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<div class="chap-title">
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16. Chapter 16
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</div>
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<div class="chap-text">
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<p><em>Thank you all for your reviews! Wow, those last three chapters really seemed
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liked. I hope I can keep this up. Rest assured, this story is far from over. There is
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still so much more to come! And I hope you'll keep enjoying it as we move
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along.</em></p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 16</strong></p>
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<p>Since Snape had awoken, he hadn't allowed Harry to skip any of his classes anymore
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deeming his education far more important than entertaining Snape. So Harry had
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begrudgingly gone to his classes before he was finally able to rush back into the
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medical wing, still carrying his books as he hadn't even dropped those off yet.</p>
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<p>When he entered he found a most uncomfortable looking Snape surrounded by cards
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and sweets. At the moment, he was glaring menacingly at a large green card with a
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snake on the front.</p>
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<p>"From your admirers?" Harry asked.</p>
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<p>Snape huffed. "This one came from the entire student body of Slytherin," he said,
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holding the card out for Harry to take. "I could have expected that much, but where
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the rest have come from, I couldn't tell you."</p>
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<p>"You could try reading them," Harry offered. He plopped down on Snape's bed and
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grabbed one of the chocolate frogs that littered his bedside table. "Wow, Slytherins
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sure have neat handwriting," he added as he checked the Slytherin card.</p>
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<p>"Since very few Slytherins are muggle-born, they have all learned how to –"</p>
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<p>"Oh look!" Harry interrupted giddily, "This one says she wishes her dad was as
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strong and brave as you are."</p>
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<p>"A sentiment ill-befitting of a Slytherin," Snape growled, "I will have to teach
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her some proper decorum once I get out of here."</p>
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<p>Harry placed the card on Snape's table and grabbed another one.</p>
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<p>"Since you're not going to read them, can I?"</p>
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<p>"Be my guest," Snape said, "But if you dare repeat any of the profanities you will
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surely see, I will be sticking your tongue to the roof of your mouth."</p>
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<p>"You are being paranoid," Harry sighed.</p>
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<p>"Here, look at this one," A wide grin formed on Harry's face.</p>
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<p class='c1'><em>We hope that you will soon get better<br/>
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My mum will prob' knit you a sweater<br/>
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Miss you in defence<br/>
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Against all common sense<br/>
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As for Harry, I was no abettor!<br/></em><br/>
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"It's from Ron, if you hadn't noticed," Harry said, "Way to throw me under the bus at
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the end. Honestly."</p>
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<p>Snape shook his head incredulously. "I cannot understand why he would even
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bother."</p>
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<p>"I think he's finally able to look past your rough exterior," Harry said, "Just
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like I have."</p>
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<p>"How dreadful," Snape groaned, "Soon, I will have Gryffindor children of all kinds
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littering my private quarters with their presence just because they assume I'm
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secretly somewhat… <em>approachable</em>."</p>
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<p>"McGonagall wishes you well," Harry said as he grabbed the next card. A fierce
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lion prowled the front. "And she tells you to listen to Pomfrey."</p>
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<p>"She would say that, wouldn't she?" Snape growled, "Sometimes she seems to forget
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that I am no longer her student."</p>
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<p>"Slughorn offers to brew you some dreamless sleep," Harry said as he picked up the
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next card, "He seems to think you'll be having nightmares."</p>
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<p>"If I need Dreamless sleep, I'll brew it myself," Snape scoffed, "Or I'll have
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<em>you</em> do it."</p>
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<p>"He's just trying to be nice," Harry chuckled, throwing the card at Snape. "I know
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that's a language you don't really understand but a no, thank you will suffice."</p>
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<p>Snape grabbed one of the chocolate frogs and frowned at it for a while.</p>
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<p>"They're not poisoned," Harry said, "I just ate one myself."</p>
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<p>"It could be a slow poison," Snape replied, "For all you know, you could drop dead
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in the next hour."</p>
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<p>"Or in the next week," Harry added, "I suppose we'll never truly know."</p>
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<p>Snape unpacked the frog and bit its head off, carelessly picking up the included
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card. He was about to hand it to Harry when he froze the movement midway and
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scrutinized the card with wide eyes.</p>
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<p>"What is it?" Harry asked, shuffling closer. When he got a closer look at the
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card, he burst out laughing.</p>
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<p>There was a picture of Snape there while he was stirring in one of his cauldrons.
