[a/n0]If Harry wrote those messages is he in a magically binding contract with all three women? wondered MarcusRowland-A great question. Maybe it only applies if you're over 17. Y'know like the TriWizard.

[a/n]Flourish and Blotts visit didn't appear, but we all know it had to've happened.

Harry Does Different CCCLXXXI

Occlumency

"Annnnnnd Transfiguration, Beginners Guide. Emeric Snitch. Here it is. Hagrid, is that the last one?" the young shopper asked of his escort. That book was added to the rather intimidating stack.

Of course, it wasn't heavy for the large man who hefted it onto his shoulder "C'mon there Arry, let get this plunder rung up fer ya."

"Yes sir, a new student." The witch with the nametag announcing ASSISTANT MANAGER and her name Bliss greeted them politely "That's 27 Galleons, plus 2 Galleons 4 Knuts tax."

Harry got out his money pouch and was digging out the coins. Something caught his eye OCCLUMENCY FOR BEGINNERS by Imelda Staunton the bottom was subtitled KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF It struck him as an odd title, but Harry asked for that too "How much for that one behind you?"

"That? Well…it's usually for NEWTs and up." Bliss pointed out. That was when the boy's hair moved and she squeaked "Oh my! Harry Potter! Well, I suppose. Why not? I'll toss it in if you just round up to an even 20."

Hagrid looked down curiously "Cha got dere Arry? Ok-ol-mens? Ne'er eard o'it. But we're pretty well done and yer still got plenty."

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Harry wasn't the least surprised that he got no help hauling his school supplies into #4, or that he was sent immediately to what had been Dudley's second bedroom. He browsed his purchases "Hmm… let's see …Potions… well that shouldn't be hard. Pretty much cooking. Oh here's the occlu-thingy."

Chapter 1 Clearing Your Mind

Chapter 2 Meditation

Chapter 3 Organization

Chapter 4 Wall Building

Chapter 5 Distractions

Chapter 6 Guardians

Chapter 7 Different Mindscapes

Chapter 8 Multitasking

Chapter 9 Introduction to Intermediate Concepts

Harry assumed magic school would be much like regular school, so while he glanced through all his texts, he spent as much of his time as he could with Occlumency. Even though he struggled with meanings, he discovered even what he understood was changing the way his mind worked.

By the time September 1 came along, he had the very beginning of understanding the whole topic. He seemed to remember things he long forgot. He thought he did a fair job of building a wall around his mind, but he was especially proud of the pretty redhead woman he imagined to stand at the front door. Even if he had no idea who she might be.

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Harry met a few other First Years on the Hogwarts Express. A fair number of acquaintances, maybe a friend or two. With the mental control the Occlumency book taught him he managed not particularly offend anyone. And, just beginning to learn the skill of multitasking, he read a textbook in his lap while fully participating in the conversations around him. He ended up sorted into Gryffindor and quite looked forward to his first class, which was Potions. He was quickly disabused of his enthusiasm.

"…Then again, perhaps some of you come in possession of skills so formidable they need not pay attention." The Potion Master came around his desk and loomed over the very doppleganger of his archenemy? Or was it Polyjuice? "Tell me Mr. Potter what would I get if I added asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Where the bushy-haired Gryffindor shot her hand up, Harry's brows furrowed "Don't remember that from the text."

"Address me as sir." Ordered Snape, clearly angry "Where, Potter, would you look if I asked you for a beazor?"

Again, the bushy-haired Gryffindor shot her hand up, but was ignored. Harry swallowed nervously but was able to answer "Think that was in the index. Something about a sheep, or …no… a goat."

"Lucky guess." The dark man wasn't impressed, even a half-right answer was infuriating. With eyes already locked it wasn't hard to use a little passive Legilimency on the brat. And got the shock of his life. His probe met a wall of static that no untrained brain should have. It was nothing he couldn't push aside with a quiet "Legilimens!"

All the Occlumency practice hadn't so much deliberately taught Harry how to recognize an attack, but he did know something was happening. He concentrated hard.

"What the- -" exclaimed Snape in the real world as he now saw in his mind the image of a fence. Not a solid one, more like a chainlink that was about half erected. But as he mentally approached, he was confronted by a very familiar woman. The image did not have any substance, but it was exactly the right one to shake Severus. He gasped "Lily!" and recoiled, stumbling into the desk behind him.

The blond boy Harry recognized from his shopping trip jumped out of his seat and squealed "Professor! Are you alright?"

"Out." He hissed at first, then as quickly as his fury rose so did his voice "Out! OUT. OUT! OUT! ALL OF YOU OUT!"

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Rumor flew around as students met up with their Houses. Harry was surrounded by curiosity seekers telling his story for about the tenth time. Shy redhead Hufflepuff, Susan Bones, had just worked up the nerve to ask about the incident when Professor McGonagall summoned him "Mr. Potter, Headmaster Dumbledore requests your presence. Follow me. Miss Bones, off you go."

"Didn't sound like a request to me." Observed Fred.

She glared at him and ordered "Silence Weasley. Potter, this way." She didn't bother checking to see whether she was being obeyed. Didn't even speak again until they were outside the office and that was to give the password "M&M."

"Ahh, Minerva, and young Harry excellent. Come in come in." the Headmaster was quite welcoming.

The First Year was somewhat bashful, but asked curiously "Excuse me, sir, but how did you know? I mean you couldn't see us."

"Very observant, well done my boy." He radiated pleasure at that "There are advantages to being Headmaster. But, moving on. I would like to understand what happened in your Potions class. Professor Snape is rather miffed with you at present."

Harry looked back and forth between them, feeling intimidated "Well …sir, ma'am… he slammed open the door and announced how much better Potions is than anything else. And honest, it does sound interesting- - -"

"Stay on topic please, my boy." Dumbledore gently chided. "What did you do to Professor Snape?"

That both pieced together what happened in Harry's mind and set him on the defensive. "He used Legilimency on me."

"Potter, the Headmaster asked- - -" McGonagall began.

The Headmaster cut her off "Where did you hear that word Harry?"

" OCCLUMENCY FOR BEGINNERS by Imelda Staunton" he answered, but he was interrupted.

The Head of Gryffindor flushed angrily "This, Albus, explains a great deal." She glanced at her student and commanded "You may go Potter." And when she thought he was gone "There are going to be considerable changes. Bennie! Ahh, excellent. Please inform Professors Sprout and Flitwick they are needed in the Headmaster's office immediately."

Harry didn't figure he could stay.