Chapter 2: Remedial Occulmency
The next few days were restless. Harry was absolutely dreading lessons with Snape in his own house even! His gloom was interrupted a few times as he continued to get letters from his friends. Hermione was studying runes again; Ron was practicing Quidditch and so on. The days leading up to his first lesson were not pleasant, Uncle Vernon kept bellowing about having a wizard here. He went so far as boarding up the fire place again. Harry guessed this wasn't very effective. Knowing Snape's temper he would probably think it was his idea. However after Vernon did so he seemed to be in better spirits. Harry could actually come out of his room from time to time without being yelled at. Aunt Petunia looked like a wreck her whole world once again involved witches and wizards all because of that boy. However she dare not chuck him out in fear of Dumbledore. Harry had seen neither hide nor hair of Dudley; he guessed it was because of the Dementors. Last year Dementors came to Wingding and almost sucked out his and Dudley's soul. Later he found it was Umbridge, a horrible toad of a woman, that sent them. Harry spent much of his time studying his books; the more he thought about it the more he wanted to become an Auror. Aurors were Dark Wizard hunters; they use their powers to hunt down wizards that break the laws. Kind of like the police force of the magic world. However he needed top grades in his classes including his least favorite potions taught by none other then his Occulmency teacher Professor Snape. He groaned as he remembered that Snape was coming here to teach him. Occulmency is an art of magic that involves protecting the mind against Legilimency an art of magic giving the wizard the ability to break into the mind of another and read their memories. Soon the day was fast approaching and Harry still did not feel any better. When it finally came Harry went about his business with a feeling of gloom. Aunt Petunia was more skittish and Dudley was always hiding behind her or Vernon. Uncle Vernon on the other hand seemed quite content; convinced the boards would stop this unwelcome guest.
"Not to worry Petunia my dear, we will not have anymore of those crackpots in this house. No sir, not one" his voice sounded cheerful but unconvinced. "They will get the hint the moment they hit those boards"
Fat chance thought Harry.
"But Vernon those others you-know-whats from before, they just…"
"Ahh not to worry I boarded it up with extra thick lumber from that yard. No cheap plaster or putty, no sir just good old fashion sturdy lumber and large nai…" at that moment bright green light shown from around the edges of the boards. The Dursley's fell silent; Uncle Vernon had a smirk on his face waiting for the intruder to leave. After a few moments Harry could hear a tap on each piece of wood, he guessed it was a wand. After which came a muffled voice.
Sounds like a spell… thought Harry again. Then will a dull thump the boards fell into a black pile. Then hundreds of small spiders went scurrying every which way. Aunt Petunia screamed and tried desperately to climb the furniture. Dudley in turn fainted on the spot. Eventually all the spiders scurried out the window and out of sight. After the commotion settled Harry turned back to the fireplace. A pair of legs stood and the wizard that owned them stooped and moved out from the fireplace. The wizard towered above Harry, he had a large nose and his hair was just as dark as his. Severus Snape stood with an angry look all over his face.
"I suppose this was your idea of a joke Mr. Potter?" Snape laced this last word with venom.
"No" Harry said with just as much venom. "It was his" he gestured to the large man sitting in the chair. Vernon was white as a sheet and frozen stiff. Snape eyed Vernon for a few moments then turned away.
"Very well then" Snape made his way to the kitchen with his pensive. After a time of removing memories Snape was ready to begin. Walking back into the den he eyed the Dursley's. "Now if you don't mind…"
For the next week things were not that great for Harry Potter. Snape was giving lessons daily, sometimes twice a day. Harry wasn't the only one that didn't like this arrangement. The Dursley's presence seemed to shrink to nothing whenever Snape was around. Uncle Vernon determined to stop anymore of "those weirdo's" into the house tried all he could. First he tried plaster and putty again, well Snape blew a hole in the wall except he didn't clean up afterwards. Then Vernon tried bricks, they turned into rats. Then he even tried barbed wire…snakes. After awhile the Dursley's seemed to disappear even though Harry was sure that they were secretly enjoying seeing his failures. Everyday Harry had to put up with Snape invading his memories and forcing him to relive them. Memories like the time Harry was chased up a tree by Ripper, Aunt Marge's bulldog…apparently this is one of Snape's favorites considering it is one of the first memories Snape conjures. Day after day it seemed Harry was getting worse not better.
"Get up Potter…" Harry was on his knees again. "I have the impression that you're not even trying. Shall we try again?" Harry rolled his eyes and stood. "Remember Potter, Let…"
"Let go of my emotions, forget my anger, ya ya just do it"
"Mind the attitude, one… two… three…Legilimens!"
Memories again…Harry's grade in potions… Cho's outburst about him and Hermione…being banned from Quidditch… Barty Crouch's insane smile…
"I know, I know, I know… empty my emotions"
"You did give more resistance that time… maybe you're not as worthless"
"You know your little remarks aren't, surprisingly enough, helping"
"Manners Potter, Legilimens!"
