Occlumency Barriers

Harry climbed the spiral staircase to Dumbledore's office, feeling the slight shifting of the virtue energy in his dantian. It was flowing just the slightest along with his chi through his meridians, but it couldn't get very far before it stopped. There didn't seem to be enough virtue energy for it to accomplish one circulation through his meridians.

"Come in, Harry," Dumbledore called before he could knock.

The office looked strange. The usual collection of whirring silver instruments had vanished from their tables, leaving open spaces that made the circular room feel larger. Even Fawkes' perch stood empty, though a few fallen phoenix feathers still glowed on the floor beneath it.

"Good morning, Grandpa." Harry smiled at Dumbledore, who sat behind his desk wearing robes of midnight blue decorated with tiny stars. "You've redecorated."

"Fewer distractions," Dumbledore explained, rising from his chair. "Today's lesson requires particular focus. We'll be working on maintaining your mental defenses while under various forms of stress."

Harry nodded, remembering their previous sessions. He'd learned to detect mental probes, track their movements, even anticipate their paths. But actually blocking them...

"I've been practicing," Harry said. "But I'm not sure how much progress I've made…"

"We shall see." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Now, I believe you're familiar with the basic principle - awareness of your own mind, recognition of foreign intrusion. Today we add another layer of difficulty."

Dumbledore conjured a simple wooden chair in the center of the cleared space with a flick of his wand. "Please, sit."

Harry settled into the chair, trying to center himself as he'd learned.

"First," Dumbledore said, "I want you to maintain your mental awareness while solving this." He placed a small wooden puzzle box on Harry's lap. "Inside is a chocolate frog. The box will only open when you've arranged all the sliding pieces correctly. They are charmed to make it more difficult."

Harry picked up the box, examining the delicate wooden squares that shifted beneath his fingers. "And you'll be...?"

"Testing your defenses, of course." Dumbledore smiled. "Begin whenever you're ready."

The wooden pieces slid beneath Harry's fingers as he started working on the puzzle box. He could feel Dumbledore's mental probe gently pressing against the edges of his awareness, searching for a way in.

"Remember," Dumbledore spoke softly, "there are two primary methods of defense. You can either directly block the intrusion, which will alert the Legilimens to your resistance, or redirect their attention through misdirection."

Harry nodded, choosing to attempt a direct block first. He gathered magic from his Po Soul, letting it flow naturally toward his Hun Soul where the probe was attempting entry. But… he could feel the magic gather, but shaping it into an actual barrier wasn't as easy as it seemed at first glance.

"Too rigid," Dumbledore commented as his probe easily broke past Harry's first attempt. "Mental defenses require flexibility. Try again."

Harry adjusted his approach, allowing the magical energy to spread more evenly rather than concentrating it in one spot. This felt more natural - his Hun Soul seemed to instinctively guide the magic into a membrane-like structure.

"Better," Dumbledore encouraged. "Now, what do you feel when I do this?"

The probe suddenly split into three separate tendrils, each seeking different memories. Harry's hastily constructed barrier held against two, but the third broke through, bringing forth a clear image of playing tag with Chrysa, which he naturally won.

"I..." Harry paused, working through what had just happened. "The barrier worked where I focused it, but I couldn't maintain it everywhere at once."

"Indeed." Dumbledore withdrew his probes entirely. "Direct defense at this level requires covering your entire mind simultaneously. Many wizards find this exhausting, which is why misdirection often proves more practical. Shall we try that approach?"

Harry shifted in his chair, rolling his shoulders to release some tension. "How exactly do I misdirect someone? Show them fake memories?"

"Real or false memories can work, though authentic ones tend to feel more natural to the Legilimens. The key is choosing which memories to present while protecting those you wish to keep private."

This time when Dumbledore's probe returned, Harry tried a different strategy. Instead of blocking the intrusion, he focused on memories of working on his Exhibition piece - memories he didn't mind sharing. The probe paused, examining these surface thoughts.

"Good instinct," Dumbledore said. "But don't focus so hard on what you're showing me. That makes it obvious you're hiding something else."

Harry realized he'd been practically shoving the Exhibition memories forward. He relaxed his focus, letting the memories float more naturally in his consciousness while quietly gathering magic in the depths of his Hun Soul to protect deeper thoughts.

The probe moved deeper, and Harry kept his focus relaxed while maintaining awareness of where it went. When Dumbledore's mental touch brushed against memories of his morning meditation, Harry let those surface naturally while subtly redirecting attention away from thoughts about his daily firebending exercises.

"Much better," Dumbledore said. "Now, let's see how you handle multiple angles of approach."

