The August days turned hot and sultry, as Harry, Ron, and Hermione began to prepare for their sixth year at Hogwarts. More often than not, Ginny accompanied them as they sat under a tree on the banks of the lake, plotting out lessons to teach those returning members of Dumbledore’s Army. Remus helped them when they had questions, and made suggestions on including shielding charms, but otherwise was a watchful supporter of their activities. Either he or Mrs. Weasley was always within sight or earshot of the teenagers, not intrusive, but there if they were needed.
The full moon came and went, and Harry made sure that Remus had his Wolfsbane and was content to curl up in his room until the moon waned. Hermione went so far as to study the potion recipe and commit it to memory, if case they ever needed to brew it themselves.
It continued to be a pleasant time for Harry, who enjoyed the freedom to stay up late or sleep in, as he wanted. He could take the Firebolt out whenever he wanted, practice Quidditch or just zoom around the grounds of Hogwarts with the others trying to keep up. They laughed over silly things, played jokes on each other, and did the usual teenage things. He kept busy enough that he didn’t have time to dwell on the future or the immediate past.
Harry also found time each day to practice his Occlumency, as well as take lessons with the Headmaster several times a week. He was amazed at the power of the mind to channel magic without a word or a wand. Practicing summoning things as often as possible, it became easier, much to Ron’s amazement and disgust, as Ron tried to learn with his friend, but wasn’t nearly as adept.
A week after Ginny’s birthday, they all went with Remus and Mrs. Weasley just outside the gates of Hogwarts, and spent the afternoon practicing Apparation to the Shrieking Shack and back. Mr. Weasley had made arrangements for them to be given their final test at the Ministry of Magic the following week.
Weary but excited, Harry and Ron fell into bed that night, excited over the prospect of a trip back to London.
Lord Voldemort looked down at the man Wormtail brought before him, a wizard employed as a low level clerk from the Ministry of Magic, his red eyes boring down at him. The man bowed low, gripping his hat in his hand. “I can give you Harry Potter, My Lord.” The man’s voice was shaky and nervous. “He will be in the Ministry on Thursday, prior to starting the school term.”
“Why?” The voice was cold and calculating. “What business does the Ministry have with Harry Potter?”
The man bowed even lower, his hands visibly trembling. “I don’t know, My Lord, I just heard Arthur Weasley speaking to another official in the Ministry…”
“And you hurried over here to give me this bit of worthless information, rather than finding out more?” Voldemort’s voice was furious, the rage at the ineptness of the man a personal insult. “You needn’t worry any further.” A flash of green light flared, and the man screamed.
Harry sat bolt upright in bed, his chest heaving like a bellows, his head coming apart at his scar. He groaned, slapping a hand across the throbbing tissue and the other fumbling with his wrist. He concentrated on remembering the dream scene that he had just witnessed, the look of the murdered wizard and the information he had learned. Slowly, both hands rubbing his forehead hard, Harry rocked back and forth for several minutes, until he felt the familiar calm touch of Albus Dumbledore.
“He knows, Professor, that we are going to the Ministry of Magic next week! He killed a wizard who works there when he told Voldemort about it, because he didn’t find out why I was going.” Harry took the goblet of water Dumbledore handed him. “This dream was different, it was more like my dreams last year, when I was seeing him, but he did not know I could.” Taking a sip automatically, Harry handed the goblet to Remus, who had materialized suddenly at his other side. “And there is something else, Professor, something about the Hogwarts Express.” Harry shut his eyes tightly, trying to recapture the dream in his mind. “Something about the train platform for the start of term, but I don’t know what it was.”
“It’s alright, Harry, I think we can manage to make Voldemort really angry.” Professor Dumbledore handed Harry his glasses, and then paced to the window. The purple tinged grayness of the approaching dawn showed on the horizon. “I think it is time that we let Lord Voldemort know exactly where you are, so that the safety of the rest of the students is also assured.” He walked back toward Harry’s bed. “Remus, I will need you to take Harry, Ron, and Hermione up to the Ministry this morning. We’ll sent them by portkey back to 12 Grimmauld Place, and then via Floo powder to the Ministry for their test.”
