(Y/n)'s POV
October arrived, and... there was nothing new, literally nothing. I didn't hear the voice again, I talked about it with Hermione too, but she played it down, using logic as always, saying that it was probably a ghost invisible or in the walls.
I had no choice but to believe her, I think that if I didn't I would've been more scared. We usually spent time in the library, as it was a nice spot, or we four hung out together, but as of lately, she and I spent more time on the library, searching for information about the Rosiers.
As I said before, we didn't find anything, and it was starting to frustrate me, though, it wasn't as bad compared to when we had to look for information about Nicholas Flamel.
As I said, nothing was happening this month, well, aside from Harry being invited to a deathday party, it sounded kind of bizarre, but at the same time exciting.
"I bet there aren't many living people who can say they've been to one of those, it'll be fascinating!" Hermione said, though, I had one more pressing worry, before I could voice it out though, Ron spoke,
"Why would anyone want to celebrate the day they died? Sounds depressing to me..."
"I mean, can't say they've got much to look forward to, no?" I tried to think of how I would spend my life as a ghost, "Besides, I think it does sound fascinating, yeah, but... were we even invited? Harry was, but..."
"Of course you guys are invited too, it'll make me feel a lot better, too." Harry was always a good friend, and a kind one, too.
I smiled at him, and the day went on quickly, accompanied by Fred and George's pranks, which made me feel better too. I guess sometimes all you need is a quick laugh, even if it's at the expense of Percy.
Although... Blaze did not approve of their methods, they did a prank with another fire salamander, from that day onwards, she seemed to be very careful around the twins.
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There was still time left in October, specifically, half a month passed without any news, but we did find more info on other names, which I guess made it more entertaining than the research we did last year.
I thought everything would pass without any issues, of course, I had to jinx it, as Professor McGonagall found her way to me while we were on break, and told me to come to the principal's office.
Of course, this alarmed my friends, but most of all, Hermione, knowing she was such a rules loving kind of person, I bet she was alarmed because of what happened with Malfoy, though, it wouldn't make much sense, because it happened a few weeks ago.
Even if I adopted the logical way of thinking, that didn't mean I wasn't nervous. To be completely honest, I was sweating, it was the second time he called me in, and he never really did that, not even with Harry and Ron being seen by the muggles, I recall he told us he came to Snape's office, not the other way around.
While I was walking alongside Professor McGonagall, she was talking, but all I could hear was... nothing, not because I wanted to be disrespectful, but mainly because of my nervousness. Without realising it, we arrived at the statue that was outside Professor Dumbledore's office.
She said the password, and told me to go in, I think she saw how nervous I was, because I think she tried to make me feel better? She smiled at me, I took a big breath, and walked in.
Just like last year, I couldn't see Professor Dumbledore, but I could see his Phoenix, my smile dropped when I saw it, and Blaze also felt a bit taken aback by his appearance.
Last year, Fawkes looked majestic, his feathers looked like a never ending fire, similar to how Blaze's scales look sometimes, and his eyes looked like coal, but now... I guess the most accurate word would be, he looked really old.
His feathers had their colour ripped away, instead of being burning red and golden, they were a pale red, and almost invisible yellow, and his eyes... they had some whiteness in them, like burnt coal.
Blaze looked really sad at his sight, and honestly, I was a bit sad too, but I've read about phoenix's biology, it was one of the most mentioned magical beasts in the book grandma gave me.
"Don't worry, Blaze, he must be close to the end of this cycle, he'll be fine, just give him a few months, and he'll look even better than last year." Blaze stared at me for a while, and decided she wanted to play with him, so she left my shoulder and went straight ahead at where he was perched.
I looked at them and how she tried to show him the tricks she learned with fire. Let's hope Phoenixs are as resistant to fire as they usually are depicted as.
I never really thought about death, to be honest, I never did, I guess that's what happens when you live cloistered up inside of a house for most of your life, but it was never present, not like in my parents' lives.
The stories they tell about their time in the war... They make this whole world look so awful and dark, and yeah, it has its dark moments, but at least from what I've seen and lived, this has been the best experience in my whole life.
I guess that's why it shocked me a bit to see Fawkes like this, it reminded me of life, and yeah, a phoenix might have a shorter life span, but they always get to live it time and time again.
"I see you've read about Fawkes, I must congratulate you, dear child, not a lot of second years are all that fascinated about them, though, I must say, they're extremely loyal." I stopped what I was doing, and looked at where Professor Dumbledore's voice was coming.
"Though, it seems like we have another pressing matter in our hands, don't we?" His blue sparkling eyes transmitted a certain calmness around the room, nothing like Professor Snape's office, "Please, take a seat." His voice was calm, like nothing was wrong.
Once I sat down, I felt all my nervousness go away, I could breathe more lighter, and Professor spoke once again,
"It saddens me that you've assaulted another student, though, I believe you have already been punished for that matter, and so, it's not what I've brought you here to chat"
"It-It isn't?"
"No, dear child, it is quite disappointing what you've done, but you have already paid for it, I do hope you will refrain from that kind of behaviour in the future, and of course, your parents have been notified of this" I nodded at him.
