A/N: Another chapter up already- I'm on Spring Break- yay! Thanks for the reviews. this is a pretty big chapter for our characters- let me know what you think! :) Disclaimer: of course, I don't own...enough said. :)

Chapter 29: A Fool's Errand

"Sarah" Snape pulled her into an empty classroom. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine sir" Sarah shrugged. "I can't see what the big deal is. I thought it was bloody brilliant…and just so you know, it was all Fred and George. I had nothing to do with it."

Snape scoffed. "But in the middle of your O.W.L. tests? They could have at least waited until they were finished to create their spectacle"

Sarah smiled. "But I went right back in and finished my exams. And for your information, I managed to put it out of my mind and finish strong. I hope the results make you proud"

Snape reached out to squeeze her shoulder. "I'm sure they will. You have really worked hard this year. No matter what, I am proud of that much"

She beamed under his praise. "Is that it sir?"

Snape shook his head. "No, I wanted to tell you that I am leaving for a few hours. I have ran out of some important ingredients and while things are wrapping up here, there is a few more days left and Poppy is out of some potions already"

Sarah frowned, shoulders slumping slightly. "With Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall gone and Umbridge Headmistres, I don't feel safe without you here"

He squeezed her shoulder soothingly. "I know, Black. But you will be fine. Just keep your head low. Stay out of trouble. I will be back soon"

"Alright, if you must" Sarah sighed heavily, before launching herself at Severus for a hug before he went. "I will see you when you get back"

Severus tightened his hold around her. "I will see you when I get back"

They parted ways and Sarah went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. She found Harry, Hermione and Ron by the lake, lying out on blankets. She greeted them with a smile and Harry shifted over so Sarah could lie beside him. She lied on her back staring up at the puffy clouds in the sky. They briefly chatted about the O.W.L. tests and the Weasley twins grand exit. Sarah shared what Snape had said, but the weariness from the days events, the sunshine, and gentle breeze began to take its toll and the four found themselves dozing. Sarah was so exhausted she didn't realize Harry's distress until he bolted upright beside her, knocking her in the process. "SIRIUS"

At the sound of Harry screaming her father's name in distress, Sarah grew scared. She quickly sat up and turned towards him, hands on his arms. "Harry, what is it?" Ron and Hermione also gathered closer to him.

"It's Sirius. Voldemort has Sirius" Harry was frantic. "It's in the room at the ministry. He's there. He has him captive"

Sarah blinked. "What are you talking about?" She shook him. "What do you mean, Voldemort has Dad?" Her stomach twisted, but she forced herself to calm down.

"I saw it, Sarah" Harry ran his hand through his hair. "I saw it just now"

"Harry" Hermione interjected gently "You were asleep…it was just a bad dream"

"No, it wasn't" Harry replied harshly. "It was the same when I saw Mr. Weasley. And we all know what happened there. It's real, Hermione. We have to find him. We have to go help him"

Sarah forced herself to take a deep breath, before responding. "Harry" Sarah's voice was soft. "We have to make sure that this is really what you saw"

Harry jumped up. "We are wasting time, Sarah. I'm not going to sit here and speculate on what I saw or didn't see. Voldemort has Sirius. He is torturing him as we speak. Don't you care?"

Sarah got up quickly. "Of course I care" Sarah gripped his upper arms to force his attention. "He is my father. But Dad wouldn't want us to do anything rash. We have to make sure that this isn't a trap or anything"

Harry calmed down a bit as he saw the reason to her words. "So what do we do?"

"We floo Grimmauld Place, Harry" Hermione replied.

"Where are we going to find a floo not guarded by Umbridge?" Ron asked.

"Snape's" Sarah replied, determined.

But what they didn't anticipate was running into several members of the Inquisitorial Squad as they were sneaking around the entrance to Snape's personal quarters. And even though Draco tried to intervene on Sarah's behalf, words were exchanged followed by hexes and even with the four putting up a valiant fight, they were outnumbered.

"Let's take them to Umbridge" Pansy suggested. "She can question them about why they wanted to sneak into Snape's quarters"

"It's not sneaking" Sarah protested, outraged by her comments. " I am, after all, Professor Snape's niece. I have every right to go to his quarters if I so wish" Draco slipped beside her and squeezed her arm tightly, in a reminder to exercise caution.

"Yes" Pansy shot back, haughty. "The one he never wanted to have. You are only allowed there when he is there and you are in trouble, and Professor Snape is out right now"

Sarah lunged in her direction, but Draco held her back, a tight grasp on her arm.

"That's enough Black" he growled. "If we are taking them to Umbridge, let's stop talking and go. I have more things to do tonight than babysit these four."