Remus Lupin nodded. “A visit to Diagon Alley seems like it would be the perfect place for Harry to be seen.”
Dumbledore nodded at the suggestion. “Yes, a visit to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes would be a normal occurrence for Harry and the others. You can Apparate from the shop back to Grimmauld and then back to my office by portkey.”
“Professor?” Harry had a sudden thought. “Wouldn’t it make sense for Voldemort to have spies already in place in Hogsmeade?”
“Yes, I am positive that he does, Harry, why?”
“Well, if we are seen in Hogsmeade between now and the time the train leaves Kings Crossing, then Voldemort has no reason to make any kind of attack on the train, right?”
Dumbledore looked down at Harry, his eyes solemn. “Yes, it would prevent him for doing anything at the train station or on the Hogwarts Express, but you realize that you may not be very pleasant for you. Voldemort is going to be very unhappy and I am sure you will feel every bit of his rage.”
Harry swung his feet over the side of the bed, and stood. “He has raged before and I have survived. I think will need to stock up on treats, Professor, as I am sure that my visits to Hogsmeade this term will be very limited.”
“Yes, you and the rest would be prime targets for any Voldemort spy in the village. You must remember that once he receives word you have been spotted, whether it is at the Ministry, Diagon Alley, or Hogsmeade, Voldemort could Apparate to you immediately.”
Harry made eye contact with Dumbledore, his eyes apprehensive but determined. “Yeah, I know. I am really hoping that if we are quick enough, we will be gone before he knows.”
Dumbledore smiled at him. “Have I ever told you that you make me proud, Harry?”
“I think you mentioned that before.”
Harry began to dress and Remus gently shook Ron awake, while Dumbledore went to alert Molly Weasley and Hermione.
It was just gone dawn when the portkey deposited Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Remus Lupin in the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place. Arthur Weasley, looking unusually pale, was already up and had breakfast ready for them. Fred, George, and Bill were all seated around the table tucking into sausages. Sleepy greeting were exchanged as the new arrives helped themselves to food.
“Harry, can you describe the wizard you saw in your dream?” Mr. Weasley asked in a voice that still sounded shaken.
Harry described again what he’d seen and heard trying to remember every detail he could about the short man who had died that night. He watched as Mr. Weasley nodded his head slowly.
“Sounds like Jacobs, from the Muggle Relations office. He was in the lift when I told Kingsley I need to go make an appointment for you.” He frowned. “Which means that it isn’t even safe to talk at the Ministry?”
It was still early when Mr. Weasley had them Apparate directly to his office at the Ministry. There was an official from the Apparation Licensing Department was already there, an older wizard with a sharp gaze and a stern look. He had already spoken to Dumbledore, and quickly put the 3 of them through a series of Apparation exercises. They all passed on the first try, and were back at 12 Grimmauld by mid-morning.
The trip to Diagon Alley was more like a well-organized invasion. Members of the Order were already in place when Harry, Ron and Hermione Apparated in to the Leaky Caldron. They exchanged greetings with Tom the Barkeep before walking out and meeting Remus in the alley, where he had been waiting. Tonks shadowed them from the bar, dressed as an old hag wrapped in shawls. They strolled up Diagon Alley, stopping briefly to exchange greetings with Seamus Finnigan, who shared the dormitory with Ron and Harry at Hogwarts. They caught a glimpse of Kingsley Shacklebolt reading a copy of the Daily Prophet at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor.
They made a brief stop at the Apothecary so that Hermione could stock up on the ingredients for Wolfsbane Potion, much to Remus’ surprise. It was just at they were entering the Weasley brothers joke shop, that the hair on the back of Harry’s neck stood up, and he could feel eyes watching them.
