Another short chapter for the beginning of a new year.

SEVERUS IX

1996

Severus Snape gave the password. The gargoyle turned on itself. He took the stairs that led to Dumbledore's office. He knocked once he stood in front of the door.

"Come in, Severus," the headmaster asked.

He opened the door. His heart made a small, imperceptible bump when he noticed Lily's presence next to the desk where the headmaster was sitting. But Severus had perfected the art of dissimulating his thoughts and feelings, so he was sure she didn't notice.

"Is there a problem, Headmaster?" he asked Dumbledore. On the day before students came back to Hogwarts, Severus suspected that any meeting with the headmaster only involving Lily Evans could only be about one thing, a matter he had no desire to broach.

"Severus, I will be direct," Dumbledore declared. "I need your help."

"How may I help you?"

"I need you to teach Occlumency to Harry."

Of all the tasks Dumbledore could have given him, this was by far among those Severus had no wish to perform.

"And may I ask why can't you teach him yourself?" he asked Dumbledore.

"I asked him exactly the same thing," Lily muttered audibly on her side. Severus was quite glad that they agreed on something. And although he suspected this was not the same reasons, he was glad that Lily showed no more enthusiasm than Severus felt to the idea he might give private lessons to her son.

"We already discussed this," Dumbledore cut short. "Ever since Harry witnessed the attack on Arthur, Voldemort is most likely aware of the connection. Severus's recent reports support this hypothesis. We could hope to keep it a secret to everybody up to now, but this is no longer the case. Harry must learn to protect his mind, and he cannot learn it from me. Any contact with me could further encourage Voldemort to use this connection, which is not something we want. And we cannot expose Harry to more sensitive aspects of the Order than necessary."

"And you don't believe that the Dark Lord could suspect my double-play if he becomes aware that I'm helping this boy close his mind?" Severus asked.

"Not if the order comes from me," Dumbledore said. "You will hide this information, Severus. And if Voldemort ever becomes aware of those lessons, make him believe that Harry is unable to learn it. If you think this is possible, make him believe that you are not actively trying to teach Harry. But do not pretend you are sabotaging his efforts to learn. Voldemort will never be fool enough to believe I would let you do that. Your task will be to convince Voldemort, if he ever finds out, that you do not try to teach Harry, while actually teaching him."

The first part of his task would be easy and didn't bother Severus, but if it came to actually make sure the arrogant boy would master Occlumency, this was another, totally different challenge. An unachievable challenge, to be specific.

"Are you sure that Voldemort would fall for that?" Lily asked.

"Severus proved time and again that he was very convincing with Voldemort," Dumbledore stated.

"And what if Harry succeeds in learning Occlumency? Won't Voldemort suspect something?"

It troubled Snape to hear something lightly akin to concern in Lily's voice when talking about him.

"I don't think so. Harry managed to resist an Imperius Curse. Both from Barty Crouch Junior and Voldemort himself. He has a very powerful will, which will be useful in learning Occlumency. We will make sure that Voldemort cannot blame Severus for Harry's natural talent," Dumbledore concluded with a smile.

Severus wasn't as optimistic as Dumbledore seemed to be. Lily didn't seem to be either. Severus would be very surprised if Potter managed to perform Occlumency. Even for a very talented wizard, mastering Occlumency took tremendous effort and time, without guarantee of success. Severus knew better than Dumbledore on this. Potter didn't have the necessary talent to succeed.

"Severus," Dumbledore went on, taking a way more serious expression. "It is of the utmost importance that Harry learns Occlumency." The headmaster cast a gaze towards Lily. "You cannot fail this time. We cannot allow Voldemort to access Harry's mind. Is that understood?"

Severus understood. Failure was not an option. This would mean a lot of work for him, if he was to bring an adolescent without talent to master Occlumency. As if he didn't already have lots on his shoulders.

"Understood, Headmaster," he replied. "If that is the case, I would rather begin tomorrow right away." He felt he would need a lot of time to teach this arrogant boy, though he didn't voice this opinion loudly in Lily's presence.

"Very well. You will need a cover story, so that people do not suspect what you are teaching Harry outside class hours. Especially our dear Dolores Umbridge."

As always, the name of this woman caused Severus to have a sudden wish to vomit. Lily didn't seem to like the name either, for very good reasons. That woman had been trying to revoke her since September. For now, Dumbledore and the Board of Governors managed to protect her, despite all the negative reports Umbridge submitted, but Severus was beginning to fear it was only a matter of time before the Ministry got what they wanted.

"We will tell everybody that he's following additional classes in Potions. Anyway, he would need some." He almost regretted his words, for they obviously displeased Lily. He tried to keep his criticism of her son at a low level in her presence. "And I need to meet him before he comes back here, to avoid any risk. It wouldn't do if Umbridge heard a conversation where I order him to learn Occlumency."

