Erica decided it. It was final. She wasn't coming back to Hogwarts. The Ministry could kill her wand and her memory for all she cared. She would go to a muggle High school. She knew it well enough to at least get into sophomore classes, although a 17 year old in a sophomore class...more than likely to get picked on.

She woke up; it was the day they left. She showered and headed for the great hall. She walked up to the staffs table and she saw Snape tense as if she were going to talk to him, she smirked. She walked towards Dumbledore and asked if she could speak to him in private when he finished his breakfast.
"Oh, well, I suppose so, your ok aren't you dear girl?"
She smiled "Yes, sir, it's just, never mind, I'll talk to you later is that ok sir?"
He raised himself, brushing off his hand from the bread crumbs.
"Miss Barton I am finished we can talk now if you'd like?" he walked around and together they walked out the hall.
Snape's curiosity over struck him. What was she doing, he knew it was something stupid, whenever she was serious it was usually when she planned on doing something stupid. He dropped his head to his hands. He Let out a sigh, and got up to leave to his dungeons.

"Headmaster...I, err, this is hard for me to ask, Sir, can I leave Hogwarts?"
She finally managed to get her sentence, she noticed he stopped walking. She turned to face him.

He looked over at her through his half glasses. She felt uneasy and looked at the floor.
"If it is what you wish Miss Barton, then I cannot not hold you here, but it is my curiosity begging to know why you have made this choice?"
"Err..."
"Is it Severus?" he said pushing his glasses further up his nose.
"Err...kind of, I just don't want to be here, nor do I want to return home, but I just think, I just don't want to be here, its not you, you've been like a father, in fact better than that, I look to you as one of the greatest people in the world, I know I'm not making sense sir, and Vicky didn't help me make this choice, in fact she doesn't even know."
He nodded. "I completely understand, Magic can be Overwhelming...if you may, You must know, about Severus, he isn't one for opening up as you know, don't take him personally, I just thought I'd let you know, I didn't think you would come back thinking things would resume where they left off..."

"Of course not Professor, I knew what lay ahead, just wasn't ready for the rollercoaster ride is all?"
"Rollercoaster?"
"Never mind"
He reached for her shoulder and patted it. She gave him a weak smile.
"Though you are a great student, funny, distracting and sometimes going down the wrong paths..."

'OH BUGGER HE IS BACK TO TALKING ABOUT ME GETTING DRUNK AGAIN!'
"You were a great student, a good relief from stress, and in time, I assure you, Severus will come to his senses. And I think it is wise to tell your professors' personally about your decision." He lowered his head to her height.
"That includes Professor Snape, you can't just disappear and everyone knows where you are but him, because, hard as it is to believe, he does in fact, care" he winked and walked past her, leaving her there to ponder.

Her brain yelled so many things, she just leaned against a wall and sank down. She stared at her feet for God knows how long.
After a while feet appeared into her view. She looked up to find the face of Mr. Weasley.
"Have you seen Ron?" he asked.
Erica stood.
"Uh, Sir, What are you doing here? Ron's a Sixth year."
"OH MERLINS BEARD! I thought, oh never mind, can you show me a fire place please?"
She pointed to a room which she used to stalk a boy when she was a third year; she had to hide in a closet and noticed it had a fire place.
"Thank you Erin"
"Erica"
"Oh, sorry, thank you Erica"
And he quickly ran off. Erica shook her head and walked into the great hall. It was empty. How long was she sitting there? More than an hour? She set of to find Professor Flitwick.

"Well, if that's your final choice then I can do nothing but support you, although, Miss Barton, you were troublesome in my class, but none the less, brilliant...when you tried"
"I'll miss you Professor"
"You too Barton" and she shook his hand and left.

She sighed when she shut the door behind her.
"No second thoughts now Barton" she said aloud.

She headed towards McGonagall.
………………………………………………………..
"I'm sorry" she said as she looked at her professor's stern gaze.
She tried to give her a cheesy grin, attempt failed.
"Miss Barton...why are you doing this, you aren't thick, your a bright young lady, I don't see the need to leave?"
Erica exhaled some air, making her bangs waver out of her face. She looked at her professor.
"It is hard to say, or explain."
McGonagall blinked.
"I'm capable of understanding."
"Do you not trust me Professor? To make my own decisions?"
McGonagall sighed and laid her hands on her lap.
"Do you not trust me to hear you out?"
"HEY! Asked you first!" hollered Erica.
"I do trust you to make decisions; it would help the situation if I knew what was running through your head and why you choose to leave Hogwarts."
"I, I feel that I just don't belong here, you have been a great teacher, I've learned so much, so many things came alive in my head that I couldn't fathom before I came here, but its just personal reasons"
McGonagall seemed satisfied.
"Does it have anything to do with your relationship with Professor Snape?"
Erica looked at her wide-eyed.
"uh... we don't have a relationship Professor"
"Should I say the one you had in 1981?"
Erica's jaw dropped.
"Incase you didn't notice, Barton, I was a professor during the time which you graced that year with your presence."
"I know, I just didn't know, you knew, you know?"
She saw her Professor get confused.
"Miss Atkins leaving too?"
"No"
"What is her take one this?"
"She doesn't know"
"That's not a wise choice Erica, she should have known first..."
"I was afraid she'd persuade me to stay."
"Ahh" breathed McGonagall.
Erica walked a few steps forward and hugged her Professor, she didn't respond till she knew that Erica was hugging her.
"Good-bye Professor McGonagall."
"Good-bye Dear."

And Erica left towards the Dungeons.