Disclaimer: Alas. They belong to another.
Authors Notes: Hey folks. I had a tough time focusing on this one. I guess the end of our school semester had me a bit distracted. Then Christmas was on it's way and... Anyhow, sorry about the delay. I do love your reviews, so please keep them coming. Thanks so much for all of your kind words regarding the last chapter. There were some really thoughtful reviews. Speaking of reviews, the bit in this chapter where Snape tells Harry he is only alive due to dumb luck was inspired by fulleree in her lovely email. Thanks much. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.
excessivelyperky rules! Thanks so much for your hard work and wonderful insight.
Enjoy
Chapter 21
Of Ordinary Darkness
Thinking about this different method of Occlumency scared the hell out of Harry. He couldn't imagine it being nearly as bad as all those months being knocked on his arse in Snape's dungeon, and being forced to relive his most painful memories. Yet he still felt more than a bit nervous. Harry tried desperately to banish the memory of Obliviating Filch to the far recesses of his mind. He wasn't keen to find out what Snape's reaction might be.
Harry had miraculously avoided real trouble with the Professor regarding the incident at the restaurant, and going after the Horcrux alone. He was disinclined to push his luck again this soon. The boy considered attempting to Occlude his thoughts. He had managed it with Voldemort for a bit when Snape was under the Cruciatus, he reasoned. But it didn't make much sense to try to Occlude with Snape wanting to set up an Occlumency pathway like in Crawlenton's book. Harry couldn't quite push the memory of Filch away. And then his thoughts rippled across the surface of that bloody dream where Snape had been worried about Harry turning dark, and had listed every questionable thing he'd done during the school year.
No sooner had Harry's index and middle finger come to rest on Snape's open hand, which lie expectantly on the dining room table, than the boy quickly drew them away again.
"Will it hurt?" Harry asked by way of stalling.
"There may be some discomfort," Snape admitted.
Harry felt the older wizard's eyes on him as the boy once more hovered his hand indecisively above the long pale fingers.
"A lot?" He asked, sounding for all the world like a timid little first year.
"Not for a stalwart Gryffindor such as yourself," the man assured with an impatient sneer. "Come now, Potter," he made a beckoning motion with his hand on the table top. "Stop wasting time."
"You kn-know," the boy stuttered, hiding his hands quickly beneath the table. "The thing is...I think I'd like to...erm... you know... know more... before we begin," Harry admitted, cringing a bit as though he expected to be berated.
"Such as?" Snape drawled, quirking one eyebrow and deliberately placing his own hands under the table as well.
"I dunno," Harry began nervously. "It just seems sort of... I don't know...how many of my memories... I mean for instance...how much are you going to be able to see?" the boy asked inarticulately.
"I can gain full access to your thoughts and memories right now by simply casting a Legillimens." Snape pointed out evenly.
"There is that," Harry acknowledged ruefully.
"In my experience, this method of Occlumency feels less invasive because it is more cooperative." Snape offered, in a measured tone. "It is perhaps ill-named since it is a form of collusion rather than occlusion. An Occlumency pathway is a deep level link that is anchored in the soul of each participant. It will allow you access to my thoughts and memories as well."
"The soul?" Harry asked, in mild surprise
"For that reason, dishonesty does not exist within the pathway. It would not be possible for either of us to be deceptive about the nature of a memory while communicating via the link. Once the link is established we will be able to communicate without the use of words so long as we have visual or physical contact," Snape continued in full lecture mode. "Individual memories or memories in a series can be summoned for the purpose of examination as one might with a pensieve. We would both be compelled to call forth a memory or series of memories that is requested by the other. However, the Occlumentor, who has a slightly dominant role in the link, does have the right of refusal for just cause." Snape paused a moment. Harry's mouth had opened rather wide.
"You had this with Dumbledore?" Harry asked. "This soul link?" he was a tad disturbed, but intrigued as well.
