Some of you'll may be wondering as to how Voldemort was able to enter Harry's mind. There's an explanation for that coming soon. Don't worry. The occlumency lessons shall be continuing and some more of the plot will unfold.
Read on!
"Are you ready?" Sirius asked and got a nervous nod as a response. They'd practiced clearing Harry's mind and certain light exercises for the past few days. They could move to the next level now. Sirius would be entering Harry's mind.
The boy felt uncomfortable to say the least. He wasn't sure of himself at all. Sure, he'd completed the first step of Occlumency with ease but he knew that it only got harder as you kept going further. "Remember what we've been doing for the past few days. When I'm inside your head, I'll be able to look into your thoughts. Your job is to prevent that at all costs. Push me out as hard as you can. Understood?"
His father squeezed his shoulder encouragingly and smiled at him. He saw the silent message in those intense grey eyes. You can do this. He repeated the words in his head a bit. "I'm ready." His voice sounded stronger than he felt but he had to learn this if he wanted to stop Voldemort's mental attacks.
"Alright then. One, two three... Legilimens." Sirius was at once hit by a dozen flashes. His first meeting with Harry after acquittal. Shopping with Harry. Playing Quidditch with him during the summer. Harry's twelfth birthday. Since it was Harry's first try, Sirius didn't go in deep. He penetrated Harry's mind only superficially. He felt a small force, trying to push him out of Harry's mind. It was weak but it was still there. The force wasn't strong enough to completely cast him out and so he pulled out on his own.
Harry's breathing was slightly heavy but other than that, he was alright. "You're trying and that's a good enough start, kiddo." Said Sirius, smiling encouragingly at his son.
Sirius did the same thing again and again, going slow and gentle and by the fifth attempt, Harry could push him out although the push wasn't very strong. "That's enough for today. We can work on something a little more challenging tomorrow." Sirius concluded the session and none was happier than Harry.
Occlumency was difficult and wore him out more than all of his lessons combined. He knew that it would get more difficult with each session. He felt worn out. "Hey dad, can I have dinner right here? I'm too exhausted to go to the Great Hall." And he really was. He wasn't exactly sleepy but he was dead tired and he wanted to skip dinner and just curl up on his bed but he knew Sirius wouldn't allow that. "Of course. I'll call for some food for the both of us."
After dinner, his dad chased him to his room and Harry didn't protest. Once alone in his room, he sat up and pulled out his Charms textbook from under his pillow. Unbeknownst to Sirius, he had been staying up as much as he could, opting to sleep for only two or three hours a night. He hadn't been able to consciously try and fall asleep after that dreadful night.
Whenever his father would come to check up on him, he'd quickly slip underneath the covers. He enjoyed Sirius' little nightly visits. A slight ruffle of his hair, a kiss on the forehead were the little things which provided him reassurance. He didn't want to fall asleep and find himself in Voldemort's clutches.
Harry's assumptions had been correct. The sessions got tougher with every passing day. The first few days had been alright. Sirius had only looked into his recent memories. They were all happy ones about his summer with Sirius. He was getter go better at pushing his father out albeit slowly.
The real grind began afterwards. Once he'd learned how to block superficial penetration, they worked on deep mind invasion. It was definitely harder to prevent it. These memories were far more painful. They were all the childhood memories that Harry had buried away deeply over the last few months. To have them resurface again all at once was overwhelming.
The boy saw the pain on his father's face every time he entered Harry's mind. He knew that it was equally hard for Sirius if not harder. On the plus side, he was making progress although it was rather slow. Sirius had told him that Occlumency was a difficult kind of magic and it took months to master it. He had felt particularly stupid when he couldn't block the attacks and he had voiced this. Sirius had gently rebuked him and told him that it wasn't his fault. This happened during the initial stages.
The incident happened on a particularly rough day. "Focus! You can do this." Said Sirius. Panting, Harry nodded although he felt anything but focused. "Legilimens."
