Silent Affinity

C h a p t e r F i f t e e n

Fleece socks slid across the sleek wooden floor as I made my way down the deep hall to my temporary room. 

The bright white snowy atmosphere outside was now a dull and dark grey as the sun set behind the towering mountain terrain. 

My full stomach settled as I laid down on the thick duvet comforter.

Dinner was as awkward as you could imagine it to be, the three of us sat around a dinning table large enough for eight people as we all ate in silence.

You were stiffer than usual, probably due to my episode in the bathroom hours prior. 

A ghostly shiver crept from my shoulders to my finger tips as I recalled the event. 

As naive as they all believed me to be, I knew what was unfolding. 

I saw a clear vision of just what and who we were dealing with. 

No matter how much I'd wished for the pain of it all to go away, I knew that I was experiencing this for a reason and I was keen to figure out why. 

I needed answers and if no one was wiling to give them to me, I'd find them myself.

The bed groaned as I sat up.

I stalked towards the half shut door and pushed it open finding a familiar face just inches from mine. 

"Merlin! We need to put a bell on you." I jumped in my skin as I peered up at you. 

"Then how would I get the pleasure of seeing how shocked you always are to see me?" 

A blonde eyebrow rose as you scoffed and backed me into the room. 

"I was just going to-" 

You cut me off slipping a hand into your pocket and pulling out the small dark purple vial. 

"Yeah.. and he can read minds too, forgot about that." I huffed as I sat on the edge of the bed.

You studied the thick liquid as it sloshed around between your fingers, piercing grey eyes locked with mine. 

"You will have access to the potion, but I'm proposing an agreement first." The thud of the vial on the desk across from me echoed in my ears as I stared blankly back at you. 

"What agreement?" I crossed my arms against my chest. 

"We will be practicing Occlumency daily. When you wake up we'll have breakfast and then straight to the reading room so I can teach you lessons. It is crucial that you learn fast so we'll be practicing as many times through the day as it takes until you master it." 

My eyebrows furrowed. 

"I will be administering the potion to you upping the dosage as your progress grows."

Your tall frame leaned against the desk crossing one leg over the other. 

"Unbelievable. It was just fine letting me administer the potion myself at Hogwarts though, right? without even telling me what the hell it was?" My cheeks flared with annoyance as I shot from the bed gunning for the potion. 

Your icy fingers wrapped around my wrist inches before my fingertips reached the vial. 

"I spoke with Snape, these are his orders not mine. And you will obey them, Katriona." 

Mint and Mahogany taunted my senses once more as you pulled me in closer to you. 

My mouth twitched as my eyes fell onto your lips.