As of late, Harry had found himself very unsure of things. Things that all revolved around Ness as he tried to catch up with the boy between breaks, his mind torn between seeing the good in Ness or agreeing with Ron, that he was the problem. The problem behind everything that had been happening at Hogwarts for the past year.
And it didn't help that his search had led him to overhearing that snake grumbling about Ness being 'late' and wanting to pass on a message from Paula, Ness's friend if he remembered correctly. It had been tempting to see who it was, in fact something had urged him to check on it as he pulled out his wand and used it to carefully open one of the tightly drawn curtains from the top to peer inside.
His heart skidding to a stop as he found himself looking at Nagini's back, a weird scar on her body as she wore a postman cap and curled around some letters probably sent by Ness's friends and family.
He quickly left, his mind a mess of blaming Ness, believing him to be in control of Nagini's actions and a hysterical haze of, 'They were right, Voldemort IS in my mind' as he hurried to bed. Hoping to sort everything out over breakfast. That failed since Ness took his usual spot and Ron ushered them away from him, glaring daggers at the boy with a burning hate that could probably rival Snape and Sirius's argument. Not that Ness seemed to notice as he ate his breakfast and stared down at a potion's book.
Oblivious to how his mere presence was making Harry's mind spinning in dizzying circles he as tried to settle on agreeing that Ness was intentionally doing this to the castle and their friends or that he was merely unable to reign his powers in. His mind picking up in speed as he remembered Ness's clear dislike of Dumbledore and how he had ignored the man's suggestions to take Occlumency.
Sure, he didn't want to take Occlumency either but he had enough faith in Dumbledore to at try it. He just didn't trust Snape not to mess around in his head. But if it meant blocking Voldemort from sending Nagini to spy on them…
"I hate it when Hermione's right." Harry finally concluded as breakfast ended and they headed to class. Ness on the forefront of his mind as the castle became…different, the daily explosions or random tricks being played lessened to a casual crawl.
Only a few classes were interrupted—History as usual, Herbology and very violently Defense Against the Dark Arts—and the hallways were relatively clear with just a smothering feel of dust in the air that coated their lungs and burned their eyes unless they hid their faces behind a scarf and glasses. Magic seemed pretty useless despite everyone's attempt to clear the air.
Thankfully, the dust vanished around lunch, allowing everyone to breath a sigh of relief as they sat down and enjoyed the clean air. "Seems like everything's settling down a bit." Hermione murmured, reading a book about Occlumency while nibbling on a small pot pie.
"Yea, probably because Ness can control this." Ron grumbled, glaring at the boy who was once again alone, oddly reading a book about potions as he ate a small steak sandwich. Since when did Ness study potions…? Actually, when did Ness study anything?
"Ron, drop it." Ginny all but growled, spearing a piece of lettuce with her fork, "It's a rough year for everyone."
"How can I drop it when he could be against us—against wizards!" Ron hissed, glaring at Ginny who coolly returned his glare, their argument being drowned out as Harry watched Ness's face pale in color as if somehow able to hear Ron's biting words.
His stomach dropping as Ness suddenly turned the page and mumble something to himself. His color returning as the argument swiftly ended with Ginny snapping, "Fine. But don't blame me when this blows up in your face!" and turning back to her lettuce. Ron oblivious that he had lost the battle as he grinned in triumphant.
His stomach twisted into knots as Ginny nudged her bag and then glanced back at Ness who shot her an apologetic look and gestured to his book. They had a way of communication, one without letters and owls.
"I can understand animal's thoughts." He had confessed that during the Tri-Wizard tournament when they had spotted the dragon. Ness had a snake coiled up on his bed. Did Ginny know? Or was she in the dark just like he was?
"No, no jumping to conclusions. You saw how well that worked out for you when you met Sirius." But…the proof was there, the answers were merely being kept out of his grasp by Ness, who had stated—
"Harry?" he paused and looked up to see Hermione giving him a worried look over, "Are you okay?"
He opened his mouth then glanced at Ginny before closing it and writing, "Later." Careful to hide it from the girl as she listlessly ate her lunch. Ron and Hermione shot him confused looks but didn't press until they were hurrying to class.
"So, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, "You looked sick."
"I think Ness is listening in on us." Harry cringed as Ron of course, reacted poorly. "What?! How!"
"I don't know! I just know that Ness is-," he paused and quickly changed tact, "I think he planted something on Ginny, maybe by accident or maybe as a precaution, just in case she was attacked.
"Yea, by him-," Ron started when Hermione snapped, "She his friend, Ron! I really doubt he's going to turn on them!"
"Well he could! We don't know what his kind do!"
"That aside." Harry hissed, feeling sick from the surprised looks and glares they were getting for Ron's outburst, "I think he knows that I know about the snake."
"And are you going to get answers for it?" Ron asked, scowling as Hermione smacked him over the head, "Yes, I…I think we deserve some answers, we didn't really get to interrogate him over holiday break." Harry agreed, biting back a scowl as the small voice hissed, "That was because we weren't supposed to even be there in the first place." He ignored it and focused on the enigma known as Ness who had answers so many questions with so little answers.
He wasn't in control of his attacks because the doll had its own move set? He didn't order the doll to attack the hospital? He wasn't deliberately behind the haunted castle?
Was he…even with them against the oncoming battle against Voldemort?
"I'm going to find him, after dinner." Harry stated, quickly adding, "Alone." When he saw the look on Ron's face.
