"Sorry for the intrusion,” Minerva began, no sound sorry in the least, “but I couldn’t help but hear you all talking and decided to come investigate.” She helped herself to some of the tea still sitting on the table.

“Sorry to wake you Minerva.” Sirius said, a lop sided grin on his face.

“No, no problem at all, Sirius dear.” She said smiling at Sirius. “I am actually glad that I am here, saves you all the trouble of waking me, shall we.” She asked as she walked out of the room.

The others looked at each other for a moment before resigning themselves to follow Minerva. They found her in the meeting room, already in conversation with the portrait of Albus Dumbledore.

“Ah yes, here they all are.” Albus said good naturedly, interrupting Minerva’s hushed words.

“So Harry,” he continued as the group came in and sat down in front of him. “I hear you think Severus is trying to gain access to you mind?”

“I know he is.” Harry said, and began to recount his dream. When he finished he added, “I think he is preying on the fact that he knows that I never mastered Occlumency.” Harry sat back waiting for a response to his theory.

“I believe that you are correct Harry, which is why I want you to start studying not only Occlumency but also Legilimens lessons. I don’t think it would hurt any of you to become proficient. Snape appears to be trying to mimic Voldemort’s bond with Harry, but unlike in that case, Snape can use any of you, not just Harry.”

The group looked around, the fact that the thought never crossing any of their minds was apparent on all of their faces.

“As you know,” Dumbledore began again, satisfied that he would receive no arguments, “Snape is one of the most adept Occlumens in the world today, after all he was able to hide his thoughts and motives from Voldemort, who was the most proficient Legilimens of our time, and that is saying something. “ He paused amount for the reluctant nodding.
“Luckily for you, he has a protégée.”

Harry jerked his head up at these words and his mind instantly began spinning, forming plans to capture the individual, whoever he was.

Dumbledore seemed to know wheat was going through not only Harry’s but everyone’s mind.

“Another fortunate turn of events has left this individual in your presence.” All heads turned to Harry who shrugged.

Minerva rolled her eyes, “Draco, come here please.” She said in a quiet voice.

Draco stood up from the chair he had been sitting on in the back of the room, unseen by the others until now.

“WHAT?!” Harry bolted up out of his chair.

“What? You couldn’t possible think he was referring to you, could you Potter.” Draco drawled, the sneer in place on his face as he straightened his jacket and made his way slowly to the front of the room.

“That’s enough, Draco.” Minerva said, a dangerous edge had entered her voice.

Draco simply shrugged and sat in the chair she offered him.

“How can you trust him? How do you know he is telling the truth? What is he still doing here?” Harry bombarded them with questions, his voice raising with each one.

“Because I have tested him.” Minerva said simply, “He is quite skilled. And I have checked his mind for any mal intentions.”

Harry saw a flash of pleasure and pride cross Draco’s face so fast he wasn’t sure if it had ever really been there.

“If he is so skilled,” Harry snorted, “don’t you think he could have blocked them from you?” He posed his question in a most condescending manner.

“I am quite skilled at Legilimens Mr. Potter, I assure you. He freely opened his mind up to me. I would have been able to tell if there were any areas that he had blocked, trust me.” Minerva had grown very quiet, and Harry actually trembled in his seat at the force of her fury.