Harry felt the shift in his mind immediately and tried to roll over into a blissfully deep sleep. Oh he hadn't slept in ages, imagine how good it would feel if he could, even if it was just for ten minutes. He wanted to tell the voices in the background to shut up…but he was too tired to be bothered by them. He drifted away into the land of sleep…lost to the world….

Harry suddenly felt very wet and very cold. He shot up from his bed and wiped wet hair out of his eyes with a shaky hand. His bed? No, not his bed, a bed in the Hospital Wing, the same one he'd become accustom to over the past four years. Harry looked around wildly unable to see in the blinding light of the day. While shifting his body this way and that, he noticed that his clothing was soaked in what appeared to be water. Who in Merlin's name decided to dress him in wet pajamas? A voice that sounded strangely like Ron's said, "oh good, he's awake."

"Harry!" Hermione's voice jolted him out of his thoughts and he grunted in surprise as her weight settled over sore body. "Hermione?" He tried to whisper, but it came out as a choked rasp. Hermione quickly jumped up and move away from him. She came back holding a cup of liquid in her hands, "here, drink this. It'll help with your throat." She passed the cup into his shaky hand and wrapped her smaller ones around his to keep the cup steady.

Harry drank the water slowly, relieved that indeed it did sooth his aching throat. Why on earth did his throat ache again? He gave the cup back to Hermione and looked up at the people surrounding his bed finally able to see that both his two best friends and Dumbledore had gathered around the edges of it. While Hermione set the cup on his bedside table he let his thoughts wander and tried to remember what had happened to him. Then the memories rushed back to him all at once and he paled drastically and shot up, only to fall back down again onto the bed. Ron and Hermione rushed forward and pushed him back into a half up half down position to rest against his pillow.

"Stay," said Ron firmly, looking more terrified than Harry had ever seen him look before. Dumbledore walked forward and patted Harry gently on the shoulder, "I'm sorry Harry, but we had to make sure that once the spell was removed we could wake you. You were fighting my best attempts at spelling you awake. I'm afraid I was forced to dowse you in water." Dumbledore quickly spelled away the water, much to Harry relief, and settled at the edge of Harry bed. "Professor Dumbledore," Harry began frantically. Dumbledore shook his head and turned to ask Harrys friends if they could give Harry and him a moment. Hermione and Ron gave Harry one final look of worry and then they left, leaving him alone with Dumbledore. Harry just watched them go feeling slightly betrayed.

"Harry," Harry jerked his eyes back to Dumbledore's face, "what do you remember?" Harry looked away from him in favor of looking at the wall opposite of his bed. "I wasn't supposed to fall asleep," he began….

'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'

Madam Pomfrey didn't let Harry leave for the rest of the day no matter how much Harry begged her. Dumbledore had left after having a two hour conversation with Harry and had promised to come back when he figured out how Harry would be able to sleep safely. Dumbledore had strictly forbidden the meda witch from making Harry sleep, no matter what circumstances came about. He'd neglected to tell her, though, why and so Harry was forced to listen to her muttering all day about meddlesome old cots, young boys needing their rest, and "Look at him Albus, he needs sleep. He looks as though he hasn't slept in days." Dumbledore had also taken the time to make Harry a device that would make sure he wouldn't sleep. "Trust Dumbledore," thought Harry with a smile, "to be clever enough to come up with something that not only will keep me awake but will also amuse me to no end." Harry chuckled again as the silver band around his head sent gentle tickling fingers down his body. He must have been falling asleep again to his thoughts.

Harry stood up and walked slowly over to a window ignoring the meda witch in the background in favor of the setting sun in the sky. It was seven something in the evening, almost nine hours since the initial attack on his brain, and Harry, for all he could remember, had never felt so tired before in his life. Nor could he remember ever feeling so weary for that matter. He wanted to sleep but feared it more dearly that even a Dementor. And from what Dumbledore had told him he was right in his fears.

So he'd turned into Voldemort, had he? Harry watched a owl soar above the trees with mild amusement. Dumbledore had said Harry was right to have been so caution but wrong to not have come to him sooner. Harry had neglected to tell the headmaster why exactly he'd held out for so long but Dumbledore had given him a look that said "I know," when Harry had tried to explain so they'd left it at that. Harry couldn't help but admire the man's strange appeal. He giggled a little as warm invisible fingers taped him lightly on the head to wake him up once more.

Harry thought about what the headmaster had said to him after he'd explained the colors behind his eyes and the world going black. Dumbledore believe that because Voldemort had realized that Harry was far stronger than He'd given him credit for, He had also realized that if Harry went to Dumbledore, as Harry was planning to do, He might not have had another shot at gaining control. And because Voldemort had so forcefully pushed His way into Harry mind He had torn out any defenses Harry might have been able to have used against Him in the long run, which was exactly what He had been going for. Unfortunately for the Voldemort, and fortunately for them, because He did not have a solid form to call His own and return to, Voldemort was left in a weakened state. Hence the ill look He had worn as time passed while he possessed Harry's body. Voldemort had succeeded where He had failed physically before but at a terrible price to Himself.