The group began to walk towards Umbridge's office and Draco slowed their pace to increase the distance between them and the others. When the others turned the corner, he whispered, "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

Sarah whispered back, urgently. "It's Harry. He had a vision. Voldemort may have Dad. We have to find out if it is true. I need to use the floo in Snape's quarters. You have to help me"

"Are you insane?" Draco pinched her arm hard and Sarah had to stifle a yelp. "You need to stay out of it"

"Stay out of it?" Sarah hissed. "He's my father. I'm not staying out of it. If there is a chance Dad is in trouble, I have to find out what is going on"

"Sarah" Draco's voice grew panicked. "Listen to me! You need to listen to me. You need to stay out of it"

Sarah stopped walking and Draco almost tripped over her. After steadying them both, he let go of her arm and turned to face her.

"What aren't you telling me, Draco?" Sarah asked, her voice controlled, but emotion ran high through every word.

Draco stared at her intensely for a few moments before answering, "Nothing. But if the Dark Lord has your Dad, it is a fool's errand to go after him"

Sarah closed her eyes briefly, before opening them back up and staring into Draco's eyes. "I know"


If Sarah wasn't sure of it before, she know knew that Umbridge was completely mad. She kept going on and on about a conspiracy and how dear Cornelius wouldn't mind if she used to the cruciatus curse to get them to talk. Through Hermione's quick thinking, they were spared. She and Harry went with Umbridge, who left the Squad in charge of Sarah and Ron. Sarah was wracking her brain for a plan, when Ginny, Luna, and Neville burst in. In the chaos, Sarah swiped her wand back from Draco's pocket and helped stun the members of the Squad. Leaning down, she took one of Umbridge's hideous, frilly, pink cushions and placed it under Draco's head. "I'm sorry. I do love you" she kissed him gently, before heading with the others in search of Harry and Hermione. They met up outside of Snape's quarters. After getting an update, Sarah let them all in.

Sarah handed Harry the floo. "Grimmauld Place"

Kreacher came to the fire. "Kreacher is here"

"Kreacher" Sarah spoke to him gently, but firmly. "I need to talk to my Dad please. Will you get him for me?"

"Master Sirius is not here" Kreacher responded.

Sarah's chest tightened and she was finding it difficult to breathe. "Is Professor Lupin there?"

"No. Nobody is here" Kreacher responded. "And that is the way it should be" The floo connection fizzled and Sarah turned to look helplessly at Harry. "What now?" she asked.

"I'm going after him" Harry said, determined. "If we go to the ministry, I can find that room."

"Ok, so let's go" Ginny spoke up from her spot on Snape's chair.

"You aren't going anywhere" Ron replied and Ginny rose to put her hands on her hips.

"I'm old enough to go" she retorted. "And you can't stop me"

"Nobody is going anywhere, but me" Harry quickly intervened, at the two red faced Weasleys.

"That's crazy" Hermoine argued. "You need help"

"She's right, mate" Ron agreed. "If you go, we go, right guys?" Luna and Neville nodded their agreement.

Sarah sat on the couch, quietly- eyes closed and hands folded on her lap. She was listening to the exchange, but remained silent. She was fighting an internal battle. She knew Harry was going to go try to rescue Sirius no matter what. But what would they do when they got there? They were still learning and even with DA meetings, it was foolish to think they could take on Voldemort and the Death Eaters. And then there was Snape, who always entreated her to think first, then act if necessary. But he was gone. Dumbledore was gone. McGonagall was gone. There was no one left to go to. And if Harry's vision was right, her dad would die tonight at the hands of Voldemort. Could she really know that and not act?

"I can't ask you to risk your lives" Harry shook his head. "It is too dangerous"

"It doesn't work that way" Hermione grabbed Harry's hands. "We know it is what we have to do. It is what friends do for each other. If this is what you decide to do- we aren't going to let you do it alone"

Harry turned to look at Sarah, whose head remained down. "Sarah?"

Sarah raised her head, decision being made. "Of course. He is my father, Harry" She rose to her feet. "Dobby" she called.

A few seconds later, Dobby appeared. After greeting Harry profusely, he eyed the children curiously.

"Dobby" Sarah began. "We have a problem. And we need your help"

"Anything to help the friend of Harry Potter" Dobby exclaimed.

Sarah smiled. "Good. I need you to find Snape immediately. He traveled to Diagon Alley to get some potions ingredients. He might be returning soon. But I need him. Tell him that Harry had a vision. He who must not be named has Dad in the room at the ministry Harry has been dreaming about. He knows what I am talking about. Tell him that we have gone after him, but we need help. Tell him all of this. He will know what to do"

Dobby's eyes grew wide. "I will find him, Sarah Black. I will tell him. Do not worry"

Sarah sighed in relief. "Thank you Dobby" She said, before adding, "Oh, and Dobby…when you tell Snape, there will probably be a lot of yelling. That is too be expected"

Dobby nodded and Ron smirked.

