𝘋𝘈𝘕𝘊𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚 𝘛𝘐𝘌𝘋/𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 (English version)

Chapter 19

Sarah ran through the corridors of Hogwarts ignoring the glares of the students around her. 
She was heading towards the office of the man she had recently discovered to be her godfather, the professor who had given her the greatest support at the school. 

She quickly opened the door to the classroom, finding not only Lupin but also Harry. 
"You can't leave! No, you can't! You're the only one who can teach properly here!" 
Sarah was panting from the run, leaning on a desk and looking the professor in the eyes. 
Lupin smiled, set his bag on the floor, and his jacket on the swivel chair behind the desk.
He took a few steps toward the girl, leaning on the desk opposite hers. 
"Too kind, too kind... but Sarah, the news about my condition won't allow me to teach with peace of mind. Having a werewolf professor is not what Hogwarts needs." 
"But you can always take the potion! And the whole school would be on your side!" Sarah raised her hands in frustration. 
Lupin chuckled slightly
"Thank you, Sarah, but I've really made my decision." 
He walked back to the desk, picking up his things to leave. He limped due to the injuries sustained during the fight with Sirius. 
Grabbing his cane, he walked towards the classroom door. Before leaving, he turned to the two students, smiling kindly at them. 
"We'll see each other soon, I know that." 
And with that, he left, giving them no chance to reply. 

~~~~~
The Astronomy Tower was perhaps the only place where one could remain alone in peace, and Sarah had understood that after a year spent in that school. 
Upon reaching the top, she slowly walked towards the iron railing, placing her hands on it, immediately feeling the cold material under her fingers, and she lifted her gaze. 
The day was sunny, the heat was beginning to set in, and summer was about to start. 
Sarah had to confront the biggest problem she had been trying to hide for a while; she hadn't replied to her parents in days now, and she didn't feel like doing it. 
Her letters had been mostly short, just a few words, nothing more. 
The Settimini family constantly sent her updates, wishes, sweet and sentimental messages. Sarah, however, felt troubled at the moment, unsure of how to behave towards those who had raised her as if she were their daughter but were now a huge question mark for her. 
It was clear to her that they knew, probably from the first day, the truth. This always gave her a sharp pain in her stomach, an almost overwhelming sense of anger. 
They should have told her sooner, shared the truth with her before she found out from others. 
At the same time, she missed them. She had grown up with them and had always seen them as her parents; she couldn't erase the love they had given her for twelve years of her life.
The girl brought her hands to her face, overwhelmed by the number of thoughts and scenarios running through her mind. 
She lifted her head, looking at the sky, and immediately the image of her father came to her. 
What could he be doing? Where was he? Was he okay? 
She knew nothing about Sirius and perhaps wouldn't for a long time. 
She imagined him flying happily on Buckbeak, free in a way, but happy. 
She smiled, hoping he was safe wherever he was.

A small noise made her turn, breaking the quiet and peace she had managed to create. 
Tom Riddle was leaning against the wall of the room, watching her with a slight smirk on his face. 
He took a few steps towards her, then rested his hands on the iron railing. 
"Vacation is about to start," the boy said suddenly. 
Sarah nodded, not too happy about it; she had loved her first year despite all the problems. 
"Will you be going back to your family?" Tom now looked at her, curious to know what the girl would do. 
"I don't have much of a choice, Tom. And besides, I don't mind. We're still talking about my family, even if not by blood. They raised me, and I miss them. It's just... I need to talk to them clearly because I feel there are things unsaid on both sides, things that need to be clarified." 
The boy nodded, looking at the view in front of him again. 
A slight breeze was picking up, making the air cooler but pleasant. 
"And you? What will you do?" Sarah didn't know much about Tom and Mattheo's family, she had asked little because it was clearly a difficult topic for both boys. 
"Home, if we can call it that. Malfoy is hosting the ball this summer, so I'll have the chance to escape as soon as possible." 
"I don't think you really want to go to the ball..." Sarah chuckled softly. 
Tom nodded
"I hate balls, but if it means leaving home sooner, I'll take it." 
The girl turned to look at him better, feeling sorry for his situation with his family.
"I'm sor-" but she didn't have time to finish her sentence,Tom raised a hand to stop her. 
"I'm sorry too, but this is my life, just like it's Mattheo's. At least we're not completely alone here." 
For the first time, Sarah saw a sincere smile on the usually stern face of the Slytherin. 
It was beautiful to see him smile like any other boy his age; Sarah couldn't stop looking at him. 
"Am I included in that, or...?" she asked playfully. 
Tom turned leaning his back against the railing, now with a more sarcastic smile. 
"You just can't stand not being the center of attention, Black?" 
Sarah huffed
"You could at least admit that now you like me. I mean, you can't deny we've both made great progress." 
Tom couldn't deny it; ever since Sarah had arrived, many things had changed. Apart from the interesting events with Black's escape, the girl had managed to be accepted by the school's most "exclusive" group by doing absolutely nothing but being herself. 
"I mean, you could even call me your friend now." 
Tom dramatically rolled his eyes. 
"I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself, aren't you?" 
"Oh, come on! I'm nice, smart, and, most of all, I can put up with someone like you! I deserve such a significant title." 
Tom would have added beautiful, without a doubt. 
Sarah was truly one of the most beautiful girls in the school, at least to him. It wasn't just about outer beauty, but also her personality, her kindness, and her simplicity. 
But in that simplicity, in her natural way of being, she always stood out as unique. 
Tom had never looked at anyone the way he looked at Sarah Black. 
And he wouldn't for years, not even when their worlds would become so distant and different.

Sarah took a small object from her jacket pocket, white headphones dangling from it. 
She handed one to Tom, looking at him amused. 
"You don't like these things, but for once, you could try." 
Tom hesitantly looked at the object being handed to him but decided to accept. 
He did what Sarah told him to do, took the earphone, and waited for the music to start. 
He almost jumped when he heard a song at full volume, bringing a hand to his head, making the Gryffindor laugh. 
The girl took his hands, starting to move slowly, inviting him to do the same. 
"Absolutely not, it's already a lot that I accepted your absurd proposal." 
But Sarah didn't stop,she kept moving, waiting for him to do the same. 
The boy sighed, slowly starting to move his feet, showing little enthusiasm for the moment. 
As time passed, he seemed to relax and move more fluidly, under the watchful eyes of Black, who smiled at him. 
They spent the afternoon on the tower, far from prying eyes and those who would have laughed at the scene.

People started talking about, putting us through our paces 
I knew there was no one in the world who could take it 
I had a bad feeling

But we were dancing 
Dancing with our hands tied, hands tied

---

Second-to-last chapter of the third year, I can hardly believe it! 
The next one will officially conclude this first part, which, as always, I consider to be introductory! 
I hope you liked it; let me know with a comment and by voting for the story! 

Best regards, 
Ale