You Are Not Alone

chapter 4

Hermione was waiting in the common room when Harry came back later that evening. "Harry?" She asked, closing the book she was reading.

"What are you doing down here?" Harry asked.

"I wanted to wait for you."

"Why?"

"I don't trust Snape."

Harry smiled softly and sat beside her as she put the book on the arm of the sofa.

"Want to talk about it?" She asked.

Harry sighed softly, not really wanting to. "It's just mentally draining..."

Hermione held his hand gently, not speaking. She just waited patiently for him to continue.

Harry looked at their hands and smiled slightly. "It just... Snape keeps telling me to control my mind, stop letting things get to me."

She listened but as he spoke, she grew more confused. Why was Snape of all people giving him advice on what to do?

"Anyway I have another lesson next week... same time." Harry shrugged, looking at her. "Hopefully it gets easier."

Hermione leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, his skin turning pink where she had touched him. "You'll be fine. I think you should talk to Sirius too. Get him to come through the floo one of the nights. He can help us with the defence classes too, help us know how to convince the non-believers."

Harry nodded but remained silent. His eyes turned on the flickering orange-red hues of the fire.

Hermione sighed softly, knowing he probably wasn't going to bother Sirius, risk him getting caught. But she did have a letter to send home... Maybe she could send one to Sirius also? "Harry I have a letter to send to my parents, would it be alright if I used Hedwig tomorrow?"

"Course." He turned his head and smiled at her. "You know you don't have to ask."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks. I know, but I just wanted to check anyway." She leaned against him, her hand meeting his absently.

Harry said nothing as her hand met his, instead he interlocked their fingers, content just to enjoy her company.

Hermione wanted to find out what exactly his lessons entailed, but she didn't want to pressure him into giving an answer. "Harry can I ask you something?"

"Mhm?"

"Why was Snape telling you all that stuff?"

"Because he reckons Voldemort will be able to use whatever link I have with him. If I can control my emotions, try not to let him in so easily, it will be difficult for him to use things against me. Things or people." Harry shrugged.

"But it's... it's Snape!"

Harry let out a tiny incredulous laugh. "I know... i know it's... odd. He hates me so why would he help me, right?"

Hermione shrugged. "Well it's only been one lesson, You can hardly be expected to get it right first time."

"I bet you could."

"Hardly! Harry that's really advanced stuff!"

"Yeah something you will have more than likely read up on and studied every possible outcome and every possible way of doing it." Harry smiled at her, causing her to blush modestly.

"Stop it."

"It's true though!"

"Well... maybe." she smiled.

Harry smiled again and gave her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go and pulled her into a hug. "I'll just have to practice won't I."

"Yes. You will." she nodded, hugging back. "Anyway, I'd better get to bed."

Harry nodded, letting her go and he stood up. "Me too. Come on." He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her up. "After you."

Hermione smiled. "If I didn't know you better, I'd think you only said that just so you could stare at me."

"Hermione, I've had plenty of opportunity before now to look at you from behind, and I must say your face is much more appealing than your rear." he smirked.

"Oh!" she scoffed and elbowed him, laughing, her cheeks turning pink again and she walked toward the stairs leading to the dorms, Harry following her. The pair hugged and went their separate ways to their dorms for the night.

Later on that night, Harry thrashed around in his bed, in the grips of another nightmare. It was an attack on Arthur Weasley in the Ministry of Magic. Harry threw himself awake, breathless and in a cold sweat, looking around to see Ron looking at him confused.

"You alright mate?"

"We have to see Dumbledore..." Harry said breathlessly.

"What? Why?"

"Your dad's been attacked..."

Ron jumped up to allow Harry to scramble out of bed, and both boys silently ran out of the boys dorm, out of the common room where they ran straight into Professor McGonagall.

Minerva, about ready to scold her lions for being out of bed at such hour, took one look at Harry, a picture of absolute fear. "Oh, my boy, what happened?"

"N-no time professor... I think Mr Weasley's been attacked... at the Ministry." Harry stammered.

Minerva helped Ron walk Harry to Dumbledore's office, and then se summoned the rest of the Weasley siblings before Harry could tell everybody about his dream.

Harry struggled to answer the Headmaster's questions, but when he refused to acknowledge him to talk to the portraits, Harry grew agitated quickly. "Look at me!"

Dumbledore was stunned into silence, watching as Harry's face flickered ever so slightly between anger and fear.

"What's happening to me?" Harry asked in a pleading tone.

Snape chose that moment to arrive into the office. "You wished to see me, headmaster?"

"Severus. Mr Potter needs another lesson. Tonight. It must not wait until morning."

Snape nodded, gripping Harry by the arm and dragged him back down the steps, all the way back down to his office for a late night Occlumency lesson.

A/N: Please don't kill me? I got them mixed up! D: Anyhow... enjoy reading!