A/N: Okay, here's the 23rd chapter. I've figured out how long this is going to be, and I'm leaning towards 26 chapters. This one is alot about the aftermath of Sara leaving, and a large talk with Sirius and Lily. I really hope you like this chapter, and I'll update sometime next week. Please, please review!

Thanks to all my reviewers for the last chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

When Sirius woke up the next morning, he wondered why his mouth was dry, why his head throbbed, and why he was sleeping on the Potter's couch. Then everything came rushing back with surprising force.

He hadn't spoken to Lily and James when he stumbled back in the living room. No matter how much they pleaded, Sirius shook his head firmly. He wasn't in the mood to talk; he wasn't in the mood to think. So he did the only thing he could think of doing, and fell asleep.

Sirius groaned and sat up as he placed his cool fingertips across his forehead, as if trying to chase the memories away.

Sara was leaving. She was going forever. He would never see her again.

Maybe it was the 'never' that cut him so deeply, but whatever it was; he was on his feet in an instant and heading for the door.

It seemed early enough, Mr. and Mrs. Potter were already up and preparing breakfast, but Sirius slipped pass them unnoticed and emerged outside.

The dreary, cold winter day seemed to mirror Sirius' feelings. It was cloudy and cool, the wind wracking against his cheeks. He took a deep breath, and broke out into a run.

He sprinted as fast as his legs would carry him, his eyes beginning to water from the cold wind. He was panting when he finally arrived at his destination. He tipped his head up and swallowed the dry lump in his throat as he advanced towards Sara's house.

He reached the front doorstep and ran a hand through his hair, breathing heavily. What was he going to do? Bang down the door and beg Sara to stay? With no plan in his mind, Sirius brought his fist to the door and rapped down on it three times.

There was no answer, save for the continuous howl of the wind. Sirius knocked on the door, harder this time. Still no answer.

Getting impatient, Sirius brought both of his fists up and pounded on the door angrily, "SARA! OPEN UP!" He cried.

He knocked for what seemed like forever, until his hands became red and raw from pounding so hard. He swore under his breath and reached for the doorknob. He turned it slowly, and to his surprise it clicked open. He bit the inside of his cheek as he entered the house.

He had only been inside Sara's house once, during the summer. He remembered it having big, soft couches and brightly colored walls with portraits draped over them.

Sirius closed his eyes and turned his head as if he had been slapped. There was no comfy couches; they were gone. There wasn't one portrait, they were all cleared out.

But the thing that caused Sirius to look away was the fact that there was no Sara. No blonde, spunky Sara. No Sara that would rest her head on his shoulder when she was tired. No Sara that sobbed into his shirt and clung to him. No Sara who would whoop his arse in quidditch. No Sara that would tell off anybody mistreating others. No Sara that would kiss the tip of his nose and look into his eyes with pure happiness.

"Sara?" He called, but it was weak as if his very tone knew she was gone. "Please…"

"Hello, sir, may I help you?"

Sirius started and looked up in surprise. "W-who are you?"

The short, plump man with a bristly mustache let out a hearty laugh. For some reason, Sirius was jealous of him. He could still laugh, he was still happy….

"I am Pulgar Maltys, and I'm here to check out the house, it's for sale, you know?" The man said, extending a hand to Sirius.

Sirius grabbed his hand but let go quickly. "Where are the people who lived here?" Sirius asked quickly.

"What?" The man asked, startled, "Well, um…I actually heard they left early this morning. France I think."

Sirius swore again, but louder this time, and the man's eyes widened.

"Excuse me, young man? What's your name?" He asked.

Sirius shook his head, "She was serious…she left…" He mumbled.

With that he spun on his heel and took off up the winding staircase. A small part inside of him was hoping that Sara was sitting up in her room, grinning; ready to tell him this was all joke.

He sprinted down the hall and flung open the door to her room as disappointment washed over him. The bed was cleared out, everything was gone. Sirius brought his fist to the wall and punched it, his veins throbbing. He ignored the fresh pain exploding in his knuckles and instead strode further into the room.

"Excuse me?" Said a voice from the doorway.

Sirius spun around angrily, "What?" He spat.

"I don't know who you are young man-" Pulgar began.

"I'm someone who needs to get the hell out of here." Sirius said quickly, brushing past him and exiting Sara's old room.

"Not so fast!" Pulgar called, his belly jiggling and his footsteps pounding on the floorboards. "Did you know the blonde daughter?"

