Friend or Foe

Chapter 5: The Battle of Mind

Legilimency

In order to learn Legilimency, you should first master Occlumency and be able to guard your mind instinctively.

Legilimency involves emotion control, and thus is classified as Dark Magic. It is one of the few magic that can be performed without using a wand. Other examples of this kind of magic are Apparation, Occlumency and Animagus Transformaion. Performing Legilimency requires a large amount of magical power and more so if the spell is performed wandlessly. A failed attempt to perform Legilimency might result in forever being trapped in another wizard's mind, insanity, or death.

Learning Legilimency involves two stages. The first stage is performing Legilimency with the incantation and a wand. It can be preformed like any normal spell, though you have to clear you mind and concentrate while doing so. The incantation is "Legilimens".

The nest stage is to perform Legilimency with your mind only. This part is much harder than the first stage. You must focus on your victim and only your victim. The spell is more likely to succeed if you have eye contact or physical contact with your victim. Concentrate and, through the contact point, try to connect yourself with your victim. It would be much easier to invade unguarded minds like Muggles or untrained wizards. If your victim knows Occlumency, you need to break through the mental barrier before invading into your victim's mind. One thing you should be aware of is that wizards who are skilled in Occlumency can nearly always detect the invasion of their mind when you use Legilimency on them.

Other than invading another's mind, Legilimency can help to deceive your enemy when you are subjected to Legilimency. It allows you to control your thoughts and to choose which memory you want you enemy to view.

Harry looked up from the book. He had gone through the first stage, and it was time for him to practice his skill wandlessly. He needed a victim. And the image of a certain professor immediately came to his mind. He might as well use his skill to confirm his suspicion.

Harry smiled slyly. This was going to be fun.

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"What is this place?" asked Ron.

"A secret room," Harry answered. "It should be safe after adding a few wards."

"Found by that friend of yours again?" said Malfoy.

Harry smiled weakly. "He's an expert in finding hiding places."

Ron and Hermione looked at him.

"Who, Harry?" asked Ron.

"I thought it's one of you Gryffindors." Malfoy raised his eyebrows at Harry and smirked. "What, Potter? Don't want to share your secret rooms with your friends? What else are you hiding from them?"

Ron looked hurt. "Who found this room, Harry? I don't think this room is on the Marau..."

Hermione coughed, stopping Ron in mid-sentence and successfully preventing the secret of the Marauder's Map from being spilled.

"Snuffles told me, they discovered it after... it was completed," Harry lied, then quickly change the topic. "Anyway, let's get started."

They were in a room with an entrance near the kitchen. The room was large and perfect for dueling. Harry had checked the Marauder's Map and this was the only room besides the one in the dungeons that was not listed on the map. If even the Marauders could not find this place, then it should be safe.

Ron had reacted violently after hearing Harry had had a meeting with Malfoy alone. He had also insisted that he and Hermione would accompany Harry next time, much to Malfoy's annoyance.

"All right, Malfoy and I will work on the wards. Hermione, can you work on those... um... galleons with Ron?"

Hermione nodded. And Ron, still reluctant to leave Harry working alone with Malfoy, nodded after shooting a warning glare at the blonde.

Malfoy rolled his eyes before turning to Harry.

"We'd better set the wards so that only those in the group can come in. Even better if only those who are in the group can see this room," suggested Malfoy.

"The combination of the notice-me-not charm and several wards then," said Harry thoughtfully. "We can use the magical contract to identify ourselves as a member. That way, only those whose names are on the contract can see the door to this room. Besides, since the name would be crossed out if someone breaks the contract, traitors wouldn't be able to see the room."

Malfoy blinked. "That would involve the use some dark magic." He looked at Harry, as if wondering what his reaction would be.

Harry was aware that Malfoy was testing him with this question. He raised an eyebrow at the blonde. "Does that make any difference?" Harry made sure Ron and Hermione were not listening and continued with a smile, "Dark magic it is then. I don't mind using it as long as it's not for hurting others."

Malfoy stared at him with a strange look. "I'd never imagine the Gryffindor golden boy would understand this."

Harry snorted at the nickname. "I understand, Malfoy." he said seriously, then added with a chuckle, "I am not as Gryffindor as everyone thinks. At least, I no longer am," he said the last part quietly to himself. Though by the look on Malfoy's face, it seemed the Slytherin had heard it too.

