Different Plans for Summer

"I have to admit you two are remarkable," Dumbledore praised. He had his kindly smile. "You, Sarah, will receive a trophy for your courage to this school; and if you like, I want you to stay here for your last year." She looked at her brother.

"I couldn't just let him run the school; somebody has to step in," she said. Harry nudged her.

"Very, well," Dumbledore replied with a loving sparkle in his eye. "Another matter I must discuss with you, where you will be staying for the summer."

"I thought I had to stay at the Dursleys'?" reminded Harry.

"Now that Voldemort is so powerful, I doubt it would make much of a difference. And besides he can get to you through her now; and she is not protected at your home. I think it best for the first few weeks to be spent separately. Sarah, I think you would be safe with your father." She nodded. Dumbledore turned to Harry, "And as for you, I suggest the Malfoys' manor." Both of their eyes grew real big and confused.

"WHAT?" asked Harry, disbelieving what he had just heard

"Lucius Malfoy has joined our side on a deal... "

"No way, I don't trust him deal or not!" said Harry.

"Actually, that's not a bad idea," started Sarah.

"That's only because you've got the hots for Draco," retorted Harry. Her jaw dropped.

"Excuse me? I do not have the hots for anybody... " She was turning red. Harry noticed Dumbledore was pretending not to exist in this conversation.

"Fine, but you do give him google eyes," Harry said. She gasped.

"What! How dare you say I have…" she started in reply.

"Can we get back to the subject?" asked Dumbledore politely.

"We are on the subject," said Harry.

"And I do not have googly-eyes," she interrupted.

"Sarah will be joining you at the Malfoys' manor after a few weeks," Dumbledore added.

"I don't think you should make her stay at her boyfriend's house. I can see how something could go wrong," Harry finished.

"Like what?" she tested.

"Either they fight and kill each other, or they fall in love," he said smartly.

"What do you mean? I certainly would not lose control if that's what you're thinking... "

"Harry, Sarah, please," interrupted Dumbledore. Sarah folded her arms and turned her nose up to Harry. Harry rolled his eyes. "Harry, I know you don't trust him, but, getting to Sarah's original comment, it is a good plan. Lucius is very trusted by Voldemort. He would never suspect Lucius of harboring his worst enemy. And, of course, we will have immense security around the manor."

"I can't believe I'm hearing this. That means I have to spend the whole summer with my archenemy. Not even the Dursleys were this bad." Now Sarah rolled her eyes. "And what about Julie? I have to see her."

"That can be arranged," began Dumbledore.

"Oh, ho! And you were talking to me about falling in love?" Sarah shook her head disbelievingly.

"I will make arrangements then for you to meet Harry after a few weeks, Sarah. And you will go with Draco when you arrive at King's Cross Station," Dumbledore looked at Harry. "Now, you two obviously have a lot to argue about so I'll let you on your way." He smiled and they went down the tower without saying a word.

"Well, what should we do as our last day at school?" Sarah asked.

"You need to have a talk with Ron, that's what," he said, and before she could reject to this he began pulling her down the corridor.

"Harry, I talked to Snape about the other night," she said as they walked. Harry paused uncertainly.

"And, what did he say?" he said quietly, and she told him the story as they walked down corridors. Harry seemed rested now knowing the truth, and he didn't say anything but Sarah knew he was, in a way, relieved. He led her out to the Hogwarts grounds where he knew Ron would be. And so he was. At the sight of Sarah coming towards him, Ron jumped to his feet and grabbed his wand. Sarah approached him, looked him in the eyes, and took out her wand. Ron backed up a couple of steps. "We have to finish this, you know," she said menacingly. Then she handed her wand to Harry and sat down. Ron was confused but seeing Harry sit down he did so also. Ron was waiting expectantly looking between them.

"Ron, you need to meet the good side of my sister," Harry said. Sarah extended her hand. Ron paused, but then gave in and shook it.

"I know you've been through a lot this year, and I'm sorry I added to that," she said sincerely. Ron looked down then up at Harry.

"I'm sorry, too," he said quietly.

"My name is Sarah Evans Snape. I'm from Texas... actually from here, but..." She dragged on. And Ron seemed to come to good terms with her that evening. Harry was thankful that he could now walk peacefully and not worry about who was winning, his sister or Ron, at Battlefield Hogwarts. Hermione even dropped by later and was easier to adjust to Sarah being Harry's sister. In fact, they got along nothing short of great. And that was how that evening went.

The next day, on the Hogwarts Express, Sarah demanded that Harry have a talk with Draco. Harry had a feeling she was getting back at him for making her talk with Ron. Even though he was reluctant, he gave in. Sarah led him to the compartment where Draco was residing. When she found the compartment, Harry saw a smile draw itself on her face, and as Harry came around in through the door he could tell Draco had been smiling but had wiped his expression clean.

"Now, I know it's going to be a hard summer, so..." Sarah began.

"So let me enjoy these last few minutes peacefully without him since in an hour I won't be able to avoid him," Draco tried.

"This is what I was afraid of," she said quickly. "By the time I get there you'd both better still be alive and on somewhat good terms." Harry could have sworn Draco twitched when she mentioned that she'd be there.

"Yeah, there are a few things I think we should get straight," said Harry, not taking his eyes off of Draco's.

"And what would that be?" he asked.

"Could you excuse us?" Harry asked his sister.

"You're not going to fight are you?" she asked suspiciously.

"Wow, how did you guess?" Draco said sarcastically.

"No, we're not. Now go," Harry ordered. She left, and Harry made sure she wasn't eavesdropping. "Why don't we make a deal?" asked Harry eagerly.

"And the terms are?" prodded Draco.

"I won't bother you and I'll even do certain things for you during my stay at your mansion if you don't mess with my sister." Draco immediately smiled one of those dark grins.

"No deal," he said laughing and he got up to leave.

"What is your problem?" asked Harry. Draco shook his head with an expression of sympathy.

"Weakness, Harry, weakness. And Sarah's yours." And he left leaving Harry alone. Harry was a little worried, but he knew that he would be there when she came. And, somehow, he didn't think Draco would interfere too much.

As he walked off the train following Draco, he saw Snape and Sarah talking. She spotted him and ran to say her last goodbyes. She gave Harry a hug and a short kiss on the cheek. She turned to Draco. He took a step back. "You are not kissing me after kissing him," he said. She smiled, "Well, I wasn't going to, but now that you've made such a big deal of it..." She reached and gave him a kiss right on the mouth. Harry rolled his eyes and put his hand to his forehead. "Well, bye! I'll see you both later," she smiled and walked away with her father. Harry still had a hard time imagining his mother and Snape together, but oh, well.

"Come on, we haven't got all day," called Lucius Malfoy. Harry and Lucius gave each other penetrating stares, but left it at that. And Harry followed a very pleased Draco off into the distance.

>>>Thank you, Reviewers, so much... I love you guys! You have been so positive about my story. And just for the record, I have already started a sequel, but it might be a while before I start posting.