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The concoction inside was a hot pink that Harry didn't think any potion in existence
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was coloured as. Harry had no idea when this particular picture had been taken and
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wondered how Snape hadn't even noticed. His name was carefully written in blocky
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letters under the picture.</p>
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<p>'<em>While a Master in Potions he is also a master of the heart. His speciality is
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in love potions which he gladly distributes among his grateful students. Rumour has
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it that he stalks the corridors during St. Valentine's day, making sure that any
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lonely student he encounters has a chance of finding their one true love.'</em></p>
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<p>"What is this foul nonsense?" Snape spat in horror. "When did this happen? Who
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made this?"</p>
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<p>"I've never seen it before," Harry laughed, "And Ron hasn't either or I would have
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known."</p>
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<p>"I will not stand for this," Snape growled, "Someone is going to pay dearly."</p>
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<p>"Pay dearly for what?" Draco asked as he entered the infirmary. "What did Harry do
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<em>this</em> time?"</p>
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<p>"Hey!" Harry responded, "For once, I had nothing to do with this." He took the
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card out of Snape's hands before he could react and gave it to Draco. The Slytherin
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read the text carefully, trying his best not to laugh.</p>
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<p>He coughed carefully. "Well," he said, trying to keep his voice neutral, "I don't
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know who is behind this but I am keeping this card for my collection."</p>
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<p>"Oh, I don't think so," Harry said, taking out his wand. "That card is mine!"</p>
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<p>"Willing to fight me for it, Potter?" Draco said, grinning madly.</p>
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<p>"You don't honestly think you stand a chance, do you, Malfoy?" Harry replied
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smartly.</p>
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<p>"Enough," growled Snape, "While watching you two hex each other into oblivion
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might be entertaining for a short while, that card will not remain in either of yours
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possession."</p>
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<p>"Where there is one, there is more," Harry said easily. "Unless you plan to ban
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chocolate frogs altogether."</p>
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<p>"I have half a mind to do just that," Snape spat.</p>
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<p>"Oh, it's already quite crowded in here," came, a female voice from the doorway.
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Harry swivelled to see Professor Bell standing there.</p>
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<p>"Hi, Professor," he greeted, "There's plenty of room. Why don't you join us?"</p>
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<p>She did come closer, wearing a concerned expression. "How are you feeling,
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Severus?" she asked.</p>
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<p>"Just fantastic," Snape snarled sardonically, "I can't even almost die in peace
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anymore."</p>
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<p>"You do seem to be surrounded by children a lot nowadays," Maya agreed, "Even when
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you're not teaching. You really must be a master of the heart." She smiled broadly as
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she produced another Snape card from her pocket. "Have you seen these? They are brand
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new."</p>
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<p>Both Harry and Draco burst into laughter but Snape scowled fiercely.</p>
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<p>"Oh don't look so upset, Severus," Maya said sweetly, "It's really quite a nice
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picture, at least."</p>
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<p>"I don't even remember anyone taking a picture of me in the lab," Snape said
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solemnly.</p>
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<p>"When you make a potion, you tend to be very focused," Maya said, "In fact, you
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were so focused that you didn't even notice me hiding behind your desk and snapping
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that shot."</p>
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<p>There was a moment of silence in which the History teacher coyly tilted her head
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to the side, smiling broadly with her hands clasped behind her back. Draco and Harry
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stared at her incredulously.</p>
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<p>"<em>You</em> did this?" Snape asked icily, "You would besmirch my name –"</p>
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<p>"Don't be silly, Severus," Maya interrupted him, "I would never! These aren't
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official, you know?" She took the card from her pocket as well as another one with
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Dumbledore on it and showed them both to Snape.</p>
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<p>"I tried copying the original card layout as best I could," she said, "But I was