"Potter?" asked Malfoy doubtfully.

Harry laughed at the look Malfoy's face. It seemed the fact that Harry Potter saying he was not a perfect Gryffindor had a great impact on the Malfoy heir.

"Come on, let's get to work!" Harry said cheerfully.

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On the next day, which happened to be Sunday, all members of the new-founded defense group gathered in the secret room for their first meeting. All members were looking around the room curiously, as none of them knew there was a room here before.

"We need a group name," said Hermione.

"How about Defense Association?" said Cho, "We can shorten it to DA."

"How about DA as in Dumbledore's Army instead?" suggested Ginny.

"Yeah, the Ministry's greatest fear!" Ron agreed.

Both Malfoy and Harry snorted at the same time.

Everyone in the room turned to them.

Hermione frowned. "Harry?"

Harry reddened slightly. "Er... we would put Dumbledore in great trouble if someone finds us out." He made an excuse to cover his mistake, which he found himself doing quite often lately.

Malfoy stared at him, frowning.

"Yes, you're right, we can't put Dumbledore into trouble, though it is not likely that we would be found out," said Cho. "How about Hogwarts' Army then?"

"I'm okay with that," said Harry. He stared at Malfoy, who shrugged.

"Whatever, as long as it's not that old fool's army," he sneered.

Several members glared at him upon hearing the statement, but Malfoy simply ignored them.

"So it is HA then," said Hermione, sensing the tension in the room. She then took out the parchment with all their names on it and wrote "Hogwarts' Army" at the top.

"Harry? What are we going to do today?" she asked.

Harry grinned. "Dueling."

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"Stupefy!" shouted Malfoy.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry shouted at the same time.

They both dodged the spell and start flinging curses at each other. Both of them were able to block or evade the other's spells. The dueling continued in the same manner for nearly fifteen minutes until a stray spell obviously from another dueling group in the room flew straight towards Harry. Harry barely evaded the spell thanks to his seeker reflexes but he knew there was no way he could avoid Malfoy's spell- which was flying towards him.

He saw Malfoy's smirking face when the spell was only a few inches before him. Then something unbelievable happened. The spell stopped in mid-air, as if it was stopped by a powerful shield. In the next second, the spell was rebounded back towards Malfoy.

Harry stared with wide eyes. Then he felt power emerging from something under his shirt. He instinctively pulled out the protecting amulet that had been hanging around his neck constantly for several months. The power was as strong as he first received it from Tom and the amulet was now glowing brightly after blocking the spell.

Malfoy barely dodged his own curse, but those few seconds were enough for Harry to send a disarming curse at him. Malfoy's wand flew out of his hand and Harry caught it swiftly.

Malfoy looked frustrated at losing the duel. "I never thought you would be fast enough to put up a shield."

Harry blinked. So Malfoy thought it was Harry that blocked the curse? Harry didn't feel good for wining the duel. He felt as if he had cheated. But he didn't really want to tell Malfoy about the amulet at the moment. And after all, hadn't Malfoy attacked him when he was dodging the spray spell too?

"You're a good dueler, Malfoy," Harry said instead. "I'm just lucky this time."

Malfoy sneered. "Next time I will win," he said, then jumped back to avoid being hit by another curse flying towards him from somewhere in the room. He rolled his eyes. "Come on, Potter, go and check how they're doing. From what I've seen, they didn't even know where they should fire a curse!"

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The first meeting of Hogwarts' Army was quite successful, every member seemed to have enjoyed themselves and learned a thing or two about dueling. So Harry was in a good mood on Monday. Harry was actually looking forward to this day, or rather, looking forward to being in Umbridge's class.

"Today we'll be reading chapter five," said Umbridge.

Harry raised his hand. "Professor?"

Hermione turned to look at him in alert, afraid he would do something stupid.

"Yes, Mr. Potter?" Umbridge turned to face him, so they were now in eye contact.

Harry held her gaze and concentrated. He felt the presence of Umbridge's mind, which was as defenseless as a disarmed wizard. He quickly invaded her mind. Within seconds, he found it...

Umbridge standing in Privet Drive, and standing next to her were two Dememtors. She gave the Dememtors some sort of orders before disappearating from the street.

Harry pulled himself out of his professor's mind and found himself back in the classroom, facing an impatient Umbridge.

'So my suspicion is correct. It was Umbridge who sent the Dememtors!" Harry thought angrily.

