A/N: IMPORTANT!! Please understand that you do NOT have to read The Necklace first in order to understand this story. I think you might enjoy it and it is the start of Sarah's adventures, but adequate information is in this story to understand everything I enjoy this one just as much (I hope.) SO, please don't stop reading! On that note, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

TheDarkLadyOfRavenclaw: Thanks for your review! I hope my AN cleared up any misgivings you had.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. I only claim to own Sarah. But one day. . .

The Necklace: The Adventure Continues

Chapter 2: The Decision

By: Ks-Starshine

Even though he had plenty of homework to think about, Harry couldn't stop thinking about what had happened that morning. He had had a hard time paying attention to Ron and Hermione all afternoon. Hermione had even gone so far as to suggest the stranger had put a spell on him. He knew that wasn't it though. It was her eyes. He knew those eyes from somewhere. Looking at them both filled his heart with pity and made him wish he knew who she was.

He had watched as they took her to a small house out by Hagrid. He wished security on the grounds wasn't so strict right now or he would simply throw his invisibility cloak on for a closer look. But with Professor McGonagall at the door, there was no chance of slipping by unnoticed. Who wouldn't notice a door opening on it's own? At least they were going to start classes again tomorrow. He had Care of Magical Creatures and might be able to catch a glimpse of her. Until then, he would just have to try to keep from thinking about her.

^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

Sarah sat outside her little house reading one of her Harry Potter books in the warmth of the sun. She figured since she was here, she might as well brush up on her reading. It felt good to sit outside. Her house was little more than a large room, but still more than enough for her needs. She was happy enough that there was indoor plumbing! She was only allowed outside in a small area around the place. Spells had been performed to confine her to that area. Having nobody to talk to and little else to do while she waited for the Ministry, she had spent most of her time reading outside the past few days. She was, in fact, so very into her current book, that she didn't even notice that students were starting to come near for Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class.

"So, what are you? A muggle or a witch?"

At Draco Malfoy's remark, Sarah's head immediately snapped up and her face blanched. "I. . .I'm not sure. I suppose that's what I'm waiting for the Ministry to decide." She then looked around to see a large group of kids all staring at her. Realizing what book she had, she quickly shut it and hid it behind her back. 'Stupid!' she thought. 'How could you be such an idiot as to bring THIS book outside!'

"What's that you're hiding?" Malfoy asked suspiciously.

"Draco, be careful, you know what they said," another student warned.

"I remember what they said all right." Malfoy replied smugly. "She can't use any magic on us. What's to be afraid of?"

"Oh for heaven's sake!" Sarah sighed. "There's no reason for anyone to be afraid of me regardless. I'm not a threat to any of you!"

"Then why do they keep you trapped in there?" smirked Draco.

Her face fell. "Because nobody believes me," she said, catching a glance of Harry in the crowd.

Hagrid saved her from any further confrontation by calling class to a start and herding them all off to an area out of her view. She noticed Harry lingered behind a bit and kept glancing at her. "Will I ever get a chance to talk to him?" she wondered out loud.

^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

All day Harry eagerly awaited Hagrid's class. If the class before it hadn't run late, he would have been the first person down there. He felt sure that if he just saw that girl again, something would trigger a memory.

By the time he arrived, though, Draco Malfoy was already doing his best to ridicule her. She looked so heartbroken when she said nobody believed her that Harry was about to yell, "I believe you!" but Hagrid started class. He had stolen a glance at her, but still it hadn't jogged his memory. Where had he seen those eyes before?

^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

After she had nearly been caught with a Harry Potter book, Sarah decided it was too risky to have that book in daylight. So she retreated into her room and decided instead to read one of her favorite Lurlene McDaniel books. However, it wasn't long before she caught sight of Professor Dumbledore crossing the grounds with a man she hadn't seen before.

As they neared, she heard the new man ask, "Is this the child?" Professor Dumbledore nodded and then told the man about her arrival and explanations. While the man contemplated her story, Dumbledore looked at Sarah and told her what was going on.

"Child. . ." he began.

"Sarah, actually. My name is Sarah Wilkins," she interrupted nervously.

