Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling, I do not own these characters, I am merely writing this for my own, and hopefully others, enjoyment.
AN: Would just like to say that English is not my native language, so there will be some grammar faults, I'm sure. I know that this isn't really an excuse, I just hope you can forgive me:)
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The weather got more and more beautiful throughout the day, it seemed, and one could find Harry in the astronomy tower, his feet dangling off the edge, his eyes staring into the sky, but his mind completely elsewhere. He didn't realize he was daydreaming before a voice behind him awoke him from his thoughts. He quickly turned around, and saw none other than Dobby staring at him.
"Dobby, hi!" said Harry, happy to see a friendly face.
"Oh, Mr. Potter sir, it is a great pleasure!" he said, smiling wildly with big eyes. "Mr. Potter doesn't come for breakfast, and he is not asking any of the houseelves for it, so Dobby made him some," he said. It was first then Harry noticed the tray in Dobby's hands, and instantly felt a stab of guilt.
"You didn't have to do that, Dobby," said Harry, but politely accepting the tray anyway.
"Oh Dobby doesn't mind, sir. Anything for Mr. Potter, sir," he said, smiling again. Harry plastered on a fake smile. He had meant it when he said Dobby didn't need to do it. He wasn't hungry at all, he could barely stand the thought of eating.
"Thank you" Harry said instead. Dobby smiled and nodded, before he disappeared again with a pop. Harry stared down at the food Dobby had given him. Delicious fruits, a warm toast, eggs, bacon, tea, coffee and pumpkin juice. Was it normal to eat so much? Putting the tray aside, he looked down on his watch. 08.50? He was supposed to meet Dumbledore in 10 minutes! Had he really sat there for so long? What should he do with all the food? He could ask Ani to take it, but he didn't want to risk Dobby seeing it. He looked around. An idea struck him. Silently apologizing the starving children, he threw the food off the end of the tower, and poured the coffee, juice and tea, hoping that nobody noticed it. Putting the tray against the wall, intending to collect it later, he ran down the astronomy tower stairs, and then down the halls.
An eternity later, he finally reached Dumbledore's office at 8.59. Out of breath, and wheezing, he realized he didn't know the password for the gargoyle. He cursed and tried to think of what the password possibly could be.
"Drylamonas," a voice muttered behind him. Startled, Harry whipped around and saw Snape striding towards the entrance himself, not even giving a glance in Harry's direction.
Sure enough, the gargoyle jumped aside. Again, Snape stormed in without knocking, and Harry followed.
"Good morning, my boys," Dumbledore said, welcoming. Harry nodded in return, and closed the door behind him. "Did you sleep well?" asked Dumbledore, sitting down in his chair behind his desk, while summoning two for both Harry and Snape.
"Yes, professor, thank you," lied Harry. Dumbledore studied Harry again. Seeing that Harry did not look any better than last night, he gave a rather doubtful look, before going along with it.
"Good, good," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "I am sure you are wondering why you're here, Harry," he then said. Harry nodded.
"Well," Dumbledore started, sitting more comfortably in his chair. "After Voldemort's return-"Snape flinched, and his nostrils flared. "-we believe that things will be dangerous for you, Harry."
Harry fought the urge to roll his eyes. He'd figured that much, yeah.
"We think that it would be best to start preparing you for what we're up against as soon as possible, starting today. You will be trained both physically and mentally", he said, now eyeing Snape a bit.
"Mentally?" There was a pause.
"I believe the reason for your visions concerning Voldemort, stems from the fact that the night he gave you that scar, a connection was made between you. Some sort of bond. That is why you keep having these dreams you speak of. That is why you can see through his eyes."
Harry considered the words carefully, wanting to ask the right questions.
"Does this…bond have any other affects?" he finally asked, and another pause took over.
"Alas, that is something we cannot be sure of, Harry. You and Voldemort-" Snape looked ready to murder Dumbledore. "-are quite a unique case", was all he answered. "Now, back to the reason you are here. We need to prepare you, train you, both physically and mentally for-"
"What do you mean by mentally?" interrupted Harry before he could stop himself. Snape glared slightly at Harry, who shrank in his chair.
"Sorry headmaster", Harry muttered.
