Notes: I WILL FINISH THIS STORY! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and stuck with me. I am hoping to finish this story by this time next year.

After Christmas everything seemed to settle down a bit. The order had another meeting and when it was over Buffy rushed to find Professor Snape before he left. Buffy walked into the room where the meeting was held.

"Everything alright Buffy?" Remus asked.

"Everything's fine Remus. I just had a question for Professor Snape, and I was hoping to catch him before he left."

"Hurry along then." Remus told her.

Buffy spotted Professor Snape talking to Dumbledore. She waited for them to finish talking before approaching.

"Professor Snape, sir, if you don't have to rush off, I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time."

"What is that you want Potter? Speak quickly as I don't have all day." Snape groused.

"Yes sir, I was hoping that maybe someday when you have more time you could tell me about my mother. Remus said you two had been best friends. Anything you would like to share would be greatly appreciated. Remus and Sirius talk about her but most of their stories start in their sixth year."

Buffy paused and hoped that he wouldn't flat out reject her and leave. She was hopeful when she saw Snape's demeanor soften.

"Lily and I were friends before we went to Hogwarts. She and I lived in the same town. When I first saw her, I could tell she was magical. I was the one to tell her she was a witch."

"How did she take it? Was she excited? Confused? When Hagrid came to get us, we had no clue about the Wizarding World or that our parents were magical. Aunt Petunia always told us they died in a car crash."

"At first, she was shocked. She didn't know there was a such thing as wizards and witches. Then I think she asked a million and one questions about being a witch and the Wizarding World. I spent the next few months telling her everything I could."

An hour had gone by since the meeting ended, and Remus wondered where Buffy had gotten to. No one had seen Buffy since before the meeting had ended. Remus walked into the meeting room to see that Buffy was sitting there laughing and talking with Severus.

"Hey Remus." Buffy greeted him.

"I see you found Severus." Remus said, coming to stand beside her.

"I did and he's been telling me about my mom."

"He has?" Remus asked, surprised by that.

"I have. When Miss Potter told me she wanted to talk to me, asking about her mother was not what I was expecting. I want to thank you Miss Potter. It was nice to be able to talk to someone about Lily. I must take my leave I have already stayed far longer than I planned."

"It's I who should be thanking you. In the hour that we have been talking, I feel like I know my mother a little better than before. When we return to school, would you mind if I came to you for another chat?" Buffy asked hope clearly showing on her face.

"That would be fine. I will admit that I enjoyed conversing with you today. I will see you when classes resume."

Professor Snape said as he stood to leave. He nodded goodbye to Buffy and Remus before apparating out.

"So, what made you seek out Professor Snape to ask him about Lily?"

"You and Sirius talk about mom but it's always in relation to dad. Neither one of you talk about her before fifth year and most of your stories start in your sixth year. You've told me on several occasions that mom and Snape were good friends. I thought he might be able to tell me things about mom from her early years at Hogwarts. Turns out he knew mom before they even went to Hogwarts. They used to live several blocks from each other. He told me what mom was like when she was nine."

"I'm glad that he was able to tell you more about Lily. Did he say anything about your father?" Remus asked, hoping Snape hadn't badmouthed James in front of Buffy.

"No, we mostly talked about mom before she came to Hogwarts. Even if he did, he be well within his rights. From the stories you and Sirius have told, I'm not naive enough not to know that my father and Sirius were bullies when it came to Snape. Before you deny it, Sirius practically brags about the stunts he and dad pulled on Snape. What was the reasoning behind Snape being the recipient of most the Marauders pranks?"

"From what I got from your dad and Sirius is that he, Sirius, and Snape got into it while waiting for the sorting to start over which house was the best. Obviously, James and Sirius said Gryffindor and Snape said Slytherin."

"Nothing so obstinately stands in the way of all sorts of progress as pride of opinion." Buffy said with a sigh.

"Truer words have were never spoken. Come on, let's go to the kitchen and get a snack and we'll talk some ourselves."

Buffy nodded and followed Remus toward the kitchen where he got them some fruit to eat, and they sat down at the table.

It was the last day of break and tomorrow the children would be returning to Hogwarts. Harry and Ron were playing Wizard's chess in Ron's room. Hermione, Buffy, Ginny, and Hermione's cat Crookshanks were also in the room on Harry's bed watching the match and talking. When the door to the room opened, only the girls acknowledged the newcomer.

"Do you need something mom? Is dad alright?" Ginny asked.