"But Dobby, one more thing" Sarah addressed the free elf. "Please tell Snape that..." Sarah's voice broke as tears flooded her eyes, "…tell him that…" She swallowed hard. "…that I love him and to tell him that I said thank you for everything"

Harry put her hand on her back, as Dobby agreed and they separated to complete their mission.


At Luna's suggestion, they took a rocky ride on the thestrals to the ministry, found the secret entrance and took the lift to level 9.

As they were going on up the lift, Sarah stood next to Harry staring at the numbers blinking up on the wall. Her hand brushed his and he gripped her fingers briefly before letting go. She knew the gesture was meant to comfort, but the anxiety she was feeling could not be comforted away until it was all over.

"Wands at the ready" he instructed to the other as the number reached 8. "I will lead out front. Luna, Neville, Ginny in the middle, Hermione and Ron in the back" He turned his head towards Sarah and she turned hers to look at him and await his instructions for her. "Sarah, stick with me"

"Always" She answered, determinedly as the lift beeped and opened and they stepped out into the dark room.


"They did what?" Sirius yelled. "Why the bloody hell would they do something as stupid as that?" As he jumped up, he disrupted the dishes on the table, and several of them fell and broke, but the adults didn't seem to notice as they were all in a state of panic.

Snape's face was pale. "Dobby found me. He said that Harry had a vision that Voldemort had captured you and was torturing you in the room at the ministry- I can only assume they meant the Department of Mysteries. Sarah and Harry…and I think I can safely presume" he turned to the Weasleys, "Ron and Hermione went to go rescue you…and since you are here…Harry fell for Voldemort's trap. He lured him there for the prophecy"

"We will go after them" Tonks spoke up. "Remus, you in?"

"Of course" Lupin replied. "Mr. Weasley, Kingsley, Moody?"

"We will bring him home" Moody answered confidently. "Send the signal to Dumbledore. He needs to know what is happening"

As the others were readying themselves to go, Snape pulled Sirius aside. "I can't go with you for obvious reasons" Anxiety flooded his face. "I would throw it all away to rescue her…but I have to think beyond this battle. If I give my position away now…"

"Of course" Sirius answered him, his tone reassuring. "No one expects you to come along"

"Black, I know Potter is your godson" Severus continued, face white against the pale fire, "but Moody, Tonks, Kingsley…they will be focused on protecting Potter first and foremost. You will make sure that Sarah…." His voice broke, emotions running through his very similar to that night many years ago that he begged the Dark Lord to spare Lily. "There was more of her message to me than what I told the others...she was saying goodbye. I can't imagine life without her..."

"I love her too" Sirius replied, quickly. "I'll bring her home, Severus. You have my word"


"This is the place" Harry's eyes wandered around the room, filled with shelves and shelves of crystal balls.

Sarah searched the self next to her and on the top, her eyes traveled to one of the balls. "Harry" She reached for the ball, but her hand stopped from touching it. "This one has your name on it" As she spoke, it flew towards him and he gripped it as it gave him his prophecy.

"Harry, what did it say?" Sarah asked, but was interrupted by swishing sounds overhead as curses were being thrown.

"It's a trap" Hermione screamed, as she and the others fought off the curses. "Back to the lift and quickly" They ran for it, but as Sarah followed, a Death Eater appeared in between in front of her and Harry blocking their path.

"The prophecy, Potter" Lucius Malfoy's voice drawled from behind his mask, separating them from the others.

Sarah's thinking was quick- "reducto" she pointed towards the balls and they began to fall. Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her in the opposite direction of the falling prophecies, but away from their exit plan. Glass flying, Sarah felt pieces protrude into her arm, but she kept running. A death eater appeared to her right, curse aimed towards her, but her instincts from years of Severus's diligent training were strong, "Protego". The shield pushed the death eater away and they kept running, only to be met with spells being thrown at them from every direction. Harry worked on deflecting them and Sarah managed to stun two of the Death Eaters, but was a bit over eager and the force of her spell toppled her forwards. Her face smacked against the hard floor and Sarah had to fight to maintain control of her wand. Harry stopped to bend down and pull her to her feet, but the curses were still coming fast. They ran again, Lucius Malfoy running after them. "Reducto" More prophecies fell, distracting the Death Eaters and allowing Harry and her to escape into a dark room. In the room, there was a veil and Sarah approached it, as if she was drawn to it. She could hear voices coming from behind it. Stooping over slightly, she placed her hand to her chest to try to catch her breath. Harry came up behind her.

They heard a noise from being them and they twisted around, Harry's arm out blocking her.

"It's just us" Hermione whispered, as the others joined them. "We got lost"

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short lived as dark forms descended on them. Even though they all engaged in defensive measures, after a few moments of complete chaos, they were soon surrounded, a Death Eater holding each of them firmly.

