"Ah, Severus, thank you for coming." Albus Dumbledore smiled as he greeted the potions master. "Can I offer you tea?"

"No thank you." Snape said flatly. "What is it you require of me?"

"You never were one for small talk." Dumbledore shook his head. "I wonder, how different would you have been, had Lily… "

"There is no reason to wonder, because there is no chance of changing the past." Snape snapped. His coal black eyes bore into the headmaster's as if with a look he could end Dumbledore's life. Dumbledore nodded slowly, his smile fading. He went to sit behind his desk motioning for Snape to sit down across from him.

"I have been informed that certain of our students have taken it upon themselves to teach themselves Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"And you wish for me to oversee them?" Snape asked, a glint of pleasure in his black eyes.

"No. In fact, you are to ignore anything you here regarding this, for lack of a better word, club. Professor Umbridge will be doing her best to quell what she believes to be a rebellion. We will be doing all we can to thwart her attempts. No, what I am asking of you is to advance our original plans. It is now more than clear that we need to prepare young Harry for his fate."

Snape sat up straight in his seat, eyeing the headmaster skeptically. For many years he had listened to Dumbledore's protestations that Harry Potter should not be told anything for his protection. That Potter needed to have as normal a childhood as possible. Snape had argued with the Headmaster every year that coddling the boy would not help anyone. After the resurrection of the Dark Lord, Snape had once again argued that it was long past time that they reveal everything to the boy.

"Why have you changed your mind?" Snape eyed the elder man wearily.

"Let us just say that I had my eyes opened. However, before we can begin, it is important that Harry learn to protect his mind. I have much to show him, but can not even begin until he is able to protect his mind."

"You still believe…"

"That he has a strong connection to Lord Voldemort? I do indeed. I have seen it. That is why I am asking you to begin teaching him Occlumency, as we planned. I would like you to start as soon as possible."

"What am I to tell him? The boy is far to inquisitive for his own good."

"That he is." Dumbledore nodded. "Tell him the truth. That you are to teach him to protect his mind, but nothing more. It would be far too much of a risk to enlighten him too early. It would be wise to hide what you are teaching him to the rest of the school."

"You mean Umbridge."

"I do." Dumbledore nodded. "I am sure you can come up with some cover story for him?"

Snape's arch eyebrow made the headmaster chuckle a bit. "What exactly do you plan on doing with the meddlesome little toad?"

Dumbledore chuckled. "Be careful, Severus, you're starting to sound like our students. In regardes to Professor umbridge, there is little I can do about her. but I believe our troubles will end in June."

"June?" Snape asked incredulously. "How can you be so sure?"

"Severus, for as long as you've taught here, can you ever remember a Defense Against The Dark Arts Teacher lasting longer than one year?"

Snape left shortly after they discussed how often Harry would met with the potions master, and Dumbledore asked him to keep him informed of Harry's progress. Dumbledore hated that things had happened sooner than he had hoped, but he now realized that he should have taken better care with Harry Potter. He should have begun instructing him the moment he came to Hogwarts. He could have found a balance for the boy, so he could have had time to be a teenager, while preparing for his future.

Dumbledore only hoped there would be time to correct his mistakes now.

With the help of his friends, Harry had learned exactly what Occlumency was, and he now felt ready to step into Snape's office to begin learning. There had been a fair amount of books on the subject, and he had found them very informative about the mind art, but none of them had been particularly instructive. Daphne had suggested that he see if Flourish and Blotts could help him, and Wednesday he'd sent Hedwig off with his request for books on Occlumency.

Harry had also contacted Sirius and informed him of the private lessons. Sirius was quite upset at the fact that it would be Snape teaching his godson.

"It's no secret that I don't like the man, but I will say that he is quite an accomplished Occlumens. However, don't let your guard down, Harry. I know that Dumbledore trusts him, but I don't." Sirius said grimly.

Both Neville and Ron seemed to share Sirius' sentiments, though Hermione was more excited for her best friend. Harry was sure she was more than a little jealous of her best friend, and would have given anything to trade places with Harry on this.

Daphne however was rather morose on the subject. She had not forgotten Snape's actions when Harry had been attacked. Whenever the subject of Harry's upcoming private lessons came up, Daphne would become mute, and refused to speak until the subject changed.

"I know how he feels about you, Harry." She told him Wednesday night when they decided to take a walk before curfew. "He's made his feeling more than clear, and I just know he's going to take advantage of the situation with you."

"I agree with you." Harry said, giving his girlfriend's hand a squeeze.

"Then why don't you refuse to take the lessons?"