Harry turned in his homework, trying not to punch his Potions professor in the face. He had waited until everyone left since he didn't want to be insulted in front of all the students. The Slytherins would like nothing better than to watch their Head of House pick on a student of the rival house. Snape glowered at him and snatched the parchment from Harry's fingers. He took one look at Harry's taut expression and clenched teeth. "Tell me Potter, how can one with so little brain have a head as large as yours? Doesn't your arrogance bother you?"
Harry said nothing. He'd vowed to keep this year as detention free as possible and mouthing off to Snape wouldn't help in the least. "Didn't that mutt teach you to answer when spoken to? Your silence smacks of insolence. Just like your father."
Harry couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't listen to those horrible comments for the next few years. He'd had enough. "Why do you hate me so much? What did I ever do to you?" He felt horrible. Why did Snape despise him like that? Snape glared at him, his black eyes void of any sort of emotion. "Get out, Potter."
Harry stood firm, not willing to budge. "No. I want to know what is it that makes you hate me the way you do." Snape's nostrils flared. "I said get out, Potter. Are you so pea brained that you can't understand me? Leave!"
"Please Professor, tell me." Harry's voice sounded desperate. He wanted to know whatever was it that he had done to make Snape treat him with such loathing." I hate you because James Potter was an incorrigibly arrogant, no good swine. He was stuck up, thought no end of himself and his ego knew no bounds. Your insolence reminds me of him and so, I cannot stand you. You have your answer now. Get out of my sight." Snape snapped. He stood up, grabbed Harry by his collar and practically hauled him out and slammed the door on his face.
Harry picked himself up, off the floor and straightened his robes. He gathered his books up and stared at the closed dungeon door. Only one thought ran through his mind: Was it true?
"When did this happen, Harry?" Sirius asked, pulling out of Harry's mind. Harry hadn't blocked him even though he was supposed to. "Today morning ." Harry replied. "Was it true? What he said? Tell me Dad." Harry pleaded with his dad. He hadn't blocked Sirius on purpose. He wanted his father to see what had happened in the dungeons.
Sirius had never expected this. He was furious with Snape for grabbing Harry that way. But, he didn't want to lie to his pup about James and Snape's enmity. It wasn't fair to the boy. What Snape had said wasn't true, not completely. True, James had a bit of a big head but that's where it ended. Snape had been way out of line by telling Harry all those things. Sirius pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Come lets sit down."
"Now listen carefully, Harry. Yes, James and Snape were enemies when they were at Hogwarts. James was rather proud, to be honest. Naturally, I took James' side and so he hates us both. Snape had no right to say all that to you about James. Everyone has their flaws and James had his own ones but he was a great person. I need you to understand that."
"Were you'll mean to him?" Harry asked. His tone wasn't angry or sad. Just curious. "We were both mean to each other." Sirius replied. Harry took in whatever he had just heard. He believed every word of it. Sirius would never lie to him; that he was sure of. He knew that James was a good person. Snape hated him because of James' arrogance.
Why was Snape still holding on to that childhood rivalry and taking it out on him? "It's not fair." He said, laying his head on Sirius' shoulder. "I know puppy. It's certainly not fair to you." Sirius answered.
"I think we've had enough for one day. We'll resume tomorrow. Why don't you work on that Defence essay? Knowing the professor, he'll be less than pleased with you if you don't do it." Said Sirius. Harry cracked a small grin before nodding.
Once Harry was in his room, Sirius stepped out of his quarters, to go and talk to a certain Potions professor.
Snape was sitting in his office, grading essays when there was an impatient knocking on his door. He massaged his temples before going and opening the door. There stood Sirius Black, looking nothing short of furious. The glare being sent his way was intimidating and his eyes that were usually pleasant were nothing more than narrowed slits. A shiver ran down his spine as he was suddenly reminded of the Dark Lord and it scared him. Trying to appear unaffected by the look, he put on his best sneer. "Black. What an unwelcome surprise."
