=.=

WALK THE LINE

Harry x OC

'for those that don't feel wanted.'

Chapter 3: The Promise

Song Choice: Promise of a Lifetime- Kutless

Sarah felt utterly ridiculous.

Her hair was pulled back in low pigtails, tied together by baby blue ribbons, her head covered in a white beanie. Her matching dress and white stockings were hidden by a long grey coat and boots. She felt obnoxious in the outfit, but a tiny part of her adored how she looked. The low pigtails never pulled or tugged on her hair like the tight braids Miss Hammet used to do. She felt pleasant, and the feelings gave her more confidence than she currently felt. Sarah bit her lower lip, glancing down the snow-covered street warily.

For the first time in a long time, Sarah felt nervous.

It had been three months since Sarah had been taken in by Maggie Wilkinson.

It was the longest three months of Sarah's life without a doubt. Every day she woke, waiting, watching. She expected Maggie's attitude to her to shift, for her to give the withering, fearful glancing. Something Sarah had come to expect now from any adult she crossed. Most children seemed either obvious or unknowing, but Sarah knew they saw it too.

But Maggie didn't change.

The frizzy haired woman continuously smiled and teased her, brushing off bizarre occurrences like it were nothing. Sarah was surprised when she received gifts from Maggie, clothing and trinkets that Maggie assured her would always be her own and never be returned. Sarah was perplexed, explaining how she always had to return gifts before. Maggie assured her, even if they were to part, these gifts belonged to Sarah and no one else.

It set an uneasy pit in her stomach though, and a looming threat that Maggie could still give her back if she wanted.

For once Sarah feared this. In the past few months Sarah had gotten comfortable in the routine. She did her schoolwork, kept her room tidy, and was confused by Maggie offering to help her with chores rather than making her do them all. Any other family she had been with expected work out of her, which seemed to be logical at the time. Except Maggie seemed to shrug it off and assure her that she did not need to do more than she already had been.

The other aspect of her life that was... enjoyable... was a certain knobby kneed boy that had stuck to her side all this time.

Perhaps it started as just a sort of comradery between two kids that didn't seem to fit in with the other children. However, it quickly blossomed into more.

Harry constantly came to school with little to no food, to the point that he looked terribly thin. Even in comparison to Sarah, who had started to put on some pounds. At first Sarah was confused as to why she felt so bothered by this. She studied the boy many times during classes, wondering what it was that she felt bad about. In the orphanage children came and went all the time. Some were incredibly malnourished to the point of collapsing, but not once had Sarah lifted a finger for them. Perhaps it was the nature of the orphanage that encouraged each of them to fend for themselves, but Sarah had never regarded any of the children with such concern.

Granted, Sarah could count on one hand the number of other children that ever spoke to her.

One day, Sarah decided to act on impulse and asked for more food from Maggie for lunch.

"I'm really hungry." Sarah insisted, though she didn't look into Maggie's eyes when she said this. She didn't want to lie to her but was uncertain where exactly she stood with Maggie at the moment. Would this behaviour be inexcusable? She didn't know. Sarah only knew that when she offered half her lunch to Harry, the brightness in his green eyes was worth the possibility of being in trouble.

Much of Sarah and Harry's relationship was simplistic. Sarah did not talk... initially. She would sometimes just get up and leave Harry where he was. Harry, expecting their abrupt conversations to be over, was always a bit disappointed. However, Sarah would always take several steps before turning to glance at him as if to say, 'are you coming?' before Harry would follow.

The first time Harry got more than two words out of her; he was speechless.

"Can't wait for autumn, the heat's too much even inside now." Harry had been rambling in between bites of his sandwich as Sarah lazily swung back and forth on the swing. He looked up at her mid-bite and saw a ghost of a smile on her lips.

"Mmm, it'll be Halloween soon. I wonder what Maggie likes to do for Halloween?" She wondered out loud. When no answer came, she glanced down at Harry who sat cross-legged on the ground. He hadn't moved from his mid-bite and was just staring at Sarah. Her smile faded, she felt uncomfortable for a moment. Then Harry closed his mouth and gave a smile.

