Occlumency

At Snape's explanation, the young wizards turned away sulkily.

Undeterred, Ivan spent the morning reading two abstruse books on the Dark Arts.

However, in terms of efficiency, the Ravenclaw Corona's improvement was much worse than the System's Academic Genius Experience Card, which only had one-third of the desired effect.

The good thing was that it could be used all the time, and one did not have to go through the trouble of earning achievement points. Ivan was very satisfied with the improvement in his thinking.

As the bell rang, Harry and Ron, who had survived two periods of Defence Against the Dark Arts, breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, Harry, weren't you looking for Professor Snape to teach Occlumency?" Ivan asked Harry as he put away the two books on the table and removed his Ravenclaw crown.

"I don't think it's too late to bring it up next week in Potions…" Harry said hesitantly, trying to back out of the conversation.

"That will not do! The sooner the better…" Hermione cut Harry off sternly, urging him to find Professor Snape.

Harry looked on helplessly as Snape left, and after a moment's hesitation, he gritted his teeth and ran after him.

"Please wait, Professor Snape," Harry stammered as he hurried forward.

Snape stopped in his tracks when he heard a shout behind him. He turned his head away, frowning impatiently, and Harry shivered at the sight of his empty eyes.

"I heard from Ivan that you're the best Occlumency Master in Britain… so… so I'd like you to teach me the spell," Harry said, gathering his courage. He waited nervously for Snape's response, unsure of himself.

He knew how much Snape hated him, and if Professor Dumbledore had been alive, Snape might have followed his orders and taught him, but not so much now… though it would have been nice to have been rebuffed, instead of having to suffer alone with Snape.

Just as Harry was thinking this, Snape's cold voice rang out.

"Come to my office at six o'clock tonight!"

Harry was visibly taken aback, and stared at Snape in astonishment, wondering if he had misheard.

"I don't want to repeat myself!" Snape snapped, then paused before continuing. "Remember, don't tell anyone about this, and if anyone asks, just say that I'm planning on detaining you for a few days, understand? I'm sure no one will question that…"

Snape did not wait for Harry's response before heading off towards the entrance hall.

It took Harry a while to regain his composure, as he had not expected Snape to agree so readily. He returned to the classroom in a daze, and Ron and Hermione were the first to approach him.

"Well, Harry? Did Professor Snape say yes?" Hermione asked.

"He asked me to come to his office at six o'clock tonight," Harry said, ignoring Snape's instructions and not thinking he could hide it from Ivan and the others.

Not to mention, he was counting on Ivan, Ron, and Hermione to come to his rescue if Snape tried to harm him.

… .

At five forty-five in the evening, after dinner, Harry forced himself to stay awake and went alone to Snape's office.

After a polite knock on the door, Snape's gloomy voice came from inside the office.

"Come in!"

Harry took a deep breath, gently pushed the door open and entered.

There was no light in the room, only the faint glow of a fire burning on the walls. Harry turned his head and looked around. There were hundreds of glass bottles on shelves on either side of the room. Sticky specimens of plants and animals floated among the colourful potions, and there was a strong smell of potion.

Uncomfortable, Harry sniffed, then quickly turned his attention to the bell behind his desk, which seemed to be out of order, as it was pointing to exactly eleven o'clock.

"Looks like you're not late today, Potter!"

Snape's cold voice rang out in the office, startling Harry and causing him to turn his head in panic.

"How much do you know about Occlumency?" Snape asked bluntly, not wishing to engage in small talk.

"It protects the memories in my head, preventing You-Know-Who from using magic to probe my mind…" Harry tried to recall the notes he had read during the summer holidays, before continuing. "Highly advanced Occlumency also creates false memories, confusing Legilimers who wish to peer into them."

"Very well, since you know a thing or two about it, let's skip the beginner's lesson and go straight to actual combat … I always thought it was the best way to learn," Snape said, his eyes twinkling at Harry.

"But I'm supposed to?" Harry asked nervously. The notes Ivan had given him contained some elaboration, but he had only theoretical knowledge and no practical experience.

"Your will to resist my charms… or perhaps you could try something else," Snape said casually.

Harry stared at him in annoyance. What difference did it make if he didn't say anything? He even speculated that Snape had agreed to this morning so that he could humiliate him in the process of learning Occlumency.

"We'll start now. The Dark Lord won't give you much time to prepare…" Snape said slowly, ignoring Harry's angry glare.

Harry immediately snapped out of it and concentrated on the various methods of resisting Legilimency in his notes.

Try to think of useless things to interfere with the caster's ability to obtain information, use one's will to channel one's own magic to resist an intruder, and create false memories in one's mind to confuse the enemy.

Without warning Harry, Snape waved his wand and shouted, "Telekinesis!"

The scene around Harry disappeared, and he realised that the means of resistance he had been imagining would not work.

Snape's methods were even more violent, with no attempt at concealment. It was as if a spoon had been stabbed into his brain, stirring it violently. Harry felt as if countless memories were rushing out of his brain…

(PS: As we bid farewell to the past and welcome the new, the Angel wishes you a happy New Year.