Snape nodded in the affirmative and continued. "Though our physical bodies will obviously remain in the here and now, communication will occur in a common area of our mindscape just above the soul and below the band of emotion. It is fundamentally a passageway," Snape pointed out, "but our minds will allow us to envision the space in a form that is mutually pleasing. The pathway is first and foremost an instructional space for the teaching of Occlumency. It allows the Occlumentor to instruct the Occlumenti in the best methods to shield the memories they do not want accessed and to reveal those they do."
"Can you promise me that I won't get in trouble for anything you see in the link?" Harry asked. "You know, anything you might not like?" He was still concerned about the incident with Filch and what Snape said about it being a dark spell. He directed his question to the table top.
"You have more to hide regarding today's criminal activity?" Snape asked in snide amusement, referring to Harry's robbing the restaurant. "Stealing sweaters from the Woolen Mills perhaps, or picking the pockets of tourists?"
"No," Harry said, his face coloring slightly at the reminder of the morning's humiliation. "I saw a few tourists on my way back from Hogwarts yesterday morning, but I didn't consider picking any pockets. I thought of transfiguring some shells into money, so I could eat at Robert's restaurant, but I knew they would change back too fast."
"And that would have been different from stealing how?" Snape asked, surprising Harry with his sudden severity.
"Well, I didn't do it," Harry said, frowning defensively.
"And here Albus always thought," Snape began snidely, "that it is to be your purity of heart that will lead to the eventual defeat of the Dark Lord." The older wizard pursed his lips over the word purity as though it were slightly distasteful.
"I never said it was pure," the boy muttered.
"I have always harbored serious doubts." Snape didn't quite sneer. "Dishonesty, stubbornness, cockiness, anger, any of these lead to a certain level of ordinary darkness and negativity."
You would know about being dark and negative. Harry thought with sudden bitterness.
"Bitterness as well. And yes, I would know." Snape surprised Harry by reading both the feeling and words. "But if we are to succeed, you must guard against such."
"Wha... am I supposed to be perfect then?" the boy demanded.
"Perfection is not required. I am simply pointing out that the Dark Lord revels in ordinary darkness, and he will celebrate in finding so very much of it in your mindscape. As you pointed out, I would know about such things. And since your wands cancel each other out, the final battle will most likely be a battle of the mind."
"You're Legillimizing me right now, aren't you?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"Not intentionally," Snape admitted. "I believe that by committing to it aloud, we may have initiated the process of establishing an Occlumency pathway," Snape surmised.
"Wonderful," Harry complained, feeling violated. "I can't read you, though."
"Can you not?" Snape retorted snidely. "Perhaps it is only I who has committed to the process."
Harry stared at the older wizard's eyes, and to his surprise found himself able to see something just beyond them. And to his utter confusion it was concern.
"No," Harry said, averting his eyes again. "I can't read you at all."
"You are supposed to defeat that Dark Lord with a power he knows not," Snape warned, as if quoting. "If we find evidence that you make too common a practice of the things he knows all too well, deceit for example," he suggested evenly, "we'll need to correct that, won't we?" The older wizard asked, arching a stern eyebrow.
"You know the whole prophecy don't you?" Harry said, remembering. "It was you who told Voldemort about my parents? I'll get to know about that if I want?" Harry asked, his voice heating up with anger. "You said I'd have access to your memories too. You'd have to show it to me?" It was as though Harry had determined to feel all the feelings Snape had cautioned him to avoid in the shortest span of time possible.
"As I said, the Occlumentor has the right of refusal for just cause. I would be able to refuse if I felt it might harm you to view a memory for example. However, I doubt I would have justification for refusing you access to that memory if you wish to view it," Snape admitted. "I will even allow you to see my own prophecy, if you desire."
"Your prophecy?" the boy asked, in confusion. "You have a..."
"Yes," Snape began snidely. "Mine says I am destined to take a disrespectful, disobedient, dunce of a boy, who only manages to keep from getting himself killed by boneheaded bravado, and transform him so as to remotely resemble someone who can defeat the Dark Lord." Though the words were coarse, Harry could see amusement playing just beyond the older wizard's eyes. For some reason it calmed him. Harry wanted to dare Snape to say boneheaded bravado five times fast.