"What an unsurprising welcome." Sirius shot back. Snape grit his teeth. He didn't want to face the irate man now. "What do you want Black? I've got things to attend to." The other man shoved past him and into the office. "Harry is not James." Sirius spat. "How could you talk to him like that today?" Snape drew back before regaining composure. So that's what this was about. "Ah, so now you've come to me for telling your precious godson the truth about his horrible father. As it is you coddle him so much. Could he be anymore rotten."
Sirius had to put in a lot of self control to not punch Snivellus. "Don't you dare say that. I agree that you and James didn't get along with each other. Heck, you'll hated each other. That doesn't give you the right to treat Harry the way you do." Snape rolled his eyes. "Are you done?"
Sirius slammed his fist down on the table. "Snape, you bloody listen to me. Harry has done nothing to you. James is gone now so you want to vent your bitterness by taking it out in Harry. He. Does. Not. Deserve. This. The fact that you can't let go of a stupid childhood rivalry, just proves how horrible you are. Lily wouldn't have wanted to see you like this."
The mention of the woman he had loved hit him hard."Just remember one thing, Snape. This is the last time you ever say anything like this to Harry. You will not taunt him, belittle him, mock him or provoke him in any manner whatsoever. Whether that is physically or verbally. If I find out that you've remotely mistreated him, you will sorely regret it." Sirius spoke the words in a calm tone but the menacing undertone was not lost on Snape. He nodded briefly. Sirius stormed out of the dungeon, casting one last look at his childhood nemesis.
Snape sank down in his chair, trying to calm the headache that was building up. That had certainly been an unexpected event. He'd stay away from that Potter boy as much as possible, not only because of what Black had said about Lily but also because he knew all too well what happened to those who crossed a Black. What had happened to Lucius Malfoy was a clear example.
For the next few weeks, Harry dabbled between his lessons at school, homework and Occlumency. He didn't get more than half an hour a day to relax but it was a small price to pay to prevent Voldemort's attack.
His potion classes were actually going well. He didn't know what had made way for such a miraculous result but Snape didn't taunt him or make snide comments throughout the class. He basically ignored him and if he had to speak, to was just a curt word or two. Harry was totally okay with that. He sent a silent thanks to the being that had caused this. He didn't know who it was but he was grateful.
"Hermione please." Ron pleaded again. "I've been trying to get this bloody essay done for the past week. If I don't turn it in tomorrow, Flitwick's going to give me detention." Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at the less scholarly boy. "Ron, I have no problem doing it for you but I won't. If I do it, you won't be learning anything on your own and that's not done." She said, very firmly. With a groan, Ron smashed his face into his open textbook.
"I'm going to the library right now and I want you to have finished at least half of that essay by the time I come back and then maybe I'll help you out with the other half." Said Hermione, shouldering her bag. Ron's expression brightened up at that. "Hermione, you're wonderful!" He exclaimed and picked up his quill with renewed enthusiasm. The bushy haired girl shook her head fondly before leaving the common room.
Half an hour later, Ron had managed to get at least a little work done. Harry, thanks to Sirius' insistence had finished his homework well in advance and inwardly chuckled. He'd put up quite the resistance last week when Sirius had asked him to start off but now he was thankful that his dad had won that particular argument.
"This is utter bull! I can't bloody do this anymore!" Ron snapped in frustration as he threw his quill down. The ink on it made small splotches on his parchment. "Just close it then. Once Her-" the portrait swung open and Professor Black stepped inside. Harry noted at once that he wore a very grave expression. Something was horribly wrong. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, please follow me. The rest of you are to stay inside. No one is supposed to leave the common room under any circumstances." After exchanging confused glances, the two of them followed Sirius outside. "Dad, what's wrong?"
Sirius didn't reply but simply led them forward. When they took the route to the hospital wing, that's when Harry realised that this wasn't anything small.
They went inside where Mcgonagall was already waiting for them, along with Dumbledore. They were both standing near a bed, unintentionally blocking the figure lying on it. "Potter, Weasley, I suggest the two of you steel yourselves. This is going to be difficult." Said Mcgonagall.
