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Chapter Text

Harry studied the Marauder's map with great scrutiny, watching Malfoy walk in circles while in the Slytherin common room. The footprints stopped suddenly, turning to face another name. Harry read it, feeling something heavy drop into his gut as he watched the two names face off.

Draco's name went to his dorm, but the other made its way out into the halls.

Before Harry could really focus on what he was doing, he had his invisibility cloak over his shoulders and was marching down the grand staircase. He looked at the map, watched where the name travelled. It evaded Filch and other patrolling staff easily as it wandered out to the grounds.

Harry felt the ball of nerves in his gut amplify when he saw them wander over to the black lake. When he made it out the doors and turned towards the lake himself, he felt the chill of the autumn air nip at his skin. He shivered, both from the cold, and from the person who came into his view.

Harry held his breath as he stared out to the figure on the lakeside.

She had taken off her shoes and was walking on the rocks into the lake. She stopped not too far in, the water lapping at her ankles. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she stared out to the calm waters.

For a moment, Harry just stared, uncertain in himself anymore. Then, hesitantly, he pulled the cloak off himself. He dropped both it and the map on the grass, his eyes not leaving the girl in front of him. Part of him believed that, if he looked away, she'd disappear again.

"Sarah." He said quietly. She didn't turn to look at him, didn't react to him at all. Her eyes remained glued to the calm waters, almost in a trance. When no reaction was made, Harry took the incentive to walk forward. A few steps in, she finally turned to face him. He stopped, feeling pinned to the spot. Whether by some magic or his own mind he wasn't sure. Harry just knew he couldn't take another step forward.

Harry's green eyes locked with Sarah's bright grey. He'd always thought she had beautiful eyes, even with her reservations, they'd always shone brightly with a twinkle in them. Her skin had always been a bit pale, but it always looked warm and colourful with pink cheeks and lips.

Sarah had always been beautiful to him, but the Sarah that stood before him was different. Her grey eyes no longer shone, her skin was sallow, her cheeks sunken. Her clothes didn't fit right, hanging off her at odd angles. Her eyes were bordered by dark circles.

"Harry." Sarah's voice even sounded rough, like sandpaper on his skin. He swallowed, wanting to reach out to her. Touch her, tell her 'Everything's going to be alright'. But he couldn't. He couldn't lie to her or reach her. Even with the few feet that lay between them, he felt like a mountain stood in his way.

"I- Glad to see you're back." He said, trying to stay in neutral territory. Sarah snorted once, her face completely void of emotions. Was that the look everyone told him of? The one that made her look scary? He'd never seen it before, in all his years.

"Sure." She continued with an abrupt response.

"When did you-how did you-"

"Last night, Dumbledore sent for me."

He felt awkward, not sure what he could say. It hurt something deep in him, that weight in his gut was heavier.

When did it get like this?

He watched her for a moment, before she sighed shortly.

"Look- Harry just-" Her face was neutral, but her eyes were shining with unshed tears.

"Just leave me alone."

Harry felt it, fear rose within him.

He was losing her.

"Sarah-"

"No... No..." She shook her head, taking steps back from him as he tried to reach her. She stood deeper in the water, now shivering from the chill.

Harry stopped; he wasn't sure what to do now. He wanted to fix this, to make it better.

"Sarah," he tried again, "you don't have to do this alone love."

She scoffed loudly at that.

"I seem to recall my life being a lot simple without you in it." The comment stung Harry, but he wasn't about to leave. He took a deep breath.

"Sarah-"

"I said GO AWAY!" The water whipped up, splashing them both. The shock of cold water stunned Harry as he was soaked in the wave of water. Sarah watched him, her face soaked so much he couldn't tell if it were tears or just the water from the lake running down her face.

She didn't trust him anymore, not that he could blame her.

" I promise Harry, It's you and me."

He looked at her wrist, to the bracelet she still wore despite everything. For a moment he was taken back, to their childhood, and he wanted nothing more than to relive those days.

" We'll walk this line together, till the end of our days."

Back when things were simpler, and Sarah was still his best friend.

Chapter Text

The oldest memories that Sarah had were of the orphanage.

Black and white tile, with spotlessly clean hallways on the first floor. The wood was chipped but still cleaned on a regular basis. The entrance way had been replaced recently, no longer matching the old caricature of the rest of the building. The rugs in all the visitation rooms were spotless, cleaned between each visit. Despite the windows being able to open, there were never any residues from the city pollution nor a spot of rain on the wood varnish.

The children all looked well fed and cared for as well. Each child that entered the visitation rooms was clean, well dressed, with a twinkle in their eyes. Girls had their hair braided and their dresses ironed. Boys had cleanly cut hair that was gelled to the side and fresh clothing at each visit. Rosy cheeks and cheeky grins were normally found at Swallow's Orphanage.

That is, as long as you remained on the first floor.

Floors two and three were a completely different story. The second floor was where the kitchens and bathrooms were. While the drains worked and the kitchens functioned, neither had seen a proper cleaning in the last decade. Corners were avoided at all costs by the children, lest the black sludge be something they trod through. The shower heads had broken off and were just spouts left, the sinks sometimes worked but many had buckets to catch the leaks from the cracks in the outdated sinks. Mirrors were smashed, the stoves hadn't been cleaned since last Christmas when a fire broke out. The mess hall, which was more of an open flat with wobbly benches and cracked tables, was not in any better condition. The bowls were made of tin, the cutlery dented, and the cups were metal that had seen better days.

The last floor, the dorm rooms, were on the final floor. Girls to the left of the staircase, boys to the right. Children were grouped by age or bed availability. Each room was crammed tight with three bunks, the third bunk blocked the window of the small room and was cut down to make them fit inside. With six children per room and twelve rooms total, it was obvious that the orphanage was grossly overpacked. Cleanliness was not a priority on these floors.

Many children came in with traumas and baggage unique to themselves. Some opted to sleep on their suitcases on the bed, others would toss their belongings all over the bed and roll around in them. Some would not touch the bed at all, instead hiding in any nook they could find to feel safe.

While baths were allowed and encouraged, the water ran cold quite quickly on all of them, the laundry was done only every other Sunday, regardless of some children only having the clothing on their backs to wear during their stay. Even for the children who wet the bed, no washing would be done until the projected date. Soiled smells littered this floor. One set of 'visiting' garments was placed in the caretakers hold, and it was the only set of clothing properly cared for without rest.

One working charge lived in the orphanage, Miss Hammet, while the cook and several staff members would arrive daily to assist. She wasn't mean by nature, but her time at their struggling facility was showing on her face. Despite being thirty, the woman looked well beyond her years. She no longer cared for the small things. She hated the orphanage, hated what she saw each day, and hated that she didn't care enough to do anything about it anyway. So she encouraged each child in the visitation rooms to smile, look pleasant, for they could finally escape this place if the families liked them enough.

There were few that Miss Hammet did enjoy. The children who were just passing through, with no prior offenses or traumas. She found them easy to get along with and care for.

Sarah Williams was not one of those children.

Miranda Hammet had seen many children come through the doors to Swallow's, but Sarah had been one of the few who had been here longer than she.

Sarah had been dropped off in a basket on the front steps of the orphanage. It wasn't abnormal, many children were left on the front steps or just inside. But the woman who admitted Sarah and filled out her paperwork died not three weeks afterwards in a car crash on her way home from work. It was spooky to the children, who all whispered and gossiped about the death of the previous caretaker. The children obviously loved her, and at the time the orphanage had been in a grander condition. But the lack of funding and effort quickly showed it's colours.

Miranda had never voiced it, but Sarah was also the only child that made her feel genuine fear.

Sarah was... abnormal. There were no two ways around it. Perhaps at one point as a toddler she had seemed pleasant. She was not one of the better-looking children, in fact if it wasn't for the piercing effect of her grey eyes Miranda would've overlooked her in an instant. Still, early on she showed promise, with wide, curious eyes and plump cheeks. Her wavy blonde hair was forever messy, always in her eyes.

However, things changed rather quickly as the girl grew.

Miranda wasn't the only adult to find her eyes piercing. Several families had tried to adopt her, and every single one of them sent her back. Originally, Miranda assumed it was just a coincidence, until she heard the stories.

The first woman was a single mother. She looked strict with her own kids but wanted more. She chose Sarah because her hair colour matched their own. Supposedly, the woman smacked Sarah, reprimanding her for something. The woman claimed the same hand was now covered in oozing boils and was crawling up her arm. She was convinced Sarah was diseased, but several checks from the doctor told them she was fine. Sarah ultimately returned after just five days.

The second was a man who- according to Sarah- kept trying to touch her back when she said no. His friends later arrived to find him passed out in their living room with slugs crawling all over his passed-out form. Sarah returned the same day, as the man was sent into the hospital.

Another family was one Miranda was convinced she liked. Sarah remained with them for almost three months. However, the family came to the same conclusion Miranda had.

Sarah was abnormal, and it frightened them.

This family changed Sarah. There others, Sarah showed no change when she came back. She played her part and acted adorably in the visiting room. She had a twinkle in her eyes and smiled despite having lost her baby teeth.

But this family was different. This family, and whatever happened there, changed Sarah. Miranda saw, the other staff saw it. The kids were terrified of her now.

Sarah didn't react to anything or anyone anymore. She didn't smile, didn't go into the visiting room and act the part. She just stopped caring all together. It was the narrowed eyes and dark circles that were ever present on her form now that really drove home the ominous look in her eyes. Sarah often stared at the other children, scaring them away with a single glance.

Sarah also did things.

Miranda remembered the day she opened Sarah's bedroom without knocking. The girl was fixated on something in the corner, and when the caretaker stepped in Miranda heard the lamp drop to the floor. It crashed down, falling at her feet. Sarah didn't react, just shifted her eyes to Miranda. Thinking, wondering. It was the first time Miranda felt a chill run down her spine.

Sarah would do other things, like randomly appearing in rooms, moving objects too large for her, her bunkmates never spoke with her, and Sarah left them alone. But Miranda could see her eyeing up different children as if wondering what she could do to them too.

This was all, of course, through the eyes of an adult.

Sarah felt quite differently about the orphanage to what Miss Hammet did. She'd never known anything else sans the primary school she was forced to attend. While many children came with possessions of their own, Sarah only had two things. One was a set of matching bracelets- one being black beads with a single white bead, and the other being all white beads and a single black one- and the other was the scarf she had been wrapped up into the day she arrived. Miss Hammet had given her a rucksack to put them in, along with any other valuables she might gain along the way. This rucksack was practically empty, as Sarah had never been given anything else that was hers to keep. Every family that ever adopted her requested all gifts be returned when she went back to Swallow's.

Sarah had also learned quite quickly that adults, while supposedly being authority figures, were not there to help her against the other children. She didn't know why Miss Hammet never stepped in to help, but she didn't. Sarah's first memory of bullying was a rather large girl with a pug nose that was bunked in the room next to them. She shoved Sarah down the stairs and took her rucksack without another comment. Sarah had pleaded for help from the staff, but when no help came, she cried in her bed alone that night.

When she saw the same girl do it to another kid, who ended up breaking his arm, and the staff stepped in, Sarah felt wholeheartedly jaded.

She knew she was different from the way Miss Hammet treated her, but she hated it all the same.

Sarah learned that day that, if she wanted something, she was going to have to fight for it. So she stole a fork from the kitchens and stabbed the girl with it in the cheek. The whale flailed and fell over, screeching. She went to tackle Sarah, but the next thing Sarah knew the girl was flailing on the floor, convulsing from the looks of it.

She had something called a seizure, but Sarah didn't understand at the time. The only thing she knew was she had her rucksack back, and Miss Hammet wouldn't even go near her anymore. Nothing ever really changed after that. By the time she turned 8, Sarah wondered if this was all her life would ever be. She resigned herself to this miserable existence, feeling slightly blessed that it was all she would ever know, and thus would never know what she was missing.

That was when she came.

Magenta Wilkinson walked into that orphanage that day with only one goal in mind. Sarah happened to be on rotation in the visiting room at the same time. She still took no part in the event, always in the corner and quietly staring out the window. The other kids never spoke to her, not out of fear but rather because she never listened to them. Sarah played with the frayed hems of the scarf that sat in her lap, picking at it absentmindedly.

Perhaps it was this distance that drew Magenta closer to her. Magenta, or Maggie as she fondly asked many to call her, sidled up to Sarah after a brief chat with Miss Hammet. She sat near Sarah, though the little blonde had yet to look at her.

"Hello there, you must be Sarah," Maggie greeted, though Sarah continued to stare out the window. Maggie was undeterred. "I've also heard you've been adopted a few times."

That hit a nerve. Sarah glowered at the woman, waiting for her to feel uncomfortable with Sarah and walk away. She didn't. Instead, Sarah watched as the pudgy, frizzy haired woman just smirked.

"Oooh, that hit a nerve huh? What happened?" She pushed, but Sarah simply returned her face to neutral and looked away. "That bad, huh? Sorry it happened kid."

Maggie received no reaction. She tried asking Sarah more questions: what was her favorite colour? Did she like anything on TV? Did she like dresses or pants? Sarah just stared out the window. Silently, she answered each question in her head. She liked skirts and dresses, she had only ever watched tv in school for classes, and her favourite colour? She thought of the scarf she had been wrapped in the day she arrived.

"Green."

Sarah froze.

Her lips had moved before she even realized that she had voiced this out loud. Maggie's eyes widened as Sarah glanced at her from the corner of her eye. The pudgy woman grinned at her, her brown eyes going gentle. Her smile reached her eyes.

"Yeah, green is lovely. Mine is yellow."

Sarah felt nervous with that look, but whether it showed or not she would never know as she schooled herself to be completely neutral again.

Maggie stood and left her then, and Sarah thought that would be that.

It wasn't.

The next week, Sarah was confused as she rode a train with the woman to her home.

"It's a quiet little suburb, Little Whinging. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Less noise than all the children at Swallow's." Maggie spoke animatedly. Sarah half listened, confused.

When they arrived at her home, Sarah stared at the bright yellow floral wallpaper. Maggie wasn't kidding when she said she liked yellow.

"Oh, here, let's get to your room. I hope you like the colour." She sounded a little nervous as she led Sarah down the hall.

The room to the right was hers, and it had green walls the same shade as her scarf, with silver sheets and a wooden bedframe. A nice little dresser sat on the opposite wall with a mirror and a few essentials.

Sarah stared, reminded of all her previous rooms. This one stood about the same as the rest.

"I know it's not much, but I figured you needed to get comfortable first, alright?" Maggie was patient, but Sarah refused to acknowledge her efforts. Instead, she stared up at her with that piercing gaze, and didn't look away. Maggie stared back, and finally Sarah turned and walked into the room, tossing her empty rucksack on the bed, and stared at it all.

"I'll leave you alone for now," Maggie said, slipping out of the room. "Dinner will be ready in an hour, I hope you're hungry."

She shut the door quietly, leaving Sarah alone. The blonde stared at the green wall, feeling like the whole place was abnormally empty since she could stand in the middle of the room.

Maggie came back some time later, knocking gently on the door. When there was no answer, she opened it to find Sarah curled up on the floor, clutching her rucksack. The sight broke her heart, and so she reached for the blankets on the bed and gently placed them on her. She thought it would be better than to move the girl from where she lay.

As she quietly shut the door, Sarah opened her eyes.

Her fingers twitched, she wanted to break something. She wanted to go back to her misery, because the fear of hope loomed in this house, and Sarah was no longer a fool who believed.

The first week was rough for both of them. Sarah was not used to being allowed out of her room after hours. She was so used to just peeing in a pot in her room that she just went ahead and did it. Maggie was appalled, immediately teaching her that she was permitted to use the bathroom whenever she wanted to. She was also told to bathe every day, which was shocking to Sarah since she was allowed to run the hot water for longer than a few seconds.

It was in that house that Sarah took her first bath. Something she would enjoy for many years to come.

Maggie also insisted Sarah eat whatever, whenever she wanted. Sarah took that quite literally. She loved biscuits and sour candy to the point that she would try and hoard it in her room, only for Maggie to compromise and make a 'Sarah only' cupboard where all her treats were stored.

Sarah still tended to stare, which always unnerved people, but not Maggie. Maggie looked her in the eye and would giggle at her, calling her a 'broody little boy'. Sarah would sniff in indignation at those comments. During her last year at Swallow's Sarah had begun to loathe the plaits and braids so badly that she took scissors to her own head. It was choppy, and unflattering, but no one fixed it for her, and so Sarah lived with that hair for the rest of her stay. Maggie offered to fix it, but Sarah ignored her.

It was around this time that Sarah attended her new primary school.

She didn't want to, thinking that last one was so boring that the most entertainment she could've gotten from it was when she floated the professor's wig off her head.

Sarah was aware of her... abnormalities. At the previous homes, she tried to make them known in some capacity. But with Maggie... Sarah hesitated.

St. Grogory's Primary School was a simple looking building in a simple looking town. The first day Maggie walked her to it, since it wasn't very far. She turned Sarah to face her before they made it to class.

"Can you do one thing for me Sarah?" Maggie asked. "Can you try? Just for today? If you can't, just tell them to call me and I'll come pick you up. Alright?"

This surprised Sarah, her brow twitching for a moment before she composed herself. A small nod was all the reply she gave, but Maggie smiled warmly at her nonetheless.

"Good girl, good luck and have fun."

Sarah made it through the morning just fine. She didn't speak at all, and when the professors tried to push for her to answer she remained obstinate. Many of her classmates stared at her, noticing she never spoke at all.

When lunch period came, she evaded the crowds and searched for the furthest corner on the school grounds. There were bushes and an old stump off in the corner behind the school that she sat on and quietly ate lunch. Quietly being the opportune word, as someone came stumbling around the bush.

The boy was small, knobby kneed, and lanky. As he looked at her, he paused, looking rather confused.

"Oh, um, sorry. You're the new student?" He asked. Sarah narrowed her eyes. He scratched the back of his neck, looked at something, then flew downwards into a crouch.

"Sorry-um- this is my hiding spot." He confessed while trying to subtly peak over the bushes. Sarah didn't like the intrusion, so she packed up her stuff and stood. He looked up at her then, saw her face, and opted not to say anything.

Just then, his stomach made the loudest growling noise she'd ever heard.

He stared. Sarah stared. It was dead silence between them. She looked him over, seeing no lunchbox of his own. Sarah was confused by the concept of lunch still, and not used to eating much anyway. She huffed when his stomach gurgled again, the boy apologized, trying to cover it with his hands as if that would help him. Sarah knelt, opened her box, and handed him half her sandwich. He stared at her like she was an alien, but the moment her gaze went from annoyed to pissed off, he yanked the sandwich out of his hand. She stared, huffed, then stood again and walked off.

"Th-Thank you!" The boy called. Sarah didn't acknowledge him though as she walked over to the swings. She thought that it might be quiet, but alas, today was just not her day.

"Oi, Quiet Girl!"

Sarah looked up from her lunch box in front of her. She had been trying to negotiate eating an apple for the past little while, to no avail, when a tank of a boy waddled into her view. He was flanked by two boys that reminded Sarah of rats for some reason. She stared, waiting for him to continue.

"Y'sure that's a girl Dud? Looks like a toad to me." One of the rats squeaked out while 'Dud' oinked along with him.

"Good point. Reckon she's an it uh?" He joked, trying to goad Sarah. The other rat squeaked now.

"Good one Dudley, good one." He chortled. Sarah ignored them, going back to eating her apple. It was slapped out of her hands then, her lunch box kicked up in the gravel. Sarah stared at her empty hand for a moment before she was abruptly shoved off the swing. Her back hit the ground, her calves resting on the seat of the swing still. She stared for a moment longer before realizing he pushed her. She huffed, sitting up on her elbows to see the three boys laughing at her.

Calmly, Sarah pulled her legs off the swing and started to get up. As she went to gather her things, they kicked them further away. She paused, reaching the last of her patience. She stood up, glaring at the three boys.

"Hey! Speak you mutt!" One of the rats said, making to grab her shirt. Another hand slapped him away then, as the same small lanky boy stood in front of her. He was a little smaller than her, and rather unimpressive to look at, but Sarah was completely surprised when he protected her. It was a completely unfamiliar feeling.

"Leave her alone!" He yelled, though his voice was a lot more nervous than he probably wanted it to sound like. The three boys laughed at him. Dudley took an imposing step forward.

"Alright, we'll go, let's chat in the boys lockeroom ay? It can't come of course." Dudley nodded towards Sarah and laughed again at his own joke. The boy shivered a bit, but he squared his shoulders more.

Dudley grabbed the boy's arm, about to yank him forward off his feet, when Sarah grabbed his other arm. The boy looked up at Sarah, surprised to feel her strong grip. But Sarah wasn't looking at him. Instead, Sarah was glaring at Dudley so hard that the boy felt him let go and take a step back.

"Get lost." Sarah lowly.

One moment, Dudley stood there, and the next he was gone. His friends panicked, looking for him, until they heard loud wailing coming from the top of the tree next to the school. His screeches were so loud no doubt someone thought he'd been shanked. He was stuck upside down amongst the tightly knit branches though, and slowly losing his trousers as he fell.

The wails continued, getting worse as his friends bolted off to see him, shouting his name all the way.

Sarah looked at the boy, who was staring at her in awe. Not the reaction she had expected to be honest, but perhaps he didn't understand what had happened. Sarah's brow twitched as a grin spilled over his lips.

"That was bloody brilliant!" He said, looking between Dudley and Sarah again. Sarah had been called many things in life, but brilliant was certainly not at the top of the list. She stared for a second, her lip twitching, before she turned away from him with the same neutral expression. He called after her, but she didn't say a word as she walked away to clean up the mess the boys made. Wordlessly, the boy began to help her. Sarah felt a bit suspicious of him, expecting him to take something.

He didn't, instead he brushed everything off to the best of his abilities and then handed them back. She stared at him, confused. He stuck out his hand then.

"I'm Harry, thanks for that back there." He said, eyes shining as he looked up at her. Sarah stared at his hand, unsure whether to take it, but then decided to just do it when Maggie's voice in the back of her head reminded her to 'just try'.

"Sarah," she said softly.

It was then that she noticed his eyes. The dazzling bright green. She stared into them, feeling her hands become clammy and the skin heat up.

'They're beautiful,' she thought. 'How bizarre.'

Chapter Text

Sarah felt utterly ridiculous.

Her hair was pulled back in low pigtails, tied together by baby blue ribbons, her head covered in a white beanie. Her matching dress and white stockings were hidden by a long grey coat and boots. She felt obnoxious in the outfit, but a tiny part of her adored how she looked. The low pigtails never pulled or tugged on her hair like the tight braids Miss Hammet used to do. She felt pleasant, and the feelings gave her more confidence than she currently felt. Sarah bit her lower lip, glancing down the snow-covered street warily.

For the first time in a long time, Sarah felt nervous.

It had been three months since Sarah had been taken in by Maggie Wilkinson.

It was the longest three months of Sarah's life without a doubt. Every day she woke, waiting, watching. She expected Maggie's attitude to her to shift, for her to give the withering, fearful glancing. Something Sarah had come to expect now from any adult she crossed. Most children seemed either obvious or unknowing, but Sarah knew they saw it too.

But Maggie didn't change.

The frizzy haired woman continuously smiled and teased her, brushing off bizarre occurrences like it were nothing. Sarah was surprised when she received gifts from Maggie, clothing and trinkets that Maggie assured her would always be her own and never be returned. Sarah was perplexed, explaining how she always had to return gifts before. Maggie assured her, even if they were to part, these gifts belonged to Sarah and no one else.

It set an uneasy pit in her stomach though, and a looming threat that Maggie could still give her back if she wanted.

For once Sarah feared this. In the past few months Sarah had gotten comfortable in the routine. She did her schoolwork, kept her room tidy, and was confused by Maggie offering to help her with chores rather than making her do them all. Any other family she had been with expected work out of her, which seemed to be logical at the time. Except Maggie seemed to shrug it off and assure her that she did not need to do more than she already had been.

The other aspect of her life that was... enjoyable... was a certain knobby kneed boy that had stuck to her side all this time.

Perhaps it started as just a sort of comradery between two kids that didn't seem to fit in with the other children. However, it quickly blossomed into more.

Harry constantly came to school with little to no food, to the point that he looked terribly thin. Even in comparison to Sarah, who had started to put on some pounds. At first Sarah was confused as to why she felt so bothered by this. She studied the boy many times during classes, wondering what it was that she felt bad about. In the orphanage children came and went all the time. Some were incredibly malnourished to the point of collapsing, but not once had Sarah lifted a finger for them. Perhaps it was the nature of the orphanage that encouraged each of them to fend for themselves, but Sarah had never regarded any of the children with such concern.

Granted, Sarah could count on one hand the number of other children that ever spoke to her.

One day, Sarah decided to act on impulse and asked for more food from Maggie for lunch.

"I'm really hungry." Sarah insisted, though she didn't look into Maggie's eyes when she said this. She didn't want to lie to her but was uncertain where exactly she stood with Maggie at the moment. Would this behaviour be inexcusable? She didn't know. Sarah only knew that when she offered half her lunch to Harry, the brightness in his green eyes was worth the possibility of being in trouble.

Much of Sarah and Harry's relationship was simplistic. Sarah did not talk... initially. She would sometimes just get up and leave Harry where he was. Harry, expecting their abrupt conversations to be over, was always a bit disappointed. However, Sarah would always take several steps before turning to glance at him as if to say, 'are you coming?' before Harry would follow.

The first time Harry got more than two words out of her; he was speechless.

"Can't wait for autumn, the heat's too much even inside now." Harry had been rambling in between bites of his sandwich as Sarah lazily swung back and forth on the swing. He looked up at her mid-bite and saw a ghost of a smile on her lips.

"Mmm, it'll be Halloween soon. I wonder what Maggie likes to do for Halloween?" She wondered out loud. When no answer came, she glanced down at Harry who sat cross-legged on the ground. He hadn't moved from his mid-bite and was just staring at Sarah. Her smile faded, she felt uncomfortable for a moment. Then Harry closed his mouth and gave a smile.

"Halloween's great! What do you like the most about it?" Harry asked. Sarah thought for a moment, unsure how to explain. Harry knew some of her situation, but she hadn't divulged all of it. From Maggie's reactions Sarah presumed the orphanage was not exactly a high-quality facility. Part of her felt embarrassed that she'd ever been. Instead of telling him, Sarah lied. She told Harry that Maggie 'found her'. It wasn't entirely a lie; Maggie had found her- but the circumstances as to where were entirely left to interpretation.

"Spooking kids who try and nick some candy." Sarah felt a small chuckle slip past her lips as she remembered hiding in the cupboard underneath the candy cabinet in the kitchen. She grabbed the leg of a taller girl who was trying to sneak some treats. The girl nearly fainted. Harry shook his head.

"You like scaring people a bit too much Sar." He meant it as a joke, but Sarah noticed the nickname then. She felt an odd weight in her gut. Pleasant and painful.

Sarah hummed a reply, feeling a nervous pull in her gut then.

Halloween came, and as a small gift Sarah gave Harry sweets to enjoy. She thought he might take them home to eat, but instead Harry was desperately trying to scarf them all down before they returned to class. She'd seen this behaviour at the orphanage when they stole food that they didn't want anyone to know about. But Harry hadn't stolen anything, making his behaviour odd to Sarah.

Her answer came when Dudley, of all people, stopped him outside the doors. While Sarah and Harry were glued at the hip in school, there were times they separated. This time had been for the professor to speak with Sarah about her academics. All she really said was that Sarah was doing 'exceptionally well given her circumstances.' Decidedly, Sarah did not like this teacher.

When she made her way out to the lot to step on the bus, she noticed a pair of spectacles on the ground. Frowning, she walked up to them and picked them up. They were round, with one lens cracked and the frame bent badly.

These were Harry's glasses.

Sarah searched, finding them on the other side of the building in the playground. 'They' being Dudley and his ratty friends. Harry was on the ground against the wall, holding his face and groaning while Dudley and his friends fought over chocolates and candies on the ground. They were the treats Sarah had given to Harry, completely ripped out of the small box they had been in. Dudley chucked Harry's schoolbag away, swiping at papers and pencils to get at the sweets.

Sarah felt it then, like the time that large girl had taken her bag at the orphanage. A possessiveness that made her skin feel like it was lit on fire. But the feeling was not for the chocolates being ravaged, it was for the dorky little boy that was definitely nursing a bruise nearby that she felt this burst of protectiveness for.

"Dudley." Sarah said in a lower tone than usual. Dudley turned, looking at her. Her rage spiked when he smirked, stuffing another chocolate in his mouth. Her eyes were wide, nostrils flared. She felt energy flare up inside of her.

"You pig!"

Dudley open his mouth to speak, but then squealed as he jumped into the air. He reached around for his bottom, then squealed again exactly like a pig. As he spun, both Sarah and Harry got a good view of a curly pig tail sprouted from Dudley's arse. Harry was shocked, as was Sarah, but no one was squealing save for the three boys. Dudley looked at Sarah in fear as she stepped closer. He bolted; his two friends followed after him. They yelled and yelled, long into the distance.

Harry held his bleeding nose, now in view of Sarah. He stared at her oddly, feeling chuffed that she had come to find him. However, when Sarah came closer to him her face was deceptively schooled into a neutral expression again. Not that Harry could really see. He knew it was Sarah by the bright colour of her hair but nothing else.

"One day you'll habe to teach me dat." He said while still pinching his nose. Sarah leaned away; her eyes suspicious.

"Teach you what?" she asked coolly.

"Dat! Wasn't dat you? Wib da tail?" Sarah didn't answer, instead reaching into her bag and grabbing some tissues for him. She also handed his glasses over. He could now see the neutral expression, and more importantly the narrowed squint of her eyes. He'd noticed that whenever she didn't trust something Sarah would squint more, as if narrowing her vision helped her see the lie easier.

"Aren't you scared?" Sarah asked, and while her face remained neutral her eyes shone with nerves. Why was she nervous? Harry couldn't tell. He wiped his drying nose before answering.

"Why would I be?"

Sarah snorted.

"I just grew a tail on Dudley." Harry shrugged it off.

"I think it was always there, suits him." He watched her left eye twitch. She thought he was funny.

"I'm the reason he was in the tree that time. I did that. And I've done other things. Lots of things."

Sarah didn't know why she was saying all of this. It felt like the words were being forced out of her, like she felt the need to scare Harry away.

"You're awfully talkative today Sar." Harry gave a cheeky grin. Sarah's eyes shone again, but her lips puckered slightly as she attempted to keep a neutral expression. She was beginning to feel frustrated, because she'd done this so many times already. So many times, she'd been given a home, and so many times her abnormalities ruined her.

"Why aren't you scared of me?" She was exasperated at this point with his easy-going attitude to anything she did. At this, Harry frowned, unsure why he would ever be afraid of Sarah Williams.

Sure, she had a death glare that could rip the soul from your body, and she was very silent and ominous when she walked, and maybe once or twice even he'd been on the receiving end of her irritations –he couldn't call it wrath as he was certain Sarah had a lot more rage tucked away somewhere- before. But not once in his little friendship had he ever thought Sarah capable of hurting him. It hurt him in a way, to know that Sarah expected him to fear her.

Suffice it to say, Sarah had been Harry's first and only friend. And to be frank, there were few things she could do to lose him, if any.

"I- we... W-Well I thought- We're friends, right?" Harry voiced, suddenly nervous too when he saw the blank look sweep off Sarah's face. She looked startled then, like it was the last thing she expected to hear. She looked to his nose, then his glasses sitting crooked on his face, then to his dazzling green eyes.

"You-" She stopped herself, feeling suddenly very small... "We're friends?"

Harry blushed, embarrassed.

"I- if you don't want to be my friend then that's okay really. You shouldn't have to-"

"We're friends." Sarah cut him off, her voice a little firmer then. Harry paused; his eyes widened as he looked at her again.

A soft, gentle smile, warmth in her eyes, and a rosiness in her cheeks. Sarah was the picture of happiness at that moment. Harry stared, a warm smile spreading onto his own face.

Sarah, being the taller of the two, helped him up. He thanked her, but as he went to let go Sarah closed the grip on his hand. She looked hesitant again.

"You're... you're sure? You're not scared?" She looked down to their hands, and this time as she tried to let go Harry closed his grip.

"Well... I turned our professor's wig blue once." Harry admitted, feeling a weight off his shoulders. Sarah's eyes widened, an excited lopsided smirk slipping onto her face.

"Mr Potter, I do say you've got a mischievous side." Sarah teased. Harry grinned.

A weight lifted from both of them that day. Finally, they had found someone who understood the abnormalities. It felt easier to deal with the bursts they both had, them both exchanging stories of things they had done before.

It was magical.

So of course, it couldn't last.

Sarah was in a panic internally. She and Maggie walked out of the school after a long talk with the headmaster. Maggie was dreadfully quiet, almost like she was contemplating something as they walked down the street. Sarah played with the scarf around her neck, the very one she had been found in as a baby. Maggie had been kind enough to wash it for her and take care not to fade the fabric. It somehow looked newer than the ratty appearance it held in the orphanage, though perhaps Sarah was still seeing the orphanage in a darker light and it affected her memory.

When they got home, Maggie was still quiet. Sarah nervously made her some tea.

They had been called in, along with Harry, for the tail and squealing noises Dudley was still making. Maggie had become deathly quiet as the Dursley's screeched that Sarah was a monster who ought to be punished. The headmaster was so confused as to what was happening that she never actually gave Sarah a punishment other than writing lines. It seemed more to quell the parents rather than to truly punish her. The headmaster took one look at the Dursley's and seemed to think they were off their rocker mad.

Maggie remained quiet, going back in to speak with the headmaster before heading out with Sarah, stating that she didn't need to write lines. While Sarah had been waiting, she watched Harry leave with those nasty people and felt a rock in her gut. No wonder he scarfed as many sweets as he could.

Once at home, Sarah was a bundle of nerves again. She stared ominously at Maggie, expecting some sort of explosion from the woman. However, the stout woman simply seemed to be thinking deeply as she contemplated something.

In truth, Sarah had come to enjoy Maggie's company. She enjoyed talking to her, learning about her and her friends. Maggie, for the most part, had taken it slow in making Sarah ease into her spot in the house. She treated Sarah well and was always so lively and kind. It made up for Sarah's quiet lurking behaviour.

Sarah had slowly begun to call this place home, which made the feeling of dread all the more painful. Maggie was such a good person, Sarah could tell now, that it would deeply hurt her to be taken away from this.

Sarah sprinted to prepare the tea, nervously shifting as she also pulled out a tray for biscuits and crisps that Maggie enjoyed before serving her the way she liked it.

Maggie was a bit startled when the tray was thrust onto the coffee table in front of her, Sarah backing away quietly before waiting with bated breath. It was at this moment Maggie noticed Sarah's stiffness and nervous aura. She didn't react too much, other than gesturing for Sarah to sit, which she did with the best manners she could. Maggie noticed the stiff posture and how she remained staring at the table rather than looking up to her.

"Everything alright Sarah?" Maggie asked.

'No,' Sarah wanted to say. 'You're sending me back, aren't you?'

But Sarah simply nodded.

Maggie hummed to herself, watching the girl.

"Is it true? Did you turn that boy into a roast pig?" Maggie asked. Sarah gulped but nodded slowly.

"I-I think so." she said quietly. Maggie hummed again.

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why'd you do it?" Maggie asked, noting the surprise in Sarah's tone. Her face was perfectly porcelain and calm, but her voice cracked. Sarah glanced at Maggie briefly before looking down at the table.

"He was bully Harry."

"Harry?"

"My- He's my- He's my... friend." She finished quietly, but even now with her home on the line, Sarah fondly smiled at the last word. Whatever happened, Sarah felt the means was worth it.

Maggie saw this, saw the way the child melted at the mere thought of this friend, and felt a gentle smile slip onto her lips.

"Well, I can't condone the use of magic for personal vendetta's... but I suppose this one time I can look the other way since it was for the greater good."

If her words startled Sarah, she'd never know. Sarah's face went completely neutral as she slowly brought her gaze up to Maggie's.

"Use of Magic?" Sarah asked, her voice no longer giving away her thoughts or feelings. Maggie grinned.

"I wasn't going to tell you for a while but- well, I think you ought to know." She paused, then pulled out a long stick. She swirled it a few times, giving a flourish, and then pointed up into the air with a whisper of some words.

Inside the living room of Magenta Wilkinson's home, it began to snow. At first Maggie expected some sort of reaction from Sarah, perhaps her attempting to hide her emotions, perhaps her trying to evade the subject or deny what was happening, but instead, Sarah stared at the falling snow quietly. When a few flakes fell onto her nose, she finally turned to Maggie. Without words, her eyes expressed everything. Maggie smiled.

"You can do things, can't you, Sarah? I'll wager you've been doing magic for a long time?"

Sarah paused, then nodded.

"I can, for a while now," she watched Maggie carefully. "I can make things move, make them disappear, can you?"

Even though Sarah was a child, Maggie could feel the lingering effects of the girl she met at the orphanage. A darkness loomed over her, like a raincloud that never stopped its onslaught.

Perhaps it had been when drew her to Sarah in the first place.

Without answering, Maggie waved her wand. The tray levitated off the table, perfectly balanced, as the coffee table was transformed into an aquarium. Sarah didn't look surprised despite the gesture happening in front of her. If anything, Maggie noticed she looked calmer.

"We're magic Sarah, we're the same," Maggie explained, making Sarah look at her. "I figured it out when you were at the orphanage. My parents feared me too, when I started doing magic. But in time they settled. Point is, I know how scary this must feel, not knowing what is happening."

Sarah processed this, looking back to the snow. It felt cold on her nose when it fell. Sarah couldn't help but stare as individual flakes fell onto her head and the surrounding area. She glanced down to where some flakes fell into the tea, only to disappear a moment later.

"Magic is often expressed dramatically when we're young, but my guess is Sarah, you're quite a bit stronger than most. Probably why you have a hard time containing it all the time." Maggie explained. Sarah glanced at her, confused.

"This happened to you as well? The- em- lack of control?" Sarah's voice was perfectly schooled despite the awe in her eyes. Maggie nodded.

"I wasn't as powerful, the most I could do was sneeze out dandelions when I was a child, but to apparate and transfigure someone? When you're this young? Sweetheart you've got some talent." Maggie paused in her praise. "But that doesn't mean you should take pride in doing things to muggles- em- non-magic folk. You should never ever use magic in the presence of muggles."

Sarah looked down but hid any evidence of shame. Maggie sighed, returning the living room to normal. Sarah watched this entire event carefully.

"I honestly expected you to call me crazy." Maggie admitted. Sarah glanced up at her.

"I expected the same from you."

They both smiled, but then Sarah felt hesitant again.

"Does this mean I'm... not going back? To the orphanage?" She felt tentative, like she was dancing on broken glass. Maggie's brow furrowed.

"What? No! Wait- What gave you the idea that I would ever send you back sweetheart?" Maggie looked startled, eyes baring down on Sarah with intense scrutiny. Sarah hesitated.

"It's been a while. I was- this is the longest I've stayed." Sarah admitted. Maggie felt a pang in her heart as she realized Sarah was so expectant at being tossed aside now. It broke her heart so much that she gently took the girl's hands in her own. Sarah bristled at the contact but settled in as Maggie gently rubbed soothing circles into the back of her hands.

"Sarah, the only way I'm ever sending you back to the orphanage is if you want to go back." Maggie said slowly, looking her in the eyes. Sarah watched her, not reacting outwardly, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maggie noticed this, noticed the disbelief. Calmly, with a fierceness only a mother can have, Maggie said the words that finally broke Sarah.

"As long as I'm alive, you will always be wanted Sarah."

It wasn't an immediate reaction. In fact, it took a few moments to sink in, but when the implications reached her, Sarah took in a huge breath. She hadn't realized she wasn't breathing anymore. It felt like she had come up for air after a long time under water. Her whole body shuddered, eyes shining with so many emotions.

'Please don't be lying,' she thought, even her inner monologue weeping. 'I couldn't handle it if it were one.'

But Maggie took her in her arms and held her like a child in need of her mother. It was the first hug Sarah had received since she was a toddler. She gasped again, fresh tears springing to her eyes. Her whole body shook as she slowly held onto Maggie around her neck.

And for the first time in nearly five years, Sarah wept.

Sarah settled in some more after that. No longer did she live in her backpack. Slowly but surely, she began to use the entire space as her own.

Maggie taught Sarah some basics about magic, like how she would one day go to a school called Hogwarts and get an education in magic. She explained wands, and the wizarding world, and promised to take her to Diagon Alley as a treat for Christmas.

Sarah loved this, the plans for the future, expectations for a later with Maggie. Slowly but surely, Sarah felt the emotions building inside of her. It showed. Sarah may not have been very open with many people, but the people she loved? Sarah looked at them like she'd move the stars for them. She would if she knew how.

Love.

There were only two things she loved in the world; Maggie, for being the parent Sarah always wanted to have, and Harry, for being her first friend.

