Engaging

Changing Tides

Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me, they belong to J. K. Rowling. Except for Sara Sweets, she belongs to me . Author's note: This is based upon what I have taken from the Harry Potter stories, and is totally in my head. And I seriously believe that Voldemort is either in love with Lily or is her half-brother, so that is in this story. If you are easily offended by vulgar language or sexual content you should not read this fanficiton. Please review.

Sara wanted to scream, was screaming, her hair billowing about her like red locks of flames as they licked at everything they could touch, anything they could burn.

Her cries were stopped at once as a sharp hand struck her.

She looked at the striker, her gaze heated with fury but her senses given back to her. She simply wiped the trail of blood coming from the left side of her mouth with the backside of her right hand.

The man who had struck her was the one who had held the trial, the one who spoke, the one who had damned her love to hell on earth.

Crouch. Even his name seemed sneaky and twisted. Almost as much as the man. This was the most hideous person that Sara could have ever imagined. Sometimes she wondered which of the three she disliked more, Crouch, Peter, or Voldemort himself.

The man glared at her, "You should have never mucked with things Sara. You could have been spared. But I think," he said with a smirk, "that I like things better this way anyways."

Sara kept her spiteful gaze upon him, "I can see your future, sir. Let me inform you it is not pleasant. Well, not for you." She raised her chin and spoke down to him, like the worm that he was, "Your precious position is taken from you, and your 'perfect' reputation will be ruined by one simple person, a great threat to your entire being, though you will think them a foolish fear."

His smile faded, then he raised his own chin, "Well, all I can say, my dearest Sara, is that your life was gone before mine even came close to falling."

"You have no life you stupid bastard!" Sara snapped lividly, "All you do is cower to the evil and ignore the innocent! That is no life to brag of!"

"This wretched life you paint for me is still better than the one I am sending you to." He shouted back.

It was Malfoy who raised his wand and cast the spell. It was Crouch who stood there and simply laughed at her. But it was Dumbledore in the shadows that Sara saw last, his head bowed in sadness, the weight of the world on his shoulders as her banishment only added to his problems.

She couldn't help but feel one thing. She couldn't help but feel that somehow, she had betrayed him.

Dumbledore couldn't watch as Sara's figure faded and she was banished to live the rest of her days apart from the world she loved, from the life that she had fought so hard for. Finally there would be some semblance of peace.

Yet it would not be so if she were not here.

"This is all wrong," he said suddenly, sharply. He looked at the others around him, "What proof do we have that Sirius Black committed the crimes that you have all thrust upon him so carelessly? What is the real reasoning for banishing Sara? For she has done nothing wrong and every person here knows that, whether they choose to believe it or not they all know it." He said, his words a slap in the face to all who had stood against Sara.

He wished he could have said more, could have pointed out that she was the most ardent fighter against Voldemort, but it would do no good. Sara had seen this coming. She had known how everything would have to be. But she did not want to blemish the Order she had fought so hard for, that many people had already died for. The Forgotten Curse was one of the most rash things that he had ever heard her think of, but it was what she had wanted, so he had not opposed. Now he could see his folly.

Crouch looked up at him, "I believe, Albus, that this is simply hitting too close to home for you." He said plainly, as if it were obvious.

Dumbledore looked at the man, slightly confused though he had a feeling he knew where the man was headed, "What is it that you mean?" he asked.

Crouch smiled almost understandingly, "Sara is your only niece, Albus. We understand that you cannot really see the innocent child you knew grow up to become this."

Dumbledore stared at the man, his face emotionless, his tone blank as he asked, "To become what?"

Crouch smiled, "To become a traitor."

Dumbledore stood and looked about the room. Without another word he simply left, leaving the others to sit in silence, their rotten deeds running through their heads.

Sometimes some things should be simply left unsaid.

Crouch glared at the rude manner in which Dumbledore had retaliated. But then again, Dumbledore was always the "better man".

A voice came from the shadows of the farthest corner, "I would have you all know, that my support and loyalty lie firmly with Albus Dumbledore, regardless of the matter." The voice said simply.

Crouch glared at the shadow as it too simply stood and left. How dare they!

But the damage had been done, the council could already see their faults, and could see much too clearly his.

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Review Responses:

Lizzieangel90, I LOVE YOU! You were my first review (to my account) since I had to repost Engaging, and There were only a few before you at Angel's account. Thank you so much, I was beginning to feel that people had given up on me or something. But yeah, typical Ministry. In case you can't tell, I don't like them very much. :P

TheJazz, thanx fer reading over on Angel's account, and I'm happy that you like it. Thank you for all 4 Reviews while I was feeling like nobody cared anymore :P Hugs and Kisses

Greengrl, Sorry I couldn't tell you where I left off, I know that chapter 40 was new, possibly 39. But I've recently posted both 41 and 42, and, now, 43. Did you have to read it all over again? Sorry.

That's pretty much it…Please review people! I want to know what you think, please?