"Halloween's great! What do you like the most about it?" Harry asked. Sarah thought for a moment, unsure how to explain. Harry knew some of her situation, but she hadn't divulged all of it. From Maggie's reactions Sarah presumed the orphanage was not exactly a high-quality facility. Part of her felt embarrassed that she'd ever been. Instead of telling him, Sarah lied. She told Harry that Maggie 'found her'. It wasn't entirely a lie; Maggie had found her- but the circumstances as to where were entirely left to interpretation.

"Spooking kids who try and nick some candy." Sarah felt a small chuckle slip past her lips as she remembered hiding in the cupboard underneath the candy cabinet in the kitchen. She grabbed the leg of a taller girl who was trying to sneak some treats. The girl nearly fainted. Harry shook his head.

"You like scaring people a bit too much Sar." He meant it as a joke, but Sarah noticed the nickname then. She felt an odd weight in her gut. Pleasant and painful.

Sarah hummed a reply, feeling a nervous pull in her gut then.

Halloween came, and as a small gift Sarah gave Harry sweets to enjoy. She thought he might take them home to eat, but instead Harry was desperately trying to scarf them all down before they returned to class. She'd seen this behaviour at the orphanage when they stole food that they didn't want anyone to know about. But Harry hadn't stolen anything, making his behaviour odd to Sarah.

Her answer came when Dudley, of all people, stopped him outside the doors. While Sarah and Harry were glued at the hip in school, there were times they separated. This time had been for the professor to speak with Sarah about her academics. All she really said was that Sarah was doing 'exceptionally well given her circumstances.' Decidedly, Sarah did not like this teacher.

When she made her way out to the lot to step on the bus, she noticed a pair of spectacles on the ground. Frowning, she walked up to them and picked them up. They were round, with one lens cracked and the frame bent badly.

These were Harry's glasses.

Sarah searched, finding them on the other side of the building in the playground. 'They' being Dudley and his ratty friends. Harry was on the ground against the wall, holding his face and groaning while Dudley and his friends fought over chocolates and candies on the ground. They were the treats Sarah had given to Harry, completely ripped out of the small box they had been in. Dudley chucked Harry's schoolbag away, swiping at papers and pencils to get at the sweets.

Sarah felt it then, like the time that large girl had taken her bag at the orphanage. A possessiveness that made her skin feel like it was lit on fire. But the feeling was not for the chocolates being ravaged, it was for the dorky little boy that was definitely nursing a bruise nearby that she felt this burst of protectiveness for.

"Dudley." Sarah said in a lower tone than usual. Dudley turned, looking at her. Her rage spiked when he smirked, stuffing another chocolate in his mouth. Her eyes were wide, nostrils flared. She felt energy flare up inside of her.

"You pig!"

Dudley open his mouth to speak, but then squealed as he jumped into the air. He reached around for his bottom, then squealed again exactly like a pig. As he spun, both Sarah and Harry got a good view of a curly pig tail sprouted from Dudley's arse. Harry was shocked, as was Sarah, but no one was squealing save for the three boys. Dudley looked at Sarah in fear as she stepped closer. He bolted; his two friends followed after him. They yelled and yelled, long into the distance.

Harry held his bleeding nose, now in view of Sarah. He stared at her oddly, feeling chuffed that she had come to find him. However, when Sarah came closer to him her face was deceptively schooled into a neutral expression again. Not that Harry could really see. He knew it was Sarah by the bright colour of her hair but nothing else.

"One day you'll habe to teach me dat." He said while still pinching his nose. Sarah leaned away; her eyes suspicious.

"Teach you what?" she asked coolly.

"Dat! Wasn't dat you? Wib da tail?" Sarah didn't answer, instead reaching into her bag and grabbing some tissues for him. She also handed his glasses over. He could now see the neutral expression, and more importantly the narrowed squint of her eyes. He'd noticed that whenever she didn't trust something Sarah would squint more, as if narrowing her vision helped her see the lie easier.

