Hm…you know what I realized?  This is the longest story I have ever written…sorry, random weirdness, but I just had a thought and I thought I'll share it with everyone…*cough cough*

I just want to say thanks for all the reviews!!!  I'm so happy…I am, I am!

I hope everyone had a good mother's day yesterday, if you only gave your mother a card, shame on you!  I gave my mum George Michael album, which I am seriously regretting because now the house is filled with his music.  Argh.  And for all the mothers out there, I hope your children gave you nice stuff as well, almost all my friends gave 'love actually' to their mums, as it did come out on Friday.  Hm…unnecessary rambling here…oops.

Ooh!  Before I go on to answer reviews and stuff, for everyone who has the 'love actually' dvd, they MUST watch the extras…especially the deleted scenes!  The one with the little kid, (can't remember his name) when he's running through the airport and then he does all this cool gymnastic stuff, it's so wicked!  So watch it!

Ok, now for all of your reviews!

Jadez Fire:  I take it that you like Star Wars then, eh?  When I was younger, about six or seven, I had a major obsession with Star Wars, I had every single film on video, but I'm not obsessed now…hmm, I'm really rambling today aren't I?

Blondi gurl:  Not to be rude or anything, but there are other countries in the world besides the US.  I'm not trying to be rude or anything…so don't take offence.  But yes, I have heard of the sweetest thing, and I have seen it.  Are you talking about the scene in the restaurant, where they all dance and stuff?  Hm, that would have been fun…

Renna:  Thank you, and who said I was getting Sirius and Buffy together?  If you want any romance with Buffy, you're going to have to wait a bit, but not that long I promise! 

The Critic of Good Stories:  Voldemort and them lot will be in it soon, I will get them in soon, in fact I'm in the process of writing some Voldemort action.  To me, this story is seeming a bit rushed, so I want to slow things down a little bit, otherwise it will be just a bit jumble of crapness…and that's never good.

I have to do this, because I think people are getting confused.  The only slayers are Faith and Buffy, so there was no Season 7.  Or Season 6, but there will be elements of it.  Especially with the Willow side of the season.  And the whole Glory, Dawn thing…never happened!  Dawn is not alive…yet.  Just to clarify, this story follows Buffy series up to season 4 and including.  After that, it goes kinda off.   There are certain spoilers for episodes in Series 5 and Season, such as Olaf and such, but not a big deal, and certainly nothing to do with Evil Nerd guys and hell gods.  Ok?  Got that?  Good. 

Woah.  I've rambled a hell of a lot, haven't I?  Hm, very weird. 

Please review!

Chapter 20.  Occlumency and a distressed guest.

Harry set off for the Quidditch pitch, Ron and Ginny behind him.  The Gryffindor tryouts for the Quidditch team were today, and as Harry was the captain, he was to be choosing the replacements.  And it was something he was not looking forward to.  It would be hard to replace Angelina, Alicia and Katie, and Harry was dreading it.  Because Harry's lifetime ban of Quidditch was lifted, Harry was back to being a seeker.  Harry had apologized profusely to Ginny, but she did not seem to mind as she was keen to try out for Chaser.  Jack Sloper and Andrew Kirke had taken Fred and George's place as beaters, but Harry was prepared to try people out for as many positions as possible, to see if Jack and Andrew were better at being Chasers. 

A lot of people had turned out for the tryouts, including Seamus and Dean, Colin Creevey and his brother, a fifth year and a number of second and third and fourth years Harry did not know.  They all looked expectantly at Harry as he approached them and Ginny took her place next to Seamus, at which Ron scowled at.

"Er, hi everyone.  I'm glad you came, er, I'm going to split you into three teams and we're going to play a game, only without the seeker."  Harry instructed, and with Ron's help, he separated everyone into teams and the first two teams rose up into the air.  Harry let the Bludgers go and they whizzed past him.  He kicked off the ground, mounted on his precious Firebolt and the Quaffle in his hands.  He tossed it in the air, and the game begun.  Harry hovered on his broom away from the game, noting the abilities of the players.  Ginny appeared to be a brilliant Chaser, and she worked well with another girl in the same year as her, Nisha Shah. 

Jack Sloper and Andrew Kirke were not exceptionally good at Beaters, they did not work as well together as Fred and George had, but Harry's hopes were pulled high when a girl and boy in the Second Year, twins known as William and Alexia Hope worked well together and were almost as good as the Weasley twins had been.

