Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

Chapter 30

Jolicia had asked Harry if he minded practicing Occlumency during the holidays.

"It's the perfect time. There's almost no one around. We can practice uninterrupted," Jo said.

He had reluctantly agreed. It had begun to feel like he would never master the technique, when it happened.

"Once again, Harry. Prepare yourself. Legilimens!" she had cried. Jolicia found herself blocked from his mind. As hard as she tried, he managed to keep her out.

"Harry! You did it! YOU FINALLY DID IT! "

He broke into a grin and said, "I did, didn't I. I can't believe it! Let's try again."

Once again he was successful.

"Try this time to let me see only what you want me to see. Tell me how much you hate Quidditch. Let me see if I can tell that you are lying."

Harry began to tell that he hated the sport and couldn't understand how anyone could like it. She searched his emotions and couldn't tell that it was all a lie.

"Excellent. You never believed me did you, Harry? I knew you could get this. Congratulations Mr. Potter, you are an Occulmens."

"Thanks, Jo. I owe it all to you. I have to tell someone. Can I go find the Headmaster?"

"Sure. He'll be just as thrilled as I am. Ready to become a Legilimens next?"

He nodded enthusiastically.

Harry knocked on the door of the staff room. The door opened and Minerva stood there, glaring.

"Sorry to bother you, Professor McGonagall. I was wondering if Headmaster Dumbledore is here. I must speak with him."

"You're in luck, Potter. I'll get him for you. Wait here."

Dumbledore came out and greeted Harry with a smile.

"What can I do for you, my boy?" he inquired.

"I had to come and tell you right away, sir. I've done it. I've finally mastered Occlumency." Harry beamed at the old man, waiting for his reaction.

"Well done, Harry! I had faith in you. Congratulations!" he said with pride and gave the boy a hug, patted him on the back and said once again, "Well done."

Albus returned to the staff room where Minerva and Severus sat quietly reading.

"What did Potter want?" she asked.

"He is so proud of himself. He has just become an Occulmens."

"Wonderful!" exclaimed Minerva. Snape said nothing and continued with his journal.

Later that afternoon, Snape and Harry crossed paths.

"Good afternoon, sir," said Harry, continuing on his way to the library.

"I understand that congratulations are in order, Mr. Potter. It seems I was wrong about you. You did have it in you."

Harry was surprised. He had forgotten that Jolicia had said that Snape and McGonagall knew that she was tutoring him.

"Thank you, sir," was all he could say.

"I might test you, Potter, so be on your guard," he said and strode away.

"Shit," thought Harry. What if he was stronger than Jo and failed the test? He needed to stand up to Voldemort, so it was just as well that someone else had a go. The thought made him uncomfortable, just the same. Harry continued on to the library.

For three days after Harry's triumph, Jolicia saw nothing of Severus. She hunted everywhere for him, but he was nowhere to be found. She had asked Minerva and Albus about it and they both gave the same answer – he's around here somewhere. He'll turn up soon. Jo had a funny feeling that they were covering something up.

"He's disappeared again," she thought. "Why?"

On the fourth morning, Jo awoke very early, being unable to sleep any longer. She was really worried about him now. She left her room to go for a walk in the crisp clean air to try and clear her head. Severus was at his door!

"Severus! There you are. Where have you been? I've been worried." He did not answer nor did he look at her.

"Severus, are you all right? What's wrong?"

She walked over to him and gasped when she saw his face. He looked exhausted. He was paler than usual - almost pure white. The left side of his face was black and blue and there was a large gash on his forehead.

"Merlin! What happened to you? Let me help you to the infirmary."

"I slipped on some ice and this is the result. I'm fine, Jolicia. You don't have to worry. There's no need to bother Poppy. I just need a little sleep, that's all."

"At least let me look after that cut. It looks…"

Severus cut her off and said firmly, "No, I told you I'm fine. Thank you. I'll see you later." He disappeared inside his room. She heard him lock the door.

He was lying to her again.

 "There's no way he got like that from a fall on the ice," she thought.

She was more worried than ever. She decided to seek out Dumbledore. Jo roused him from his slumber.

"Forgive me, Headmaster. I forgot that it was so early. I can come back later if you like."

"No, that's all right. It must be important for you to come now. What is wrong, Jolicia?"

"It's Severus. He has been missing for three days. I just found him going into his quarters. He looks like hell and he's hurt. He was bleeding, but he wouldn't let me take him to the infirmary. I'm so worried about him but I don't know what to do. I think he is in some kind of trouble."

Albus studied the young woman before him. Her face was lined with concern. He knew she was deeply in love with Severus, even though she didn't really know it yet. He decided it was time she knew the truth, well at least some of it.

