Harry arrived at the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, now reserved for his Occlumency and Legilimency lessons. The room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn, giving it an intense, almost foreboding atmosphere.
Severus Snape stood by the blackboard, his usual scowl etched deeper than usual, as if anticipating an unwelcome challenge. Across the room, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black watched from the back, subtle smirks on their faces. They had been briefed by Roy about the necessity of Harry's training, and their presence was as much to monitor as to advise.
"Sit, Potter," Snape barked. Harry obediently took a seat, though his heart pounded. He knew that every word, every flick of the wand could be scrutinized.
Roy, meanwhile, was not far away, keeping a discreet watch over the basilisk stored in a hidden chamber of Hogwarts. He had sensed the lingering darkness surrounding it and feared it could somehow tie to the horcrux fragment residing in Harry. Even with his Conquer Haki and dark phoenix lineage, Roy knew the danger of leaving the connection unchecked.
"Occlumency is not about fighting me," Snape began, his voice calm but sharp. "It is about controlling your mind, protecting it from intrusion. Your thoughts are weapons and shields alike. Any opening, and your opponent—be it Voldemort or another—can enter your mind."
Harry nodded, remembering Roy's warning from the previous day. He could feel the tension in the air, almost as if the basilisk in the hidden chamber was slithering in his thoughts.
Snape raised his wand. "I want you to close your mind, Potter. Empty it of unnecessary thoughts. Concentrate solely on your breathing."
Harry did as instructed, slowly feeling the tight grip of his mind loosening—but just barely. Snape's wand glimmered faintly as he tested Harry, sending subtle probes into his thoughts. Harry resisted, feeling the familiar pressure from Voldemort's lingering fragment.
From the back, Lupin whispered quietly to Sirius, "Roy knew this fragment could reactivate through the basilisk. That's why he insisted on us watching. He won't let Harry face this alone."
Sirius chuckled softly. "I just hope Snape doesn't snap at him before he even starts."
The lesson continued with Snape pushing Harry harder, delving into Legilimency, forcing Harry to confront uncomfortable memories and fears. Sweat beaded on Harry's forehead, but he clung to Roy's earlier words: "Control is everything. The mind is as powerful as any wand."
Meanwhile, in his hidden chamber, Roy observed the basilisk. He could sense its aura intertwining faintly with Harry's magic. "Interesting," he muttered under his breath. "If this is indeed the horcrux fragment's reaction… I'll need to be careful. Potter can't get pulled into this yet."
By the end of the day, Harry was exhausted but had taken his first steps toward shielding his mind. Snape's expression softened slightly—a rare sign of approval—though he would never admit it. Lupin and Sirius exchanged glances, acknowledging the progress Harry had made under such intense pressure.
Roy, satisfied for now, returned to his work, leaving Hogwarts under his watchful eyes, knowing that Harry's training and the basilisk's presence were two pieces of a much larger puzzle—and that both required careful oversight.