I've been writing almost every day to my parents, or well, mom, and they've never really said anything. I guess mom's waiting on dad coming back from one of his usual travels so that they can talk to me at the same time, that won't be nice.
"Then... Why am I here, Professor?" I titled my head slightly, the Professor just kept looking at me straight in the eyes the whole time, at times, I thought he didn't even blink.
"Well, I've been informed of something by Professor Snape, something unusual," I thought back at what he could've told him, maybe something about how I described the potions? Immediately I started to answer back,
"W-Well, I, um, mom taught me how to describe them, I know some of them sound a bit silly, but I think -" Professor Dumbledore laughed a little,
"Pardon me, child, no, that's not the matter I want to talk with you, but it is certainly something I should have in mind," He coughed a bit, and regained his usual calm smile, "Professor Snape caught on something that I believe not even you have," Again, I tilted my head.
"I... I haven't got the slightest clue, Professor..."
"Have you ever felt... must I say, overwhelmed, when the room is full? Or when you enter a room for the first time?" I started to think, and honestly, I don't think it was that hard to notice, I didn't like rooms full of people, they made me nervous.
"Uh... yeah, but... isn't that normal?" Professor Dumbledore looked at me for a few seconds, and kept on talking.
"When someone else feels overwhelmed by a strong emotion... be it sadness, anger, or hate... perhaps, do you feel it, too?" I tried to think of situations like that, but he spoke again,
"And, by any chance, can you intuitively... understand what, for example, Blaze expresses to you?"
"I never really thought about it, I thought she and I had a really good bond and that it was normal," I looked at Blaze, and started to think about all of those times, was it that weird?
"Dear child, these events are no mere coincidence, it appears you show some, dare I say, innate talent, for a special kind of magic, it shouldn't surprise you, it's in your blood, after all."
I was left even more confused than before, my blood? Special kind of magic? Okay, that sentence had a lot of information I did not know, just what did the Rosiers hide?
"Could you, uh, I don't think I'm following, sir," I think Professor saw it in my face, and decided to just outright tell me, rather than keep poking around the bush.
"You, dear child, posses the exceptional talent of Legilimency, a special kind of magic, and, if you allow me to say it, I believe you have an intuitive grasp to perceive emotions, you were able to shut a door down for Professor Snape couldn't see fully into your mind,"
"Le-legilimency?" Hearing that name made my stomach growl, honestly, it sounded a bit like lasagna, and I was a bit hungry, too, it was lunchtime, after all, but nevermind that; Legilimency?
"I-I've never heard of that before, sir," I tilted my head a bit, trying to think about it, but not finding it in my mind,
"I'm not surprised to hear that, rest assured, it's not something we directly teach at Hogwarts, as not every witch or wizard has such ability, Legilimency allows the wielder to be able to see the layers of the mind of another individual,"
My eyes widened in surprise, I never even heard that kind of magic was real, I jumped a bit from my seat,
"Like mind reading?" I must've said it in a weird way, Professor Dumbledore laughed a bit, and kept on explaining, never losing his calm demeanour,
"Not quite, dear child, although, I do believe Muggles call it that way, to put it simple, although, it goes well beyond just reading surface thoughts, that's why Professor Snape, a remarkable Legilimens, told me about it, you were able to, rather unconsciously, close a thought,"
"I know you must be tired from the normal curriculum, accompanied by Professor Flitwick's extra lessons, but it is of the utmost importance that here, at Hogwarts, we encourage the rare talents like yourself, with that in mind, I'd like to propose another lessons for you, if you're willing to accept them."
Honestly, it all felt... not real, I don't know why, but I didn't really think I had the abilities for it, I still had problems with some spells, and I didn't want to spend less time with my friends, but... maybe it'll help me to find more about my family, maybe, just maybe, Professor Dumbledore would teach me, and that way I could ask him directly about it.
"To be honest, sir, I don't really think I'm capable enough to learn such complicated magic, but, if you really think I can do it, if you believe in me, I-I'll try my hardest, will you be the one to teach me?" I had my eyes looking down the entire time, so I didn't really notice until I looked up.
He had his eyes directly in mine, and just like that time last year, when we were on the quidditch match and he locked eyes with me, I felt calm, like everything was alright, I felt lighter, and, for the first time since I've talked with a Professor, I didn't feel my chest tighten because of the anxiety.
"Dear child, I know all of the events you've been through in your rather short jump into this world makes you think otherwise, but, there's great potential in you, you might not see it now, but everything happens for a reason, and with time, you will understand it"
Once again, people were being vague about everything, but, compared to when my parents talk to me vaguely, the tone and vibe Professor Dumbledore gave off made me trust him.
He, of all people, wouldn't hide things, I trusted him, he was the one who made it possible for me to be in this amazing world, to have friends, thanks to him, I'm living.
"Alas, I foresee I'll be busy this year, but Professor Snape volunteered to be your mentor, he's a remarkable Legilimens, and an astounding Occlumency, worry not, he'll teach you the meaning of that word, your lessons will be three times a week, Professor Snape himself will notify you what days he's available," He had his carefree and calm smile the whole time.