"Your father is fine dear. He'll be released today. I came to get Buffy and Harry. Professor Snape would like to see both of them in the kitchen."

"Did he say why?" Buffy asked, getting up from the bed.

"No just asked for you two to come down. He said he didn't have much time. Harry? Did you hear me?"

"Sorry Mrs. Weasley. What did you say? I'm afraid I was concentrating a little too much on the match that I didn't hear a word." Harry said a bit sheepishly.

"Professor Snape wants to see you and Buffy in the kitchen."

"Come on. Let's go see what he wants." Buffy said, waiting for Harry by the door.

Harry and Buffy walked downstairs to the kitchen. Upon entering they saw Sirius sitting at the table glaring at Snape.

"Good afternoon, Professor, Mrs. Weasley said you wanted to see us." Buffy said feeling the tension in the kitchen.

"Yes Miss Potter, have a seat you two." Snape ordered.

"You know, I think I prefer if you didn't give orders in my house." Sirus said haughtily.

Snape's face grew in anger as Harry sat beside Sirus. Buffy took a seat closer to Snape and let out a sigh.

"I am here to see them. Your presence wasn't requested or required." Snape told Sirius.

"I'm his godfather!" Sirius said loudly. "And if Remus were here, I'm sure he would be here for Buffy as well."

"Remus and Professor Snape have made their peace with each other." Buffy mumbled.

"What was that, Buffy?" Sirius asked, not sure he heard her correctly.

"I said Remus and Professor Snape have made peace with each other." Sirius and Harry looked at each other and then at Snape who nodded.

"We have."

"Why?" Harry was the one to ask, not Sirius.

"Because he realized it was time to bury the hatchet. You, Remus, and Professor Snape have been sniping at each other since you were in school. Remus talked to Snape about his role in the pranks played upon him, and Professor Snape talked about his hatred of Remus because of his association with dad and Sirius. They may never become best friends, but they won't be at each other's throats. Now let's get to the reason Professor Snape wanted to see us."

"The headmaster has sent me to tell you both that it is his wish for you to study Occlumency this term."

"Study what?" Harry asked.

"Occlumency. The magical defense of the mind against external penetration." Snape told them.

"The headmaster either wants us to learn this to keep Voldemort out of our head, or…" Buffy spoke to Harry through the link.

"…or he wants us to be able to penetrate Voldemort's mind." Harry finished. "Let's see what Snape says."

"Why do we have to study Occlu- thing?" Harry asked.

"Because the headmaster thinks it's a good idea. You two will receive one private lesson a week. At first you will come together, and then you will come separately. You will not tell anyone other than your guardians."

"Will you be teaching us?" Buffy asked.

"I will."

Harry felt despair at the thought of extra lessons with Snape, while Buffy was feeling happy at the thought of getting the chance to talk to him more about her mother after the lesson.

"Why can't Dumbledore teach them?" Sirius asked.

"As headmaster it is his right to delegate whatever the task to whomever he sees fit. I assure you I did not beg for this job, but I will give it my all just like I expect you both to do. I expect you both Monday evening my office at six. If anybody asks Harry is coming for remedial potions, and Buffy will be your escort to make sure you come and then chooses to stay for your lesson. A plausible reason that people will believe."

Snape stood up preparing to leave. Sirius stood as well. Buffy watched with bated breath hoping Sirius would just let him leave.

"Wait a minute! If I hear you using this Occlumency lesson to give either one of them a hard time, you'll have to answer to me." Buffy sighed at Sirius' words.

"How touching that you think you frighten me. I am not the same person that you and Potter use to bully."

"I warn you Snivellus!"

"Sirius!" Harry called out at the same time Buffy yelled. "Professor Snape!"

"Dumbledore might think you have reformed, but I know better." Sirius continued ignoring Harry's attempts to get him to stop.

"Why don't you tell him or are you afraid he won't believe the ranting of a mad man." Snape countered.

Both men raised their wands ready to duel. Harry jumped in front of Sirius trying to get him to stop. Buffy had had enough. Using her wandless magic, she forcibly yanked their wands out of their hands to hers.

"Enough! This rivalry between you two has gone on long enough. I thought you two were civilized adults not eleven year who fight and argue because they're still going through puberty. At eleven you two fought on the first day over which house was the best house. What does it matter which house is the best. You were each entitled to your opinion and that should have been the end of it. Sirius, you and dad bullied him with your pranks for seven years. Pranks are meant to be fun not hurtful. Professor Snape you have every right to hate him but sometimes it comes down to being the bigger man. Both of you two need to grow up and quickly before I freeze both of you and put you in front of Mama Black's portrait and let it scream at you for six hours. I'm sure she'll enjoy the freedom."

