"The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by any invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing... It is true, however, that those who have mastered Legilimency are able, under certain conditions, to delve into the minds of their victims and to interpret their findings correctly."
     -- Severus Snape


At last! The students were (mostly) gone for Christmas. The incessant noise that he missed towards the end of summer when he returned ready to begin the new term had left them, leaving a far quieter hum behind. Those few who did stay for Christmas tended to wander and study were not anywhere near as noisy as a whole school full of teenagers, their hormones and their attitudes.

The foreign visitors were still about though, and like Ignan, he anticipated they would come and go during the days of the Christmas period and early new year, visiting families, taking trips. He would be staying put at Hogwarts until he visited Tapendra for domestic, family Christmas, and then a few days after Christmas he was off to visit his elderly father and put in an appearance at the family's new year's eve gathering. Well, not if he didn't get sick of them all and come back - there was an invitation to an event in aid of St Mungo's on his desk in his office, which looked somewhat inviting.

Although a somewhat strict soul, Ignan didn't entirely hate his colleagues, and it was at times like this he felt inclined to frequent the staff room for a little... dare he admit it... company. It was all the more interesting when the foreign Professors came by.

Tapping the copper kettle, he looked round to the other soul in the room that morning,
"Tea, Gerard?" He offered, "Or coffee?"

The holiday had slipped up on Gerard without noticing. When he hadn't been conducting seminars or overseeing tournament parameters for Beauxbatons, he had taken time for his own continued research. Lots of solitude for thought and writing in the accommodations provided to him in the castle.

As such, he didn't come down to the Hogwarts staff room all that often. Though today had been a quiet day after the activity of the Yule Ball, so Gerard had walked the empty halls to the room.

He had, himself, an overseas journal and a glass of water before the Hogwarts Deputy Headmaster came in. "Tea, thank you," Gerard said, closing the article he had been reading.

The tea tray landed not too long after the agreement to join the Deputy Headmaster in a cup. The notion could be interpreted as feminine - after all, the older man had got more of a reputation for drinking firewhiskey with colleagues than boiled water on tea leaves. Tea was often underestimated, in Ignan Storm's opinion.

"How has your term at Hogwarts treated you, Sir?" Ignan asked politely, inspecting the state of the brew before pouring Gerard a cup, and nudging the milk jug towards his Beauxbaton colleague to add his own to taste - or not. Continuing to pour his own, he then placed it down, retrieving the milk seeing it was done with, and adding it to his teacup.

"I apologise for not having much of a chance to sit in on your seminars, it had been my intention."

"It has met my expectations," Gerard said. Dorothy had told him much about her schooling at the castle. With tones of slight regret when Gwendolyn was born, as she would attend Beauxbatons. The reflection made Gerard pause, staring at the tea for an extended moment after it was poured before taking the cup to warm his hand. "The grounds and classrooms have been just as they were defined to me abroad. I almost felt like I had been her myself in my youth."

Gerard took a scalding sip of the drink but did not flinch. He set the cup aside, mildly surprised and the spicy herb brew. The British and their neighbors indeed new how to pick a blend of tea.

"I trust it hasn't been an inconvenience to you. You are welcome to come when you have the time. I plan to begin Legilimency after the winter holiday." Said with slight reluctance. "I imagine that is what several regular attendees have been waiting for. Though I will be broad from my original design and cover other magics of the Mind."

He picked up his tea again, for the warmth. "I'm told your alma mater and former career lies with Durmstrang. Hogwarts must treat just as well for you to stay." Spoken genially as Gerard warmed to the conversation. "Your level of discipline and experience has surely helped in the instruction of Defense here."

"I trust it hasn't been an inconvenience to you. You are welcome to come when you have the time. I plan to begin Legilimency after the winter holiday. I imagine that is what several regular attendees have been waiting for. Though I will be broad from my original design and cover other magics of the Mind."

"No, not an inconvenience, just the students and school matters have been in interrupting the attempts to attend." Ignan gestured that the items were not serious, just an irritation that he'd been unable to attend due to their timing.

"I'm told your alma mater and former career lies with Durmstrang. Hogwarts must treat just as well for you to stay. Your level of discipline and experience has surely helped in the instruction of Defense here."

Ignan smirked, sitting back in the armchair and pulling gently at one shirt cuff and then the other to straighten the creases.

