From the Beginning..

Lily walked into Ariadne's room. "Ari," she said, "aren't you coming down?" She stepped further into the room when she saw that Ariadne was packing. "What are you doing?"

"Lily, I have to leave," she said. "But why? What in the world has happened? I thought you were happy here?"

Ariadne shook her head. "I was. Lily, I was happier than I've ever been. And Sirius," she closed her eyes as she felt the tears starting, "I love Sirius so much."

"Then why are you leaving?" Lily said in frustration.

"The other night," she started, "Sirius sent Snape into the tunnel under the Whomping Willow while Remus was changing." Lily's face blanched. "Oh, no! Snape could have been killed!"

Ariadne nodded. "I know." She wiped her eyes. "I talked with Remus the next morning and found out that they've only been at each other's throats' like this since I've been here."

"Snape is probably only doing it to make Sirius mad," Lily started.

Ariadne shook her head. "You see, Sirius seems to be one of the few people who knows when I'm reading his mind," she shrugged. "Probably because we're so close." She took a deep breath. "Sirius came up while Severus was trying to kiss me not long ago. I had just read his and he didn't feel a thing when it happened. He's in love with me, differently, yes, but-"

"What happened when Sirius found the two of you?" Lily asked. "I thought Sirius was going to kill him. They probably would have if I have if I hadn't blacked out."

"What!"

"I asked him not to say anything to anyone. Lily, they were so mad and hated each other so much, that I couldn't block everything. It was like being trapped. I couldn't breath and the next thing I knew, I woke up in the infirmary."

"They could have killed you," Lily whispered. Ariadne gave a small laugh. "I think they were too intent on killing each other to worry about me." Lily started to understand.

"At least talk to him before you leave, Ari," she begged.

She shook her head. "If I come anywhere near him, I'll lose my nerve."

Lily nodded. "Owl me when you get home, please."

"I will," Ariadne said before breaking down completely. Lily hugged her. "Don't worry. James and I will keep him out of trouble."

She smiled. "Please try. Lord knows what he'll get into otherwise."

"Bye," Lily said and quietly left the room.
Sirius waited in the common room for Ariadne. After about thirty minutes, she still hadn't shown. He started to go her room and check when Professor McGonagall opened the Portrait Hole.

"Mr. Black," she said gravely. "Could you follow me please?" Sirius followed her into the hallway and down to Professor Dumbledore's office. Once inside, he saw Snape already seated at the desk.

"Ah, Mr. Black. If you would please have a seat?"

Professor Dumbledore sat down behind his desk.

"I'm sure you're both wondering why you have been summoned here. One of our students, Ms. Drue, has decided to leave the school and return to America."

Snape's face went pale. Sirius sat back in his chair amazed.

"There seems to be a problem with her empathic abilities and certain, feelings, that she has been subject to."

Both boys had the grace to flush. "Now that she has decided to take this course of action, I trust that things will be less tense?"

Both nodded. "Good. You may be excused. Oh-," he called, "Sirius? If you could wait just a moment?" Sirius nodded.

Dumbledore waited until Snape had left before handing Sirius an envelope. "Miss Drue asked me to give this to you. I assume it will hold a satisfactory explanation." Sirius nodded and rose to leave. "If it is any consolation, Mr. Black, I'm deeply, truly sorry."

Sirius waited until he got back to his room to read the letter.

Sirius,

By the time you read this letter, I will be gone from Hogwart's. Rest assured, this was not an easy decision for me. I love you more than I have ever loved anyone or anything in my life. But, if the only way to assure that you and Severus don't kill each other is for me to leave, then I make this sacrifice.

I could not stand by and watch things were progressing between the both of you, knowing it was my being there that made everything so much worse. Please believe that there will never be another for me and that a part of you will always live within me.

Perhaps someday you will understand why I left.

Don't hate me. That's all I ask.

Ariadne

Sirius crumpled up the letter and through it across the room. "Dammit!" he raked his hands through his hair and walked over to the window to stare out at the forbidden forest. He was still standing there when James walked into the room.

"Sirius, Lily just told me-," he started.

"There's a full moon tonight, isn't there?" Sirius cut him off. James responded slowly, not sure of Sirius in this mood. "Yes."

"Come on, then," he turned to walk away from the window. "I need to run."