Title: Occlumency Lessons

Summary: Set after book 5. Sirius is alive and he and Harry are spending their first summer together at Grimmauld Place. There's just one problem - Professor Severus Snape will also be staying with them to teach Harry Occlumency. Snape is angry, Sirius is annoyed, Harry is upset, and Lupin is just amused. HPSS, SBRL, RWHG.

Rated: T

Genre(s): Romance, Drama, Suspense, Family

Pairing(s): Harry Potter/Severus Snape, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger

Warning(s): Angst, violence, abuse, underage relationship, teacher/student relationship

Harry's PoV:

A warm summer night outside of London found a green eyed, dark haired boy with his arms crossed, glaring at the man sitting across the table from him. "This is the most unfair thing I've ever heard of in my life," he said.

"I'm afraid I'll have to agree with you on this one, Mr. Potter," Severus Snape replied coldly.

Harry Potter turned desperately to Dumbledore. "Professor, there has to be another way," he said. "Can't we continue my lessons when term starts? Can't someone else teach me? Remus taught Defense Against the Dark Arts for a whole year at Hogwarts. He probably knows Occlumency, right, Remus?"

"Severus is more experienced with DADA than I am, Harry," Lupin said.

"And besides, his monthly problem might be a distraction," Snape pointed out. Harry narrowed his eyes at the man.

"Remus may be a werewolf, but he'a still a thousand times better than you!" Harry exclaimed.

"You insolent brat," Snape spat. "I'm the one giving up my summer to spend it-"

"Enough!" Dumbledore practically shouted. "You two will learn to live with each other whether you like it or not."

"Please, Professor Dumbledore," Harry begged. "I was supposed to be with Sirius this summer."

"And you are," Sirius said. Harry looked at the man sitting beside him, feeling a gentle hand on his arm. "I'll just have to share you. Believe me, Harry, I'm not happy, either. I'm on your side here. But if this is the safest option for you, then it's worth it."

Harry sighed in resignation. There would be no getting past the decision of four adults. "All right," he agreed. "As long as you're here with me." Sirius smiled.

"Sirius, if you could show Severus to his room, that would be great," Dumbledore said. Sirius nodded and Snape followed him out of the dining room, leaving Harry alone with Dumbledore and Lupin.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Dumbledore said. "But Sirius is right - this is the safest option for you. I know you don't like Severus, but if I am being completely honest, it's time you two start getting along and work together."

"Or at least be able to tolerate each other," added Lupin, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Harry almost snapped at him, but he liked and respected Lupin and he didn't want to fight with anyone else. He suddenly felt exhausted. "I must return to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said.

After they said goodbye to Dumbledore, Lupin stood from the table. Harry followed him out to the living room. "Are you leaving, Remus?"

"I don't want to, but I'm afraid I must," said Lupin. "Tonight's the full moon."

"But you had your potion," Harry said. "You can stay here."

"I appreciate it, Harry, but I will be back tomorrow. Try to get some sleep, all right?"

When Lupin turned to go, Harry said, "Wait," and hugged Lupin. "It's great to see you again, Remus."

He felt Lupin's arms wrapping around him. "You too, Harry," he said, and left. Harry smiled to himself, then went back in the kitchen for a late snack, suddenly not feeling so tired as he remembered that Snape was in the same house as him.

"Still hungry?" Sirius said from the doorway. "Grab me one of those dinner rolls, will you?" Harry obeyed and they sat down at the table, just the two of them. "I really am on your side, Harry, you know that right?"

"I know," Harry said through bites of bread. "I just...wish I could spend more time with you. Especially after almost losing you this year..."

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon," Sirius said. "Harry, I don't want you to worry about me. This summer you need to focus on being able to block your mind from Voldemort."

"But I do worry about you," Harry said. "I love you, Sirius." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized that was the first time he'd ever said that to Sirius. "I just want you to know that."

"I know, Harry. I love you, too," Sirius said, and pulled Harry into a tight, warm hug.

Harry buried his face in Sirius's hair and clung to him. "I've lost so many people," Harry said. "If I ever lost you..."

"You won't," Sirius said, holding Harry close. "Don't you ever worry about that."

Early the next morning, Harry went downstairs for a cup of tea to find Snape already awake, eating. Harry didn't acknowledge him as he began to make tea, his back to his professor.

"We're starting lessons after breakfast," Snape's flat voice informed him.

"Fine," Harry said coolly.

"You two have a lot of warming up to do before becoming friends," said a new voice.

Harry turned to find Lupin standing in the doorway, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen any time soon."

"That's one thing we can agree on, Mr. Potter," Snape said. He took his plate to the sink, accidentally-on-purpose bumping into Harry, who glared. "If you'll come with me, we have a lot of work to do for your first lesson."

Harry sent Lupin a please-help-me look as he followed Snape into the living room. "We will continue where we left off from term," said Snape. "Get out your wand, Potter."

Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it at Snape. "Legilimens!" Snape shouted before Harry could do anything. A collection of memories went by like a movie - Harry's very first glimpse of Hogwarts, the time he, Ron, and Hermione took down the troll, going into the Chamber of Secrets, meeting Sirius.

When it was over, Snape said, "You need to have more control over your mind, Potter. The Dark Lord will easily be able to access your memories and use them against you."

"It's only the first day of lessons," Harry spat at him. "Back off."

"The Dark Lord won't back off," Snape pointed out. "You have to be able to do this as soon as possible."

"I don't want to just learn this," Harry said. "I want to fight Voldemort. I won't be helpless against him."

"What are you talking about, Potter?" Snape narrowed his eyes at him.

"Can you teach me advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Harry asked. "We have the whole summer, and I can learn Occlumency first. I just...I don't want to let anyone down."

Harry could have sworn that Snape's expression softened, if only for a moment. "Then when we get back to school, you will assist me with cleaning cauldrons and organizing potions."

"Yeah, yeah, I will," Harry said. "I just...I need to learn how to protect myself. And the people I love."

"And I believe it goes without saying that you will keep this little agreement between us a secret," Snape continued.

"Of course," Harry said. After a moment, he added, "Thank you."

Snape waved a hand dismissively. "It's not a big deal, Potter," he said. "But now we must continue with Occlumency. Legilimens!"

AN: I hope you all like the first chapter of my newest Snarry fic! Please review :) I will try to update soon