Last time…..

"I don't know," Hermione said, looking worried. "I would guess that he's changed over the last two years, drastically. Enough that his magic has taken on a whole new tone—a whole new set of 'fingerprints', if you will. That should be impossible."

Ron frowned. "Should we talk to someone about it?"

Hermione shook her head.

"He's been doing fine so far this year. He doesn't act very different, just more…withdrawn, and he spends a lot of his time in the library or somewhere else. But he's not in trouble, and I don't want to reveal anything that he might be keeping secret. He might be keeping it secret for a reason. I do, however, think that I will try to research winged serpents and see what I can find."

Ron nodded and agreed, and they sighed and broke apart, Ron to play chess with Seamus, and Hermione to do some serious thinking

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Harry breezed through school for the next few weeks. He kept reminding himself to slip up every once in awhile, and he was very careful to stay in second place to Hermione in classes. He found his attention wandering in class more and more often, though, and he fought to keep it from slipping.

One evening, right after dinner, Dumbledore called him to his office. Harry magically scanned the gargoyle for the password and was in the office within seconds, and seated himself in an armchair. He waited patiently for Dumbledore to arrive.

The Headmaster came in moments later, and Harry was annoyed to find that he had Snape with him. Snape sat in another armchair, and Dumbledore seated himself behind his desk, steepling his fingers and looking at the both of them over his half-moon spectacles.

"Harry," Dumbledore began seriously. "I know that you have heard that Voldemort is on the move again, and that he has become aware of the link between you two."

Snape confirmed this with a terse nod.

"So," Dumbledore continued, "I believe that you need some method of defending yourself. Professor Snape here is a master of what we call Occlumency, which is a technique used to guard your very thoughts and mind from outside intrusion."

Harry did a quick mental scan of Snape, being careful not to actually touch his mind. He saw at once that it was true, and hastily withdrew, glad that he had not tried to venture into his Professor's mind.

Harry looked up at Dumbledore, dread growing in his stomach.

"So, Harry," Dumbledore said, smiling slightly. "I believe that it would be to your advantage to learn Occlumency from Professor Snape. I believe that you have no after-class activities, since you are no longer on the Quidditch team—"

Harry felt a pang of regret. That had been one thing that he'd missed while he was with the Elves, and now he couldn't play any more.

"—and Professor Snape has informed me that he has nothing going on on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. Therefore, those will be the days of your lessons. Now, I believe that today is a Monday, so you should have your first lesson tonight. In fact, why don't you go down to the dungeons right now and begin?"

Snape fumed the whole way down to the dungeons. How dare Dumbledore do something like this to him! How dare he! He had no right to—to—to invade his privacy like this!

He shot a glare back at the Potter boy, and was surprised to find that there was no expression of betrayal or disgust on his face. Indeed, he did not have much of an expression at all, but rather looked as though he was deep in thought.

Harry's mind raced as he followed down the hall behind Snape. He couldn't really let the man into his mind – it would reveal far too much. But if he created a total barrier, it would confirm Snape's suspicion that there was something going on. What was he to do?

Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. He could create a shield, but layer it. He could create a total inner core shield, guarding all of his memories from the Elves and the Vale. It would also conceal all of his different magics.

Then, on top of that, he could layer his memories from his 'normal' life, making that look like it was what he was trying to guard. When Snape pried into his mind, that would be all that he saw, and there would be no harm done to either Adara or the Elves.

Harry began to build this as he walked, thankful once more to his teachers, who had taught him to concentrate in the driving rain, while riding on a very rough horse, and even while being hit repeatedly with dull sticks.

By the time they reached the dungeons, Harry's layered shields were built and firmly in place, and he took a moment to marvel at his own ingenuity. He shook his head and smiled to himself. He was acting just like the old Harry would! This was not proper discipline, Eldwyn would say.

Snape held the door open for him, and he entered, relieved that his secrets were safe, at least for now.

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Snape sat down in a chair and directed the boy to do the same. He sighed and explained the basic principles of the art of Occlumency, and then gave the boy a second's warning before he began to pry ruthlessly into his mind.

