#412 - Chapter 412: Perfect Occlumency

Crap!

I was so focused on the memories that I forgot Professor Snape could discover me at any moment. I really shouldn't have.

Fine beads of sweat popped out on Harry's forehead, afraid that Snape would push the door open and come in.

"He's here!"

He adjusted his breathing, and after confirming that the Pensieve hadn't been moved, he hurried towards the door.

The instant he touched the doorknob, his heart leaped.

Oh no, Occlumency!

Tonight, I'm here to see Professor Snape to test my Occlumency, but going out with this mindset will surely expose flaws everywhere.

What if Professor Snape finds out I've been peeking at his memories...

Just the thought of being discovered made all the hairs on Harry's body stand on end.

Calm down!

I must calm down!

The only chance to avoid being discovered now lies in Occlumency. Think about all the techniques Professor Snape just taught.

Click—

The door opened, and Harry walked out as if nothing had happened. He mustered all his energy, trying his best to appear natural, and took the initiative to speak.

"Professor, what's so urgent that Karkaroff needs to see you?"

The professor just taught me to take the initiative and seize control.

Stall for a little time, and adjust my mindset.

Snape had no idea what Harry was thinking. At this moment, he was still savoring the pleasure of having just played Karkaroff.

Hearing Harry's question, the corners of his lips slightly curved: "It's nothing, that fellow came to me to put on an act."

"An act?" Harry asked in confusion, "What does he want to deceive you about? Or is it... is there something wrong with Karkaroff?"

Using the guise of this question, he frantically began weaving corresponding false memories in his mental labyrinth.

"There might be something wrong, although there's no direct evidence yet," Snape said casually, "However, you should still pay attention to him. Don't let your guard down just because he's a headmaster."

"Alright, enough about him, let's continue practicing Occlumency."

Here it comes!

Whether or not I can conceal it depends on my performance next.

In this critical moment, the techniques Snape had taught flashed quickly through Harry's mind.

He focused his attention to the extreme, looked into Snape's eyes, and smiled: "Let's do it, Professor, I'm ready!"

"Same as before, I'll count to three," Snape raised his wand, "1—2—3, Legilimens!"

Miracles happen under pressure. Harry felt that his mind had never been so active. He naturally responded to Snape's Legilimency and his guiding words, as if he had instantly mastered all the techniques Snape had taught.

After a long while, Snape lowered his wand, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips: "Perfect! I didn't find any flaws. You have quite the talent for this, Harry!"

Harry's heart felt like it was going to burst. He never expected that the first time he perfectly used Occlumency, it would be against the professor he respected.

However, he still put on a happy expression: "It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Professor. I've been pondering your techniques in the room, and I've come up with a lot of insights. I also improved my mental labyrinth a bit."

"If it weren't for your exclusive methods, Professor, I would definitely have spent a lot more time to meet Professor Swann's requirements."

Hearing Harry's praise, Snape couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth from rising.

These exclusive Occlumency techniques were honed at the edge of life and death. That smelly swan couldn't compare to him in this aspect.

Letting that smelly swan teach Harry would be purely misleading. He should have intercepted this job.

But it's not bad now, he delivered the final blow himself.

"It has nothing to do with me, you're just smart enough," he said softly, "Don't be arrogant, maintain your mindset, I'll check if you can maintain this state."

Snape raised his wand again and cast the Legilimens spell once more.

As if he had been enlightened, Harry responded more and more easily. In the end, he really managed to flexibly manipulate his memories with nine truths and one lie.

"No problem," Snape completely put away his wand, "You've definitely met Sebastian's requirements, you can find an opportunity to tell him."

"Okay," Harry nodded, "Then I'll go back first, Professor, thank you for your help."

Leaving the Potions office, Harry walked up the corridor. He walked faster and faster, and finally started running, until he saw the Fat Lady's portrait, he slowed down breathlessly.

He took a deep look at the corridor at the Gryffindor entrance, and then said the password to the Fat Lady: "Fairy Lights."

After a hasty wash, he drew the curtains and crawled into bed. Too many things had happened today, and he wanted to numb himself with sleep.

Unsurprisingly, Harry had insomnia. He tossed and turned in bed, his heart filled with self-loathing.

He felt like he was just a thief who stole other people's memories, and then shamelessly went to deceive them. The key was that this person was the professor he respected, Professor Snape, who had always cared for him, loved him, and was unreserved towards him.

Hypocritical!

Degenerate!

Disgusting!

This was Harry's evaluation of himself. He felt that using these three words to describe himself was simply perfect.

He really wanted to apologize to Snape, admit that he had peeked at his memories, beg for his forgiveness, and then apologize to him again on behalf of his father.

But he didn't dare. He didn't have the courage to look into the other person's eyes again. He was afraid that Professor Snape wouldn't forgive him, and he was afraid that their relationship would never return to the past.

"Perhaps I should add another evaluation: Cowardly," Harry smiled self-deprecatingly, "So much for Gryffindor, not brave at all."

Thinking of Professor Snape being hung upside down in mid-air, his stomach clenched with pain.

He understood very well what it was like to be publicly humiliated under the attention of a group of onlookers. He had been bullied like this by Dudley when he was a child, so he empathized with Snape's feelings when he was mocked by his father.

No wonder... Aunt Mia and Professor Swann never wanted to evaluate what kind of person his father was.

No wonder... Professor Snape hated Sirius and Lupin so much.

He had been too naive before, actually thinking that their relationship was like the relationship between Malfoy and Ron, just disliking each other, and never thinking that the grudges between them were so deep.

Judging from the memories just now, his father was indeed an arrogant and conceited person, which his mother had admitted herself.

Harry couldn't bear it any longer, and suddenly sat up and roared twice in the bed curtains. He ruffled his hair like a chicken coop, venting well.

After venting, he gasped and fell heavily on the bed, his heart filled with doubts again.

His mother clearly hated his father, so how did they get together?

Also, how did his mother and Professor Snape break up, why did they break up?

Why was his mother so resolute in front of the Gryffindor common room?

The key now lies in that interrupted second memory. He must find a way to figure it out.

After struggling through a night, early the next morning, Harry took out his magical phone.

"Hello, Professor Swann, can you come to school today? I have something I want to talk to you about."

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