Oh my god, hi. I'm sorry. I moved a month ago and just now got my home DSL back up and running! And I also lost my OotP in the move and that sucked and I didn't know how to spell Occlumency.and well, you get the idea. Here is a new chapter as a peace offering. I promise we will be getting somewhere with the Snape and the Harry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Harry, could I have a word with you for a moment?" Dumbledore addressed Harry as the rest of the members of the Order were filing out of the meeting room. Harry stifled a yawn before replying. Unlike yesterday's meeting-turned-party, this one was filled with technical logistics and a long-winded defense strategy debate that held the Order in the dining hall for hours after dinner.

"Sure," Harry replied. He went against the crowd to the head of the table, where Dumbledore alone remained. Dumbledore sat back down at the head of the table and motioned for Harry to take the seat beside him. Harry sat as well.

"Earlier today, I discussed the subject of your Occlumency with Professor Snape. I know I had errored last year in not instructing you myself, and I had planned to be your sole teacher this year to correct that." Harry nodded in acknowledgement.

"However," Dumbledore continued, "with the heightened Death Eater activity and the recruitment of the Giants, I will be unable to even begin this task with you for the better part of two months, at the earliest. It requires a time commitment that I wouldn't dare shortchange you on, and I have to be realistic in the fact that I can't give you that commitment just yet."

"So I'll be having lessons with Professor Snape again." Harry replied in a slow, measured tone. Great, he thought. As if I didn't have enough to worry about this year at school.

"I am truly sorry that this is your best option, Harry. But you know the prophecy firsthand, and therefore you know the urgency in building your defense against Lord Voldemort. I understand that a week ago, you witnessed through Voldemort the torturing of the Death eaters?" Harry looked down. Damn Hermione, he thought. She must have told him about how I reacted at the meeting yesterday.

"It wasn't Hermione who told me, Harry." Harry looked up at Dumbledore in surprise. "Ginny noticed that you tensed up rather quickly when I brought up Professor Snape's ordeal. She is understandably concerned for you, given what she went through with Voldemort in her mind a few years ago. Complete mind manipulation is also a very real threat to you, especially since I have reason to believe that Voldemort is now fully aware of his capability."

"But then why hasn't he been messing with me all summer?" Harry replied. "That torture incident was the first I'd seen of him since last school year. I mean, I can still feel his strong emotions, but that was the only time I got a visual."

"I suspect that he is biding his time with you, Harry. He can and will use this against you in the near future. But he wouldn't have used it over the summer, because you weren't close by me."

"But I'm the one he has to kill, not you."

Dumbledore looked at Harry with weary eyes. "But he wants to kill us both, Harry. You and I are what stand in the way of his attainment of supremacy."

"But you're the one wizard strong enough to take him down because you're the only one he's ever feared! Everyone says so."

"It is true that I have the power to overcome him, Harry. I am your greatest defense outside of your own power of will. But you are my greatest weakness. Voldemort knows that I would do everything in my power to preserve your life; this includes giving mine."

Harry was shaken by this strong declaration.

"Um. Snape really wants to do the Occlumency with me again? I kind of made him mad last year because I broke into his memories." Whopping mad, Harry thought. Mad enough to be banned for life from his office. So why the change of heart? Did he actually feel sorry for me when that wanker Dudley beat me up?

"Yes, Professor Snape informed me that there was a lapse of discretion on your part in regards to his private storage of memories. But with your sound promise to refrain from repeating the incident, he will continue with his instruction."

Harry nodded. "When can I start?"

"Next Monday is your first day of classes. That evening, Professor Snape will be expecting you in his office at 8pm sharp."

"Ok. thank you." Dumbledore stood up and Harry followed suit.

"Don't thank me, Harry. Professor Snape is the one giving selfless servitude to the Order and myself. He knows the full importance of these lessons. I only hope for your safety, that you understand the weight of this as well."

Harry nodded again. "I'll be sure to thank him for doing this."

Dumbledore smiled. "Courtesy and respect are the foundation of a healthy working relationship, Harry. I am hoping that both you and Professor Snape can foster this between yourselves."

Hey, he hated me first, thought Harry. Our working relationship is bad because he's pissed off at the memory of my dad. And he still thinks I'm the same guy.

But Harry was too tired to bring this up to Dumbledore. He smiled at Dumbledore instead and bid him good night.

"Good night, Harry," he replied. "I won't see you again until the start of term. Safe travels."

"Safe travels to you too. Are you going to the Giants again?" Dumbledore shook his head.

"No. But don't concern yourself with my schedule. This upcoming trip won't put me in danger. Now you go get some rest."

And with that, a weary Harry left the dining hall and headed up to bed.