Several days later, Su Er saw the Chosen One in the Great Hall again.
From behind, Harry looked much more haggard. He seemed rather dazed, and although Ron kept chattering beside him, Harry showed no intention of acknowledging or answering him.
"Oh, isn't that Harry? Haven't seen you for days." Su Er reached out and patted Harry's shoulder. "Have you seen Hermione?"
Harry turned around, and Su Er was startled by his deathly pale face and bloodshot eyes.
Uh, Harry looked exactly like a shut-in who had stayed awake for three days and nights and then been drained dry.
Wasn't he just going to Snape to learn Occlumency? Su Er recalled his own past lessons with Snape. They had seemed fairly relaxed and pleasant...
Snape was a little strict, but he wouldn't turn a perfectly healthy person into this...
Which raised the question: what exactly had Harry been through?
"Oh, hello, Su Er." Harry spoke, his voice so faint that one wondered whether he might drop dead the next second. "I haven't seen Hermione."
"She might be in the Library."
"Oh, oh, all right. Thank you..." Su Er thanked him with a twinge of guilt, then turned toward the Great Hall's doors. After a few steps, however, he stopped.
Wait, why am I feeling guilty? I wasn't the one who suggested Harry learn Occlumency. Isn't this for his own good? No-Nose is an experienced Legilimens, after all.
Besides, in the entire Castle, only Dumbledore and our dear Professor Snape, the double agent, can take on the teaching. If Snape doesn't teach him, are we supposed to count on Dumbledore?
The headmaster doesn't have that much spare time to personally teach a young wizard.
*If Harry can't handle the pressure and accidentally drops dead, he can only blame his father for