章 10: 10
On the day of Harry's first quidditch match I wanted to try my luck at getting into the forbidden library. With almost all professors and students spectating the match, I would have a few hours time, hopefully undisturbed. It was my best shot at learning more about the mind arts without being discovered.
The only obstacle between me and my goal was the librarian, Irma Pince, but I knew how to get around her. Apart from her and me there was no one present in the library.
Taking a random book out of one of the book shelves I walked up to her and said, "Excuse me, I found some damages on this book."
Like any person would, she looked up from her work and into my eyes and then at the book in my hands.
"Let me have a look." she replied, while taking it and laying the book on her desk, meanwhile I was already in her mindscape and manipulated her thoughts to only focus around the allegedly damaged book. Lost in thought and thanks to her obsession with everything that concerns the library, I accomplished my first goal smoothly.
I similarly to the troll erased every thought that didn't revolve around the book and left her alone afterwards.
Back in the real world I observed her for a little bit to make sure she wouldn't loose focus. "Ms. Pince can I take a book back home over the winter holidays?" I knew she would never ever allow any student whatsoever to take a book outside of the castle and if someone asked that question she would throw a fit.
After no reply came I couldn't help but smile. I walked behind her desk and squeezed besides her to get to the restricted section.
Now standing behind her, but in front of the gates I sent a wave of magic forward to find out what I was working with. I expected some sort of locking charm, but nothing too complicated since the lady behind me is able to enter it as well.
But what I found out was far more than I imagined. My magic bounced back like it hit a wall, it was not even able to find out how the gates could be unlocked.
'This has to be a ward' I thought as I approached the steel fence. I had read a little bit about this most convenient form of magic. I needed to get closer in order to find out what I was working with.
But when I touched the steel bars of the gate with my hands I felt the magic of the ward focusing on me. As fast as I could, I let go and distanced myself. 'Shit'
Quickly, I walked back to Ms. Pince, lifted my legilimency and left the library.
----
At the quidditch match
Dumbledore felt a tug at his magic, a clear sign that someone or something triggered a ward. Although he was able to know which ward, he unluckily was too far away to know exactly who it was that caused it. But the shortness of it reassured him that it was nothing major, it was comparable to the signals he would get when a curious wizards came too close to the forbidden library. Nonetheless he would later ask Ms. Pince if she saw anything suspicious.
Having made a mental note he focused back onto the quidditch match and especially Harry who was doing better than he had expected.
----
I had to find another time, when Dumbeldore would be preoccupied with something of utmost importance and couldn't spare the time to look who triggered his ward. I could only think of one scenario. The events at the end of the year.
That also meant that I would not be able to advance in legilimency like I wanted to. Nothing I could do about that, so I instead focused on my normal magical training.
The weeks flew by. I was either in the library studying various magical phenomena or helping other students with their homework. Thus far only other Hufflepuff students and Gryffindors accepted my help. The Ravenclaws didn't need any and the Slytherins were too proud to get the help of a mudblood.
Eventually winter came.
I chose to go back home over the break to visit my mom, i missed her.
Now on the train, I sent William, my owl, ahead in order to inform her of the exact time I would be arriving.
Collecting my luggage, I made my way out of the train. Outside was a managable crowd, because not all students choose to go back over the holidays.
Once I found my mother I quickly made my way towards her.
I was greeted by a warm welcome and a loving hug, but I could feel it. Behind all that happiness was a deeply lonely woman. She must have missed me a lot over the semester.
"Welcome back Lucas, how was school?" she asked keeping up the joyous front. "It was great, I can't wait to tell you all about it." I spent the rest of the day telling her almost everything I learned. I also told her about the people I met. With every story or event I could feel her mood lightening, especially at the mention of friends.
In the evening after bedtime I discussed some matters with William. "It was the first time since dad died that mom was all alone again. Before she had me, but ever since I enrolled in Hogwarts she has no one at home. That's why you have to keep her company from time to time. Understood?" My owl let out an affirmative sound "I will write her every week and you have to deliver the letters. After you delivered them, you don't have to come back immediatly. Ok?" Understanding what I meant William let out another "coo". "Good. And now time for bed we have some cookies to bake tomorrow."
On Christmas morning.
"Lucas come down breakfast's ready!" Sophia yelled. A bag of bread in one hand and a glass of jam in the other.
I arrived shortly afterwards with a growling stomach.
We peacefully ate breakfast with a pleasant conversation in between.
"You excited?" My mom asked with a warm smile and anticipation on her face. "I got you something special."
To say I wasn't excited would be a blatant lie, who doesn't like getting presents from the person you love, but this year I got something for her as well.
"Of course!" I said with enthusiasm.
"Then what are you waiting for."
I sprang up and ran over to the Christmas tree. In moments like these I was infinitely grateful to be a legiliments, I could push every thought about the future and that this was my second life to the back of my mind and instead just enjoy being a child getting gifts on Christmas morning. Which is arguably the best time of your life, before adulthood comes and changes everything.
I swiftly unpacked my presents, which were various university level science books.
Looking up towards my mom I could clearly feel her anxiety and suspense. Understandably, if you consider all the mystical stories I had been telling her about magic over the last few days. She currently probably doubted herself if these books were even good enough compared to the ones at Hogwarts.
"They are perfect!" I thanked her with as much joy as I could muster, before walking over her and giving her a big hug. "Love you mom."
Her eyes slightly teared up as relief washed over her and she returned the hug.
"I wouldn't want anyone else as my mom. I'm proud to be your son. You don't have to worry about being good enough." I assured her a little muffled because of our embrace.
That broke the dam and she hugged me as strong as she could.
"I know, but still I only want the best for you." She said while sobbing. It was the best day of her life. Or at least one of the best. Whose mother wouldn't love to hear those words.
Eventually she stopped sobbing and let me go, but I was not done yet with showing how much I appreciated everything she has done for me. I wanted her to know that all the years in which she sacrificed her own happiness to give me the best childhood weren't in vain.
"I also brought you something." I said as I ran to my room only to return a few moments later with two presents.
Her expression and the wave of love that radiated from her was worth the trouble. You see, I got a few coins here and there in exchange for tutoring the other Hogwarts students. Not much, but over the last two months I gathered enough to buy two things.
"Here. They are things that should make your everyday life a little easier." She listened to what I said as she unwrapped them.
The first present was a self-brewing coffeemaker and the other was an enchanted iron that ironed clothes all alone.
As I was explaining what these two did, my mom couldn't sit still and hugged me again. 'It was worth the trouble.'
"Thank you, Lucas. I love you."
——
I spent every day of the rest of the winter break with my mom. I could feel how much she missed our time together. We baked cookies, watched movies and I showed her some wandless magic. We enjoyed every day and I hoped my letters and William will cheer her up even when I am not at home.
Unfortunately all good things come to an end and I found myself back in the train heading for Hogwarts.
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