"Aren't you scared?" Sarah asked, and while her face remained neutral her eyes shone with nerves. Why was she nervous? Harry couldn't tell. He wiped his drying nose before answering.

"Why would I be?"

Sarah snorted.

"I just grew a tail on Dudley." Harry shrugged it off.

"I think it was always there, suits him." He watched her left eye twitch. She thought he was funny.

"I'm the reason he was in the tree that time. I did that. And I've done other things. Lots of things."

Sarah didn't know why she was saying all of this. It felt like the words were being forced out of her, like she felt the need to scare Harry away.

"You're awfully talkative today Sar." Harry gave a cheeky grin. Sarah's eyes shone again, but her lips puckered slightly as she attempted to keep a neutral expression. She was beginning to feel frustrated, because she'd done this so many times already. So many times, she'd been given a home, and so many times her abnormalities ruined her.

"Why aren't you scared of me?" She was exasperated at this point with his easy-going attitude to anything she did. At this, Harry frowned, unsure why he would ever be afraid of Sarah Williams.

Sure, she had a death glare that could rip the soul from your body, and she was very silent and ominous when she walked, and maybe once or twice even he'd been on the receiving end of her irritations –he couldn't call it wrath as he was certain Sarah had a lot more rage tucked away somewhere- before. But not once in his little friendship had he ever thought Sarah capable of hurting him. It hurt him in a way, to know that Sarah expected him to fear her.

Suffice it to say, Sarah had been Harry's first and only friend. And to be frank, there were few things she could do to lose him, if any.

"I- we... W-Well I thought- We're friends, right?" Harry voiced, suddenly nervous too when he saw the blank look sweep off Sarah's face. She looked startled then, like it was the last thing she expected to hear. She looked to his nose, then his glasses sitting crooked on his face, then to his dazzling green eyes.

"You-" She stopped herself, feeling suddenly very small... "We're friends?"

Harry blushed, embarrassed.

"I- if you don't want to be my friend then that's okay really. You shouldn't have to-"

"We're friends." Sarah cut him off, her voice a little firmer then. Harry paused; his eyes widened as he looked at her again.

A soft, gentle smile, warmth in her eyes, and a rosiness in her cheeks. Sarah was the picture of happiness at that moment. Harry stared, a warm smile spreading onto his own face.

Sarah, being the taller of the two, helped him up. He thanked her, but as he went to let go Sarah closed the grip on his hand. She looked hesitant again.

"You're... you're sure? You're not scared?" She looked down to their hands, and this time as she tried to let go Harry closed his grip.

"Well... I turned our professor's wig blue once." Harry admitted, feeling a weight off his shoulders. Sarah's eyes widened, an excited lopsided smirk slipping onto her face.

"Mr Potter, I do say you've got a mischievous side." Sarah teased. Harry grinned.

A weight lifted from both of them that day. Finally, they had found someone who understood the abnormalities. It felt easier to deal with the bursts they both had, them both exchanging stories of things they had done before.

It was magical.

So of course, it couldn't last.

Sarah was in a panic internally. She and Maggie walked out of the school after a long talk with the headmaster. Maggie was dreadfully quiet, almost like she was contemplating something as they walked down the street. Sarah played with the scarf around her neck, the very one she had been found in as a baby. Maggie had been kind enough to wash it for her and take care not to fade the fabric. It somehow looked newer than the ratty appearance it held in the orphanage, though perhaps Sarah was still seeing the orphanage in a darker light and it affected her memory.

When they got home, Maggie was still quiet. Sarah nervously made her some tea.

They had been called in, along with Harry, for the tail and squealing noises Dudley was still making. Maggie had become deathly quiet as the Dursley's screeched that Sarah was a monster who ought to be punished. The headmaster was so confused as to what was happening that she never actually gave Sarah a punishment other than writing lines. It seemed more to quell the parents rather than to truly punish her. The headmaster took one look at the Dursley's and seemed to think they were off their rocker mad.