"No problem, Ron and I can work on that three page essay Snape gave us." Hermione stated, shooting Ron a glare to be quiet as a Ravenclaw walked passed them, her gait slowing for a moment as she glanced at them then resumed walking. Odd. But he ignored it to focus on the last onslaught of classes and tracking Ness who…wasn't showing up on the Maruder's map.
Well, he did show up on the map but it wasn't constant enough to give him a clue as to where he was going. It was like something was actively messing with it to ensure that Harry couldn't track him down. Forcing him to reluctantly use his head to figure out where the boy would be before giving up and vowing to catch him before bed.
His head buzzed as he struggled to focus on his Herbology essay on the difference between speckled glowberries and striped glowberries while ignoring the urge to glance at the portrait hole for Ness's arrival. Surely he wouldn't avoid the dormitory? He slept here just like everyoen else, right? Although now that he thought about it he rarely saw Ness resting in the Gryffindor common room. He was always...somewhere, but not here. Had he gotten to the point of sleeping in another room and merely teleporting back to get dressed or-
"He's here." Hermione whispered, jerking him out of his haze of trying to study as he shot to his feet. Trying to seem casual as he went up to stop Ness who was hurrying to his dormitory. A rush of some sort of electric current shocked his hand the moment it touched the boy's robe, prompting him to briefly flinch before he pressed on with his plan.
"Ness, could we talk? In private?"
"Oh uh…sure." That was…odd, Ness was never really hesitant about answering him but he seemed on edge, waiting for something as they glanced around the thankfully busy common room and slipped out. Heading to the Room of Requirements to have a bit of privacy from curious students.
Today, the room was devoid of anything but a simple table with two chairs in front of it. Like an integration room. He glanced at Ness, wondering what the boy would say but he merely sat down and focused on his robe sleeves.
"…What did you want to talk about?" Ness asked, prompting Harry to hurriedly follow Ness's example and sit down. His mind swimming with where to start. Should he be angry? Or neutral? Calm? Or cautious?
"You know what I want to talk about." Harry finally blurted out, gesturing at Ness who didn't really seem to be paying attention to him…it was unnerving…
"Which is…?"
A spark of anger appeared as he vividly remembered Ness's small interactions with Ginny during lunch, "You heard us talking about you."
"Almost everyone is talking about me. Wondering what I did to set Ron off." Ness deadpanned, "I just-,"
"Stop it."
Ness paused and blinked, his eyes clearing up a bit as he focused on Harry, "Stop what-,"
"This! Beating around the bush and not giving answers!" Harry exclaimed, gesturing to him as Ness frowned his eyes hardening. "I have been giving answers. It's sort of not easy-,"
"What answers?! What are move-sets, why couldn't you control your attacks? Why did the doll go after Mr. Weasley in the hospital?!"
"What do you think move-sets are?!" Ness retorted, scowling as Harry threw his hands up, "I don't know! Moves with sets?"
"Do you seriously not play video games? Pete's sake. A move set is a list of moves only certain characters can learn. Once they hit their level cap they can't learn any more moves unless it becomes an option for them. Hence why I never used fire ever again outside of blasting the Dementors." Ness explained, his tone making it sound like this was common knowledge.
"But I suppose you wizards wouldn't really understand skill limits, know would you?"
He opened his mouth to retort then stopped, wondering why Ness was suddenly being hostile and grouping him into a term. "Why did you-," he started when Ness trucked on, "As for why I can't control my attacks it's because of a little something called PTSD which is messing up my subconscious and making me reach out for things to protect myself with."
"So that painting really did-,"
"Didn't you figure this out at Jeff's house?" Ness interrupted, sounding very frustrated with him. "Well, yes but I didn't…" he didn't want to believe it, that Ness was trying to actively shut down Hogwarts, that he could control whatever was attacking the castle. Why? It was the easiest conclusion and yet…
Oh…perhaps it was because he saw Ness as an equal—an anti who supposedly outshined him in everyway or maybe…maybe he was afraid of ending up like Ness.
"And as for the doll, I didn't order it to do anything. It woke up, took advantage of the healers rushing to get Mr. Weasley and left with them when something spooked it into creating a distraction and fleeing."
"…How do you-," Harry started when he stopped and thought back to why Dumbledore wanted Ness to take Occlumency. To sever a bound with a dangerous foe who could willingly take Ness on joyrides. And possibly, send the memories of what happened to his previous host to torment him, dishearten him from getting help.
"It told you, it's using you just like how Voldemort is supposedly using me."
"In a sense." Ness answered, his tone now guarded as he stared Harry down, tugging on his sleeves as the robe seemed to tighten around him.
"So that means you do need Occlumency-,"
"No."
He faltered then frowned, "So you just want to attack the castle?"
Ness froze and hastily stammered, "N-no! But I don't need Occlumency to solve that-,"
"Why not?"
"Why? Because I need to do something special in order to sever the connection, something that requires me to be calm and in a mentally good place to root out the evil." Ness answered firmly adding, "And magic is merely going to make it worse."
"How do you know? You haven't even tried it!"
"You haven't either, but we've seen what happens when PSI and magic mix."
"We aren't mixing it! Just using one type to gain protection!" Harry argued as Ness abruptly stood up, his hands trembling a little "It won't work. It barely worked to stop the killing curse Harry. Drop it."
"But it did."
"End of discussion Harry," Ness stated, his turn morphing into a spin as Harry realized with a jolt that Ness was planning a quick way back to the dorms.
"I'll tell Ron." Ness stumbled and looked at Harry, his eyes wide as Harry trucked on, "About the snake, Nagini. She's under your enemy's control, right?"
