Dreams No Mortal Ever Dreamed Before

3. Change of Perception


While he dressed thoughts were racing through his head. This could not be about his dreams, it was pure coincidence that he was called. Snape had no way of knowing Harry's dreams but he could not shake the feeling that something was not right with the way his head of house had reacted.


When he was done and came back into the room everybody had already left for breakfast leaving Harry all alone in the big room. Bracing his shoulders he threw some floo powder into the fireplace and disappeared.


In the headmaster's office he found Dumbledore and McGonagall sitting in the small sitting group enjoying a nice cup of tea and Harry was relieved that there was no sign of Snape.


“Ah Harry, please do sit down!” the headmaster said when he saw the boy stumble into the room.


Dutifully Harry did what he was told and accepted the steaming cup of tea the headmaster poured him. Relaxing a little into the comfortable arm chair Harry tensed up when the door was opened and Snape entered the room.


His black eyes were flickering with the usual sentiments- animosity, disdain but there was something else present and if Harry had to describe it in one word he would use 'embarrassment'.


Quietly the potion master walked over to the window, leaning against the wall, refusing the offered cup of tea. Swallowing down against the lump in his throat Harry faced the headmaster who was watching the silent exchange with an amused expression.


“There is no need to be tensed up Harry,” he said his lips twitching with humour. “Do you remember that through your connection with Voldemort, you can syphon some of his talents and skills?”


Silently Harry nodded remembering the incident in his second year when his ability to talk parselmouth had made everyone believe he was the heir of slytherin.


“Well, it seems you are once again syphoning some of his abilities even though I find this rather amusing as of yet.” Dumbledore placed his now empty cup on the small side table. “Do you remember your difficulty in learning occlumency last year?”


Once again Harry nodded, nothing in the world would ever make him forgot the fury of his potions teacher he had to face.


“Well, it seems you have tapped into Voldemort's ability to not only use occlumency but although legelimency, which is rather surprising.”


“But I have not-” Harry started but was interrupted by the headmaster.


“I am aware you have not used it consciously, you are lacking the skill to break my or Severus' defences but it seems rather unconsciously you have used a flaw in a wizard's occlumency skill by accessing Professor Snape's dreams.”


His cheeks flushed as Harry stared at the headmaster not daring to face Snape for fear of what he would find there. The headmaster however smiled warmly not at all bothered by Harry's embarrassment.


“Now I am sure you realize that dreams are even more personal than thoughts stored in a pensieve and I need you to promise me that whatever you learned there, will be kept to yourself.”


Remembering the many times his privacy had been interrupted by the Dursleys Harry nodded keeping his eyes on his lap. The tea had gone cold and the cup rested heavy in his hand.


“As I said Harry, we are all aware that you did not disturb Professor Snape's dream on purpose and so I think it would be beneficial for all involved parties if we just accept this new found ability as it may prove useful in our fight. However there are some ways to control your ability of legelimency and unfortunately Professor Snape is the one best qualified to teach you the technique. He has assured me that he has no quarries against you and is willing to teach you, if you so desire.”


Quickly Harry nodded not really wanting to access his teacher's dreams any more. The headmaster smiled obviously satisfied with the outcome of that talk and took the cup of tea out of Harry's clammy hands.


“You will start your training tonight after dinner in Professor Snape's office. Now I want you to attend your first class and if I am not mistaken that is potions, is it not?”


Groaning inside Harry nodded and when he realized that obviously their talk had ended he rose to leave. To his horror he felt Snape moving to the door as well and when he stepped onto the first step of the moving staircase, he could feel the heat radiating from his teacher's form, reminding him uncomfortably of their last shared dream.


However Snape kept quiet keeping his eyes on the far away wall but Harry could not shake the need to apologize. It was true, he had not done it on purpose but nevertheless he felt a peculiar empathy with his hated teacher, knowing all to well how it felt when your privacy was disturbed.


“I am sorry Sir,” he whispered keeping his eyes on the stone floor.


Snape kept quiet for a moment but then he turned to his student, his eyes inky black.


“Dreams are something that you have no conscious control over Mr Potter so I will not apologize for what you saw but not at all my dreams are easy to shrug off. Some of them feature quiet unsettling scenes and I dread you sharing one of those much more than those you have come to witness so far.”


Slowly Harry nodded and felt uncomfortable in his shoes. Snape was still Snape but what he had seen of his teacher had changed his perception forever. When they reached the floor Snape started to walk into the direction of the dungeons with Harry trailing along.


“I do hope that this prospect might make you more inclined to apply yourself this time as it is much harder to control legelimency compared to seal your thoughts. However I do not want you to share any more dreams than you absolutely have to though. ”


With that they had reached the classroom door and without another word Snape forcefully pushed open the door and swept inside deducting points from Ron for something trivial.


As Harry sat down he pulled out his textbook and vowed to learn to control whatever he had picked up from Voldemort.


Three chapters to wet you appetite for what is yet to come. Tell me what you think!