"That is correct. I seven years teaching here before it was time for a change of scenery. I like to believe my experience has, certainly I produced some of the best grades ever seen last year from the students, if I say so myself." Ignan sipped his tea, his eyes staring just past Gerard a moment in thought before adding with a glimpse of humour, "Best of both, but not if you hear what the parents write to me."

The Deputy Headmaster blinked his blue eyes and smiled ever so slightly, retiring his cup of tea to his lap a moment, shifting his fingers on the warm vessel.

"I'm afraid I know little of your background in return, other than hearing your expertise on the magic of the mind. Have you taught at Beauxbatons long? How came about your knowledge?"

"Ah. I would not understand." The reputation of the Durmstrang alumni was not one Gerard knew much about. In a comparison of general education styles, Durmstrang methods might appear a bit too uncouth or severe to the British populace.

Gerard sipped is on tea. "Oh. I have been back to Beauxbatons for almost nine years. Though I do not teach." He paused, stirring his tea. "Well, there is a difference of roles at Beauxbatons. Our professors are held to very high standards in our subjects but the palace also prides itself on the supporting staff. My work mainly falls towards the latter. But the supporting staff do teach at times, skin to the seminars that have been going on this year. Normally, at Beauxbatons, I may have a small grouping of people to tutor in mental magic, Occlumency and so forth. But not always. I do coach, like your Quidditch referee here at Hogwarts, but a teacher is not my primary title."

He set the teacup back on its saucer. "As for my knowledge, that was developed during my time as a researcher for the French Ministry. The British Government has a similar Department, Mysteries, I believe. Do any of the governments that affiliate with Durmstrang have their own magical research programs? It's been some time since I've paid attention to the developments from Northern and Eastern Europe."

Ignan listened carefully as Gerard explained his role at Beauxbatons.

"Forgive my incorrect insight into your role there." He apologised, as he discovered he had been incorrect in assuming Gries taught a subject. It was curious to hear that he did teach something of the magic of the mind, a subject Ignan felt vastly uninformed about having caught wind of what Gries was lecturing on.

"I couldn't say about the magical research, if I am honest," Ignan replied to Grier's observations of the research. "My time with the German Ministry was back in the sixties and seventies, but I imagine most of the governments are investing in some form of research to be first to equip their forces. Research is held in such high regard in our society, it would be hard to imagine it not occurring somewhere, at all times."

He gave the slightest of shrugs with his shoulders, and then narrowed his eyes, thinking carefully.
"I do believe there are some specialisms in the Scandinavian Ministries along those lines, seem to remember a few of my spellworks students going into spell development, but none of the ones I knew very well." Setting aside the thoughts he narrowed in on Grier's knowledge.

"You wouldn't happen to be able to answer a question for me on the subject of legilimency, would you?" He asked the Frenchman. "I practise both, but not to any great extent, these days, just enough to tutor the basics of the art to teenagers, and the odd curious adult. When discussing with students the query came up of whether it would be possible for someone to be predisposed to occlumency or legilimency. The only instance I could think of was Potter, but it has been documented that his legilimency would be down to his horcrux status."

Ignan sipped his tea thoughtfully.
"Have you ever come across someone or heard of something similar?"

"It is not a bother on the assumption." Gerard frequently had to mention to those unaware of Beauxbatons' practices of what his role actually was. At the palace one's title was very important. It was not that Gerard was of a lesser station but that his realm was very specific apart from the instructors, save his select coaching. It was merely the matter of incorrect about the type of work. It would be no different than having the school nurse take over the teaching of a Herbology lesson. The nurse would be cross disciplined with knowledge of magical plants, of course, but to substitute would detract from the nursing duties.

"I have been fortunate that in most cases the French ministry is willing to publish findings for the betterment of wizardkind." In most cases this was true. Gerard's field rarely had a bit of research kept folded to the chest but there were things he did not know about that were in other research departments.

Gerard finished the last of his tea, ears piqued by Storm's question.

"I am not surprised by that observation," Gerard replied. "I had been expecting the question may come up during one of my seminars but none have posed the query yet. I found the Potter example to be very intriguing, as it was revealed in the aftermath of the Dark Lord's defeat that he had shared a connection with Voldemort" (pronounced with a silent 't') "A fragment of soul, a means short of complete possession, so their thoughts were able to mingle strongly."