"Harry that is a terrible idea and I'm really not looking forward to that conversation." Ness stated, his eyes widening in fear and self loathing.
"Then come to Occlumency, one class."
"Harry-,"
"Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Mrs. Weasley—they'll know."
A tense silence hovered in the air as Ness looked at him in shock, "You…you aren't seriously trying to blackmail me…" he mumbled.
"It isn't blackmail if you come clean." Harry replied, choosing his words carefully, "First you show up to supposedly help me, and now you're attacking the castle and you aren't getting any help!"
"I am but you guys just keep-," Ness cut himself off and glared at Harry struggling to come up with a good counter argument. "I'm not even supposed to be here, Dumbledore brought me here to perform some sort of twisted-," once again he stopped himself before growling, "Occlumency isn't going to help ANYONE if I take it. This is a personal matter that involves you and you alone."
"Says who?"
"Says me and anyone else with a brain!"
"Like Dumbledore?" Harry countered, hating how Ness's expression morphed into light hate towards the man before he snapped, "Dumbledore doesn't understand anything about PSI!"
"Then tell him!"
"NO!" he recoiled as the faint sound of rock and roll filled the air, a pressure building and moving towards him with a vengeance before something stopped it. Ness's eyes wide with surprise and fear as Harry found himself gripping his wand, his breathing becoming uneven as Ness grabbed his robe and tried to count to ten.
"You do need help." Harry pressed, flinching as Ness swiftly returned, "From a therapist, something you need as well if you're this scared of rock n roll—you just flinched from the name!"
"I'm fine." Ness shot him a glare before grumbling, "I'm leaving, night Harry-,"
"I'll still tell them." Ness once again stopped and looked at him, "You're seriously…" he stopped at the sight of the determent glint in Harry's eyes. "You are. Red socks above your serious."
"Your move."
They regarded each other for a long moment before Ness grit his teeth in frustration and snapped, "Fine! But don't blame me when this blows up in your face Harry!" before he spun and vanished with a dizzying sound.
He waited a moment before collapsing to his knees, breathing heavily at the mere thought of that dreaded attack and wondering if he had done the right thing. Hermione was right, they needed Occlumency and Ness had basically said it himself, he was subconsciously effecting everything with his PSI. Which just meant he needed a better grasp on it than the creature battling for control over it…even if it meant dealing with Snape.
The spark of anger surged to life in a rage at the mere thought of having to deal with Snape tomorrow. Why had he been so pushy with Ness? He could have just ended the conversation after learning about Ness's enemy and—wait, Ness had an enemy? And he didn't know…well, he suppose he wasn't suppose to know since they weren't friends but…this was important, right?
"Just like how you never told anyone about those weird dreams before Mr. Weasley getting hurt?" the little voice jeered, laughing as Harry angrily squashed that thought and got up. He was fine, he was better than that…right?
The next day came far to quickly for anyone's liking, breakfast was a…tense affair as Ginny sat with Fred and George shooting him a disbelieving glare before she started asking her older brothers about something. He could feel two more glares behind him but every time he turned to look over his shoulder the culprits resumed their business. Even though there was a random broom near the door. But that was silly, brooms weren't alive.
Hopefully.
Professor Kale seemed nervous as well as he whispered to Professor Snape who didn't seem pleased to be teaching Harry Occlumency either as he shot him a glare then a thin frown at Ness who as reading the potions book again. What was so interesting about that book…?
Classes were oddly stressed, more incidents happening in a random fashion that sometimes had random fires just burning in place and the unbearable feeling of someone intently watching them as they hurried to the small safe haven known as class.
Well, expect for Defense Against the Dark Arts, classes had been canceled since someone had burned all of Professor Umbridge's lessons plans and books and forced her to buy new copies. Her smile tight and obviously fake as she explained the situation to every group of students who slowly dragged themselves up to her classroom.
"About time they focused on her." Someone grumbled, A Fourth year Gryffindor by the looks of it as his friends eagerly nodded in agreement and whispered something under their breath. A rumor about how Umbridge was behind Mystic Informer being burned to the ground thanks to a Death Eater attack.
That seemed like an odd target but…it was clear they were sticking their nose in the wrong places, even if it had saved him from Barty Crouch Jr. "So, you and Ness are going to Occlumency?" Hermione asked with a hopeful smile as Harry nodded.
"Yea…took a bit of persuading though…"
"Persuading?" Ron echoed his foul mood mellowing out a little as he stopped to help a Ravenclaw girl pick up her books. Now that he thought about it blackmailing Ness had been a bit…over the top but if he was going to suffer than—
No, what was he thinking? Ness needed this just as much as he did, maybe even more. He was merely trying to help.
"Even though he's proven that PSI and magic are a terrible combination?"
When would that little voice go away? He shook it off as usual and mumbled, "I er…found something out."
"What?" Ron asked, a bit to eager for his own liking as Hermione frowned and asked, "It isn't anything dangerous, right?"
Yes? No? Maybe? He wasn't sure. He didn't seem sure of anything lately… "He has some enemy, one like Voldemort messing with his mind. It might be another reason to why his powers are acting up."
Ron's eager smile dropped as Hermione thought about it for a moment, "Makes sense, Ness never had any trouble with his powers before Voldemort showed up. It could be a side effect from the battle."
"Or an excuse." Ron grumbled as Harry nodded in agreement as he adjusted his bag, frowning at how it felt a little heavier than usual.
"Did he say anything about this enemy?" Hermione asked, frowning when he shook his head no, "He didn't say a lot about it, only insisting about how he needed to be in a mentally good place to get rid of the evil plaguing his mind or something."
