When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 45: Reality Calling

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 45: Reality Calling

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

November 1996

He graded the parchment with cruelty, almost ripping the paper with his corrections. He went through each essay not stopping to read who the owner of the work was. He didn't care. He just wanted those students to learn even if he had to point out every comma they misplaced. He didn't think they'd be this bad, but the Defense Against Dark Art essays were worse than the ones in his old potions classes. At least now, the students in Defense didn't have to resort to throwing a book of theory at a Death Eater's face. Though, if they didn't learn to do the spells faster and more accurately, it might be a better option than using magic.

Taking a deep breath, he continued with the next essay, torturing the paper with red marks. The quill didn't stop even when he heard a soft knock at the door.

"Enter."

He heard a soft click and the door opened. Granger stepped in, looking more cheerful than he'd expected. It seemed like the harsher the sessions were, the more cheerful she became. He'd been using more of his power in the spell, challenging her slim mental walls. For now, she had succeeded for a few minutes but she still needed to last longer and be more stable. Their secrets depended on it.

"Good morning, Professor. Is it a good time now?"

Severus finished the sentence and left the brown quill at the side of the stack of papers.

"I see that you are still using my quill in the end." Her joy about that simple fact was strange.

"It's a nice quill."

She didn't respond and walked forward. She placed her belongings on the chair in front of his desk as she always did and walked towards the pillowed chair.

Picking up his wand with two fingers, he stood and walked around the desk until he was in front of her. Her arms were resting on the chair arms and her shoulders relaxed. It didn't look at all like she feared his spell.

"You look confident today, Miss Granger."

"I am, sir. Perhaps I can master this skill in a month or two."

A snort was his first response, but her relaxed attitude didn't leave her.

"No matter how good you are, you won't. Maybe in four months it's a minimum possibility."

"Want to bet something?" she asked in a playful tone and his eyebrows arched with surprise.

"That would be highly inappropriate, Miss Granger."

She laughed softly in response. "Okay, sir, but it could be fun." His eyes commanded at her to not follow that topic of conversation but the joy in hers didn't leave. "How long did it take you to master occlumency?"

"A little less than eight months, but I thought you wanted to practice today and not waste time talking to me."

"Talking to you isn't a waste of time, professor."