Harry gave a great sigh, and looked at his girlfriend carefully. They'd only been together a month or so, but she had proven to him time and time again that she was loyal. She would knee his secrets. How he was so sure, he could not explain, but he could feel it whenever he looked in her eyes. She trusted him, and Harry felt that it was time to place his trust in her.

"There are things being kept from me."

Daphne stopped walking and turned to look at him curiously.

"What do you mean?" She asked cautiously. She knew instinctively that she was about to be told something important, and Harry rarely divulged his secrets. She knew this was important to him, and she meant to listen carefully.

"Voldemort is after something. Something like a weapon. Something he didn't have in the last war, and I think it has something to do with me. No one will tell me exactly what's going on, and I think that's why I need to learn this stuff."

"How can you be sure?"

Harry looked all around them to make sure they were alone. He reached into his pocket and took out a hand mirror, showing it to Daphne.

"Harry, this is hardly the time to be vain." She frowned, her hands going to her hips. Harry shook his head.

"What if I told you that Sirius Black was innocent of the crimes he was accused of?" Harry asked, a mischievous look in his eyes. Daphne cocked her head to the side to look at her boyfriend even more curiously.

"How do you know that?" She asked slowly.

"Because I met him. And I met Peter Pettigrew. Both of them on the same night."

"Wait a second here." Daphne said waving her arms in front of her. "Pettigrew was killed by Black. Everyone knows that. Harry, What are you talking about?"

"Pettigrew is alive, Daphne. Believe me. He gave me this." Harry said pulling up his sleeve to reveal a jagged looking scar on his forearm. "He gave me that in that graveyard last year. He's an Animagus, and he killed all those muggles, before cutting off his own finger and disappearing into the sewers as a rat. Sirius Black never committed any crimes, nor did he betray my parents. He's my godfather."

Daphne's eyes were huge, and she had to lean against the wall to keep from falling over. "But, he confessed…"

"No. He never denied it. He was too busy laughing like an idiot. And then, he was never given a trial, or a chance to defend himself. He's the only one whose tried to keep me informed on things, and it's how I know what I know. He's also the reason I think I'm being prepared for something big. That's why I'm going to have lessons with Snape."

"So what's with the mirror?" Daphne asked, trying to change the topic, as she was having quite a bit of difficulty with this one. Once again Harry peered down the corridor, making sure no one was around, before calling Sirius' name.

"Merlin, pup, what the hell could have happened since we talked yesterday?"

Daphne's eyes went wide again as she stared at the face that had once haunted her nightmares. Yet, this was different. He was clean shaven, and his hair was not a matted, dirty mess. His eyes were a bit sunken, but the man she was looking at was almost handsome, and looked nothing like the deranged killer she had feared two years ago.

"I wanted you to meet someone, Sirius. Someone very special to me." Harry smiled at Daphne.

"Ah, at last, the legendary Miss Greengrass. It is indeed my esteemed honor to at last make your acquaintance, though we have met on a previous occasion."

"Wha…" Daphne looked between the mirror and Harry, who was smiling.

"I thought it was time you two met." Harry grinned.

"I do hope that Harry is treating you well. If not, do not hesitate to put him back in line, and write to me immediately, so I can remind him of his manners."

Daphne could not help but smile at this. She leaned her head on Harry's shoulder.

"I don't think I need to worry about that. Harry's one of the truly good ones."

"Careful. We don't want him getting a bigger head." Sirius remarked, which made Daphne laugh, and Harry shout with indignance.

"So, you are one of the young ladies who convinced him it was his duty to teach you all Defense. Good on you."

"Truth be told, he actually didn't need much in the way of persuasion. Though, we did trick him a bit, for which I'm very sorry."

"Aye, he wasn't happy at all about that, but your hearts are in the right place, and that carries a lot of water with me. Just make sure that you don't forget to make time for one another. Don't ever forget what really matters."

"I won't let him." Daphne smiled.

"We need to go, but I wanted to introduce you two." Harry said, glancing down the hall.

"Keep me informed, Harry. Daphne, it was a pleasure, and I hope we get the chance to speak again soon." Sirius smiled at them both.

"It was very nice speaking with you, sir." Daphne smiled, giving a little wave.

"Goodnight Sirius." Harry said before sticking the mirror back in his pocket. He turned back to is girlfriend, taking her soft hands into his and smiling gently. "I know I don't need to tell you how important it is that you keep this quiet. Very few people know of his innocence, and if it got out that any of us were speaking to him…"

"I get it, Harry. All your secrets are safe with me. I would never do anything to betray your trust."

"You do know that you can't even tell Tracey. Maybe I'll tell her later on, but for now she can't know."

"I promise." Daphne said, leaning into him and capturing his lips with hers. "Thank you for trusting me."