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unable to duplicate the seal of authenticity. I think you need to know some sort of
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secret charm for it or something. It looks pretty good besides that though, don't you
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think?"</p>
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<p>"So these are not widely distributed around the school?" Snape asked.</p>
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<p>"Of course not, silly," Maya said, "I made enough to replace the cards in that
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basket of chocolate frogs but that's it."</p>
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<p>"I see," Snape replied.</p>
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<p>"I got you good though, didn't I?" Maya said as she sat down on Snape's bed just
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like Harry had done before he started going after Draco to get the card. "Come on,
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you can admit it!"</p>
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<p>"Perhaps you had me somewhat worried," Snape said begrudgingly, "But only slightly
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so."</p>
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<p>"Slightly?" Harry said, "You were ready to start hexing people. You should've seen
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the look on your face!"</p>
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<p>"Alright, you brat," Snape said, "I get your point."</p>
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<p>"I'm keeping one of these cards," Harry told Maya, "They are awesome, even if
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they're fake."</p>
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<p>"Sure," Maya replied, "But I'm afraid they won't last forever. It'll be less than
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a month before they fade out entirely."</p>
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<p>"Thank Merlin," Snape sighed, "I would hate to think of Harry showing his children
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these." Snape looked at the card a bit closer. "I can't believe I didn't see
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you."</p>
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<p>"Not only Slytherins can be cunning," Maya said; grabbing one of the chocolate
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frogs for herself. "So, have you made any more progress with the translation of that
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tome?"</p>
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<p>"When would I have done that?" Snape asked gruffly.</p>
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<p>"Like you have a lot to do in here," Maya said, "Aside from entertaining guests,
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of course."</p>
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<p>"Yes. I'm not sure why but people are visiting frequently. It annoys me
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infinitely." He shot Maya a disparaging glare.</p>
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<p>"Don't say that," Maya said, waving a hand in Snape's general direction. "Everyone
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needs company. I would've come sooner myself if I had found the infirmary sooner. I
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honestly think some signage would come in handy."</p>
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<p>"I'm even surprised that you made it back to Hogwarts by yourself," Snape snorted,
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"Since I wasn't there to take you."</p>
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<p>"It took me ages, though!" Maya said, shaking her head at her own antics. "I
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didn't even make it back before nightfall! I had to sleep in the forest."</p>
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<p>"There is no forest on the way to Hogsmeade," Snape said evenly.</p>
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<p>"Well, that would have been nice to know when I was trying to make my way
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back."</p>
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<p>Snape shook his head in dismay. "I can't understand how anyone can have such a bad
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sense of direction. Are you certain you're not doing this on purpose?"</p>
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<p>"Yuck, that one tasted like soap!" Harry suddenly exclaimed. He and Draco had
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opened one of the every flavour beans boxes Snape had gotten and were now trying to
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fish out the good ones.</p>
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<p>"What did you expect?" Draco chided, "It was white."</p>
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<p>"I thought it was banana," Harry sighed.</p>
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<p>"You realize you could simply eat a banana if that's what you want," Snape
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interjected coldly, "It would be much healthier than candy in any case."</p>
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<p>"But where's the fun in that?" Harry chuckled, "This is like Russian Roulette with
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candy!"</p>
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<p>"What's Russian Roulette?" Draco asked.</p>
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<p>"That's quite enough," Snape growled, "Get out. All of you."</p>
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<p>"But why?" Harry asked cheekily, "Don't you appreciate our amazing company? Do you
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know how many people would pay good money to be near my magnificence?"</p>
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<p>Draco made a sort of choking sound and Harry cuffed him lightly.</p>
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<p>"Your incessant jabbering is giving me a headache. If you don't leave now, I'll
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have you in detention with Filch for the rest of the year."</p>
