Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

Original A/N: Thanks to MaeSilverpaws1, who is beta-ing this story.

Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Five

Lessons with Snape

Harry believed that the start of term had gone about as well as he could expect. Sirius's classes were quickly becoming everyone's favorite, which of course only made Sirius more exuberant and his classes became more fun in the process. Even the Slytherin seem to like them, at least he hadn't heard them say a word against Sirius yet.

The Animagus lessons with McGonagall weren't so bad either. After the first one, where they were able to get Lee and Hannah actual lessons, McGonagall had them cleaning out various equipment for her class, as well as some of the other professors. For the second lesson, Harry had handed McGonagall the potion that would help the others find out what their Animagus forms would be. She scowled at him, which he was sure was because he was reminding her of how much they had done while they became illegal Animagi. She took the potions though and allowed the others to use it.

"So what are you?" George asked Lee when he came out of his trace. Harry saw McGonagall look up from the parchment she was grading and he could swear he saw an intrigued look in her eyes.

"You just had to make that comment about guinea pigs, didn't you?" Lee glared at him.

"I didn't say that, that was him," George pointed at his twin.

"No, George, it was you," Lee said.

"Er … does this mean that you're a guinea pig?" Fred asked, snickering.

"Nope," Lee said, no longer able to keep the grin off his face. Though his animal wasn't what he had expected. "I'm just the ordinary boring old kind of pig."

"You're a pig," Fred laughed.

"And proud of it," Lee said sticking his chin up. "I've got huge tusks … and I bet I can take you in a fight."

"I'm a crow … fighting not really my style," Fred said.

"Exactly, I'd totally kick your a …"

"Jordan!"

"Sorry Professor," Lee said.

"Just like Quidditch," Ron chuckled.

"Shouldn't Miss Abbott be coming out of her trance as well?" McGonagall asked.

"No, it takes different amount of times for each person," Harry answered.

"Don't you know how the potion works?" Ron asked frowning.

"Unfortunately, I became an Animagus before the potion was invented," McGonagall sighed. "I would be interested in seeing how it works."

"It is fascinating," Hermione said. "I could write an essay about what it was like!"

"As long as I live, I don't think I'll ever understand you," Ron mumbled to himself causing Harry to snort. Seriously though, he couldn't understand how Hermione could be this happy about writing an essay.

"I would be interested in reading that," McGonagall said. "In fact, I would like it if you all would write an essay about your experience."

"Hermione! You just gave us homework," Ron whined.

"Sorry," Hermione said, Ron wasn't the only one upset about this.

"You do not have to write the essay, however if you do I would not make you serve detention," McGonagall said. "You'll still have to come and stay here of course, but you won't have to do any punishments. The choice is yours."

"That's not so bad then," Ron said; there was no way he was going to do the essay, while Hermione looked like she was already planning what she was going to write. Harry figured he'd probably do the essay, not because he wanted to get out of the detention, but it was clear that McGonagall really wanted to know more about the potion.

Hannah came out of the trance a few minutes after that.

"So what are you?" Neville asked.

"I'm a roadrunner," Hannah answered. "It's so weird … I didn't even know what a roadrunner was before … but now I know everything about it."

"Yeah, that happens," Neville chuckled.

Harry thought he heard McGonagall say something about essays but he was too busy laughing to know for sure.

"What's so funny?" Ron asked, for Hermione was laughing too.

"We really have a thing going on with Looney Tunes don't we," Hermione said and Harry nodded his head. "We've got Taz and Wile E. Coyote and now we have Porkey and … Er … the Roadrunner never had another name did he?"

"I don't think so," Harry agreed with her.

"You know we still don't really know what you're talking about when you bring that up," Ron informed his friends.

"Yeah," Harry and Hermione said at the same time and laughed again.

"I believe you still have plenty of cleaning to do," McGonagall said before anyone could say more and they started working again.

O

Harry dragged his feet as he walked. He knew that he had to go, but he really wasn't looking forward to the next hour or so. When the dungeon came into view he had half a mind to turn around and go back to the dormitory … surely he had learn enough from Remus. He didn't really need to have Occlumency lessons from Snape. He already had too many extra 'lesson' as it was …

"You took long enough, Potter," Snape said when Harry had finally walked into the classroom.

"Sorry Sir," Harry said.

"It's understandable," Snape shrugged, the normal sour expression that Snape had during class was replaced by a solemn one. Not much of a different for most, but Harry thought it made a big change in the Potion Master. Harry realized that this was the first time that he had been alone with Snape in a very long time. Harry was not sure how he felt about the man.

"You're not trying to read my mind now, are you?" Harry asked cautiously, he wouldn't want Snape knowing how he thought of him.

