"What exactly is Occlumency?" Carina asked hesitantly.

"It is a branch of magic which seals the mind against magical intrusion and influence. The opposite of Occlumency is Legilimency, the ability to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind," Lucius explained.

"So, why exactly do I need to know Occlumency?" Carina asked.

"There are many gifted Legilimens out there who can tell what you're thinking, feeling, and even look through your memories. It would be beneficial to protect yourself against such forces."

"Okay, and are you a Legilimens?" Carina asked.

"I have learned some skills in Legilimency, but I am not nearly as gifted as the Dark Lord. I must admit, your aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange, is higly skilled at Legilimency as well. I do believe that Professor Snape and Dumbledore are also quite accomplished. It's a shame Bellatrix is in Azkaban, otherwise I'd have her teach you. But, I can begin with the basics for now," Lucius stated while reaching for his wand.

"What are you doing?" Carina asked anxiously.

"In order to begin this training, I'm going to first have you practice resisting the Imperius Curse."

"The Imperius Curse? Why?"

"Because resisiting Legilimency is similar to resisting the Imperius Curse....Imperio!" Lucius shouted. Before she could react, she felt as if every worry had been relieved from her life. A gentle, soothing sensation washed through her brain, and she wasn't even aware when she began to tap dance on the floor of Lucius' office. Within seconds, she was released, and her mind flooded with worried once more.

"Woah..." Carina gasped.

"Not very well, but I suppose that was your first time ever under the curse. Let's try again... Imperio!" This time around she was prepared and mentally blocked the force of the curse out with all of her might, as if she were drawing a curtain shut. Her feet only moved slightly against the hardwood floor, and within seconds Lucius had lifted the curse in delight.

"Excellent! That was rather impressive, Carina. Some people have to build up a resisitance to the curse, and it often takes several years. Now this time, I will attempt to break into your mind. I want you to take that same skill which you just performed, and apply it to this.... Prepare yourself... Legilimens!" Lucius shouted. Carina attempted to draw the same curtain down, but Lucius seemed to crawl his way under it as he explored her mind. Her memories flooded into sight, showing her and Draco running around the Manor as toddlers... Narcissa crying in the bedroom as Lucius screamed... Her first date with Oliver... No, Carina thought, he cannot know about Oliver. With such furiosity, she clawed Lucius out of her brain, practically flinging his influence away from her.

"You let me, an unskilled Legilimens, in too far. Picture what would happen if that were the Dark Lord! He'd figure you out in a second!" Lucius hissed. Carina sat in her chair panting. She had never realized that Occlumency was even a thing before today, and now she was suddenly hurled into the practice.

"Father, could you describe how you would remove someone from your brain?" Carina asked.

"Of course. You must first clear your mind of all emotion, conceal it in your inner mind, so that the emotions are not easily accessible for your pursuer. Then, and only then, can you use the curtain, which I did notice you used. The only issue is that curtains are pliable. An unskilled Legilimens like myself was able to flick the curtain away, and access your thoughts. A skilled Legilimens would shred through that curtain. That is why you must practice Occlumency. In order to strengthen your curtain. The ideal barrier is a brick wall, but your mind is still weak, and couldn't muster one brick. By practicing Occlumency, you're able to carry more weight as time goes by, eventually leading up to the wall. Do you understand?" Lucius asked. Carina nodded in response.

"Perfect. I think you've done enough for today, but what I'd like you to do is practice clearing your mind. If there's anything I know about you, it's that you tend to wear your heart on your sleeve. You have to take this heart, and store it deep within you. Lock it in a compartment where no one can access it, except for yourself. Do you understand, Carina?"

"Yes, Father."

"Perfect. We'll meet again in a couple of days," Lucius stated. With a brief nod, she left the office and strutted to her bedroom. She swiftly shut the door, then jumped onto her bed, letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Thoughts buzzed through her head like flies as she tried to comprehend everything Father had just told her. He gave Ginny the diary on purpose... He was a Death Eater... He got me paralyzed... He's helping Voldemort return... Voldemort's going to return... He wants me to be a Death Eater... I can't become a Death Eater! I'm not like that! But he says I have to? He can't make me though... Carina thought as she laid there. Finally, after an hour of pure anxiety, she stood up and marched to the Quidditch pitch.

Upon arriving, she grabbed her broom and a Quaffle, flew into the air, and began practicing.
She released a Bludger to practice dodging, while also working on her dives, and long distance throws. After several hours, she was in complete darkness, and decided it best to return inside. She had Tootsie cook her dinner, then sat in the dining room and ate by her lonesome, until Draco interrupted her halfway through.

"What's wrong?" He asked, taking a seat across from her.

"What do you mean?" Carina asked as she dropped her fork in surprise.

"You only ever practice Quidditch alone when something's bothering you," Draco replied, leaning across the table and stealing a piece of pasta from her plate.

"I'm suprised you noticed that... but I'm not sure it's something I should be saying in the open," Carina mumbled in response.

"Okay, then let's go somewhere else," he stated then motioned for her to follow him. The two walked to fourth floor of Malfoy Manor, and ended up in their old playing room.

"Haven't been here in awhile," Carina muttered as she took a seat in a leather armchair which overlooked the gardens.

"I walked all the way up here, now explain," Draco ordered.

"Well, as your stalkerish self probably knows, Father and I had a chat this morning... he came clean about his previous career as a Death Eater, and he told me that the Dark Lord is going to return, and.. and that..." Carina couldn't even finish her sentence. The thought of becoming a Death Eater repulsed the girl, and she knew that she would have to do everything in her power to avoid that fate.

