Sarah wasn't seen at all during meals but every time she had an exam she was there, then quickly afterwards she would disappear again. People whispered about her in the halls as Sirius looked worse and worse, almost everyone knew now who the beauty of the ball was. People also knew that the marauders were not talking to her, meaning that no one wanted to talk to her. It was the last day, last night had been the end of the year dinner, Sarah was in the entrance hall waiting for her doom as someone decided to make it worse.
"Little Sarah McKinley," a Slytherin named Lestrange said; "you know you really shouldn't be here alone someone could sneak up on you and you never know what could happen."
"Leave me alone," she said solidly.
"You know the drill," Lestrange smiled; "you're a Gryffindor, I'm a Slytherin, I know you understand."
"I'm not a Gryffindor anymore Lestrange. Now if you will please leave me alone, I'm waiting for my parents."
"Unless you're leaving Hogwarts for good you'll always be a Gryffindor."
"I am," she told him blankly.
He smiled a cocky grin; "looks like Black got to you after all." And with that he walked off back towards the great hall.
"Sarah?" A voice asked and she turned to see Rachel there; "you're leaving? You can't, not just because of-"
"Rachel it didn't have anything to do with that," Sarah said trying not to cry; "my parents decided some time ago that I would leave Hogwarts. I received a letter from my parents the day after you two found out. It had nothing to do with anyone."
"You can't, Sarah please don't go," Rachel said choking back tears.
"I don't have any choice," Sarah whispered as she took the magical ruby ring from her finger. The ring changed sizes depending on the wearer but it was Sirius' and she didn't want to remember him it would hurt to much; "can you give this back to Sirius?"
"When are they coming?" Rachel said as tears started down her face.
"About fifteen minutes," Sarah said; "please don't cry Rachel."
"Stay right there, don't leave until I get back," Rachel commanded as she tore up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room where she found the rest of her friends.
"Rachel? Are you ok you're blue in the face," Lily laughed.
"Sarah's... leaving... not... coming... back," she panted.
"Who cares?" Sirius asked.
Rachel did something completely out of character, she went over and slapped Sirius across the face; "her parents are sending her to a finishing school, and we'll NEVER see her again! Here's your God Damn ring!"
Everyone gaped at her as she ran out of the common room. "Come on," James commanded as everyone followed him out.
"Well Miss McKinley," a voice said from behind Sarah. She turned to see professor Dumbledore standing there; "I know that the entire staff will miss you. You were made for great things, and I do believe if you were to stay you would be Head Girl. Next year especially will be rather difficult without you keeping the marauders in line."
"Thank you Professor," Sarah said as solidly as she could.
"Sarah?" A steel voice asked and Sarah turned to see her parents there; "are these all your things?" Her father asked.
"Yes sir," she said lowly.
"Very good," he said; "Ahh Professor Dumbledore, sorry didn't see you there."
"I doubt that Richard," Dumbledore smiled.
"Stop!" A voice echoed through the entrance hall as six teens came running towards the group. "You can't take her!" The six made a human barrier between Sarah and her parents all had wands out.
"Sarah who are these ruffian?" Her father demanded.
"Lily Evans, Rachel Edwards, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and of course you know James," she said just loud enough for him to hear.
"We're her friends," Remus said.
"And when did this development happen?" Her father sneered.
"It's been this way since I started coming to Hogwarts," she challenged but regretted it as he took a step forward which made her go back three and someone pulled her into a hug.
"And who are you exactly?" Her father shot angry looks at who ever was holding her.
"Sirius Black, I'm Sarah's boyfriend."
Dumbledore smiled and took this chance to step in; "Richard, it's in my opinion that it is not good to tear a child away from everything they know at this crucial time in their life. May I also add that the actions of her friends should vouch for this, since I'm sure they are all aware that this type of action could get them expelled." Lily went a few shades lighter when Dumbledore said that but didn't move.
"Be that as it may, Sarah-" her father started but was cut off.
"Can stay here," her mother broke in.
"Harriet," her father started, "you're being irrational with our daughter's future."
"Richard," she warned in a deadly voice; "she belongs here. Now the only problem is figuring out where she will go for the summer since we will be in Hawaii for the next three months with the American ambassadors."
"She can stay with my family," James jumped in; "my parents love it when she stays with us."
"And if the Potters say no I'm sure we can make an exception this once," Dumbledore smiled; "she could stay here and help the remaining teachers."
"Good, with that settled I think we can leave," her mother said; "perhaps we'll see you at Christmas Sarah."
"Yes mother," Sarah said.
"Richard?" Her mother called walking out the door, after a glare at Sarah her father followed.
"I think I will tell the staff that you will be returning next year Sarah. James if you would contact your parents?" Dumbledore asked.
"Sure thing," James smiled.
"We'll leave your things here then until we discover if they need to be put on the train," Dumbledore smiled before leaving.
Sarah pulled herself away from Sirius as some tears came down her cheeks. "I owe you forever now. You have no idea what you just did."
"It was nothing," James said; "but the word 'expelled' did get Lily going." He said walking past her with Sirius. Remus patted her on the back smiling and Rachel kissed her cheek interlocking hands with Remus. Lily wrapped an arm around Sarah's shoulder to leave Peter following behind them.
James got to the common room and using the fireplace called his parents. "James?" His mother asked as both of his parents' heads appeared in the fire.
"What's wrong?" His father asked; "you didn't get expelled, did you?"
"No it's nothing like that, I need a friend to stay the summer with us," James smiled.
"After the dung bomb incident last year I don't think your mother wants Sirius staying all summer unless he leaves his bombs at home," his father laughed.
"No, not Sirius," James said pulling Sarah up next to him; "I'm bringing home mum's favorite."
"Hi Mr. And Mrs. Potter," Sarah said shyly.
"Sarah!" Mrs. Potter screamed in delight; "I'll have Faber (one of their house elves) make up a room for you right away!"
"Why aren't you going to your parents' house?" Mr. Potter asked.
"Her parents abandoned her dad," James said.
"They didn't abandon me, my plan for the summer fell through and they were already going somewhere," she explained.
"It wouldn't surprise me if they did," Mr. Potter muttered.
"Edward," Mrs. Potter warned her husband.
"They were going to send her to finishing school mum, we never would of seen her again!" James whined.
His parents looked at each other; "we'll deal with that when you two get here," his mother said.
"Bye mum, dad," James said as they vanished from the fire; "I think they like you more then me sometimes."
"That's because they know I won't put snakes in their bed," Sarah smiled.
"I'd never put snakes in their bed. A skunk or lizard maybe," he smiled.
"We've got to hurry," Remus said, "the train's going to leave in an hour."
(A/N): all right here's the part where I get down on my knees and beg for reviews... PLEASE????? PRETTY, PRETTY, PLEASE WITH SUGAR ON TOP????