A/N: OH MY GOSH! I actually got two reviews! Thank you so much, Padfoot and Aislin-Black! *checks the screen once more to make sure it's real* I never thought any one would like it.I thought it was kind of boring! But thanks guys, you really light up my day. Well, here goes.

Chapter Two

It was a cool day as usual. Severus got out of bed reluctantly and scowled all the way he dressed. The reason for his bad mood was mainly that a new school term has started again and he would be facing those nasty mind-blank students again. Having that in mind, he sighed and got out of his chamber and into the Great Hall.

* * *

Harry grinned as he gathered his luggage and pushed them into an empty compartment with Ron and Hermione. It was the end of the holiday and there they were inside Hogwarts Express, waiting for depart. Harry had gone to the Headquarters right after the night he got the letters and lived there since then.

"Oof!" said Ron as he flung himself on a seat. "I am so tired, Mum made me scrub the walls yesterday when you were in Diagon Alley, mate."

Harry grinned to his friend and sat down with Hermione. He had gone to Diagon alley just yesterday to get his school things.

Hermione pulled out a copy of Hogwarts, A history and started to read with her head buried inside the pages.

"For heaven's sake, Hermione, haven't you got that by heart already?" asked Ron, glancing at the book in Hermione's hands.

Hermione frowned at Ron a little but continued reading.

The trained started to move and rain was splattering down the windows. Harry and Ron started a game of wizarding chess where Ron beat Harry three times a row. When they were just about to turn to an Exploding Snap game, Ginny Weasley came in, scowling.

"What's the matter, Ginny?" asked Harry, seeing the expression on her face.

Ginny sighed and slumped into a seat beside Ron. "Malfoy's the problem." She replied grumpily.

Ron raised his eyebrows to Harry and asked sharply, "What did he do to you, sis?"

"I was walking along the compartments looking for you guys and he actually sneaked up from behind wanting to hex me. I turned just in time and asked him what was he trying to do, and he said he wanted to capture me as'bait' for my boyfriend who loves to act hero." said Ginny, looking at Harry.

"What's that got to do with me!" Harry said angrily, but he knew perfectly well that Malfoy was referring to him. Ginny rolled her eyes and continued, "How do I know? And the worst thing was he said that right in front of Dean. Now it looks like he's suspicious about you, Harry."

Ron tried and failed to suppress a snicker and Harry groan with exasperation. Hermione rolled her eyes from the behind of her book but didn't say anything.

"Is that what you girls only think, always related to boy-girl relationships?" sighed Harry.

He had no interest in girls since he had experienced Cho.

Ginny shrugged and looked out of the window.

The journey continued as the rain grew more and more heavy steadily. Lightening was bolting out in the skies and no one in the compartment said anything until lunch. Harry bought all if them a large stack of Cauldron Cakes and they ate rather moodily because of the rumbling weather.

Finally the trained pulled to a stop and the familiar Hogwarts castle was in view. Harry felt an urge of relieve when he saw his long missed home.

* * *

"The Welcome Feast shall be taking place within a few minutes, Severus, shall we leave?" asked Albus Dumbledore smiling.

"Yes, Headmaster." Severus's expression turned into unconvincing forced of eagerness.

They were inside the Headmaster's office where Severus had just told Dumbledore about a Death Eater meeting which took place yesterday night. He was not at all keen on meeting the students who all thought lowly of him. Not that he minded their opinions about him, but Severus's teaching attitude was really failing; since Potter got out of the Pensive, he had been dreading to face the students more and more- he was sure that Potter, being as arrogant as his father and attention-seeking, would spread out what he had seen. He was surprised that the school was not talking about this yet but knew it would not be for long. He loathed Potter even more just to think of it.

Dumbledore seemed to notice Severus's sour expression for he chuckled and said, "Now, Severus, you never liked teaching, did you not?"

