Hogwarts: From Little Wizard to White Lord

"You've been put under a dark spell, Harry a rather powerful one. The mind of a dark wizard is influencing you."

"Look, even Hermione doesn't know the Vanishing Spell, but you somehow sense it. Think about what happened last night doesn't it frighten you?"

"But Madam Pomfrey "

"Don't interrupt. Right now, he can only influence you briefly, but soon you won't be able to tell if the thoughts in your head are your own… or his. Harry, you don't want to be replaced entirely one day, do you?"

Harry sat on the edge of the bed, his face pale and eyes vacant.

No wonder he'd tossed and turned all night without sleeping a wink.

In his mind's eye, he saw a tiny version of himself cowering in the dark, trembling. A monstrous shadow stretched out a clawed hand, seized him, and swallowed him whole. Then, as the creature's bloodstained grin widened, its face shifted becoming his own.

Harry shuddered violently. He looked at Peter with despair in his eyes, his lips trembling. "Am I… am I going to die?"

"You won't die. There's magic that can protect you."

Harry's eyes lit up instantly only for the light to dim as he caught the troubled expression on Peter's face.

His heart lurched. "What's wrong?"

"It's a pity… I don't know how to use it." Peter sighed. "There are two spells Legilimency and Occlumency. Occlumency can protect you, and Legilimency helps you learn it."

The news was like a slap first thing in the morning. Harry's panic spiked. "Then… where can I learn it?"

Hermione, who had been listening with a growing chill creeping over her, now looked at Peter just as anxiously.

Peter hesitated, looking both thoughtful and conflicted. After a long pause, he said, "Dumbledore knows both spells but I doubt he'd teach them to us."

"Why not?"

"Because they're forbidden, Harry. Legilimency and Occlumency aren't meant to be taught to students."

"But it would save Harry's life," Hermione argued. "Surely Dumbledore wouldn't just stand by and let him die?"

Good girl, Peter thought. You really know how to back up the lead actor.

He nodded gravely. "I can't imagine Dumbledore would be that heartless."

"How about this…" He took out a quill and parchment. "Harry, you write him a letter. I'll deliver it to him at lunch."

Still dazed, Harry did as Peter instructed. Then, with Hermione, he drifted back toward Gryffindor Tower, moving as if in a trance.

He barely heard a word Hermione said. The next thing he knew, he was sitting at the long table in the Great Hall for lunch. The realization made his stomach twist he felt like a man who suspected his neighbor of stealing his axe, seeing guilt in every glance.

If anything, it only convinced him that Peter was right his condition was worsening.

Halloween lunch was a grand affair, and for once Dumbledore himself was present at the staff table.

Harry couldn't stop glancing at the headmaster, but the old wizard didn't notice he was speaking to Snape.

"Severus, I need your help with something," Dumbledore said, smiling to mask the trouble in his voice.

Snape's face was wooden, his expression unreadable. He had no desire to talk. Every time Dumbledore came to him, it meant trouble.

But Dumbledore, who had clearly been mulling something over all night, wasn't about to let him escape. "I want you to teach Harry "

At that moment, an owl swooped down unexpectedly, dropping a letter in front of him.

It then flapped over to the Gryffindor table, landing beside Harry and pecking at his hand.

Dumbledore noticed Harry feeding the owl hurriedly, sneaking glances toward him.

He frowned slightly. If he remembered correctly, that owl belonged to the Weasley family… Still, best to read the letter first.

Taking a sip of pumpkin juice, he unfolded the parchment.

Snape, standing by, breathed a sigh of relief. He reached for his knife and fork, finally ready to enjoy his lunch in peace. He'd been worried that whatever Dumbledore wanted would ruin his appetite entirely.

Then

Pffft!

Dumbledore suddenly spluttered, spraying pumpkin juice all over the table and directly onto Snape's plate.

The sticky yellow liquid dripped onto the roast chicken that had moments ago looked delicious.

Several nearby professors stared in stunned silence, watching Snape slowly turn his head toward the Headmaster. It was as if the sound of grinding bone could be heard.

His knuckles whitened on his utensils, and his dark eyes were filled with icy rage.

"Dumbledore "

…

That afternoon, Peter strolled into the Headmaster's office in high spirits.

"Good afternoon, Albus!"

His clear voice seemed to rouse the roomful of portraited old headmasters and headmistresses.

Phineas Nigellus Black began loudly hailing his dear Slytherin, while another white-bearded wizard kept charging into Black's frame, wrestling with him to the cheers of the surrounding portraits.

Only Dumbledore remained seated behind his desk, his expression decidedly sour.

Peter ignored the gloom entirely, taking the seat opposite with a cheerful smile. "I heard that at lunch you sprayed a mouthful of pumpkin juice all over Professor Snape's plate?"

"Then you'd better be careful, Albus. When I came up just now, he was brewing a potion with Acromantula venom, aconite, belladonna, and Death's-Head Moth. The smell alone could drop a ghoul. You might not want to let him near your food for a while."

Dumbledore's beard twitched. Looking at the grinning boy across from him, he suddenly understood Snape's perpetual state of exasperation.

What a trial.

"You were the one who put Harry up to sending that letter at lunch, weren't you?" he said sharply.

"How can you use such an unflattering word as 'put up to'? True, I lied to Harry but Voldemort's influence over him is real. Albus, you wouldn't want Harry to turn into Voldemort one day, would you?"

Dumbledore wasn't sure he understood completely, but the statement dripped with mischief. He hesitated. "I was actually considering letting Snape "

Peter spread his hands. "Do you really think Harry would want to be taught by the professor? With his attitude toward Snape, I'd say he'd be mentally crushed after a few lessons maybe even turn rebellious."

Dumbledore's eyes dimmed. He hadn't considered that.

"Severus is the most skilled Occlumens I know," he said finally. "Unless… you can prove you're better suited."

Peter glanced around the room, smiling faintly. "No need to test me. You asked the Sorting Hat already, didn't you?"

Dumbledore said nothing.

Silence was answer enough. From the day Peter had worn the Sorting Hat and learned it could sense his knowledge of Occlumency, he'd known Dumbledore would eventually discover it.

As his talents became more visible especially after revealing what he knew about the Horcruxes he was certain the Headmaster would investigate him.

"Everyone has their secrets, Albus, as long as they don't harm anyone else." Peter drew his wand.

"Expecto Patronum!"

Light as pure as sunlight burst from the tip, forming into a translucent guardian cat. It leapt and bounded through the air, radiating warmth.

Dumbledore watched silently, seemingly impassive, though those who knew him well would have noticed the subtle relief in his eyes.

Yes, everyone has secrets so long as those secrets don't endanger others.

After a long pause, he spoke at last. "A very beautiful Patronus, Peter."