(A/N: The following scene I swear is the last extremely sad and depressing scene for a looong while. A writer can only take so much angst. I'm not very good with making stuff like this moving or rattling or whatever word I'm looking for. So if you can make it through this, please know it pretty much goes uphill for quite a while from here. I mean there are still a few downs, but none like this. Okay, grab a stress ball and lets proceed...)
"What did he want?" asked Hermione as Sarah took a seat.
"Nothing. He was just being Malfoy."
"What'd he say?" asked Ron.
"Stuff. Pass the salt?" Harry handed it to her.
"Come on Sarah," said Hermione. "It had to be something."
"It wasn't, okay?" Inside her head was screaming to tell them what she heard and to run for her life, but then she reminded herself who it was that had told her and tried to calm her mind. She ate for a while without talking to them, then left to her room silently. Hermione watched her suspiciously, but then let it go.
Sarah stared out the window in her room, uncertain. There was nothing but darkness outside. No signs of movement or of Bud. Even though she saw nothing that should make her worried, she began to fear that Malfoy was getting her all worked up because he thought it was funny. The longer she dwelled on this idea, the more at ease her mind went until she finally went down to the common room and decided to go to the library.
There were footsteps down the hall, and she dodged around a corner and watched, not daring to make a sound. There was nothing but silence until at last she saw the large shadow on the wall of a bald, big man with something clenched tightly in his hand. Sarah's heart collided with her stomach and she bit her lip, digging her nails into her palms to the point of bleeding. A minute or so went by and the shadow left, leaving her to take a deep breath and start for the potions room. She took a few steps, when she felt a hand grab her on the shoulder. This was it, she thought. Bud's threats were going to happen. Images and thoughts of what he had in store for her rushed through her head all at once. Her heart was pounding. She jumped and turned around, ready to fight whoever was there. It was only Malfoy.
"Whoa!" he said softly, and she sighed.
"Don't... do..... that!" she said as she tried to catch her breath.
"Sarah, go to the potions room and hide somewhere. He's here."
"He's on this floor, Malfoy," she said in a panicing tone. "I just saw him. He's coming for me..."
"Dumbledore just told everyone to go back to their dormitories until further notice. I saw him too. He's going down the stairs to the dungeons."
"Dad!" gasped Sarah. She turned to run down the stairs, but Malfoy stopped her.
"Are you mad? If Bud sees you, he'll kill you," he said.
"He's going to kill my dad!" she shrieked.
"Calm down. I know a faster way to get to him." He pulled her into a nearby classroom and pulled out a small pouch filled with a powder. He took a handful and gave her some. "Watch closely and do exactly as I do." He stepped in the fireplace and shouted, "Potions room," and threw down the powder. He disappeared instantly in green flames. Sarah's jaw hit the floor and she stared at the smoldering ash. "Just do as you say," she grumbled. "Easy for you, you freak." She took a deep breath and stepped in the fireplace and did as Malfoy did, soon finding herself in the potions room. Malfoy helped her up and dusted her off.
"Come on," he said. "He's probly in his office." He pulled her into the next room and sure enough, Snape was sitting at his desk.
"Dad, let's get out of here!" cried Sarah as she ran to him.
"What's going on?" asked Snape.
"Bud's here," said Malfoy. "Both of you need to hide." There was a crash in the other room and they could hear a voice shouting obsenities.
"Oh great!" gasped Sarah. Snape grabbed both Malfoy and Sarah and pushed them into a nearby closet.
"Stay here and whatever happens, don't come out." he growled as he closed the door.
Sarah was pressed against Malfoy, an wiggled around for some elbow room. They both crouched down on the floor and listened. They heard the door burst open and footsteps stomping in. "Where is she!" shouted Bud's voice.
"Who?" asked Snape cooly.
"Your daughter. I have a score to settle with her."
"You will not find her, or hurt her." said Snape angrily.
"SHUT UP! NOW TELL ME WHERE SHE IS OR I'LL SHOOT!" Sarah gasped, and Malfoy held her down so she wouldn't run. "DAMMIT TELL ME!"
"GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!" roared Snape. "CRUCIO!" There was a thump followed by cries of pain coming from Bud. Suddenly there was a gunshot and a snap. Sarah had to be held down with greater effort. Bud began laughing.
