A/N: Sorry that it has been so long. Real life has really gotten pretty insane lately. But here is another chapter and the action picks up...Please let me know what you think! Thanks so much!
Disclaimer: Don't own...Rowling does- she is amazing.
Chapter 10: Putting the Pieces Together
"So, why are you grounded for practically the rest of the year, Black?" Draco asked curiously. They were sitting on Snape's couch, studying, while Severus was supervising a detention.
Sarah's face reddened. "Uncle Sev caught me sneaking out in the middle of the night with Harry"
Draco's eyes widened with horror. "This was after you got caught in Hogsmeade? Sarah, you know Uncle Sev. I can't imagine how angry he must have been"
"Yeah, well, obviously he wasn't happy" Sarah responded sarcastically.
"So, why did you do it?" Draco asked, reaching for a glass of juice and taking a few gulps.
Sarah bit her lip in contemplation. Finally, she decided to confide in Draco. "Harry saw Peter Pettigrew's name on…on a map that we have" She reached out her hand for Draco's glass.
"A map?" Draco asked, handing Sarah his glass. "What kind of map?"
Sarah took a drink, before handing it back to Draco. "A map that shows the names and locations of everyone at Hogwarts. And it had Peter Pettigrew's name on it"
"I don't understand. Your dad killed Pettigrew" Draco said, running a hand through his hair. "Everyone knows that. So, the map must be wrong"
Sarah shrugged. "I suppose, but the map supposedly never lies, Draco. And if Pettigrew is alive, then my Dad didn't kill him. So Harry and I went searching for him, but Snape caught us. And Lupin got involved and it was all just…well, just bad."
"Did you find him?"
"No, that's the thing. We got to the spot he was supposed to be, and he wasn't there" Sarah frowned. "There is something that isn't right. Professor Lupin says to drop it and Uncle Sev would have a fit if he knew, but there is something more, Draco, I know there is"
Draco thought for a while. "You are right. If Pettigrew is alive, then that means your Dad could be innocent of at least that murder. Or actually, of everything, if it is some big cover up" He paused. "Would you like me to ask my mum about Pettigrew? She was at Hogwarts during the same time. She would probably know about him"
"Would she tell Uncle Sev?" Sarah asked, worryingly.
"Maybe" Draco shrugged. "But what can Uncle Sev do? You are already in trouble. And maybe she won't. She doesn't tell Uncle Sev everything, even though he is practically her best friend."
Sarah nodded. "Yeah, your mum is pretty cool" she acknowledged. "She is always nice when she goes shopping with me for new clothes. And I'm so glad she does and not Uncle Sev. Wait a second, Uncle Sev was mentioning how I needed new clothes for the spring because I'm growing. Maybe I can convince him to let your mum take me shopping early, even though I'm grounded and then I can just ask your mum about Peter Pettigrew."
Draco smiled. "That could work. Now, you are thinking like we do"
Sarah gave him a puzzled look. "Like who?"
"Slytherins" Draco grinned and Sarah pummeled him with the couch cushion.
"Ouch, Black"
"Sorry" she replied innocently, before saying seriously, "Draco, she won't tell your Dad, will she?"
He shifted uncomfortably. "No. Dad doesn't know that you and Uncle Sev are so close or that she takes you shopping. Mum doesn't trust him."
"Because of last year with Ginny and the diary?"
Draco's face crumpled, before he composed himself. "She hasn't trusted him for a long time…" His voice trailed off.
"But he is your dad"
"Yeah, he is my dad"
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Severus did consent to Narcissa taking Sarah shopping. He knew that Cissy was more than capable of handling herself, especially against Sirius Black should anything happen. Sarah and Narcissa visited several shops, before Sarah broached the topic of Peter Pettigrew.
"I like that one" Sarah nodded as Cissy held her up a blue shirt for her to examine. "It's just the right color"
"Go and try it on then" Cissy replied and handed her the shirt. Sarah went into the dressing room and as she did, she began to ask about Pettigrew.
"Did you know a boy named Peter Pettigrew at Hogwarts when you were there?" she asked casually as she put on the shirt and walked out for Narcissa to inspect her.
"I did" Narcissa shook her head. "The cut is too low. Your uncle would have a fit. Try this one"
"What was he like?" Sarah asked as she went back into the dressing room.
