Chapter 24 Order of the Phoenix Occlumency. Harry is forced to take lessons in mind control with Professor Snape, and relives some of his saddest moments.
Professor Snape comes to the HQ to talk with Harry near the end of Christmas break. Sirius obviously dislikes Snape and listens in. Dumbledore has instructed Snape to teach Harry Occlumency, which is a way of defending your mind against attacks. This will be done in secret - the official story is that Harry is taking remedial potions.
Snape and Sirius almost attack each other, with Sirius calling Snape the lap dog of Lucius Malfoy. Mr. Weasley comes back fully cured. Sirius gives Harry a book to contact him with, to use in emergencies. Harry feels strongly that he won't use it, because it might lure Sirius out into getting caught. The group gets onto the Knight Bus and heads back to school.
Cho sort of talks Harry into taking her to Hogsmeade for Valentine's Day even though he's dense and doesn't get it at first. Then Harry goes for his lesson with Snape. He learns that Voldemort is good at Legilimency - a form of mind reading. Snape says the curse seems to have connected Harry with Voldemort and that Harry needs this protection against Voldemort. He says that it was only recently that Voldemort learned of this connection and Harry needs to be alert.
Snape puts some of his own thoughts into the pensive for safekeeping before beginning. He then attacks and Harry relives many of his most unhappy memories. He finally fights Snape off when he gets near the memory of him kissing Cho. Harry tries again and fails.
Snape scolds Harry for being so quick to anger, for not controlling his emotions well. He says this makes Harry weak and easy prey for Voldemort. During the third attempt, Harry realizes that the long corridor in his dreams is the Department of Mysteries corridor. He asks Snape what is down there but Snape won't tell him.
Harry tells Ron and Hermoine about this, and then his scar burns and he realizes that Voldemort is the happiest he's been in 14 years.
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