AN- Since I updated late last time I wanted to have another quick update. A long chapter for me too. I would like to thank Blue Lover500 and sara253xxx for reviewing once again. Keep it up you guys. Hope you enjoy the chapter.

It has also seemed that I have forgotten the disclaimer. I would like to clarify that I do not own the HArry Potter series and that J.K. Rowling does.-Laura

Chapter Fourteen: Occlumency

It's been a few weeks since I had left the Hospital Wing and nothing had really happened since then. Unless you count me and my brother hating each other much more than before, but that was bound to happen anyway.

I was walking down to the Great Hall for dinner, but I was late because I had dropped all my books and homework in the middle of the Common Room. Picking them up wouldn't have been a problem except that there was too many people leaving for dinner and trampling all my papers.

So as I was walking to dinner, I had to stop suddenly. I had heard someone behind me. I slowly tuned around. My hand hovered above my wand pocket in case I had to draw, but that was unnecessary because the person following me was the exact person I was looking for. Severus Snape.

"Snape, I thought I heard someone behind me. On your way to dinner, I suppose?" I said to Snape, but he just glared at me. It seemed he was in a bad mood.

"Obviously. Where else would I be going, Potter?" he sneered as we started to walk again.

After a bit of silence I said, "So I heard that you know Occlumency very well."

His narrowed eyes shot over to me and we stopped walking, "Why do you want to know?"

"I want to learn it. I was wondering if you could teach me," I replied to Snape, but before I could finish he started walking away. I quickly caught up with him, "Please."

"No way, Potter," was his response to me.

"Why not?" I asked loudly.

Snape turned to look at me once again, "Why do you want to know Occlumemcy?"

I paused. I guess I could tell Snape what my reasons were for. It was known to everyone in Slytherin that he was going to become one when got out of school.

"I want to become a Death Eater and if I do, I want to know Occlumency because the Dark Lord is a very good Legilimens. I at least want to something to protect my mind. Once I get into his circle I know that there is no coming out, but I just want to feel a little safe. You can't trust anyone these days. You know that, Snape," I whispered because I was afraid that someone would over hear us.

"You going to become a Death Eater?" he said shocked. "I always figured that you didn't want to become one because of your heritage. That and another list of things."

"Yes and if you notice I don't really like my family. Even a fool could see that," I muttered back to him.

Snape nodded, "I know that, but what if someone kills your family. Then what will you do? You can't just leave the Dark Lord because you don't want to follow him anymore. This isn't the right track for you to go on, Potter. You know that."

"I don't give a damn about my family anymore. Even after my brother almost killed me they still think of him as the incarnation of perfect. They never liked me anyway. Not since I was sorted into Slytherin. To them it is like I'm destined to do dark things, so why not follow their wishes?" I whisper-yelled. Glad that I didn't actually scream into his greasy face.

Snape sighed and reluctantly said, "Fine. I'll teach you Potter. I guess it is your choice to sell your soul to him. Meet me in the Common Room at midnight."

I gave the hook-nosed man a small smile and a nod and continued my walk to the Great Hall for dinner once more. I knew that I'd need the energy for tonight because Occlumency is a very tiring thing to learn at first.

Once midnight came around I headed down to the Common Room to meet Snape. As I entered the Common Room I saw a figure standing in front of the dying fireplace. Obviously it was Snape. He turned to look at me with a blank expression as I walk toward him.

"You actually came," he said quietly.

I nodded, "Of course I did. I told you that I was. I usually follow through with what I say."

The Slytherin nodded and motioned for me to follow him. He lead me out of the Common Room and through the dark and empty castle to an empty classroom near the dungeons. Snape locked the door with his wand and said that he didn't want to risk the chance of anyone walking in on us practicing. It would be too suspicious.

"I take it you know the basics about Occlumency?" he asked as he pulled out his wand.

I nodded, "It is when someone closes their mind from Legilimency. It keeps them away from your memories, feelings, and the influences of the said person in your head."

Snape nodded, "You get the picture then." He pointed his wand at me, "Are you sure you want to do this, Sophie?"

I was a little surprised that he called me by my first name, but nodded none the less, "Of course."

"Legilimens!" he shouted and nothing could prepare me for what happened next.

The jet of light hit me and it seemed that I was unwillingly taken on a trip inside my mind. Memories quickly flashed by my eyes. Me getting sorted into Slytherin and my brother's angry expression toward me... My sitting alone on the Hogwarts Express my first year and about to burst into tears... Regulus and me doing homework in the Common Room... A bludger heading toward my face with Sirius' and James' smirking faces behind.

Next thing I knew was I was on my knees and gasping for breath. I looked up to see Snape that he was looking down on me with a sad and disappointed expression.

"I see you have absolutely no shield what so ever and continuing on will be pointless. Work on having a blank mind. Control your emotions. If not you stand no chance in learning the art of Occlumency," Snape said while I stood up.

I nodded and took what he said to memory. The faster I learned this the better.

"Next Sunday at eight O'clock. Don't be late," he said as he left me alone in the classroom.

All I could think of as I watched him was that this was going to be a long few months.

AN- Well, a lot of Snape in this chapter. I have been planning this scene for a while now in my head because once I get this over with I can get onto the bigger parts of the story and more important things than the things that I have been writing. Hope you enjoyed! Remember to leave a review.