“Quick, everyone, we need to go!” Fred and George stood aside as Ron, and Hermione flanked Harry and dove for the backroom.
The trio Apparated immediately, arriving back at Sirius’ house, where they dropped into chairs around the empty table. Remus Apparated in right behind them. Fred and George popped in about 10 minutes later, laughing loudly.
“Well, that should make for one less spy on Diagon Alley! Ratty looking little guy ran into the shop just after you Apparated, shouting for Ron. Said he was an old friend of yours!”
Ron, Harry, and Hermione looked at each other in horror. “Wormtail!”
“Who?” Asked Fred and Ron reminded them of Scabbers the rat that was really Peter Pettigrew.
It was at this point, that Harry’s head exploded in pain. His knees hit the floor and he vomited as waved of blinding pain swept over him. Voldemort’s anger was like waves of fire slamming against the smooth walls erected in his mind. Harry clamped down, trying to brace himself against the intrusion, all his concentration directed inward. Remus was at his side, as he curled up into a ball on the floor. Harry never knew whether he had pressed his watch or not, but was very glad when he felt his Headmaster presence. Drenched in cold sweat, still feeling sick and trembly, Harry vaguely felt himself lifted and laid out on a cot that had been conjured for him. He lay there for several long minutes, willing the pain to ebb.
“Harry?” Dumbledore’s voice brought him back to awareness. Long cool fingers rested on his forehead, and he was wrapped in a soft woolen blanket. Harry opened his eyes and looked up with a weak smile.
“Voldemort is in a towering rage, and he is very angry at Wormtail for losing us!” Harry struggled to sit up, with Dumbledore’s help. “He knows that I am not at Privet Drive, and haven’t been for a while, but very frustrated that he doesn’t know where I am.” Harry looked around for Arthur Weasley. “Mr. Weasley, I think he is searching for the Burrow!”
“Its okay, Harry, we thought it might be a target when all this started, and have protected it under the same Fidelus Charm as this house.” Mr. Weasley reassured him.
Dumbledore straightened up and helped Harry to his feet. The cot disappeared along with the blanket. He looked around the room, pinning the Weasley twins with a sharp look. “Fred, George, you will need to be very vigilant as your every move will be watched “
“We know, Professor, and Bill’s going to help us with some protection charms and things he’s learned from the goblins.” Fred said as George nodded.
“Very good, and Arthur?”
“Yes, Professor?”
“You too will need to be careful, as I am sure you are already aware of.”
“Indeed I am, Professor, and Molly never misses a chance to remind me.” A smile played across Mr. Weasley’s face. “Tell her I look forward to having her back next week.”
“Yes, I will be sure to.” Dumbledore looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, as Remus stood behind them. “You all did very well today, and congratulations on your passing your Apparation exam. Gather round now, it is time to go back to Hogwarts.
They were safely back in Dumbledore’s office in a matter of minutes, and Ron laughed as he pointed out that they had made it back in time for lunch. Harry was still very pale and feeling shaky, but turned to leave.
“Harry.” He stopped when Albus Dumbledore spoke, the others stopping with him. “Are you sure that you want to go through with the visit to Hogsmeade? You know what you will suffer when Voldemort finds out.”
Harry looked at Dumbledore solemnly. “A few minutes of discomfort is nothing to what could happen if Voldemort or his Death Eaters show up at Kings Crossing next Sunday when the platform is loaded with kids and families.” He met the Headmaster’s eyes. “Although, it would be nice to learn how to block out the worse of the blasted headache he gives me!”
Dumbledore smiled, “Maybe we can work on that for you, Harry.”
The next morning was sunny and warm, a light breeze stirred the leaves of the trees that lined the road into Hogsmeade. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, strolled along, talking animatedly. Ginny had insisted that she go with them to add an air of legitimacy to the theory that they had all accompanied Harry to school early, over her mother’s objections. They knew that Hagrid was already in the village, stationed down by the Hog’s Head Inn, and Remus was coming through the tunnel to the basement of Honeydukes. Mrs. Weasley had left before them and was going to be watching from the Three Broomsticks.