"I am afraid not, Headmaster, for I do not see the excitement in being shut in a dungeon with forty blank and, forgive me to say this, blunt and stubborn minds for an hour."

Dumbledore laughed and lead the way out of his office, Severus by his side.

"You should soften up, Severus, for teaching has great experience in itself." Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling, "And seeing what the blank, blunt and stubborn minds have achieved after your enlightening, is the best reward, I'd say."

Severus smiled grimly and replied, "Ah, I am enlightened by your wisdom, Headmaster."

Dumbledore chuckled again and commented, "You are so of a nerd sometimes, young lad."

"I'll take that as a compliment, sir."

"Please do, it was meant to be."

Severus grinned silently but did not answer. Albus Dumbledore's character was everything he respected. He would have died for him as Dumbledore would for himself too, he believed.

They reached the Great Hall together and saw a sea of pointed black hats. The students grew quiet immediately, seeing the Headmaster approach.

Dumbledore got to his feet and said as usual, "Welcome to a new year, everyone! Please feel comfortable- bon appetite!"

Food appeared on the glittering golden silverware and the Great hall became noisy again as the students talked and helped themselves with the feast. Severus looked down the Gryffindor table and saw Potter and his two friends laughing over something. He was so sure for a moment that they were talking about the Pensive. Then Potter turned and caught his own eyes. Potter stared at him for a second, the laughter dying away from his face, then to Severus's surprise, he grinned at him. As if it was not enough, he gave Severus a thumbs-up sign. Severus looked behind him to see if Potter was looking at somebody else but Minerva McGonagall was eating and talking to Professor Flitwick. He turned back to the Gryffindor table but Potter was eating again. Shaking himself mentally inside, he turned back to the table and helped himself to some roasted potatoes.

* * *

Ron stared at Harry, awestrucked. "What?" he asked his friend as he munched on some pork chops. "Why on earth did you smile at Snape?" Ron asked in disbelief.

Harry stuttered at this point. He had did it in order to assure Snape that he had not said anything about the Pensive for Snape was looking at him with purest loathing.

"I didn't, I was looking at Hagrid, silly." Harry lied.

Hermione pointed to a man sitting beside Dumbledore. "Who's that?" she asked.

"Mud be de defend ob dak ad teader, rid?" Ron replied with a mouthful of mashed potatoes. Hermione looked at him with disgust as he managed to swallow everything in his mouth with one big gulp.

"Must be the Defence of Dark Arts teacher, right?" he repeated hastily.

Harry took a drink of pumpkin juice from the golden goblet and took a good look at the new professor.

He was wearing new, expensive-like robes with purple and gold trimmings and was tall and thin. He was pretty good-looking with blonde hair and brown eyes and was always laughing on the teacher's table.

"Reminds me a lot of Lockhart." Harry commented. Hermione snorted in her apple sauce and Ron grinned at her.

The feast was finally over and Dumbledore gave his usual talk about the Forest. He also introduced the new teacher, Furtis White which was the Defence of Darks Arts professor. Then he mentioned the traditional Quidditch try-outs. Harry's high mood sank once he remembered the mention of Quidditch. He had a life long ban from it according to Dolores Umbridge, who was their Defence of the Dark Arts teacher last year. He was not very sure if he could play Quidditch again and his Firebolt was still locked in one of Snape's dungeons. Exactly how great it would be, he thought dully, asking Snape whether he could have his Firebolt back.

The students were streaming out of the Hall and Harry realized they were dismissed.

"C'mon, Harry." Said Ron, tugging him away from the table. They were halfway up the stairs when a drawling clod voice floated into their ears.

"Potty, Weasel and the Granger Mudblood. What a nice combination." Draco Malfoy sneered with Crabbe and Goyle by his side.

The three hurled around quickly and faced their mortal arch-enemies. Ron nearly pulled out his wand but Hermione stopped him.

"Wise decision, Granger. You will not want the dirty face of yours get, if possible, more ruined, will you?" Malfoy snickered. Crabbe and Goyle laughed loudly as Ron's ears went pink and tried to pull his wand out with Hermione seizing his arm.