Harry escorted his girlfriend down to the dungeons where they said goodnight for twenty minutes, even though they barely actually spoke. Finally they tore themselves away from one another and Harry began making his way to Gryffindor tower.

Neither Harry nor Daphne had been aware of a shadow that had watched them in the dungeons. As soon as Harry was gone, and Daphne had entered the Slytherin Common room, Draco Malfoy stepped out of the dark alcove, a murderous look on his face.

"This has gone long enough." He told himself. He had convinced himself that steps had to be taken to break up this disgusting abomination of a relationship between Potter and the girl who was by rights, his to claim. He was from one of the oldest and most powerful families in existence, and as such should have his choice of the finest of the pureblood princesses, should he not?

Yet, Greengrass refused to fall in line with the way things should be. She had gone against her brothers and sister in Slytherin, and chosen to ally herself with Potter. Worse though, had been the fact that she was sucking face with his enemy, and flaunting it right in front of him. Well, he was going to put a stop to it. He'd finally gotten the answer he sought that morning with the post.

He had only just located a place in which to work, he had but to gather the things he needed. Then when everything was done, he would put his plan into action, and he would be victorious over Harry Potter at last!

"Unexpected." Snape said as Harry entered his office fifteen minutes early.

"This is important, isn't it?" Harry asked. Snape turned to look at him with disdain. "Sir?" Harry added hastily.

"Indeed it is." Snape flicked his wand, shutting and locking the door. "Now, I will attempt to explain to you exactly what I will be trying to teach you."

"If you please sir, I looked it up." Harry said quickly, anxious to actually begin learning. "You're going to teach me how to block my mind from mental attacks, or rather trained Legilimens. I read every book I could find these past few days, but there wasn't really a lot on the subject."

Snape's eyebrows were so high that they had disappeared into his curtain of greasy black hair.

"What I'm unclear on is exactly why am going to be learning it."

"You will be learning Occlumency because Dumbledore believes that there is a mental connection between you and the Dark Lord." Snape said, apparently happy to have information Harry did not. Harry suddenly realized that Snape had likely been looking forward to lording his vast knowledge over Harry. "It is that reason that you can feel the Dark Lord's emotions when they are at their strongest. It is believe that it might be only a matter of time before the Dark Lord discovers this rare connection, and tries to exploit it. You and I will be attempting to close off that connection before you will be able to move forward."

"Move forward? I'm going to be learning other things?" Harry asked with excitement.

"That is not for me to tell you." Snape sneered, obviously enjoying teasing the boy with nuggets of information.

"If Voldemort…"

"Do not say his name in my presence boy!"

Harry eyed the professor strangely, loathing the sight of him at that moment, weak and cowardly. "Why? It's his name."

"It is, but you need to show respect."

"Respect? For a murdering lying piece of garbage? Come on Professor, even you're a better person that him. And I don't think it's a secret how you and I feel about each other."

Snape's face went blank for the merest of seconds. It was quite clear to Snape what kind of influence that the Greengrass girl was having on Potter. "Be that as it may, he wields immense power, and as such he deserves a modicum of respect. Potter."

"So how do we begin?" Harry asked, not wishing to discuss the matter anymore.

"I will be attempting to penetrate your mind. You will try to throw me out by any means you can. You must do your very best to keep your mind clear and focus on repelling my attack. Are you clear?"

"I think so." Harry shrugged, not really sure he understood at all.

"Then we shall begin. Legillimens!"

Harry felt as his he was being squeezed tightly. His mind flashed millions of images, so fast, he was unsure what he was seeing. He saw glimpses of things. Things he'd done or seen. Places he'd been. Then he realized he was seeing his memories, and that Snape was likely seeing these as well. His mind was being attacked. This is what he had to fight against.

The images began to slow down a bit, and Harry could see them more clearly. He saw himself running from Dudley's gang in primary school. He saw his Uncle grabbing him by the throat after he'd been caught nicking food because he was hungry. He saw Daphne looking at him tenderly during a Magical Creatures class.

"NO!" Harry shouted as she felt his limbs loosen and he fell against Snape's desk.

"Pathetic." Snape sneered. "You took far to long before you even attempted to throw me out."

"Did I actually throw you out of my mind?"

"No." Snape shook his head. "Tell me Potter, Who is the fat boy who shoved your head in a toilet?"

Harry was panting heavily. He felt winded, though he couldn't understand why.

"Dudley. My cousin." Harry said weakly, getting back to his feet. "How am I supposed to fight you out? I can't even feel you."

"You see all your memories as I sift through them. It distracts you. You have to empty your mind in order to focus on my attack, Potter."

"Ok. Let's try again."