Three separate probes pressed against different areas of Harry's mind. He breathed steadily, allowing his magical defense to spread like water finding natural channels through his Hun Soul. The first probe encountered memories of breakfast with the Flamels, the second found thoughts about his upcoming healing work at St. Mungo's, but the third...

The third probe stumbled upon a memory Harry hadn't thought about in months - Draco Malfoy being struck by that curse meant for him. The sound of Draco's pained cough echoed through his mind, and Harry felt a sudden surge of... something. His virtue energy increased slightly as he thought about healing Draco, about removing a curse the boy had suffered through no fault of his own.

The magical barrier in his Hun Soul strengthened at the same time, just enough that Dumbledore's probe hesitated before breaking through.

Dumbledore hummed slightly, and then withdrew all three probes. "Your defense became notably stronger for a moment there. Shall we take a break? You've been maintaining focus for nearly two hours."

Harry sagged in relief, not realizing how tense he'd become. "Yes, please. My head feels like I've been painting with lightning for hours."

Dumbledore conjured a comfortable armchair next to Harry and summoned a tea service. "Lemon drop?"

"Always." Harry grinned, popping the candy into his mouth. "You know, Grandpa, I think I might finish all the theory books for the main classes before winter. The Language Comprehension really helps with understanding everything quickly, and the Flamels have finished teaching me the Hogwarts curriculum for Potions and Herbology."

"Is that so?" Dumbledore poured them both tea, adding an extra sugar cube to Harry's cup. "I remember it took me quite a while to get through Advanced Transfiguration Theory when I was a student."

"Well, I've got nothing else to do during my reading time. Except maybe play with Chrysa, but she sleeps most afternoons anyway." Harry took a sip of tea. "Oh! That reminds me - I wanted to tell you something important. Something happened yesterday morning."

"Oh?"

"I received another offer." Harry set down his teacup. "But this one was different. It wasn't about power or abilities, not really. It was about... becoming an angelic being."

Dumbledore's hand froze halfway to his own teacup. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

"An angelic being. With virtue energy that flows alongside my chi." Harry gestured vaguely at his meridians. "That's actually what happened during our lesson just now. When I thought about helping Draco Malfoy, about healing him because he didn't deserve what happened four years ago... the virtue energy got stronger, and it made my Occlumency barrier just a tad tougher too."

The teacup remained forgotten as Dumbledore leaned forward in his chair. "Harry, are you saying..."

"I haven't grown wings or anything," Harry added quickly. "Well, not yet anyway. I'll probably get a halo and wings later, if I get enough virtue energy. But right now it's just this new energy that responds when I do or think truly good things. Nicolas and Perenelle already know - I told them yesterday."

Dumbledore removed his glasses and cleaned them slowly with the edge of his robe. "An angel. My grandson is becoming... an angel."

"Well, yes." Harry fidgeted with his teacup. "But I don't really understand everything yet. The virtue energy responds when I do good things for the right reasons, but it's more than just being nice."

Dumbledore replaced his glasses, blue eyes studying Harry closely. "And this virtue energy... you can feel it now?"

"It's inside my dantian." Harry thumbed towards his stomach. ""But there's not much of it yet. I think it's because I'm still figuring out my own understanding of virtue. The energy responded because I made a choice based on what I truly believed was right, not because of some rule about helping others."

"Interesting." Dumbledore leaned forward. "And how do you determine what is right?"

"That's the hard part. It doesn't seem to be about following rules or being 'good' the way people expect." Harry frowned thoughtfully. "When I healed Antoine, the energy grew stronger because I chose to help him based on my own judgment of what was right. Not because someone told me to, or because I wanted praise."

"You're developing your own moral framework," Dumbledore observed.

"Exactly! The virtue energy responds when I make honest choices aligned with what I believe is right. But I have to really understand why I'm making those choices." Harry gestured excitedly.

Dumbledore took a long moment to consider Harry's words, quickly reaching for another lemon drop. "And these choices, these personal judgments of right and wrong - they manifest physically?"

"Well, sort of." Harry closed his eyes, looking back to the moment he received the offer. "The offer mentioned that as my understanding and embodiment of virtue grows, I'll gain increasing access to my angelic nature, starting with a halo and wings. Nicolas saw the tiniest glimmer above my head yesterday when I was practicing firebending control next to the fireplace. I was thinking about how I've long realized that I didn't need overwhelming power for my art - what mattered was understanding exactly how much power each technique needed. No more, no less. That was also the moment I felt the virtue energy strengthen, and the moment Nicolas saw the small bit of light above my head. He said it might have something to do with the Temperance virtue?"