"There is not much to tell" Narcissa replied. "Why do you want to know?"
"Well, I figured if this is one of the people my dad supposedly killed I should know more about him" Sarah argued. "My dad and he were friends, right?"
Narcissa turned and froze, fixing her with a hard stare. "When did you find that out?" she demanded.
"A few months ago, when I snuck out to Hogsmeade" Sarah admitted, trying to look contrite, but failing miserably.
"What are you up to, Sarah?" Narcissa asked, suspiciously.
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked. "I don't like this one either"
"Don't play innocent, Sarah Grace Black" Narcissa replied. "For one, you have the exact same look that my dear cousin always had when he was up to no good, which by the way was often. And two, you are a terrible liar, just like your mother. Tell me what you are up to and if you are lucky, I will decide not to tell your uncle."
"Fine" Sarah sighed. "I have evidence that Peter Pettigrew might be alive. And if he is, then that means my dad could be innocent. And if he was innocent about that, then maybe he didn't betray Lily and James to Vol…"
Narcissa hushed her. "Quiet, for Merlin's sake" She lead her quickly into the dressing room. "Don't you understand that there are always ears around us listening? You must learn to use discretion or all of our lives will be at risk when the Dark Lord comes back. Your dad was a servant of the Dark Lord- that is a proven fact."
"Did you ever see the mark?" Sarah demanded. "My mum used to say that my dad hated his family- that he lived with the Potters. So why would he be like everyone else in his family? It doesn't make sense. You grew up with my dad, right? Draco said that you hated him."
"Your father and I did not get along. In fact, your father was an outcast in our family because of his beliefs on purebloods and muggleborns…well, that among other things" Narcissa admitted. "But your logic is faulty. You think Pettigrew was a spy for the Dark Lord? He wasn't the type, Sarah. He followed your father around like a pathetic puppy. He would have stayed as far away from the Dark Lord as possible."
"Are you certain?" Sarah asked, tears filling her eyes.
Narcissa paused and reached out a hand to touch Sarah's shoulder. "No, I'm not certain, but I am awfully sure. I'm sorry, child, but you have got to let this go."
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"She asked what?" Severus thundered.
"Shhh" Narcissa waved her hand. "She'll hear you"
"Let her hear me" Severus responded loudly.
"I don't want her to get in trouble, but I thought you should know" Narcissa gripped Severus's arm. "Calm down, Sev, before I smack you"
"Excuse me?" Severus growled, fixing his feet firmly on the ground.
Narcissa cocked her head, giving him a haughty look. "Would you like to duel?" She raised a challenging eyebrow. "It has been too long, my dear friend" she smiled sweetly. "Since I have beat you, that is"
Severus visibly relaxed and laughed. "Indeed, it has been too long" he responded in a low voice. "But I can take you, Cissy, any day"
"Impossible" Cissy countered and Severus slid his arm around her shoulders comfortably before settling with her on the couch.
"What am I going to do with her, Narcissa?" he asked. "I can only threaten and ground her so much"
"Well, look at it this way" she replied. "At least Sarah has enough brains in her head to figure out when things aren't exactly right. You would much rather have that then have a stupid child who doesn't think."
Severus sulked. "Perhaps you are right. But is too much to ask that I have an intelligent child who is also well mannered and stays out of trouble?"
Cissy giggled. "A perfect child does not exist"
"Except you think your child is perfect- I know all too well that Sarah is not" Severus teased.
"Draco is an exceptional child, just like his mother" Narcissa replied proudly and Severus laughed harder.
"He is exceptional alright" he responded and Narcissa smacked him before them settling down into silence.
Severus rubbed his fingers lightly on Cissy's arm as they fell into their own thoughts.
"Do you love, Sarah?" Narcissa finally asked.
He nodded. "I do"
"I'm glad" she rested her head on his shoulder. "I wish we could just protect them forever. I just have this feeling, Sev"
"When it comes, we will deal with it, Narcissa" he assured.
"Will you always be there for me?" she asked. "I can't trust Lucius. When the Dark Lord comes back, he will be deeply entrenched."