The boy's initial resistance was weak, not nearly enough to keep anyone out. He stripped his meager defences away and looked over the boy's entire life in a matter of seconds. He was mildly surprised at the way he had been treated at home – surely the boy would have been worshiped and pampered as he had assumed for so long? But no, it appeared that he had been treated as a servant of sorts. He carefully stored this away in his own mind for later consideration.

But wait…there was something missing. What had happened to the two years that he was with the so-called hermit? It was simply…missing. And there, in a far corner of his mind…a glimpse of something strange, alien. But it was accompanied by a feeling of happiness and welcome, and safety. Snape reached for it—

He found himself in a luscious valley, with plant life teeming all about him. The sun shone brightly, and the air tingled with strange magic. He turned his head to look at the person standing next to him—

He was ripped from the memory as the boy brought up a shield so fast that Snape was physically thrown backwards from the backlash.

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Harry put up a pathetic resistance at first, then let his mental walls crumble, as they had the very first time he had every learned mind-magic. He felt Snape invading his mind, and was very glad of the defences he had raised. He was not quite comfortable with Snape seeing all of his life at the Dursley's, but it was better than revealing the secrets of the Vale and its people.

He felt Snape suddenly shift his focus, and, startled, realised that he had made a careless error – his first memory, that of the Vale, had been left unshielded, just the tiniest corner – he had not thought of it in so long that he had not even remembered it was there. But it was exposed, a point of weakness –

He could not let his secret be revealed!

He snapped up a shield quickly – too quickly, he knew, for Snape was thrown backwards. He stood quickly and backed up, not wanting to incur the wrath of the formidable man.

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Snape stood up, rubbing his head, and stared at the boy, confused and angered. Where on earth had he learned to shield himself? And why hadn't he said anything earlier?

"Potter," he hissed, stalking over to the boy. "Explain yourself."

"I—I – why? For what?" Potter stammered out.

"For – that!" Snape roared, waving his hands about. "You knew Occlumency! How! Why! Why didn't you say anything?"

Harry didn't say anything for a moment, his mind racing. What could he tell the man that he would believe?

"I—I learned it while I was with my teacher," he finally answered. "He taught it to me for the same reason that Dumbledore said."

"But wait. How exactly did he teach it? There are only a very few Masters of Occlumency in the world, and I know every one of them by face and name. Many of them are dead, and the only other remaining ones have been well within the public view for the last two years."

"He – trained in secret, and he's – really good. He taught me everything—" Harry temporized, knowing that he must look and sound very flustered and suspicious. He mentally berated himself for his careless slip.

"What was that valley?" Snape pressed. "Is that where you were? Where was it?"

Harry started to panic. Snape was not going to be dismissed so easily, and there was too much to explain away. He needed help.

Adara! He called desperately. Help me!

He formed a quick mental link through which all the events of the past ten minutes were recounted within the blink of an eye, and Harry felt his teacher's alarm. Before she quickly popped out of existence. Harry knew that she had become a kestrel, her favorite fast form. (A/N – try saying that five times fast!)

Snape advanced on him, a menacing expression on his face. Harry thought frantically. How could he stall long enough for Adara to get here?

"So tell me, Potter," Snape said, eyes flashing dangerously. "What is it that you're keeping? I will find out, you know. Even if you won't tell me now, I'll put you in so many detentions you won't have time to breathe, much less think about making excuses and ducking the questions. No matter what you try, I will find out."

Luckily, at that very moment, Adara burst into the room, smoothing back a bit of hair, not even looking out of breath.

"Ah, Harry," she said calmly. "I was looking for you. I need you to help me with something."

Snape looked up at her, furious.

"We are in the middle of a very important discussion, Professor," he hissed.

"Harry is needed urgently," Adara said firmly, and led Harry out of the room.

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That was too close, Harry said in Elven, breathing a small sigh of relief as he sat down on Adara's desk, automatically folding his legs so that he was sitting Indian-style.

It was, Adara agreed. We have to be very careful from now on.

But what about the detentions he's sure to give me? Harry asked, worried. There's no avoiding those.

Adara sighed. Just do the best you can. I don't know what else we could do.

Harry looked so glum that she smiled, struck by a certain idea.

Would you like to talk to Eldwyn and Llyrithen?