"Yours says that, does it?" Harry asked, his anger fading significantly, as he quirked an eyebrow in a deliberate imitation of the Potions Master.
"I may be mistaken slightly with some of the wording. But you have the gist." Snape admitted, with something akin to a smirk playing about the corner of his lips.
"Look," Harry said, coming back to his original concern. "Could you just promise me I won't be punished for anything you see and don't like in my mind?"
"No," Snape refused mildly. "I am curious as to what memory concerns you so."
Harry frowned down at the table. "Could you at least promise not to be overly harsh and unreasonable?"
"Am I generally overly harsh and unreasonable?" Snape asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Yes," Harry said, as though it were a ridiculous question.
"Well, then no," Snape said without apology. "I probably cannot promise that," he said, placing his palm face up on the table once more.
Harry stared at the hand for a moment before asking. "Is there anything you can promise me?"
"Regarding my reaction to the things I see in your mind?" Snape asked quizzically, as though he had lost the thread of the conversation.
"Yes," Harry said.
"It feels very much like I have already answered that question, Potter," Snape said candidly.
Harry almost laughed. "Why in Merlin's name would I agree to do this?" Harry asked, contemplating the elder wizard's hand.
"Curiosity?" Snape offered helpfully.
It was true. Harry was curious. It would be an opportunity to have some questions answered, questions that had troubled Harry for a very long time. And finally he let his desire to see what was in Snape's mind override his desire to hide what was in his own.
Just as Harry lay his hand face down upon Snape's palm he heard a low rumbling chuckle in his mind.
"After all, you have always been far too curious for your own bloody good," the low voice resounded. The amusement was clear, and Harry had the distinct impression he was being teased. How strange to be teased by Snape, he thought. The man's voice was different in his mind as well. More pleasant, Harry thought. He never actually heard Snape's voice with regular Legillimency.
"Your voice is changed also," Snape opined in the confines of their minds.
"Is it?" Harry asked. "How so?"
"It is altogether less irritating, and does not seem to aggravate my patience nearly so much." Snape explained honestly.
"Gee, thanks," Harry told the man.
"You are quite welcome, Potter," the man intoned. "Come," he ordered, seeming to lead Harry by the hand.
Harry allowed himself to be guided. It seemed as if they were diving into the deep blue of the ocean past waves of emotion, wonderfully painful in their intensity. Love and joy so strong that Harry almost felt he would weep with the passion of them. There was loyalty, courage, sadness, loss, and finally pockets of anger and fear hot enough to burn. As they made their way through the emotion they arrived at a place where two pools of translucent light shown brightly on a dais of misty foam. The light to the left had two ropes of magic tethered to it: one of brilliant, luminous gold and a second of fiery orange. They seemed to stretch from the surface of the light, which Harry recognized instinctively as Snape's soul, off into infinity.
"Anchor your magic there," Snape ordered, pointing to an area in the general vicinity of the two ropes of light.
He gave no instruction as to how to accomplish this, but Harry focused his energy in the center of his body, much as he had with the Emotion Protection Wards, and let a stream of magic careen down the length of his arm. He watched in awe as a rope of blinding gold, anchored itself deeply into Snape's soul. He turned to ask if he had done all right, only to witness a rope of rich, silvery blue light come forth from Snape and embed itself in his soul. Harry actually felt a slight tug within his chest as it took root.
"Is the other gold, Dumbledore?" Harry asked, indicting one of the other two lights in Snape's soul.
"It is," Snape admitted. "The orange is Draco."
"His is pretty cool," Harry observed. "It looks like the fire of a dragon," the boy decided, surprising himself with the easiness of his voice.
"It does," Snape agreed, in a tone Harry recognized as pride and love, though he was sure he had never heard the tone from this man before. For some reason it made him feel odd.
Snape quirked a defensive eyebrow. "Now, I shall of course be interested to view those memories you were so worried about me seeing," Snape continued, changing the subject. "But first you may view any of my memories you wish, to establish the bond."
