Then the girl had walked away. Neville had reflected on that encounter for weeks and over the summer he had consulted the family library and his ancestors. His five Greats grandfather had said,
"An empath really? How wonderful! I was one too. In the library should be a book my parents found, Emotion, the Mind and Magic. It's by Pernelle Bellefonte. It was out of print when my parents tracked it down so be careful as you read it. This should take precedence over the other family magics you intended to learn this summer since as you know-"
"Train first for bloodborn talents, then family magics, then magical talents."
"Yes, well done, my boy!"
Neville had read the ancient book. He had been astounded to realize that had his grandmother read this book years ago he would have been in a much stronger place already, but that thanks to the things that Harry had taught him that transfered, he had already mastered most all the basic exercises and was ready for the intermediate ones. The book was currently packed in his trunk.
He could tell that Harry was uncomfortable talking about his emotions. So when Harry froze, instead of pushing him to tell, Neville let it go. He sensed that to press for an answer would erode Harry's trust and letting it go would probably build it. "It's okay. You don't have to say."
Neville hadn't been shy without reason as a child. He had been swamped by the emotions of those around him. Harry's steady faith and trust in him had given him the sureness to find himself. Now it seemed he would be repaying the favor.
Harry's expression relaxed. "Do you know occlumency, Nev?
"Only the smidgeon all purebloods know, which isn't very much. Occlumency is the only defense against legillimency. Not directly meeting eyes with someone unless you're willing to have them scan you. That it comes from organizing thoughts, memories, and emotions so those things don't control you. Cursory mental barriers. What I know isn't enough to stop a legillimence really but it's enough that a cursory scan by an ordinary gifted won't reveal anything. Of course to use legillimency without either a court order or a medical necessity order is highly illegal. It's also considered dark and it is nearly impossible to prove. Why?"
"I think it would be a very good thing to learn. In fact I've already started, I think I've learned all I can without a legillimence's help though."
Neville sat quietly for a moment. Then he said, "Do you have a legillimence that you trust?"
"I'm not sure."
"Then I would recommend some fairly binding and restrictive wizarding oaths if not an unbreakable vow to maintain your privacy, I'd be willing to act as bonder if you wish." Neville fought a grin as Harry's forehead wrinkled in puzzlement.
"I know about oaths, but I've never heard of a vow."
"Okay, how about I explain…"
When the train arrived at Hogsmeade station, Harry felt much more centered and less likely to fly to pieces. It had been a quiet trip, just him and Neville. As their tradition had formed over the last two years they had split their luncheons and only bought a few things off the cart. The rest of the cadre found and cornered them on the platform. Then they cheerfully loaded themselves into the carriages for their return to Hogwarts.
On entering the Great Hall the cadre split apart and headed to their tables. Harry was surprised to see Flint at the Slytherin table. He wanted to see the prefect, and he noticed Marcus wasn't wearing a badge this year. He wondered when he would find out why Flint was at Hogwarts again this year. The firsties were brought in. Harry waited disinterestedly. As they were sorted he clapped politely for each of the ninety-seven students. Ignoring the glares from some of his housemates as he clapped for those sorted into Hufflepuff and Gryffindor as well as those in Ravenclaw and Slytherin.
He vaguely wondered why this year's batch of firsties was so much larger than his class or the following one but supposed it had been a post war baby boom following Voldemort's first defeat. He mostly ignored Dumbledore as he gave his usual inane remarks. He glanced at the teachers table and noticed that Remus Lupin wasn't there. That was a pity, but he supposed the Board of Governors had probably gotten word the man was a werewolf and refused to renew his contract. Harry just hoped the heavy-set man, Jaxom Durrand, that was apparently his replacement was a decent teacher.