AN: This ended up being my last update before I leave for vacation. Chapter 7 is in the works, though, and will be published shortly after I get back (Friday, July 29). Sorry for the wait, but it is necessary! -J
Chapter 6: Occlumency, Take Two
Severus Sanpe was somewhat fidgety as he approached the old house. After he ran to escape from Harry, he knew what he had to do: The Dark Lord must be notified. Malfoy himself was not with him; he had gone to live with his aunt Bellatrix to begin formal training in the dark arts. As it stood, Snape was glad that he no longer had to look after Malfoy—inexperience would only slow him down now.
Snape approached Voldemort with caution. "My lord?" he said.
"Severus," said Voldemort darkly. "Come close."
Snape slowly came forward. "It is done, my lord."
The expression on Voldemort's distorted face was mixed, both with pleasure and question. "Ah. At last, Dumbledore is finished. I must ask you, Sevurus…who was it that performed the deed?"
Snape was somewhat taken aback. "It was I, my lord. I did it myself."
"Yes, I suspected as much," Voldemort replied. "The young Malfoy had good intentions, but he does not have his father's fearlessness. He is weak. He must be trained. This is your task, Severus. You have done well thus far; you have been my most faithful servant. Do not disappoint me now."
"Yes, my lord," said Snape.
"There is something further I wish to discuss with you, Severus. Potter… he is unharmed?"
"Yes, my Lord. He is safe, at least for the moment. I sense that he is at Hogwarts. Shall I go for him, my lord?" Snape had a gleam in his eye.
"No, Severus. His time will come. He is now aware of his destiny. We must not rush matters. I am concerned, however," Voldemort looked pensive. "about your…relationship…with the boy. You must not let this interfere with your duty, Severus."
"It will not, my Lord." Snape expression was unchanged.
"See to it…that it does not," said Voldemort authoritatively. "It is important that I face him…alone."
Snape bowed to Voldemort, and walked out of his presence.
Harry awoke the next morning, alive both with excitement and apprehension. He remembered how much he hated Occlumency, particularly because he seemed to be so terrible at it. He was certain that, partly, that this was because of Snape. He was confident that he would be able to perform better under Dumbledore's guidance.
Harry's insides tightened at the memory of Snape. Even he, Harry, thought that Snape was a better person than to kill his headmaster. As much as Harry hated him, he trusted Dumbledore's wisdom. Though he had initially doubted Dumbledore's affirmation of trust for Snape, he had nearly become convinced last year. Now, of course, he was back to pure hatred—only this time, he noticed, it was far more severe. In fact, he was quite certain that he had come to hate Snape even more than Voldemort.
Harry met Ron and Hermione waiting for him in the Great Hall. He had a lot to tell them. As he recounted to them what he had learned from Lupin, and particularly, what he had learned from his time with the Order, he was not surprised to see looks of shock come over their faces.
"It's important that you are extra careful and attentive during your Occlumency lessons this time 'round, Harry," said Hermione, with a tone of seriousness in her voice which, Harry knew, was not unfounded. He now understood the necessity of Occlumency, and how important of an asset it was when going face-to-face with Snape and Voldemort, both of whom, Harry knew, were exceptional Occlumens.
"Yes…" said Harry thoughtfully, before confinuing. "Well then, are you guys coming or not? Dumbledore said you could sit in."
Ron and Hermione perked up at this. This was, to them, most certainly a surprise; they had not expected to be able to witness Harry's private lessons.
Harry approached Professor McGonagall's large door again and recited the password.
"Sugar Snaps!" he said clearly. The door opened. Professor McGonagall was waiting for him.
"Ah, Potter. Sit down. There is a chair waiting from you near the portraits. Take a seat, take a seat. There are seats for your friends, too, not to worry," she said, uncharacteristically cheerful. The three friends took seats, and Harry awaited further instructions from Dumbledore, his mind still alive with apprehension.