They strolled into the village and went right to Honeydukes, where Remus was waiting. The proprietor did not blink an eye at seeing Hogwarts students in the shop before the term had started. Harry grabbed handfuls of chocolate frogs, and a bag of Bertie Botts’ Every Flavor Beans, and set them on the counter. The others also made piles on the counter, and Harry handed the owner a fistful of galleons to pay for it all. Remus stepped out before them, and watched as they set off towards the Three Broomsticks. He followed them at a distance, bringing up the rear.
Coming around the corner of the Broomstick, Harry suddenly found himself face to face with Bellatrix Lestrange, the Black cousin responsible for the death of his godfather. For an instant, unadulterated rage swelled in him, but knowing what was at stake, he slammed the smooth walls into place, ruthlessly sealed off his feelings. His wand was in his hand without conscious thought.
“STUPEFY!” He yelled before the others even saw her. “Accio wand!” Bellatrix’s wand flew from her robe and into his hand, as she fell back, hit in the chest by a jet of red light. Remus came running forward, and quickly used his wand to bind and gag Lestrange. He grabbed Ginny and was pulling her behind him.
“Come on, everyone! If she is here, there are others nearby!”
They ran into the Three Broomsticks and through to a back room where Molly Weasley directed them. “Colloportus!” She yelled, sealing the door.
“We need to Apparate up the Shrieking Shacking, now!” Remus said urgently, as they heard running footsteps coming across the floor.
In the next instant, all six of them were in the bedroom of the Shrieking Shack, and Remus was leading the way out into the hall and down the stairs. The low dark tunnel that led back on to the Hogwarts grounds seemed to go on forever, with only the light from their wand tips to guide them. Then they were climbing up the ladder under the Whomping Willow tree and emerged into the sunlight and warmth. They hurried towards the front steps of the castle, where Professor Dumbledore was waiting for them.
They were almost to the steps when the pain hit Harry with the punch of a lightening bolt and he collapsed to his knees. His scar split his forehead with white-hot pain, and he saw the image of a deathly pale face and flashing red eyes, both filled with fury as Voldemort used the Unforgivable Cruciatus curse on Bellatrix Lestrange. Grasping his head with both hands as it threatened to come apart, Harry struggled to brace the walls and fought to fill his mind with happy thoughts. Faintly, he heard a trill of a bird, and recognized the haunting melody as Phoenix song. He let the song fill his mind, felt the pain slowly ebb, and awareness returned.
Shaky and pale, Harry found himself on his knees in the grass near the entry steps, Remus and Dumbledore beside him. The pain in his head had eased to a pounding throb, which was far better then the usual searing pain he usually felt. He looked up at Dumbledore with a weak grin.
“I got you some Chocolate Frogs.” Harry struggled to his feet as Dumbledore chuckled at him. It was then that Harry realized that Fawkes was circling around over him. “’Lo, Fawkes, thanks for the help.” Harry could have sworn that Fawkes bowed his head in acknowledgement.
Remus took his arm and helped him up the stairs into the entry hall. The whole group headed in to the Great Hall, which was already set for lunch. Harry sat down heavily in a chair and rubbed his hands over his face.
“Voldemort is very angry, especially since he knows that he can’t touch me while I am on the grounds of Hogwarts. I don’t think he knows that we have learned to Apparate, and thinks that we had a portkey set up to take us back from The Three Broomsticks.“ Harry smiled darkly. “He was very upset with Bellatrix for not grabbing me, punished her with the Cruciatus Curse.” Harry looked up at Dumbledore. “Voldemort had very carefully plotted to grab me at Kings Crossing before I could get on the platform, and he was enraged that we have made a fool of him.”
