Harry glared viciously.
But Professor Snape seemed indifferent, continuing, "Clear your mind, Potter. I've reminded you, discard all emotions; this is the key to mastering Occlumency..."
Kael nodded beside him.
Snape wasn't wrong; Occlumency's most crucial aspect is focus, eliminating all distractions and fully resisting intrusion.
Excess emotions inevitably distract, especially in Harry's current state. Though he appeared to be shouting with great momentum, it was useless for learning Occlumency.
"Again, get ready... Legilimency!"
Harry fell again, his knee hit the ground heavily.
"You didn't succeed, Potter... You need to restrain yourself, focus your mind... Again!"
For the next period, Harry seemed intent on colliding with Snape's office floor, crashing down in different manners each time.
Sometimes he landed on his knees, sometimes on his arm... Anyone unaware might think this was some sort of wrestling training.
Kael was likely the most relaxed person in the room; at Snape's request, he only helped soften the ground when Harry's head was headed downward.
"Get up, Potter; you didn't do it, didn't try; I told you to dispense with emotion!"
"I tried!" Harry said through gritted teeth.
"You tried?" Snape said sharply, "I just let you see a memory from before you were ten, and you abandoned all resistance, yelling at me to get out!
"Someone as weak as you is no match for the Dark Lord, Potter."
"I'm not weak." Harry clenched his fist, seemingly ready to punch Snape at any moment.
"Then prove it... Legilimency!"
Predictably, Harry crashed to the ground again.
"I told you to discard emotion!"
"I can't!"
"Restrain your anger!"
...
The office was filled with Snape's constant reprimands, and the sound of Harry falling to the floor.
After two hours of this, finally... Harry fainted.
He lay on the ground, brow furrowed, one hand covering the scar on his forehead, the other waving unconsciously.
Kael walked over, thoughtfully saying, "Professor Snape, he hasn't entered You-Know-Who's thoughts again, has he?"
Snape said nothing, but his expression was extremely grim.
A large ball of clear water appeared out of nowhere, directly splashing onto Harry's face.
Harry awoke, kneeling on the ground, gasping heavily.
"You saw it again, didn't you." Snape stared at Harry, questioning, "Entered the Dark Lord's thoughts."
"I... I didn't..." Harry's gaze flickered momentarily.
"Liar!" Snape shouted angrily.
Harry didn't speak, the two were at a standoff.
"Perhaps Harry should go back first." Kael interjected to mediate, "Two hours is enough, if you use Legilimency again, he might not endure."
Hope flashed in Harry's eyes; he was eager to leave.
Snape stared into Harry's eyes, before finally speaking, "Tomorrow, same time, we continue practice.
"Remember what I said last time; before sleep, discard all emotions to make your mind empty and calm."
"Okay." Harry said, leaving without looking back.
...
"I don't think he listened."
Watching the door close again, Kael couldn't help but say... Harry's thoughts were practically written on his face, obvious at a glance.
He just wanted to leave quickly, without paying attention to what Snape said.
"Arrogant, emotional fool." Snape took a deep breath.
"Then I'll be leaving too, Professor." Kael said.
"Wait a moment." Snape turned to him, saying sinisterly, "As a Teaching Assistant, it's time to play your role, go help Potter devise a plan for learning Occlumency, outlining what to pay attention to, how to proceed regularly... at least three feet long, submit it to me at this time tomorrow."
"But I have other matters." Kael wanted to decline.
Great, a three-foot-long plan... If he agreed to that, nothing else would be accomplished today.
"That's not my concern," Snape said, "Since you agreed with the headmaster, you must fulfill the duties of a Teaching Assistant, unless you can refuse the task.
"But I must remind you, the headmaster is not currently at school, whatever ideas you have must wait until his return."
Kael's mouth twitched slightly... So was he forced to write this plan?
Had he known, he would have insisted on demonstrating how to counter Legilimency to Harry.