A/N: *quietly sneaks back in to the fanfiction world and hopefully doesn't get shot*

My apologies. I've woefully neglected this story and, by default, all of you. But for those still reading, enjoy. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 7

Sirius watched Harry as he turned to leave the room, and he could only thank whatever higher power forced Harry to listen to him. He was trying to do right by Harry, and he couldn't do that if he allowed him to see two grown men fighting like a couple of school children. Plus, the shock on Snape's face was well worth it.

Sirius turned back to Snape.

"As I said, what I choose to tell Harry is none of your concern. It is no one's concern but mine and his, " he replied, still trying to remain calm. Not that Snape made that easy.

Snape snorted and sat down across from him. "What the Dark Lord is after is none of Potter's business, Black," he said, sneering.

"Yes, it is," he snapped, finally losing his patience. "You and Dumbledore and the rest of the damn world may think that keeping secrets is right, but it is not. Harry has every right to know what is going on, and I will not have him helpless and lured into a trap because you lot can't acknowledge that he is no longer a child!"

"But he is a child, Sirius," said McGonagall, trying to calm Sirius down.

Sirius snorted.

"Oh really?" he said, turning to her. "And how many children do you know who have faced Voldemort three times and lived to tell the tale? How many of them also fought a troll, a three-headed dog, a Basalisk, Dementors, a dragon, and every other foul thing he had to face this past year? How many of them watched a classmate die? Watched their parents die?"

"Most of those things could have been avoided if Potter had asked for help," snapped Snape.

Sirius laughed dryly.

"He asked for help with the Stone, Snape," he said, glaring at him. Then he turned to McGonagall. "But he was dismissed."

"I've already apologized for that, Sirius," McGonagall said sadly.

"Not to Harry, you haven't," he replied. He turned back to Snape. "And pray tell, after his own Head of House dismissed him, who was he supposed to go to?

"His relatives, who treat him like dirt? Or maybe he could have come to you, Snape, a man who singled out and humiliated an eleven-year-old child on his first day of classes simply because he looks like his father?" Sirius snorted. "Harry hardly trusts anyone, and he certainly doesn't trust most adults — and no wonder, since no one has ever given him a reason to. So don't you sit there and tell me he could have asked for help, Snape. Not when you're a part of the problem."

Snape was about to reply, but Dumbledore interrupted.

"Enough," he said sternly. "We have already had this conversation multiple times. Severus, Harry is not a young child nor is he James, and you would do well to remember that. Sirius, no one is denying you the right to tell Harry what you think it is necessary for him to know. I just wish you would be careful."

"I have not told him anything that Voldemort cannot find out on his own. And as far as we know, he isn't aware of the connection to Harry's mind," Sirius replied, still glaring at Snape. Greasy git, he thought.

"Nonetheless, if you insist on Harry knowing what goes on in these meetings," said Dumbledore, and Sirius finally turned to him, "which I know you will tell him about, then I must insist that Harry start learning Occlumency this summer."

"I can start teaching him," said Sirius, nodding. "My father made both me and Regulus learn it. We had mastered it by the time we started school. But who will help him during the year if he doesn't learn it by the end of the summer?"

"Oh, I'm sure we can find someone," said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling.

"Absolutely not, Albus," snapped Snape suddenly. They all turned to him. "I know you. I will not teach Potter Occlumency."

"You are the only one who can, Severus," said Dumbledore. "I do not have time, not now that Voldemort has returned. And we do not need students thinking that I am giving Harry extra attention. That will be reported back to the Death Eaters by their children, as you very well know."

"Then find someone else," said Sirius. "I will not allow him to go into Harry's mind. Occlumency requires trust, and neither of us trust him."

"Then it is time to learn," said Dumbledore, holding up a hand when he and Snape opened their mouths to protest. "Enough. This is the only solution. Harry can't be seen coming and going to my office or out of Hogwarts. It is too suspicious. I expect you to talk to him about this Sirius; otherwise, I cannot allow you to tell him what happens here. It is too risky. And Severus, I expect you to treat Harry with respect and to be patient. Occlumency is a delicate magic, and it is Harry's fifth year. And after the events of June, he does not need more strain on him than he's already been through."

