HP Magic Biography

...

Stand up, Potter.

The day after the dream of Lockwood, Harry had knelt on the floor of Snape's office, trying to clear his head.

He'd just been forced to relive some memories from a long time ago, mostly about Dudley and his gang bullying him in elementary school.

One last memory, said Snape, what was it?

I don't know, said Harry, standing up wearily. He found it all the more difficult under Snape's constant pressure to separate the various memories from the flashbacks. You mean about my cousin locking me in the bathroom?

No, said Snape softly, I meant a man kneeling in the middle of a dark room.

Well, it's nothing, said Harry. Snape's eyes went straight into Harry's. He once said that eye contact is very important for Legilimency. Harry blinked quickly and looked aside.

How did that man and that house get into your head, Potter? Snape asked.

It's— Harry looked around, but not at Snape, it was just a dream of mine.

A dream? Snape repeated. There was a moment of silence as Harry watched a large dead frog floating in some purple liquid.

You know why we're here, don't you, Potter, said Snape in a low, dangerous voice.

You know why I give up every night to do this tedious job?

Yes. Harry said stiffly.

Tell me why we're here, Potter.

Because I'm going to learn Occlumency, Professor... said Harry, his eyes fixed on a dead eel now.

Correct, Potter. Even though you're stupid—

Harry turned back to Snape, resentful.

I still thought that after one or two months of study, you would make some progress. How many dreams about mysterious people have you had?

Only that one, Harry lied.

Maybe,

said Snape, his cold black eyes narrowed slightly. Perhaps you really enjoy these dreams, Potter. Maybe they make you feel a special—importance?

No, they don't, said Harry, his jaw clenched and his fingers gripping his wand tightly.

Well then, Potter, said Snape dryly, since you're neither special nor important, it doesn't matter what You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters are saying.

No—that's your job, isn't it? Harry called to him. He didn't mean to say it, but he blurted it out in anger. For a long time they stared at each other, and Harley had gone too far. But there was an odd, almost satisfied expression on Snape's face when he spoke.

Yes, Potter, he said, eyes twinkling. That's my job. Now, if you're ready, we'll start again. He raised his wand. One-two-three- Legilimency!

A hundred dementors rushed across the lake towards Harry. His face was contorted with concentration. They were getting closer, and Harry could see the black hole beneath their hoods. He could still see Snape standing in front of him, staring at Harry, muttering to himself. For some reason, Snape became more and more distinct, while the dementors became more and more blurred.

Harry raised his wand. Call God to protect you!

Snape stumbled - his wand flew out - and suddenly Harry's mind was filled with memories that weren't his: a hook-nosed man snarling at a cowering woman, a dark-haired little boy Weeping in the corner; a greasy-haired teenager sitting alone in a dark room, pointing his wand at the ceiling and shooting flies; a scrawny boy is trying to jump on a broom while a girl laughs at him nearby.

Enough! Harry felt a hard push in the chest, and he fell back a few steps, bumping into some shelves, and heard something break. Snape trembled slightly and paled. The back of Harry's robes was soaked. A bottle he hit shattered, releasing sticky stuff.

Return to normal, Snape hissed, and the bottle returned to its original state in an instant.

Well, Potter. Progress has indeed been made. Snape gasped slightly, he helped the Pensieve, and before class he put some memories into it, as if to make sure they were still in there.

I don't remember telling you to use a defensive spell, but it's certainly useful.

Harry didn't say anything; he felt it would be dangerous to say anything. He must have entered Snape's memory and seen Snape's childhood. He thought wearily that the little boy who cried and watched his parents quarrel was standing in front of him at this moment, his eyes full of disgust.

Shall we do it again? Snape said.

It scared Harry a little, he was going to pay for what had just happened, he was sure of it. They stood on either side of the table, and Harry found it harder to clear his mind now.

I'll count to three, said Snape, raising his wand again. One-two- Before Harry could concentrate to clear his mind, Snape called out, Legiliency-

The scene changes quickly, and he's sprinting down the hallway to the Department of Mysteries, past the blank walls, past the torches—there's the black door there, wide open, and he's running so fast he almost rushes After climbing up, he stood in front of it again, and saw a light blue light in the crack of the door—the door opened!

He went through the door and came to a circular room, the surrounding walls were black, the floor below was also black, only the blue candle light was shining, there were many doors around, which one should he go through?

Potter! Harry opened his eyes, and he was lying unconscious on the ground again; panting, he seemed to have really run down the long corridor leading to the Department of Mysteries, really ran through the He opened the black door and found the circular room.

You explain! Snape cried, looking at him from above, looking very angry.

I, don't know what's wrong, Harry said matter-of-factly, standing up. He had a lump on the back of his head from hitting the ground when he fell. I never saw it, I mean, I told you, I dreamed of a door that never opened—

You're not trying hard enough! For some reason, Snape looked angrier than when Harry entered his memory two minutes ago. You're too lazy and conceited, Potter, it's just a small miracle, the Dark Lord he...

So, can you tell me, sir? said Harry, getting angry again. Why are you called Voldemort, the Dark Lord? I've only heard Death Eaters call him that.

Snape opened his mouth angrily - a woman's scream came from outside. Snape jumped up, staring at the ceiling.

What's this— he muttered. Harry could hear a muffled commotion coming from the hall. Snape looked at him, frowning.

Did you see anything unusual when you came down, Potter?