Harry glared at him and replied coolly, "How's your dad doing, Malfoy? I've heard he's out of Azkaban right? How's freedom suiting him?"

The laughter died away from Crabbe and Goyle's face as Malfoy widen his eyes in fury and said through gritted teeth, "Shut up Potter, you will pay."

Harry rolled his eyes and sneered, "You know what? I don't mind getting a few hexes from you, Malfoy; it'll be like a good practice for me to do your dad in."

Malfoy plunged inside his robes for his wand but Hermione pointed hers right onto his heart. Hermione was shaking with fury as Ron stared at her, impressed.

"Go on, Malfoy. Go on, let's have a duel. I've wanted to do this since I've recognized you as a pathetic foul." She said in barely a whisper. Malfoy was about to reply when-

"Granger! What are you doing?"

Snape ascended the stairs and reached them. Harry groaned inside and Ron looked as he wanted to kill Snape.

Hermione took her wand back from pointing at Malfoy and replied simply, "Nothing, sir."

Harry watched Hermione in awe- he had never seen Hermione act like this. Hermione respected every professor in the school, even the nasty evil Potions Master.

"Nothing? We'll see." Snape's thin lips turned into a horrible smile. " Fifty points from Gryffindor for lying to the master of this school, Miss Granger, ten points off each for Potter and Weasley for not stopping her attempt to attack Mr Malfoy. "

Ron opened his mouth to protest but Harry's warning look stopped him. He knew exactly why Snape did this; apart from the natural hatred between them, Snape had treated them even more cruelly since Harry had got out of the Pensive. Perhaps he assumed Harry would spread out what he had seen, that fool, was he keen on letting the others know what a jerk his father was at the age of fifteen?

"Potter, the Headmaster and quite a few professors would like to see you. Follow me." Snape sad shortly, back to his usual cold self. Malfoy sneered at him and walked away as Hermione and Ron decided to wait or Harry in the common room.

Harry followed Snape down the corridor and pasted the Great Hall. Should I tell Dumbledore about the dream? No, not with Snape here, he thought.

They reached the Headmaster's office and Snape said coldly through gritted teeth, "Sneezy Wheezy Puffs." He glared at Harry as to dare him to grin.

"Harry, Severus, come in please."

They walked over the threshold and saw Dumbledore, as old and wise as ever, sat behind his desk, smiling at the both. Professor McGonagall was standing beside Dumbledore, her thin lips tightened into a smile as she saw Harry. "Please sit down, Harry."

Harry sat down on the chair opposite to Dumbledore's desk and glanced around. The portraits of the old or dead Headmasters before were still hanging every where but a small table that used to stand at the back of the room was gone. Harry felt a pang of guilt- he had demolished it last year when he found his godfather dead.

Dumbledore smiled again and said softly, "Fawkes finds the space very enjoyable- he often watches Quiddicth matches standing there." Harry did not ask how Dumbledore knew what he was thinking; he knew Dumbledore to well.

"So, Harry, you will be pleased to now that Professor McGonagall has relieved your Firebolt from the dungeons. You can have it back."

Harry looked quickly at McGonagall and in her hands, surely, was his faithful, long missed Firebolt.

"Can I- may I play Quidditch again?" Harry asked eagerly, taking the Firebolt into his hands. He heard a little snort from behind and knew it was Snape but did not care. Having back the present given by his beloved godfather, Sirius, meant more than anything to him.

Professor McGonagall shot Snape a rather nasty look and replied, "Yes, of course you may, Harry. The life long ban from the Ministry has been removed. You are back on the Gryffindor team again." She said the last sentence glaring at Snape, who was snorting again.

"Thanks." Harry said, his heart as light as the wind. He ran his fingers along the broom and felt a kind of warmness spread through his fingertips, as if the broom was making a welcome towards his owner.