Albus continued, "There are many things you don't know about Severus, Jolicia. He's going to be cross with me for telling you, but I think you need to know. Severus is a Death Eater."

"I don't understand. What's a Death Eater?"

"It is what we call someone who is a follower of Voldemort. A disciple, if you like. Severus bears the Dark Mark on his arm. It is like a brand or a tattoo that Voldemort uses to summon his followers when he requires their service. This is not the first time you have noticed Severus' absence. All these times he has been summoned by Voldemort. He is bound to do his master's bidding."

Jolicia looked at the Headmaster in horror. She couldn't grasp what he was saying.

"How can he be here at Hogwarts then? Why would you keep a sworn enemy in you midst? My gods, what about Harry?"

"Calm down, let me finish. There is more to the story. Although it is true that Severus joined the Death Eaters of his own free will, he came to realize that it was a grave mistake. He is a spy for us now, Jolicia. Severus spies on Voldemort for our side. He is a vital link in the resistance movement."

Jolicia stared dumbfounded. She suddenly was aware how much more she had to learn.

The Headmaster added, "Every time Severus is summoned, he is grave danger. I shudder to think what would happen if Voldemort ever discovered the truth. Our dear friend would come to a most horrific end, I'm afraid. Also, although he has never confided in me as to what Voldemort requests him to do, I'm sure it is all most distasteful to Severus. He has no choice but to comply. Anything less than complete obedience would be seen as a betrayal."

"I don't know what to say, Headmaster."

"There's really not much to say. Just be there for Severus, but let it be at his pace. Tonight, he didn't want your help. Accept that without question. Next time, he might change his mind. I also ask you to please keep this information to yourself. Above all, don't let on to Severus that you know. As I said before, he would not be happy with me for telling you. I told you so that you could understand our friend better."

"Thank you, Headmaster. Once again, I swear to you that I will tell no one. This does answer a lot of my questions."

Jolicia walked back to her quarters, her head still reeling from what Dumbledore had told her. She stopped at Severus' door and ran her hand over the smooth wood. She wanted desperately to go inside and tell him that she understood; to hold him tightly and make all of his pain stop. With a sigh, she continued on to her own room.

When Severus finally emerged, he was back to his usual self, as if nothing had occurred. Jolicia looked at him with new found respect.

Severus kept his word. On the last morning of Christmas vacation, he had come up behind Harry, taking him quite by surprise.

As Harry spun around, Snape said, "Legilimens!"

Harry successful blocked the attack.

"Congratulations, Potter. You did master the technique," Snape sneered and left.

Harry knew that it was not easy for Snape to congratulate him. Harry considered it to be one of his proudest moments. Even Jolicia was surprised when Harry told her what had taken place.

She laughed and said, "Maybe the good professor is mellowing."

Harry didn't think so.

That evening, Harry went down to greet his friends. He was most anxious to tell them about his Christmas and he was sure they felt just the same as he. As Harry scanned down the side of the train, a curious sight met his eyes. Malfoy was helping Hermione down onto the platform. Ron jumped out after Hermione, with a scowl on his face.

"Harry, over here mate," called Ron. Harry ran up to meet them.

He nodded. "Malfoy. Nice Christmas?"

Draco replied, "Cracking, Potter. You?"

"Same here."

"Shall we go?"

Draco and Hermione walked up to the castle together. Harry and Ron hung back a little.

"What is all that about?" asked Harry.

"Haven't got a clue. All I know is that Malfoy spent most of the trip in our compartment."

"Weird!"

"What's even weirder is that he was pleasant the whole time," said Ron.

"Do you think Malfoy fancies Hermione?"

"Crikey, no Harry. Anyone else, yes. This is Malfoy we're talking about. There's no bloody way he'd want Hermione. Remember what he used to call her?"

"I guess you're right, Ron. Perhaps he's just trying to be our friend. Anyway, wait until you see what I got for Christmas."

Ron was more than impressed with Harry's haul. He couldn't wait to try out the practice Snitch, but unfortunately, it was too dark and too late. It would have to wait.

Classes started up the next morning and things got back to normal at Hogwarts.

Draco was spending more and more time with Hermione. Of course his lie had spread like wild fire amongst his House mates. Some of them had even congratulated him on the fine job he was doing on the 'Mudblood'.

One evening he had gone to the library to study with her but was disappointed to find Ron and Harry already there. He was about to leave when she spotted him.

"Harry, Ron make some room for Draco, please," she asked.

"Um, sure 'Mione," answered Ron. They moved their books further down the table.

"Sure you don't mind?" Malfoy asked warily.

"No, we don't mind, Mal…Draco. Sit," replied Harry.

