An Auror's Work is Never Done

Chapter 2 An Occlumency Lesson and Draco's Move

Monday Draco and I sat cagily outside the hall of Auror headquarters. The trainees were being called individually for our first Occlumency lesson. We spent the time waiting catching up on our weekly reading. Shacklebolt insisted every cadet have an intimate knowledge of his handpicked books. We were tested on them every other Friday. It was no surprise Hermione thought so highly of the baritone voiced Wizard. He loved books as much as she did. I was halfway through '52 Ways to Tell if Someone is a Dark Wizard' when Tonks came for me. My partner squeezed my shoulder and wished me luck.

"How's the training?" Tonks asked.

"I've never been so tired in my entire life. Every bone in my body aches. Was your instructor this hard on you?"

"Pretty much. The physical portion is rough but a disciplined body makes for a disciplined mind. It'll be worth it. Trust me."

"I guess I'll have to."

"Here we are. Just go in and try your best. You'll do fine."

Screwing up my courage I opened Auror Johnson's office door and walked in. I stood in front of his desk, feet together, hands clasped behind me. Johnson was a thin man with greying dark brown hair. Although he was seated I could tell he was tall. His office was decorated with a minimum of fuss. There was the one desk, two chairs, one window, and not much else besides a few files strewn in front of him. When he spoke it was with a heavy English accent.

"You may be seated, Trainee Weasley. As you may or may not be aware I am Elijah Johnson. I have been an Auror for eleven years and a master of Occlumency and Legilimency for six." He paused and then said, "You're Riddick's daughter, aren't you?"

"Yes, sir."

"I thought so. Where was I? Oh, yes. For the next six months, thrice a week, I will be teaching you and the other Auror would-bes Occlumency and Legilimency. I'd like to begin today with an overview on both the practice of Occlumency and Legilimency. Occlumency is the process of defending one's thoughts against mind reading. With practice the user can suppress certain thoughts and memories during a Legilimency attack. This allows them to 'lie' to the invader. Legilimency allows the caster to read the mind of the target and sorts through memories for the truth. As you can ascertain if the target realizes what's happening he or she can block those thoughts, which contradict the lie. I am assigning a book that should be read before next Monday's class. Today's session since I am speaking with each recruit one on one will be fairly short. Legilimens!"

Images flashed behind my eyes. Shawna saying goodbye when she'd moved...Me crying after she'd left my house for the last time...Mother's letter proclaiming her as a Death Eater...Harry and I snuggled on the couch...'Hey! That's none of your business!' I pictured a spurt of wind and pushed it through my mind, driving out the foreign presence.

"Good work, although I've never seen that technique before. Mad-Eye mentioned you were a Storm Tamer. You're the first I've met. I must admit to being rather intrigued."

I stared at him, upset with myself for letting him see what he had. Not many people knew about my mother and I liked to keep it that way.

"Everything I've seen is kept strictly confidential, I assure you, unless it could cause potential harm to you or others. I am sorry I had to surprise you that way but it is the only method to devise natural talent in this field of study. You have a very distinctive defensive style. We'll work to develop it further in the coming months. I've also been informed you and your partner," he shuffled through the files on his desk, "Draco Malfoy, have an extremely close relationship. Are the two of you dating?"

"No, sir."

"I didn't think so but I had to ask. The Ministry tries to discourage partners from dating. They have found it interferes with job performance."

"I understand, sir."

"How long have you know one another?"

"Since September of last year, sir."

"Hmm. That is a very short amount of time to develop such strong ties with someone. Tell me why you believe Trainee Malfoy and yourself have the rapport that you do."

"I'm sorry if I'm being disrespectful, sir, but that's pretty personal. I'd rather not discuss such private aspects of my life, especially with a superior."

"I don't want details, just the basics," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Oh. Well, Draco and I found we enjoyed each other's company and held common interests. It was easy to talk to him. We've become very close."

"I understand you've both taken part in the Sibling Blood Bond?" At my affirmative nod he said, "The two of you exhibit what Muggles call Twin Perception from what your instructors have told me. We will have to explore and nurture this also. The Occlumency and Legilimency lessons will probably only heighten the connection. It's not uncommon for partners to develop this bond but usually they've known each other for years and years. I believe that will be all for today. I will see you again tomorrow. You are dismissed. Send your partner in."

"Yes, sir."

"Oh and Trainee Weasley?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Please tell Mr. Potter he did a nice job teaching you to block the attack."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

Draco found me in the gym an hour later working with free weights.

"Don't you ever take a break?" he asked.

"Nope. Gotta keep up with you," I huffed.

"True. How'd your session go?"

I sat the weights down and took a breather. "Pretty good. I stopped the attack fairly quickly. He asked a lot of questions about us."

At this the blonde gave me a worried look.

"Don't worry, Dragon. I answered but didn't elaborate. I didn't tell him anything you've ever confided in me, I promise. How was yours?"

"Horrendous," he stated sitting on the bench next to mine. "I let him see way more than I should have." He shuddered.

"Lucius?" I guessed.

"Dancer, there are things in my past I haven't told you. If you knew..."

"I would still love and respect the man you are today. That won't ever change. You may not have been born my brother but you grew to be one in my heart."

"But..."

"No buts. It doesn't matter. But if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here. I won't judge you. Now, are you ready to go to your new home?"

"Very. It'll be nice to have a place of my own."

"Well come on already. Everyone's meeting us at the Cottage. Mouse is even leaving work early."

"Wow, I'm impressed."

"You should be. She told me they were expecting a shipment of Muggle fantasy books this morning. She finally convinced Mr. Blotts they'd be an instant success. No other bookshop carries them yet. I'm sure she's picked up a few and is halfway through the first."

"Knowing her, she's probably finished it."

"So what are you going to name your place, or are you?" I asked after we'd apparated home and changed.

"Dragon's Lair."

"That is SO you."

The move was easy. Draco had ordered most of the furniture and it had been delivered earlier in the morning. Using Mobilius charms we placed everything where directed. In no time at all Dragon's Lair was suitable for habitation. Us girls returned to the Cottage at 9 p.m. The house seemed much quieter without our Slytherin.