Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter or Harry Potter related copyrights.

Ok, so yes, a new story. I really hope you like it because it is probably my favorite thing that I have written so far. It is completely finished, so I will probably post a chapter a week.

The title is a work in progress so if anyone has any suggestions I would be more than happy to hear them. I am including a bit of background information for my character, she is awesome though, so… yeah. Enjoy!

Background: This plot bunny attacked and demanded to be written. This takes place sometime during the Battle of Hogwarts before Harry hands himself over to the Dark Lord, but after he has discovered that Fred is dead, as is Remus and Nymphadora Lupin. Serena is a character of my own creation who is the daughter of Sirius Black, and a relatively unknown mother whose name is rather unimportant, but for those curious it is Sonja Gregorovitch and she is a Pureblood. Serena is in the same year as Fred and George Weasley. The three of them plus Lee Jordan are best friends. George and Lee have been "experimenting" together for a while, and Fred and Serena are (were *sniffle*) in a very exclusive relationship.

- b-r-e-a -k -

"We need to find out what You-Know-Who is planning," Kingsley said, gravely serious to the gathered Order members and students in the Great Hall.

"Well, we know that, don't we? He wants to kill Harry and take over the world," Ron said.

"He means that we need to find out what he's planning right at this very second in order to do those things Ron," George said, slapping him upside the head.

"I'll go," a quiet voice said. Everyone looked to see Serena push off from where she had been leaning against the wall. Her mascara was slightly runny from tears, but she seemed determined.

"You don't have to do it," Lee Jordan said.

"I'm the only one that stands a chance. If I can convince them that I've seen the error of my ways, then I'm good. Besides, I've got nothing left to lose," she said.

"Alright, fine. Serena's going undercover. Serena, don't do anything stupid. You've still got your friends to come back to," Kingsley reminded her. She nodded, and turned away.

"Don't you want to clean up a bit before you go?" someone behind her asked.

"No," she said quietly, "it'll help convince them."

She walked slowly out of the Entrance Hall, as if in a trance. Once outside, she sent a message with her Patronus to one of the last people she didn't think she would ever willingly make contact with: Bellatrix Lestrange. As she watched her dog-shaped Patronus bound away, she contemplated what had happened. Fred was dead. He was gone and she was never going to be able to speak to him, or look at him ever again. Sure, George shared his face, and many of his mannerisms, but they were completely different people. Another few tears escaped her, and she squeezed her eyes shut to quell the rising grief.

She opened her eyes to find that a Tarantula-shaped Patronus was staring at her, bobbing and weaving its head with its many eyes in what would have been an intimidating dance.

"Well, well," Bellatrix's voice echoed out of the Patronus, "wittle Serena is seeking us out. If you really want to talk, meet me at the edge of the forest near where the half-giant's hut used to stand. We'll be waiting…"

Serena took a deep breath, and braced herself before she made her way to the forest.

Once there, she stood next to the charred remains of Hagrid's hut, waiting for them to show themselves, or see through her bluff and kill her. Suddenly, a silent Expelliarmus disarmed her. She forced herself to barely flinch.

"Hmm, you actually showed up. I must say I'm surprised," Bellatrix's sickly sweet voice and breath caused the hair's on the back of Serena's neck stand on end.

"Madame Lestrange," Serena greeted her, figuring a little formality wouldn't kill her: if she was going to die, there wasn't really anything she could do about it at the moment.

"Come, Bella, let's figure out why she's here, and go," a bored, male voice joined Bella and the two of them circled around to face her. Serena figure this man was Rodolphus Lestrange.

"Oh, shut it Rodolphus! I know what I'm doing!" Bellatrix's voice became angry and guttural. "Now, sweetie," she was back to sweet, Serena could swear Bella was bi-polar, "tell us why you're here."

Serena cursed herself for not exactly thinking this part through. "I'm tired of it. I just can't stand it anymore. I was raised to believe that we were all equal: Purebloods, and Halfbloods and Mudbloods. But I see now that we're not. Purebloods have the right to be on top, and I'm tired of being treated like a commoner, where my life can be given up the same as a Mudblood's. They allowed so many good people of excellent blood-standing die. For nothing. The Dark Lord must be right, if such an overwhelming number of people fight for him.

"My boyfriend was stupid and just such a Gryffindor that now he's dead. And where does that leave me? I've got nothing left besides family, whom I've never been allowed to meet or see or talk about. Please, believe me when I say that I'm on your side now, because when the game's over, it's over and if I stay with them, I'm going to be left out in the cold." Serena desperately hoped that this little speech worked.

"What deliciously Slytherin notions," Bella mused.

"Sounded like nothing more than the ramblings of a little girl to me. Why don't we just get rid of her and be done with it?" Rodolphus suggested.

"I told you to shut it, Rodolphus! She's a Pureblood, not to mention that she's the last of the direct line of Blacks: we can't kill her. And didn't you hear the Dark Lord? We can't waste good, pure, willing blood.

"Oh, don't cry wittle niece," Bella said, drawing Serena into the tensest, most uncomfortable embrace she had ever experienced in her life. Serena hadn't even been aware that her tears had started again. "I believe you. After all, who would want to stay where all blood statuses intermingle and it's ok to mate with Mudbloods? Come, come, now. Time to meet the Dark Lord."

"Thank you Madame Lestrange," Serena whispered, feeling like she was signing her own death warrant.

"Call me Auntie," Bellatrix said, smiling ferally leading her farther into the shadows of the forest.