As the day to go to the Burrow approached, Harry's mood improved.
However, just to be safe, he still sent a letter to Rhys, describing in detail the changes in his scar. Sirius also wrote to Dumbledore, and Harry didn't stop him.
Deep down, Harry still hoped to receive help. Whether it was Dumbledore or Rhys Lint, as long as someone could help him out of his current predicament, that was enough.
Rhys's reply contained much of the same advice—urging him to seek help from Professor Dumbledore and the like—but it also included several small bottles of potion, so it wasn't entirely unhelpful.
At the end of the letter, Rhys also suggested that Harry learn a spell called Occlumency.
After carefully looking into what Occlumency was, Harry felt a bit confused. Could this spell really solve his problem? He wasn't sure.
Having gone through so much, Harry understood that his scar was closely connected to Voldemort. Could a spell that sealed the mind and protected memories truly block Voldemort's influence?
Harry's doubts were justified, because Occlumency couldn't stop his scar from hurting. In terms of relieving pain, Rhys's potions were far more effective.
However, Occlumency could prevent Voldemort from spying on his memories through the fragment of soul attached to Harry. That was the real reason Rhys had suggested he learn it.
Coincidentally, not long after Rhys's letter arrived, Dumbledore's reply also came. He was even more direct—he stated that he would come to Grimmauld Place himself, which startled both Sirius and Harry.
But since Dumbledore had already said it, they couldn't exactly tell him not to come, so they could only wait for his arrival.
Harry had once been curious about what Dumbledore was like during the holidays—whether he would be like other people, lounging on a beach in colorful shorts under the sun.
Now he knew.
Dumbledore was no different from usual, still wearing his wizard's robes. If there was anything different, it was that his robes during the holidays were noticeably simpler, without decorations like stars.
After entering the Black house and chatting face to face with Harry and Sirius for a while, a trace of barely noticeable dimness flashed in Dumbledore's eyes. He quickly concealed his emotions and gave his advice.
He suggested that Harry practice Occlumency.
Hearing that Dumbledore also recommended Occlumency, Harry was taken aback—Rhys and Professor Dumbledore had arrived at the same conclusion!
This surprised him a little, so he couldn't help asking, "Professor, can I take some pain-relief potion?"
Dumbledore looked at Harry with a hint of pity and told him that he could certainly try, whether wizarding or Muggle painkillers.
In truth, Dumbledore didn't believe any potion would be effective, because this was a problem on the level of the soul.
The cause of Harry's scar pain was somewhat similar to a herniated disc—the fragment of Voldemort's soul was like the protruding "disc," occasionally stimulating Harry's soul. Unless that fragment was removed, the pain would accompany Harry for life.
But this involved operations on the soul. Who in the current magical world possessed such ability?
What Harry was thinking, however, was that he really did have a kind of potion that could ease his pain.
"By the way," not wanting to continue discussing painkillers, Dumbledore seemed to recall something and turned to Sirius, "would you like me to introduce Harry to a master of Occlumency? We could begin his training at that master's home during the summer."
"Of course. Thank you so much for your trouble," Sirius said, his heart instantly filled with deep gratitude upon hearing Dumbledore's words.
Professor Dumbledore was truly remarkable—not only willing to take time during the holidays to come check on Harry, but also willing to use his connections to find a master of Occlumency for him!
This kindness was something Sirius could never repay in his lifetime!
Harry also looked up, his eyes full of gratitude toward Dumbledore.
Dumbledore felt slightly awkward under their gazes. He thought it would be better to make certain things clear in advance, lest he be blamed later.
"This Occlumency master is our Professor Severus Snape. His Occlumency is so advanced that even Voldemort cannot see through it."
Sirius: "…"
Harry: !!!
His mood plummeted straight from heaven into hell.
Spending the summer learning at Snape's house?! That would be worse than living with the Dursleys!
Harry genuinely felt that he might not make it out of Snape's house alive.
Sirius was also stunned, unsure of how to respond to Dumbledore. He only regretted speaking so decisively just moments ago.
"Professor, Harry is still young. Could I stay with him at that person's house for a while? That way we won't trouble Professor Snape too much," Sirius's eyes shifted as he suddenly came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea.
As long as he went along with Harry, wouldn't that solve everything? With him there, how could Snape possibly dare to bully Harry in front of him?
Dumbledore glanced at Sirius. Convincing Severus to tutor Harry during the holidays was already difficult enough. If Sirius were added into the mix, he felt the chances of success would drop to zero.
If pushed too far, Snape might even resign.
"That's not realistic," Dumbledore said calmly.
"Then Harry shouldn't go," Sirius replied, not expecting Dumbledore to agree anyway. Taking the opportunity, he suggested that they simply not rush into starting lessons during the holidays and wait until term began.
Harry's eyes lit up. His godfather really was the best! He genuinely couldn't imagine spending half his summer at Snape's house—that would be like experiencing hell in advance.
Dumbledore didn't respond.
Once term started, Hogwarts would become extremely busy, and he wasn't sure they would have the time to tutor Harry in Occlumency.
But compared to Harry's Occlumency training, Dumbledore was more concerned about what the pain in the scar implied.
It meant that Voldemort was reviving, gradually regaining his strength. That was not a good sign.
As for the revived Voldemort, Dumbledore wasn't overly worried. He was far stronger now than he had been before. If Voldemort dared to show himself, Dumbledore was confident he could defeat him outright.
But what did that change? Dumbledore was certain that Voldemort had created more than one Horcrux. If all of them weren't destroyed, he would eventually make a comeback.
And Dumbledore himself was already over a hundred years old. Voldemort could simply outlast him.
A sense of urgency arose within Dumbledore. He felt he needed to take action.
But as soon as he thought about the major events Hogwarts was preparing for the next term, his head began to ache, and he even briefly considered canceling them altogether.
____
12 Chaps ahead at Patreon.com/HornyFBI