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<p>"Okay, okay," Harry conceded, "Come on Draco."</p>
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<p>"And if I see anyone else carrying those ridiculous cards, my vengeance will be
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swift," Snape added dangerously.</p>
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<p>The two boys left in a hurry, laughing all the while as they roughhoused through
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the corridors but Maya stayed behind for a while. Snape quirked an eyebrow at
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her.</p>
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<p>"How are you simultaneously the Professor many kids fear the most but also a man
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those two boys would gladly risk their lives for?" Maya asked.</p>
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<p>"If you ever find out the answer to that question, please do inform me," Snape
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replied, "If I could make them stop, I would."</p>
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<p>"No, that's impossible," Maya said matter-of-factly.</p>
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<p>Snape sighed. "I know. Now get out of here before I sic Poppy on you. And know
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that I will get even with you for <em>this.</em>" He waved the fake chocolate frog
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card at her, a scowl firmly in place.</p>
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<p>"Wow," Maya replied evenly, "I'm so scared." But then she playfully hit Snape on
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the shoulder before hurrying out of the hospital wing, grabbing a pumpkin pasty on
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her way out.</p>
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<p>"Feel better!" she hollered right before the door closed. And at last, Snape found
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himself surrounded by blissful silence. That and loads of get-well cards and
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sweets.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>Since Snape had behaved and refrained from straining himself too much, Pomfrey had
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indeed allowed him to leave his bed earlier rather than later. When he had arrived at
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dinner that evening, he became very aware of most of the students staring at him.
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Many of their glances were directed at his left hand and even more so when he was
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eating as if they expected him to no longer be able to hold his cutlery.</p>
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<p>That was preposterous, of course. He glared at everyone who dared meet his gaze
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and was at least mildly satisfied that most students he caught with his death stare
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were sufficiently mollified.</p>
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<p>"Try the roast beef, Severus," Dumbledore told him, "It truly is quite
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satisfying."</p>
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<p>Snape ignored him entirely and grabbed a chicken filet. "Have you spoken to the
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ministry about Rabastan's case?" Snape asked as he cut into his potatoes.</p>
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<p>"Of course," Dumbledore said, "I did so immediately."</p>
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<p>"And?"</p>
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<p>"Since he made a conscious effort to aid both you and Harry his punishment will
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likely be diminished. I believe he's looking at ten years or so. His brother,
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however, will probably be kissed."</p>
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<p>Snape grimaced slightly. It was honestly the best he could have hoped for but he
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still didn't wish the Dementor's kiss on anyone.</p>
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<p>"Thank you for your interference," Snape said.</p>
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<p>"Of course, Severus," Dumbledore replied, "I know that keeping your promises is
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important to you. And so you did."</p>
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<p>Snape nodded. "On a different note, I think we should be very careful from here on
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out."</p>
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<p>"Whatever do you mean, my boy?" Dumbledore asked.</p>
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<p>Snape lowered his voice and leaned closer to the headmaster. "They mentioned
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Rookwood a couple of times," he said, "And while I get the feeling that he works
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alone, he is much more dangerous than those four clowns were combined."</p>
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<p>Dumbledore nodded solemnly, "He is a master manipulator as I understand it. Much
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like yourself, Severus."</p>
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<p>Snape huffed. "Perhaps, with the difference that I still have some sort of moral
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code where he has none. I can't be sure what his plan is or why the slaughtering of
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muggles was helping him with that but we should stay aware of what's going on."</p>
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<p>"Do you believe Bellatrix murdered those muggles because Rookwood told her to?"
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Dumbledore asked, "I feel like that's something she would've done either way."</p>
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<p>"Perhaps she would have," Snape replied, "But I know he was behind it nonetheless.