Yes! Harry said, his face lighting up. Adara smiled again and brought out a shallow, wide bowl. She filled it with crystalline water, from the Vale itself, and Harry peered into it eagerly as she held her hands over it and chanted.

The faces of Eldwyn and Llyrithen appeared almost immediately, smiling up at Harry.

How are you doing, little one? Llyrithen asked. We have not heard from you in a while.

Things have been rather—interesting, around here, Harry replied. Over the next quarter hour, he recounted the details of the past few days, and Eldwyn and Llyrithen grimaced when he was finished.

You are in a bit of a bind, young one, Eldwyn said. I do not know what to tell you, except—stay low, and try not to arouse suspicion. I—

He broke off and looked around, and Harry saw him sigh.

I must go, little one. Stay in touch.

Goodbye, Harry, Llyrithen said, before their faces shimmered and vanished.

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Over the next few weeks, Harry almost beat the record of the Weasley twins for detentions. Snape had him in the Potions lab every night, and he was always looming over him like a giant raptor. Eventually, though, he eased off a bit, and started having Harry make actual potions rather than scrubbing cauldrons, desks, and every inch of floor that wasn't covered by shelves or tables.

During one detention, Harry was making a basic healing potion while Snape was working on some potion of his own. It looked immensely complex. And Harry found himself admiring the man's quick, deft motions and graceful movements. Then he shook himself. This was the Potions professor he was talking about! During his former years here, he had hated the man.

But I have changed, he mused, stealing another glance. By his standards, he was an adult, nearly twenty years old and well experienced in romance and relationships. While at the Vale, he had explored relations with many people, both male and female – there, people were more open to such things, and he had come to accept his attraction to both sexes. He had been carried through the struggles and transitions by the open acceptance of his friends, and still held cherished memories of his romances there. But – Snape?

Then he looked again. He still saw the same, odd beauty in the man's slender hands, in his skillful manipulations of the ingredients and objects around him. He could create life itself in that cauldron, and he probably had at some point. Harry also found himself thinking of the man's incredible wit and courage, and all he had done for the war and for the side of the Light.

Maybe not such a bad match after all, he thought to himself.

Harry left the detention that night feeling oddly lightheaded, and he found himself not minding the next one nearly as much.

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During Harry's next detention, he caught himself staring at Snape several more times. He shook himself and concentrated hard on making Pepper-up Potion for Mme. Pomfrey.

About ten minutes later, however, he had the urge to see what Snape was working on. He restrained himself admirably for about another quarter hour, and then finally chanced a glance at the older man. His brilliant green eyes met with coal-black ones, and for a moment, they stared at each other in silent surprise. Then Harry broke the spell and looked down, blushing slightly.

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Severus Snape was not having as easy a time dealing with his changing attitudes towards the boy. He had been considering Potter carefully ever since his return – the boy had changed, and much more than just physically. He was quieter, more reserved, more – Snape hated to say it – mature. He was more graceful, balanced, and confident, and had grown considerably –

Snape shook his head. What was he thinking? The boy was nothing more than the student. A dunderheaded, idiotic, student – and an annoying one at that.

He carefully avoided looking at the boy for the rest of the evening, and dismissed him when he could take it no more.

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Late that night, Harry cast locking and silencing charms on his curtains and pulled out a small bowl, not unlike the one that Adara had used in her office earlier. He summoned some water with his elemental magic, careful not to disturb any of the wards, and chanted the spell that would let him see Eldwyn and Llyrithen.

Their faces appeared after a moment, and they smiled up at him.

"Hello, young one," Llyrithen said. "It is nice to hear from you again. Is anything troubling you?"

Harry sighed. How could they always read him so easily?

"Yes, Masters," he said softly, lapsing back into his old ways. "There is…..someone….."

"A…..what do you call it……'crush', perhaps?" Llyrithen said, eyes twinkling. Harry nodded again, then shook his head.

"No, it can't be," he said forcefully. "We are as different as day and night. He is much older, and snappy, and sarcastic, and – and – witty, and just…not my type," Harry finished lamely. Llyrithen and Eldwyn exchanged knowing looks, and Harry scowled.

