Chapter 2
After their late night talk Hermione had taken the locket. Without the Horcrux, Harry had been able to get a couple more hours of sleep.
When he woke up again, he felt slightly better and was eager to start with the Occlumency training. He really wanted to get rid of the disturbing images in his head.
After a breakfast consisting of dry cornflakes, Harry and Hermione sat down in the armchairs they had used the previous night. They were facing each other, and both held their wands at the ready.
"Ready?" Hermione asked.
Harry gave her a nod as response, and Hermione said, "Legilimens!"
His surroundings blurred and were replaced by scenes racing through his mind's eye.
He was lying under the invisibility cloak, unable to move, helplessly watching Dumbledore be killed.
He was fighting at the Ministry, seeing Hermione's lifeless body fall to the floor.
He was deep under the surface of the lake for the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, frantically trying to free Hermione from her restraints.
He was screaming and trying to free himself from Lupin's grip to follow Sirius through the Veil.
He saw Ron lying in a bed, deathly pale, after nearly dying from the poisoned mead.
His face was replaced by the one of a 13 year old Hermione, petrified by the basilisk, all life gone from her features.
Harry was surprised when the cascade of memories stopped and the room took shape around him again. He hadn't done anything to stop Hermione from prying into his mind. All the images of people he loved in a state of death or near death had left him completely incapable of action. He had forgotten where he was and what he was supposed to do, all he could think about was the fear of losing even more loved ones to Voldemort.
To his surprise, Harry spotted Hermione sitting on the armrest of his chair. She had taken his right hand, and she was gently trying to free his wand from the death grip of his clenched fingers. When Harry finally let go of the wand, Hermione placed it on a nearby table.
Harry looked to the ground. He felt confused and ashamed for freezing like that, and he didn't want to face Hermione. He wasn't in the mood for one of her 'You just have to try harder' speeches.
What Hermione did, instead of reproving him, completely dumbfounded Harry. She threw her arms around her friend's neck and pulled him into a hug.
Harry went completely rigid. Hermione just hugged him tighter, and Harry could feel the warmth radiating from her body. He could smell the faint lavender scent of her shampoo. Eventually, Harry felt himself relax. He closed his eyes and returned Hermione's hug. He pulled her closer, until she was sitting in his lap. Harry hugged Hermione tight, closing his eyes and concentrating on her warmth, her scent and the sound of her heartbeat. He desperately needed to take in the signs that she was alive and well and still with him.
As if she had been reading his mind, Hermione started to whisper soothing words to him while gently stroking his hair.
"It's okay, I'm here. I won't leave you."
Harry tightened his grip a little more and buried his face in Hermione's hair, holding onto her for dear life.
It took him several minutes to realize that he was crying. Ashamed by his breakdown, Harry let go of Hermione and bashfully whipped his face with the sleeve of his sweater.
"It's okay." Hermione said again. "There's nothing you have to be ashamed of."
"I beg to differ. I completely lost it. I'm sorry."
Hermione reached for Harry's face and gently forced him to look at her.
"Don't apologize. It's about time that you stop keeping everything bottled up inside you. I want to be here for you, and I'm glad you finally let me."
"You're not mad because of my poor Occlumency performance?" Harry tried to give his voice a humorous tone.
Hermione looked at him softly, but Harry noticed a trace of worry in her eyes.
"No, I'm not mad. I understand."
Harry returned her gaze. He could see that she really did. He felt somewhat relieved that he didn't have to explain why he had frozen.
"We should take a break, drink a cup of tea, and then take a walk or something. We'll try again tomorrow," Hermione suggested.
"No," Harry stated firmly. "I want to try again, now. You were right; I really need to practice Occlumency. I want to learn how to shut Voldemort out. He won't be as considerate as you. He won't stop prying into my thoughts when I'm not in the mood to resist him."
Hermione didn't argue or ask Harry if he was sure. She knew the look of determination in his eyes. She had seen this look on him often enough.
"Okay," was all she said before she handed his wand back and resumed her seat in front of him.