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I just don't know why just yet. I think it would be a good idea to start receiving at
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least one of the muggle papers."</p>
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<p>"I trust your judgement, my friend," Dumbledore said, smiling brightly, "And I
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will follow your advice. Do you have any idea which of those papers is the more
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respectable one?"</p>
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<p>"I suggest you ask Ms Granger," Snape replied, "I haven't read a muggle paper in
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nearly two decades."</p>
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<p>"Splendid idea, Severus," Dumbledore praised, "I shall do just that."</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>Harry found himself back in Snape's quarters, ready to get started on another
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Occlumency lesson. The furniture had been shoved aside again, and the 'Drink of
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Despair' stood waiting on a side table.</p>
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<p>"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Harry asked as he took his seat in the
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middle of the floor.</p>
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<p>Snape huffed. "It is not I that will be going through a lot of stress and
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discomfort, Harry," he said, "If you'll remember, you are the one who needs to be
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ready."</p>
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<p>"Well, yes," Harry replied, "But I'm counting on you to save me from myself if I
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fail, you know."</p>
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<p>"You have my word that I'm up to the task," Snape said, "Don't fret and focus.
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Clear your mind."</p>
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<p>Harry took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he had
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cleared his mind, he opened them again and spotted the potion sitting in front of
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him. Without trepidation, he drank it in one gulp and braced himself for the impact
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of emotions he knew would overcome him.</p>
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<p>"Remember to focus on occluding," Snape said calmly, "Your emotions do not control
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you. You control them."</p>
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<p>Harry nodded and made eye contact with Snape. He felt the gentle push of his
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Legilimency waiting on the edge of his walls, expecting them to fall any moment
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now.</p>
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<p>Harry felt the anger and worry wash over him before he even knew where it came
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from. Only a few seconds later was he reminded of his arduous battle in the forest
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with Snape's life at stake. He felt his barriers tremble as Snape's mind pushed to
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break them but he held on.</p>
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<p>Bellatrix cackled loudly in his mind and Greyback growled fiercely. Harry was so
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angry with them that they dared to still interfere in his life. He had already lost
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one father to the darkness and these people were about to take another one from
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him.</p>
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<p>Harry felt himself succumb to the blackness of his wish to kill them. To rip them
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to pieces. His walls crumbled and he knew Snape had managed to get in.</p>
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<p>"<em>Push me out of your mind</em>," Snape told him, "<em>Get a hold of
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yourself</em>."</p>
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<p>But he had a clear vision of Bellatrix casting spell after spell at Snape, who was
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barely able to defend himself anymore. He now knew just how broken the man had
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already been that day because of the torture that woman had put him through and he
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understood the anguish he must have felt. This knowledge angered him even more. He
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tried to use that anger to push Snape out of his mind but could not.</p>
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<p>"<em>You can't use emotions you don't have control over</em>," Snape chided
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gently, "<em>Think rather than feel. I know you can do this.</em>"</p>
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<p>Harry took a deep breath that seemed to ground him and remind him where he was. He
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became aware of the feeling of his own hands on his knees and knew at that moment
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that they were safe.</p>
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<p>He regarded the rest of the battle carefully, watching himself fight with the
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werewolf. A sensation of mist overcame him that seemed to cloud the entire scene in
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his mind.</p>
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<p>"<em>That's it</em>," Snape said, "<em>That's your shield. Use it. Shape it. Bind
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it to yourself."</em></p>
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<p>"<em>How</em>?" Harry asked him in return. He was vaguely aware that he had spoken
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the word aloud.</p>
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<p>The mist swirled around the presence that was Snape but didn't block or push him
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out. Harry tried to shape it but the silver slivers were intangible and moved with a
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will of their own.</p>
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<p>"<em>You need to will it to</em>," Snape said simply.</p>
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<p>"<em>How</em>?" Harry asked again, becoming a bit panicked.</p>
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<p>And then, Harry's memory was suppressed just like in that first Occlumency lesson.
