CHAPTER 29

A/N: Survived the first exam. Ouff. Second one is on April 26 – I'll be writing a four-hour essay on Bollywood from a "media-aesthetic" point of view, I'm really don't know how to translate the German word "medienästhetisch"…I have to write the exam in German since the subject is taught in that language. I'm actually looking forward ;-)

balle13: Herzlichen Dank für die zweisprachigen Reviews! Ja, Marius ist so richtig krass bestraft worden. Es war ziemlich witzig, ich habe viele Rachepläne aufgeschrieben und wieder verworfen, bis ich eine Idee fand, mit der ich zufrieden war.

Translation of the above: Thank you for the bilingual reviews! Yes, Marius was really punished very severely. It was quite funny, I wrote down and dismissed many schemes of revenge until I found a suitable idea.

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Harry looked up as Severus approached his cauldron, his startlingly green eyes like a cat's in the soft glow of the light in the Potions classroom. Harry was paying far more attention in Potions now, though he did not have Hermione's natural skill in the subject. He made fewer mistakes, cut up the ingredients with more care and was focused on the task at hand. Severus glanced down his hooked nose at the bubbling contents in the cauldron and whisked away to his desk.

Severus found himself thinking back to the days when Harry had been an eleven-year-old child. He felt ashamed that he had projected his hate and viciousness for James Potter and Sirius Black onto a little boy. And now the little boy had grown into a mature and kind youth who was still impulsive from time to time, especially when angered or provoked; but otherwise, Harry was calm and patient. Had so many years passed? Was it only now that he was starting to appreciate Harry Potter for who he really was? The youth was a quick and eager learner when he wanted to be, and, in the flower of his manhood, a frankly attractive young man. Severus had decided that Harry Potter was more of the choosy sort, to judge from his single status. Or, what was more likely, he simply didn't have the time to bother about such trivial things. Or he was happy the way he was although the couple-obsessed society seemed eager to decimate the number of singles or treat being single like a contagious disease. Severus wrinkled his nose with disdain at society's follies – and stopped when he thought of his own follies. His dark eyes returned to Harry, who was spooning a sample of his potion into a bottle. Hermione gave him an approving look. Severus acknowledged Harry's bottled sample with a curt nod. He was not at all sure how to acknowledge his increasingly frequent musings where his past treatment of Harry was concerned. Being regretful was not part of a spy's profile – least of all of his profile.

After Potions, Severus visited the Headmaster, who was waiting for news on Harry's progress.

"He shows promise," Severus said coldly.

Dumbledore smiled and patted his beard.

"What about his duelling?"

"He is surer and learning to focus on attacking whereas he was more intent on defensive spells before. His movements are extremely quick."

"Ah, that is good to hear. Very ear-warming indeed, Severus," Dumbledore beamed. "Do you think he can perfect the art of Occlumency?"

Severus was silent for a few moments.

"He could," he said cautiously, nearly reluctantly. "He is at a stage where he can be taught Legilimency."

There was complete silence in Dumbledore's office.

"Legilimency is a formidable challenge," the wise wizard said.

"I have not forgotten," Severus said, referring to the days when Dumbledore was his teacher in the art of mental magic.

"Do you believe in Harry's abilities to master Legilimency?"

Another silence ensured; then Severus nodded abruptly.

"If he works very hard. It would, naturally, make him even more proficient in Occlumency."

"Yes, it would become second nature to him like it is to you and me. Usually, learning Occlumency implies learning Legilimency as well…I could imagine that it might be very useful for him if he wants to become an Auror…"

"In that case, I will train him," Severus said briskly. Dumbledore's face burst into a radiant smile. For the very first time in goodness knows how long, he had not had to ask Severus for a favour. Instead, Severus had made the offer himself.

"That would be fantastic, Severus. I am most grateful to you, my dear boy."

Severus inclined his head briefly in acknowledgement of the Headmaster's delight and thanks.

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"Please sit down, Potter. I have to discuss something else with you," Severus greeted Harry bluntly when the youth arrived for his Occlumency lesson.

"I have told the Headmaster that you are at a stage where you can learn Legilimency."

Harry looked up, startled.

"Legilimency?"

Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"You'd teach me Legilimency?"

"I can, if you are willing to work very hard, Potter. Legilimency is considered even more difficult than Occlumency. The two go hand in hand, however, and it is my personal opinion that learning only one of the two is an incomplete and unrefined matter."

Beats of silence. Then Harry smiled at him.

"I would like to learn Legilimency."

Severus looked into his eyes.

"Legilimency creates a deeply intimate bond between teacher and student – even more so then Occlumency. While Occlumency blocks out intruders, Legilimency allows access to a person's mind. You have experienced this before, but accidentally. I will train you to be profoundly skilled in the art of mental magic, Potter."

Harry nodded, awed. Severus continued.

"You have come to realise that the successful mastery of mental magic requires trust. You are therefore aware that whatever has happened and, in particular, what will happen during our lessons shall remain between us, like during our Occlumency lessons."

"Yes, of course, sir."

Severus studied Harry's face with his probing black eyes.

"We will begin with Legilimency in April. Your training will continue into the summer season. The Headmaster is planning for you to stay on after your graduation – provided you pass your NEWTS, of course – and train you as a member of the Order of the Phoenix. You see, Potter, it is coming to the point – more so than ever."

"A matter of preparation."

"Thorough preparation. Do me justice, Potter, and show that you are not wasting my time and yours."

"I will."

"Good. Having discussed this business, we can resume Occlumency," Severus said impassively. Their eye contact, however, was intense, even smouldering.

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