Occlumency

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George and Kitty went back to Hogwarts by the Knight Bus. Remus and Tonks helped them off the bus with their luggage, then got off to say goodbye.

'You'll be safe once you're in the grounds,' said Tonks, casting a careful eye around at the deserted road. 'Have a good term, OK?'

'Look after yourselves,' said Remus, hugging everyone and reaching Harry last. 'And listen ...' he lowered his voice while the rest of them exchanged last-minute goodbyes with Tonks, 'Harry, I know you don't like Snape, but he is a superb Occlumens and we all-Sirius included-want you to learn to protect yourself, so work hard, all right?'

'Yeah, all right,' said Harry heavily, looking up into Lupin's prematurely lined face. 'See you, then.'

'Bye, Remus,' said Kitty and the seven of them trudged up the slippery drive to Hogwarts, dragging their trunks behind them.

Kitty spent most of the next day looking forward to the evening. Harry's mood was further lowered by the DA members constantly approaching him in the corridors between classes, asking hopefully if there would be a meeting that night.

'I'll let you when the next one is,' Harry said over and over again, 'but I can't do it tonight, I've got to go to-er-remedial Potions.'

By six o'clock that evening, Harry and Kitty were ready to go to Snape's office for Occlumency lessons. Kitty had told Vandyll, Luna and Dennis where she would be that evening; no one else had asked her, so she hadn't needed to lie. Kitty had been teasing Harry all afternoon for having asked Cho out for Valentine's Day, with the result that Harry had been more irritable than ever.

They paused outside the door when they reached it, Harry was wishing he were almost anywhere else, then, taking a deep breath, he knocked and entered. Kitty followed him.

The shadowy room was lined with shelves bearing hundreds of glass jars in which slimy bits of animals and plants were suspended in variously coloured potions. In one corner stood the cupboard full of ingredients that Snape had once accused Harry-not without reason-of robbing. Kitty's attention was drawn towards the desk however, where a shallow stone basin engraved with runes and symbols lay in a pool of candlelight. She recognised it at once-it was the same pensieve, in which Snape had dropped Kitty's nightmare, and studied it. She jumped when Snape's cold voice came out of the shadows.

'Shut the door behind you, Potter.'

Harry did as he was told. When he turned back into the room, Snape had moved into the light and was pointing silently at the chairs opposite his desk. Harry and Kitty sat down and so did Snape, his cold black eyes fixed unblinkingly upon Harry, dislike etched in every line of his face.

'Well, Potter, you know why you are here,' he said. 'The Headmaster has asked me to teach you Occlumency. I can only hope that you prove more adept at it than at Potions.'

Kitty sniggered.

'Right,' said Harry tersely, after glaring at Kitty.

'This may not be an ordinary class, Potter,' said Snape, his eyes narrowed malevolently, 'but I am still your teacher and you will therefore call me "sir" or "Professor" at all times.'

'Yes ... sir,' said Harry.

Snape continued to survey him through narrowed eyes for a moment, then said, 'Now, Occlumency. As I told you back in your dear godfather's kitchen, this branch of magic seals the mind against magical intrusion and influence.'

'And why does Professor Dumbledore think I need it, sir?' said Harry looking directly into Snape's eyes and wondering whether Snape would answer.

Snape looked back at him for a moment and then said contemptuously, 'Surely even you could have worked that out by now, Potter? The Dark Lord is highly skilled at Legilimency -'

'What's that? Sir?'

'It is the ability to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind,' said Kitty, 'I researched it in the library today.'

'He can read minds?' said Harry quickly, his worst fears confirmed.

'You have no subtlety, Potter,' said Snape, his dark eyes glittering. 'You do not understand fine distinctions. It is one of the shortcomings that makes you such a lamentable potion-maker. Only Muggles talk of "mind-reading". The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by any invader, the mind is a complex and many-layered thing, Potter- or at least, most minds are.' He smirked.

'It is true, however, that those who have mastered Legilimency are able, under certain conditions, to delve into the minds of their victims and to interpret their findings correctly. The Dark Lord, for instance, almost always knows when somebody is lying to him. Only those skilled at Occlumency are able to shut down those feelings and memories that contradict the lie, and so can utter falsehoods in his presence without detection.'

Kitty wondered whether Snape had spoken falsehoods to Voldemort and her respect for Snape increased. Whatever Snape said, Legilimency sounded like mind-reading to Harry, and he didn't like the sound of it at all.

'So he could know what we're thinking right now? Sir?'

'The Dark Lord is at a considerable distance and the walls and grounds of Hogwarts are guarded by many ancient spells and charms to ensure the bodily and mental safety of those who dwell within them,' said Snape. 'Time and space matter in magic, Potter. Eye contact is often essential to Legilimency.'

'Well then, why do I have to learn Occlumency?'

