-- CHAPTER TWENTY SIX --

Extra Credit

Harry left the Great Hall after dinner and slowly walked to the Headmistress' office for their scheduled appointment. Dinner had been depressing because neither Ron nor Hermione had wanted to go with him. Ron still hadn't left his family's cottage and Hermione was upset by the way that the students had treated her the night before. She was still uncomfortable with the attention that Ron and her new relationship had received. Harry was glad to notice that most of the students were no longer gossiping about them, but unfortunately most of the laughter and comments were now replaced with sullen looks from the mourning students. The Great Hall had taken on an eerie silence with no one knowing what to do in light of what had happened.

Harry walked toward McGonagall's office, still unsure of why she wanted to see him. He had already told her everything that he knew about his dream and the trip to Wales that took place afterward. Still, the walk to McGonagall's office was much too short and he found himself standing before the large stone gargoyle guarding her office much sooner than he had wanted. Realizing that he didn't have the password to pass the Gargoyle, he tried the last one that he remembered. If it didn't work, and he hoped that it wouldn't, he could go back to his dorm guilt-free. Quietly repeating the password that he had heard Hagrid use a few nights before, Harry waited for the Gargoyle to move. Just as he had thought, the Gargoyle didn't budge. If he didn't show up for the meeting he would probably get in trouble or maybe even detention. Harry cursed at the thought. He paced in front of the Gargoyle deciding what he should do. Surprised, the Gargoyle suddenly began to move out of the way.

Harry approached the spiral staircase slowly, all the while keeping his eyes on the Gargoyle statue. He watched for any sign that it would move again. He imagined the statue lunging toward him ready to knock him out of the way should he get too close to the stairs. What were the chances that the curse word he had muttered had been the correct password he needed to pass the Gargoyle?

As Harry stepped onto the stairs, they began to circle, moving him up the tower. McGonagall was standing at the top of the stairs smiling as she waited for him to reach her.

"I'm glad that you chose to visit me. I had a spell cast over the entranceway to alert me when you arrived. Unfortunately, the Minister feels that it is no longer safe to give out the school passwords. I hope you understand."

Harry nodded and followed McGonagall into her office.

"I can understand just how much of a shock Ginny's death must be for you. The nature of her death has raised serious questions about your safety within the castle's walls. It's also helped me realize that I've been putting the politics of my position at Hogwarts over the needs of my students. If I had taken more time to talk with you and the other students I used to teach, I might have known of the threat held over this school when there was still time to do something about it. With that in mind, I have the unique opportunity to make sure that something like this never happens again."

"I don't mean to be rude, but if we had apprehended Snape and Pettigrew when we had the chance, we could have made sure that they didn't hurt anyone else." Harry held his breath waiting for Professor McGonagall to respond. He hadn't meant to be so upfront about his feelings.

"Snape and Pettigrew are only two of Voldemort's followers. Even without them, he could still summon many other death eaters to attack any witch or wizard he chooses. His success at Hogwarts shows me just how vulnerable we are. With Ginny's death, I finally understand why Dumbledore considered you to be Voldemort's ultimate weapon. As long as you can be protected, you give everyone around you hope of defeating him. By taking one of your friends, he is trying to break you down and I believe that this is only the beginning. Because of this, we need to continue what Dumbledore started. I think its time for you to begin learning the art of Occlumensy again,"

Harry took a deep breath. The last thing that he wanted to do was learn Occlumensy again. He dreaded it more than anything else that he could think of.

"I just don't have what it takes. I really wish I could, but I just don't get it."

"Occlumensy is best learned when it is built on trust. I understand why Albus asked Severus Snape to teach you, but I don't think that he was the best match for you. I have been watching your relationship with Severus Snape since you first arrived at this school and trust is not a characteristic that you two have ever shared. I have serious doubts that Severus Snape ever tried to teach, especially considering what we know about him now. Snape was a master of Occlumensy, which he proved by fooling us all. As the need is much greater now than it was, I would like to teach Occulmensy myself."

"I guess we can try." Harry said without showing much conviction.

"That was the answer I was hoping for. I am going to give you permission to visit my office two nights a week so that we can begin to hone your ability."