"I know" Severus soothed. "I will always be there for you, Cissy, no matter what"
"Thank you" she sighed, knowing that her friend would be true to his word.
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"I can't believe this!" Hermione slammed the letter down on the table. They were in the Great Hall, eating breakfast. "Hagrid lost the appeal. Which means Buckbeak will be executed, tonight at dusk."
Several weeks had passed since Sarah and Harry's midnight search of Pettigrew. Snape finally relented and allowed Sarah back in her dorm, much to Sarah's relief.
"It is stupid. If Lucius Malfoy wasn't such a monster…" Sarah ranted, as she reached for a scone.
"And if his son wasn't such a prat" Harry added, twirling his fork, and for once Sarah didn't disagree.
"Let's go and see Hagrid before the execution" Hermione suggested. "He will need us."
Sarah nodded vigorously. "Yes, he will."
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An hour before dusk, the four children made their way along the path to Hagrid's hut. It was getting dark, so it was somewhat chilly outside with the wind picking up off of the lake. The girls wore scarves and sweaters, but the boys were playing it cool, only in t-shirts and jeans.
"It's really kind of cold" Ron mumbled, as he shivered visibly and Hermione responded. "I told you Ronald, but do you ever listen?" as she knocked on Hagrid's hut, and the door swung open.
"You shouldn't have come!" Hagrid scolded. "The minister is coming in less than an hour. Dumbledore too, saying that he wanted to be with me when it happens. Good man that Dumbledore."
"Hagrid, of course, we had to come" Sarah said, putting an arm around the big man, which caused him to weep loudly.
"So good to me. So good" He sobbed. "Snape would kill ye if he found you here."
"I don't care what Snape says" Sarah said with a huff, though she exchanged a weary look with Harry and he smirked. "Ok, that isn't necessarily true, but as long as we don't get caught, it's not a big deal. Oh, Hagrid…" she patted his arm, as Hagrid started to wail loudly.
"There, there Hagrid" Hermione handed him a handkerchief. "Ronald, put on the tea kettle."
"Stop being so bossy" Ron murmured, causing Hagrid to look up. "What is wrong with ye?" he asked.
"Ron, thinks my cat ate his rat, which is preposterous." Hermione huffed.
"Well, Mione, you have to admit it is not out of the realm of possibility" Harry said, when suddenly a rock hit the window, popping Harry on the head.
"Oww" Harry groaned, a hand rubbing his sore head. "What was that?" Another rock hit a jug, causing it to explode and Sarah to jump.
"What's this?" Hermione went over to the jug, pulling out a small fury rat by the tail.
"SCABBERS!" Ron yelled. "I thought you were dead" He petted him briefly before putting him in his pocket.
"Well, he is obviously not" Hermione said furiously. "I think you owe me an apology."
Ron sulked, "Well, he could have been"
"You better keep better watch on your pets" Hagrid said. Just then, they heard Dumbledore's voice talking to the minister.
"Dumbledore!" Harry said tensely. "We have to go!"
Hagrid rose and gestured to the back door. "Go out the back. Thank ye for coming." He began to tear up again, before awkwardly pushing the four out the door.
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The sun was going down, sinking into the horizon, splashing the sky with bright oranges and pinks. It would have been beautiful to witness, except with the beauty came the knowledge of death.
The four panted as they watched from the hill, hidden by some bushes as the executioner grinded his ax. And then, the noise and flutter of wings and Hagrid's moan- it was all too much to take.
Sarah turned, her hand finding Harry's and leaned against him, face buried. Ron put an arm around Hermione, a silent truce erected between them.
"Let's go" Harry said, releasing Sarah's hand to pat her on the back. "The last thing we need on top of this is for you to be grounded."
"OWWW" Ron held his hand as it began to bleed. "Scabbers bit me."
"What?" Hermione asked, reaching for Ron's hand. "Where is he?"
"There he is" Sarah pointed and Ron began to chase after him and caught him holding him tight, but all of a sudden a black dog with pale eyes, toppled Ron to the ground, pushing him into the whomping willow. The willow, which had enacted its revenge on Harry earlier in the year, now decided to that its target was Ron and thrashed its branches, cracking Ron's leg.
