Welcome to my story Standing at Deaths door. Hopefully you like it! This is actually my very first written fanfic so all criticism is welcomed. I've had the idea for this story for weeks now and finally gotten a chance to put it all together.

Disclaimer: Of course everything is owned by J.K. Rowling aside from my own OC's!

' ' - inner thoughts

Chapter 1

"Don't ever stop running!"

*CRACK*

The rain poured down on me as I sank to the ground my knees. My body still pumping hard full of adrenaline from what had just transpired. I couldn't quite register that I had apparated in front of my old childhood home. I couldn't really register anything at all. How any of the last 24 hours really happened. How any of it wasn't some sick and twisted nightmare that I could just wake up from. Sitting there in my front courtyard on the concrete, I let the cold hard rain weigh down on me. The feeling of the wind hitting me made feel a little more numb if even possible. My ratted black hair was completely soaked by this point and was stuck against my face. The dark storm didn't seem like it was going to let up anytime soon.

'How fitting…' I thought staring at the splashes of water hitting the ground.

I looked up from the ground and looked at my old childhood home as the rain continued to pelt down on me and blended in with my tears. I knew I should move, get out of the rain and go inside for shelter, but I just couldn't. My body was trembling so much that I couldn't seem to gather any more strength to pull myself up. I couldn't be sure if it was from the cold rain or from what I had just escaped from at this point. Maybe it was both. I continued to sit there for a few more minutes after what had felt like hours. At this point I had no consideration for time, everything happened so fast…It was like a blur. One moment I had everything, the next…I lost it all.

The crack of lightning shook me out of my lost state. Briefly coughing from all the smoke I just escaped, I attempted to pull myself up off the hard ground. My clothes weighed like bricks as I was soaked to the bone. Shakily, I managed to push my knees off the ground and stood, faltering a bit. Not noticing the red tinged puddle from where I sat, I began my slow decent to the porch of my old home. Reaching the handle of the door I stopped, unsure if there was anything or anyone awaiting for me inside. Reassuring myself that it should be okay, I shook the thought away.

'No, it should be fine, Dad intended this to be a safe house if needed. No one should know about this place.'

Pushing the fear to the back of my mind I turned the knob and pushed the door open. Between the storm and the late hours it was almost impossible to see anything inside. I shakily reached down and took my wand from my soaked pocket, slowly bringing my arm upright.

"Lumos."

The light grew quickly and soon enough I stood in the entryway of the home I was born in. Cautiously I walked in as I could see how dusty the place had gotten since our visit a few summers ago. I continued past the stairway as I aimed to reach the kitchen, pausing when a picture frame sitting on a table caught my eye. I took a step closer as I reached down to grab the frame with my left arm. Flinching from pain as I tried to lift my arm, I glanced down only to notice there was red liquid flowing out of my sleeve, down my hand to my fingertips. I stared at my hand in confusion trying to figure out at what point I revieced what I expected to be a nasty cut. My thoughts were pushed aside as I could start to feel the immense stinging from just below my shoulder reaching down to my elbow. I supposed whatever adrenalin I had earlier was now long gone. Ignoring the sharp pain, I once again reached for the frame and grasped it tightly not caring how much it hurt. Holding it to my chest, I made my way down the hallway to the kitchen. Not wanting to draw attention to the home I was holding up in, I chose to light a few candles that still laid around instead of turning on the lights.

'Better safe then sorry'

"Fuck."

I gritted out as I wrapped it around the deepest part of the gash where the spell hit me. Not bothering to rinse off the blood, I quickly wrapped my arm in gauze I found in the kitchen pantry. I used to get in quite some trouble as a kid, and dad was never the best at healing spells. He'd usually would wait for mum to come home from her shift at St. Mungos to patch me up instead of him botching it further and getting an earful from her. So mum at gotten accustomed to keeping extra gauze aside in case. Mum usually would have some potions locked away somewhere in the house, but being that we haven't actually lived here in quite some time…I wasn't sure we had anything left. Seeing as mum was a healer she had taught me quite a few healing spells should I get in a pinch. However at this moment, I couldn't rack my brain for a single spell and opted for a simple bandage instead. Finishing the last wrap and tying it off, I placed both hands on the edge of the sink as the memories of tonight kept flashing through my mind.

The thought of my parents made me pause, still gripping the leftover gauze in my good hand. Turning away from the sink I threw the remaining gauze across the kitchen. From there, feeling as though that wasn't enough, I began to reach for more. I grabbed the glass cups beside the sink and began launching them in fury against anything and everything. Luckily the storm was heavy tonight and the house was far from listening ears deep within a forested area. Not satisfied and still in a rage I stomped over to the kitchen table and gripped the chair as hard as I could before tossing it into the side pantry. Screaming in anger as the loud glass shattering echoed throughout the now abandoned home. The home that had no family residing in it. No family, just…me.

I had put what little energy I had left into my frustrated outburst.

'Calm down, calm down, calm down…' I kept repeating in my head. I can't afford to lose control right now.