Dumbledore smiled and said, "Now, Harry, there is something I want to inform you. You will be having regular extra lessons with Professor Snape for Occlumency-"

"What?" Harry nearly groaned.

"Yes, Harry," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling, " Professor Snape has kindly offered his evenings as a training course for you."

Snape cleared his throat at this point. " Forgive me to interrupt, Headmaster, but I believe I did not exactly beg for the job." There was a hint of sour in his voice simply stating that this was the last thing he wanted to do.

Dumbledore simply smiled again and replied, "Well, Severus, it was kindly enough of you to agree with the job, an excellent idea I must say."

Harry glanced at Snape and asked, "But Professor Dumbledore, why can't you teach me yourself?"

Snape smiled horribly and said, "I'm afraid it is not too excellent, Headmaster, for Potter simply refuses my teaching."

Dumbledore replied calmly, still smiling, "Harry, I just have too many things to do. I would have taught you Occlumency if I had managed it, but under the circumstances."

Harry understood Dumbledore meant working with the Order. He nodded and said, "I understand, Professor."

Snape glared at Harry with the purest loath and said, "Well Potter, Thursday evening will be fine, eight o'clock and kindly avoid being late; I do not intend waiting for the whole night. Headmaster, excuse me but I have to return to the dungeons." He said curtly with a bow to Dumbledore and walked out, nearly slamming the door.

Dumbledore shook his head chuckling, "I assumed you had work out things with Professor Snape by now, Harry, but it definitely looks like I am much mistaken.

Harry grinned and replied "Cheers, Professor."

Dumbledore got up to his feet, still smiling and said, "So, Harry, you might want to get some rest, I do not want you to be late for your lessons tomorrow."

Harry nodded and said "Good night, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall."

"Goodnight, young lad."

* * *

Severus growled slightly as he entered his dungeons. It was not unreasonable, with Potter's extra lessons ahead.

He lighted the dungeons with fire and walked to the cupboards. Taking a small bottle of orange liquid out, he sighed and poured them into a cauldron. He needed to make a Strength Potion for Lord Voldemort.

* * *

"Congratulations, mate." Ron said grimly.

Hermione shook her head at Ron and said, "You must concentrate on the lessons this time, Harry, Occlumency must be important or Professor Dumbledore won't introduce you to it so many times. Concentrate, Harry."

Harry groaned. It was late in the night and the common room was emptying. Harry had just told Hermione and Ron about Occlumency.

Ron looked at the Firebolt in his hands and said brightly, "You have Quidditch practice to look forward to, though."

"I doubt that- how's the team doing anyways?" Harry asked doubtfully, remembering Fred and George Weasley as the best Beaters ever's absence.

Ron frowned and replied, "Not too good, not good at all. Angelina said she wants to have a new try-out later, she can't stand our teammates killing themselves in practice anymore."

Harry nodded glumly. If he could not find happiness even in Quidditch, he could not see anything to lighten his moods.

Hermione asked Harry suddenly, "Why didn't you tell us Lucius Malfoy's out of prison?"

Harry tore his thoughts away from Quidditch and said, "Huh?"

Ron suddenly, too, remembered. "Yeah, how come you didn't tell us that?"

"Oh, that." Harry did not want to alarm his friends about the dream but it seemed like he had no choice.

He told them everything and Hermione said sternly, "Well, serves Lestrange right. I hope Voldemort- oh, please, Ron!- tortures her everyday."

Harry fell silent; Lestrange had killed Sirius last year. Anger boiled inside his veins whenever he thought of it, so he looked at his Firebolt and tried to concentrate on it.

"It's late, let's get some sleep." He stood up and ascended the stairs to the boy's dormitory. He caught Ron and Hermione exchanging looks and Ron ran to catch up with him. Together, they entered the dormitory and Harry felt tiredness sink inside suddenly. Rolling on to bed, he fell asleep before Ron could say another word.