Maggie remained quiet, going back in to speak with the headmaster before heading out with Sarah, stating that she didn't need to write lines. While Sarah had been waiting, she watched Harry leave with those nasty people and felt a rock in her gut. No wonder he scarfed as many sweets as he could.

Once at home, Sarah was a bundle of nerves again. She stared ominously at Maggie, expecting some sort of explosion from the woman. However, the stout woman simply seemed to be thinking deeply as she contemplated something.

In truth, Sarah had come to enjoy Maggie's company. She enjoyed talking to her, learning about her and her friends. Maggie, for the most part, had taken it slow in making Sarah ease into her spot in the house. She treated Sarah well and was always so lively and kind. It made up for Sarah's quiet lurking behaviour.

Sarah had slowly begun to call this place home, which made the feeling of dread all the more painful. Maggie was such a good person, Sarah could tell now, that it would deeply hurt her to be taken away from this.

Sarah sprinted to prepare the tea, nervously shifting as she also pulled out a tray for biscuits and crisps that Maggie enjoyed before serving her the way she liked it.

Maggie was a bit startled when the tray was thrust onto the coffee table in front of her, Sarah backing away quietly before waiting with bated breath. It was at this moment Maggie noticed Sarah's stiffness and nervous aura. She didn't react too much, other than gesturing for Sarah to sit, which she did with the best manners she could. Maggie noticed the stiff posture and how she remained staring at the table rather than looking up to her.

"Everything alright Sarah?" Maggie asked.

'No,' Sarah wanted to say. 'You're sending me back, aren't you?'

But Sarah simply nodded.

Maggie hummed to herself, watching the girl.

"Is it true? Did you turn that boy into a roast pig?" Maggie asked. Sarah gulped but nodded slowly.

"I-I think so." she said quietly. Maggie hummed again.

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why'd you do it?" Maggie asked, noting the surprise in Sarah's tone. Her face was perfectly porcelain and calm, but her voice cracked. Sarah glanced at Maggie briefly before looking down at the table.

"He was bully Harry."

"Harry?"

"My- He's my- He's my... friend." She finished quietly, but even now with her home on the line, Sarah fondly smiled at the last word. Whatever happened, Sarah felt the means was worth it.

Maggie saw this, saw the way the child melted at the mere thought of this friend, and felt a gentle smile slip onto her lips.

"Well, I can't condone the use of magic for personal vendetta's... but I suppose this one time I can look the other way since it was for the greater good."

If her words startled Sarah, she'd never know. Sarah's face went completely neutral as she slowly brought her gaze up to Maggie's.

"Use of Magic?" Sarah asked, her voice no longer giving away her thoughts or feelings. Maggie grinned.

"I wasn't going to tell you for a while but- well, I think you ought to know." She paused, then pulled out a long stick. She swirled it a few times, giving a flourish, and then pointed up into the air with a whisper of some words.

Inside the living room of Magenta Wilkinson's home, it began to snow. At first Maggie expected some sort of reaction from Sarah, perhaps her attempting to hide her emotions, perhaps her trying to evade the subject or deny what was happening, but instead, Sarah stared at the falling snow quietly. When a few flakes fell onto her nose, she finally turned to Maggie. Without words, her eyes expressed everything. Maggie smiled.

"You can do things, can't you, Sarah? I'll wager you've been doing magic for a long time?"

Sarah paused, then nodded.

"I can, for a while now," she watched Maggie carefully. "I can make things move, make them disappear, can you?"

Even though Sarah was a child, Maggie could feel the lingering effects of the girl she met at the orphanage. A darkness loomed over her, like a raincloud that never stopped its onslaught.

Perhaps it had been when drew her to Sarah in the first place.

Without answering, Maggie waved her wand. The tray levitated off the table, perfectly balanced, as the coffee table was transformed into an aquarium. Sarah didn't look surprised despite the gesture happening in front of her. If anything, Maggie noticed she looked calmer.