She would be lying if she said she didn't already feel a deep connection with the young boy. He was snarky, witty, and an absolute gem to be around every single day. It didn't take long to realize the duo were a ride or die friendship, and their school rue the day they became best friends. One couldn't get in trouble without the other, and often they would both be sitting in detention together for their misdemeanours. Maggie's gentle guidance turned into an actual mothering behaviour after that fateful night she admitted to being a witch.

Maggie was more a parent than Sarah bargained for, but Sarah wouldn't trade it for the world. Even when scolded, there was a second where Sarah knew it was because Maggie loved her and wanted what was best for her, that she did this. It warmed Sarah's cold heart.

It was during Christmas though, that Sarah wanted to prove how much these people meant to her. She had asked Maggie if they would really go to Diagon Alley and shop. Sarah admitted to wanting to buy gifts, even if it wasn't with her own money. Maggie, thinking this was too precious, agreed.

Despite being absolutely enamoured by the stores and wares, Sarah couldn't find what she had been looking for for Harry. For Maggie, she had found a gift of matching necklaces. Maggie's eyes shone at the prospect of this, and Sarah felt her heart sore at the reaction. Maggie had a sun and Sarah a moon pendant. When one touched their pendant, the other lit up. Sarah found it almost too simple, but Maggie assured her it would be perfect. Simple, honest, the perfect representation of them.

However, for Harry, Sarah wanted something special. She couldn't properly describe the emotions going through her, and whenever she told Maggie all she received was a knowing smile, but she had to get the perfect first gift. Sarah searched and searched, growing anxious when she didn't find anything she wanted to give him. Maggie attempted to console her, but Sarah felt determination to figure this out on her own.

Then she looked down at her wrist.

She knew what she would give Harry.

So, there they were, with Sarah in her pigtails, coat, and dress, feeling ridiculous but also so so so loved as she and Maggie walked up Privet Drive to meet the Dursleys and pick up Harry for Christmas.

Sarah knocked on the door, her stomach a pit of nerves. She had offhandedly asked Harry to spend time around Christmas, not realizing the implications of pulling him from her family because- well, she'd never experienced this kind of interaction before. But Harry seemed very eager regardless.

When Petunia Dursley opened the door, she practically screamed when she saw Sarah. The golden blonde went deceptively quiet as she watched the woman. Maggie wore a cheery smile, though anyone could tell it was forced.

"Hello there, nice to meet you! I'm Maggie, Sarah's guardian." Maggie introduced herself politely. Petunia wrinkled her nose at her, but then Maggie hummed once.

"Oh? Well, that's awful manners to have Miss. No wonder Dudley grew a tail. Might need ears to match at this rate." Maggie said in such a jovial tune it threw Sarah off kilter as she tried to bite her tongue. Harry appeared out of nowhere, rushing to the door as Petunia looked mortified at Maggie's thinly veiled threat.

The door slammed the moment Harry's heels in the landing. He didn't look the least bit concerned with the treatment though.

"Hi Harry," Sarah said, then glanced at the door.

"Don't mind them," Harry insisted with a grin. "I'm just happy to be here."

Maggie cooed.

"So adorable, you must be Harry Potter, the boy I've been hearing all about?" Maggie asked, making Sarah blush.

While Sarah and Harry had played in the park or hung out occasionally, Harry's home life stopped him from socializing much outside school. Sarah was also getting used to having a friend that enjoyed her company. This didn't stop her from animatedly talking about him when at home. Maggie was certain the girl was positively enamored, even if she never ever showed even a hint of this out in public.

The trio went to Maggie's and Sarah's home, Sarah and Harry talking on the way happily. Once Harry tripped on the ice, and so Sarah grabbed his hand silently without breaking the conversation. She helped him steady himself anytime he stumbled after that.

Maggie observed, finding the entire thing so flipping cute she couldn't help it. Both children turned to look up at her, surprised at her giggles. She shushed herself and hurried them along.

Harry spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Wilkinson/Williams house.

Christmas Eve they stayed up relatively late, had chocolate, eggnog, and several dishes Maggie created. On Christmas they opened presents. Sarah was surprised to find several for her from Maggie, despite already wearing their matching necklaces. She also got a jumper in the same green as her scarf, new shoes –which she desperately needed for school- and a new schoolbag. Harry was stunned to find out Maggie got him a gift as well of a muggle board game that they played later in the day. Sarah hesitated to give Harry his present, uncertain how he may react to it. It wasn't until Maggie went into the kitchen to fix up dinner that Sarah plucked up the courage.

Maggie had played some records from America for Christmas, and on one of the records was a catchy tune that hummed in the background, urging Sarah to have courage.

"Harry," she started, then paused when he looked up from the board game. She stared into his eyes, feeling suddenly extremely vulnerable. She never liked this feeling, it bothered her immensely, but with Harry it felt different.

With Harry, she felt like she could trust him.

"Sar? You okay? Too much eggnog?" He teased, but Sarah took a breath, her eyes shining. She scooted closer to him, he took note of that and sat up straighter.

"You- we're still friends, right?" She felt the urge to clarify. Harry nodded immediately.

"Of course." He paused, frowning. "Why? Did something happen?"

He sounded nervous, so Sarah reached out to grab his hand and quell the nerves. Her fingers felt like they'd been shocked, but she never stopped holding his hand despite the zaps she felt.

"No! No I- just wanted to make sure..." She reached behind her and pulled forward a small box. Harry looked puzzled, then surprised when she held it out to him.

"For me?" He asked, voice softening. Sarah nodded nervously as he grinned and opened it.

Inside was a simple black bracelet with all black beads and one white one. They were small, and the bracelet was a little bit big for his wrist, but he could grow into it.

"Thank you, Sar. I like it." He said, immediately slipping it onto his wrist. He looked at it, then up to her. "Where'd you get this?"

He'd asked just to ask, not really expecting some extravagant response. But considering the nervousness of Sarah, he had become extra curious.

"When I was- When Maggie found me, there were only two things I owned. I had the scarf I was wrapped in as a baby, and then I had these bracelets." She held up her right wrist to show the matching bracelet. This one has all white beads and one black bead, mirroring Harry's. He looked between the two, surprised.

"You're giving me this? But- Sar it's-"

"Special, I know." She gave a small smile. "But- You're my first friend and- even if- if one day, we're not friends. I still want you to have this. Because- it meant a lot, you're my first friend."

Harry watched the emotions play across her face and felt something deep in his gut. He felt awe at just how honest and open she was. While Sarah wasn't exactly mean to him, even he had had a hard time reading in on her emotions sometimes. But here-right now- Sarah was completely open to him. He felt heat bloom in his chest.

He felt love.

Harry smiled back warmly, extending his pinky finger out to her.

"We're always going to be together Sar. No matter what." He vowed, surprising Sarah.

"Promise?" She asked, sounding so small. Harry grinned.

"I promise Sarah, it's you and me."

And for some reason, Sarah truly believed him.

Chapter Text

Sarah's first summer with Maggie flew in like a storm.

Maggie was planning to take Sarah to see her first quidditch match that year, telling her all about the sport that Maggie admitted to being too terrified to play. However, she had a feeling Sarah would fall head over heels for the sport.

The woman could tell though, that keeping their little secret was quite trying on the girl. Shortly after telling Sarah the truth to magic, Maggie had sworn her to secrecy over it. Harry couldn't know, and Sarah learned why shortly after Maggie bought her a book called Modern Magic History that detailed the events of Harry being The Boy Who Lived.

After reading the book, Sarah wanted to run to Harry and show him. The boy who, after admitting to why he lived with the Dursley's, talked about wanting nothing more than to know who his parents were. This was a chance to know at least something.

Maggie explained that the moment she saw Harry, she knew who he was, and as such, Harry was hidden away from the wizarding community to keep it from overwhelming him. Fat lot that did, considering Harry mentioned people in pointed hats walking down the streets now and again, shaking his hand before vanishing off elsewhere.

But Sarah said nothing, and it almost made her want to pout. Perhaps it was this anger that pushed her, but her abnormalities- erm- magic... was beginning to happen more often.

It started as little things, like the clock hands of the classroom spinning faster whenever Sarah wanted to go home quickly. Then came the time when one of the prettier girls cut one of her pigtails off and Sarah grew it back in the blink of an eye. She'd wished the other girl would go bald, and the next day all the girl's hair fell out.

The escalation continued, until on the last day of school, something in her just- it just snapped.

Sarah's head was practically buzzing. She felt an immense anger inside her that day. One of the reasons being Harry let slip about his bedroom in a cupboard under the stairs to the family home. He lived in a box no bigger than what a child's mattress could fit in.

That feeling of protective rage filled her again. She was itching for a fight. Any fight.

Harry had noticed Sarah had been on edge all day, she was anxious, even if most people couldn't notice it. When he let the words 'cupboard' slip from his mouth he immediately regretted it. The way her features schooled into a neutral expression, the way the light left her eyes as she completely withdrew into herself. Sarah had finally hit that quiet rage he knew was always brewing beneath the surface. He'd tried his best to settle her, but there wasn't much he could say.

At the end of the day, Harry opted for Sarah and himself to walk home. He grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the buses, holding her hand tightly as she looked at him with confusion. Harry grinned at her.

"C'mon Sar, you really want to be crammed in there now?" He asked. Sarah took a breath before exhaling deeply. Her thumb rubbed over his knuckles before she pulled away and ran her hands through her hair.

"A cupboard." Sarah scoffed. Harry felt something drop in his gut, but then she looked at him. "Think we could sneak you into my house?"

He laughed, but then realized she was serious.

"Sarah, I'm pretty sure Maggie would blow her lid if she found me hiding in your bedroom." He laughed while saying in.

"Oh please, she loves you. Besides, I get the feeling she takes pride in finding misfits. Boy who lives in a cupboard fits in pretty well don't you think?" She gave him a half smirk, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Harry knew she felt helpless, but he only shrugged.

"If you want, you can grow some ears on Dudley? Took forever for him to stop oinking last time though, and they had to cut the tail off." Sarah shrugged.

"Shame, it suited him."

"I'll say, I got so used to seeing it that when they chopped it off, I actually missed it. It wiggled whenever he saw food." Harry smirked back at her. He could see her mood was hesitantly lifting, but of course it couldn't last. The subject of conversation was always there to ruin it.

They heard the bikes coming from behind them, but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary as they had barely left school grounds. Mid-walk, however, Harry and Sarah were both knocked over as two bikes crashed into them. Sarah scraped her palms while Harry's half broken glasses bent a little bit more as they flew off his nose.

They could hear the familiar laughter of Dudley and his friends while getting up. Sarah handed Harry his glasses, her eyes trained on Dudley.

"Surprised you're on a bike Dudley, didn't think you'd do something that requires exercise." Harry snarked, getting a glare from the boy.

"Oi Potter! Careful now. It isn't always there to save you." Dudley said, nodding one of his chins at Sarah when he said 'it' like the word was some sort of insult. Sarah remained quiet as Harry took a protective stance forward, half blocking her from their view. His friends laughed as Dudley continued to egg him on.

"Oh? Can it be? Are you in love Potter?" They laughed as Dudley spoke to his friends. "Can't blame him since he's all alone. No friends, no parents, ay?"

Harry felt his own nerves spike then.

"Where's your mum Potter? I can hear you calling for 'em sometimes. I can hear you crying from your cubby." The trio were laughing, and Harry was at a loss for what to do. He willed for something to happen, like it did when Sarah did things. He wanted them to shut up so badly, that when Dudley's friends shifted on their bikes both boys yelped as the bikes popped like bubbles out of existence. Harry was shocked, if a little gleeful, to have made something happen of his own accord. Dudley frowned at his two friends that scrambled to stand up. He looked at the duo, startled.

"What you doing?" Dudley asked, sounding wary. Harry didn't say anything though, as he stared into Dudley's eyes. The bigger boy's eyes went glassy then, almost glazed over. His face went into a neutral expression as he got off his bike. His friends noticed the change quickly.

"Dudley?"

The boy didn't answer as he stared at Harry for a moment longer, before he began to slowly turn around and walk away. His friends, spooked by the behaviour, walked after him.

"Dudley, what's happened?"

"I have to go." He said in a monotonous tone. "I have to go."

Harry blinked, confused by the transgression as he watched his bully just up and walk away. However, when he turned to Sarah, he froze.

She was staring after Dudley, her eyes half lidded, as she watched him walk away. She didn't blink as she observed him, almost like she was in a trance.

"Sarah?" Harry called, but she didn't react. He turned to see Dudley walking still in the same dull step as before. Further ahead, Harry noticed the intersection. There was no stop sign or yield, and Dudley was heading straight for the traffic.

Dudley's friends felt spooked then as they tried to pull the boy to a halt, but the Dursley was twice their size combined and easily marched onward.

"Dudley c'mon! This ain't funny no more!" One friend was nervous as Dudley kept walking.

"I have to go." Dudley repeated.

"Sarah." Harry urged, noticing how close Dudley was getting to the road now. He turned around to roughly shake her shoulders. "Sarah!"

Like coming out of a trance, Sarah took a huge gasp of air and blinked rapidly. Dudley's march stopped not five feet from the curb. He stared at it, then turned to look at the duo that stood some ways away. Dudley looked at Sarah for another second before he proceeded to throw up on the pavement.

Sarah felt startled and confused.

"What? I- what happened?" Her head was spinning, a bit of blood slipped from her nose. She wiped it with her sleeve, startling when she saw the blood.

"Sarah what was that? You just- you..." Harry didn't have the words. For the first time, Sarah looked panicked in front of him. She looked at Dudley, then Harry.

"But- I just- I wanted him to go away. I didn't- I-" She turned and threw up in the grass.

To her surprise, Harry held her hair back for her. When she was done, Harry helped her walk away from her mess. She felt jittery still, and very dizzy. Harry slung one of her arms around his shoulders.

"I didn't mean to do it." She whispered, looking at Harry. He nodded, watching where they were going. He pulled her in another direction so that they wouldn't have to deal with Dudley or his friends.

"I believe you." he said, looking over to her with honest eyes. Harry didn't really think she'd tried to do something to Dudley, but whatever it was, it both spooked and wiped her out. Harry used his sleeve to wipe the blood from her nose again, Sarah didn't react. She seemed out of it, looking very dazed.

"Harry..." Sarah began. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I just- sorry." She couldn't put into words how much she wanted to tell Harry the truth about magic, but she couldn't. Not yet. "Sorry."

"You said that already."

"And I meant it."

"I know, still dunno what for." Harry said as they arrived at the Wilkinson/Williams home. Sarah stopped on the walkway up to the front door and stared. She'd have to tell Maggie about this. This was definitely something of importance.

"Are you scared of me?" she asked, barely above a whisper. Harry scoffed.

"Oh yeah, loads. You and the boogie man have me trembling." He teased. Sarah looked at him sadly, but a smile slowly lifted onto her lips. Harry smiled in return.

"I'm not going anywhere, Sar. I promise."

Her head was throbbing, and perhaps it was a heightened state of awareness, or sensitivity to emotions. Whatever excuse Sarah would make up for her actions later, she turned and hugged her arms around Harry then. It had been easy since one was still slung over his shoulders. Harry didn't hesitate in returning the hug. Sarah took a breath as she steadied her breathing, before she released him and stepped back.

"Thank you." She said, appreciative of that. Harry gave her a cheeky smirk.

"Sarah Williams is thanking me? And getting sentimental?" Sarah immediately schooled her features, scoffing.

"Blasphemy." She let a tiny smirk onto her face again.

They parted after that, but the moment Sarah walked into the house she felt dread build up in her again.

No matter what Harry said, Sarah knew in the pit of her stomach something was very very wrong with what she did. She took a deep breath before hunting for Maggie. The frizzy haired witch wasn't hard to find. She was in the kitchen reading at the table with a cup of tea while their dinner was magically cooking. She had become far less careful about using magic in the house since revealing the truth several months ago. Maggie's smile at her approach lessened upon seeing her schooled features.

"What happened hun?" Maggie asked softly. Sarah wiped her nose, and Maggie frowned at the blood she could see around one nostril.

"Maggie..." Sarah began, gulping. "I did something..."

Sarah relayed the entire event to Maggie, nervous when she saw the witch stop what she was doing at the mention of a trance. Maggie thought for a moment before letting out a huge sigh.

"I'm sorry." Sarah said sadly, feeling bitter at the number of things she was apologizing for. Maggie waved it off as she sipped her tea.

"No no, I was worried this day would come. We'll have to change our plans and go on a trip. My friend told me this would be a great time to visit him." She took a breath, then retrieved parchment with the flick of her wand.

"We'll have to travel soon, I suspect. Make sure not to make any plans until then, alright hun? Oh and I would pack a bag, we may be gone for some time." Maggie began writing her letter before noticing that Sarah still had a dour expression. She paused, then sighed.

"Sarah," Maggie began, gaining Sarah's full attention. "It's going to be okay love, you're just... special."

Sarah pursed her lips, nodding. The motion made the buzzing headache worse. She excused herself to lie down, but in the dark of her room she stared blankly at the green wall. With a deep breath, Sarah tried her best to sleep.

The friend Maggie wrote to replied in two days. Sarah had only been allowed out of the house under her supervision, with enough time to explain to Harry she would be gone for a few days.

"What's going on Sar? You look nervous." Harry swung slowly on the swing next to her. Sarah dragged her foot through the gravel, watching Maggie read her book on a bench some distance away. Sarah weighed the consequences of what she was about to say, before she looked at Harry.

Harry had been loyal to a fault since day one of their somewhat bizarre friendship. He hadn't turned away from her despite that fact that any sane person would've. She loved him- quite fiercely in fact- which was why she was concerned with the idea of telling him the truth. He deserved a chance to have a childhood without the wizarding world... right?

But Sarah couldn't tell him anything if he didn't know. She couldn't explain what was wrong if he wasn't aware that magic was real. And that just wasn't fair. She had no right to hold it from him, especially considering she still hadn't told him anything about the orphanage. Nor would she for that matter. As long as she had Maggie, she didn't want to think about that place ever again.

"Sarah?" Harry asked again. Sarah sighed, then looked at him.

"You know I can do things, right?" She began slowly. Harry nodded. "And you know that you can as well, right? Though yours don't happen as frequently."

"Well, sometimes I've done a few things but- I guess so. What of it?" he asked, slowing his swinging to a halt. Sarah pursed her lips.

"It's magic."

"Yeah, seems like it." Harry said, not completely understanding the implication.

"No I mean... I mean it's real, true magic." Sarah said, looking at Maggie to notice nothing had changed before looking back to Harry. "There is a world of witches and wizards Harry, and we- you and I- we're part of it. Maggie is too."

She took the risk, expecting Harry to think she was insane, or laugh, at least a little. Instead, he froze solid, as if he was trying to process what she was implying.

"We're... we're magic?" He said slowly, his eyes glazed over as he recalled every moment they had done something magical. Then memories of the oddly dressed people came to mind. He hadn't thought much of it, until now. A smile slowly worked onto his face as a weight lifted off his shoulders. Somehow it just felt... it felt right.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Harry asked, a bit too excitedly. Sarah shushed him, looking over at Maggie before going back to him.

"I wasn't supposed to... it's... complicated..." Sarah bit her lip, looking down at her shoes. "But Harry... even in the wizarding world... what I did wasn't normal. Maggie won't say it... but I think she's a bit scared."

Harry snorted.

"Maggie loves you." he said confidently. Sarah frowned.

"I know but- She seemed like she wasn't expecting... that." Sarah held her palms out and stared at them. "I think... I think something's wrong. I dunno, but- we're supposed to go visit a friend who Maggie thinks can help. We leave tomorrow morning."

Harry leaned back in his swing, heaving a heavy sigh.

"Guess I'll just be locked in my cupboard for a week then." He said with extra sarcasm in case she didn't catch it. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

Sarah stared at him, her face deceptively schooled, but Harry could see the joy at dark humour beneath the surface. Her eye twitched as she licked her teeth.

"Doubt you'll survive without me. Perhaps I could shove you in my rucksack? You're used to small spaces after all." Sarah was only joking, but at the back of her mind she idled over the idea of whether that would be possible in the future. Harry smirked at her, and Sarah matched it with a lopsided smirk of her own.

"Have some sympathy Sar, every time Dudley jumps on the stairs some dust falls on my face. It's cruel." He knew he was treading on thin ice now, watching her swallow once. Sarah wanted nothing more than to help him, but being trapped in that cupboard wasn't her battle, it was his.

"Maybe that's why you need glasses." She snarked back, making Harry fake laugh.

"Real funny Sarah."

"Well, you're welcome to be inclusive at any point. I can't carry the snark for both of us." she said so calmly. Harry let out a small real laugh, looking out to the park as he contemplated the revelation of magic. Sarah watched him then, her small smile dropping. Her mind circling the cupboard, the knobby-kneed boy, and the ominous feeling she got from what she did to Dudley the other day.

Sarah and Maggie travelled via floo powder to a village called Hogsmeade. To get there though, Maggie had to explain how to use the floo powder in their own fireplace. It seemed alien to Sarah that such a thing could work, but no sooner had Sarah uttered "Three Broomsticks" had she quite literally been sucked through what felt like a vacuum, passing many fireplaces in her travels, before being tossed out of one.

Sarah stumbled out, falling into a patron at the establishment. She uttered an apology as he helped her steady herself and chuckled down to her.

"First time?" He asked. Sarah nodded, her face calm and collected. Maggie appeared shortly after, thanking the man before ushering Sarah to a seat.

"I'll get us some drinks, just wait here." Maggie said while placing her bag down on a chair beside Sarah.

The blonde looked around at the busy place. There seemed to be a few younger children around, but mostly adults drinking and laughing in groups. Sarah noticed the décor, and what startled her the most was the pictures that seemed to move on their own. She stared at one, a man grumbled to himself, before he locked eyes with her and scowled.

"Children shouldn't stare, girl." He sneered, but Sarah simply ignored him and continued roaming over the faces and décor until Maggie returned. Maggie smiled as she handed Sarah a tankard.

"It's a bit early, but everyone needs to have their first butterbeer in Hogsmeade at some point." Maggie said as she settled into her seat. Sarah sniffed the tankard, surprised at the sickly sweetness she smelt. She glanced at Maggie as she drank merrily from her own, before taking a small sip. Sarah pinched her nose at the overly sweet taste.

"It's so sweet." Sarah said, not entirely liking the flavor. Maggie chuckled.

"Fire whiskey for your seventeenth birthday then." She chuckled, urging Sarah to drink more. She took small sips, overwhelmed by the sugar content.

"So this is where you went to school?" Sarah asked. Maggie shook her head.

"Hogsmeade is the settlement outside of Hogwarts. But we can see the castle from the outskirts later if you'd like."

Maggie hadn't gone into great detail about Hogwarts before. Mostly because she wanted to let Sarah learn about it the first time she visited; so that she too could feel the same awe that Maggie felt upon seeing the castle.

"This was the place my friends and I would gather any time that we were allowed to visit." Maggie explained, her eyes going far away as she told some short stories of her time at Hogwarts. She looked at Sarah, smiling.

"Someday you'll have stories of your own to tell me." Maggie said with such warmth that Sarah couldn't help but feel anticipation building in her gut.

"I hope you're not teasing your young charge too much Mags." A new voice called. Sarah looked over to see a tall man slowly making his way over to them. Maggie beamed, getting up from her chair to hug him. Maggie was quite short comparatively, and so the man hugged her as one would a small child, patting her head in a teasing yet loving manner.

Sarah observed the close friendship the two obviously shared, noting the grin spread on Maggie's face and the softness in the man's brown eyes. Maggie looked to Sarah then and gestured to the man as she stepped away from him.

"Sarah, this is Atlas, Atlas- Sarah." Sarah nodded to the man in politeness.

"Pleased to meet you sir." She said simply, taking in the appearance of the man. He had a well-trimmed yet full beard, round glasses, and a scar across his left brow. His brown hair and matching brown eyes had a kindness to them that was not lost to her. Especially when he looked at Maggie with such fondness. It felt odd to Sarah, and she wondered who this man was.

"And you as well, young lady. Maggie has told me much about you." Atlas greeted, smiling at her with a gentleness that unnerved Sarah. She didn't show it though, keeping her face carefully schooled. He chuckled. "You told no lies Maggie. I dare say she has the makings of and Auror already."

Sarah's eyebrow raised slightly, but it didn't go answered as Maggie muttered something quietly to Atlas. He bent down to hear, nodding once, before they both stood taller. Atlas gestured for Sarah to follow him then, which she did once Maggie grabbed her bag.

Out of the Three Broomsticks and into Hogsmeade, Sarah held Maggie's hand and allowed her to tug her along. Sarah's eyes wandered while she looked around, finding awe in all the hustle and bustle of wizarding folk. She eyed their attire, some looking much the same as muggle clothing while others were in simple robes and pointed hats. Sarah watched all of this until she was pulled from said village. Once on the outskirts she let go of Maggie's hand so she could walk backwards as the settlement shrunk in view.

When she turned to look ahead, she realized Maggie and Atlas were still talking quietly amongst themselves. She looked up to them a few times, but otherwise took in the sites around her.

Not long into their walk, they came across a house. It was quite small, barely large enough to be considered a house- more a shack really by Sarah's reckon. They walked up to it, Atlas holding the door open for them. Sarah eyed him skeptically but was allowed through first.

Her eyes widened when she found herself in the middle of a foyer of a rather large entrance. Sarah spun to see out the door as Maggie and Atlas walked in, then looked around herself again.

Maggie's eyes glinted when Sarah looked at her, the blonde's lips tugging upwards in one corner.

The house had silver and white themes everywhere with hints of green and black. Maggie chuckled.

"Slytherins." she said under her breath. Atlas chuckled.

"Hufflepuffs."

Sarah went to ask more about what they were saying, but they were cut off as a young girl's cry echoed through the house. Loud footsteps- then a girl no older than Sarah sprinted into view.

"Dad! Cerus keeps stealing my broom!" She cried, pausing only slightly when she saw the house guests. She covered her mouth, looking embarrassed. More loud footsteps approached.

"That's a lie! Selene keeps trying to throw mine into the tentacula!" A boy shouted as he stormed into the foyer. He too paused at seeing the guests but nodded to Maggie and eyed Sarah.

Atlas sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I swear, you're back home for three hours and you're already causing trouble Cerus." Atlas muttered, then looked between the two. "Either you two get along or I take both your brooms away. Are we clear?"

Cerus huffed, glancing at Sarah again before turning on his heel. Selene racing after him. Sarah watched them go while Atlas sighed.

"Life was easier when Cali wasn't back to work." Atlas muttered. Maggie smirked at him, bumping her shoulder into his.

"How is Cal? It's been ages since we got a chance to talk." Maggie followed Atlas down a hall, and Sarah wordlessly fell into step behind them. Her eyes took in the grandeur of the house as she walked. Maggie glanced at Sarah, then scoffed to herself.

"Sorry love, I completely forgot to tell you, but Atlas and I will need a moment." Maggie said. Sarah froze where she was, staring up at the two adults. Atlas smiled warmly at her.

"Why don't you explore a little? Cerus and Selene will be outside if you'd like to play with them." Atlas offered. Sarah nodded slowly, turning to go back the way she had come. Atlas and Maggie watched, Atlas chuckling.

"I daresay you've got your hands full." Atlas mused. Maggie elbowed him in the gut, and the duo turned to head off to the lounge.

Sarah continued into the foyer, exiting the house once she found the entrance. Outside the summer sun brushed against her skin as she looked out to the field in front of Atlas' house. Sarah stood for a moment, unsure what to do. It was only when she heard shouting, and then something whizzed by in the sky, that she had a destination.

"Cerus! Gimme back my broom!" Selene screamed. Sarah walked closer, finding the girl in the clearing by the house. Cerus whizzed by overhead again, laughing as he sat on one broom and held another. He lowered himself closer to the ground but kept himself and his sister's broom just out of reach as Selene jumped for it.

Sarah frowned, watching Selene struggle, and imagined the girl bouncing just a bit higher. With a quick burst, Selene whizzed up into the air and was level with her brother. Cerus was stunned as he held onto the broom that Selene was now dangling from.

"What- How'd you-" He noticed Sarah watching them then and frowned. He lowered him and his sister to the ground. Selene held tightly to her broom and gleefully ran off while Cerus stared at Sarah. His eyes narrowed as she stood quietly, also observing him.

He looked a lot like his father, but where his father had cropped hair, Cerus had messy, slightly curled brown locks. He had freckles and honey brown eyes that held a lot of distrust in them.

Cerus tilted his head, as though trying to solve a puzzle as he stared.

"So, your Maggie's new charge I've been hearing about." Cerus spoke, his voice enunciating words carefully. Sarah didn't react, making him frown.

"I am Maggie's adopted child, yes." Sarah said monotonously. Cerus raised a brow, ever the suspicious one it seemed.

"Well, you seem like you're loads of fun." He muttered, remounting his broom. Sarah raised a brow.

"Likewise," but she halted herself from saying anymore as Selene returned. She smiled at Sarah, who impassively looked at her.

"Thanks for the help. I dunno what you did, but Cerus is quite the bully sometimes." Selene gushed, seeing the way Cerus glared at Sarah then.

"So you did do something." he stated, frowning. Sarah shrugged, a hint of a smirk slipping onto her face.

"Can't give away all my secrets." Sarah said evenly. Cerus muttered something about two against one and left them standing there. He kicked off the ground and flew away on his broom. Once he departed, Sarah looked down at Selene.

"Sorry about him. Cerus is such a jerk sometimes. I'm Selene Sallow, pleasure." Selene said with a soft smile. Sarah nodded.

"Sarah Williams." She said evenly, though at seeing the warmth of the girl's eyes Sarah did feel a bit disarmed.

"Would you like to try?" Selene asked, holding out her broom. Sarah's eyes widened minutely. "Since you helped me get it back, it's the least I could do."

However, before Sarah could take the broom, Atlas' voice called for Sarah. The blonde bid Selene goodbye and returned to home.

Once inside, Atlas escorted Sarah to the lounge, where Maggie was sitting while holding a ring.

"Alright love, this might help." Maggie said while toying with the silver ring. Sarah raised a brow, frowning. Maggie gestured for her to come closer, and she did.

"This ring was given to Atlas' great aunt many years ago. It's a special type of silver- goblin silver. It's got a charm that eases the flow of magic in you. But it may hurt a bit until you get used to it." Maggie explained, looking reluctant to put the ring on. Sarah nodded.

"Like touching a fire? Or being hit?" Sarah asked, unfazed by the idea of pain. Maggie paused, her eyes showing her full range of emotions.

"No no, like- being squeezed too tightly. Like being in a shirt three sizes too small." Maggie assured, still toying with the ring. Sarah was unfazed and held out her hand. Atlas saw the nerves in his friend's eyes and smiled.

"It's alright Mags, she's a strong girl." Atlas assured. "Besides, I'm sure it will be fine."

Maggie hesitantly dropped the ring into Sarah's hand. Sarah played with the ring for a moment, looking at the markings. It was quite a fancy ring. Bright silver snakes were intertwined to make the ring, with the snake heads both facing one direction. Nestled between them was a black gem. It gleamed brightly in the sunlight.

Sarah took a deep breath and placed it on the middle finger of her left hand.

She immediately noticed a difference; her vision swam for a moment as the air was knocked out of her. Maggie grabbed her instantly, holding her upright as she gasped.

It was much like Maggie said, like she was in clothing a few sizes too small. Her chest felt tight, and the ring itself glowing briefly.

"Sarah? Are you alright?" Maggie asked, worried. Sarah nodded briefly, breathing through her nose to hide her gritted teeth. Atlas knelt beside her as she braced on Maggie.

"It'll feel tight for a while, I know. Grandpa said the ring has gotten stronger since it is made of goblin silver." Atlas' voice was soothing, but Sarah took several seconds to settle. When she finally did, she felt cramped, but calm.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Maggie asked. Sarah nodded, trying to stand upright again. She felt off but not ill. Maggie kept a comforting hand on her back. "We should get you to your room to lie down for a little while."

Sarah allowed herself to be guided by Atlas and Maggie, settling in a rather large room compared to hers at home. It was much the same in design as the rest of the house, and Sarah yawned shortly at seeing a bed. Maggie chuckled, kissing her forehead and ushering her to rest.

"I'll be up to check on you in a few, try and get some rest love." Maggie urged. Sarah yawned again, laying down as Maggie shut the door.

Staring at her newly acquired ring, Sarah attempted to will some magic across the room. She imagined the empty flowerpot flying across the space, even attempting to will it to happen. When the only thing that happened was her ring burned slightly, a headache ensued, and the pot wiggled once, Sarah felt a bit more satisfied.

If this ring could slow her magic that much, she felt more comfortable showing her face to Harry again. She frowned, remembering the feeling of watching Dudley nearly walk into traffic.

She was partially lying to Harry when she said she didn't mean it. She had wanted Dudley to leave, but she also had the thought, in the back of her mind, that if the Dursley's didn't exist, Harry would be free.

Sarah felt a knot in her stomach as she realized she had, whether intentional or not, nearly murdered someone.

What was worse, was Sarah didn't care about Dudley in the slightest in that moment. Her only intent was to protect Harry.

Sarah looked at her ring again, satisfied at the dull aches she felt as her magic was cramped inside her. This would hopefully stop that from ever happening again.

With some satisfaction, she finally closed her eyes and attempted to sleep.

Chapter Text

Sarah grew used to the ring.  

Eventually the headaches lessened, and no other unexpected forms of magic came to fruition once she returned to the muggle world.  

That didn’t mean things didn’t happen of course, but all of them had true intent.  

Sarah found- with enough concentration- she could still do things. Small things albeit, but still things.  And nothing of the scale that she had done to Dudley on the last day of school.  

Speaking of, Sarah found great enjoyment when she and Maggie returned home. The Dursley’s had forbidden Harry and Sarah from seeing each other. It was meant to punish Harry for what Sarah had done. Or as Dudley put it- what Harry egged Sarah into doing.  

However, when the Dursley’s learned Harry knew about magic, their bravado suffered. Especially when he revealed Maggie also knew magic. It got him Dudley’s second bedroom, albeit still stuffed to the brim with the pig boy’s broken things, but it was a full room, nonetheless.  

Harry told Sarah the moment she and Maggie returned from their trip. And while the Dursley’s spared no scathing comments towards the two, Sarah felt a quiet joy whenever she would come to get Harry and see Vernon and Petunia Dursley looking down their noses at her. She once commented that their nose hairs could become spider legs and they never made eye contact with her again.  

She couldn’t do it anymore, but sometimes she was tempted to pull the ring off and try. After she explained it to Harry, she settled a little bit more about him remaining in that house. She supposed that Harry’s Privet Drive was Sarah’s orphanage. He didn’t want to talk about his more than Sarah wanted to talk hers.  

The duo found a sort of peace after a time, a peace that was hardly broken over the next year. Sarah got to spend her first birthday with Maggie and Harry, and they celebrated together since it was just days apart and they would both be ten. Maggie took them to the fair, and they had a lovely summer.  

Without Harry- sadly- Sarah and Maggie visited the Sallows a few more times over the summer, and then again at Christmas. Though Sarah was adamant that Harry would spend time with them at their own house Christmas day.  

Selene had begun to write to Sarah occasionally, it seemed the girl had no friends of her own and had taken a shining to Sarah. Often her letters complained of Cerus, but once he went away for his first year at Hogwarts the letters turned towards girly things.  

Sarah, for the most part, wasn’t sure what to say most of the time. And she confided in Harry about it. Harry was the one to urge her to just pretend she was talking to him. It worked, for the most part, and the girls had made a simple friendship. Selene was a kind girl who was just a bit lonely at times.  

Cerus continued to be annoying and aloof at any gatherings they had, while Selene would gush about their time at Hogwarts coming soon enough. Overall, Sarah did enjoy the Sallow’s company on their visits, but she always wished she could visit with Harry in tow.  

And life was good, for a time.  

Sarah was still harbouring the secret of knowing who Harry was though, a secret that weighed heavily on her mind through her entire tenth year. That was until she finally asked Maggie if there was any way they could find something of the Potter’s to give to Harry for his eleventh birthday.  

Maggie had been mildly surprised but had conceded to try and find a solution. The frizzy haired witch admitted she knew of the Potter’s but was not particularly close to them, being a few years their senior after all.  

“That James Potter was a troublemaker. Harry looks a lot like him. He had a few other friends, Sirius and James were practically joined at the hip- not unlike you and Harry, mind you. Shame about Peter though...... Ah, but there was Remus Lupin. Perhaps we could look there?”  

Maggie had intended to be muttering to herself, but Sarah was intently listening as she sat with her adoptive mother outside the Sallow house. Cerus was flying around, having been home for only two days and hadn’t stopped talking about his first year at Hogwarts to bug his little sister. Selene was constantly asking him not to ‘spoil’ her first impressions of the castle.  

“Harry thinks they died in a car crash.” Sarah said, gaining Maggie’s attention. She sighed, shaking her head.  

“I suppose they had to tell him something.” She conceded, but Sarah mulled over this Remus Lupin.  

“Can we ask Mr Lupin for any information on the Potter’s?” Sarah asked, wanting to act. Maggie hummed, then looked down at her with a smile.  

“Perhaps we can. Why don’t you write a letter, hm? Would be good practice for when we have to write letters. Speaking of, your Hogwarts letter should be here soon.” She said, distracted as she watched Calliope, Cerus and Selene’s mother, and Atlas had another argument before she disapparated. Maggie frowned, huffing, then added glumly. “I imagine I’ll be drinking with that one until morning.”  

Sarah did write her letter, a simple one, only stating she was a friend of Harry’s looking to get him a gift when he came to Hogwarts and that she wished to give him a piece of his parents, something he had never been told about. She skirted the truth, saying that the wizarding world was kept from him to allow him to grow up properly out of the public eye.  

Unfortunately, Cerus decided he was bored and was going to taunt Sarah over it. When she had sealed it in an envelope, he snatched it suddenly from her hands.  

The blonde reacted much the same as when Dudley’s friends knocked her food from her hands the first time she met him. She paused, looking at her empty hand, then slowly looked up at Cerus. The boy gave a cheeky grin, holding her letter close between two fingers.  

“Is it a love letter? Hm?” He taunted, twirling it around. He saw the name written on the front. “Remus Lupin? Funny name.”  

Sarah didn’t react. She simply held out her hand expectantly. Cerus gave a lopsided smirk, his eyes narrowing slightly.  

“Give me back my letter, Cerus.” she said calmly. Cerus chuckled, taking a step closer. Sarah was quite tall for her age, but Cerus was a touch taller. He looked down at her, enjoying the way her one eye twitched slightly from annoyance.  

“Make me.” He challenged. “Show me that magic you’ve got in you.”  

Sarah stayed still for a moment, before she reached for her letter. Cerus dangled it out of her reach, one gangly arm easily keeping it away as he toyed with it. But Sarah didn’t want to play into his games, she didn’t want to use magic for the principal reason that he wanted her to. So, she took a step towards him, going chest to chest. Cerus raised a brow, but Sarah swung her one foot between both of Cerus’ legs and hooked her heel onto the back of his. She then placed both hands on his chest and pushed, and as all of this happened in one swift motion, he’d fallen back without the chance to catch himself.  

Cerus fell, shocked that she had managed to push him over so easily. It might've been more embarrassing if Sarah were not almost the same size as him. Unlike Selene, who barely came up to his shoulder. He looked up at her and noticed that- in his flailing- she had caught the letter from his grasp while he had been trying to stay standing. She held it much like he had, between two fingers, looking down her nose at him. He stared up at her, seeing the hint of a smirk on her lips as mirth danced in her eyes.  

“I’d say you’re the one whose fallen for me.” She said, calling back to his implications of a love letter. There was a hint of a laugh in her voice, and Cerus couldn’t help the smirk that broke across his lips in reaction. Dare he say, he found it quite charming.  

“So you can be fun.” he said, making the smirk on her lips retreat quickly. Sarah backed up as he stood, dusting off invisible dirt from his trousers.  

“Depends what you think is fun.” Sarah said, her features schooled again. Cerus found it to be a little game to make her slip. He grinned, which unnerved Sarah, though she’d never tell. Thankfully the blonde was saved by Selene running down the halls towards her.  

“Sarah! Have you got your letter? Mum said we can go shopping soon- we can go together!” Selene gushed, eyes beaming. Sarah shook her head, a small smile slipping onto her face.  

“Maggie says mine will come soon, since I was born at the end of July,” she said, twirling her letter for Remus in her hands. Selene’s blue eyes slipped down to it; a brow raised. “But it would be nice to go to Diagon Alley together.”  

Selene looked up at Sarah again and grinned.  

“Lovely! I can finally go with a friend!” Selene gushed. Cerus scoffed, crossing his arms.  

“What am I then?” He pouted. Selene scowled.  

“A thorn in my side.” she said lowly. Cerus chuckled, the sound making Sarah shiver unconsciously. She ignored Cerus as Selene linked arms with her and pulled her away.  

“I get Sarah for the day, run along brother!” Selene exclaimed over her shoulder. Sarah couldn’t fight the small smirk that slipped onto her face then as Selene beamed at her. The blonde glanced over her shoulder at Cerus, watching him roll his eyes and smirk boyishly as they walked away.  

