If I Could(A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Occlumency

(VOTE/COMMENT/FOLLOW)
Feel free to point out any spelling errors im just terrible

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It was the last day of the Holiday we were never supposed to take outside of the castle. Naturally, I was packing, trying to fit all my presents in my trunk that I didn't plan for. There was a knock at the door.

"Yea?" I called, I glancing at the closed door for a second before going back to my trunk. The door clicked open.

"Um," Harry's voice started quietly. "Mrs. Weasley said Snape is in the kitchen and he needs to talk to us."

I frowned. "What would Snape need with us?" I shut my trunk, for now, things still all over my bed waiting to be packed.

"No idea," Harry shrugged, but he looked worried.

Harry led the way downstairs, me following from behind. It seemed the longer it took to find out if we were in some kind of trouble or not made me increasingly more anxious.
It involved both of us, so it couldn't possibly be regarding potions, Harry and I weren't quite on the same level. Unless Snape suspected I was helping him cheat, then we were really in for it.

Harry stopped hesitantly at the kitchen door, he looked back at me, grimacing and probably wondering if it would be better to off ourselves right now. But he took a deep breath and opened the door, I followed him in. Dad and Snape were seated at the large table, sitting on opposite sides in silence, staring each other down. An open letter was in front of Dad.

"Er," Harry announced our presence and Snape's head whipped toward us, making the cloak of greasy black hair swing along with it.

"Sit down," He commanded with his usual unamused drawl.

You know," interjected Dad fiercely, he was leaning back in his chair to give off sort of a cool exterior, calm but controlling, "I think I'd prefer it if you didn't give orders here, Snape. It's my house, you see." Snape's nose turned up. Harry and I took seats on either side of Dad.

"I was supposed to see you two alone," said Snape, sneering at my father "but Black-"

"I have a right to know what my daughter and godson are getting into." He raised his voice even higher.

"I am here on Dumbledore's orders," said Snape, who was slowly getting quieter while Dad got louder, but his tone remained splenetic. "but by all means stay, Black, I know you like to feel... involved."

"What's that supposed to mean?" dared Dad, letting his chair fall forward back on all four legs.

"Merely that I am sure you must feel- ah- frustrated by the fact that you can do nothing useful," he put a subtle but effective emphasis on the word. "for the Order."

My fists curled up at my sides, Dad patted my hand but refused to say anything else. "The headmaster has sent me to tell you, Black, Potter, that it is his wish for you two to study Occlumency this term."

"Occlumency?" I questioned, his sneer greatened as if this was some trivial knowledge I should have known before I could walk.

"Occlumency, Black. The magical defense of the mind against external penetration. An obscure branch of magic, but a highly useful one."

My breath hitched in my throat. I had convinced myself that this wasn't possession, it had to be a coincidence. But, Dumbledor thought these lessons were necessary, that meant I was wrong.

"Why do we have to study Occlu- thing?" Harry said abruptly, sounding thoroughly anxious.

"Because the headmaster thinks it a good idea," Snape's eyes flickered over him. "You'll receive your lessons once a week, in turns, but you will not tell anybody what you are doing, least of all Dolores Umbridge. You understand?"