"Help me" Ron groaned and Sarah pulled out her wand but it was too late. The dog and Ron disappeared. The three stood for a moment in disbelief, before Sarah, realization dawning, turned a bit and faced her friends, tugging at the pink fabric of her sweater and twisting her white scarf with her hands, all the color draining from her face.
"Harry" Sarah's voice was shaky and put a clammy hand to hold his arm. "The dog. It looks like my patronus."
Harry stood for a moment, confusion in his emerald eyes. "What? What does that have anything to do with?"
"My patronus…Uncle Sev said that my patronus was very similar to my mum's. And my Paddy. Oh, my lord." Sarah put two hands on her head and began to walk in circles, frantic, braids flying in the wind.
Hermione grabbed Sarah's arm. "Calm down, Sarah. What are you talking about?" She asked patiently.
"PADFOOT! PADDY!" Sarah pulled away from her. "Hermione, can wizards turn into animals?"
Hermione nodded, eyes troubled and Harry grabbed Sarah as she rushed toward the whomping willow.
"What are you doing? The tree with devour you" he asked, restraining her, but Black fought him with all her strength, her two braids hitting him in the face.
"Harry, listen to me" Sarah's voice pleaded. "Your father gave me a stuffed dog named Paddy. My mum's patronus and my own are both dogs, very similar to the dog that just captured Ron. Wizards can turn into animals" Sarah began to cry. "We have to find Ron."
Harry released her stunned, to turn her to him. "You mean…you think that…that Ron is with…SIRIUS BLACK?"
Hermione took a step towards the two of them. "Makes perfect sense. Let's figure out a way to get in there then."
Sarah nodded, wiping away her tears. "Wait a sec. Uncle Sev said that patronus can do the bidding of the one who casts it." Determined, Sarah steeled herself.
"Expecto patronum!" Sarah flicked her wand and out came her dog, jumping up on her legs.
"Sarah, I can't believe you just produced that patronus. That's remarkable" Hermione looked at her in disbelief, but admiration.
Sarah leaned down to talk with her patronus. "Can you go to Uncle Sev? Bring him to the whomping willow. I need him." The little dog nodded and bounded off.
Sarah turned back and faced her friends. "If we make it through tonight, maybe sending Snape my patronus will keep him from killing me when finding out I'm went in after Dad. How are we going to get in there?" She asked wearily looking at the tree.
"Well, I expect that we should just kind of walk towards it and maybe it will let us in" Hermione said, with a shudder.
"That's barking mad" Harry said. "It will pummel us"
"Well, what other choice to we have?" Hermione shot back. "By the time we get there, Ron might be dead…" Hermione's voice broke.
Sarah ignored the two of them and walked straight towards the tree, as one might face the firing squad. Her feet seemed to move her towards it out of their own volition, as her blue eyes started at the monstrous tree. As she approached it, the willow's branches started flinging wildly, gripping her. Harry and Hermione rushed forward and were also captured by the flailing branches. Sarah felt her left wrist snap and her mind flooded with pain, which she quickly tried to push away with thoughts of her mum and her dad. Suddenly, she felt her body falling downward and Harry and Hermione fell on top of her.
Harry and Hermione got up shakily and Sarah rolled over so she was looking at the ceiling.
"Are you ok?" Harry reached down and Sarah offered him her right hand so he could pull her up.
"I think my wrist is broken" Sarah stood precariously and Harry reached to steady her. "At least it isn't my wand hand. Where are we?" With her right hand, Sarah shook the dirt from of her clothes and reached to pull out her wand.
"Lumos" A light jutted out of Sarah's wand as she held her other hand close to her chest.
"Lumos" Hermione flicked her own wand. "This way." She said as their two wands lighted what looked like a tunnel, which finally bought them to a room. There was little light in the room, but Sarah and Hermione's wands revealed a boarded up window and a bed, on it, laid one Ronald Weasley, clutching his leg.
"Harry! Leave it's a trap!" Ron screamed as soon as he saw the three of them, but it was too late. The door clicked behind them, and a man emerged from the shadows, wand in hand and with one incantation, Sarah and Hermione's wands floated to him.
The man stared at her, his eyes wide. He stepped closer to her, reaching out a hand to her.
"Sarah" the man said huskily.
Sarah's heart pounded, seeming to beat out of her chest. "Dad?"