Sarah had been hoping that she and Harry could’ve gone shopping for their first-year items together, but Maggie had informed her that Harry was being escorted by the Gamekeeper at Hogwarts. Sarah had no idea how she knew, as Harry and his family had all but vanished a few days prior, but that meant Sarah did indeed go shopping with the Sallow’s for their things. While most of the trip was filled with Cerus trying to goad the girls into causing a scene, or just being a prat in general, Sarah did enjoy the chance to spend time with a girl. She had never done so, and apparently neither had Selene.  

 While Sarah found the entire trip simple, the one thing she was excited about was her wand. Between her and Selene the duo had taken almost two hours to finally find their wands.  

Blackthorn wood, ten and a half inches, unyielding, with a dragon heartstring core.  

To her surprise, Ollivander looked at her with amusement as he said, “I sold the brother of this wand just last year.” He then looked over to Cerus, who had been idling in the corner of the shop while they all waited on her. He glanced up at the comment and looked over to see them both. A wicked grin spread across his face, but it wasn’t until they left the store that he antagonized her again.  

“Well, you know what they say,” he teased while walking beside her. “Wands from the same origin are fated to meet in battle. Perhaps we’ll be rivals now.”  

“Perhaps she’ll mop the floor with you!” Selene said, grabbing Sarah’s arm and tugging her away. Cerus just laughed.  

While the rest of the trip was uneventful, Sarah did feel some guilt in enjoying her birthday without Harry that year. She hoped that the Gamekeeper had gotten him some butterbeer to try, for she was certain he would like that. Instead, she stayed with the Sallow’s and listened to them singing happy birthday to her, which would never stop sounding bizarre to her ears after so many years of nothing.  

It also complicated a few points, as Sarah had wanted to give Harry his gift on his eleventh birthday, which had already passed. She settled for the next time she would see him once he had returned from his own trip to Diagon Alley, whenever that was.   

It had taken some time, but Maggie had gotten Sarah’s letter to Remus Lupin, who had sent several photos of Harry’s parents along with a short letter in return.  

To Sarah, 

I must say, I am surprised to have received a letter regarding Lily and James Potter. It has been some time since I have had the chance to look through old memories of Hogwarts. I hope that these photos and words are exactly what you are looking for. Please send my regards to Harry, and may he have a happy eleventh birthday.”  

Sarah looked at the photos that were sent, along with another handwritten note. She smiled as she gazed at the duo in all the photos, seeing Harry’s eyes in his mother’s and how Harry looked a lot like his father, James. She hoped that Harry liked his gift. Maggie assisted her in making it, but once it was complete, she let a sliver of a smile slip onto her face.  

A few days later, Harry was finally home. With it came a storm of questions.  

“Did you know I was famous?” Harry asked as they returned to their favourite swings. Sarah nodded slowly despite the fact that he wasn’t looking at her. “And how my parent’s died?”  

“Maggie wouldn’t let me tell you. She told me that it wasn’t in my right. She got me a book that detailed what happened and- I'm sorry.” Sarah admitted, watching the way Harry clenched his jaw.  

“I’m not mad at you. I- it's just-” Harry let out a long sigh. He didn’t have the words to explain what he was feeling right now. Sarah reached for his hand and carefully intertwined their fingers together. She stroked her thumb over the back of his hand as Harry squeezed hers. He met her gaze, feeling a bit overwhelmed.  

“You should’ve seen how people were acting. A bit ridiculous. Everyone was treating me like I was a celebrity.” Harry said, trying to keep a straight face, then he frowned. “Felt bizarre, once they shook my hand it’s like I didn’t exist again.”  

“How so?” Sarah asked, encouraging him to say more. Finally, Harry let out his thoughts.  

“I’m famous for surviving a dark wizard attack, but let’s face it Sar, my magic is nothing impressive. I mean, the things you can do-” Sarah held back a grimace. “- I just can’t compare to it. And I’m not some famous wizard, I’m just- well, I’m me, I’m Harry.”  

Sarah watched him for a moment, swinging lazily back and forth with her feet dragging on the ground.  

“Well,” Sarah began, “I can’t help you with that, people are going to talk anyway, but the best you can do is just learn Harry. And..... If it makes you feel better, you’re always going to be just Harry to me as well.”  

Harry laughed lightly, looking over at Sarah.  

“Even if I become world famous for something I deserve the title for?” he asked with a grin.  

“Terribly sorry, but yes.”  

He laughed again while Sarah smirked.  

“And if the fame ever does get to your head, I can stuff you in our broom closet to knock you down a peg. I’ll even jump on the stairs above it for good measure. Speaking of- how's that eyesight coming along? Any improvement now that Dudley isn’t raining dust down on you?” Sarah did her best to keep it cheeky and not scathing, which did the trick as Harry laughed lightly.  

“Eyesight is still poor, must be a lasting effect.” He said, squeezing her hand again. Sarah hummed.  

“Or poor genetics.” She said, letting go of Harry’s hand. He frowned, wondering where that came from. He watched as Sarah reached into a bag and retrieved a small gift. Harry was surprised when she handed it to him.  

“For me?” he asked, making Sarah roll her eyes.  

“Of course. You ran off to some coastal excursion without me, so I had to wait with it.” she said airily. Harry scoffed. ‘Coastal excursion’ was not the words he would use to define that night, but he digressed. His focus was now on the small box in his hands.  

Harry opened it, and his heart stuttered to a stop.  

Inside the box was a picture frame, the picture in the middle was of a woman with bright green eyes and long auburn hair. Next to her was a man who was grinning at the camera, his round rimmed glasses covering hazel eyes and messy jet-black locks were growing at every angle.  

As he stared at them, the man kissed the woman’s cheek, then cuddled her closer as they grinned at the camera.  

Sarah watched as Harry’s eyes became glassy. He knew, from the moment he saw them, he knew they were his parents.  

Harry didn’t move, not even as Sarah stepped off her swing to stand in front of him. Gently and slowly, Sarah placed her hands on the frame above his. He didn’t move his eyes, but he could hear Sarah softly speaking.  

“There is a trick, one I thought might make it.... better.” She slowly ran her hands over the frame and whispered. A soft glow emitted from the photo before it changed.  

Harry’s ears were filled with laughter as he watched the duo now standing next to each other in a different setting. Lily was in a white dress, and James in black dress robes.  

“I solemnly swear,” James’ voice echoed as the picture spoke. “That until the end of our days and then some, I will always stand next to you. Love you, and be the best husband you could possibly have.”  

“And I solemnly swear, to suffer through whatever madness you might throw my way, in sickness and in health. And even when you’re up to no good.” Lily’s voice came out softly, a knowing smile on her face. They both laughed, then they kissed.  

Harry felt the tears falling, and aggressively wiped at them. He smacked his glasses some, before gentle hands helped to remove them. In his bleary sight he realized Sarah was knelt in front of him. She took the photo as well, so he was free to weep.  

“Wh- How did you- I-I-” He continued to wipe his eyes. Sarah pursed her lips and hardened her eyes; not that he could see them.  

“I asked Maggie to help me. We combined a few of the photos from their wedding. She- there's a few ways to recreate their voices with magic. It’s not an easy spell, but I think we got it. A friend of theirs sent in their wedding vows.... I always like to hear someone’s voice and thought you would want to know what your parents sounded like.” She felt nervous as Harry took his glasses back.  

He could now see it, the vulnerable look that Sarah rarely ever showed. The one she only exposed to him and Maggie a handful of times. Harry was in awe as he looked at her, really looked at her, for the first time. Something pulsed inside of him, warm and hot. He always felt it, but somehow it felt- stronger.  

He realized then that Sarah was still rambling- something she rarely did, and only when she was nervous. What would Sarah ever have to be nervous for? He couldn’t fathom it at all, and so he reached for her and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug.  

He felt her go rigid, having not been the one to initiate the closeness, but she soon melted and hugged him back. Harry held onto her like she was a lifeline, his heart soaring at the luck he felt at having met Sarah Williams.  

“Thank you.” He whispered, his voice cracking as he squeezed her tightly. Sarah didn’t mind. She held him back just as fiercely.  

“I promise, Harry,” she whispered. “No matter what, not matter how alone you feel, or overwhelmed, it's you and me.”  

She curled into him more, using her one hand to cradle the back of his head, her fingers softly running through his hair much like Maggie had done for her. Harry practically melted into her hold.  

“I promise you’re loved, and you’re never going to be alone. I promise.” She said, her voice blooming with emotion as Harry stared at the beads around his left hand. He stared at the hand circling Sarah and knew she was right about her words.  

As long as Sarah Williams was here, he would always feel love, and he would never feel alone.  

“I forgot to tell you one thing,” Harry mumbled into her shoulder, not keen on letting her go anytime soon. Sarah hummed in question, and Harry felt a grin slip onto his lips. “My parents did leave me a bit of money.”  

He pulled back then, looking Sarah in the eye as she frowned slightly.  

“And?” She felt confused, but Harry just beamed. She was never the type to expect gifts, her eyes had bulged the first time he saw Maggie give her a gift for Christmas, but Harry knew he had to give back on that kindness to her somehow.  

“And so, I can finally pay you back for all the missed celebrations! I think I’ve got- what? Three birthdays? Two Christmas’s? At least that, oh we should count New Years, and Easter, Halloween- you always give me sweets and- what? Why are you laughing?”  

Sarah let out a giggle- a giggle . It was adorable and hilariously charming and melodious to his ears.  

“Sarah Williams is giggling . Am I dead? This can’t be real.” Harry teased.  

“Shut it Potter, this is my yearly quota.” Sarah shoved him, and his swing swung backwards before he returned to be in front of her again.  

“Leave it to Harry Potter to think he owes me gifts the first time he gets a spit of money.” Sarah scoffed. “Harry, you owe me nothing .”  

“I’d like to think I owe you a few things.” Harry argued. Sarah rolled her eyes.  

“Just don’t break the frame, that’ll be gift enough.” Sarah asked, handing the photo of his parents back. It had returned to that original photo once more. Harry gently took it, feeling solemn again.  

“You’ll have to show me how you did it.” Harry insisted. Sarah schooled herself down to her usually impassive gaze, though with Harry- her eyes always held a softness and warmth. She smirked, raising a brow.  

“Why? Plan to track down my lineage and get something similar?” She teased, but Harry shrugged.  

“If you wanted, I would try.” He admitted, softly running a thumb over the framed photo again. Sarah frowned.  

“No,” she said, her eyes glazing over as she thought. Quietly, she added, “I don’t think I care about them much.”  

It was true. Sarah didn’t hold much regard for where she came from. As far as she was concerned, the only family she ever had was right here. Maggie and Harry were all she needed or wanted. She also held some resentment to her birth parents, for they had purposefully left her in that orphanage. And that was something Sarah didn’t think she could ever forgive them for.  

Harry, sensing his friend’s inner turmoil, decided to lighten up the conversation.  

“So, does this mean you can finally explain quidditch to me?” He asked. Sarah’s gaze came back to the present, and she gave a small smirk.  

“It’s only the most brutal and amazing game that the Wizarding World has to offer. And I have a feeling you are going to love it.”  

September first came in practically no time. Sarah and Maggie picked up Harry from the Dursley’s and made their way to King’s Cross Station. Sarah contained herself well while Harry looked terrified.  

“You’ll have to board the train through Platform Nine and Three Quarters. It’s a bit interesting to get to, but don’t you worry.” Maggie said, making sure they both had all their things as they hustled. The woman warned them not to dally as the train left soon.  

They had run into a family at the entrance of the platform, and all of them made their way inside. Of course- Maggie knew them. Who didn’t the bubbly, frizzy-haired witch know?  

“Did she forget we were in a hurry?” Harry asked Sarah as they watched her catch up with the red-haired witch who stopped herding her family through King’s Cross in order to chat with Maggie. Sarah leaned back to him.  

“Maggie knows half of the U.K I swear.” Sarah mulled over the times she had gone to any wizarding community with the woman. She spent more time looking around on her own while Maggie chatted with others.  

“Honestly, Mum could talk for hours too.” One of the younger boys piped up. Sarah glanced over to see twin boys rolling their eyes at their parent.  

“Honestly woman, we haven’t got all day!” One said. The woman scolded him as Maggie turned to Sarah and Harry.  

“Okay you two! This is perfect, all you’ll need to do is walk straight at the barrier here to get onto the platform.” Maggie said, gesturing to a solid wall. Sarah frowned.  

“Aren’t you coming in?” Sarah asked as some of the boys went through the barrier. Maggie nodded, gesturing to the platform again. Going through the wall and onto the platform had been flooring for Harry, but to Sarah it made her feel squeamish. She had to close her eyes to force herself to run at it.  

It was practically in the blink of an eye that Sarah found herself a bit overwhelmed. She couldn’t imagine how Harry felt, being the center of attention once people heard Harry Potter was on the train with them. They had just loaded their things, some of the boys from earlier helping them while Maggie arrived.  

It finally came time to part, and all three thought now was the best time as they had a moment of peace.  

“Thank you, Maggie.” Harry said, smiling. To his surprise Maggie scooped them both into a hug. Sarah huffed, feeling embarrassed as she was in public. Maggie let them go and looked between the two.  

“Best head out now loves. And don’t forget to write! Make good use of Harry’s gifts!” she said, gesturing to the fancy quill set she had bought for Harry’s birthday. Sarah gave one last look to Maggie, a small smile on her face as she held back tears. Then she turned and headed onto the train.  

Sarah and Harry found a compartment, and while Harry listened to the Weasley’s converse just outside the train, Sarah remained where she could see Maggie for a while, feeling abandonment rear its ugly head again as she watched the woman fade as the train took off. She had to remind herself she was leaving Maggie, and not the other way around.  

“It’s alright Sar, we can write letters to her. And you’re free to use Hedwig whenever you want.” Harry assured her, to which Sarah nodded stiffly as she sat back in her seat, silent. Harry knew she was just trying not to cry, as she had always been so hesitant about showing emotions in public.  

The door to their compartment opened, and one of the boys from earlier walked on.  

“Mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full.”  

Sarah ignored him while Harry nodded. The boy made his way in, while the twins from before also arrived.  

“Oi, Ron, listen. Lee Jordan’s got a giant tarantula.” One twin said.  

“We’re going to the middle of the train.” The other replied. Ron mumbled a reply before the twins looked at Harry and Sarah.  

“Oh, hello Harry Potter,” they said in unison before one spoke at a time. “We never introduced ourselves earlier. I’m George-” “-And I’m Fred-” “And this here is our younger brother Ron.”  

Ron perked up, looking at Harry then while the twins looked at Sarah.  

“And who might this young lady be?” They asked in unison. Sarah turned, her face completely neutral.  

“Sarah Williams.” she said quietly. They grinned and gave a bow, which didn’t break her mask at all.  

“Pleasure Sarah,” they spoke over each other again.  

“We’ll be off now.”  

“Cheers.” They closed the door, leaving them in quiet for a moment.  

“Are you really him?” Ron asked, staring openly at Harry.  

“Who?”  

“Harry Potter.” Ron said. Harry bit back a grimace.  

“Oh him, yeah I’m him.” He said, sounding a bit meek. Ron went to open his mouth again, but his eyes grazed over to Sarah and his mouth snapped shut.  

“Blood hell.” He whispered, seeing the stony glare she was giving him. He’d be lying if he said it didn’t spook him just a little how sharp her glare was.  

Harry knew Sarah was only acting this way to try and ease his embarrassment, so he attempted to change the subject.  

“Are your whole family wizards then?”  

Sarah stared out the window quietly, not very interested in the red-headed boy and his ranting about being given second-hand things all the time. For a moment Sarah entertained herself. Pretending to have lived a life with five brothers and a younger sister. She imagined it must’ve felt cramped and likened it to living at the orphanage. However, Sarah would be lying if she said she didn’t miss the idea of being so close to another person while she slept.  

Since the cramped quarters had been all she knew before living with Maggie- sans brief stints at other adoptive homes- Sarah had grown quite lonely at night. She never told Harry, but she had slept with five large stuffed animals surrounding her to make her bed feel small and cramped. It was what brought her comfort, familiarity.  

The door opened.  

“Anything from the cart dears?” An older woman asked. Harry nudged Sarah, but she shook her head while Ron sheepishly said he had packed sandwiches. Harry left, and with the two being the only ones in the cart Ron couldn’t help but let his eyes land on Sarah.  

“Do you know him?” Ron asked suddenly. Sarah slowly looked over to him from the window. Impassively she gave a simple nod. Ron turned even more red at her lack of words. He could tell who was the talkative one between them, but there was something about Sarah that just made him plain nervous.  

So, he rambled.  

“Must be amazing, growing up knowing Harry Potter- oh but I heard he went to live with muggles. Are you muggleborn? I guess you never heard of Harry before this-” Ron shut his mouth promptly when Sarah snapped her eyes to him.  

It was quiet for a beat.  

“Doesn’t matter.” She said carefully, trying not to snap and feeling her ring burn. Sarah could see why Harry was so uncomfortable with being famous. She felt like she was standing next to an exhibit with the way people were talking about him and it pissed her off.  

Ron’s rat, Scabbers, squealed before diving between Ron and the cushion of the seat. Ron gulped as Harry returned with an armful of sweets. Sarah carefully raised a brow, making Harry grin at her as he dumped the sweets onto the seat. He picked up a bag of assorted sour candy before holding it out to Sarah.  

Sarah huffed but took the candy without a word.  

“Trying to bribe me already, Potter?” She teased, glancing at him as she popped one in her mouth.  

“Is it working?” Harry asked, opening some of his own. Sarah didn’t respond, instead glancing at Ron across from them, who was taking in the entire scene. Ron laughed as he watched Harry dig through the pile.  

“Hungry?” Ron joked.  

“Starved. Want some?” He offered, and after some initial hesitation Ron finally took some. He explained some sweets, and the pile beside Sarah grew as more sour candies were added.  

Ron was convinced he was going to teach them some magic after a while, but the daisy rhyme barely left his lips before what Sarah could only describe as an insufferable know-it-all came into the compartment. It took all of two minutes before Sarah’s glare came back, and the girl who aggressively introduced herself as Hermione Granger took one look at Sarah before excusing herself. Ron laughed.  

“Merlin, that glare of yours is lethal.” Ron said, and Sarah closed her eyes for a moment. Harry nudged her foot, and she let out a sigh before turning back to the window.  

“What houses are your brothers in?” Harry asked, thinking about what Hermione said.  

“Gryffindor, though it’ll be a miracle if such a know-it-all isn’t in Ravenclaw.” Ron gave his own annoyance to the door, glaring at it lightly. “Though, I’d rather be anywhere but Slytherin.”  

Sarah snorted, imagining the red head in anything like the house that Cerus described was laughable at best. Ron looked at her as Sarah turned towards the two.  

“What house is Cerus in?” Harry asked. Sarah let a hint of a smirk slip onto her lips.  

“Slytherin.” She looked at Ron then, feeling a sort of pride swell in her at his discomfort. “Imagine if the great Harry Potter were in Slytherin.”  

“Sarah!” Harry felt a bit embarrassed, but also some nerves. Ron gulped once, glancing at Harry before looking back to Sarah. The blonde ignored Ron and smirked a bit more to Harry.  

“Maggie told me the hat puts you where you belong. It’s just a house, Harry. Nothing more.” She said easily, assuring the boy. Harry did feel himself settled a bit more, though Ron shook his head.  

“There’s not a dark witch or wizard who went back that wasn’t in Slytherin.” Ron pointed out but felt pinned as she turned to glare at him.  

“As was Merlin, a muggle advocate. Or so many try to forget.” she said firmly.  

The door to the compartment opened again, and Sarah saw three boys step inside. One being lither than the other two, who were thick and mean looking. The lither one had an air of superiority as he stared down at Harry.  

“So it’s true then. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts.” He smirked proudly. “This is Crabbe and Goyle, and I’m Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.”  

Ron covered a laugh with a cough, earning a glare from Draco.  

“Think my name’s funny, do you? Let me guess who you are. Father always said the Weasley’s had red hair, hand me down robes, and more children than they could afford.” He noticed Scabbers crawling across Ron’s lap and smirked again.  

 “Fitting pet.”  

Sarah scowled as he glared at her next. What’s more was when she realized they had very similar features. Sarah’s eyes were a much brighter grey, and her hair a few shades darker with curls, while his eyes were so pale, she almost couldn’t see the steel grey, and his platinum blond hair was slicked back against his head.  

“And who are you?” he asked, noticing how she eyed him with disgust. “Can’t say I’ve seen you before. Must be a mudblood."  

Sarah felt her ring burn as her glare intensified. Draco was unperturbed.  

“You’ll soon find that mixing with the wrong sort at Hogwarts is quite easy. But I can help you there.” Draco said proudly, offering his hand to Harry. The dark-haired boy hadn’t spoken the entire time, but he could feel the ire slipping from Sarah next to him and felt the exact same.  

“I think I can figure out the wrong sort for myself, thanks.” he said tightly, frowning.  

While Draco turned pink, he didn’t show his embarrassment. His poker face was nothing compared to Sarah’s though, as she schooled herself once again, imagining the door sucking the three boys out of the compartment.  

“Careful, Potter, or you’ll go just like your parents,” Draco withdrew his hand slowly, and Sarah toyed with her ring quietly. “Consorting with Weasley’s and Hagrid is one thing, but mudbloods will only cause you more trouble. It’s rather embarrassing to be seen with the likes of them, if you ask me.”  

Harry and Ron jumped up, ready for action.  

“Say that again.” Ron dared. Draco laughed, along with his cronies.  

“You going to fight us, are you?” He couldn’t see Sarah where she sat, but as she stood quietly, she was slightly taller than Harry and Ron. “I don’t think we want to leave you though. We were just getting-”  

“Get out.” Harry said.  

There was a loud snap as the three were shoved by an invisible force out of the door and slammed into the compartment door behind them. The three landed in a heap, with Draco on the bottom as he groaned from Crabbe and Goyle’s combined weight on top of him. Their door rolled shut on it own then as Ron beamed at Harry.  

“Bloody hell! I didn’t know you could do that!” Ron shouted in awe as Sarah quietly sat, slipping her ring back on. It stung for a moment, and she wiped her nose unconsciously.  

Harry, for the most part, didn’t deny it was him, though he glanced at Sarah several times to see If it had been her. Sarah opted to ignore him as Hermione came in, though the blonde had to admit a twisted satisfaction and knocking those boys out of the compartment.  

“I swear, everywhere people are acting like children. You lot best change into your robes soon, we’re almost there.” She looked at Sarah and quickly added. “The lavatory is down the hall on our left.”  

Hermione excused herself as Sarah agreed with the idea. She left, heading off to change before returning to the compartment to find the boys had changed.  

As the train slowed to a stop, Sarah glanced at Harry, and as sharp grey met bright green, they felt their excitement rise.  

They were finally here.  

Sarah hadn’t quite believed Harry when he said Hagrid was a giant. Evidently, he was a half giant, but still over twice their height. Her meeting Hagrid consisted of “Ah! Harry’s been talkin’ ‘bout ye.” and then he ushered them to follow.  

Sarah, for the most part, was in absolute awe of the view of the castle as they sailed over. She couldn’t wait for the chance to simply walk around the castle, remembering all the stories Maggie would tell her. Nothing that would ‘ruin the experience’ so Maggie said, but stories of how she and Atlas got into trouble all the time.  

She was anxious to see the place that made Maggie’s eyes shine with excitement.  

They eventually made their way to Great Hall, with a witch named McGonagall describing the houses as she led them to the entrance. Sarah was only half listening, looking around rapidly at any little thing she could see.  

“Sarah!”  

The blonde looked over to see Selene making her way through the crowd. The girl grinned, feeling just as excited as Sarah was, only she didn’t hide it nearly as well.  

“Isn’t this amazing? Oh, I heard you took the train, didn’t see you at the station. What house do you suppose you’ll be sorted into?”  

Sarah hummed, wondering herself, then shrugged.  

“I don’t really care,” she then paused and gestured between Harry and Selene. “By the way, Harry, this is Selene Sallow. And Selene, this is Harry Potter.”  

Selene’s eyes widened with awe, but she reigned herself in and coughed once.  

“Pleasure to meet you- em- sir.” Selene stuck out her hand for Harry to shake, which he did, hesitantly. Sarah choked, trying to hold back a laugh as both Selene and Harry turned pink.  

“ Sir .” Sarah mocked. Selene elbowed her in the ribs. The blonde barely felt it. Ron watched the entire exchange, miffed, as Selene whispered in Sarah’s ear.  

“You didn’t say your friend Harry was Harry Potter .” She said sharply but not harshly. Sarah remained neutral, though her eyes were practically laughing.  

“Didn’t I? Must’ve slipped my mind.” She whispered back. She looked over to Harry, who watched the exchange curiously. It had been the first time her worlds had collided, and she hoped- silently, and albeit a bit greedily- that they were all in the same house.  

Sarah briefly grabbed Harry’s hand and gave it a squeeze, before letting go as McGonagall came back.  

“Alright students. Form a line and follow me.” She called. Sarah stepped into line between Selene and Harry, and they followed into the Great Hall. She found herself staring in awe at the ceiling, and at the four long tables that were present. One other long table was at the front of the hall, adorned by what could only be the professors.  

Sarah watched McGonagall as she led them to stop just in front of that long table. She placed a four-legged stool, along with a decrepit old hat on top of it, in front of them.  

All of them were a bit enamored as it began to sing. While it did, she felt a pair of eyes staring into her. To her left, she could see none other than Cerus Sallow smirking at her. She raised a brow, but otherwise said nothing other than holding her chin a bit higher as she waited for the hat to finish.  

Once the sorting began, Sarah waited calmly for her turn. In truth, all that she wanted was to be in the same house as Harry and Selene, but that became rather impossible as Selene was sorted into Ravenclaw, and then Harry, after a moment of deliberation, was sorted into Gryffindor- as was Ron. Though there was chanting from the Weasley twins of ‘We got Potter!’ that had Sarah rolling her eyes.  

“Williams, Sarah.” McGonagall called. Sarah strode forward calmly, with her head held high. The last thing she saw before the hat dropped down over her eyes was Harry grinning up at her.  

“Well well, you certainly have a lot on your mind.” She heard a whisper in her ear. It was too quiet to be heard through the hall surely. “Plenty of courage, and a sharp mind. But loyalty, you have a great bit of loyalty to you. Though, putting you in Hufflepuff- no I dare say it would be wasted.”  

The voice mulled over its thoughts, and Sarah thought numbly of the houses and the song given. She felt confident that the hat would put her somewhere she would enjoy herself. And while the idea of being in a house by herself without any friends was off-putting, she supposed that her time would be filled enjoying the company of herself too with such a big castle to explore.  

“But you do not enjoy isolation child. I see, you crave more. You crave that which you do not already have. I see it- it is in your blood like many before you. You have great ambition.”  

Sarah couldn’t exactly agree, as she never saw herself as ambitious, but the sorting hat chuckled in her ear at her thoughts.  

“You lie to yourself too much. I know exactly where you belong.”  

Sarah hesitated- and then the hat called out.  

“SLYTHERIN!”  

Chapter Text

Harry watched Sarah sit at the Slytherin table during the feast. She maintained her stony mask, and Harry was forced to hear Ron rant about her.  

“See? Told you she’d end up there. She’s got the glare to suit Slytherin.” Ron shivered. George smirked as Fred pouted.  

“What’s the matter, ickle Ronikins?”  

“Scared of a little girl?”  

“Shove off.” Ron muttered. Seamus, who sat next to Harry, nudged him.  

“Who is that girl? You keep staring at her.” he asked, eating some chicken.  

“Sarah, my friend. Well- I suppose my only friend.” Harry admitted. Ron stuffed another drumstick in his mouth.  

“I wouldn’t worry, you’ll make plenty of friends Harry.”  

Harry remained quiet, watching as a boy walked up to Sarah and whispered in her ear. She initially glared, but after an exchange of words she stood up and moved down the table to sit where the boy had come from. While she didn’t slip her stony mask, Harry did see her speak to a few people.  

He stared at the boy, wondering if that was Cerus. He had briefly been told of Selene and Cerus Sallow and could see the resemblance between the siblings. However, the way Sarah spoke of Sallow was not the same as how she sat next to him.  

Their eyes met, and Sarah, for the most part, kept to her neutral expression. Harry smiled at her, and he could faintly see- due to the distance- that the corners of her mouth briefly lifted.  

Harry was drawn away again as more people asked him questions at the Gryffindor table.  

Sarah deeply regretted her nonchalance about the sorting.  

For one, as soon as the Slytherins heard her name, many spat mudblood in her face. She knew what it meant, but at the same time she couldn’t really care less. Many of the pureblood wizards in Slytherin were inbred, and as such she thought it hilarious that they looked down on her for having a variety to her gene pool.  

The common room was stunning though and made up for any limitations that the occupants presented. The first night Sarah was escorted to her room, which was shared with three other girls. She went straight to bed, sleepy after enjoying a nice meal.  

However, Sarah couldn’t find it comfortable sleeping in that room, as a bit of a panic set back in about the orphanage when she heard the others shifting about. Memories of the cramped living quarters were both familiar and haunting, so Sarah spent most of her time tossing and turning, until finally she gave up and sat in the common room, watching as the giant squid sometimes rolled by the window.  

The next morning Sarah went to breakfast early, enjoying the easy walk up to the Great Hall from the dungeons. It was quiet when Sarah got there, and so she had brought a book with her as she sat at the Slytherin table.  

“Figured you’d be up early.” Harry said as he slid onto the bench next to her. She huffed, noticing next to no one was there for meals yet. Harry likely came down early to find Sarah, as she always rose early despite her hatred for waking up.  

“Not followed by your red headed admirer, are you?” Sarah wasn’t sure she could handle Ron this early. She might accidentally pull her ring off to hex him. Harry rolled his eyes and grabbed some toast.  

“He’s not all bad. Though I can see he feels the same about you.” Harry admitted. Sarah let a small smirk slip onto her face.  

“Whatever will you do Potter? You’ll have to choose between us It seems.” She was only joking. Harry gave a mock laugh.  

“There’s no choosing. You’re my best friend.” He said simply, and while the words seemed obvious to Harry, they did make Sarah feel just a bit better. Abandonment always reared high whenever Harry talked to anyone. It wasn’t fair at all, of course, but Sarah felt this looming nervousness in her gut as soon as they reached Hogwarts.  

Here, Harry was a celebrity, he could possibly befriend anyone he wanted, and they’d thank him . But she was just Sarah Williams, a possibly muggleborn with a shit personality and a mean death glare. Insecurity reared high in her at the thought, but she forced it down and looked to her breakfast.  

“That’s good.” she said quietly. Harry noticed, so he nudged her gently. She nudged him back.  

“What’s the Slytherin common room like?” Harry asked. Sarah hummed, describing it to him. Describing the stone and coolness and the vast windows that reached under the lake.  

“It is lovely. I sat there for a while and just watched the Squid swim by sometimes.” She said, eyes glazing over as she remembered. “What’s Gryffindor like?”  

Harry described the common room as best as he could, and Sarah laughed.  

“Slytherin is better, I’m afraid.” Sarah licked her lips after biting her toast.  

“The hat almost put me in Slytherin,” Harry confessed. “Wish it had now, since you’re there.”  

“It almost put me in Hufflepuff.” Sarah said, smirking. “But changed its mind and said that would be such a waste of talent.”  

“Really? You? Hufflepuff?” Harry tried to imagine it. Sarah hummed.  

“It said I had unwavering loyalty. But then said I am too ambitious.” Sarah thought, looking at Harry with a grin. “Imagine Weasley’s face if you had been sorted into Slytherin. He’d claim it was my bad influence.” 

Harry rolled his eyes but laughed. Just then two more students sat across the table from them. Harry recognized the Sallow siblings from the night before.  

“Fraternizing with the enemy, are we?” Cerus taunted. Sarah rolled her eyes while Selene elbowed him.  

“Oh please! You’re such a sod sometimes Cerus!” Selene muttered. Cerus acted wounded, but then nodded to Harry. He oddly felt the need to sit taller when talking to Cerus, as if the other boy were sizing him up.  

“Sarah speaks fondly of you.... when she speaks.” Cerus’ eyes whipped to Sarah then back to Harry. “I’m Cerus Sallow, a friend of hers.”  

“That’s a stretch.” Sarah snorted. Cerus smirked at her.  

“Don’t worry, I’ll grow on you.” He said in a tone Harry didn’t like.  

“I’d prefer cancer.” Sarah said without missing a beat. Harry spat out his pumpkin juice. Selene reached across the table to hand him a napkin as Cerus grinned and looked to his sister. 

“See? I think she likes me.” He teased. Selene rolled her eyes and continued to eat. Harry glanced at Sarah, who had gone back to reading. He did think there was some truth to that, since Sarah had actually engaged with Cerus instead of outright ignoring him.  

“What classes do you have today?” Harry asked, holding his schedule out beside Sarah’s. They wouldn’t have any classes together except for double potions on Friday. Selene compared her schedule with Sarah next and found they shared half their classes through the week. 

“Well, at least we’ll get to spend time together.” Selene said with a small smile. Sarah noticed the nervousness.  

“You’ll make friends. Better than this lot at least.” Sarah said, glancing between Harry and Cerus.  

“I take offence to that.” Cerus muttered, enjoying another boiled egg while Harry snickered.  

The following week was just a whirlwind of trying to find time to chat with Harry, Selene, and avoiding Cerus as much as possible. All this was futile though, as the only time Selene and Sarah got time together was in the library while reading- which sadly was interrupted a lot by Hermione sticking her nose in their business- or in classes together. Selene had- somewhat surprisingly- made friends with the muggleborn witch, possibly due to their obsessions with books and knowledge.  

Sarah’s time with Harry was also cut, as Ron and half the bloody school wanted to speak to Harry every time he had a spare moment. While they did attempt to catch up at the end of each day of classes, Sarah felt the strain and lack of attention creeping in. Especially when the common room was filled with nasty insults every time she did her classwork in there. Unless all the others had gone to bed, the common room was beautiful and as comforting as a jail cell.  

It wasn’t until after classes that day that Harry finally took matters into his own hands. While Sarah was leaving charms, she was quickly taken by surprise as Harry rushed by, grabbing her hand and not slowing down. Sarah reacted jerkily but followed after the dark-haired wizard. When they finally exited the school Harry slowed down. He grinned, trying his best to catch his breath.  

“What was that for?” Sarah asked, though she couldn’t help the small smile that slipped onto her lips. It was stamped down suddenly when Ron stopped beside Harry, huffing and puffing.  

“Bloody hell, you’re faster than I thought.” Ron said after catching his breath. Harry squeezed Sarah’s hand once, then she pulled it away and tucked it into her robes.  

“Thought you’d like to meet Hagrid.” Harry said, nodding towards a small hut. Sarah had seen it once or twice when she looked out the windows. Other than their very brief encounter at the train station Sarah had not had the opportunity to speak to this Hagrid. However, Harry was quite certain she would like him.  

Ron was displeased when he realized Sarah was coming with them. He didn’t understand the attachment Harry could have to such a nasty looking person; though he supposed the few things Harry had mentioned about muggles might’ve made Sarah Williams look like a better option.  

Sarah looked at Ron, who immediately looked away at her glare. Harry sighed.  

“C’mon, can’t you two just get along?” He begged, hoping that they could. Sarah bit her lip and looked away. She began to walk towards the hut, and the boys followed behind her. Ron whispered in his ear.  

“Are you sure Hagrid wants to meet her ?”  

Harry chuckled.  

They made it down to the hut, and Sarah knocked on the door. Loud scrapes and a heavy body slammed into the door. Hagrid wretched it open a moment later holding a massive boarhound by the collar. Sarah had to crane her neck up to see Hagrid’s face, and he had to fold his body in half to see her.  

“Well ‘ello ther’. Sarah wasit?” Hagrid greeted her. Sarah nodded politely, then looked at the dog. “Oh don’ mind ‘im. Fang here’s a big ol’ softy.”  

But Sarah wasn’t intimidated by the dog. Rather, she was more so enamored. Fang, however, growled at her. Sarah wasn’t intimidated, but Hagrid felt a bit embarrassed by that and yanked him back in before encouraging the three to come inside.  

Once inside, Hagrid gave them tea and rock cakes that Sarah nibbled on and watched as the boy feigned eating. Harry introduced Ron to Hagrid, then turned to see Sarah and Fang were locked in a staring contest. Eventually Fang’s head drooped, and he came closer to Sarah. She gently petted his head, eyes soft as she felt his smooth fur.  

She wasn’t sure why the dog was initially wary, but it only fueled Ron’s impressions of her. The two Gryffindors spoke of their week, and from the sounds of it Harry had been mostly enjoying himself. Sarah was happy he was, but also a bit bitter at the same time. Hagrid turned to Sarah, who now had Fang drooling all over her legs where he sat with his head in her lap.  

“An’ how’s the Slytherin’s treatin’ yer? Nasty bunch they are. Specially fer a muggleborn.” Hagrid said, shaking his head. Sarah shrugged.  

“Have you ever heard of a muggleborn being sorted into Slytherin?” she asked, curious. Hagrid shrugged after a moment of thought.  

“Can’t say I ‘ave.” He admitted. Sarah took a deep breath, remembering the common room.  

But she didn’t want to tell Harry, and not just to keep it from him. Sarah had, for the most part, always defended herself against bullies. But words were not something she could put a physical fight up against. She was stuck in a limbo of anger at their words but not finding her own to counter them.  

She was embarrassed, in a sense, that she was supposedly a talented witch- by Maggie’s reckon- but also incapable at making some teens stop harmless name-calling.  

Sarah changed the subject to discussion of potions class that day. Harry took over, and again he was told not to worry about Snape’s commentary. When the conversation turned to dragons, however, Sarah looked at Ron. He gulped, expecting to see her nasty glare, but instead he found soft, neutral grey eyes as she listened to him tell stories about Charlie’s work with dragons. She was so interested that she even asked a few questions, which seemed to spook Ron more than her glaring. Still, he answered them to the best of his knowledge.  

Sarah was so engrossed she almost missed Harry talking to Hagrid about a vault at Gringotts. 

However, it wasn’t until after tea had finished and they were walking back to the castle that Sarah asked Harry what was wrong. She pulled him away from Ron to keep it completely private.  

“On my birthday, Hagrid took me to Diagon Alley, and we made an extra stop at vault 713. Inside was just a small package. According to this, Gringotts was broken into and the vault that had been in question of theft was already emptied earlier that day.” He explained as they slowed.  

Sarah mulled over this conversation, trying to understand what this meant for them.  

“Did Hagrid say why he took it?” She asked. Harry half-shrugged.  

“Sort of, said it was Hogwarts business and Dumbledore trusts him.” Sarah nodded to this, thinking as she looked up to the castle.  

“Then Dumbledore sent him to retrieve something.” She mulled over this, then she looked to Harry. “Why are you worried?”  

“I-” Harry paused. Why was he worried? He thought for a moment before shaking his head. “I just think it’s odd.”  

“It is but- I don’t think it’s something bad. Obviously, Dumbledore thought whatever was hidden in that vault was no longer safe.” Sarah said easily, to which Harry grinned.  

“Maybe you should’ve been in Ravenclaw. If that was so easy for you.” Harry said, making Sarah snort.  

“C’mon Potter. Would hate to have the school send a search party out for you.” she said, leading the way back. Harry fell into step beside her.  

Sarah quickly learned that the best time to spend outside of the castle was on a Sunday morning. Each day she would slip down to the Black Lake docks and watch the water ripple. Sometimes the squid would make waves on the surface, other times a beast of sorts would. It was always peaceful, and she would enjoy a cup of tea and watch the sun rise from under her cloak.  

A notice in the common room alerted her that flying lessons would start soon. And of course, it had to be with the Gryffindors. Malfoy was having a field day.  

“Merlin, you’d think he’d get tired at some point,” Cerus muttered from his spot by the window. He shuffled closer to the table Sarah was working at. “What are you doing?”  

“Homework.” Sarah said, finishing up an essay that wasn’t due for another month. Cerus laughed.  

“Homework? Already? Never took you for the studious type.” He teased. Sarah didn’t engage, still writing away.  

“While everyone else puts the assignments off, I will be in the library peacefully studying. And once everyone realizes the due date is approaching, I will be sleeping peacefully.” she said calmly. Cerus chuckled.  

“Very well, but here I thought you’d be more interested in flying.” He sat on a chair next to her but had his back to her table. Sarah paused in her writing, then continued. Cerus noticed and smirked. “I could teach you.”  

Sarah just hummed.  

“Why would you? Flying lessons are on Thursday. I’ll learn there.” Sarah finished her writing and looked over her essay. Cerus leaned in closer to her, getting almost above her shoulder now.  

“Well, let’s say it’s a quid pro quo.” Cerus admitted. “I want to try out for the team this year, and it’s easier to do it if I have someone to practice with.”  

Sarah looked up at him. He had a devious smirk, but his eyes looked honest enough. She snorted but couldn’t help the small smirk that slipped onto her lips.  

“Quid pro quo?” She asked.  

“It means something for something .” He explained. Sarah rolled her eyes.  