“So the Hogwarts’ Express and the children will be safe, then Harry?” Dumbledore asked quietly.
“Yes, Professor, I think so.”
“Excellent, Harry, and all of you, well done!” Dumbledore smiled at them. “Now, I am afraid that I must ask you to start your school term a week early.” He looked at them intently. “Harry is a target, and by being his closest friends, you make yourselves targets as well. We all knew this, but the last several days have reinforced this.”
He looked at the entranceway, where Professors McGonagall and Snape stood hesitantly in the doorway. “Minerva, Severus, come in.” He looked back down at Harry. “Starting Monday, you will begin special lessons with Remus, who is staying on at Hogwarts as a tutor this term. Among other things, he is going to be instructing a special advanced class for Defense Against the Dark Arts.” Dumbledore turned his gaze to Molly Weasley who was standing beside Ginny, pale but determined. “Molly, you are needed back at 12 Grimmauld Place, but I want you to be reassured that your children, all your children, will be safe.”
Mrs. Weasley nodded with a weak smile. “Yes, Professor, I know that and both Arthur and I have every confidence in both you and them. I know Harry is safest here and therefore, the others are safe here too.”
“Am I to understand,” Snape sneered. “That these …children were able to successfully execute your plans, Headmaster?”
“Very successful indeed, Severus, and Kings Crossing will be safe for Hogwarts students September 1st, thanks to these young people.” He looked at Harry with a twinkle in his eye. “Although, I do not believe Bellatrix Lestrange would be thanking them.”
“And Lupin is staying for the term?” Snape spat the words.
“Yes, Severus, as a special consultant to the Headmaster.” Professor McGonagall answered as she seated herself at the table. “Molly and I are in the process of readying the Shrieking Shack as an Apparition point and as a place for Remus to spend the full moons. Now, isn’t it time for lunch?”
After a pleasant lunch, Harry was asked to go up to the third floor classroom that he had his Occlumency lessons. It was a sunny and inviting place, where Harry had come to feel comfortable, He relaxed on a bench near the window that looked out towards the lake, and in a warm shaft of sunlight, he closed his eyes. Clearing his mind, smooth walls in place, he filled his mind with happy thoughts of Sirius, in hopeful invitation.
“Nicely done, Harry, you are learning quickly!” Sirius’ voice held a smile. “How are you doing? How are the others?”
“I am better, actually, much better. It does make it easier having Remus here, and, of course, Ron and Hermione make it okay for me, Sirius, they make me feel less empty.” Harry paused. “I still miss you every day.”
“I know, Harry, I can’t even begin to tell you…I just need to know that you are doing okay, that everything is alright…”
Without warning, Harry felt another presence in his mind, and started to withdraw, when he felt a familiar calm come over him.
“Sirius?” Albus Dumbledore’s voice sounded loud in his mind.
“Dumbledore? How…?” Sirius sounded surprised.
“I wanted to see if this was possible, Sirius, as I have been giving Harry Occlumency lessons, and we seem to connect well. I will be brief, as Harry has been through enough already today. Sirius, please clear up any lingering doubt that you are Voldemort or an hallucination, tell us something only the 3 of us would know.”
Sirius chuckled softly. “Put your minds at ease, both of you. We were the only three in the room after the third Triwizard task, when Fawkes healed Harry’s leg with his tears. And, I assume, that Voldemort still doesn’t know that Harry is his equal and has powers that even Voldemort doesn’t.”
“Thank you, Sirius. And I imagine you want to know what has happened.”
Harry listened to Dumbledore’s brief description of the events of the past two days, rather bemused at the exchange going on in his mind.
“Thank you, Professor, I know that Harry is safest with you.”
“I will do my best. Thank you, Sirius.”
Harry felt Dumbledore’s withdrawal and knew he needed to go too. “Sirius…”
“I know you have to go too. Harry, do what Dumbledore tells you, and stick close to Ron and Hermione, and above all, please be careful.”
