So, sorry for the long wait for a new chapter. RL has been very distracting lately. Thank you all for your patience!
Of course, Hermione was delighted to help Harry learn Occlumency. Although she was concerned about upsetting the boy by taking secret lessons herself. True to his word, Dumbledore directed Potter's anger towards himself. Seeing as the boy rarely stayed angry with the old man for long, the "slight" was quickly forgiven. Snape wondered if he'd have been as lenient had his anger been focused on the girl.
It wasn't long before everyone fell into a comfortable routine. The students still grumbled about homework and tests, and the professors still worked to fill their juvenile minds with knowledge. They had run into some issues a few weeks in when some students' scores declined due to incomplete homework and a lack of revising. That was quickly rectified by mandating minimum grade requirements for extracurricular classes just like they did with Quidditch. The children either reduced the extracurricular classes to a manageable amount or formed study groups to improve their grades.
*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*
Hermione knocked on Snape's door at half past six, and the man rose to let the girl in. "I'm so sorry for being tardy, Professor. I was helping Harry before the flying class started, and lost track of time. I won't do it again, sir," she said as she rushed through the door and deposited her book bag beside "her" chair.
"All is well, Miss Granger," Snape soothed. "I understand you've much to distract you this year. " Severus wasn't one to be lenient about punctuality, but he knew the girl was rather busy these days. That and she had taken Potter off his hands and for that he was quite grateful. "Sit, girl, and calm yourself."
Hermione did as instructed, sitting and taking a breath. He watched as she, Occluded and her body relaxed. "You're getting better at that," he commented. "Have you been having any issues when you stop Occluding?"
"No, sir. Not since you suggested the pressure release method," she said.
"Good," the wizard said as he took his own seat. "And how is Potter progressing?"
"Better than I thought he would," she responded. "We're mainly focusing on meditation and mindfulness at the moment, but he's picking it up."
"Well then, you're a better instructor than I," he said wryly.
Hermione laughed, "Hardly, sir. I've just had years to figure out how his brain works."
Severus summoned Bilby to deliver their meal. "We will need a Legilimens at some point," Hermione said as she fixed herself a plate. "Harry is going to need someone to practice with."
Severus nodded as he too prepared his meal. "I will discuss it with the headmaster. Between the two of us, we'll make sure that Potter gets the practice he needs," he said. "How long do you think before that will be needed."
Hermione thought for a moment. "I think we're still a few months out. I want to give him more time for the exercises he's doing now. Then I'll move on to how to build a shield and such. I don't want to rush him. He's got so much to deal with right now."
"As do you," Snape pointed out. "As do we all. Has he stopped grumbling about your lessons with me last year?"
"Yes, I kind of got sick of it and told him off," she said sheepishly.
"Good girl," Severus said with a smirk. "You shouldn't let him bully you."
"He's not a bully, sir. He just gets testy sometimes," she said defensively.
"And then he takes it out on those around him," the wizard replied. "That's bullying, and you shouldn't stand for it especially from your 'friends'."
"It's not like that, sir," Hermione countered. "We all have bad days. You of all people should know that," she grumbled.
Touché, Severus thought and let the subject go. He let her ramble a bit while they ate their meal. Once done, they focused on the business at hand. "Today, I want you to detect my entry into your mind, but offer no resistance. I will be searching for information on your lessons with Potter. I want you to push memories forward to distract me from my goal. Understood?" the wizard asked.
Hermione nodded and turned her attention to the fire as she awaited his attack. Her detection skills were excellent. Her ability to keep out intruders was more than sufficient and were rapidly improving. That was why he decided to focus her training now on the more delicate skill of deception and misdirection. It could be beyond valuable. A person doesn't try too hard to get information, if they feel as if their subject has no ability to hide it.
He waited about 10 minutes before he entered her mind. He found her going over her latest classes, which was typical. He wasn't as subtle as he normally was as he sifted through her memories. He needed her to learn to recognize an intruder's goal and deflect them. He could tell instantly when she started to bring up random memories. In time, she'd be able to do this without being obvious, but this would do for now.
The lesson progressed quickly from there. They discussed tactics and deflection strategies that she could deploy in her next lesson. All to soon, he sent her back to her dorms so that she could reach them before curfew.
*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*
Severus Snape stormed through the castle in search of the imbecile that was his godson. He had no doubt as to who was behind the cursed necklace that had almost killed Miss Bell. He caught sight of the boy near the library. He'd managed to get a firm hold on the boy's arm before the younger wizard even realized he was there. Snape dragged the boy with him and flung him into the nearest empty classroom, locking and warding the door behind them.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" he roared.
The blond hurriedly backed away from the man. "I don't know…"
"No!" Snape interjected. "Don't you dare lie to me, Draco. I know it was you that cursed Katie Bell. Was that a part of your great plan, Draco? Killing random Gryffindor's?"
"No," Draco said, looking slightly sick. "It, I mean she, it wasn't supposed to happen like that."
"I would hope so. Are you trying to get caught, Draco or are you just too blinded by your own vanity to see how stupid you've been?" Severus snarled.
Draco's face flushed with anger, "I know what I'm doing, Sev."
"Clearly you don't," the older wizard snapped. "This is not some stray jinx in the hallway, Draco. It's murder. The aurors will be here any minute, and I hope to Merlin, you have an alibi."
That caused the boy to look sickened again. "Y-yes, I have an alibi," he said as he sat heavily on the nearest bench covering his face with his hands.
"Can anything be traced to you," Snape pressed. "Anything at all."
Draco didn't look up . "No, no nothing can be traced to me," his voice barely a whisper.
"Well, let's just hope that's the case, shall we?" he responded. "You've lost the advantage of surprise. You know that right? They already know who that necklace was to be delivered to."
Draco moaned into his hands. Snape knelt in front of him. "Draco, you have to let me help you. Let me help you see this through. You don't have to do this on your own," he pleaded.
When the boy didn't respond, he tried again, "Draco, look at me. I'm your godfather. I was the second person to ever hold you when you were born, second only to your father, before even your mother. I care for you, boy. Please just let me help you."
Draco looked up, and Severus saw as the boy started occluding. "I have to do this on my own, Sev. It's the only way to save my mother, to save my family. If I can't restore honor to the Malfoy name, we're all lost," Draco said.
"Then let me help you do that. We can do that together," he responded.
"I already said no, Sev. I can't, and I won't. Please stop asking," he sounded forlorn but determined.
Severus rose to his feet and studied the boy in front of him. He hadn't lied. He did care for the boy. He may have never been a hands-on godfather, but he had been there the boy's entire life. "If you change your mind, I will be there," he said.
"I won't," Draco said firmly.
Severus turned to leave. Waving his wand to dispel the wards. He was about to open the door when the boy stopped him, "Sev?" The older wizard paused. "Is she dead? Katie Bell, is she dead?"
"No, Draco, she's still alive," he answered.
"Is she going to be alright?" Draco's voice was so small Severus barely heard him.
"I don't know," he responded. When no more questions came, Snape left the room. He wasn't sure, but before he reached the end of the hall, he thought he heard sobbing emanating from the room he'd just left.