"Is that the way it is usually done?" Harry wanted to know. He wondered at this alternate universe he had stumbled into where he suspected Snape of doing something kind.
"I believe it is common when the Occlumentor and Occlumenti are not related. Albus did allow me the same right. It is a good way of establishing trust since the Occlumentor has more authority in the relationship."
Snape had said that before. It worried Harry a bit.
"No need, Potter." Snape explained. "It is not very different from the normal teacher student relationship. My role will be to give instructions and yours will be to follow them."
"But you said I could ask you stuff too?" Harry said, worried that maybe he had been duped.
"Also the role of a good student, Potter," Snape opined. "Come," he ordered again, and led Harry to an area just below the waves of emotion they had traveled through.
"This is the band of emotion?" Harry asked indicating the area just above.
"Yes," Snape acknowledged. "Now, as I said, we may envision this space however we choose."
"You said it was an instructional space," Harry said. "Should we just envision a classroom?"
"If you wish," Snape said. "Draco and I use this form." Snape closed his eyes briefly and the space suddenly transformed into his dungeon. "Would you find this acceptable?" Snape wanted to know.
Harry looked around. The room held rather a lot of bad memories. Not just of their disastrous Occlumency lessons, but the place held memories of countless detentions and other punishments as well.
"Well...erm," the boy began, not sure how to phrase his concern.
"That is true, Potter," Snape interrupted. "The place does hold a great many punitive memories."He admitted, picking up Harry's concerns. "Do you have a preference?"
Harry concentrated for a moment as Snape had done, and was a bit surprised when he was able to make the room transfigure into McGonagall's classroom. They were immediately assaulted with a familiar image towering over a dark haired boy.
"How dare you, Mr. Snape!" The image of McGonagall said stridently. "Detention!" The young image of Snape stared back insolently, his dark eyes cold with defiance.
"I'm afraid this room holds far too many punitive memories as well, Potter," Snape explained banishing the image of McGonagall.
"What about the Headmaster's office?" Harry wanted to know.
"That was the place Albus and I chose," Snape admitted. Both wizards concentrated for a moment, and the area around them transfigured into Dumbledore's office.
Harry looked around pleased. It was complete with Fawkes and all the Headmaster's little gadgets.
"I like it," he told Snape.
The older wizard nodded his head in agreement, and seemed to examine the room with a bit of nostalgia.
"I should like for the portraits of the Heads to act as Muggle photographs however." Snape looked to Harry for agreement.
"That would be fine," Harry agreed, not interested in any of Phineus Nigellus' snide, when-I-was-Headmaster wisdom. "Can we animate Dumbledore's though?" Harry wanted to know. He indicated the sleeping form of Dumbledore in the portrait frame as it had appeared when last he had seen it.
After several moments of concentration the portraits of the other Heads were stilled, while Dumbledore pushed himself from the bed and went to sit at a nearby table and chair and poured himself a cup of tea. He sipped it delicately and twinkled at both wizards from above the rim. Snape took a moment, seeming to appreciate the image and then looked around the room as though assessing.
"Is this all right?" Harry wanted to know.
"Quite," Snape responded. "I'm just deciding where I would like to sit. "I'm certain I couldn't manage to sit there," he explained, indicating the seat behind the Headmaster's desk.
"Can I sit there?" Harry asked with a grin.
"You may not!" Snape said, in stern amusement.
"I was only joking," Harry said chuckling.
"I am aware of that, Potter," the older man informed him. "Sit," he ordered indicating one of the chairs at a small round table.
"Maybe we could just envision the entire castle," Harry suggested as he took a seat. "We could meet wherever was appropriate for the memories we were examining. I'm sure there will be times it will feel right to meet in the dungeon," Harry said, thinking it would be dead appropriate if Snape reacted the way he thought he might regarding the incident with Filch. "Do you want to just see the memories I'm worried about now?" Harry was surprised to find himself asking. He really wanted to get the Filch thing over with. He realized suddenly that he had been carrying around guilt over it all summer.
