Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. I only own my OC.

Chapter 6

"Tonight we are going to try something new."

Vivian opened her eyes from her meditations to see Professor Snape standing next to her. She was in his classroom for her nightly Occlumency class. Over the past month, he had been teaching her meditation tricks which helped strengthen her mind in order to stop her horrible nightmares.

"What would that be, Professor?"

Snape walked back to his desk and carefully picked up his wand to examine it.

"I have been teaching you basic Occlumency in order to clear out your mind and allow you to build up basic defenses. However, this is only a minor form and when faced against a true Legilimens, you will be unable to defend yourself."

Vivian shivered. "Are you saying that I haven't really been defending myself, merely building a tiny wall that could easily be broken through?"

Snape nodded, seeing the emotions build up in her.

"Then what was the point of this month of lessons!" Vivian felt stiff anger course through her, thinking back on all of the time and energy she had put into her meditations.

"These lessons," Snape said slowly,"have allowed you to understand what it takes to perform Occlumency. Tonight, you will learn to use everything you have been practicing."

Vivian paused. "What are you going to do to me?"

Snape walked in front of her. "I am going to enter your mind and you are going to try and stop me."

Vivian's eyes widened and her heart started beating rapidly. "Does that mean you will be reading my mind?"

"Yes. Also I will be seeing your past. What your deepest fears, dreams, hopes, and nightmares are."

"Please don't." Vivian said quickly, standing up from her sitting position. "There are things that I have locked away for a reason. Things that you nor anyone else should ever have access to."

Snape frowned. "I'm sorry, Miss Potter. But this is the only way."

"But why? Teach me other things, show me more meditation exercises, anything but this." She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please don't."

"Do you think I want to do this?" Snape's eyes flashed with regret. "To forcefully enter someone's mind and steal all of their information. I am doing this for your protection, not to harm you. Do you think your attacker hasn't seen everything already."

"No." Vivian said quietly, her anger dying. "If he had, he would have mentioned it. It would be hard not to."

"Then let me ask you a simple question." Vivian looked up at Professor Snape. "Would you rather have me in your mind, or your attacker?"

"You."

Snape looked painfully at the small girl in front of him, the one who looked exactly like his precious Lily had all those years again. To see Vivian in pain was like seeing Lily in pain, on the day he had insulted her and she walked out of his life.

Snape took a calming breath. "Then let's begin. Try to block me out. Remember, this is your mind and only you should have the power to show it to others."

She nodded and brought up her wand, her forehead scrunched as she waited for Snape to start.

"Legiliment," he said, pointing his wand at Vivian.

Instantly, Vivian felt her life flash before her eyes. Every memory from her time at Hogwarts swirled past her: suddenly she was outside the train station, waiting to go to Hogwarts. Memories kept rushing through her head: meeting Hagrid, Vernon's punishment for the letters, being locked in the cupboard.

Fear began to travel through Vivian's body as the memories kept advancing further into her past. Every nightmares, every scream as Harry tried to comfort her, her bruised and battered face after-"

"NO!"

Professor Snape suddenly broke his connection and Vivian fell to the ground, her skin deathly pale and her breathing irregular.

"I apologize, Vivian. I went too far."

Vivian was unable to speak, her face continuing to grow paler and she had to lay completely down on the cold floor.

"Vivian," Snape said worriedly, stepping forward. "Are you alright?"

Her breathing calmed down but tears broke out of her eyes and started streaming down her cheeks.

After a couple minutes of silence, Vivian was finally able to speak. "Do you understand now why I don't want people entering my mind."

Snape frowned, standing back up again. "I'm sorry, Miss Potter. I went farther than I should have on your first try."

Vivian sat up and attempted to wipe the tears off of her face, some of the color returning back to her cheeks. "No, thank you. You showed me how strong the pressure is and what I need to do in order to stop it."

Snape was startled, not expecting her answer. "Well, you were able to get me out of your mind. Very impressive for your first try."

She gave a weak smile. "I suppose we'll have to try again tomorrow night."

"If you want. I will not push you farther than you can go." He turned and began walking to the back of his classroom, heading for the door that lead to his private chambers.

"Professor Snape."

He turned around. "Yes, Miss Potter?"