"If He were to recover, it would be devastating for you and, in turn, for all of us," Dumbledore had said very seriously. "The moment He does recover He'll realize just how much easier it will be for Him to take you over next time, and make no mistake there will be a next time. With Voldemort in your body, controlling your mind, you would be virtually unstoppable, even to me." The absence of Dumbledore's twinkling eyes had Harry shivering in fear. What was he to do? He didn't feel any different. Had Voldemort really ripped apart his mind just so that he could take it over and rebuild his own in its place? If that was truly the case then how come Harry didn't feel anything at all up there? Sure he felt slightly violated…and his thoughts were skewed this way and that, but that was really no different than anything he'd felt in there before.

A door opened behind him and Harry jumped in surprise missing the last rays of the sun disappearing beneath the hills near Hogwarts. He turned to find that Ron and Hermione had finished with dinner in the great hall and had come to check on him.

"How are you feeling?" Hermione's light brown eyes were puffy but she looked as though Christmas had come early just by seeing him up and at it.

"I've been better," said Harry, grinning a little, "I heard from Dumbledore that you were the one who cursed my mind to death." Hermione flinched and looked down. Harry walked over to her and pulled her into a warm hug. "And I'm eternally grateful. From what I understand I was acting like a pompous git," he finished gently.

Hermione clutched at him and buried her face into the crock of his neck. Harry looked at Ron helplessly and gestured to Hermione. Ron shrugged and gently unfolded Hermione from Harry unable to stop the grin that spread across his face. He made sure Hermione could stand well enough on her own accord, and then he launched himself at Harry knocking them both back, a good three feet, onto a random hospital bed. Harry felt his breath leave him as Ron's full weight settled on top of him and he made a small pft sound despite his best efforts not to. He heard Hermione's giggle and made a horrified face into Ron larger and stronger shoulder. "Ron!" Harry pushed at Ron who stood up slowly rubbing the back of his head bashfully. "Sorry mate," muttered Ron.

Harry sat up on the bed and looked at his two best friends. Hermione was still giggling and Ron was shooting her looks, his face as red as a tomato.

Harry grinned. This was what life was about. "So, anything I've missed lately...?"

'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'

Harry paced back and forth in front of his bed. Dumbledore should have been here by now, that old man, why wasn't he here already? Harry did not laugh at the tickling sensation on the back of his neck. He scratched at it irritably and sulkily sat at the edge of his bed, hospital pajamas more comfortable then they'd ever been. It was now nine at night, Ron and Hermione had been shooed out by Madam Pomfrey half past eight. The sun had completely set now and the castle was quiet. Harry was more tempted than ever to sleep…the bed was so comfortable it was painful. Where in the world was Dumbledore!?

Harry stood up again and began to pace. The meda witch had taken an early leave to her office and had finally stopped muttering about silly old men not letting young boys sleep. Harry was sincerely grateful for that bit of luck. A door to Harry's right creaked open and he scampered towards it, word's already leaving his mouth.

"Thank Merlin, I thought I was going to fall asleep standing up. Where in magic's name have you…" Harry trailed off as he looked at who had entered the Hospital Wing. "Been," he finished horror flashing across his face. Snape looked down at him with a sneer on his face and opened his mouth to say something. Harry spotted the person behind Snape and beat him to the punch.

"What's HE doing here," growled Harry aggressively at Dumbledore. He pointed towards Snape to emphasize. Snape scowled and shoved Harry's finger from in front of his person roughly.

"Don't forget who you're addressing Potter. Impudence is not something I tolerate in my presence," snarled Snape. As if to get his point across he continued, "thirty points from Gryffindor and detention for the rest of the year." Harry gaped at him unable to help himself. Thirty points he could handle but detention for the rest of the year! What in Merlin's name was this man playing at? Harry, outraged beyond belief, was more awake now then he'd been all day. He opened his mouth to protest but Dumbledore held up a hand to silence him.

"Harry, Professor Snape is here because it was requested by me," explained Dumbledore gently. "He also gave you detention for the rest of the year because of something we need to talk about." Harry looked at Dumbledore with wide, confused eyes. "Please…have a seat," said Dumbledore, gesturing towards Harry's unkempt Hospital bed. Harry flushed and sat down quickly, embarrassed by his outburst and feeling a strong need to apologies to Dumbledore who had never been anything but kind to him.

"Sorry Professor Dumbledore," he muttered softly. Harry looked up at Dumbledore's bright and twinkling eyes that were more forgiving than he could bare them to be. He quickly looked away towards the window and then settled his eyes back onto Snape's dark form. "Professor," said Harry as he turned back towards Dumbledore, "why did you ask Professor Snape to join us?" This time Dumbledore held his gaze.

