas, so that all of them became infected by it.

Aurora did not want to leave Sirius all alone again with only Kreacher for company, although Olivia and Taylor were supposed to stay. However, they were Muggles, and while they did their best they couldn't quite fit in with a house full of wizards. In fact, for the first time in her life, Aurora was not looking forward to returning to Hogwarts. Going back to school would mean placing herself once again under the tyranny of Dolores Umbridge, who had no doubt managed to force through another dozen decrees in their absence. Then there was every likelihood that their burden of homework would increase as the exams drew even nearer.

On the last day of the holidays, Aurora, Ginny, Hermione, and Crookshanks were watching Harry and Ron play wizard chess.

"Harry dear," said Mrs. Weasley, poking her head into Harry and Ron's bedroom, where they were all seated, "could you come down to the kitchen? Professor Snape would like a word with you."

Harry did not seem to immediately register what she had said; one of his castles was engaged in a violent tussle with a pawn of Ron's, and he was egging it on enthusiastically.

"Squash him — squash him, he's only a pawn, you idiot — sorry, Mrs. Weasley, what did you say?"

"Professor Snape, dear. In the kitchen. He'd like a word."

Harry's mouth fell open in horror. He looked around at Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, all of whom were gaping back at him. Crookshanks, whom Hermione had been restraining with difficulty for the past quarter of an hour, leapt gleefully upon the board and set the pieces running for cover, squealing at the top of their voices.

"Snape?" said Harry blankly.

"Professor Snape, dear," said Mrs. Weasley reprovingly. "Now come on, quickly, he says he can't stay long."

"What's he want with you?" said Ron, looking unnerved as Mrs. Weasley withdrew from the room.

"You haven't done anything, have you?"

"No!" said Harry indignantly.

Under the verbal pretense of seeing her parents, Aurora followed after Harry, although she snuck up to Fred and George's room and asked to borrow an Extendable Ear.

"Is there another Order meeting that we missed?" Fred asked as he handed her a fleshy colored string.

"No, something else," Aurora said, then she left and settled herself outside the kitchen with the Extendable Ear in her ear.

"You know," said Sirius's voice loudly, "I think I'd prefer it if you didn't give orders here, Snape. It's my house, you see."

"I was supposed to see you alone, Potter," said Snape's voice, "but Black —"