"And what?" Draco asked.

"It sounded like... he.. he wants me to become a Death Eater," Carina whispered so softly that she wasn't sure if he heard.

"But... but the Dark Lord isn't here yet, is he?" Draco muttered with an expression of terror.

"No... but it sounded like he would be soon. Draco, what am I supposed to do when he is here? I can't do that stuff! I'm not like that!" Carina cried. She was failing at holding back her tears, and completely gave up as Draco hugged her.

"Is anyone really like that, Carrie?" Draco asked after her tears slowed.

"No... I suppose not..."

"Carrie, if that ever happens to either of us, just know that I have your back no matter what. I promise," Draco stated as he gave her hand a squeeze.

"Same here, Draco. I promise," Carina whispered.

-

"Severus Snape is coming today," Narcissa informed Carina approximately a week later.

"For Occlumency?" Carina asked. She had been practicing Occlumency every two days, and she was making so much progress that Lucius had a difficult time invading her mind. Much to Carina's suprise, she still managed to keep her friendship with the twins a secret from the man.

"Yes, so make sure that you're prepared by noon!"

"Yes, Mother," Carina replied, then bounded up the stairs to her bedroom. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a black sweater, then braided her platinum blonde hair.

"What're you dressing up for?" Draco asked as he strolled past her room.

"Snape's coming today," Carina informed him.

"Snape? As in Professor Snape?"

"Yup, Professor Snape."

"Why's he coming?"

"Father wants me to learn Occlumency."

"And he doesn't want me to learn it?" Draco sneered.

"Guess not," Carina replied with a shrug. Draco glared at her, then stalked down the hall. Within moments, she heard a knock on the front door.

"Carina!" Narcissa called from the foyer.

"Coming," Carina called back, then ran down the stairs.

"Please, follow me," Narcissa ordered, leading both Carina and Snape to the parlor.

"Is this good, Severus?"

"It's perfect, thank you, Narcissa," Snape replied, then stalked into the parlor with Carina on his tail.

"Sit," Snape ordered. Carina immediately plopped down into the chair, and Snape sat in one across from her.

"So Lucius tells me that he's taught you the basics of Occlumency... is this true?"

"Yes, sir."

"Interesting... so please tell me, how do you defend yourself from a Legilimens?"

"First, you clear your mind of all emotions, memories, and thoughts. Then, you set up a defense system, which is like lifting a wall around your mind," Carina stated.

"Good. Legilimens!" Snape shouted. He caught her before she even had the chance to lift her walls, and memories began to flood her mind... her Father performing the Cruciatus Curse on her... her first Quidditch match... the Marauders Map... the first time she met the twins... her first kiss with Oliver... Carina quickly forced his mind out of her own, and flung herself forward in the process.

"It appears your Father hasn't taught you real Occlumency," Snape muttered while staring at her from above.

"You... you caught me off guard," Carina stuttered as she brushed off her jeans and stood up.

"And you think that the Dark Lord won't?" Snape spat.

"I suppose you're correct... Can we try again?" Carina asked. She didn't even bother waiting for an answer as she cleared her mind, tucking every thought that floated by in a vault. This proved to be effective, as Snape plunged into her mind without even casting the spell. This time, she was prepared, and as he attempted to find a memory in the empty void of her mind, she shot him out.

"Much better. Rather impressive, really... you've only been doing Occlumency for a week?"

"Yes, sir. We've done it every other day for a week."

"And have you practiced compartmentalizing?"

"Yes, sir, every night before I go to bed and every morning when I wake up."

"I see it's been paying off. Your wall could use some-" Snape began, but plunged into her brain midsentence. She struggled to throw her defenses up, but then realized she hadn't cleared her mind first. Snape easily pushed past her wall, and scanned through her memories... The yellow eyes of a basilisk... no, Carina thought, then slammed Snape out of her brain.

"When there is a threat of someone entering your mind, you must always be on guard. This means that your mind must be clear of everything except for actions, and your defenses must be readily accessible. The Dark Lord can enter any mind at any moment, and you must be prepared to defend against this," Snape explained.

"Sir, can I ask you something?" Carina asked politely.

"Does it pertain to Occlumency?"

"No, sir, it's about the Dark Lord," Carina muttered.

"I suppose so."

"Is he coming back?"

"His soul is still out there, Carina. I'm sure that your father warned you that it's only a matter of time?" Snape asked.

"Yes, sir. I guess I was just hoping that it wasn't true..." Carina trailed off.

"As many do," Snape stated. At that moment, he struck her brain again. The memory of the murder she had witnessed flashed before her eyes. The woman's screams roared to life, and Carina couldn't possibly defend herself in this state of alarm. Snape seemed to realize this as well, and he drew his mind away.

"Always be prepared, Carina," Snape reinforced. She nodded in response.

"The only difference between myself and the Dark Lord is that he won't remove himself when he sees memories like that, he'll dig further in. Your greatest weakness is his greatest strength," Snape said.

"I need to protect my emotions better," Carina muttered.

"You're correct, but that's enough for today. I'll return next week for another lesson, but in the meantime, I'd like you to continue compartmentalizing your emotions. I'm also going to have Lucius enter your mind at random points this week, and you have to be prepared to defend yourself. Without having your emotions in check, you won't be able to resist the Dark Lord," Snape stated, then pulled the door open and called for Lucius.