“I will, Sirius, I will.”
Harry opened his eyes slowly and blinked. It took a moment for his eyes to focus on the trio speaking quietly across the room. Remus Lupin and Severus Snape had joined Dumbledore near the door. Remus had not general joined Harry for his lessons since their return to Hogwarts, his trust in Dumbledore total. The mere sight of Snape in the room made Harry uneasy.
“Harry.” Remus saw him watching them and moved toward him, his face set in an unusually stern expression. “How are you?”
“I’m all right, Remus, what’s wrong?” Harry was puzzled with his godfather’s brusque manner.
“Remus feels you have been through enough mental torture in the past 2 days, Harry, and is reluctant to allow you to be subjected to any more this afternoon.” Professor Dumbledore explained quietly as he walked to stand beside Remus. He met Harry’s eyes. “How do you feel about continuing?”
Harry maintained eye contact, but chose his words carefully, very conscious of the third person in the room. “Well, when you have given me Occlumency lessons, I don’t feel sick and shaky, like I did when…when Professor Snape gave me lessons.”
Harry had taken to ignoring Snape since the night in London, neither acknowledging him nor speaking to him. He knew that this could not continue once the term started, but he was still working through his rage. It was taking a bit of time.
“In order to further protect you, as well as strengthen the control you have, Harry, I would like to start training you in Legilimency.” Dumbledore told him. “For that, I will need assistance from Professor Snape.”
“Which,” Said Remus. “Is what I am concerned about. Especially as Harry learns to use his powers, Professor, his working with Severus could lead to…accidents.”
Snape shot a look of loathing at Harry and sneered. “I doubt Potter could ever get the better of me!”
Remus met Harry’s eyes, and in a quiet voice addressed Snape. “And you are underestimating Harry, despite the evidence that you have experienced first hand. Did you not listen to the Prophecy that the Headmaster relayed to us, that he has powers equal to Voldemort? If I were you, Severus, I would make an effort to see past the hate that clouds your judgment.”
Lupin turned to Dumbledore who was watching the exchange silently. “I have done some study of Legilimency and Occlumency in my travels, Headmaster, perhaps I would be able to assist you.”
“You! Snape spat. “Why would you have need of such skills?”
“In order to live, one must sometimes be untruthful about ones…limitations, Severus. There are not many who would knowingly hire a werewolf.”
Dumbledore studied both men for several moments. “I will consider it, Remus, but at the moment, I need to speak to Harry alone.”
Remus smiled reassuringly at Harry and left, escorting Snape from the room.
Dumbledore sat beside Harry on the bench and looked at him intently, and Harry returned the gaze.
“Do you trust me, Harry?”
“Yes. Professor, with my life.”
“I would like to just do this once, Harry, but I need to see if I can assess what happens when you feel Voldemort. It means, though, that you will have to allow me full access to your mind, without the barriers.”
“All right.”
They stood. “Legilimens.”
Snape’s brutal invasion had only been half the ordeal, Harry learned as he struggles to not slam his defenses into place. The memories of pain returned in fresh waves as he relived incident after incident. They flashed by in rapid succession, the pain intense and then ebbing, back to the possession by Voldemort in the Ministry, and finally, into the well of guilt and despair had begun in the Death Chamber. The guilt and despair that Harry still carried with him.
Just when he didn’t think he could take it any longer, Harry found himself back, supported by Dumbledore. Trembling, Harry looked up and caught a gleam of admiration in his Headmaster’s eyes.
“Thank you, Harry, I need to consider this and think of what I can do to help.”
Harry found Ron and Hermione pacing the top of the third floor staircase when he came out. Unceremoniously, the two drug him out of the castle and down the sloping lawn to the bank of the lake. Harry was laughing as he slid down the grassy. Hermione and Ron careened into him as they slid too.
“What are you doing?” Harry asked, still laughing as he lay on his back, head pointing down slope towards the lake.
