Chapter 12
Sarah was nervous about how her school punishment would go. Once in third year, Sarah had been in school punishment with James and his friends, but since then she had school punishments alone and rarely with people she didn't know. And now she was polishing goblets with Barty Crouch and Rabastan Lestrange in the cellar rooms of Hogwarts, where the air was heavy and the dark brick walls absorbed most of the sunlight that tried to filter through the windows. It was almost completely dark, only the reflected lights from the candles that were spread around the room flickered here and there.
The atmosphere was not exactly tense, but at the same time it was unusually quiet. Sarah, even though she knew there was no place for unnecessary talk, felt uneasy. There were two boys with them that she know enough to know who she was dealing with. – Barty was kind of funny at first glance, but at the same time he gave off some hidden dangerous aura. Rabastan, whose Slytherin affiliation was evident at every turn, seemed hard and unyielding, but at the same time he exuded a strange lightness that she couldn't quite place.
Rabastan decided to break the silence and started a conversation, his voice sounding playful but his eyes fixed on Sarah as if examining her. “So Potter, do you have any new quidditch tricks up your sleeve yet? Or are you still counting on your beaters to hit Slytherin's best chaser with a bludger?"
Sarah looked at him with a slight smile, even as she felt a rush of adrenaline rising through her. She knew Rabastan was an excellent chaser, but she was never afraid of a challenge. Sarah replied with a smile “That remains to be seen. We still have a few more weeks of training, but I don't think you're going to like it. The next match will be interesting, I guarantee you that."
Rabastan stared at her with an expression that could mean anything. He was clearly intrigued by her words. He dusted off the goblet he held in his hands, and when his gaze met hers again, there was something about him that made Sarah feel strange. Maybe she was just being too perceptive, but she could feel some kind of respect starting to grow in him, even if he didn't want to admit it.
Finally, he provocatively replied, "Well, you won't have it easy. We at Slytherin always have some new trick to improve the game. But if you're feeling brave enough, we can talk it out on the field.” Sarah looked at him, her lips curling into a little smile as she knew it was getting a little personal between them.
Of course Sarah had to follow up and with a slight hint of provocation she tried to counter. "That's the point. We'll see who has better tricks.” She continued to polish the cup, but her gaze lifted for a moment. Rabastan understood that these were not just words. That was a challenge that could really amuse him. There was an odd silence in the room as their eyes met for a moment, but then their attention was momentarily interrupted by Barty, who snorted and joined in the conversation.
"Well, try to keep this conversation under control, I'm telling you Rabastan likes his Quidditch very much and the last conversation he had with some Ravenclaw about Quidditch ended in a pretty rough shootout of spells" Barty said, clearly intending to encourage Rabastan even more
Rabastan smirked a little, as if to indicate that Barty was just talking, but not that he was interested in any deeper thought. Barty studied the goblets for a moment longer, then changed the subject, as if the exchange was no longer necessary. "So, Sarah, have you heard about the Christmas party that Slughorn is having in his office?"
Sarah looked at him in surprise. She knew that Slughorn had annual Christmas parties, but she had never given it much thought. She actually realized that she always went home for Christmas, which now that Sirius was with them she had no plans. “Um… yes, I've heard of that. But why should I care?"
Barty laughed, but it wasn't sharp, more like she'd said something funny. “Well, because he invited you. I know I've never seen you there before, but there's always a first time."
Sarah looked at him with an amused expression, though she didn't quite understand how he could have noticed, she was sure he wasn't interested in her before this year, but there was something in his voice that made her listen more closely.
Barty looked at her, his smirk still on his face, but there was something else in his eyes, something that told her he was up to something that would undoubtedly surprise Sarah.
“So what, Potter? How about you be my party partner?” he said out of the blue. “Rabastan's going with Greengrass, so I'm inviting you.” Sarah stared at him for a moment, her heart racing for a moment. She didn't know what to think of that, but at the same time, it seemed like the best way to find out what it was all about .
Now the final decision has just been made that she will stay at Hogwarts for Christmas and not go home. The first Christmas Sarah won't be home and won't see her parents for ten whole months.