"Never apologize for an inquisitive mind, Harry", he smiled, ignoring the eye roll from Snape, before he continued.
"Imagine this, Harry, that if you can see through Voldemort's eyes, there is a possibility that he-"
"can see through mine?" Harry finished, almost shocked. Again, Snape glared, but Harry barely noticed now that he was so caught up in his thoughts. And the thought of Voldemort being able to see where Harry was at all times, and what he was doing, wasn't very welcoming.
"It's not just that, Harry. Have you heard of Legilimency?" asked Dumbledore. Harry shook his head. He also thought he heard Snape mutter something along "surprise, surprise".
"Legilimency is the act of magically navigating through the many layers of a person's mind and correctly interpreting one's findings. A person who can practise this art is called a Legillimens. If one shall wish to protect one's mind from a Legillimency, one must use the art of Occlumency. It can prevent a Legilimens from accessing one's thoughts and feelings, or influencing them." Harry's mind was on harddrive.
"So you're going to teach me this because Voldemort is a legellymins?" asked Harry, catching up. "and this bond that we have will help him do so? To-to read my mind?" Snape hissed, irritated.
"It is called a Legillimens, Potter. And the mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. As Dumbledore explained, a person's mind consist of many layers, which a Legilimence must navigate through. But, yes, Potter. Should you not be trained, the Dark Lord will eventually discover your bond and use it to "read" your mind. Confuse it. Control it."
"A powerful Occlumens is very rare, Harry" interjected Dumbledore as he saw Harry's breath shorten, while giving Snape a raised brow. "Professor Snape is one of those few, and we are very lucky to have him of our assistance. He will be teaching you Occlumency." Harry's eyebrows rose into his hairline before he could stop himself. Snape teaching him? That was why he had a bedroom in the dungeons! But why Snape? Surely Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of all time, was more qualified, not to mention more willing to teach Harry.
Snape watched with interest and slight amusement as horror and dread passed through the brat's eyes. He had worried from time to time that he had yet to give the right impression, seeing that the boy was annoyingly fearless in the face of the dungeon bat. Seeing his reaction, however, brightened his mood slightly.
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked, after moments came and passed in silence. Harry quickly snapped out of it, and refocused.
"S-so you're going to teach me Occlumency", he asked Snape, his eyes widening. How on earth did Dumbledore manage to convince Snape to do that? Dumbledore answered before Snape got the shot to make a sarcastic remark.
"He will also tutor you in your duelling. It has come to my attention that you have excelled in the DADA class, Harry. This will be like a private DADA tutor. I'm sure you and professor Snape will get along fine." Both Snape and Harry scoffed simultaneously, to the headmaster's amusement. Ignoring the old man's twinkling eyes, Harry silently wondered what it would be like to duel Snape. He then wondered what kind of flowers he would like in his own funeral, because Harry was going to die.
"I'm glad that's settled, then" Dumbledore said, rubbing his hands together. Snape quietly thought that the old coot was enjoying this far too much. "Do you have any questions?"
"Well, yes, I do actually", said Harry, fidgeting slightly. "I was wondering if I am allowed to use magic?" asked Harry, almost dreading to hear the answer.
"Ah yes, a valid question. I shall think that now that you're back at Hogwarts, there is no reason for you to not use any magic. Even without supervision", Dumbledore answered, ignoring Snape's silent glares.
"Just follow the timetable, and professor Snape's orders off course, and I think this will be a fine summer", Dumbledore said, now standing up. Snape immediately rose as well, nodding to Dumbledore, before turning his attention to Harry.
"Meet me at my office 11.15 for your first lesson" Snape said, before storming out. Dumbledore sighed. He had hoped Snape would try harder to get along with Harry, now that they had to, but it didn't look like he was planning to get along very soon.
"If that was all, headmaster" said Harry, with a fake smile as he started to back away towards the door. Dumbledore felt his heart clench as he studied the pale and fragile boy in front of him.
"That is for you to decide", Dumbledore finally answered silently. The strong blue eyes pierced Harry. Feeling as if he was x-rayed, Harry merely nodded shortly, and left.
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Sorry I've taken so long to update. I've been sick for a while, and still am. Hope you liked this though:)
