CHAPTER 20

A/N: thfy: in spite of what you say about not being against gay people (which is obviously not true), I am deleting your review as I find it unacceptable and homophobic to say that "being gay gives an impression of 'sissyness'"; and when has Severus ever called Harry "'Hey pussy!'" in any of my stories? Also, reading that I have "just ruined the heroic and brave image of him (Harry)" is something which I consider totally ridiculous. Obviously, you associate homosexuality with weakness and stupidity. So why did you read the story if it disturbs you? I clearly indicated that it contains homosexuality. You expressed a wish to read Harry/Ginny stories. I am sure the search engine will help you. I, however, will not.
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To all the readers and reviewers (with the exception of flamers): thanks a million for your patience!
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Finally, I'll have to use "x" instead of dashes in order to separate paragraphs where there's a plot jump or something similar - looks like serial dashes are no longer accepted!

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Severus Snape strode along the corridor briskly. His hair was neatly trimmed, the tips just dipping over his shoulders. It was Monday, and he taken the opportunity to visit Hogsmeade before a meeting with the Headmaster and his lesson with Harry Potter. Equipped with stocks for potions and a blessedly liberating haircut, he felt refreshed. That, is until he saw Marius Rivers talking to Harry. His mouth thinned.

"I know only too well that a student's life is a busy one, Harry," Marius was saying, "which is why I'm sure that you would benefit from a coffee with me."

"It is very kind of you, Professor, but I really don't have the time."

"Maybe you could find a slot this Saturday. It's a Hogsmeade weekend, isn't it?"

"I'm already booked," Harry said firmly.

"Besides, Rivers, teachers do not usually take their students out for coffees, nor do they frequently leave the school grounds with them," Severus said coldly, thinking it high time to intervene even if he was pleased that Harry was holding Marius off; but the youth was being too polite.

"Ah. Severus. You are simply everywhere," Marius remarked dryly. Harry looked into Severus's dark eyes, relief evident in his own green ones.

"What are you loitering around in the corridors for, Potter? Haven't you got homework to do?"

Harry understood; Severus was telling him to leave, and leave quickly.

"Yes, sir."

He walked away from the two teachers. Severus smiled grimly.

"It appears that your attempts to, ah, befriend Potter are not very successful," he commented.

"He was looking tired. I thought he could use some refreshment," Marius replied defensively.

"Don't we all look tired, Rivers? And I am well acquainted with your ideas of refreshment," Severus answered.

"Is this another quarrel you are trying to pick with me?"

"My dear Rivers-"

Marius interrupted him by stepping very close to Severus.

"There was a time when you used to call me by my first name. When you used to..." Marius approached his lips to Severus's ear, "...cry out my name with pleasure, my treasure..."

Severus flushed with a mixture of rage and arousal. He did not bother to acknowledge the latter sentiment, even if his body did.

"You disgust me, Rivers," he spat, turning on his heel and continuing his route to Dumbledore's office. There was no sound or reaction from Marius.

When he reached the gargoyle, Severus took a couple of calming breaths before uttering the password. The door of Dumbledore's office was open, and the wise wizard offered him tea and biscuits, which Severus declined.

"I wanted to talk to you about Harry's lessons, Severus. How is he doing?"

"There has been a change in his Occlumency lessons," Severus said slowly. "He managed to block my attacks yesterday."

"Yesterday? Yesterday was a Sunday...?"

"I found him wandering about outside yesterday morning. I decided on an impromptu Occlumency lesson."

"And he suddenly managed? Just like that?"

"It would seem so," Severus said, not thinking at all relevant to tell Dumbledore that Harry had slept like an angel in his office for two solid hours.

Dumbledore leant back, smiling. Even his beard seemed to beam.

"Ah. You are starting to trust each other."

Severus was silent.

"You will be resuming the duelling lessons this week?"

"Yes, on Friday."

"Any news from or about Voldemort or the Death Eaters, Severus?" Dumbledore asked next.

"Nothing so far, Albus."

There was a small silence. Then Dumbledore continued:

"How are you and Marius getting on, my dear boy?"

Severus's lip curled.

"You will be interested to hear that Rivers seems rather keen on Potter's company."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.

"Indeed? How come?"

"I just came across him trying to invite Potter to have a coffee with him in Hogsmeade."

"Ah, most straightforward of Marius…Did you say, 'trying'?"

"Potter refused his offer, but River seemed a little...insistent. Even if Rivers's actual teaching schedule starts only next September and will therefore exclude Potter as his future student-"

"I understand your anxiety, Severus."

"But?" Severus bit out harshly.

"Well, Severus, you do tend to worry a bit too much sometimes."

Severus's chair scraped on the tiles as the Potions Master stood up roughly.

