Order Only: Occlumency practise

[alt_severus]

Children: Whilst I am quite aware the beginning of one's sixth year leaves one wondering whether one will be left with time to sleep and eat in between academic obligations, we ought arrange your extracurricular lesson times. Do let me know when is convenient for you.

Comments

[alt_severus]

You are close enough to mastery that I do not think you need individualised attention any longer; if you are amenable I will combine your lessons with your sister's on Thursday after two.

[alt_neville]

Thank you, sir. I think that will work well.

[alt_draco]

What about me? Aren't I close enough to mastery yet?

[alt_severus]

You are certainly at a level of practise that will allow you to block all but the most dedicated of intrusions, and have been for quite some time. However, your natural gifts and inclinations make individualised instruction more rewarding, and given the circles in which you move and the future rôles you are likely to play, I am inclined to spend as much time working with you as you are able.

Private message to Mr Snape

[alt_draco]

Can you be more specific about those future rôles you mentioned?

Re: Private message to Mr Snape

[alt_severus]

Let us speak plainly, as doing so privately will avoid the vapours certain members of the Order reliably fall into whenever it is suggested that you lot not be wrapped in cotton wool until your twilight years.

The majority of your cohort is learning Occlumency as a talisman to allow them peace of mind; barring utter disaster in the future, the extent to which they are likely to use it is to guard against glancing skimming of their thoughts in passing, and in the event of utter disaster there will be methods other than Legilimency employed against the sanctity of their thoughts.

Given who and what you are, it is vanishingly unlikely you will not be called into the Dark Lord's service, and given the Dark Lord's recent ... erratic whims, that day will no doubt be sooner rather than later. At some point in your future, you will undoubtedly find yourself kneeling before the Dark Lord while he rummages through your mind for whatever scraps might amuse him, and you will need to not only show him the face you wish for him to see, but do so in such a way as to prevent him from suspecting there is anything lurking beneath.

Of all your cohort, I believe you the most likely to play that role successfully, but for all the skill you have learned — and I do not denigrate the skill you have learned — you are not yet ready for that prospect. This year, should you be amenable, we will begin studying the ways in which you can become so.

Re: Private message to Mr Snape

[alt_draco]

I don't have any illusions that the Lord Protector will pass me over.

I can't quite tell from your words, but I have a feeling that you're presenting this not just as something to prepare for, but to actively seek out, when the time comes.

Re: Private message to Mr Snape

[alt_severus]

Rather, I am saying there is little chance you will be able to avoid the prospect, short of disappearing entirely — something I do not believe you would be willing to do.

We both know that having someone in such a position would be to considerable tactical advantage in the Dark Lord's overthrow. I am well aware, however, that you are still torn in the question of many things involved with the Order save for the need of that overthrow, and I would and will not push you into the rôle of the double agent unless you could do so with no reservations. It is not a comfortable life, and the risks are considerable; should you be uncovered now as I was then, Azkaban is no longer as likely a fate as Avada Kedavra would be.

Still, even if you do not wish to turn spy for the Order wholeheartedly, I would not wish you to be delivered unto the Dark Lord's nonexistent mercies without every scrap of preparation it is within my power to impart.

Re: Private message to Mr Snape

[alt_draco]

How is Harry any less likely to avoid the prospect? He's the Lord Protector's "son."

Then again, he does have most of the Order members willing to swoop in and give their lives to save him from that fate. I don't.

In theory, being a double agent suits me just fine. I half feel I am one already.

In reality, though, I reckon I might rather disappear entirely.

Re: Private message to Mr Snape

[alt_severus]

I am working with Mr Potter as well, though given the level of difficulty he has given the Dark Lord in the past, I doubt the Dark Lord will wish to bring him into the fold quite so early. He has no parents to torment by forcing him into

Should you decide disappearance suits you better than intrigue, I will offer my assistance there, as well.