"Sarah, then. This is Mr. Fudge from the Ministry of Magic. We brought with us the truth serum. After we ask you a few more questions, we will decide what is to be done with you."

Sarah gulped, nervous at the thought of being under control of the truth serum. She had always hated being out of control of herself, but then again, she was the one who gave them the idea. She only hoped that after this they would believe her. Dumbledore waved his wand and said the incantation to remove the invisible barrier, then gave her the serum. He placed only a few drops on her tongue. She expected to feel funny or immediately tell her whole life story, but really, she felt no different that she had before.

Dumbledore looked at her and nodded, as though he saw something indicating to him the serum had taken effect. "Now we begin. Are you working for Voldemort or any dark magic follower?"

"No," she replied plainly.

"Are you a user or supporter of dark magic yourself?" asked Fudge.

"No, nor do I ever wish to be." The conviction in her voice made Dumbldore's eyes sparkle with excitement. It made her curious as to why.

Fudge studied her a bit more before asking, "How did you get here?"

"The necklace I wear is a link of sorts to a power that allows me to travel through other dimensions I read about in my books. I travel to these worlds in order to help in some way. I had completed my task in the last world I was in, so I the necklace chose to transport me to this world next," she explained.

"What is this power of which you speak?" asked Dumbledore.

"I don't know exactly. It is something inside me, a power of my heart. It allows me to make my wishes come true. In fact, my first wish was to visit the worlds of the characters in my favorite books. Because I wanted it with all my heart, it came true and here I am today. Whatever the power is, it only works for good. That much I know for sure." Again Sarah noticed a twinkle of glee in Dumbledore's eyes.

"Mr. Fudge," said Dumbledore, still looking at Sarah. "I do not detect any threat in this girl. She has said herself that this power only works for good. Personally, I think it would be fine and, in fact, in the best interest of all involved if she were immediately admitted to this school for further evaluation of her magical capabilities. Testing by the staff could help determine from where exactly she draws her power. A treasure such as this cannot be turned aside to be caught my dark magic. Perhaps here, we can persuade her to join our fight against the dark powers."

"Calm down Dumbledore," exclaimed Fudge. "You make it sound as though we are at war." He looked Sarah over once more, missing the anger and frustration hidden behind Dumbledore's eyes. "Do you have or have you had and intention of hurting in any way any of the students or staff at this school?"

"Yes." She replied, surprising even herself.

"Both men looked at her anew. "Who?" demanded Dumbledore.

"Draco Malfoy," she answered. "He was teasing me before his class with Hagrid earlier today and I wanted to kick him in the shins. I wouldn't have, though. I only wanted to. I've never intentionally physically hurt someone in my life."

Dumbledore's smile returned. "Any child will feel like that sometimes. You see, Mr. Fudge, she is quite harmless, and just think what an ally she could make for us!" He looked Sarah in the eye. "Would you like to help us fight against dark magic?"

A smile spread across Sarah's face. "Yes!" she shrieked. They had accepted her! They believed her story and they had finally accepted her! She looked at Mr. Fudge and for the first time, watched a smile form on his face. "So what does this mean?" she asked. "I mean, what happens now?"

"Well, for tonight you can stay out here, but without the barrier that held you prisoner before," explained the headmaster. "Then tomorrow at breakfast we will delay classes a bit to hold a special sorting ceremony for you."

"Although she had not thought it possible, her smile widened. "You mean I get to live with the other kids! Oh thank you! Thank you so much!" Unable to contain herself, she ran up to embrace him in a large hug. She couldn't have explained with words her happiness if she tried, especially when the hug was returned. Suddenly realizing how awkward this must be for the professor, she slowly pulled back. "I'm sorry. It's just that I haven't been with kids my age in so long. I guess I just missed the companionship."

Dumbledore's eye glittered. "I understand. Now then, get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow we have a long day ahead of us. Rather than attend regular classes, you will be seen and tested by all the teachers privately to discover the extent of your abilities. Does that sound good to you?"

"Excellent!" she beamed back.

^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

Yea! Chapter 2 is done! So did you like it? Hate it? Write a review and let me know!

Coming up in the next chapter: the sorting, Sarah finally meets Harry and his crew and perhaps the budding of a little romance?