Having nothing else to throw I stepped backwards cracking the glass more underneath my feet until my lower back hit the kitchen counter. Overwhelmed with anger and pain I could feel tears begin to pool in my eyes. As I slowly fell down to the ground, my tears fell too. Gripping my knees in frustration, I buried my head down as I refused to let my emotions consume me. Remembering the picture frame I quickly lifted my head in search of it. There, two feet away from me on the ground was the frame, the glass shattered from the aftermath of my rage. I moved slightly to reach for it as I took it in my hand. Some glass had fallen and broke off as I slipped my finger underneath pulling the photo out of the frame.

Grazing my fingertips over the frail photo I took a closer look. In the photo was my mum as beautiful as ever holding the hand of my dad who held a smile as though he was the luckiest man in the world. Then as the photo continued to move, me at the age of 8 ran in and surprised my parents by jumping into the arms of my dad. He moved his arms to hold me in-between both him and mum.

I remembered this day...We were having a picnic with the potters that day, and I couldn't help myself but interrupt the photo Charles Potter was taking of my parents on their 10th wedding anniversary. We were always close to the Potters as my parents and James' all went to Hogwarts together. As close as we all were, that all but meant that James had grown to be my best friend. With that of course his parents been made my God parents should anything happen.

Taking one last look at one of my best childhood memories, I took the photo and gently stashed it into my pants pocket. Remembering that this house was only a temporary safe house, I reached up and grabbed the counter top as I pulled myself to my feet. This house was only to be a place to run to and wait for mum and dad if for whatever reason we were split up. And here I was at the meeting spot, alone. No one was coming to tell me that everything would be okay, my dad wouldn't be bursting through the door any minute to come check every inch of me to see that I'm alright. My mum wouldn't be right behind him reaching to grab me in a tight hug.

In case it did come down to a situation where we would need to leave, this house was the first stop. Meet here, gather our thoughts and pack all the necessities we may need. That was our plan, and I intended to keep it.

'At this point either way, there's no way I could go back now…' Shaking my head I wiped the thoughts from my mind.

"Everything's different now, and I made a promise." I whispered to the empty house.

I began to make my way towards the staircase meanwhile avoiding any longing looks at the photos around the house walls.

'How much time have I already wasted…I can't afford to stay here much longer.' I wasn't sure if anyone knew that our family still owned this property and if they did... how long would it be before they came looking.

Determined to get out of the abandoned home I quickly made my way up the stairs to my old bedroom. Once inside I began shuffling around the room grabbing any necessities I may need to hold me over the next while. Unfortunately, most of my clothes I had left here had all but outgrown me. I very well couldn't go out in public looking the way I did. The only thing I was wearing that was still in tact was my shoes. My pants and jumper were torn with some sections singed off from the fire. Not to mention the blood stains on my left side. Thinking for a moment I realized I'd have to go to my mums closet and find something in there to hold me over. Quickly I left my room making my way over to my parents' room on the other side of the large house. Pushing the door to let myself in I slowly stepped inside.

Looking around the room made my heart ache. The room was completely covered in dust and was filled with the same pieces of furniture. Mum had a habit of not being able to let things go, so naturally much of the furniture had stayed in this home and they bought new furniture for the house that resided in Godrics Hollow. Most of the household items were draped with white linen to protect them from collecting dust. Pushing aside my feelings I made my way to the closet and grabbed a pair of black trousers from that fit snug on my hips and a warm wool jumper from my dad's side. It certainly was oversized on me but I drew comfort from the thought of my father. Spotting my dads old rucksack that I remembered had an extension charm on it, I began stuffing enough clothes inside to last me a while. Unsure of where I was going to go from here, I began debating what my next move would be.

'Dammit, I don't have any money with me.' I thought mentally slapping myself.

I considered the family vault in Grigotts. My family comes from a long line of pureblood wizards, a very wealthy one at that. There was more money in there then I'd even know what to do with. However, I knew very well I couldn't take the chance of waltzing into Gringotts now after everything. Suddenly a thought crossed my mind.

"Dads safe in the study."

Grabbing the pack, I hurried out of their old room and headed towards my fathers' study. Taking a big chance being here as long as I have, I had to make quick of things. Stepping inside I noticed something was different in here compared to the rest of the house. Nothing in this room was draped in white linen.

'Someone's been here recently…'

Hesitantly I walked over to my fathers desk to inspect further. My dad spent quite a bit of time in here doing paperwork for his job at the ministry as an Auror. He'd usually catch up on his paperwork while sipping on a glass of Firewisky and having a smoke. It was a habit my mum hated and constantly chastised him about. He tried to quit a few times, but I'd often find him hiding out behind the house bumming a quick smoke. Jokingly begging me not to mention it to mum, it became our little secret. Looking down at the desk I noticed a pack of half empty Malboros that dad favoured and the glass ash tray filled of smoked cigarettes.

But what made my eyes widen wasn't the cigarettes, but a piece of parchment that laid in the middle of the desk. My name scrawled on the envelope in what I could recognized immediately as my fathers writing. Slowly sitting down on my fathers chair I set down my wand on the large oak desk and reached for the letter. Taking a deep breath my hands shook as I desperately tried to open it. Taking in a breath of air I glanced at my fathers handwriting.