Sirius stopped abruptly in his tracks just as his foot hit the first step. "What did you say?" He asked blankly, upturning his head to look at Pulgar

"I-you…" Pulgar panted, placing his hands on his knees and heaving, "Were you…friends with the daughter?"

Sirius nodded, "Why?"

The heavy set man straightened up enough to pull a picture out of the inside of his suit, "When…I came here, they were just…leaving…she was in a rush, she told me to drop this off at that house down there. You look just like the boy in the picture."

Sirius' eyes widened as he snatched the picture out of the man's chubby fingers.

The picture was taken only a few weeks ago; Sara was curled up against Sirius on what was unmistakably a common room couch. They were laughing, and the sight of Sara's smile made Sirius want to look away, but he stopped himself, for in the picture he had leaned down and captured Sara's lips in a passionate kiss.

Sirius looked back up at the man who was watching him uncertainly, "Thank you," Sirius said in a strangled whisper, taking one of the man's hands in both of his and shaking it vigorously, "Thank you so much…"

He spun around and sprinted out the door, looking back down at the picture every so often. Before he knew it, he was back at the Potter's house, and he wrenched his eyes away from Sara's beaming face to see James and Lily standing on the front step.

"We heard," James said quietly.

Lily lurched foreword and pulled Sirius closer to him, tears streaming down her cheeks. Sirius hugged her back, burying his face in her hair. Lily pulled back and kissed his cheek, "I'll miss her, too."

He smiled slightly, "How did you figure it out?"

"My parents saw them leaving this morning so they asked them where they were going. They said Sara was in a right mess," James explained, eyeing Sirius in sympathy.

"What's this?" Lily asked aloud, gently tearing the picture out of Sirius' grasp. With just one look at it, Lily flung her arms once more around his neck, "We'll see her again." She said reassuringly.

Sirius rubbed small circles in her back; Lily was having a hard time with this, too. Sara was one of her best friends.

"Come on," Lily whispered, taking his hand and tugging him into the house.

Sirius felt better knowing Lily was there right beside him, sharing in the same grief he was.

"I didn't even get to say good-bye," Lily whispered, biting her lip. "She never said…bye…"

She quickly brushed her tears away and sniffed, "I need to contact Marlee and Katherine," She said suddenly. "Is that okay, James?"

James nodded, "Of course."

Lily strode further into the house and promptly walked over to the fire, she grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the grate vigorously, shouting Katherine's address.

She felt the swirling sensation as her head was engulfed in warm flames and her body stayed firmly positioned on the hard wood floor. Finally, her head stopped spinning and Lily tilted up her head to see Katherine's mother clutching her chest in the living room.

"Goodness Lily!" Her mother cried, "You gave me quite a fright. How are you?"

Lily forced a smile onto her face, "I'm…okay. Actually, that is why I'm here. I was wondering if Katherine was home."

Her mother nodded, eyeing Lily curiously, "Alright, one second."

She disappeared, and Lily felt herself begin to become woozy from keeping her head in the fire. She could feel her knees and hands become read and sore, but she took a deep breath and awaited for Katherine.

Finally, there was a scramble of footsteps, and Katherine appeared right beside the fire on her hands and knees. "Hey Lils! What are you-" She broke off as she caught sight of Lily's trembling lip, "What's wrong?"

"Would it be possible if you came over for a little while?" Lily asked in a shaky voice, "I'm at James'. It'd only be for a few hours or so."

Katherine nodded, "I'm sure that'd be fine. I'll be there in a few."

Lily pulled her head back out of the fire gratefully as Katherine disappeared.

"Well?" James asked earnestly as Lily whirled around to face them.

"She's coming over in a few minutes," Lily said, "Then we'll probably go to Marlee's."

James nodded, "Sirius and I will contact Remus and Peter."

Lily strode over to Sirius and placed a hand lightly on his cheek, "Are you alright?" She asked quietly.

Sirius grinned slightly and put his hand over hers, "I'm going to have to be."

Lily frowned, "You don't need to be strong for anybody. Just because you're Sirius: ladies man, tough guy, and trouble maker extraordinaire, doesn't mean you need to put on a front for anyone. Especially not your friends."

Sirius shook his head, and looked at James, "You've got yourself an amazing one here James. I don't know how you did it, but you did."

James smiled. "I don't know how I did it either."

There was a loud 'poof,' and Katherine scrambled out of the fire, dusting off her clothing.

