You look just like your father

Chapter 11

Harry was exhausted after Remus' lesson. The werewolf hadn't been joking when he had told Harry the training would be hard work. Maybe I should reconsider that Quidditch thing… Nah, I haven't even played a single match yet. Harry was tired and hungry, but he still had Occlumency with Snape before he could rest. He knocked the Potions Master's door at precisely 6 o'clock. Harry heard Snape call him and entered the office feeling anxious.

"Sit, Potter!" Snape said without even looking up from the papers he was grading. It looked like an essay about "The use of leeches in love potions". Harry sat down in front of the professor's desk and waited.

"Have you been clearing your mind during the summer?" Snape asked abruptly and turned his attention fully to the Gryffindor.

"Um.. I… I've tried." Harry answered truthfully though he didn't say if he had actually been successful. Snape seemed to notice this and raised an eyebrow but didn't ask more about it.

"Very well. Let's begin!" Snape said and moved from the desk.

What?! I'm not ready yet Bloody hell, Snape's going to see –everything- again. Harry thought about Sirius, the Dursleys and.. Adel. Then he remembered something else he had been thinking about over the summer.

"B-Before we start. I .. I want to apologize to you. "He said very hurriedly. "I shouldn't have looked into your pensieve and I'm sorry. I'm also sorry for what my father did to you. It was wrong."

Harry thought he saw some emotion flicker in Snape's eyes briefly, but it happened so quickly he was sure he just imagined it. Why did I say that?! He'll just be mad – well madder- at me.

But Snape didn't say anything. For a moment he just stared at Harry, then nodded curtly and pointed his wand at Harry. "Clear your mind!"

"Wai-" Harry had started to say, but Snape had already yelled "Legilimens!" and Harry saw images flash in his mind.

-flash-

Harry was seven years old. He was being chased by Dudley who was blaming Harry for breaking the remote controller.

-flash-

Harry was sitting in the kitchen at Grimmaulds Place with Sirius. They were discussing Quidditch. No.No. No. I don't want to see this!

"Concentrate, Potter!"

-flash-

Sirius was falling through the archway and there was nothing Harry could do. NOOOO!

Suddenly Snape's office returned to Harry's view. He thought he might vomit.

"You're still not concentrating enough! The Dark Lord will have no trouble penetrating your mind!" Snape said and glared at Harry who glared back at him.

"I'm trying! But you're not really helping."

"You're obviously not trying hard enough. I'm nothing compared to the Dark Lord." Snape sneered and pointed Harry with his wand.

"Again."

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They continued for what seemed like hours and when Harry finally left the dungeons and headed for the Gryffindor common room he had a massive headache. Snape had been relentless and had hardly given him time to catch his breath. He wondered if his apology had been the cause of this. Then he dismissed the idea. This was, after all, Snape. He would never be nice to Harry. That git.The Potions Master had decided that Harry should meet him at least three times a week, since he hadn't made any progress during the summer. The next meeting would take place next Tuesday. Harry yawned as he told the Fat Lady the password 'Toddle Wobble' and stepped inside. He groaned when he remembered he couldn't sleep late in the morning as he had Quidditch practice.

Meanwhile Snape paced in his office. The boy still doesn't know how to defend himself! How am I supposed to teach him if doesn't even try to learn how to clear his mind! …well perhaps he –is- trying Maybe I am too demanding… Snape was suddenly angry at himself and he couldn't quite understand why. And why did he apologize me for!? It's not like he would care what his fath- what James Potter did to me. Probably thought it was highly amusing. But Snape had seen Harry's eyes, his mother's eyes, when the boy had apologized him. Even without Occlumency Snape could tell the boy had been sincere. You're getting soft, Severus.

Snape wasn't quite as vicious during the next couple of weeks they practiced Occlumency, but Harry still hadn't made much progress. His growing work load with the NEWT lessons, duelling lessons with Lupin and Quidditch practises didn't make the matter easier. Harry was hardly sleeping four hours a night and he had trouble keeping awake during the day. He had actually dozed off during Tranfiguration and had accidentally squashed the snail he was supposed to turn into a handkerchief. This had cost Gryffindor ten points. Adel, who had been sitting next to Harry, had asked him worriedly if he was alright and that maybe he should go see madam Pomfrey. Harry still kept telling himself that he had only sat next to Adel because there hadn't been any good places left in the classroom. Hermione and Ron were also worried about him.

"Harry you can't keep this up." Hermione told him during breakfast one morning.

"It's alright. I just need to get used to the pace. It's only been a couple of weeks." He replied rubbing his eyes.

"Exactly! It's only been a couple of weeks and you're already sleep deprived and groggy every day. Harry, you have to rest."

"I don't have time to rest!" Harry snapped back. "Sorry. It's not your fault. It's just that I really don't have time for all this.."

"You had more time if you didn't play Quidditch.." Hermione answered slowly.

"Harry can't quit! We have a game next week!" Ron said looking at Hermione as she was mad.

Harry didn't say anything, but mused inwardly that Hermione might have a point. But Harry loved Quidditch and at the moment it seemed like the only thing he was good at. He really didn't want to stop playing. But Harry also understood that Occlumency was crucial to his survival and defeating Voldemort was much more important than winning the Quidditch cup. Can't really play Quidditch if I'm dead, can I?

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Harry was walking towards the dungeons pulling his hair into a ponytail. It was time for his Occlumency lessons again. Harry still hadn't been able to block Snape and he was sure the Professor would soon grow tired of this and would snap and curse him into oblivion. Though the Professor had been more civil towards him lately. Probably only because Dumbledore told him to. Well eighth time's the charm! He's bound to curse me this time… Harry thought glumly and entered Snape's office, sat on the chair and waited. Snape was sitting opposite him and was staring at him. No wait, Snape was actually staring a spot somewhere over Harry's shoulder. He seemed to be lost in thought. Harry felt nervous and resisted the urge to wring his arms. Suddenly the Potions Master sighed which startled Harry.

"This isn't working." Snape said with a neutral tone. He was now looking at Harry.

"But, sir.. I can't stop now. I have to learn." Harry said anxiously.

Snape felt slightly surprised when Harry didn't take the first chance out of Occlumency he got.

"I'll promise I'll work harder. I'll… I'll quit Quidditch so I'll have more time to practice." Harry continued quickly.

This certainly surprised Snape. The Gryffindor Golden boy would drop Quidditch to learn Occlumency? Had he finally learned what his priorities were supposed to be? Snape felt an odd sense of pride toward the boy. He gazed at Harry for a moment.

"Stand up, Potter!" He said suddenly. "We're going to try a different strategy."

"What do I need to do?" Harry asked determined.

"Instead of trying to block me out, which obviously isn't working, you'll let me inside your mind freely. But.." Snape said quirking an eyebrow when Harry tried to interrupt him. "But, you will not let me see just anything. You have to think of a thought you don't mind me seeing, something you can see very clearly. Concentrate on that thought solely and on nothing else. If you should succeed, I won't be able to see anything else try as I might."

"I think I understand." Harry replied, while trying to think of a thought.

"Good. Let's begin." And before Harry could say anything Snape had shouted "Legilimens!"

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Finally! A new chapter. I hope you enjoyed it and thanks for all who are still reading this story