Chapter One: The New Term

Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was not pleased. It was the day of the Welcome feast of Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts. He was sitting at the Head Table watching the students file in when he noticed Harry and his friends walk in. The professor noticed how pale and drawn in the boy looked. His friends send him concerned glances once in a while, but for the most part they were too wrapped up in each other-it seemed as if Hermione and Ron had gotten together over the Summer holidays. Snape snorted at this thought, he felt that Granger could do far better for herself than the youngest Weasley son, but if that's the way she wanted it.

He turned his attention back to Harry and was rather surprised that he actually felt true concern for the boy. After the last term had ended, he'd had a long conversation with Albus regarding what had happened as a result of what Snape now termed 'The Pensieve Incident'. He had come to the conclusion that there was indeed more to Harry Potter than he'd originally thought. He had seen many of the boy's unpleasant childhood memories, after all. In the end, Snape had told Dumbledore that if Harry apologized, he would resume the Occlumency lessons.

Now Snape sighed again as he watched Harry during the feast. Clearly the toll of last year showed, his eyes were far too old for a boy who had only a month ago turned sixteen. Inwardly, he shook his head. There was nothing he could do for the boy besides continue the Occlumency lessons-if he apologized, that is.

Severus turned back to his own table. The feast was starting.

Harry had felt someone's eyes on him as he sat down; He turned and by chance his eyes met Snape's. Snape's eyes were unreadable, as was he expression. Harry frowned a little. What was Snape doing? Then he shrugged it off, whatever it was would come when it came.

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, they were very much wrapped up in each other. On the train he'd found out that they'd gotten together over the summer. He was glad that they'd finally admitted the feelings they had for one another. He was also glad that their new relationship stopped them from paying too much attention to him. He'd come to like solitude.

Despite his conversation with Dumbledore last year, Harry still felt terribly guilty over Sirius' death. Snape had been correct, he hadn't been as dedicated to the Occlumency lessons as he should have been. The added pressures of the prophecy Dumbledore had finally seen fit to tell him about weren't helping either. Harry turned back to the Head Table. The feast was starting.

Harry was walking with the other Gryffindors to Gryffindor Tower when Dumbledore stopped him. "Harry," he said, "can you come to my office now?" Harry knew that it wasn't really a request, he nodded and followed the headmaster.

Neither spoke until they came into the office. Harry winced as he walked in. The memory of his last visit here all to fresh in his mind.

Albus walked in front of Harry so he didn't notice him wincing, but he did noticed the look of discomfort on his face when he turned to ffer the young man a seat.

Harry sat and the first thing he said was, "I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore. I shouldn't have done that last year."

Albus smiled to himself and said, "I understand, Harry. There was no lasting damage and you had every reason to be upset. I only hope you can forgive what I've done to you-what I've inadvertently put you through."

Albus watched the emotions fly across Harry's face, then he spoke, "I have, Professor," he smiled, "don't worry." Then the smile faded and was replaced with a look of curiosity.

Albus smiled at Harry now, "Thank you, Harry," he said quietly. Then he went on, "I've called you here because I want to hear your side of what happened during what Professor Snape has named 'The Pensieve Incident.'"

Harry's look of curiosity was replaced by one of apprehension. "Why?" he asked in a whisper.

Dumbledore explained, "Harry, Professor Snape and I have spoken about it already. Now I want to hear what you have to say about it. Just tell me what happened."

Harry took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "All right," he said, "I went to my Occlumency lesson as usual, but before we could start, Malfoy came in and interrupted. He needed Professor Snape for something. So Professor Snape left and I was left alone in his office with his pensieve. Again, my curiosity got the better of me and I couldn't resist taking a peek. So I fell in and witnessed a very disappointing scene involving my father, Sirius, and Professor Snape at the end of their fifth year. Professor Snape pulled me out before I could see the memory to its end. He threw me out of his office and then said he never wanted to see me in his office again as well as stopping any further lessons."

Dumbledore nodded, "Anything else?"

Harry sighed. "Yes, sir," he said, "Later on I snuck into Umbridge's office and flooed Sirius and Professor Lupin, I wanted to know what they had to say for themselves. I didn't like, nor did I accept, their explanation. It was very wrong what they did. I also want Professor Snape to know that I haven't spoken to anyone else about this. I also know that I shouldn't have fallen into his pensieve. There was a reason he put his memories away and I pried where I shouldn't have."

Now Dumbledore smiled, "Well, Harry, I am glad to hear you say all of that. Though it's not me you need to tell all of that to."

Harry paled a little, but he nodded, "Yes, sir. I know what you mean."

Dumbledore smiled again and said, "Excellent, Harry. Well, you'd best be doing to bed now, it's getting late. I'll walk you to Gryffindor Tower since it's after curfew."

Harry smiled, "Thank you, sir."

The Headmaster and the student walked the distance to Gryffindor Tower. They, spoke little, and when they did it was of inconsequential things. At the portrait hole, Harry turned to the Headmaster and said, "I'm sorry, sir. I may have forgiven you, but I am having a hard time trusting you right now. I feel as if I were used these past few years. I know that you did what you thought was best. It also means a lot to me that you hid certain things from me only because you cared so much. That doesn't change that I feel manipulated, or the damage that occurred," Harry paused briefly and then went on, "I just need some time, Professor."

Dumbledore nodded sadly, "I understand, Harry. Please believe that. I will be more open with you regarding certain things this year. It is not fair that everyone else knows more about you than you. Now is truly the time to rectify that."

Harry nodded. "Thank you, Professor," he said softly. Then he entered his common room.

Dumbledore smiled to himself as he returned to his office, it appeared as if things might very well work out between the potions master and his student-perhaps better than he'd hoped.