"I don't know, but we can't take any chances."
Holly nodded, and together, they left to tell Professor McGonagall what they had dreamt. The Professor listened intently and concluded that they needed to inform Albus. She escorted the twins to Dumbledore's office and explained what the twins had seen. Dumbledore jumped into action, telling the portraits to get word to the Order that Arthur had been attacked and their children were on their way home. The whole time he's giving instructions, Dumbledore wouldn't look at the twins; until Harry and Holly get fed up with him ignoring them, "LOOK AT US!" Harry yelled.
Dumbledore paused and stared at the children; Holly looked frightened, "What's happening to us?" She asked.
At that moment, Snape came into the office, "You wanted to see me, Headmaster?"
"Oh, Severus. I'm afraid we can't wait. Not even till the morning. Otherwise, we'll all be vulnerable."
Snape dragged Holly and Harry down to the dungeon and into his office, "It appears there is a connection between the Dark Lord's mind and your own. Whether he is, as yet, aware of this connection is, for the moment, unclear. Pray he remains ignorant."
"You mean he'll be able to read our minds?" Holly questions.
"Read it, control it, unhinge it. In the past, it was often the Dark Lord's pleasure to invade the minds of his victims, creating visions designed to torture them into madness. Only after extracting the last exquisite ounce of agony, when he had them begging for death, would he finally kill them. Used properly, the power of Occlumency will help shield you from access or influence. In these lessons, I will attempt to penetrate your mind. You will attempt to resist. Prepare yourself! *Legilimens*! *\[Series of flashbacks]* Concentrate, Potter. Focus," Snape told Harry while Holly watched her brother struggle.
They continue to practice through the night, though Snape is easier on Holly than on Harry. After a few hours of practicing, Snape finally let the twins go to bed. He smirked when Harry and Holly walked out of the dungeon. He truly enjoyed torturing Harry. But he couldn't bring himself to do that to Holly; she looked too much like her mother, and Harry resembled his father, so it didn't bother him.
Later on that day, the twins flooed home, and Arthur and the rest of the Weasleys were there already. Mrs. Weasley greeted the twins with a fierce hug, as did the other Weasleys, except for Ron, who only shook their hands. A moment later, Arthur was wheeled into the living room, where he thanked the twins for saving his life. Holly carefully hugged Arthur so she wouldn't hurt him, and Harry did the same.
Afterward, Remus and Sirius stepped forward and hugged their children. Remus felt Holly hug him for dear life, and he knew something was wrong when he pulled away from her and looked into her green eyes.
"What's wrong, Sweetheart?" Remus asked.
When Sirius heard that, he looked at his daughter and then at Harry. Harry had the same look in his eyes, "Come on, you two, let's go talk in the Library," Sirius said then he and Remus led the twins to the Library.
Sirius closed the door and looked at his children, "Alright, spill. What have you two upset?"
The twins look at each other. Harry subtly shakes his head no, but Holly turns toward her parents.
"Professor Dumbledore wanted us to learn Occlumency from Snape. So, we went to the dungeon with Snape, and he told us what he would do. Without warning, he entered Harry's mind causing Harry to cry out in pain. Snape kept torturing Harry, but he didn't do that to me. I guess it's because I look like Mum, but Harry looks like Dad. Why does he hate Harry so much?"
Remus and Sirius looked at each other, "It's because we used to play a lot of pranks on him. Your Dad and I more than Remus."
Holly narrowed her eyes at Sirius, "You mean you used to bully Snape, don't you?"
Sirius looked down at his feet, "Yes, Bambi. But your dad and I didn't see it that way."
"It doesn't matter what you two thought; that's what you were doing, bullying Snape. No wonder Mum didn't like Dad for a long time," Holly told them, "Now, Harry is paying for it."
"It isn't only that; he hates your dad because he saved Snape's life," Remus added.
"What happened?" Harry asked.
"Sirius led Snape to the Shrieking Shack one full moon night, and your Dad saved him from me," Remus commented.
Holly looked at Sirius wide-eyed, "Are you insane, Sirius? You could have gotten Snape bitten or killed by Moony!" Holly yelled.
"I wasn't thinking, I thought it would be funny when he saw Moony, and Snape wanted to find out why Remus got sick every month," Sirius answered.
"Damn right, you weren't thinking, Sirius," Harry said to his godfather, "And now we have to suffer through Snape's revenge! More me than Holly!" Harry screamed.
"I'm sorry, you two."
"It's not us you need to apologize to, Siri; it's Snape," Holly told him.
"I will, Bambi, I promise, though I doubt he will accept it."
"I'm certain he won't, Padfoot," Remus commented, "Regardless, I'm going to teach both of you Occlumency. I don't want Snape attacking Harry anymore. We'll get started tomorrow and practice every day until you go back for next term," Remus instructed.
The twins nodded in agreement.
"Right now, you two rest while Padfoot and I attend the Weasleys and get dinner started."
The Potter twins didn't say anything. They only left the library.
Sirius sighed, "They're angry with me."
"Yes, they are. You know that Holly hates bullies after everything Dudley and his gang did to them," Remus answered.
"Do you think they'll forgive me?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, they will, when Holly and Harry get their presents," Remus told his husband.
Sirius smirked, "Holly and Harry will love their gifts, especially Holly," Sirus added.
After their discussion, Remus and Sirius left the library to attend the Weasleys and start dinner with Molly's help.