They had given him the seat opposite Hermione. Harry discreetly watched them as they conversed. He wasn't so sure he agreed with Ron's assessment of the situation. There was something about the way he looked at her. He didn't have the 'I'm in love puppy dog eyes' look but yet, there was something there. He was sure of it. He'd have to ask Hermione when he got the chance, when Ron wasn't about. Ron had strong convictions about Malfoy. He knew he wouldn't like the fact she was seeing Malfoy, if that were the case. Harry, himself, was willing to give the Slytherin a chance.

Jolicia and Severus slipped back into their usual pattern. She found herself dreading the days when she realized he had been 'called'. She was a nervous wreck until she saw him once again, until she saw with her own eyes that he was unharmed. She was falling deeper and deeper in love with him but still did not realize it. As far as Jo was concerned, she was worried about her good friend Severus.

Harry began his study of Legilimency. The day that they began, Jo told him not to be discouraged if it didn't come to him right away. She had realized he was feeling a little cocksure of himself and that he might expect to have instant success.

"I just want you to be prepared, Harry. It might take you just as long as it did to learn Occlumency," she warned. "Let's begin."

"Are you not going to use the Pensieve first, Jo?" asked Harry.

"Nope. Don't need to. I'm ready when you are."

Jo had been right on the money - Harry had not been able to read anything at all from her.

"Are you blocking me?" he asked in frustration.

"No, I'm not. How could you learn if I were to close my mind to you? Keep trying."

He had no success at all. He had none in the second lesson, or the third. He came to realize that this was going to take time after all.

After a particularly frustrating session, Harry stormed up to his common room. He was greatly relieved to find it empty and flopped own in a chair by the fire to brood.  He was trying to figure out just what it was that he was doing wrong. He was doing everything just as Jolicia had instructed but still had no luck.

"FUCK!" he yelled, just to release the tension.

"Harry, what's wrong with you? You look very upset. You must be to swear like that," asked Hermione.

"Nothing's wrong," he answered.

"Liar," she said. "You expect me to believe you just said 'fuck' for the fun of it? I'm not thick, you know. Tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help."

"You wouldn't understand, Hermione. It's a guy thing. Okay?"

"Oh, my. Okay, I guess. If you ever change your mind, I'm here," she said sitting down by the fire as well. "Talk to Ron, in that case."

"Maybe," replied Harry, anxious for her to change subjects. She didn't disappoint him. Hermione began talking about the essay she had finished.

After a short lull in the conversation, Harry finally got up the courage to ask her what he had been dying to ask for a long time.

"Hermione, can I ask you a question? A personal question?"

"Sure, Harry. Ask away."

"It's about you and Draco. Are you two seeing one another?"

"We see each other all the time." Once in awhile, not very often, Hermione was a little thick.

"No, I mean are you seeing each other, as in boyfriend – girlfriend?"

"NO, no way. Harry, where did you get such an idea from?" She seemed truly shocked.

"Dunno, just a feeling I had, that's all."

"Well, your feeling is wrong. We're just friends. Study friends."

"Okay, thanks. I was worried about you," he said and then decided to tease her a little. "After all, I wouldn't want you to be the new Slytherin babe."

"Harry!"

He laughed, "Or even worse, a notch on Malfoy's belt. You know his reputation."

"Harry Potter! This is not funny."

He decided to quit while he was ahead. Hermione sat and fumed for a little while but began to wonder.

"Harry, just what is Draco's reputation?"

"You mean you don't know?" He couldn't believe she hadn't heard the rumors. She shook her head.

"If the grapevine is accurate, Draco has shagged every eligible Slytherin girl. He has even nailed a few girls from the other houses as well. They call him the 'Slytherin Seducer'."

"No way! Harry, it can't be true, can it?"

"Why can't it be true, Hermione? There's a lot of shagging going on in this school, whether you realize it or not."

She hadn't realized. She suddenly felt very immature, like a six year old child. She blushed.

"We're growing up, Hermione. We're not kids any more. I think about sex, a lot as a matter of fact. I'm sixteen years old – it's natural. You must think about it, too."

Harry noticed how red she was becoming. "Don't be embarrassed, Hermione. We're best friends aren't we? That means we can talk about everything."

Hermione replied shyly, "I do think about it, Harry. I'm just as curious as you. I just didn't know that it was happening here at school. I guess I should take my head out of the books once in awhile and look around me."

Harry laughed and said, "That'd be a good start."

"Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure."

Hermione hesitated and then asked, "Are you still a virgin, Harry?"

"Yes."

"Is Ron?"

"Oh yes."

"Whew, I'm glad I'm not the only one! G'night."

"Night, Hermione."

Hermione lay in bed for the longest time, unable to sleep. She really had not heard the rumors about Draco. She wondered who he had been with. It hurt her that he had not so much as tried to kiss her. She suddenly felt ugly and unwanted. She didn't sleep much at all that night.