“I’m aware, just uncertain what it is you will get out of this.” She tilted her head and watched him. Cerus chuckled again, sending a shiver down her spine. The sound of his voice always seemed to do that to her.  

“I want to try out as a beater. And while we can’t use a bludger, it would be helpful if you tossed balls in the air for me to strike. Hell, use that fancy magic of yours and make them fly. In exchange, I’ll teach you to fly.”  

Sarah bit her lip, feeling quite tempted. She tilted her head up and hummed.  

“Done.”  

Cerus’ grin widened as he shook her outstretched hand.  

That was Friday, and by Saturday Cerus had a full plan.  

The Quidditch pitch was open for flying that weekend, but considering Sarah wasn’t supposed to be flying as a first year, they went before there was even light out.  

Sarah was unbothered by the early rise, while Cerus was barely functional.  

“I just pray to never get up at this hour ever again.” He muttered, glaring at Sarah. She shrugged.  

“Quid pro quo, remember? You wake up early, you get an entire quidditch pitch to yourself.”  

“Right.” Cerus held out his broom then. “I’ll walk you through the basics then. To start, you need to learn how to conjure your broom. Brooms move according to your will. You have to want to leave the ground in order to fly.”  

He placed his broom on the ground and talked her through mounting it. The broom leapt into her hand at once and Sarah could hardly contain her excitement. Cerus didn’t seem surprised, and next talked her through getting into the air.  

Sarah easily lifted into the air by several feet, but found she was slipping the moment she started to lower. Cerus adjusted her grip and allowed her to try again. This time she didn’t slide at all. Cerus smirked.  

“Very good, now we try something else.” Cerus revealed a small bag he’d dropped earlier when he arrived at the pitch. While the bag itself was tiny, inside –much like the Sallow’s home- was likely much bigger. Cerus pulled out a broom that was at least five times larger than the bag.  

“This is Selene’s broom. Technically she’s not supposed to have one, so I snuck it in for her.” He handed her Selene’s broom and reclaimed his own. He gave a grin. “Now let’s up the challenge, yeah?”  

Cerus lifted into the sky as though he’d done it a million times. Sarah did the same, albeit a bit slower. Still, she didn’t feel horribly off balance like she had expected to feel. It just felt new, but not as alien as one would expect. Cerus watched her carefully, then smirked.  

“Let’s play follow the leader. We’ll stay near the ground for now but try and keep up.” He said as he turned to fly away.  Cerus kept at a rather slow pace, something one might consider a leisurely stroll. Sarah had a bit of trouble going forward, but once she had willed it, she found herself gliding through the air quite easily. It was almost like walking. 

Cerus looked back over his shoulder and grinned, then turned and went faster. He continued this, progressively making the path more difficult to follow. The sped up until Sarah could feel the wind whipping her hair around and flashing across her ears. Still, Sarah kept up with him, her eyes wide and a smile slipping onto her face.  

She felt free, her heart exposed as she twisted off from Cerus’ path and flew upwards towards the clouds. After climbing for some distance, Sarah felt her eyes water from the wind and her broom slowed to a stop. In the distance Sarah could see the sun finally starting to rise.  

Then, with her legs gripping firmly to the wood, she let go and fell backwards. As she tilted, her head faced the ground, and the broom tipped as well. Both she and her broom began to plummet, but Sarah kept her hands out to the sides until she saw the ground nearing her. At the last minute she gripped the broom and did a barrel roll to change her direction. Her grip slid but didn’t fail as she flew off again.  

Sarah saw Cerus had stopped and was watching her. She flew up to him and sidled up beside him before stopping. Cerus smirked, though it faltered at Sarah’s expression.  

The normally stoic and poised girl was breathing heavy, her pale cheeks flushed a rosy pink from the wind, her hair in utter disarray, and her expression was delightful to look at. She grinned, showing her perfectly straight white teeth along with dimples in her smile. Her eyes shone brightly in the rising sunlight.  

“That was amazing Cerus!” Her voice held none of its usual hesitancy, and for the first time in their relations Cerus was at a loss for words. Sarah didn’t mind though as she sat, staring up at the rising sun.  

That had been their first practice together, and for the rest of the week Sarah and Cerus got up before the sun- much to the dismay of Cerus- in order to practice without being seen.  

Selene noticed Cerus was grumpier than usual, and Sarah found it funny that he often retired to be long before everyone else now. Most of his friends noticed but figured it was ‘Sallow being Sallow’ .  

By Wednesday, Sarah had truly gotten the hang of flying to the point that she was able to hold a heavy ball that Cerus transfigured for them and still fly with relative ease. She would toss it and listen to the loud crack of Cerus hitting the heavy ball somewhere into the air. Sarah would fly after it, catch it, and fly back to them. It really was quite fun, and Sarah found it easier with every try.  

At least, after she had gotten over the ab cramping. Evidently, Quidditch was a sport for a reason, and Sarah’s abs were positively burning at the end of each practice they had. By the end of their fifth practice, Sarah thought she wasn’t doing too terribly. She was by no means a natural, but she could race Cerus and keep up now.  

So of course, because it was a fun thing to do, it had to come to an end.  

“WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN ARE YOU TWO DOING?!”  

Sarah nearly had a heart attack at the sound. She and Cerus halted what they were doing and made their way down to McGonagall. The woman must’ve smelled trouble if she was out here at this hour. The sun had only just risen. Normally the duo had enough time to sneak in through the quad courtyard before being noticed. Unfortunately, today was not a lucky one.  

McGonagall stumbled over her words in her fury.  

“THE NERVE-” She spoke some more though Sarah couldn’t make it out. “-HOW ON EARTH DID YOU TWO-” More unintelligible speech.  

Sarah and Cerus landed a bit away from her. Cerus looked less nervous than Sarah felt, but she schooled her features back to what they usually were.  

“How in trouble are we?” Sarah asked quietly. Cerus tilted his head to whisper back.  

“Fancy an early vacation?” He joked, though he sounded worried.  

“Professor.” Sarah said politely as they reached her. McGonagall glared at her.  

“Explain yourselves. The both of you.” she demanded, furious. Sarah hesitated for a moment, thinking about how helpful Cerus had been. When he went to speak, she subtly stepped on his foot, and he shut his mouth. This was not what McGonagall expected.  

“I cannot believe this! At the very least detentions are in order! Perhaps you should be banned from quidditch indefinitely! Mr. Sallow, you for certain will not be allowed to try out for the team this year!” McGonagall ranted, ushering them to follow her.  

Cerus hissed under his breath, his face pinched as he tried to keep quiet. Sarah, despite not truly being guilty, felt bad. He had only wanted more practice, after all.  

McGonagall brought them to Snape, who looked less than impressed at being woken so soon in the morning. She told him that she had caught them both flying in the quidditch pitch, and at such an hour.  

“I cannot imagine what went through your minds to think this was acceptable behavior.” McGonagall continued. Snape, now focused, stared openly at the two children.  

“Interesting,” his voice said anything but. “Perhaps McGonagall is right. Thank you, Minerva, I shall deal with them both.”  

McGonagall left, and Snape turned to them. He looked at Cerus first.  

“You are banned from tryouts.”  

Cerus burst, but Sarah stopped him mid-shout.  

“I forced him.” She blurted out. Both turned to her. “I found out Cerus brought his own brooms to school. So, I threatened to tell his mates about the Puddlemere United posters if he didn’t let me fly.”  

Snape raised a brow.  

“And you coerced him.... because of some posters?” Sarah nodded.  

“Clearly you’ve never met a Cannons fan, sir.” she said confidently. For what it was worth, Snape looked completely undecided whether to believe this audacious lie or simply pretend he did to make it go away.  

“Very well, then you two will sort your differences in detentions for the next week. And Ms. Williams, you are banned from flying class for the entirety of the school year. If I even hear of you sitting on a broom while on school grounds you will be banned from flying for the rest of your time at Hogwarts.”  

Sarah stood tall, nodding and accepting her punishment. She glanced at Cerus to see him staring at her.  

“Mr. Sallow,” Snape’s voice made Cerus look back at him. A sneer slipped onto the professor’s lips. “I expect you not to waste this opportunity and will see you at tryouts. Be thankful that someone is willing to say such audacious lies on your behalf.”  

Cerus looked surprised but nodded firmly.  

“Dismissed.”  

They were barely down the stairs when Cerus stared at her.  

“Why’d you do that?” he asked, stunned. Sarah ignored it at first, until he placed a hand on her shoulder to spin her to look at him. “You’re not going to get the chance to fly now.  

“It’s just a broom.” She said dismissively, but Sarah was hiding the sadness she felt at never being allowed to fly for the rest of the school year.  

Cerus remembered the absolute joy on Sarah’s face when she had first ridden a broom and knew she was lying immediately.  

“Thank you.” He said, no hint of a smirk or cheeky grin. He looked Sarah in the eye as he lowered his hand from her shoulder. She nodded, one corner of her mouth lifting.  

“Besides,” she said airily. “I enjoy having people in my debt.”  

Cerus’ smirk returned.  

“Indebted, am I?” he teased as they continued to walk back to their dorms.  

“Of course. Not much of a quid pro quo right now, is it?” she teased.  

“Alright, spill. What makes Sarah WIlliams feel like she’s got her money’s worth?” 

Sarah just gave a wicked smirk in return.  

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?”  

The only thing that had bothered Sarah about the entire thing, was when she tried to figure out how McGonagall had known they were there in the first place. She didn’t seem shocked to find them, in fact she seemed more upset than stunned.  

Her answer was given when the duo walked into the common room to find Malfoy casually lounging on a couch. A smirk on his face.  

“Heard you two were enjoying a moonlit flight. Hope nothing ruined it for you.”  

“You’re such an ass.” Sarah spat, but she held Cerus back from attacking the boy. As much as she hated Malfoy, there was no way she would let Cerus ruin her sacrifice by clobbering the boy. Besides, Sarah had easier ways to deal with the git.  

She ignored Malfoy for now, opting to get ready for the day in peace and heading down to breakfast.  

Since they were so much later in their day, Cerus had to grab food and run immediately, while Sarah found her way to Harry. She sat at the Gryffindor table without a word being said. A few glances at most, but otherwise Sarah was left alone.  

“Excited for flying lessons?” Harry asked her. Sarah hummed but shook her head. 

“I’ve been banned.” she said calmly.  

“What?!”  

“I’ll tell you later.” Sarah said easily, ignoring Ron’s shocked expression as Harry frowned.  

“Already getting into trouble, are you?” He teased. Sarah shrugged but said nothing more.  

----- 

Sarah’s mood soured by the end of the day though. Especially when she heard of what happened in flying class. What's more, she was practically livid when he told her McGonagall appointed Harry as the new Seeker for the Gryffindor quidditch team. Unconsciously, Sarah frowned deeply.  

Seemed like Harry’s celebrity status was jumping leaps and bounds in helping him. 

“Sarah?” Harry asked, noticing the lack of excitement. She jolted, looking at Harry and schooling her features.  

“That’s good Harry, I’m happy for you.” She said quietly, though Harry could see the mask from a mile away.  

“What’s wrong?” He asked, not letting her drop it like she wanted. Sarah shook her head.  

“It’s just-” She was cut off as Ron called for Harry. The dark-haired boy looked over his shoulder to see Ron and Seamus waving him over. He nodded to them, then looked back to Sarah.  

“Sorry, you were saying?” He asked. Sarah swallowed, and for the first time since meeting him, she lost her nerve. Especially when the Weasley twins congratulated Harry and said he’s the youngest quidditch player in one hundred years. Sarah saw the light in Harry’s eyes as he grinned again, then looked back to Sarah.  

“Sorry, sorry, I promise I’m listening.” He said again, trying to stay focused on her. Sarah took a deep breath, then shook her head.  

“It’s nothing. I have to get to detention anyway.” she said casually, tucking her hands into her robes. Harry frowned.  

“Wait- you’re banned from flying and you’ve got detention? What happened?”  

Sarah smirked, though the normally prideful laughter in her eyes was missing.  

“Called Snape a slug when he was mocking a Hufflepuff.” She lied, but Harry believed it. He had no reason to think she would lie to him anyway. Never had all this time.  

“That’s a bit much though, just for that?” He urged, wanting to know if there was more. Sarah shrugged.  

“Seems like it was.” Harry was called again, this time Sarah nodded to them. “You should go. Your loyal fans are waiting.”  

Harry glanced at his friends, but when he looked back at Sarah she was already walking away. He called out to her, but she only waved him off as she continued to stroll.  

As she neared the Slytherin common room, Sarah played with the bracelet on her wrist subconsciously.  

Maybe Harry was just better suited for life at Hogwarts than she was? 

Chapter Text

Maggie scuttled through the Sallow's home, hurrying to the den to find Atlas. In her hands was a letter written by Sarah detailing the first three weeks of school with some brutal honesty.

"Atty! Atty!" Maggie called, barging into the den. "I cannot believe- oh. Pardon me."

Atlas was not alone. Beside him were two much older gentlemen. Both looked up from their conversation as Atlas smiled at Maggie.

"Hello Mags, what's got your wand in a twist?" Atlas called. After realizing who the two men were, Maggie focused on Atlas again with a sigh.

"Oh, it's just Sarah and Cerus. Up to no good already. They were flying in the pitch without permission. Sarah took the fall for him though, that surprised me. I expected her to toss him under the bus." Maggie rambled, then paused at seeing their confusion. "Oh, it means to let him take all the blame."

"Who is Sarah?" One of the older gentlemen asked. Atlas smirked.

"That'd be Maggie's adoptive daughter, Grandfather. Sarah Williams." Atlas' Grandfather raised his brows as the other gentleman choked on his tea. There was a laugh from Atlas' grandfather.

"Did I hear correctly? When on Earth did you adopt a child?" he asked in a posh English accent. Maggie smiled.

"Three years ago now, Mr. Alden. You and Mr. Sallow have been away to America the whole time." Maggie smiled despite the fact that Mr. Alden could not see it.

"Merlin, has it been that long?" Mr. Sallow muttered. "Felt like we arrived in America just a few weeks before we left."

Atlas sniggered.

"Happens when you get old, Gramps." Mr. Sallow swatted Atlas across the head lightly.

"Spry enough to knock you a few good ones." The older man muttered.

"So what trouble has this child of yours gotten into?" Mr. Alden asked, idly sipping his tea again. Maggie wilted into a chair.

"Apparently Cerus offered her flying lessons, but seeing as first years aren't meant to ride a broom, they got in trouble for it. Sarah was banned from flying for an entire year on school grounds, and from flying lessons." Mr. Alden frowned, staring at the floor.

"That's rather extreme, isn't it?" He asked, to which Maggie hummed an agreement.

"I have a feeling she isn't having the warmest of welcomes to Hogwarts. She was sorted into Slytherin and many of the housemates are quite rude because of her blood status."

Mr. Alden chuckled, but it was without humor.

"Yes, Slytherin tends to hold that regard for anyone without a magical background." He mumbled.

"Where did you find this girl, Mags?" Mr. Sallow asked, but his eyes betrayed some sort of mischief that Maggie didn't quite notice.

"A muggle orphanage of all places, but there isn't a doubt in my mind the girl has magical parents." Maggie insisted, thinking of the little girl she met. Atlas waved his wand and a cup of tea floated over to Maggie. She muttered thanks as she poured milk and sugar into it.

"Is that why you needed the ring? Because of her magic?" Atlas asked. Maggie shuddered, hesitant to explain.

"That girl..." Maggie shook her head. "I love her. She is a genuinely sweet and loving child... But the things she's done..."

Mr. Alden turned to look at Maggie, and even without his eyesight, his gaze was piercing.

"What 'things'?" He asked. Maggie hesitated again. "It's alright Maggie, not like a couple of old men can do more than gripe and complain. Why- Sebastian took a whole hour just to decide what tea he wanted to have this morning."

"Oh do shut up Ominis. Merlin, I don't know how Cassi stood living with you for nearly a century." Sebastian scoffed into his teacup, then turned to Maggie again. "It's alright Mags, tell us. Can't be something we haven't heard before."

Maggie took a breath, looking at Atlas for support. When he nodded, she relented.

"Sarah has... always done things. When I went to that orphanage... The caretaker did everything in her power to steer me away from Sarah. But there was something so... lost and- broken about her that I- I felt like I had to see her." Maggie remembered the broken little girl who glared at her to try and make her go away.

"She didn't react to the children playing around, she just sat and stared out the window. Apparently, she had been adopted several times. Cute kid, pretty eyes, of course people looked at her. But she would supposedly move things, and levitate objects... Again, I didn't think much of it. I thought she was just a magical girl who was exercising her abilities. And when she came home, I never saw anything to gawk at..."

Maggie looked to the fire across from her, watched the flames dance as she remembered everything that Sarah had told her in her time at muggle school.

"She made a friend, and little by little, she began to open up. But... Sarah is fiercely protective. And by fiercely- I do believe she would do anything to help those she loved and wouldn't even bat an eye about it. On her first day of school, she apparated a boy into a nearby tree. She said she just wanted him to go away, that he was bullying her friend. A few months later, she transfigured the same boy to squeal like a pig and even got a tail on him. Said it suited him because he stole her friend's candy."

Sebastian chuckled.

"That's my girl." He said proudly, but Maggie gave him an imploring look.

"I thought that- I thought all of this was happening because she didn't know what she was doing. Maybe she thought it was coincidence? But no, Sarah knew what was happening. Barely looked curious when I showed her magic was real. Even after I told her about magic though, it kept happening. Though I did see she was trying to rein it in a bit. But then... Then it got worse. I noticed, whenever Sarah was angry, things started to happen."

"What sort of things, Maggie?" Mr. Alden asked, listening intently. She took a breath.

"Last year, she found out Harry- her friend- is cousins with this boy she's attacked before. And that they live together. To say that the treatment of Harry is... high quality would be a lie. And Sarah... Sarah was so angry one day that she... She managed to control the boy and almost forced him into traffic. If not for Harry snapping her out of it, she might've killed him."

"When you say control, do you mean-"

"I think she used the Imperius Curse." Maggie felt something deep drop in her chest. "A nine-year-old, who has never even heard of it- and she simply willed him to- to... Without a wand..."

Atlas frowned, watching the two older men digest this. However, what he wasn't expecting was for his grandfather to look over at Mr. Alden and smirk.

"She sounds just like an old friend of ours." Sebastian said cheekily. Ominis huffed, sitting taller in his chair before addressing Maggie.

"Magenta, you have our word. This doesn't leave this room. And for what it's worth, I do believe you when you say Sarah is a good person. Doubt you'd give up your freedom for just any child." he said calmly. Maggie smiled, though it was saddened.

"Please don't misunderstand. I love Sarah. Truly. But- sometimes I see what she can do and-" She couldn't finish, couldn't admit it. Sebastian didn't bat an eye.

"Well, considering you could barely conjure any magic as a child I imagine this is quite overwhelming." The man said, remembering when Atlas brought the muggleborn witch home for the holidays. The girl was never adept at magic to begin with and had to work hard for it.

Maggie gave him a thankful smile, to which Sebastian returned a cheeky one.

"However, I do say this Sarah sounds... enigmatic. Ominis, we shall be staying for the holidays now." Ominis snorted.

"I suppose you think you're the one making all the choices now."

The two old men were bickering with each other as Maggie glanced between them. She eyed Atlas, who still gave her a fond smile, though she missed how it vanished once she looked away.

Their lack of reaction quelled some of the nerves Maggie had. She wouldn't admit to it but- sometimes Maggie feared what others would do in reaction to Sarah's abilities. But this lot of men had taken it without hardly a bat of an eye. It brought her comfort, as Sebastian was right- Maggie was wholly out of her depths with this. Though it would likely get easier, since Sarah was finally in school to learn how to control her magic.

And silently, she hoped that the worst of it was behind them.

"I wish you had seen it, that beast was bloody terrifying." Harry said quickly, shifting his weight back and forth as he spoke.

Harry had just finished telling Sarah about the third-floor corridor- which he'd seen last week when he accidentally ran to in an attempt to avoid Filch and his bloody cat, Mrs. Norris.

What bothered Sarah though, was that he hadn't told her about it for an entire week. Sure, their schedules didn't line up, but that didn't mean he couldn't come and find her anytime. She was, after all, a creature of habit. He knew where to find her. Quidditch had taken up a lot of his time though, and apparently it took up his time to find Sarah. Bitterly, she noticed he still spoke with the others, however.

A sick sense of abandonment reared inside of her then for the tenth time in the past week. She felt a panic course through her veins- it was finally happening. Harry was moving on from her. She knew part of her was overreacting, and that she should be happy for Harry finally being able to enjoy himself, but that huge part of her kept screaming inside her head that hecouldn't abandon her, she wouldn't let him.

So she would do it first.

Sarah frowned at him.

"Have somewhere you need to be?" she asked, noticing how antsy he was acting. Harry hesitated, making her frown deepen.

"What? No, I just- well I suppose. I'm heading with Ron to Charms soon so-"

"Then I would hate to keep you." she said dismissively. Harry froze, frowning at her.

"Sar- wait no that's not- It's not like that." He insisted, noticing the mask rising over her face.

"Hmm, I think it is. Carry on, Harry, would hate to keep you from your adoring fans." She mocked, noticing Ron standing across the hallway. He frowned at her, so she narrowed her eyes back at him.

"Sarah, that's not fair. I never got angry at you for making friends." Harry defended, and he was right. Sarah knew she didn't have the right to be angry at him, but she was, and she didn't care if she was being unreasonable.

'He's going to leave me anyway.'

Sarah scoffed.

"Tell me, Harry, do you really think they would've given a damn about you if you weren't famous?" She snapped, and immediately knew she had gone too far. But Sarah refused to back down even at the hurt look in Harry's eyes.

"What is with you? Why are you so angry with me today?" Harry couldn't make heads nor tails of the behaviour, but Sarah was unyielding to him.

"Don't worry about it, Potter. Enjoy your fanbase. I'm sure they'll make up for my absence." She snapped, turning on her heel and marching away.

"Sarah!" Harry tried to reach for her shoulder, but she shook him off.

And Sarah knew, she was a bloody idiot. The moment she had stormed out of the hall and into the crisp autumn air Sarah knew she had royally fucked up.

'It wasn't fair though', she tried to assure herself. It wasn't fair that Harry had all this attention, that he got to break rules and still got the long stick, meanwhile Sarah was being cut short and forgotten.

Flashes of the orphanage came through her mind, and she panicked. Her heart rate quickened, and she bolted down to the boathouse where she knew she'd be alone.

"Stupid girl." She scolded herself. Sarah refused to cry, but her chest ached, and she hissed through clenched teeth.

When she returned to the Slytherin common room, she found a rather nasty surprise.

Someone had trashed her belongings and tossed them about with some sort of potion dripping on them. Her roommates giggled to themselves. This had been something she thought the Slytherin's would be above, but evidently bullying happened in any form. The only problem was Sarah didn't know who had done it, so she decided not to react and simply cleaned up the mess.

Cerus knew something was wrong but wasn't about to pry in on their very tentative friendship. Sarah had insisted nothing was amiss, and that he better get onto the team, or she would be livid with him.

It felt odd that, both in the blink of an eye and yet somehow impossibly slow, Halloween had come and gone. Now Sarah watched Hermione, Ron, and Harry all together. At meals, to study, anytime she saw one she saw all of them.

Of course, Sarah had done everything to avoid talking to Harry since their fight.

She knew she was in the wrong, she knew she was the one that had to apologize, but she couldn't. Not for this. The idea of apologizing, laying her heart out there, only for him to still choose his new friends just- it made Sarah feel like a fool for ever laying her heart on the line before.

No, if this was it, she was keeping her head held high and never apologizing for it.

So, Sarah moved on, in her own way.

Harry, however, was just losing it.

He didn't know what to do honestly, and trying to get Sarah alone was practically impossible. She even jumped into a fourth-year charms class to get away from him. He had to hand it to her, when she wanted something, she didn't let anything get in her away. Especially when it came to avoiding him.

Of the few times they had fought over small things growing up, Harry knew Sarah was never going to be the one to apologize. Sure, she had said sorry, but never for a mistake she had made. She had said sorry for not telling him about his parents, but she was sorry she couldn't tell him, not that it was her fault he didn't know.

But when it came to actual mistakes? She was far too prideful for it and would rather run away from her problems. It never bothered him before, as they had the same classes in muggle school, so Harry would slowly work away at any hesitance Sarah had until they got back to normalcy.

But now Sarah and him felt like they were on opposite sides of the globe. It was frustrating, because he didn't understand why this was happening. What changed?

To top it all off, he didn't exactly have hours to spend chasing after her to begin with. Their schedules didn't align, other than one double potions on Fridays, and it was damn near impossible to find her most days. He knew she would actively skip meals at home, never being much of an eater to begin with, but he hadn't seen Sarah in the Great Hall for weeks now.

It had come to a head when he won his first game of Quidditch. The first person he thought to talk to was Sarah. He looked for her and saw her standing off to the side on the pitch. When he tried to run to her his team picked him up and cheered. Wood was over the moon as the Weasley twins hoisted Harry onto their shoulders and marched him off the pitch. Harry glanced over to see Sarah walking up to Cerus, who was smirking down at her.

He realized then that he felt lonely without her there. Of course, he missed her, but he had always thought that she'd come around. But every day she felt further and further away from him.

Even later that day in Hagrid's hut, Harry was still thinking about how Sarah never came to talk to him and was instead speaking to Cerus Sallow. Possibly talking him up after their loss. He didn't know why but it made his blood boil.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, noticing how distracted he seemed. Harry blinked, brought back to the present. He looked at her, but Hermione silently watched him.

Hagrid mumbled about Harry being tired and sent them on their way, no doubt trying to avoid talking about Fluffy anymore. On their walk back to the castle, Harry was still thinking about a way to get Sarah to talk to him. To his surprise, Hermione asked about her.

"You know... I haven't seen you and Sarah speaking lately." Hermione started treading carefully. Harry frowned, but Ron rolled his eyes.

"Been a blessing, I swear! Girl has the nastiest looking face I've ever seen! Plus, half the stuff I've heard-" Hermione elbowed Ron, who yelped. "What was that for?!"

But that comment seemed to slide everything into place. It all sort of clicked then to Harry.

He stopped walking, his two friends pausing after a few steps.

"Harry?" Hermione asked. He looked up at them, his face stiff. He looked at Ron.

"What things?" he asked, noticing how comfortable Ron was with his opinions.

"That she just breaks the rules all the time. Heard she and Sallow were out on the quidditch pitch flying around at the crack of dawn. Heard she tried to put the blame on him."

So that was why Sarah was banned? Because she was flying on a broom as a first year?

"That's not fair." Harry said. Ron shrugged.

"I mean, she got what was coming to her right? I don't even know how she got a broom." Ron said carelessly.

"Oh right, of course. Every first year caught flying on a broom has been punished for what they did." He snapped back. Ron hesitated, noticing Harry's ire. The red headed boy frowned.

"What is it with you and that girl? I mean- she's bloody rude, and she's not even that nice to you either. You both get in a row anytime you talk-"

"Because I was defending you." Harry cut Ron off. "I tried to convince her you're not half bad. But all you do is talk badly about her. You don't even know her."

Ron's ears turned red.

"I know she's got a terrible personality!" He defended, thinking about the train ride to Hogwarts. Harry laughed at that.

"Sarah is the only reason my life hasn't been completely miserable," Harry said, glaring at Ron. "She has done nothing but defend me."

And look how Harry repaid her for it. He'd all but left her behind. He felt sick to his stomach at the thought.

"Either you get along with her, or-or-" Harry scoffed, storming past them. "I wish that hat had put me in Slytherin."

Hermione gasped at that. Ron's face was completely red now.

"Well best of luck to you then!" He shouted at Harry's back.

Sarah had thought studying in the library later into the evening was the better option for the day.

Cerus, who had made the team as a beater, was miserable that they lost to Gryffindor. Sarah couldn't entirely ease that disappointment, and cheekily told him next year she'd be on the team and give them a fighting chance.

However, Sarah hadn't even watched Cerus play the entire time. Her focus had been on Harry, specifically, on his jinxed broom. She wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but she felt her ring burn and took it off. She imagined Harry being lifted onto his broom. And as if tossed up by a gust of wind, Harry was vaulted back onto the bucking broomstick.

"Stop it." She muttered, and felt a migraine press into her skull as the broom slowed its movements but never stopped. Sarah grunted, narrowing her eyes.

"Enough." she said under her breath, feeling some blood roll from her nose. The broom stopped moving immediately, and Harry got his control back. Sarah slipped her ring back on, covering her nose. The screams from the Slytherin stand had been loud enough to drown out her words, but Sarah noticed Draco glaring at her suspiciously. Sarah glared back, covering her nosebleed.

When she returned to the common room, her things were a mess again. Fourth time this month. She idled over the thought of telling Snape, but instead thought to ask Cerus for help instead. She wanted to catch the culprit and give them a piece of her mind in her own way.

So, Sarah planned to have more detentions and finished up weeks' worth of homework in the library, fully committed to getting another month of detentions for her revenge.

That was when Harry stormed in.

"I need to speak with you," he said as he grabbed her wrist and practically yanked her out of her chair. Sarah was surprised, and the shock let him pull her along. She thought about arguing but conceded after a few moments and followed him to a secluded corner. She expected him to demand what her problem was, to explain what was going through her head. Hell, she would've expected nothing less-

"I'm sorry." Harry said as he turned to face her.

Sarah stood, stone still, digesting this.

It was certainly not what she was expecting from him.

"W-What?" She stuttered. Merlin, Sarah never stuttered. Perhaps it was the headache still lingering from the match, but Sarah felt almost startled. Her instincts told her to run away from this conversation immediately.

"I'm sorry," Harry repeated. "I'm sorry I picked their side, for not making more time for you- I didn't mean to. It's just- we've always had time. I didn't realize I wasn't making time for you but- when I caught the snitch, my first thought was to show it to you and- and I realized you weren't there and-"

He swallowed his words when he realized he was rambling nervously. Sarah still didn't show any emotion as she stared at him silently.

"Please say something." He begged, nervous at the lack of response. Sarah instead looked to his shoes.

"It's not... entirely your fault." she muttered. "I may have had... overarching opinions of what was acceptable behaviour and may have been under the impression that you and I would spend more time together..."

"Is that your way of saying you're sorry?" Harry asked, though he couldn't help a small smile when he saw her jaw tick.

"Sorry? No, never." she said quickly. "I am simply... clarifying the situation."

Harry felt a knot in his chest loosen just from hearing her voice. He had very clearly missed her, and just speaking to her eased some of that tension. Sarah felt similar and found it bizarre how easily they were 'making up' after something that had been her fault.

"Okay, then, let me clarify for you," he said, jingling his beads up close to her face, "I promised we were always going to be friends, right?"

Sarah nodded, holding up her own wrist with beads on it.

"Well, I am going to keep that promise." he said confidently. Sarah's lip twitched. "It's okay Sar, nobody's going to see you feeling things here."

She jabbed him lightly, then hooked her pinky onto his as a tiny smile slipped onto her lips.

"I-" Sarah paused. "I know I haven't been fair... and I'm not about to hold hands with Weasley or anything but- I'll try to do better."

Harry laughed humorlessly.

"I think that ship may have sailed." Sarah raised a brow. "I told him I'd rather be in Slytherin after what he said about you."

Sarah gave a mock laugh.

"I've never felt so loved." Sarah teased, but then frowned. "So, that's it then? You're not friends?"

Harry shrugged, looking away from her to hide the sadness in his eyes.

"Guess not."

Harry insisted they had to catch up then, and after collecting her things he led her to the Great Hall for supper. He pulled her to the Gryffindor table, and the duo sat at the end and talked nonstop for the next hour, catching up on anything they had missed in the few weeks they weren't talking.

It was then that Sarah admitted to trying to unjinx his broom, even lifting him back onto it. Harry had a feeling it had been her but wondered about what Hermione had said about Snape. Did she somehow cancel out his jinx? Or did Hermione's distraction make Snape lose focus? He didn't tell Sarah, not wanting her to think he was ungrateful for her trying to help him. Merlin, she had still helped him since she lifted him back onto his broom.

But Sarah noticed the way Ron looked at Harry, and how Hermione bit her lip whenever she looked at them. What was worse, was the way Harry looked sadly down at them.

Sarah knew, in her gut, she was not going to be able to get along with the two Gryffindors. She didn't understand how in Merlin's name Harry did, but Sarah also knew that Harry did genuinely like his new friends.

And she felt like a sow for coming between that.

Although, a tiny part of her felt self-righteous that he had kept to her side instead of theirs.

Still, after just one week of Harry and Sarah reconciling, Sarah decided that she couldn't take the misery anymore.

While Harry was at Quidditch practice, she found the two Gryffindors in the library. Hermione was furiously studying while Ron tossed something up in the air and caught it every now and again. He noticed her approach and glared. Sarah was immune to it.

"Bloody Hell, as if the day couldn't be worse." He muttered. Hermione looked up to see Sarah. The blonde scowled at Ron and looked down her nose at Hermione. No one spoke for a few moments, all three eyeing each other up.

"Can we help you?" Hermione asked, looking nervous under Sarah's glare. Sarah sniffed, frowning a bit more.

"C'mon Hermione." Ron said as he stood. "She's just here to laugh at us."

Sarah's eyes narrowed at Ron. The red head felt that freezing cold feeling of being pinned under someone's glare.

"I don't know what Harry sees in you." She said lowly as Ron sunk back into his seat. Hermione frowned, looking between Ron and Sarah.

"Is Harry okay?" She asked, confused why Sarah was here. Sarah looked at her, and her frown lessened slightly.

"He's fine." she said curtly. "But he misses you both."

Ron scoffed.

"Wonder whose fault that is." He was promptly smacked by Hermione. He yelped. Sarah watched them as Hermione scolded Ron under her breath. Hands in her pockets, she huffed once.

"You should talk to him." she said stiffly, before marching away. Hermione thought it was odd, but watched the blonde go.

"The bloody hell was that all about?" Ron grumbled. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Honestly Ron," Hermione looked at the confused boy. "She wants us to talk to Harry."

"Yeah, I got that, but if you haven't noticed he's not exactly speaking with us now is he?" Ron grumbled again. Hermione frowned, watched the blonde leave the library.

"I dunno, maybe we should try." She thought aloud.

Later that evening, Hermione and Ron caught Harry and Sarah entering the Entrance Hall. Both parties stopped to stare at one another, then Sarah whispered something to Harry. The boy looked a bit surprised, but then Hermione noticed Sarah's eyes. The once stone-like expression melted as she looked at Harry. She couldn't call it a smile, but there was a certain... softness when she looked at Harry.

Hermione could tell she truly cared about him. She was more surprised when Harry went over to speak with Ron and Hermione. Sarah left, entering the Great Hall without her friend.

"Hi." Harry said stiffly. Ron scoffed.

"Finally got permission to talk to us?" He taunted. Hermione hit him with her book.

"Honestly Ron!" She sighed, turning to Harry. "Look, Harry, we understand that Sarah means a lot to you. And while we might not- understand why... we can respect that she is your best friend."

When Ron looked away, Hermione nudged him again.

"Honestly!" He grumbled to her, but at Hermione's encouragement he looked to Harry. He pursed his lips.

"Guess she can't be all bad if your friends with her." He mumbled under his breath.

"I suppose the same could be said about you." Harry quipped. Hermione watched the boys mildly insult each other a bit more and muttered 'boys' under her breath before the trio made their way into the Great Hall. With his back to her, Harry couldn't see Sarah. The blonde sat next to Cerus and glanced at the trio as they sat. Hermione could see her though, and locked eyes. To Sarah's surprise, the girl gave a tentative wave and smile. Sarah nodded back to her, not expecting the attention.

"You and Potter talking again?" Cerus asked. Sarah nodded, looking over to him.

"I released him back to where he belongs. With other lions." Sarah teased, making Cerus chuckle.

"Good, then I won't feel bad about whisking you away once more." He whispered in her ear. Sarah tilted her head and quirked a brow. "I still owe you for helping me get on the team. Might as well show you something we might both benefit from."

Although Sarah had no idea what he was talking about, she followed him blindly after supper to the Defence Against the Dark Arts tower. He was quite secretive about where he was taking her, adamant they couldn't be followed. Finally, he slipped to the spot just down the stairs from the DADA classroom and presented her to a massive clock.

Sarah wasn't sure what to make of Cerus' proud face, until he pulled out his wand and tapped it. The clock began to spin backwards before a hidden door opened in the face. Sarah was surprised as he gestured for her to go in.

"Ladies first."

Inside was a passageway and an iron gate. Sarah watched it open slowly before entering a massive open hall.

Items were stored under white sheets, barrels that were old and decrepit were tossed. Broken pieces of some kind of furniture were on the stone floor. Candelabras lit up the four corners of the room and gave an eerie glow to the place as four stone pillars blocked the lights and made the flames dance with shadows.

"What is this place?" Sarah asked, hearing the echo. She noticed a thick layer of dust lying on every surface and a couple of footprints trekking through it.

"It's called the Undercroft. Been known to the family for a few generations. My great grandfather was friends with a Gaunt. Supposedly that family were the only ones that knew of this place for centuries. Until they all died out, that is." Cerus said as he stepped up next to her.

"It doesn't appear on any maps, the professors don't know about it, and I've never heard of another soul speaking of it. Dad told me last year and I spent the better part of first year in here, practicing."

Sarah looked at Cerus, who was grinning. He waved his wand, and a book came flying into his waiting hand. He smirked at her proudly.

"Only way to get ahead of the rest is to work harder, after all." He handed her the book. She read the cover with a raised brow.

Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts by Galatea Merrythought

Sarah flipped the book open and skimmed through. There were plenty of interesting spells and the wand work required to use them in here.

"You've been using this already, have you?" Sarah teased, impressed to find several dog-eared pages. Cerus chuckled.

"I like to get ahead, much like someone else I know." He teased. Sarah smirked, shutting the book.

"Very nice, Sallow." Sarah said, eyeing the room once more.

"I'd like to think so. Though, this is the third time I've been here this year. Gramps always told me he and his friends hung out here a lot, but it gets boring when you're alone."

"Is that why you showed me?" Sarah asked. Cerus smirked.

"Absolutely not. I showed you because I'm indebted to you. Nothing more. Not like I trust you or anything." Sarah licked her teeth and stared at the room a bit more.

"Well then, consider our quid pro quo completed Sallow." Sarah said, feeling as though she was going to have plenty of fun in here.

"There is... one catch." Cerus said slowly. "This room is meant to stay a family secret. I told you because I know you can keep a secret. But as for any of your... friends... Let's just say they're not invited. Selene can know of course, and I'll show her next week, but no one else. Are we clear?"

Sarah looked up to Cerus. 'Don't tell Harry' hung in the air. She supposed it was only fair, and- it would be nice to have a place where she could privately practice magic and not get caught by a teacher. She nodded then; eyes serious.

"Crystal clear." She confirmed. Cerus smiled then, pleased.

"Lovely, well, why don't we put this book to good use then?" Cerus teased, but Sarah paused, a plan working through her mind.

"Actually, this changes things." She looked at Cerus and- very slowly- a devious smirk slipped onto her lips.

"I've been meaning to ask you. In your opinion... what's the most satisfying way to get some revenge?"

Chapter Text

Getting revenge on Malfoy, and whoever was messing with Sarah's belongings, turned out to take a rather long time. It also took some precise care and planning.

However, Cerus was adamant that Draco and the mystery rat would get their just desserts. Which was why they were currently writing out plots in the Undercroft.

"Step one, we'll need the recipe for a polyjuice potion. Only problem is that it's in the restricted section of the library." Cerus said, gesturing to the big, circled number 1 on the chalk board. Sarah shrugged.

"I can get it." she said confidently.

In the three days that they had been planning this grand revenge, Sarah had also been practising different spells. One such spell was the disillusionment charm. She felt like a little chameleon sneaking around. So much so that she had spooked Cerus while practising. It didn't make her truly invisible, but it certainly made her harder to spot.

Getting into the restricted section was a cakewalk once she entered the library. Avoiding the prefects had been half the struggle, but most of them were barely awake in their final walks along the corridor. Twice Sarah planted herself against the wall and held her breath, but not once had anyone suspected her. The library was dead silent as she entered, making it all the more easy to open the gate for the restricted section.

Finding the correct book- however- was not as simple.

As soon as she entered, however, Filch had entered the library. By some grace of Merlin Mrs. Norris didn't sense Sarah. She was extremely grateful for the foresight of shutting the door to the restricted section before entering. It took Sarah well over an hour to find it, and at least twice her disillusionment charm had failed, and she was forced to hide while using it again.

When she finally found 'Most Pontente Potions' Sarah was completely alone in the library and easily slipped back out.

"Step two, we'll need a little bit of help from the Weasley boys." Cerus explained, slapping the number 2 on the board. Sarah raised a brow.

"Why them?"

Cerus laughed.

"Above anyone else in this school, those two get in more trouble than every Sallow in the family combined." Cerus grinned. "Think you can negotiate?"

"I'll try."