"Well, Mr. Potter?" asked Umbridge.

"Sorry, Professor, but I don't really understand what this chapter means," he said as polite as he could manage, doing his best to suppress his anger.

Umbridge frowned and started to move closer to Harry. "Which part of the chapter, Mr. Potter?"

"This part, Professor," said Harry, forcing a smile at the approaching professor while planning his revenge on the said professor inwardly.

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"Potter, stay back."

Potter sighed visibly and signaled his friends to leave without him.

Severus locked the door and placed a silencing charm on it.

"Sir?"

He turned to face the boy.

"The headmaster has decided that you need to learn Occlumency," Severus announced.

"WHAT?" Potter yelled with wide eyes.

So Potter did know what Occlumency is? Severus wondered how. After all, Occlumency was considered as dark art and not many knew about it despite its usefulness.

"You heard me, Potter," Severus sneered. "You will be studying Occlumency with me once a week, starting from tonight. Oh, and ten points from Gryffindor for yelling at a professor," he added almost automatically.

Potter bit his lip, obviously trying to prevent himself from saying anything that would cost Gryffindor more marks. Severus raised an eyebrow. Since when did Potter manage to control his temper?

"But I don't need-"

Severus suppressed his urge to roll his eyes. That arrogant brat didn't realize how much danger he could bring to their side through his connection with the Dark Lord.

He glared at the boy. "It is the headmaster's decision. And to tell the truth, I'm not very happy with it, Potter, so you'd better cooperate," he said coldly.

Potter muttered something under his breath. Severus frowned. Did Potter really say, "Damn that meddling old man"?

"Tonight after dinner, my office. If anyone asks, you are having Remedial Potions," he said.

Potter opened his mouth to say something again. Didn't the brat ever know how to shut up?

Severus unlocked the door and said before Potter could say anything. "Now out! I have classes to teach."

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Harry sighed. So Dumbledore finally remembered the connection between Harry and Voldemort and wanted Harry to learn Occlumency. No, the old man practically ordered Harry to learn Occlumency, and with Snape of all people!

Harry knew it was very easy for a Legilimens to tell whether someone knew Occlumency or not. If Snape found out Harry was actually quite skilled in Occlumency, there would surely be lots of questioning. There was no way Harry could explain his skill without telling Snape of his time-travel trip, and the fact that Occlumency was dark magic only made matter worse.

So Harry could not block his mind when Snape attacked him. His only hope was to deceive Snape using his newly-learned Legilimency skill. If he could "direct" Snape to see only those memories Harry wanted him to see, Harry might be able to keep his secret.

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Harry entered Snape office right after dinner. The first thing that caught his eyes in the office was a pensieve.

'It must contain Snape's worst memory then. I wonder what that is," he thought.

"Well, Potter, you know why you are here," said Snape. "The headmaster asked me to teach you Occlumency. I only hope that you prove to be more adept in it than Potions."

'You have no idea," thought Harry.

Snape went on to give him a brief introduction on Occlumency and told him why he needed to learn it. Then Snape proceeded to the practical part with merely an instruction of "Clear your mind". At that moment, Harry was really glad to have had Nicolas as his instructor on Occlumency.

"Take out your wand," said Snape.

Harry obeyed, preparing himself for the attack at the same time. He had removed his protecting amulet beforehand. He didn't want to find out what Snape's reaction would be if he found his spell blocked by an unknown force.

"On my count of three." Snape pointed his wand at Harry. "One. Two. Three. Legilimens!"

Harry felt Snape's presence in his mind. He concentrated and focused on the first memory he wanted Snape to see, something Snape had already known...

Harry was flying on the Quidditch pitch...He was really nervous since it was his first Quidditch match... His broom was out of control... He nearly fell... He spotted the snitch and nearly swallowed it in the end... Gryffindor won the match and for the first time in his life he felt pride...

Harry quickly directed Snape to another memory. He didn't want Snape to know how his felt at that time, since by using Legilimency, the caster not only could view the memory, but could feel what the victim felt as well.

Harry and Ron rushed to the girl's toilet... A troll was about to attack Hermione...Ginny's body in the Chamber of Secrets... The boggart in Lupin's class, which turned into a dementor...

Then Harry found himself back in Snape's office.

"You are not trying, Potter. Again!" said Snape. "Legilimens!"