"Oh good, he's insane as well." Ron grumbled, flinching as Hermione shot him a look to shut up as Harry changed the topic, "Umbridge's been usually chipper lately."
"Probably something to do with Mystic Informer burning down, they had just ran an article about her." Ron explained, "Don't know what it was but Hermione and I overheard some Slytherins gossiping about it."
"It was pretty…weird since they were reading an old issue in the library, muttering to themselves about how it would 'help' if they could convince a few of the pride to agree to something." Hermione added, rubbing her arm a little as Harry asked, "Pride?"
"I think they meant Gryffindors, apparently some worried parents sent their kids letters to the magazine to shed some light on their kids behaviors. It was very…enlightening."
"How so?"
Ron shrugged, "Dunno, but I guess for them it explained the lack of mail they were getting after Hedgewig and Ness's owl got attacked."
"It must have gotten a pretty big response if Umbridge's glad it's gone." Harry noted, his grip tightening on his pockets as he remembered the few articles he had read out of sheer curiosity, the articles that had bashed Hogwarts and Dumbledore to hell and back.
"The public opinion is very…powerful." They stopped as a glint appeared in Hermione's eyes before vanishing.
"Got an idea Hermione?" Ron asked frowning when she brushed him off saying, "Not really." And picked up the pace exclaiming, "Come on! We're going to be late."
Leaving the two to exchange baffled looks before hurrying after her. Wondering what she possibly had on her mind. Hopefully something less distract then S.P.E.W. They tried to pry some information from the girl but she was oddly tight lipped, only saying she was going to need to talk to Ginny later tonight as she wrote down some notes.
Of course, Harry wasn't going to listen in on the conversation since he had Occlumency. His heart being weighted down with dread as he got up from the dinner table and broke away from the stream of students heading to bed or late-night studying to head into the dark dungeons with Ness trailing behind him. Eerily quiet.
"Potter, Earthbound. A seat if you will." Snape greeted, his eyes narrowing at their presence as they did as told then noticed a figure off in a corner of Snape's musty office. "Professor Kale?" Ness questioned, a spark of hope entering his eyes as Professor Kale waved hello, "What are you doing here?"
"He's merely here for moral support Earthbound." Snape explained, his usual scowl thinning into a frown, "Apparently he was worried about your condition and offered to act as a backup in case anything went wrong."
"I bring hot chocolate and goofy stories!" Professor Kale chirped, nervously laughing as Snape shot him a glare before turning his attention back on them.
"Now then, you both know why you're here, the head-master has asked me to teach you both Occlumency and the dangers you'll bring upon yourselves if you try and wriggle out of this."
Harry bit his lip as Snape focused his gaze on him, "Hopefully you'll prove more adept at it than you are at Potions." Then moved onto Ness, "And hopefully, you won't be able to blow something up."
Ness didn't reply which seemed to greatly unnerve the man before he resumed, "Now, just because this is a secondary class doesn't mean you'll be able to get away without addressing me properly, understood?"
"Yes, sir." Ness dully replied, as Harry repeated the same phrase with a bit of underlying resentment to it. This was a terrible idea. Why had he agreed with Hermione?
"Now, Occlumency is a branch of magic that seals the mind against magical intrusion and influence from those who wish to do harm or slowly take control over someone in a less noticeable fashion."
"Sir, I really don't think I need this." Ness interrupted, "It wasn't my mind that was affected by my soul. That's how I got into the doll's body."
"So, you say, but think of this as a precaution, Earthbound. After all, we don't know what dragged your 'soul' away in the first place." Snape answered. "Nor can we tell if this being is capable of performing Legilimency."
"Legilimency?" Harry questioned, frowning when Ness grumbled, "So Dumbledore didn't mention that to you? Odd."
"I take it you know Earthbound?" Snape asked, all but sneering as Ness shrugged and dully replied, "Just the basics, it's a magical version of mind reading and control, rearranging one's subconscious and plane of mind to do whatever the user wants them to do."
How did he know? Snape seemed surprised by this was well but merely scoffed, "So you've read up on it a bit, interesting. Perhaps you can show this fortude in class."
"No promises." Ness replied his gaze drifting over to Professor Kale's corner as the man gave a small wave hello then cringed at Snape's glare and shrank back a bit.
"As Earthbound stated, the mind is a plane filled with obstacles and shortcomings, a maze if you prefer." Snape explained, "There is no easy way to crack it, only time and preservation can allow a wizard with Legilimency to successfully sway a person to their cause. Hence why it's important that you both learn this now instead of later."
"But I've just started having dreams that placed me in another being's body." Harry pointed out, scowling when Snape shot him an imploring look, "Sir, I've just started having the dreams."
"So you're implying that you've had dreams before of the Dark Lord's actions?"
Harry bit his tongue as Ness glanced at him, seeming a little worried before he focused his attention on Snape. "Answer the question Potter."
"Yes, I've had dreams about Voldemort-,"
"Don't say his name!" Snape suddenly interrupted his eyes wide as Ness frowned and asked, "What? Did he finally taboo his name or something?"
"No, it's merely improper." Snape answered, a bit hesitant before he glared at Harry, blaming him for this. Harry swallowed a scowl and forged on, "Dumbledore says Vol—the Dark Lord's name all the time."
"Dumbledore's an old coot." Ness grumbled. Not even batting an eye as Harry shot him a glare and Snape carefully stated, "Dumbledore is…different, he doesn't acknowledge weaknesses or the power of one's name as most people do."