'The usual rules do not seem to apply with you, Potter. The curse that failed to kill you seems to have forged some kind of connection between you and the Dark Lord. The evidence suggests that at times, when your mind is most relaxed and vulnerable -when you are asleep, for instance-you are sharing the Dark Lord's thoughts and emotions. The Headmaster thinks it inadvisable for this to continue. He wishes me to teach you how to close your mind to the Dark Lord.'

'But why does Professor Dumbledore want to stop it?' Harry asked abruptly. 'I don't like it much, but it's been useful, hasn't it? I mean ... I saw that snake attack Mr Weasley and if I hadn't, Professor Dumbledore wouldn't have been able to save him, would he? Sir?'

Snape stared at Harry for a few moments. When he spoke again, it was slowly and deliberately, as though he weighed every word.

'It appears that the Dark Lord has been unaware of the connection between you and himself until very recently. Up till now it seems that you have been experiencing his emotions, and sharing his thoughts, without his being any the wiser. However, the vision you had shortly before Christmas represented such a powerful incursion upon the Dark Lord's thoughts-'

'I saw inside the snake's head, not his!'

'Don't interrupt me, Potter!'

But Harry did not care if Snape was angry; at last he seemed to be getting to the bottom of this business; he had moved forwards in his chair so that, without realising it, he was perched on the very edge, tense as though poised for flight.

'How come I saw through the snake's eyes if it's Voldemort's thoughts I'm sharing?'

'Do not say the Dark Lord's name!' spat Snape.

There was a nasty silence. They glared at each other across the Pensieve.

'Professor Dumbledore says his name.' said Harry quietly.

'Dumbledore is an extremely powerful wizard,' Snape muttered. 'While he may feel secure enough to use the name ... the rest of us ...' He rubbed his left forearm, apparently unconsciously, on the spot where Harry knew the Dark Mark was burned into his skin.

'I just wanted to know,' Harry began again, forcing his voice back to politeness, 'why-'

'You seem to have visited the snake's mind because that was where the Dark Lord was at that particular moment,' snarled Snape. 'He was possessing the snake at the time and so you dreamed you were inside it, too.'

'And Vol-he- realised I was there?'

'It seems so,' said Snape coolly.

'How do you know?' said Harry urgently. 'Is this just Professor Dumbledore guessing, or- ?'

'I told you,' said Snape, rigid in his chair, his eyes slits, 'to call me "sir".

'Yes, sir,' said Harry impatiently, 'but how do you know-'?

'It is enough that we know,' said Snape repressively. 'The important point is that the Dark Lord is now aware that you are gaining access to his thoughts and feelings. He has also deduced that the process is likely to work in reverse; that is to say, he has realised that he might be able to access your thoughts and feelings in return-'

'And he might try and make me do things?' asked Harry. 'Sir?' he added hurriedly.

'He might,' said Snape, sounding cold and unconcerned. 'Which brings us back to Occlumency.'

Snape pulled out his wand from an inside pocket of his robes and Harry tensed in his chair, but Snape merely raised the wand to his temple and placed its tip into the greasy roots of his hair. When he withdrew it, some silvery substance came away, stretching from temple to wand like a thick gossamer strand, which broke as he pulled the wand away from it and fell gracefully into the Pensieve, where it swirled silvery-white, neither gas nor liquid. Twice more, Snape raised the wand to his temple and deposited the silvery substance into the stone basin, then, without offering any explanation of his behaviour, he picked up the Pensieve carefully, removed it to a shelf out of their way and returned to face Harry with his wand held at the ready.

'Stand up and take out your wand, Potter.'

Harry got to his feet, feeling nervous. They faced each other with the desk between them.

'You may use your wand to attempt to disarm me, or defend yourself in any other way you can think of,' said Snape.

'And what are you going to do?' Harry asked, eyeing Snape's wand apprehensively.

'I am about to attempt to break into your mind,' said Snape softly. 'We are going to see how well you resist. I have been told that you have already shown aptitude at resisting the Imperius Curse. You will find that similar powers are needed for this ... brace yourself, now. Legilimens!'

Kitty stared at Harry, as Snape penetrated into his mind. Harry had screwed up his face as though in pain. Then, he started shouting at Snape.

'Stop! NO! Not that!'

Without warning, he fell onto the floor, colliding with Snape's desk. Harry looked up at Snape, who was rubbing his wrist.

'Did you mean to produce a Stinging Hex?' asked Snape coolly.

'No,' said Harry bitterly, getting up from the floor.

'I thought not,' said Snape, watching him closely. 'You let me get in too far. You lost control. Well, for a first attempt that was not as poor as it might have been,' said Snape, raising his wand once more. 'You managed to stop me eventually, though you wasted time and energy shouting. You must remain focused. Repel me with your brain and you will not need to resort to your wand.'

'I'm trying,' said Harry angrily, 'but you're not telling me how!'

'Manners, Potter,' said Snape dangerously. 'Now, you may have a break while I teach Kitty. Meanwhile, practice emptying your mind of all emotion. Let go of your thoughts.'

Kitty swallowed in nervousness.