Snape gave him an odd look before shouting the spell again. Harry felt himself stiffen once again, and again his mind was flooded with images of his life. Harry was determined to ignore his memories. He tried to push them down, to see past them. He tried to focus on Snape when there was a sudden burst of hatred.

Harry felt rage. Unbridled fury, like he'd never felt in his entire life. As his anger boiled in his veins, Harry was able to push his memories aside and he could feel Snape in his mind, but there was something else. Something dark and sinister. There was pain as well. Intense searing pain. Harry tried to fight, but the pain was overwhelming, and soon he was consumed by cold blackness.

"You lied to me, you stupid old fool!" Snape snarled as he entered Dumbledore's office. "You lied to me about their connection. It's something more, something for more dangerous. Isn't it?"

"Calm down Severus. Tell me what it is that you are talking about." Dumbledore said, a look of utter confusion on his old face.

"Potter! We had our first lesson tonight, and as I was probing his mind I felt something that was not Potter. In his mind, there was a ..a…a stain. A blackness that did not belong to the boy. When I tried to investigate, he lashed out. What are you not telling me?"

Dumbledore looked desperately saddened. "I have feared for the longest time of what Lord Voldemort did to that boy. It is no coincidence that Harry is able to speak to snakes, nor that he can feel Lord Voldemort's emotions. As you are aware I have been researching the means by which your former master achieved his seemingly immortality."

"The Horcruxes?" Snape looked shocked as he began putting the pieces together. "You think…"

"I had prayed it was not true, that it was merely a by product of the attack Young Harry survived, but more and more the evidence seems to suggest that Harry is the seventh horcrux."

"Then that thing in his head…" Snape looked disgusted.

"Is in fact a piece of Lord Voldemort's soul" Dumbledore sighed.

Snape went to the Headmaster's brandy and poured a strong drink, swallowing it all in one swig before pouring another.

"This complicates matters." Dumbledore said sadly.

"I can't continue teaching him. You know what it will do to his mind. It will weaken his mind until he is able to build his protections. It will make it easier for the Dark Lord to see into his mind. He would be able to drive the boy mad."

"I must insist that you continue teaching him. So long as Voldemort remains ignorant of the connection, we can continue. Should he learn of it before Harry can protect himself, the consequences would be dire."

"Shouldn't we try to remove it from him?"

"I am afraid that only one person can do that, and until Harry is ready to face him, there is nothing that can be done."

Snape swallowed his brandy and then hurl the glass at Dumbledore in rage. Dumbledore merely flicked his finger, and the glass shattered harmlessly against the wall.

"You bloody arrogant bastard. You're playing with his life. Don't you care?"

"I do, more than you realize. But I wonder why you, who have never shown him anything less than the deepest hate, should act as if you do?"

Snape growled fiercely before sweeping from the Headmaster's office, slamming the door hard after him, leaving a very disturbed Dumbledore behind.

Harry awoke in the hospital wing with a pounding headache. He sat up slowly, wondering how he'd gotten there. The last thing he could remember was Snape casting Legillimens on him. He thought he remembered Snape telling him to hang on, but that was just crazy.

"Awake at last." Madam Pomfrey said as she bustled over.

"How did I get here? What happened?"

"Professor Snape brought you in last night. He said you had fainted. Said you were brewing a potion with him and were a bit heavy handed on some of the ingredients. You need to be more careful young man."

Harry grimaced. Snape had used the remedial potions excuse. He wanted to scream. What if something very serious had happened, and Pomfrey had been unable to heal him, because she didn't know exactly what had happened to him. He would have died because of Snape's arrogance.

"Harry!" Daphne shouted as she ran towards him, followed by Neville, Hermione and Astoria.

"I've been going spare all day." Daphne said as she clutched him tightly.

"How'd you find out what happened?" Harry asked.

"Neville told us you weren't in bed this morning." Hermione said, looking very concerned. We had waited up really late, and you never came back. When we found out you didn't get back to Gryffindor Tower, we knew there was only one place you could be."

"What happened, Harry?" Astoria asked, looking very concerned."

Harry glanced at Madam Pomfrey who was preparing to give him a dose of what he hoped was a headache cure.

"I had a remedial potions lesson with Snape, and things went bad."

Astoria wrinkled her nose at his excuse, but wisely didn't push the issue. Harry could tell however that she didn't believe the story at all.

"Take this, and then you're free to go, Mister Potter. And do try to stay out of here the rest of the year."

"I can't promise anything, Madam Pomfrey." Harry said, swallowing the disgusting muck she'd handed him.

"His first Quidditch match is two weeks from Saturday." Neville couldn't help but grin.

"oh dear." Pomfrey frowned. "I'd better stock up on bandages and painkillers. Merlin only knows what will happen to you this year."