This task turned out to be easier than she expected, all thanks to Harry. When she approached him for advice on how to talk to the twins, he told her to follow him to quidditch practice.

Once there, he called them over with a grin.

"Hello Harry," they called in unison before looking to Sarah. "Hello Williams-" "-to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Hello," Sarah started, her expression pinched. She wasn't sure how to approach this, but with an encouraging nod from Harry, she spat it out. "I need help getting someone back for bullying."

"Oh? You have our interest darling-" "What is it that you fancy?"

Sarah wasn't entirely sure what to say to that, so she looked to Harry.

"Malfoy tattled about Sarah riding a broom, it got her banned from flying at all for the entire year." Harry said bitterly. Sarah didn't correct him, since she hadn't mentioned to anyone but Cerus that her things were being torn up. Fred and George grinned.

"Oh well if it's for that prat that we've got a few ideas, Williams." Fred said.

"Come meet us after practice and we can give you a few of our own thoughts." George added. Sarah nodded firmly.

"Thank you." She said, though her voice was quite stiff. Harry thought it was hilarious as he tried to hide a laugh. Sarah elbowed him in the ribs while the twins chattered back and forth under their breaths some ideas for a prank.

"Step three will be my job. I'll gather the ingredients for the potion. It shouldn't be too terrible to get them, I know a secret passage or two to leave the castle, not to mention I could always just take my broom out for a ride and accidentally wander off."

"Step four is brewing the potion, but again, I can handle most of it, but it needs constant attention, and you'll have to come by every Saturday for a month to check on it. I'll show you what it should look like every day."

"A whole month? What on Earth do you have planned Sallow?" Sarah wondered, still not knowing the whole plan. Cerus smirked.

"You trust me?" He teased. Sarah hesitated for a beat.

"Depends." She said slowly. Cerus chuckled again, making Sarah shiver.

"That's the spirit." He teased, but never elaborated. "Step five. You'll need to come up with something quick to identify your bully next. Something that will leave some evidence to prove it's them for sure. We'll need that."

Sarah smirked.

"I'll have that covered, don't you worry."

When Sarah spoke to the Weasley twins after practice, they admitted to having a few... ideas for some treats.

"They're just some ideas we've played around with. We don't entirely know what they'll do yet-" "-but we do have a few that can make it obvious you ate something you shouldn't've." Fred held up a basket of tasty looking treats. Sarah grabbed one to look at it, then smirked.

"Boys," She looked at them both. "Consider this an investment."

Both boys looked at each other and grinned. Sarah handed Fred a bag of galleons and they handed her the basket of sickening treats.

The next step was easy enough, as Sarah added the sweets to her bags of snacks and pretended to be eating them, though she only ate around the sickening ones until there weren't any of the old candies left. She ate them anywhere and everywhere so that someone would see her. By the end of the weekend, she had a horrible stomachache from all the treats, but reminded herself it would be worth it.

Turned out that it only took three days before someone broke into her trunk and stole her things. Her sweets bag was significantly lighter than she remembered it being.

Practically skipping, Sarah made her way to the common room and nestled onto the couch next to Cerus, who was speaking to a few friends. He noticed her upbeat behaviour and raised a brow. Before she could explain, however, a shrill scream of "WILLIAMS!" came from the girl's side.

Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode came shrieking out of the dorms. Sarah crossed her legs, sitting tall with one arm splayed over the back of the couch as she watched the girls.

Evidently, the Weasley boys weren't joking when they said the treats would be interesting.

The two girls' skin had turned bright yellow, and every time they shouted a plume of feathers came flying from their mouths. Millicent had eaten more treats, it seemed like, since her skin was also covered in oozing scratches as she desperately dragged her fingernails over any parts of her she could reach.

Sarah felt satisfaction in watching the two girls. So much so that she couldn't stop the half smirk that slipped onto her face.

"Seems someone is singing like a canary, girls. Whatever did happen to you both?" she asked, looking down her nose. Pansy made to shout, but Cerus, who had sat in utter shock, finally barked out a laugh. He wasn't the only one, as several other Slytherins found the prank to be quite hilarious. What was funnier, was when Pansy turned to Draco for help, but the boy only scowled and shuffled away after seeing Millicent's scratching. Pansy shrieked again, a large tuft of feathers spewing out of her mouth and causing her to cough, which resulted in more feathers falling to the stone floor.

Sarah settled back into the couch, letting out a satisfied sigh. Cerus smirked at her.

"Devious."

"They had it coming."

Sarah later learned both girls tried to tell McGonagall that Sarah had done this to them, but when Sarah was rather forthcoming that she had never handed them anything, they eventually backed down in their threats, lest they admit to wrecking her things again. When she later told the twins, they seemed to take it as a sign that sweets with pranks built into them was the right way to go. Sarah was honestly excited to see what they would come up with next.

The grand scheme to Sarah's plan, however, took an entire month to complete. Cerus was able to snatch some of Draco's hair from his robes one evening, then he added it to the brewed potion.

"So now I just drink it?" Sarah asked, staring at the disgusting slop. She gulped once, nervous. Cerus laughed.

"I think I'd like to do this part. Always wanted to, anyways." Sarah raised a brow as Cerus dipped a cup into the cauldron. He stared at the liquid, grimaced, and clinked his glass on the side of the cauldron.

"Cheers." He downed the entire cup as quickly as possible, then groaned. "Fucking hell."

Cerus ran away from Sarah and hid behind a few barrels as he wretched. The blonde stayed where she was, surprised. She waited, thinking something had gone wrong, when none other than Malfoy came from behind the barrels.

"Williams." He spat. Sarah stared for a moment, frowning. When Malfoy gave a familiar cheeky grin, she realized the potion had worked. She narrowed her eyes.

"Sallow."

Cerus looked down at his new form and hissed.

"Merlin this boy is small. He's half my size." He muttered, feeling how loose his robes were. He pulled out his wand and transfigured them to become a few sizes smaller. "There, how do I look?"

"Utterly intolerable." She decided. It was unnerving to watch Malfoy smirk at her like that, but it didn't last long as he waltzed towards the exit.

"Only one job to do now. All I must do is find that blasted poltergeist." Cerus looked back at her as the iron gate opened. "Best to stay out of sight. See you in the morning, mate."

Sarah, being unable to do anything else, cleaned up the rest of the polyjuice potion and went back to the common room.

The next morning Sarah and Cerus opted to sit at the Gryffindor table and face the Slytherins. Many stared at them, but it was only when Harry and his two friends came down that anything was said.

"What in bloody hell are you two doing here?" Ron asked. Sarah was indifferent as she and Cerus eyed Draco walking into the Great Hall. He looked nervous, his eyes darting everywhere. Sarah gestured to him, taking a sip of her tea slowly. The trio turned to watch as Draco sat, his shoulders sagged in relief. Finally, as he reached for a kettle, it exploded. Hot tea and streams of green and silver sparks shot everywhere. Draco flailed as the kettle burned his hands and laughter erupted.

"Ickle Wittle Malfoy's steaming under the pressure he is!" Peeves cackled, floating above the boy as he scrambled to run away. "Where's he going? Naughty boy leaving without cleaning up he is!"

Much of the hall was silent following that display. Fred and George slid in beside Sarah then, eyes practically glowing.

"Ms. Williams, you simply must tell us-" "-How in Merlin's name did you manage to get Peeves to do your dirty work?"

"You did this?" Hermione stared at Sarah in shock. The blonde looked at Harry and saw his huge grin. She smirked.

"It was Cerus, actually." she said, nudging the boy next to her. Cerus grinned and shrugged.

"I juts told Peeves that Malfoy thought he could do far greater pranks than him is all, might've challenged him to a month of it too."Cerus said while pouring himself another tea. Harry laughed, hearing shrieking of Malfoy in the hallway.

Fred and George looked at him with awe.

"Not bad for a Slytherin I'd say. Right Fred?"

"I'll say George."

Despite the entertainment of watching Draco run fleeing anytime he saw Peeves, the Bloody Baron did eventually put a stop to it a few weeks later. Pansy and Millicent had also returned to normal, and while they glared or said some choice words, neither girl was brave enough to go into Sarah's belongings again. Harry and his friends overheard Sarah describing what sort of effects their sweets had on the two girls, which made her realize she never actually told anyone about the bullying until quite recently. Harry was displeased, to say the least, but considering it was all said and done he only wanted to know more about the girl's reactions.

This made December rather peaceful for Sarah.

But Christmas was fast approaching, and Sarah was muttering about finding presents for everyone this year. Maggie assured her in her letters that it wasn't necessary, and that she needed to enjoy her first year, but still the girl tried her best to hunt through catalogues of both magical and muggle for the perfect gifts.

"I think it'll be nice, being home for a change. While I love the castle, I do miss my own bed." Selene said while finishing up one final assignment. Sarah was lounging next to her, flipping pages of a book while Hermione was skimming large tomes. The three had begun a sort of quiet study group for most of December, and thus far Sarah had to agree it was far better than studying with Cerus in the Undercroft. The boy had the attention span of a nugget whenever studying was involved.

"Are you going home for the holidays Sarah?" Hermione asked, tentatively glancing up. Sarah nodded slowly while Selene grinned.

"Maggie must be thrilled you're finally coming home." Selene teased. It was true, the woman had written eagerly in her letters how much she wanted to see her adoptive child again. Sarah smiled a small and tender smile at the thought of seeing her again.

"Probably planned the entire holiday." Sarah said softly. Hermione raised a brow.

"Who is Maggie?" She asked. Sarah looked over to her, though the softness never left her features.

"My adoptive mum," Sarah said easily. Hermione's eyes widened a bit, but then she briskly nodded. Sarah watched her, observing her behaviour before asking, "your parents are muggles, right? Harry mentioned they were dentists?"

Hermione swallowed and nodded again.

"Yes, they're muggles, both dentists." Hesitantly, she added more. "Is Maggie a witch?"

Sarah felt a bit exposed to the frizzy-haired girl's questions. She had thought Hermione to be insufferable at the start of the year. But if Harry liked her, there had to be a reason, right? Sarah nodded.

"She's muggleborn." Sarah said, going back to her catalogue.

More time passed and finally Christmas break was upon them. Sarah and Harry said their goodbyes to each other, but not before Harry handed her a large box. Sarah stared at it in his arms, and when he handed it to her it felt heavy.

"What in Merlin's name is this?" She asked, barely holding up the box. Harry laughed.

"Told you, I've got years and years to catch up for." He said with a grin. Sarah huffed, glaring lightly at him.

"And I told you not to bother." Harry shrugged it off as Sarah transfigured the box to become small enough to fit into her bag. She then pulled out a box for Harry. Harry pushed the box back at her though.

"Sar c'mon. I told you the photo was enough." He insisted. Sarah forced the box into his hands anyway and gave a wry smirk.

"Can't let you out-gift me can I, Potter?" She taunted. Sarah's features softened then as she gave a rare soft smile. "Do try to enjoy yourself without me, but not too much of course."

Harry grinned.

"Not too much, but just enough." He assured her. Sarah smirked as he walked her to the front gates where Cerus and Selene were waiting for them. Selene grinned, practically bouncing on her heels while Cerus tried to play off and eagerness he felt. Harry and Sarah said their goodbyes as she ventured with the Sallow's to their home.

The walk was cold, but enjoyable as the three chatted. Cerus was attempting to stay aloof to his sister and Sarah about how much he missed home, but once they arrived Sarah could see the tension in his shoulders lessen. Once through the front door of the Sallow house, Sarah was tackled by her favourite witch.

"Maggie!" Sarah said, wrapping her arms around the short woman. Maggie rocked her back and forth, cradling her head gently as her other arm held onto her fiercely.

"Oh, how I've missed you hun!" Maggie pulled away, fresh tears in her eyes. Sarah felt her own eyes well up and aggressively wiped them away as well. "You have to tell me everything! I don't care if you wrote about it, I want to hear everything that you did in your first semester!"

"Merlin's beard Mags, she just walked in the door." Atlas laughed, having gone to hug his own children. Maggie huffed and squeezed Sarah to her side.

"Oh hush! She only goes away for the first time once!" Maggie defended. Sarah let out a little laugh, smiling as she rested her head against Maggie's shoulder.

Everyone settled into their rooms, with Sarah finding her guest room by memory. She settled in for a time before planning to find Maggie to have a nice chat. She missed her dearly during her time at Hogwarts. Sarah looked everywhere to try and find her, but as she crossed into the den she was surprised to find two unfamiliar old men relaxing by the fire.

Thinking that they hadn't seen her, Sarah attempted to excuse herself, except one of the men called out to her.

"Well, hello there. I don't believe I recognize those footsteps." A posh English accent called out. Sarah hesitated, then entered the den. The man who called out looked well-kept and calm. His milky eyes looked to the floor, unseeing, but his pure white hair was slicked back and face clean-shaven. Sarah stepped closer, and the second man looked up at her.

"Well, you must this Sarah we've been hearing about." This man's voice was much deeper, with brown eyes filled with mischief despite his weather-beaten face. Sarah couldn't tell age spots from freckles on this man, but his unruly salt and pepper coloured hair gave him an almost boyish charm despite the trimmed beard and glasses that sat on his face.

"Yes, my name is Sarah Williams, pleased to meet you both." Sarah said automatically. The blind man chuckled.

"Such a polite girl. How on Earth did Cerus ever befriend you?" He chuckled. "My name is Ominis, Ominis Alden. Pleasure, young Sarah."

Sarah looked from Ominis to the other man, who seemed to be sizing her up as he clasped his hands in front of him and observed her.

"You can call me Sebastian Sallow. I'm Cerus' great grandfather." He said but seemed like he wanted to say something more. Sarah nodded to him.

"Pleasure." She repeated, uncertain what more to say.

"Well, I would hate to keep you. If you're looking for Maggie, she went outside to get something for you." Ominis said, sipping his tea like a dignified man. Sarah nodded politely and excused herself to find Maggie.

Outside, Maggie was fussing with something. Her back to Sarah as she muttered to Atlas.

"Maggie?" Sarah asked. Maggie turned, looking caught. Atlas snickered, looking down at the witch as if she'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"Well," Maggie started. "Guess I couldn't tuck it away soon enough." She stepped to the side, and Sarah saw what she'd been working on.

It was a broom, and not just any broom. It was a Nimbus 2000. Sarah only knew this because it looked identical to the one Harry had gotten from McGonagall. Her eyes widened as she took in the pretty green bow that was tied to the handle. Sarah stepped closer, eyes widening further.

"After I heard about your little escapade, Cerus wrote to tell me how much you enjoyed being on a broom." Maggie explained. "I couldn't wait to get this for you."

Sarah hugged Maggie in a fiercely tight embrace then, her eyes shining.

"Thank you." She said in a watery voice. Maggie smiled, gesturing for her to get closer.

"Give it a try love, I know you want to."

She didn't need to be told twice. Sarah was soaring through the evening sky with a grin in no time. This time she had quickly tied her hair back, but the cold still flushed her cheeks as the wind whipped past her face. Soon two others joined her. Cerus quickly gained on her while Selene followed at a more docile pace.

The trio flew for about an hour, Selene laughing at Sarah and Cerus as they dove around each other and pretended to race without a real destination.

Christmas Eve, Sarah sat curled up in the den with a cup of tea. She had opened all her presents and felt very much like a child again after seeing all the gifts given to her. She especially loved how people reacted to her own gifts. However, nothing was quite as memorable as Harry's gift. The box that it came it was charmed to fit more on the inside than it appeared to; much like many bags the Sallow's owned. When Sarah opened it up, inside was a letter from Harry that was piled on top of numerous items.

'Sarah,

I tried to find the perfect gift, but the more I searched, the more things I found that I wanted to share with you. So instead of one thing, I thought of anything I had ever wanted to buy for you. Please don't get too mad, Ron even helped me order some of it and Hermione did too.

I wanted to give you the first snitch I ever caught. You mentioned being a huge fan of quidditch before, so here it is. This is what they look like. Perhaps we'll race each other for one next year?

This headband is from when we were little. Your hair was so choppy when we met, and it always fell in your eyes. I wanted to give you something to keep it out of your eyes.

You mentioned the Slytherin dorms were frigid this time of year, so I found some jumpers for you to keep warm, and a blanket that is charmed to warm you up quickly in case you catch a cold.

I added a picture frame but didn't have any idea what to put into it. But I thought one day you could fill it with your own happy memories like you did for me.

Lastly, I tried to find every sweet that I know you like, since you aren't much of a sweet tooth, I instead found any sour sweet you might enjoy. Please don't share these with Parkinson and Bullstrode.

Merry Christmas, see you in the new term.

Harry'

Sarah stared at the box, pulling out each thing that she read about, until finally flipping it over and watching as an obnoxiously large stack of sour treats and lollies fell onto the floor. Maggie was laughing as Cerus and Selene stared. Sarah, through glassy eyes, giggled once.

"Merlin's beard." Sebastian huffed as he later sat down near the cozy girl. Sarah looked up to him, feeling joy still bubbling in her chest as the old man tried to get comfortable. Sarah curled up more in her new blanket from Harry and watched Sebastian as he sipped his tea. The old man looked over to her and gave a charming smile.

"You don't mind if I sit with you?" he asked after a second. Sarah shook her head.

"No, I don't mind sir." Sebastian chuckled at her, and Sarah wondered if the voice ran in the family. She decided that Cerus must've looked a lot like his great grandfather. Same unruly hair, mischievous eyes, and so many freckles. Although Sarah rarely saw his mother since she was always away on business, she did see that Cerus got his sharp jawline from his mother's side of the gene pool. Selene, however, looked so much more like her mum except for her nose and chin being like her father's.

Sarah briefly wondered where their grandfather was but chose not to ask any personal questions.

"Just call me Sebastian, unless that's too informal. Just never call me gramps for the love of Merlin." He groaned while trying to adjust himself in his seat. Sarah was tempted to say something but bit her lip instead. Sebastian settled again and looked into the fire in front of them.

"How was Hogwarts?" he asked, building conversation. Sarah nodded while thinking.

"It's nice." she said quietly. He raised a brow, a smirk identical to Cerus' on his lips.

"Just nice? Clearly it's downgraded since my time there. Granted it's been almost a century."

Sarah snorted, thinking he was joking, but taking another glance at him she realized he might not be. Dumbledore was over a century old, and wizards lived over twice the lifespan of muggles. So perhaps it was the truth? He was Cerus and Selene's great-grandfather, after all.

"I am enjoying myself." She said politely. Sebastian sighed, sinking into his chair. It was silent for a moment before he continued.

"I used to cause quite a bit of trouble while there, but never had I gotten detention in the first week of classes." He said, raising a brow at her. Sarah froze, sipping her tea to keep from saying anything. Sebastian chuckled again. "What ever does my Cerus see in a quiet doe like you, hm?"

Sarah felt insulted by these words, her features schooling into a neutral line. Sebastian seemed to be fully aware of what he was doing as he pushed further.

"Oh? Did I hit a nerve?" He laughed once. "Can't make this too easy for an old man. Surely you're better at hiding your feelings than that? Mags joked you could lie through veritaserum."

"Why does it matter?" She found herself saying. "I'm just a little doe."

Sebastian huffed, sitting up in his armchair again.

"I've learned a thing or two over my lifetime. And one of them is that if you always lie to yourself, you'll eventually forget what is the lie and what is the truth." He looked her over, sipping his teacup again. She noticed he used his fingers to hold around the rim like a surly man rather than the delicate form Ominis used with the handle.

"Do you know the difference, Sarah?" he asked, catching her a bit off guard. "You must know what it is you're hiding in order to hide it effectively. But the way I see it, you can't decide what emotions to cover up."

Sarah frowned unconsciously at his words, then silently cursed herself. It was exactly the reaction he had wanted, wasn't it? Sebastian laughed and tipped his cup up to drink the rest of his tea.

"Why does it matter?" Sarah asked again, watching the way Sebastian calmed, looking her in the eye.

"I had a friend like you, once." He admitted slowly, carefully watching her. "He was a bright young wizard, fiercely loyal to a fault. But in truth that was his greatest struggle."

Sarah's frown deepened as he settled himself and placed his teacup on the table beside him.

"Mags told us about what you did to that muggle boy," he admitted, watching her reaction. Ice surged into Sarah's veins then as she realized why they were having this conversation. "My guess is you don't entirely regret it either."

Sarah remained quiet, the silence speaking volumes. Sebastian gave a short smirk, but it vanished.

"He was the same. Willing to do whatever it took to conquer his goals. But because he had no regrets, he never realized the people he hurt to get to these goals. He never realized what he lost along the way."

"What happened to him?" Sarah asked, nervous about the answer. Sebastian chuckled as he smiled fondly. Youth was brought back to his features as his eyes went far away from the room they were in.

"Somebody finally stopped him."

There was a long pause before Sarah spoke.

"I won't hurt them," Sarah said firmly, thinking of the young Sallow siblings. "Cerus and Selene are my friends."

Sebastian watched her, his eyes returning to the present as a frown slipped onto his lips. He nodded once, blinking.

"I don't doubt that you mean it," he tilted his head back against the chair. "But often our intentions get lost in our actions. We Slytherins are, if nothing else, filled with ambition."

As if realizing how late it was, or perhaps feeling he had interrogated her enough, Sebastian helped himself up from the armchair and groaned. His spine cracked as he stood.

"I suppose that's enough for now. I do hope you believe me when I say I meant this positively." He said as he looked down at her. Sarah stared, feeling confused by his words. Sebastian smiled softly, like the one he had in his far away expression not long ago.

"Merry Christmas, Sarah." He said before hobbling off to bed. Sarah sat for a while longer, mulling over his words and intentions. She hoped he told the truth, that there was a positive light to what he had said. And while Sarah didn't completely understand his words, they still struck a chord inside of her.

She would think about this conversation for many years to come.

Chapter Text

Sarah woke earlier than the rest of the house, or so she had thought.  

She nearly jumped out of her skin when Ominis Alden spoke from the kitchen table. You couldn’t see the table from where you entered the kitchen as it was tucked into the corner. However, he was sat there nursing a cup of hot tea as spoke as she entered.  

“There’s fresh Earl Grey, if that’s what you fancy.” Ominis spoke. Sarah, after her initial shock, swallowed anything she might’ve said to that and hummed in agreement. After pouring some tea for herself, Sarah sat across from Ominis at the table.  

While it might’ve seemed rude in most cases, Sarah couldn’t help but stare at Ominis as he settled into his seat, looking half awake and disgruntled. She noticed that his brow was quite similar to her own, being strong and causing her eyes to look sunken and sharp. She also wondered what colour his eyes would’ve been had he not been blind. It looked like they would’ve been a ghostly blue, not like her vibrant grey. The one thing Sarah did pride herself in was that she was told she had dazzling eyes. They seemed to shimmer, according to Maggie, which spooked some people and made her glare all the more intense.  

Idly, Sarah wondered what Ominis would think of her glare; would it even have an effect?  

“I do hope Sebastian hasn’t been too forward with you,” Ominis spoke suddenly, jarring Sarah from her thoughts. “He has never been one for tact, but I assure you he simply has many thoughts on his mind.”  

Sarah contemplated her conversation with Sebastian last night. She wasn’t sure what to make of it and was still mulling over his words. When she didn’t answer right away, Ominis sighed and shook his head.  

“Over one hundred years old and still talks like a child.” He muttered to himself, though Sarah heard him.  

“He cares about his family.” Sarah said softly. Ominis hummed as he lifted his teacup.  

“Yes, sometimes a bit too much.” There was a darkness to his words that Sarah was uncertain of. She didn’t understand what he meant by it, nor why both old men seemed to have something they were telling her. But Sarah had long since learned to shift out liars and not to trust so openly, and she knew there was something unsaid between them.  

“You are quite a reserved young lady. Maggie told us it might be difficult to get a read on you.” Ominis chuckled though, as if amused. “I suppose a lack of facial expressions isn’t too troubling, however.” 

Sarah’s eyes flickered up to his unseeing ones. She wanted to ask about them, but wondered if it was too forward.  

“Is it difficult, not seeing?” she asked gently, curious. Ominis smile kindly, the corners of his mouth folding with wrinkles while his brow softened. He appeared to be genuinely kind, like Sebastian, but so very full of memories and secrets.  

“I wouldn’t know, I was born blind. Considering I never had sight to begin with I can’t seem to understand what all the fuss is about.” He said this, but Sarah noticed how impeccably well-dressed he was. She wondered idly if he found it easy and always dressed this well because it was all he knew?  

“You’re a curious mind, and yet so silent. Don’t be afraid, not like an old blind man with back pain could be that intimidating.” Ominis said, casually drinking more tea. Sarah stared down at her cup, at her own reflection in the dark waters. 

“That’s a lie.” she said quietly, but Ominis tilted his head in curiosity. “Cuts heal overtime, but words stay with us forever.”  

Ominis paused for a moment, but then a deep chuckle left his lips as a wry smirk worked its way onto them.  

“Well said,” he paused to consider something, “trauma often matures the soul beyond its years.”  

She looked at him, frowning, wondering briefly if he was speaking for her or himself. Ominis wasn’t bothered though and seemed comfortable in the atmosphere. The girl couldn’t help it though as the dark humour crept forward in her brain.  

It wasn’t like he could see it, so Sarah dropped the façade for a brief moment and felt herself start to smile. 

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Sarah joked. Ominis scoffed.  

“Don’t let Sebastian hear you say that.” He said, though he continued to smile. “Now tell me, Sarah Williams, I simply must know if the tradition has been kept up since we left. Has anyone told you of the mermaids in the black lake?”  

“Mermaids?” Sarah asked. Ominis tsked, sounding disappointed.  

“Anne and I would the start of every year convincing first years that you could see the mermaids. They are there, though they have little to no interest in Hogwarts students.” Ominis said in a reminiscing tone. Sarah fed into it, curiosity getting the better of her.  

“Who was Anne?” Sarah asked, sipping her tea. Ominis smiled.  

“Sebastian’s twin sister. She passed a while ago. I believe you are wearing her ring.” Ominis gestured in her direction. Sarah looked down at the ring with snakes and a black gem. She felt a bit surprised, not having known exactly where this ring had come from.  

“It was made from Goblin metal, by my late wife, in a bid to help Anne with her own ailments at the time.” Despite the information, Sarah could sense a bit of hurt and longing at the mention of his deceased wife. Tentatively, she pressed for more.  

“Your wife sounds very kind.” Sarah said, feeling strained in how to phrase the words. Ominis smiled though, his eyes softening and a warmth filling his features. Sarah was briefly reminded of how Harry looked at her when she gave him the picture of his parents.  

“Cassi, quite possibly the kindest woman one could ever meet. How she ever fell for me I cannot fathom.... But she was a saint who helped both Sebastian and I in many of our adventures.” He shook his head after a moment and cleared his throat. “I suppose that might be a boring subject for you though. Can’t imagine hearing an old man’s woes is a great topic of conversation with you youths.”  

The blonde shrugged despite the blind man being unable to see it. 

“Trauma’s aged me.” Sarah said, a hint of mischief in her tone. Ominis chuckled again.  

“That it has.”  

Sarah and Ominis continued to chat for over an hour about anything pertaining to Hogwarts. She found it bizarre to speak to him, as several times she caught herself openly smiling or grinning at his words. She definitely liked him but couldn’t understand what it was that drew her to him. He had been correct; trauma had changed her. She was not the same girl who was initially adopted the first time in the orphanage. She was not about to wear her heart on her sleeve.  

But perhaps because he was blind, because in a sense she had the upper hand, she felt comfortable with the man more so than she had with many others. Ominis told her of several things to snoop around for in the castle, including the cellars and different hidden passages to check out. He was unsurprised at how Cerus had already told her of the Undercroft, and that it had been in his family for generations.  

Something didn’t sound right about it to Sarah, but soon the house was awake as others came down, and the duo concluded their private chat. Sarah watched Sebastian come into the kitchen, and observed the friendship between the two old men, idly wondering if that would be her and Harry one day. She smiled softly at the idea of it.  

Sarah eagerly walked back into Hogwarts with the Sallow siblings at the end of the holidays. Cerus and Selene both opted to return immediately to the common rooms while Sarah sought out Harry. She eventually found him and Ron playing wizard’s chess in the Great Hall. The black-haired boy beamed when he saw her, waving to her to come and sit. Ron scowled at her approach, but Sarah ignored him as she looked at her best friend.  

Sarah sidled next to Harry, who was staring at the black headband that Sarah now wore. It held back her curls to gently frame her face, showing her pale complexion.  

“Sarah, I take it you liked your gift?” Harry teased. Sarah rolled her eyes, and while she didn’t smile, her eyes were laughing with him.  

“Plural,” she muttered, then the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. “Thank you, though I wish you’d use your money more practically.”  

Harry laughed.  

“Right, I’ll buy a whole library for you next time. That’s practical, right?”  

Sarah rolled her eyes as Harry grinned, elated to see her using his gift already. Ron cleared his throat, and the duo broke eye-contact. Ron frowned, then gestured to the chessboard. Harry quickly moved his knight before looking at Sarah again.  

“I have to show you something later.” Harry said quickly. Sarah raised a brow, but Harry looked back to the chessboard again and played with Ron. Harry told Sarah about his time at Hogwarts with Ron, and how the food was loads better than when he was at home, and that he needed to show Sarah something important. Sarah was partially listening, partially watching the chess game. Ron even had some input about what he thought of Hogwarts during the holidays. 

Harry lost to Ron four times in a row, and eventually he conceded that he wasn’t going to defeat Ron.  

“May I play?” Sarah asked, surprising the boys. Ron looked at Harry, who slid himself out of the way for Sarah to take her seat. She had played chess twice with Sebastian over the holidays. Ron walked her through the basics, and the two of them played while Harry observed. Without surprise, Ron won, but Sarah found it quite entertaining to play against the red head.  

“Well played.” Sarah said softly, surprising Ron. Harry grinned at Ron’s stumped expression; he knew the feeling.  

Harry walked Sarah back to her common room, then pulled her away to show her his invisibility cloak. It piqued Sarah’s interest as she felt the fabric and swung it onto her own shoulders once to see what it looked like underneath.  

“Who gave it to you?” Sarah asked, pulling it off and handing it back to Harry, who shrugged lightly.  

“Dunno, it belonged to my dad though.” He paused for a moment, his eyes growing distant. Harry recounted the mirror of Erised, of seeing his parents.  

“But it was strange,” Harry continued, confused briefly. “I saw.... I saw them, but- I was older, much older. An adult, and- and you were there. Mum and Dad were smiling at us, and nodding.  

Sarah snorted.  

“Perhaps they approved of me?” She had meant it as a joke, but the way Harry looked at her made her hesitate. Harry frowned, then tilted his head as he looked at her.  

“I think- I think I wanted you to meet them? I dunno, but- I did wonder if you’d like them.” Harry admitted, wondering why he and Sarah were adults when they appeared in the mirror before him.  

And why on Earth were they holding hands, grinning down at him knowingly?  

Sarah huffed, looking down her nose.  

“I already know what they’d think.” She said derisively, then smirked. “They would’ve knocked some sense into you and told you to stay away from me.” 

Harry rolled his eyes.  

“Honestly Sar.”  

“Would’ve taught you a bedtime nursery rhyme to warn you too.”  

Harry laughed, watching as Sarah hummed softly.  

“One, two, Sarah’s coming for you.” She sang in an eerie voice. Harry shivered, making her smirk. 

“Like I would’ve listened. I would probably be singing it all the way up to your doorstep.” Harry mused, staring at the blonde who was still slightly taller than him. Sarah’s smirk melted into a soft smile moments later.  

“Thank goodness.” She spoke warmly, reminded of Ominis and Sebastian’s antics and wondered again if that would be her and Harry someday. She hoped so, the thought blooming warmth in her chest.  

“Harry!” 

Both of Harry’s Gryffindor friends came sprinting down the quiet hall and up to him. Hermione hugged Harry in welcome, before turning to Sarah. She looked timid but nodded to her. Sarah nodded back, her face cool and neutral the moment the frizzy haired witched approached. Ron sauntered at a slower pace.  

“Hello Sarah, hope you and Maggie had a nice Christmas?” Hermione asked, surprising Harry. Sarah nodded, her eyes warming at the thought of her adoptive mother.  

“It was lovely, I hope yours was as well?” Sarah’s politeness threw Harry for a loop, but Hermione smiled happily.  

“Yes, it was very quiet being home though, nothing like being here in Hogwarts.” Hermione spoke some more, though Sarah was only half listening. She could sense Harry’s lingering stare as they made their way to Gryffindor tower and then the Great Hall.  

“What?” Sarah asked as Ron and Hermione walked ahead of them. Harry just smiled at Sarah.  

“You’re being awfully friendly.” He teased. Sarah looked to the back of Hermione’s head, then casually tossed some of the blonde locks over her own shoulder in dismissal.  

“They’re your friends,” Sarah said simply, surprising Harry. “I suppose they can’t be completely dreadful.”  

She paused then, scowling at Ron’s back.  

“Granger isn’t, but I’ve no idea what you ever saw in Weasley.” She corrected. Still, Harry recalled her playing against Ron, how she gave her undivided attention when he explained the rules. Even Harry’s commentary didn’t pull her away.  

He felt happy, knowing Sarah’s little world was growing, and felt even happier when he saw a twinkle linger in her eyes despite the neutral expression. Harry slipped his hand into hers, startling Sarah. Despite initially flinching, she didn’t pull away, she just looked down at their interlocked fingers with a raised brow.  

“What?” Harry challenged, but Sarah said nothing as she looked ahead. Though he did notice the tips of her ears turning a bright shade of pink. He wasn’t sure why, but he enjoyed the colour it brought to her face. 

“Here it is.” Sarah muttered, setting the thick book down in front of the trio. Harry looked up at her, confused. “You said you needed to find Nicholas Flamel, he’s here. He’s even known by muggles he’s so famous. I’m surprised Hogwarts has muggle encyclopedias here though.”  

Hermione’s eyes lit up as she looked at the cover.  

Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume 10  

“Of course!” Hermione rushed away without another word as Sarah flipped the pages. Ron muttered about ‘girls being mental’, which Sarah ignored while she turned the book around for Harry to read. Ron leaned in as well to read.  

Flamel, Nicholas (1330-1418) - reputed French alchemist and scrivener to the university of Paris, was born in Paris or Pontoise about 1330, and died in Paris in 1418, bequeathing the bulk of his property to the church of Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie, where he was buried.  

“This doesn’t tell me anything I need to know though.” Harry said, frowning. Though he had to admit this was a better lead than he ever expected to have.  

“Harry,” Sarah said, pointing to the name. “Look at when he was born.”  

1330 

“So?” Ron asked, frowning. Sarah scowled at him, but then ignored him.  

“If he was born in 1330, why is Dumbledore speaking with him?” Sarah started but was cut off as Hermione brought a large tome forward. She dropped it beside the encyclopedia and flipped through it.  

“It’s because he’s well known for his greatest creation, the philosopher’s stone.” Hermione added in. Sarah nodded, understanding from her own study.  

“I didn’t think it actually existed.” she admitted. Hermione looked up at her, excitement in her eyes.  

“Neither did I, it’s rather enthralling really. To think Hogwarts is hiding such a thing.” Hermione was grinning as she spoke to the taller girl.  

“What are you two on about?” Ron asked. Hermione rolled her eyes but relented into explaining the stone to the boys.  

“Never grow old, never die.....” Sarah mused quietly.  

“That’s what Fluffy’s guarding then? The stone?” Ron asked. Harry and Hermione seemed to think deeper on this.  

“Seems like it, but I can’t imagine the stone just resting under that trap-door.” Harry said.  

“There’s likely more than Fluffy guarding the stone.” Hermione added. Sarah had only heard of Fluffy, and so she couldn’t give any input or opinions.  

Harry huffed, amazed all he had to do was mention the name once to Sarah and she had answers. 

“Thanks Sar, we’ve been looking for months.” He admitted. Sarah brushed some hair over her shoulder, Ron rolled his eyes at the motion.  

“You’re welcome.” She said proudly, but then glanced at Hermione to see her shyly smiling at Sarah. The corner of Sarah’s mouth lifted as she looked down at her from the corner of her eye.  

“I suppose now I can focus on trying not to die.” Harry sighed, glancing at the door where he could’ve sworn a black robe swished by. Sarah raised a brow.  

“Snape’s going to be referee-ing the Hufflepuff vs Gryffindor match.” Hermione said, certain it would be disastrous. Sarah frowned then, wondering what they were talking about.  

“Do you remember how my broom was jinxed during the Slytherin match?” Harry asked. Sarah nodded once. “Hermione found Snape not looking away once while it was happening.”  

Sarah tilted her head, remembering the trance-like state she entered when she attacked Dudley. Eye contact was definitely important, but for some reason it didn’t fit with Sarah. She didn’t like Snape one bit, but she would be lying if she said she thought him the type to try and actively kill a student.  

“You really think Snape is the one?” she asked, glancing to the door as if expecting him to be summoned. Ron scoffed.  

“Oh come on! The man’s evil and you know it! He’s had it out for Harry since day one!” Ron said in a hushed tone, as if thinking Snape would magically hear him if he spoke too loudly. Sarah glanced at all of them, and Hermione noticed the hesitation.  

“Who do you think would’ve done it then?” Hermione asked. “I can’t think of anyone else who would’ve done that, maybe Malfoy, but no first year has that sort of magic.”  

Sarah and Harry shared a brief look before she looked down at the table. They weren’t wrong, Sarah didn’t suspect anyone else in the school, but Snape seemed- it seemed too easy.  

“Nothing’s ever that simple.” she muttered, trying to imagine someone else. Malfoy wasn’t staring at Harry, he was looking at her, and other than him she couldn’t think of anybody else who had it in for Harry bad enough to try and kill him.  

“You’ll be fine.” she said confidently, looking Harry in the eye. He wasn’t very convinced. 

“He’s going to die.” Ron sighed. Hermione rolled her eyes as Sarah looked directly at Harry.  

“You’ll be fine.” Sarah said again. Harry noticed her twisting her ring on her hand and swallowed. For once, Sarah was happy with her magic, if only for the fact that it allowed her to protect her friends. Harry gave a smile, then nodded. Hermione noticed the exchange and looked at them curiously but didn’t make a remark.  

Ever since that day in the library, Sarah had been circling the drain about it. She wondered who had both the power and the motif to attack Harry like that.  

“Cerus.” Sarah called after the second year. He turned to look at her, breaking off from conversation with his friend. Said friend said goodbye before walking away as Cerus strolled over to Sarah.  

“You called?” He drawled out, raising a brow. Sarah’s eye twitched.  

“Well look at you being rather obedient.” She taunted. Cerus rolled his eyes.  

“I’m waiting for you to apologize for the posters.”  

Sarah scoffed with a hint of amusement in her eyes.  

“Are you not a Puddlemere fan after all?” Sarah raised a brow, challenging him. Cerus rolled his eyes. Her gift to him had been a dubiously large poster of the entire team flying in formation. Evidently, Cerus was not a Puddlemere fan, and the joke had long since run its course when Sarah used that joke on Snape last semester.  

“Merlin you don’t quit do you.” He muttered, rubbing his face. “Alright, what did you need?”  

Sarah sobered, remembering her original reason for speaking with him.  

“I-” She hesitated, then gestured for him to follow her. Cerus frowned, but then followed her all the way to the Undercroft. Once inside, Sarah spoke freely to Cerus.  

“During the match of Gryffindor vs Slytherin, did you notice what happened with Harry’s broom?”  

Cerus thought back, then recalled watching Harry dangling in the air and the beaters attempting to catch him.  

“Oh yeah, was a real shock. He lost control of it right?”  

“Not entirely. I- I think someone jinxed his broom.” Sarah said carefully. Cerus frowned, tilting his head and crossing his arms.  

“Why would you think that?” he asked, noticing how she played with her ring.  

“Harry told me someone was jinxing the broom before. Hermione said Snape wasn’t looking away the entire time. It all lined up perfectly.” She said as Cerus watched her.  

“And you think they’re wrong, don’t you? That’s why you’re asking me?” He put the pieces together, watching Sarah lick her teeth.  

“You’ve been here longer. You know the teachers better. I can’t imagine any students motivated enough to trying and hurt him, and I can’t imagine a man who’s been teaching here for years trying to kill a student.” Sarah said confidently.  

“True, I can’t either. Snape can be a lot, especially if you’re not in Slytherin. Rumours say he was an evil man, but I dunno. You don’t work under Dumbledore for a decade and get away with literal murder. The headmaster is practically all-knowing at this point. I wouldn’t put it past him to know about the Undercroft even.” Cerus mulled over his own words, scratching his chin.  

“However, I have no idea what kind of man Quirrell is.” He admitted. Sarah raised a brow.  

“Quirrell?”  

“Yeah, it’s his first year. He’s an absolute chicken now, but apparently, it’s because of a vampire he met in Albania over the summer.”  

Sarah could vaguely remember something like that. Most of the class she sat as close to the door as possible to avoid the overwhelming stench of garlic and to ignore the man’s ramblings. She couldn’t stand stuttering.  

“I can’t help you much more than that I’m afraid,” Cerus began. “But if I do hear anything, I'll let you know.”  

