She Traitor

The sky above Longbottom Manor was a bright blue, with a light cloud drifting lazily across the sky here and there. The warm summer air smelled of flowering shrubs and something Sarah couldn't quite place-maybe the old stone walls of the manor that rose not far behind them.

She lay in the grass next to Frank, her hands clasped under her head, watching the wind gently stir the tall blades of grass above their heads. There was silence And everything felt peaceful, almost idyllic, which was a strange contrast to the morning she had spent at Potter Manor.

Frank shifted beside her, his gaze turning skyward. "You know we could just lie here all day?" he asked thoughtfully.

Sarah smiled. "That sounds like a plan. I just hope Lady Augusta doesn't come looking for you with her wand in hand when she finds out you're missing."

Frank laughed. "My mother knows me. She knows I need a moment of peace sometimes. Although she probably wouldn't forgive me if I dragged you here and didn't make you a proper cup of tea."

Sarah turned on her side, propped herself up on her elbow, and glared at him. "So tea is a mandatory ritual here?"

Frank looked serious. "Of course. The Longbottoms will put up with it. And if you don't accept it, they'll probably kick you out of the garden."

"Then I should be grateful you're still putting up with me," she chuckled.

Frank looked at her with an amused expression, but after a moment his gaze turned thoughtful. "Have you thought about what we're going to do after school?"

Sarah stopped. The question surprised her. She had never asked anyone about it, never talked to anyone about it. Maybe because she didn't know herself.

"It sounds like you already know," she said carefully, to divert attention from herself.

Frank nodded. "Yeah, I do."

"Go ahead."

"I want to be an Auror," he said simply, as if it were the clearest decision in the world.

Sarah stared at him for a moment before lying back on the grass and looking up at the sky. "That makes sense. You're honest, you want to protect people. You're the right kind of person."

Frank laughed. "That sounds like you're describing me in some Daily Prophet article."

Sarah smiled. "That's because it's true. You're good for the job, you'll be great, Frank."

There was a moment of silence between them. Frank played with a blade of grass, then turned on his side to look at her. "What about you?"

Sarah sighed. "I don't know."

Frank frowned. "You've really never thought about it?"

"Not like that. I've always lived in the present. When I was younger, I felt like my future was already planned out for me. The Potters expected me to be a good daughter, to marry into a good family, or to find some respectable job. But no one ever asked me what I wanted. And really? I don't know."

Frank sighed. "That doesn't mean you can't choose. You have so many options."

Sarah thought. "Maybe I could try Auror too. Help in this war."

Frank looked at her, a twinkle in his eye. "You should. You're smart, fast, and... you have something about you that people underestimate. Strength. People often think of you as someone's sister or someone's daughter, but you're so much more."

Sarah looked at him. She had never thought of herself that way. She was Sarah Potter, always connected to her family, with a name that never quite suited her. But Frank was right-she could have been more.

"Thanks, Frank," she finally said quietly.

Frank smiled. "You're welcome, Potter. I'm just telling the truth."

They both looked up at the sky again, and for the first time in a long time Sarah felt... free.

Sarah was still watching the sky when she heard footsteps in the grass. They were light but firm-someone was coming from the direction of the mansion.

"And here we are," an amused voice said. Alice Fortescue stood above them, her arms folded across her chest, her brown hair glistening in the sunlight. "Are you planning on lying here all day, or are you going to come in for a bite to eat?"

Frank just rolled over lazily on his side and propped his head on his hand. He looked at his girlfriend, who was having afternoon tea with his mother today. Augusta adored this girl. "That's the plan, but we can break it off for lunch."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Okay, because your mother has already called you twice. And believe me, Sarah, Augusta Longbottom is not the kind of person you want to keep waiting."

Sarah smiled slightly and sat down. "I feel like she might chase me out of the garden if I ignored the invitation."

Alice chuckled. "Exactly. So come here before she comes here in person. And you don't want to experience that."

Frank sat up and stretched, as if it was going to be an incredible struggle to get up. "Okay, okay, let's go."

Sarah stood up and brushed the grass from her skirt. As they walked toward the house, Frank leaned over and said quietly, "Just wait until she offers you her famous vegetable pie. That's a real test of courage."

Sarah stifled a laugh. "Tell me the dessert will be worth it."

Alice turned to them over her shoulder and said with a smile, "If she can do it, then yes. And if not... at least you'll get some strong tea to drink."

Sarah grimaced slightly, but followed them back to the mansion.

•••

Remus wasn't the type to meddle in other people's affairs. But he was an observer. And right now he saw something he couldn't get out of his head.

Sarah Potter had just disappeared into the green flames of the fireplace, without turning around, without saying goodbye. And James? James just watched.

That was wrong.

When Remus had met James in his first year, it had taken him exactly two weeks to get used to the fact that his best friend had a sister he talked about all the time. Sarah Potter wasn't just his little sister. She was his pride.