Ron had seemed too improved over the summer, he seemed more at ease on his broom and he achieved some impressive saves.  It was nearing dusk when the tryouts finished and Harry thanked everyone and announced that Ginny, Nisha and a third year, Matthew Hart were the Chasers, and William and Alexia were the Beaters.  Andrew and Jack seemed a bit put out at Harry's decision, but they forced a smile and saved their complaints until they were back in the castle.

Harry ran up to Ron and asked him if he could put away the equipment, as Harry was late for an Occlumency lesson with Snape.  Ron agreed and he wished Harry luck and Harry ran up to the castle, broom in hand. 

Unfortunately, Harry still had to have Occlumency lessons, and he had to have them with Snape.  Snape still hated Harry, and the feeling was mutual on Harry's part, and it seemed that Snape hated him even more since Sirius came back, even though it had not been Harry's doing.

Harry grimly walked down the stairs to Snape's dungeon, with each step a sense of apprehension growing in the pit of his stomach.  The last time Harry had had an Occlumency lesson, it had not gone well.  Even though it had not been a proper lesson, Snape had been absolutely furious with him.  Harry had put his head in the Pensive and had seen Snape's worst memory.  And that memory just happened to involve his father.  Harry only hoped that Snape would not be angry about that still, but that was like asking Ron to enter a cave with a ten foot spider.

Harry reached the door and gently pushed it open.  He entered the room, it was exactly the same as it had been last year, the room was dimly lit, and the shelves were lined with dusty jars of bits of animals and plants and on the desk lay the Pensive.

"Close the door Potter."  Snape's voice erupted from the shadows, and he jumped, just as he had done at his first lesson.  He closed the door, and just like his first lesson, he felt that he was imprisoning himself.  Snape moved into the light, dangerously close to Harry.  Snape's arms were crossed and his looked at Harry with contempt.  "I have not forgotten what happened last time we met for this lesson, Potter," he said icily, his cold black eyes staring at Harry, and he met Snape's gaze unflinchingly.  "And I do not expect that to happen again, is that clear?" 

"Yes sir."  Harry said through clenched teeth, his grip on his broom tightening.

"Unfortunately, your stupidity cost your godfather's life, but thankfully, we have been blessed with Sirius' return to us."  Snape said sarcastically.  "Thanks to your wonderful, aunt." Again, he sounded sarcastic and his gaze of contempt increased, as if it were Harry's fault that Snape had met Buffy.  "Who is, utterly delightful."

Harry felt his temper rise.  It was true that he did not care much for Buffy; his feelings towards her had improved since he had met her, but not enough for him to actually care a great deal about her.  But Buffy was his mother's sister, and it hurt that Snape was talking so ill of someone close to his mother.

Snape raised his wand to his temple and a silvery substance came away as he withdrew his wand, and it fell into the Pensive.  Snape did this twice more and then he carefully placed the Pensive on the shelf.  He turned back to Harry and Harry took out his wand, nervousness growing inside his stomach.

"Have you practiced since we last met, Potter?" 

Harry felt something sink to the bottom of his stomach as he realised the answer.  No, he hadn't.  His pause gave Snape the answer, and Snape's lip curled.

"This will be interesting."  Snape said coldly, and Harry braced himself.  He tried to clear his mind of all emotions and he let his broom fall to the ground as he took out his wand.  "Brace yourself…Legilimens!"

He was lying on the ground, Dudley beating him to a pulp…Dementors were gliding towards him…Aunt Petunia was telling him he was a worthless piece of scum…he saw Hermione's petrified face…

Harry was on the floor, his head buried in his hands and he had fallen against the shelf; pieces of glass were lying on the floor, bits of animals and plants on the stone.

"Reparo."  Snape muttered and Harry groaned.  Harry stood up and Snape scowled at him.  "You are not trying hard enough."  Snape scolded and Harry nodded.  "Again."  Harry braced himself; he tried his best to clear his mind.  "Legilimens!"

Harry was watching Dudley being fussed over by Petunia and Vernon…Vernon was telling him his parents did not care about him…Cedric's dead face… He saw Buffy fall into the water…

"I know I know, I'm not trying hard enough."  Harry said bitterly, his back against the desk.  He stood up once more and scowled at Snape who was looking at him strangely.

"That last memory, that was not yours."  Snape said as a statement, and Harry nodded in agreement.  "How long have you been receiving your aunt's memories?"

"Two weeks I guess.  It's not all the time."  Harry replied.

"Have you ever asked her about it?"  Snape asked.

Harry scowled. "She's not the sharing type.  Whenever I ask her something, she never tells me the truth about it, why would she tell me the truth if I asked about her memories?"  Harry asked angrily and Snape looked at him curiously.

"You do not get on with your aunt."  Snape said again as a statement.  Harry nodded, but then shook himself mentally.  He was having a heart to heart with Snape!

