A/N: Hey guys, i'm reposting this beta'd, hopefully its up to scratch now. I'd like to thank jharad17, my new beta for this grammatical miracle and also say thank-you to everybody who offered, it is appreciated.

Chapter 14

"Sit."

Harry complied, settling himself in the chair in front of the Potions Master's desk.

"Before we begin I wish to make some things abundantly clear." Snape looked at him over the expanse of desk between them before continuing, "Firstly what I said remains true: I will not hurt you, Potter. Not in these lessons or at any other time. However, you must bear in mind that this in combat training and will require physical contact. Secondly you are not to slack off in Occlumency. Although you are not yet sufficiently good enough to combine the two, you will need to continue practising both. Understood?"

Harry nodded, wondering just how difficult this lesson was going to be. When Snape gestured for him to stand, he did so quickly.

"We will begin with the same exercise as last time. Then I will teach the basic fighting stances. Create a barrier in your mind."

True to his word the Potions Master made him walk around the classroom for little over twenty minutes, Occluding and listening to directions. He thought it was going better than last time, although he still had to fight the urge to glance back and make sure Snape was not moving.

/\/\/\/\

Severus watched the boy walking back and forth. He was Occluding somewhat at least. In fact, as long as Severus was perfectly still, Potter was fine, even if the shield was weak. However, as soon as he so much as shifted his weight the boy's head would whip around and his mental shield would crumble. He fought the urge to sigh. Potter was trying at least. Patience, Severus.

Eventually he called a halt to Potter's pacing, motioning for him to stand in the middle of the cleared space. Severus stood to join the boy, not missing how the boy tensed and backed away a little as soon as he realised what he intended to do.

/\/\/\/\

Harry moved to the space, feeling a little more relaxed. Snape hadn't shouted at his stumbling efforts at least. Hopefully that was a good thing. But when the man stood and moved round the desk toward him, Harry was no longer so sure. Funny how having a desk between them felt so much safer.

"The first thing I am going to teach you are the basic stances and movement patterns one can use. Watch to begin with."

Harry stepped back as Snape took a stance, hands slightly raised, body relaxed. Then he rapidly began a series of movements, arm and legs whirling around, motions flowing fluidly from one to another. As quickly as he had begun, he stopped.

"That, Potter, was five movement patterns combined. You will learn them separately before combining them. By the time we have finished this, you will be able to do them in your sleep, and Occluding while doing them will be child's play."

"W-why, sir?" Harry asked hesitantly, slightly flabbergasted at what the Potions Master had just done.

"Why what, Potter?"

"It's just, I-I don't see how it's fighting."

Snape gave him a withering look. "They are movement patterns one would use while engaged in combat. Their purpose is to let your body move automatically while you concentrate on hitting the other person."

"O-ok." Harry looked around uncertainly, not knowing what to do.

"I would suggest removing your robes, they are only likely to hinder you."

He had no intention of taking off his clothes unless Snape intended to force him. "I'm fine as is, sir."

Snape's eyes narrowed. "Very well then."

/\/\/\/\

Severus narrowed his eyes. Potter, it seemed, had no intention of co-operating willingly. Well, they would see how long it took the boy to trip wearing such cumbersome robes.

"To begin with, stand straight, legs apart, arms hanging at your side." The boy complied, standing awkwardly. "Relax your body, Potter."

"I am, sir."

"No, you aren't," Severus said disparagingly. "Your shoulders are hunched and your fists are clenched."

The boy adjusted, but was still tense. Severus resisted the urge to go something more drastic than sigh. He moved to take up the first stance, ignoring how Potter tensed further.

"Copy my position."

Potter looked at him, mimicking his pose. As Severus slowly moved, the boy tried to emulate him.

"This is the first movement, Potter," Severus spoke as he continued moving. "You need to remember them. Again."

He went through it again, the boy clumsily trying to keep up, but managing.

"Right, now on your own. I am going to correct you as you move, Potter."

/\/\/\/\

Harry was a little apprehensive as he took position with his hands raised, Snape standing nearby watching.

"Relax, Potter," the man said coolly.

Not likely Harry thought. He was finding it a little difficult to relax when he wasn't sure what Snape was going to do. He took a breath and began to go through the motion, moving his arms and legs in sequence, and trying not to forget the order he was supposed to be following.

"Again. Slower this time, Potter. Each move must be deliberate."

Harry did as he was told. It was hard doing it slower, more difficult to balance…

/\/\/\/\

Severus watched the boy as he went through the movement. It was in essence correct, but not quite. Potter was still hunching his shoulders which in turn did not allow him to straighten his arms properly. It was because the boy still was tense- obviously telling him to relax was doing nothing. Severus stepped closer, and put his hands on the teenager's shoulders to push them down…

/\/\/\/\

Harry was rather focussed on not losing his balance and was therefore not watching the Potion Master as much as he had been earlier. So he was not prepared for the two hands that suddenly pushed down on his shoulders.

He let out a strangled yell as he tried to twist away from the man's hands and promptly toppled over as his feet caught on his robe.

/\/\/\/\/\

Severus let go of the boy as he lost balance and fell to the floor. Some lessons needed to learnt the hard way.

"That, Mr. Potter, is precisely why I suggested you remove your robe," he said, unable to stop the smirk curling on his lip, and ignoring how the child cowered back. "Get up."

The boy scrambled to his feet, eyeing Severus. The fact that the boy was still reacting so violently to being touched when having been warned warranted thought. It was going to make this even more difficult. Perhaps further clarification would help.

"You are going to repeat that sequence slowly. I am going to correct you as I said earlier. That means that I will touch you, Potter. Do not panic or do anything equally stupid. Begin."

/\/\/\/\

Harry steeled himself, not wanting to freak out again. He tried to hide his disbelief: Snape was standing quite calmly, waiting for him to begin, ignoring the fact Harry had just flipped out. He thought the man was going to be angry at the very least- he had after all told Harry what he was going to do…

"I do not have all evening, Potter."

"Y-yes, sir. Sorry, sir." Harry took up position and started to move.