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He found himself sitting in that white space again, with Snape occupying an emerald
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green couch, regarding him carefully.</p>
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<p>"It would appear that we've reached another hurdle," Snape said, "You're almost
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there, Harry. You really are. You just need a grasp of the how."</p>
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<p>"I could've tried a bit longer," Harry said, "You pulled me out rather
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quickly."</p>
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<p>"You've been at it for nearly forty minutes," Snape said blandly. "Don't forget
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that time moves differently when you're occupying your own mind."</p>
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<p>Harry sat down on the bright white floor and looked up at Snape. "Okay, so now
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what?"</p>
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<p>"Now, we wait for the potion to wear off," Snape said casually, "And then, I think
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we shall begin teaching you Legilimency."</p>
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<p>"What? Why?"</p>
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<p>"The arts of the mind are complicated in a sense that they have a lot to do with
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feeling your way through the process," Snape said, "No matter how good you are at
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explaining yourself, trying to describe to someone how to do something that has no
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base in their reality is very much like trying to explain the colour orange to a
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blind man."</p>
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<p>"Okay," Harry said, "So why Legilimency."</p>
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<p>"Since I have a firm grasp on Occlumency, I can easily show you just what it is
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that I do to erect my shields. Like I said. You're nearly there. All you need now is
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the technique. And the best way to understand that is by delving into my mind."</p>
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<p>"That sounds dangerous," Harry said doubtfully, "Isn't Legilimency a lot harder to
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learn than Occlumency?"</p>
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<p>"It is if you're trying to become a master," Snape agreed, "But in our case, you
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only need to know enough to venture into my mind while I guide you where you need to
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go. I assure you that that is rather easy. It is only when you try to force your way
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into someone's mind, actively looking for memories and thoughts that it gets
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complicated."</p>
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<p>"Are you sure you trust me with your memories?" Harry asked, feeling a bit
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silly.</p>
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<p>"Seeing how I'll be directing you, I definitely do," Snape said, "And while other
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memories might bleed into the one I'll be showing you, I trust you to not mention
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them to anyone."</p>
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<p>"Of course," Harry said.</p>
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<p>Snape looked up and stared into the distance for a moment. "It would appear the
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memories are retreating," he said, "The potion has worn off. Open your eyes."</p>
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<p>Harry blinked a couple of times and found himself sitting serenely on the floor,
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the empty vial next to him.</p>
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<p>"Thanks," he said.</p>
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<p>"No problem," Snape replied, "Any way I can protect you, I will." He eyed Harry
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warily for a while before speaking again. "You really did quite a number on Greyback,
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didn't you?"</p>
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<p>Harry exhaled harshly through his nose. "I guess you could call it that."</p>
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<p>"Don't get me wrong. That man deserved to die and painfully so," Snape said, "I am
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rather impressed with the spell you used. When did you learn that?"</p>
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<p>"A while back," Harry said. "What can I say? This stuff comes easy to me."</p>
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<p>"Cocky brat," Snape said affectionately, "But I am glad that you're able to defend
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yourself so well. You're not regretting forgoing the path of an Auror are you?"</p>
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<p>"Absolutely not," Harry said honestly, "Just because I would be good at it,
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doesn't mean I want to make it into my job. At the rate I'm going, I would probably
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die on my fourth or fifth mission. My luck must almost have run out by now."</p>
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<p>"I'm proud of you, you know?" Snape said, smiling crookedly.</p>
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<p>Harry flushed a bit and tried to change the subject. "So, Legilimency!"</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p><em>Just a reminder to you all that there is a discord channel for those eager to
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discuss the 'The Potions-" series per request of FallingToast. You can find the link
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in my profile.</em></p>
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<p><em>Well? How do you think this will work out? Are you looking forwards to another
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bout of intensive mind tricks? I sure am!</em><br/>
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<em>Please review!</em></p>
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