"I understand it has something to do with Mr. Filch. Do try to put it out of your mind for now, Potter. And although you should by no means count on this attitude all the time, I will attempt to examine whatever it is with an open mind today."
"Is that so we can build trust too?" Harry wanted to know.
"It has more to do with my shock over Albus' rebuke of you regarding the Horcrux," Snape admitted reluctantly. "I knew he was angry when I spoke with him earlier. To discover that his anger was directed at you has unbalanced me somewhat."
"Wow." Harry said in awe. "It is impossible to be dishonest here."
"I do believe I said that," Snape reminded dryly. "At any rate, I'm sure I will come back to my senses and enjoy making your life miserable as much as I ever did. But for now, I am inclined to be generous. So, please put your worry about this disturbing memory regarding Filch aside."
"Okay. Thanks." Harry replied. So unused to reasonableness from Snape, it actually made him want to confess more. He hadn't realized how troubled he had been about what he did to Filch. His greatest fear came from the fact that he might have unwittingly damaged the man's mind. That was mostly what made him not try it on Robert at the restaurant. He knew the Ministry used Obliviation on Muggles often. But Harry didn't know enough about the spell to use it safely. It was just like him using the Sectumsempra on Draco without being sure what the spell would do. Snape had said that was dark magic too. The blond boy would have died if it wasn't for the Professor.
"Potter," the man said with a frustrated sigh "You are no doubt aware that you are transmitting all these thoughts and concerns as you think them?"
Harry was and he wasn't. He looked at the Potions Master a bit helplessly.
"This will be my biggest instructional challenge I fear. It was clear with the other method of Occlumency as well. You will need to learn to govern your emotions, Potter."
"Yes, sir," Harry swallowed.
"I am given to understand that this disturbing memory has to do with your use of Obliviation on Mr. Filch. We will no doubt have to deal with this with some severity. But for now, as I said you may view any of my memories you wish."
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Snape was interested to note that his decree that the boy would be dealt with severely was met with relief from Potter rather than anger. He thought the boy might make up for it by choosing some horrendously painful memory to view. Potter surprised him again.
"May I see the day that picture on the mantel was taken?" The boy asked. "The one on the beach with you in the green sweater?" Snape marveled at how polite the boy's voice sounded in his mind. Where was the arrogance and rudeness that Potter normally expressed himself with? Snape knew this area of the mindscape allowed people to be seen in their true form, and not be colored by the other's perceptions. Still it was strange to hear Potter sounding so courteous, Snape thought, as he called forth the memory the boy had requested.
Fifteen year old Severus Snape woke to the sound of Phoenix song.
"Good morning, Fawkes," the lank young man said, stretching long arms as he pushed himself up on the bed. It was a stunning summer day, and the sun shown brilliantly through his bedroom window of the beach house. Severus had only arrived last evening, and he took a moment to enjoy the fact that he was finally in Glenbeigh, and his real summer holiday could begin. The bird trilled more insistently to indicate the parcels at the foot of the boy's bed. Severus hitched his breath and caught his bottom lip between two teeth when he noticed the Hogwart's seal on the topmost letter. He read through the results of his OWLs twice, and ran his finger gently along the edge of the parchment where an O was marked for every single subject. With difficulty he lay the parchment aside and read a note that lay on top of a small bundle.
For my dearest Severus,
with love and pride.
Albus
Severus took a moment to run his finger fondly over the words love and pride, much as he had the O's on his OWL results. His long dark lashes were a bit damp when the boy finally put the note aside and turned to open the parcel. It was a dark green sweater that he had admired in the store window of the Woolen Mills in town. He smiled pushing himself off the bed. Severus made his way to the toilet and dressed for the day in jeans and his new sweater. Albus was drinking tea when he arrived at the dining room table and Fawkes was perched on the old man's shoulder trilling softly.
"Did you finally manage to awaken our sleepy Severus, Fawkes?" The Headmaster addressed himself to the bird. "Well done," he told the Phoenix, offering it the edge of a biscuit. "I was wondering if you were ever going to get up," the Headmaster said to Severus over the brim of his cup. "It is well past noon." An indication that the boy thought he might be being gently chastised was evident from the slight coloring of his cheeks and ears.