"I agree," Dumbledore nodded. He turned to Lily. "Is Harry still at Grimmauld Place?"

"Yes, he is," she replied, before turning towards Severus. "But if you are to meet Harry outside the school boundaries, I want to be there."

Severus bowed the head slightly. "That is your decision," he stated plainly.

"Very well then. I suppose I don't need to remind you to not talk about this matter inside the castle. Our dear Dolores cannot hear about this," Dumbledore repeated.

On that, they all agreed.

About an hour later, Severus apparated along with Lily in front of Black's home. He didn't like walking into this home, but he had to admit it was very useful to remain secret. Molly Weasley came to see them as soon as they walked through the doorstep.

"Hi, Severus. Lily," she welcomed them.

"I need to see Potter. Right away," he said straight. He had no time to lose.

"For what reason?" Molly Weasley asked.

"For reasons that are best to remain mine. Order from Dumbledore."

The last three words had an instant impact. "Very well. I'll fetch him."

"Wait, Molly." Words from Lily stopped the mother of too many Weasleys. "I need to talk with Severus first. I'll tell you when you can tell Harry to come."

"If you wish so," Molly Weasley said. "You can take the kitchen. I'll keep people out."

"Thank you."

Severus knew it was futile to argue. Molly Weasley would side with Lily no matter what. So he went to the kitchen with Lily.

"Whatever you have to say, do it now," he told her the moment the door closed. "I don't have much time."

"Severus…" Lily started. Her tone almost surprised him. It was not hard, or at least not as hard as he expected. "I know you don't like Harry, and I'm not asking you to like him. All I'm asking is that you treat him decently when you teach him Occlumency."

He expected it would be about something like this.

"I am treating your son as decently as I can. If he is not pleased with it, that is his problem."

She sighed and looked at the roof. "I don't believe you get it, Severus. This time, if Harry fails to learn and use Occlumency, that will be your fault. Don't say the opposite, because Dumbledore confirmed it to me before he summoned you in his office. If Harry fails to master Occlumency, you will be responsible for this. So if you really want to succeed, I suggest you adapt your teaching style, because it's not by mistreating and belittling Harry that you will manage to teach him this time.

Severus Snape hated being told how to teach. However, if it was Lily who told him, it was harder for him to retort. Still, he still had enough pride to point out something that should be evident even for her.

"If the Dark Lord discovers what I'm doing, I better have proof that I do not make your son's life easy. And considering your position, you should start treating Potter as your student rather than your son."

Lily stared hard at him. No matter how used he got to this, Severus still didn't like it. "Right now, he is not my student. And you are not his teacher either. You are the man who Dumbledore tasked to make sure he learns Occlumency. So you better make sure you succeed this time, instead of complaining that your students are lazy and this is all their fault."

He maintained her gaze. Despite her anger, she looked at him with respect. She showed him some level of it ever since Pettigrew died. He supposed that this was the only way she could view him in a better way: when he proved he had no intention to see her son die. Maybe Severus wanted Harry Potter expelled from Hogwarts, where he obviously had no place, but he didn't want to see him dead.

"Can I see your son, now?"

He struggled to not add spite to the word son. Lily went to the door and asked Molly to fetch him. Harry Potter arrived in the kitchen a minute later.

"Harry, please, sit," Lily told him. He looked uncertain, but he sat down. Severus stared at him. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Nothing more than usual," Severus responded right away, preventing Lily from possibly reassuring her son. It was time for him to grow up. "So for now, you have nothing to worry about. I am here on Dumbledore's orders." He let some time go, to add confusion to the boy. "The Headmaster has sent me to tell you, Potter, that it is his wish for you to study Occlumency this term."

The adolescent had a totally confused look now. "Study what?"

Severus smiled in mockery. He wasn't surprised the adolescent didn't know what it was. Before he could answer though, Lily did.

"Occlumency is a branch of magic that allows to protect our mind from external threats, Harry. Very few people study and even less master it, but Dumbledore and I believe you must learn to protect your mind from Voldemort after what happened two weeks ago."

"Okay," the boy replied, still sounding uncertain. "Who is going to be teaching me?"

"I am," Severus informed him, watching with satisfaction the distress on the boy's face. He stood up. "I expect you in my office at six o'clock on Monday evening, Potter. You are not to tell anybody, least of all Dolores Umbridge. If anybody asks, you are taking remedial Potions. Nobody who has seen you in my classes could deny you need them."

On that, Severus left. He had no desire to spend more time in the company of both the boy and his mother at the same time. His time was precious, and he wouldn't waste it anymore. If the boy had other questions, he could ask Lily. She was way better than Severus was to convince someone.

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