Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 193 Occupational Surgery

"...The human heart is not a book that can be casually flipped through, nor are thoughts engraved in the brain that can be delved into and read; the human heart is complex, multi-layered, at least most minds are..."

"A person who can manipulate minds can study other people's minds under certain circumstances and make correct interpretations. Only a person skilled in Occlumency can seal away feelings and memories that contradict lies, and lie in front of him without being detected."

Snape first gave Thea a basic introduction to Occlumency, to prevent her from thinking that she was just interested in learning it and was completely unaware of the ability.

Thea listened attentively to the other person's explanation, her hands constantly making notes on certain points.

“Occlumency isn’t something you can learn just by writing…” Snape said sarcastically, pulling out his wand as he spoke.

"Stand up, pick up your wand, Black!"

Thea obediently put down the quill, then took out the cedarwood wand, and the two faced off across the table.

“You can disarm me with your wand, or defend yourself in any other way you can think of,” Snape said.

Thea gripped her wand tightly.

"I'm going to enter your mind now. I want to see your resistance—Legitimacy!"

Snape suddenly attacked, and before Thea could prepare to resist, the classroom swayed before her eyes, and an image flashed through his mind like a movie.

The breakfast Windsor brought her was a little bland… Andrew clenched his fist as if to hit himself, while the children around him watched indifferently… Mrs. Green dumped them in a carriage like livestock at that opulent villa… The doctors and patients at St. Mungo's Hospital looked at him with such indifference, a stark contrast to their previous enthusiasm…

"Except your weapons!"

A streak of red light narrowly missed Snape's robes.

"I'm sorry... Professor."

Thea leaned weakly on the table, her forehead covered in cold sweat.

“You’re moving a little too slowly…” Snape said dryly.

"I'm sorry, I'll be more careful next time."

“Now, clear your mind,” Snape said coldly, suppressing his emotions, “discard all feelings…”

"You need to restrain yourself and concentrate..."

"Again!" Once Thea had recovered somewhat, Snape was ready to start again without stopping for a moment. "Three...two...Legitimacy!"

A girl always carrying a book at Malfoy Manor... Meeting the legendary savior in Diagon Alley... On the train, because of Pansy's threat, the girl directly smashes the glass in front of Pansy...

"Go away!"

Thea desperately tried to break free from those images, but the price was that she collapsed to her knees, exhausted, and the throbbing pain in her head made her feel nauseous.

"stand up!"

Facing Thea, who was kneeling on the ground with a pale face, Snape coldly reprimanded her, "Your efforts are not enough! You showed me your memories, which is equivalent to giving me a weapon!"

Thea stood up, supporting herself on the chair, her lips almost bleeding from being bitten so hard. "I will try my best..."

"Then let's prove it with actions!"

"We are about to—use Legilimency!"

The endless hordes of Dementors brought a bone-chilling cold… Miss Weasley smiled and handed her a black notebook… In the eerie graveyard, the girl didn't hesitate to slash her own arm…

"Oh!"

This time, it wasn't Thea who broke free on her own initiative, but rather Snape who took the initiative to interrupt Legilimency.

"That concludes this morning's training. Remember to come find me at 2 PM."

Snape, trying to keep a straight face, instructed, "Remember to constantly remind yourself to suppress all emotions and keep your mind calm."

“…Okay, Professor.”

Thea closed her eyes only after Snape left the classroom.

To be honest, that feeling of having a blender crawl into your brain is really awful!

“Young master…”

Peter peered through the crack in the door, looking inside cautiously.

"...What is it?" Thea's expression instantly returned to its usual coldness.

"My master asked me to bring this letter to you..."

When Thea saw the sender's name, she paused as she took the letter. "Did Father say anything else?"

"No…"

Thea opened the letter, and sure enough, it was Draco's handwriting. It mainly asked how she was doing lately, and also about her fourth-grade final exams.

"Please write me a reply. Just say I'm very busy right now, and that it will be done before the start of the semester."

Peter repeated Thea's words to himself, afraid of missing a single word, before leaving the classroom.

Why did Draco suddenly send this letter?

Is it just a simple greeting?

Thea's expression turned somewhat intrigued as she recalled the contents of the letter.

Daphne, Gella, Zabini, Theodore, Pansy...

Granger, Potter, Weasley, Helene...

Thea went through the names one by one, not too surprised.

When Voldemort returned, the first thing he did was to purge the Death Eaters.

So Voldemort agreed to let this letter come to him because he wanted him to figure out the scope of his future friendships?

Having figured this out, Thea finally felt relieved and then threw herself into studying the Occupational Therapy.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Draco never imagined his home would be so... oppressive.

Ever since the day he came home alone, his mother seemed to be caught up in some bad memories. Although she tried hard not to let her mood affect her beloved son, Draco could still sense that she was very anxious.

Because of Thea, because she didn't come back.

They all knew where Thea was—because his father had brought them the news of Thea's presence at the Riddle House on the very night he went on holiday.

Will Thea come back?

Narcissa froze for a moment, then gently stroked Draco's hair with her hand, just as she had done to Draco when he was a child.

"...Probably not, that's her home..."

"……oh."

Draco lowered his head, seemingly understanding why Thea had kept saying he wasn't strong enough.