Sarah was a part of James's world. Not just a part-she was his mirror. The same laugh, the same irrepressible energy, the same zest for life. When she appeared in a room, she was like a wind that stirred everything around her. People liked her. Maybe because she was just as charming as James, but less pushy. Maybe because she wasn't just smart and talented, but also genuine.

And now...

Remus looked at James. He stood there, still staring into the dying fire. He said nothing. He didn't move.

That was wrong.

If this had happened a year ago, James would have gone after her. Or at least called out to her, thrown something at her, anything, just to break the distance. But now? Now he just stood there, his jaw set, doing nothing.

Remus looked down at Sirius. He was sitting on the sofa, his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands. He had never seen him look so... uneasy.

Something was wrong here.

Remus had never paid much attention to Sarah. She was part of their circle, but not as close as the boys. She was friendly, but she never had long conversations with him, not like she had with Frank Longbottom. He didn't know much about her other than what James had said-that she was stubborn, talented, outgoing. But still... still, something was missing.

Now that he thought about it, he had noticed it before. That she didn't spend as much time with them anymore. That she laughed less when Sirius was around. That James always looked tense when anyone mentioned Slytherin.

And then it hit him.

Sarah and Sirius had been close. Before. But now?

There was a wedge between them.

And that wedge had something to do with Sirius and James.

Remus had a strong suspicion that it hadn't been James's choice. James hadn't pulled away from Sarah. Not willingly.

It had been Sirius.

And now, as Remus looked at his friend, who refused to look at either of them, it occurred to him that Sirius regretted everything that had brought them to this point.

•••

Sarah had always admired the way Augusta Longbottom carried herself-with grace, confidence, and unwavering dignity. She was a woman who knew exactly who she was and what was expected of her. But the moment Sarah saw Walburga Black standing in the middle of the Gringotts Bank, she realized that Augusta seemed almost fragile next to her.

Walburga was the epitome of aristocracy. Her posture was perfect, not a hint of hesitation or weakness. She stood beside an older man whom Sarah recognized immediately. Arcturus Black, Lord of House Black. He was a tall, burly man with a piercing gaze that, despite his age, he did not look weak. His jet-black robes were accented with burgundy accents, which only emphasized the majesty of his house.

Sarah didn't usually go to Gringotts more than once a year, but since Augusta had been so kind as to offer to travel with them for the summer, it was necessary to withdraw some money for her own expenses. She wasn't used to such situations, but she knew how to behave.

Augusta gave the Black couple a short but polite gesture before continuing towards the counter to take care of her business. Sarah knew that as a young lady of the esteemed Potter family, she couldn't just walk by unnoticed. So she gave a slight curtsy, as Euphemia had once taught her, before looking up and catching Lady Black's gaze.

A slight surprise flickered in Walburga Black's eyes. Perhaps she hadn't expected Fleamont Potter's daughter to know etiquette. Perhaps she hadn't expected her to show respect. But that moment of surprise quickly gave way to interest. Her dark grey eyes were literally burning into Sarah, assessing her every move.

Sarah felt the tension around them thicken for a moment. It was strange. She was sure Walburga only knew her as James Potter's sister. Nothing more. And yet there was something about her expression... almost as if she thought of her differently.

Arcturus Black tilted his head slightly, as if acknowledging the gesture, and that was a clear sign to Sarah that she had done the right thing.

"Miss Potter," Walburga said slowly, carefully enunciating each syllable.

"Mrs. Black," Sarah replied just as calmly, maintaining perfect politeness in her voice.

Sarah was well aware that most people in the wizarding world knew her brother more than her. After all, he was James Potter. The golden boy, the heir. Always in the spotlight, always the one who made the rules, and the one who was willing to break them when it suited him. And most importantly-it was James who had taken Sirius Black away from his family.

And that was why Sarah would have thought that when she woke up this morning and met Walburga Black in person and in public for the first time ever, it wouldn't be a warm encounter. That she would be looked down upon, like another blood traitor, simply because she bore the name Potter.

But she was wrong.

When Sarah lifted her head again, she was met with a pair of sharp eyes studying her with obvious interest. It was surprising. Walburga didn't look as resentful as she had expected. Instead, she seemed to have realized something important.

Sarah straightened up and turned with controlled calm back to Augusta, who had already moved to the counter and was talking to the goblin.

"Miss Potter?" the goblin's voice suddenly came in a rough, gruff voice.

Sarah immediately focused back on the counter. "Good afternoon," she replied politely, with a slight bow. "I'd like to withdraw money from my Potter trust account."

The goblin eyed her, then wrote something in a large, worn book and motioned to her. "Come with me."

Sarah nodded and followed him. And even though she didn't turn her head back, she couldn't help but feel that she could still feel Walburga Black's burning gaze following her every move.