"And if Rivers abuses your mercy and his duties as a teacher and-"

"Severus, I am convinced that Marius will not do anything inappropriate to Harry or any of the other students, if that is what you are implying. Besides, I am sure Harry is capable of looking after himself in that respect."

"Is that so? Rivers is rather persuasive, in case you need reminding, Albus," Severus said rudely, "would you have him toy around with Potter?"

Dumbledore stood up and took Severus's hands in his.

"Severus, child, I know why you are anxious. I know that Marius hurt you deeply back then. But Harry refused Marius's invitation, didn't he?"

"His advances, you mean," Severus said bitterly. Dumbledore pressed Severus's slender hands and put one arm around Severus's shoulders. Severus felt a stabbing pain in his chest. His own father had never called him "child" or touched him with respect or affection.

"Harry is an adult," Dumbledore resumed.

"So was I back then," Severus retorted.

"I am sure Marius has changed."

"I will nevertheless be watching Rivers's movements," Severus said expressionlessly. Dumbledore withdrew his arm.

"I am pleased to hear about Harry's progress in Occlumency, Severus," he resumed their original topic.

"If he continues making an effort and improving, then I will teach him advanced Occlumency."

Fawkes the phoenix raised his head and uttered a few flute-like trills. Dumbledore was beaming.

"Splendid! I will still require my Pensieve, though. I hope you don't mind, Severus."

Severus merely shrugged.

"I shall not delay you, my dear boy. Have an enjoyable Occlumency lesson with Harry."

Severus snorted and paced out of the room.

"Severus, just one more thing."

"Yes, Albus?"

"Nice haircut."

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"Do not go to sleep again, Potter," Severus greeted Harry, pointing at the blankets on the floor.

"I will try not to, sir," Harry replied. He took off his shoes and glasses and padded over to the blankets. They were thick, very soft and warm. Harry snuggled into them, wondering if anyone else had ever managed to feel even vaguely comfortable in Severus Snape's presence and office. Severus bent over him to check if he was relaxed; then he let ten minutes pass in complete silence; the only sound was Harry's soft breathing.

"You may open your eyes and get up slowly," he said at last. Harry stretched and rose to his feet, his hair more tousled than ever. He tried to pat it down automatically, and Severus found himself smirking inwardly at the fruitlessness of the ingrained habit.

"Did you have any visions from the Dark Lord?"

"No, sir." Harry thought a little and asked:

"None of the books I have read are explicit about blocking attacks in one's sleep. How can I do so when I am in an unconscious-like state, sir?"

"When you dream, Potter," Severus said softly, "are you aware of who you are? That you are Harry Potter? When you were in Nagini's body during Arthur Weasley's attack, you were conscious of yourself being in another body. You were still you."

Harry nodded.

"You can turn into other people and creatures in your dreams, of course, but in these visions which are being sent to you deliberately, the Dark Lord is trying to target you – the way you are. Besides, you mostly have a sense of your own identity in your dreams. If being an Occlumens is part of your identity, Potter, then the faculty of blocking out spells will accompany you in your dreams, and your dream-self will be conscious of this and use this ability. In order for Occlumency to become a natural part of your faculties, Potter, thorough practising is essential," Severus explained, drawing out his wand.

Harry nodded again and took out his wand, too.

"In this lesson, you must learn to become conscious of which defensive spells you are using. This will also help you to become aware of your Occlumentic abilities when you dream. Should you succeed, Potter, then you will be introduced to the more refined branch of Occlumency, without the use of wands or spells," Severus said impassively.

The two wizards practised for a solid hour. Harry was exhausted by the end but pleased with his success. During the last ten minutes, he had finally managed to become conscious of the defensive spells he was using. Severus did not make any comment, which Harry knew was a sign of approval, but he did observe that Harry needed more stamina.

"You will kindly do us both the favour of eating more. You have the appetite, or ought to have the appetite, of a growing adolescent – even if you are considered an adult in the wizarding world, Potter."

Harry made a mental note to write down in his diary that the Potions Master, of all people, had actually talked about keeping a healthy diet. Severus dismissed the youth and sat down, tapping his wand absent-mindedly against his palm. A few minutes later, there was a knock on his door. Severus glanced at his Visitor Glass and his eyes narrowed ominously.

"What do you want, Rivers?" he called.

The door opened, admitting Marius.

"Severus, I want to talk things over for once and for all."

"I am not interested," Severus snapped, rising from his chair and staring Marius in the eye. The taller wizard bent his head a little so that a few strands of his wavy dark-brown hair brushed Severus's forehead.

"What do you really want, Rivers?" Severus asked in a low dangerous voice.

"You," Marius breathed.

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