"I see." Dumbledore popped the lemon drop into his mouth. "About young Draco... you understand the political implications of the Boy-Who-Lived healing the Malfoy heir?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't care about politics. I care about helping someone who's suffering because of a curse that was originally aimed at me."

"Because that aligns with your understanding of what's right?"

"Yes." Harry opened his eyes. "And because I've thought it through. I know I can heal dark magic now. I know the curse was meant for me. I know he's been suffering for years. So I made my choice based on what I believe, not what others might think about it."

Dumbledore smiled, reaching for a piece of parchment and his favorite peacock quill. "In that case, I shall write to Lucius immediately. But I suspect this will take several days of careful negotiations..."

A tap at the window interrupted him. A long-eared owl was flapping its wings outside, a sealed letter clutched in its talons.

"Speaking of the Malfoys," Dumbledore waved his hand, opening the window. The owl swooped in and landed on his desk. "It seems they've heard about your recent healing successes, and decided to take the initiative…"

Harry stared at the owl, lips pressed into a thin line. "Grandpa... I don't think this is a coincidence. The timing is too perfect - we were just talking about contacting them." He set his teacup down with a soft clink, leaning forward in his chair. "Remember that blessing of fortune I received? I think this might be related."

"Ah yes, that offer." Dumbledore reached for the letter, breaking the elaborate wax seal bearing the Malfoy crest. "Most interesting how these... blessings of yours interact with each other."

Harry nodded. "The fortune blessing doesn't just give me luck. It creates opportunities, guides me toward what needs to happen. And right now..." He gestured at the letter Dumbledore was unfolding. "Well, we were just discussing how to contact the Malfoys about healing Draco."

Dumbledore's eyes moved rapidly across the parchment, eyebrows rising slightly. "Indeed. Lucius writes that news of your healing magic has reached him, particularly regarding young Antoine's curse. He requests an immediate meeting to discuss... a personal matter regarding Draco."

"What exactly does he say?"

Dumbledore cleared his throat and began reading:

"Headmaster Dumbledore,

News of Mr. Potter's extraordinary healing magic has reached my attention, particularly regarding the recent incident with the judges' son. As you are well aware, my son continues to suffer from injuries sustained during an attack at the yearly Ministry gathering. An attack that might have been prevented had proper security measures been in place.

Given Mr. Potter's apparent mastery over curse removal, I request an immediate meeting to discuss Draco's condition. My wife and I are prepared to receive you and Mr. Potter at Malfoy Manor tomorrow morning at ten o'clock.

I trust you understand the urgency of this matter.

Lucius Malfoy

Head of House Malfoy"

Harry frowned at the accusatory tone. "He's still angry about what happened."

"Lucius has never forgiven me for that day," Dumbledore folded the letter carefully. "And I cannot blame him. A father watching his child suffer..." He paused, looking at Harry. "What do you think about meeting tomorrow?"

Harry didn't take long to reply. "We were already planning to contact them. And if my blessing of fortune arranged this..." He looked up at Dumbledore. "I want to help Draco. The sooner the better."

"Even knowing how Lucius might try to use this politically?"

"Mr. Malfoy can try whatever he wants." Harry straightened in his chair. "My choice is about Draco, not about politics or old grudges. No child should suffer because adults can't get along."

The virtue energy in Harry's dantian stirred at these words, and he noticed Dumbledore's eyes widen slightly.

"Did you see...?"

"A brief shimmer above your head," Dumbledore confirmed. "How… remarkable. Was that related to what you were saying?"

"I think so." Harry touched the spot where he'd felt the energy move. "The virtue energy responded because I meant what I said. About helping Draco regardless of politics."

Dumbledore reached for a fresh piece of parchment. "Then we shall accept the invitation. I'll write our response now." He dipped his quill in ink, but paused before touching it to the parchment. "Harry, you understand this means we'll have less time for your Occlumency lesson tomorrow?"

"It's fine." Harry stood up, stretching his arms above his head. "And I should probably rest anyway. Healing takes a lot of focus, and I want to be at full strength tomorrow."

"A wise precaution." Dumbledore began writing, the peacock feather quill scratching against parchment. "I suggest you return to the Flamels and get some rest. We'll meet here at nine-thirty tomorrow morning."

Harry nodded, already thinking about what lay ahead. Healing Draco would be different from his previous cases - this curse had four years to settle in. But after succeeding with Charlotte's scars and Antoine's spreading crystals, Harry felt confident he could help. He had to.

"Grandpa?" Harry paused at the door. "Thank you. For supporting my decision."

"My dear boy," Dumbledore looked up from his writing, blue eyes twinkling. "When my grandson tells me he's becoming an angel and wants to heal someone's son... well, who am I to stand in the way of virtue?"