Sirius and Snape glared at each other when Dumbledore finished talking. He didn't know what to do. He didn't trust Snape to not tell Voldemort everything he sees in Harry's mind, but Harry needed the lessons. And not just because he wanted to tell him about Order meetings, but also because he genuinely believed it was a necessary skill, especially for someone like Harry. Perhaps if he worked hard with Harry this summer, he could get him further along in training than Snape would expect, and then their time outside of class would be limited together?

"Fine," said Sirius eventually. "But I want Harry to report to me after every lesson, and if I even sense something is off, I reserve the right to pull him out of these lessons."

"That is agreeable," said Dumbledore. "Severus?"

"Fine," said Snape. "Not like I have a choice, do I?"

Dumbledore smiled ruefully. "I meant what I said, Severus. You are to treat him with utmost respect. Sirius is right when he says Occlumency requires trust."

"That goes both ways," snapped Snape. "I will not allow Potter to strut in and out of these lessons as he pleases. He is to come to them ready to work hard and with some respect of his own."

"Then earn it," retorted Sirius.

"I am his teacher," snarled Snape.

"Which grants you authority," replied Sirius, "but not respect. Respect is earned. If we were to respect everyone in power we would be in a world of trouble. Or should we go ahead and start respecting Fudge now? Or maybe Umbridge?"

Snape did not reply.

"Then it is settled," said Dumbledore. "Sirius will start teaching Harry Occlumency, and Severus will continue. I think lessons once a week is more than enough."

Both Sirius and Snape nodded after a minute.

"Very well, moving on…"

Sirius entered the drawing room after the Order had left. He coughed as some dust floated up as he dropped on to a sofa. He shook his head as he lit a fire in the grate with his wand. This place really needed work.

Someone knocked on the door, and Remus entered as Sirius turned around. Sirius turned back to the fire as Remus sat next to him.

"I think you're doing the right thing," said Remus. Sirius didn't ask what he was talking about.

"Am I?" he replied softly. "I have to go tell Harry that I've given Snape permission to prance around in Harry's mind. Will he still trust me after that?"

"He will understand once you explain it to him," said Remus. "And hopefully, with my presence, Severus will tone down his harshness toward Harry."

Sirius nodded, but it took a moment before he registered what Remus said. His eyes widened.

"You got your old job back?" he said quickly.

Remus nodded. "Dumbledore said he was glad I asked. He was afraid the Ministry would appoint someone soon. Apparently there's a decree in the works that would grant them the power if a headmaster or headmistress cannot fill a position."

"Well thank Merlin he gave it to you then. I'm happy for you, Remus," said Sirius, smiling for the first time since he last saw Harry.

"Thank you," said Remus. He paused for a moment. "But it means you will be here alone."

Sirius shrugged. "There are worse fates. Besides, I found James' old two-way mirror. I figured I could give it to Harry. And we already have our set."

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" said Remus. He looked at Sirius worriedly, and he chuckled in response.

"Forever the mother hen, Moony," teased Sirius.

Remus shook his head exasperatedly.

"I'll be fine, truly," said Sirius. "I'll hate being cooped up here, but I'll make it through."

"You better," replied Remus. "There's a kid upstairs who needs you more than anything else in the world."

Sirius laughed softly. "Don't let him hear you say that," he replied.

"Too late for that," said a cheerful voice in the doorway.

Both men jumped slightly and turned to see Harry leaning against the doorway.

"Moody would be yelling something about constant vigilance right about now," teased Harry, grinning. "Two grown men who fought in a war, caught unawares by a fourteen-year-old. The shame of it all."

Sirius and Remus laughed.

"Perhaps we wouldn't have been caught had said fourteen-year-old not been eavesdropping," said Remus, mock sternly.

"I wasn't actually," he replied, entering the room and sitting on an armchair next to them. "I was looking for you, Sirius. Mrs. Weasley said you needed to talk to me."

Sirius grimaced. "Yeah, I do, and you won't like it."

Remus stood up. "I'll leave you two to it."

"Coward," muttered Sirius, and Remus laughed as he walked out the door.

"Don't be such a puppy, Sirius," called Remus over his shoulder.

Harry laughed, and Sirius sat up straight in mock indignation. However, Remus was gone and he couldn't respond.

"Right, well he'll be waking up with green hair tomorrow," said Sirius, glaring at the door. "Or maybe I'll turn him into a puppy. I don't know yet."