"The sweater is lovely, Albus. Thank you." The boy said running a hand delicately along one sleeve.
"You are quite welcome, child," Albus said affectionately. "Shall we go out to lunch to celebrate what a brilliant young wizard you are?" Albus suggested. "Merlin knows it is far too late for breakfast."
"I'd like that," Severus said, his cheeks coloring more deeply.
"Training begins tomorrow, and we have a scant two weeks," the Headmaster said, as he moved to pull on a cream colored sweater. "I'll expect you to get yourself up at a reasonable hour," Albus admonished. He tousled the younger wizard's dark hair, and gave his ear a playful tug.
A playful pull of the ear was actually a sort of gentle warning from the Headmaster that his words were serious. Severus had learned from years of experience to heed such subtle admonitions.
"Yes sir," Severus nodded in agreement. Two weeks training on the beach with Albus was by far a better summer vacation than he'd had his whole two months at Spinners End.
The Headmaster took a camera and cajoled a shy young Severus to pose for a few pictures along the beach as they made their way to the town's only restaurant.
Once there, Severus chatted easily with Robert, the son of the restaurant owner, who was about Severus' age and every bit as thin. They discussed school. Severus had learned to make the topic Muggle safe while still conveying the major points through years of practice with his father. The man always insisted on knowing how Severus was doing in school, but the boy was forbidden to mention magic. Discussing school with Robert was always much more enjoyable, because Severus could be more honest.
He could talk about what a bitch he thought McGonagall was, so long as he was well out of earshot of Albus. He was free to complain about the band of bullies who always picked on him, and grumble about how Albus never took his side. This was allowed in Albus' hearing so long as he didn't use foul language.
Careful not to give too many details, Severus told Robert about the boys pulling an extremely cruel prank on him one day after final examinations that had humiliated him in front of the entire school.
"When I complained to the Headmaster," Severus explained to Robert, "he said it was just a silly prank and I should put it out of my mind. Then I called the boys a lot of foul names and I wound up getting punished." Severus admitted.
"You'll get 'em next time, eh Severus? You always do," Robert chuckled.
"I will that," Severus grinned, sticking a fat spoon into the steaming bowl of mashed potatoes, vegetables and meat.
Meanwhile, Albus bragged to Liam, Robert's father, about Severus' school results. Severus tried not to hear the glowing remarks, which made his cheeks grow red over his shepherd's pie. Liam was was a good sport about Albus' bragging, and shared a few stories about Robert as well, until the boy was begging.
"Da, please stop!"
"All right, Robert. All right," Liam laughed soothingly.
"It's like we're not even here," Robert complained in a low voice to Severus. The dark haired boy chuckled in agreement as he spooned in a mouthful of crispy mashed potatoes.
"Still we wouldn't expect anything less, would we shy Severus?" Liam addressed himself to the dark haired boy. "Not with you being the Headmaster's boy eh?"
"Yes, sir," Severus agreed. The boy always enjoyed being referred to as Albus' son. He was glad Albus hadn't done more to disabuse Liam of the erroneous notion several years ago. Liam was right about one thing though. Albus may have been okay with an E or two on his OWLs, but if the boy had gotten any A's the older wizard's reaction would have been very different. Severus was glad he hadn't let Albus down. And he could certainly stand a bit of bragging if it made Albus happy, the boy thought, as he dug into the rich meaty gravy of his shepherd's pie.
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The memory was a lot for Harry to process. "You and Robert have known each other for a while," the boy observed, after a few moments contemplation. "That was a nice memory. Thanks for showing it to me."
"You are quite welcome, Potter." Snape replied in a mild tone. "Do you wish to view additional memories?"
"Does Voldemort know about this place?" The boy asked instead of answering.