"Do not move, Black" Lucius Malfoy tightened his chokehold on her neck. "I don't wish to hurt you. All you have to do is convince your little friend to hand over the prophecy and this will be all over with"

Harry stood in the middle of the circle, prophecy in hand as he watched his friends being held by the Death Eaters.

"And what makes you think I have any sway over what Harry chooses or doesn't choose to do?" Sarah asked, smartly. Lucius twisted her in response and Sarah choked, unable to breathe. He immediately relaxed his grip, honoring his promise to his wife not to harm the girl.

"Oh, this must be Snape's itsy bitsy niece" Bellatrix scooted Hermione closer so she could get a good look at Sarah. "I have heard so much about you. I do say I can't see what my nephew sees in you."

"Enough, Bellatrix" Lucius silenced her and shook Sarah as she tried to get at Bellatrix. He lowered his arm so he had a better hold around her. "This is not about Black. It's about Potter. And our task for the Dark Lord. You see, Potter, you have a choice. Give me the prophecy or watch your friends die. If you choose the latter, I think we will start with that one over there" He pointed to Hermione. "The mudblood"

"Don't give it to him" Neville yelled.

Sarah met Harry's eyes. "It's OK, Harry" She talked in a soothing voice. "We all chose to come with you" Lucius jerked her again to the point she thought her arm would break. "If you can't be helpful, little girl, then stop talking"

"What will it be, Potter?' Bella shrieked. "The prophecy or your friends?"

Lucius moved Sarah towards Harry and shifted her to one arm as he reached the other arm out for the prophecy.

"No Harry, Don't" Sarah choked as Harry started to extend his hand. She closed her eyes tightly as Lucius began to strong arm her again.

"Malfoy, get your filthy death eater hands off my daughter" Sirius growled, his eyes wild.

Sarah eyes flew open to the sight of her father standing to the side of Malfoy, wand pointed. Others of the Order joined around and spells started to fly throughout the room. Sarah felt herself being thrown towards Harry, knocking him to the ground and the prophecy fell out of his hands and shattered into a billion pieces.

Sirius ducked down. "You guys need to find the exit. We can take it from here"

Both opened their mouths to protest, but Sirius was firm. "I mean it you two. GO! And don't look back!" He squeezed both of their shoulders and in the chaos managed to kiss Sarah on the head. "Love you both. I'll provide cover for you"

Harry and Sarah both threw defensive curses as they stood. But they soon realized that getting to the exit would prove difficult, since curses were being cast in every bit of direction.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Dumbledore had arrived and was busy in the opposite side of the room.

Harry pushed Sarah. "Go on. I'll help Sirius distract them. Just go" Sarah started to make her way towards the exit when she noticed Sirius and Harry were having an exchange with Bellatrix by the veil. Bella was taunting them. Lupin was nearby fighting off another Death eater, unavailable to help.

She stood taller as she saw Bella point her wand and in that split second she knew what Bella was aiming to do. And she heard those awful words being uttered.

"Protego" Sarah screamed, sending a jet of light between Bellatrix and her Dad. But it was too late.

Her heart felt like it had stopped as the events went through slow motion. Then she saw her Dad's face. Harry screamed. And Sirius fell back through the veil.

Lupin was there in an instant, restraining Harry. "He's just right there. We have to go and get him" Harry was arguing with Lupin, flailing against him.

"He's dead, Harry" Lupin told him. Sarah stood fixed to her spot, staring towards the veil, wand held limp in her hand. Her whole body felt so heavy as Lupin's words made their impact.

Her father was dead.

Sarah's shoulders hunched forward. She could see Sirius's face so clearly before her. One moment he was here, kissing her head- telling her he loved her, the next he was gone. How was the possible?

And then Bellatrix started at it again. "Oh, Poor baby Potter. Lost his godfather" She laughed gleefully as she began to race away. Sarah turned and she saw Bella, her mocking eyes beckoning them to come follow her. She tightened the hold on her wand, biting through her lip until she tasted blood. Harry tore himself out of Lupin's grasp and ran after Bellatrix. And in that moment, Sarah knew she had to follow. She knew that if she didn't follow that she would regret it for the rest of her life.

So she ran away from the Order members who had come to help, but towards the woman who killed her father.

A/N: I have a confession to make. Sirius is my all time favorite character! When I read OotP the first time, I sobbed throughout the whole ending. My poor Sirius! And that stupid veil! I kept hoping he wasn't really dead. So, writing this scene was terrible. But, as much as I wanted to give Sirius a reprieve, this isn't the story…and Sirius's death propels the Sarah's journey to adulthood along further. So up next: the last chapter of Growing Up: The fight with Voldemort, Sarah confronts Draco about what he knew…and Snape has difficulty locating his niece. By the way, while Chapter 30 will be the last of this story, Snape and Sarah's story will continue. More on that later. So, please review….and don't smash me for killing Sirius. I feel bad enough as it is….