Author Notes: Sorry im not in a good conditions so It is late, but here the next chapter.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 81: Occlumency
---Dudley POV---
Because of the incident involving Arthur Weasley, Ron and the others took a holiday for a week, while Harry and Dudley returned to Hogwarts.
Harry wanted a break too, but Dumbledore prevented him from spending more time with the Weasley family. It was too dangerous—who knew when a Death Eater might suddenly try to kill him?
"Where have you gone missing?" asked Justin.
"Yeah, we didn't see you this morning," Ernie added.
After months of spending time together, their friendship had grown closer.
Dudley looked at both of them and simply replied,
"I'm hungry. Let's go have lunch."
Justin and Ernie exchanged glances, then nodded and followed Dudley to the Great Hall, taking their seats at the Hufflepuff table.
"Fries," said Dudley. "My favorite."
"You like fries?" asked Justin.
"Hahaha," Dudley laughed dryly. "Back to your question, I just came back from visiting someone at St Mungo's."
"Someone's sick? Do you know who—" Ernie began to ask but stopped himself.
Dudley glanced at him, then continued eating.
"Someone I know," he replied.
Suddenly, Susan and Hannah arrived to join them for lunch.
"Dudley, where did you go?" Susan asked, surprised to see him there.
Dudley decided to tease her.
"Is that a confession?" he said, nudging Justin. "Did I hear that right? Susan was actually worried about me?"
Justin and Ernie looked at Dudley, while Hannah poured fuel on the fire.
"Yeah, when you were gone this morning, the first person who noticed was Susan," Hannah smiled.
Smack!
For the first time, Susan hit Hannah because she was very angry.
"Hahahahaha!" Dudley laughed.
The atmosphere grew awkward. Justin and Ernie didn't want to tease Susan like Dudley did. They both secretly liked Susan but never dared to confess, so they swallowed their regrets in silence.
If Hannah could see how close Dudley and Susan were, then of course the others could see it too.
Luckily, Harry and Hermione arrived. The moment they walked into the hall, they spotted Dudley laughing.
Harry walked over to his cousin and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Can I borrow my cousin?" Harry asked.
His question instantly silenced the teasing and laughter.
Justin was the first to speak.
"Yes, you can."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Thank you," said Harry before dragging Dudley away.
---Occlumency---
"Dudley, Professor Dumbledore told me to learn Occlumency from Snape," said Harry.
"I told you, Harry, don't overreact. And where are your manners? He's a professor, Harry," said Hermione.
"But..." Harry glanced at Dudley, and Dudley immediately understood what he meant.
"Hermione, I need to tell you something important," said Dudley before casting Muffliato. "Do you know why Harry is always targeted during Potions class?"
Hermione's eyes lit up. She had noticed that Professor Snape seemed to go out of his way to single Harry out.
"My mother once told us that Professor Snape was in love with Harry mother, Lily Evans," said Dudley.
For a moment, Hermione froze. Then she brought both her hand to close her mouth. "Really?"
"Yes. And have you ever seen a picture of James Potter?" asked Dudley.
Hermione's eyes widened again. "You mean...?"
"Exactly. Harry looks exactly like James Potter. That's why Professor Snape can't bring himself to like him," explained Dudley. "Which is why Harry is so reluctant to learn Occlumency from him."
"I see... But Harry, if Professor Dumbledore recommends it, that means Professor Snape is good at it," Hermione said, trying to convince him.
"But Hermione—" Harry began, only for Dudley to cut him off.
"If you don't want to, just reject it. Tell Professor Dumbledore about the Occlumency training you've already done with me," said Dudley.
"Dudley, he's a professor. That means he knows what he's doing," said Hermione.
"I know, but both Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape fainted after trying to read my mind. So I'd say I'm better than them. Just tell Professor McGonagall that you've been learning Occlumency from me," said Dudley.
It was true. Harry, Hermione, and Susan had all received personal lessons from him.
'Maybe the old coot is trying to extract information from Harry about me… Better for him to just reject the offer,' thought Dudley.
"Thanks Dudley," smiled Harry.
---Dumbledore POV---
"Severus, how did Voldemort react?" asked Dumbledore, his voice calm but firm. At the mention of the Dark Lord name, Snape flinched slightly, though he quickly composed himself.
"I told him everything," Snape began. "I explained the connection between Harry Potter and the Dark Lord, and I also told him that you've been avoiding Harry lately, because you are afraid that the Dark Lord manage to see through the connection."
Dumbledore tapped his fingers on the edge of his desk. "Did he reveal anything about his next plan?"
"Yes," replied Snape. "He intends to lure Harry to the Department of Mysteries. He wants the boy to retrieve the orb and he will let his Death Eater guarding the room."
Dumbledore's expression darkened. "This is troubling. If he told you his plans so directly, that means he's testing you. He either suspects you're a spy or he wants to confirm your loyalty as a Death Eater."
Snape folded his arms. "So what do you want me to do now?"
"You must keep him believing you are on his side," said Dumbledore. "Harry will go to the Ministry. That much is unavoidable. I'll be there to protect him when the time comes."
Snape nodded reluctantly. "Very well, Headmaster."
As he turned to leave, Dumbledore's voice stopped him. "One more thing, Severus. I need you to teach Harry Occlumency."
Snape froze mid-step. "Occlumency? No. Absolutely not. I can barely tolerate the boy in Potions class, and now you want me to give him personal lessons?"
"It's not about your feelings, Severus," said Dumbledore while looking at Snape eyes. "This is about deceiving Voldemort." Again, Snape flinched. "If we do nothing he will suspect something and if Harry remains untrained, the Dark Lord will break into his mind and endanger him."
Snape sighed, his face twisted with frustration. "Very well. But don't expect me to go easy on him."
"I wouldn't dream of it," said Dumbledore with a slight nod.
"But I need to report this to him and he might told me not to teach Potter seriously," added Snape.
Author Notes: To read advanced chapter you can go to my patreon.
Chapter 109: Ambush
Chapter 110: Death Eater VS Amelia
Chapter 111: Voldemort Meet Dudley
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