I slumped into my chair as soon as he said that, Snape, as a teacher, for three times a week, alone?! God... maybe that wasn't so bad, given how he acted when I had detention, but now he'll be more cautious of what I ask him...
I sighed, maybe if I do decent enough, he'll tell me more about dad's family..., I had to stay optimistic, if I didn't, who would? All of my friends (four) tended to be... really pessimist, or, as Hermione would say 'logical'.
Professor Dumbledore told me I could leave, and I went straight to tell my friends to the Great Hall, they weren't there, of course, time didn't stop or anything, so I had to search for them, or well, Hermione, why? She was the easiest to find.
There's no place Hermione Granger loves the most than the library, and honestly, who could blame her? A library in a magical school? It calls for attention, especially all of the books there were in the restricted section. My mind always drifts when I think of all the kinds of spells that must be there.
Back to the point, when I got to the library, I didn't have to look hard, to be honest, I didn't even have to see her directly, all I needed to do was to look into the piles of book she usually had, you'd wonder how she could save up all that knowledge in her head.
I approached her, trying to scare her a bit, she makes a funny noise when she jumped, I sneaked to her, and whispered-shouted,
"Hermione-" I was the one surprised, I wanted to surround the wall of books she had, but I jumped when I realised she was instead looking directly at me, instead of any book,
"(Y/n)!" I had to stifle a scream just so that Madam Pince didn't scold me, and of course, as I'm pretty clumsy, I almost fell,
"H-How did you-"
"Oh, quite simple, really, I recognised your footsteps, you've got a distinct way of walking, besides, you always do the same when you want to scare me," I didn't know what to say, my mouth was open, and my mind blown, she had a pleased smile, as if she figured something out.
I stood there for a bit, not sure how to react, but Hermione continued,
"But nevermind that" She dismissed it as if it was nothing, "Are you in trouble? Professor Dumbledore might seem kind, but I've read he can be quite ruthless when someone breaks the rules, and-"
She stopped as soon as she heard me giggle, she looked annoyed, and asked,
"This isn't funny, (Y/n)!"
"It's all right, Hermione, Professor Dumbledore just wanted to give me some extra classes, he said something about me showing a bit of potential in Legilimency, that's all,"
I was going to explain to her what Legilimency was and opened my mouth, but her eyes widened, and went into her explanation mode,
"Oh! Legilimency! I've read about it, it's the ability of being capable of delving into someone's mind and extract thoughts or memories," I know she loves everything magical, but she's kind of a magic encyclopaedia, which is pretty cool, to be honest,
"Wait – Professor Dumbledore said that? (Y/n), that's impressive! It's such an advanced form of magic," A knot in my chest formed at that, was it that hard? I didn't want to look like an idiot failing at it, like when I fail with any of my spells...
"Now that you say that... I don't know, Snape's going to be teaching me about three times a week, but what if I fail? I don't want to disappoint Professor Dumbledore," She sighed. I thought she might be annoyed, because I never really told people about my insecurities.
"Professor Dumbledore himself said you have talent for it, you should trust what the most brilliant wizard of our age says! and if you struggle with it, I'll look for any books about it, there's bound to be something,"
She must've seen that I still looked a bit unconvinced, she hesitated a bit, as if she was thinking, and then kept talking,
"(Y/n), last year, you got a 115% on your Charms exam, you've already proven how capable you are!" I sighed, I didn't really like being given certain expectations, because I never knew if I could make them come true or not, and that added to the knot I use to get in my chest,
"I don't know, Hermione, you make it sound easy..." I started to look to the floor, "I'm not as good as Dumbledore says, I just like it, that's why it may seem like it, but... I wish I was as confident as you are in me," She gave me a smile, not one with pity, but a sympathetic one.
"It's not about confidence, really, I just know how capable you are, even if you don't see it, perhaps Professor Snape being your teacher will make it harder, but Professor Dumbledore believes in you, and if it helps, I believe in you, too,"
I looked into her eyes, and something happened, like with Professor Dumbledore, but instead of calmness, all I could feel coming from her was one feeling.
Trust.
She trusted me, believed in me, and if the greatest witch of our age, and Professor Dumbledore believed in me, maybe, just maybe, it was for something, so I smiled at her, or at least tried to with everything I got.
"You- will you really help me find books about it? I mean, we still haven't found anything about the Rosiers,"
"Of course!" She looked rather offended at that, I guess she was fairly confident in her ability of finding answers to everything in the library, and started to look in her pile of books, "I'm sure there's something about it in one of these books, I read about it not long ago,"
"And maybe we could even ask Professor Flitwick a permission note to look in the restricted section, this is actually quite exciting!"
As I felt everything fall into place, we both started to laugh although quietly, so that Madam Pince didn't scold us.
If I were to be alone, it would be impossible for me to even have a chance at this school (Herbology, mostly...) and those extra classes, alongside the new Legilimency lessons.
But with Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of our age, maybe I did have a shot at it
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