"So…coot-,"
"Hold your tongue Earthbound." Ness frowned but shut up as Snape shot him a disapproving glare and resumed, "Now, you were saying you had dreams about the Dark Lord, Potter?" Harry could feel blood pooling in his mouth at how hard he was biting his tongue but forced out a curt, "Yes, sir. I started having visions since the Tri-Wizard cup."
"The tri-wizard-," Professor Kale started, his eyes wide as Snape's expression soured and he hissed, "And you never thought to mention this to us before hand?"
"It didn't seem that bad." Harry protested, glancing at Ness who was tapping his feet on the floor, "And I'm pretty sure Ness has visions as well!"
"Yea, but that's normal for me." Ness countered, "And they don't really show me anything, I just hear someone talking, usually telling me not to give up and to get ready for the next step of my journey. The closest thing I've had of a harmful dreams started after that lovely talk in the graveyard.
"Which could be a form of your trauma reappearing in a different way." Professor Kale hummed glancing at Snape who was glaring at him, "Muggles don't really have visions, but they can sometimes relive horrible events or possible what ifs in the form of nightmares. Since Ness hasn't been exposed to magic then I can say that his visions outside of being oddly optimistic might just be his mind trying to heal itself by reliving the event or being fearful of the future."
"And Potter?" Snape asked, a thin smile forming as Professor Kale gave a nervous shrug, "Well, since he can say the Dark Lord's name with ease and was preoccupied with the tournament I can safely assume that he isn't afraid of Voldemort and that they were indeed connected to Voldemort."
"Which brings us to my next point. Unlike Earthbound, you have a special connection with the Dark Lord, Potter. One that bends a few of the rules of Occlumency and created a link between you two. One that can endanger the lives of your precious friends in the future."
"But it saved Mr. Weasley," Harry pointed out, feeling a little frustrated, "This is to good a resource to pass up!"
"No, it isn't." Ness deadpanned, "What if Vo—the Dark Lord gets the brilliant idea to start attacking your mind when you're in your happy place? He might be able to cast some illusions during the day to make you freak out and lower you guard."
This was now a horrendous idea as Professor Kale nodded in agreement, "The mind is a fickle thing filled with mysteries not even we can solve. If You-Know-Who realizes what's going on then he could possibly lure you to a dangerous location and kill you or a loved one."
"But I wasn't in his mind, I was in the snake's! Nagini's!"
Snape paused, his frown thinning to a paper thin line as he studied him, "Firstly, what do you mean you weren't in his mind, and secondly, how do you know the snake's name?"
"I told him. Thought he knew since the snake seemed familiar." Ness explained, "The doll had some magic that helped cleared up what and who it was."
Snape's eyes narrowed in thought before he turned back to Harry, "And the snake's mind?"
"I was in the snake's mind—I was the snake." Harry explained, feeling sick from he memory. "It might have been Voldermort's-,"
"Dark Lord Potter." Snape hissed, "And just because you were in the snake's body doesn't mean you weren't in his mind. You were there because that's where he was. Watching to ensure that…Nagini got the job done."
Ness frowned but didn't say anything, merely nodded in thought as Harry felt the roar of anger from last night returning as he realized Ness knew something as per usual. "Which brings us back to our main point, Occlumency." Snape stated, looking between the two with an odd expression, "Now, let us begin."
He pulled his wand out from an inside pocket raised the wand to his forehead, pulling free a strand of slivery substance like a stray hair found on one's coat. When the strand broke he allowed it to fall into a swirling pensive, one he hadn't noticed in his surprise to see Professor Kale in the room with them.
Once he was done and satisfied with the process, he pointed his wand at Harry who stiffened and wondered if he could safely take out his wand without getting in trouble. Although it wasn't like the threat of detention had stopped him before…
"Now then, Potter, you'll be going first since you desperately need to understand the basics of Occlumency." Snape explained, "Stand up and take out your wand, Potter. For this exercise I am going to break into your mind to see how well you resist the spell, you may defend or disarm me during this exercise although…That imposter informed me you showed great skill in resisting the Imperious Curse. You'll find that using that same power will greatly help you and possibly, prove that you aren't just getting by on someone's coattails. Now, empty yourself of emotions and brace yourself…"
Someone's coattails? Did he mean Ness? A small flame of anger appeared that was swiftly snuffed out by Snape pointing his wand at him, "Legilimens!"
The room began to move, swimming in and out of his line of vision before it was swallowed up by a blur of images flickering by like the trees on the Hogwarts Express, growing in color and strength before it became the main focus.
There was him at age five watching Dudley with his brand new red bike, jealously gnawing away at his heart and his eyes watering at the unfairness of it all.
Nine. He was climbing up a tree trying to avoid Ripper, that blasted demon dog Aunt Marge owned while the Dursleys laughed at him, ignoring the great danger he was in just to enjoy themselves.
Eleven. He was under the Sorting Hat, his head swimming with excitement and unease before it gave way to pure joy at the joyful yell of, "Gryffindor!"
Twelve. Hermione was lying down in the Hospital Wing, thick black cat fur on her face as she tried to hide her shame
Thirteen. He and Ness were being surrounded by a hundred of Dementors, Ness desperately trying to summon a spell as he collapsed after trying to muster up the strength for a Patronus.
