She Traitor

The Great Hall was unusually quiet.  Breakfast proceeded at a leisurely pace as the handful of students who had stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas enjoyed their last day of peace before most of the school returned.  Sarah Potter walked into the hall with a little trepidation – as much as she liked the peace of the holidays, part of her knew that the return of all the students also meant the return of drama and chaos.  Especially to Gryffindor.

The Ravenclaw table looked most alive at that moment.  Pandora sat beside Dorcas, gesticulating animatedly, while Barty Crouch, sprawled a little on the bench, laughed at something Dorcas had just said.  Sarah paused for a moment, considering whether she should sit at the Gryffindor table, knowing that Frank and his friends would welcome her.  She was always liked by All Gryffindors, being James Potter's sister earned her the nickname Gryffindor Princess.  Unfortunately, she always lived only from her brother's shadow.  Finally, Sarah headed for the ravens.

"May I?" she asked cautiously as she came closer.

Barty immediately straightened up and excitedly vacated the seat next to him.  "Of course!  Sit down, Potter.'

Sarah smiled and sat up.  Pandora greeted her with a cheerful smile and Dorcas nodded in greeting.  The atmosphere at the table was pleasant, without unnecessary pressure or expectations.  Just friends.

“So what,” Pandora began as Sarah scooped some baked potatoes onto her plate, “ready for all those annoyingly noisy people to return?  They're going to slander me again, I'm telling you Bianca will try to seduce some Slytherin.''

"You mean going back to the Great Hall feeling like a menagerie?" Dorcas added, rolling her eyes.  Everyone forgot about that addition about Bianca Zabini.  "Last night I thought I could get used to the quiet."

Barty shrugged and took a drink of his pumpkin juice.  "On the other hand, at least it will be fun again.  It's nice this way, but I miss a bit of chaos.  What about you Potter?"

Sarah thought for a moment about how to answer.  "I don't know," she admitted.  “It's strange, but... now I actually feel like this period of peace was exactly what I needed.  I don't feel like I'm looking forward to the chaos at all."

Pandora nodded and bit into her toast.  "Yeah, exactly.  The calm was refreshing.  Although…” She glanced around Barty's side of the table.  "You are apparently a different case.  I guess chaos suits you."

Barty laughed and put his hand over his heart theatrically.  “But Panda, what would you do without my daily dramas?  Everything would be boring without me!” Pandora had to smile, though she wouldn't say it out loud, Barty was right.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Dorcas remarked dryly, but an amused expression danced in her eyes.

Sarah laughed a little at their exchange, but at the same time she realized something strange.  She hadn't seen James in days and for the first time in her life she realized that she didn't mind at all.  In fact, she didn't miss him at all.  His absence felt more like an opportunity for her to breathe and be herself, without the constant pressure, shadow or reminders of their strained relationship.

“What are you thinking about?” Pandora asked when she noticed Sarah's silence for a moment.

"Just that I'm not sure how I'm going to get involved in all of this again," she said honestly.  "But I guess I can."

Pandora looked her over and then smiled slightly.  "I think you can handle it better than you think.  And if not, we've got Barty here to provide the drama we need."

Barty bowed theatrically to the bench, causing everyone to laugh.

Sarah realized that for the first time in a long time she felt really good for several days.  That she was in a really good mood all holiday.  Not perfect, not completely happy, but... okay.  And that was the beginning that gave her hope.

•••

The sun was slowly dipping toward the horizon, bathing the Quidditch court in a soft golden light.  The air was chilly, but not uncomfortably so, and there was a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere on the field.  Sarah had just swooped down on the ground with her broom, cheeks flushed with movement and laughter.  The Gryffindors clearly enjoyed Quidditch – it was played without points, just for fun, and no one took the rules too seriously.

Frank Longbottom and Kingsley Shacklebolt acted as keepers , and Edgar Bones took turns passing the Quaffle between Sarah and the other chasers.  Sarah, who was usually more used to performing and heckling her way into hard play, dived into the role of chaser with unexpected enthusiasm.  Quick maneuvers and accurate shots gave her a sense of freedom and control that she had been lacking lately.

"Next!" she exclaimed, throwing the Quaffle right into the left hoop, where Frank just didn't have time to react.

"That was unfair!" he yelled at her with mock indignation, but you could tell he was more impressed.  “Sarah Potter as a Quidditch star?  James should hear that!'

Sarah just laughed and flew up again, ready for another round.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and began to cool, the players gathered on the ground.  They leaned the brooms against the benches and began to collect the scattered balls.  Sarah threw her coat over her shoulders and headed over to the group who were talking about how the Gryffindor team was doing this year.

Suddenly Frank Longbottom walked up to her, gloves still in hand.  He was smiling, but there was something strangely serious in his eyes.  "Sarah, can I have a moment?"

"Sure," she answered a little uncertainly, walking away from the others with him.  She knew Frank was fine because he would have acted differently if he wasn't.

Frank paused for a moment as if considering how to begin.  Finally he said, "I've seen you with a new crew lately."

Sarah felt her stomach tighten.  His tone wasn't judgmental, but she still knew he noticed.  She was afraid that something similar to what she had already heard from James would come - criticism, reproaches, misunderstanding.  She was surprised that Sirius hadn't intervened already.  "Yeah… I started hanging out a little more with Pandora, Dorcas, and…"

“…and Crouch and Lestrange?” Frank finished calmly, but without a hint of condemnation.

"Well… yes," she admitted, smiling nervously.  "You'll probably find it strange."

Frank laughed and shook his head.  "Not at all.  You know, Sarah, I don't think friendship should be limited by dorm colors.  People should find their way to those they get along with, and it's great that you've made new friends.''

Sarah blinked in surprise.  "Seriously?"

"Seriously," he confirmed, patting her on the shoulder.  “Besides, I saw Dorcas playing Quidditch.  You should meet us sometime, she looks like she could be a great teammate.”

Sarah finally relaxed a little and even smiled.  “I think she might like you.  Dorcas tolerates people who can play fair and have no problem with sarcasm – which you obviously like."

"You see," laughed Frank.  “So next time you play, invite me too.  Maybe someone will finally teach me how to be a better keeper."

Sarah laughed.  "Frank, you are the best keeper Gryffindor has!"

"You're just praising me now because I didn't lecture you," he laughed, then let her go.

Sarah stood for a moment, watching the others finish packing, and realized that she had let out a sigh of relief.  Frank's support gave her courage.  Maybe the friendship outside the dorms was really worth it.  She seriously had more friends than she thought she would ever have.