His voice faded a bit. Though he did not live on the continent Gerard understood the pain Voldemort had caused. Because his own pain was from when his own wife and daughter left Belgium to return to the motherland to wind up as casualties in the war. Usually Gerard had a clinical divide with talk of the Dark Lord and the loss of his family. Gerard had discovered it was not by the Dark Lord's command, just the violence of his underlings that had taken Dorothy's family

That thought made it worse sometimes.

With nary a pause Gerard continued, "but as to whether there are predispositions to the skills the answer is true and more common than you might think. The sign of being rather inept with occlumency or legilimency will not be as apparent as being a metamorphmagi. But when it comes to learning the skills some mindsets are more attuned than others to certain skills, although theoretically anyone with enough practice could become used to mental protection or penetration."

Ignan raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised at the answer.

"I could understand that each of us have a differing natural tolerance, which stems from the way we order our thoughts as we go through life, but for someone to be predisposed with the power to look into another's mind seemed well, too akin to either divination or powers of observation to read another." The older man looked thoughtful about the matter. He had also used alcohol as a way of slowing down and improving ease of access to a family member's mind when attempting to use legilimency some months ago, so that line of 'predisposition' could be reasoned.

"To become 'used' to being read mentally seems quite a risk though. Its very easy to damage a mind if the intent is there. Reading memories externally would be so much safer." He shifted and looked up to Gerard, "Or am I swayed by personal experience? I had an unfortunate experience where my memories were modified a number of years ago, without my realising, so I'm particularly protective of gatekeeping matters where physically, and mentally possible." Creases appeared in the Defence professor's forehead as he considered the incident in his past.

"Would the ease of reading be, as you mentioned, for healing treatment, perhaps?"

Though a frequent one, the momentary recollection of the past lifted from Gerard's mood as the men settled into conversations of theory. By now Gerard had finished his tea and rested the empty cup with its saucer.

"The 'power' of observation and being highly accurate is what I refer to the most when regarding natural talent for legilimency. Muggles have their own term and culture, psychics capable of mind-reading. While this can be incorrectly assumed to be legilimency it is not but it is a non-magical manifestation of similar principles. These psychics, or mentalists, are all fake for if they had magical ability they would be muggleborn. The are merely very perceptive observers and reasonings when it comes to human expression and behavior. Being able to see the surface, therefore, is beneficial looking past the surface, where the actual act of legilimency comes into play."

Gerard folded his hands. "That is the unfortunate side of the application of the magic of the mind. It can be a powerful tool for mental discipline and the further research into magic but it is all too easy for ill intentions to sully the practice." In truth, this was not merely a peeve for Gerard. Any destruction or alteration in an unwilling mind angered him greatly. His emotions were well in control, discussion of malpractice was not going to make him visibly angry. But to see the awful use of the discipline in person...

Simply, the death of his family and attempted vengeance had not been Gerard's only reasons for leaving his researching position.

"As a healing treatment, the very kind of memory modification you experienced can be rectified by the same means." He spoke topically, not prying further. "It is not a process that should be rushed, the repairing of someone's mind that has been abused by mind magic."

Gerard seemed a most well researched wizard in the field, and Ignan accepted that he could probably learn quite some detail about matters. It made him more dismayed to have missed the other man's seminars.

The Deputy Headmaster looked thoughtful as he considered the possibility of repairing maliciously damaged memories, such as the ones he had of Azorma. The truth had been replaced with a false memory of her death - some clever editing by Italian magical law enforcement to end a bloody alliance between her and Ignan before they snapped his wand and cast him out.
 
"Its been over a decade since it happened," He explained, "and I think I've come to terms with the reality of what actually happened." He tapped a long pale finger on his knee a moment, curious.
"What would be involved? Have you ever managed to do such a thing?"

Though he had not asked, Ignan Storm spoke more about his own experiences. A scenario Gerard had come to recognize as a 'good listener' to use a limited term. Very often those that truly wanted to share something with you would do so unprompted.

"To speak of the process in general, I have done it a handful of times, four times specifically documented." That loose number could raise a question but Gerard continued. "Along with overseeing the training of two other practitioners, both with optimal degrees of success."