Fourteen. He was in the graveyard, the ground cold and his ears ringing at the inhuman—Not this, please not this!- screams as Ness blindly charged—Stop it…no!- shockwave after shockwave, the sound of metal connecting with—Get out…get out!- bone, the screams of wizards crying out in pain and fear—NO! STOP IT! STOP IT!—
There was a dull thrum of pain that forced his eyes open, his breathing ragged and uneven as he found himself on the floor, his hands clamped around his ears as he gasped for air. The cries swimming in and out as if he was deep underwater as Professor Kale knelt over him, gently murmuring something as he pushed a cup of hot chocolate into his hands.
"Repeat after me, I am safe." He blinked but forced himself to try, "I am safe."
"I am in Hogwarts."
"I am in Hogwarts."
"I am safe."
"I am safe…" his breathing eased a bit, allowing him to sit up and shakily accept the cup of hot coco as Professor Kale nodded in satisfaction and glanced at Snape, who seemed…surprised? Why was he surprised? Ness seemed surprised as well, but in a grim sort of manner as he leaned against the arm of his chair, his robe tightly wrapped around him.
"Judging by your reaction you didn't mean for me to see that." Snape said after a long moment of quiet.
"What do you think?" Harry retorted, hating how off his voice sounded as Professor Kale shot Snape an imploring look before taking over, "That was a first good attempt Harry, and I suppose a grim wake up call as to why Occlumency is an important class for you to take."
"How much," Harry interrupted, surprised at how Professor Kale didn't even frown at being rudely ignored, "How much did you see?"
"Merely bits and pieces, Potter. You're troublesome secrets are safe." Snape stated, a bit of disappointment in his voice as he glanced towards Ness who grimaced but joked, "Hopefully you won't get lost in my mind." Before he nervously took Harry's spot in front of the desk. Like before there was no warning just Snape murmuring, "Legilimens." And a white orb flying towards Ness's forehead.
The orb connected then vanished in a puff of mist as Ness swayed a bit, his foot moving back to steady himself and his eyes went dark. Snape's eyes were closed as he 'sorted' through Ness's mind, his expression rapidly changing between surprise and disbelief before settling on frustrated before they were forced open.
A gasp slipping out of his mouth as Ness jolted and blinked back into consciousness. "Yea…it's always like that." Ness offered as Snape looked at him in shock, "It's-," he started before he stopped himself and grumbled, "Well, it's certainly an improvement over Potter's…then again, I suppose you purposely let me in to experience the feeling of your mind being invaded."
"It's a lot different than the Imperious curse…That's for sure." Ness replied, a shaky smile forming as he moved to lean against the wall again. How did Ness shake that off so easily? It was impossible—
"Potter, you're up again. And hopefully you can at least try to show some effort." Harry swallowed a scowl and stood back up, his wand at the ready as Snape once again cast the spell without warning. This was going to be a recurring trend, wasn't it?
This time the images flashed by too rapidly in a jumbled order to give him a sense of time or date.
An image of a black dragon preparing to burn him alive, him and Ness sneaking sitting in Hogsmeade, and a giant snake desperately trying to hunt him down—
"Pull me into any more of your schemes again. Threaten my family again…. And I'll kill you."
NOnonononoNONONo!
Fear painted plain as day on Voldemort's face, Wormtail's frighten whimpers as Ness coldly glared down at—
"NO!"
"Are you even trying Potter?" Snape questioned, his voice low and cold but obviously annoyed, "Yes—I am-," Harry started, pushing himself up from the cold dungeon floor, "No, you are not. Both times you've only resisted when that graveyard shows up. And even then, it is pathetic!"
"It was-," Harry started when Snape cut him off, "Apparently a very terrible event, one that you are not trying to block out. You're practically handing me tools to use wrapped in gift paper! I told you to empty yourself of emotions!"
He swallowed a burning retort as Professor Kale handed him his mug now filled with marshmallows, "Perhaps we should take a break, meditate a bit to work past the block." Professor Kale suggested glancing at Snape with an imploring glare, "Maybe this could be a part of Harry's homework, identifying why the graveyard scares him so much and figuring out a way to work past that-,"
"I'm fine." It was out of his mouth before he could fully process what he was saying, earning dual glares from the Professors as Ness uneasily spoke up, "Harry, it's not fine if every time Snape snoops around your head you keep coming back to it. It sort of seems like a mental block you made from trauma."
Now who's fault was that? But he didn't dare bring it up as Snape gave an angry sigh and turned back to Ness, "Hopefully you'll put effort into this exercise." Snape stated, a scathing glare thrown in his direction before he pointed his wand at Ness and started the exercise.
Only this time Ness's eyes stayed clear despite his face paling a little as he repelled Snape in under two minutes. "Impressive." Snape wheezed, stumbling back as Ness shoved his hands into his pockets, muttering his thanks before he went to take a sip from his cup.
"Now, one last time Potter." Harry suppressed a grimace as he felt jealousy and anger begin to tighten around his logical side, screaming at how infuriating it was to see Ness breeze through this sick torture made from hell while he struggled—
"Legilimens"
Caught off guard the images were a swirling mess of pure, childish frustration he had been stewing in as he tried to deal with the guilt of allowing Mr. Weasley to be hurt in the first place.
Ness stopping him from attacking his Godfather with Luna.
Ness helping him sneak out of school and learning the truth.
Ness protecting him from the Dementors.
Ness helping him talk to the dragons to get an idea of what to be wary of.
Ness saving him from Voldemort with his chaotic meltdown.
Ness and his friends one step ahead of everyone and stopping the bad guy for the second time.