Neville's parents in the closed ward… Godric Gryffindor's sword gleaming against the Basilisk… Ron sacrificing himself on the chess board… POTTER STINKS badges… the Dark Mark…
Harry slammed his fist into the floor cursing. Snape in turned, sighed "Maybe that is enough for today, we shall continue later…"
"No, one more time" spat Harry.
"Attitude Potter, attitude… Leg limens"
At first it felt like a wave crashing against his face, then eventually the den swam in then out of view leaving memories again… a dead unicorn… Dudley's taunts… Aunt Petunia's howler… the Snitch so close…
"Better, but still not good enough. You resisted me for a short time then your defenses gave way" Snape was replacing his memories back into his head when Harry realized he failed again. "I suggest you practice more… no telling the Dark Lord's plans"
"Right now I don't think he's happy with me" said Harry coldly.
"What's that?"
"He seems to hate it when I call him Riddle" Harry spat not sure why. Snape's eyebrows just raised in question.
"Are youcommunicating with the Dark Lord?"
"Not really, he tried to enter my mind once but…"
"But…?"
"He didn't like what he heard" Harry narrowed his eyes at Snape.
"Potter, I assume your mind maybe offensive to many. However it seems you may have to practice harder and not just before you go to bed" Snape collected his things and walked towards the chimney. "If the Dark Lord starts to probe your mind further then you could inadvertently give away secrets… and there are a few secrets that would be in my best interest if they stay secrets"
He stepped into the chimney with a hand full of Floo powder. And with a "Hogwarts" he was gone in green fire. Harry was standing in the den thinking of what he said. To Harry's dislike he had to agree with Snape. If Voldemort did try to enter further into his mind no telling what he could find out. A tap at the window brought him out of his trance.
"Hedwig!" Harry's owl was tapping on his widow flapping her wings. Harry unlatched the window and she came swooping in. After she settled Harry noticed letters were tied to her legs and she carried a few more in her mouth. Two of them were from Ron and Hermione but the third one was a bit unexpected.
"Neville!" Harry opened this letter first.
Dear Harry
I just wanted to write and see if you were doing ok and also ask about your Defense classes. Are we going to have them this year? I know we may have a new teacher but I seemed to get things better at our meetings. I been studying real hard on new spells and counters even though I can't practice them but I think I can really help out now.
Neville Longbottom
Harry couldn't help but smile at this. Neville has been determined to learn self defense ever since they started the study group last year. Harry opened the next letter without seeing the sender.
Dear Harry
Dad wants to see if you're willing to do an interview about the use of thestrals in the war against evil wizards. But more importantly I have a question about the D.A. as you know You-Know-Who is still at large, so I assume we will continue to have meetings this year at Hogwarts. Please write me an answer soon… oh and do get back to us about the thestrals.
Sincerely
Luna Lovegood
Harry almost burst out laughing at the thought of thestrals being used as bombers. He opened Ron and Hermione's both saying the same thing about how they've been getting letters from classmates asking questions about the D.A. Even Cho sent a letter to Hermione (with a few questions about her relationship with Harry). Harry stood there awhile with a small smile on his face.
Well Voldemort's still out there… I guess a little self defense can't hurt. The rest of the day Harry was in a better mood that Snape couldn't even foul up.
That night Harry decided to give it a shot. Trying desperately to empty his emotions and do everything Snape said.
Easier said then done Harry thought. Satisfied Harry drifted to sleep.
"…help will be given at Hogwarts…" Dumbledore's voice echoed in his dream.
What does this mean? Who can help?
"Me! Books! And cleverness! There are more important things- friendships and bravery- oh Harry- be careful!" Hermione's voice came to him.
Yeah then why do I have no idea what am I doing. I almost got you killed!
"That's chess! You've got to make sacrifices!" Ron's voice.
I will never choose to sacrifice someone else's life!
"Exactly, which makes you very different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are…" Dumbledore again.
But what is the right choice?
Who knows?
This last thought wasn't his. But it wasn't Voldemort either. In fact he had no idea where it came from.
Who are you?
Help.
That next morning Harry's mood was still good even though he needed to face Snape once again today. The thought of all those classmates wishing to still learn from him, even after his mistake when he took them to the Department of Mysteries, just filled him with pride. Soon it was time for his lesson. He made his way to the den ready to face Snape. Soon the fireplace burst into green flame and a wizard soon stepped out but…
"Dumbledore!"
Author's Notes: I think these beginning chapters are going to be shorter then average. You see it's hard for me to brainstorm ideas for Harry's summer since I'm not sure what's going to happen this year. I'm sure after awhile I can go back to these starting chapters and rewrite them, giving them more content and better description of events. I really appreciate all reviews you can send me, main question right now is; are these chapters too short? Or do I need to explain anything better? Oh and if anyone wants to proof read these for errors feel free to review, even via Email. Cheers.
