Private message to Hydra Lestrange

[alt_rabastan]

Duckie,

Why don't you come round my rooms for tea this afternoon? I've brought back some sweets and other delights from last night's party at Malfoy Manor that you're sure to enjoy.

Want to check in with you too, about what occured in Hogsmeade last weekend. There was some kind of talk this morning about those French lads who got at the wrong end of your wand- I didn't catch the details, but the Matron's looking to speak to Froissart about them, so I can only guess that they've been up to no good once more. Also heard that one of them took a girl to the ball who ended up extremely put off by his, ah, ungentlemanly behaviour.

Thought maybe we could talk about what happened to you and see that it doesn't happen again. They didn't...?

Anyway, come see your old uncle and we'll sort it out.

Comments

[alt_hydra]

Yes they've been up to no good, they sent another student to the hospital wing. He might've even died if he'd not had help to get there in time.

So yes, I would like to talk about how to see that it doesn't happen again, to me or to anyone else.

From,
Hydra

[alt_rabastan]

If it's as serious as you're saying, then more certainly steps will be taken to make sure it doesn't happen again. I'll speak to Froissart myself if it's required.

This...wait

I've just looked back in my book. Was it the Finch-Fletchley lad who ended up hurt?

[alt_hydra]

Yes, it was him.

From,
Hydra

[alt_rabastan]

I'm sorry to hear that, then. I know you've become good friends with him.

[alt_hydra]

Maybe there's something else we could talk about, if there's time?

It's a Defence question, really. Do you teach occulmency to your older students? The one who are NEWTs, I mean?

From,
Hydra

[alt_rabastan]

On a limited basis I do. 'Course, full training in Occlumency requires one to work with a Legilimens, because that's the only way to know that you're truly occluding. There are other tools that can help to gauge it, but none so useful as being tested by a legilimens.

I really probably ought to ask why you're interested, but... well, one doesn't have to be an legilimens to guess.

Something happen recently? With your Mum, I mean.

[alt_hydra]

Not happen, but.. well, really my question was whether it's a skill you can be born with, if your parents can do it. Or if something can happen to you to make you good at it.

From,
Hydra

[alt_rabastan]

There's different thoughts on that. I once heard someone call it "intuitive magic" and that's how I've thought of it ever since. Types of magic that one seems to be born with a knack for, even without a lick of proper training. Harry's ability to fly, for example. Or your Mum's legilimens ability- which is very nearly impossible to teach. Occlumency can be taught (as it was to me) though one with an intuitive feel for it would pick it up much easier, and be able to use it better. The fact that your Mum has access to that kind of magic intuitively does make it possible that you do, as well- but not necessarily probable.

As for something happening "to make you good at it"- not sure I follow what you mean there, Duckie.

[alt_hydra]

The last time Mummy tried to use it on me was after what happened in first year, and it didn't work at all. Even though she tried different ways of making it work, like not letting me sleep, and other

It always worked when she tried before, so I thought maybe Tom what happened to me changed something.

From,
Hydra

[alt_rabastan]

She wouldn't let you sleep?

Ah, well...

What happened to you is certainly something beyond almost everyone's understanding, because how did he, so who knows what results it might've had?

Why don't we talk about it more when you come to tea.

[alt_hydra]

Alright then. I'll be round after lunch.

From,
Hydra