Chapter 186: Ch.188
Damian Yaxley had a reputation for perversity and not the run of the mill Death Eater brand of it either. Most of the rumors put him in the BDSM crowd. But unlike many of her family he didn't have a reputation for hating muggles. Cassandra had given her uncle a request that he keep an eye on certain people that ran with the Death Eater crowd and offered him twenty five galleons a month to do so; plus the opportunity for bonuses if he brought her any particularly useful information. She had been surprised because she had expected questions, instead he had just given her a knowing look, smirked a little and agreed.
Severus Snape had spent two weeks debating the pros and cons of helping Harry Potter become an occlumens. One thing he was certain of, Albus wouldn't approve; especially since Potter was asking for an unbreakable vow of silence on anything that he saw while in Potter's mind. In the end the chance to curry favor with the world's next most powerful wizard proved too much temptation.
"Mr. Potter, a word after class if you please?"
"Yes, Professor."
After the class had filed out. Snape began,"I will teach you."
"When?"
"On the weekends two hours early in the morning, you are an early riser are you not?"
"Yes, sir. I'll let Neville know so he can be our bonder. I'll also send to the goblins for payment if you tell me how much that will be."
"Twenty galleons a month, just have the goblins transfer it into my vault will get you two hours of instruction a week. You said you've gone as far as you can in self-study, what did you mean by that?"
"I've read books about it, some auror left the books to me. I've meditated and I believe I have created an effective mindscape in which to hide my memories however. I have no idea if I can hold it under pressure and I have no idea how to do any of the more advanced techniques, I just know they exist."
"Good, my office seven a.m. Saturday."
"Yes, sir."
"Good, then head to your next class."
Harry nodded then left and hurried to Arithmancy.
Saturday morning arrived and Harry and Neville knocked on the professor's office door at one minute to seven.
"Enter."
They went in.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom."
"Professor." Both boys chorused.
Neville pulled out his wand. "Let's get started. Take hands."
Harry and Professor Snape took hold of one another's hands.
"Will you, Professor Severus Snape, use your skills as a legilimens, to impart the skills of an occlumens to Harry James Potter to the maximum ability he is able to learn it or until he decides to cease your lessons?"
"I will."
"Will you keep completely private all information which you learn from his mind in the course of his education?"
"I will."
"Will you teach Harry James Potter occulmency to the best of your abilities?"
"I will."
The third tongue of flames wrapped the wrists of the man and the teen. Then faded from the visual spectrum. They released their hold.
Neville tucked his wand away.
"Thanks, Nev."
"No problem. Good luck with the lesson."
Neville left. Leaving Harry and Professor Snape looking at one another. Harry took a deep breath then reached up, and for the first time since the night he'd gotten it, removed the necklace and its amulet from his neck.
"What is that?"Professor Snape asked.
"An amulet my mother made for me, to protect my mind." Harry replied. "For this to work I cannot be wearing it."
"I see. Well, shall we start?"
Harry took a deep breath. Then for really the first time since coming to Hogwarts he let his eyes truly meet the eyes of one of his teachers.
For Severus Snape it was a bit of a shock. He had known Harry had green eyes, but until he saw the emerald orbs he had never realized that Harry had never truly met his eyes before. Seeing the vivid green he had only seen in Lily's eyes made his heart catch for a moment. "I will cast the spell and you need to push me away from your mind. Do you understand?"
Harry said, "Yes."
"Legillimens."
Snape was surprised by Harry's mindscape. He hadn't know what to expect but a representation of the Camden town marketplace on a busy Saturday wasn't something he would have ever expected. He probed lightly, he was sure the memories were here but they were so well camouflaged he was sure he couldn't find them, so from that standpoint Harry's mind was well defended. He could feel some slight pressure to leave but it wasn't enough to move him. He stayed in Harry's mind and probed a little more to see if he could find anything, but he didn't so he exited.
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