the breakthrough [occlumency one shot]

[HARRY JAMES POTTER]

Voldemort had been defeated, and all was well. This, Hermione had chided, was the perfect opportunity to work on his occlumency skills. Harry had reluctantly agreed, though he wasn't entirely sure what he was closing his mind from. Perhaps not having such a terrifying precipice would help, said Hermione. Ever the voice of reason, Harry agreed.

Each night, Harry attempted to empty his mind. To not focus on feeling strong emotions, but to encourage his mind to become blank, unreadable. Harry knew the moments when he'd been able to shut Voldemort out had been because he'd been feeling grief and love at the time. How he'd shut out Voldemort's tendrils of thoughts based on grief for Dobby. He wouldn't let anyone enter his mind again, not to use his thoughts for their own advantage.

And a whiteness, one that had no form or meaning but was a vague memory that tickled the back of his mind filled his thoughts, tapping away errant worries and feelings. Empty. And if he could do it on his own...

Harry spent a few days searching through the Ministry rosters to find a proper legilimens to practise with. With his two former mentors dead, he'd have to find a suitable replacement. Finally, a young auror who blushed furiously when Harry approached asking questions reluctantly agreed. It took many long weeks to fully master the skill, though Harry finally was able to break through the hurdle he'd faced for so long - to block the abilities of a legilimens.