Dedication: To the Romans which despite their brutality built a republic, which of course turned into an empire. Which worked for a long time.

September 24th, dinner

Ron

'See you guys,' said Harry, as he pushed his now empty plate away.

'Where are you going?' asked Ron, annoyed because he knew not to expect an answer. Harry was keeping something secret, he was always disappearing on Tuesday nights and he no longer was willing to mock Snape. Harry never told other people off about it. When had Ron had last gotten detention from the Potions Master, Harry hadn't bemoaned about how unfair it was. It was unusual and Ron didn't get it.

'I'll see you in the Common Room,' replied Harry, avoiding the question, as he hurried out of the hall.

'What do you reckon he's up too?" Ron asked Hermione. He was more annoyed than curious. Harry rarely kept secrets from his two best friends and it was frustrating to be kept in the dark.

'We've discussed this last week, and the week before. I still don't know, and I still think he'll tell us when he's ready. Like I said before we're all allowed our secrets,' stated Hermione.

'Anyway,' she continued. 'We're just doing homework tonight. We'd do best to start with Snape's essay. Maybe get a start on the book we've got to read for Flitwick.'

Ron sighed. Hermione could get so hung up on homework. Harry didn't but he apparently had better things to do and bloody secrets to keep, thought Ron resentfully.

Draco

Draco frowned as he listened head of house explain why gurdyroots had to be finely chopped. It wasn't that he disliked Potions, but recently he was having trouble grasping the concepts. The brewing wasn't an issue, but he knew his father and mother wouldn't accept any grade that would prevent Draco from continue with his classes. So he was getting quite a bit of extra help from Snape. Draco had no desire to disappoint his parents. He was finding that he was enjoying this one on one time with the Potions Master. Draco found that he was less hesitant to ask questions, therefore more likely to grasp the concepts.

'So it isn't just the juice. It affects the consistency,' summarized Draco.

'Precisely,' replied Snape. 'Is that all?'

Draco nodded.

'Thanks professor.' Then a self deprecating smile crossed his face. 'Maybe you out to just book this time as mine. See you later, sir.'

'Have a nice evening Draco.' Snape stated.

Draco walked through the door. Well, tried to anyway as a dark-haired boy nearly ran into him.

'Malfoy.' Potter snapped.

'Back again Potter?' sneered Malfoy.

'You seem to be.' Potter was smirking.

'Potter, Malfoy,' snapped Snape, 'I don't have all night. If you need help stay, if you plan on behaving like imbeciles then get out of my sight.'

Draco shot a glance at the Potions Professor and left, making his way towards the Great Hall. It was odd that Snape hadn't taken points, especially as it was Potter. It was something to ponder over dinner.

Harry

He glared at the back of Malfoy's head before turning to Snape, who was gathering papers. Honestly he should've just gone to Severus' quarters like last week. It would probably be better to avoid potential meetings with Slytherins, especially without a Potions text. Then again he'd seen that Snape's office hours had changed ending earlier and the addition of a few hours on Tuesday. They ended five minutes before the occulumency lessons began. He wasn't sure how Severus would react to finding someone waiting in his rooms.

'Perhaps it would be best if you went directly to my rooms,' said Severus softly, 'it would help avoid more pointless confrontations.'

That answered the question of how Sev would feel about having Clement in his rooms. Despite this, Harry scowled.

'If he wasn't such a git...' he began.

'And I'm sure he says the same about you,' cut in Snape. 'Let's go.' He added commandingly as he gathered up a stack of parchment.

Clement followed Severus, feeling thankful that the dungeon corridors were so often deserted and that Malfoy was no where it sight. Severus didn't say a word and Clement followed his lead, figuring there was some reason behind the silence. Not to attract the attention of potential wandering students perhaps.

They arrived at the portrait and Severus murmured the password and swept inside. Clement followed and took his usual chair. Strange how he now thought of it as his chair, or perhaps not so strange.
Severus sat across from him setting the large pile of parchment off to the side.

'Have you been practicing?' he asked without preamble.

'Yeah,' replied Clement, 'I've found it got easier as I kept trying.'

'You have thought of somewhere you feel safe?' questioned Severus.

'Yup,' replied Clement, but he didn't say where. He wondered if Severus would ask and, if he did, whether or not Clement would tell him. How many secrets should he, Harry, keep?

Severus didn't ask. Perhaps he was thinking Clement would want to keep it private.

'Were you prone to nightmares in the past? Not including the ones where your memories return.' Severus asked softly as he leaned towards Clement.

'They weren't really bad or any- wait what does those have to do with anything?'

'Practicing Occulemency can help with nightmares.' Severus gazed at Clement for a moment before adding as he straightened slightly, 'or did for me anyway.'

What would Severus have nightmares about? About losing his brother? It seemed odd that someone who seemed collected at all times would have nightmares. Perhaps Severus saw it as a weakness, which would be why he had hesitated, pondered Clement.