Harry was hovering on top of a dragon... He dived towards the golden egg...

Harry felt Snape pushed further into his mind.

He was in Number Twelve Grimmauld Place... He woke up from a nightmare... He went to the drawing room... A stone was glowing in the dark...

Harry gasped. No, he couldn't let Snape go any further.

"Protego!" he yelled.

A young Lucius Malfoy approached him... They apparated together to a large manor...He was ordered to kill a small muggle girl...Voldemort's cold laughter... Voldemort pointed his wand at his forearm...

Harry found himself trapped inside Snape's mind. What he just saw, was the initiation of Snape to the Death Eater ranks...

A woman screamed... A litter girl crying for her mother... A flash of green light and the crying sound stopped... A dark mark hovering above the muggle village... He kneeled before Dumbledore, asking the old wizard to send him to Azkaban...

A great force pushed Harry out and he found himself once again back to Snape's office. He saw Snape was on the floor, panting.

"Sir? Are you alright?" he asked.

Snape got up and pointed his wand at Harry. "Again, Legilimens!"

He was in Grimmauld Place... He saw Ron and Hermione... He yelled at them for not writing to him... A nightmare... He could not sleep and went to the drawing room...

Harry was desperate to stop Snape from seeing that part of his memory, but he found he could no longer control Snape's 'motion' in his mind. He was exhausted after continuously using Legilimency to view Umbridge's memory that morning and to prevent Snape from viewing his private memory. He had forgotten how consuming Legilimency could be.

Harry saw something glowing in the dark... He touched the glowing stone... He was in a forest...

Harry gulped. Snape was going to see...

Harry was lying on the forest ground... He turned and came face to face with a Slytherin boy that looked similar to him...

"Stop!" Harry yelled and pushed Snape out of his mind. He fell to his knees, no longer having the energy to stand upright. He felt Snape approached him.

"Who is that boy, Potter?" Snape asked the question Harry knew was coming. "I don't remember having a Slytherin like him."

'Think, Harry, think! You were once a Slytherin! Think of a way to get yourself out of trouble!' he thought desperately.

Harry knew there was no way he could give Snape an answer that would satisfy the man. The only way was to avoid answering the question.

He avoided Snape's eyes, in case he decided to find out the answer by Legilimency, and said in a low voice, "I didn't question you of what I saw in your memory, so please don't question mine...sir." Before Snape exploded, he got up shakily and ran out of the room.

"Potter!" he heard Snape yelled after him.

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Severus glared at the retreating form of Harry Potter. How dare that brat talk to him like that?

And who was that boy he saw in Potter's mind anyway? Specking of Potter's mind, the boy's memory was too well organized. He had a feeling that Potter 'let' him see those memories instead of Severus forcing his way into the boy's mind. It was impossible, unless...

... unless Potter was not as 'innocent' as Albus thought, that the boy actually knew both Occlumency and Legilimency.

One thing Severus was certain: Potter had changed, he was no longer the boy he had known for the last few years. Something must have happened during the summer holiday. Potter was hiding it, he didn't even tell Albus. It seemed Potter didn't trust the headmaster as much as Severus originally thought. Severus had a feeling that the identity of that mysterious boy he saw in Potter's memory was the key to unlocking all the secrets.

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On Thursday night, everyone in the fifth year Gryffindor dormitory was sleeping peacefully, except one.

Harry made sure the curtains around his bed was closed and whispered a silencing charm so as not to wake up his dorm mates in case something went wrong. He chose to do it on Thursday night so he would have enough time for recovery before his next Monday Occlumency session with Snape.

Harry sat up on his bed. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the connection he shared with Voldemort. He thought of the irony of his action; Dumbledore asked Snape to teach him how to close the connection, though now Harry was trying to open it.

He lowered his mental barrier and reached out. Soon he was stopped by another barrier. Voldemort's mental barrier. Harry hesitated.

Harry knew that this would change everything, by connecting with Tom and telling him his other identity. He knew he could no longer be simply Harry Potter, the fighter for the light side, after this. He would also be Alex Salutor, best friend of Tom Riddle.

He took a deep breath, and attacked. A strong force pushed him out immediately at the moment he invaded, but he stood his ground. He felt strong power emerging from the other side of the link, warning him whoever was at the other end of the link had awoken and aware of his presence.

Harry calmed his nerves and called out,

Tom?