Ness in the body of a doll throwing himself at Nagini to protect Mr. Weasley, the man's body moving aside revealing a faded but still readable bronze label that read—Department of Mysteries—the door although barely ajar allowing him to look into the darkness of twisted hallways and a figure—Ness?—standing at the very end of the—
"Now you're not even trying!" He was jolted out the spell with a small yelp, his body already falling to the ground before Professor Kale could catch him. Fearfully glancing at a fuming Snape, "You let me parade around you mind! Do you not care what happens if the Dark Lord gains control of your mind?!"
He managed a smart, "Er," before his blurred vision landed on Ness who was looking very confused at the moment, "Sn—Professor, Why was Ness at the end of the Department of Mystery's hallways?" he blurted out.
His sentence causing a chill to fill the room as they looked at him in shock, Ness looking slightly fearful as he shoved his hands back into his robe while Snape looked at him flabbergasted before seething, "You were letting me take your mind for a joyride, just to fulfill a childish desire?"
Childish? What was he going on about!? This was important! It could explain why Voldemort was attempting to sneak into the Department of Mysteries in the first place!
"Voldemort might be-,"
"Do not speak the Dark Lord's name Potter!" he flinched at the full forced venom in the man's tone but didn't stop, angrily correcting himself before he pressed on, "He might be trying to get something connected to Ness!"
"Potter, you shouldn't be-," Professor Kale started glancing nervously between the two as Ness looked positively sick. "But it makes sense! Ness is one of the many obstacles in V—the Dark Lord's path! He's trying to find something to undermine Dumbledore's protection-,"
"No, that is you Potter." Snape snarled, cutting himself with a sharp look, "You and your pathetic incomprehension that someone else is better at playing hero than you!"
What?
"You think it's because he's…" Professor Kale started before he trailed off in thought, Snape somehow knowing the answer as he snarled, "Of course I do Kale, his last thoughts revolved around how Earthbound was in the center of attention, how Earthbound was better than him!"
"That's not-," Harry started when Professor Kale talked over him, "So the graveyard?"
"Perhaps his ego getting in the way." Snape spat as Professor Kale nodded and fished a notebook out of his pocket, "What are you talking about!? I didn't want to die!" Harry protested, feeling sick to his stomach, they weren't seriously suggesting he was jealous of Ness, were they?!
"Are you sure? Since as I stated before, you let me walk all over your defenses in that last run." Snape pointed out, "All so you could find a shred of possibly fake information most likely fed to you by the Dark Lord to lure you into making terrible decisions!"
"But he's just as scared of Ness as-," Harry started before he cut himself off, bile creeping into his throat as he nearly admitted what he never wanted to. He glanced at Ness who was pale and looking very torn about something.
"You're scared of Ness." Professor Kale finished, grimacing as Ness rasped, "Professor Snape, are we? Am I?"
"Yes, Earthbound you may be excused, your homework for this week is to keep your mind blank and empty before you go to bed." Snape drawled not even looking at him as Ness hurried out of the room.
"May I-," Harry started, desperately needing to leave, to cool his burning scar with some cold night air before he went to find Ron and Hermione.
"Not yet." Professor Kale interrupted, reaching into his pocket once more and pulling out a muggle notebook and pen, grimacing a little as he muttered, "Sorry, quills and I aren't friends, they leave horrendous holes in my paper." As he pressed it into Harry's hands. "Although I'm quiet sure Snape has homework for you as well, I want you to focus on grounding yourself."
"Grounding?" he repeated, feeling vaguely annoyed as Professor Kale nodded, "I've heard about your friend's family emergency and read about the attack on St. Mungo's. It's natural that you're running low on fumes given how stressful the school year is and it isn't healthy to ignore these problems."
"I don't have a-,"
"Harry," he stopped as Professor Kale gave him a reprimanding glare, "It's okay to ask for help or to talk to someone. This isn't a problem but something that is hurting your mental health. If you can't talk to someone then I expect you to write down what you feel every day during meals and before bed and possibly why you feel this way. This is your homework."
A knot formed in his stomach as Snape tacked on, "Interesting, this falls inline with my original assignment for Potter—every night before bed you must clear your mind, make it blank, calm and empty. Understood?"
"Yes, sir." Snape shot him a disapproving glare but didn't question it as Harry moved to stand up, flushing in embarrassment when he realized that Professor Kale had been practically cradling him in his arms on the floor. "And be warned Potter, I'll know if you haven't been practicing."
"Right." He grabbed his forgotten bag and speed walked out of the office. His scar throbbing as he hurried to the library. Desperate for someone who understood him.
He wasn't jealous of Ness, he wasn't scared of Ness and he was grounded! This was a waste of time, this wasn't going to help him get anywhere to the truth.
"I'm FINE." Harry mentally declared, turning the corner and nearly clipping into Luna who was walking towards Gryffindor tower with a small pouch of something sweet smelling. Her questioning gaze unknowingly burning into his back as he stopped in front of the library to inform his friends what had happened.
They were in the back of the library, dealing with Umbridge's newest wave of homework and essays about how to use magic in words, not actions. Ron was grumbling under his breath as Hermione read from a Herbology book.
One that didn't seem to really fit in with the others but Harry ignored it in favor of sitting down and pretending to do his work as he tried to ignore his growing headache.
"So? How was it?" Hermione asked, looking hopefully as Ron bitingly asked, "Did Earthbound mess it up?"
"It was…" Horrendous, horrible, a one way ticket to hell and, well, you get the picture. "Harry." Hermione pressed, her eyes narrowing as Harry wondered if he should have just went to bed.
"Horrible. It was horrible." He answered, cringing as Ron muttered, "Bet it was because of Ness."