Lily darted towards her and threw her arms around her neck, "We need to go to Marlee's, okay?" With that she walked over to the fire and threw in some floor powder.

Katherine looked uncertain, "Hey James, Sirius." She said.

"Hey," They chimed.

Lily pulled her head back out of the fire a few moments later, "She said we can go over right now, Kath."

Katherine nodded, "I'll just apparate." She snapped her fingers and with a loud cracking noise, she was gone.

"I'll see you two later," Lily said, giving Sirius a hug.

James kissed her gently on the lips and Lily smiled, some what sadly. Another loud cracking noise, and she was gone.

"Hey Mari!" Lily said, throwing herself into her friends arms once she landed in their living room.

"Hey," Marlee greeted, hugging her back. "What's going on?"

"I could ask you the same question," Katherine said, giving her a giant squeeze before pulling back and looking at Lily expectantly.

Lily closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry. "We better sit down."

"Shouldn't Sara be here, too?" Marlee asked blankly, seating herself on a couch next to Katherine.

Lily opened her eyes, and her friends saw that they were brimmed with tears. "She left…she moved."

"What?" Katherine asked, startled, "To where?"

"France," Lily said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Why?" Marlee pleaded.

"Her family said they needed to get away. I didn't get to say bye to her. She came to say good-bye to Sirius. She left this morning." Lily said.

Marlee's lip trembled, and so Katherine followed suit, "Won't we ever see her again?"

"Of course we will," Lily said reassuringly, "We need too…"

All three of them soon broke down, tears flowing freely down their cheeks. Lily sprinted over to them and brought them close as they all clung to each other.

"How could she just…leave?" Katherine wailed, "Do we even know where in France she is?"

Lily shook her head sadly.

"Then how are we going to see her again?" Marlee cried.

"I don't know," Lily admitted.

"How could she do this to us?" Marlee asked, "She was like our sister…how could she just leave without an address? Without even saying good-bye?"

"I don't know," Lily said sadly, hugging them both again. "We've just got to stick together. I know we'll see her again someday. Our friendship wasn't just a normal bond, we were family. If I know anything about Sara, I know that she'll come back. At least to say good-bye one last time."

"You make it sound so final," Katherine said, wiping at her eyes.

"That's because this time…I think it is."

"She left? Just like that?" Remus asked again.

He had Peter and apparated to James' house, and were having trouble understanding what their friends were saying.

"Yeah," James said, "Just like that."

"I'm so sorry, mate." Remus said sincerely to Sirius.

"I am too," Sirius muttered bitterly.

"Do you two just want to stay here?" James asked suddenly, "There's only two days left of vacation. We could all catch the train together."

"I need to ask my parents." Peter said, "They'd probably be okay with it, they always are."

"My parents will be fine with it, too." Remus said, "I'm sure of it."

James and Sirius watched as they left and the three girls came a few minutes afterwards.

"Hey Sirius," Marlee said quietly, pulling him into a hug, "You holding up?"

Sirius nodded, "I'm fine."

Katherine reached over and took his hand, "Everything will work out," She said as she gave his palm a reassuring squeeze.

"James," Lily began, "Katherine offered to have us stay at her place…I need to be with them."

James nodded in understanding, before his face lit up, "Why don't you three stay here? Remus and Peter will be coming back any moment now with their stuff. Then we could all catch the train together."

Lily turned to look at her friends.

"That sounds great," Marlee said, "I'll go get my stuff."

"Are you sure it's okay with your parents?" Katherine asked.

James nodded, "It's fine."

It was New Years Eve, and the next day the seven students would return to Hogwarts.

"Party at the Potters," Mr. Potter laughed, thinking he was rather clever.

"No more dad…no more," James grinned.

Lily grabbed a handful of chips out of the big bowl, and wandered around the house. It wasn't a meaningless wander, she was actually looking for something, or someone, more like.

"Have you seen Sirius?" Lily asked Linda Potter over the loud music.

"I think he went upstairs, dear." Linda said, "Poor thing."

Lily nodded her agreement and turned around. She started up the winding staircase, and slowly the music began to fade until it was a faint humming in the background. She reached the top landing and walked along the hallway, peering into doors, looking for a sight of dark hair. She reached the one at the far head of the hallway. It was the only one with closed doors, so Lily knocked down on it softly.

"Sirius?" Lily said.

The door opened, "Hey, Lils." Sirius muttered, "I was just coming downstairs. I had to quick grab something."