Dumbledore motioned towards Snape to sit down while strolling over to sit across from Harry. Snape glared and didn't move inch, his mouth fixed into a permanent scowl. Dumbledore perched on the edge of the bed next to Harry's and looked him in the eyes. "I cannot be of as much help to you as Professor Snape can, Harry. I spoke with him earlier about your predicament and we both agree," Dumbledore looked over his half moon spectacles at Snape, "that he could possibly be your best and only defense against Lord Voldemort." Snape flinched and glared some more at Dumbledore but didn't bother to correct him. As it was, Dumbledore had turned back to Harry who was looking at his headmaster in surprise.

"I don't understand sir, how can Professor Snape help," said Harry still looking quite baffled, if not a little mortified. Dumbledore smiled at Harry, "Professor Snape is connected to Voldemort by way of the Dark Mark. Do you recall what the Dark Mark is?" Harry lowered his head and furrowed his brows. Thinking back to the beginning of the year he recalled the attack at the Quidditch World Cup. It had been explicitly scary because of the Dark Mark's appearance and later Hermione had explained to him that it was Voldemort's sign.

"I know what it is sir, it's Voldemort's mark right? It's what Voldemort uses to signify that whatevers happened was his doing." Harry looked up and met Dumbledore's eyes again, "But how could that possibly be a connection between him and Professor Snape?"

Suddenly, and without warning, Snape dashed forward and jerked his sleeve up to reveal his inner left forearm. There, faded and washed out, Harry saw the same Skull and Snake symbol he'd seen at the Quidditch World Cup and in his dreams. He jerked back and looked up at Snape in horror. Snape sneered weakly and pushed his arm closer to Harry, "this is my reward for following Him." Snape quickly dropped his arm and his sleeve fell back over the ugly form that was so much more than just a scar. He stood stiffly for a moment, and then looked away from Harry as though the very sight of him was disturbing. Harry felt a small twinge of empathy for the man. He'd obviously gone through something horrible and just talking about it was bringing back memories. If Harry hadn't know any better, he'd say that underneath all that severity the greasy git might've actually had a heart. But Harry knew better…four years in this man's presence had told Harry everything he needed to know about slimy potion masters and their problems with golden Gryffindor boys.

"Potter," spat Snape, still unable to look at Harry, "whenever someone joins ranks with the Dark Lord they are branded with the Dark Mark on their inner left arm area. It is a symbol of possession. The Dark Lord owns all his followers." Snape had finally turned to look at him, but Harry had recoiled back towards the head board of his bed. "Oh don't be silly Potter it's not going to bite you!" Snape grimaced and took several steps towards Dumbledore and away from Harry. Harry, for one, wasn't in the least afraid that Snape Dark Mark would bite him. The potion master himself was what Harry was really weary of.

Harry let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding in and sat up straight without taking his eyes off Snape. "So you're one of Voldemort's," breathed Harry in a soft voice. He moved his eyes to Dumbledore who had nodded in affirmation.

"Yes, very good Potter, perhaps there is a brain in there somewhere after all." Snape sniffed in disdain and looked down his nose at Harry. Harry, ignoring Snape, didn't take his eyes off Dumbledore and waited patiently for an explanation.

"Professor Snape came to me and offered himself to be a spy at a great personal risk. We were losing the war Harry, drastic measures had to be taken and I accepted his offer. We did what we had to do to make peace with the world and end Voldemort's reign. Professor Snape has sacrificed so much more than you could possibly understand, to our cause, Harry." Dumbledore leaned forward so that he was closer to Harry, "Let me assure you, though, that he has my greatest confidence. He is absolutely on our side, not Voldemort's." Dumbledore shockingly blue eyes bore deep into Harry's vibrant green ones, as he said this, and Harry numbly nodded his head, without breaking eye contact. If Snape was good enough for Dumbledore then who the heck was he to say otherwise? He may not have liked the man personally or as a person at all, but if Dumbledore said Snape was good…so be it.

"Excellent, now Harry I must ask you to do something for me that I know you'll immediately reject. I know you and Professor Snape are not on great terms," Harry snorted and Snape rolled his eyes, scowl firmly fit on his face. Harry mentally laughed at how that was defiantly the understatement of the century. Dumbledore merely smiled at both of them and continued. "I'm well aware of the strenuous relationship the both of you share, but I'm going to ask that you both put that aside for now."

Dumbledore stood up so quickly that Harry started in surprise, unaware that he'd been slightly lolling off. He nodded his thanks, stood up and stretched, and looked over at Dumbledore.

"I've asked Professor Snape here today, Harry, to teach you the arts of the mind. Prepare yourself!" Dumbledore voice had gone stern and Harry stiffened in surprise. "This will be the most difficult challenge you've ever had to face. It is the only way you will be able to fight off Lord Voldemort's efforts to control your mind. You may very well end up having to Play Host with the most dangerous dark wizard of our time if you do not succeed." Harry's eyes widened and went from Dumbledore's to Snape's in confusion. Snape looked as though he'd just eaten something particularly sour that he couldn't spit out. Dumbledore shot Snape a look. Snape nodded and stepped forward into Harry personal space, the sour look he'd worn quickly replaced with a determined one. Harry shook off an ominous feeling and fought to stay where he stood.

"Potter," drawled Snape, "what do you know about the art of Occlumency?"