A Lesson on Mental Warfare (II)

I stand up as Snape stares with his usual bored gaze "Have you even attacked a mind?"

I shake my head "Well, I have once but that surely doesn't count." I grin thinking about the Moody imposter, his name escapes me since he is a nobody.

"Mhm… There are two methods to peer into a mind and five things you can do once inside: The first method is called Skimming, as long as you hold no bad intentions to the other person it is virtually impossible for them to detect you. This method is the most common and certainly an incredibly effective tool in everyday life, it is what I will mainly teach you."

"The second method is called Prying, where you force your way into the mind as I did with you. This method will get you far more information however the victim will know immediately. It is mainly to be used on those weaker than oneself and on already restrained targets."

"The first thing you can do once inside is read the victim's thoughts. The second is to feel emotions, the third is to read memories, and finally is destroying the mind. But destroying the mind is not commonly utilized since it is more effective to just kill them."

"You said there were five?" I ask confused.

Snape nods "Number five is memory manipulation. Manipulating memories requires high levels of charm prowess, it is best left alone. It is also not relevant to what I am teaching you today."

I slowly nod in agreement "I suppose that's true."

Seeing my agreement he continues "I will assist you in Skimming my mind until you are used to it. Once you have mastered that, you will try Prying and I will try to fend you off by only clearing my mind."

I nod as I hold up my wand and begin reaching into his mind. As our consciences meet I feel the darkness trying to help me push into as well but I hold it back. I don't close my eyes as I stare at Snape trying to skim his mind without forcing it.

'What a terrifying talent.' I hear the voice ring out in my mind like one of my thoughts but it isn't my voice, it's Snape's.

His eyes light up a bit 'You can hear me?'

I nod my head trying to keep my focus on skimming his mind. 'Good, this is Skimming. It can only be used to read thoughts and feel emotion. Go ahead, try to feel my emotions.' His thoughts ring out in my mind causing, it is not as weird as I thought it would be. It feels like when I get memories from eating souls.

I stop trying to hear his thoughts and instead try and 'feel' them. Again I get it first try, I feel an unearthly calmness come over me. I try to feel more and underneath the calmness, I can feel a deep sadness fueled by self-hatred and regret.

His eyes narrow at me as I feel his thoughts 'You are truly too talented… you are feeling far more than I am allowing.'

I break the connections as I give him an odd look "What do you mean?"

I see a bit of anger on his face "Don't try to treat me as a fool, boy. I saw that flash of pity cross your eyes."

I give a sorry smile "Sorry, I'm not used to this type of stuff."

Snape leans back in the chair, try again. I roll my eyes, he is like a hard to please cat. I again enter his mind trying to skim it, this time I find nothing. I give Snape a 'really' look as I begin to search the top layer of his thoughts.

I'm sure to an outsider this would appear off as I am standing a few feet from Snape with my wand aimed at him. We are both staring blankly at each other in silence but in his mind, I frantically searching for his thoughts.

After a few minutes of blank staring, I begin to feel a hint of annoyance. Seeing a small smirk appear on Snape's smug face is the last straw. I allow a tiny bit of darkness to help me invade the outer layer of Snape's mind.

Instantly I feel the entire of Snape's consciousness covered in my darkness. 'What just happened?' I hear Snape's voice from my head again causing me to smile.

Snape's smirk vanishes as he looks serious 'I see… You've done well…' Although that is what he is thinking his face does not look very happy. He puts a hand up and forces me out of his head.

"This is the fastest I have ever seen anyone pick up Legilimency… Occlumency can be learned very quickly since it is strongly dependant on will. But this… You truly are not what you seem to be like Salazar said."

I feel the tension in the air rise "You heard that?" I ask cautiously.

He smirks at my caution "I was listening to your conversation earlier. Your story was quite impressive, you are a lot like Tom when he was younger."

My eyes narrow "How would you know?"

"When I was under the Dark Lord I was his closest confidant other than that rat Lucius." He says as a matter-of-fact, he is neither happy nor angry as he speaks.

I give a joking smirk "So you admit you weren't under the imperious curse?"

Snape doesn't seem to find it funny "No, it was instead the biggest mistake of my life."

Seeing we aren't continuing for now I sit back down. "So, what are your thoughts on Voldemort's return?"

Snape gives me weary eyes "It is concerning that I was not the first to be contacted. I will have to question Karkaroff about the situation, he seems to be the Dark Lord's point of contact. I had been suspicious of the increased movement of dark wizards this past year. But I would not have expected the revival of the Dark Lord"

He pauses for a second before continuing "You should also not use his name so recklessly, it is jinxed."

I give a cocky smirk "I am aware, the only thing saying 'Voldemort' will do for me is get me some free target practice on some snatchers."

Snape's brows raise "Fancy yourself a Warlock do you?"

I tilt my head in surprise "That's a good way to put it. I do fancy myself a Warlock, how do I get that title?"

He seems amused by my words "Any deranged lunatic who likes to fight can call themselves a Warlock. But to truly get the title you must be conferred the title by the Wizzemgot. It most often gets added onto an Order of Merlin, First Class title."

I rub my chin as I lean back in my chair "I would get that if I killed Voldemort right?"

Snape scoffs "As if they would ever believe the dark lord is back. Although, if you manage to take down Salazar Slytherin I'm sure you could get the title."

"Good idea, I already dueled him once and I wasn't that far behind." I give Snape a grin "How do feel about helping me learn how to fight someone near breaking through their limit."

Snape sighs as he gives me an odd look "That is impossible. I may be powerful, but I am far from breaking through my limit."

My brows actually raise in surprise "I knew that, but I didn't think you would admit it."

My words earn a glare "I am getting tired of talking, get back up. We will continue, now try to break through my mind and find my secrets."