Disclaimer: Still own nothing. All credit to J.K. Rowling

A/n: Well, since I am on vacation, I think I'll take the opportunity to write some more. Thanks for the reviews I have received. I am so glad that you enjoyed the last chapter. To Gwenneth, your pretty close to what I was about to get at in this chapter. Good going! Well, anyway, I don't think I'll ramble this time. Enjoy my next chapter, and please, PLEASE, r/r afterwards

Chapter 16: Occlumency Again!

Severus was sitting in his office, about to brew another potion, when he received a personal visit from the Headmaster himself. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Severus greeted as warmly as he could muster.

"I came to ask for a favor, Severus."

Snape braced himself. This was never good. Never. "And that would be…?"

"I would like for you to resume your Occlumency lessons with Mr. Potter." There it was. The worst possible fate for a man condemned to spend the remainder of his summer in the castle. Teach a brat how to occlude his mind. Not just any brat, either. Harry Potter. Could things get any worse?

"With all due respect, Headmaster, don't you feel that it would be more beneficial for you to teach him?"

"I feel you are a better legilimens than I, Severus. And with all this war business, I scarcely would have time. Besides, I feel the two of you need to settle your differences. You have both just survived a situation most wizards would never live through. You are the only people who could possibly understand each other at a time like this."

"What if I don't want to understand him?"

Albus smiled. "Then you have little choice anyway."

"Don't you recall what happened during the last lesson?"

"I do, Severus. Butt the two of you need to resolve your differences. We are all allies, and need to learn that we can depend on each other. Good day, Severus. If you need me, you know how to get in touch." And the headmaster left, with a spring in his step as though he had just somehow won some sort of game. Sometimes, Snape loathed the man. And then, the man was more of a father than anyone in Severus's life had ever been, so he couldn't help but feel affection for him. Severus groaned when his mind turned to the task at hand. This would be a most unpleasant summer for him.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital wing, Dumbledore had just strode up to the bed where Harry was lying asleep, his glasses askew on his face and the book about to slip onto the floor. Albus quietly slipped the book from underneath the boy's fingers, and Harry stirred immediately.

"Professor," Harry said, startled.

"Hello, Harry. I came here to give you some news."

Harry's face was a mixture of eagerness and yet foreboding. Did he want to hear this news?

"I have arranged for you to continue your occlumency lessons with Professor Snape."

Harry's face looked panicked. "But, sir, is that really such a good idea given the circumstances?

"Harry, I feel that it is detrimental to your own health and safety for you to continue in your lessons with Professor Snape."

"Snape and I don't get along, though. I would be constantly ridiculed. Not to mention he's angry that I looked in his pensieve last time."

"Professor Snape will refrain from any displays of contempt, as will you, I trust."

Harry bowed his head slightly. "Yes sir," Harry said.

"Trust me, I am doing this out of your best interests."

Harry nodded, but did not look up again until long after the Headmaster had left the hospital wing.

Possibly the only good thing that could come of the Occlumency lessons was the fact that he could now leave the hospital wing. Harry took the cane that he had been given, and slowly trudged down to the dungeons, where Snape awaited in his office. Harry knocked once, then heard the harsh, "Enter," from his professor. Harry took a deep breath and complied with the command. Inside, he found Snape, back turned to him, pulling strands of memories out and placing them into the Pensieve on the table. Glaring at Harry, Snape quickly turned and put the Pensieve on a shelf far away from where they would be practicing.

"Sit!" Snape barked. Not wanting to cause any trouble yet, Harry did as told, waiting apprehensively for his professor to begin.

"Now, I feel that this year I will make my rules even clearer, if possible, so that you're brain is capable of comprehending what I say," Snape spit the words as though they tasted foul in his mouth. Yes, he truly was back to his old self now. "One, there will be no invasion of privacy on your part. Yes, as your instructor in this tedious task, I must gain access to many of your more personal memories, but MINE are strictly off limits to you, understand?"

"Yes," Harry said.

"Yes what?"

"Yes sir."

"Secondly, you are not to enter into this office unless I am here. That way, there will be less of a chance that you should be tempted to invade my personal space. Third rule, any mouthing off or disrespect, and I will find the most unpleasant chores for you to accomplish, injured or not. Finally, absolutely no mention of this to anyone. Are you going to comply with all of my rules?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said.

"Good. Now, onto another pressing matter. How did you do it?" Snape sneered.

"Do what? Sir?"

"Cheat on the OWLs."

"I did not cheat," Harry spat back, with equal viciousness in his voice.

"Then how do you explain an O on the exam? You certainly are not capable of a score such as that on your own."

"I am. I studied independently. It is just that under the tutelage of an incompetent teacher, I could not fully grasp the concepts taught to me." Oh wonderful, he'd done it now. Harry had really stepped his foot in it this time. He could literally feel the anger radiating from the Potion's master.

"I am not an incompetent teacher, you are just an ill-suited potions student. No matter how you try to hide it, you ARE a cheater, and you did not get into my class on your own merit."

"Why don't you look in my eyes and tell me if I'm lying?" Harry dared. Snape did not answer, just glared at the student across from him. "I know why you won't. You know I'm telling the truth. And the whole idea that I DID get into your NEWT class is about to kill you, isn't it?"

"I said I will NOT tolerate disrespect!" Snape was not shouting. On the contrary, his voice was the dangerous low hiss that scared most first years into nearly wetting themselves. But Harry was not a first year, and he was passed any fear that this professor could try and inflict on him.

"Yes, sir." Harry retorted, words dripping with sarcasm.

"Stand up, and get your wand at the ready." Snape himself stood quickly and got into position. There was no warning, for as soon as Harry found his feet, Snape shouted, "Legilemens!"

Memories bombarded his mind, if possible with more force and vividness than ever before. The first was of Dudley, chasing after him with a B.B. gun, and Harry having to hid behind a dumpster to escape the pellets. Next came the vision of Sirius, falling behind the veil. "No!" Harry's mind screamed. And yet he had no power to push the visions away. The vision flashed to his cursing Bellatrix Lestrange, her cruel eyes enraged.

Then the visions that Harry was dreading the most: The capture. The torment. The torture. It all came rushing back. The pain. It was so real. He felt he was sinking, falling, and he did not try to stay standing.

A/n: Sorry it's short. Will try to update soon.