Invictus [Tom Riddle / Tomione]

Song of Solitude

"Hermione," Dumbledore began. "Have you ever heard the saying, 'Offense is the best Defense?'"

She smiled. "I have, sir. I believe it's a muggle phrase."

He looked down at her through his spectacles. "So it is. A very apt phrase. You know I'm fond of them. I've always prided myself in my own ability to turn a phrase."

She smiled, thinking to herself that this younger version of Albus was not so unlike his older self. They were meeting this Sunday for tea and occlumency lessons at Hogwarts, at Dumbledore's request.

"There is a particular strategy that I like to call counter-legilimency. When a skilled legilimens has broken past your mental defenses to enter your mind, this is when their own thoughts are most vulnerable. They are distracted by their own assault upon your mind. Rather than attempt to push them out by brute magical strength, an easier tactic is to use a counter-attack to penetrate their mind. This, in turn, forces them to retreat to fortify their own defenses. Very few legilimens can maintain both. It takes a great deal of mental fortitude, practice, and skill to sustain impenetrable mental defenses and a forward assault. This is the strategy that you will learn today, Miss Granger."

"I'm excited to learn, Albus."

He nodded. "I will be your teacher, however, I will not be your training partner. I do not trust myself with the memories and information that you house within your mind. It's possible that I might happen upon memories that I do not wish to see. Therefore, I will have a very trustworthy and capable helper today. Lucky!"

Suddenly, a house-elf appeared with a crack! on Dumbledore's desk.

"Lucky," said Dumbledore kindly. "This is my daughter, Hermione. Hermione, Lucky is my personal house elf. Upon reading your latest column relating to house elves, Lucky and I have worked out a paid wage for her services. Lucky was also given the opportunity for freedom, but she has denied wanting to work for anyone else."

"Lucky is happy to be working for the greatest wizard in the world, Albus Dumbledore! Lucky is lucky to serve such a wizard!" the house-elf beamed. Her eyes were huge and wide, a golden color, like large moons. Unlike most house elves that Hermione had met, she had a bright mop of blonde hair and an adorable button nose. Hermione loved her instantly.

"But... is she to practice legilimency on me?" Hermione had no idea how that would work.

Albus' eyes sparkled. "The funny thing about house-elf magic, is that these beings are capable of remarkable feats of magic if only they are instructed to do so by the wizard that they serve. In addition, the minds of house elves are nigh impenetrable to any but their masters. Despite that fact, very few people think about or give credence to house elves. For such underappreciated creatures, they really are quite powerful. I have instructed Lucky to perform legilimency on your mind, and therefore, she will be capable of doing so. However, she is bound by her servanthood to me, to protect any and all memories that she may see."

Hermione was dumbfounded. She greatly appreciated the way that her mentor's mind worked, to have thought of something so simple and yet brilliant. Hermione bent down to the little elf, holding out her hand. "Hello, Lucky. I'm Hermione."

The house elf took her hand shyly and then bowed low.

For the next hour, Lucky would press her way into Hermione's thoughts, but it was surprisingly painless. Most of Hermione's experience with legilimency left her with splitting headaches. After several rounds, Hermione successfully managed to counter the assault by reversing the spell on Lucky. She was pleased, when faced with the house elf's memories, to find that Lucky was extremely content in her life of servitude to Dumbledore.