'Don't worry,' said Snape, 'I'll go easy on you.'

Kitty nodded. Snape pointed his wand at her and muttered, 'Legilmens!'

The office swam in front of her eyes and vanished; image after image was racing through her mind like a flickering film so vivid it blinded her to her surroundings.

She was seven; Aunt Petunia was making her mop the kitchen floor…she was eight, and waving goodbye to Harry, who was leaving for Hogwarts…she was meeting Remus for the first time at the Burrow…she was walking hand in hand with Vandyll, under the moonlight…Voldemort was torturing her, as she screamed with pain…

'Kitty, you okay?' someone was saying. She looked around. Harry was kneeling beside her on the floor. Snape was towering over her.

'Well, I did not expect you to repel me in your first attempt,' said Snape helping her up. 'Are you sure you want to continue learning?'

Kitty nodded. She watched as Snape turned to Harry.

'Clear your mind, Potter,' said Snape. 'Let go of all emotion ...Let's go again ... on the count of three ... one-two-three-Legilimens!'

Harry was yelling loudly. He was on his knees again, his face buried in his hands, his brain aching as though someone had been trying to pull it from his skull.

'Get up!' said Snape sharply. 'Get up! You are not trying, you are making no effort. You are allowing me access to memories you fear, handing me weapons! I told you to empty yourself of emotion!'

'Yeah? Well, I'm finding that hard at the moment,' Harry snarled.

'Then you will find yourself easy prey for the Dark Lord!' said Snape savagely. 'Fools who wear their hearts proudly on their sleeves, who cannot control their emotions, who wallow in sad memories and allow themselves to be provoked so easily-weak people, in other words-they stand no chance against his powers! He will penetrate your mind with absurd ease, Potter!'

'I am not weak,' said Harry in a low voice.

'Then prove it! Master yourself!' spat Snape. 'Control your anger, discipline your mind! We shall try again! Get ready, now! Legilimens!'

'I KNOW! I KNOW!'

Harry was on all fours again on Snape's office floor, clutching his scar. He pushed himself up again to find Snape staring at him, his wand raised. Snape turned to Kitty again. 'Ready for your turn?'

Kitty gulped and nodded.

'Legilmens!'

She was writing 'I must not be rude' in Umbridge's office…she was writhing on the floor of the graveyard…Draco Malfoy was telling her that he was going to become a spy…she was yelling at Sirius…Voldemort was advancing towards her, his wand raised…

'Stop!'

She was lying on the floor of Snape's dungeon. Harry was staring at her, while Snape had been knocked headfirst onto the shelves of his office.

'What happened?' she asked breathlessly.

'I dunno, you were shouting at Snape to stop, and the next thing I know, he was slammed onto the shelves,' said Harry.

'Did I use my wand?'

Snape was getting to his feet.

'No, you did not use your wand. You did not even repel me with your mind. That was accidental magic,' said Snape. 'It occurs as an involuntary response when your body senses danger. However, it will not always help you. You must learn to repel me with your mind. Nevertheless, it was a much better attempt than Potter.'

'How did you do it?' said Harry.

'It's because Potter, she unlike you, was not concentrating on hating me at the moment. You must let go of your emotions. We'll try once more,' said Snape, looking at Harry.

Snape turned to him and said, 'Legilimens!'

Kitty saw Harry drop to his hands and knees again and begin shouting once more.

'What happened then, Potter?' Snape asked, eyeing Harry intently.

'I saw-I remembered,' Harry panted. 'I've just realised ...'

'Realised what?' asked Snape sharply.

'What's in the Department of Mysteries?'

'What did you say?' Snape asked quietly and Harry saw, with deep satisfaction, that Snape was unnerved.

'I said, what's in the Department of Mysteries, sir?' Harry said.

'And why,' said Snape slowly, 'would you ask such a thing?'

'Because,' said Harry, watching Snape's face closely, 'that corridor I've just seen-I've been dreaming about it for months-I've just recognised it-it leads to the Department of Mysteries ... and I think Voldemort wants something from-'

'I have told you not to say the Dark Lord's name!'

They glared at each other. Snape looked agitated; but when he spoke again he sounded as though he was trying to appear cool and unconcerned.

'There are many things in the Department of Mysteries, Potter, few of which you would understand and none of which concern you. Do I make myself plain?'

'Yes,' Harry said, still rubbing his prickling scar, which was becoming more painful.

'I want you both back here same time on Wednesday. We will continue work then. You are to rid your mind of all emotion every night before sleep; empty it, make it blank and calm, you understand?'

'Yes,' said Harry, who was barely listening. Kitty nodded.

'And be warned, Potter ... I shall know if you have not practised ...'

'Right,' Harry mumbled. He grabbed Kitty's hand and hurried towards the office door. As he opened it, he glanced back at Snape, who had his back to Harry and was scooping his own thoughts out of the Pensieve with the tip of his wand and replacing them carefully inside his own head.

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