"Can't do much without your wand can you? Don't make me shoot you too." There was the sounds of Snape breathing heavy.
"Lever," he said angrily. "Lever." Sarah and Malfoy looked at each other. "LEVER!"
"I think he's talking to us," whispered Malfoy so softly that Sarah almost didn't here him. They both felt around and Malfoy's hand stuck something metal. "Found it," he whispered. He pulled it and an opening formed in the wall, leading to the hallway. "You first." He grabbed Sarah and forced her through. Malfoy crawled out after her. The opening closed instantly.
"LEVER!" shouted Snape.
"What the hell are you talking about?" yelled Bud. Suddenly he heard a noise come from the closet. He walked over and opened it. Much to Snape's relief, Sarah and Malfoy weren't there. Bud turned back to him, holding up the gun. "Say goodbye, freak."
Sarah struggled to get loose of Malfoy's grip. "Let me go!" she shouted.
"Sarah, there's nothing we can do!" shouted Malfoy. Sarah elbowed him in the stomach and he keeled over. She started to run, but he grabbed her again. She fought as hard as she could when suddenly.... BANG!
For one heart stopping moment Sarah froze and didn't move. There was nothing. No movement from inside, not even a cry of pain. Just silence, deadly silence and Sarah stood silent, determined that she would hear a sound. Bud's laughing began echoing through the hall and finally the hot tears came. He would cry out, she kept thinking. He'd gasp in pain, or stand up like it had never happened. He was not dead! He couldn't be dead! She stood there, completely numb, unable to believe what she had just heard. Suddenly the reality hit her and she screamed out so loud everyone in the school probably heard her.
"NO!" she shrieked as she started to fight off Malfoy again. "DAD!" The door to his room burst open and Bud came out with a grin on his face. He pointed the gun up at Sarah's head. Sarah stood still, too afraid to move and waited. Malfoy punched Bud in the back of the head and his gun fell out of his hand. Malfoy stepped back, holding his sore fist to his chest, and watched as both Sarah and Bud dived for it and wrestled on the ground. Bud violently struck Sarah over the head and soon stood up with the gun in his hand. Sarah lay, holding her head in her hands, gasping in pain, and completely helpless now.
"Goodbye, Sarah," Bud mocked.
"CRUCIO!" came a shout. Bud cried out in pain, but before he fell, all the muscles in his body contracted, including the ones in his fingers.
BANG!
Malfoy watched as Sarah backed away a few feet. Her eyes were glazed and she stared at him blankly as she felt the blood on her hands. She looked at him again and then collapsed lifeless on the ground. Bud laughed and pointed the gun at Malfoy.
"Drop the wand or I'll kill you too." Malfoy hesitated and then dropped his wand. He knew that the sooner Bud left the sooner he could run for help, if either Snape or Sarah had a chance. Bud fired two bullets at the wand and it exploded into thousands of splinters. Then he looked back up at Malfoy. "See Ya!" and with that he ran and vanished down the halls. Malfoy waited a moment, then ran to Sarah who was now laying motionless on the ground.
"Don't die on me," he muttered. He felt for a pulse. There was a soft one, but it was there. She was breathing too. Her eyes slowly opened and looked at him.
"Ow!" she rasped. She placed a hand on her stomach, and Malfoy pressed her down by the shoulders, trying to keep her from moving. Tears flowed down her face and suddenly she realized where she was and what was happening. Her eyes filled with panic. "He killed him." She sobbed. "He killed my dad."
"Lay still," said Malfoy. "Don't try to move. I'm going for help."
"It's too late," she sobbed. "He's gone. He's gone."
"It's not too late, Sarah. Just stay awake."
"Please don't let me die here," she begged. He shook his head.
"What are you talking about?" he said, none too reassuringly. "You'll make it. Don't say that."
"I want to see him, Malfoy. Please, I'll do anything." Malfoy hesitated, and nodded. He picked her up carefully and carried her into Snape's office. Snape was laying on the ground. A pool of blood was forming around him. Malfoy set her down with her back propped up against the desk, and went to him. Sarah watched as she sobbed softly. She watched Malfoy put two of his fingers against his neck and wait. He looked up at Sarah...