She was standing up now, her color returned to her face. "Don't you want to know what happened to me?"

Snape didn't answer for several seconds, staring at the young girl in front of him. Her red hair flowed down past her shoulders, showing off its vibrant color in the dark room.

"Not until you're completely ready to tell me."

She smiled. "Thank you, Professor. One day, I promise I will. When I'm ready."

She turned and ran back to her room, leaving Snape alone in his classroom as visions of her memories flew past him until they landed when she was lying on the ground, her face and body completely covered in bruised, her eyes shut and her heart remaining silent.

As November rolled around, the weather turned very cold. The sky became an icy grey and every morning, a layer of thick frost was spread over the ground. Hagrid could be seen every morning defrosting the broomsticks on the Quidditch pitch, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit-fur gloves, and enormous beaver skin boots.

The Quidditch season had finally begun. Saturday was Harry's first match after several weeks of training. Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up into second place in the House Championship.

Hardly anyone had seen Harry play because Wood had decided that, as their new secret weapon, Harry should be kept, well, secret. But the news that he was playing Seeker had leaked out, somehow, and Harry didn't know what was worse- people telling him he'd be brilliant or people telling him they'd be running around underneath him, holding a mattress.

Tensions had finally settled between Hermoine and the boys. They began to look to her for help with homework and opinions on everyday stuff. In return, Hermoine had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry, Ron, and Vivian had saved her from the mountain troll.

Vivian had transferred into third year Transfigurations, the same class as Fred and George Weasley. It was awkward at first for her, but she managed to get a seat next to the twins and they would always talk with her.

"Hey, Vivian."

Viv looked up from her Transfigurations book to see Fred leaning over his desk, beckoning her to come closer.

"What is it?" She asked, ducking her head so Professor McGonagall wouldn't catch her.

"So me and George were in the guys' dorms last night and we heard some of the first years talking about you-"

"What?!" Vivian flushed scarlet red in embarrassment.

"Don't worry," Fred held up his hands reassuringly. "George and I were going to go ruff em' up but Harry and Ron got to them before us."

"My brother?" Vivian widened her eyes. "What did they do?"

Fred grinned. "They threatened to turn them into slugs if they ever went near you again."

Vivian burst into giggles and had to place her hand over her mouth in order to not disturb the class. "What? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. And they actually went for it?"

Fred's grin widened. "Oh yes, poor blokes. Never seen more scared boys in my life."

Vivian giggled again and leaned back up, trying to stop laughing. Professor McGonagall sent her a warning look which calmed her down a bit. But for the rest of the class, she kept sneaking peaks at Fred and laughing at the thought of her brother threatening anyone. It didn't help that Fred kept making funny faces whenever he caught her staring.

She was becoming much better friends with the older twins, now having a class with them, she would say hi whenever they walked past and she would occasionally help them with a small prank or to try out one of their new inventions. She was stilled skeptical about some of them because one time she ate one that turned her skin blue and it didn't wear off until a week later.

After class, she stayed behind in order to get more extra reading material from Professor McGonagall.

"I'm quite impressed with your improvement," Professor McGonagall commented when she was reading an essay Vivian did on Animaguses. "I have never met a student with more potential in Transfigurations in my whole career. Already you have surpassed your third year classmates and I'm sure you could easily pass the fourth years. I will talk to Professor Dumbledore on advancing you even further, maybe even allowing you to take your OWLs."

Vivian was stunned. "The fifth year class? Is that even possible?"

McGonagall removed her spectacles and gave Vivian a calm stare. "Normally, no. But like I said, you are far more talented than most students. When you faced the mountain troll you performed a spell only NEWT level students should be able to perform, one of the more advanced spells in our textbooks. I bet you could even be eligible to transform into an Animagus."

"Oh, that would be incredible!" Vivian clapped her hands, thrilled at the idea after hours of reading over the subject.

"I would need to speak with Dumbledore, this has never occurred before in Hogwarts but I feel it would be a shame to waste your abilities on more basic tasks with the lower classes, after you have already mastered them. I am also going to suggest extra night classes with me to improve your talent."

Vivian looked down, biting her lip. "That would be wonderful, Professor, but you know that I already spend every night with Professor Snape to help improve my Occlumency."