"I am certain he does. He would have had to travel to this place within himself to create his Horcruxes." Snape explained. "However, he undervalues it for the purposes of Legillimency and Occlumency. He would not travel through the band of emotion in another for fear the positive emotions might undo him. That is why Albus and I had always believed our link here safe."
"He seemed to be interested in positive emotions when he was cursing you."
"That was a trap. He was hoping to play on your concern and lure you to come for me as you had Draco." Snape explained in a matter of fact tone. "Do you wish to see another memory?" he asked the boy again.
"I don't think so," Harry responded in a measured tone. "I can ask you to show me others later, right?" The boy checked again to be sure of the rules.
"You may." Snape affirmed.
"Where is Fawkes?" The boy asked suddenly, thinking Snape must have the bird. He had sent Harry two Howlers via the Phoenix, when he feared the boy might attend the Weasley wedding.
"He is in Albus' office," Snape told him.
"At Hogwarts?" the boy asked in apparent confusion.
"At the beach house, Snape explained. "In Albus' old room at the end of the Hall, there is an adjoining office. Fawkes is there." Snape explained. "You have reminded me. I should check on him."
The boy nodded his head. And then sighed in a resigned way.
"Should I show you the memory with Filch now?" Harry asked.
At Snape's nod of assent, the boy swallowed hard and the room suddenly turned into Snape's dungeon.
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Snape quirked an admonishing eyebrow. And the boy looked embarrassed. He could tell that Potter had not intentionally focused to change the form of the pathway. It was a matter of emotional control and focus. The form of the pathway shouldn't just change because the boy grew nervous. They would most definitely need to work on the boy's control.
Snape viewed the memory of Filch and the dream connected to it from start to finish twice without comment. Though he did give the boy a hard look regarding his menacing attitude when he had the man under the Petrificus Totalus. He had toed the man with his boot, and threatened the Caretaker. Potter seemed to drink in the man's fear until Granger made the boy stop. Potter seemed positively appalled to have Snape witness the scene. Voldemort would have a field day with such memories.
Still, the fact that the boy seemed disturbed by the memory was encouraging. And the fact that he had dreamt about being punished showed that he understood the darkness of his actions on some level.
Snape showed Harry how to shield the memory from ordinary Legillimency and made him practice several times. He then had Harry show him the technique he had used to Occlude earlier, and gave him several exercises to do on his own that would enhance the effectiveness of the method.
After breaking the link the two sat in silence at the dining room table and consumed a lunch of cold rashers and tomato sandwiches. Harry seemed accepting although apprehensive of any consequence Snape might met out. Snape for his part was uncharacteristically concerned about how to best deal with the boy. He wanted Potter to understand why Obliviation might be considered a dark spell, and why ordinary darkness, such as the menace he had shown Filch would impede his success against the Dark Lord. Punishing Potter was so much simpler when he only wanted the boy to feel his wrath. Snape decided a punishment essay might be most effective. He forced his voice to a threatening level of severity.
"You are to compose an essay five feet in length," Snape explained, managing a low dangerous tone, while banishing the lunch dishes. "I expect you to illustrate what Obliviation has in common with the three Unforgivable curses. Further you will examine the memory we viewed this morning and list which of your actions might hinder your eventual success with the Dark Lord and why." Snape paused for a moment while the boy digested the instructions.
"Yes, sir," the boy quietly acknowledged his understanding, and Snape continued.
"If you have not completed the essay by dinner time tonight, do not bother to leave your room," Snape instructed. The boy's eyes lit with a bit of anger at the last instruction, and Snape momentarily felt a bit of his old pleasure at punishing the boy. "You have five minutes to peruse the shelves of the house for any books you think might be helpful, then you are to go to your room and remain there until you have completed your task. Go." Snape ordered harshly.
The pleasure at punishing Potter disappeared as quickly as it came with the boy's response.
"Yes, sir," Harry said in a stiff voice, as he got up and straightened his chair. But as opposed to the brief flash of anger, the feelings Snape picked up from the boy were hurt and betrayal. As he watched Potter head towards the library at the rear of the house, Severus wondered briefly why he had ever enjoyed punishing Potter so much.
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