Chapter 30: Prophecy
He didn't reveal himself immediately but instead took three steps to his left.
To his surprise, Taylor's gaze shifted slightly, tracking him as if she could still see him.
Luke frowned but remained calm, quietly activating Occlumency.
Visibly, Taylor's expression became clouded with confusion. Her mouth opened slightly, then closed as if she was trying to maintain her composure, but the uncertainty on her face was unmistakable.
Luke let out a quiet, mocking laugh. His custom-made shoes, enchanted with silencing magic, allowed him to move noiselessly toward her.
Taylor, now immersed in the unnerving silence of the common room, glanced around in confusion. The steady thrum of her own thoughts was suddenly absent, leaving only the sound of gentle waves against the windows.
She rubbed her temples and closed her eyes as if trying to listen for something, but when she reopened them, the confusion lingered.
"Are... are you still there?"
Her once-confident demeanor had evaporated. Though she still sat upright, her hands gripping the armrests of the couch, there was a vulnerable, almost timid air about her. She resembled a frightened rabbit, trying to hold her ground despite feeling cornered.
"I'm here"
Luke's voice came from mere inches away, startling her as he dispelled the Disillusionment Charm.
Luke stood just ten centimeters from her, close enough that Taylor instinctively recoiled. She leaned back sharply, nearly toppling over with the sofa in the process. If it weren't for the sturdiness of the Slytherin common room furniture, she might have fallen to the floor entirely.
Luke, unfazed by her shock, didn't move from his position.
Taylor, now staring up at him, was met with his calm, unreadable expression. The faint smile on his lips didn't match the cold, emotionless depths in his eyes.
"P-please, step back a little," she whispered.
Luke didn't move.
"Please, could you step back?"
She asked again, this time more firmly.
Luke finally complied, retreating a few steps and sitting down on the couch across from her. He crossed his legs casually, resting his arms along the back of the sofa. His left hand supported his chin, while his right hand kept a firm grip on his wand, hidden from view but ready.
"First, tell me who you are. And how you knew I was there"
Luke demanded, his tone icy, carrying a subtle yet palpable threat. It was clear that if Taylor's answers didn't satisfy him, he might act with deadly intent.
Taylor felt as though she were being watched by a predator, a coiled snake ready to strike. One wrong move, and she feared she'd face the consequences.
She took a deep breath to steady herself, reminding herself of her mission. With renewed resolve, she straightened her back and spoke solemnly, "My name is Taylor... Taylor Barbara. I am a Legilimens."
As she revealed this, Taylor carefully observed Luke's face, searching for any flicker of emotion. Normally, her Legilimency would have allowed her to read his mind effortlessly, but ever since Luke had activated his Occlumency, her abilities were useless against him. Still, her training in reading body language and micro-expressions gave her a small edge, even without her magic.
Despite Luke's controlled expression, Taylor noticed a slight moment of ease cross his features.
Truthfully, the revelation of her ability—something that usually caused distrust and fear among other wizards—didn't unsettle Luke in the slightest. In fact, he seemed almost relieved.
Unlike the spell Legilimency, which any skilled wizard could learn, being a natural Legilimens was a rare, innate gift, just like Luke's ability to speak Parseltongue.
And much like Parseltongue, being a Legilimens wasn't a trait people welcomed—it was a talent that often evoked suspicion and distaste.
Taylor's heart raced slightly, realizing that Luke didn't view her ability with the typical hostility. Instead, he seemed more intrigued than anything else.
Due to the influence of certain dark wizards—especially that noseless bastard—Parseltongue has become synonymous with black magic, even with evil itself. It's almost as if anyone who can speak with snakes should be burned at the stake.
Legilimens have it slightly better; people either keep their distance out of caution or use them outright. Apart from those who genuinely care for them, few people willingly approach them. Learning Legilimency or Occlumency has a high threshold, making them anything but ordinary magic.
No one likes their innermost thoughts being read—it's a feeling of exposure even more unsettling than running around naked.
On the other hand, young Legilimens often struggle to control their abilities, leading them to see the darkest parts of human nature in their most innocent years. It's rare for them to grow up unscathed.
They're considered a rarity among wizards.
But it's different with Luke. Compared to someone like Luna, who could understand his thoughts without any reason and even came close to reading his mind, he found someone like Taylor, a Legilimens, more understandable.
Facing something known was far less intimidating. After all, Luke was skilled in Occlumency.
"So, what did you want with me?"
Luke asked, his gaze softening slightly, showing a hint of curiosity.
He was intrigued by what secrets this girl, who hadn't appeared in the original story, might hold.
"Have you ever heard the prophecy about the Dark Lord?"
Taylor spoke in a soft voice that only the two of them could hear.
At those words, the recently lively common room fell silent again, leaving only their breathing.
Luke hadn't expected things to escalate so quickly.
He definitely knew about the prophecy regarding the Dark Lord; it was mentioned in the original work and was the reason Dumbledore was so concerned about Harry.
"Oh, a prophecy? Interesting, care to share?"
Luke didn't reveal that he already knew the prophecy's content; he intended to see if this was the same one he knew.
Taylor didn't speak immediately. Instead, she pulled a small orb from her cloak, gave it a squeeze, and dropped it at her feet.
Luke felt a barrier-like field envelop them.
Taking a deep breath, Taylor recited, "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him… born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal… but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives… the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."
While delivering the prophecy, Taylor appeared tense, clearly holding her own fear toward that noseless terror. At the very least, she had been influenced by his fearsome reputation.
Luke was somewhat disappointed, expecting something different.
"This is a prophecy from Professor Sybill Trelawney. But four years ago, my grandmother made another prophecy."
Taylor's words caused a momentary stiffness in Luke's expression, though he quickly returned to normal. Still, he was no longer as casual as before, for that time four years ago struck a chord with him.
That was the time he had crossed over into this world.
'Did this girl's grandmother really have such powers?'
Taylor didn't seem to notice Luke's reaction. She took a deep breath and began to speak.
"The sealed fate will be broken, darkness will deepen, but the light will eventually come. At the place where destinies converge, those who seek the light will find it, and they will follow the light, piercing through the darkness."