"It's none of your business."  Harry said rudely, but Snape did not reprimand him.

"Again.  Legilimens."

"Not Harry! Not Harry!  Please-I'll do anything-"

"Stand aside little girl-"

Harry fell to the floor, his scar burning in pain and surprisingly Snape helped him up.

"Concentrate Potter."  Snape said, but his voice was not as cold and as hard as it had been before.  Harry nodded, his hand held to his scar.

"Can I go?"  He asked, and Snape shook his head. 

"One more go, Potter.  Try harder this time; clear your mind…release all emotions …Legilimens!"

Harry saw Sirius' gaunt face…Pettigrew was knelt on his knees pleading to Harry…Ron fell from the chess piece as the Queen destroyed it…Death Eaters came towards him…but he could see Snape standing in front of him…the Death Eaters were fading and Snape was growing clearer…

Harry raised his wand and Snape was thrown backwards against the wall, his wand clattering to the floor next to him.  Snape panted heavily and stood up, putting his wand away.

"Good."  Snape said, and Harry could not believe his ears.  Had Snape just complimented him?  "I expected you to achieve this stage earlier, but you obviously have a weak mind."  Scrap that thought, Snape was just being mean to him.  "You may go, but do not forget to practice."  Snape instructed, and Harry nodded, taking his broom and ran out of the room.

***

Buffy heard a knock at the portrait door and she opened it, smiling as she saw Harry, Ron and Hermione there.  She ushered them in, and they entered the room, taking a seat on the couch.  It had been three days since Harry's lesson with Snape. 

"Hey guys, what can I do for ya?"  Buffy asked, taking a seat opposite Hermione.

"I wanted to see Sirius, is he here?"  Harry asked, and Buffy felt her heart sink.  Harry was still acted icy towards her and it upset Buffy very much.  Harry had not told her why he was acting like this, and Buffy tried not to press it, because she could unintentionally make it worse.

"I'll get him."  Buffy said and knocked on Sirius' door.  Sirius opened it and grinned as he saw his godson.

"Hello Harry."  He greeted and he took a seat next to his godson.  "How are you?"

"I wanted to ask you something."  Harry said, and Sirius gestured for him to go on.  "Was my mother ever friends with Snape?"

Sirius was baffled as to why Harry had asked this, and Sirius voiced his thoughts.

"It was something Snape said today.  It just got me thinking."  Harry explained and Sirius nodded.

"At one point, Lily was.  That was before Snape became friends with Malfoy and that crowd.  We weren't really friends with Lily that much, Lily hated us and James hated Lily up till his fifth year, when he developed a crush on her.  Remus was the only one who she could stand."  Sirius answered and Harry nodded in thanks.

"So then-"

Harry was cut off though, when Dumbledore entered the through the portrait door, his hands on the shoulders of a tall slender woman with red hair, who's head was buried in her hands.

"Willow!"  Buffy cried and rushed to her friend's side and Willow threw her hands around Buffy's neck and sobbed harder.  Buffy looked helplessly at Dumbledore and she lead Willow to the couch, where the Hermione moved to make room for her.  Buffy sat Willow down and Willow buried her head in her hands, her shoulders heaving as she cried.  The door to Faith room opened and the brunette rushed out, her clothes on muddled on her body and Charlie followed her, breathless.

"Will?"  Faith asked softly, crouching on the floor in front of Willow.

"Tara broke up with her."  Dumbledore said softly and Willow made a cry of anguish and her shoulders heaved violently.

Buffy hugged Willow carefully and sorrowfully, Willow's tears drenching Buffy's shirt. 

"She…she…said I was…u-using too m-much m-m-magic."  Willow sobbed her, head returned to their hiding place in her hands. 

"Is this true Will?"  Buffy asked, rubbing Willow's back soothingly. 

Willow's shoulders heaved once more, and Willow gasped.  "I-I can't Buffy.  S-She's my e-everything."

"Are you using too much magic, Willow?"  Buffy asked again softly, and Willow lifted her head giving Buffy a chance to see her eyes.  Buffy gasped.  Willow's eyes were black; there was no white. 

"H-help m-me Buffy."

Ah, sadness.  This might be taking a similar turn like Series 6, but I'm not quite decided on that yet.  But all that is happening is that Willow is getting more powerful…no talk of flaying guys alive and trying to destroy the world yet, ok?

Sam-453:  Update!

Please review!

P.S:  I don't know when I'll be updating next, because I'm going to Dorset on a GCSE field trip thing on Sunday, but I'll try my best to get the next chapter up before that, or immediately after I get back, on Wednesday week.