'I haven't had any this week, but I don't usually have any at Hogwarts.'

He didn't want Severus to know about the Dursley's. From what he remembered about the Snape household, it had been worse than at the Dursleys'. Clement didn't want Sev to think he was weak or something.

'Where do you have nightmares then? Do you get them often?' asked Severus, showing concern. Sev's eyes seemed warmer and he was leaning forward again.

'Just at the Dursleys' sometimes,' responded Clement evasively. 'They're not a big deal. Everyone gets them.'

'I suppose.' Severus didn't pursue the issue, though a look of resignation had flickered across his face. The was a relief to Clement.

'I've been considering how to teach you. Obviously relaxing and clearing your mind before you sleep is the beginning, but should someone attempt to penetrate your mind, you'll need something more. The key to Occlumency is having control over ones emotions.'

'So, you rule them, not the other way around,' summarized Clement. He was determined to get this right, particularly as Severus seemed somewhat worried.

'Exactly. One does not need to be emotionless, just disciplined. So when you feel so angry that things begin to explode, find a way to calm yourself or, at the very least, mask the emotion.' lectured Snape, slipping into a teaching mode.

Clement frowned. Despite Severus stating the one didn't need to be emotionless, it seemed one would have to be exactly that.

'What about emotions like love? Could they be used as protections?' asked Clement curiously, thinking about his conversation with Dumbledore at the end of his first year.

'Love is a powerful emotion.' Stated Severus. He then frowned, apparently thinking. 'It's rare for a wizard to use emotions as a shield for their thoughts.' Began Severus slowly. 'Too often it becomes a weapon in the hands of the invader, especially when using one, exclusive memory. You would have to summon the emotion with no memory, or an overwhelming number of them.'

'But isn't the concentrating on a safe place like concentrating on the feeling of safety?'

'It is a precursor to Occlumency. When one feels safe, one also feels calm. Being calm is paramount to clearing your mind.' he looked at Clement for a second. 'Do you wish to attempt Occlumency using emotions?'

Clement frowned.

'Would it be any trouble?' he asked hesitantly. Clement didn't want to ask for too much. Severus had other responsibilities.

'Learning Occulemency is a skill worth learning. Any time I spend on it is no trouble. If you feel you would be better learning it this way then tell me. It wouldn't require much time anyway.'

'I think it might be easier for me,' stated Clement.

'Very well. For now continue your practice of imagining your safe place before going to sleep. Do the same when you feel your emotions are getting out of your control. Next week I'll tell you what you can do to practice using emotions.' stated Severus, without showing any emotion.

Harry was surprised. He hadn't really expected Severus to agree to allow him, Clement, to try something more dangerous because he thought it would be simpler. Was this something that would happen often? It seemed fit with his memories and it was nice. It wasn't only that however, the lack of emotion was unnerving. Why did Severus feel he needed it around him?

'Is that it for tonight?' questioned Clement, feeling somewhat reluctant to leave. He was comfortable here, and didn't want to return to his friends just yet. He knew Ron would question him yet again. It was getting annoying.

'Unless there's something else you wish to discuss?' Severus asked with a smile so slightly that if one hadn't been watching closely they wouldn't have noticed it. Did it mean that Severus didn't want him to leave either?

'Er,' began Clement, racking his brain for something to talk about. 'Are you looking forward to the Triwizard tournament?'

'Oh, yes. In fact, I particularly look forward to watching the three idiots die. So exciting, don't you think?' drawled Severus sarcastically, his mouth twisting into his customary scowl.

Clement was startled. He hadn't expected this opinion. Really, despite the fact that Hermione felt the same, he hadn't thought about it that way. Students got injured all the time, he himself could prove it. A student actually dying seemed nearly impossible. People died all the time, but someone he might know as a peer or friend?

'Strange,' continued Severus, 'how throughout history, wizards and muffles alike, man has found entertainment in others suffering. The Romans, for example.'

'Had fights between man and beasts. Or lions fighting bulls,' interjected Clement, proudly remembering the book he had read about Roman gladiators when attending his old Muggle school.

'Precisely. And so we continue the tradition. Enough of that.' He added, a gleam in his eye, that could be pride, 'anything else?'

Clement sighed, 'I suppose not.' He said reluctantly.

Severus smiled slightly again. 'I know you have work to do tonight. I have to patrol and would like to eat. I'll be here next week.'

It seemed as though Severus could tell how he, Clement, felt. He was beginning to enjoy the feeling when he sat in this sitting room. Almost like he had a family. Maybe he did now.

He stood up, 'I'll see you next week then.'

A/N Hope you all enjoyed this one. What did you think about Ron and Draco's point of view? Please let me know. Hopefully the next chapter will be up quicker but I make absolutely no promises.