Harry grinned at him. "He'll just retaliate."

"Well, that's that fun of it, isn't it?" replied Sirius, laughing lightly. "It's been a while since I've had a prank war."

"You do whatever you have to do, Sirius," said Harry solemnly, but his lips were twitching.

"I'm glad I have your permission, Oh Great One," mocked Sirius. "Couldn't go forward without it, obviously."

"Obviously," agreed Harry, still solemn.

Sirius grinned at him and shook his head. They sat in a comfortable silence, and Sirius stalled. He didn't want to tell Harry that he needed extra lessons with Snape. He knew Harry wouldn't argue too much about it, not when he explained why it had to happen. Harry just wasn't the kind. But he knew he would be disappointed, and that killed Sirius. He was pulled from his thoughts when Harry touched his arm as he sat down next to him. He turned toward his godson.

"Er…are you okay?" he asked. "It's just I've said your name about three times now."

"Oh, sorry," said Sirius. "Just spaced out, I suppose. But you were right earlier, I do need to talk to you."

"Okay," said Harry, settling into the sofa. "What about?"

"You know that I want to tell you everything that happens" began Sirius, "but I can't do that until your mind is protected."

"What?" replied Harry, looking confused.

"Voldemort has a connection to you, one he doesn't know about yet," said Sirius. "But he may discover it and use it to his advantage. He might try to get information from you with Legilimency, which is what Muggles would call mind reading. I'll explain more about that later. But there is a counter to it, Occlumency, and we want you to learn it."

Harry nodded. "Fair enough. Who will teach me?"

Sirius raised an eyebrow, surprised with Harry's compliance.

"What?" said Harry defensively. "It sounds useful. And I don't want Voldemort to be poking around my head, thank you."

Sirius chuckled, nodding. "Well to start, I will teach you, and I will try to get you as far along in the training as I can this summer, so you don't have much left to do when school starts."

Harry brightened. "Wicked!"

Sirius grimaced. "But I highly doubt you'll master it this summer. This makes the Patronus Charm look easy."

"So who will teach me in school? Dumbledore?" asked Harry, curious.

Sirius shook his head. "You can't be seen going to and from his office so often. The Death Eaters' kids would tell their parents about it."

"Then who?" asked Harry, and Sirius could see the dread forming on his face.

He sighed.

"The only other person at Hogwarts that knows how to do it is…Snape," said Sirius grimly.

Harry didn't respond at first. Sirius watched him carefully, and he started to grow worried when Harry hadn't said anything after a few minutes, only stared at him.

"No," said Harry eventually. He shook his head and glared at Sirius. "You're not seriously doing this to me, are you? I'm not letting Snape parade around in my head as he pleases."

"I don't like it anymore that you do, Harry," said Sirius pleadingly and apologetically. "I fought against it. So did he, actually. But there's no other way. Believe me when I say that I would not ask this of you if it wasn't so incredibly important."

"But Sirius, it's Snape!" exclaimed Harry, voice growing louder. "He's a git, you know he is! You know how he treats me. And I don't trust him! How do you know he won't just take everything he finds out from me and go running to Voldemort? And don't tell me I'm supposed to trust him just because Dumbledore does!"

"Don't yell at me, Harry," said Sirius sternly. Harry deflated a little. "And I really am sorry. I know you don't trust him; I don't either. I've requested that you report to me after every lesson, and I reserve the right to end these lessons as soon as I even sense something is off.

"But please, Harry, you have to do this. I know you're not comfortable. I'm not either. But it is so incredibly important that you learn this. It won't just help you now, but it will help you later on as well. This isn't just so I can tell you what goes on in Order meetings, which I've always intended to do, but it's to protect you. And I will do everything within my power to protect you."

Harry watched him, and Sirius almost broke at pleading look in Harry's eyes, but he had to stay strong. Harry eventually nodded.

"Thank you," said Sirius gratefully. "Dumbledore has already had a talk with Snape. He will not step out of line, and if he does, the lessons are off. And with Moony back at Hogwarts, hopefully he'll toe the line."

Harry's eyes widened. "Wait. Remus is coming back?"

Sirius smiled. "Yes, he is."

Harry suddenly beamed.

"Well there's some good news at least."

A/N: So there you go. I hope you liked it, and next chapter, things will actually start happening. Until then, review! :)