"Ron." Hermione chided before turning back to him with a soft smile, urging him to go on. "Every attempt was just a trip down nightmare lane with Snape almost always pulling it back to the graveyard." Harry started, hating how his heart fluttered with anxiety, "The only good thing that came out of it was the last exercise showed a Department of Mysteries with a figure at the end of a twisted hallway."
"Department of Mysteries…" Hermione repeated as Ron snapped his fingers, "I think I've heard D-dad muttering about it. Apparently, it's super secret and those who work in that department are sworn to secrecy or else."
"And apparently…Ness was either there or had been down there." Harry murmured, wondering what the boy had seen that had him fleeing from the room at the first chance. "Actually, I think he was scared of it."
"What?!" A loud shush filled the room as everyone sleepily glowered at Ron who flushed but shot them a scowl before quietly asking, "What do you mean?"
"Well, that figure I saw looked a lot like Ness, so I blurted out that I saw him there and he paled, but when Snape yelled at me for being so transfixed on Ness I retorted that Voldemort was probably trying to get something connected to Ness, maybe a weakness or something and he looked positively sick." Even more so than when he had accidentally admitted being scared of him. Did he actually know what was in that room?
"So he does have a weakness." Ron breathed, flinching when Hermione elbowed him hard in the stomach, "Why did Snape think you were so transfixed on Ness, Harry?"
Because he was afraid unsure who's side Ness was on. That's why. But he didn't mention it, merely deflecting it with a simple, "He was frustrated with my lack of effort, even went so far to accuse me of not even trying which lead to Professor Kale starting this weird discussion."
"Professor Kale? The astronomy teacher?" Hermione questioned.
"Yea, he was there for moral support or something. Gave us hot chocolate after every try. He and Snape even accused and agreed that I was 'jealous' of Ness," The anger muted by his shock came roaring back, "About how I was scared of him."
"Well, aren't you? I mean I would be given how dangerous he seems." Ron replied, frowning when Harry vehemently shook his head no, "There's nothing scary about Ness! He's just another hero."
"One who has powers that wizards can't even dream of and can use them to break others." Hermione deadpanned, frowning a little, "Harry, it's okay to be scared of someone, I'm a little scared of Ness as well since I know almost nothing about him."
"But I'm not scared." Harry protested, keeping his voice low as he looked at the two with frustrated glares. He wasn't, why should he be? Ness was Ness, a person who could break bone and summon angry rock n roll to defeat his foes and…
"Okay…" Harry grumbled, his nails digging into his jeans, "Maybe I am a little scared of him."
"And that's perfectly reasonable mate." Ron replied, offering a warm squeeze to his shoulder, something that jolted him out of his shock as his mind foggily reminded him of friendship and common ground. Something Ron hadn't been showing since St. Mungo's.
"So, what did you get for homework?" Hermione asked, changing the topic as some students got up to hit the hay. Their brains to muddled to focus on cramming or studying. "Can't be worse than what that Toad gave us." Ron added a small grin forming that slipped when Harry revealed the notebook and pen.
"I'm suppose to write in it three times a day at meals—mostly about how I feel at the moment and reasons why to keep myself grounded—that's from Professor Kale, and from Snape, to clear and empty my mind before going to bed. Which seems counterproductive."
"How? It's helping you keep You-Know-Who out of your head!" Hermione pointed out, her frown deepening as Ron looked at her in disbelief, "Hermione, this is Harry's greatest tool! It prevented my dad from being killed! If there aren't any risks then we shouldn't try and fix what isn't broken!"
"Exactly." Harry agreed, relived to see Ron agreeing with him instead of spewing hate at Ness or awkwardly dealing with him. Christmas Break had been a tense, mournful affair as every Weasley processed the news of Mr. Weasley moving to a muggle hospital in a different way. It had gotten a bit worse when Snape came over to inform him of his meeting with Dumbledore to go over Occlumency and Sirius starting a fight at the idea of Snape being his teacher.
"Harry, this can seriously backfire and hurt you!" Hermione protested, "He could lure you into a trap or worse, make you kill someone in your sleep! And that would just give Umbridge the best Christmas gift ever!"
"It won't. And this is our only lead to figure out what the hell is going on Hermione." He gave her a firm look before getting up, the library almost completely empty and the librarian giving them the 'look' to leave.
The trio swiftly left, murmuring about how Ness did—Ron was very agitated to hear that the boy had been praised by Snape—while Hermione grumbled it made sense given his dependency on PSI. All of them oblivious to the book that had slipped into Hermione's bag as they were packing up or the pair of eyes watching them from the dark, only turning away when the conversation stopped and shifted onto the upcoming Hogsmeade trip scheduled for Valentine's day and Qudditch match wondering who would be replacing Fred, George and himself.
Harry, you mean well but you are just pushing ALL of Ness's buttons at the moment. Then again I suppose it's better than Ron just being determent to hate Ness until the end of time. Good thing Hermione's attempting to reign in Ron before he buries himself in a pit of murderous karma!
Reviews! :D Although I suppose this is more of replies since I like talking... -
M1nhTre37: Ron cares. (Sort of) he's just busy focusing on being angry than stepping back and seeing how being angry at Ness-which he is taking waaay to far- is doing more harm than good to him. The entire student body is more or less worried or wondering what the heck did overly friendly Earthbound did to deserve a bitter Ron and usually quiet pair of trouble makers. Also, Ron had better be GLAD that Ness doesn't like the idea of revenge or dwelling on revenge since he would have been driven crazy by all of Ness's new 'minions'.