"We're magic Sarah, we're the same," Maggie explained, making Sarah look at her. "I figured it out when you were at the orphanage. My parents feared me too, when I started doing magic. But in time they settled. Point is, I know how scary this must feel, not knowing what is happening."

Sarah processed this, looking back to the snow. It felt cold on her nose when it fell. Sarah couldn't help but stare as individual flakes fell onto her head and the surrounding area. She glanced down to where some flakes fell into the tea, only to disappear a moment later.

"Magic is often expressed dramatically when we're young, but my guess is Sarah, you're quite a bit stronger than most. Probably why you have a hard time containing it all the time." Maggie explained. Sarah glanced at her, confused.

"This happened to you as well? The- em- lack of control?" Sarah's voice was perfectly schooled despite the awe in her eyes. Maggie nodded.

"I wasn't as powerful, the most I could do was sneeze out dandelions when I was a child, but to apparate and transfigure someone? When you're this young? Sweetheart you've got some talent." Maggie paused in her praise. "But that doesn't mean you should take pride in doing things to muggles- em- non-magic folk. You should never ever use magic in the presence of muggles."

Sarah looked down but hid any evidence of shame. Maggie sighed, returning the living room to normal. Sarah watched this entire event carefully.

"I honestly expected you to call me crazy." Maggie admitted. Sarah glanced up at her.

"I expected the same from you."

They both smiled, but then Sarah felt hesitant again.

"Does this mean I'm... not going back? To the orphanage?" She felt tentative, like she was dancing on broken glass. Maggie's brow furrowed.

"What? No! Wait- What gave you the idea that I would ever send you back sweetheart?" Maggie looked startled, eyes baring down on Sarah with intense scrutiny. Sarah hesitated.

"It's been a while. I was- this is the longest I've stayed." Sarah admitted. Maggie felt a pang in her heart as she realized Sarah was so expectant at being tossed aside now. It broke her heart so much that she gently took the girl's hands in her own. Sarah bristled at the contact but settled in as Maggie gently rubbed soothing circles into the back of her hands.

"Sarah, the only way I'm ever sending you back to the orphanage is if you want to go back." Maggie said slowly, looking her in the eyes. Sarah watched her, not reacting outwardly, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maggie noticed this, noticed the disbelief. Calmly, with a fierceness only a mother can have, Maggie said the words that finally broke Sarah.

"As long as I'm alive, you will always be wanted Sarah."

It wasn't an immediate reaction. In fact, it took a few moments to sink in, but when the implications reached her, Sarah took in a huge breath. She hadn't realized she wasn't breathing anymore. It felt like she had come up for air after a long time under water. Her whole body shuddered, eyes shining with so many emotions.

'Please don't be lying,' she thought, even her inner monologue weeping. 'I couldn't handle it if it were one.'

But Maggie took her in her arms and held her like a child in need of her mother. It was the first hug Sarah had received since she was a toddler. She gasped again, fresh tears springing to her eyes. Her whole body shook as she slowly held onto Maggie around her neck.

And for the first time in nearly five years, Sarah wept.

Sarah settled in some more after that. No longer did she live in her backpack. Slowly but surely, she began to use the entire space as her own.

Maggie taught Sarah some basics about magic, like how she would one day go to a school called Hogwarts and get an education in magic. She explained wands, and the wizarding world, and promised to take her to Diagon Alley as a treat for Christmas.

Sarah loved this, the plans for the future, expectations for a later with Maggie. Slowly but surely, Sarah felt the emotions building inside of her. It showed. Sarah may not have been very open with many people, but the people she loved? Sarah looked at them like she'd move the stars for them. She would if she knew how.

Love.

There were only two things she loved in the world; Maggie, for being the parent Sarah always wanted to have, and Harry, for being her first friend.

She would be lying if she said she didn't already feel a deep connection with the young boy. He was snarky, witty, and an absolute gem to be around every single day. It didn't take long to realize the duo were a ride or die friendship, and their school rue the day they became best friends. One couldn't get in trouble without the other, and often they would both be sitting in detention together for their misdemeanours. Maggie's gentle guidance turned into an actual mothering behaviour after that fateful night she admitted to being a witch.

