News of Katie Bell's attack spread through the school almost immediately.
However, aside from Harry, Hermione, and Leanne, no one knew the details of what had happened—much less the "true" target of the attack or the real mastermind behind it.
"Harry, so you and Hermione were actually there?" Ron Weasley exclaimed from the sofa in the Gryffindor common room, his face full of shock. "Blimey, you weren't hurt, were you?"
"I think that's pretty obvious," Hermione said flatly from beside him.
"Right… yeah, I guess you weren't," Ron nodded quickly. "So what exactly happened?"
Harry told his best friend everything, step by step—the encounter with Katie and Leanne in Hogsmeade, as well as most of what had happened later in the Headmaster's Office…
"So the attacker's real target was Professor Dumbledore?" Ron sucked in a sharp breath. "That's definitely a conspiracy. That's terrifying…"
"Of course—but Professor Dumbledore has already discovered…" Harry continued.
His voice cut off abruptly as Hermione suddenly let out an exaggerated, obviously fake cough beside him.
"Discovered what?" Ron asked, curious.
"Professor Dumbledore will definitely find the culprit," Hermione interrupted coolly, without a hint of emotion. "So this isn't something we need to worry about."
"Right… yeah, of course," Ron said, forced to agree.
"Ron… my dear Ron…" Lavender Brown's syrupy voice floated over from behind them.
"Sorry, mates… I'll catch up with you later," Ron said hastily, turning and hurrying off toward Lavender.
"Hermione, why wouldn't you let me tell Ron about Madam Rosmerta?" Harry asked in confusion once Ron was gone.
"Have you forgotten?" Hermione shook her head helplessly. "Professor Dumbledore specifically told us to keep this strictly confidential—to tell no one."
"But… if it's Ron…" Harry hesitated. "He probably wouldn't tell anyone else…"
Across the room, Ron Weasley hadn't actually left the common room yet. With one arm around Lavender, he was already talking animatedly, looking rather pleased with himself…
"I reserve my doubts," Hermione said coolly, shrugging.
"Hi, Harry!"
At that moment, a bold-looking girl walked over. She had large dark eyes, a pronounced chin, and long jet-black hair.
Harry clearly recognized her. Her name was Romilda Vane, and ever since the start of the term, she seemed to idolize him, constantly finding excuses to strike up conversations.
"Hi. What is it?" Harry asked, deliberately imitating Hermione's earlier cool tone.
"Professor Dumbledore asked me to pass a message on to you!" Romilda said quickly.
"A message from Professor Dumbledore?" Harry immediately perked up.
At the beginning of the term, Harry had received word from Albus Dumbledore that he would be given private tutoring by the Headmaster himself. He had been thrilled at the time, imagining he would learn some powerful, advanced magic—
—but after a single lesson during the first week, more than a month had passed without any further summons. In fact, Dumbledore himself had been conspicuously absent from the school for much of that time.
"What does Professor Dumbledore want?" Harry asked urgently.
"He wants you to go to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom tonight at seven o'clock for your second extra lesson," Romilda replied.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom?
Wasn't it supposed to be in the Headmaster's Office?
Maybe Professor Dumbledore planned to personally teach him some advanced defensive magic. After all, he had taught Defense Against the Dark Arts himself for a while during Harry's second year.
Harry Potter's heart filled with anticipation once again.
...
At seven o'clock on Sunday evening, a confident Harry pushed open the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
The smile on his face vanished instantly.
"P-Professor Snape?" Harry stammered.
"Potter."
Severus Snape, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, wore a completely expressionless face.
"I assure you, I had no desire to take on this task, knowing just how abysmal your performance in this subject has been. If Dumbledore had not personally requested it…"
"S-so that means…" Harry looked as though he might faint at any moment.
"That's right. Your additional lessons will now be under my supervision," Snape said sharply, irritation seeping into his voice. "Dumbledore has asked that I ensure you fully master Occlumency before the end of your sixth year. I only hope your performance is better than it was last term."
Harry almost collapsed onto the floor.
What had happened during the final Occlumency lesson last term was something he might never forget for the rest of his life—because he had glimpsed Severus Snape's most private memories.
"Stand up, Potter," Snape barked, glaring at him with thinly veiled disgust. "I expect you to finish this course as quickly as possible, so I can be done with it."
His thoughts drifted back to several hours earlier.
At that time, Severus Snape had still been in the Headmaster's Office.
...
"You want me to continue teaching Harry Potter Occlumency?" Snape snapped angrily. "Impossible, Dumbledore. I absolutely refuse to go on with this."
"Calm yourself, Severus. Please, stay calm," Albus Dumbledore said, raising both hands soothingly.
"In truth, I understand your difficulties," he continued patiently, "but an unexpected situation has arisen. An informant of mine on Privet Drive told me that just over a year ago, in August, she personally witnessed you entering Number Four, Privet Drive."
"I entered Number Four, Privet Drive?" Snape froze, repeating the words in disbelief. "How could that be possible?"
"Yes, I find it rather unbelievable as well," Dumbledore said. "And according to this informant, you even had a rather cordial conversation with Miss Petunia Evans at the time. Frankly, I don't know what this signifies, nor what 'you' discussed with Harry's aunt. That is precisely why I believe this matter should be resolved by you."
"Damn it… what is going on…" Snape paced around Dumbledore like a cat on hot coals.
Finally, he said darkly,
"Then Potter's new Occlumency lessons will begin tonight."