Let Memories Unfold

Chapter 1

Shoving his way past groups of people glaring and sneering at him, Harry started his way down the the dungeons. This had been his usual experience walking through endless hallways after he had his name called from the Goblet of Fire, and it was a hellish experience at that.

Ever since his name had came out of that blasted cup, his life had taken a turn for the worse, if it could've even gotten past the point it had. He had lost his best friend, Ron, who thought he had entered himself into the competition. As if! The last thing Harry ever wanted was more attention, more unnecessary danger and yet here he was. More attention, and more unnecessary danger.

Jealously was a disease, and it seemed Ron was bed-bound. He wouldn't even look Harry in the eye without a sneer coming across his features, and sometimes a petty insult followed Harry's back. It was tearing Harry up inside, but he had bigger things to worry about. Like why on earth Professor Dumbledore had asked him to go down to the dungeons, to meet with Professor Snape of all people.

It could only put a damper on Harry's mood, he had enough to do that day. He had to figure out how to get past Dragons, he had to meet with Hermione to talk about how to get past Dragons, and he had to read about how to get past Dragons. Really, he had a lot to do with Dragons. It was debilitating, and having to go see Snape put a scowl on his face.

Walking down the drippy stairs to the dungeons, the cold slowly settled down into his bones. He wrapped his arms around himself, a futile attempt to pull heat back into his body. He didn't understand how the Slytherins lived in this temperature, though he guessed the personality really did match the living quarters.

Walking down the corridor, dingy as one could be, he stopped in-front of Snape's door. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the dark oak and waited for allowed entry.

"Enter." The deep voice drawled from inside, and Harry braced himself once more before moving inside.

"Sit, Potter." Snape said, disdain evident in his voice. Clearly, he wasn't happy he was called for this meeting either.

Harry quickly listened, and sat himself uncomfortably on one of the conjured chairs. Tea was not offered, but neither would've wanted. He hoped this meeting was quick, he didn't want to leave Hermione waiting and worrying. He couldn't understand what this meeting was about, had he failed in one of his recent essays? Harry could recognise he wasn't good with practical Potions, but hoped he wasn't abysmal in theory.

The silence dragged on, and Harry eventually looked up to meet Snape's eye. It was intimidating, and Harry immediately felt a shiver crawl up his spine and travel as goosebumps through his arms.

"Why am I here?" Harry inquired, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.

"Sir."

"Why am I here, sir." Harry refrained from rolling his eyes.

"It seems that Professor Dumbledore deems it necessary for you to acquire a new skill, one that has prevalence considering... recent activities." Snape began, eyes glowering whilst he looked down at Harry.

"And what would that be, sir?"

"Occlumency, Potter."

Harry furrowed his eyebrows, not knowing what that was. Usually, he had at least had a vague idea of something when presented with it, but he was drawing blanks.

"And.. what is that, sir?" Harry hated to ask, knowing that he would be degraded upon not knowing something.

"Don't you ever open a book, Potter?"

There it is.

"Occlumency is the art of blocking one's mind from intruders. It is helpful when placed in-front of a skilled Legilimens. Assuming you do not know what that is, either?" Snape continued, raising a brow at Harry.