With that said Buffy threw both wands toward the ceiling and chanted a quick spell causing the wands to stick to the ceiling, before angrily leaving the room. Harry, Sirius, and Snape watched her go.

"She is definitely her mother's daughter." Snape was the first to speak.

"I'll say that was definitely a Lily worthy rant. It was almost scary how much she just channeled her mother." Sirius said a look of shock on his face.

"You might want to talk this out now because I'm pretty sure she's in there talking to Mrs. Black, Ethan, and Rupert, and they are all willing to help." Harry said walking out to join the others.

Sirius and Severus continued to glare at each other and at their wands that were stuck to the ceiling out of reach. The two continued to glare at each other, neither speaking. Thirty minutes later when Buffy peeked in, she was glad to see that they were talking civilly to one another. An hour later, Buffy was returning their wands to them. They would never be best friends, but they could at least be in the same room without sniping at each other.

Winter break was over, and it was time to return to school. It was decided that they would be returning to Hogwarts by the Knight Bus as it would be too dangerous for them to take the train with Voldemort and Umbridge out there. Everyone was up early trying to make sure they had everything they needed. Sirius, Remus, and Ethan would be riding the bus with the children as protection. After eating a quick breakfast, Harry and Buffy said their goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley first before going over to the Giles.

"You two make sure you're taking care of yourselves. Try not to get into any trouble." Joyce told them.

"We always try not to get into trouble, but it always finds us." Harry told her.

"Don't we know it. Just try anyway and make sure you tell Remus, Sirius, or Ethan if something is wrong." Rupert told them.

We will. You two take care of each other as well. Harry and I wouldn't be at all upset if you visited the school before the end of the term." Buffy suggested.

"We'll certainly try." Joyce told them.

Harry and Buffy each hugged both Rupert and Joyce tightly, not wanting to let them go. Finally, they did, and they joined the others by the door.

The trip on the Knight Bus had been a nightmare. Their seats slid and tipped most of the trip. By the time the bus had pulled up to the gates outside of Hogwarts everyone was nauseated. Once Buffy had returned her things to her dormitory, she headed down to the library. She wanted to research Occlumency, so she had an idea of what was going to happen tomorrow at their first lesson. Buffy was also hoping that if she comes with a bit of advance knowledge, she would be forgiven for making him and Sirius talk. It was about an hour later when she heard footsteps. Buffy looked up to see Cedric coming toward her. Buffy stood up to greet him.

"Hey beautiful, Harry told me you were in the library."

"I missed you." Buffy said, going over and hugging him tightly before initiating the hello kiss.

"What are you researching?" Cedric asked once the kiss was broken.

"Occlumency. The headmaster wants Harry and I to learn it. We have our first lesson tomorrow with Professor Snape. We're not supposed to tell anyone. I know you won't tell, and I'm pretty sure Harry has told Ron and Hermione."

"I won't say anything, but how are you explaining the extra lessons with Snape?"

"We're saying Harry is taking remedial potions, and I'm supposed to escort him to make sure he goes. Then I basically choose to stay until the lesson is over to support my brother. That's why I wanted to look Occlumency up, so I knew what Harry and I were getting into."

"When do you want to hold the next DA meeting? I had several people ask me on the train ride. Speaking of which, how did you guys get to school?"

"With everything going on lately, Dumbledore didn't want us taking the train. We rode the "Nightmare" bus. Have you ever ridden it?"

"No but I've heard stories."

"I don't know who thought a bus with no secured seating was a good idea. That whole ride was nauseating and that's saying something considering I'm the slayer."

"Aww, maybe we should go somewhere more private so I can make sure there are no side effects from the ride."

"I like the way you think. Help me clean up."

Cedric helped Buffy put her books back where they belonged before leaving the library to find a nice quiet spot to make out.

The next day classes resumed, and Buffy could tell that Harry was dreading taking the Occlumency lessons with Snape. Sirius had wanted to go with them, but Remus and Ethan had talked him out of it. Harry and Buffy arrived at Snape's office a minute before six. Harry knocked on the door tentatively. Buffy opened the door, and they stepped in. The room was lined with shelves filled potion ingredients.

"Shut the door behind you, Mr. Potter." Snape cold voice spoke from a darken corner.

