The Golden Flame

James stood in the middle of the Room of Requirement facing Neville who was staring at him intently motionless with a deep focus whispering words softly to himself that James couldn't hear. They stared at each other silently. James suddenly reached for his head as it began to hurt and then Neville looked away and the pain instantly was gone.

"Damn it. I just don't get it. I'm thinking of a wall like you said it just doesn't work. I don't get understand how this works."

Neville stared at him. "Good."

"What?! How is that good? Your supposed to teach me how to do Occlumency properly."

Neville shook his head. "No. I'm here supposed to help you figure out the right teaching method that will help you understand how to protect your mind. Now that you've acknowledged you don't understand how it works then we'll start from the beginning. What is the purpose of Occlumency?"

James sighed in frustration shaking his head. "I feel like I'm a first year again."

Neville waved away his comment. "It's normal."

"I respectfully disagree. I'm supposed to have finished with my studies." He said.

Neville chuckled. "I thought the same way many years ago. Please explain to me the purpose of Occlumency at it's a core."

James sighed. "It is a meant to protect the mind from the invasion of another wizard breaking into the mind, to gather information and influence the thoughts and mind of the wizard or non-magi." He said.

Neville shook his head. "No. Use fewer words."

James stared at him. "That is the correct explanation."

Neville grinned. "It is a test book explanation. Break it down to the elementary level. Teach me. I'm the 1st year and your the head boy sixth year. Explain it to me."

"Occlumency is the practice of keeping someone off your bonk bed."

"Yes. It's my first year. I get bed assigned to me. I don't like my bed. I liked your bed and I wanted to claim your bed. How would you-"

"Stop. This sounds stupid. It's my mind. My mind isn't a bed." James said heatedly.

Neville nodded. "Correct. Your mind is the one place totally private to you. It is the one space in this world that is yours alone but it can still be broken into and invaded. Have you've seen your father use Occlumency?"

James grimaced. "Yes and no."

"Intriguing. Can you explain it to me?" Neville asked.

James shook his head. "No. It's not that I can't explain what happened I can't explain how he did it."

"Tell me the story. Please explain to me what happened in as much detail as you can."

James closed his eyes as he thought back to that memory.

"He was sent to a building to execute Dementors. He fought against them but he got caught up and trapped. They tried to suck out his soul but he stood still in that moment calm. A look of peace came over his face. In the face of death and someone trying to take his soul. It was some type of technique he's used that he learned from the Wuxia. He was amazing. He was an unstoppable force that couldn't be beaten. Maybe I need to train in the Wuxia. If I can go to the east then maybe I can achieve something maybe not as strong as him but maybe something I can work with."

"James. I need you keep that picture of your father in your head in that moment. Can you hold it?"

The image of Angus in James head in that moment was frozen in time. A glow was around his body. The warmth of the glow warmed something inside James mind.

"I can hold it!" James said calmly.

"Good. I want you to get real close to that image until you feel like your standing in front of Angus." Neville said calmly.

James frowned shaking his head. "I don't understand what this has to do with Occlumency."

"Do you trust me James?"

"Completely." James said.

"Thank you. I just need you to try and get as close to the image of your father as you can." He said.

James sighed but started to get closer and closer to the image of Angus until felt like he was standing in front of him. The heat of the glow on his skin. "Professor!"

"Stay calm. It's just a image in your mind, James. It's just a memory from the past. What is the most important thing to your father? What gives him the deepest joy of his life?"

"My mom and me. We're the only things he cares about the most. He would die for us and shake the world apart to protect us. We're the people that give him the most happiness."

"Good. Keep the image in your mind James. I need you to keep your focus on the image of your father in that moment. How do you feel?"

"Strange. I feel warm. I can feel a warm glow inside me it's growing. What is this?"

"A small break through. James. But, I need you to focus. Don't question. Focus. Keep the image of your father in your head. Keep with that feeling."

"Wow." James said as he felt the rush of the glow over his body as he stared at the image of his father. "What is this?"

"James do you know the reason your father traveled to the far east?"

"Yes. Dad lost his wand in a duel but he realized at the same time that he had to find a different way. He had reached a cap in his strength. He went to the Wuxia to become stronger and he succeeded. But, I don't understand. Why can I feel his power surrounding my mind."

"He's your father. You are his son. I want you to remember your words about your father. He would die for us and shake the world apart to protect us. We're the people that give him the most happiness. I want you to think about the people that give you most happiness. I want you to think about what you would do protect them. What would you put on the line to protect those loyal and precious to you. Those people most dear to you that feeling inside you. It's the source to power you'll need to guard your mind."

James opened his eyes blinking away the tears that flowed down his cheeks. He half turned and wiped his face roughly and took a deep breath inward and out before he turned back to Neville who was smiling at him. Neville grinned and started clapping for him. "Well done, James. Well done."

James cleared his throat. "I don't understand how you did that but I think I'm beginning to understand how Occlumency truly works at least for me. Thank you for teaching me."

Neville nodded. "Good. This is a very good first step. But, I didn't do anything James. I just assisted you into finding the right teaching method for you to discover the answer with in yourself. This is just the first step to a long educational journey of bettering yourself and becoming a great wizard or magi. How do you feel?"

"I feel. I feel good but also a little tired after your instruction. I'm beginning to understand. I think. So what do you know about the golden light of flames?"

Neville shrugged his shoulders. "I have ideas but your father hasn't felt the need to tell me at any time I personal don't care. He's entitled to his secrets and to uphold his loyalties to the far eastern wizards."

James chuckled. "You really don't care about the power of the Wuxia?"

"Why should I? I care about being excellent at what I'm good at and improving my own skill sets as I advance along. I care about my students and helping them become great learners and wizards. I care about you and your family. I care about my Tan Tan. I think we should take a break for the day possibly tomorrow your parents should come and pick you up and return to your home."

James shook his head. "Professor."

Neville held up a finger raising his eyebrows.

James smiled. "Neville. I don't understand you bro. How could you not care about learning the secrets to the Wuxia. I can't wait to go and see the place my Dad trained."

"In due time, James. In due time. Until then you might want to consider using your chief gift to learn more about your father's past for yourself to better have an education on how your father began his own journey toward crafting his own skill set as a magi and Wuxia student."

James opened his mouth and the closed it and smiled.

"You know Neville, I think I will."