He attempted to slip past Lily, but he touched his chest lightly, "I haven't seen you downstairs for an hour."

Sirius shrugged, "I've been down there, you must not have seen me."

"Why are you doing this, Sirius?" Lily pleaded, "Why are you lying to me?"

Sirius shook his head, "Come on Lil, we better get down there."

"I'd rather talk to you, Sirius." Lily said quietly, "Please?"

Sirius didn't say anything, until finally he moved to the side and allowed Lily entrance into his room. Lily strode further in and plopped down on his bed. Sirius shut the door gently and turned to face her.

"She's not dead," Sirius said suddenly, "I have no idea why I'm getting so worked up about this. At least she's safe."

Lily shook her head, "Don't minimize your feelings. She just walked out of your life. You really cared for her."

"I love her, Lil." Sirius said, "I remember just at the beginning of this year, I liked her. I thought she was beautiful, she had a mind of her own. Then we started going out, and I realized how much I cared for her. She's the most amazing girl I've ever met, and now she's gone. It's like we never had anything at all."

"But you did have something, Sirius," Lily reminded him, "She always talked about you. I know your feelings were mutual. If she had to go, then at least she went leaving you something."

"What did she leave me?" Sirius asked, somewhat sharply.

"Her love," Lily said, just above a whisper. "Do you really wish you had never met her?"

"Of course not," Sirius said quickly.

"Then at least you got to spend that amount of time with her," Lily said gently.

"What if James left, huh?" Sirius asked, "Would you be able to tell yourself what you're telling me now?"

"Probably not," Lily admitted, "But I know you would. You'd tell me what I'm telling you now, because that's what friends are for."

Sirius said nothing, but he finally threw himself down on a chair facing the bed.

"Sirius," Lily said softly, "You're like a brother to me. It must seem weird to hear that, but you are. You are one of the closest friends I have. So when I see you this down, it gets to me."

"It's not weird," Sirius murmured, "You're like my sister."

Lily's eyes filled with tears, "That's why I'm trying to help you, Sirius."

He nodded, "That's awfully nice of you, but I don't think you can."

"So that's that, then?" Lily asked, "You're just going to sit around, moping for yourself, never loving again?"

"Lily, you don't get it do you?" Sirius asked, a sheet of iciness behind his words, "She's changed me. I always imagined myself having a different girlfriend each month, but then she came along. Sara's the most amazing girl I have ever met, and now that she's gone…I'm not sure I want to love again."

"Why not?" Lily asked, "Why won't you love again?"

"Because I know of all the girls out there, none of them would compare to her." Sirius said quietly.

Lily stood up and walked over to where he was sitting, "Maybe not, Sirius. But I know hundreds of girls who are just dying to get your attention. Give them a chance. You could be surprised."

Sirius turned his head, "I don't want to give them a try. It all seems so stupid now, you know? I fell for a girl and she left me. It should have damaged my male ego but it didn't, and here I am, getting all sappy and lovey dovey with my sister."

Lily smiled; obviously touched he had called her that, "I'm angry at her, Sirius."

"Don't be," Sirius said, "She had to leave because her family wanted to."

"She hurt you, Sirius." Lily cried, "I've never seen you so down. She just left, and now you're so…different. She loved you, and you loved her. I'm so angry at her for leaving. She screwed everything up!"

Sirius stood up and pulled her into a hug, "Lily, don't think that when she moved she only left me behind. She left you, too. One of her best friends. Don't try to make me feel better when you're sharing in the same grief I am."

Lily smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. She pulled back, "It'd be so much better if we knew where she was. Then we could owl and keep in touch, maybe even visit her. But she left, just like that. No matter how much I tell people we'll see her again, I'm not so sure…" She sniffed, "I'm not so sure we will, Sirus."

Sirius nodded, "Maybe that's the part that hurts so much. I at least want to know that she's safe. That she's…happy."

"You are such a sweetie, Sirius, and any girl would be lucky to have you." Lily said.

"Yeah, I've heard that one before," Sirius said cockily, flicking his hair out of his eyes.

Lily rolled her eyes but smiled, "Come on," She said, extending a hand to Sirius, "Let's get downstairs."

Sirius grabbed her hand and they both headed for the door, feeling extremely lighter than they felt in a while.

As they descended the stairs, they made a silent pact. A pact to look after one another, to watch over each other. Sirius would make sure Lily was safe and away from harm, and Lily would do the same for him.

Because, after all, that's what siblings do.