Harry had jumped but Buffy had known exactly where he was at from her slayer senses. Harry closed the door and they both walked further into the room. Snape moved into the light and pointed at the two chairs.

"As I said the other day, I expect you both to give your best. Is that clear?"

"Yes Professor." They both chimed.

"The headmaster wants you to learn Occlumency because the Dark Lord is highly skilled at Legilimency."

"What is Legilimency?" Harry asked.

"It's the ability to extract feelings and memories from another person's mind." Snape told him. "Which means if a person has mastered Legilimency then they are able under certain conditions, to delve into minds of a person and interpret their findings correctly. The Dark Lord always knows when someone is lying to him. Only those skilled at Occlumency are able to shut down those feelings and memories that contradict the lie without detection."

"So, Professor Dumbledore wants us to learn Occlumency to keep The Dark Lord out of our heads, probably because Voldemort hasn't realized the connection is open until recently."

"That is correct Miss Potter and please refrain from calling him by name. The last time you two shared a vision sent a powerful incursion on the Dark Lord's thoughts. He now realizes that you two were there and that he can reverse the process. Now let's get started. Take out your wands. Mr. Potter you will go first. Stand up."

Harry stood up feeling nervous about what was about to happen. Buffy sent him calming vibes.

"What are you about to do sir?" Harry asked his voice sounding calmer than he felt even with Buffy sending him calming vibes.

"I'm about to attempt to break into your mind. We're going to see how well you resist. Brace yourself…Legilimens!"

Harry began seeing memories from his and Buffy's childhood. He and Buffy watched Dudley riding his new bike. Marge's bulldog that had chased Harry up the tree while the Dursley's laughed, and then Buffy chased the dog away. When the memory of Uncle Vernon beating Buffy nearly to death began Harry fought back more intensely not wanting either to re-live that particular memory. Harry came back to himself when he fell to the floor.

"Did you mean to produce a stinging hex?" Snape asked coolly.

"No." Harry said with a bit of bitterness in his voice.

"I thought not. You let me get in too far. Was that man hitting your sister your uncle?"

"Yes,"

"Well for a first attempt that was not as poor as it might have been. Have a seat Mr. Potter, and let's see how your sister does."

Buffy nodded and stood up slowly. She wasn't nervous like Harry was. As the slayer Ethan has been teaching her to calm her mental state through meditation.

"Legilimens!"

Buffy could feel the moment the spell hit her. She closed her eyes and began to take deep breaths. She could see the beginning of a memory in the cupboard underneath the stairs at the Dursleys. Keeping herself calm the way Ethan taught her. It wasn't long before Buffy felt the spell leave her and recede from her body. Bringing herself out of her meditative state, Buffy opened her eye.

"Well done, Miss Potter. You were able to let go of all emotions. I started to see part of a memory, but you were able to push me out."

"Thank you, professor. Ethan has me meditate for at least thirty minutes every day."

"Have a seat Miss Potter and we'll see if your brother learned anything from your turn."

Buffy hoped that Harry would be successful this time. As Snape hit Harry with the spell, Buffy began seeing the memories Harry was seeing through the link they shared. They both saw Uncle Vernon's poor attempt at trying to board up the mail slot. Then the memory of the Dementors surrounding them in the forest and a Dementor moving closer to Buffy. Buffy shivered as the memory ended. The next one was of them running down the hall with Mr. Weasley heading toward the trial that was beginning soon. The memories ended when Snape shut down the spell and she looked to see Harry was once again on the floor.

"Did you see what I saw?" Harry asked Buffy though the link.

"With everything that happened, I guess we both just forgot." Buffy responded back.

"The corridor we rushed down to get to the trial was same corridor Mr. Weasley was guarding before he was bitten by the snake."

"What is in the Department of Mysteries?" Harry asked Snape.

"What did you say?" Snape asked. Both Harry and Buffy noticed the question had unnerved Snape.

"I asked you what is in the Department of Mysteries sir?"

"And why would you ask such a thing?" Snape asked cautiously.

"Harry and I have been dreaming about this corridor, and it is the same corridor that Mr. Weasley was attacked in." Buffy told Snape.

"There are many things in the Department of Ministry and none of them concern either of you. Leave it be and devote your time to your studies. I want both of you here again on Wednesday at the same time. I expect you to do better on Wednesday Mr. Potter, and Miss Potter, I expect you to help him to focus on letting his emotions go."

"Yes sir." Harry and Buffy responded.

I hoped you liked it. Hoping to have more out soon.

Please review.