"Oh, yes. I spoke with him earlier on the subject."

Vivian looked up at her. "You have?"

Professor McGonagall nodded. "He believes you are advanced enough to cut your classes back to twice a week. And if you allow me two night classes that will give you one night of freedom a week."

Vivian widened her eyes. "I'm speechless, but I'm glad Professor Snape thinks that I am improving. I was beginning to worry about my level of success."

"Perhaps you should go see him and discuss the matter yourself, and as for the decision, I will leave that to you."

Vivian smiled, revealing her dimple. "Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity, Professor. If Professor Snape thinks I am ready to shorten lessons, then I will happily willing to advance my Transfigurations."

Professor McGonagall watched as the young girl ran off. She was truly amazing, far powerful than any other wizard her age in Transfigurations. McGonagall glanced back down at the crisp paper she was holding, Vivian's essay on Animagus. Standing up, she patted her robes to free them of wrinkles and headed off to go see Dumbledore, knowing in her mind that Vivian will easily be transferred into the fifth class.

Meanwhile, Vivian had raced down to the dungeons to see Professor Snape. It was rather late, but she knew he would be up working on potions in his classroom as he had every night.

When she pulled open the big doors to the Potions classroom, she found it empty. That's weird, she thought. She was sure he would be here. She noticed a small beam of light in the back, coming from his private chambers.

She cautiously walked over to it and noticed that his door was slightly cracked. He was very protective of his personal space, and his door was usually hidden from sight and securely locked. She only knew about it because of her late night classes.

"Professor Snape?" She called out quietly, walking closer to the door.

Hearing no noise, she placed a hand on the handle, her heart beating faster because she knew he wouldn't want her entering his room.

"What are you doing here?!" She jumped giving a small scream, turning around to see Professor Snape standing behind her, an angry scowl placed upon his face.

"How dare you enter my private chambers when I am away. You know never to enter there." He stalked angrily forward coming closer to her and she tried shrinking away.

"Please, Professor Snape. I wasn't going to enter your room, I was only knocking to see if you were in there. Please, you know I would never enter your room."

He was about three feet away from her now, his anger prominent as he paused. "Why would you want to see me at this hour?" He was taking deep breaths trying to calm himself down.

Vivian lowered her eyes, nervously rubbing her arm with her hand. "I was just talking to Professor McGonagall about taking extra Transfigurations classes and I wanted to make sure it was alright with you before I said yes."

He stared at her. "Why would you need my permission over your schedule."

"Because your classes are what's most important. Without them, I would have my nightmares again and advancing in Transfigurations is not as important as preventing those."

Snape looked away, bring his hand to his head and taking a deep breath. "Now is not really the time, but yes, I believe we can shorten your classes to two a week without your nightmares coming back."

Vivian gave a relieved smile. "Thank you, Professor. I promise to still practice all of the exercises you taught me; I want to keep getting better at Occlumency in case anything else happens."

Snape waved his hand. "Now that that's settled, can you please leave. I must retire for the night."

Vivian looked up and finally noticed the painful expression Snape had. "Professor, are you alright? Do I need to get Madam Pomfrey?"

"No, Miss Potter. This is something I need to do on my own."

Vivian nodded and slowly walked past him, heading for the door.

"Wait."

She turned around, seeing Professor Snape grimacing again. "If you promise to be absolutely quiet on the matter and not to ask questions I will allow you to help me."

She rushed forward and nodded eagerly. "I promise I won't say anything."

"Fetch me dittany from the top self in the back."

Vivian quickly fetched the ingredients and started crushing it up under Snape's careful watch. She gathered the juice in a small vial and help it out to Snape.

"Is that all?"

He nodded and another streak of pain flashed across his face. "Yes, you can leave it with me and I will finish the rest myself."

"But will you need help applying it? Where are you hurt?"

"I will be fine and it's my leg. I did a risky and dangerous thing that I should not have. Your brother saw my injury, I feel he pinned a bad image on me."

Vivian blinked. "Why do you care what my brother thinks?"

Snape snarled. "I do not care what Potter thinks, I just don't want him to spread my private matter around Hogwarts like a piece of juicy gossip."