“Alright, Barty. I accept. But if it's a mess, it's your fault.” Sarah said and Barty's eyes widened in surprise. He seriously did not expect to accept the invitation. Rabastan laughed, his smirk more like a slight sneer, but he still seemed to have some new perspective on Sarah. At the same time, everything was still on edge between them.
Barty nodded in satisfaction, and as they returned to polishing the cups, the atmosphere was suddenly different from before. Sarah looked at Rabastan, his eyes resting on hers for a moment. There was something new in that look, something unspoken that they both took for granted. Neither said it out loud, but they both already knew something had changed between them. Whether it was mutual appreciation or just momentary respect, it was a feeling they didn't want to admit - at least not out loud.
And so, as Sarah continued her work, she couldn't help but feel that her world was just beginning to change.
•••
It's been a long day. Sarah was tired, so she took the last chance she had to rest. Barty and Rabastan kept her company, though they chose her more out of chance than any grudge. To Sarah's astonishment, she didn't even have to pretend the entire time, and their company ended up being quite pleasant. She even managed to fall off the chair when she fell asleep.
“And this is your version of a quiet sleepy evening, Potter?” Barty asked with a smile as he watched her bow her head and walk beside him and Rabastan, after they left the classroom so she wouldn't really fall asleep there. "If you need some extra time to rest, let us know, no problem."
Sarah smiled at him, though her eyes were still a bit clouded. "That's exactly what I mean by relaxation," she said wryly. Rabastan laughed, even though he knew her smile wasn't entirely sincere.
As they walked down the hall, heads bowed, Sarah found herself actually glad to have some quiet time at least. The memories of the argument with James they had a few days ago were still running through her mind. He did things that hurt her and she couldn't just erase them. Still, when she was taken away for punishment, something inside her still called for it to be different, for at least some of the friendly harmony that used to be theirs to remain between them.
"That'll probably be all here, huh? We don't have to spend the whole evening here,” Rabastan said as they approached the dungeon exit.
Sarah nodded, but then she noticed something that made her pulse quicken. At the end of the corridor stood James, his expression confused but also a little nervous. After the few days of them avoiding each other, it seemed he had decided on something Sarah hadn't expected. Apparently, the boys also noticed and said their goodbyes. Rabastan basically dragged Barty towards the Slytherin common rooms.
"James?" she breathed as she reached the top of the stairs. Her heart stopped for a moment, but she wasn't sure exactly what she was feeling. It was a mixture of all possible emotions - anger, sadness, but also a little bit of what she always felt when he was near her. He was her brother after all.
"Sarah," James said, his voice uncertain, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do. He was also a little unsure about seeing his sister with two Slytherins. Step by step he came closer to her until finally, without her expecting it, he slowly hug her.
Sarah remained frozen for a moment before her arms slowly wrapped around him. Barty and Rabastan stood to the side, not making any comments James thought for sure they had left, but Sarah could tell their curiosity had won out.
"This is nothing I want, Sarah," James whispered, his voice low, almost vulnerable. “I was stupid, really. I know I hurt you and I don't want you to be mad at me. I shouldn't have done that."
Sarah pulled away from him a little, but her gaze remained focused on him. "You're very sorry, aren't you?" she said softly. "I'm glad you at least understand."
James looked into her eyes, but something hung between them. "I understand that it won't be the same. But I'd really like us to do it somehow. I want you to be able to trust me again.”
Sarah looked at him for a long time. “I have a feeling it's not that simple, James. Maybe you didn't mean to hurt, but it happened, and I... I have to deal with it. It offends me that you question my judgment."
James lowered his head, his face losing its usual clarity. "I know I can't change that with a wave of my wand," he said finally. "But I can promise you I'll try. Fix what I messed up. I'd like to meet Pandora as well, maybe your other friends too.''
Sarah looked at him and thought. Was this something she really wanted? To get their relationship back on track or was it too late for her to forget? She slowly took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay, James," she said finally. "We'll try to make it up between us and I'll introduce you to Pandora, but there's no one else."
When they hugged again, Sarah realized that while it wasn't a complete reconciliation, it was a step toward something remaining between them. And this was just the beginning. Try. Maybe not perfect, but at least one that was in the right direction.