“Kidnapping you,” said Hermione breathlessly.
Harry turned himself over and sat up. “What?”
“Kidnapping you, mate.” Ron said as he stood and began to pull treats out of his pockets.
“You have both gone nutters!” Harry muttered as he grabbed a chocolate frog.
Ron and Hermione both shook their heads. “Nope, not nutters, Harry.” Hermione began. “Ron and I have been talking since we got back to Hogwarts, and have watched you going through all kinds of lessons and stuff. We know that you have to learn to use your powers, and train to fulfill this ‘prophecy’ that you‘ve been handed.”
“And we will be right there with you mind, and do anything we can to help.” Ron interjected.
“You have Dumbledore to train and guide you, and Remus to watch over you, but Ron and I figured out there is something missing.” Hermione hesitated for a second. “We figure that you need someone to make sure you are really okay, someone to make sure that you have some fun, who makes you laugh a little, and someone to get in trouble with.”
“And someone to deflate your head when it gets too big.” Ron threw in with a grin.
“Mostly, Harry, to just be there, someone you can go to who won’t ridicule you when you have a strange twinge, a bad date, or are just overwhelmed by it all.”
“Like a brother would.” Ron said.
“Or like a sister would, Harry, because we love you.” Hermione added quietly.
Harry looked from one to the other, his throat feeling constricted. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
“We know, Harry, you don’t have to say it, you’ve proved it to us time after time. Ron and I just wanted you to hear it from us.” Hermione sat down between the two of them and her head leaning on Harry’s shoulder.
Harry rested his chin on the top of her head. “Thank you.”
They sat in comfortable silence for quite some time, enjoying the sunshine and munching on the goodies they had bought at Honeydukes. Harry snatched a jelly slug from Ron’s fingers with a snap of his fingers.
“Bloody hell, Harry!” Ron dove at him, trying to wrestle it back before Harry could eat it. Harry managed to stuff it in his mouth and rolled away laughing.
Hermione showed them she’d been practicing when she summoned a chocolate frog from the pile with a wave of her finger. Ron snorted and tried to do the same, but after several attempts he’d only managed to make the frog flip over. Harry threw it at him with a grin.
As the shadows lengthened on the lawn, Harry told them about the session that afternoon, starting with Sirius asking about them. He went on to tell them about Snape and how he was struggling to get through the anger he felt towards the Potion master. It was hard to describe the sensation of having to relive all the assaults on his mind from Voldemort since that ill-fated night in June.
“Do you think Dumbledore will let Remus help, Harry? Hermione asked.
“I dunno, but I hope so. It is funny though, remember when we first met Remus? He has always seemed to know exactly what I was thinking, finishing sentences for me, and that kind of thing.”
“Yeah, I remember thinking later that it was because he and your dad were so close.” Ron said.
“Maybe, but he said that he’d studied Legilimency.” Harry paused, studying a blade of grass in his hand for a moment, before he looked at Ron and Hermione. “I just don’t know if I can control my feelings enough to be able to learn anything like that from Snape. It would be like the Occlumency lessons he gave me, which seemed to do more harm than good.”
“That would defeat the purpose of trying to teach you, Harry, like before. Professor Dumbledore surely must recognize that.”
“Professor Dumbledore does recognize that, Hermione.” Remus Lupin’s voice startled all of them, “And has decided to allow me to help, much to the disgust of Professor Snape.” Lupin watched them scramble to their feet, studying Harry’s face. “All right, Harry?”
“Yeah,” Harry grinned. “I think so, at least my brain has stopped hurting.”
“Good.” Lupin smiled back. “Now, you lot are late for dinner, covered in grass stains, and everyone is waiting. Come on.”
Laughing, suddenly feeling 16 again, Harry helped gather up the candy wrappers and followed his godfather and friends back up to the castle. The sun continued its slide behind them, coloring the lake with brilliant reds and oranges.