Vivian frowned, knowing her brother wouldn't do that but decided to remain quiet. "I will talk to him, Professor. Now, if that's all you need, I believe I will head back to the Tower."

He nodded and looked her in the eyes. "Thank you, Miss Potter. I apologize that you caught me at a bad time but I shall see you tomorrow night for your lesson."

She gave a tiny smile and left, heading back to the Gryffindor Tower. When she had entered the passcode, she was surprised to see the common room was surprisingly full. She saw Harry, Ron, and Hermoine huddled in the corner and hurried over there.

"No- he wouldn't," Hermoine said. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."

"Honestly, Hermoine, you would think all teachers are saints or something," snapped Ron. "I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after? What's that dog guarding?"

"What are you talking about?" The three jumped when they heard Vivian's voice behind them.

"Vivian! Where have you been?" Harry said, jumping up. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

"I'm sorry, Harry," she said giving him a hug, "I had to see some teachers over homework matters."

"What teachers?" Ron asked.

"Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape."

The three all froze.

"You were with Snape?" asked Harry.

"Yes Harry, remember I am taking nightly classes with him."

"But wasn't he-" Hermoine asked but stopped when Harry gave her a look.

"Harry," Vivian said crossing her arm. "What aren't you telling me?"

Harry signed. "We believe Snape is after whatever is in the third floor, and he tried to get it but got bit by the three-headed dog and ran off."

"Are you saying that Professor Snape is a thief?"

Harry adjusted his glasses. "What I'm saying is that I don't trust Snape, I feel that he's up to something. Did you notice anything when you were with him tonight?"

Vivian bit her lip. "He was hurt, and he needed dittany."

Hermoine jumped up. "That's a powerful healing plant, it heals the skin over major wounds in order to prevent scarring."

"So Harry was right." said Ron.

"Wait, that doesn't mean anything." Vivian said, jumping to Snape's defense.

"But Vivian, why else would he go there?"

Vivian stared at her brother, torn over what to believe. "I'm not saying your wrong, I'm just saying I don't believe that Snape would ever do something like that. Dumbledore trusts him, otherwise he wouldn't be a teacher at Hogwarts."

The other three looked at the ground, not wanting to answer.

"Whatever," Vivian said. "We shouldn't worry about it too much tonight because tomorrow is Harry's first Quidditch match and he needs all the rest he can get."

Harry smiled at the thought of the big Quidditch game. "Oh, right. That's tomorrow."

Ron laughed and grabbed Harry, bidding the girls goodnight before dragging him up to their room. Vivian and Hermoine turned to do the same.

"So how's third year Transfigurations going?" Hermoine asked.

Vivian bit her lip, wondering if she should tell her what Professor McGonagall had mentioned earlier. Deeming it appropriate to share. "Professor McGonagall said I might be ready to move up again, to fifth year and take my OWLs next semester."

Hermoine gasped and grabbed Vivian's arm. "Viv, that's unbelievable! You are so talented, I wish I could move up."

Vivian rolled her eyes. "Please, Hermoine. The only reason they're not allowing you to move up is because you would move up in every class and I doubt that's allowed."

Hermoine giggled and the two girls continued chatting until they reached their room. Crawling into bed, Hermoine glanced over at Vivian.

"I'm glad your my friend, Viv. And I'm especially glad that I don't have to worry about your nightmares anymore."

Vivian flinched, thinking back to that awful moment of Hermoine dragging her to the hospital wing.

"Me too, Moine. Me too."

Author's Note:

First of all, I would like to talk a moment to honor a truly amazing man who recently passed away, Alan Rickman. When I first saw the news, I had to immediately check that it was true and then I had to take a moment to actually grasp the reality that he was gone. He was one of my favorite actors and his role as Professor Snape was absolutely incredible. I hope to continue to honor him throughout my story and I am praying for his family and friends. Anyway, I am so excited that my story is getting this much attention and views. I am still hoping for a higher number of reviews, nine is a little discouraging but I believe in you guys and I really hope to see some more after this chapter. Next update will be on Sunday and it's Harry's first Quidditch match so be excited! Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day and I hope everyone who has the day off is enjoying it as I am.