"Ah, Harry," said Dumbledore. "I suppose, after having time to think, that you have a few more questions for me, hmm?" Harry had always been amazed at Dumbledore's ability to know what he wanted before Harry had even said anything.
"Yes, sir," Harry said. "For one thing, I thought you told me that a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher could serve only one term? But Professor Lupin…
"…is now serving his second term." Dumbledore had finished the sentence for him. "Yes, I know. As for that, it seems that with my death, the curse against me and against Hogwarts has lifted. As unlikely as it may seem, it appears that Voldemort's bitter attitude was because of me, not merely because I didn't grant him the position he so desperately desired. Now that I am…well, dead, Professor Lupin may serve as many terms as he wishes, without the ill-fate of being cursed." Dumbledore smiled.
He continued, "Well, Harry, since you appear to have no further questions, let us begin. First, let us recognize the reason why you failed to master Occlumency under Professor Snape. Have you been able to understand why you did not succeed?"
"Yes," said Harry. "I did not succeed because I was full of emotion…of hatred…for Professor Snape.'
"Very good, Harry," the wise wizard said, "but there is no reason refer to Snape as 'Professor' any longer, as he will not have a job here for a long, long time. As far as your emotion is concerned, yes, emotions do render any efforts at Occlumency quite useless. That is why," Dumbledore said eerily, "that you must learn to master your emotions.
"While it is not possible for you to empty your mind of everything, as Snape would have led you to believe, the secret to mastering Occlumency is relatively easy. It has been said that the best Occlumens are the ones with the wildest imaginations. Can you tell me why this would have anything to do with closing your mind?"
Harry said nothing. He had no idea.
"It is because," answered Dumbledore, "those with wild imaginations make it quite difficult for another person, wizard or otherwise, to trace their thoughts. If one allows his mind to drift to matters aside from the task at hand, while being careful to remain concentrated, of course, a Legilmens would have quite an ordeal trying to decipher your mind, Harry. You must allow your mind to wander to other things when you feel that you are in danger of Legilmency."
Harry understood. If he thought of other things—wild, imaginative things—it would hide his true thoughts from the enemy. He couldn't wait to practice.
"That is all I have to teach you for today, Harry. Tomorrow during your lessons with Professor Lupin, please remind him to allow you the time to practice your Occlumency. Lupin is also quite the Legilmens, so I have no doubt that he will be able to provide considerable practice for you.
"Before you go, Harry, I have one more thing to say." Dumbledore once again assumed his tone of seriousness. Harry waited patiently for what the former Headmaster would say.
"I appreciate your loyalty in spite of what the Minister would say, Harry. However, do not fret at my demise. I knew that it was inevitable. More importantly, it is of the utmost importance that you practice Occlumency every day. I'm afraid that Snape was right about that one, Harry."
Harry barely noticed the second half of what Dumbledore said. Did Harry just hear what he thought he heard? "But, sir…" Harry began his sentence, but was quickly cut off.
"Another time, Harry," Dumbledore said, smiling. "Another time. In our next meeting, I will tell you everything that you wish to know. Do not worry."
Harry could not help but wonder wt it was that Dumbledore was referring to. Whatever it was, he could not wait for the opportunity to discuss the day's happenings with Ron and Hermione. He rounded up his two friends and headed off to the common room.
"Dumbledore's right, Harry," Hermione said. "You have got to practice Occlumency every day. Much depends on it."
"Enough of that, Hermione," said Ron. "Harry's under a lot of stress. Have a Chocolate Frog, mate." Ron tossed one to Harry. "Thanks," he said, as he bit into the candy.
"What do you think Dumbledore's going to tell you, mate?" Ron said excitedly. "It must be important, knowing Dumbledore."
"No idea," Harry replied. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see… I just can't get my mind off of Snape. What he did… makes my blood boil. I just want to…"
"…kill me, Potter?" said a darkly sinister voice, which Harry recognized only too well. Harry turned around.
There, standing in the archway of the common room, was Severus Snape.