Sarah nodded. 

“Thank you.” she said calmly despite her storming thoughts.  

As they left the Undercroft, Sarah’s mind was still circling, and the duo opted to take a stroll together quietly. They happened to stumble across Malfoy messing with Neville Longbottom. Sarah narrowed her eyes, a scowl on her lips. She couldn’t stand bullies, and the image was a painful reminder of the time she caught Dudley in Harry’s schoolbag. His fists filled with chocolates.  

Now Malfoy took the spot of Dudley, and while the blonde wasn’t nearly as huge as Harry’s cousin, he was just as disgusting in her eyes.  

She imagined Malfoy slipping on a wet spot and when he shifted his weight the boy went sprawling to the floor. Crabbe and Goyle, who had been shoving Neville around, looked down at their ringleader in shock. Neville’s bag was dumped upside down and all over the floor. When Malfoy looked startled as he got to his feet, Sarah decided she couldn’t be wrong about Malfoy, the boy was useless.  

“Tripping over your own feet now Malfoy?” Cerus taunted. Draco looked at the two who stopped nearby. Sarah offered a hand for Neville to stand up at the same time Crabbe reached for him. Crabbe ended up touching Sarah’s bare wrist. She snapped her eyes at him with the nastiest glare she could manage, and the boy recoiled.  

“Don’t touch me.” she said lowly.  

Draco didn’t have the same reaction as he sauntered closer to Sarah. He snorted as he looked her up and down, and then to Neville who had shrunk away from Sarah when he saw her glare. Draco’s eyes landed back on Sarah as he looked down his nose at her.  

“Mind your own business, you filthy little mudblood.” he said lowly. In a second Cerus had his wand trained on Malfoy throat. 

Something shifted, everyone froze.  

“Say that again, and you’ll never say another damn word.” Cerus’ voice dropped an octave, the seriousness in his voice startling to most. Sarah felt a shiver run up her spine as she realized Cerus would do something to Malfoy. She watched the whimpering slop of a boy cower under the threat and slowly placed her hand on Cerus’ wand arm. He lowered it, but as she looked up at him, she noticed a dark look cross his face.  

Malfoy, as soon as the danger was gone, spat out, “my father will hear about this!” and ran. Crabbe and Goyle waddled after him.  

Sarah took a deep breath to compose herself, then turned to Neville on the floor. He looked terrified of them both, and Sarah felt a small creep of guilt and satisfaction slip through her. Still, she waved her hand and all his supplies that had been littering the floor floated up to her arms.  

Neville’s eyes widened as Cerus yanked him to his feet with surprising ease. Cerus was a bit taller than Sarah, and it seemed being a beater had made him a lot stronger over the past few months.  

“Gotta stand up for yourself mate, Malfoy’s not even much of a threat.” Cerus said, his tone back to his usual one. Sarah handed Neville his books as he stuttered an apology.  

“I-I know, but those two are big.....” He timidly looked to Sarah, who returned to her neutral expression. “You’re Sarah Williams, right? Harry talks about you a lot.” 

Sarah nodded slowly, not saying anything else. Neville found her eyes too intimidating and instead looked to the books in his hands as he stuffed them back into his bag.  

“Thanks though, I- I want to stand up to them but....”  

Sarah snorted but didn’t say anything.  

“Malfoy is useless, just picture him running away next time. He runs like an invalid.” Cerus teased. Sarah sighed, looking in the direction he ran off in. Neville wasn’t convinced by Cerus’ words.  

“You’re in Gryffindor,” Sarah started. “So, you’re braver than you think Neville.”  

Her words seemed to have some impact. When she looked back at him, he was staring at her with mild awe. He nodded, swallowing his nerves then and stood a little taller. Sarah found it charming in a way and softened her expression.  

When they parted ways, Cerus was cooing at her.  

“Merlin, ‘You’re in Gryffindor, so you’re braver than you think’ , next you’ll say all Slytherin’s are dark wizards.” He laughed. Sarah frowned.  

“Slytherin is about ambition. It’s our strongest trait. Every one of us has more ambition than bravery, or loyalty, or cleverness. So, by that impression, a Gryffindor should be brave. At least in comparison to their other traits.” Sarah said. Cerus chuckled.  

“Want to know a secret?” Cerus asked. Sarah hummed that she was listening as Cerus leaned down to her as though telling her a secret. “I was almost in Gryffindor.”  

Sarah glanced at Cerus, unsurprised. He seemed very bold, if a bit bull-headed.  

“Yes you seem the type.” She said easily. Cerus chuckled, then stood taller.  

“I told the hat I wanted to be in Slytherin though, like all the other men of my family. We have great ambition you could say.” Sarah snorted at that, but then considered what the hat told her.  

“I was almost in Hufflepuff.” she admitted. Cerus halted in his steps and just stared at her. Sarah stopped a few steps later, looking back at Cerus who was just staring at her.  

His lips twitched, imagining the girl in yellow and still in her resting witch face expression. From what he had heard of Hufflepuff, the house was a cheerful one with many parties and loads of chatter.  

Sarah would’ve murdered someone.  

He couldn’t hold it back anymore when he pictured Siobhan Templeton braiding her hair and putting flowers in as she told Sarah all the things Hufflepuffs did in their spare time.  

Sarah watched Cerus absolutely lose himself to the humour and felt pink tinge her cheeks.  

“Cerus.” She said lowly, frowning. But Cerus took one look at her face and laughed harder.  

“I-” laughter “you can’t be-” he started to cough. At this point Sarah scowled and turned on her heel. She noticed several people were staring and felt annoyance stir up as she marched away. “Wait- Sar I- come back!”  

Cerus followed her, still laughing away.  

Sarah ignored him for the rest of the day.  

Life went on at Hogwarts with nothing exciting happening. Sarah thought that finding out about Flamel had settled Harry’s curiosity, and it had..... for a while.  

However, things were coming to a head at the Hufflepuff vs Gryffindor game. Cerus and Sarah were getting some extra practice in just before in the Undercroft. Cerus had been teaching Sarah second year spells since they were complete on first year already. She had mastered a few minor spells like Accio, Alohamora, Reparo , and Wingardium Leviosa in a short span of time. Now they were working on Incendio , Cerus had almost singed off his eyebrows twice, and both times Sarah had saved him.  

“Perhaps we should stop before we light on fire?” Sarah teased, looking to the charred spot on the ground where she had accio’d Cerus from. She had technically yanked his robe, he just happened to follow. Cerus brushed himself off as he stood up from the ground. Sarah hadn’t even attempted to catch him, instead letting him fall on the floor merrily.  

“Not a bad idea.” Cerus said, frowning. He cheered up when he realized what match was today. “Oh right, today is the match between your almost house and your almost boyfriend. Whoever will you cheer for hm?”  

Sarah’s face turned into a stony glare, though the tips of her ears turned pink. Cerus noticed the anger in her eyes and felt a shiver run down his spine. No wonder people always called her scary.  

“Only joking,” he said while feeling weirdly timid. Sarah rolled her eyes but dropped her glare. “Merlin, that’s the meanest look I’ve ever seen. Did you practice that or is it natural?”  

Sarah scoffed as they walked out of the Undercroft. She did practice it, for a time. Back in the orphanage when it was a means to defend herself, back when Dudley was the biggest worry. It was a defense, but certainly not natural.  

At the match, Sarah found Hermione and Selene chatting away up in the stands. Cerus and her nestled beside them, with Ron begrudgingly standing next to Sarah. 

Unfortunately, Malfoy and his lackies had also chosen the same tower to stand in. Sarah tried her best to ignore him, but his irritating voice spoke over the cheers at them all.  

“Well well, typical. Say Sallow, you that desperate for attention you follow around that thing all day?” Malfoy taunted, but as Cerus rounded on Malfoy he could see Professor Quirrell and McGonagall in the stands further behind them. He glowered at the blonde instead before Sarah yanked him back around. Malfoy took this as a chance.  

“You know how I think they picked the Gryffindor team? I think they went for the ones they felt sorry for. See, Weasley’s got no money, and Potter’s got no family. You trying out for the team next year, Longbottom? I’m sure they’ll take you, you gutless wimp.”    

Neville turned to look at Draco, who scowled at him.  

“What’re you looking at?” He snapped. Neville gulped.  

“I’m picturing you running away.” It made Cerus chuckle, but Malfoy made to grab at Neville’s shirt. Sarah turned and slapped his hand away, scowling.  

“Piss off you useless inbred scum.” She snapped. Malfoy’s eyes darkened.  

“And you-” He sneered, a vicious snarl on his face. “You're the biggest embarrassment Slytherin’s ever had. A mudblood adopted by another mudblood, and you’re in Slytherin? Salazar must be rolling in his grave.” 

Sarah stopped Cerus from striking the blonde, if only to save him from a detention. Her ring finger was burning so badly she thought it was in a flame. She never looked away from Malfoy as he smirked then, a cruel light taking over his features.  

“Heard the orphanage was thrilled to get rid of you.”  

Whatever happened next, Sarah wasn’t sure. She couldn’t even comprehend how Malfoy knew about where she had come from, especially since she had never told a soul, not even Harry. Only she and Maggie knew, as far as she was aware.  

But beyond that, Sarah was seeing red. She felt murderous as she looked at the boy. The next thing she knew, she was on top of him and punching his face. Crabbe grabbed her and threw her off. Sarah’s back hit the guardrail to the stand, and pandemonium let loose.  

Ron and Neville jumped into the fray of boys, Cerus glanced at the teachers, muttered ‘fuck it’ and joined the fray. 

Sarah’s head stung as it hit the guardrail, and loud cheering could be heard around her. She jumped back up, noticing Goyle punching Neville in the face, and remembered the massive girl from the orphanage. Sarah’s heart quickened, and she remembered the feeling of dread that took over her when the girl stole her things.  

Sarah took matters into her own hands.  

She lunged at Goyle, punching him in the face. Her fists hardly did any damage, but as her ring burned hotter as she tried to ignore the desire to rip it off and do some real damage. She wanted to hurt them.  

She wanted to- 

She was yanked from Goyle a moment later, Quirrell and McGonagall standing above their group with a look of sheer disbelief.  

“I cannot believe this! This is an embarrassment to your houses!” McGonagall shouted at them above the cheers. Sarah could barely hear her though as she stared at Malfoy. The two blondes locked eyes, and he froze in place.  

McGonagall was still talking, but Sarah was just staring at Malfoy, imagining it was him who she tranced into walking into traffic.  

She didn’t mind the idea to be honest..... 

“Ms Williams!” McGonagall shouted, but Sarah only lingered her eyes on Malfoy a few moments longer before slowly looking at the professor. McGonagall paused when she saw the look in Sarah’s eyes.  

“Sarah,” Cerus muttered next to her. She didn’t move. He nudged her, and Sarah realized she was blatantly glaring at the woman. Slowly, she schooled her features again, recoiling the anger back inside of her as she closed her eyes and counted her breaths. When she opened them, it was like nothing had happened.  

All seven of them lost twenty house points each, along with detentions for a week for all of them. Snape didn’t even care about their squabble at first, until Malfoy mentioned Sarah looked like she wanted to kill him and was a ‘danger to them all’ .  

‘He wasn’t entirely lying.’ Sarah thought.  

Cerus did his best to control himself but told Snape what Malfoy had called Sarah. When he showed no remorse Malfoy almost looked pleased, until Cerus asked what Dumbledore’s thoughts would be on the subject.  

It was then that they were all given punishments, much to Malfoy’s disdain. 

But Sarah didn't give a damn, she couldn’t stop glaring at Malfoy wondering how the hell he knew. She didn’t even care about what he said, just that he knew. Her biggest secret and he was prancing about with it. She felt a coldness rush up her spine at the idea of forcing the truth out of the boy.  

Sarah didn’t look at anyone as she was dismissed and immediately made for the Undercroft.  

She needed to take off the ring, she needed to release some energy.  

Cerus followed her.  

“Go away.” she said sharply, not slowing down as she made it to the clock. Her body was vibrating as she glared at the slowly opening door. As Cerus made to follow, she pushed him back. He felt more force than just her hand and could feel it vibrating.   

“Cerus. Go. Away.”  

As soon as she stepped through the iron gate, she threw off her ring and stepped further in. She glared at the candelabras, and they all choked out their flames. The entire room went dark, until Sarah imagined a pile of barrels to be Draco. She transfigured them into a training dummy with Slytherin robes with straw hair and in the next second she set it on fire. Her wand sat uselessly in her pocket.  

Her nose bled; she didn’t slow down as she imagined the blond begging for her to stop. 

“Sarah.” Cerus called, arriving in the Undercroft.  

“Go away.” She said again but heard him approach her.  

“So, this is that magic you can do?” he asked, trying to change the subject. He’d spent over a year trying to egg her into showing him something, anything, but Sarah never budged.  

Sarah blinked and the fire was gone, the entire room dark until she held a small flame in her hand. Cerus was impressed at her control, stepping closer. In the flames her eyes held a sinister light.  

“He knew.” She whispered. Cerus frowned, trying to recall what was all said that day. He couldn’t remember much other than his desire to punch the blond boy.  

“What did he say to you?” Cerus asked, feeling a shiver run down his spine as her eyes focused on his. She looked dangerous, he realized, and perhaps it was a mistake to follow her.  

“How did Malfoy know about me?” She was whispering, but it sounded heavy, echoing in the dark.  

“What did he know? You have to be more specific than that. I can’t remember much after Crabbe socked me in the head frankly.” Cerus tried to ease the tension, but Sarah just stared at the flame in her hand.  

“I’m going to-”  

She froze, her face going pale one second, and in the next the fire vanished.  

“Lumos.” Cerus whispered, and finally he saw what happened.  

Sarah looked startled, her mind finally catching up to her own thoughts.  

Sarah looked alarmed, like a deer caught in headlights, as she looked up at Cerus. 

Cerus saw. 

Cerus saw her true nature.  

She remembered the look on Harry’s face, the alarm at what she did to Dudley.  

Sarah felt sick again, at herself for having such disturbing thoughts, and at Cerus who was looking at her like he was. One part fascinated; one part worried. At her or for himself- she didn’t know. But Sarah felt a chill crawl up her spine completely unlike the previous one. This one made her feel cold in her chest, like something was clutching her there.  

Sarah felt fear.  

Sarah felt afraid of herself once again.  

She took a step back, very aware of the boy suddenly. Cerus frowned at this behaviour, noticing the hatred and rage in her eyes had all but vanished.  

“Sarah,” he spoke softly, worried he would spook her. She shook her head and stepped further away.  

“Stay away.” She whispered, a weakness in her voice he’d never heard.  

Don’t look at me.  

A shrk sound echoed, the ring came flying into Sarah’s hand. He noticed the finger she normally wore the ring on had turned red and angry where the band sat, and as she forced in onto a different finger Sarah kept backing up. Cerus reached for her, but Sarah turned and bolted.  

Once she was out of the Undercroft she ran in a random direction. Her feet took her to the astronomy tower, which was vacant at this time of day.  

Sarah gripped the railing, staring at the long drop below. She felt something in her gut lurch and wanted to vomit.  

What was happening to her?  

‘Why am I like this?’ She hated herself then. She felt disgust crawl up her throat.  

Sarah skipped her dinner, instead staring at the landscape of the castle that she could see in the darkening sky. Slowly, cautiously, her mind began to settle.  

‘I am disgusting.’  

Sarah thought back to Malfoy, and how utterly pathetic he always was. A pureblood wizard being an absolute useless buffoon all the time. She’d be embarrassed to call him a relative and found glee in the idea that he was an embarrassment to his own family name as well.  

‘But at least I’m not useless.’  

Chapter Text

“Did you say Dumbledore was there?” Sarah asked, kicking a rock.  

 The beach behind Hagrid’s hut was silent except for the duo chatting. Sarah stared out to the open water with a frown while Harry sat on a lone boulder. The boy nodded despite Sarah’s back being to him.  

“I know you said you’d look out for me, but- well, he’s Dumbledore.” As he said this, Sarah slammed a rock into the water, making him jolt.   

“Hm, yes,” she turned, her brows furrowed. “Can’t help but feel safe with a man who hires lunatics.”   

“Sarah-”   

“No Harry, I wouldn’t trust Dumbledore’s judgment. Someone in this school went after you, a teacher most likely. Which means he was hired by Dumbledore .” Sarah said bluntly, holding none of her opinions back for Harry in the process. For once, Harry was at a loss for words. In a way, she was correct. As the silence dragged on, it spoke volumes, Sarah crossed her arms, a frown tugging at her lips.   

“Well, at least he had the decency to try and protect you.” She said like an afterthought. Confusion pulled at his features as her own chin rose higher. “Why else come a watch? He never showed up to any of the other matches as far as I’m aware, so why did he appear at yours?”   

“Good point. I suppose I was just so relieved it slipped my mind.” Harry admitted. His thoughts still clouded from the events last week. An entire week he had sat on these thoughts, unable to find a moment alone with his closest friend. Despite how long it had been, Sarah and Harry had both agreed it would be a better idea to wait to have this discussion, rather than risk others walking in on them. Harry was booked solid between homework and quidditch practice, only seeing his friends in Gryffindor because they shared the same common room and most classes.  

Sarah had landed herself in even more detention following the skirmish with Draco and his minions. It made their current time together dwindle down to quick glances in the halls and sitting together in the few classes they shared. Ron ranted for hours about how he had to work with the Slytherins to clean hallways and scrub desks. They were in groups of 2; he had been lucky to end up with Sarah rather than Malfoy. But Ron moaned and groaned about dealing with the girl. What was most maddening to the red head was the silence. Sarah knew it too, and opted to never speak, if only to spite the Weasley.   

Sarah looked at the lake once more. Her arms remained crossed over her chest, though a thoughtful look crossed her features.   

“Tell me again what you heard from Snape’s encounter with Quirrell?” She requested. Harry repeated what he saw, adamant that this was hard evidence for Snape being the perpetrator. Sarah frowned, staring out to the water, but her eyes were far away.   

“Hocus pocus....” She murmured.   

“What about it?” Harry asked. She remained silent, calm, unmoving. Harry watched her for a moment longer until she turned to look at him. Her eyes were filled with confusion, annoyance.   

“I know your little trio hate Snape. Merlin, half the castle does but....” She trailed off, thinking. The trance seemed fitting for Snape, in fact it seemed rather perfect. Too perfect. Sarah wondered why Dumbledore would come to the match in the first place. Clearly for Harry’s sake, to protect him. Which would mean that he didn’t yet know who was the one to jinx Harry’s broom, right? But if it was Snape, surely someone else in the box had seen Snape? Surely one of the teachers noticed it? Unless Dumbledore didn’t suspect Snape either? What if Snape wasn’t jinxing the broom? What if.....  

“Got a lot of thoughts in there Sar? Want to let them out?” Harry joked, thinking she looked like a kettle with steam coming out her ears. Her eyes snapped to his; sharp, bright, filled with thoughts.  

“What if Snape wasn’t trying to jinx the broom?” She asked, surprising Harry. He frowned.   

“But Hermione-”  

“Yes yes, she caught him chanting. I get it. But- countering jinxes, they also require absolute fixation. When I was trying to help you, I was staring at you, not blinking. What if Snape was trying the same?” Despite the push in her words, Harry grew silent. He began to think about it, mull it over. He decidedly didn’t like the idea of Snape trying to rescue him for a plethora of reasons. One of those being that it just seemed so unlikely. Yet as he locked eyes with Sarah’s bright grey, he hesitated in shooting the idea down.   

“Okay,” he began, trying to feel out what she was saying. “Then who jinxed my broom?”   

Sarah swallowed, looking to the lake again. Her side profile glowed in the rising sun, giving her skin a sun kissed appearance as her hair shone golden.   

“What about Quirrell?” She asked. Harry frowned again.   

“Quirrell?” He repeated, doubtfulness edging into his tone. Sarah nodded.   

“He’s been there at each game. I saw him at both. He’s also who Snape cornered in the forest, and he’s new. This is his first year.” Sarah said, though even she didn’t sound entirely convinced.   

“But Snape-” Harry snapped his mouth shut when Sarah stared at him. The light of the rising sun glowed across her face, making her eyes near white.   

“Do you trust Dumbledore, or do you not trust him?” She asked, but before he could speak, she continued. “What do you think is more possible, a man working under Dumbledore for years and hiding secrets? Or a man who is starting his first year that Dumbledore misjudged?”   

He could understand her logic. It made sense that Sarah would rationalize why Quirrell would be more likely to have something to hide. However, Harry didn’t trust Snape, not in the slightest, his skin crawled just thinking of the man.   

“I understand, but Quirrell is just so.....” He wasn’t sure how to describe the man, but Sarah nodded in understanding, turning back to the lake.   

“People can lie about who they are, Harry.” Sarah said, though it seemed like her thoughts had wandered. Harry stood then, moving to stand next to his best friend as they watched the calm waters.   

He’d noticed in the past week that Sarah had spent a considerable amount of time at the Gryffindor table. Her eyes never wandering to Slytherin. Initially he suspected it was due to the points she lost for her house, but it turned into something different when he noticed Cerus Sallow constantly eyeing her from across the room.  

Something happened, he thought, noticing the aloofness to Sarah. It reminded him of when they were fighting. While it really wasn’t any of his business, as he hardly knew Sallow, he did notice Sarah seemed more reserved.   

“You and Sallow alright?” Harry asked. Sarah didn’t give any indication or hints as to what she was feeling. Harry pushed a bit more. “Noticed you two haven’t been talking.”   

Sarah glanced at Harry, not saying anything initially. Her eyes softened though, a sigh escaping her lips. Hands falling to her sides, she looked back at the lake.   

“I lost my temper with Malfoy, during your game.” She began, thoughts travelling back to that day. “I’ve only felt that kind of ire looking at the Dursleys, but he-”  

She snapped her mouth shut, jaw clenching. No, she didn’t want to tell Harry, not if she could avoid it. Sarah would make Draco walk off a cliff before admitting any of that out loud. She swallowed once, then continued.   

“He made comments about Maggie, nasty ones.” She supplemented.   

“He’s an arse.” Harry said stiffly. How dare anyone insult the bubbly witch! He enjoyed Maggie’s company and could see the affection the adoptive family had for each other.   

Sarah nodded. “After we were given detention, I wanted to break something, blow off some steam so to speak..... Cerus followed me. He saw me use wandless magic.”   

Her eyes drifted down to her ring. The marks around the band were becoming permanent. Small burns and darkened skin, inflamed from abuse. Harry’s breath hitched when he saw it. His hands took hers and carefully examined it.   

“It doesn’t hurt, not as bad as it looks.” Sarah said quietly, though Harry didn’t seem convinced.   

“Sarah, we have to show Madame Pomfrey-”   

“No!” Her other hand grasped his. Harry looked up at her, eyes wide. “Harry no, I can’t show this to-”   

Her grip tightened on his hands. He could feel the hesitation bubbling off of her.   

“I can’t just- this ring is keeping my magic quieter. It takes a lot more effort to do anything. If I go to Madame Pomfrey she’ll demand I take it off-”  

“Then you should! Sarah your hand-”   

“Imagine what it would be like without it.” Sarah said, stopping them both. Harry saw the defeat in her eyes then, the self-loathing. It was something he had never been able to stop her from feeling. Not in all their years together.   

“I can’t control it, not entirely. It’s not like other people, where spells or wand waving is needed. It just happens. I just think and things happen. I- what if I did something unforgivable? What if I hurt someone?” Her skin went pale as she stared at him, voice becoming small. “What if I hurt you?”  

His left hand held her damaged one in his open palm while his right gently glided over top it. His eyes drifted to the ring, seeing the dark gem brought a wave of worry over him. Was this ring truly helping, or was it hindering her?  

“You won’t.” He replied confidently. Sarah tried to pull away, her face going blank, but Harry closed his left hand around hers. Their eyes connected. “You won’t hurt me, Sar.”  

“I could.” She replied instantly, a certain weakness to her words. He simply held her hand tighter, a shallow smile on his lips.   

“You’ve been my best friend for years now Sar. And I’d like to think I know you well enough to know you’re not a bad person.” He said easily. A snort escaped her lips despite the neutral expression.   

“Bold assumptions, Potter.” She said, though the lilt in her voice held a semblance of mirth. Harry smirked in return.   

“I like to think I made it into Gryffindor for a reason, Williams.” Harry felt her squeeze his hand in return, her eyes softening a bit more. A ghost of a smile slipped onto her lips. It was then that he remembered why they had started this conversation before. “Now tell me what happened.”   

Sarah hesitated for only a moment, before describing the event to him, sans the Undercroft. Their hands remained intertwined, though lowered as she told her story. Harry listened much like Sarah listened to his story earlier. It seemed strange, how fixated Sarah was on people being afraid of her. He couldn’t really see it, as she’d always just been Sarah Williams in his head.   

“I think you should talk to Cerus.” Harry admitted after she finished her talk. Sarah’s hand twitched in his minutely, but she didn’t pull away. “I can’t see a bloke like him being afraid of your magic Sar.”   

It was partly what she was afraid of. He’d been hounding her for a while to show this magic, and now that he saw, would he push for more? What if the ring stopped working? Would she lose control? She had to admit, accidentally butchering Malfoy didn’t seem like evil, rather it was a gift to wizard kind.   

Sarah didn’t reply to Harry, instead she stared at the lake and found solstice in the rising sun set behind them, enjoying the crisp morning air.   

It was admittedly easy talking to Cerus again. Sarah had forgotten how much she enjoyed his company, and the Undercroft was sorely missed as well. It was peaceful there when she arrived one afternoon after classes. Cerus was practising Confringo , nearly singing his face off with a sloppy wand movement.   

“You and fire really don’t mix.” She said, spooking the older boy. Cerus looked at her, wiping sweat from his brow. The room had grown hot with all the spell work.   

As though reading her body language, he grinned at her.   

“Come back to the dark side, have you?” He taunted. Sarah frowned. He recognized the behaviour to be similar to their last encounter in the Undercroft. She resembled a startled doe, ready to flee at a moment’s notice. It baffled Cerus, how such a powerful witch could be so easily brought down to fight or flight instinct when faced with an uncomfortable situation.  

Cerus didn’t attempt to approach, knowing he had no method to stop her if she fled once more. He’d simply have to wait for her to return. Sarah, however, was trying to figure out a way to broach the subject. With Harry, she had always just said what was on her mind, but this was foreign. She didn’t know Cerus, not really.   

“I’ve been known to dabble.” She threw back as she raised her chin. Cerus smirked, then nodded for her to join him. That was that, surprisingly. She had expected questions, an interrogation, something . The only comment Cerus made was a quick and short- “ If you ever want to show me, I’d love to see more. ” -before he swept her back into their practice.   

It was an immense relief, and soon Sarah resumed her regular schedule. Life went on like normal, the world continued to spin. Harry and Sarah continued to spend time whenever they could together, sometimes Sarah watched him fly in practice. Initially Wood had been suspicious, but when even the twins vouched that Sarah was only there to see Harry he seemed to let it slide.... for now.  

As the end of term approached, the first years found themselves piled in mountains of homework. Except, that is, for Sarah. The blonde had completed assignments well in advance, and now, she had little to nothing to do. So while Cerus scrambled to complete his tasks, Sarah sat with Hermione and Selene, sleeping peacefully to the sound of Hermione’s cries of frustration.  

The only thing to stir Sarah, in her long bouts of relaxation, were her talks with Harry. She became rather intrigued when she heard of the dragon egg that Hagrid was keeping.... in his wooden house. Harry offered to take her to see it, but Sarah reconsidered.  

“Considering Malfoy is still prowling around, it’s probably best if you leave me out of it. I'd hate to get Hagrid into trouble.” She had said, urging Harry to keep an eye on the man. So he left her out of it, until one fateful morning Harry came sprinting down the hall to drag Sarah into a corner. It startled her, he’d rarely done such a thing and Sarah wondered what had him in a panic. His words broke out in a flurry.  

“It’s Malfoy. He knows about the dragon. I need your help.” He paused briefly, waited for Sarah to nod, then continued. “He took Ron’s book. There’s a letter from his brother in it. We are supposed to bring Norbert- that's the dragon- up to the highest tower tonight for his friends to take it. But Malfoy will ruin it, I know he will. Can you help?”  

Sarah processed all his words, then a little smirk lifted the side of her mouth.  

“I have an idea.”  

The plan, Harry didn’t need to know.  

Getting the book with the letter would be easy enough. Sarah asked Cerus to grab and destroy the letter, and return the book back to her. He didn’t really question it, and she promised to help him with two papers that were due in exchange. An easy sacrifice considering she had taken to long naps through the day.  

Malfoy, however, was going to be a sweet treat for Sarah to toy with.  

She watched the entrance to the astronomy tower, hidden away in a small nook by the window. With the placement of the chairs and table, along with the globe and plants stacked in front of her resting place, nobody would be able to see the girl curled up in wait.  

Malfoy skittered by, signalling to Sarah that it was time for her to have some fun. Luckily it took some time to escape her confines, because the next moment McGonagall was storming up after the boy in her nightwear.  Sarah hid behind a plant in time to evade being seen, annoyed that the prat had been caught too quickly. She had hoped to hang the rat by his ankles from the bell tower, but alas, it was not to be.  

The tell-tale huffing and puffing of someone carrying a heavy object, along with a low growl, passed by her and marched up to the tower. It had to be Harry and his friends pulling the dragon upstairs. Sarah decided to keep watch for the time being, expecting to hear Harry clamber down the wooden steps soon.  

However, Sarah was horribly disappointed to see Filch wandering closer to the astronomy tower’s staircase. She couldn’t let him get up there, lest he find the Gryffindor trio. So Sarah snuck from her little hideaway and got closer behind Filch. She remained quiet, then, as he neared the top, she whispered, “Glisseo” under her breath, and flicked her wand.  

The stairs turned into a slide, making the caretaker lose his footing and slide straight back down. Sarah dove behind a plant, using the dim lighting as coverage as Filch ambled to his feet. Sarah watched the man try once more, only to come sliding back down. She felt the corner of her mouth lift as she saw him stomp away. Mrs. Norris wasn’t far behind him. He’d be back, no doubt, and so Sarah turned to the staircase, removed her charm, and sprinted up the stairs. Not far up, she crashed directly into Harry before catching them both. Hermione was shortly behind him.  

 
“Is it gone?” She asked, eyes flicking between them. Harry nodded while Hermione looked bewildered. Sarah glanced behind her, then back at the two. “Filch is here. Where’s the cloak?”  

The Gryffindors froze, realizing their mistake. The three sprinted up the stairs, collecting the cloak and scrambling underneath it as storming footsteps came up the steps. Sarah pulled Harry and Hermione back, a hand going over both their mouths.  

“I know they’re up here!” Filch’s voice boomed. To their horror, McGonagall was shortly behind them, tugging Neville along by the ear. Harry froze, uncertain how they were going to escape as Mrs. Norris looked right at them. Sarah removed her hand from Harry’s mouth, using her wand to point away from them.  

“ Avis. ” Her voice was near silent as birds chirped. They fluttered around the astronomy tower, distracting the cat and throwing off the two adults trying to listen for noises. At one point McGonagall stood so close to them that Neville stepped on Hermione’s foot. She said nothing though, gripping Sarah’s wrist tightly as she stood there, petrified.  

Moments passed, finally the two adults left with a stumbling Neville. The trio under the cloak waited for a while, fully expecting a trap to be laid for them as they descended the steps. Filch was nowhere to be seen, but they continued on in silence until arriving at the entrance hall.  

“We have to get to your common room.” Harry whispered to Sarah. She glanced up the staircase, swallowing. She’d put money on Filch waiting by the Gryffindor painting.  

“Don’t bother. He’s waiting for you, I’m sure of it.” She said, pulling herself from the cloak. While she couldn’t see them, Sarah looked at the direction she knew they were. “Stay out of sight.”  

While there was no noise that followed, Sarah was confident they had left her. She made it back to the common room with very little disruption. As she sat on the couch, Sarah got the greatest treat waiting for her when Malfoy stormed in. Seething, he stopped in his tracks when he saw her. Sarah stared, raising her chin as he cursed.  

“Filthy mudblood!” He whipped out his wand, but Sarah didn’t react. As if realizing that he was all alone, Draco thought better than to charge at her. He spat something under his breath again, but made for his dorms. Sarah let out a tiny smirk, finding immense satisfaction in this evening.  

Her naps the next day were warranted, but all bliss came to a screeching halt when Hermione sat down for their usual study session with Selene.  

“What do you mean you were found?” Sarah asked lowly, baffled by the odds. Hermione was dismayed, but looked anywhere but Sarah as Selene browsed for a book away from them. It would be the only time they got alone.  

“Harry was caught. Not me. You were right, Filch was waiting for us, but- well as we tried to sneak around him, Mrs. Norris stepped on the cloak. I remained under it but Harry-” Hermione covered her face, embarrassed. Sarah closed her eyes, questioning whether to laugh or cry at the absurdity.  

‘That idiot ’, Sarah thought, deciding there wasn’t much that she could do about it now. She supposed that their time together would be down to nothing now, having no means to save him or help.  

“It’s horrible! He and Neville each lost fifty points!” Hermione crooned. Sarah ignored it, disinterested in the house cup entirely. She’d never been particularly competitive unless it was with friends of her own.  

“It’s just points.” Sarah dismissed. Selene returned shortly after and their talk concluded. She learned later that day how brutal the Gryffindors could be to each other. Sarah and Cerus were sitting in the transfiguration courtyard when Sarah witnessed Neville trip down the steps. A group of Gryffindors made way around him, continuing on their way. Sarah snorted as Cerus gave a low whistle.  

“Brutal.” He said, watching as Sarah made her way over to Neville. As she did, a lone Hufflepuff raced through, tripping over Neville’s things. A group of Slytherin’s laughed, but upon seeing the ire in Sarah’s eyes they dispersed.  

The blonde offered her hand to Neville, assisting him as she gestured with both left and right hands to collect his things along with the Hufflepuff’s. The red head thanked her with a stutter before he continued on his way. Neville, however, looked nervously at her feet.  

“Thanks Sarah. You’re always helping me. I’m sorry.” Cerus rolled his eyes, remembering vividly the last time she had to help the boy and imagining what sort of pep-talk she had in store now.  

“Thank you for sticking up for me.” She said softly, remembering how he stood up to Malfoy and his lackies. Neville looked up to her, locking eyes with her haunting grey. He tried to smile but felt terrified to.  

“I-I-I had to. It was- the right thing.” He stammered. Sarah nodded.  

“It was quite brave.”  

Neville went on his way, Cerus cooing at Sarah about her kindness to misfits.  

“You are such a sap when it comes to people like him.” Cerus muttered, biting his apple. Sarah hummed, walking side by side with the taller boy. She didn’t say it, but when she saw young boys on the ground, she thought of Harry and the knobby-kneed child he once was. And when she saw girls, she saw her younger self.  

“People like him?” She asked instead. Cerus muttered something, then continued.  

“Blokes with no spine. If you keep sticking up for them, they’ll never get one.” He said, turning the corner. Sarah followed towards the Undercroft for their weekly practice.  

“He only needs a spine because he doesn’t have anyone to lean on.” Sarah said, stepping through the clock. Cerus yammered behind her and she only half listened as she remembered what Hermione told her. All this because of some house points?  

“Right, I’m not here to chat about Longbottom. Why don’t we try some more spells, yeah?”  

And though her eyes were focused on the wand movements Cerus did in front of her, Sarah’s mind was on Harry, wondering how he was taking this likely nosedive in his once abundance of fame. Briefly, she felt some flicker of relief, imagining Harry being back to just her once more. But in the next second, she felt sad, never wanting to hurt Harry in the first place.  

Such was her dilemma, to let her mind wander, until she could meet with him again.  

Chapter Text

“I swear, every time I see you something’s tried to attack you these days.”  

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sar.” Harry and Sarah had tucked away in the viaduct courtyard, trying to figure out what had happened to Harry during his detention. Had Firenze been right? Had Voldemort returned? But why hide in the forbidden forest? To stay close to the stone? To control Snape? Quirrell? Harry’s head felt like it was spinning. This was beginning to be too much for the boy. Especially with Sarah staring holes into the side of the castle.  

“And the centaur... he wanted you to be left for dead?” Sarah asked slowly. Harry shrugged.  

“Probably written in the stars. Think it would be a noteworthy demise?” As soon as the words left his lips Sarah snapped her gaze to him. Sharp, unyielding. There was a silent rage as he back tracked himself. “Sorry, sorry, I just-”  

“You’re not dying on me, Potter.” Sarah spoke so quietly he almost didn’t hear the waver in her voice. Harry huffed, the corners of his lips lifting at the staunch response the blonde gave. While she may not always outwardly show it, Sarah had her own way of being protective and caring. He thought of the photo resting on his nightstand, the gift she gave him almost a year prior now.  

“Going to fight the Dark Lord yourself?” He asked. Despite herself, Sarah raised her chin defiantly, the corner of her mouth betraying her as it tugged up slightly.  

“If that’s what it takes.” She swallowed, then sighed. “Honestly, I’d say promise you won’t do something stupid, but I know you’ll break it.”  

Harry let out a short laugh. “Should start a business, guess what’s going to attack me next. Fred and George would have a fun time placing bets on it.”  

“I think an advent calendar would be appealing.” Sarah mused. They quieted as a group of Gryffindors walked by. They took one look at the duo and turned their heads. Sarah rolled her eyes. “Honestly, you Gryffindors care more about house points than anything else it seems.”  

“It was huge for Gryffindor. All the points I made for the match...” He trailed off, putting his head in his hands. There was something incredibly endearing about the image, as a small smile tugged at Sarah’s lips.  

“Well, I keep my promises.” Sarah said softly. Harry looked up at her, confused and oddly charmed as a smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. “You’re still just Harry to me, Mr. Potter. Points or no points.”  

“How awfully convenient that my blunder gave your house the lead.” He snarked, hearing a breathy chuckle leave Sarah’s lips.  

“Yes, it is rather convenient.” Though nothing more was said on the matter as Sarah’s thoughts turned to the creature in the forest. A surge of protectiveness loomed over her as she looked at the shorter boy. Her best friend would not be dying under her watch.  

“You’re thinking too much.” Harry’s eyes ghosted over her face. Her eyes always shone bright when she was thinking too internally, betraying nothing else but a neutral expression. Then her gaze drifted back to him, and he could see the volume of emotion behind those bright grey eyes.  

Sarah’s eyes drifted over his features now. From his straight nose to the dazzling green of his eyes, all the way to the scar on his forehead. Without fully realizing, she reached forward to brush a thumb over the lightning bolt. Harry didn’t move, sighing lightly when he felt the pad of her soft hand trace over it. All at once, the dull throb vanished under her touch.  

“Nothing bad will ever happen to you. Not while I’m here.” She said softly, eyes bright with emotion. Harry reached up to grab her hand, lacing it with his own fingers. She marvelled as the green danced with emotions she didn’t entirely understand.  

Harry knew this was Sarah’s way of loving someone. Protecting them, at a distance. He was of the fortunate few who ever felt this shining affection, and he treasured every moment of it. Deep in his chest he felt warmth blossom, and there was no denying that Sarah caused this. His thumb ghosted over the back of her cold hand.  

“And I've got your back too.” He supplied, seeing the curve of her lips return a little bit stronger.  

Over the next week of exams, Sarah’s mind barely got through everything. She was distracted, constantly looking for Harry to be sure he hadn’t blown up or that he was being chased by the phantom in the forest. Cerus noticed her behaviour, but said nothing about it.  

It all came to a head as Sarah roamed the castle one evening, wondering where Harry had gotten to, when he literally ran into her. She couldn’t see him at first, as he was underneath the invisibility cloak. He grabbed her arm and hoisted her with surprising strength under the cloak. Sarah came face to face with Hermione and Ron.  

“Come on! Not her too!” Ron huffed, but Sarah was stiff as a board trying to keep her calm.  

“Weasley, still trying to put a tough act on when you almost wet yourself last we spoke.” Sarah snapped. Hermione stared between the two, nervously twitching. Ron was the same height as the girl, losing any bravado that was gained with his usual height advantage. As he tried to speak, Hermione kicked his shin, making him jump.  

Harry’s hand, still on her shoulder, pulled her to listen to him. Sarah’s eyes locked with his, barely a breath away from her.  

“Whoever is going to steal the stone, is going to go tonight. So we need to get to it first.” He told her firmly. Sarah’s demeanour completely changed. She nodded, gesturing with her chin to lead. The two taller children walked behind, doing their best not to touch each other. Other than a brief interaction with Peaves, they made it to the third floor without provocation. When Sarah saw the giant dog, she hesitated. Ron gulped, but found satisfaction in the idea of Sarah being afraid of something.  

However, when he turned to look at her, her eyes were shining with awe.  

“He’s beautiful.” She murmured. Ron rolled his eyes.  

“Of course you find the deadly slobbering beast pretty.” He muttered. Harry escaped the invisibility cloak when he noticed something at Fluffy’s feet.  

“A harp?” He asked, hearing the soft melody.  