She moved aside to reveal the petrified figure of Hermione Granger. Harry gasped, his hand flew to his mouth as he took in the figure of his best friend. Ron wasn't faring all that well either. Trying to control his emotions, Harry sat down on the bed, and gently touched her hand which held a small mirror. It wasn't cold but it was very still. Hermione was his best friend, the closest thing he had to a sister. He felt Sirius' hands come and rest on his shoulders but he didn't lean in the way he always did.
"Pup?' Sirius' voice broke the awkward silence that hung in the air around them. Ron was openly crying, not bothering to hide his tears. This was very uncharacteristic of the redhead who always tried to act tough.
The two friends didn't say anything. They just sat by the bed and looked at their friend was lying there. "We don't know how the attacker managed to strike. He wasn't supposed to be able to attack, given to all the security measures that we've taken. Pomona is working on a cure. She's trying to find it. Hopefully, it'll be ready in the next few days." Mcgonagall spoke to Sirius.
The man nodded absently, his attention solely on the black haired child hunched over the bed. He strode forward and lightly jostled Harry's shoulder. "Come on, kiddo. Let's go back." The boy shook his head, not wanting to move an inch. He looked at Mcgonagall and jerked his head towards Ron. She nodded immediately. Both the boys weren't alright now. Sirius wasn't willing to leave Ron alone, knowing that both of them would be utterly miserable. "Harry, come on. We need to get back." He repeated himself, a little more firmly this time.
Harry recognised the tone of his dad's voice and with one last look Hermione, he stood up. "Ron, you too. Come on." Said Sirius. A look of pure relief washed over the redhead's face. He was all too glad to go back with Harry. He'd have felt extremely lonely and wretched. Harry was also happy to have Ron over since his other best friend was already hurt. He didn't want Ron to be attacked or anything else.
Once they were inside Sirius's quarters, an uncomfortable atmosphere settled over the place. Neither of them wanted to go out for dinner so they had it there itself. Ron, who usually needed no excuse to stuff his face, barely touched his food. Harry couldn't manage more than a few bites. They didn't speak or say anything much. All of Sirius' questions were answered with a word of two.
"I'm going to bed." Ron mumbled. "Of course. Please call me if you need anything." Said Sirius, giving him a pat on his back. The boy nodded and went to the spare bed that had been set up in Harry's room.
Sirius turned his attention to Harry once the two of them were alone. "Puppy? Talk to me." He prompted gently. The boy allowed Sirius to pull him into a hug, needing the comfort. "It's all my fault, Dad." He whispered as Sirius rubbed his back. "How is it your fault, pup?" The man found his son's statement highly incredulous. "V-Voldemort wants to come after me. He went for my friend just to get to me. It's my fault Hermione was petrified."
Sirius was shocked. Did Harry actually believe that? He pulled back and took the boy by the chin. "No Harry, of wasn't your fault. Voldemort attacked Hermione because that's just who he is, regardless of what you think. He's attacking the student here because it makes him feel powerful. You have nothing to do with it and are not to be blamed," said Sirius. "And besides, Sprout's working on a cure. It'll be ready in a few days."
Harry didn't cry although he did feel close to tears. His father's words did little to console him. "Who knows who he'll attack next?" Harry's voice sounded an octave higher than usual. Sirius didn't know how to answer that. Harry was hurting and that hurt him.
The next morning, Harry and Ron finished breakfast and went to the hospital wing to see Hermione. They sat by her bedside quietly. Some part of Harry hoped that she'd wake up if they shook her or something but he knew that was a stupid little thought.
His gaze traveled to her eyes which were focused on the mirror that she held in her left hand. It was then that he noticed something sticking out of her right hand. As gently as he could, he uncurled her fingers that had been fisted and pulled out a small, scrunched up piece of parchment.
"What's that?" Ron asked when he saw what was in Harry's hand. The boy shrugged and smoothed the parchment. Both of them peered over it. Written on that tiny bit of yellow parchmet was just one word: Pipes.
So there you are. Another chapter. More of the drama will unfold the next chapter onwards. I'll try and update quickly but with exams looming over me, I can't promise anything but I'll definitely do my best.