My dearest Serena,

If you're reading this, I cannot tell you how sorry your mother and I are. Reading this means that we are gone and that I was too late... I'm so sorry I couldn't have done more to protect you sweetheart. I've suspected for a while that things were beginning to come to dark times. The ministry has been scrambling around as there as been activity surrounding Voldemort and his so called followers. I fear that they've come to suspect our family of our old legends, and that they may have come to light. I believe that Voldemort is to blame for your uncles murder last month…I think he wanted to use him for information concerning our family. I'm not sure how they've come to this conclusion as we took every precaution possible. But you reading this means Voldemort's figured it out and we're out of time.

Serena I need you to be the strong daughter I know we've raised and pay attention carefully. This house isn't safe and you can't stay here for long. There are wards around the home but not strong enough to keep you hidden from them for long. You need to grab everything you can and get out quickly. I've left money in the safe behind the portrait of your great grandfather along with some muggle money. I know this will be difficult but you must blend in with the muggles. Voldemort will have eyes everywhere around the wizarding community and I believe he's managed to infiltrate the ministry. You need to get to Ireland, there's a muggle cabin I put in your name near the shore by the town Louisbough. No one knows about it. Go there until things are safe…I don't know when that'll be, but at least I'll know you'll be safe there. You can't contact anyone Serena, you're an underage witch and you'll be sure to be on the ministry's radar. They'll have eyes watching any owls going to the potters or anyone else close to our family.

The trace is still on you so you have to be careful. We haven't haven't had the chance to tell you, but Albus had somewhat altered the charm on you last year when things started to come to light. The trace isn't on you yourself, but on your wand. He changed it in a way that the ministry hasn't caught on to it yet. This means you can still use magic but avoid using your wand. At all costs you must not use your wand till you're 17 to avoid being traced. You've grasped wandless magic enough that you should manage okay. You can't afford any mistakes that will flag the ministry, so keep your emotions in check my love.

Please Serena be careful. I'm so sorry and we love you so much. We never wanted this life for you. When you started showing signs as a child I hated myself having you inherited the blood of my family. You always made the best of it though, and you've made your mum and I so proud. We may be gone, but don't forget we will always be watching over you my love.

Love you always in this world and the next,

Mum & Dad

Tears had slowly begun to form as I started reading. I attempted my best to hold back, but by the end of the letter the dam broke open and I couldn't stop them from falling. My whole body shook as I held the letter in my lap. Desperately trying to not let my mind wander back to those last moments just a few hours ago. The screams of my mother wouldn't stop ringing in my head. The frantic last cries as she begged for my life, not caring for her own. Bringing my hands to my head I dug my nails into my hair in a desperate act to stop the flashbacks. Hopelessly hoping that pain can lessen the one in my heart. Frantically ripping my hands from my head I jumped up and screamed as I reach for everything on the desk and pushed it all off onto the ground.

"DAMMIT!"

Squeezing my eyes shut as hard as I though I could be able to blink the memories away. Begging for this to be some kind of nightmare I was stuck in, as though I didn't just lose everything I loved in the late hours of tonight. I desperately wished I was back at Hogwarts in the Gryffindor common room sitting by the fire on this stormy night, listening to James and Lily's constant banter. I let my mind wander back there as it slowly subsided my anger. Right in this moment I really missed James' comfort. He was always there for me when I needed him, no matter if he had a prank planned with the boys or not. He always dropped everything if I needed him. Suddenly a realization hit me.

'I can't see James anymore…'

I couldn't see anyone at all. It wasn't safe for them. Uncle Jonathan was just murdered not long ago… and now this. This means anyone close to my family would be in danger, and it's all because of me...

'Oh shit.'

Berating myself for forgetting that I had to move quickly, I ran over to the portrait which hid the safe. After muttering the spell to open our family safe I quickly stuffed everything inside the charmed rucksack. Starting to make my way out of my fathers den I paused and turned around. Scanning the ground, I quickly grabbed my dads pack of cigarettes that were tossed on the floor and glanced over to see his old family pocket watch beside it. The glass had slightly cracked, noticing that I squeezed my lips tight as I picked it up. Chastising myself for damaging it in my fit of anger. I snapped it shut and shoved both items in my pocket alongside the photo and letter. Gripping my wand I turned to make my way out of the room.

'Wait a second. I used my wand when I got here…oh fuck.' I realized.

I had to move quickly. By now I'm sure someone realized what had gone down at my home, what's left of it that is.

'Jesus how could I be so stupid to use magic, I'm sure they're trying to see if anyone survived. I need to leave now.'

Grabbing the pack once again, I raced down the stairs to double check if I could find anything of value to me. Once I reached the bottom step I made a sharp left into the living room. Quickly scanning the room, I jogged over to the tall cabinet where mum used to keep her stock of potions. Grasping the white cloth, I ripped the linen off and tossed it aside revealing the dark oak. As I began to fumble with the handles I heard a banging on the door. I froze in fear.

"SERENA!"

I paused, too scared to make a move or any sound at all. I stared in the direction of the front entrance, waiting for them to come flooding in and get what they couldn't last time.

"Serena are you in there?!"

Wait a second.

'I know that voice.'