After returning from Hagrid's place, Kael didn't do much else.
Over the next few days, he kept working on his holiday assignments in an empty classroom on the sixth floor, where the window had a clear view of Hagrid's hut.
On this day, Kael arrived there early, as usual, and sat at the familiar window-side seat, writing his holiday assignments while glancing outside occasionally.
Soon, he saw an owl fly to Hagrid's hut, drop a letter, and fly away again.
Hagrid took the letter, pretended to look around, then hurried inside and shut the door tight.
Everything was exactly the same as the previous days.
But just as Kael was about to continue his Magic Potion assignment, someone else suddenly appeared near the Forbidden Forest.
It was Filch... He had been hiding behind a big tree until Hagrid closed the door, then emerged.
Kael threw the quill aside, watching him sneakily walk up to Hagrid's wooden hut and peek through the window.
However, the hut was securely covered with curtains, and even the gaps in the wooden walls were sealed; from the outside, nothing could be seen.
Filch circled around twice outside, found nothing, and left cursing.
Seeing this, Kael immediately packed up his assignments, intending to go back to the Gryffindor common room to send the most crucial letter.
But on his way downstairs, he ran into Snape.
"I thought you were breaking school rules and sneaking out again," Snape said coldly. "Very disappointing."
"Professor, I've been at school all along these days," Kael said, "If you have nothing else, I'll be going."
Kael didn't intend to waste more time with Snape here and bypassed him to continue forward.
But Snape blocked him again.
"Hold on a moment," he said. "It's been less than a week; I think you haven't forgotten what you promised the headmaster."
Kael looked up at Snape, "If you're talking about helping Harry learn Occlumency... I certainly remember."
"That's good." Snape glanced at him, "Follow me then."
"Start now?" Kael remained still.
The holiday hadn't ended yet, usually, such things would wait until after school started, right?
Besides, Harry should still be at No. 12 Grimmauld Place; they couldn't possibly be teaching door-to-door... that was Sirius's territory.
"Yes, now..." Snape turned back, impatiently urging, "Get moving, don't make me repeat a third time!"
No choice, Kael had to temporarily set aside sending the letter and follow Snape.
Once they reached the underground classroom, Kael found that Harry, who should have been at No. 12 Grimmauld Place, was standing there.
However, judging by his tense expression and heavy breathing, he seemed very unhappy, and his gaze at Snape was almost fiery.
Of course, Snape was the same.
"Believe me, Potter," he said softly, "If it weren't for the headmaster's demand, I would never allow you to step foot in here."
"Should I be grateful for your generosity?" Harry said through gritted teeth, his face flushed.
He suspected Snape was doing this on purpose.
There were still ten days left of vacation, and Sirius had promised to take him to Diagon Alley next to pick out new furniture for his own bedroom.
And yet, he had to return to Hogwarts to learn Occlumency.
For a moment, Harry even considered fighting Snape.
"No need for thanks," Snape said calmly, as if he couldn't hear the anger in Harry's voice, "Just try to absorb some feedback from last time, don't make me repeat the things I've already said countless times."
"But why now?" Harry couldn't help but cry out, "Couldn't it wait until school starts?"
"Seems you prefer to play than consider the safety of the Order of Phoenix members,"
Snape said with icy tone, "I explained clearly last time, the Dark Lord has already sensed you can perceive his thoughts and deduced that this can be reversed... which means, the Dark Lord realizes he can also perceive your thoughts.
"Or do you think the Dark Lord is as arrogantly ignorant as you, knowing nothing?
"Or do you treat this as a thrilling game... invading the Dark Lord's mind, definitely more fun than Wizard Chess, right?"
"I didn't!" Harry shouted, "I've never thought that."
"Heh..." Snape sneered, "If you haven't considered it that way, you should quickly learn Occlumency instead of complaining here about wasting your holiday."
Harry's face turned even redder; he wanted to argue but didn't know what to say... it was as if a voice kept telling him Snape was right.
"Fine, I understand." Harry said with difficulty, "I won't let Voldemort perceive my thoughts..."
"Don't say the Dark Lord's name!" Snape barked.
A humiliating silence followed, they glared at each other, but ultimately it ended with Harry's concession.
"What do we do?"
"Same as last time." Snape pulled out his wand from his robe, saying, "Try to protect your mind from invasion... or defeat me, with any magic you can!"