Chapter Twenty-Five: A Busy Start

After a tough first day back, which included receiving homework from Sirius, Harry made his way to Snape's office. He arrived at six pm precisely.

'Good evening, Professor,' said Harry.

'Good evening, Harry. I see you are here on time,' said Snape.

'Yes, well, I try, Professor.'

'Right, obviously, you are familiar with basic techniques of closing your mind?'

'Yes, I am. I have also been studying useful meditation techniques to help me with my concentration, would they be any use at all?'

'I was going to suggest that you learn meditation, but I see that that is not necessary. But before the evening is almost a complete waste of our time, I would like to try to penetrate your mind using Wand-Legillimency, to see how strong your mind defences are.'

'Of course, go right ahead, Sir,' said Harry.

'You should not need your wand, but have it ready just in case.'

Harry took out his wand and waited.

'Legillimens!'

Harry felt Snape trying to look around for his worst memories, but was able to keep him out with ease.

'Impressive, Harry, if my theory is correct, I do not think that the Dark Lord will be able to penetrate the deepest areas of your mind – not even while you sleep. But I think he could still plant false visions in your mind. However, I do feel that we should meet a few more times before my theory is proven correct.'

'I agree, and if I do have a vision, I should report it to Sirius or yourself.'

'Yes, that would be the preferred course of action. Tell me, have you been dreaming at all?'

'Yeah, about a corridor, I think it's in the Ministry.'

'The same corridor that you saw Arthur Weasley attacked?'

'Yes, Professor,' replied Harry.

'Very well, Harry, but we shall have to continue for another twenty minutes, and then you may go,' said Snape.

Once the session was over, Harry and Snape arranged another meeting for the following Monday at the same time and he left for Gryffindor Tower. Once homework was done for the evening, Harry practiced a few meditation techniques before bed he was using them to clear his mind before going to sleep. Over the next few weeks Harry continued his busy schedule. Monday evenings with Snape, Wednesday with the DA, and what with the increasing homework pile, it was a relief that Harry was no longer playing Quidditch. Saturdays and Sundays were reserved for their work on their Animagus Transformations.

After three weeks of the new term, Snape decided that the sessions were no longer necessary as long as he kept up with his meditation.

Ron and Hermione, meanwhile, were almost as busy as Harry. They had lessons, homework, the DA, their other project in the Room of Requirement, and Prefect Duties. Most of their snogging was being done whilst patrolling together or as they struggled to stay awake on the couch. The only break they got from lessons was watching Quidditch practice. They only went when the need for fresh air was desperate. But another reason they went was so they could see Ginny, Fred and George play. It sure as hell was not to see McClaggen screw up every five minutes. Well, perhaps a little.

The first month back at Hogwarts ended with Harry having a vision of a laughing Voldemort and the breaking open of Azkaban and the freeing of the imprisoned Death Eaters. Harry reported the vision to Sirius and Snape.

The Daily Prophet reported the escaping of the prisoners with a profile of each one. Antonin Dolohov, Rabastan, Rodolpus and Bellatrix Lestrange were among them. Harry remembered the night in the graveyard and Voldemort mentioning the freeing of his most devoted servants. But the Prophet had still not been allowed to print the truth, something which frustrated and irritated the trio and the Order of the Phoenix.

The only good thing at Hogwarts was the constant pranks being played upon Dolores Umbridge. She had been refused permission to leave Hogwarts for Christmas and to be allowed to acquire a new wand. Not a day went by without Umbridge being pranked by the twins.