Maggie was more a parent than Sarah bargained for, but Sarah wouldn't trade it for the world. Even when scolded, there was a second where Sarah knew it was because Maggie loved her and wanted what was best for her, that she did this. It warmed Sarah's cold heart.

It was during Christmas though, that Sarah wanted to prove how much these people meant to her. She had asked Maggie if they would really go to Diagon Alley and shop. Sarah admitted to wanting to buy gifts, even if it wasn't with her own money. Maggie, thinking this was too precious, agreed.

Despite being absolutely enamoured by the stores and wares, Sarah couldn't find what she had been looking for for Harry. For Maggie, she had found a gift of matching necklaces. Maggie's eyes shone at the prospect of this, and Sarah felt her heart sore at the reaction. Maggie had a sun and Sarah a moon pendant. When one touched their pendant, the other lit up. Sarah found it almost too simple, but Maggie assured her it would be perfect. Simple, honest, the perfect representation of them.

However, for Harry, Sarah wanted something special. She couldn't properly describe the emotions going through her, and whenever she told Maggie all she received was a knowing smile, but she had to get the perfect first gift. Sarah searched and searched, growing anxious when she didn't find anything she wanted to give him. Maggie attempted to console her, but Sarah felt determination to figure this out on her own.

Then she looked down at her wrist.

She knew what she would give Harry.

So, there they were, with Sarah in her pigtails, coat, and dress, feeling ridiculous but also so so so loved as she and Maggie walked up Privet Drive to meet the Dursleys and pick up Harry for Christmas.

Sarah knocked on the door, her stomach a pit of nerves. She had offhandedly asked Harry to spend time around Christmas, not realizing the implications of pulling him from her family because- well, she'd never experienced this kind of interaction before. But Harry seemed very eager regardless.

When Petunia Dursley opened the door, she practically screamed when she saw Sarah. The golden blonde went deceptively quiet as she watched the woman. Maggie wore a cheery smile, though anyone could tell it was forced.

"Hello there, nice to meet you! I'm Maggie, Sarah's guardian." Maggie introduced herself politely. Petunia wrinkled her nose at her, but then Maggie hummed once.

"Oh? Well, that's awful manners to have Miss. No wonder Dudley grew a tail. Might need ears to match at this rate." Maggie said in such a jovial tune it threw Sarah off kilter as she tried to bite her tongue. Harry appeared out of nowhere, rushing to the door as Petunia looked mortified at Maggie's thinly veiled threat.

The door slammed the moment Harry's heels in the landing. He didn't look the least bit concerned with the treatment though.

"Hi Harry," Sarah said, then glanced at the door.

"Don't mind them," Harry insisted with a grin. "I'm just happy to be here."

Maggie cooed.

"So adorable, you must be Harry Potter, the boy I've been hearing all about?" Maggie asked, making Sarah blush.

While Sarah and Harry had played in the park or hung out occasionally, Harry's home life stopped him from socializing much outside school. Sarah was also getting used to having a friend that enjoyed her company. This didn't stop her from animatedly talking about him when at home. Maggie was certain the girl was positively enamored, even if she never ever showed even a hint of this out in public.

The trio went to Maggie's and Sarah's home, Sarah and Harry talking on the way happily. Once Harry tripped on the ice, and so Sarah grabbed his hand silently without breaking the conversation. She helped him steady himself anytime he stumbled after that.

Maggie observed, finding the entire thing so flipping cute she couldn't help it. Both children turned to look up at her, surprised at her giggles. She shushed herself and hurried them along.

Harry spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Wilkinson/Williams house.

Christmas Eve they stayed up relatively late, had chocolate, eggnog, and several dishes Maggie created. On Christmas they opened presents. Sarah was surprised to find several for her from Maggie, despite already wearing their matching necklaces. She also got a jumper in the same green as her scarf, new shoes –which she desperately needed for school- and a new schoolbag. Harry was stunned to find out Maggie got him a gift as well of a muggle board game that they played later in the day. Sarah hesitated to give Harry his present, uncertain how he may react to it. It wasn't until Maggie went into the kitchen to fix up dinner that Sarah plucked up the courage.

