I had to do a project for one of my English classes and this is what I came up with. I thought I would post it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Beowulf

"Potter, for your lesson next week, I have an assignment for you. Seeing as you are even more abysmal at this than you are at potions, we may need to try something else. Your assignment for this week is to think of a story and memorize it. Do you think your miniscule mind can handle that or is it too much for it to handle?" Professor Snape sneered at Harry.

Harry did his best not to roll his eyes. The man could be so insufferable sometimes. These occlumency lessons were getting to be quite tiring. Once a week, Harry would come down to the dungeons, and, instead of learning how to shield his mind, Snape would rummage violently through his memories, and insult him for over an hour. "Do I have to memorize it word for word?"

"None of your cheek, Potter. No, you do not need to memorize it, but you need to know how it goes. I hope that the boy wonder can handle it."

Harry gripped the sides of his chair tightly to calm his anger and prevent himself from saying something stupid. "I can handle it, sir."

Snape nodded. "You're dismissed."

Harry was gone before Snape could say another word.

He didn't meet anyone on his way up to Gryffindor Tower, and the only people that were in the common room when he entered were Ron and Hermione sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace. Harry plopped down on the ground in front of them and crossed his legs. Ron gave him a grateful grin as Hermione set their homework aside, so they could talk to Harry. "How'd it go tonight, Harry?" Hermione asked him.

Harry shrugged. "Same old, same old. Snape's a git. He did give me an assignment though, and it was rather odd." Harry added thoughtfully.

"What was it, Harry?"

"He wants me to find a story and know it well enough so that I can recite it or something. I think he's just doing it to be a jerk and gather more information to taunt me with."

Ron nodded vigorously in agreement with Harry, while Hermione shook her head. "I don't think so, Harry. I'm sure that he wouldn't ask you to do something if it weren't important."

"I don't know, Hermione. He's probably just doing it to humiliate Harry," Ron tried to point out, but Hermione just ignored him.

"Do have a story in mind, Harry? It might be easier to use a story that you can relate to."

Harry shook his but then stopped. He slowly nodded his head. "I think I know of one. There was a book that I stole from the Dursely's bookshelf once. It was old, and I knew that Aunt Petunia wouldn't mind if it was gone. It's a story with a hero and a monster in it. It's basically the story of my life. I'll have to see if the book is in my trunk."

Hermione gave him a huge smile. "Harry, it sounds like the perfect story. Which one is it?"

"I can't tell you, but I think that it will throw Snape off."

The following week, Harry slowly made his way down to the dungeons for another occlumency lesson with Snape. He was dreading this lesson. He had reread the story several times in the past week and thought that he knew it quite well, but nothing he did was ever good enough for Snape. He hesitantly knocked on the door, and Snape bade him entrance. Harry entered the man's office and closed the door behind him. Snape was sitting at his desk, and Harry guessed that the man was grading essays. He hoped that he wasn't grading his class's because Harry knew that his was exceptionally awful, and he didn't feel like being mocked more than necessary tonight. Snape finished the student's essay, put his quill back in its holder, and looked up at Harry. "Take a seat, Potter."

Harry was surprised by the man's…kindness? No, Snape wasn't kind. Courtesy? No. It was more of an order that lacked Snape's usual nastiness.

"Did you do as I asked?"

Harry folded his arms across his chest and tried hard not to glower at the man. "Of course, Professor."

"Potter, can we just have one lesson where you don't act like an arrogant brat?"

"That's rich coming from you, you horrible bat. You insult me every lesson. No, wait, forget that. You insult me every time that you see me. Forgive me if I act a little defense around you."

"Of course, it makes perfect sense. Prince Potter never does anything wrong. Potters never do anything wrong. It's always big, bad Snape that starts everything." After that, Snape didn't say anything, and Harry feared that he had pushed too far. However, Harry was surprised by the next thing that came out of Snape's mouth. "Seeing as you are absolutely abysmal at blocking me from your mind, I thought that we would try a different approach. Sometimes, Occlumens are unable to block people from their minds, but they are able to manipulate their memories into something else. I wish for you to try this. Maybe this will be something that you will be above mediocre at."

"Fine. Let's try it. What do I need to do?" Harry asked.

"Imagine the story that you learned this week. Now, I want you to tweak it. Change it from its original into something else. However, you need to make it believable. What story did you choose?"

"Beowulf. I found it to be quite appropriate for this. Do you agree, sir?" Harry wanted to smirk at the stunned look that had briefly crossed Snape's face, but that look was gone as quickly as it came.

"I approve. I shall give you a minute then we shall begin." After getting his thoughts organized for a moment or two, Harry nodded and let the man know he was ready. Snape raised his wand and pointed his wand directly at Harry. "Legilimens."