"Legilimency is not reading minds," Snape said in a cold voice that Harry was sure if Sirius had been speaking, it would have been a growl.

"Sorry," Harry said.

"I was not using Legilimency against you Potter, I hardly need to, to know your emotions," Snape said. "You should learn how to guard you expressions as well as your mind. It was easy to see that you are apprehension about being here. Not surprising seeing as you have already experience what a Legilimency can do, even if said Legilimency is only average …"

"He is not," Harry said feeling annoyed, but his voice was calm and collective.

"At least he has taught you to control yourself a little better," Snape said raising an eyebrow.

"It was the first lesson he taught me," Harry agreed.

"First of many Potter," Snape said. "He also seemed to think that your anger might actually help you keep someone from entering your mind. We shall see if that is the cause with someone a little more skilled."

"Right," Harry said in a shaky voice.

"You already know what you have to do … prepare yourself," Snape said and then he cast the charm.

O

An hour later Harry was tired, very sweaty and his head felt like it was about to split. He knew now what Snape was saying about Remus and the difference in their skills as Legilimency. Snape could break through all the defensive he had tried to build … he could slither around other ones with such ease that Harry wasn't sure if he would ever be able to truly keep the Potion Master out of his head.

"That didn't go very well," Harry grumbled, as he touched his scar to try to stop it for aching so much.

"On the contrary, that went better than I would have thought," Snape said. "I'm rather shocked to find that Lupin was right about your best form of defense. Your anger is not only your greatest weakness but also you're strongest offense."

"Offense?" Harry questioned, he had never heard that word in terms of Legilimency or Occlumency before. "I'm not sure I follow you."

"Most people wouldn't," Snape said. "Out of those who have actually heard of those branches of magic only a few have the skill to find out how broad … how many levels are involved in developing your ability. I would not classify you of as being skilled enough, I'm not even sure you have the capability to reach the basic level to master any advance skills."

"Er … okay," Harry said, annoyed by what Snape was saying, but he wasn't sure the Potion Master wrong about him. "But you must be mentioning this for a reason."

"Well obviously your case is unique, Potter," Snape said. "You have to learn a way to shield your mind against the best Legilimens in the world today. A task in itself that is nearly impossible."

"You're just trying to brag now," Harry pointed out and Snape glowered at him. "Sorry Sir."

"If I used the standard type of Occlumency I would not be standing here today," Snape went on as if Harry hadn't said anything. "I had to formulate my own form of Occlumency, something that no one has seen before to help me keep things from the Dark Lord without it appearing as if I had. Of course it is made more difficult now since the Dark Lord is suspicious of my allegiance."

Harry thought he could see a shade in Snape's eyes that, for just a second, show a bit of the horror he had to go through since Voldemort had returned; the Potion Master was able to mask his expression quickly.

"That however has nothing to do with you," Snape went on. "If you ever found yourself close to the Dark Lord, it's unlikely that he will be diving deeply in your mind."

"Yeah, why bother when he could just kill me," Harry grumbled.

"Very likely," Snape said drily. "Though, he might do something that would surprise us all. Don't underestimate his fighting abilities."

"That's not bloody likely," Harry grimaced.

"The access you have to the Dark Lord's mind," Snape went on, again as if he hadn't heard Harry, "and in turn the access he has to your mind is unique. I'm not sure if it is even an actual branch of Legilimency and Occlumency and therefore it will be that much more difficult to keep him out. Which is why an offensive approach to Occlumency is so appealing. If you're unable to block, then you should use your will and determination to reflect the attacks against you."

"You mean learn Legilimency?" Harry questioned frowning.

"No Potter," Snape said in his coldest voice again, his own way of showing anger. "It would be a waste of time to even try to do that. What I am suggesting is that you use the Dark Lord's ability against him. Make it a battle of wills."

"I can't possible beat him …" Harry started to say.

"What do you think your duel last summer against the Dark Lord was?" Snape said. "You don't have the skill to beat him. You don't have the experience. But you do have a strong will, a determination that might be enough to help you."

"So what does that mean for our lessons?" Harry asked, looking thoughtful about what Snape had just told him.

"It means that I will push you harder and more relentlessly," Snape said. "For your part, you'll want to find the point I'm using to attack you and then try to turn it against me."

"How do I do that?" Harry asked.

"You'll have to figure that out yourself," Snape replied.

"How did I know you'll say that," Harry sighed.

"That's it for the lesson today," Snape said and just as Harry was about to leave he added, "Potter, remember to keep your mind clear, after a lesson like this …"

"It will be only easier for him to get into my mind, yeah I know," Harry said and then smirked. "You don't have to worry so much, Professor."