"As for the method," Gerard deposited his teacup from his lap to a side table. He sat up straighter to use his hands. "it begins with research before any session with the patient. As much as possible that should be known about their life that the subject has forgotten. At minimum the most important stimuli the practitioner may need to know to tease out the damaged memories. When the legilimency session is begun both practitioner and patient are within a quiet room free of distractions. The legilimens leads the subject into a trance-like state and communicates them through the process. As for the sensation, it can feel like the use of a penseive but without the actual use of that device."

What Gerard had not expected was for Ignan Storm to talk with frank interest, almost suggesting that he would be in need of such therapy. "The older the memories are, the more difficult tracking them can be. It depends on the significance. The entire procedure is not a short one. Without knowing your circumstances I would say if you have come to terms with a difficult part of your memory that may be the best."

Gerard paused. "Only if there was any doubts that still plagued you to this day would trying to uncover them be advisable."

"Yes, quite," Ignan replied hastily, "I was asking more out of self curiosity than to seek if such an outcome would be available in my circumstances."

He had listened with genuine rapture to the other man's explanation. There were healers in the family, his uncle, Medgar (father of Wolfgang, grandfather of Johann) was practising less these days due to his age, but still advised and taught healers in Germany with a gruff tone. However the application of occlumency and legilimency had never been discussed in this way amongst family. It was far more about protecting business secrets, interrogation of criminals in their Ministry or competition.

"It is refreshing to hear about the application of the craft for something other than self protection or mental attack. That is entirely the route I was taught it, sadly, rather than its more positive applications." He folded one leg over the other and studied Gries a moment thoughtfully.

"What if the subject has been more seriously obliviated, can that be remedied? Does that not get in the way of the initial research?" He queried, "I've always wondered - see, if we use a pensieve to remove memories, we leave a trace in our heads, like a book cover and blurb, otherwise we wouldn't know which memories we'd removed. But is obliviation the destruction of the whole text, the content, or simply the disruption of that library so the victim cannot find order in the memories to locate them?"

"I have come to think that there are different modes of Obliviation," Gerard said as he settled into greater comfort, the kind brought on with theoretical discussion with what could be classified as a peer. Ignan Storm was older and of a different background but he was an educator and the Defensive expert at Hogwarts, appearing knowledgable with both physical and mental defense.

"It comes down to the intent of the caster, though he or she may not be aware of it as they cast. Obliviation, for the most part, appears to be full erasing of the memory to be overwritten by other stimuli. New thoughts, implanted memories, whatever workings the Mind creates to repair itself. Muggles, for instance, do not have the luxury of a pensieve to store thoughts or keep backups. But the Mind also remains a mysterious thing, capable of perceiving and storing more than what we cognitively comprehend. Thus there may always be some remnant of the original memory remaining, if at lost context from the destructive force of an Obliviation. I can think of a infamous resident of St. Mungo's Janus Thickey ward as an example."

"After his minor fame, it was found Gilderoy Lockhart was attempting an Obliviation when it backfired on him. Although his history and memories are gone, some familiar elements of his past life have come back to him, such as his penchant for signing autographs. Whether this is a remaining memory or his mind, theoretically blanked by his Memory charm, making the same choice of personality at the rediscovery of autographs is hard to say, insomuch as he still appears to not know the significance of his name."

"Curious." Ignan agreed, knowing of Lockhart. "I burned a couple of his books which were languishing in the classroom. He's possibly better of not remembering why he was considered 'famous'." He folded one hand over the other thoughtfully.

"A backfire would have been a chaotic disturbance to memories, akin to an explosion. Other, more selective and controlled methods would be able to be stitched together at some point in the future, I hope. For those with no hope of restoration, those new memories and re-learning perhaps should be the focus, rather than dwelling on the past."

The older man's expression drooped a little as if he were thinking of something to himself on the matter and then his shoulders rose and fell.

"So much we do not know about the mind. Obliviate is such a powerful spell once mastered, you would almost wonder why they do not restrict its use more." Having picked up on the other man's comfort in discussing this subject, he reached forward and lifted the teapot.

"I'll make another," He told Gries, a hint of appreciation for the conversation curling the corners of his mouth, "you have me intrigued."



End - slid a couple of months behind time, but happy to pick up another thread in more current time, soon.