"We have to go, young one," Eldwyn said suddenly. "It is time for another Council meeting…" He sighed, and Harry sympathized. Council meetings were dull and tiring, and could last hours. Eldwyn's face vanished form the bowl, and Llyrithen looked up at him.

"Try talking to Adara, dearest. She might be able to help. Good night."

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That night, Harry dreamt about his time in the Vale. He really did miss everyone there…..

Flashback

Harry looked up at the awesome sight of the Vale for the first time, struck speechless. It was filled with greenery and flowers and waterfalls, and wildlife…..it was undoubtedly the most beautiful place he'd ever been to. Even the sky was a clear, crystal blue that looked as though it had never held a raincloud in its life.

He looked over at Eldwyn and Llyrithen, who had come to fetch him. He still had trouble believing that this was really happening, and he had to remind himself not to stare at their ears and finely sculpted faces. It was like something out of a dream…..

He jumped, rushing to catch up as he realized that Eldwyn and Llyrithen had begun to walk down the nearly-invisible path. He followed closely on their heels, utterly lost in the maze of foliage and streams.

Finally, they reached what looked like a cave, but once Harry got inside, he gazed around with his mouth gaping open. The interior of the cave was made entirely out of iridescent crystals, and it reflected and refracted the light so that it looked like they were standing in the midst of a rainbow sunbeam.

Sitting around a table in the middle of the room were three elves, who all looked older than Eldwyn and Llyrithen.

Eldwyn motioned Harry over to a chair, and he obediently sat in it, too nervous to disobey. Eldwyn and Llyrithen sat on either side of him, and the three elves before them looked hard at Harry, hands folded neatly in front of them.

"Harry Potter," one of them began. "You have been brought here for a very special reason. You are one of the very few non-elves that has ever been within the Vale. You have been brought here because you have been chosen by fate to fight the rising forces of evil in this world. Do you understand of whom I speak?"

"Y—" Harry cleared his throat and began again. "Yes, sir. Voldemort and his Dark forces."

"Not Dark, Harry, never Dark. There is a vast difference between Dark and evil," one of the other elves said. "That is part of what you will be learning if you choose to accept the offer we will give you."

"And what would that be, sir?" Harry asked, very careful to keep his voice respectful and even.

"The offer of training," said the elf in the center, leaning forward earnestly. "We can train you in all different forms of magic, and you would be able to defeat even Voldemort by the time you are done training."

Fascinated, Harry leaned in closer, and listened as the different kinds of magics were described.

"One of the first things you would learn is pure mind magic, some of which is what you call Occlumency, and some of which is like thought-reading," the old elf said. "You would also learn Elemental magic – that's working with pure forces of nature, namely wind, water, earth, and fire. You would learn of pure Light and Dark magics, which are very different from good and evil. They are tools, nothing more, just as a sword may be wielded for justice or wrongdoing."

"You will also learn physical self-defense," the third elf said. "It will be necessary, in case you ever lose your wand. Ritual magic as well, which includes summoning demons and spirits. With song charms, you use your voice or an instrument to control the forces around you. And of course—" He smiled, holding up one hand with a glowing, golden ball of light in it. "A few magics of our own."

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A/N: That's all for now folks! I'll continue with his life in the Vale next chapter, if you want. I'm sorry I can't get in any review responses, but I'm running on sheer adrenaline at this point. I've been up since 1:30 this morning, going to the hospital, coming back, talking to people, spending family time, and brooding….and I'm exhausted, and my eyes hurt. But I can answer some general questions…..

Yes, there will be slash, and yes, you all have probably figured out by now that it will be HP/SS. Sorry for any of you who don't like it, but that's just the way it is. I don't know if I'll b writing any smut or anything in this story…..I'll have to get some opinions on that!

There won't be any lotr elves in it, as I don't know any of those characters too well, and they just wouldn't fit in anywhere. Maybe I could have one of them visit the Vale or something if you really want to see them…

Yes, I should have put a Basilisk in there, but they can be slain by non-Parselmouths, and it is nearly impossible to kill a Lethifold or Nundu. Plus, I just sort of forgot….and I used that magical creatures guide or whatever it's called by 'newt scamander'….very useful.