Maggie had played some records from America for Christmas, and on one of the records was a catchy tune that hummed in the background, urging Sarah to have courage.

"Harry," she started, then paused when he looked up from the board game. She stared into his eyes, feeling suddenly extremely vulnerable. She never liked this feeling, it bothered her immensely, but with Harry it felt different.

With Harry, she felt like she could trust him.

"Sar? You okay? Too much eggnog?" He teased, but Sarah took a breath, her eyes shining. She scooted closer to him, he took note of that and sat up straighter.

"You- we're still friends, right?" She felt the urge to clarify. Harry nodded immediately.

"Of course." He paused, frowning. "Why? Did something happen?"

He sounded nervous, so Sarah reached out to grab his hand and quell the nerves. Her fingers felt like they'd been shocked, but she never stopped holding his hand despite the zaps she felt.

"No! No I- just wanted to make sure..." She reached behind her and pulled forward a small box. Harry looked puzzled, then surprised when she held it out to him.

"For me?" He asked, voice softening. Sarah nodded nervously as he grinned and opened it.

Inside was a simple black bracelet with all black beads and one white one. They were small, and the bracelet was a little bit big for his wrist, but he could grow into it.

"Thank you, Sar. I like it." He said, immediately slipping it onto his wrist. He looked at it, then up to her. "Where'd you get this?"

He'd asked just to ask, not really expecting some extravagant response. But considering the nervousness of Sarah, he had become extra curious.

"When I was- When Maggie found me, there were only two things I owned. I had the scarf I was wrapped in as a baby, and then I had these bracelets." She held up her right wrist to show the matching bracelet. This one has all white beads and one black bead, mirroring Harry's. He looked between the two, surprised.

"You're giving me this? But- Sar it's-"

"Special, I know." She gave a small smile. "But- You're my first friend and- even if- if one day, we're not friends. I still want you to have this. Because- it meant a lot, you're my first friend."

Harry watched the emotions play across her face and felt something deep in his gut. He felt awe at just how honest and open she was. While Sarah wasn't exactly mean to him, even he had had a hard time reading in on her emotions sometimes. But here-right now- Sarah was completely open to him. He felt heat bloom in his chest.

He felt love.

Harry smiled back warmly, extending his pinky finger out to her.

"We're always going to be together Sar. No matter what." He vowed, surprising Sarah.

"Promise?" She asked, sounding so small. Harry grinned.

"I promise Sarah, it's you and me."

And for some reason, Sarah truly believed him.

Y'all.

Full disclosure, I had a couple glasses of wine before I finished this chapter, which may be why it is literally everywhere and choppy. Sorry but not sorry. Perhaps if I get a good night's sleep I'll fix it tomorrow (if I have time). Otherwise- here it is! NGL, I'vew been simpling Sebastian Sallow so hard. Boy's a walking red flag but like- I played Hopgwarts Legacy to 100% completion just so I could watched his whole questline unfold. Poor anne- anywho. The reason this took so long is just because i've been a simp. Would anyone read a Seb/OC story? IDK if it's got enough material to fully flesh out but I'd be down to write one. Dude is either written as super toxic or super wholesome but I don't think anyone ever gets him quite right. He is so so SO not what you initially expect.

Anyway, sorry for the lack of Harry, Sarah has a lot of back story before we get to Hogwarts. Expect a bit timeskip in the next chapter, depends what i really want to write. i've been reading the enitre HP series again, and using the game to actually map out the castle, so ya girl's been working a bit!

Ah yeah, I'm tired, hope you enjoyed, please review if you would like, always appreciated.

Oh and the song in the background of the last scene? Walk The Line by Johnny Cash. I know, probably doesn't really fit, but I just- it's the inspiration for the title, needed to be in this scene.

Cheers

Iland Girl.