Professor Merlin Emrys

Lessons

"Albus has seen fit for you to learn Occlumency. To protect yourself and defend against those who would take advantage of the vulnerability your open mind makes," Merlin took Dumbledore wanting to teach Harry the skill to heart, wanting Harry to not only defend but tell the difference between someone trying to get in his mind and simply leading a false trail.

Harry doesn't look like he knows what to say to any of that, so Merlin pushes on.

"What do you know about Occlumency, Harry?" He wanted to know how basic he needed to start.

"Just that it helps prevent people from reading your mind and that there are different ways to do it?" So the very basics, got it.

Sighing, Merlin figured he would set the record straight.

"Occlumency isn't about preventing one from reading your mind, it is not so linear as that. Legilimency allows one to penetrate one's mind, their feelings, emotions, thoughts, can influence how you see or act. Not being able to guard one's mind against such an act is dangerous," Harry looks in awe but also confused.

"If it's so dangerous to not know Occlumency, then why is it not a requirement like Transfiguration or Charms is?"

"Because it is extremely difficult, you cannot be weak willed or weak minded. The strong become stronger and the weak die off, it is nature's way to survive, not just thriving," Merlin can see how it would be a problem and a bit barbaric, but nature is nature there is no changing its rules.

"What if I'm no good at it?" Harry asks, looking down as he bites his lip. Merlin doesn't answer for a moment.

"You are one of the strongest people I know, Harry. And I have known a lot of people in my life," he settles on, it doesn't quite work the way he hoped but he can see new determination in the wizards eyes.

"It may be harder for you as you tend to wear your emotions on your sleeve, it's not a bad thing, but a hindrance when it comes to Occlumency," Merlin had thought about it most of the day, mindlessly carrying out his lesson plans. He had to make a new way for Harry to learn.

"Then how am I supposed to learn?" Harry asked, frustration clear.

"By learning in a different way from the known. Instead of locking your emotions away, I want you to use them,"

"But doesn't that defeat the purpose?" Cutting him off from continuing to explain.

"If you would have let me finish, I would have told you," Merlin answers with a huff, but the small upturn of his lips gives his amusement away. Harry colors, staying quiet until Merlin talks again.

"I heard you fought off the Imperious Curse last year. Answer me this, how did you do it?" He wasn't really curious, but he wanted Harry to come up with the solution himself, because people tend to put more effort into an idea they themselves come up with.

"Willpower, I suppose," Harry answered after a few minutes of thinking.

"Yes, willpower, it's strengthened by our emotions, the more strongly we feel about something the more stubborn people tend to be," Merlin explained, he wanted Harry to know emotions did not make one weak as many Occlument's tended to think, it could only make their shield stronger.

"But how do I translate willpower to keeping you out of my head?" Harry asked.

"By using an emotion so strong they will not be able break in. Love, hate, grief, compassion, any emotion would work, if you have the will to use it, let it fuel your wards around your mind, but do not let the emotion use you. Love can easily give way to hate as much as the opposite is true,"