“Someone’s been here and put him to sleep already.” Hermione supplied as the three escaped the confines of the cloak. Ron and Sarah split, standing on opposite sides as the blonde approached Fluffy. So this was the dog that startled them earlier? She couldn’t imagine why, he looked adorable.  

“If that’s new, then that means someone’s already here.” Sarah said, looking at the trap door. Harry nodded, pushing Fluffy’s paw out of the way.  They opened the trap door as Harry turned to his friends.  

“Right, the rest of you, go and tell McGonagall what’s happened here.” Harry said, surprising the trio.  

“And leave you alone?” Ron scoffed at the idea. “We’re in this together, Harry.”  

“Someone should tell McGonagall.” Sarah admitted, looking at the door. Harry glanced at her. Ron rolled his eyes.  

“Then you go do it!” As he spoke, an almost whimper broke from his mouth as Sarah's sharp eyes snapped to him.  

“I don’t plan to die today, and if someone has put this much thought it their scheme, don’t you imagine they’d also have a plan if we followed? Which means a professor will be able to rescue us if we need it.” Sarah spoke swiftly, leaving no room for rebuke. Ron swallowed whatever he was about to say as Hermione piped in.  

“I’ll go,” she offered. They looked to her, surprised. “Sarah’s right. I- Harry I don’t think anyone should go alone, but now that we know Fluffy is asleep, we know someone is genuinely here.”  

Harry nodded, understanding.  

Hermione left as the other three jumped through the trap door. The landing was padded by a dark plant, and while Sarah was initially relieved to not land on the cold hard ground, it quickly turned to concern as it began to wrap it’s around her.  

“What is this?!” Harry gasped, trying to free his wand hand. Ron squeaked as he sunk up to his waist. He tried to slap his wand against the plant, only to have his wand stolen.  

“Devil’s Snare.” Sarah called, trying to remain calm. Ron huffed.  

“Oh great, now we know the thing that’s going to kill us. Brilliant!” He was up to his chest now. Sarah racked her brain, trying to remember what Devil’s Snare hated, when she realized that the room they were in was dreadfully dark.  

A light, that’s what was needed! She raised her wand, feeling the tendrils wrap around her wrist.  

“ Lumos Maxima !”  

The plant dispersed, dropping all three of them and their wands on the ground. Sarah managed to hold the charm as the boys righted themselves. She stood carefully, wiping dirt from herself as she checked on the others. Harry had a cheeky grin while Ron looked displeased being saved by her.  

“Well done, Sar.” Harry said, but Sarah enjoyed the displeasure on Ron’s face more than anything else as she led the way to the next room. A buzzing, chittering noise could be heard from above them. Sarah came to a stop, staring at the ceiling. When the boys caught up, they were both baffled to find a plethora of strange insects glimmering as they swam around. No, not insects....  

“Keys!” He saw one shut door and a broom resting nearby. “We must need one of them to open the door.”  

“ Alohamora !” Ron tried anyways, but it did nothing. Sarah muttered “Nox”  and looked around for clues while Harry mounted the broom.  

“It probably looks different from the others, Harry.” Sarah called as he raised up to meet the swarm. Harry flew for a while, eventually finding the correct key and - with some help from Ron and Sarah, found the one. The broom he was on wasn’t nearly as fast as his Nimbus though, and Harry struggle to keep up with the swarm flitting around his head. Seeing this, Sarah reached out her wand.  

“Harry, get down!” He obeyed, hovering over the ground. “Be quick, it won’t hold for long. Impedimenta !”  

The keys slowed, as if going through jelly, and Harry took the opportunity to catch the key and fly back to his friends.  

“Where is Merlin’s name did you learn all of these spells?” Ron asked, sounding suspicious. Sarah ignored him, following Harry to the door.  

“Cerus taught me.” Was all she supplied.  

“And where did Cerus Sallow learn them?” But Ron’s question was lost as they continued to the next room.  

A giant chessboard. Sarah took one look and noticed several missing pieces, along with a graveyard of stone on the sides.  

“Well well, looks like it’s your time to shine, Weasley.” Sarah said airily. The red head looked at her with a frown. Sarah raised a brow. “Wizard chess, don’t tell me the Devil’s Snare squeezed out all your brain cells now.”  

“I know what this is!” Ron cried, stepping forward to see the board. He too noticed the missing pieces. “I think I know what we’ll have to do.”  

“We’ll follow your lead.” Harry said as Sarah also nodded. It surprised Ron that Sarah stepped in line so quickly. She snorted.  

“Don’t let us die, Weasley.” Though he had a feeling Sarah would break the entire chess board before letting that happen.  

They took their positions, and obeyed Ron as he guided them around. It was gruelling and unyielding, but Ron had kept them alive long enough. Sarah noticed though, how Ron was playing his own piece. The knight was moving in the way of the queen. It would spell disaster for him. Harry realized the same thing.  

“Ron don’t-”  

“It’s the only way! Do you want to stop Snape or not?” Ron cried, face pale. He looked to Sarah, fear in his eyes but determination etched across the rest of it. “I hope you’re as brave as you look, Williams.”  

It surprised her, Sarah’s eyebrow twitched upwards, but she nodded shortly at him. Ron ignored Harry’s pleas, turning to make his move. The queen slaughtered him, dragging him off to the side as Harry checked the king. Then he bolted to Ron, checking him over.  

“Is he...?” Sarah asked, but Harry nodded.  

“Just knocked out. C’mon we- I don’t want to but-” Sarah grabbed his hand and pulled him forward.  

“Come. Hermione should have a teacher on their way.” She assured. Harry squeezed her hand, then they parted as the duo entered the next room. They were surprised to see a troll on the ground, groaning. Sarah froze as Harry gagged at the familiar smell.  

“Glad we don’t have to fight that one- Sarah?” Harry’s voice swam in her ears, but Sarah recalled the moment Quirrell ran in at Halloween during the feast.  

“A troll?” She whispered. Harry looked at it too, bludgeoned on the head and passed out.  

“Yeah, I would hate to fight one. It destroyed the girl’s bathroom last time I saw one.” He mused. Sarah swallowed.  

“Each of these challenges were made by a teacher Harry.” She looked to the doorway. “So if this is a challenge...”  

He understood, worry clouding his brow.  

“You- You don’t think that-”  

“Mighty convenient that a troll made it into Hogwarts and you saw Snape confronting Quirrell shortly after.” Sarah said bluntly. They continued on, finding a potion trial as the next objective. Black flames covered the door they came from and purple flames the door they wanted to enter.  

Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,  

Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,  

One among us seven will let you move ahead,  

Another will transport the drinker back instead,  

Two among our number hold only nettle wine,  

Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.  

Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore,  

To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:  

First, however slyly the poison tries to hide  

You will always find some on nettle wine’s left side;  

Second, different are those who stand at either end,  

But if you would move onward, neither is your friend;  

Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,  

Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;  

Fourth, the second left and the second on the right  

Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.  

“Brilliant. We’re trapped- Sarah!” Harry stared in shock as Sarah took a bottle from the table. The smallest one, and checked it.  

“This one.” She explained, gesturing to the bottles. "It’s the only one that’s been drank from.”  

Harry glanced at it, noticing how empty the bottle looked compared to the others. His gut made him believe this couldn’t be Snape now, because as awful as the man could be, he wouldn’t have left any potion for them to follow.  

“There’s only enough for one.” Harry said, looking at the drink. Sarah frowned, but Harry drank it before she could argue. “Go back, find the bottle that takes you back that way, and find the teachers, check on Ron for me?”  

Sarah was silent for a moment longer, then she gave a hesitant nod.  

“Be safe, Harry.”  

He moved forward, leaving Sarah to solve the puzzle. With a few more minutes Sarah picked up the round bottle to the right, relieved that the puzzle was significantly easier once she knew the potion that could take her forward.  

However, as she entered the door to the Troll’s room, she was horribly surprised to find a rather alert beast.  

“Merlin.” She groaned, gaining its attention as she stepped back into the potions room. It roared, spreading fowl smelling breath, charging at her. Sarah ran, tumbling out of the way several times as the mighty beast gave chase. Shattered glass littered the floor as she bolted out of harm’s way. While she couldn’t beat the creature in size or strength, she certainly could outrun it-  

Until she was backed into a corner.  

To her left were the purple flames, and to her right was a wall. Sarah swallowed, nervous. No one would come rescue her in time, so she steeled her nerves and gripped her wand a little bit harder. Timing had to be on her side as the troll stormed across the room towards her.  

“Obscuro!” A blindfold wrapped around the troll’s eyes, impeding its vision as Sarah flung herself out of the way. With its sight blocked, the troll crashed head first into the wall, breaking it down as the large body came flying through to the next room. Sarah grunted, landing awkwardly on several pieces of stone. Shouts were heard from the next room over though, and Sarah forced herself to stand. It hurt, something pinched in her left leg, but she ambled to the hole to see what was happening.  

“Sarah! Run!” Harry came crashing into her, trying to pull her along. She didn’t question it, turning to run with him. Before they could get far, ropes wrapped around both their legs, causing both children to collapse. Sarah grunted again as Harry winced loudly. Her legs were tugged, and soon Sarah found herself dragged across the rubble into the next room. The troll lay on the floor, out cold once again, as Quirrell used his wand to pull Sarah and Harry along. Sarah hissed in pain as she was pressed into a pillar. Wrapped to it so tightly she could only gasp for breath.  

“Seize him you fool!” A hoarse voice whispered, and for the first time Sarah realized Quirrell wasn’t wearing his head cover. As the man turned his back on her, she witnessed a second face protruding from his skull. The face was warped, snake like even, with red eyes that settled on her. For a moment Sarah stayed there, stunned, until she saw Harry fall to the ground.  

“Harry!” She shouted, tugging at her restraints. She’d dropped her wand in the other room, her only other option was to try and shimmy the ring off her finger.  

‘Come on come on come on!’ she thought as Quirrell advanced on her friend. Harry struggled to his knees, turning around to grab his wand, but in the same moment Quirrell kicked it away. His foot rested on Harry’s back as the boy fought. Quirrell kicked him over, placing his heel in the centre of his chest. Wand directed at the boy.  

“Kill him!” The second face demanded. But as he said this, steam rose from Quirrell’s hands. The man gasped, dropping his wand as he let out a wail, backing away from, Harry. Boils and burns littered the skin of his wand hand. The other face witnessed the attack as Harry turned to look at Sarah.  

With a heavy clang, her ring fell to the ground. Harry had never seen her eyes so fiery before. So filled with rage and disgust.  

“Kill the girl!” The voice shouted. Quirrell obeyed, reaching for his wand despite his skin bubbling. The ropes on Sarah burned away, singing her hair and clothes in several spots. The blonde didn’t take her eyes off the man, careful and fierce. Quirrell flicked his wrist, a snake flying out the tip of his wand, but the creature burned before it could reach Sarah, turning to ash.  

Blood dribbled out of her nose. She ignored it. Harry tried to pull himself from the ropes, to little avail.  

“Sarah Williams,” the voice, Voldemort, hissed her name. “Such a stubborn mudblood!”  

“Avada-” Before Quirrell could finish, his hands began to burn once more. He struggled, wailing, unable to keep his hands on his wand.  

“Kill the mudblood! Kill her! Kill her!” Voldemort shouted. Quirrell screamed as he threw himself at her. His burning fingers wrapped around her neck, choking the life out of her. The burns scorched up his arms, reaching his shoulders. Sarah wouldn’t stop, even as the corners of her vision grew fuzzy, she refused to yield. Blood dripped freely from both nostrils, Quirrell’s skin scorched her neck.  

Sarah screamed, and that seemed to be the point where Harry freed himself from the rope. He tackled Quirrell off of Sarah, where he touched made the man light on fire. It was the last thing Sarah saw, Harry standing over her, before everything went black.  

Her head was pounding when she woke.  

Sarah didn’t recognize her surroundings at all. It was very bright, with high ceilings and a white curtain to her one side. One the other was a pile of every sour candy known to wizard kind, along with several sweets she’d never seen before.  

Footsteps echoed in her head, thrumming the back of her skull to the point that she covered her eyes.  

“Good good, you’re awake, now drink child.” A matronly voice said. Sarah blinked, opening her eyes a peak to see Madam Pomfrey. She did as she was told, feeling better moments later. Sarah sighed, sinking back into the mattress. She couldn’t quite remember what had happened, all of it felt rather fuzzy in her head. As Sarah rested her eyes, she eased back at the sounds of the Madam working.  

In a blink, it was evening, confusing Sarah further. How long had she been resting?  

“It’s been nearly a week, Ms Williams.” A kindly voice said from her side. She slowly turned her head to see Dumbledore seated at her bedside. A surprising visit; she wondered what made her so special. The man held a twinkle in his eyes, observing her stack of sweets. “Forgive me, I was simply curious what sorts of sweets you might like. I never pictured you to be a sugar fanatic.”  

“I like sour things.” She said monotonously. He chuckled, eyes crinkling in the corners.  

“Ah, it would explain all the lemon flavours.” Dumbledore said, easing back into his seat. His eyes grew more serious then and his mind settled. “I must say, I did not expect to come across what I did down in that chamber.”  

Sarah turned her head to stare at the ceiling. Memories of the stone, of Quirrell, of the burning sensation the coursed right through her all rose to the surface. She said nothing, wondering at what point he had arrived. Had he saved them?  

“Quirrell died from his wounds shortly after I arrived.” Dumbledore informed her, watching for a reaction. There wasn’t any. Sarah continued to stare at the ceiling. “Whether it was by your hand, or Harry’s, I cannot say.”  

“It was mine.” She said quietly, not looking his way. She didn't know what he meant by Harry causing Quirrell harm, but she was certain her attempts to burn the man came with many consequences. Dumbledore hummed, taking a deeper breath.  

“Yes I had presumed as much. Though I find it rather fascinating to see that your wand was in the other room at the time of the incident.” Dumbledore said pointedly. Sarah didn’t move until he called her name. Slowly, her bright ghostly eyes stared holes into Dumbledore’s softer blue. “Tell me what motivated you to use such levels of wandless magic.”  

Sarah blinked once, twice, then took a deep breath.  

“I’ve always been able to do it.” Subconsciously, she played with her ring. Except it wasn’t on her hand. Sarah raised the appendage to look at it, only seeing the scars caused by the ring where it usually sat. She frowned, but continued. “I have a ring that I usually wear. Mr. Sallow gave it to me. He said it would limit my magic, slow it down some.”  

She lowered her hand, looking at Dumbledore once more.  

“Without it, I can do things. Make things move, or disappear. Turn people into animals, partly. Send them away if I wanted. I just had to believe it was real, and it would happen.” she said calmly, as if speaking about the weather. The neutrality in her expression gave nothing away to what she was thinking, not even a little bit.  

“You aren’t the first to tell me this, Sarah.” Dumbledore spoke patiently. “In fact, you remind me very much of a student who once attended Hogwarts.”  

“Someone like me?” She asked, though her face still gave nothing away. He nodded to her. Sarah looked back at the ceiling. “Were they.... a good person?”  

The silence that stretched on spoke volumes.  

“They were a person who made all the wrong choices.” The old wizard said after a couple beats of silence. Sarah visibly deflated. “Do you think you’re a bad person?”  

“I can be,” she admitted. “I try not to, though.”  

“It is why you have the scars from the goblin metal, I presume?” Sarah’s eyes flickered to Dumbledore, a fatigue in her otherwise youthful gaze. Without realizing it, she rubbed her hand over the damaged skin. “Goblin metal is very unforgiving in nature. It absorbs that which bathes it, becoming more powerful. Using magic at all with such a ring must be quite painful. I do not know many bad people who try so hard to be good.”   

“ We Slytherins are, if nothing else, filled with ambition." Sebastian’s words parroted from her mouth. Dumbledore hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.  

“I think it is more than ambition that keeps you on the correct path, young Sarah.” The blonde looked over to him when he said this, a smile on his lips. She frowned, the first time a spit of emotion crossed her face in their entire conversation.  

“It is love that guides you, my dear.”  

Thoughts of Harry and Maggie danced in her head.  

“Harry-”  

“Is about to charge head first through that door, I believe. I should take my leave a let your friends come and visit.” He took a moment to rise from his chair, towering above her bed. “Though I will part with this bit of advice-”  

He cleared his throat, holding out something to the young child. Her ring. She took it, sliding it back into place, where it seemed to belong.  

“Do not fear your emotions, Sarah. Feel freely, and control will come to you.”  

Looking happy with his words, Dumbledore left without Sarah saying a word of thanks. She wasn’t sure if she should, admittedly. The man was beyond strange to her. From beyond the curtain, Sarah could hear familiar voices arguing with Madam Pomfrey. Then Dumbledore's voice insisting they be let through, followed by a flurry of running feet.  

“Sarah!” Harry cheered, rushing up to hug her. The movement startled the girl, but in the next moment she hugged him back. A warmth bloomed in her chest, making her feel light and fuzzy. Hermione, Ron, Selene and Cerus rounded the curtain as well. Sarah watched Ron hang back while the others crowded her bed. Her skin felt hot from all the attention as Selene rambled out about how worried they had been.  

“Cerus tried to camp outside the infirmary-”  

“Shut it!” The brunette blushed as his sister spilled the beans.  

“Harry would’ve too-”  

“Hermione!”  

“Merlin, you could’ve invited me along, Williams. I missed out on all the action. Heard you got your fair share though.” Cerus’ eyes flickered to Harry, who still had an arm wrapped on Sarah like his life depended on it. The younger boy realized this, finally letting go, his collar feeling a tad hot.  

“It wasn’t a planned adventure.” Sarah admitted. Hermione smiled shyly at her.  

“Harry says you were brilliant. You kept Quirrell away until Dumbledore arrived.” The frizzy-haired girl said with a smile. Sarah looked down to the sheets of her bed, not used to praise.  

Her friends stayed with her for a while longer. Even Ron joined the circle when offered some sweets. She learned that Harry had been in the hospital for three days before waking, and that Dumbledore had rescued them. The stone was destroyed, Voldemort escaped. To her surprise, the House Cup was won by Gryffindor by a small margin of five points. Despite Dumbledore gifting her fifty, it unfortunately didn’t hold out for them. Not that Sarah minded really.  

However, Madam Pomfrey shooed the group out, insisting that Sarah needed to rest. She’d been in bed for a week now and was given a small meal. Relief hit her when she smelled the roasted chicken. Her stomach hurt from being so long without food.  

Two days later- and many visits from her friends- Sarah was finally released from the hospital wing. She was free of any lasting effects. No scars or wounds to be spoken of despite the burns she had endured. A testament to the Matron’s skill. She never thought she’d say it, but she missed the routine of classes. Her grades were fantastic- though her dreadful herbology was just passable- and Sarah felt lighter on her feet for once.  

People whispered about her in the hall. Some stared, others- like the Weasley twins- had no problem telling her how brave she must’ve been to take on a professor. She’d nearly forgotten that the whole school knew, feeling rather exposed in that moment. To her surprise, Neville appeared in front of her the same day she was released from the hospital. He bowed his head, looking nervously at her shoes.  

“I was worried. Wanted to see if you were alright, but Madam Pomfrey- she scares me. She told me not to bother you, that you were resting.” He stammered, but in the back of her mind Sarah found it rather endearing.  

“Thank you, Neville.” Sarah’s voice was soft, but it gave the boy enough courage to look her in the eye. He was still afraid, the girl was tall and terrifying to behold in his eyes, but a shaky smile lifted to his lips. Sarah echoed a much smaller one, but her eyes were soft and somehow kinder than he remembered.  

“Look at you, queen of the spineless.” Cerus mused as he approached. Neville shrank instantly. Cerus shouted as Sarah slammed her heel onto his foot.  

“Don’t mind him, he’s not house trained yet.” Sarah stared pointedly at Neville. The boy was intimidated by the taller second year though and excused himself.  

“H-Have a nice summer, Sarah.”  

“You as well, Neville.”  

“Merlin, you like being a mother duckling, don’t you Williams?” Cerus teased. Sarah looked at him from the corner of her eye.  

“Doesn’t explain why you keep showing up.” She countered. He huffed.  

“Here I thought we were friends.” He mused. Sarah scoffed.  

“I feel like I’m your only friend.” She said it as a joke, but the look on his face made her realize maybe there was some tiny truth to that. After all, he had shown her the Undercroft, something she had yet to witness anyone else knowing about, save for Selene. His sister thought it was too creepy to visit though, and never said a word to either of them. “I think you need better friends.”  

“I think I agree. Shall I hold tryouts?” He asked, matching her pace as they walked.  

“I hear Malfoy needs another lackey, Goyle almost failed first year-”  

“Some friend you are.” Cerus scowled. He was surprised to hear a soft lilt of laughter come from Sarah’s lips. A single string, a chuckle, but a melodious sound nonetheless.  

“Evidently, why you need tryouts.”  

Despite the taunts, Cerus found the corners of his lips lifting. They moved on to other topics, like quidditch practice. He was adamant on her making the team next year, hell or high water, so that they could defeat Gryffindor once more. They spoke of Hogsmeade, and birthdays, and what to do over the months leading to their next school year.  

With a pang of longing, Sarah realized their year was coming to a close. Then, a pang of want hit her as she realized she could see Maggie again.  

To finish off their year, Sarah and Harry made their way down to the beach behind Hagrid’s hut.  Their unofficial meeting place.

“We’ll have to find a better place to host meetings next year.” Sarah said, gesturing her chin to the castle where the faintest outline of two first years could be seen. “My money’s on Ron crashing the party within the hour.”  

“Honestly, I think you just love to hate on Ron, Sar.” Harry laughed. She smirked, glancing sideways at him.  

“There might be some truth to that.” She admitted, though she still disliked the Weasley, it wasn’t a hatred that the emotions stemmed from.  

“Did you think our year would end off this way? When we stepped on the train?” Harry asked. Sarah crossed her arms, watching him skip stones on the water.  

“That a homicidal Dark Lord would be after you? No, not really. I’m beginning to think I picked the wrong bingo sheet for the year.” She mused. Harry laughed, earning a short chuckle from Sarah. Then she sobered, thoughts circling her conversation with Dumbledore. She hesitated, not wanting to ask, but somehow needing to.  

“I have to ask, Harry. About- About what you saw me do. To Quirrell.” She said slowly, carefully. Harry tossed a rock as far as he could, then looked at Sarah.  

“No.” he said immediately. She raised a brow. “I’m not scared of you still.”  

“Now I really do think you’re touched.” She teased, emotion clouding her voice. Harry smiled, stepping closer. Gently, he took one of the taller girl’s hands.  

“You said you want to protect me, and I believe it. I can’t think of many people who’d toss themselves at a serial killer without a second thought just to protect me. I know I don't have the same skill with magic- not yet at least. But the least I could do, the only thing I can do right now, is promise,” he squeezed her hand, watching emotions flare in her eyes. “No matter what Sar, no matter what happens or who we become. No matter if Voldemort comes back, or we live our days in peace. No matter if you or I go dark- well I doubt that’s going to happen- but I promise, it’s you and me. We’ll walk this line together, ‘til the end of our days.”  

At first, he thought he said the wrong thing. That his words had run away with him. Harry had been so filled with emotion as he watched his best friend fight for her life and he staggered under the ropes. He thought he might’ve lost her when he woke alone in the hospital wing. Even after Dumbledore’s assurances, he couldn’t leave until he saw Sarah.  

Sarah Williams , who made Privet Drive bearable.  

Sarah WIlliams , who had as much snark as he, sometimes more.  

Sarah Williams , who brought magic to his life long before he’d ever heard a single spell.  

His best friend, the person who he would jump through fire for. He loved her deeply, and as he watched tears roll down her face, Harry thought he’d said all the wrong things.  

She pulled him close then, into a bone crushing hug. It surprised him, but Harry found his arms wrapping around her almost immediately after. She sniffled, and it was the first time he’d ever seen Sarah cry. He hugged her even tighter at the thought of those tears.  

“Always.”  

Sarah’s voice came out in a whisper. Harry realized the tears were ones of joy, and settled. The best friends stayed there, holding on to one another, long enough that Hermione and Ron decided not to interrupt from their spot at the top of the hill.  

Chapter Text

July 1st

Sarah,  

I would ask how your summer has been so far, but I decided it couldn’t be as entertaining as mine has been. I negotiated with Mum to help set up some quidditch hoops this summer. Stop by if you’d like a few lessons. You’ll need them if you want to make it on the team.  

Cerus

July 3rd

Cerus,  

This is a rather roundabout way of telling me you need more practice, but I accept. I will ask Maggie when it would be best to visit. She mentioned visiting a few other friends, along with an old mentor of hers this summer. I’m not entirely sure, it was all said while waxing poetry over how much food she could shove down Harry's throat before sending him home. I’ll send you another owl once we have our affairs in order.  

Sarah  

Sarah,  

I hope this letter finds you well. Summer has been a nice time for me to catch up on my studies. I’m excited for our eventual return to Hogwarts. How has Maggie been? I was also wondering why Harry has not replied to any of my mail? Have I not sent it correctly? I worry for him. Is he alright? I’m certain you and he are spending quality time together, but I feel as though something is amiss? Perhaps I’m reading into things and he simply hasn’t replied yet.  

Regards,  

Hermione

July 7th

Hermione,  

Harry is alright. It is not my place to say, but home life can be... difficult for him. We spend most days in my room. I suppose it helps us decompress, no one to ogle at the Boy Who Lived.  He says he has not gotten any of your letters; perhaps send them to me? I will play pigeon until things are sorted.  

Regards,  

Sarah  

Sarah,  

You forgot your broom! I’ve stored it away so that Cerus can’t try and fly away with it. Merlin knows he’d swap them the first chance he got. It was good to see you! He’s insufferable. I don’t believe we got the chance to really unpack our first year. I heard from Cerus and harry how brave you had been, and I apologize for my distance. I suppose it was all just very overwhelming. Can’t wait to see you next week!  

Selene

July 10th  

Selene,  

I owe you lemon drops, thank you.  

Sarah  

Ron,  

Sarah has replied. She says that Harry hasn’t gotten any of our letters. She has offered to take them for us and give them in case something has gone amiss. Please address them to her, for Harry’s sake. And no, do not roll your eyes at me, Ronald Weasley!  

Hermione  

July 12th

Hermione,  

Knowing Williams, she’s up to something. You sure she can be trusted? I suppose if it’s for Harry, she wouldn’t do anything n e f a r i o u s right? Let’s see.  

Ron  

Williams,  

Hermione says you’re playing pigeon. Always knew you were a bird at heart. Don’t read any of the letters I’ve attached. I’ll know if it was you.  

Ron   

Harry,  

What’s happened to you?! Don’t tell me Williams kidnapped you and stuffed you in a broom closet! I’ve invited you over to my house twice now. Mum refused to check in when I asked. She laughed at me when I said Sarah may be keeping you hostage. It might sound mad, but she’s a bloody scary witch if she took on You-Know-Who like she did last month.  

Anyway, you should come visit! Let me know the best way to get you here! I don’t really know muggle transportation but I’m sure we could make do! How has your summer been? Mine’s been alright, mostly de-gnoming the garden beds and playing quidditch with Fred and George. Well, not really qudditch, we can’t use any of the real balls, but we can toss fruit at each other instead. Fred says it makes them more accurate as beaters. You might need to sign an autograph when you get here. Ginny won’t stop hounding me about what you’re like and when you’ll get here. You have to see the car Dad brought back! It can fly- oh but I’ll tell you more when you get here.  

I should hurry this up, lest Williams change her mind.  

Ron  

Sarah,  

Thank you for this! I’m glad Harry is alright, but I am worried about what you mean by home life being difficult? I suppose it is not my place to say, so I will refrain from asking more.  

Hermione  

Harry,  

I hope this letter finally makes it! I’ve been so worried without any word from you! When Ron said none of his letters were replied to either, I don’t know if I felt relief or more worry. Well, thankfully Sarah has said she will return this to you, and I trust her to. Of course, otherwise I would be writing this for nothing!  

How has summer been? Sarah mentioned that home life may have been causing difficulty? Perhaps she meant with the letters. I may be over-thinking, but it worries me. Knowing you, it has something terrible involved, but I’m sure Sarah wouldn’t let you do it alone. How is she, by the way? I’m not certain she’s pleased with this arrangement, but she had offered to do it. Though I feel it is only to ensure you aren’t completely miserable. I do hope she’s had a lovely summer as well.  

Hermione  

July 14th

Ronald,  

Harry says you mention me a lot in your letters. Am I really inside that thick skull of yours every day? I cannot blame you, though green really isn’t your colour. I’d suggest purple, but it clashes horribly with the Canons colouring.  

Williams  

Ron,  

I don’t know why I haven’t received any of your letters. I’ve yet to see a single owl. Sarah has some theories, but neither of us could tell you honestly why none have arrived. She delivered this to me right away, so I don’t want to hear you bad mouthing her!  

Anyway, summer hasn’t been so bad. Sarah and I have spent most of it together whenever we can. She and Maggie have been travelling together a lot. I believe Maggie wanted to take the summer off so they could be together. I usually spend most evening with them in their home. Maggie took me to see Hogsmeade the last time she and Sarah visited the Sallows. I couldn’t keep up with it but she was saying we would visit the place in third year?  

What on Earth is de-gnoming? I’ll have to find out whenever I can visit. I would love to anytime, but right now is a bit difficult. We’ll have to play a round of quidditch. Sarah would love it too, if you could stand to keep to yourself long enough. I think you two could get along if you tried. You’re both incredibly stubborn.  

I’ll have to cut this one short. I’m happy to hear from you. I was beginning to think this was all a fever dream, that I made the entire thing up. That you had forgotten about me. Glad that’s not the case.  

Harry  

Hermione,  

Hope summer has been treating you well. Here is Harry’s letter. Any thoughts on vanishing letters? I've not even seen an owl near his house the entire summer.  

Sarah  

Hermione,  

Yes! Your letter finally made it! Sarah and I can’t figure out why the letters haven’t made it. Neither can Maggie. She has never had that happen before. Thoughts? Thanks for the vote of confidence, by the way. I’ll have you know summer has been extraordinarily boring. Most of my time is spent at Sarah’s, though Maggie did take us to see the Sallows and we visited Hogsmeade. It was only a day trip, all I- we had time for. I think Sarah meant that our location was difficult. Hard to say, I don’t always know what she’s thinking either, admittedly.  

Also, I don’t think she did this just for me. It might be hard to believe, but she does like you both- well, Ron’s a hard sell. I think they both enjoy mocking each other more than anything. I think she likes you, at least. She asked about you, before your first letter to her, wondering how you had been. If you’re ever unsure what to talk about, ask her about music. She loves music by artists like Johnny Cash and Louis Armstrong, and she loves listening to Chopin. Maggie bought her a record player for her first year at Hogwarts. We often lay on the floor and listen to an entire vinyl after supper, but I think she listens to it even when I’m not around.  

Anyway, she’s trustworthy, and I hope you have had a nice summer as well? Why on Earth are you doing schoolwork? Never mind, silly question. Of course you would be studying for next year already.  Can’t wait to see you both again, I was worried it had all been a dream.  

Harry  

July 31st

Ron,  

Have you received any letters from Harry or Sarah? I sent them one last week, but neither replied. What on Earth is going on?  

Hermione  

August 1st

Hermione,  

I told you! Sarah’s locked him in the broom closet!  

Ron  

August 2nd

  Ronald,  

I cannot believe I’m saying this, but Harry needs your help.  

To put it mildly, Harry’s aunt and uncle are horrible people, and while it’s not my place to say so, I think yesterday was the last straw. They’ve locked him in his room. There are bars on his window, Hedwig is trapped in a cage, and all of his things are locked away. I don’t know if you’re being stubborn about sending letters through me, but i hope you care for Harry as much as you claim. He needs your help. He mentioned you had invited him over? Perhaps you simply need to pick him up. He said you mentioned a flying car in a previous letter.  

Can you help?  

Williams  

August 3rd

Williams,  

What kind of friend would I be? Leaving Harry like that? How in the Bloody Hell did you leave him like that? Honestly, some friend you can be. Looks like I take the lead on this one. We’ll have him out in no time, no thanks to you.  

Ron

 August 4th

Sarah,  

There’s so much to tell you in this letter. I don’t even know where to begin. I found out why the letters weren’t getting to me. It was because of a house-elf named Dobby. He was blocking letters from getting to me, and then when he realized they were going through you, he stopped them there as well. He told me not to come back to Hogwarts, that something terrible was going to happen this year. He even got me in bigger trouble with the Dursleys. When Dobby cast a charm in their house, the Ministry contacted me about underage magic. When my uncle found out I wasn’t allowed to do magic, he locked me away. I’m not telling you this to upset you, just so you understand. I haven’t seen Dobby since. Fred and George told me it was probably an elaborate prank- maybe it was Malfoy. Sleazy git.  

I’m sorry, this is my fault. There was a huge stack of letters for you that I never got to send. Dobby handed me them only after he admitted to what he’d done. They’re here with me now, but hopefully they will make it back to you. I have to ask, since I don’t know all the names, but who is Ominis? I think you mentioned him, but I’m curious. Sallow writes you a lot too. What on earth are you up to Sar?  

Anyway, thank you for telling Ron about me. I understand how frustrated you were. How many warnings did you get, when you tried ripping the bars off the wall? I expect Maggie was livid when she heard you tried to use your wandless magic to set me free. Hopefully she wasn’t too upset at you.  

I want you to know that it’s not your fault. This was entirely mine, I should’ve known better than to threaten Dudley with magic. I didn’t even think about the consequence of actual magic being used. I don’t even think they realized you tightened his shirt until the buttons broke, it was hilarious though. One went into the pudding! Anyway, thank you for always trying for me. I genuinely don’t think I thank you enough.  

You should come and visit the burrow. It’s such a character. I know you and Ron can’t get along to save your skins, but Mrs. Weasley insists you and Maggie need to visit before we return to school. Fred and George keep making it sound like Ron is terrified of you and their mum is curious if you look like a spider. No matter how much I insist you don’t.  

I should go, Ron wants to show me the field they use for quidditch. We should meet in Diagon Alley. The Weasleys will be going on the 19th , Hermione is as well.  

I miss you already,  

Harry  

August 6th

Harry,  

I’m happy you’ve made it out of that house. I would say something about the Weasleys, but I’d hate to insult the twins or their family. They have some brilliance that Ron sorely lacks I’m afraid. You’ll have to regale me with your daring escape sometime, when we meet at Diagon. Maggie agreed that would be a good date. It’s been rather busy here, but I think Maggie is having kittens over my wandless magic again. It’s rather difficult to control when I’m anxious bored. She was very disappointed in me trying to magic the bars off your window, but I could see something akin to understanding when she scolded me. Surprisingly, she simply slapped my wrist and left it at that.  

That house elf sounds like something Malfoy would do, but I would hate to discount something that could be a warning. You should be careful when we return, and make sure you aren’t up to no good. Don’t let Weasley lead you astray! I am sorry to say, but there is no hope of us ever getting along. It is almost enthralling to antagonize him, he’s such an easy target some days. However, Maggie has mentioned that she would love to catch up with the Weasleys. Did you know she used to be close friends with Mrs. Weasley’s younger brother, Gideon? I swear she knows everyone, honestly. She plans to send an owl to Mrs. Weasley once we’ve returned from another trip.  

As for who is Ominis, he is a friend of the Sallows. Sebastian, Cerus’ great grandfather, and Ominis have a long history together. They went to Hogwarts together too. I enjoy watching them banter, and sometimes I wonder if that will be us one day. Old, grey, back pain, but still best friends. Putting up with me for another century must be dreadful news.  

Anyway, Ominis has been writing to Maggie and I, trying to plan Christmas early this year. He’s inviting us to spend time at his place and wanted to insure we all had a say. He’s very kind, and I enjoy speaking with him. You would like him too, perhaps you can come with us for Christmas? I can ask Ominis if you would be interested. That does mean suffering through Cerus’ company, I’m afraid. Hopefully he’ll be house trained by then.  

Lastly, I’ve included my gift for your birthday. We were all supposed to go to a quidditch match together. Maggie wanted you to see it for yourself! But the Dursley’s prevented that. The tickets are good for another game later this season, and we both agreed it should be something you get to experience still. There’s three tickets inside, please enjoy them. Honestly, take Weasley, it’ll be the nicest thing he could ever afford to touch.  

This is the longest we've been apart, hasn't it?  

I might miss you too,

Sarah  

Chapter Text

Sarah had never been a large fan of Diagon Alley.  

She’d only ventured there on occasion with Maggie, and the Sallows, but it never escaped her notice how busy the place was. She decidedly didn’t enjoy crowds. At least in school she was relatively the same height as most of the population. Here, she was short by comparison; swallowed by the masses. Despite growing over the past year, and being exceptionally tall as it was, Sarah was still annoyingly shorter than some of the boys. Cerus, who was going to be tall like his father, never let her forget it, grinning down at her any chance he got. He felt tempted to lean his arm on her head, like he did his significantly shorter sister, but second guessed that choice after remembering who he was dealing with. He was only a few inches taller, but that small advantage was something to hold over Sarah’s head, so it would seem.  

Maggie had planned to spend the day with Atlas, and so the Sallows and the Wilkinson/Williams households met in Diagon Alley to collect the children’s things and also enjoy each other’s company. Atlas and Maggie chittered away as the group wandered the shops, but Sarah spent the entire time looking around for short black-haired boys with dazzling green eyes. Today had been the scheduled day, but she supposed they never spoke about a time. Perhaps she had missed the Weasleys and Harry already?  

“Oh, hello Sarah.” A timid voice called out from the crowd. The blonde turned, looking down at none other than Hermione Granger approaching. Sarah nodded, eyes softening some from the resting witch face she often wore when in a crowd. The corners of Hermione’s mouth lifted when she noticed the change in expression.  

“Hello Hermione. How have you been?” Sarah asked, being polite. Cerus chuckled, noticing the tone she used. A subtle kick to his shin made the boy back off. Selene groaned to her brother about him being a menace before she also greeted the frizzy-haired second year. Hermione said her hello, looked over her shoulder for something, then back at the group.  

“It’s been good! Mum and Dad are always a bit spooked coming here, but I find it enthralling really.” Hermione then looked back once again to a couple standing awkwardly by the register to a shop, talking over a list with the cashier who patiently guided them.  

“Hm,” Sarah wasn’t sure what to say to that. Thankfully Maggie came up to her, greeting Hermione warmly.  

“Hello there! Are you one of Sarah’s friends?” Maggie asked, practically glowing. Hermione hesitated, her soft brown eyes roaming to Sarah, then back as she smiled, shaking Maggie’s outstretched hand.  

“Hello, I’m Hermione Granger. Yes, I’m a friend of Sarah’s.” Hermione’s eyes glimpsed at Sarah briefly, then felt more confident as she saw Sarah give the slightest of nods. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”  

Maggie was positively glowing.  

“What a kind young lady! I’m Magenta Wilkinson, but please, call me Maggie. I’m Sarah’s guardian. I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Sarah.” The last comment surprised Hermione, but also caused her smile to widen ever so slightly as Sarah looked away from them. She pretended to see something in the distance, but her ears were pink at the tips. Over Sarah’s shoulder, Cerus scoffed.  

“Sarah? Making friends?” He taunted. The blonde didn’t move, sans a twitch in her left cheek.  

“At least I don’t have to hold tryouts.” She countered flatly. Maggie turned to them both.  

“Can’t you two just stay hushed for five minutes? Honestly, you Slytherins think pretty high of yourselves.” Maggie jeered, surprising Hermione. Cerus whispered something in Sarah’s ear, making her eyes turn skyward, as if praying for some divine intervention. When Cerus stepped away to harass his sister, Maggie ushered them all to meet Hermione’s parents.  

Meetings had never been Sarah’s forte. She knew how to remain polite, mostly from Maggie’s teachings, but she wasn’t game for meeting new people all the time. As if sensing this, Maggie ushered Sarah and Hermione to continue on with their shopping. Within five minutes she was offering to help the Grangers find all their magical needs. She insisted on being their guide, which the Grangers accepted graciously as Atlas stepped up to help them carry their things.  

“Maggie is very kind and bubbly.” Hermione said.  

“She is,” Sarah agreed. Then, after a beat of silence, Sarah added. “She also knows half the bloody wizarding community.”  

Hermione giggled, thinking that Sarah would find this sort of thing annoying, considering she wasn’t a people person herself. Still, when Hermione looked up at Sarah, there was a certain fondness in her eyes still. Something only Harry, and apparently Magenta Wilkinson, could coax out of the young girl. It was quite charming when her eyes weren’t so guarded.  

“What supplies do you still need?” Hermione asked. Sarah hummed, pulling out her list. “I still have to stop at Flourish and Blotts- oh Ron and Harry said they would be here today. Have you seen them?”  

To her surprise, Sarah tensed, but then forcibly relaxed. The muggleborn witch would be unaware that the last time Sarah saw Harry was behind a barred window. The memory still soured in her head. However, the thought of seeing her best friend again after almost a month apart was a wonderful feeling.  

Sarah nodded, looking back to find the rest of their group wandering to another store. It didn’t deter Sarah, however, as she noticed that Atlas and Maggie were explaining brooms to the Grangers. Sarah let a tiny smile lift to her lips. Perhaps Hermione would be leaving with a new broom today, even if she didn’t want one.  

