Chapter 646: Fish's Doubts (Edited)

Harry had been nervous for a while, and he let out a long sigh of relief when he realized that Fish had spoken about the memories he had seen.

In fact, it wasn't a secret that he liked Cho Chang, but...

Silently, he looked at Ginny beside him, feeling a little confused.

"Well done, Potter." Right then, Professor McGonagall encouraged him, "Being able to free yourself, being the first time someone uses Legilimency against you, shows that you are still mentally strong, which is one of the requirements for learning Occlumency... Can you still hold on?"

"Of course." Harry nodded, feeling a bit mentally exhausted, but he felt he could endure.

"Furthermore, you can keep your wand in your hand, Potter." Professor McGonagall added, "Its effect is limited, but it will increase your protection somewhat, and using other spells to counter the Legilimency used against you will also break the enemy's Legilimency... although it shouldn't work with You-Know-Who, who is not with you after all."

Harry took out his wand as instructed and gripped it tightly.

"Clear your mind of distractions, empty your mind, don't think, don't remember, don't feel..."

Professor McGonagall taught him the essentials of Occlumency once again, and Harry made an effort to do his best. Fish didn't rush to cast the spell again but patiently waited for him to get to work.

Harry's expression calmed down, his eyes as still as a dead pool of water.

"Legilimency nya!"

(ΦωΦ)━━☆*.

That's when Fish waved his wand again.

Another memory fragment appeared before Fish's and Harry's eyes.

The first time he met the Weasleys at King's Cross, the little redhead... the girl who didn't dare to speak to him when he was a guest at the Burrow in the summer... the embarrassing Valentine's card... the way Ginny had acted when he hadn't invited her to the Christmas ball... and the way Ginny had turned into a doe when he had turned into a stag...

The more Harry tried to avoid those memories, the more they kept appearing.

You can't see any more!!!

There was a soft "pop," a shower of sparks erupted from the tip of Harry's wand, and Fish's body trembled slightly, his Legilimency interrupted by this.

Fish shrugged off the slight stinging sensation on his hand, unfazed by being attacked, but he looked at Harry in surprise, who was half-kneeling, covering his head.

⊙ω⊙

After staring at Harry for a moment, making him feel a little guilty, Fish suddenly turned to Professor McGonagall.

"Minerva!"

Fish blurted out before Harry could react, "Harry likes both Cho Chang and Ginny, is that what you were telling Fish, playing with a girl's feelings nya?"

Then Fish quickly turned to Harry and curiously asked, "Are you going to fight with Cedric in the future nya? That's what they do on TV!"

Ginny beside him snorted coldly, and the twins rolled off their chairs laughing.

Harry, who hadn't been able to stop Fish in time, "..."

"Ahem..." Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and pretended to scold, "Fish! You shouldn't talk about memories you've seen of Potter!"

"Oh... sorry... Fish wasn't thinking that much nya..."

Fish stuck out his tongue and apologized to Harry decisively.

"...It's okay." Harry waved his hand, not blaming Fish at all.

It wasn't the first time, and he was already used to it anyway.

Harry practiced with Fish a few more times, but it was somewhat frustrating that he didn't make any significant progress until his spirits gave in.

While he rested, Hermione also began practicing Occlumency.

But she didn't fare much better and was easily invaded by Fish as well, which gave Harry a bit of balance...

It seemed that Occlumency wasn't easy to master—even Hermione, top of their class, was struggling, so it definitely wasn't their fault!

"Hermione, why are so many of your memories about reading books nya? It seems so boring... Harry's memories are more fun nya."

(?ω?)

After reading Hermione's memories, Fish commented.

As for memories of petting Fish and kissing games, Fish himself was involved, so he didn't find anything new.

"Other people's memories aren't for your amusement!" Professor McGonagall scolded Fish, smacking him on the head.

After lecturing Fish, she told a dejected Harry and Hermione, "You two should rest for a while. Fish's spells are not foolproof, so it's best if you get some sleep."

Hermione transformed into a black cat and jumped into Fish's arms, while Harry didn't bother returning to his room and instead went to the living room and lay down on the couch, soon falling asleep.

...

It was a magnificent-looking room, and Harry found himself sitting in a plush reclining chair, with a cold object gently sliding at his feet, and two men kneeling beneath him. Although their heads were bowed, and their faces unreadable, their light blond hair was familiar to Harry.

At the same time, a stormy rage was brewing in Harry's chest, and he wanted to cast a few spells at the two kneeling beneath him, to torment them severely.

What was happening?

Harry thought confusedly. He was supposed to be resting on Sirius' couch, right?

"Do you mean... all of this is my fault, Lucius?"

A hoarse voice came out of Harry's mouth, finally making him understand what was going on...

He was dreaming again, and this time from Voldemort's perspective, and the two men kneeling below him were Malfoy and his son.

"I never had such an idea, Master!" Lucius replied, his voice trembling as he pressed his head against the floor. "You know I always obey your orders unconditionally."

What struck Harry as odd was that Lucius Malfoy was clearly flattering Voldemort, but the fury emanating from Voldemort was even more furious.

"Crucio!" Voldemort raised his wand and cast the Cruciatus Curse on Lucius.

The screams echoed in Harry's ears, and although he didn't like the Malfoys, the sight of Lucius' misery and Draco's panicked expression made him feel uncomfortable.

Stop... don't torture them...

Harry unconsciously tried to make Voldemort stop, and his actions actually affected Voldemort in the Malfoy Manor, interrupting the spell.

"Get out of my head!" Voldemort roared.

Then Harry felt something striking him so hard that he bounced out of Voldemort's body.

The next moment, Harry jerked violently on the couch.

"Harry, are you alright?" Sirius asked with concern as he crouched in front of him.

"I'm fine..." Harry gasped heavily, looking around.

Everyone was gathered around him, looking worried, even Neville and his grandmother.

"You've just been screaming, saying 'stop' and all that." Ron pursed his lips and asked dryly, "Have you dreamt about... You-Know-Who again?"

"Yes," Harry replied quietly, "It's as if Draco's father did something to anger Voldemort, and Voldemort is torturing him..." He looked at Neville and Mrs. Longbottom, "... with the Cruciatus Curse."

Neville's face instantly paled, while his grandmother snorted disdainfully, "You-Know-Who and his minions, that's all they're capable of!"

Sirius pursed his lips, relishing the situation, "They deserve it!"

"Furthermore, it seems Voldemort has discovered me..." Harry hesitated and told them that Voldemort had expelled him from his mind.

The crowd panicked, and only Professor McGonagall remained calm as she told Harry seriously, "Sooner or later, he will discover you. That's why Dumbledore wants you to learn Occlumency."

"So Voldemort is currently observing this place through my eyes?" Harry asked sadly.

"Does your scar still hurt?" Professor McGonagall rhetorically asked. "If it's not hurting too much, it should still be safe."

Harry rubbed his scar, which still had some residual pain, and sighed in relief.

While everyone worried about Harry's condition, Fish remained silent, lost in thought.

He had a suspicion about what Harry had seen in his dream: it was most likely that Voldemort had discovered the truth about the diary.

But...

Draco already knew this for himself at the beginning of the school year, and he had said back then that he would communicate with Lucius. So why was Voldemort still punishing him?

Fish was filled with doubts and wondered what had become of the Malfoys.