“Harry said they’d be here, but I didn’t catch a time.” Sarah explained as the duo entered Flourish and Blotts. The shop was horribly busy, far busier than any others in the area. It appeared to be crammed full of middle-aged witches and uninspired youths. Sarah noticed the man that everyone appeared to be staring at. He reminded her of a peacock, preened and posing for the camera.  

“Oh it’s him! It’s Gilderoy Lockhart!” Hermione cooed. Sarah raised a brow, not familiar with the name. “He’s the author of all our books, you know!”  

He was? This was news to Sarah. However, considering all of his preening, she couldn’t imagine his books to be particularly noteworthy. Next to him, however, was a rather startled looking young boy. His dazzling green eyes were wide as photos were snapped of him. Sarah bit back a smirk, her eyes catching several red heads in the crowd.  

“Think we found Harry.” Sarah said, a lilt in her voice as she felt relief wash over her. Hermione either didn’t hear her, or simply said nothing as she rushed forward with the crowd of witches. Getting to Harry would take immense effort, and it wasn’t like Sarah was in a particular hurry. She could wait, for now, until Harry was done being in the spotlight. Sarah wouldn’t mind teasing him about it.  

‘Well,’ Sarah thought, ‘might as well get my books.’  

She found the shiny books listed in her school supplies list stacked high in the corner, frowning as she looked at all the covers. More glittering, fancifulness, and preening. Sarah hoped beyond anything that their defense against the dark arts professor wasn’t going to make them read this. Perhaps they would learn Confringo officially and set it on fire instead.  

“Waiting on Weasley and Potter are you?” A slimy voice said from within the shop. Sarah knew it was Malfoy without setting eyes on the boy. She ignored him, stacking all the books, along with a few small note books, into her arms. As she turned, however, Malfoy was right there. He shoved them from her hands. Initially, Sarah didn’t react, she stared at her empty arms for a moment. Then, with great reluctance, her eyes drifted up to the inbred boy. He stood as tall as her, glaring daggers in her direction. Her eyes narrowed, hardly any reaction, or emotion, which infuriated Draco even more.  

“Heard you burned our last professor, WIlliams,” Malfoy said in a lower voice, eyes narrowing. “What are you going to do to Lockhart? Send him back in a match box?”  

“There’ll be enough room for you, Malfoy.” Sarah assured in a calm voice; her ring finger stung. He was so close, right in her space. She wanted to shove him away, disliking how her space was invaded. To her surprise, a tall man appeared behind him, whacking the boy with his cane.  

“Behave, Draco,” he scolded. Draco Malfoy touched the back of his head, but clearly the whack was more for show than real punishment. Draco backed away, giving his father a direct view into Sarah’s eyes. The tall man looked down his nose at Sarah. “There is no need to taunt Muggleborns. They are already at the bottom of the barrel.”  

‘This has to be his father,’ Sarah thought. He was just as slimy as Draco. Sarah stared up at the man, noticing the way he narrowed his gaze at her. Sarah stepped up to him, rising her chin. Her blood still boiling from his son’s commentary.  

“Bottom of the barrel?” Sarah snapped. At least she wasn’t scraping the bottom of the gene pool.  

As she thought this, a hand caught her shoulder. Sarah tensed, ready to fight, but then the familiar smell of Maggie’s perfume enveloped her. Sarah remained vigilant as her guardian stood beside her.  

“Ah, Lucius Malfoy. How horrible to see you.” Maggie greeted in her usual cheery voice. Lucius’ lip curled as he locked eyes with Magenta.  

“Am I expected to know you?” Lucius asked. Maggie chuckled, confident despite her shorter stature. Sarah was almost as tall and her, and Lucius stood a whole foot above them.  

“Of course not, that would mean you didn’t buy your way into the ministry.” Maggie assured. The Malfoy’s both snarled, but before anything could be said, a tall man with red hair appeared, smiling at Maggie.  

“Magenta! It’s been too long!” He called, shortly sensing the atmosphere and gleaning why. The two tall men faced each other.  

“Hello Arthur, we were just about to-” Lucius cut Maggie off, smirking at the other man.  

“Well, well, well — Arthur Weasley.” He said, looking down his nose and looking ridiculous to Sarah. He thought awfully high of himself simply because he had nice clothing and inbreeding in his genes.  

“Lucius,” said Mr. Weasley, nodding coldly.  

“Busy time at the Ministry, I hear. All those raids. I hope they’re paying you overtime?” There was a silence in which Sarah took in the site of several other redheads. The twins, Ron, a little girl, and Harry all began to congregate in the area. Lucius scoffed, seeing their dirty faces and messy attire. “Dear me, what’s the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don’t even pay you well for it?”  

Mr. Weasley’s face darkened.  

“We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy,” he said.  

“Clearly,” said Mr. Malfoy, his pale eyes straying to Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who were watching apprehensively. Something flared to life inside of Sarah even before he spoke. “The company you keep, Weasley, and I thought your family could sink no lower —”  

A large stack of books as high as the ceiling crashed down over Lucius’ head. Maggie pulled Sarah backwards as everyone jumped out of the way. The frizzy-haired witch looked down at her charge, noticing the glare on Sarah’s face and the way she was playing with her ring.  

“Dad!” Draco called, scrambling to dig his father out. There was laughter from Weasleys. Most of them at least. Ron, Fred and George were all jeering. A shy smile appeared on the little girl’s face. Molly Weasley was livid as she yelled at all of her kin to get out before they could be kicked out.  

Lucius Malfoy sprung out of the books, a stunned look on his face. His eyes went to Sarah, as if sensing the culprit. She didn’t back down, looking down her nose at him with the faintest uplift of her lips, even as Maggie gripped her shoulder tighter. Sarah wasn’t sure what Lucius saw in her eyes, but whatever it was, it made him call for his son and amble out of the shop with what little pride he had left. Sarah’s eyes followed him, wanting to imagine his coat set on fire.  

“Sarah Williams.” Maggie said under her breath. She was upset with her, or maybe the situation. Sarah couldn’t tell. In the mound of books were some of Sarah’s, and her bag that Maggie had been holding. It laid abandoned in the pile until Sarah picked it up, assuring that there were still books in it, before Maggie hauled her outside. Sarah briefly saw the Sallows and the Grangers chatting together, Hermione’s parents looking nervously at the entrance to the shop, before she was carted to a more secluded area.  

“Sarah,” Maggie began, looking all over her young charge. “Are you alright? Did anything hit you?”  

“No, I’m okay.” Sarah said, straight to the point. There wasn’t any point in stalling for time when she knew the outcome. Maggie held her shoulders, staring into her eyes. Soft brown met hard grey.  

“What did I tell you about wandless magic Sarah? We need to- you need to stop doing that. It’s not a good habit.” Maggie said, sounding disappointed. It had been the same when she heard Sarah tried to rip the bars off Harry’s window. It had been interrupted by Vernon screeching at her from inside the house, broom in one hand and folding chair as a shield in the other, as he hid behind his wife. She sounded tired, like she’d said the same thing too many times.  

Sarah bit her tongue, feeling hurt. Her magic had always been part of her. It was the one thing that was entirely hers . She couldn’t truly share it, only show it. It felt like Maggie was scolding her about being herself. A curtain lifted then, one that Sarah had always kept out of the way ever since Maggie promised not to send her back to the orphanage. The frizzy-haired witch showed surprise at the neutral, guarded gaze that looked back at her.  

“I apologize,” Sarah said, eyes dull. “I won’t do it again.”  

Monotonous, hidden, Sarah retreated. Maggie gently brushed a hand over Sarah’s shoulder, not seeing any change in the girl.  

“I know it’s not fair,” Maggie soothed. “You have this gift Sarah, and you want to use it. I understand.”  

She didn’t, Sarah decided, but the blonde said nothing against her.  

“Why are people like him allowed to act how they want?” Sarah asked, but gave nothing away to what she was thinking. Maggie pursed her lips, frowning.  

“Bad people do not get away with things- don't interrupt me- Bad people seem like they get away with it, but there are other ways to take care of that sort of altercation.” Sarah looked down, fingers clenching. Maggie saw no emotions fluttering across her eyes. She was shutting down.  

“Sarah,” a few moments passed, before she raised her gaze to Maggie. “What good is winning an argument, or a fight, if you have to sacrifice your own morals to win it?”  

But that was inherently where Maggie saw different. To Sarah, her magic was simply her thoughts being freed. To Maggie, it was something to hide, be ashamed of doing. It was gutting to the girl, knowing full well that Maggie may love her, but she didn’t accept her.  

“Now, there’s a little boy waiting for us to finish up. I would hate to keep him waiting.” At Maggie’s words, Sarah’s eyes shot towards the group waiting nearby. Her eyes landed immediately on Harry, and a sliver of emotion came through. He beamed, racing over to her. Without thought of where they were, he threw his arms around her. More stiffly, and hesitantly, Sarah did the same.  

“I missed you.” Harry said, pulling back. The smallest of smiles lifted the corner of Sarah’s lips then.  

“Perhaps the feeling is mutual.” She said carefully. Maggie scoffed at her, muttering about her aloof nature. Harry pulled her hand, tugging her over to the group of redheads all loitering in the street. Molly Weasley, it had to be her, smiled down at Sarah.  

“Well! You must be Sarah. I’ve heard all about you.” The woman said warmly. Sarah nodded, emotions frayed from all the excitement, but she forced a tiny polite smile. They shook hands, Sarah doing everything to keep a neutral expression.  

“Pleasure, Mrs. Weasley.” She said in return. She could hear Ron scoffing in the background, and immediately thought of how to lift her spirits. She looked at him, frowning.  

“Are you going to insult me some more, Ronald?” Sarah asked, but from her tone Harry knew something was up. Too cordial, polite. Ron scoffed.  

“Oh please! You’re the one always coming at me all the bloody time!” Mrs. Weasley bristled as Sarah gave the perfect look of dejection.  

“But you keep calling me a bird, and a pigeon.” She said, knowing full well the youngest boy was too riled up to realize his mistake.  

“That’s because you are! Merlin you’re-”  

“RONALD WEASLEY!”  

The fire in Ron’s eyes died immediately as he slowly turned to his mother. Fear, and a good dose of regret, flooded his features as he was cowed. Molly pulled him aside, but they could faintly hear his ear being screamed off.  

“Devious.” The twins said in unison. Sarah’s face returned to neutrality. She raised a brow at them, but said nothing as they grinned in acknowledgment before Fred spoke.  “I think Mum’s going to scream for a while longer, but it is getting late.”  

Sarah looked at Harry, who rolled his eyes at her antics, but smiled. The blonde looked over to Maggie, only to see her speaking with both the Sallows and Arthur. Cerus wandered over, smirking down at Sarah.  

“Devious little one, you are. I could hear her from over there.” He taunted. Sarah said nothing, growing tired of the day. He then turned to the twins as they mentioned quidditch. The three beaters talking amongst themselves.  

She felt a tug on her hand and looked over to Harry. He gestured for her to follow, and the duo wandered off.  

“I had been hoping to have more time with you, it’s been a long while.” Harry said as they separated hands. Sarah put hers in her pockets, feeling cold without his touch. Sarah hummed, a pinch of a smile on her lips.  

“I know, probably the longest, well. No, last year when you found Weasley and Granger was a long time as well.” He bumped her shoulder as she spoke, causing a smile to split her lips for a brief second.  

“Was it you who tumbled the books?” Harry asked. Sarah gave a short nod. “Maggie looked upset. She wasn’t upset at you, was she?”  

Instantly, the mirth left her. A hard look crossed her eyes, a pang hit her gut. They were silent as Sarah formulated her response.  

“She was disappointed in me.” Sarah said quietly. They walked a little more, then she added on. “It always feels like- like she’s ashamed I can do it.”  

“Maggie loves you.” Harry insisted. Sarah swallowed. “She isn’t ashamed of you. If anything, I imagine she just wants to make sure nothing happens to you.”  

“Like what? Like me jumping in front of a homicidal professor? Oh that will never happen , I assure you.” Sarah snapped, voice dripping with sarcasm. Harry huffed. “She was livid, by the way. She was so angry she just stopped talking for a few days. I don’t think she was angry at me though. Not for that one. I think she was furious at Dumbledore.”  

“Why?”  

“Because he kept the stone at the school. Where he’s responsible for hundreds of students every year. He purposefully put students in harm's way Harry. You said it yourself. He didn’t come down immediately to get us. How is that a responsible adult?” Sarah pointed out. Harry frowned.  

“You also said I either trust Dumbledore or I didn’t based on my logic.” He stopped, turning to look at Sarah as she did the same.  

“I said that in reference to Snape. Just because you dislike something doesn’t make it automatically the reason for all your problems.” Sarah looked down at the boy who now stood a few inches shorter than her. “Besides, I never said I trusted Dumbledore.”  

Harry searched her eyes, finding a flicker of emotion in them. Sarah was telling the truth. While it didn’t completely shock him, Harry had expected Sarah to at least put some faith in the man.  

“It’s different, you don’t trust anyone, Sar.” Harry retorted.  

She frowned. “I trust you .”  

It was such an automatic reply that Sarah herself looked a bit startled. She swallowed, eyes widening a fraction. Harry couldn’t help the large grin that slipped onto his lips. It put the girl at ease. His eyes flickered to the headband she still wore every time he saw her. It made a little stir inside his chest before he looked back at Sarah’s beautiful grey eyes. Steel grey, so bright he wondered if he’d see them in pure darkness.  

“Good.” Harry said before he swallowed thickly.  

“Come on you two love birds!” Cerus’ voice drawled above the noise of the streets. Immediately, Sarah looked skywards, questioning her choice in friends.  

Harry looked at the older boy. He was incredibly tall for a thirteen-year-old. He’d certainly be taller than his father by the time he was an adult. His voice was dropping, sometimes it cracked- something Sarah and Selene teased him relentlessly about- but there was a way about how he sauntered around. His tanned skin and freckled features belayed a boyish look to him, despite his sharp eyes and pronounced jaw. He didn’t look gangly. Instead, he was rather broad. Harry would’ve easily mistaken him for being older than the twins.  

“You sound jealous, Sallow.” Sarah scoffed. Cerus’ smirk widened, not backing down as he loomed over them both.    

“Perhaps I am.” He said, eyes glancing from Harry to Sarah again. Harry felt something stir once more, not liking how Cerus looked at his friend. Sarah huffed then, side stepping.  

“Of course, I would hate to stand in your way.” The corner of her mouth tugged up at Cerus’ bewildered expression. Harry’s eyes widened as he realized he’d been left for the wolves.  

“Sarah!” Both boys shouted in broken unison. She gave a single, mocking laugh, then gestured for Harry to follow. He did, but not before seeing the easy sideways smile that slipped onto Cerus’ face. Charmed, that’s the look, Harry finally realized.  

The trio wandered back, seeing the group had thinned significantly. Maggie waved them over on their approach.  

“Harry, I hope you don’t mind. I told Molly we would love to have you for the evening. We can return you to the Burrow either in the morning or tonight. Though I'm sure Sarah would love to spend as much time as she could with you.” An olive branch, Sarah realized, that Maggie was extending to her. Sarah nodded, though her eyes didn’t lose the spark that Harry had managed to put back in them.  

Harry grinned. “A sleepover? Brilliant!”  

The trio said their goodbyes to the Sallows next, Atlas inviting them over the next day, before making it home vis floo.  

There was always something about Sarah and Maggie’s home that Harry loved to see. The colours around the house were always yellow, green, silver, and black. A beautiful myriad of colours, Harry thought. Oddly enough, he enjoyed the lack of red and gold that came with Gryffindor. Sarah’s room, was painted the same shade of green as Slytherin, with silver accents and dark oak furniture. It was old, subtle, and very much like Sarah. Her room was always tidy, except for one drawer that, according to Sarah, was the misfit drawer. Anything she couldn’t find a place for was shoved unceremoniously into that drawer.  

The rest of the house held deep oak furniture, with yellow and green accents that harmonized beautifully. Sunflower wallpaper coated the living room, along with green couches and yellow knitted blankets tossed over either couch.  

Harry loved coming over, always feeling welcomed. Sarah enjoyed helping Maggie cook, even if she wasn’t as good at it as her adoptive mother. Harry helped, the two children catching up on anything that had happened while they prepped food for Maggie. When they could do no more, they moved to the couches and spoke over some tea until supper was finished. It started with the main events, like Harry’s harrowing escape- which Maggie pointedly ignored- all the way to the simplest of things, like what Harry had for breakfast.  

It seemed like nothing was ever unspoken between them. Something Maggie noticed. While Sarah may not have been a talker, this past year had done good for Sarah. She had opened up more, especially to Harry.  

When supper was finished, Maggie offered for them to make a fort with the couches. Despite her aloof personality, Sarah’s eyes lit up at the idea, as did Harry’s. The duo turned the couches so that the backs faced each other, stuffing blankets and pillows in between. They changed into night clo9thes, Sarah wearing a comfortable sweater as she often became cold, and Harry taking some clothing Maggie bought him a few weeks prior. She’d been hoping to give the kids this chance for a while, evening if it never came to fruition.  

Maggie gave them some treats, stoking the fire and making sure they were comfortable for the evening before retiring to bed. She briefly reminded them that they needed to be up at a decent hour the next day. They were still talking, even as Maggie shut her door. Harry was, at least. Sarah listened, enjoying the sound of his voice. When the snacks were finished, and the fire was just embers, the two children finally laid to sleep.  

Harry smiled as Sarah made herself comfortable. Sarah’s eyes flickered to Harry’s, just a foot away from hers. Perhaps it was the fatigue, or the safety she felt. Either way, Harry felt warmth in his chest when Sarah showed one of her rare, true smiles.  

“Goodnight, Harry.” Sarah said softly, as if afraid to break the magic. Harry copied her smile, eyes half-lidded.  

“Good night, Sarah.” He said, voice wavering as he slowly drifted off to sleep. Sarah sighed, settling in. Despite the inability to get comfortable, despite the cool ground making her shiver as the fire slowly died out, Sarah found herself falling asleep with that honest smile, feeling Harry's puffs of breath on her face.  

It was, quite possibly, one of the best sleeps Sarah had in her entire life.  

Chapter Text

It was almost a tragedy when Sarah and Harry woke up the next morning.  

Despite getting to spend most of the day together, and well into the afternoon, it was eventually time to send Harry back to the Weasley’s. It was at this time that Sarah had her first visit to The Burrow. The house, while clearly belonging to a large, not well to do family, had an immense amount of charm to it that made Sarah look on in curiosity. She complimented Mrs. Weasley, finding the place fascinating. Maggie and her own house was rather small, with only their two small rooms and a half wall separating the kitchen and living room. The Burrow had so much character that Sarah couldn’t stop taking it all in.  

Even Ron’s jab and commentary didn’t get to Sarah, as she and Maggie spent the entire afternoon with the family. Sarah officially met Percy and Ginny, though Ginny seemed to be petrified anytime she looked up at Sarah. Ron sulked, wizening up to Sarah’s clever use of his temper. Harry and the twins showed Sarah around the place, even offering to play quidditch together. It would be the most they could do ever, since Sarah would be on a different team come term, something Fred jabbed at any time they remembered she was a Slytherin.  

Alas, the day eventually came to an end, and Sarah was forced to say goodbye to everyone. Molly Weasley offered for Sarah to stay, much to Ron’s complaints, claiming that Ginny would have room for her. The little girl timidly nodded in agreement with her mum, but Maggie- knowing her child’s limits, knew it was best to take her home to decompress. Witha heavy heart, Sarah said her goodbyes, lingering with Harry for a moment alone. Stiffly, she hugged him, ignoring how he laughed at her awkwardness to showing affection, but promised to write to her as soon as he woke the next morning.  

Another week passed, and Sarah practiced with Cerus for Quidditch, wrote to Harry, and got started on all her reading. It would be a waste of time to skip the readings now, as there wasn’t much else to do on the days she couldn’t visit the Sallows. While organizing her bag, however, Sarah came across another book that she hadn’t expected.  

It was small, bound in black leather, and looked like a diary. There was an inscription on the back had a faded date of 194- something, and the brand was from a muggle store Sarah had visited once with Maggie when looking for drawing paper. Opening the book, Sarah could faintly see a name scratched into the first page. After that, however, it was entirely blank.  

So what was it doing in her bag? Had she stolen someone else’s book? She thought of the Malfoys, and the pile of books that crashed on top of Lucious Malfoy. Surely, he wouldn’t be carrying around a muggle made book? What good would that do him? No, Sarah decided, it couldn’t be his. She must’ve taken it from the owner by accident. Whoever had owned it, they clearly hadn’t gotten far in their use. It was such a strange thing, to know this diary was decades old, and yet nothing more than a name was scratched into the front of the diary.  

Sarah decided to keep it in her things, adding it to the pile of books. It would be good for making lists, if nothing else. The diary escaped her mind shortly after she began to read Lockharts books. They were dreadful, she decided, since most of them contained barely any information to the actual events in the title, and had more to do with preening of the man’s ego. It took Sarah a horrifically long time to realize she had glazed over an entire page for over an hour, not actually reading them, before she forcibly went to another book. She prayed for a better story, but was woefully discouraged when nothing but more preening met her eyes.  

By the first of September, Sarah was eager for something new to do in her otherwise monotonous routine. She missed Harry, and though there was constant communication between them both, it wasn’t nearly the same as seeing the boy in the flesh.  

Which was entirely why Sarah nearly had kittens when she couldn’t find him on the Hogwarts Express.  

She had anxiously said goodbye to Maggie, boarded the train, and waited patiently in a compartment, waiting for Harry to find her. When they began to move, she felt something was amiss, and went to find him instead. Sarah marched up and down the train, searching. She never found the short boy, but she did find Hermione with the same anxious expression as Sarah felt. Both realized that something had happened if neither boy was seen. They searched for Fred and George, but both boys were equally confused. They explained that the boys were the last to enter, and they hadn’t seen them since.  

“I’m- I’m certain that Dumbledore will know what to do, once we arrive.” Hermione said, noticing the furious expression in Sarah’s gaze. She closed her eyes, counted to five, and then was back to her usual blank expression. Sarah nodded, gesturing to the compartments behind her. She returned to the one she had before and sat, saying nothing. Hermione awkwardly followed her, sitting across from the silent Slytherin who stared blankly out the window. The frizzy haired witch bit her lip, wanting to speak, but as she got the nerve to open her mouth, their compartment door opened.  

Sarah’s eyes snapped to the door, but was woefully dismayed to find two people she didn’t know standing in the way.  

“Mind if we pop in? Everywhere else is full.” A timid boy asked, eyes darting to the floor when he saw Sarah’s expression. Hermione wasn’t sure what to say, but Sarah nodded once in reply before looking out the window again. It surprised Hermione, but she supposed rejecting the two would be rude at this point.  

Hermione watched the timid boy step in and sit beside her. He looked between her own and Sarah’s shoes, too afraid to look the blonde in the eye. His freckled face and weather-beaten skin complimented his reddish-blonde curled hair, but it did nothing to hide the pink at the tips of his ears. The boy looked nervous to be there, and Hermione had a feeling it had everything to do with the Slytherin girl sitting across from them.  

The other, however, did not look like a relative, which Hermione initially presumed. This girl looked short, and had a nasty aura about her as well. Her long chocolate brown hair was swept into a messy bun, with wisps of her bangs framing her pale face. Her icy blue eyes, however, were startling to look at. Especially because a scar, similar to a scratch, sliced across her left cheek.  

“Nice ta meet ya,” the girl said. Both Hermione and Sarah were surprised to hear a Canadian accent. Sarah looked at the girl, but her eyes gave nothing away to her surprise as the Canadian raised her chin a little higher. “I’m Maria Winters, transferred from Ilvermorny.” 

Despite saying that, Sarah could hear the faintest accent in her voice, something akin to Irish but not quite as prominent. When nothing more was offered, Sarah nodded.  

“Sarah Williams.” She greeted, expecting nothing more and giving nothing in return. Maria looked reserved, despite her forwardness, like she wanted to beat them to the punchline. Sarah could respect that, deciding to only give what was given, making the brunette nod back at her in greeting. Hermione found the exchange to be a bit odd, and yet both of the girls across from her looked at each other with a faint understanding.  

“Rolf Scamander.” The boy said softly. Sarah’s eyes went to his. He reminded her of Neville, except much less plump and far more weather beaten. The name Scamander rung bells in Sarah’s head, before she realized. The name had been on a textbook in the Sallow’s home. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them . A book detailing many fantastic creatures of the wizarding community. Maggie had assured her that it would be part of a class elective in the coming years. Sarah nodded politely, as did Maria, but Hermione was far more invested in the boy.  

“You’re Rolf Scamander? I’ve been curious if any of Newton Scamander’s family would be at Hogwarts! My name is Hermione Granger, pleasure!” Hermione said quickly. Rolf gave a short chuckle, nodding.  

“Yes, yes I know who you are.” He said quietly, smiling a little. Sarah noticed he looked far more comfortable speaking with her. “You’re the top scoring witch of our year.”  

Hermione turned red, unused to the compliments. Rolf attempted to look at Sarah, but in meeting her eyes, he froze up, looking down again. Perhaps on a better day he might’ve had a bit more success, but Sarah was rather morose, frustrated with Harry and Ron vanishing. She wouldn’t mind a year without Weasley, but if it meant Harry was in trouble.....  

Hermione almost went off on another tangent of talking, chatting away about the textbook in question, when the compartment door slammed open again. Malfoy appeared, his two lackeys- Crabbe and Goyle- taking up so much space they couldn’t fit into the compartment. Malfoy's eyes surveyed the four.  

“So it must be true. Harry Potter isn’t coming back to Hogwarts,” Malfoy’s pale eyes raced over Sarah, whose temper was quickly souring once more. “Otherwise his girlfriends wouldn’t be sitting here with strangers.”  

“Ye sound jealous there, b'y.” Maria piped in, crossing one leg over the other. Draco’s eyes snapped to her, a sneer on his face.  

“Shut it.” He snapped. “This school really is going to rubbish if they’re letting even the dogs in.”  

At his words, Maria stiffened, a furious look in her eyes. Malfoy, ignoring Maria’s rage, looked at Sarah, ready to taunt some more, but today wasn’t a good day to try. As Malfoy opened his mouth, Sarah cut him off. 

“Get. Out .”  

Her words went off with a command, and at break-neck speed, Malfoy was tossed backwards into the aisle. Crabbe and Goyle toppled on top of him. The four didn’t get to see much of what was happening, as the door slammed shut shortly after, then locked with a resounding click .  

The compartment was dead quiet, as everything sunk in. Sarah turned to stare out the window, ignoring the looks all three gave her. Maria was the first to let it go, opting to pull out a book and beginning to read, she said nothing about the events that just occurred. Rolf glanced at Sarah, but then turned his gaze to Hermione. 

“Is.... Is Harry alright?” Rolf asked softly. Sarah didn’t react, and so Hermione answered him quietly.  

“We don’t know.” She admitted. Rolf glanced at Sarah again, then at the firmness of her gaze out the window, and could almost feel the worry rolling off of her.  

“That was brilliant, by the way.” Rolf mentioned, eyes darting to the floor when Sarah looked at him. Then he added quietly. “Always wanted to put Malfoy in his place.”  

Her mood, while still tense, softened slightly. She could appreciate the observation regardless. However, the longer Sarah stared, the more she realized that something was moving around in his pocket. It continued to move, until small green leaves began to stick out. Rolf, absently, pushed them back in gently.  

“Is that-” Sarah paused; eyes zeroed in on Rolf’s pocket. He spooked, not realizing she had been looking at him still. “Is that a Bowtruckle?”  

Rolf flushed, but under the scrutiny of all three girls, he relented. Fishing the small creature from his pocket, Rolf produced a small, twig-like creature. It squeaked, chirping a few times while the small creature- no bigger than Sarah’s palm- took in its surroundings.  

“This is Pickett the... the fourth.” He stammered, but a little grin made it onto his face. It chirped happily at its designation. Hermione was surprised, having never seen a Bowtruckle in person, while Maria remained quiet as she returned to her book. Sarah had expected the small Bowtruckle to be terrified when it saw her, almost expected it to flee on sight. However, it looked at her like any other, calm and easy. Rolf watched as her eyes softened a little bit further.  

“Would you like to hold him?”  

Sarah’s eyes met Rolf’s, and this time he didn’t look away. She noticed that his eyes were a lovely hazel, with flecks of gold in them. Sarah nodded, and the duo reached for each other. Pickett IV sniffed Sarah’s hand, poked it once, then- to her amazement- he leaped across the gap and landing gleefully on her palm. She froze, not sure if she should move or not. Rolf couldn’t keep the small grin off his face as he rested his hand back at his side. 

“He doesn’t like many people, admittedly.” Rolf revealed, watching as Sarah held the Bowtruckle carefully close to her chest. She looked fascinated by the small twig-like creature, eyes brimming with light. Hermione offered to take him, but unlike the time with Sarah, the Bowtruckle refused, gripping furiously to Sarah’s sleeve to the point that he almost knocked himself off her arm. Rolf chuckled, before apologizing for Pickett’s behaviour. Pickett spent the better part of the train ride with Sarah, keeping her attention, with the blonde asking the odd question, or for clarification when she was unsure what Pickett was doing. The little beast had climbed onto her shoulder, making a snug bed in the collar of her shirt. Rolf was- initially- apologetic, as he’d never seen him do that sort of this before. But Sarah didn’t mind, in fact she found it almost soothing.  

When Pickett returned to Rolf, it was with the smallest bit of reluctance. The Bowtruckle cried, patted Sarah’s hand, and then leapt back to Rolf, eyeing Sarah the entire time. 

“He thinks you’re his tree.” Rolf explained, and for a split second he could’ve sworn Sarah’s mouth twitched into a smile. It was the most charming thing he’d ever seen. 

When they arrived at Hogwarts, Sarah and Hermione immediately went to McGonagall about Harry and Ron. The Professor told them that something would most certainly be done about it, and assured them both to head to their house tables for now. Sarah wasn’t settled in the least, and with Cerus poking fun in her ear, she found it incredibly hard to relax. At least she didn’t have to suffer the train ride home with him, as he and Selene were able to walk from Hogsmeade. It was only made worse when she noticed the preening peacock known as Gilderoy Lockhart sitting at the head table, but a surprisingly empty seat was also noticed.  

Where was Professor Snape? 

At one point, McGonagall and Dumbledore vanished as well. Sarah worried, thinking it might be a terrible sign that something had gone wrong with Harry.... and Ron. She could hardly touch her food, despite the comely smells wafting from the table, she only picked at her food as chatter wound up from both sides of her. Once the feast was over, Sarah anxiously rose to her feet, wanting to speaking with the headmaster about Harry. However, McGonagall headed her off, stopping her from approaching the head table.  

“Ms. Williams,” the professor began, halting Sarah in her tracks. The prim and proper professor of Gryffindor was always a fair but strict woman, and as such Sarah had a stiff respect for her as well. “Since you are not in Gryffindor, you will likely not hear, but both Potter and Weasley have arrived safely on the grounds.”  

Sarah’s eyes melted into relief for a single, brief second, then they hardened again into cold fury. It surprised McGonagall.  

“Thank you, professor. If I may ask, what did those two do?” She asked carefully, keeping her voice level. Fury ran through Sarah now that Harry was safe. Why was he here? How had he gotten here? Why did he not board the train? McGonagall pursed her lips, but Sarah could see the hints of exasperation on her face.  

“I think it best for you to hear from them, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Off to your dorms now.” She said shortly, walking away. Sarah glanced up to where Cerus was waiting for her. Her mouth was a thin line as they walked. Cerus chuckled.  

“Never thought I’d see the day you were genuinely angry at Potter. Bit of a lover’s spat, hm?” Sarah’s glare halted the teasing, but Cerus could see not all the anger was directed at him. “Only joking. Honestly, what did he do that you’re so livid?”  

“He didn’t board the train,” Sarah explained, stepping around some first years gawking at the stairs. “I just- what on earth happened?”  

“Ah, so you were worried. Typical. Such a mother hen you like to be.” Cerus chuckled. It made Sarah shiver, but she only huffed. She had been worried. What if the Dursley’s had gotten hold of him? Or something evil had grabbed in the middle of King’s Cross? Sarah didn’t want to picture it, but she was beginning to understand the bullheadedness of Gryffindors when she had considered flying her broom back to London to find Harry. If he was locked in the Dursley’s, she’d free him at any cost.  

“I’m beginning to realize there will never be any normal moments with you around.” Sarah sipped her tea quietly.  

Harry huffed in his seat next to her. The morning of their first day of classes started out with Sarah and Harry reuniting in the Great Hall for breakfast. Like they had the previous year, Sarah had woken at the crack of dawn to come down and have a quiet breakfast. It would become normal for Sarah to enjoy her meals alone, as she preferred the earlier hour than Harry, but the first day felt something of a tradition. The duo caught each other up on things, Harry explaining his adventure in the flying car- and his near expulsion- before they traded schedules and found the only classes they shared this semester were potions Monday morning, and Defense Against the dark Arts on Wednesdays together.  

Harry mentioned his detention, which Sarah thought was rather soft considering the circumstances, and taunted her was a favourite still amongst the teachers. Well, all but Snape. That man seemed to enjoy bullying children. Harry, who was still partially asleep as he chewed on his toast, nodded slowly.  

“It could be worse. At least there’s not an evil wizard after me,” Harry mumbled as he took another bite of toast. “... This week.”  

“Yes, very kind of him to stay out in hiding while we start our school year.” Sarah said flatly. Her eyes glanced out to the hall, where students had begun to pour in for breakfast. Harry nodded.  

“I’d say he cares about our education, Sar.” He reached for a boiled egg as Sarah side-eyed him. Her mind went back to their schedules laid side by side. 

“We won’t get much time this year together,” she looked from the papers, to her friend. “Even less if I manage to make the quidditch team.”  

Harry’s eyes widened. “That’s right! You can try out this year!” His excited settled as he remembered he and Sarah would be rivals. “It’ll be nice to see you play, even if it’s for Slytherin.”  

“Maybe I’ll be Seeker and get to defeat the great Harry Potter.” Sarah’s sly voice made Harry shiver, but he rolled his eyes at the comment. Before Harry could reply, they both watched as across the hall Ron Weasley received a howler. The shrill cry from the letter was so loud that it broadcasted clear as day across the hall to where the duo sat. Harry could feel the taunt on Sarah’s lips about Ron, but he decided to try and begin on the right foot with them this year. 

“Don’t start.” He pleaded. Sarah snorted, but then relented with a sideways smirk.  

It was an odd thought, Sarah realized, that she almost missed the pungent smell of garlic in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. It may have had something to do with the fact that Sarah almost missed learning from Quirrell as well.  

Gilderoy Lockhart had to be the worst professor Sarah had ever seen. She left that class with more questions than answers- and no, she wasn’t concerned whether he preferred periwinkle or lilac coloured robes! What she had been concerned with, however, was the fact that- other than helping Harry and Hermione catch the pixies that Lockhart set on the class, Sarah hadn’t learned a single spell on her first day. At least Quirrell had mentioned a few defensive spells, but no- this felt like a bad omen waiting to come true.  

She found Cerus later that evening in the Great Hall, looking equally as irritated, looking livid as he tried to keep an easy look on his face. But Sarah had begun to learn the telltale signs of irritation on her friend’s face. Soon the duo found themselves in the Undercroft for the first time that year.  

“There’s thick, and then there’s Lockhart.” Cerus grumbled as he hit a pile of barrels with Confringo successfully. Sarah leaned against one of the pillars, a frown on her lips. “I mean honestly, at least he set the pixies loose for your class! We had to repair all the damages and listen to him read out loud one of his books!”  

“Professor Binns is more entertaining.” Sarah admitted, flicking her wand to mutter Reparo under her breath. The barrels reformed for Cerus to strike again. The tall boy turned to look at her, his freckles more prominent in the low candlelight.  

“I think we’re on our own this year, Williams.” Cerus confessed. Sarah raised a brow, prompting the boy to continue. “If that’s the start of the year, I fear what sort of teachings we’ll truly be getting in this school. I mean, Dad even said how difficult it was to get a good teacher these days.”  

Sarah had to agree. Quirrell may have been better at teaching, but even he had not done much for them in the long run. Last year Sarah had learned more magic from McGonagall in Transfiguration and Flitwick in Charms than she had even learned from Quirrell. She feared this year would be no different. Arguably, Defense should’ve been their primary worry, particularly due to a certain dark wizard that may appear once again.  

“What do you propose?” Sarah asked, tilting her head to the side. Cerus smirked, gesturing to his bag by another pillar. He accio ’d the bag to himself, fishing through it momentarily, then procured a book.  

“My great grandfather, Sebastian- you've met him, right? Anyway, he told me how in his time, there were a few spell books he would study from. He said it wasn’t all useful magic, but it was what he set out to learn in the first place.” Cerus held open a large spellbook. It looked decrepit, as though it would fall apart in his hands, a bit of dust shook off of it as Cerus flipped a page. Hesitantly, Sarah stepped closer. Much of the language in it looked confusing, it was not all in modern English. However, each area seemed to be separated by different spells and lists that could be potentially describing them.  

“This is beyond old, Cerus.” Sarah said lowly. Cerus grinned, beaming down at her.  

“I know, which means we would be learning spells not many others may even know of!” Sarah had to admit, she liked the idea of knowing something that even a pure-blood like Malfoy didn’t. If the teachers didn’t know the spells, could they really be in trouble for learning any of it? It almost felt exciting to her. 

“We’ll have to translate.” Sarah began, looking down at the book once more, turning a page while Cerus adjusted the book for better viewing. The writing on the pages perplexed Sarah, and she questioned what the book actually held. “These look more like ruins than words.”  

“You’re correct. Ancient magic, ancient ruins.” Cerus handed her the book. It dropped heavily into her hands as Cerus fished into his bag for another book. “Lucky for us, I’ve taken Ancient Runes as an elective.”  

Sarah looked over his shoulder at the second book, which held miles of glyphs, runic text, and symbols translated into modern day English. Peaking back at the ancient book in her hands, she quickly realized it would be a while before they translated the words in the book. A month? Maybe more? They wouldn’t learn anything sitting here, however.  

“Where’d Sebastian get such a book?” Sarah asked out loud.  

“Dunno, he told me it belonged to Hogwarts. Said he found it in a study long ago. Among other books.” Cerus admitted. It intrigued Sarah, a part of her brain wondering if perhaps the castle had more secrets for them to discover beyond the Undercroft. It was all getting quite exciting for their first full day back at Hogwarts.  

“We best get started.” Cerus said just above her ear. She looked up at him to see a glimmer in his eye. It only grew when Sarah gave a lopsided smirk back at her. It was already late when they began. They didn’t translate much in the short time they had that evening, but Cerus decided to leave his Ancient Runes translations book in the Undercroft with the spellbook. That way either of them could work on the pages between classes.  

As they left for the night, Cerus and Sarah walked back to their common room while avoiding any wandering Prefects. Once inside, they stopped by the fireplace. Cerus tugged on her robes to get her attention. When she looked up at him, however, he snuck a glance around. They weren’t alone, but the Sallow boy was looking particularly secretive about what he was about to say. So, he used his height to his advantage, leaning down to whisper in her ear.  

“Make a list of anything you want to learn, we can focus on those spells first.” He stood up straight and briskly walked away after that. Sarah frowned, not sure why he needed to whisper that sort of thing in her ear. The fire felt hot, heating her skin and sending a shiver down her spine when she stepped away from it. Cerus was a bit odd sometimes, at least in Sarah’s eyes. She swept it under the rug though; agreeing with him that a list wouldn’t be a bad idea.  

Back in her room, Sarah prepared for bed, enjoying a hot shower with her sweet Jasmine shampoo as she eased any tension she felt from the day. Once finished, Sarah returned to her room to find her bunk-mates asleep. None of her things had been touched yet, which was a blessing considering the hassle Sarah had last year, and so she quietly went to her bed and drew the curtains around her. Shut in the darkness, Sarah procured the diary she had mistakenly stolen at Flourish and Blotts, along with a self-inking quill Maggie had given her for her birthday.  

She used her thumb to rapidly flip through the pages, smelling the old parchment as it blew her hair gently, then turned back to the first page. Sarah thought for a moment, nibbling on her lower lip, then began to write a list of ideas on the page.  

Spells that block unfriendly spells  

Spells that send an enemy flying  

Spells that-  

She stopped writing, trying to articulate her thoughts in her head, when- right before her eyes- her writing disappeared. Sarah blinked, then blinked again, before realizing that there was something else to the small diary she had picked up. Her quill touched the page, drawing a long line across the worn parchment. It vanished, sinking into the pages as though it had never been there in the first place.  

Sarah made to lift the book, to flip through the pages and see if the ink had marked another page, when careful, delicate writing surfaced from the worn parchment. It was rather neat writing, carefully drawing onto the page as Sarah stared. She was so shocked, than she almost didn’t read the words in front of her.  

Hello? Is someone there?